Post by: Unorthodox on February 17, 2012, 07:58:36 pm
:D
For those that don't know my I'm a very strange Halloween addict.
Got myself invited to Transworld (http://www.haashow.com/), and am probably at least sending some items down with one of the vendors that wanted to spotlight my stuff.
Got the test done on my tomb finally. Apparantly it just doesn't work right without the lid.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Q7KMWLUXfuI/Tzandvk87PI/AAAAAAAAMFU/jBiKnonflTw/s800/IMG_6048.JPG)
Which made for an encouraging test with the machine running. No chiller built yet, which will help immensely.
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-CstflAsAe-Y/TzaneYGyY8I/AAAAAAAAMFs/3tVRCDV1xpM/s800/IMG_6051.JPG)
But, even without that, we're getting good broadcast out the base and no leakage on top. Lots of work to do that is difficult to explain/understand so we'll leave it at that.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QaaMd0dVPM8/TzanevaqkxI/AAAAAAAAMF0/tnhB59CE1NI/s800/IMG_6052.JPG)
Order finally in for my foam coating, hopefully next week.
This image verification crap to start a thread is rather annoying. FYI.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 17, 2012, 09:27:15 pm
I'll look into that captcha thing - I hadn't run into that for months until today, when I made a DL who's a regular member. The capchas here are at least easy to read, but I'll poke around about that one - however, I'm not touching it without sisko's say-so unless I can find a way to only eliminate the requirement one member at a time. I bet that's because of the feedbots, and other bot members. I'll look into it, though.
Post by: Unorthodox on February 17, 2012, 10:55:55 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 17, 2012, 11:13:40 pm
Did you have a catcha again this time?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 17, 2012, 11:26:34 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on February 18, 2012, 01:42:42 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 18, 2012, 01:51:21 am
Post by: Unorthodox on February 18, 2012, 02:30:09 am
Considering we'll be at ~$400 in costs, and lord only knows how many hours, it's actually more reasonable than it sounds. But, the offer is from a professional haunt in Las Vegas.
To put it in perspective, the chiller alone I'm building inside this thing retails for $500.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 18, 2012, 02:32:01 am
Post by: Unorthodox on February 18, 2012, 02:36:51 am
However, I've long been of the mind that these things get WAY overpriced. Like the Chimera I sold for only a few hundred last year when I could have gotten near a thousand if I really wanted to push it. This is enough for me to get the licenses and tax id's to start charging more, and pay for the second one to be built while being low enough not to be illegal.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 18, 2012, 02:40:57 am
Post by: Unorthodox on February 18, 2012, 03:12:39 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 18, 2012, 03:16:10 am
Post by: Unorthodox on February 18, 2012, 05:18:52 pm
Business side of Halloween is not a pleasant schedule.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 18, 2012, 05:52:54 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on February 18, 2012, 10:07:14 pm
Anyhow...my parents have called a family meeting. It's either to discuss my 'problems' or Grandma's dying.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 18, 2012, 11:30:05 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on February 20, 2012, 02:05:16 pm
Plan was to make my bas reliefs using Ovencraft clay. It bakes at 350, but otherwise acts like a cone 5 clay. It's how I made the skull a few years back.
Well, it's no longer available locally, and clay is rather pricey to ship.
Polymer clays (sculpey) and I don't mix.
I wanted the ovencraft to make a rock hard original I could make molds of into the future in case I decide to make more of these, or people decide they want to buy the bas relief for their own project.
I could paper mache right on the tomb, but that kinda defeats the purpose of the whole mold idea. I could use my plasticine clay but it would either limit my ability to make undercuts on the model (to use a plaster mold) or bite the bullet and get some $ilicone molding compound.
Any air-dry clays you can recommend? Most the ones I know suck.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 20, 2012, 02:26:59 pm
If it was me, I guess I'd rough out an original in plaster over wadded newpaper, carve/detail it into what I wanted, then make the mold of latex with a substantial plaster gauze backing. You'll have a better idea of what materials to work in than I, but the master mold original thingy doesn't have to be durable, as long as you get a good strong mold off it. If you want more in the future, you can always go through a second generation - and maybe customize those while you're at it. You might want to keep a first generation foam impression squirreled away where it wouldn't take wear from handling, then, or even cast a really solid impression out of that dense plaster you have, for future use.
An advantage of not even trying to keep the original is storage; the molds ought to nest into each other a bit, while the original or positive castings would take up a lot more space.
...
I've been thinking about the Tomb of Rassilon from The Five Doctors ever since I mentioned it; you MUST put a timelord on your tomb - the skullcap and big round space collar would make a mighty fine wizard...
Post by: Unorthodox on February 20, 2012, 04:31:13 pm
???
Google tells me it's Dr Who...and has some crappy images of an undersized recumbent effigy (or the tomb was just made way too big, hard to tell, but it's out of scale) on a tomb with some non-descript bas relief (which is also out of scale).
These obelisk things might fit into the area, however. http://media.photobucket.com/image/Tomb%20of%20Rassilon/overlord_awc/Dr%20Who/Tower06.jpg (http://media.photobucket.com/image/Tomb%20of%20Rassilon/overlord_awc/Dr%20Who/Tower06.jpg)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 20, 2012, 04:42:44 pm
(http://www.drwhofigures.co.uk/custom2/2/confirmed/morethanatimelordtombrassilon.jpg)
Check those four busts on the side; the circular pattern is actually their awesomely cheesy timelord space collars, though the skullcaps don't show much in this shot. That's definitely a fan-built model with a doll on top, I'd say.
Just a whim, anyway - but one I'd indulge if it was my project. It would be a thrill for those as recognized what it was, and still look cool for those who don't. Just one little Time Lord, not the whole thing, mind you.
Those obelisk thingies do look great for you purposes.
Post by: Unorthodox on February 20, 2012, 05:22:05 pm
I'm still going over what exactly I want to do to the bas relief on the thing. I still like the concept of various symbols of death through history the best.
Basically because Medusa was awful fun on Alec-zander, and certainly fits.
Quote
Medusa's head is both a mirror and a mask. It is the mirror of collective violence which leaves the Devil's mark on the individual, as well as being the image of death for those who look at it. Both these themes -- violence rendered sacred and death by petrifaction
However, I just can't come up with enough that interest me at present.
I could very well fall into my standard of making sigils as an inside joke, and probably will SOMEWHERE on the thing.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 20, 2012, 05:30:25 pm
Wow, that's not even bas relief, it's a table with a doll on top and a printed skirt.It's a crappy fan model of something that did have bas relief, (I thought, at least) but which doesn't seem to have any decent pictures on the webs. The concept, man; focus on the concept. ;D
(http://www.timey-wimey.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/1TimeLordTennant.jpg) (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/6/68/Prydonian.jpg/200px-Prydonian.jpg)
Post by: Unorthodox on February 20, 2012, 06:36:06 pm
The seal of rassilon, however, would fit well if I go the sigil route.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 20, 2012, 06:49:05 pm
There's actually a LOT of pretty neat iconology associated with Rassilon, if you wanted to poke around - he must have been the Donald [Sleezebag] of Time Lords, because everything but the Kitchen Sink of Rassilon seems to be floating around, and lots of it had nice sigils attached, ISTR.
More seriously, there's probably lots of death-themed african masks out there, and I'm sure Aztec "gargoyles" were one of the first things you thought about - as perhaps, were european gargoyles.
Post by: Unorthodox on February 20, 2012, 07:40:33 pm
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-rSTUp_SOWIo/T0KdoWFp-7I/AAAAAAAAMHo/mdzXY7sZX3o/s800/%2521Bg%252CzrJw%25212k%257E%2524%2528KGrHqMOKiUErzGbPL%252CQBLFPueWMs%2521%257E%257E_35.jpg)
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-b04HiJfvwqI/TBipqGRTnHI/AAAAAAAAHJM/tP2PFygq7r8/s800/IMG_0968.JPG)
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-LT7mNg-E3b4/TPREvNINeFI/AAAAAAAAITQ/hTdMH6j-920/s800/IMG_2954.JPG)
The trouble with African death masks is it almost requires a commitment to doing the whole thing in that style. Not that that is a bad thing.
A whole area dedicated to that, bring back my garden of skulls full force, appropriate surroundings...
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XYesHR_J6qo/TPREsHqaBtI/AAAAAAAAITA/QUA7tJlgn9g/s800/IMG_2951.JPG)
And, yes, bringing back my Aztec inspired stella to serve as corner pieces on this was among my first thoughts.
(http://://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-hIXK7PoRScg/S-Y5I3k7ZRI/AAAAAAAAGNU/G8lB9EkULo0/s800/IMG_5089.JPG)
I liked them, am sad they got destroyed prior to use, still want to do that spiderwoman theme, and would make this an easy piece to transition into that.
HOWEVER. My end game on this project started different than my normal. I was specifically doing this as mainstream as possible. The further I get, the more I want to fight that idea. I don't do cemeteries, this thing is for my kids according to their more mainstream desires, plus it will sell better. I wasn't planning on keeping it after this year/doing it again. But the further we get, the more it grows on me.
Frankly, the easy route is rather tempting.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EZNmaN9RF6U/S4p35BKYHSI/AAAAAAAAF4k/kpjMnOcn0Tk/s800/IMG_0458.JPG)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 20, 2012, 07:47:42 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on February 20, 2012, 07:55:05 pm
However, searching for such statues hooked me on the tomb of Phillip the Bold, and figures known as Les Pleurant.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_vApM5cEI0s/T0KjcLkcN7I/AAAAAAAAMIU/c4sJe59hIak/s800/sluter1.jpg)
"The mourners".
Not only were they customary on such tombs (in France anyway), but they were often faceless, and something I can do in my sleep with a little monster mud.
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-kgSeGG1Ybno/T0Kjb8wsI7I/AAAAAAAAMIM/tgM_BTrMYIc/s800/sluter-pleurant.jpg)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 20, 2012, 08:01:18 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 20, 2012, 08:06:23 pm
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/2d/Cardinal_cisneros'_tomb.jpg)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 20, 2012, 08:10:11 pm
(http://static.ddmcdn.com/gif/michelangelo-sculptures-35.jpg)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 20, 2012, 08:12:09 pm
(http://www.galaxy.bedfordshire.gov.uk/webingres/bedfordshire/vlib/0.digitised_resources/0.images/chalgrave_glass_church_tomb.jpg)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 20, 2012, 08:16:47 pm
(http://www.sights-and-culture.com/Portugal/Alcobaca-monastery-tomb-Ines-516.jpg)
Post by: Unorthodox on February 20, 2012, 09:09:18 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 20, 2012, 09:12:29 pm
...
Aha! I figured out how to get a lot less Angelna Jolie hits, and a lot more of the style of tomb at issue.
(http://www.norwich-churches.org/monuments/Francis%20Bacon/images/Chest-tomb.jpg)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 20, 2012, 09:14:29 pm
(http://www.the9thgate.com/Slumbering%20Dragon's%20Tomb%20Box.jpg)
Post by: Unorthodox on February 20, 2012, 09:18:00 pm
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-j2fS3_Qb4xY/T0K4Gg5LmWI/AAAAAAAAMIw/CuDmuwtNreA/s800/4826712972_8d37fb57e0_z.jpg)
Post by: Unorthodox on February 20, 2012, 09:18:45 pm
A jewelry box, actually:
(http://www.the9thgate.com/Slumbering%20Dragon's%20Tomb%20Box.jpg)
Ooo, I want that box.
Damn, that site is closed.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 20, 2012, 09:21:07 pm
So you like the notion of the recessed, arched-and columned, niches for the side figures? Nice to look at, but I don't know about how easy to do...
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 20, 2012, 09:23:35 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 20, 2012, 09:27:51 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on February 20, 2012, 09:58:16 pm
You would. Google "box tomb" and there are a lot of hits for that artist...
So you like the notion of the recessed, arched-and columned, niches for the side figures? Nice to look at, but I don't know about how easy to do...
Yeah arches could be problematic. I could do squared recesses easily enough though, and spruce them up with some nice onlays or somthing.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 20, 2012, 10:03:43 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 20, 2012, 10:29:28 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on February 21, 2012, 12:48:52 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 21, 2012, 12:55:11 am
Post by: Unorthodox on February 21, 2012, 03:01:59 am
Anyway, did a little skull motif overlay design and have the plaster setting now. Probably be able to try a cast tomorrow.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 21, 2012, 03:16:13 am
Post by: Unorthodox on February 21, 2012, 03:29:29 am
Post by: Unorthodox on February 21, 2012, 03:31:02 am
Just had to blow off some family crap and work on something tonight. Even if it turns out to be nothing.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 21, 2012, 03:35:37 am
...
Are you planning to more try to cast sides in one piece, or glue elements toether?
Post by: Unorthodox on February 21, 2012, 03:48:17 am
I'm thinking I screwed up and shouldn't have put my walls on yet, but going to glue everything on separately.
The best way to explain the plan is to look at the frame.
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-v91rcGrum7M/TyCOiICHOaI/AAAAAAAALSE/XEDyFS9t-aA/s800/IMG_6041%255B1%255D.JPG)
Basically, the uprights are how I intend to section my tomb off, and will have a column on the outside over top of each of them, for 3 figures on each side and one at either end. I could arch that span, but it would make the figures smaller, so I got to figure that out.
The next step is to play with this foam coating and build the fog chiller once I get a handle on how it works/which kind of coating I'm using. (I'm basically getting a sample pack.)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 21, 2012, 04:10:24 am
Post by: Unorthodox on February 21, 2012, 04:19:50 am
Now, what else I decide to do to this thing, who knows.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 21, 2012, 04:35:04 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 21, 2012, 06:01:25 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on February 21, 2012, 06:40:18 pm
Going to be launching a new skeleton tutorial focused on being even cheaper and (more importantly) easier than Bob ($20 paper mache) soonish. (maybe this week/end) He'll need a name.
The plaster mold looked good this morning.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 21, 2012, 06:59:22 pm
Be a good SMACer/CIVillian and name the skeleton Sid, I say.
Post by: Unorthodox on February 21, 2012, 07:54:49 pm
I don't know, "Rigor the rigid wrap skeleton" has a ring to it.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 21, 2012, 08:05:08 pm
There HAS to be a better way than those overpriced sheets they sell at Michaels, even at half-off. I know there's stuff it's used in the construction industry - (I've worked contruction a bit, and never saw it used, but but it was around sometimes and I imagine it was for free-form molds when a little cement was needed to be added on corners or something) - getting it in biggish rolls through construction supply places ought to be a guaranteed savings.
Post by: Unorthodox on February 21, 2012, 08:46:38 pm
The medical stuff I can see is 3 times as expensive.
The only thing that approaches the cost effectiveness is buying a different brand (which only comes 6" wide) by the case, and it's the same price after shipping. Even driving down to SLC and getting it from FX supply isn't as cost effective.
Some medical stuff is measured by weight, and I don't have a reasonable means of cost comparison.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 21, 2012, 08:55:04 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on February 22, 2012, 01:36:57 am
Stuck a little too much leading to some tearing and deformation on removal.
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-dRjP62ull_A/T0RFYjer38I/AAAAAAAAMJ4/kX3tvMOKY4Y/s800/IMG_6056%255B1%255D.JPG)
Also didn't' skin well, causing it to lose a lot of details, but makes for a very good 'worn' look.
I think I need to add some compression for the expanding foam to do that better, next need to test cooking spray, but have some cleaning of the mold to do first.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 22, 2012, 01:43:20 am
Post by: Unorthodox on February 22, 2012, 01:56:38 am
Maybe if I soaked the plaster in water first, it would cure the foam contacting it quicker, thus making a skin?
There's always the solution of doing a slush coat in latex to hold the details then backfilling with foam.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 22, 2012, 02:01:11 am
Post by: Unorthodox on February 22, 2012, 02:25:41 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 22, 2012, 02:34:57 am
Post by: Unorthodox on February 22, 2012, 01:49:53 pm
The pressure had reverted the inside of the foam to a liquid, and only a skinned layer inside the mold. It tore, and out sprayed liquid foam now expanding as it hit the moisture in the air.
Took a week to get it all off my hands.
That was about 6 years ago, and this was the first thing I've done with foam since.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 22, 2012, 02:03:28 pm
I'd guess cooking spray might work better with latex, though it would be a little hard on it, I think. Sounds like you'd definitely waqnt to coat the outside, too.
Post by: Unorthodox on February 23, 2012, 02:03:43 pm
Anywho, got my foam coating in last night. It's in powder form, and deceptively HEAVY. I don't know what this stuff is, but it sure ways a lot by volume.
So, I have the powder foam coat, which can be mixed with water, with one of the additives (which I also got a sample of each), or with paint, all having varying degrees on the strength and rigidity of the final product. LOTS of playing around to be done this weekend.
Tomorrow is also the 'we all need to band together with my brother' day. He's got a big event in downtown Ogden (not the safest place in the world), so I'll at least make an appearance.
Post by: sisko on February 23, 2012, 02:11:56 pm
Hey, forum moved....and I got a horror tag now. Are those things I could put on a thread, or just something you guys do?you can change that by yourself with one of the available icons. of course, if the icon you chose has nothing to do with the thread, someone will take care of it.
also if you want a custom one, you'll have to ask Buncle, our resident artist.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 23, 2012, 02:18:15 pm
I'm on the fence about the forum move - I see the logic of grouping it with Community, but I'm used to having OT at the bottom...
This project has grown on me a lot, and I'll be very interested to see what you can work out with the foam. PICS! (When you have them.)
You've definitely got your heart in the right place on the family stuff - you only get one, however crapulent. I mean, putting up with more for the sake of the kids than you would on your own is the right thing to do. Are there any cousins, perchance? A child should have cousins, and get to see them often.
Post by: sisko on February 23, 2012, 02:57:24 pm
also if you want a custom one, you'll have to ask Buncle, our resident artist.i gues 'CREEPY' is the apropiate word for your thread
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 23, 2012, 03:03:23 pm
Post by: sisko on February 23, 2012, 04:39:38 pm
i gues 'CREEPY' is the apropiate word for your threadfixed that!
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 23, 2012, 04:42:33 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on February 24, 2012, 02:16:17 am
???
Got 6 coating tests drying now. Interesting stuff. Will be able to stress test them Saturday, then it's either back to the drawing board or onward.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 24, 2012, 02:25:02 am
Post by: Unorthodox on February 24, 2012, 03:11:41 am
The base is a powder. It can be mixed with water to varying consistencies, or with different additives they sell.
So, I tried it thick and thin with the water, both different additives, one smelled/looked/acted suspiciously like ModPodge, so I tried that, and I mixed some into paint, which was listed as an option on their instructions as well.
http://hotwirefoamfactory.com/-025-Foam-Coat-3lbs.html (http://hotwirefoamfactory.com/-025-Foam-Coat-3lbs.html)
Personally, the paint went on easiest, and would be the simplest going forward. I'm hoping it holds up under stress testing.
Post by: Unorthodox on February 24, 2012, 03:15:16 am
suspicious
Post by: Unorthodox on February 24, 2012, 03:17:26 am
I find it highly dubious I'm unable to type the synonym for dubious, mistrustful, wary....
Wow...ok, I get it...that's one heck of a curse filter you got there.
su S P I C ious is not a valid word because it contains an ethnic slur...
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 24, 2012, 03:25:55 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 24, 2012, 03:35:19 am
Post by: Unorthodox on February 24, 2012, 01:44:39 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on February 24, 2012, 01:53:39 pm
Seems there's a discrepency between their online directions and the printed directions sent to me (have them in front of me right now as well and confirmed). The printed directions just say mix with 'any high quality paint'...online it specifies 'any high quality ACRYLIC paint'. Gotta redo that one, I used latex.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 24, 2012, 02:05:14 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on February 24, 2012, 02:21:19 pm
This stuff is gritty as well, almost a sandstone texture to it, which is good for the overall look as well. (not that you'll notice at night with it lit and fogging and whatnot, but I will know)
Post by: Unorthodox on February 24, 2012, 05:02:39 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 24, 2012, 05:27:27 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on February 24, 2012, 07:09:47 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 24, 2012, 07:13:39 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on February 24, 2012, 07:49:52 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 24, 2012, 07:50:40 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on February 24, 2012, 07:56:38 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 24, 2012, 07:59:54 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on February 24, 2012, 10:04:38 pm
http://youtu.be/4tn5WLZWgbY (http://youtu.be/4tn5WLZWgbY)
Seems awful lot like a remake of the classic
http://youtu.be/yQkngCMZUGU (http://youtu.be/yQkngCMZUGU)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 24, 2012, 10:13:54 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on February 25, 2012, 04:12:10 am
Parents, not so much.
Post by: Unorthodox on February 25, 2012, 04:13:04 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 25, 2012, 04:43:59 am
Post by: Unorthodox on February 26, 2012, 05:09:50 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 26, 2012, 05:11:19 am
Post by: Unorthodox on February 26, 2012, 03:16:26 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 26, 2012, 03:25:59 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on February 26, 2012, 08:13:24 pm
The 2 mixtures that performed the best were the ones mixed with their "bounce" and Mod Podge (which I believe is all "bounce" is).
Well, on a whim, I did a coating of just Mod Podge, and it's better than any of them. So, I'm going to go with my Alec-zander template and decopage some cheese cloth onto the tomb with mod podge as a protective coat, then seal it with some masonry sealer paint.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 26, 2012, 08:39:26 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on February 26, 2012, 10:24:57 pm
Well, the sculptures are going to be monster mud, so yeah, I guess that kinda fits shellaced cloth.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 26, 2012, 10:42:10 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on February 27, 2012, 04:39:45 am
Most your decorative signs (say, a bear holding a sign, or the sculptures round attractions at Disneyland) are now made of foam, and coated with various products.
The trick is finding the right product for the right price. Disney, apparently, uses some mixture of the product I just tried out.
But, it's a whole different set of environmental conditions they're dealing with. It's very good stuff until you really abuse the hell out of it. However, after losing most my stuff to weather over the last couple years, I'm considering worst case scenarios. I decided last year, my stuff will withstand EVERYTHING.
Like the Chimera still sitting out in front of my house. Wind storms rip out trees and roofs, winter destroys garden ornaments out this way, Chimera is still standing there mocking the elements. (and annoying the neighbors)
Post by: Unorthodox on February 27, 2012, 02:12:52 pm
(click to show/hide)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 27, 2012, 03:19:14 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on February 28, 2012, 01:22:33 am
Good: We have a ribcage!
Bad: Taking more plaster wrap than I expected.
ETA on skeleton: Tomorrow night.
ETA on Transi: Weekend.
ETA on completed lid...depends how much cloth costs.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 28, 2012, 03:43:10 am
Post by: Unorthodox on February 28, 2012, 01:56:38 pm
http://ultimatepapermache.com/ (http://ultimatepapermache.com/)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 28, 2012, 01:58:39 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 28, 2012, 02:27:51 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on February 29, 2012, 12:10:54 am
Post by: Unorthodox on February 29, 2012, 02:35:22 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 29, 2012, 03:21:31 am
Post by: Unorthodox on February 29, 2012, 01:59:00 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 29, 2012, 02:24:12 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 01, 2012, 07:12:10 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on March 01, 2012, 08:42:53 pm
Anyone here watched TrickRTreat?
(probably because of this awesome animated short that inspired it.)
http://youtu.be/O1sufL6LpnQ (http://youtu.be/O1sufL6LpnQ)
The actual movie is something of an enigma.
Fantastic new character with the potential to be iconic, the intertwining story motif that really fits the holiday, decent acting for the genre, rather unique take on a couple things....and it misses the mark by alienating it's intended audience. "Horror movies need to be rated R" rule got horridly misapplied, adding some REALLY poor decisions to reach the rating, and ultimately resulting in a direct to DVD release.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 01, 2012, 08:49:27 pm
Did you catch the code on that smilie?
Post by: Unorthodox on March 02, 2012, 04:19:43 am
we'll see how well it does.
Post by: Unorthodox on March 02, 2012, 02:01:54 pm
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-9yPmbCOt6FA/T1DHJ1AebgI/AAAAAAAAMQY/Cj73IzMF1Ss/s800/santa-maria-della-concezione.2653.large_slideshow.jpg)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oimFa8K5pUY/T1DHJ-AfSjI/AAAAAAAAMQc/hz3slAZBY6Q/s800/santa-maria-della-concezione.2648.large_slideshow.jpg)
And just when you thought I shouldn't creep it up to the max, someone already DID.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tgFOb2esyLI/T1DHK7F_6HI/AAAAAAAAMQo/f8h7r0Oax-s/s800/capuchin-monastery.1828.large_slideshow.png)
Don't worry, I'm sticking to my pleurant idea.
BTW, FANTASTIC website of the bizaar.
http://atlasobscura.com/ (http://atlasobscura.com/)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 02, 2012, 02:07:35 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on March 02, 2012, 02:44:32 pm
No, it don't fit what I'm doing, but it's fascinating none the less.
I mean just LOOK how many people's remains were just shoved in there to decorate for these few more honored church officials.
(this would be pelvises)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xgUFUYw0K4c/T1DHKra8eMI/AAAAAAAAMQs/apsXMfyI-6Y/s800/santa-maria-della-concezione.2657.large_slideshow.jpg)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 02, 2012, 02:48:27 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on March 02, 2012, 06:13:20 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 02, 2012, 06:15:22 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on March 04, 2012, 03:05:23 am
So, to recount. Primary inspiration for my transi is these two.
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-_5RsVolsP0w/TnJOJ-0MtLI/AAAAAAAAJaw/_rtre4uuswc/s800/cat331.jpg)
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Lx7oiuvfMvM/TrH-Q7TLeZI/AAAAAAAAKfU/IzmUZ6_KQWU/s800/2452395214_50a49b53ac.jpg)
However, because I enjoy it, and it saves me from doing ears, I chose this style face.
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-3c4zDfpagQw/TrH-UiNsqaI/AAAAAAAAKgM/PjvdWXq1PCU/s800/transi-de-ren-de-chalon.4925.large_slideshow.jpg)
I still want the shroud from the other two, so it'll be some kind of menagerie.
Little Great stuff to get the proper support and give the thing an overall height and support.
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-BdYPvDrFxTg/T1LW6ypo26I/AAAAAAAAMRc/mbgjsHRqoJA/s800/IMG_6097.JPG)
If you're thinking that's not enough ribs, you're right, but I chose to do that to get better definition when I started the corpse/sculpt/I got really no idea what to call it.
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-c5dteCxj37Y/T1LW8Pq5yCI/AAAAAAAAMSA/TuBIZNjml-s/s800/IMG_6100.JPG)
Oh how I love how it's catching the light.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XvbBvpy5ax4/T1LW9LNIPBI/AAAAAAAAMSI/MsxgPN26Mzo/s800/IMG_6104.JPG)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 04, 2012, 03:17:45 am
Post by: Unorthodox on March 04, 2012, 04:10:41 am
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-OcIwK6b703w/T1LppRG-ZtI/AAAAAAAAMSs/0eIk2k2bhVE/s800/IMG_6105.JPG)
Currently waiting for it to cure....
Taking stock, realistically, I'll probably only be able to get the stomach area done this weekend, then need to take a break for a while. I need more supplies and I need to slow down with the skull or figure something else out. My original plan isn't looking so bright right now, this isn't a normal skeleton, and waterproofing the mouth the way I was going to go about it would have been next to impossible. Time to slow down and think it over.
Post by: Unorthodox on March 04, 2012, 04:43:41 am
Even the garish white overhead light gets pretty good shadow play.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-70bFky--9VE/T1LwaLu00OI/AAAAAAAAMTE/2qUSOgDJJjk/s800/IMG_6107.JPG)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0WQwpZnKMuE/T1LwaCvMI4I/AAAAAAAAMTA/1QMFkq8wozU/s800/IMG_6108.JPG)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dGkX2KEOHj4/T1Lwa2Exk-I/AAAAAAAAMTY/z0LvUzeR69g/s800/IMG_6109.JPG)
I know you were pushing 'Sid', but we've gone with "Trevor the Transi".
Especially fitting since he/she has got skeletal features of both genders that's not worth really going into. It's just one of my private jokes, like the big smiley faces that are on the two Bobs.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 04, 2012, 02:46:13 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on March 04, 2012, 04:14:16 pm
Then, the entire lid is going to get a coat of mod podge, with cheese cloth embedded in it. This seals everything, providing the first layer of protection, and fuses it all together.
Then, the entire tomb is going to get several coats of Dryloc (a very heavy latex masonry sealer with with sand embedded in it) to give it the stone look.
Then paint as needed.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 04, 2012, 04:21:43 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on March 04, 2012, 04:24:59 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on March 05, 2012, 02:21:21 pm
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-I6ZseZUCAfI/T1Q3qZ-sH9I/AAAAAAAAMTs/8IKf9Kkffzw/s800/IMG_6110.JPG)
My means of attaching it to the tomb while it dried proved to be no robust enough, didn't support the arms good enough, and by the time I was done getting it set, they got squashed. There's a hole behind this pleurant now, probably going to have to scrap the entire wall and start over.
Good lessons learned. I've already got a better means in mind to make them.
Ah, the joy of failure.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 05, 2012, 02:58:43 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on March 05, 2012, 09:55:53 pm
High school grads talking Halloween in March. :D Told them to come buy for Walpurgisnacht. I'm hoping to have the tomb presentable by then, but will have something up if not the tomb.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 05, 2012, 09:59:27 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on March 06, 2012, 03:55:36 am
Also know as Hexennacht, Witches night. April 30th, night before May day.
Bram Stoker has a marvelous tale of that name as well. Originally part of Dracula, it got cut because Dracula was too long, so he turned it into a short story.
http://www.spike.com/video-clips/g6oux1/bram-stokers-walpurgis-nacht (http://www.spike.com/video-clips/g6oux1/bram-stokers-walpurgis-nacht)
It's "The other Halloween".
In Germanic tradition, Halloween marks the last night we mortals can harvest the field for the season, for the otherworld season is beginning, and you light fires and dance in furs to confuse the emerging spirits. Walpurgisnacht, likewise, is the last night the otherworld is allowed to harvest, for the mortal season is beginning, and you light fires to scare off the witches collecting their final souls of the season.
Post by: Unorthodox on March 06, 2012, 04:13:03 am
Alec had basketball tonight.
His team has not been very good, and tonight began the 'playoffs' for this little league. Everyone got to play in the playoffs, and they played the same team they played last week. So, last week, the opposing coach came up after the game and asked if our team wanted to play this week, or if they would rather just go out for a pizza party with his team "because let's face it, there's no real point in playing". Our team had won all of 2 games all season, had just lost to this team for the second time by 14 points. Our coach didn't say anything, just gathered the team and asked them for a vote. They unanimously voted to play the game.
Karma is a [complaint or disagreeable woman]. I had to smile as this same coach started screaming in the final 2 minutes of the game, down by 2 points, and our team matching them basket for basket. It was most amusing. I do feel bad that the other team left in tears, though.
Of all the moronic scheduling, our team plays next week at 5:30, but the winner of that game has to play AGAIN at 7:30 against a rested team.
Amusing swear filter definition for a hundin there. Having been raised with a breeding [complaint or disagreeable woman] who's offspring won westminsters, I've always found that particular word rather strange in the vernacular, though.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 06, 2012, 04:54:17 am
It's good when karma's a [complaint or disagreeable woman] on your side. I'm glad you find the swear filter thing amusing - I thought defining the terms filtered was hella-funny compared to boring old asterisks...
Post by: Unorthodox on March 06, 2012, 02:00:16 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 06, 2012, 02:45:15 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on March 09, 2012, 03:14:20 am
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-cvUfCRpfCW0/T1lz0_Nn1II/AAAAAAAAMUs/JNrXy8NoTBE/s800/IMG_6115.JPG)
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-MUc-3JdGy8U/T1lz2FnDQNI/AAAAAAAAMVg/Qwl2AR2-dGk/s800/IMG_6120.JPG)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-V_4Vsx-N4X8/T1lz1sm3AyI/AAAAAAAAMVU/dszaRZKzYi0/s800/IMG_6118.JPG)
Secret was not attempting to mud it right to the tomb, I can attach them easier later. Also seperated arms, body, and head so there's 4 pieces of cloth on this thing to get better layering.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 09, 2012, 03:27:56 am
Post by: Unorthodox on March 11, 2012, 12:02:28 am
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6eXWQ5JCwkg/T1vpQJdXmkI/AAAAAAAAMWA/2rLlxrniaNw/s800/IMG_6123.JPG)
Almost ready for the arms and legs, but there's some family business that prevents it from happening this weekend.
Have 3 more Pleurant ready to be built, then we'll maybe do a side of the tomb tomorrow, depending on dry time.
It's becoming more and more a sculpt than a copy. Modified the skull to make larger (and more 'Uno styled') eye sockets. Slight addition of a brow, little wider, more square, etc. It's no longer a Chinese female skull, that's for sure. (my source is a copy of a 21 year old Chinese girl)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 11, 2012, 01:59:54 am
(Also, it looks really good.)
Post by: Unorthodox on March 11, 2012, 03:46:51 am
Frankly I didn't read it as a scream, but I'm not the most normal perspective to judge of that kinda stuff. I'm guessing the artists of the time had the same impression as me that a closed mouth skull looks like a big stupid grin, where a slight opening appears more natural.
:-\
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 11, 2012, 03:53:45 am
Post by: Unorthodox on March 11, 2012, 04:16:03 am
Post by: Unorthodox on March 11, 2012, 10:18:51 pm
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-5gsUlIXRedc/T10gik4RrcI/AAAAAAAAMW0/6JqyqOWdmJw/s800/IMG_6129.JPG)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 11, 2012, 11:08:59 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on March 12, 2012, 10:07:58 pm
Was going to post the video, but it's over an hour long and has some less than family friendly content (mostly zombie breasts and VERY disgusting props done in ill taste). It always surprises me how much CRAP comes out every year. 90% of it is total garbage or stuff you can build easier/cheaper at home. Then there's the cool stuff:
Evil Architecture. New company that sells little architecture onlays and whatnot specificly halloween themed. Unfortunatly their website is not running yet, just the standard default template. I'll be looking at them.
All the usual suspects I buy from as well. Sinister Visions, Wildfire, Froggy's, etc.
Random things that I'll never afford but are cool to see:
Abra Cadaver. Cool but pricey foam creations. http://www.abracadaver.com/Abracadaver/Rigid_Foam_Props.html (http://www.abracadaver.com/Abracadaver/Rigid_Foam_Props.html)
still, fairly reasonable prices considering the market.
I so want these...
http://youtu.be/gu8qc_-45z4 (http://youtu.be/gu8qc_-45z4)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 12, 2012, 10:29:03 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on March 12, 2012, 11:03:13 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on March 13, 2012, 02:31:59 pm
___________________________________________
Anyhow. Time to take a break from the tomb.
Might be on business travel this weekend, and I've been asked to do a special project.
Kyle's scout troop is going to skull valley this weekend. http://www.google.com/images?hl=en&source=hp&q=skull+valley+utah&gbv=2&oq=skull+valley&aq=1&aqi=g10&aql=&gs_sm=1&gs_upl=1032l3141l0l6312l12l12l0l2l2l0l312l1015l0.3.1.1l5l0&oi=image_result_group&sa=X (http://www.google.com/images?hl=en&source=hp&q=skull+valley+utah&gbv=2&oq=skull+valley&aq=1&aqi=g10&aql=&gs_sm=1&gs_upl=1032l3141l0l6312l12l12l0l2l2l0l312l1015l0.3.1.1l5l0&oi=image_result_group&sa=X)
And, one of the leaders asked me to make a skull to go along with a spooky story "To creep the kids out a little". "And if it looks like it's been buried for a hundred years, all the better." He wants to partially bury this for the kids to find.
Alright. This leader is a jovial guy, and does the "jump out and go boo" type thing on Halloween, dressing as a dummy and startling kids...but is mostly the classic family rated PG type 'scary' guy.
How far should I really push this skull?
To get something Kyle's not going to instantly recognize as mine is going to be hard to begin, so just dirtying up a skull isn't going to cut it. He's made a few hundred himself.
I'm seeing a purposely broken skull myself. The exposed portion being normal, but when they dig it up, the other half busted and being held together by bits of flesh.
Too far?
13 year old kids.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 13, 2012, 03:05:50 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on March 13, 2012, 08:51:52 pm
Steve was a hit. They say they could have sold hundreds of them if I ever want to go in business. ;D
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 13, 2012, 08:57:16 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on March 13, 2012, 09:46:02 pm
(sorry, I committed the cardinal sin of not getting a pic of the completed product. )
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-V18FmgVXYS8/S7Mw03bXx4I/AAAAAAAAGBE/_-Gbel7w1_M/s800/IMG_5024.JPG)
Wildfire paint followed the project on my blog and invited me to Transworld in 2010 to bring it out with me for them to display. It wasn't done in time.
I was also making all the Stele and whatnot. Well, we had a storm knock down a shed and destroy most everything I had worked on, so we switched things up in September to make "The Harvest" theme, because I had nothing and people on the Halloween forum were making fun of those that 'Just put out some corn stalks and pumpkins". The Harvest has since become a staple, with more than a dozen copycats on the Halloween forum last year (part of the reason I'm doing the tomb thing this year)...but I had 5 "steves" half built and in storage under my stairs.
Well, Wildfire called back in 2011 about Transworld. So, I finished them, sold 4 to the Diablo's Dome haunted house last year, and sent one to Wildfire with my blessings. They in turn sent me some product and invited me again this year.
They've offered to put me in their publication as well, and keep pushing me to go professional, but I'm hesitant to make it a job again.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 13, 2012, 09:55:40 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on March 13, 2012, 09:57:17 pm
In other news: :sick: http://maraz-m-moroz.livejournal.com/255878.html (http://maraz-m-moroz.livejournal.com/255878.html)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 13, 2012, 10:00:00 pm
...Should I work up a :sick: smilie?
Post by: Unorthodox on March 16, 2012, 02:17:29 am
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-fgJcUtw6S-I/T2KiErY8krI/AAAAAAAAMYU/ctk7J60O8yo/s800/IMG_6133.JPG)
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-FQYSAuum_5c/T2KiEssc7zI/AAAAAAAAMYQ/5YFwVfVS02w/s800/IMG_6134.JPG)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 16, 2012, 02:31:28 am
Post by: Unorthodox on March 16, 2012, 02:40:45 am
http://www.minionsweb.com/osStore/scents-sinister-scents-c-1_33_60.html (http://www.minionsweb.com/osStore/scents-sinister-scents-c-1_33_60.html)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 16, 2012, 02:44:24 am
-Of course, if it has to be stinky by Saturday, on the other hand...
Post by: Unorthodox on March 16, 2012, 03:15:48 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 16, 2012, 03:25:39 am
Post by: Unorthodox on March 16, 2012, 11:15:49 am
I actually have ground beef heart I feed the fish...
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 16, 2012, 12:59:10 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on March 17, 2012, 09:17:29 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 17, 2012, 09:30:03 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on March 17, 2012, 10:30:53 pm
They buried it in a cave that had really ashen colored dirt, made it look even better...but they buried it upside down for some reason (dirt side up), so it wouldn't have made any sense to anyone that had studied how things rot at all...not that 13 year olds really pay attention to that. Will get picks later.
Post by: Unorthodox on March 21, 2012, 03:05:30 pm
I finished up a protective coating on the completed side last night. I'm now pretty confident it's safe to move, finally. Setting up to work on the top and/or the chiller this weekend.
Had a major setback on the top, however. Attempted to lifecast some feet for it, which went horribly wrong since my son doesn't understand the concept of sitting still. I don't have more stuff and it's too expensive to go get more, which leaves me with the prospect of sculpting hands and feet, something I was attempting to avoid. But, those are the only pieces holding up the top from being completed. (because I can't do the arms/legs till the hands/feet are done...actually the arms are going to be quite tricky all together, probably have to do them at the same time as the monster mud)
I'm also out of wire for more Pleurant. Going to be a nice weekend, though, will start pulling the patio furniture out of the shed, I may have more in there, but the shed lost it's door in our windstorm and is full of leaves, so that's going to be a project in itself.
Not looking promising for being finished end of April.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 21, 2012, 03:24:46 pm
It sounds like money is a little tight right now.
Are you planning to have some drapery on the figure on top? Seems to me like that would be appropriate, and you could hide a multitude of sins that way, too.
Post by: Unorthodox on March 21, 2012, 05:09:26 pm
No pics?
It sounds like money is a little tight right now.
Are you planning to have some drapery on the figure on top? Seems to me like that would be appropriate, and you could hide a multitude of sins that way, too.
Pics of what, failed lifecasting? It's too messy and time critical to grab a camera. Otherwise, just a clearcoat on the finished side, nothing to shout about really.
As for money, lifecasting supplies are pricey. It wasn't in the cards to go buy more to begin with. The chicken wire is more a matter of if I'm gonna buy it I'm gonna buy a TON, as I need it for the ruined tombs later anyway. This pay period was set to the fog chiller. I probably should have waited till I finished the other stuff, but I don't tend to work that way.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 21, 2012, 07:42:14 pm
Pics of what, failed lifecasting?The finished side...
Post by: Unorthodox on March 21, 2012, 08:58:53 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 21, 2012, 09:09:39 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on March 22, 2012, 02:26:33 am
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-cvl5QGyTb4s/T2qKxMuyUEI/AAAAAAAAMaA/gti2-pMwR9s/s800/IMG_6139.JPG)
Normally the side with the duct fulled everywhere will be filled with ice, but with my small fogger there, it's not going to matter.
Video is kinda stuck in upload at the moment....
Post by: Unorthodox on March 22, 2012, 03:01:03 am
Caveat: that's my smallest fog machine, I'm planning to buy one several magnitudes larger.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 22, 2012, 03:09:00 am
Post by: Unorthodox on March 22, 2012, 03:44:12 am
The camera mic was pretty close to the fog machine.
Larger machines tend to be quieter as well.
Post by: Unorthodox on March 22, 2012, 02:20:50 pm
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-cvl5QGyTb4s/T2qKxMuyUEI/AAAAAAAAMaA/gti2-pMwR9s/s800/IMG_6139.JPG)
One thing I should note. If you're ever going to work with foam, forget all the tutorials, how to's, professional places, etc that say you should use a hot wire.
Get one of those electric carving knives seen near the fog machine.
It was an off hand comment on syfy's new (and AWFUL) show Monster Man that caught my attention. He was making a foam monster and said he was breaking out his new electric knife. I figured one of the fancy hotknives. A brief half second shot of them cutting the form up, though, and I recognized his electric knife as an electric carving knife. THEY WORK FANTASTIC on foam. 10x faster than a hot knife, and CLEAN cuts unlike other power tools.
I've seen in the promos there's another something he's using to sculpt foam with, but his hand is mostly covering it, so waiting for that episode. This week's was just useless stupid.
Talia's rendition of Trevor the Transi.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-0zfrD34tYTg/T2qKvhd4PJI/AAAAAAAAMZ4/Y0gntCVhNDs/s800/IMG_6135.JPG)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 22, 2012, 02:29:14 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on March 22, 2012, 02:44:37 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on March 22, 2012, 07:08:18 pm
What you think?
Forget the silly looking spider, just the MECHANISM. I can put whatever I want on the end of it.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 22, 2012, 07:40:56 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on March 23, 2012, 02:14:36 am
It's quite tempting.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 23, 2012, 02:35:05 am
If it looks to your engineer's eye like a substantial mechanism that'll last, I say go for it.
Post by: Unorthodox on March 23, 2012, 12:59:30 pm
We normally wind up getting a discount at that store as well, so I'd wait for that to get it down to the $60 range.
Post by: Unorthodox on March 23, 2012, 01:08:21 pm
http://youtu.be/de_VRUkbiwI (http://youtu.be/de_VRUkbiwI)
Such a mechanism runs $200+, requires a compressor, controller, and trigger to be added.
The Spirit one is running electrical actuator somehow, and has the trigger and controller included (but I would need to replace the trigger for my purposes) The big question is does the electric actuator hold up? There's also the reset speed being a concern to some degree.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 23, 2012, 02:31:17 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on March 23, 2012, 03:40:51 pm
The Spirit spider is SPRING driven, the electric motor is only used to reset the device. This is actually good news for longevity. I'd want a way to turn down the delay between release and motor activation if possible, though. This also means weight is not much an issue with the device, you could adjust springs to compensate for a heavier item being thrown.
I almost want to get one just so I can reverse engineer the thing.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 23, 2012, 03:45:46 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on March 25, 2012, 04:00:21 am
Goal of the day, get Trevor assembled...
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-M76dLUADSvo/T26EtRR0KgI/AAAAAAAAMaY/RqjqT3C9_Z8/s800/IMG_6141.JPG)
We had him attached previously, but well, he was upside down. So, after removing the old foam, getting the new little pedestal to get him sitting properly, I decided Great stuff was going to make a great adhesive for this project.
We cast some quick and dirty hands and feet forms from my sons'. I'll have to sculpt some toes and SOME of the fingers, but the fingers are mostly going to be hidden by the 'cloth' that we will be adding.
So, left arm down, left hand will be grabbing the 'cloth'.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oPn6y1zV_08/T26EtbWDJ1I/AAAAAAAAMac/64XWHvC0CEE/s800/IMG_6143.JPG)
Right are will be holding some cloth in modesty...
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-KNjfqqgscZo/T26EujSDOCI/AAAAAAAAMa8/sAFARP0I10E/s800/IMG_6146.JPG)
Great stuff knees to connect the Femur and Tibia, quick and dirty feet.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-2j_9ZhCGLz4/T26EvWVZgzI/AAAAAAAAMbE/IElD0YrPny8/s800/IMG_6147.JPG)
Thighs...
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-xcgLWwfR-C0/T26EwYkcsoI/AAAAAAAAMbc/7Jo62z9XKro/s800/IMG_6150.JPG)
More great stuff to fill in a bit of meat to the bones.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Ghva8-SO6uI/T26IaIiWyrI/AAAAAAAAMcA/KUHy5JGxVEg/s800/IMG_6153.JPG)
For some reason, getting this guy assembled, he's starting to creep me out just a bit...
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 25, 2012, 04:12:20 am
Post by: Unorthodox on March 25, 2012, 11:27:00 pm
Going to play wait and see right now, we normally get discounts to that store, and if the local stores get them in stock I can save shipping.
Neighbor swears they can see Trevor breathing.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 26, 2012, 12:04:30 am
Post by: Unorthodox on March 26, 2012, 02:17:35 pm
Some 10 years ago, I got introduced to Sonny. My dads 2nd cousin, so god only knows what that makes us.
Anyhow, strange character. Idiot. Terrified of bigfoot.
So, he got married to an artist that goes and makes real fancy versions of those light up reindeer and whatnot for christmas. She makes anything and everything. And, they were starting a business buildign a ton of those, setting them to music, and charging people to drive through the area.
Got an entire campground/marina at a local reservoir (since no one is camping in Dec, no problem) and hired my older brother to install the sound.
Well, after a couple years, he decided to expand the idea to Halloween. And, as you may guess, it was suggested he come talk to me.
Lets just say we did not agree on the artistic direction he was wanting to go. NO ONE wants to go pay to drive through a christmas light show in October. I suggested having his wife instead build and animate some characters we could skin instead of light up, and make a halloween themed 'dark ride' people could drive through, and had a set of plans for him at the time.
They went the christmas light direction. It utterly failed.
Well, apparently last year, they took my plans and did the dark. Ran into him at the gas station this morning, and he has advertisement for it plastered all over his truck. Did better than their christmas lights and he wants to expand, and was hoping I would make him bigger and better plans.
Well, I never got paid for the last time (that he didn't use at the time, so I was fine with it then) and he never paid my brother for the sound, either. Not to mention several other endeavors that have similar complaints against this guy. Too bad, it's a new field for the holiday in general, and that aspect interests me, but guy is bad news.
Bonus: Video of his christmas stuff.
http://youtu.be/-XSRB3X9HKE (http://youtu.be/-XSRB3X9HKE)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 26, 2012, 02:24:49 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on March 26, 2012, 10:18:25 pm
Zombie outbreak. Yeah. For real.
Quote
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2012/03/21/mysterious-zombie-disease-afflicts-thousands-of-ugandan-children/ (http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2012/03/21/mysterious-zombie-disease-afflicts-thousands-of-ugandan-children/)
Mysterious ‘zombie’ disease afflicts thousands of Ugandan children
By David Ferguson
Wednesday, March 21, 2012 12:52 EDT 904
Topics: Agnes Apio ♦ northern Uganda
Agnes Apio has to tie up her son Francis before she can leave the house. In his state, he is a danger to himself. Where once he walked and talked like a normal child, now he is only able to drag himself along in the dirt. Francis is suffering from “Nodding Disease,” a brain disorder that, according to CNN, afflicts at least 3,000 children in northern Uganda, leaving them physically stunted and severely mentally disabled.
“I feel dark in my heart,” Apio says as waves flies away from her son’s face and mops up his urine after a seizure, “This boy has become nothing.”
“Reportedly the children gnaw at their fabric restraints, like a rabid animals,” says The Daily Tech. The article calls them “zombie children,” having “no cure” and “no future.”
First the victims become restless, can’t concentrate. They say they have trouble thinking. Then comes the nodding, an uncontrollable dipping of the head that presages the disease’s debilitating epilepsy-like seizures. It is this nodding motion that gives the illness its name.
Nodding Disease first attacks the nervous system, then the brain. As the epilepsy-like seizures progress and worsen, the children become less and less like themselves, and more and more distant and blank. Eventually the brain stops developing and the victims’ bodies stop growing. So far, no patients have recovered.
Grace Lagat also has to tie up her children in order to leave the house. Daughter Pauline, 13, and son Thomas are bound hand and foot to keep them from shuffling away and getting lost. Pauline recently disappeared for five days.
Experts are baffled as to what causes the disease, which only occurs in children. Early findings suggest a confluence of the presence of the black fly-borne parasitic worm Onchocerca Volvulus, which causes river blindness, and acute vitamin B6 deficiency.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, onset usually takes place at the age of five or six and progresses rapidly, leaving the victims severely mentally and physically handicapped within a couple of years.
Victims can wander off and disappear. Some 200 “secondary deaths” have been blamed on fires and accidents caused by children with the disease.
Physicians and workers with the Ugandan Red Cross are frustrated by what they see as a lack of urgency in the government’s handling of the disease. After months of lagging, officials have only begun an official tally of cases within the last two weeks.
The situation was already dire when a team from the World Health Organization visited northern Uganda in 2009. CNN quotes one doctor from the team, Dr. Joaquin Saweka as saying, “It was quite desperate, I can tell you. Imagine being surrounded by 26 children and 12 of them showing signs of this. The attitude was to quickly find a solution to the problem.”
Solutions, however, have been slow in coming.
Doctors have been treating the seizures caused by the disease with epilepsy drugs, but their efficacy is limited. The drugs only slow the progression of the disease, but fail to stop it.
Currently, Ugandan government officials say that they are doing everything they can to fight the epidemic. They say that new epilepsy drugs are being tried and special training has been instituted for local health officials. This, they say, is as much as can be done for a disease whose cause and cure are largely unknown.
Saweka said, “When you know the root cause, you address the cure. Now you are just relieving the symptoms. We don’t expect to cure anybody.”
Watch a CDC video about Nodding Disease, embedded via YouTube, below:
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 26, 2012, 11:22:16 pm
Your 2nd-cousin-once-removed-in-law's Christmas light thingies aren't bad, BTW, if you like that kind of thing.
Post by: Unorthodox on March 26, 2012, 11:30:34 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 26, 2012, 11:58:54 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on March 27, 2012, 10:03:17 pm
Enjoy.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 27, 2012, 10:25:17 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on March 30, 2012, 07:52:38 pm
So, I guess we're going to get more done on Trevor this weekend instead.
Post by: Unorthodox on April 01, 2012, 02:05:51 am
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6sNKjUqTN5c/T3eolDxvVlI/AAAAAAAAMcU/kF0_Ve9t1h8/s800/IMG_6157.JPG)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 01, 2012, 02:42:51 am
Post by: Unorthodox on April 01, 2012, 03:22:42 am
I needed the fingers for my next major step of doing the sheet/shroud in monster mud, which will attach Trevor TO the lid, and make it all solid. Hoping to get that done tomorrow, but the weather's supposed to go to hell and it might need to wait.
Especially as it was a bad night last night, and am working on about 2 hours sleep in the last 48 hours right now as a result.
It's a very huge and incredibly messy step, minimum of a two man job up next...
Post by: Unorthodox on April 01, 2012, 11:01:51 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 01, 2012, 11:08:53 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on April 02, 2012, 04:19:39 am
Right side:
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-xXEWCXRj92o/T3kT-57bGsI/AAAAAAAAMcw/nmI9iMNnamY/s800/IMG_6162.JPG)
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-keBkIPupx_0/T3kT-26Bm8I/AAAAAAAAMcs/Ta0O589ceMs/s800/IMG_6160.JPG)
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-7b8zANbcDKk/T3kT-6ekGXI/AAAAAAAAMco/y2ap2Wx2PNU/s800/IMG_6161.JPG)
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-3QL7Y5J8XIw/T3kUIse-S6I/AAAAAAAAMdE/dqQHmh-YX6s/s800/IMG_6163.JPG)
(obviously no toes yet)
Left side:
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dWpQw0A5t3A/T3kUIEwZO8I/AAAAAAAAMdA/nMG3Zk62z2w/s800/IMG_6164.JPG)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--7uEfT6roNQ/T3kUI44aQDI/AAAAAAAAMdM/HS7ii0jT-ZI/s800/IMG_6165.JPG)
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-WuvEdcbbq_Q/T3kURlHY7vI/AAAAAAAAMdY/KGuYOpFwDy8/s800/IMG_6166.JPG)
Bottom.
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-DMBN7znQDhk/T3kUSKX-wuI/AAAAAAAAMdk/R5XpTwBTRcA/s800/IMG_6167.JPG)
Little sneak of how it's coming together.
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-2srA4-b4KIY/T3kUR7ZLWSI/AAAAAAAAMdg/2DSbucG96yU/s800/IMG_6168.JPG)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 02, 2012, 04:47:09 am
Post by: Unorthodox on April 02, 2012, 02:04:20 pm
I hadn't planned on storing this thing when I started, so wasn't worried about that stuff. Just going to use it one year and sell it...but I'm getting rather attached to it.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 02, 2012, 03:42:35 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on April 02, 2012, 04:28:51 pm
Yeah, I imagine they would if someone were to ship this freight or something. The biggest threat would actually be an impact could break the foam they are glued to. They are pretty damn impervious themselves, and we're using a masonry sealer when I start painting, so scuffing would likely be minor as well.
Post by: Unorthodox on April 05, 2012, 03:24:39 pm
We're there, all these families around, my son (9) and a bunch of his friends, all sitting down for dinner. Some of the kids know me, parents, not so much, but EVERYONE knows I'm the crazy halloween guy.
My son asks: "Dad, are we the top of the food chain?"
"No."
"Well, then, who is above us?"
Completely serious and straight faced. "Vampires."
My wife, equally serious and straight faced. "Werewolves."
It's tough to tell whether the kids were more shocked, or their parents.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 05, 2012, 03:44:13 pm
...Oh crap. I just came up with the premise of the next Underworld sequel...
Post by: Unorthodox on April 13, 2012, 09:17:47 pm
My little less than glowing review of that coating product has caught the attention of the company. ???
Just like with the torches years ago, you search for the product, you get my review, not their website. Like lamplight farms (the torch company that remodeled the torches based on my criticism, and came up with a colored flame product based on my searching for such a product) , however, they are also asking me to review a product "better suited to my particular needs". So, I'll be getting this new and improved coating specifically for outdoor use in the mail.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 13, 2012, 09:29:16 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on April 15, 2012, 01:37:53 am
I also apologize to anyone attempting to find DAS clay in northern Utah. I've systematically cleaned out all stores save hobby lobby (who is charging 50% more than anyone else for it). The last store was a grand opening right down the street. As I bought up their entire supply the kind sales clerk asked what I was making (seems company policy, they were asking everyone.) I'm not exactly sure how to explain that one. "I'm building a tomb" was predictably a confusing answer.
Approximately 8 hours have been spent on it so far over the week, and the right side is almost done. My hands can only take about an hour at a stretch. I stopped for a break and decided to take some pics.
(they ran out of white, so used terra cotta color as well.)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jy0b8tX28oA/T4oUJwHNcaI/AAAAAAAAMfM/4k0GPq6bw1w/s800/IMG_6171.JPG)
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-TDW6V6mycq4/T4oUKhWoS4I/AAAAAAAAMfc/zKFyZgPTJXk/s800/IMG_6172.JPG)
(Sorry this one didn't quite turn out)
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-91DHY-AhWCM/T4oUKwV0-gI/AAAAAAAAMfo/8qi_N74uCiY/s800/IMG_6173.JPG)
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-H7s1KU91GdE/T4oUKyjGhRI/AAAAAAAAMfk/qIpOvEVx01I/s800/IMG_6174.JPG)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TTu2gNu1YCI/T4oUJxmdfPI/AAAAAAAAMfI/Tjo4CecrBhE/s800/IMG_6170.JPG)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 15, 2012, 03:01:46 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on April 16, 2012, 04:27:46 pm
Didn't get a pic of the left leg.
Probably all told, a 20 hour sculpting job.
:o
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ZpuOgxawNYU/T4r5IpHnyGI/AAAAAAAAMgI/twSChXfsvKs/s800/IMG_6176.JPG)
I sure have missed working with clay-proper, however. Nice to get my hands in it again. Still, monster mud is so much quicker/easier.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 16, 2012, 05:29:02 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on April 16, 2012, 05:57:50 pm
Wonder how much they'd charge me, or if we could work out a deal. Be kinda cool to see something of mine sold en-masse as a vacuform mold.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 16, 2012, 06:08:38 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on April 16, 2012, 07:15:03 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 16, 2012, 08:36:57 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on April 16, 2012, 08:59:38 pm
There's a stage production outfit in SLC that could do it. They wouldn't be interested in production for Halloween, though, I don't believe. I can check. They mostly make brick/stone walls for stage productions.
The Hallween folks I know that do this kind of thing would just as soon rip off the idea and do their own version.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 16, 2012, 11:26:19 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on April 17, 2012, 02:06:58 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 17, 2012, 03:51:54 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on April 17, 2012, 07:42:12 pm
Nightvisions studio would be the next stop, but like I say, they're just as likely to say no and then make their own. Not so sure I'll even try.
Post by: Unorthodox on April 23, 2012, 04:02:23 pm
The neighbors across the street (the anti-halloween folk) bought 2 honeybee colonies Saturday, brought them home, and suddenly realized they had no idea how to transfer them from the transport boxes to the hives (and had the hives set up wrong, but they didn't know that). They called the supplier, who called me.
Hard to tell what was more shocking to them. The evil Halloween guy coming to their rescue, or the fact I was moving thousands of bees sans-bee suit.
I'm actually not overly enthusiastic about the survival of these bees. Their garden isn't nearly a 'friendly' environment yet, and the surrounding neighbors don't offer much foraging either. I have mine set up for my native hive that may or may not have survived the spraying from another neighbor, so that's (potential) competition in the only real yard planted with bees in mind, and I got horrified looks when I suggested some less than totally eye-pleasing plants that would help the bees, and even more attitude when I discouraged the idea of putting the hives in their greenhouse. Then, given our history, they're not likely to listen to anything I say anyway, even though it was all on the instruction sheet from their supplier as well.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 23, 2012, 04:21:21 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on April 23, 2012, 09:29:35 pm
Really bizaar weather this year might make that earlier. We're in the 80's right now, and all the plants are confused. Bugs will soon follow.
Post by: Unorthodox on April 28, 2012, 02:53:34 am
Started sanding, and it's REALLY starting to come alive, smoothing out the bumps...
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Db2saUy-gZE/T5tKKiE9qHI/AAAAAAAAMhI/CcBfzN3enMg/s800/IMG_6184.JPG)
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-eoo_mcBk198/T5tKLN8VpMI/AAAAAAAAMhY/KTNtctCxKTQ/s800/IMG_6186.JPG)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 28, 2012, 03:49:30 am
Post by: Unorthodox on April 28, 2012, 02:41:03 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 30, 2012, 02:36:41 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on May 04, 2012, 02:44:32 am
Gotta get some new pics. Got the second side all pleuranted up.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 04, 2012, 04:24:44 am
Post by: Unorthodox on May 09, 2012, 01:11:25 am
http://www.ebay.com/itm/WILD-WEST-GHOST-TOWN-SALE-15-BUILDINGS-OWN-TOURIST-TOWN-MAIN-STREET-/140741561385 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/WILD-WEST-GHOST-TOWN-SALE-15-BUILDINGS-OWN-TOURIST-TOWN-MAIN-STREET-/140741561385)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 09, 2012, 01:48:21 am
Post by: Unorthodox on May 09, 2012, 05:53:22 pm
I've always had a thing for the old west medicine show. Don't have the file uploaded anywhere, but I have a VSA routine (animatronix) for a medicine show at home. Always wanted to do that one of these years for Halloween. Wouldn't be much scary at all, just fun.
Some of my favorite historical figures ran little sideshow things in the old west as well. I could have a lot of fun with a western setting. Ah...'the petrified man' comes to mind. Old gaff where you encase a cadaver in concrete and sell it off as a fossil. Lots of times make it a giant or some such as well.
Maybe I need to open a curiousity shop....
Post by: Unorthodox on May 09, 2012, 05:55:06 pm
HGTV has contacted us asking if I'd be willing to be on a Halloween special.
I'm on the fence. It's really against my nature to do such a thing, but all the martha stewart wannabe's that normally get on such shows really aggrivate me as well...
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 09, 2012, 08:10:03 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on May 14, 2012, 05:27:26 pm
It failed utterly.
It works fairly well on concrete.
However, when it's put on the grass, there's simply not enough of a gap on the bottom for the fog to get out.
So, I see 3 means of fixing this.
1, simply lengthen the legs so I get that gap.
2, related, add a sheet of plywood to the bottom so it keeps the present gap no matter where I put it.
3: My son's idea. Drill holes into the back of the hoods on the pleurant (the little reaperish guys) so the fog comes out their faces. (though, this would also work so it comes out the bottom of their robes)
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-2srA4-b4KIY/T3kUR7ZLWSI/AAAAAAAAMdg/2DSbucG96yU/s800/IMG_6168.JPG)
So, what do you guys think would be the best solution?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 14, 2012, 08:12:09 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on May 17, 2012, 10:13:41 pm
We probably have 1-2 more weekends of that left.
Placed a massive order for more foam coating, and have the 2 transi ready to attach. Realistically could finish the tomb (aside from painting) in a day or two once it gets here. And, I need to get that coating on sooner rather than later just to prevent damage.
Post by: Unorthodox on May 19, 2012, 03:08:09 am
tell me this is not a SIGN.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Bn_69Oh9LCM/T7b-6pfaC1I/AAAAAAAAMqk/pn8F698po4A/s800/_IGP1273.JPG)
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-abWzkMir-9s/T7b-6n0ZloI/AAAAAAAAMqg/sDplyS-WTB4/s800/_IGP1274.JPG)
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-aWRxbQH7upQ/T7b-6m4Y1XI/AAAAAAAAMqc/Qm5hZT-cZzA/s800/_IGP1275.JPG)
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-T_L1WksWBtw/T7b--BBSXoI/AAAAAAAAMq4/jr-G2OuATEQ/s800/_IGP1278.JPG)
Aint they cute?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 19, 2012, 03:26:54 am
Post by: Unorthodox on May 23, 2012, 10:02:17 pm
It's too bad too. I left the prototype "Them" out in the yard ON so the boss could see it when she drove home at 3 AM. Think cocooned trick or treaters still fighting against the webbing.
yeah, that's been forbidden...for now. I'm still working it...slowly.
The other thing isn't worth the fight. (bat people from beastmaster)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 23, 2012, 10:24:05 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on May 24, 2012, 08:28:07 pm
Anyway. I promise some new pics (after) this weekend, but in the mean time:
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-2srA4-b4KIY/T3kUR7ZLWSI/AAAAAAAAMdg/2DSbucG96yU/s800/IMG_6168.JPG)
Do you think I need some embelishments either over the pleurant, or the arches?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 25, 2012, 04:28:17 am
Post by: Unorthodox on May 29, 2012, 12:22:01 am
Trevor was only mildly damaged, but it's a significant setback.
Post by: Unorthodox on June 05, 2012, 01:55:43 am
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-x0Yz3m8AlLs/T8yeXvNg-pI/AAAAAAAAMww/oDjLsUX19uk/s800/IMGP1346.jpg)
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-8n3rW-UtaBw/T8yeXxb9LrI/AAAAAAAAMww/NejyB2pdmDU/s800/IMGP1348.jpg)
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-uD1kaVEiGDw/T8yeX4OIxiI/AAAAAAAAMww/wZ-dgA_b4YU/s800/IMGP1356.jpg)
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-EbbspFHqmXs/T8yeZVmmLhI/AAAAAAAAMww/6JM2Hl9xUws/s800/IMGP1358.jpg)
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-CereVBx95s8/T8yea1yowVI/AAAAAAAAMww/AYhO_3vpO1s/s800/IMGP1366.jpg)
Also got sidetracked and played a short game entirely about tombstones.
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-zwkfQ5lf2To/T8q221aqz2I/AAAAAAAAMvY/Ha-z1Z81x18/s800/IMGP1319.jpg)
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-HML_eqKYM_I/T8q22cVk1bI/AAAAAAAAMvQ/Wix2akMli-o/s800/IMGP1321.jpg)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gPUypGEuaVA/T8ygN6fDhlI/AAAAAAAAMxA/TEawg6gG8Io/s800/IMGP1324.jpg)
Which naturally got me toying with the idea.
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Kzy-EcaGSlU/T8yeaAjVvSI/AAAAAAAAMww/mC6cgsKJwf8/s800/IMGP1369.jpg)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 05, 2012, 01:05:47 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on June 14, 2012, 05:28:43 pm
Finally got around to building a new one, have started painting it, and it's coming together nice. Embedding cheese cloth into the paint (a masonry sealer, super thick, has sand in it, looks like stone) to give it some protection as well. Going to have to break out some more cheese cloth/cotton balls to alter the sculpt some, as there's areas I just can't get the brush into, and they need to be waterproofed if nothing else.
Try to get some pics up.
I'm in the house alone this week, and just have to get out, so I'm heading south for a while.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 14, 2012, 07:02:58 pm
Those funks are bad news; for what it's worth, I'm rooting for you.
Post by: Unorthodox on June 15, 2012, 04:31:06 am
Wow, does this take some time! Go to take pics of progress and it becomes more a to-do list.
So, Trevor's moving along nicely. Started the drylok, but there was quite a number of situations to resolve along the way. Yes...it's white...yes, that's an unorthodox choice ;), all part of the plan. I think. We'll see.
Since the break, there was a 1/4"-1/2" gap all around the base of Trevor's shroud and the new lid that had to be compensated for, so we blended in with cheese cloth as we went around. Numberous other holes were filled similar where the sculpt itself made it impossible to paint.
I'm noticing I have a fair few number of smaller holes left to fill after taking pics as well...those'll have to wait for the second coat...
Some holes in the folds here need to be plugged, for instance.
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-maQX40AIUrI/T9qm-lZFmNI/AAAAAAAAMyQ/UVcD3XVDgqY/s800/IMGP1377.jpg)
Another hole just under the head here.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_GqgxdGQYgc/T9qm-qfyDAI/AAAAAAAAMyM/SsGfnegtJ6k/s800/IMGP1379.jpg)
MONSTER hole plugged up here under this arm. Blended in quite well, IMO.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-RMu6tlhn07s/T9qm-pB4FOI/AAAAAAAAMyI/5_9aRaNAlrs/s800/IMGP1381.jpg)
Another huge gap was under the head. Actually great stuffed in there first then the cheese cloth.
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-KyeKpJj0Rh8/T9qm-yU6XeI/AAAAAAAAMyY/3nR52Uck6_I/s800/IMGP1383.jpg)
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-bU9wyr0JW-A/T9qm_chqEzI/AAAAAAAAMys/ZoP0-YaVLaQ/s800/IMGP1387.jpg)
Moving around...
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Zo2HqslKT1Q/T9qm_yZWXSI/AAAAAAAAMyw/t_ONyJL72zQ/s800/IMGP1388.jpg)
Looks like another one just in front of this hand, and might need to plug that hole next to the pinky. There was a big hold underneath this hand and all down the forearm, wouldn't know if you didn't know where to look...
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-rlvX_8dyJPo/T9qm_3SruPI/AAAAAAAAMy0/5GQOiKP8ICo/s800/IMGP1389.jpg)
Missed a spot under the left elbow...
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YDFbEDWKjF4/T9qnAFgQFXI/AAAAAAAAMy8/dy43YqrPUq4/s800/IMGP1390.jpg)
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-qXDWHM3JgGU/T9qnAOCPHLI/AAAAAAAAMzE/QBZFEfcYgXU/s800/IMGP1391.jpg)
Look, more holes needing patching...
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-kHUAmr8a3Zs/T9qnAF2xNuI/AAAAAAAAMzI/yKWVI1KUzrI/s800/IMGP1392.jpg)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 16, 2012, 03:26:44 pm
Post by: sisko on June 16, 2012, 03:41:37 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on June 20, 2012, 09:37:57 pm
http://youtu.be/11yBPx-ymZA (http://youtu.be/11yBPx-ymZA)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 20, 2012, 10:19:14 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on June 21, 2012, 04:57:30 pm
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tz20F-xjtbw/T98WIIn_c9I/AAAAAAAAMz8/l7PVa1YyK4o/s800/398903_379605562101989_1459442016_n.jpg)
Finished etching my first tombstone last night (can't believe those words came out of my mouth), will try to get some pics, might start painting tonight.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 21, 2012, 05:41:47 pm
You must be talk ing about the first of a set - no way you painted your very first ever...
Post by: Unorthodox on June 21, 2012, 09:37:33 pm
I've NEVER done a graveyard before.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 22, 2012, 04:07:13 am
Post by: Unorthodox on June 23, 2012, 04:19:49 am
First one ever...unlike anything seen normally.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8LEhk5gmiaE/T-U0x7Ea41I/AAAAAAAAM0k/-D6cX7c4BTE/s800/IMG_6290.JPG)
Closest in the past was African inspired burial grounds.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-nz99mzxdnIU/SPyHNY3jFNI/AAAAAAAABds/UxheRhNwIuw/s800/IMGP1651.JPG)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 23, 2012, 12:36:23 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on June 23, 2012, 02:40:42 pm
The kids want one, though, so we're doing it differently, yes. (same with the burial ground)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 23, 2012, 03:03:28 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on June 23, 2012, 05:31:52 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 23, 2012, 05:33:17 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on June 24, 2012, 03:43:04 am
Kyle got injured on the Scout backpacking trip. Couldn't hike well, SO THEY LEFT HIM, to take gear back to the car and told him to start walking slowly down and they'd come back for him.
Guess what happened? Yeah, so he was lost for about 3 hours this afternoon. Missed the trailhead and hit the highway where he then found the trailhead.
Rule 1 is the buddy rule, right? Not to mention they took all his equipment with them to begin with so they left him with not so much as a water bottle.
Oh yeah, injury last night, stick impaled bottom of his foot, they didn't even bother to rinse it off. Great first aid practices there. Already infected. Yeah, great day...
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 24, 2012, 05:56:01 am
I didn't intend that pun. But I'm too evil to take it out.
Post by: Unorthodox on July 05, 2012, 02:53:57 pm
We've been inching towards making a business out of this Halloween stuff for some time. Beginning July 10th, there's a real possibility it could become my full time job...
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 05, 2012, 03:02:11 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on July 05, 2012, 05:54:41 pm
It's not entirely unforeseen, and we've budgetted so we're fine, I wouldn't need to look for employment until January if everything went to hell.
So, what to do with the time off? It's the perfect time of year to give ye olde profession another go. This time I plan to focus on building/sculpting though, not the technical/setup/advisory stuff (though will likely do one or two haunts this year in that capacity as well). If it takes off, I might stick with it, but it's equally plausible it'll drive me nuts to not have a 'regular' schedule. I like my structured days.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 05, 2012, 08:14:34 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on July 06, 2012, 02:37:09 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 06, 2012, 03:55:44 am
Not entirely not, either.
Post by: Unorthodox on July 11, 2012, 05:00:13 am
Day one:
About 7 hours getting my shop into shape. All tools where I know they are, all kids stuff outta there, compressor oiled and tuned, etc.
Finished the protective coat on side 3 of the tomb.
Going to lose a day installing a basketball hoop for my son's birthday, but I expect to have the tomb finished this week.
Post by: Unorthodox on July 14, 2012, 11:48:19 pm
Tipping on end to add the foam coat to the last corners, and attach the final pleurant. Can you tell my son broke off, and then fixed that middle one? Thought I might not notice the monster mud EVERYWHERE.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-MNnNBycEDCs/UAHy7rD5sGI/AAAAAAAAM94/lKZsavStf-c/s800/_IGP1449.JPG)
Since we've had some issues with the pleurant coming off, I added some cheese cloth with the drylok to help glue them on.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pPEnDSsZFrg/UAHy7us_GHI/AAAAAAAAM98/7g4cyWcbpEw/s800/_IGP1450.JPG)
We also added cheese cloth to the BACK side (inside) of all pleurant , and it's made the whole thing VERY sturdy.
First side after a couple coats of drylok.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-i-tArB9nNMU/UAHy7hVV0KI/AAAAAAAAM90/4dy_gRPtHWU/s800/_IGP1451.JPG)
Have some family obligations tonight, and need a few more coats before we can start detailing the whole thing.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 15, 2012, 02:57:15 pm
You could do worse than a boy willing to try to fix his mistakes...
Post by: Unorthodox on July 16, 2012, 01:43:47 pm
I must say, putting up a basketball hoop is more complicated than it appears at first.
Also considering building a Barghest.
Post by: Unorthodox on July 18, 2012, 04:48:30 am
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Z5mKnkjNYnw/UAYwx63-kyI/AAAAAAAAM-w/7rDB8tGVvmM/s800/_IGP1456.JPG)
Post by: Unorthodox on July 21, 2012, 04:48:44 pm
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-J-ELWXU3Fv0/UArMnq-gwXI/AAAAAAAAM_o/Nihcgc_yNBM/s800/IMG_6312.JPG)
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-OMqcFAifdy0/UArMnaZJfHI/AAAAAAAAM_k/kflCsVPiz10/s800/IMG_6311.JPG)
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-p8jTQssGGds/UArMmtuHkiI/AAAAAAAAM_Q/TaFY3wwuC3w/s800/IMG_6307.JPG)
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-JpyFADyM01o/UArMn34yGhI/AAAAAAAAM_w/KC4Og9ycR0I/s800/IMG_6313.JPG)
Tombstones as well.
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Jm-K3Vii9RY/UArMoTq0z7I/AAAAAAAANAE/CW8glFLU2B4/s800/IMG_6314.JPG)
The tomb itself is 90%. Just a couple spots to touch up.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MjeX0MEEvAs/UArMoQ0nhgI/AAAAAAAAM_8/4ivn1H0m5X4/s800/IMG_6315.JPG)
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/--y16C0QQ1S4/UArMoSYcNuI/AAAAAAAAM_4/lo5hUQxaW1c/s800/IMG_6316.JPG)
Any luck and I'll be doing a lighting test tonight, seeing if adding a 2X4 to the bottom fixes the fog dispersal problem on grass. But, we might be getting rain, so who knows.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 21, 2012, 07:14:15 pm
...
I fixin' to start a mask lesson with Buster her own self this afternoon. We have an infestation of family for the last few weeks, which has been a decidedly mixed blessing... I've only had one attack of nerves bad enough to make me throw up.
I love them, but not so much I like having so many people and dogs in my hermit cave...
Post by: Unorthodox on July 21, 2012, 10:09:04 pm
"You finally started making some *REAL* art."
uh, thanks?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 22, 2012, 06:44:09 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on July 23, 2012, 05:02:27 am
(stupid auto focus..)
Little test with a blue flood and a dimmed green flood.
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-YlPoDziR8BU/UAzLAPB1EjI/AAAAAAAANBE/gsejfxaQTtY/s800/_IGP1460.JPG)
Reshot with a little tea light and manual focus.
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-7Hz9o0g7ko8/UAzLADW1LtI/AAAAAAAANBA/cAL5NXpmd4Q/s800/_IGP1461.JPG)
We're definitely going to want some of that warm lighting. Has anyone had much experience with real candles? Specifically those drippy candle thingies?
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mFg5eSikdak/UAzLAMcuuSI/AAAAAAAANA8/_613L_px6PI/s800/_IGP1462.JPG)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FQOy1GXsDrA/UAzLAgsM96I/AAAAAAAANBM/kYinuDiMjdI/s800/_IGP1464.JPG)
I so love the pleurant...
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-DPP8YP5rknQ/UAzLAebXACI/AAAAAAAANBU/KGJTdFL463c/s800/_IGP1463.JPG)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 23, 2012, 03:15:19 pm
Experience as in lighting with?
Post by: Unorthodox on July 23, 2012, 07:44:19 pm
More a how long to they stay lit and how wind resistant are they, will they ruin the paint, etc.
Yeah, I can make fake candles but they will look...fake.
I've never made any attempt to hide how Temple of Doom has influenced me, and I WANT THESE CANDLES.
(sorry for quality looking for better, jump to ~5:30)
Indiana Jones drinks blood of Kali Ma (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_plI0XlrY9Q#)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 24, 2012, 12:37:36 am
...
If you're talking about the the drippy wax bases, try faking it with hot glue. The stuff was practically invented for theater techs to fake that sort of thing, they use it so much.
Post by: Unorthodox on July 24, 2012, 01:52:14 am
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-75g6c_skZmU/SY-M06ljBzI/AAAAAAAACtI/gtYIIEQ0Yug/s800/IMGP1926.JPG)
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-NZVtG51WcBg/SY-M19FexEI/AAAAAAAACtY/xUtJOddR-pQ/s800/IMGP1929.JPG)
I spent quite a bit of research into how the wax should look...
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-OXeRIKjyv58/SUfDhWGUIuI/AAAAAAAACaA/45JYPxGO28Y/s800/IMGP1791.JPG)
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-g4QPL5ro59U/SUfDihpSvmI/AAAAAAAACaY/9cKRJ0_AwH8/s800/IMGP1825.JPG)
My concern is more with the flame. I can't do fake "flicker" flame candles as they are known to trigger epilepsy episodes, and that won't do with the school. That leaves constant on or real flame. How to match up the fake wax to real wax realisticly is problematic. Plus I've had some rather poor luck with real candles staying lit of late. I'd have to find a quality brand.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 24, 2012, 03:45:50 am
Perhaps you could build enough of the underlying structure and really wax in the rest? I imagine you have to re-coat the thing every season, but if you bought your wax by the big slab and made your own candles from the same, that'd solve the matching problem. Candle making isn't rocket science...
Post by: Unorthodox on July 24, 2012, 02:17:40 pm
Well, by the time the work was done it was late in the planting season and most places were sold out of pumpkins, and my goal was to focus on specialty varieties to provide some contrast this year, and test the new drip line irrigation we installed, having no experience with such things. Mistakes were made with the garden. I'm not sold on the drip line. Next year, we're planting the three sisters method with pumpkin varieties that will not cross polinate so I can even save my own seeds. That said, we're doing a lot better than I expected THIS year.
Our Lumina/Cinderella patch.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KWGCT1yEPKs/UA6ZnGAcwOI/AAAAAAAANB0/NlQFZgIrasY/s800/Picture%2520019.jpg)
Our Cinderellas actually were not doing well at all until the luminas overgrew them and shaded them a bit, then they took off like mad. They also are planting secondary roots EVERYWHERE along their runners. Rather interesting.
Cinderella on the right, Lumina on the left.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-qs1QN8T2IU4/UA6ZolYwRXI/AAAAAAAANCY/pyHSY_MrUNk/s800/Picture%2520024.jpg)
We've had dozens of each not set on the vines, and have dozens more that are presently fertilized, but not set yet.
First Lumina to set.
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-twRZr0gD8Po/UA6Zn-gceSI/AAAAAAAANCQ/USu34jkjJf0/s800/Picture%2520023.jpg)
First Cinderella.
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-psTCYm6b-70/UA6Zn4A2osI/AAAAAAAANCA/eGlUNWQ_GJY/s800/Picture%2520022.jpg)
The volunteer patch out of the composting pumpkin guts from last year is slowly consuming the scarecrow.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-7NH-5UMrRWw/UA6ZpAxO7CI/AAAAAAAANCc/WuzScjkaqvk/s800/Picture%2520025.jpg)
Some hybrid variety, can't place.
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-u8zVKBnhIgc/UA6ZpDPrQ9I/AAAAAAAANCs/EPP30BohKK4/s800/Picture%2520026.jpg)
I believe this is a howden or howden big. First one to set, monster.
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-bLAN3IC7DuA/UA6Zp6_I1LI/AAAAAAAANCw/rBUPdOwz2Yg/s800/Picture%2520027.jpg)
The anchor that pulled the vine off the scarecrow.
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-v69TiTKUajo/UA6Zp-Aw5gI/AAAAAAAANCo/EfCsiEQ0ve4/s800/Picture%2520028.jpg)
Hybrid of Old Zeb's and something else. No idea, but cool bicolor, hope it sets.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qmOAwFCzQ9w/UA6ZrJK0v6I/AAAAAAAANDA/m-EBxNC-Xt8/s800/Picture%2520030.jpg)
The corn.
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-JX0G69dHkQI/UA6ZrZ2aMMI/AAAAAAAANDQ/LaBJnrr_zEw/s800/Picture%2520031.jpg)
Post by: Unorthodox on August 06, 2012, 02:11:41 am
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Z-T-UquiuHs/UBaLLo63IRI/AAAAAAAANGw/RpUHwKu6eKM/s800/Picture%2520040.jpg)
Unfortunately that's the last of work I've been able to do so far. Family issues are crazy right now. Unlike the taller ones (which are our names in the alphabet of the Magi), these ones are gibberish. Or at least I think so. I built templates of all the letters and Talia handed them at random to me, so I could etch them with acetone.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-i3jSmGoMy2I/UBaLLd_PF1I/AAAAAAAANGs/HUrttgXo1HA/s800/Picture%2520039.jpg)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 06, 2012, 04:11:28 am
Post by: Unorthodox on August 08, 2012, 05:48:19 am
PERHAPS some actors, assuming folks come through on promises. I need to come up with some SIMPLE costumes for these potential helpers...
Anyway, the tomb's been giving me some technical troubles as a fog chiller.
Chillers, in general, are designed to broadcast low lying fog in a particular direction. NO ONE had attempted an OMNIdirectional version before like I am with Trevor. The theory I had was that a simple circular ceiling diffuser at the end of the pipe would solve the problem, after all it was working great as a directional chiller, I just wanted to divert the flow a little....
Well, that murdered my airflow, rendering the thing useless.
Inline fan was either too expensive or too small to do the job.
Well, I got the problem licked, finally. It's not elegant, but it works. Replaced the diffuser with a larger fan.
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-8R6k0wOKTLg/UCHIS1evAlI/AAAAAAAANHs/syTKigcCp3o/s800/_IGP1468.JPG)
There is some concern this may be too much fan, but it has a slower speed if I need it.
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ORl3ugiVaOA/UCHIS3IvgQI/AAAAAAAANHo/cT97NEO54zA/s800/_IGP1470.JPG)
I have a new, large, and expensive fog machine on backorder, so we'll have a full on, ice in the chiller, test run when that arrives.
Post by: Unorthodox on August 08, 2012, 06:59:04 pm
Since the lighting test pics above went online, 17 copycat tombs have cropped up around the Halloween forum. I'm betting there's a retail version out by next year.
Bonus being only one other is attempting a transi so far.
Post by: Green1 on August 08, 2012, 07:23:44 pm
Now I live in New Orleans, so all this stuff is not weird but commonplace, even though many folks like that have since moved away from the ignorance and humidity here to better places since. But, there is a story I would like to share about condescending nieghbors.
In my hometown of Jackson, MS, there are groups of old, bitter trophy wives who gossip and take credit for gorgeous lawns even though they sit in AC at the country clubhouse sipping mimosas and letting the lower class Mexicans and Blacks do all the actual work for a pittance. One of thier idols was Felder Rushing, a columnist in the garden column of that city's major newspaper. Now Felder loved the readership, but hated appearances with these crazed ladies who would turn allergic if they actually sullied hands in actual soil. So, one year, just to make a statement, he painted his whole lawn with biodegradable non toxic pink paint! It washed away first rain, but you bet those stuck up old biddies where crapping bricks!
Post by: Unorthodox on August 10, 2012, 05:00:31 am
I'm not even sure if I want to use such a thing, to be honest.
We planted corn this year and as I was there cooking it tonight, I looked over at the husks...
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-wiUihF71t08/UCR4YErXc8I/AAAAAAAANIg/jtwOj4o5qLQ/s800/_IGP1473.JPG)
....and said to myself, I wonder what I could make with that?
Well, I got a good start, but reached a point where the glue needed to dry.
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-9FVEb2wJCiA/UCR4YJSJ7CI/AAAAAAAANIY/tQHv484rfBE/s800/_IGP1474.JPG)
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-2-Lxt66oUyM/UCR4YAVIHII/AAAAAAAANIc/en2DS0teXGw/s800/_IGP1475.JPG)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6ISECCqJkjA/UCR4YgewW2I/AAAAAAAANIs/hAO1NoE-4qg/s800/_IGP1476.JPG)
Not sure where I'm going with this at all. Head? Skull? More? Nothing? who knows. More to come when the glue dries and I can fiddle some more.
Post by: Unorthodox on August 28, 2012, 02:13:47 pm
Painting this, cleaning up that.
My mother in-law retired from teaching, and I'm selling off the laboratory. It was posted all of 30 minutes before it sold.
Couple other commission pieces being made again as well.
Giving serious thought to a major tone down in the amount of stuff I build next year.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 28, 2012, 02:30:18 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 29, 2012, 12:27:35 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 29, 2012, 12:57:01 am
Post by: Unorthodox on August 29, 2012, 10:04:01 pm
Might build some things to sell, I have some more raw materials for things I wanted to ADD to the lab for instance. A skulltronix is beyond my ability to build, however. I'm not so good with the itsy bitsy stuff like making circuit boards, and one of these has been on my list for at least 5 years.
http://youtu.be/JRUf1tsjrvg (http://youtu.be/JRUf1tsjrvg)
Post by: Unorthodox on September 13, 2012, 09:25:20 pm
Finally able to get back on. Update I see?
Anyhow. Maybe I'm being paranoid, but I find it extremely coincidental that 2 years ago, I started "the harvest" theme specifically because many folks found it to be a joke. "Corn and straw is for kids only"
MANY jumped on it last year.
Well, it's the theme for Spirit(playing with new button there) stores this year.
http://youtu.be/0rCUNKmxtLY (http://youtu.be/0rCUNKmxtLY)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 13, 2012, 10:51:45 pm
You know that if they're biting your style, it's evidence of your greatness...
Post by: Unorthodox on September 16, 2012, 05:53:57 am
Different buttons when I post and everything. Odd.
You also seem to be blocked at work now.
Post by: Unorthodox on September 16, 2012, 05:56:16 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 16, 2012, 06:10:02 am
BoF is genuinely good; you like the Monster Chiller Horror Theater treatment?
Post by: Unorthodox on September 17, 2012, 03:14:06 pm
Might be going back to our original tribal theme next year. Ironically, it was a marching band that got me back in the mood for that thing.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 17, 2012, 03:35:51 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 18, 2012, 01:59:20 am
I draw inspiration from really oddball places. They weren't even doing much of anything special, but just the SOUND of it, oh, I gotta go back to the tribal with the drums.
Even whipped up a name and banner fro the theme. (getting better at the photoshop stuff)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AeOWXjphNAE/UFfIaPmPtQI/AAAAAAAANXA/zcM0rl8JG0c/s800/primordi%2520copy.jpg)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 18, 2012, 02:31:07 am
Post by: Unorthodox on September 18, 2012, 09:53:58 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 18, 2012, 10:04:10 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 19, 2012, 01:26:57 am
Post by: Unorthodox on September 23, 2012, 08:52:26 pm
Didn't think it would come to this, but we grew WAY too many pumpkins this year (goal was 100, we grew over 200), so we have a stand in the driveway and the boys are raking in cash already today. (Stand only been up an hour)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 23, 2012, 09:06:47 pm
I need to think of a "mind boggled" smilie.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 23, 2012, 10:40:17 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 24, 2012, 02:38:23 am
Talia was thrilled to find this little one.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-idMLmeeYwy4/UF-3HLMbL8I/AAAAAAAANp0/uqVFxpwbHv0/s800/IMG_6498.JPG)
OUR set of pumpkins for the yard.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-RGtG3tcHfvc/UF-3KVbsRqI/AAAAAAAANqE/MZ5CSs4O614/s800/IMG_6499.JPG)
The pumpkin stand for sale....after the boys has sold about 20.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-hs-KeGfhHi8/UF-3W6yeWRI/AAAAAAAANq0/JJI7OKhUnhM/s800/IMG_6505.JPG)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 24, 2012, 03:22:10 am
It's certainly the right time of the year to have a pumpkin stand. I haven't messed with any in decades, though; are they gonna hold up for five weeks, especially after they've been cut up two weeks early?
Post by: Unorthodox on September 24, 2012, 03:39:44 am
Post by: Unorthodox on September 24, 2012, 02:37:31 pm
Yeah, they totally stole my raven grass decor. I've been the ONLY one around decorating with the stuff for the last 5 years, seems they caught on and must have planted some of their own somewhere (though I haven't seen it on the grounds, maybe some local farmer planted some to sell?).
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-4k7BxC2xg2U/UF--dl7OZxI/AAAAAAAAN-o/sJpcE21cjmY/s800/IMG_6388.JPG)
Also noticed that after shitcanning my concept for them last year to open their western themed town up for a haunted area (it's normally been closed in October), guess what they opened as their new haunt this year?
Unfortunately, they had their in house folk make it into a kiddie land instead of a really cool area.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-u2ify2zFOB4/UF--4DjLBkI/AAAAAAAAN1I/KWQhWhPK6BA/s800/IMG_6465.JPG)
Opening weekend, of their 4 haunted houses, my 4 year old design prison haunt remains the busiest. Probably helped because I designed it to be ultra low tech completely actor driven, and the other prop driven ones had broken rooms half the time. Great set of actors in there this year, too.
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-n7ktIhCUHGY/UF--uedrMQI/AAAAAAAANx8/qVyTcuSYxZE/s800/IMG_6441.JPG)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 24, 2012, 04:55:57 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 26, 2012, 06:25:56 pm
Anyway, Davis Graveyard has totally ripped off credit for the transi-tomb, claiming in several industry publications to have originated the idea and suggesting it as the next big thing. Wouldn't be so infuriating if I hadn't specifically given them advice and suggestions during their build.
Their SHROUD tomb, not transi, bastards, so now everyone's going to be ill-educated on top of everything else. I've been suggesting everyone do shroud tombs if they aren't comfortable sculpting a transi since you can hid poor sculpting, but this doesn't even look like any attempt at sculpting more than the most basic of forms.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mUZyX2qfs0Q/UGM4h97Mf0I/AAAAAAAAOA8/qutcKPcGXj0/s800/IMG_8354.JPG)
>:(
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 26, 2012, 07:15:42 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 26, 2012, 09:15:05 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 26, 2012, 09:23:48 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on October 02, 2012, 04:11:58 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 02, 2012, 04:41:19 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on October 02, 2012, 08:50:16 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 02, 2012, 09:56:46 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on October 03, 2012, 04:22:17 am
It features some of the worst CGI I've ever seen, and they utterly destroyed among the best scenes of the original movie, replacing the skeletons with these plant soldiers....
The plant soldier things are not a bad idea....
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 03, 2012, 04:25:53 am
Post by: Unorthodox on October 03, 2012, 03:40:55 pm
Anywho...
heh.
Quote
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Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 03, 2012, 03:53:21 pm
...
Do I take it that you regard this as good news and a shot at publicity? We felt that way last year when some online thingy wanted to use one of our mask pictures in a slideshow.
...
I think I've figured out what the Halloween smilie needs to finally get that candle-flickering-inside effect working right. ;uno More on that soon.
Post by: Unorthodox on October 03, 2012, 04:14:26 pm
I've also been featured on Pumpkinrot for the 5th straight year. We're very similar in our vision of Halloween, some consider 'boring'. He's been an online presence a hell of a lot longer than I, though, and is more famous in that way.
His place last year:
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-iRI-_S7caUA/UGxVsQzfltI/AAAAAAAAODw/Jy32FxZ8EN8/s800/halloween2011_33.jpg)
But, with me doing the graves this year, some of that will be lost this year.
Post by: Green1 on October 03, 2012, 04:18:07 pm
That was one interesting guy.
Good memories.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 03, 2012, 04:18:45 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on October 03, 2012, 04:24:14 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 03, 2012, 04:40:19 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on October 03, 2012, 04:49:57 pm
Partly because I still haven't figured out the secret of photographing in fog. It plays havoc with camera settings.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 03, 2012, 06:42:15 pm
...
The trouble with the Halloween smilie was that it plays on the forum with the default timing of 100ms, instead of the values I entered. It also needed a lot more frames to pseudo-randomize the flicker. I'm almost done with the frames, and don't know what to do if a new file has the same timing problem...
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 03, 2012, 07:24:52 pm
Siiigh. The extra frames are a big improvement, IMAO, but the file plays roughly 10 times quicker on average on GIMP - much more flickery. When I open it in a plain IE tab, same problem.
I'm gonna email you a copy; maybe it'll work better for you, and you might find a use for it on your website.
Here's the old one for side-by-side comparison: ;uno; ;uno
Post by: Unorthodox on October 03, 2012, 08:20:59 pm
I'd like your input here: http://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?topic=2264.0 (http://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?topic=2264.0) You can to skip to the last few pages if you like, where Green1 suggests doing something with all the players in the private space race.
What are you actually needing?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 03, 2012, 08:26:59 pm
Did you get the smilie email? Happy Unomas.
Post by: Unorthodox on October 03, 2012, 11:47:12 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 03, 2012, 11:53:47 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on October 04, 2012, 03:24:49 pm
battery check.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-yIuMNvmBScE/UG2aM8DUZaI/AAAAAAAAOEI/1vHdIveiwr8/s800/Picture%2520074.jpg)
Special fog juice came in last night, should be able to do a full on Trevor test this weekend.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 04, 2012, 03:36:22 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on October 04, 2012, 04:02:32 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 04, 2012, 04:05:10 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on October 05, 2012, 02:03:43 am
I realize Trevor is the best chance I'm ever likely to have when the annual winners of the decoration contest are store bought skeletons and repurposed christmas lights. I doubt I'll be doing anything so mainstream again any time soon.
The other Halloween contest I used to enter annually (only to lose to skimpy costumed girls) is not even accepting my type of sculpture. Miniatures....pah. waste of time.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 05, 2012, 02:23:35 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 05, 2012, 04:11:49 am
Post by: Unorthodox on October 05, 2012, 04:45:29 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 05, 2012, 04:49:19 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on October 06, 2012, 07:55:21 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 06, 2012, 08:00:00 pm
-So to speak.
Post by: Unorthodox on October 07, 2012, 05:09:54 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 07, 2012, 12:12:36 pm
Fame at last! :D
Post by: Unorthodox on October 07, 2012, 09:37:48 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 07, 2012, 09:39:33 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on October 08, 2012, 03:55:40 am
I've been avoiding it for a hell of a long time.
Full on ice in, big fog machine chiller test on Trevor. Partly because if it didn't work right, I honestly had no idea where to go after this 4th redesign.
http://youtu.be/GxpXfgDc7GA (http://youtu.be/GxpXfgDc7GA)
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-CDfafCx8bAU/UHI-hu-bVqI/AAAAAAAAOGg/TOoPNlS5V_M/s800/IMG_6532.JPG)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PhnsSnE4X2Q/UHI-jcs717I/AAAAAAAAOG4/lZX7cqT1PPY/s800/IMG_6539.JPG)
I think it's safe to say I can relax some.
Post by: Unorthodox on October 08, 2012, 03:56:47 am
I did. I didn't have the blue pumpkin handy this morning, strangely enough, but I since picked it up. You want that, or turn it off? You're a valued member. I'll hook you up however you like.Definitely the pumpkin
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 08, 2012, 03:59:57 am
--And the Trevor test?
;b; :clap: :salute: ;excite; :danc:
It looks AWESOME!!! Full marks, sir.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 09, 2012, 06:59:22 pm
By Ned Smith, BusinessNewsDaily Senior Writer | LiveScience.com – 1 hr 6 mins ago.. .
A dark and scary economy is not going to spook consumers this Halloween. A recent National Retail Federation survey shows that seven in 10 Americans (170 million) will get their haunt on this year, the most in the NRF's 10-year history, and will pump $8 billion into the economy. What is it that makes Halloween more seductive than a vampire's kiss for consumers?
It's more than just a last shot at fun and games before the winter solstice ices us, suggests a Wake Forest University academic. There are deeper reasons for the spending spree and our intense interest in vampires and zombies, said English professor Eric Wilson, author of "Everyone Loves a Good Train Wreck: Why We Can't Look Away" (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2012). It's because humans have a natural fascination with the macabre, Wilson said.
Halloween puts people in touch with their inner little monsters, he said.
Miguel De La Torre, professor of social ethics at Iliff School of Theology in Denver, agrees.
"People enjoy flirting with the dark side and spooky characters," he said. "Since the earliest accounts of the Halloween celebration, there have been tales of dark chaos, and costumes have been included in interpretations of the observation. People love a good scare, especially when we know we are inherently safe."
Humans' fascination with the dark side has made Halloween the second-largest commercial holiday behind Christmas.
It provides a perverse pleasure to celebrate death and destruction, Wilson said, particularly in a time of financial crisis when many come face to face with their limitations and mortality in unpleasant ways. There is a kind of ecstasy in transforming into another creature and dressing up as dead things such as zombies and vampires, he said.
It also gives people permission to do openly what is usually done in secret: wear masks.
"To get along in the world, we constantly pretend to be nicer or happier than we really are, especially during a difficult economy, when to get and keep jobs, we are expected to put a good face on things," Wilson said. "On Halloween, it's okay to come out as a mask-wearer and feel relief we no longer have to hide."
But the root cause of humans' fascination may be that kinship is forged with monsters because they are possessed by an uncontrollable force – neither zombies in their quest for brains nor vampires in their quest for blood are able to stop or reason through their hunger.
"We can imagine the satisfaction of living without accountability, casting off humanity and turning into machines without morals," Wilson said. "Zombies overcome death, vampires rule time, ghosts vanquish space and vampires and other shape-shifters transcend a stable identity."
And they are simply scary and people like to be scared.
"It's the ultimate thrill ride," Wilson said.
Post by: Unorthodox on October 09, 2012, 09:13:48 pm
Quote
Humans' fascination with the dark side has made Halloween the second-largest commercial holiday behind Christmas.
Nope, not close.
Halloween is #5 in spending. And, until you can convince everyone to hand out presents to ToT's it will remain so, behind Easter, Mothers day, Valentines and Christmas respectively.
It's only #2 in DECORATION spending. And laughably distant there.
As to the whole 'why we like Halloween, this is my go-to article:
Quote
October is a magical time of year. There is a chill in the air, the leaves have begun their own slow display of fireworks, brightening the sky with vibrant oranges, reds and yellows, and all the Halloween decorations begin to appear. Jack-o-lanterns grin eerily out from the doorsteps, scarecrows stand ominously among bundles of high cornstalks within yards all along the street and as the sun begins to set the shadows come out to play, carrying with them a creepy sense of mischief that inspires laughter and fun.http://www.halloweenarmy.org/free-content/halloween-is-community-building (http://www.halloweenarmy.org/free-content/halloween-is-community-building)
The Halloween season offers a special kind of joy that is simply not present in other holiday celebrations. While the emphasis may seem to be on scaring the bejeebers out of your friends and neighbors, the real gift of this season comes from the sense of freedom and creativity it entails. Halloween is the only holiday that is based on an open concept rather than a particular event. There are no boundaries, no limits, and no expectations to fulfill. You are free to be as playful and original as you wish.
This aspect of Halloween is one that should be cherished because it affords us the space to be as silly as we want while also nurturing our inventive sides. Parents can encourage their children to choose any character or costume that they would like to be for Halloween, and then spend time helping their child to make the costume they want to wear. Families can also take advantage of the season to bond as a unit by voting on one theme for the entire family, such as the Addams Family or The Incredibles. There is nothing quite like the feeling of belonging to a cohesive group that is easily recognizable in public. It really establishes a fun sense of being part of a team.
Larger projects, such as haunted houses or mazes can also be an excellent event for the whole family to join together in building. Many people use their yards or garages to set up a simple haunted maze that the trick-or-treaters can walk through if they dare. These sometimes take a lot of work, and getting the family and friends involved stimulates a great feeling of comradery among those who worked so hard on it. And the satisfaction derived from the screams and nervous giggles of the people going through the maze is unparalleled.
Some people go to quite elaborate lengths to create an environment that is fun and scary for their neighbors to experience during the season. They spend months designing and building facades or effects that they display in front of or inside their homes just to entertain people with a fun scare. This is a gesture of hospitality like no other, presenting parents and kids alike with an experience that they are unlikely to ever forget. For those who do this, it is an offering of themselves to the guests who will come to their door, a whimsical engagement in the fun and frivolity of the season that represents a genuine interest in joining in the fun and enhancing every person’s Halloween eve. In return, they are gifted with the opportunity to briefly take part in the lives of their neighbors if only for the evening.
There are many neighborhoods in America that actually gather together and decide themes for their entire street during Halloween. Each neighbor then builds a façade or decorates their house in accordance with that theme. These can be extraordinary sites to behold. For instance, one street created an old western theme in which each home had built a different set in front of or surrounding their home, so the whole street looked like something you’d find in an old western movie. Another neighborhood made a pirate themed experience, with a nine foot tall pirate ship that spanned several house lengths. These kinds of things can definitely bring a community together.
Neighborhoods that don’t want to go to such extremes can still benefit from this time of silliness and fun. Parents often work together, within their own neighborhoods as well as the surrounding streets, to create a fun and safe environment in which the children can enjoy trick-or-treating. The adults take turns with street duties, keeping the passing drivers aware of the presence of all the kids in costumes and helping the children to cross the street safely. They accompany the kids as they go door to door so that they can meet or chat with the people on their street with whom they have limited contact otherwise. This is a convenient and non-intrusive way to introduce oneself to the neighbors living on the street, or get to know them better. Communities who know each other tend to be safer in general than those who aren’t acquainted with the people living around them.
There is no denying that Halloween is a wonderful holiday, one that brings people together in unique ways. The freedom of style and expression it offers makes it the one holiday when we can truly share our own individuality with all of those around us while celebrating theirs as well.
Post by: Unorthodox on October 09, 2012, 09:14:45 pm
Unfortunately, don't think I get chiller network. :(
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 09, 2012, 09:28:51 pm
Former pro reporter speaking here, remember.
Post by: Unorthodox on October 10, 2012, 05:46:00 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 10, 2012, 05:55:13 am
I always designed my own costumes, BTW - I don't know how people with mothers who don't sew live.
And interestingly, kids getting up to no good on Halloween night is something I've only seen on TV - it's just not a thing here.
Post by: Unorthodox on October 10, 2012, 02:12:49 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on October 10, 2012, 02:15:43 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 10, 2012, 02:30:25 pm
Very commedia del arte' with the plague doctor.
Post by: Unorthodox on October 10, 2012, 03:03:40 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 10, 2012, 03:30:32 pm
(The kids will never be able to wrap their heads around the way people tended to be total channel partisans before remote controls took over in the 80s.)
It might've been You Were There, if you're interested in looking it up for your kids or something. I remember Cronkite covering the Trojan War...
Plague Doctor is on my to-do list when I get back on masks someday, probably in the spring; Buster's Aunt wants to do a set of commedia del arte' mask, for which, you'll recall, I intend to use your face for the Captain/braggart warrior character. You have a wonderful chin. ;)
Post by: Unorthodox on October 11, 2012, 03:09:57 am
Well....candy shopping done.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 11, 2012, 03:17:45 am
Go big or go home!
Post by: Unorthodox on October 11, 2012, 05:57:45 pm
http://www.scaredhaunt.com/index.php (http://www.scaredhaunt.com/index.php)
Too bad he turned over his last professional place (the one I helped out with last Christmas) to a bunch of...well, they're more interested in the business side of things where Max and I were much more about promoting haunts as a means for charity. The charity first professional haunts are now extinct in Utah. :(
Lest I win a lottery or something.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 11, 2012, 06:01:33 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on October 11, 2012, 06:54:01 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 11, 2012, 07:11:52 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on October 12, 2012, 02:05:23 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 12, 2012, 05:30:53 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on October 12, 2012, 08:35:47 pm
I realize I really show my agricultural roots. Most the decor there is more 'fitting' to me, and most houses are decorated. Sure, the city folks with all their plastic stuff don't like it much, but it's 'right'.
Saw the most amazing thing whilst driving too.
Some guy selling corn stalks. Nothing shocking about that, I know. But, these were 15' TALL CORN STALKS. MONSTROUS things. Never seen the likes of it, most tops out at 7' around here. He says they make monstrous ears of corn, too, but it's no good for eatin', just feed for cattle. He plants it because of extremely high yield. Gave me some seed for the spring, but it might be too much for the three sisters planting I was planning to utilize.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 12, 2012, 08:40:42 pm
Yankees and city people may find farm country amusing and contemptable, but they're jerks and will all die fast when disaster strikes.
I love me some old crumbling barns. Reminds me of the area my dad grew up in.
Post by: Unorthodox on October 12, 2012, 08:52:45 pm
Just got off the phone with the local news.
"But we were told you were one of these Halloween people, when will you have it set up?"
"I won't be set up until 10/30"
"Well, why not?"
"I don't need to use it until then."
*click*
Darn, guess I won't be on TV this year.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 12, 2012, 09:11:24 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on October 15, 2012, 04:45:39 am
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-QsMPQ6l0r3U/UHt8wTZZVPI/AAAAAAAAOJo/_vIvOuI9-Jw/s800/IMG_6555.JPG)
It's probably been 10 years or more since I last pulled out the halloween cutters.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-shmTNSIgTPg/UHt8uoor9xI/AAAAAAAAOJU/d9aBk1dbLDU/s800/IMG_6553.JPG)
My Chimera needed some attention...
After being OUTSIDE the ENTIRE YEAR. A year that saw winds RIP THE ROOF OFF THE HOUSE, he needed a little shoring up at the joints...and that's it.
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-gwBn82slAdE/UHt8xhJ4OwI/AAAAAAAAOJ8/kItd7hxeaIM/s800/IMG_6558.JPG)
And, since early October is mostly just goofing around with things at our place, I figured we'd honor breast cancer awareness by making him PINK.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-t2VBvUpYmEo/UHt8yNdzFHI/AAAAAAAAOKE/pEKdMRIuw_s/s800/IMG_6559.JPG)
But, some neighbors were getting a little nervous at the lack of visible activity this year (and strange things like selling off pumpkins) so I had to get the sign out, at the very least.
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-rBjgQVB4SPo/UHt8xVftdQI/AAAAAAAAOJ4/8nLJb1tvXwU/s800/IMG_6557.JPG)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 15, 2012, 04:56:55 am
I hope the Halloween cutters were for salt dough or something, and those aren't big cookies on the garage floor as it appears.
Post by: Unorthodox on October 15, 2012, 02:12:00 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on October 15, 2012, 03:59:05 pm
Last year:
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-IOsQWT4PMn4/UHwiv1GdInI/AAAAAAAAOL0/yXvaiyxh24k/s800/PICT0073.jpg)
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-cTOVLnleIGE/UHwivn59KMI/AAAAAAAAOLo/rxKe1xOODD4/s800/PICT00h.jpg)
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-7wqKTNuJxa4/UHwivnmFR7I/AAAAAAAAOLs/9RYZsEaJdI8/s800/PICT0031.jpg)
This year:
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Mq74XF9qbV0/UHwhRLHS64I/AAAAAAAAOKs/2zr6XI3ZZyU/s800/3605_3935965200685_891209777_n.jpg)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yTMs1LwGwvk/UHwhRLnquuI/AAAAAAAAOKw/-EXp3CWq8Ck/s800/580906_3935964800675_253919567_n.jpg)
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-U0xJ79BDkHE/UHwhRIRsewI/AAAAAAAAOK0/dw4ZnaBbAbk/s800/hhh13.jpg)
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-rPXzzQV1AXg/UHwhRnJ_cRI/AAAAAAAAOK8/LXAUTvvfHJE/s800/hhh2.jpg)
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-sfV9D4q0kzI/UHwhRyHgW5I/AAAAAAAAOLA/EkMRGcQb6aw/s800/hhh3.jpg)
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-L86IbRUwroc/UHwhScgCjyI/AAAAAAAAOLI/OfdI--DgcYc/s800/hhh4.jpg)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 15, 2012, 06:29:29 pm
Which is a lot of the difference between art and hackwork (or more accurately, what I call "pipe-cleaners-and-glitter crafts"). He clearly started with some craft and skill - add better creative choices, and there's art.
Post by: Unorthodox on October 16, 2012, 03:45:59 pm
Speaking of, long range is listing a bit of a breeze for Halloween. I'm hoping that gets removed or it'll ruin the whole ground fog effect. Ironically rain would be very GOOD for it. Especially a cold rain.
Resisting the urge to build something else this year. Even headstart items for NEXT year. I'm normally all rushing around finishing things, not having stuff to do is strange.
Post by: Unorthodox on October 17, 2012, 02:24:39 pm
http://fox2now.com/2012/10/16/zoo-ghosts-cause-stir/#ooid=10eXk3Njo4azZ1ObXlYlBtZW7ORsKW4B (http://fox2now.com/2012/10/16/zoo-ghosts-cause-stir/#ooid=10eXk3Njo4azZ1ObXlYlBtZW7ORsKW4B)
God, I hope the Turks don't start going all PC over impaling decor...
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 17, 2012, 02:30:15 pm
Granted that it gets INSANELY annoying when everyone is under pressure to never offend anyone - that's been the ruination of far too much popular entertainment, and why anything, for example, to do with God on TV shows is so bland and generic that any church people with brains in their heads ought to be offended by THAT.
Post by: Unorthodox on October 17, 2012, 03:02:45 pm
Guess it's a lesson to not make your ghosts in human form. Cut the bottom of the robes and shred them to waft in the breeze and it's much less 'human' in appearance.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 17, 2012, 03:46:52 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on October 18, 2012, 02:45:41 pm
Most destroyed to a storm...Same storm ripped through here, I lost a light bulb when my sign tipped over.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 18, 2012, 03:06:37 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on October 19, 2012, 12:26:36 am
I'm actually OK with that, provided our party remains clear.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 19, 2012, 12:28:14 am
Post by: Unorthodox on October 19, 2012, 12:46:04 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 19, 2012, 01:09:33 am
Post by: Unorthodox on October 19, 2012, 02:35:37 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 19, 2012, 02:52:38 am
Post by: Unorthodox on October 19, 2012, 07:39:37 pm
Looking into my book of all things uno, and I have 2 pages dedicated to this year, one on Trevor, one on lighting. That's just sad.
Last year, "nothing but some corn and pumpkins" has 10 pages. Mostly Chimera designs. (20+ designs, 3 made)
NEXT year has 38 and counting. Im going to have to do some serious triage to figure out which I can actually make happen in one year, and a lot of it is mandatory tedium. Depends on whether the kids help or not how much original stuff gets done.
Another year of skull production might just be needed before I can accomplish some of the other concepts.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 19, 2012, 07:59:23 pm
I've been thinking in the back of my mind for a while about making a full skull myself - when that idea reaches maturity and I do something about it, I'll mail you at least a mold. I might do the research and make a neanderthal.
Post by: Unorthodox on October 19, 2012, 08:07:44 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 19, 2012, 08:27:47 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on October 20, 2012, 02:58:05 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 20, 2012, 03:00:40 am
Post by: Unorthodox on October 20, 2012, 03:17:45 am
I also have a real problem with the graveyard. I really want this to be a 360 degree graveyard, but no such thing has ever been designed before. Lighting for graveyards is designed to be a display, not a walkthrough. Can't get a proper lighting scheme right in my head (which I tend to visualize real good). I can pull a cheap display out of it, but really want a whole walk around Trevor.
Probably pulling out the bridge for repairs this weekend, that will help, but I'm going to be stressed until I nail down the lighting.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 20, 2012, 03:37:26 am
Find a small project, or several, you can work on while you wait - doesn't even have to be related, or anything for this year. Cleaning the creative pipes is good. Do some easy stuff for fun.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 20, 2012, 03:42:44 am
Post by: Unorthodox on October 20, 2012, 11:14:30 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 20, 2012, 12:19:22 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on October 20, 2012, 11:59:01 pm
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-sebiZ4N49cI/TpenO6siucI/AAAAAAAAKl8/9RQlDQkgZyw/s800/IMG_2993.JPG)
Only with fog. So something akin to...
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-8BEyejHKNXQ/SPyHSHUT8rI/AAAAAAAABe4/yCdAQSBeVf4/s800/IMGP1661.JPG)
Only with tombstones. (^that was the last time I even approached a graveyard, kids built that one alone)
This would leave Trevor's side lit more normally, thus drawing easier focus to it as well, it also brings the audience into the scene casting the shadows right over the path. In theory. This is just not a typical design at all, but has always fascinated me.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 21, 2012, 12:02:33 am
Post by: Unorthodox on October 21, 2012, 04:05:49 am
Quote
Due to recent flood of vandals and thief's, I suggest everyone brings their props and decor in the garage and set up on Halloween day. Don't leave your house on Halloween, and take your props down that night after the ToT's have came and gone. Furthermore, if you live in a neighborhood that isn't particularly safe please take every precaution necessary to avoid the whole debacle of vandals destroying your haunt.
Suggestions for a stress free Halloween:
1.) Set-up Halloween day, and bring in valuable props that night
2.) Install motion detector flood lights
3.) Install CCTV camera's and/or dummy camera's
4.) Stay home and watch over your haunt
5.) Hand out candy on your lawn or near the door (so you can monitor your display).
6.) Use "caution" tape attached to 3-5' stakes and make a perimeter around your graveyard or etc. scene.
Prevention is the best means of avoiding this whole ordeal
Sounds fun, eh?
My response:
I set up only the week prior. Most likely to be vandalized only the night prior.
I've had 3 incidents:
1. neighbor kid broke some stuff and stole some other stuff. When his mom found the stolen stuff, I convinced her his punishment was to learn how to build stuff by helping me build...and let him keep some of the stuff he built.
2. Couple years later Friends of this kid: "Hey, we should trash that place tonight" Kid: "No way, that guy's cool." (Actually overheard this)
3. The most perplexing case happened last year Halloween night. We had 120 pumpkins in the yard, a dead on bullseye for smashing. ONE solitary pumpkin "smashed"...but looked more like dropped after an attempted theft. I believe it was one of the developmentally challenged children that came to help carve, but have no real clue what was up.
I guess my point is that my form of prevention is involving all neighborhood kids in the CREATION.
Post by: Unorthodox on October 21, 2012, 04:27:24 am
http://youtu.be/eu2xcMlLzes (http://youtu.be/eu2xcMlLzes)
Post by: Unorthodox on October 22, 2012, 02:29:55 pm
Weather channel has Halloween officially on the forecast now. Beautiful weather for both 30th and 31st. NO wind, mild temps.
Some other sites disagree.
Windy as all hell today. Been raining all night, supposed to rain/snow on through Thursday. We did get the bridge up over the weekend, but I have a lot of repairs to do on it as well.
My brother and a neighbor are annoying me.
It's no secret I'm happy to help with Halloween events, but both called last night with huge "do you have _____ I can use". HUGE lists, even. I'm not the local Halloween store. My favorite being "could you make a brain out of crystal like your skulls?" Fair question, just don't get upset when I explain I need $40 in materials to do it.
I've been avoiding negativity, but back to my brother for a moment.
So, the whole bizaar situation has continued, but he had to move his store to cheaper rent over the summer. I went in and installed wood floors in the entire new location for them. I was mostly bored, it was that week I was off work unexpectedly so no big deal. Anyhow, this mostly got my parents off my back about not 'supporting' him enough. Cause, ya know, my being out of a job indefinitely at the time (even though it was only a week) didn't matter as much as getting my brother's business moved on a self imposed time schedule.
Anyhow, he calls because the local businesses are doing a 'Trunk or Treat'. He was (or more accurately his wife who was in charge) embarrased last year when other businesses actually put effort into some decor, and handing candy out of a truck just wasn't up to par. So, he wants me to do their stall.
He also wants me to supply decor for a church party that he's in charge of. (cause he's gone all religious on us)
Oh, and he needs my firepit for a cheerleader party for his daughter.
I'm actually OK with all that, PROVIDED I get my stuff back in time. He's also supposed to bring a sound system for me every year, so he'll "just bring my stuff back with the sound system".
We've run about 50% on him actually bringing the sound system over the last 10 years. And some times it's very last minute (5 PM on Halloween). I can't be getting my stuff back last minute.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 22, 2012, 02:32:08 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on October 22, 2012, 04:13:39 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 22, 2012, 04:36:31 pm
Much of diplomacy, however, is in figuring out the other guy, not just what he wants, but why. Once you have that, the rest is salesmanship/negotiation. It's all too true in loving relationships, and definitely in dealing with strangers/aquaintances. It's tough to sort in bad family relationships, not least because you're seeing the trees and so are they.
The crystal skull thing is fairly easy, given the molds, but resin is, as you say, expensive. And I hate working with the stuff.
Post by: Unorthodox on October 23, 2012, 03:23:00 am
hm. Repairs to the Chimera better hold up.
Post by: Unorthodox on October 23, 2012, 02:00:08 pm
I will say the Chimera looks totally wicked by lightning.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 23, 2012, 02:03:56 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on October 23, 2012, 07:40:37 pm
I'm in the red blip there. Can't tell if that's 6 or 8" in the last 24 hours.
Considering our annual average is only 18", it's an unusual storm. And it's not done yet, but it's just a light drizzle now.
All in all, it's a blessing for me provided no flooding. Soft ground to drive all those stakes into. :D
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 23, 2012, 07:45:24 pm
I didn't know there was a city of Nephi - it's like it's a state full of Mormons...
Post by: Unorthodox on October 23, 2012, 08:13:43 pm
Nephi, Lehi, Brigham, Kolob, yeah, we're full of Mormon names, but at least you can pronounce them unlike some of the various native american names that pop up as well.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 23, 2012, 08:17:11 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on October 24, 2012, 02:04:10 am
I'll do a full on review as soon as I can find a copy...
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 24, 2012, 02:15:14 am
For some reason, in the freeze-frame that shows before you play it, the horns didn't register on me, and I was trying to recall if the Red Skull had ever done a gig as a carny...
Post by: Unorthodox on October 24, 2012, 04:22:18 am
Here's one to hide a lot of technical aspects in plain sight, Really great idea if you like the graveyard scenes...
http://youtu.be/F67dVCBMb-8 (http://youtu.be/F67dVCBMb-8)
(yeah, that's the average artistic ability for the hobby)
Post by: Unorthodox on October 24, 2012, 04:33:29 am
(the corn was taken down by me to weather the storm, so no trouble there, as it looks)
Post by: Unorthodox on October 24, 2012, 02:03:25 pm
Still snowing.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 24, 2012, 02:04:49 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on October 24, 2012, 03:26:29 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 24, 2012, 04:01:27 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on October 24, 2012, 04:47:21 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 24, 2012, 04:51:09 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on October 24, 2012, 05:53:46 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 24, 2012, 06:01:51 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on October 24, 2012, 06:28:20 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 24, 2012, 06:40:51 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on October 24, 2012, 07:34:00 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 24, 2012, 07:35:16 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on October 24, 2012, 07:57:21 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 24, 2012, 08:01:15 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on October 24, 2012, 08:26:16 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on October 24, 2012, 08:27:14 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 24, 2012, 08:48:04 pm
80 is very much the exception in October :o but better than snow flurries. Get real.
Post by: Unorthodox on October 24, 2012, 10:00:07 pm
;woohoo ;uno
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 24, 2012, 10:06:37 pm
:danc: ;uno :danc:
GOOO TEAM SPOOKY!
GOOO TEAM SPOOKY!
Post by: Unorthodox on October 25, 2012, 03:35:54 am
Getting crap for my brother, cats gotta inspect.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 25, 2012, 03:49:10 am
Post by: Unorthodox on October 25, 2012, 12:45:52 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 25, 2012, 12:48:55 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on October 25, 2012, 01:05:36 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on October 25, 2012, 03:50:46 pm
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-57ISZLGK1z0/UIlQNHvAv6I/AAAAAAAAOOo/lsOLipGhG7g/s800/IMG_6563.JPG)
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-5NGTKTH43Nc/UIlQPQYWCOI/AAAAAAAAOPY/m8QS5s1iaCE/s800/IMG_6569.JPG)
Good thing today was mostly focused INSIDE for Talia's party tomorrow.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 25, 2012, 04:01:51 pm
Got anywhere good for the kids to sled?
Post by: Unorthodox on October 25, 2012, 04:03:22 pm
Time release water is the best.
Seriously couldn't be better for me. By Saturday when I'm setting up the yard, this will have melted and the ground will be nice and soft.
Typical Halloween weather.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 25, 2012, 04:10:22 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on October 25, 2012, 05:01:39 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 25, 2012, 05:06:36 pm
Much easier for the stakes to pull out, too, and the the foot-traffic damage to the yard is exasterbated. I find this surprising.
Post by: Unorthodox on October 25, 2012, 10:53:36 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 25, 2012, 11:40:30 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on October 26, 2012, 05:40:57 am
Post by: Unorthodox on October 27, 2012, 01:05:34 pm
Here's the setup prior to a pile of hyper girls descended upon the house.
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-LZBg0URNuuM/UItemSeZR2I/AAAAAAAAOSY/HDguhIFIAg4/s800/IMG_6572.JPG)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vTs_tFNeh24/UItenG9_8lI/AAAAAAAAOSc/jpeJ3u5MnIE/s800/IMG_6573.JPG)
Just wanted to point out a bit of nostalgia here. I made this table cloth when I was a teenager. More of a wall panel at the time, but it still finds uses.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-OjLRdVV2SRQ/UIteoNWVUqI/AAAAAAAAOQk/nnFPH_VU3x8/s800/IMG_6576.JPG)
Just before party time.
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-O30vnporkGQ/UItepiY-xRI/AAAAAAAAOS0/GZkbmhPjRMs/s800/IMG_6583.JPG)
Of course, what do you think caught their attention first? Hallowindow V's skull bounce, of course.
http://youtu.be/OONpicisFdA (http://youtu.be/OONpicisFdA)
Making hats.
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-g7xBk4K17Pg/UIteqJ6qS2I/AAAAAAAAORQ/VYM0nmdiDC0/s800/IMG_6587.JPG)
Making cookies.
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-WBxVgwXx--g/UIteqmv0NLI/AAAAAAAAORY/FENDa-DUNhA/s800/IMG_6588.JPG)
Some of the hats.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-TuP_CirQHcM/UIteqyc2u5I/AAAAAAAAORk/O02jEIw21Ek/s800/IMG_6589.JPG)
And of course spellcasting
http://youtu.be/_G8PwEb7mo4 (http://youtu.be/_G8PwEb7mo4)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 27, 2012, 01:53:31 pm
I suppose the tablecloth was scribbled-with-wax before-you-dyed-it deal?
Post by: Unorthodox on October 27, 2012, 02:45:58 pm
In case you're unfamiliar with the dot room concept:
http://youtu.be/PVH2CWazldY (http://youtu.be/PVH2CWazldY)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 27, 2012, 02:51:16 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on October 28, 2012, 01:19:05 am
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mC2KwQ6D-Ko/UIx2HycTb7I/AAAAAAAAOTo/FN2G8vMImAk/s800/IMG_6591.JPG)
Kinda put a damper on doing a whole lot, so we focused on getting what shopping we had left to do for the upcoming party.
This afternoon, most the snow was gone, though, and we got the place mostly wired, so we're ready to start throwing stuff up tomorrow.
Also got the gate set.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Wd7deezplkg/UIx2HwBLziI/AAAAAAAAOTk/bEPPvig5DlQ/s800/IMG_6592.JPG)
I think Indy has the right idea, stealing my jacket...
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Co52IsBTD-c/UIx2H8gZ56I/AAAAAAAAOTs/FUci3AVLuDE/s800/IMG_6593.JPG)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 28, 2012, 01:22:50 am
Post by: Unorthodox on October 28, 2012, 01:55:17 am
(old camera test)
front door 30 MM:
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-PwZZo7sZEBY/S_CJuEOj4LI/AAAAAAAAGTg/9RlVSAXCnzU/s800/IMGP0003.JPG)
300 MM
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-yEb3CsSugWU/S_CJtoBbXxI/AAAAAAAAGTc/ee0yoUY92aA/s800/IMGP0002.JPG)
600 MM
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-WFxx3UgD7hA/S_CJu6cYCII/AAAAAAAAGTo/PfyrvBHLqY4/s800/IMGP0007.JPG)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 28, 2012, 01:02:34 am
Post by: Unorthodox on October 28, 2012, 07:50:00 pm
~70% completed with the yard.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 28, 2012, 07:58:10 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on October 28, 2012, 07:59:59 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 28, 2012, 08:04:21 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on October 29, 2012, 02:14:02 am
Her pumpkins, all drawn and cut by her.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LP6zWmTIc8U/UHt8ujn5NZI/AAAAAAAAOJM/0CrQe5vJiDw/s800/IMG_6552.JPG)
Alec is our actor, though. He LOVES acting.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1MC2ogdzAws/TXKdRSOz5iI/AAAAAAAAIqI/6tXcCofo5fU/s800/IMG_5443.JPG)
To the point we have a hard time getting him to be himself at times.
Kyle is the singer, of all things. Especially song and dance broadway stuff.
Post by: Unorthodox on October 29, 2012, 02:15:50 am
Need to full on fog test tomorrow as well, decide if any of the machines are going in the front.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 29, 2012, 02:54:57 am
Does anyone in the family sew well? That's Momma's primary medium, and it's hard to beat for a mix of artistic outlet and saving many thousands of dollars a year. Something to teach the kids early, as much as you can. I'm very glad I know what she taught me.
Is Alec the one whose face you also sent, or Kyle? Mom commented just tonight that he's a very handsome young man.
Post by: Unorthodox on October 29, 2012, 03:06:46 am
No sewing.
Well, I can a bit. Only hand sew, though. No machines. I made up my own hood pattern this year as a 'just in case' bunch of costume pieces. (Hood and uh, whatever you call the shoulder piece, ren fair crap) Sewing the seams with (imitation) sinew.
Post by: Unorthodox on October 29, 2012, 03:13:37 am
http://youtu.be/ZsA8ucRhBvU (http://youtu.be/ZsA8ucRhBvU)
I'll do a full on review as soon as I can find a copy...
Um....
Errr.....
WTF was that?
So, essentially a modernization of some aesops fables, and a bunch of symbology that really makes no sense if you don't follow the authors flung into a haphazard musical. Couple of expertly lit sets but otherwise fairly worthless.
Post by: Unorthodox on October 29, 2012, 03:16:22 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 29, 2012, 03:23:45 am
YOU - you would get more use out of basic machine-and-making-things-from-scratch skills than most. That's British understatement.
You'll love this - back in college, I rarely went home on the weekends. It was usually pretty quiet, and on Saturdays, I often got out my sewing kit and did repairs on my clothes. You know what I look like and I believe you know I'm 6', 230 pounds. People passing my open door in the dorm would see me sitting in the back of the room sewing - there would be sitcom double-takes, where their heads would pop back into the door frame to be sure they saw big hairy mean-looking me sitting there sewing. I'd look up and go "What?"
It was one of the mostly beautifully subtle mind-intercourses I ever did to people; and all I had to do was leave my door open while I did part of my weekly routine...
Post by: Unorthodox on October 29, 2012, 01:31:38 pm
Mom being the unabashed hippie, she sewed all our clothes. Which would have been fine and all. But, a boy can only get in so many fights for having rainbows and flowers on his jeans. Hence second thing I did when getting my first job at the age of 8 was buying myself a couple pairs of proper jeans for school.
I view it as a last resort type thing. The hoods being a case in point when internet wanted $50 or more for some, which is ludicrous. I like the hand sewn look for that kind of stuff as well.
It is a point that my fat ass is unsuited to the standard costume available in stores, however. I have a couple people that are capable seamstresses in those cases.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 29, 2012, 01:40:59 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 29, 2012, 07:43:53 pm
It just struck me...
(http://alphacentauri2.info/MGalleryItem.php?id=407)
The background concept I had in making my first faction was always "lab experiment run amok".
You know what? There's a really creepy horror story in that. Anyone think they'd like to write some horror? I'll be glad to help, but I'm not a horror guy, so someone else needs to take point.
I've also done a Planet Cult version of same, with the worm taking Cha's place entirely, and there are two worm factions in the NN stuff. Definitely GotM possibilities there. Deirdreworm could even be a controlled clone, so the Gaians and Cult could still be in there - or not...
Post by: Unorthodox on October 30, 2012, 11:44:24 am
I'll have to look at that after Halloween. Scifi is not my thing, however, and I've never got AC working on this computer, so it might be rough as I haven't even touched it for a couple years.
Preview 2012.
Keeping in mind there's 100+ pumpkins to carve and add to this, plus the fog chiller has no ice for the preview here.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-qDfXdJfcf4k/UI84C6JaBOI/AAAAAAAAOVM/AY4I2YuLeG4/s800/IMG_6598.JPG)
Chimera.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-83aaZnHdvzE/UI84EOFNPZI/AAAAAAAAOVc/UdHMzpb9-uQ/s800/IMG_6600.JPG)
Fence 2012
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-HVQ6rwqUtx8/UI84EX0d4nI/AAAAAAAAOVk/JKBqOOnDnLQ/s800/IMG_6601.JPG)
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-MbXYO-inqzo/UI84EmPYwDI/AAAAAAAAOVo/K4Xsqcy21RY/s800/IMG_6602.JPG)
Talia (5) designed the graveyard, putting up the stones where they stand now.
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-MbXYO-inqzo/UI84EmPYwDI/AAAAAAAAOVo/K4Xsqcy21RY/s800/IMG_6602.JPG)
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-NONT6ljbNQ4/UI84GF2-gwI/AAAAAAAAOV8/uxXM7hbuHdg/s800/IMG_6604.JPG)
Of course, Trevor.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7pfmRA-tC0I/UI84GLATkiI/AAAAAAAAOWE/Rmo5bbcEulo/s800/IMG_6605.JPG)
Post by: Unorthodox on October 30, 2012, 11:44:35 am
If the 2012 fence doesn't say "I dare you to enter" I don't know what will.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2ofVJuyhEks/UI84JxJg4uI/AAAAAAAAOXA/kWcC6ogVwqo/s800/IMG_6614.JPG)
I do love bifurcating pumpkins.
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-VxXkTLXscYY/UI84NiUgZVI/AAAAAAAAOXs/_IGrJNZj1hw/s800/IMG_6624.JPG)
What waits through the fence.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5GCsFxBUExM/UI84LJuXL5I/AAAAAAAAOXY/bUxJoC7KKWs/s800/IMG_6619.JPG)
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-V4YMsbisA1A/UI84MXoLZPI/AAAAAAAAOXo/ZJw7yyMR2cE/s800/IMG_6621.JPG)
I realize I need more candles for Trevor, gonna fix that tomorrow.
The chiller without ice was also causing some havoc, so we turned the fog off. But before that, had to snap this.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uURzCxrobEQ/UI84MjWBOxI/AAAAAAAAOXk/klWmJg3NZJs/s800/IMG_6623.JPG)
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-zi_6Q3ehY_I/UI84OpBwNvI/AAAAAAAAOYA/fPNPnDPZbb0/s800/IMG_6628.JPG)
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-guoQo1rFJ5E/UI84PKIxaHI/AAAAAAAAOYI/X4napZQp2tE/s800/IMG_6629.JPG)
Post by: Unorthodox on October 30, 2012, 01:52:40 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 30, 2012, 03:23:17 pm
Beautiful work as always.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 30, 2012, 09:29:15 pm
Quote
NASA Pumpkin Carver Creates Curiosity Space-O'-Lanternhttp://news.yahoo.com/nasa-pumpkin-carver-creates-curiosity-space-o-lantern-190510149.html (http://news.yahoo.com/nasa-pumpkin-carver-creates-curiosity-space-o-lantern-190510149.html)
By Clara Moskowitz | SPACE.com – 2 hrs 19 mins ago.. .
For this year's "space-o'-lantern," veteran pumpkin carver and NASA employee Liz Warren honored what may be the biggest space event of the year: the Curiosity Mars rover.
Curiosity landed on Mars in August, and for Halloween this year Warren carved a silhouette of the rover on a pumpkin. Warren has a longstanding tradition of carving space-themed pumpkins, which have usually honored space shuttle and International Space Station missions in the past.
"I carved a Curiosity design this year because in August of this year, that mission truly captured the imagination of the world in bold NASA fashion," Warren told SPACE.com. "They dared a mighty thing and they succeeded."
Warren, an employee at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, says Halloween is her favorite holiday, and has used the occasion to carve likenesses of space mission patches onto gourds in recent years. [Gallery: Warren's Space-y Halloween Pumpkins]
"The idea to carve a Curiosity pumpkin actually came from an astronaut familiar with my previous space-o'-lanterns," Warren said. "It's breaking a little with my tradition of featuring human spaceflight, but NASA's missions are broad and so I feel good about broadening the topic of my pumpkins."
Curiosity is a $2.5 billion car-size rover that's beginning a two-year exploration of Mars' Gale Crater. The rover's nail-biting landing this summer, which went off without a hitch, captivated the public and marked a major success for NASA. One element of Curiosity fever centered on charismatic NASA flight controller Bobak Ferdowsi, whose stars-and-stripes Mohawk hairdo garnered overnight fame.
"Bobak Ferdowsi is going to be in Houston late next week and I think it would be fun to give him the pumpkin!" Warren said.
For any other would-be space-o'-lantern carvers, Warren has outlined some tips:
• Find a simple image of your pattern online. For her Curiosity pumpkin, Warren found a Curiosity photo from NASA's website. "Importantly, the design included the entire rover and the rover was all in the same perspective plane," she said.
• Set the image so it appears in black-and-white, high contrast, to help clarify the major features of the design to "help you decide what parts of the pumpkin to remove and what parts to keep. It is important to plan ahead before you start cutting!"
• Print out the image on paper and cut out the white portions of the design.
• Lay this template on the pumpkin and use a pen to trace along the cutouts. "For this Curiosity design, I actually didn't cut all the way through the pumpkin," Warren said. "I used tools to scrape away the skin to allow light to shine through from within. Sometimes, you have to scrape away a lot of the interior wall of the pumpkin to allow light to shine through.
• Ultimately, have fun: "Be patient, be flexible (sometimes you have to change your plans as you go), and have fun creating your Space-O'-Lantern!"
SO - a secretary or cleaning lady, or they would have mentioned what she does at NASA. Lame, even by feature journalism standards.
Post by: Unorthodox on October 31, 2012, 03:44:07 am
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-55TH7L8N4ns/UJCTE-IPUGI/AAAAAAAAOZw/w3enpdCq93I/s800/IMG_6631.JPG)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Jp9EyBLsCHg/UJCTE96PREI/AAAAAAAAOZo/Ckg6LhAnaB4/s800/IMG_6632.JPG)
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-3gejofHFEEk/UJCTE6LiaHI/AAAAAAAAOZs/ChyT7J5glPw/s800/IMG_6633.JPG)
Taking a walk to make sure some were getting to the graveyard...
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jtZmLGskat8/UJCTGwWHnZI/AAAAAAAAOaI/j7kgACPgPnc/s800/IMG_6634.JPG)
It was at this point I got sidetracked by a couple young artists coming to ask me loads of questions on sculpting, so my pics of the party part kinda got put on hold, will raid my wife's camera later.
Impressive talent this year.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-SJiEgIP0bn4/UJCTHy75NDI/AAAAAAAAOaU/feaCl6npzPc/s800/IMG_6637.JPG)
Told you I was fixing the candle thing...
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ERSQEr-clx8/UJCTHw5cslI/AAAAAAAAOaY/y0qSwpjWcmU/s800/IMG_6638.JPG)
Ok, string camera sucks...time to break out bertha...
Post by: Unorthodox on October 31, 2012, 03:44:53 am
The front is featuring the Chimera this year...and he deserves it.
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-p7YDDDur5uo/UJCYQCcJMWI/AAAAAAAAObU/zDMvILVpInw/s800/IMGP1484.jpg)
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-yYpT7uZlg7c/UJCYQCaRrMI/AAAAAAAAObQ/_BAREHJwCgI/s800/IMGP1485.jpg)
Some joker shoved a light in Fred's mouth...probably will do the ribs tomorrow as well.
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-AkhC5rUa18s/UJCYRH47jSI/AAAAAAAAObg/h-yqFvsCKfc/s800/IMGP1486.jpg)
Heading to the back.
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-GZcpQIvAx5k/UJCYR3M6sPI/AAAAAAAAObs/UE8lY_YZ9Eg/s800/IMGP1490.jpg)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-husqpD1LcGs/UJCYScftHfI/AAAAAAAAOb4/JLHH6o1LfY0/s800/IMGP1492.jpg)
UNFORTUNATELY, the party still going meant too much light pollution from the house and firepit to get proper shots of the back...we'll get some tomorrow.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1aTcO9ykqMA/UJCYS3IL2NI/AAAAAAAAOcA/6DaCGXQBv48/s800/IMGP1493.jpg)
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-GuuILVzFotQ/UJCYS3rGZmI/AAAAAAAAOcE/O9Px-TrdaG8/s800/IMGP1494.jpg)
Post by: Unorthodox on October 31, 2012, 03:45:12 am
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-MoXRbIFJU8A/UJCYTDNAQWI/AAAAAAAAOcI/dFqxn_a20Rk/s800/IMGP1495.jpg)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 31, 2012, 03:48:40 am
Post by: Unorthodox on October 31, 2012, 02:24:44 pm
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-xMZruBUHYcM/UJEz2u_Wx4I/AAAAAAAAOdA/qFcw5h64Rns/s800/IMG_5040.JPG)
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-HFv4CusUss4/UJEz2i0R4UI/AAAAAAAAOc4/d-S6HvC1A0I/s800/IMG_5042.JPG)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 31, 2012, 02:27:58 pm
Very kind of the school to give you so much advance notice.
Post by: Unorthodox on October 31, 2012, 02:38:48 pm
And, yes, there will be blood.
Post by: Unorthodox on November 01, 2012, 04:18:36 am
Post by: Unorthodox on November 01, 2012, 04:23:40 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 01, 2012, 04:29:06 am
Nice vid. How did you get that tarted up with sound fx so quickly? Or was it shot last night?
I wish I could have seen it for myself.
Post by: Unorthodox on November 01, 2012, 08:57:01 am
Post by: Unorthodox on November 01, 2012, 10:02:51 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 01, 2012, 12:40:40 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on November 01, 2012, 04:06:17 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 01, 2012, 04:09:59 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 01, 2012, 06:39:51 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 01, 2012, 06:45:20 pm
Quote
No prank: On Halloween, US military forces train for zombie apocalypsehttp://news.yahoo.com/no-prank-halloween-us-military-forces-train-zombie-162141684.html (http://news.yahoo.com/no-prank-halloween-us-military-forces-train-zombie-162141684.html)
The scenario is part of a counterterrorism summit held this week. A zombie invasion would have characteristics similar to other catastrophic events and would be 'a federal incident,' a summit organizer says.
By Anna Mulrine | Christian Science Monitor – Wed, Oct 31, 2012.. .
Why is the US military preparing for a zombie apocalypse?
That’s the latest training exercise that US Marines and Navy special-operations forces will be taking part in on an island off the coast of San Diego – starting on Wednesday, aka Halloween.
“This is a very real exercise. This is not some type of big costume party,” Brad Barker, president of the Halo Corp. security company, told the Associated Press.
[RECOMMENDED: War games – Pentagon's 3 nightmare scenario]
This scenario is dire, modeled in part on a public-service campaign that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) launched last year, warning that US citizens should be prepared in the event of a zombie invasion.
It will play out Wednesday and Thursday at Halo’s annual Counter-Terrorism Summit security conference, which will be attended by, among other people, former Central Intelligence Agency director Michael Hayden.
Zombies will invade Paradise Point Resort, which covers 44 acres on an island that will be transformed with Hollywood-style sets, including a Middle Eastern village and a pirate cove. Some 1,000 US military personnel, police, and state and federal government officials will be charged with responding.
“No doubt when a zombie apocalypse occurs, it’s going to be a federal incident, so we’re making it happen,” Mr. Barker told the AP.
The training scenario has not come without its share of unwelcome attention, he noted, adding that “every whack job in the world” has called about the exercise.
Barker acknowledges that the “zombie apocalypse is very whimsical,” telling the Military Times that the scenario was created to “add some levity to the more-dire scenarios summitgoers will encounter,” including terrorists roaming hospital halls shooting people and pilots trapped behind enemy lines.
That said, an affinity for zombie television shows and movies could help provide a teachable moment not only for US troops, but also for the American public.
This is particularly true when it comes to the uncertainty that surrounds unexpected catastrophic events, including natural disasters and terrorist attacks.
“No one knows what the zombies will do in our scenario, but quite frankly, no one knows what a terrorist will do,” Barker told the AP. “If a law-enforcement officer sees a zombie and says, ‘Freeze, get your hands in the air!’ what’s a zombie going to do? He’s going to moan at you. If someone on PCP or some other psychotic drug is told that, the truth is he’s not going to react to you.”
When it launched its awareness campaign last year on a zombie apocalypse, the CDC used it as a chance to encourage Americans to be prepared for any unexpected emergency.
“We have a very small office and an equally small budget,” Maggie Silver, a CDC official, told ABC News. “So we had to do something that wasn’t going to take a lot of manpower or dollars.”
The CDC recommended doing things such as stocking up on water (one gallon per person per day), food (nonperishable items you eat regularly), tools like duct tape, a battery-powered radio, and blankets.
Last month, the Department of Homeland Security released its own tongue-in-cheek webinar about zombie preparation as an “effective way of engaging new audiences,” as one FEMA official noted.
The CDC zombie campaign grew out of an effort “to spice up our general preparedness message,” added Ms. Silver. “We decided, why not give people what they want?”
This actually makes sense to me - a major incident with a poisoned water supply or some exotic decease could be as close to zombie-time as makes no matter. I should think the training ought to focus on protecting the non-violent and triaging/quarantining the shambling victims.
Post by: Unorthodox on November 01, 2012, 07:30:10 pm
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pw-lE0v-2dk/UJKEbg3SIjI/AAAAAAAAOdY/Mw2CA9CU-j8/s800/IMG_4995.JPG)
Yes, we went the easy route on food this year...
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-FCG6AamjsXw/UJKEd84aZuI/AAAAAAAAOeQ/75Y__zRRqZc/s800/IMG_5006.JPG)
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-xUUOrsxAaKQ/UJKEftMl1OI/AAAAAAAAOgY/nVfqVDCW-lg/s800/IMG_5012.JPG)
More serious TALENT from the pumpkin carvers this year. (no stencils)
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-9-WZnLLMN0w/UJKEgUksqGI/AAAAAAAAOe8/xa0oOBG7Z_E/s800/IMG_5014.JPG)
(if not spelling...)
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Sn3RGnrhZZI/UJKEgjLJmWI/AAAAAAAAOfI/Mo2WA_iBiII/s800/IMG_5016.JPG)
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-EDQFafaJIPc/UJKEg_qLBUI/AAAAAAAAOfM/1mKNzJhXJQE/s800/IMG_5017.JPG)
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-v6qROdU0NhM/UJKEhECaAJI/AAAAAAAAOfY/Y6023xRXUCk/s800/IMG_5018.JPG)
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-qAhRxz7yRk8/UJKEhwsTPuI/AAAAAAAAOg0/i-kNPHSGHQg/s800/IMG_5020.JPG)
They're starting to make my pumpkins seem pathetic. At least they are unique in the bifurcation.
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-xJk9WIfywh8/UJKEmqQz3AI/AAAAAAAAOjI/tFeLVVxzKxQ/s800/IMG_5033.JPG)
Post by: Unorthodox on November 01, 2012, 07:30:57 pm
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-WxMdG-uy04Q/UJKEoBixPtI/AAAAAAAAOhs/-qhCOmQLMrM/s800/IMG_5039.JPG)
Talia's skeleton she had pegged since LAST year.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-yUIo54ft_QA/UJKEpomADTI/AAAAAAAAOks/8ECtehGNq9k/s800/IMG_5043.JPG)
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-hFNvN39N3IQ/UJKEqCOp58I/AAAAAAAAOls/xfpwPYYp8N8/s800/IMG_5045.JPG)
Zombie Alec for the yard.
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-x_4fpENrD7A/UJKEsZXqWcI/AAAAAAAAOmY/QuTtmE5jsGI/s800/IMG_5050.JPG)
Kyle's plague Dr light. Easier to see/breath mask for him. That hood is hand sewn...
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-x_4fpENrD7A/UJKEsZXqWcI/AAAAAAAAOmY/QuTtmE5jsGI/s800/IMG_5050.JPG)
Yeah...that's me.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-fwquSjKzwhk/UJKEtQe9_mI/AAAAAAAAOm4/9IPRhJH4EgI/s800/IMG_5054.JPG)
Talia did NOT like Alec's makeup...
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0g7qmWGdeJo/UJKEvFL4qzI/AAAAAAAAOoQ/xBQGDKWn5WM/s800/IMG_5060.JPG)
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-YTLFhMWduC0/UJKExMRPBSI/AAAAAAAAOk0/97hv-04fQic/s800/IMG_5064.JPG)
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ZPn2xjmidXk/UJKEzU15tTI/AAAAAAAAOlc/l_OieyMEmME/s800/IMG_5069.JPG)
Post by: Unorthodox on November 01, 2012, 07:31:36 pm
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-AczxwXGTJX0/UJKE0B2VRMI/AAAAAAAAOl0/mBJsfPpsUa8/s800/IMG_5073.JPG)
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-TRFIsVPV56Q/UJKE07NwhqI/AAAAAAAAOmI/nbnLkGGFauM/s800/IMG_5074.JPG)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rdmbMt3YpiI/UJKE2E98ZII/AAAAAAAAOmo/WNUffPZdctc/s800/IMG_5077.JPG)
Kyle's extremely effective candy drop.
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ElQuz8OUn8E/UJKE3mu_QGI/AAAAAAAAOnM/xpKiIvuAHgo/s800/IMG_5081.JPG)
First customer.
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-MVQj_bTkyvs/UJKE38-8p-I/AAAAAAAAOnQ/FSkxL_vf6iY/s800/IMG_5082.JPG)
After trick or treating, Talia come back to help me up front again.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-GG1Bv8xquGM/UJKE6-hLGKI/AAAAAAAAOog/YSzKkcwGkz8/s800/IMG_5093.JPG)
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-x1GDYZ9ogiw/UJKE7WVekmI/AAAAAAAAOoc/2s-GDWMGxhw/s800/IMG_5095.JPG)
Yes, I'm posting another shot. I think the fence is my favorite thing this year.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-UmD_VmHJ7u0/UJKE8maUflI/AAAAAAAAOo4/KpYeORxRzdQ/s800/IMG_5099.JPG)
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-lgn7FPeNGrc/UJKE8qZF8VI/AAAAAAAAOpA/RKSO-PbbNLg/s800/IMG_5100.JPG)
Post by: Unorthodox on November 01, 2012, 07:32:28 pm
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-LYCTXBXdLkM/UJKE9RmwfOI/AAAAAAAAOps/kbIoLpiLnqg/s800/IMG_5101.JPG)
Kyle had to move the far lighting for his comfort, so this isn't how I planned exactly, but functional.
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-p6E1ef0L8nw/UJKE9blKYBI/AAAAAAAAOpk/fv9olQoRdCo/s800/IMG_5103.JPG)
Trevor just ROCKS. hope you're sitting down....I've already sold him.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vK1Pcizhkw4/UJKE99oRYII/AAAAAAAAOpo/y7MCNl8VhsI/s800/IMG_5104.JPG)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Eaw0dP6JJVg/UJKE-4PR00I/AAAAAAAAOp4/lFAtBg1CFYw/s800/IMG_5105.JPG)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PHhc2Wf8TLA/UJKE-_PlFcI/AAAAAAAAOqI/GsNFNQyrrVM/s800/IMG_5106.JPG)
I need to find a way to hide the tramp better.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-pWjxYmAe-cQ/UJKE--FjG6I/AAAAAAAAOp8/bUIg_BpudAk/s800/IMG_5107.JPG)
There's no way I would have ever approached that as a kid.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8CcW5DHwwro/UJKFAB_0oyI/AAAAAAAAOqQ/YEaTX1iM1hg/s800/IMG_5109.JPG)
Of course, we always end with the glow chalk.
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-3dBThRVf-a4/UJKFAcZAM3I/AAAAAAAAOqU/M6PIESbcSgU/s800/IMG_5112.JPG)
Post by: Unorthodox on November 01, 2012, 07:37:40 pm
I have to laugh, Davis Graveyard ended up hiding their shroud tomb in the back of their display out of embarrassment.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 01, 2012, 07:40:42 pm
Funny thing; hEt's a babe, but I think Thalia looks more like you...
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 01, 2012, 08:34:38 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on November 02, 2012, 02:08:39 am
Much of the money is going towards equipment to make the gardening easier (nice tiller, better sprinkler system, etc). Maybe the brick path on the side of the house as well. Maybe some new skulls. Maybe some stone pillars.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 02, 2012, 02:46:01 am
You need to show me more of these day of the dead candles...
Post by: Unorthodox on November 02, 2012, 12:48:53 pm
This guy in fact. Which means I'll be able to see Trevor on the news every year.
http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/news/55176188-78/mad-gamble-lab-display.html.csp (http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/news/55176188-78/mad-gamble-lab-display.html.csp)
Post by: Unorthodox on November 02, 2012, 12:54:25 pm
You're probably used to seeing them with a saint or a jeebus on them. Essentially just tall jar candles. Popular in hispanic areas for day of the dead and Chritsmas. I found where to get blanks.
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ElQuz8OUn8E/UJKE3mu_QGI/AAAAAAAAOnM/xpKiIvuAHgo/s800/IMG_5081.JPG)
The jar protects the flame from the wind which makes them good for haunting.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 02, 2012, 02:07:48 pm
No, just bought by the typical Halloween hoarder.Ohh. Pride, then. DO you know if the show he puts on is any good?
This guy in fact. Which means I'll be able to see Trevor on the news every year.
http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/news/55176188-78/mad-gamble-lab-display.html.csp (http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/news/55176188-78/mad-gamble-lab-display.html.csp)
Post by: Unorthodox on November 02, 2012, 05:56:18 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 02, 2012, 06:03:56 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on November 02, 2012, 10:01:59 pm
Probably till the pumpkins into the garden at some point.
Considering hanging up the C word lights.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 02, 2012, 10:03:03 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on November 03, 2012, 04:49:31 am
Best costume of the night was a little knight. About 2 years old. Store bought, nothing special, but we were his first house ever trick or treating. He come fully equipped with a sword, shield and helmet, and was initially scared. After his dad explained we were the 'bad guys', he joyfully took to fighting the evil. Didn't care much about the candy, but wanted to play more after he went through.
Furthest travelers were from Riverton. Hour to the south.
"The Potter house" took themselves off "the route" last year, they have moved to the Saturday closest to Halloween for their thing. "The Mafia House" effectively removed themselves this year by cutting back their treat handouts to a single full sized candy. The only thing worth going there to begin with was the 'insane amounts of candy'. This is potentially bad news for next year.
"The Tiki Man" --> signs were spotted on the sidewalk written in chalk by local kids blocks around our place. (We're known as "the Tiki Man" thanks to my early years here where torches and skulls with only me were the entire thing)
Tried walkie talkies for me and Kyle to be able to communicate...wasn't worth the trouble. Gotta figure something out there.
Candy table >>>>>Candy bowl.
Gigantic pixie sticks are extremely popular.
So is soda.
Both are cheaper than chocolate.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 03, 2012, 04:51:53 am
Post by: Unorthodox on November 03, 2012, 04:59:24 am
I figure to kids Size>substance explains the pixie sticks. Soda fills a need as kids don't get a lot of beverage options, and they typically crack them open on the spot rather than put them in the bag. Though we did have water out as well (rather I hadn't cleaned up the water coolers from the carving party), and a lot of kids grabbed some water.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 03, 2012, 05:05:51 am
Post by: Unorthodox on November 03, 2012, 05:10:00 am
Both originate from my childhood. A fellow who worked at pepsi would hand out pepsi, simple enough. The chips...well, a fellow worked for clover club (local chip factory). He'd hand out FULL SIZE BAGS, but there was a catch. They had been deemed unfit for sale by their QA department. They might be 'burned', or mislabeled, or what not. So you never really knew what you were getting till you opened it.
I tell you though, if someone was to sell burned clover club potato chips, I would buy them.
Post by: Unorthodox on November 04, 2012, 12:10:31 am
"We should make it look like you have lightning. You can build a big tower out of play doh, and paint blue lightning on it so it looks like lightning because lightning is blue, I sawd it out my window. And then you need to paint black squiggly lines on it so it looks like it's asploding that would be scary."
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 04, 2012, 12:22:57 am
Oh crap - now I'm going to have to look into YouTubing another of my college films for you. You'd love the Murray stuff, even though you'll find it lame. We wanted to figure out how to do lightning effects in the dorm room, but never did.
I gotta talk BA into taking care of this - she has the vids somewhere, and the gear/knowlege to do a transfer. I still ain't showed you The Return of the Man With the Satanic Hand, either...
Post by: Unorthodox on November 05, 2012, 02:35:22 am
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/--B2kjaUNXao/UJCYPBjMoPI/AAAAAAAAOa8/di40LAc_BYk/s800/IMGP1480.jpg)
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-yYpT7uZlg7c/UJCYQCaRrMI/AAAAAAAAObQ/_BAREHJwCgI/s800/IMGP1485.jpg)
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-UmD_VmHJ7u0/UJKE8maUflI/AAAAAAAAOo4/KpYeORxRzdQ/s800/IMG_5099.JPG)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vK1Pcizhkw4/UJKE99oRYII/AAAAAAAAOpo/y7MCNl8VhsI/s800/IMG_5104.JPG)
Why no chance, you ask?
This was last year's best decoration winner:
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-_BVymRX3Ef4/UJclEQVIWhI/AAAAAAAAOuM/BzvdDUzPYBE/s800/image.jpg)
I seem to be lacking.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 05, 2012, 02:41:49 am
Well, I think your photos and decoration is beautiful. Why enter a joke of a contest for fuzzy bunny Halloween and not submit a lot of pictures of your girl?
Post by: Unorthodox on November 05, 2012, 03:48:35 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 05, 2012, 04:00:32 am
Why don't you enter an actual fuzzy bunny? Your Halloween friends will plotz.
Post by: Unorthodox on November 05, 2012, 02:16:11 pm
I remember being less than amused when my boys in homemade pirate costumes lost to a storebought baby bumblebee. Thing about this particular contest is that just about EVERYONE enters. Stolloween, Davis Graveyard, all the famous displays in the community enter. And we all lose and laugh about it.
I normally enterred the Guild Wars contest as well, only to lose to some bimbo in a skimpy costume, but they changed it to a diorama contest this year and I cant be bothered with that.
Post by: Unorthodox on November 05, 2012, 07:46:21 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 05, 2012, 08:18:45 pm
[snickers]
Post by: Unorthodox on November 06, 2012, 04:36:45 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 06, 2012, 04:49:39 am
Post by: Unorthodox on November 06, 2012, 04:58:42 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 06, 2012, 05:01:20 pm
I'm furious, and hoping it can still be fixed.
I mean, really angry. I have my last reply on the Star Wars stuff saved, and I'll post it soon as I know if it can't be restored. Sorry about all this.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 06, 2012, 05:03:18 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on November 07, 2012, 03:45:59 am
Yeah, I can't wait to bring that kind of music back.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 07, 2012, 03:49:14 am
Kinda takes me back to some not-entirely bad times, mind you...
Post by: Unorthodox on November 07, 2012, 04:00:20 am
We wrote 3 songs for my soundtrack back in the day. Keeping in mind the camera mic there doesn't capture the full djembe sound.
This was one of them:
http://youtu.be/qV5oOr8C3cQ (http://youtu.be/qV5oOr8C3cQ)
Post by: Unorthodox on November 07, 2012, 04:02:55 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 07, 2012, 04:07:36 am
Probably, for a first-rate soundtrack, the volume was a little high - although, for a live show I might would crank it up and really freak people out, so hard to say.
Post by: Unorthodox on November 07, 2012, 04:14:35 am
We just gave up in 2011.
We had a half decent one this year, but all cameras seem to really detest torch light for some reason, so they are all filming dark.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 07, 2012, 04:23:56 am
Post by: Unorthodox on November 07, 2012, 02:27:54 pm
2004 isn't worth looking much into, it was me with 5 torches.
2005 started the whole skull fetish, even got some corn in there...well, there was a whole concept there that gets lost. The overall plan at this point was to just add a few skulls every year.
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-vgZUasov6OA/SBH4jFs-c1I/AAAAAAAAAeg/UdecwiaRF_E/s800/halloween%2520003.jpg)
2006 was the first home build on a budget. An ENTRANCE. I wanted it to STAND OUT, as it was our first epilepsy safe year.
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-7Hxe6L0mOEY/SBHsPFs-cPI/AAAAAAAAAXw/HKxCf4JaFlw/s800/post-11-1162252253.jpg)
2007 was my previous favorite year.
(presently 2010 > 2007 > 2012)
Fortunately I kept hard numbers.
2007, 100 skulls, 75 stakes:
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rBesG2Fhjew/R-pq8ks-23I/AAAAAAAAAHk/UBPUDsZ4gXs/s800/post-11-1194192540.jpg)
2008, 330 skulls, 200 spikes (PLUS we added a hut and Fred, condensing that into a much tighter space anyway...what was I thinking?)
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Z9W3ELdt3rc/SQjx3tG-hbI/AAAAAAAABzg/KBG3SZ0FQcs/s800/IMGP1697.JPG)
2009, I recognized the mistake, cut it down to 200 skulls, spread across both front and back yard...and it just became monotonous to continue to go through the same thing for that long. It's also the year the camera took a dump because...well, jacob's ladders (from an unrelated project) can generate enough EMF to FRY your electronics...didn't know that.
The good thing from 2009, it was the beginning of my conversion to pumpkins. I wouldn't mind bringing some of the pumpkin spikes back either. heh. I actually thought 24 pumpkins was "a lot" back then.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-zdcWcPSurD8/SuusGzbGGrI/AAAAAAAAFKg/O0mcN4M0c9E/s800/IMGP2251.JPG)
2010 was the beginning of "The Harvest". 60 pumpkins, some corn, some reed grass. That's it.
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-4dOv0BZnKFQ/TMuWphbyR0I/AAAAAAAAIJk/Wd98P1fT918/s800/_IGP0666.JPG)
2011 we bumped it to 100 pumpkins, but didn't take enough care to SPREAD THEM OUT! What you end up with is the pumpkin path. AND they got concentrated in the front yard. Live and learn.
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-MlKeR5FJucQ/Tq1gSjUKoxI/AAAAAAAAJ0g/RPfc4NXD7GI/s800/Harvest1.jpg)
2012, we did the 119 pumpkins right. SPREAD them out. Make some DEPTH. (only reason this isn't my favorite year is I really don't "feel" the whole graveyard thing in back, but I know a lot of folks do)
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-XXnFcS2hNM0/UJCYPFANcWI/AAAAAAAAObA/sZEPk5pGkDs/s800/IMGP1481.jpg)
So, where does that put us for 2013?
We're going back to the skulls of 2007, but mixed in with the reed grass and pumpkins, we don't need that many. 100 MAX. Probably only need 50-75. (will make 100 anyway for spares/other projects) I actually have 50 already, but would prefer some variety to the models.
I had been considering going to 150 pumpkins. This would be a mistake. 100-120 is the number for this size, especially if I'm adding some breathing graves in. We need to mix those and the skull spikes in and spread the pumpkins even more evenly to the back yard.
I want to bring back some of the spiked pumpkins. Let's say 20 out of the 100 at most. That means me or my uncle need to plant pie pumpkins.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 07, 2012, 02:36:51 pm
Interesting.
Post by: Unorthodox on November 07, 2012, 02:48:45 pm
http://youtu.be/c37mbkNvNDw (http://youtu.be/c37mbkNvNDw)
(that's a poorly disguised undersized example, but there you go)
I want to do those with some Serpent and the Rainbow styled "graves".
(crappy screen grab I know)
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-WaVlrMHzoEk/UJRl9PvEMqI/AAAAAAAAOtw/zc65huCb3XE/s800/Rainbow.jpg)
the veve should accentuate the movement.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 07, 2012, 02:51:30 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on November 07, 2012, 04:36:48 pm
Reindeer motors are a little weak for these, but I might be able to use that to my advantage, will have to try one, then I could do 3 for free.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 07, 2012, 04:40:30 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on November 07, 2012, 04:47:51 pm
As for the dirt, I have an idea on that.
One of my more fond memories was making pictures with glue.
Spread some glue, dust with some sand, and you have dirt. now glue some sticks for trees, etc.
I'm going to try the same kind of thing with this cover cloth. Debating between spray adhesive and mod podge for the glue.
Post by: Unorthodox on November 07, 2012, 04:49:01 pm
In my wildest dream, my entire front yard would be a giant breathing grave with the bridge of death down the middle.
Never happen, maybe in my next professional job.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 07, 2012, 04:50:46 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on November 07, 2012, 07:40:31 pm
It's a lot of PRODUCTION, but virtually no DEVELOPEMENT. Nothing there is going to push me like Trevor did.
So, do I target something big and new to do in the yard, finally dip my toes into some honest to goodness animatronics? Or some special project like the bob tutorial, maybe a Chimera tutorial?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 07, 2012, 07:47:30 pm
Are we still talking about one grave or the whole yard? The former seems worth doing and a lot more practical.
Post by: Unorthodox on November 07, 2012, 08:18:11 pm
we're talking a handful of graves. 3-5.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 07, 2012, 08:21:11 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on November 07, 2012, 09:35:57 pm
Can't do 2, that doesn't fit symbolically. 2 is for peace, unity, balance, it's just all wrong.
But then that was beaten into me that 3 is 'wrong', so you "NEED" 5 is always yelling in the back of my head. (Among other joys, mom used to do flower arrangements, and we ALL had to help with the weddings. 3 is WRONG! 5 of primary flower, 7 of accents, dammit, 3 is for the greens!)
3 is for joy, new paths, passage of time, ending. It could work, if it weren't 'wrong'. (likely candidate just to exorcise that)
4 is, just no. Not going there.
5 is instability, radical change, primitive, erratic. It's just symbolically RIGHT.
Not that I would expect anyone to actually COMPREHEND any of that.
Post by: Unorthodox on November 07, 2012, 09:48:58 pm
Could make it just a single larger area though...
Oh, a rethink of the circle. (much smaller than this circle)
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-kmgFsbgspvE/Tq_9lRltnrI/AAAAAAAAKR4/LdRK4zfo5GQ/s800/IMG_3224.JPG)
Oh, the blacklighting would Hide the whole contraption aspect quite well, but you'd see the fluorecent lines of the veve/circle move.
How to frame a cicle though...
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 07, 2012, 09:52:04 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 07, 2012, 09:54:20 pm
One seems lonely and might get lost, thus 3.Believe me, my dad has been in the ground for 7.5 years, but much of the conditioning he laid on all of us, Mom included, is permanent...
Can't do 2, that doesn't fit symbolically. 2 is for peace, unity, balance, it's just all wrong.
But then that was beaten into me that 3 is 'wrong', so you "NEED" 5 is always yelling in the back of my head. (Among other joys, mom used to do flower arrangements, and we ALL had to help with the weddings. 3 is WRONG! 5 of primary flower, 7 of accents, dammit, 3 is for the greens!)
3 is for joy, new paths, passage of time, ending. It could work, if it weren't 'wrong'. (likely candidate just to exorcise that)
4 is, just no. Not going there.
5 is instability, radical change, primitive, erratic. It's just symbolically RIGHT.
Not that I would expect anyone to actually COMPREHEND any of that.
Post by: Unorthodox on November 07, 2012, 10:07:11 pm
A pseudo-marble grave framing laced with florescents? You DO see graves framed like that once in a while.
No, sorry.
Um. I'm brainstorming and trying to articulate.
What about instead of a "grave" grave, we put a "breathing grave" (or 3) underneath a magic circle. We did a BIG (15') magic circle in 2011, I'm thinking more like 8' or so for this.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-jyAUdFYPhfo/UJrbg7j_TbI/AAAAAAAAOuk/ulheATk0O-w/s800/b888326fbc1641d29cf0951b60730bed-78e90ab5390542698d4cd15749d9b977-6.jpg)
By lighting it with blacklight, and drawing it in fluorescent, the edges and anything NOT fluorescent will appear BLACK, making it much easier to disguise the thing to begin with. I could even get my actor boy to do some chanting over the thing.
....I think I missed a post as well. Other additions for 2013. Might have disappeared in the reset the other night.
Post by: Unorthodox on November 07, 2012, 10:11:21 pm
good lord, make the trampoline USEFUL?
Post by: Unorthodox on November 07, 2012, 10:15:48 pm
Quote
Much like last year's thread (http://"http://www.halloweenforum.com/halloween-props/112312-recondite-unorthodoxs-2012-theme-open-discussion.html") I'm getting my theme ideas out in the open and seeing where it takes me this year.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AeOWXjphNAE/UFfIaPmPtQI/AAAAAAAANXA/zcM0rl8JG0c/s800/primordi%2520copy.jpg)
- pertaining to or existing at or from the very beginning.
I'm going back to my roots. At least the roots of the current neighborhood.
Of all the irony, it was a marching band that got me set on this course. THE MUSIC is just so fun.
But, I also need to grow, so it's time to re-examine those roots and see what comes up.
The original concept sprang from many sources, perhaps most dominant being Clash of the Titans (http://"http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0082186/").
I LOVED that movie as a kid. The idea was, specifically, to recreate something of Calibos's swamp.
Torches, skulls on poles, it all started from here.
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-QZ0E7wXQ__0/SE0WkQ2fmiI/AAAAAAAAAx4/BW_9g7cSyd8/s800/IMGP1416.JPG)
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-PcfeIyMPhn8/SE0WlI44eBI/AAAAAAAAAyE/hEwxVBLTmI0/s800/IMGP1417.JPG)
If I were to add my skulls....
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rBesG2Fhjew/R-pq8ks-23I/AAAAAAAAAHk/UBPUDsZ4gXs/s800/post-11-1194192540.jpg)
To the more recent Harvest theme...
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ZK9VhfYjcTg/UJCYPGiAR5I/AAAAAAAAOa4/hYv9YQzMslQ/s800/IMGP1482.jpg)
I think we're well on track. But, I want BETTER skulls. NEW skulls, NOT ALL THE SAME MODEL skulls.
Then, there was those things I never got to this year.
No, we're not doing a cemetery this year...but you know what? Those breathing graves from Madmax (http://"http://www.halloweenforum.com/tutorials-step-step/105063-breathing-grave-how.html"), who says they need to be on a tombstone?
The Serpent and the Rainbow (http://"http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0096071/") gave me a most wonderful idea for those in the most brief of scenes.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-WaVlrMHzoEk/UJRl9PvEMqI/AAAAAAAAOtw/zc65huCb3XE/s800/Rainbow.jpg)
Skulls, candles, and veve for a grave. The veve especially would highlight the motion of the thing.
Oh, and I need that shrine I saw in that book the one time. Or several similar shrines.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XYesHR_J6qo/TPREsHqaBtI/AAAAAAAAITA/QUA7tJlgn9g/s800/IMG_2951.JPG)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 07, 2012, 10:17:17 pm
Or taking the really EVIL route, put actor boy in the middle as a sacrifice (in a spider man outfit...LOL) and surround him with the breathing graves magic circle.Oh man; I've noticed the trampoline in your pictures. It's a lot harder to ignore as a jarringly inappropriate element than the chain link fence everywhere. You definitely need to work in the trampoline SOMEhow just to disguise it, and keep it from shouting "THIS IS ALL FAKE!" every year.
good lord, make the trampoline USEFUL?
Actor boy would chew that stuff right up, I betcha.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 07, 2012, 10:19:34 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 07, 2012, 10:22:50 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on November 07, 2012, 11:33:27 pm
probably getting my new models from here. http://skullshoppe.com/ (http://skullshoppe.com/)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 07, 2012, 11:37:56 pm
Big plus that the brow ridges and exaggerated features ought to be inherently more creepy.
Post by: Unorthodox on November 08, 2012, 04:32:24 am
Didn't get a good shot of my last skullpt, unfortunately. Gift for someone. An inkwell.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 08, 2012, 05:13:36 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on November 08, 2012, 05:37:26 pm
I guess the question is what material are you planning to cast in? That determines how much support you need, really.
My skulls I do with a latex mold and the only support being some cheese cloth latexed right into the mold itself on areas I don't need to stretch. This doesn't work well for resin castings, but great for plaster. I pour in layers, mixing the plaster to about pancake batter thickness, roll around the mold to coat it, and dump the extra (usually into the next skull mold) Once you get 2-3 coats on that, you could to a solid pour if that's what you're interested in.
Or you can go right to making the mother mold. A 2 piece plaster shell as you describe could work. Last time I just rigged one up with tape and el cheapo clay:
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Dqy9SdPaIiE/SDmr-I6rk0I/AAAAAAAAAqU/vma9gSeAmQ4/s800/IMGP1381.JPG)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 08, 2012, 05:43:54 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on November 08, 2012, 05:52:14 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 08, 2012, 06:03:02 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on November 08, 2012, 06:16:18 pm
1 thin coat to start, 3 THICK coats following (and cheese cloth), you get a tough little mold.
The biggest trick to these is removal.
You do not want the cheese cloth in any undercuts, or the back of the head.
remove by rolling from the back, leaving the face for last.
(http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/3150/imgp1295cf1.jpg)
Post by: Unorthodox on November 08, 2012, 06:17:13 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 08, 2012, 06:22:21 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on November 08, 2012, 06:32:27 pm
Perhaps the trickiest part is how fragile that first layer is, but I've always considered cracks and breaks in it to be a bonus.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 08, 2012, 06:35:29 pm
I'd been considering an alumninum foil core, so I could do a solid casting...
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 08, 2012, 06:38:31 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on November 08, 2012, 08:13:22 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 08, 2012, 08:16:20 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 08, 2012, 08:23:16 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on November 08, 2012, 08:35:18 pm
I could ask if scourge (owns that skullshoppe linked to above) wants to come comment, he used to do injection molding, and we prototyped out some molds to learn the ins and outs of it back in the day, but even he's moved away from that kind of thing and does his (resin) molds in an automated shell system like I do the plaster, just has a machine to constantly rotate the molds till the resin cures.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 08, 2012, 08:50:11 pm
But resin? Meh. The stuff is of the devil. Expensive, dangerous, spotty results for no discernible reason, and just plain nasty to work with.
Post by: Unorthodox on November 08, 2012, 09:03:02 pm
Yeah, we have that down pretty well. It was not a smooth original, to begin with.
lessee...think that was 2008.
This one is from a wood carving original and you can still see the wood grains on it, that's why it's not "smooth".
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-tttl1lQA2J0/SHIsKklbaeI/AAAAAAAAA5k/wKjIYhIGKQ0/s800/IMGP1465.JPG)
The trouble is in the fantastic weight and cost of making one of them.
For the lindberg model there was the additional problem we couldn't do it as one pour because I underestimated the amount of resin it was going to take, and we were running into some serious temperature problems as a result.
I've seen an RTV resin that's clear, but never tried it.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 08, 2012, 09:05:31 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on November 08, 2012, 09:11:02 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 08, 2012, 09:15:33 pm
You gotta remember that I'm a practicing miser, so investing much money in my hobbies isn't gonna happen.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 08, 2012, 09:29:38 pm
[spoilers] Ignore this.[/spoilers] I never used them here, but wasn't there a button?
Huh. Did I even key that in right?
Post by: Unorthodox on November 08, 2012, 09:32:25 pm
Latex takes a lot of getting used to working with too, now that you mention it. I probably would have gotten used to resin by now if I was richer than Warren Buffet and could afford the stuff. When it works, the clear castings are wonderful. But good lord, the stuff is SO stinky and toxic and tacky to mess with...
You gotta remember that I'm a practicing miser, so investing much money in my hobbies isn't gonna happen.
My former hobby was collecting insects. Clear resin was a fabulous way to preserve them...
hEt did not care for the bugs. AT ALL. They're in a University display now and I have more time for Halloween.
Post by: Unorthodox on November 08, 2012, 09:34:15 pm
[spoil] testing[/spoil]
[hide] testing[/hide]
[!]testing [/!]
Ok, it's either broken or uncommon.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 08, 2012, 09:38:35 pm
(click to show/hide)
Post by: Unorthodox on November 08, 2012, 09:46:24 pm
It was(click to show/hide)
You can't see those?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 08, 2012, 09:51:51 pm
I was trying Glow and Shadows, not Marquee. No luck finding any spoilered posts in a quick search. One of the AARs in ToE had the screenies spoilered, but I'm not finding it, or the tags aren't showing, even though they don't work.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 08, 2012, 09:55:27 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on November 08, 2012, 09:57:00 pm
As did glow, but I'm using quick respond and there's no button here and I can't remember the exact format so this might not work.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 08, 2012, 10:06:08 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on November 09, 2012, 07:50:52 pm
A fairly inefficient chiller design, yes, but it worked.
I need something new to hide that still, and if I'm going to build a chiller, why not model the most effecient ones?
http://youtu.be/dUJNbsZsGhY (http://youtu.be/dUJNbsZsGhY)
No, I'm not forking 3K for one either.
So, how does a vortex work?
Well, the first ones on the market followed this design and were quickly laughed at for their $500+ price tag, so this was the common home built plan.
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-1wkqiFoY4rg/UJ1e5uUmZwI/AAAAAAAAOu8/p2Uj0tY8d60/s640/vortext.jpg)
Post by: Unorthodox on November 09, 2012, 07:56:46 pm
Needless, a 5 gallon bucket is not going to suit my new machine.
So breaking it down, what is the keys to a vortex chiller?
Immediate contact with ice.
Fog forced DOWN through the ice to the exit as it cools.
Expansion chamber UNDER the ice.
And, most importantly, how am I hiding this in plain sight this year?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 09, 2012, 08:00:29 pm
Could you do something with paint cans? You certainly go through enough to use them lavishly, and you could hammer and alter the shape somewhat.
Post by: Unorthodox on November 09, 2012, 08:22:33 pm
Trevor burned through 50 lbs of ice a night, and probably should have been refilled somewhere in the middle of the night. I'm trying to fix that for the new chiller. This style burns more, but is more effective and actually takes a much smaller space per lb of ice.
It also mandates cubed ice, to allow the fog to seep through the space between cubes.
I got hold of the online manual for the avalanche in the video. They're adding salt to their ice, which makes them able to get away with the smaller space to blast that fog, but they are also cutting down the lifetime of that partcular chiller to an hour before refill. Makes a great 20 second video, but makes it worthless for me.
Crunching numbers, I need to fit about 100 lbs of ice to make it the 3 hours I need. Now I gotta figure out what size that means, then I can crunch numbers for how big the rest needs to be.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 09, 2012, 08:27:35 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on November 09, 2012, 08:29:33 pm
That would be 40" tall, which is getting up there, and I'm damn sure putting casters on this [progeny of unmarried parents].
Wonder if I could rig a wagon frame, what's the weight limit on a radio flyer?
Post by: Unorthodox on November 09, 2012, 08:31:21 pm
A wood stove chimney pipe, then - stretch out the needed volume longways, and I bet the effect increases, though it would probably need refilling more often. Easy enough to disguise that diameter as a column or post or something. It would need more insulation anyway.
The problem is moving the fog horizontally like that, actually. Though, I have had extremely good luck using some corrugated pipe and nothing else, it's highly dependent on weather to make that work properly, which is why my shift to chillers.
Post by: Unorthodox on November 09, 2012, 08:46:13 pm
that's 20x38. Minus some walls and insulation for the box on top, we'd be at 16x34, which would give us a box height of 16.8" needed, plus the 11" axel clearance, that's not bad.
Guess I know what I'm looking for at garage sales/flea market this year.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 09, 2012, 08:48:24 pm
And if horizontal is a problem, I still fancy there'd be good ways to camouflage that vertically - a fallen log, maybe. A false beam under the bridge if there's room. I'll think of more, given time, and so would you...
Post by: Unorthodox on November 09, 2012, 09:20:55 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 10, 2012, 12:14:35 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 10, 2012, 12:16:25 am
Post by: Unorthodox on November 10, 2012, 12:43:02 am
But right now mine is rolling around garden tools, mostly.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 10, 2012, 12:46:48 am
Those are actually the first spooky-themed ads I've noticed. The second displaying while I was in here to post the first was a very happy accident.
Post by: Unorthodox on November 10, 2012, 04:51:18 am
So, do I target something big and new to do in the yard, finally dip my toes into some honest to goodness animatronics? Or some special project like the bob tutorial, maybe a Chimera tutorial?
The Halloween forum is trying to talk me into animating the fence.
That's not where I was going to go with animation, but to make those bifurcated pumpkins into MOVING bifurcated pumpkins would be one of the most wicked things I've ever seen.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 10, 2012, 02:57:07 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on November 10, 2012, 04:05:37 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on November 12, 2012, 02:06:56 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 12, 2012, 02:20:44 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on November 12, 2012, 02:51:33 pm
Friend of ours. Thing to keep in mind is this is done in Chromadepth, so there's a reason for the sometimes odd colors. You're supposed to wear 3d glasses going through this thing.
Posting as the ~1:00 mark (and going for quite some time after that) is a rather ingenius modification of my laboratory scare (I designed in 1984, but has been published a bit recently). Animated props are NORMALLY the center piece of a scene. Everyone knows this, so use it against them, specifically designed for kids like the one at 1:30. Good use of blacklight as cammo there too.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 12, 2012, 02:58:48 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on November 12, 2012, 03:30:15 pm
Hmm. That would be a perfect place to have someone lurking behind the wall curtain exactly where the kiddies retreat/cower when the figure is lit. Of course that person would get bruised a lot....
That was pretty much my design. I was a bit surprised this side by side modification for space is as effective as it is.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 12, 2012, 03:34:43 pm
How do you deal, design-wise and otherwise with with startled kids getting violent anyway? Those floppy glowsticks they all carried look like they would sting if swung just right, for example.
Post by: Unorthodox on November 12, 2012, 03:44:42 pm
http://youtu.be/WdXuWX4KWkg (http://youtu.be/WdXuWX4KWkg)
Trying to conceptualize how this is going to work with a circle.
There was once a spider prop mechanism I think I could make work for my purpose instead. however, the video is gone from youtube.
This is an extremely poor mechanism, but somewhat similar. the hinged legs, and the motor moving them. Trying to find one of the type I'm thinking...
http://youtu.be/7HD8YVHLbt0 (http://youtu.be/7HD8YVHLbt0)
Anyway, instead of legs, have it be lifting little sections of the circle?
Post by: Unorthodox on November 12, 2012, 03:57:23 pm
I was talking about someone for the kids to crash into, probably with grabbing involved.
How do you deal, design-wise and otherwise with with startled kids getting violent anyway? Those floppy glowsticks they all carried look like they would sting if swung just right, for example.
Well, grabbing is a no-no.
Kids don't get violent. Teens and adults do.
How I deal with it and how the industry deal are different. What causes the fight response is quite specifically startle scares. When I have used them in my haunted houses, they are from far enough away, or from the wrong area for that the reaction to have an effect.
Something jumps in your face, someone might pop it, yes. I told Alec SPECIFICALLY, he was to CRAWL. You don't kick instictively.
The only time people are getting hit is from poor design. Yes haunt acting is about violating the personal space and making people uncomfortable. You don't combine that with startles in their face. You hit them below the waist, or do not startle within personal space.
This is "not with the times", however, and not how the 'new' places do it. "People are too desensitized now". That's a load of guano. Lighting, mood, design, etc [Sleezebag] stupid startles every day, but startles are a lot easier to achieve.
Post by: Unorthodox on November 12, 2012, 04:05:42 pm
http://s68.beta.photobucket.com/user/the_PROCRASTINATOR/media/VillageHaunt/VIDEO/SPIDERWIPER/spiderrev-A010.mp4.html (http://s68.beta.photobucket.com/user/the_PROCRASTINATOR/media/VillageHaunt/VIDEO/SPIDERWIPER/spiderrev-A010.mp4.html)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 12, 2012, 04:16:05 pm
Quote
Anyway, instead of legs, have it be lifting little sections of the circle?I don't see why not.
Quote
Well, grabbing is a no-no.None of this comes as a surpize, actually. It's pretty clear that you don't want to scare the kiddies that badly anyway, you big softy. ;)
Kids don't get violent. Teens and adults do.
How I deal with it and how the industry deal are different. What causes the fight response is quite specifically startle scares. When I have used them in my haunted houses, they are from far enough away, or from the wrong area for that the reaction to have an effect.
Something jumps in your face, someone might pop it, yes. I told Alec SPECIFICALLY, he was to CRAWL. You don't kick instictively.
The only time people are getting hit is from poor design. Yes haunt acting is about violating the personal space and making people uncomfortable. You don't combine that with startles in their face. You hit them below the waist, or do not startle within personal space.
This is "not with the times", however, and not how the 'new' places do it. "People are too desensitized now". That's a load of guano. Lighting, mood, design, etc [Sleezebag] stupid startles every day, but startles are a lot easier to achieve.
But that's why I mentioned design in my question - you're so dungeon design-oriented and accomplished with theory that I imagined you going with out-of-reach startles over padding and such.
If I was going to do risky up-close startles, I imagine doing a lot of costume design over dog trainer armor and the like, and trying to design props that didn't look like they were built around a boxer-training punching pad. I don't know how else those other haunts can manage without going through a lot of actor turnover...
Post by: Unorthodox on November 12, 2012, 05:58:49 pm
Stripped of all animatronics, it's a completely actor driven haunt that has plenty of startle scares, but the ground work is in the SETTING first and foremost. I WANTED to make it a waiver haunt (the most extreme ones around, they actually allow touching/grabbing), and cuff the patrons, but there was issues with that in the Lagoon setting. A dedicated haunt site will have to work that up one of these days. Anyhow, patrons are taken into prison. The haunt progresses from processing, on through the rest of the prison. Booking, Cells, Psych ward, laundry, hospital, morgue, death row etc. The startle scares are SO easy, safe, and fantastic here. Actors are free to throw chairs at the bars or beat on plexiglass with a bat, etc ALL right in the patron's face, but there is that seperation the actors know is there, patrons do not always get to see it until after that startle. Now you've hit them with the initial, from the safe angle, you have another actor 'free' coming from the side/behind. They've wasted the potential fight response on the first scare, and are unprepared for the second. THAT is how you design for it.
Now, let me do all that, AND grab them with people CUFFED? Not to mention actually being able to grab and manipulate them physically? Yeah, I'm too soft in this extreme age. ;)
What you don't do is jump out from behind a drop panel and yell in someone's ear. If I could just put an end to that everywhere, I would be a happy man.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 12, 2012, 06:07:42 pm
This is all genuinely interesting to me; I could care less about creepy halloween stuff, but a show's a show. (And art's art, for that matter.)
Post by: Unorthodox on November 12, 2012, 06:12:39 pm
1. You can not see the exit at any time from the entrance side. They don't walk back around front AT ALL. The exit loops you WELL away. Nothing kills a haunt faster than seeing the people running out the exit. It was actually harder to accomplish than you would expect. People go in, they do not come out.
2. Line entertainment. Most haunts will have a couple costumed people stalking the line scaring folks. Not this one. There's prison guards out front, and they are specifically told to maintain their role as no nonsense prison guards. No jumping in scaring people. The entertainment comes with staged prison breaks every 15-30 minutes (depending on line length). Sirens WAIL, escapee SPRINTS from the side of the prison. Guards apprehend the suspect who is taken away screaming. On the rare occasion (cost) guards can even kill an escaping prisoner. Those fake guns mentioned above send a signal to an blood vest that pops on the prisoner. It's very rare a haunt gets to set the stage while people wait in line.
Post by: Unorthodox on November 12, 2012, 06:16:10 pm
What was the facility/building Lagoon had to work with? I'd thought of things like plexiglas and other barriers, but figured those kind of set-ups were budget-breakers no one would bother with.
This is all genuinely interesting to me; I could care less about creepy halloween stuff, but a show's a show. (And art's art, for that matter.)
In the summer it's just a bowery/ picnic area. You strip the tables, and bring in all the walls and stuff for Halloween. It's all panel sections that get stored in the offseason. It is not uncommon to see a ROOM with a barrier inside a haunt. Only wierdos design an entire theme around it. Part of my selling point was they would then have all these barrier panels for use in other haunts when the prison becomes played out.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 12, 2012, 06:24:33 pm
The really brilliant part? The owner had had a contest in local schools for best-decorated panel. This was in a heavily populated urban area. I heard the prize was worth about $100, and he got thousands of dollars worth of free plywood panels -already painted/decorated- out of the deal. I wonder if a haunt could pull that off.
Post by: Unorthodox on November 12, 2012, 07:07:56 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 12, 2012, 07:14:33 pm
Pester BA for some poster designs - I'm serious; sideshow posters sounds right up her alley. Dunno how you'd get anything large enough printed unless you abused you access to engineer printers at work, but I can easily imagine this otherwise. Send 'er a PM.
Post by: Unorthodox on November 12, 2012, 08:45:58 pm
Presently trying to cobble together enough to buy my own sound system so that I'm completely independent of my brother. It's actually been a good thing that I'm anonymous to most his employees. Pretty sad they treat me better than my family.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 12, 2012, 08:53:08 pm
I assume your family doesn't keep volunteering your services to their online friends, so at least there's that. ;)
Post by: Unorthodox on November 12, 2012, 10:05:53 pm
Well, that's not exactly right. The [complaint or disagreeable woman] my older brother married took over the business side of things when the previous partners retired, and made it so uncomfortable a host of people decided to leave rather than accept some written criticisms in an employee file, including my younger brother.
She was a manager in a bank. You can't treat musicians as you do tellers, and you don't want them treating customers like that either.
Anyhow.
Post by: Unorthodox on November 12, 2012, 10:10:48 pm
I had planned a big Christmas build. (yeah you read that right)
But, it got canned before it got started. Was going to be for a charity event, but it seems you have to submit your concepts in July for such a thing. Crazy Christmas folks.
Guess there's not going to be a life sized Ghost of Christmas Future pointing at a Scrooge tombstone in the middle of all those happy cheery trees after all. :( (they all get auctioned off for charity)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 12, 2012, 10:17:43 pm
I just assumed the musician and the music store owner were the same brother...
I'm so glad there's someone in the family you get along with. And glad you love your kids enough to put up with the rest so far. You're a good man, Uno. I mean that.
Post by: Unorthodox on November 13, 2012, 01:10:24 am
I'm just the one that didn't make a career out of it because SOMEONE didn't want pianos/keyboards in the store. While I can play others (decent at drums), my strength is the piano.
In fact, back in the day we were a band. Did a charity concert (with tons of other people as well), have a thank you video from Sr Bush somewhere around here. I handled the light show while we were off stage, older brother handled the sound mixing.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 13, 2012, 01:13:02 am
Post by: Unorthodox on November 13, 2012, 01:13:41 am
yeah.......
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 13, 2012, 01:32:00 am
He got a little carried away sometimes.
Post by: Unorthodox on November 13, 2012, 04:02:46 pm
Ah, found one of the spiders.
http://s68.beta.photobucket.com/user/the_PROCRASTINATOR/media/VillageHaunt/VIDEO/SPIDERWIPER/spiderrev-A010.mp4.html (http://s68.beta.photobucket.com/user/the_PROCRASTINATOR/media/VillageHaunt/VIDEO/SPIDERWIPER/spiderrev-A010.mp4.html)
Going to see if my old record player I bought for prop building can slow down enough to make it usefull for this. Otherwise, I'm looking at a good $60 in motor and control board. Any idea if throwing a dimmer switch on a record player controls speed? Could I be that lucky?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 13, 2012, 04:18:12 pm
YouTube video embedding is fixed, BTW, but you gotta post just the plain page url, I think, and it doesn't work in quotes...
Post by: Unorthodox on November 13, 2012, 04:54:03 pm
fence closeup (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdMAZ0bmup4#)
http://youtu.be/xdMAZ0bmup4 (http://youtu.be/xdMAZ0bmup4)
Heh. that was actually innovative in 2007. Now you can't go to a wall mart without seeing that same design. ;lol
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 13, 2012, 05:39:45 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on November 13, 2012, 05:48:33 pm
Quote
A CHURCH pushing violent anti-homosexual and anti-abortion messages in a play disguised as Halloween fun could involve vilification, the NT's Anti-Discrimination Commission said.
But the Territory doesn't have vilification laws - unlike other Australian jurisdictions.
Acting Anti-Discrimination Commissioner Traci Keys said the Potters House church play could give rise to potential vilification issues.
"(But) there are no vilification laws in the NT," Ms Keys said.
Ms Keys said federal race vilification laws did apply in the NT, but that was it.
Ms Keys was asked if Territorians could get away with hate speech that might be illegal in other states.
Related Coverage
Church play pure hell, say punters
Your Say
"Ah the pentecostals the hate mongers of religion worse ones for trying to judge people thought that was all up to their god?, guarantee you all will be spat out along long before those you condem "
Lisa
"I guess the answer is yes," she said.
"It would be interesting to get some public discussion around the issue."
But Ms Keys said that didn't mean aspects of the play might not be caught by other NT laws, such as anti-discrimination.
"Vilification can often come hand in hand with discrimination,"she said.
The NT News reported yesterday complaints against a "haunted house tour" that turned out to be a church performance.
It involved violent retribution - beatings, slashed throats, eyes torn out - visited on homosexuals, women who'd had abortions and the doctors who performed them.
Vilification is usually classed as an act that incites others to hate or have serious contempt for a person or a groups because of their race, religion, gender or sexuality.
Discrimination is where distinction is made between individuals or groups to the advantage of some and the disadvantage of others.
Ms Keys said the Commission would be happy to hear from play attendees and look at whether it fell under NT law.
But she said they wanted to hear from people even if their complaints could not be taken on.
"Part of our role is to look at what laws should be in place to protect people," Ms Keys said.
People can contact the NT Anti-Discrimination Commission on 8999 1444.
BEFORE COMMENTING please be aware of The Rules for participation in our forums.
>>
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Ok, crazy Australians.
It was a hell house.
This is an offshoot of the Halloween huanted house that specifically involves Sinners, and their awaiting punishment in hell, based mostly on Dante's work. The "violent retribution" would be what's going to happen to them in hell, not advocating this violent retribution. If they designed it poorly, that could get lost though.
I have actually designed one of these on commission before.
Simpsons did a good spoof on one as well...
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 13, 2012, 05:57:29 pm
People make me sad sometimes.
Post by: Unorthodox on November 13, 2012, 06:25:08 pm
As always, this heathen has some suggestions how to improve the local one (still AWFUL lighting! come on!), and my offer is always rejected, but they usually impliment the advise I give to some degree anyway.
Might get up the urge to compete again this year. It was a hilarious time last year, and we raised some good stuff for charity, but management has changed since last year...
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 13, 2012, 06:29:37 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on November 14, 2012, 10:00:49 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 14, 2012, 10:16:40 pm
Surely they're not like an individual who'd just blow the money...
Post by: Unorthodox on November 15, 2012, 02:05:46 am
http://www.flickr.com/photos/blackthorncreations/8154910851/# (http://www.flickr.com/photos/blackthorncreations/8154910851/#)
Post by: Unorthodox on November 15, 2012, 02:07:42 am
That doesn't seem like good accounting, if they're not able to cope with customers wanting to pay early according to their cash flow situtation - or for any reason. Early capital is early, and there's no downside to getting paid early.
Surely they're not like an individual who'd just blow the money...
See I'm signed up for auto renew just in case I forget, my paypal will deduct from a CC if by some miracle there's nothing in my account. But, auto renew removes the manual button from their billing center. It's just a silly design.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 15, 2012, 02:11:37 am
Post by: Unorthodox on November 15, 2012, 02:18:30 am
MVI 3102 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2d0dncKvrBU#ws)
Coffin Fog Chiller - Halloween Scream (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAE73scm8jw#ws)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 15, 2012, 02:23:08 am
Post by: Unorthodox on November 15, 2012, 02:32:23 am
Notice how theirs is rising up off the ground almost immediately. A chiller doing it's job, meanwhile is more like Trevor.
Tomb Chiller test (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GxpXfgDc7GA#)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 15, 2012, 02:38:29 am
Post by: Unorthodox on November 15, 2012, 02:42:28 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 15, 2012, 02:48:08 am
Post by: Unorthodox on November 15, 2012, 02:48:23 am
Spider Rider 2012 w/music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4RTM_Gq3u0#ws)
One of these years I might just have to take a year "off" and do "just" a display instead of a full blown walkthrough.
Post by: Unorthodox on November 15, 2012, 02:49:23 am
How can you even do that with dry ice fog?
This aint dry ice. This is fog machine which is basically water and glycerin spat out at 150 degrees. The chiller then is supposed to cool it below the ambient temp to keep it low. There's a bit more to it about expansion and this and that, but that's the basics.
The interesting thing here is I almost went reverse flow design with Trevor. Glad I didn't.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 15, 2012, 02:55:37 am
One of these years I might just have to take a year "off" and do "just" a display instead of a full blown walkthrough.Boy, a lot of local people would be disappointed if you did.
Interesting building in the background of the vid - does your friend live in a castle, or does he have an in with a very laid-back church?
Post by: Unorthodox on November 15, 2012, 03:00:40 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 15, 2012, 03:02:51 am
Post by: Unorthodox on November 15, 2012, 03:24:05 am
Post by: Unorthodox on November 15, 2012, 03:26:35 am
http://s133.beta.photobucket.com/user/Lauriebeast/library/Halloween%202012 (http://s133.beta.photobucket.com/user/Lauriebeast/library/Halloween%202012)
Awful lighting...or maybe just too much use of flash photography. Can't tell.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 15, 2012, 03:31:17 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 15, 2012, 03:35:50 am
Post by: Unorthodox on November 15, 2012, 03:36:38 am
http://www.stolloween.com/?page_id=6503 (http://www.stolloween.com/?page_id=6503)
Post by: Unorthodox on November 15, 2012, 03:38:04 am
http://pumpkinrot.com/pages/Page45.html (http://pumpkinrot.com/pages/Page45.html)
This guy really creeps me.
http://pumpkinrot.com/images/2012_87.jpg (http://pumpkinrot.com/images/2012_87.jpg)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 15, 2012, 03:41:35 am
Post by: Unorthodox on November 15, 2012, 03:45:19 am
http://davisgraveyard.com/gallery/davis-graveyard-2012/ (http://davisgraveyard.com/gallery/davis-graveyard-2012/)
Post by: Unorthodox on November 15, 2012, 03:45:53 am
(Still on Lauriebeast) His full-size figures have crappy hands, mind you, considering how accomplished his faces are, and I'm not impressed by his tableu design, but gosh, those facial sculpts are really something else...
Her, but yes. The hands may be aftermarket, I've never seen her sculpt a hand in any of her tutorials.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 15, 2012, 03:52:08 am
Pumpkinrot's. I'd like to see a more overview instead of all the stylized shots...
http://pumpkinrot.com/pages/Page45.html (http://pumpkinrot.com/pages/Page45.html)
This guy really creeps me.
http://pumpkinrot.com/images/2012_87.jpg (http://pumpkinrot.com/images/2012_87.jpg)
Stolloween's display. (almost entirely paper mache)You know how sometimes you see someone doing good work and think "I can do that. I think I can do better."?
http://www.stolloween.com/?page_id=6503 (http://www.stolloween.com/?page_id=6503)
I'm not thinking that right now.
Post by: Unorthodox on November 15, 2012, 04:01:52 am
Sickeningly talented paper mache teenager haunting in NZ.
http://marrowhouse.blogspot.com/2012/11/marrow-house-2012-geisterbahn.html (http://marrowhouse.blogspot.com/2012/11/marrow-house-2012-geisterbahn.html)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 15, 2012, 04:03:52 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 15, 2012, 04:07:12 am
Post by: Unorthodox on November 15, 2012, 02:54:44 pm
I need to summon Hilda for that.
http://www.halloweenforum.com/general-halloween/123964-lighthearteds-halloween-display-2012-a.html (http://www.halloweenforum.com/general-halloween/123964-lighthearteds-halloween-display-2012-a.html)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 15, 2012, 03:24:38 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 15, 2012, 03:41:33 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on November 15, 2012, 05:38:52 pm
I think one of these years I'm going to keep everything hidden and put up a few blow up decorations OCT 1. See how much the neighbors freak out.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 15, 2012, 05:55:03 pm
Do it. Do it! DO IT! :whip:
You must, man. Don't make me beg.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 16, 2012, 08:32:30 pm
Your reservations about our moderation policy/style makes your input even more valuable to us.
Post by: Unorthodox on November 17, 2012, 01:26:52 am
? no embed?
Post by: Unorthodox on November 17, 2012, 01:27:39 am
there we go. It's on netflix now.
Documentary on several of the 'hoarder' style "home haunters". I think I'm going to reserve this one for when people call me crazy.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 17, 2012, 02:33:15 am
Post by: Unorthodox on November 19, 2012, 02:41:34 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 19, 2012, 03:07:04 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on November 21, 2012, 04:00:49 am
"Scion" looks an awful lot like my Bob tutorial measurements...
Post by: Unorthodox on November 21, 2012, 04:05:44 am
I'm definitely going to have to steal this...
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-MLBwohzkmq8/UKxTQ2YVIkI/AAAAAAAAOwc/vuBJL3W_epQ/s800/8196826886_24af32f1b5_b.jpg)
Blurry pic, that appears to be CORN, but the tall stuff. My raven grass could pull off the same 'tunnel'.
Post by: Unorthodox on November 21, 2012, 04:09:26 am
http://www.flickr.com/photos/18739079@N07/8196843188/#secret598b94ee79in/set-72157632041516856/ (http://www.flickr.com/photos/18739079@N07/8196843188/#secret598b94ee79in/set-72157632041516856/)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 21, 2012, 04:22:01 am
Post by: Unorthodox on November 21, 2012, 04:27:28 am
Post by: Unorthodox on November 21, 2012, 02:11:25 pm
Deadman Street 2012 Halloween Light Show by Night Glow Productions (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GRkrwPEDfM#ws)
Quote
There are 24 RGB color mixing LED fixtures of various brands and quality.
6 Elation moving head lights
7 old school small moving head lights
2 black lights
2 traditional spot lights
a string each of orange and purple LEDs across the front of the house.
The lighting is controlled by Hog 3PC. To time the lighting to the sound track the Hog system receives commands directly from the audio file via MIDI. The Midi commands are embedded as a separate track that only the lighting control system receives. Each time there is to be a lighting change there is a Midi command that triggers that change. This happens 98 times during the show. The show also contains 30 cues that the lighting console controls the timing of, giving the show a total of 128 cues.
It's really too bad he was doing this in obvious windy conditions. Light shows don't work well without fog.
And why on earth would you make something cool and then put purple christmas lights up?
Post by: Unorthodox on November 22, 2012, 12:13:59 pm
It's back on.
New owner wouldn't agree to the whole free concept though. Are getting all profits go to charity though.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 22, 2012, 02:38:30 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on November 24, 2012, 02:45:25 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 24, 2012, 03:12:51 am
Post by: Unorthodox on November 24, 2012, 11:51:43 am
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-IXp9we-uzHE/ULC1NixmAYI/AAAAAAAAOxo/BiesLGAUKfk/s800/259935_447229558672922_406143286_n.jpg)
Post by: Unorthodox on November 26, 2012, 03:30:53 am
So much great stuff in that Thugee temple. I'm going to have to sit down and study it again.
Post by: Unorthodox on November 26, 2012, 03:35:34 am
As the whole room where indy gets possessed after drinking the blood.
Post by: Unorthodox on November 26, 2012, 08:01:35 pm
Bertha is my DSLR that is very specifically tailored to taking low light photos. It's lacking most features of even entry level DSLR's, and was pretty much panned by reviews in every area when it came out, save one. By some strange quirk, it's the best DSLR on the market for low light photography as it just naturally doesn't acquire all the noise most photo sensors do. Still. Coming up on 10 years past it's release. Hence why I bought one at less than half price after the "newer, better" models were released several years back.
Problem I'm having is it's a pentax (which was a selling point at the time as grandpa was a pentax owner and I've been using his old lenses since first taking up photography class), and they've gone online-only with their sales, and pentax lenses are PRICEY! With the move to online only, sales are down, and no third party vendors are making lenses now. This has led to everyone upgrading to a different brand and a slew of lenses hitting the market.
Pentax is probably going away soon. Many used lenses are hitting the market, but the fancy DA lenses (built for digital cameras) are still fetching quite a sum. However, the old "m" (30+ year old manual only lenses) series lenses are going for a song, because 90% of the users don't realise how to get them to function on DSLR's.
I've got a line on a number of prime lenses all under $50. These were $800+ lenses at time of sale. New ones are $700 or more and plastic, not this quality metal construction. Never had a prime lense, always wanted some. Yeah, it's 40 year old tech and I'll have to shoot full manual. Who cares? True low light OPTICS to go with my low light body? Oh, man, I'm drooling.
Hopefully Pentax releases another new body that has this low lighting quality before they go under.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 26, 2012, 08:05:22 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on November 27, 2012, 04:09:52 am
Old school film camera as well, but whatever.
The steal of the lot was the 50MM prime F1.7.
Ostensibly meant for portrait work, it features supreme bokeh.
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-0sbXAQUbBjo/ULQ7HN6bP6I/AAAAAAAAOzg/0rerjSoBan4/s800/IMGP1511.jpg)
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-RDWvTJg4N9Q/ULQ7ISOawKI/AAAAAAAAOzg/Z4k9xdHYyb0/s800/IMGP1516.jpg)
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-dfnZbrqNNAQ/ULQ7KGhbfQI/AAAAAAAAOzg/veyLwHua3AI/s800/IMGP1536.jpg)
Which is also a limitation when wide open.
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-pRucp1Qelyw/ULQ7J8p2QII/AAAAAAAAOzg/AIxEg9zOK-4/s800/IMGP1534.jpg)
What it DOES for me, however, is allow a whole other level of low light photography.
(this is hand held outside, no tripod, no fill light, nothing.) I've notoriously had trouble shooting RED lighting from my props (and some will tell you not to even try). No more.
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-nmeKGhZ1YPE/ULQ7HBy7qKI/AAAAAAAAOzg/WR-VWKij5a4/s800/IMGP1506.jpg)
Post by: Unorthodox on November 27, 2012, 04:19:29 am
It's wider focus just allows for a different depth to shots.
I foresee this being useful for highlight shots where I get up close and personal like.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XwmRcYKHsCk/ULQ7LkSEYHI/AAAAAAAAOzg/2CgnowXp1hA/s800/IMGP1561.jpg)
The final lense is a 200mm F3.5 Tamron prime. Third party, but still prime.
I was actually quite surprised at how well this performed compared to my 80-300 kit lens.
Moon, it's a little hazy out so not the best shooting conditions.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-R_2iKEfnDSo/ULQ7H3GjUKI/AAAAAAAAOzg/mPQ49zRDmhM/s800/IMGP1514.jpg)
For giggles I wanted to make sure it would work with my doubler. (so 400 mm) No tripod, on the full res version you can pick out craters...
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-G9EusYiHOiY/ULQ7JNf6g5I/AAAAAAAAOzg/Fmn26ZV4hBg/s800/IMGP1518.jpg)
Post by: Unorthodox on November 28, 2012, 02:00:22 pm
http://killerpumpkins.com/ (http://killerpumpkins.com/)
Post by: Unorthodox on November 28, 2012, 06:00:13 pm
Girl scares people by standing in elevator (Prank) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ySQahcfHEBs#)
(hellevator:)
hellevator movements (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JfkK9WXkGIg#)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 28, 2012, 06:10:02 pm
Post by: Dolgorukov on November 29, 2012, 04:53:07 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 29, 2012, 08:38:50 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on November 30, 2012, 05:26:07 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 30, 2012, 05:28:52 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on November 30, 2012, 06:12:50 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 30, 2012, 06:15:21 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on November 30, 2012, 08:12:39 pm
I'll still have a job, I just wont have work so I'll be in the limbo of random crap jobs until congress gets off their ass.
Post by: Unorthodox on November 30, 2012, 08:15:05 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 30, 2012, 08:32:46 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on November 30, 2012, 10:05:55 pm
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Qy4PDHHlS5k/ULjEUUx3r5I/AAAAAAAAO0Y/1h8CSD08FKI/s800/O%2520holy%2520night.PNG)
Plugged O Holy Night into this nifty website.
http://www.wordle.net/ (http://www.wordle.net/)
A slightly modified Raven (adding some "raven"s and "nevermore"s to the poem to manipulate the program to print them bigger) yields:
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-lG8MgR4HNlU/ULjGSSMMcYI/AAAAAAAAO0o/Ib9Xt2IGFsE/s800/Raven.PNG)
Post by: Unorthodox on December 01, 2012, 05:16:02 am
The Devil's Carnival - Painted Doll (666) Song (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Og3MCPrzoQ#ws)
Anyhow, I'm openly admitting to planning a birthday party for a stuffed animal...
Post by: Buster's Uncle on December 01, 2012, 02:47:03 pm
You were perhaps expecting something more like this for the momentous occasion?I just haven't been feeling real talkative lately...
Post by: Unorthodox on December 04, 2012, 02:17:33 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on December 04, 2012, 02:22:58 pm
I especially adore "lament".
Post by: Buster's Uncle on December 04, 2012, 02:23:53 pm
Oh it's so fun having a teenager...Your boy up to something?
Post by: Unorthodox on December 04, 2012, 04:48:37 pm
Course in the age of computers, we can just log in and see exactly what he's missing, so his mounting lies of what happened came crashing down. Sure, some kid hacked the school's web page in an attempt to take it down and I'm sure many parents wouldn't be able to, but I wasn't born yesterday and know how to get in the back door.
And it's a assignment of getting a couple current events and writing a synopsis every week he's been skipping. I mean, seriously, that's like a 5 minute assignment not even worth going to the trouble of lying/avoiding.
At least when I skipped out of things it was 4 entire days of class every week, and I had a car and a job, so that last period really wasn't appealing anyway. (besides the tests were 80% of your grade and only on fridays so I got a straight B in the class anyway, really wish someone would have explained beforehand that physics = the calculus class I took the year before so I could have taken the more advanced calculus instead. Chemistry first period was equally boring and made a fair few breakfast breaks, but at least we got to do some interesting experiments in there.)
Post by: Unorthodox on December 06, 2012, 01:51:37 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on December 06, 2012, 02:19:01 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on December 06, 2012, 06:21:23 pm
Only place I really know about is in California. Fog every morning just about there.
I would imagine around the great lakes might be suitable weather for it.
There's a stretch in Southern Utah that had some most excellent ground fog while I was driving through, but I don't know how common that was. Certainly worth looking into. NOTHING around there. Perfect for me to retire and build a sculpture garden.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on December 06, 2012, 06:51:24 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on December 07, 2012, 02:28:52 pm
It's generally considered a good movie.
http://www.imdb.com/video/wab/vi2675834905/ (http://www.imdb.com/video/wab/vi2675834905/)
However, there's 30 seconds at the 12 minute mark I think the movie would be better without. Would like an opinion from someone not jaded.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on December 07, 2012, 04:32:26 pm
To really get the horror of being in the chair? Less talk, more -extremely bright light in your eyes and the sound of the drill cranked up loud and sustained for 45 seconds at a time, minmum. The "dentist" in this was way, way, way too fast, which really missed an opportunity - bypassing the true horror for something fake. Make it that the valium shot was actually a paralyzing agent and the anesthetic a placebo. It just goes on and on and on, the blinding light and the sound of the drill, on and on, almost choking on the blood and spit pooling at the back of the throat, unable to swallow, unable to move, unable to escape or even get a few seconds relief...
And no, the 30 seconds you speak of were just gross, not scary.
Instead, as the dentist turns to leave, you see as he removes his apron that it's COVERED with blood. He notes that the lady at the door will probably be able to keep you from choking or bleeding to death if you don't have too many complications from the drugs. Says his last line as you fade to black, passing out helpless...
Post by: Unorthodox on December 07, 2012, 05:14:34 pm
Quote
Instead, as the dentist turns to leave, you see as he removes his apron that it's COVERED with blood. He notes that the lady at the door will probably be able to keep you from choking or bleeding to death if you don't have too many complications from the drugs. Says his last line as you fade to black, passing out helpless...
EXACTLY my point.
Anywho. Check this out. A whole neighborhood of Halloween nuts.
http://www.terrorontillson.com/ (http://www.terrorontillson.com/)
I need to move to Michigan.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on December 08, 2012, 03:27:33 am
Post by: Unorthodox on December 08, 2012, 03:39:41 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on December 08, 2012, 03:45:24 am
Post by: Unorthodox on December 08, 2012, 08:18:53 pm
Which do you think looks best?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on December 08, 2012, 08:28:20 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on December 09, 2012, 02:14:30 am
I do love the brow of that bottom second one, but lack of teeth is something I can easily do with a cast, so it seems a little bit of a waste. That's a hell of an undercut at the back of the skull as well, for molding purposes. Might have to go 2 piece.
I can see your attraction to the caucasion female skull (first on second row). My only niggle on that one is rather small orbitals and "sad" expression.
The male trio is tempting, but how many examples of Asian males does a guy really need? (I know way too much about this crap for my own good)
Post by: Unorthodox on December 10, 2012, 04:25:56 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on December 10, 2012, 04:36:33 pm
I have trouble making sense of it, too, sometimes. I just got one about American Arlines - and by posting about it, just made sure I'll get more...
Post by: Unorthodox on December 11, 2012, 02:32:53 pm
Oh it looks bad...gotta find it.
Post by: Unorthodox on December 13, 2012, 01:58:12 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on December 14, 2012, 03:43:10 pm
Only time he would look at us was before the performance:
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-TNC96ml_lHk/UMqqsvXLqQI/AAAAAAAAO3Q/UJuSqe8dpY4/s800/IMGP1604.jpg)
Kyle doesn't sing so much as he violently attacks songs...
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-vLqgIzLdf00/UMqqs1GjBYI/AAAAAAAAO3Q/F-HzVyqyYaw/s800/IMGP1609.jpg)
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-9QfvbmHd5hQ/UMqqso3JCJI/AAAAAAAAO3Q/Qbq-Dc0a9eM/s800/IMGP1612.jpg)
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-E45Qpbe4y8M/UMqqtdWS52I/AAAAAAAAO3Q/PfOxGYwETsI/s800/IMGP1616.jpg)
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-62axwU-_Fvw/UMqqtrKXBBI/AAAAAAAAO3Q/-sqHPOFP0qg/s800/IMGP1617.jpg)
The thing that's most shocking for me is the massive change in COLOR that this lens is providing compared to the kit lenses. Everything is much more true to color in the RAW files, so I don't have to spend ages fiddling. Should have bought these years ago.
We get another christmas concert coming on Teusday for Alec. Might break out the 200MM for that one.
Post by: Unorthodox on December 15, 2012, 12:08:01 am
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8356/8270262211_7d573b62db_b.jpg)
Not really been a fan of the green in pumpkins, but the CFL's here do a pretty good job, still think it would be better in orange.
Post by: Unorthodox on December 20, 2012, 07:22:08 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on December 20, 2012, 07:25:43 pm
don't like vimeo here? Not having trouble elsewhere, but getting errors here.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on December 20, 2012, 07:27:20 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on December 23, 2012, 03:32:16 pm
Well, this morning was an old Christmas special instead of "her shows".
I was caught completely by surprise.
It appears 'Toy Story' COMPLETELY rips off an old Jim Hansen special "A Christmas Toy".
Toys that come to life when their owners are out of sight, a Tiger, arrogant favorite toy of his child gets jealous of the new space doll that don't know it's a toy.
Post by: Unorthodox on December 25, 2012, 12:04:21 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on December 25, 2012, 12:11:20 am
Post by: Unorthodox on December 25, 2012, 04:45:10 am
Coincidence?
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-5j-A-lYcz4M/UNkuB9qtGjI/AAAAAAAAPBE/4SHg4jAjaPI/s800/IMAG0489.jpg)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on December 25, 2012, 06:29:49 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on December 31, 2012, 12:21:59 am
This is a test of a design for my fence for 2013. Idea is to animate the bifurcated pumpkins to increase the creepiness.
There's a bit of a hiccup mostly because I don't have the right size of eye bolts, but they were handy to get a look at the thing in action. Pretty pleased with my first hour of building for 2013.
(obviously pumpkins on the ends of all the poles, have to be paper mache for weight.)
[video=youtube;l13lhTsWkPA]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l13lhTsWkPA[/video]
Post by: Buster's Uncle on December 31, 2012, 01:11:42 am
Yeah; that should look awesome in the dark with the lit pumpkins on it.
Post by: Unorthodox on January 07, 2013, 09:26:44 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on January 07, 2013, 11:03:05 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on January 07, 2013, 11:53:13 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on January 08, 2013, 12:13:05 am
At least you're working - not that I didn't enjoy you while you weren't... ;)
Post by: Unorthodox on January 08, 2013, 04:16:00 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on January 10, 2013, 08:53:26 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on January 11, 2013, 03:15:41 am
I personally think this is Shyamalan's finest work. Yes, it's a formulaic monster flick and the underlying religious drama is fairly poorly done, but it's just a charming little film that brings me back to the good old days of horror films.
Sixth Sense is the traditional favorite, however, IMO, Stir of Echoes tells that same story much better. While both came out at the same time, Stir of Echoes failed to realize the target audience for horror is teenagers, and did some stupid and unneeded things to purposely attain the R rating, so it was much less popular.
(The rating thing is a problem with most horror, actually, but that's a topic in and of itself, you look at the truly successful horror movies, they are rated PG-13 with very few exceptions)
My second favorite Shyamalan is The Village. It's been on my back burner to make one of those creatures for some time...
Post by: Buster's Uncle on January 11, 2013, 03:31:19 am
The Sixth Sense, on the other hand, sucked me in completely. Completely. I cried in the parking lot afterward.
Post by: Unorthodox on January 11, 2013, 02:26:25 pm
Stir Of Echoes - Trailer (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OlqHp4KmofQ#)
I'm a sucker for Alien movies. Specifically alien abductions in general. Even the "documentaries" on this get to me, probably because I have a childhood memory that fits most the descriptions that remains unexplained. So, Signs had that going for it with me heading right in. Otherwise it harkens back to the classic horror movies to a large degree. It plays like something out of the 50's and probably would have been much better in black and white.
Post by: Unorthodox on January 11, 2013, 02:32:32 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on January 11, 2013, 02:34:18 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on January 11, 2013, 02:37:57 pm
http://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-news/week-ending-snowstorm-utah-to/3832305 (http://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-news/week-ending-snowstorm-utah-to/3832305)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on January 11, 2013, 02:59:42 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on January 11, 2013, 03:18:10 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on January 11, 2013, 08:37:22 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on January 11, 2013, 09:03:43 pm
Was hoping for a break. Weather service just issued a new warning 2 more feet of snow expected tonight. Which probably means a fair bit more at my place, being up the hill a ways. The base is having a snow day, which is insane, so no, no real work going on. Almost time to start making the slow trip home.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on January 11, 2013, 09:05:03 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on January 11, 2013, 09:39:21 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on January 12, 2013, 02:09:06 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on January 12, 2013, 02:13:20 am
Post by: Unorthodox on January 12, 2013, 02:57:12 am
Post by: Green1 on January 12, 2013, 03:55:02 am
I really wanted to get on a brand new cruiser bike I have aquired.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on January 12, 2013, 04:06:00 am
Post by: Unorthodox on January 12, 2013, 06:17:31 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on January 12, 2013, 06:35:00 pm
At least I ought to be able to nag Star Trek art out of her better this way. The sarcifices I make to keep this forum entertaining, let me tell you...
Post by: Zoid on January 12, 2013, 07:50:33 pm
I thought Signs was distant and unengaging. I had so much trouble buying into the reality of the story that - I can't can't even come up with a metaphor/joke about it.
The Sixth Sense, on the other hand, sucked me in completely. Completely. I cried in the parking lot afterward.
"Sixth Sense" was one of those films which is even better the second time you're wiewing it because you're in on the joke so to speak and can watch it with a new set of eyes, "The Usual Suspects" was one of those films also. As for M Night Shyamalan so has he continued to push out crap film after crap film since his epic first film. "Unbreakable" was ok "Signs" was kinda awful with a crappy sentimental script and an overacting Mel Gibson. And don't even get me started on "The Village", OMG... :wall: How can he still get funding for the crap he's putting out?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on January 12, 2013, 08:01:29 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on January 13, 2013, 12:11:29 am
I thought Signs was distant and unengaging. I had so much trouble buying into the reality of the story that - I can't can't even come up with a metaphor/joke about it.
The Sixth Sense, on the other hand, sucked me in completely. Completely. I cried in the parking lot afterward.
"Sixth Sense" was one of those films which is even better the second time you're wiewing it because you're in on the joke so to speak and can watch it with a new set of eyes, "The Usual Suspects" was one of those films also. As for M Night Shyamalan so has he continued to push out crap film after crap film since his epic first film. "Unbreakable" was ok "Signs" was kinda awful with a crappy sentimental script and an overacting Mel Gibson. And don't even get me started on "The Village", OMG... :wall: How can he still get funding for the crap he's putting out?
No, let's get into The Village.
It's another of the pure old school horror movies that Shyamalan is actually good at. What's more he got nearly a full cast of method actors that he needs for that one. And Sigourney. No one knocks Sigourney.
Now, The Happening is just plain awful, as was his Last Airbender movie. I'll happily concede those. Sixth Sense folks REALLY need to go watch Stir of Echoes. Only thing Sixth Sense is truly good for is to set your kids up for watching The Ring.
Post by: Zoid on January 13, 2013, 08:00:03 am
Post by: Unorthodox on January 14, 2013, 03:00:03 pm
Started with the one from Lady in the Water.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PvG5-f8ybvo/UPQWyzMPNnI/AAAAAAAAPD8/KR-WWcHOUcc/s800/3715354_std.jpg)
But, to be a true "chimera" version, it needed something a little more...obscure. Something nebulous to the creature.
So, I've circled in on a Barghest.
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-gLR9_kjWtSo/UPQWyy8WtuI/AAAAAAAAPD4/qzwMYevl9YM/s800/Barghest.png)
Barghests are most normally represented by black ghost dogs, it's true. Usually with a green glow, which is easy enough for my Chimera designs. But, they are also shapeshifters, showing up as people, and even bears at different times.
(notice the humanistic hand)
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-BvdUbcg1K7U/UPQWy2CxzzI/AAAAAAAAPD0/COBiWBgpQsY/s800/barghest.JPG)
Then, my son has this thing on his Ipod as a wallpaper, and I caught a glimpse...love the skulls.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-fugMdc7eCgY/UPQbqUWzuPI/AAAAAAAAPFg/bWHW3kiXaAk/s800/media_2985629.jpg)
Currently trying to come up with a pose. I want one hand outstreatched to highlight that humanistic hand, which leaves me needing a tripod formation from the other 3 feet for stability.
Have the conduit and chicken wire ready to go, will get going soon, but have lots of kids' crap going on now between science fairs, state reports, basketball, and ski lessons.
Post by: Unorthodox on January 14, 2013, 06:47:30 pm
Not gonna happen, but flattering. First time the event organisers have invited me. 4th year in a row I've been invited, usually by wildfire. good to see they are reaching out to the home haunter though. It's traditionally focused strictly on the business end.
Post by: Unorthodox on January 14, 2013, 06:52:28 pm
Just got another invite to HauntCon, which would be more doable than Transworld, down in Irving.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on January 14, 2013, 06:54:51 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on January 16, 2013, 09:03:08 pm
Definitely in my 'wait for dvd' pile. (considering only about 2-3 films/year ever make the 'see in theater' pile, that actually means I'm looking forward to this one)
Post by: Unorthodox on January 20, 2013, 01:07:54 am
Original short for the film above
Post by: Buster's Uncle on January 21, 2013, 06:27:27 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on January 21, 2013, 07:28:09 pm
I highly doubt I would buy the film, I own very few horror movies newer than 1950.
Had been waiting for an elbow injury to heal up, but got out and built a frame for the new monster today. Think I reinjured the eblow in the process.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on January 21, 2013, 07:33:28 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on January 21, 2013, 07:46:11 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on January 21, 2013, 08:16:30 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on January 21, 2013, 08:41:40 pm
Or maybe best said that it's an unorthodox Barghest.
Post by: Unorthodox on January 22, 2013, 02:09:00 am
The right arm and tail both need to be adjusted and probably cut, but it's not a priority at the moment. The arm needs the head done before final posing, and the tail needs the legs done.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_u_XfDOAPlY/UP3yQ9m-cLI/AAAAAAAAPGg/2Jsn1fFJIMs/s800/IMG_6657.JPG)
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-EBv67K6KPR8/UP3yRM9PdcI/AAAAAAAAPGk/h2I6INeDENc/s800/IMG_6659.JPG)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on January 22, 2013, 02:57:34 am
Post by: Unorthodox on January 22, 2013, 03:48:07 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on January 22, 2013, 03:53:29 am
Post by: Unorthodox on January 22, 2013, 04:04:33 am
It's almost like a serial version of "Seven".
Post by: Buster's Uncle on January 22, 2013, 04:14:20 am
Post by: Unorthodox on January 22, 2013, 04:20:08 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on January 22, 2013, 04:24:43 am
Post by: Unorthodox on January 22, 2013, 04:33:49 am
Think his was the first book I ever bought with my own money.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on January 22, 2013, 04:42:32 am
That Poe really could spin a yarn.
Post by: Unorthodox on January 22, 2013, 06:30:33 pm
The source I bought from last year has stopped selling plain candles, and they're all now either dressed for spells or decorated for Catholics. I was hoping it was just a Christmas thing with the sudden explosion of catholic saints, but the new shipment was all dressed. While I wouldn't be opposed to burning a suitable spell (or 50) at the prices they are asking their dressing methods fail to impress me and I foresee too many problems to make it worthwhile.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on January 22, 2013, 06:33:54 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on January 22, 2013, 06:47:53 pm
Looks like dollar tree has some, though. Just would prefer to support a local place.
Post by: Unorthodox on January 23, 2013, 06:39:43 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on January 23, 2013, 07:52:53 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on January 23, 2013, 08:19:12 pm
Every job I've had, I get stuck with this...
I've stopped being surprised when people can't basically navigate a windows environment, however.
Post by: Unorthodox on January 24, 2013, 03:06:27 am
Sure enough, he was sent home.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on January 24, 2013, 04:24:08 am
Post by: Unorthodox on January 24, 2013, 01:52:42 pm
Competition was for a new DC superhero btw. I was disappointed the "winner" was clearly not the most original/best job but the one easiest to market.
Post by: Unorthodox on January 27, 2013, 09:55:46 pm
http://www.halloweenforum.com/tutorials-step-step/125072-monster-mudding-unorthodox-chimera-tutorial.html (http://www.halloweenforum.com/tutorials-step-step/125072-monster-mudding-unorthodox-chimera-tutorial.html)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on January 27, 2013, 10:48:31 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on January 28, 2013, 04:07:00 pm
really?
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ZdCJXXCwlnM/UQagMXAhq3I/AAAAAAAAPeE/I1pqISqsDFU/s800/crows.jpg)
2nd place.
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-WgTtnnVa6zQ/UQagNqCLKTI/AAAAAAAAPeQ/mGnmKV__CNg/s800/untitled.jpg)
3rd.
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-f1DThSUB9wI/UQagNj_FC0I/AAAAAAAAPeM/Q0Rkl0jUvRU/s800/rock.jpg)
:dunno:
Post by: Buster's Uncle on January 28, 2013, 05:06:02 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on January 28, 2013, 05:46:40 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on January 28, 2013, 06:14:07 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on January 29, 2013, 03:54:43 am
Post by: Unorthodox on January 29, 2013, 09:49:00 pm
http://www.slate.com/blogs/behold/2013/01/25/ilona_szwarc_american_girls_and_their_owners_photos.html (http://www.slate.com/blogs/behold/2013/01/25/ilona_szwarc_american_girls_and_their_owners_photos.html)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on January 29, 2013, 09:54:20 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on January 29, 2013, 10:00:38 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on January 29, 2013, 10:22:27 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on January 29, 2013, 10:54:07 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on January 29, 2013, 10:59:31 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on January 30, 2013, 01:51:10 pm
Monday, 5 inches snow, no closure.
Teusday, 14 inches of snow, widely reported plows would not be able to keep up, no closure.
Wed, forecasted 1-3 inches "due to impending winter storm warnings school will be cancelled".
WTF?
Post by: Unorthodox on January 31, 2013, 06:16:19 pm
Work crap, can't really go into.
Post by: Unorthodox on February 01, 2013, 02:04:28 pm
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-yYAiD4HRF9E/UQvJWdBEynI/AAAAAAAAQG0/Lmnd16nYap4/s800/IMG_6660.JPG)
Might actually get around to some monster mud this weekend, but might be too busy.
Picked up my book. Had to laugh. That would be fun to build.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-6kTYNHLwiTc/UQvJWSGIvhI/AAAAAAAAQHE/jDXx5VcoSoI/s800/IMG_6662.JPG)
Post by: Unorthodox on February 01, 2013, 06:59:26 pm
Quote
FREMONT -- The scariest feature of the Stelle family's haunted house attraction this year is all the red tape the family has to cut through to make it happen.
The Fremont family's plans to continue their six-year tradition were severed when they received a notice last week from the city's building and safety department, which said the Halloween haunt is in violation of several municipal codes.
Chris Stelle, 18, had spent about three months working on the 12-room House of Horrors with at least 40 volunteers when he received the notice.
In the notice, the city says the Stelles lack a permit for their scare structure and ruled it an improper use of residential land. Stelle said the city began investigating the haunted house when a neighbor complained.
Stelle and his family have hosted the House of Horrors for the community since he was 12. What began as a 50-foot-long structure made out of plastic garbage bags has expanded to a 1,500-square-foot maze of screams and scares that is almost as big as his one-story, four-bedroom house.
"We didn't think that having a haunted house in your backyard is illegal," Stelle said. "We don't charge anyone, and we give them candy and stuff when they come back out. I don't see it as a crime."
City officials did not return calls for comment
The family led about 50 spook seekers through the haunted house in the first year, Stelle said. Last year, there were more than 1,500.
"I love to scare people, and see families happy with their children," Stelle said. "We do it for the community; we do it for the families."
While the house is free to the public, there is a suggested donation of $3 that either goes back to helping make next year's structure even more frightening or to local charities, Stelle said. The family also collects money for UNICEF and canned goods for food pantries.
Stelle and his family spent $800 to $1,000 of their own money to improve the house this year, though many of their supplies are donated by local businesses.
Since receiving the notice, the family has been scrambling to make sure their house doesn't end up in the graveyard. The notice required that the family not put the structure on residential land - they've begun taking it down and plan to erect it in the parking lot of Fremont's Center for Spiritual Living.
As for the permit, city officials told the Stelles that it may take up to 30 days to get approved. The family put in an application immediately and is now talking with the city's fire chief to bring the house up to code. That includes getting fire extinguishers and emergency exit signs, maybe even smoke detectors.
Stelle said the chief also told them that they would have to rebuild the all-wood structure with fireproof plywood, which would cost them upward of $30,000 - something the family can't afford.
"It's really hard," he said. "For them to be OK with the fact that we may have to cancel it this year for good - we just want to see everyone happy this year."
The family is still holding out hope for a Halloween miracle, but Stelle said the city won't be able to exorcise the spirit of the house forever - they'll be back, bigger and better, next year.
Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Fremont-cracks-down-on-haunted-house-2327197.php#ixzz2JfvO3zAq (http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Fremont-cracks-down-on-haunted-house-2327197.php#ixzz2JfvO3zAq)
Yeah...you do take money. AND you built a 1500 sq ft structure out of pallets.
morons.
Post by: Unorthodox on February 02, 2013, 11:41:52 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on February 03, 2013, 12:53:41 am
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8RiRWfDryVw/UQ20NKgZTKI/AAAAAAAAQH0/FMSAB_s6xPA/s800/IMG_6668.JPG)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 03, 2013, 12:56:55 am
Post by: Zoid on February 03, 2013, 08:27:40 am
Post by: Unorthodox on February 03, 2013, 10:14:31 pm
Anyhow, had been avoiding mentioning this...
Wedding prep is nearly done. (hEt's cousin) I'm doing the flowers, hEt is doing the cake. Not things we widely advertise (though I believe I've mentioned my training with floral arrangements earlier), and we're not getting paid. The house is an utter disaster right now, but everything is in the fridge(s) ready for the morning.
Post by: Unorthodox on February 05, 2013, 01:47:39 pm
Post by: testdummy653 on February 07, 2013, 02:52:55 am
Post by: Unorthodox on February 07, 2013, 02:22:24 pm
Except the girl. She has potential.
Show would be better if the leader was still out and they can only manage to capture an underling each week, IMO.
Been a busy week, haven't had much time to sit and do much of anything.
Post by: testdummy653 on February 07, 2013, 03:09:17 pm
Joe Carrol is the a very good villain. I hope he gets out!
Post by: Unorthodox on February 08, 2013, 05:55:49 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on February 08, 2013, 07:02:34 pm
Yeah, this movie grows on you. Confusing as all hell, and obviously weak, but the audio is pretty fun. Last year was DrHorrible, this year may be Devil's Carnival as the primary soundtrack as I make my builds...especially since they're making #2.
The Devil's Carnival: Episode 2 Teaser Trailer (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ne5aZ0Gt4Es#ws)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 08, 2013, 07:28:58 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on February 08, 2013, 08:10:20 pm
The year before that it was Repo!
The year before that was Little Shop of Horrors.
Post by: Unorthodox on February 10, 2013, 02:59:17 am
Post by: Unorthodox on February 11, 2013, 03:50:09 am
http://www.mummiesoftheworld.com/ (http://www.mummiesoftheworld.com/)
I'm attempting to get permission to photograph.
Post by: Unorthodox on February 12, 2013, 02:24:29 pm
I think I'm going to have to find that one...
Post by: Unorthodox on February 12, 2013, 06:16:51 pm
Little Shop Of Horrors Alternate Ending In Color! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eSPsyCYaIW4#ws)
Don't know HOW I missed the original FINALLY being released last October. Searching local stores NOW!
Post by: Unorthodox on February 13, 2013, 02:41:51 pm
So, mummies are coming to Utah.
http://www.mummiesoftheworld.com/ (http://www.mummiesoftheworld.com/)
I'm attempting to get permission to photograph.
Museum says no
PR firm says yes
Museum says no, it creates conflict with other patrons
PR firm says it don't care.
Museum says no.
Exhibit Owner says let me do it.
Museum says no. If they let me they have to let everyone.
???
So, we're trying for a private screening after hours. Mummies by midnight has a certain ring to it.
Post by: Unorthodox on February 13, 2013, 02:53:35 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on February 13, 2013, 09:17:59 pm
"Failure is good for business."
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 13, 2013, 09:19:30 pm
Post by: Rusty Edge on February 13, 2013, 10:31:33 pm
Somehow, I think this is about something closer to Dilbert.
I'm glad to hear that you still have work, Uno.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 13, 2013, 10:48:38 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on February 15, 2013, 10:09:14 pm
I'm contemplating making a public stink about it.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 15, 2013, 10:18:48 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on February 16, 2013, 04:11:49 am
Post by: Unorthodox on February 16, 2013, 04:16:28 am
Post by: Unorthodox on February 16, 2013, 04:22:38 am
Ugh...yeah, it needs to be gutted.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XtAaF631AI# (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XtAaF631AI#)
I can almost do a room by room what not to do on that thing. :-\
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 16, 2013, 04:24:02 am
Post by: Unorthodox on February 16, 2013, 04:28:21 am
They recognize it's broken, at least.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 16, 2013, 04:42:06 am
Post by: Rusty Edge on February 16, 2013, 04:46:53 am
You'd have to get them wet first.
Ha!Ha!
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 16, 2013, 04:50:34 am
Post by: Unorthodox on February 16, 2013, 04:05:14 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on February 18, 2013, 02:54:24 pm
Forgot to upload the update on the new chimera.
Post by: Unorthodox on February 19, 2013, 01:55:02 am
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-7xTHPRIFZJQ/USLX-iUXQnI/AAAAAAAAQu0/wG64NhDn2QE/s800/IMG_6671.JPG)
Plaster shell done. Ready to start on the clay.
Went to a local mom and pop craft store to get the clay. They are as cheap as using a coupon at one of the chain stores for this particular clay, more expensive on some other items. While there, I noticed a ton of jars I can use to make candles were on sale, so I grabbed up a bunch of those, and some various other supplies. All told I had more than $100 in the cart. I wheel up to the register: "Hey, you bought clay here before didn't you?"
"Yeah, we bought a bunch last year."
"You were building that big thing for Halloween, right? How did that turn out?"
"Oh, the tomb turned out great, wish I had a picture on me to show you. We ended up selling him."
"Just a minute."
-comes back with owner.
"We're totally giving you a discount."
(Manager)"We've been watching your work on your website and would like to become a sponsor, if you're open to such a thing. We'd also be happy to sell any of your items here in the shop if you need an outlet."
http://www.bennioncrafts.com/about-us/ (http://www.bennioncrafts.com/about-us/)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 19, 2013, 01:56:44 am
You da man.
Post by: Rusty Edge on February 19, 2013, 02:26:15 am
That is really cool. So full of posibillity.
Post by: Unorthodox on February 19, 2013, 02:33:51 am
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YbIHgdV6Ti8/USLj8g6WPOI/AAAAAAAAQvk/f_Tf2V566Io/s800/the_guardian_by_radojavor-d4dqnw5.jpg)
Post by: Unorthodox on February 19, 2013, 02:38:38 pm
Post by: Zoid on February 19, 2013, 02:51:29 pm
Went to a local mom and pop craft store to get the clay. They are as cheap as using a coupon at one of the chain stores for this particular clay, more expensive on some other items. While there, I noticed a ton of jars I can use to make candles were on sale, so I grabbed up a bunch of those, and some various other supplies. All told I had more than $100 in the cart. I wheel up to the register: "Hey, you bought clay here before didn't you?"
"Yeah, we bought a bunch last year."
"You were building that big thing for Halloween, right? How did that turn out?"
"Oh, the tomb turned out great, wish I had a picture on me to show you. We ended up selling him."
"Just a minute."
-comes back with owner.
"We're totally giving you a discount."
(Manager)"We've been watching your work on your website and would like to become a sponsor, if you're open to such a thing. We'd also be happy to sell any of your items here in the shop if you need an outlet."
:D Seriously?? And who said good things never happen to good people! ;b;
Post by: Unorthodox on February 20, 2013, 06:19:24 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on February 22, 2013, 08:17:36 pm
Baffling how many seeds I'm planting this year. 8 varieties of pumpkins, 3 varieties of corn, 2 beans, all just for Halloween.
Ok, the corn's for eatin' too. Well, 2 of the varieties are.
Maybe a few pumpkins will get eaten. Any luck we'll be selling again.
Beans were mostly for the three sisters, hence went with ornamental varieties to increase bee traffic.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 22, 2013, 08:20:25 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on February 22, 2013, 08:32:37 pm
Planting 2 waves of corn for eating (an early corn and a later one), and most of it will get eaten, though might end up selling some as well. A third variety is only good for animal feed, planting specifically because it makes great stalks for decoration.
Might eat 2-3 pumpkins, last year we grew 35 at our house, I'm planting more than double the plants (does not mean double the harvest). What's not eaten gets sold or carved. Carved ones get composted.
2 french varieties being planted, one we had last year and did OK, but not great, decided to try it again because they tasted good, and I want to try the pumpkin cookies I utterly failed at again.
The second is a BROWN pumpkin with a deep orange meat inside. Should make for some interesting jacks, and is supposed to be excellent eating.
Luminas will by my primary harvest (white pumpkins), as they did great last year. Doubling up on them.
Sugar pumpkins are a neccessity. Normally used for pies, I need some smaller ones so I can impale them this year.
3 varieties of mini pumpkins for my daughter (came as a mix), planning to trellis them up the chainlink fence.
The family heirloom pumpkins at my Uncle's as usual.
Post by: Unorthodox on February 22, 2013, 08:40:34 pm
See, that just screams Unolantern.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 22, 2013, 08:43:27 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on February 23, 2013, 01:53:33 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 23, 2013, 02:18:22 am
Post by: Unorthodox on February 27, 2013, 02:59:56 pm
I think I'm going to have to make a version of these.
Post by: Unorthodox on February 28, 2013, 03:48:43 am
I only got half done. Didn't get to my Unorthodox additions.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 28, 2013, 03:55:53 am
Post by: Unorthodox on February 28, 2013, 01:51:59 pm
I'm adding some monster mud holders to mine, but I'm apparantly out of monster mud and I can't mix any til it warms up.
Post by: Unorthodox on March 01, 2013, 09:39:45 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on March 04, 2013, 05:58:18 am
Not what I expected. Interesting art direction though. I like "the ancient one". Tent, bones, deformities. Someone had fun with that design.
Post by: Unorthodox on March 04, 2013, 10:06:29 pm
If the forecast holds, we wont be below freezing again through the weekend. I actually got some mud made in celebration as this means I can actually get some monster mud up on the Barghest.
Post by: Unorthodox on March 05, 2013, 05:29:17 am
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-JcekbUfFqsM/UTVy5xx3yUI/AAAAAAAARbA/6Ej2Y92nvoY/s800/IMGP1806.jpg)
Ran into a small problem in the new adhesive I'm trying out isn't holding up as well as hoped, so some separation happened between the clay and the plaster wrap at the neck. This was planned to be reinforced by monster mud later anyway, but disappointing none the less. Probably going to have to think of a backup adhesive.
All wired and soldered and set, I know why I'm doubling the lighting in the chest of a chimera for the first time, but boy it looks BRIGHT at the moment. All part of the plan, but just hoping it works out as intended.
Post by: testdummy653 on March 05, 2013, 05:52:01 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on March 05, 2013, 06:39:08 pm
Really not much of a TV person. I think the only thing I watch regularly is "Face Off".
edit: Looked it up, the director is not exactly exciting me.
Post by: testdummy653 on March 05, 2013, 07:15:01 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on March 05, 2013, 08:16:45 pm
I have no doubt the Following took some inspiration from Hannibal Lecter, so there were bound to be some similarities. But, Hannibal is as much an asset to the cops as he is a threat. The following dude is no asset. I've read the books, seen plenty of movies pull this thing, I just don't know how well a network TV series can take the character. Plus you have some great performances from the movies that would need be overcome to make the character memorable on the series.
There's potential in the concept, sure, I'm just not excited by the writing, directing, or casting at the moment.
Post by: Mylochka on March 06, 2013, 03:41:27 pm
The title is "We Likes to Start with the Toesies..."
Post by: Unorthodox on March 06, 2013, 07:33:30 pm
I've never been one who could relate to the whole clown phobia. However, I have studied it extensively, as I've done 3 separate professional gigs with the funhouse/clown theme.
It's an interesting alley you've assembled here, were you looking for a critique?
Post by: Mylochka on March 06, 2013, 08:21:41 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on March 06, 2013, 09:58:42 pm
I make killer blueprints and stick figures though.
Post by: Unorthodox on March 10, 2013, 03:49:44 am
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ePBeKFKqk4s/UTwAiFGIOVI/AAAAAAAARkU/EYe0iipMqm0/s800/IMGP1812.jpg)
The mud was too heavy for the wire, so the paint buckets there are adding some support.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Sql2iDcgdxc/UTwAig5c34I/AAAAAAAARkY/HHIwJA3EU-M/s800/IMGP1813.jpg)
Post by: Unorthodox on March 10, 2013, 04:00:09 am
Post by: Unorthodox on March 11, 2013, 03:10:18 am
First thing they've ever been anything but interested in using as a bed.
Post by: Unorthodox on March 14, 2013, 07:12:25 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 14, 2013, 07:15:06 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on March 14, 2013, 07:19:02 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on March 14, 2013, 07:21:37 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 14, 2013, 07:27:55 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on March 18, 2013, 03:05:25 pm
I apparantly am going to have to find a new source for candles.
The source I bought from last year has stopped selling plain candles, and they're all now either dressed for spells or decorated for Catholics. I was hoping it was just a Christmas thing with the sudden explosion of catholic saints, but the new shipment was all dressed. While I wouldn't be opposed to burning a suitable spell (or 50) at the prices they are asking their dressing methods fail to impress me and I foresee too many problems to make it worthwhile.
So, they have new vanilla candles in place for Easter. :D Seems the vanilla (plain, not the scent) ones are just around for holidays. (there is a bit of a language barrier here)
So, now I have some decisions to make.
Do we go with the 7 day candles of last year. (all but the one by the head here)
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-B1R1zNSBqPM/UJKEj6oYvDI/AAAAAAAAOgk/9bP9jQ4R1DY/s800/IMG_5026.JPG)
Or with my new ones?
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wmppdDnuB-E/US7M1dbfIPI/AAAAAAAAROk/qioUcmGdKpA/s800/IMGP1800.jpg)
Or a mixture? Or do I muddy up some of the 7 days like my new ones?
I also need to be careful with the 7 days. They had mixed up a spell one with my regulars last year. Ironically, it was a spell to repell spirits, and was swiftly overpowered and REFUSED to stay lit. (did not have this problem the next day, so wasn't a quality problem, when I noticed it was a spell candle mistakenly mixed in with the rest of my white ones. In candle magic, this is indicative of resistance or failure of the spell. Considering I do have some minor magics worked around the yard to specifically attract the right spirits, I found it funny, personally.)
Kyle, with middle trouble candle shown. Attempted to light 5 times before giving up.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-eo14TTwwUaE/UJKE_YkR9AI/AAAAAAAAOqM/wlBI1tjZGL0/s800/IMG_5108.JPG)
Then, of course, there's the question of sticking to white, or moving on to red and/or black?
Black is traditionally viewed as "evil" by hollywood, and can be usefull in that sense, and is usefull as protection in case I royally screw up some of the symbols I'm intending to be nonsense. However, black wax doesn't get that nice luster that others do.
Red is more rarely used for "evil", and has the property of increasing the energy of whatever workings, which could make it valuable if I pull everything off right, or potentially dangerous if I screw something up.
Post by: Unorthodox on March 18, 2013, 10:35:41 pm
It's an entry for a "Worst Nightmare" art contest.
You'll be happy to know Tim Curry (who's portrayal of Pennywise is the source of many clown fears) is doing another clown horror movie.
GINGERCLOWN 3D - (2013) - Mad Monsters Edition - Trailer [HD] (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o23C_ezbbC4#ws)
Post by: Unorthodox on March 19, 2013, 05:54:31 pm
The latest in the long line of Uno family drama I've been mostly silent about over here:
As predicted a few years ago, my brother is going down in flames. They've kept it floating longer than I expected, sure. This is taking both brothers down. One terribly, the second I got no idea how hard a crash it's going to be. No idea how much my parents have thrown onto the Titanic, either. I'm the family [jerk, sphincter] for refusing to toss our future into it as well, and had resigned myself to that fate some time ago, hence no real need to talk about it. .
There's some legal bullcrap going on that might let them salvage something out of the wreckage.
The good news: I'm not going down with the ship, and foresaw this long enough ago to make SOME plans for my Halloween sound equipment, as I DO have a mixing board and serviceable speakers.
The Bad news: I'm not 100% prepared, and will likely have sub-par sound this year as I won't have the concert grade speakers this year. (SINCE I'm getting screwed on this. I actually had an order in which won't be honored as a result of this crap...)
Post by: Unorthodox on March 21, 2013, 05:26:57 pm
"Guys! This is that Halloween guy I've been telling you about. What is that thing you're building in your garage?"
My day just got 10 times better. It's March and the first thing people think about is Halloween. Awesome.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 21, 2013, 05:33:40 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on March 21, 2013, 05:54:45 pm
Transworld 2013: Professional Halloween Prop Show (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5XkYRaNs3R4#ws)
0:00~1:00
TV's in props. yawn.
1:00~3:00 every use of a skelerector possible. Yawn. (fog machine fake fire ~1:20 is kinda neat, and bonus points for the manual skelerectors built into costumes at the end)
3:25, nifty man eating plant? Wish it had better motion.
3:30 costume/mask
The spider at 4:10 is getting a lot of attention from the industry. I question it's durability.
Stupid, but LOL at 5:10
The whole line of 'then the actor runs out from below" stuff is played out. Move on, guys.
5:35, I like that vendor's style, gonna have to look them up.
5:56, neat alternative to vortex tunnel that SHOULD be cheaper.
7:38 Awesome Charon.
8:47 I keep hoping to see one of these around: horror mode shooting gallery. do it up as a dark ride ala buzz lightyear of disney or MIB of Universal, and you would have a hit.
Bottom line, not a whole lot new to be excited about. The push of more 'hands on' houses is driving more vendors, which will in turn drive more hands on houses. I'm too old fashioned. ;)
Post by: Unorthodox on March 21, 2013, 06:01:09 pm
5:35, I like that vendor's style, gonna have to look them up.
Headed by one of the Face Off contestants of the past. Cool stuff. Expensive.
http://www.globalfearenterprises.com/products.html (http://www.globalfearenterprises.com/products.html)
Post by: Unorthodox on March 25, 2013, 02:11:08 am
The good news: I'm not going down with the ship, and foresaw this long enough ago to make SOME plans for my Halloween sound equipment, as I DO have a mixing board and serviceable speakers.
The Bad news: I'm not 100% prepared, and will likely have sub-par sound this year as I won't have the concert grade speakers this year. (SINCE I'm getting screwed on this. I actually had an order in which won't be honored as a result of this crap...)
The worse news. Decided I should break out all the stuff I had purchased for this eventuality and make sure my plan B was working. Most notably a powered mixer from my brother.
Well, they failed to include the proprietary power cord, so I'm screwed.
Have to call the parts department.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 25, 2013, 02:23:55 am
Post by: Unorthodox on March 25, 2013, 02:37:35 am
Chimera update.
Wiring test.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-aXSsr1vvfQU/UU-1k_HqfGI/AAAAAAAARpc/SG14w4jTaAw/s800/IMGP1824.jpg)
Prepping for new mud...
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DCYPxcqDOeI/UU-1lLxnTqI/AAAAAAAARp0/b1IhFgkgx3c/s800/IMGP1825.jpg)
Step one of ribs.
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-T79QKO9xkYc/UU-1lIbOtgI/AAAAAAAARpw/cilSa50IKfs/s800/IMGP1828%2520copy.jpg)
Post by: Unorthodox on March 25, 2013, 02:44:48 am
No causal connection between that and the store going under, I guess. ;sarcWell, if that was their habit (I had a third party go in and buy it), it sure didn't help them stay open.
Post by: Unorthodox on March 27, 2013, 03:08:49 am
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-JXUpCoRR-HA/UVJhB3iWeHI/AAAAAAAARsA/WX9Ru8By9dw/s800/IMGP1833.jpg)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bu8ZvNbY-l4/UVJhBx19N6I/AAAAAAAARsE/6vpxyjERgk0/s800/IMGP1829.jpg)
Debating whether to work on the ribs more or start on the back, or whether those need to be the same step.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 27, 2013, 03:14:22 am
Post by: Unorthodox on March 27, 2013, 03:14:50 am
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-HTn7GTL-MJE/UVJhBxDAuLI/AAAAAAAARsI/lMlM7b8DALI/s800/IMGP1832.jpg)
Very important pic, that.
Tells me the shadow play on the back is going according to plan so far.
Post by: Geo on March 27, 2013, 04:19:39 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on March 27, 2013, 06:28:20 pm
It's being made because:
1: I needed a project.
2: I've had this concept kicking around for 3 years and wanted to see it through.
3: I'm teaching a course on how to make these things as I go.
That said, I'm hoping to debut it on Walpurgisnacht (April 30) for a detailed photo shoot.
After that, it very well may be put up for sale and I'll move on to the next concept to be unleashed in November, err donated to a charity auction. (SOMEONE has to build a ghost of christmas future for the damn happy lala tree festival, and I guess that's me.)
Might keep it around, I'm still up in the air on that. The kids REALLY like it.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 27, 2013, 06:33:15 pm
Thank you, Mr. Dickens.
Post by: Unorthodox on March 27, 2013, 07:06:36 pm
But, it is one of the more enduring and recognizable sources.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 27, 2013, 07:43:24 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on March 28, 2013, 09:58:02 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on March 29, 2013, 04:02:48 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 29, 2013, 04:37:30 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on March 29, 2013, 07:46:07 pm
"Building something for Halloween?" Will be fun to answer that the GOCF is for Christmas.
"What are you guys doing this year?" (which is particularly baffling to me as in my mind we've been "doing" the same thing for 8 years.)
"How do you make that?"
"Where do you come up with these ideas?"
"You guys planning that party again?"
"You should make it a pot luck and have everyone help, that's a lot of work." (though these folks never actually offer to help in October...and we TRIED the potluck with very poor results)
"We look forward to it every year."
Even the guys across the street have fallen in line lately, and I suspect it has something to do with their son trying his hand at a corn maze...
I'm getting asked if we're selling pumpkins again this year as well. Only answer to that is it depends how the harvest goes.
There's some kids in the neighborhood that come over for advice on how to build whatever they are building each year as well, but that's usually around July, and one of them is off to college now (though his younger brother is taking over). There's also a couple artists that now come chat me up for concepts as well. (met last year over Trevor) I have a rather overdeveloped knowledge of obscure 'dark' creatures, so I can generally point them to some research material for just about any random concept they come up with.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 29, 2013, 07:48:17 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on March 29, 2013, 08:16:55 pm
Honest opinions. (just jump to the last ~20 seconds to skip all the WIP)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 29, 2013, 09:01:57 pm
Post by: Geo on March 30, 2013, 12:18:07 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on March 30, 2013, 10:20:19 pm
Anyway, basic body form all mudded, finally. Need to go make some more mud now, as we have a LOT of the Jute netting to do.
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-2hbjQwEWj3s/UVdYCUNbuOI/AAAAAAAARvI/15-gAKyDQB8/s800/IMG_6690.JPG)
With any luck the breeze will dry this swiftly and we can try a light and fog test tomorrow.
Post by: Unorthodox on March 31, 2013, 04:16:36 am
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-oGm0CWgNnuI/UVepQ2XRriI/AAAAAAAARwM/mNJhydKzvRg/s800/IMGP1836.jpg)
(kinda breezy for fog, but I got what I needed to know out of it.)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 31, 2013, 04:41:02 am
Post by: Unorthodox on March 31, 2013, 04:59:16 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 31, 2013, 02:27:25 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on March 31, 2013, 06:01:51 pm
That's the frame for his arm, yeah.
Post by: Unorthodox on March 31, 2013, 06:18:39 pm
Showing the....let's call it potential for improvement. Not sure I'd really qualify it as a problem, but the fog is only coming out the first segment, I want it more even.
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-R4S_zrUPu78/UVepRT5nqmI/AAAAAAAARwg/hEoW3gm9BE0/s800/IMGP1838.jpg)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 01, 2013, 03:49:38 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on April 01, 2013, 04:05:39 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 01, 2013, 04:18:12 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on April 04, 2013, 01:11:36 am
Another berating from my parents... and I can't work on the Barghest tonight. Guess I'm filing this one for the weekend.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 04, 2013, 01:43:51 am
Post by: Unorthodox on April 04, 2013, 01:49:22 am
Post by: Unorthodox on April 05, 2013, 02:57:12 am
The good news: I'm not going down with the ship, and foresaw this long enough ago to make SOME plans for my Halloween sound equipment, as I DO have a mixing board and serviceable speakers.
The Bad news: I'm not 100% prepared, and will likely have sub-par sound this year as I won't have the concert grade speakers this year. (SINCE I'm getting screwed on this. I actually had an order in which won't be honored as a result of this crap...)
The worse news. Decided I should break out all the stuff I had purchased for this eventuality and make sure my plan B was working. Most notably a powered mixer from my brother.
Well, they failed to include the proprietary power cord, so I'm screwed.
Have to call the parts department.
Good news. Plan B works.
Bad news. It demonstrates why it was plan B.
Options include redirecting the budget
Selling the Barghest to cover.
Postponing the re-emergence of the tribal music till next year.
Post by: Rusty Edge on April 05, 2013, 03:45:59 am
Post by: Unorthodox on April 05, 2013, 05:02:47 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 05, 2013, 05:11:40 pm
When does the evil crow-training start?
Post by: Unorthodox on April 05, 2013, 05:14:39 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 05, 2013, 05:16:58 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 05, 2013, 05:17:10 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on April 05, 2013, 08:56:43 pm
Last time I was up in this area the rattlesnakes hatched and come up through the grates in the floor.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 05, 2013, 08:58:37 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on April 06, 2013, 12:30:52 am
Post by: Unorthodox on April 07, 2013, 05:10:52 am
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-7TR1MKL2pro/UWDxRx594yI/AAAAAAAAR4I/8vX2zJ4N8sI/s800/IMG_0004.JPG)
Post by: Rusty Edge on April 07, 2013, 07:10:46 am
I'm sure the snakes are more experienced than I.
Last time I was up in this area the rattlesnakes hatched and come up through the grates in the floor.
That is not Okay. That is seriously creepy-scarey. I know that earthworm-sized copperheads are more toxic than the full grown ones. I would have to get out of there. That would make me obsess, become nervous and eventually irrational. The quote "Nuke 'em from orbit. It's the only way to be sure." comes to mind. I'm thinking about workboots, snake chaps, unplugged pumpguns with skeetloads, those propane burners they use to take the needles off of prickly pears .... and other stuff that isn't safe indoors.
So how does a rational fellow deal with the situation ? Can you get roadrunners as pets? Maybe hire some Hila Monsters or something. Buy a Kingsnake ?
Post by: Unorthodox on April 07, 2013, 01:12:23 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on April 08, 2013, 08:15:25 pm
(refinancing to the killer interest rates right now)
Post by: Unorthodox on April 08, 2013, 08:54:35 pm
https://maps.google.com/maps?q=5895+cedar+lane,+ogden&hl=en&ll=41.155377,-111.930575&spn=0.000001,0.000687&hnear=5895+Cedar+Ln,+Ogden,+Weber,+Utah+84403&gl=us&t=h&z=21&layer=c&cbll=41.155377,-111.930575&panoid=_wyWY3IKizyR7dPF8aDEUw&cbp=12,273.99,,0,3.47
And our magpies out checking him out as well.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 08, 2013, 08:56:59 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on April 08, 2013, 09:51:15 pm
Unpack, it comes with no USB or ethernet cable. Surely a mistake, right? Check the packing list in the instructions. Nope, you have to provide that.
Lesson: Don't buy a Brother.
Post by: Unorthodox on April 09, 2013, 09:58:37 pm
Good to be doing some real work again.
Post by: Unorthodox on April 14, 2013, 05:15:44 am
Yeah, I know the fingers need to get thicker, wires only hold so much weight.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 14, 2013, 05:24:54 am
Post by: Unorthodox on April 17, 2013, 03:30:37 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on April 22, 2013, 04:13:35 am
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-j60lqgjJv2Q/UXSoZnpMrfI/AAAAAAAAR6g/Nyo2xXoqLWo/s800/IMG_0015.JPG)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ERGFTvTi4sE/UXSooQvJl1I/AAAAAAAAR7A/CTyDLfwjrlw/s800/IMG_0016.JPG)
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-gTFv_kPyhkQ/UXSoc9St9II/AAAAAAAAR64/WUWmr3V8654/s800/IMG_0018.JPG)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 22, 2013, 02:41:29 pm
Post by: Geo on April 22, 2013, 03:36:45 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 22, 2013, 04:12:23 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on April 22, 2013, 05:33:25 pm
Looks like something that could wander on Kzinhome.
Had to google that one.
Kzinti brought me this:
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-KwkaFezEoSY/UXVjo7fHSLI/AAAAAAAAR7Y/rT6LOQeGEtQ/s800/untitled.jpg)
Which now I see that, were CLEARLY the inspiration for the CHARR of GW2:
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3E3QMvBZksM/UXVkgTXoPzI/AAAAAAAAR7s/bkdNFiIxonU/s800/charr-warrior.jpg)
Which were among my first inspirations for...lets see...5 sculptures of this type ago (and 4 years). The Charr would create these:
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-CKXxi-dVX_g/SZmcPudZ_mI/AAAAAAAACzA/qVSa21qNM14/s800/498px-Titan_Effigy.jpeg)
So I sculpted one and won the GW art contest that year:
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Dl8vze7LiUA/SuusTh77jnI/AAAAAAAAFMI/dGtsQbXbp_Q/s800/IMGP2279.JPG)
So, they have a shared history in a lot of ways, I just didn't know it.
Post by: Unorthodox on April 22, 2013, 05:40:11 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on April 22, 2013, 05:52:10 pm
Quote
Gradually there came a sort of vague beginning of consciousness, then a sense of weariness that was dreadful. For a time I remembered nothing, but slowly my senses returned. My feet seemed positively racked with pain, yet I could not move them. They seemed to be numbed. There was an icy feeling at the back of my neck and all down my spine, and my ears, like my feet, were dead yet in torment; but there was in my breast a sense of warmth which was by comparison delicious.It was as a nightmare--a physical nightmare, if one may use such an expression; for some heavy weight on my chest made it difficult for me to breathe.
This period of semilethargy seemed to remain a long time, and as it faded away I must have slept or swooned. Then came a sort of loathing, like the first stage of seasickness, and a wild desire to be free of something--I knew not what.A vast stillness enveloped me, as though all the world were asleep or dead--only broken by the low panting as of some animal close to me. I felt a warm rasping at my throat, then came a consciousness of the awful truth which chilled me to the heart and sent the blood surging up through my brain. Some great animal was lying on me and now licking my throat. I feared to stir, for some instinct of prudence bade me lie still; but the brute seemed to realize that there was now some change in me, for it raised its head. Through my eyelashes I saw above me the two great flaming eyes. Its sharp white teeth gleamed in the gaping red mouth, and I could feel its hot breath fierce and acrid upon me.
-Bram Stoker Dracula's Guest Barghest encounter.
I've had that pinned where I read it every time I go to sculpt.
Post by: Unorthodox on April 24, 2013, 03:41:44 pm
Most the money from Trevor is being put into the garden. Among it, we bought a small rototiller. It's a strange design, and ugly as hell. (the local shop doesn't sell big equipment like this, just rent) No wonder it was on clearance half price as Lowes was moving on to brands people might actually recognize. Going to try to go talk to a metal fabrication place about building a custom plow for the thing so I don't have to furrow by hand.
Post by: Unorthodox on April 26, 2013, 03:17:11 am
Tie downs glued on and drying in prep for painting tomorrow.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8cOgJtoYpEo/UXngvsQf40I/AAAAAAAAR80/Btme8LDUqHc/s800/IMG_0019.JPG)
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-EDJdCAHfiIs/UXngvu3krdI/AAAAAAAAR8w/4acsX5SGdpk/s800/IMG_0020.JPG)
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-SjKtWPXGO7Q/UXngvj-WsYI/AAAAAAAAR8s/Z-5FF9Y49lY/s800/IMG_0021.JPG)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9YjFj5awSoE/UXngxWTYF5I/AAAAAAAAR88/M29ZzCnhaNM/s800/IMG_0022.JPG)
Post by: Unorthodox on April 26, 2013, 03:19:54 am
Post by: Unorthodox on April 26, 2013, 10:18:54 pm
First coat on the Barghest.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 26, 2013, 10:47:35 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on April 27, 2013, 01:43:15 am
And that's not the only thing I've been repairing today. Base coat only, gotta test it to see where we're at in the dark.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kn5teUy_6ps/UXsePmb1VUI/AAAAAAAAR9o/7GspDzywxj4/s800/IMG_0026.JPG)
Post by: Unorthodox on April 27, 2013, 03:34:32 am
I assume the bad day is something separate from the Barghest, which looks great. I love how with all your Halloween designs, you go with something organic and old in look, not modern slasher-y obvious stuff.
I think a lot of that is just the theme I'm going with in the yard. I always try to step back to Samhain a bit. I get enough of the other designs in consulting gigs.
Post by: Geo on April 27, 2013, 11:19:24 am
And that's not the only thing I've been repairing today. Base coat only, gotta test it to see where we're at in the dark.
Think of it being good for your karma if you believe in such things. ;)
Post by: Unorthodox on April 27, 2013, 02:04:09 pm
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-OsM022F5_Nw/UXvJ1IkAL6I/AAAAAAAAR-I/NZZeSGIkBhE/s800/IMG_0027.JPG)
So, the original plan was to come back and do some dry brushing with white and/or grey to highlight some of the features. I'm wondering if I really want to do that for a creature meant to be made of mist and shadow, though.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TOl8UDHrjqU/UXvJ1OJvpHI/AAAAAAAAR-E/ZMrn_-CmNHM/s800/IMG_0029.JPG)
It didn't picture well with the string camera, but you could see the spines on the back being underlit.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GWogNgfIXwk/UXvJ10yM1VI/AAAAAAAAR-U/P0QLP9Ijx9Y/s800/IMG_0031.JPG)
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-PICAY1Dkg7A/UXvJ2U1P7fI/AAAAAAAAR-g/By8Fw3PLKE8/s800/IMG_0033.JPG)
The only way for me to decide is to do a more thurough test tonight. Go pull out the torches, turn on the fog, do a full on situation test with the good camera.
Post by: Unorthodox on April 27, 2013, 05:42:06 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 27, 2013, 07:33:20 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on April 27, 2013, 09:11:09 pm
2 others have stopped to take pics with their kids in front of it.
Post by: Geo on April 27, 2013, 09:44:32 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on April 27, 2013, 09:46:48 pm
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-yyfTJ9a5MA8/UXw0d_ue2aI/AAAAAAAAR_Y/oCVgIr_7EJo/s800/IMGP1852.jpg)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LWFJIlIM04Q/UXw0d83H_TI/AAAAAAAAR_c/54IlIxZtUAo/s800/IMGP1853.jpg)
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-gD-mGPUhFMk/UXw0d_vUqBI/AAAAAAAAR_U/L_ep5oUE8jg/s800/IMGP1854.jpg)
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-eHLrSQdaNn0/UXw0fLeZw3I/AAAAAAAAR_4/lH-e5a0gj1o/s800/IMGP1858.jpg)
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-MHCB_edc9SE/UXw0e5hOy2I/AAAAAAAAR_w/qnNDN4vIAbY/s800/IMGP1857.jpg)
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-n0_L-tcq9tg/UXw0fLyhMII/AAAAAAAAR_8/hqP0V2JdWkA/s800/IMGP1855.jpg)
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/--U2OtIeAIKg/UXw0eg6KdWI/AAAAAAAAR_k/yw-TnVZ5CWI/s800/IMGP1856.jpg)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 27, 2013, 09:50:15 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on April 27, 2013, 10:02:26 pm
I think this is the earliest I've ever finished something. Normally I just have a hundred things started.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 27, 2013, 10:13:03 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on April 28, 2013, 12:03:46 am
Post by: Unorthodox on April 28, 2013, 04:36:35 am
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-pC9HBSx1Xiw/UXyWnBZkbQI/AAAAAAAASBg/AxZc1pPrM5I/s800/IMGP1878.jpg)
Had several new neighbors stop and chat me up on the thing while out taking pictures.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ixOqo37ysMY/UXyWldoLn0I/AAAAAAAASBE/_qg6YTRBzTQ/s800/IMGP1873.jpg)
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-pHc8Fdc2KYY/UXyWmZATSqI/AAAAAAAASBU/kz1dBS3DUxA/s800/IMGP1876.jpg)
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-n3aVJoCdskA/UXyWk8dkLdI/AAAAAAAASBA/BE_dDDje8To/s800/IMGP1870.jpg)
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-v_UswB4dIv8/UXyWkPH58sI/AAAAAAAASAw/ls1qwVxKu28/s800/IMGP1868.jpg)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bujelMxFkCQ/UXyWjPPOz_I/AAAAAAAASAk/XNbcxCRlUuA/s800/IMGP1864.jpg)
Post by: Geo on April 28, 2013, 09:04:12 am
Post by: Unorthodox on April 28, 2013, 06:30:24 pm
Interesting offer. Guy does custom cars. Barghest for a custom paint job. If I had a nice car it would probably be tempting.
Post by: Unorthodox on May 01, 2013, 08:57:08 pm
Tornado Simulator - Indoor Tornado (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ck5mq8Ha_Cc#)
Properly lit, you could make some interesting things with those.
Post by: Unorthodox on May 04, 2013, 09:28:34 pm
http://vimeo.com/64114843# (http://vimeo.com/64114843#)
Buster, you would appreciate...but it wont let me embed or link
Post by: Unorthodox on May 07, 2013, 07:35:59 pm
not 'official' link to the movie I tried to link to above...not sure how long it will last on youtube.
Post by: Unorthodox on May 07, 2013, 10:37:00 pm
Quote
In 1933, the 13-year-old Ray Harryhausen saw King Kong at the cinema and was hooked – not only by Kong, who was clearly not just a man in a gorilla suit, but also by the dinosaurs. He came out of the theatre "stunned and haunted. They looked absolutely lifelike … I wanted to know how it was done." It was done by using stop-motion animation: jointed models filmed one frame at a time to simulate movement. Harryhausen, who has died aged 92, was to become the prime exponent of the technique and its combination with live action. He created the special effects for fantasy films such as The Seventh Voyage of Sinbad (1958); Jason and the Argonauts (1963), with its famous army of skeletons; and Clash of the Titans (1981).
He was born in Los Angeles to Frederick and Martha Harryhausen, Americans of German ancestry. As a young boy he had an interest in prehistoric animals and created clay models. He began to experiment with a borrowed camera, working around the fact that it did not have a stop-frame mechanism, and he showed his experiments to Willis O'Brien, who had done the visual effects for King Kong. O'Brien's verdict – that Harryhausen's models did not have any character and that he should study anatomy – was a turning point in Harryhausen's approach to his craft.
He attended Los Angeles City College and continued his experiments with a new stop-frame 16mm camera. When, in 1940, George Pal, the puppeteer film-maker, fled to Hollywood from Europe, Harryhausen showed him his work and was subsequently hired to work on Pal's Puppetoon series for Paramount alongside O'Brien. Its unjointed wooden figures did not really suit either Harryhausen or O'Brien.
Harryhausen made room to begin his dream project: Evolution of the World, a history of the planet. Surviving footage and sketches show a debt to Gustave Doré and to King Kong, but the time it would take to complete, combined with the release of Fantasia (1940) – in which the Rite of Spring sequence covered much of the same ground – stopped the project. In 1942 Harryhausen enlisted in the army, was assigned to the Signal Corps and got himself drafted into Frank Capra's unit to work on propaganda films. He also contributed to the Army-Navy Screen Magazine as an assistant photographer.
Unemployed after demobilisation in 1946, he began a series of animated two-minute fairy tales using out of date 16mm Kodak stock that he had found. Tied together with a Mother Goose prologue and epilogue, the resulting short film was successfully sold to schools and libraries.
O'Brien, who was working on Mighty Joe Young (1949), then called on Harryhausen to be his assistant. The film did not do well commercially, but O'Brien won an Oscar for the special effects. Harryhausen returned to his fairy stories, using the pseudonym Jerome Wray for his photography, and then began work on The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms (1953), inspired by Ray Bradbury's short story The Fog Horn. He devised a dynamic split-screen technique which enabled him to eradicate the then expensive system of inserting miniatures or glass paintings to combine stop-motion with live action. This process was eventually named Dynamation for the marketing campaign for The Seventh Voyage of Sinbad and subsequent films.
Ray Harryhausen poses with an enlarged model of Medusa from his 1981 film Clash of the Titans at the Myths and Legends Exhibition at the London Film Museum, 2010. Photograph: Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms had an original budget of $65,000, which spiralled to $210,000. Warner Bros struck 500 prints in "glorious sepia tone" and, on some copies, tinted the underwater scenes green. The marketing led to the film supposedly taking more than $5m worldwide.
Harryhausen made a couple more fairytales and some TV commercials, and then met the producer Charles H Schneer and began work on It Came From Beneath the Sea (1955), the start of their lengthy collaboration. In the film a giant octopus rises from the sea to destroy the San Francisco Golden Gate bridge, though because of the expense Harryhausen reduced the number of the octopus's tentacles to six. Permission to photograph the bridge was refused in case it undermined public confidence in the structure, so stock footage was used.
On The Animal World (1956), Harryhausen worked for the last time with O'Brien before returning to work with Schneer on Earth Vs the Flying Saucers (1956). There later followed further forays into space – First Men in the Moon (1964), from the novel by HG Wells, was the only time in which Harryhausen worked in wide screen and used humans wearing suits (children in insect outfits) to avoid the endless animation.
The Seventh Voyage of Sinbad was Harryhausen's first foray into colour. It involved front and rear projection, and Sinbad's swordfight with a skeleton was considered too frightening for children by the British censor.
During the pre-production of The Three Worlds of Gulliver (1959), Harry hausen and Schneer moved to the UK, where travelling matte facilities (the technique used to combine scenes separately photographed) provided by Rank were superior to those in Hollywood.
Jason and the Argonauts had a stunning variety of creatures – Talos, the man of bronze, the Harpies and the army of skeletons among them – populating the hero's mythical quest. The Valley of Gwangi (1969) – an abandoned project which O'Brien had originally worked on for RKO – was somewhat unjustly underrated. The sequence of cowboys attempting to rope a dinosaur took five months to film.
Jason and the Argonauts and Clash of the Titans were generally accepted, including by Harryhausen himself, to be his most successful pictures, but his career is littered with many other memorable creations – among them, the space monster Ymir in 20 Million Miles to Earth (1957).
Sadly, however, Harryhausen's wonderful worlds of fantasy were rarely equalled by strong scripts or actors. He was "heartsick over some of my pictures and I could kick myself when I think of how I didn't insist on more from the director or the studio". It was only on his last film, Clash of the Titans, that his creative imagination was finally matched by the castlist, which included Laurence Olivier, as a sardonic Zeus, Maggie Smith and Claire Bloom. In 1992 he received the Gordon E Sawyer Academy Award for technical achievement. As with all film-makers he had innumerable unrealised projects, in his case Baron Munchausen and Dante's Inferno, both inspired by Doré's illustrations.
A modest and charming man with a delightful sense of humour and ineffable courtesy, Harryhausen was always good company. He published his Film Fantasy Scrapbook in 1972, dedicating it to O'Brien. It also included a preface from Bradbury, whom he had met as a teenager at the Los Angeles Science Fiction League; he was best man at Bradbury's wedding.
Harryhausen laid the groundwork for many special effects techniques today and clearly influenced, among other films, Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993). His admirers include Steven Spielberg, whose special effects dinosaurs in Jurassic Park (1993) are in stark contrast to Harryhausen working alone with a small process screen, a vintage Mitchell camera, a pair of sliding matte glasses, partial miniature sets and glass paintings.
He published his autobiography, An Animated Life, in 2004. In retirement he had also returned to sculpting, and lectured and toured the world with exhibitions, culminating with one at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in Los Angeles and at the London Film Museum in 2010 to celebrate his 90th birthday, together with a special event at the National Film Theatre hosted by John Landis. In 2012 the documentary Ray Harryhausen: Special Effects Titan was released.
Once, when asked if he had a favourite among his creatures, Harryhausen replied: "It would be Medusa. But don't tell the others."
He married Diana Livingstone in 1962. She survives him, along with a daughter, Vanessa.
• Raymond Frederick Harryhausen, special effects creator and technician, born 29 June 1920; died 7 May 2013
Perhaps the greatest inspiration to my work.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 07, 2013, 10:52:06 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on May 08, 2013, 03:57:31 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 08, 2013, 05:58:29 am
Post by: Unorthodox on May 08, 2013, 07:24:20 pm
20 Million Miles to Earth - Ymir Awakes (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uT8Os9dGib8#)
Perseus vs The Kraken (1981) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQpgIJUh9D4#)
Post by: Unorthodox on May 08, 2013, 09:18:26 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 08, 2013, 09:47:15 pm
Post by: Geo on May 09, 2013, 08:49:28 am
I'm used to being in creepy old buildings alone as part of my job, and the associated strange things that sometimes happen as a result, but it's been an especially strange day.
You might have a field day in certakn parts of Europe then... :P
Post by: Unorthodox on May 09, 2013, 03:27:09 pm
Go on...
Electronics were going wonky yesterday.
I have one of those little speakers you plug into your ipod, just start up broadcasting SOMETHING without anything plugged into the jack. Nothing intelligable, just noise, but a structure to it. I've had a megaphone do that before and managed to track it down, so I have a decent guess what caused it.
The alarm system was going all haywire.
Strange noises outside.
Bay doors opening by themselves.
Just a strange day.
It's the first time I've been here in a thunderstorm, so I'm blaming that for now. They can really mess with crap if you're in "one of those" locations. Old workplace was 'one of those', and I was nearly struck 3 times by lightning. Might have been once, was thrown across a room. The other 2 were close enough I could see the plasma hang in the air after the strike. Really neat...don't want to see it again.
Post by: Unorthodox on May 09, 2013, 07:00:39 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on May 13, 2013, 01:54:42 pm
I'm sick, forgot the ipod, there's no radio reception here...fun times.
Post by: Unorthodox on May 13, 2013, 03:00:18 pm
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-aqoHC6GjIwo/UZDrc-aIPRI/AAAAAAAASGk/P7Lk1Egh7eo/s800/IMG_0036.JPG)
I'm of a split mind here. We had tried to dispose of all the seed last year, and my Uncle is planting "normal" pumpkins this year, my patch is for "specialty" ones. I have 100+ seeds of various varieties ready to plant (and hadn't planned to for a couple weeks yet). But, just given the odds, these are most likely just regular pumpkins, not the few luminas or Cinderellas we grew last year.
At the same time...why look a gift horse in the mouth?
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FIoJZqhaCQc/UZDrdrHsVdI/AAAAAAAASG0/uyr9IQ4APW8/s800/IMG_0037.JPG)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 13, 2013, 04:36:04 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on May 13, 2013, 04:42:10 pm
It's also QUITE early for pumpkins. The ground SHOULD be too cold for them to germinate.
Post by: Unorthodox on May 14, 2013, 03:27:52 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on May 14, 2013, 04:10:36 pm
Correction. The temporary program manager I've been saddled with for the next 6 months is a moron.
It's not a hard concept: Don't agree to things we're not being paid to do.
Post by: Unorthodox on May 14, 2013, 05:10:51 pm
Confession...I'm something of a Lone Ranger nerd.
Not sure how I feel about Depp as Tonto. (nifty makeup/costume though)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 14, 2013, 05:26:06 pm
Post by: Geo on May 14, 2013, 06:16:55 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on May 14, 2013, 07:00:43 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on May 14, 2013, 07:48:16 pm
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-DWo_Q2ISTrQ/UZJLmByamTI/AAAAAAAASHs/O7AlCQdOF-8/s800/B6.jpg)
Go ahead, take a guess.
Most reported pic in the history of the site, decent size group banding to get it deleted. If ownership does, I'm resigning as mod.
Post by: Geo on May 14, 2013, 07:53:08 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on May 14, 2013, 10:02:35 pm
Then we'd be getting all kinds of complaints about spirit halloween's banner ads which feature similar outfits on a regular basis.
"Problem" is, that's a guy who is...exploring.
Not an issue I expected from that particular group of people, honestly. I was the first staff member awake this morning, so the first to deal with it, and having a few friends physically beaten for exploring, I'm a little touchy on the subject even if I don't feel any urge to explore.
Been smacking disparaging remarks all day with a banning and a number of warnings (put a delay on the thread to give me a chance to view before they posted publicly...sneaky, I know, but allows us to do it surreptitiously to the guy in question). Fortunately, it's the vocal minority causing a problem and it's the offseason. We "only" have a few hundred registered people on at a time right now.
Debate on the mod forum is more how to handle the troublemakers at the moment. As far as we're concerned there's nothing there that doesn't fit with our 'PG13' standards.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 14, 2013, 10:25:04 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on May 15, 2013, 04:27:19 am
Post by: Unorthodox on May 15, 2013, 04:31:00 am
Post by: Unorthodox on May 15, 2013, 04:36:15 am
Thread has 535 views, 0 replies. Guess I weird out the bird people. Not so much as a welcome to the forum. ;uno
We figured it out on the Halloween forum anyway. Corvids are attracted to linseed oil, and I had stained those with a brand of wood stain that used it as a base (not my normal brand).
Now I know.
Post by: Unorthodox on May 15, 2013, 04:38:40 am
Bet I could get a good shot of the magpies on the Barghest. (they attempted to make a nest in it already, so I took it in)
Yeah, there's another 0 chance at winning photo contest for me.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 15, 2013, 04:46:10 am
The Cat With Hands (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4PR9NZlAB4#ws)My dog with hands is my nightmare - no stopping her if she could work doorknobs.
Post by: Unorthodox on May 15, 2013, 02:25:52 pm
I have 3 means of watering here. Cullinary, Secondary (pressurized system) and the Irrigation ditch, which comes out of a natural spring up the hill. I own a full share of the water rights on the ditch, and while I've never used it, and sold the water to some farmers down the line each year, I like to have it there in case of years like this, where there is already restrictions in place on the secondary water. 90% of the home owners have sold theirs back to the city, just me and a couple farmer holdouts.
Among the reasoning was "breeding ground for harmful insects". Town meeting in a couple days, I think I'm going to have to dispute that particular point. I'm sure they're referring to mosquitos that can carry west nile virus here. Problem is, the ditch is providing the only habitat for the natural predators of said mosquitos.
Post by: Unorthodox on May 16, 2013, 02:16:43 pm
Decided to stick to the plan, though. Will be killing all those volunteers along with the weeds this weekend. Also time to plant the beans.
Planted the mini pumpkin blend into the starter pots, they arent going in the three sisters bed, so doesn't matter if I start them early.
Got some sprinkler work to do yet, as well. :-\
Post by: Unorthodox on May 16, 2013, 07:12:34 pm
1 Semi truck, 3 engineers in big diesel pickups, 2 government pickups rounded out the rest of the crew. Me driving up in my Tercel.
Engineers get stopped at the gate. Should know by now that you need hardhats and steel toes on the jobsite, so we have to wait for them to get all checked in with gear.
Pull up to the facility, guy comes up to the semi driver.
"Forklift is dead, we need to jump it"
How you are driving a semi without jumper cables is beyond me. NO ONE ELSE HAD ANY EITHER. So, I pull mine out, and they get that going.
Then the trailer has a flat. Oh, no one has the tools for that either, so I pull out the 2 different stars from my trunk, sure enough, one of them has a head that'll work. (One metric, one standard, my first car needed both)
Screwdrivers, crow bars, no one else had ANYTHING in their vehicle.
We get done, foreman on site: "Wouldn't have pegged the guy in the Toyota as the only one ready to work today."
How do you not have the basic stuff in your vehicle? Especially if you're driving a big truck? Or am I just that old fashioned? The car breaks down, I'm still more likely to have the broken part in my hand at the side of the road and looking for a ride to the parts store rather than calling for a tow. My truck, there's a decent chance there's a spare part behind the seat already. (starter, alternator, and fuel pump kept on hand as they like to keep stranding me)
Post by: Rusty Edge on May 16, 2013, 11:15:20 pm
City trying to remove the irrigation ditch again.
Among the reasoning was "breeding ground for harmful insects". Town meeting in a couple days, I think I'm going to have to dispute that particular point. I'm sure they're referring to mosquitos that can carry west nile virus here. Problem is, the ditch is providing the only habitat for the natural predators of said mosquitos.
I'd enjoy that meeting. The Council isn't going to sound too knowledgeable talking insects with a guy who knows them by their proper names.
Post by: Unorthodox on May 22, 2013, 08:27:06 pm
I'd enjoy that meeting. The Council isn't going to sound too knowledgeable talking insects with a guy who knows them by their proper names.
It wasn't pretty. One of the baffoons had Dragonflies, Damselflies, and crane flies (which they thought were mosquitoes) pegged as harmful insects.
Closing this down will eliminate predators, not mosquitoes. And bees. Don't forget the bee habitat. You know, since they're all dying and all. (I only feel a little dirty for playing that card, ccd doesn't impact the species in question)
Subject was tabled for a later date as they now have 2 different University studies in hand on the beneficial insects that arise from such habitats that I may or may not have had a hand it writing. ;)
Post by: Unorthodox on May 22, 2013, 08:39:11 pm
Post by: Rusty Edge on May 22, 2013, 10:05:22 pm
Where I come from originally, they are known as May flies, and are probably the favorite food of wild trout, when they "hatch" from the pupae and try to fly and mate.
So you may or may not have had a hand in writing them. :D
Are there insects that you particularly don't like?
Post by: Unorthodox on May 22, 2013, 10:38:39 pm
Tend to hatch all at once, leading to veritable swarms, and fish gorging. Typically 2 broods per year.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-M20YZtV1Yis/UZ04ECQ_qGI/AAAAAAAASKA/uLjC9G7L8Rg/s800/mayfly_side.jpg)
Crane Fly:
Typically seen in pairs/small groups. Hatch throughout the year in low numbers. Resemble a mosquito...a REALLY BIG mosquito....that mated with a daddy long legs...Harmless, eat rotting plant material near ponds/marsh.
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-yfFibtHfgCI/UZ04Ds2Os_I/AAAAAAAASJ4/4qAjnnK2oqY/s800/crane-fly.jpg)
I'm not fond of most the pests. I just believe that your standard practice of chemical warfare does more harm than good. Virtually all your predators recover from such methods at a much slower rate than the pests.
My war against the squash bugs last year was not pretty. Tachinid flies are not commercially available and the native ladybugs aren't fond of squash bugs. Had to deal with the first brood by hand, inspecting and squashing eggs. Rounded up and released a few hundred tachinid flies (from the farmer I typically sell the water to, he was going to spray, so I rounded up the flies first) to deal with the second brood. There's a certain satisfaction with watching the fly crawl it's way out of the squash bug Alien style.
And silverfish. they creep me out for no logical reason.
Fortunately, we're typically too dry for them here.
Post by: Unorthodox on May 23, 2013, 05:49:12 am
Not sure I have the patience for this 3 sisters thing next year.
Post by: Unorthodox on May 24, 2013, 07:15:14 pm
I aint no engineer.
I need to amend that...my first design has gone into production, beating several actual engineer designs in the testing.
I'm still more mechanic than engineer though.
Post by: Geo on May 25, 2013, 10:13:44 am
Post by: Unorthodox on May 27, 2013, 07:28:54 pm
The crux of the problem revolved around this display ALSO having some pieces on loan in addition to the mummies of the world exhibit. I had to get permissions from all parties involved to get pics, but in getting those permissions is that I won't go publishing the photos.
So, I got pics, for my research.
hEt commenting on the first full body mummies we come into:
"That could be Trevor sitting there."
Indeed, things I had thought were mistakes/failures with Trevor were actually dead on. My hands/feet need some work, however. Especially the feet.
Science wise, there was nothing to learn for me, but hEt didn't know some of the things.
Interesting dichotomy there. The mummies of the world exhibit presented it's items as-is. No alterations. However, one of the families loaning pieces either re-created clothes, or presented their mummies with, um, modesty cloths. I found it a little silly, but what do you do?
Whilst down in Salt Lake, we visited the Mormon paradise mall known as City Creek.
http://www.shopcitycreekcenter.com/ (http://www.shopcitycreekcenter.com/)
$1.5 Billion the church spent. The city using eminent domain to obtain the land to sell to the church. All to build a shopping mall with church money that is somehow still tax free.
WTF? How the HELL is this still a charity? The Church now owns several blocks surrounding the SLC Temple, and this trend will probably continue.
Ostensibly, this mall was built to increase business and revitalize downtown SLC, but they built a nice convenient bridge to carry customers over the couple of stores they were unable to purchase, thus keeping foot traffic from non-church property.
As I was attempting to get to one of these stores, they've made that rather inconvenient as a result.
Post by: Unorthodox on May 30, 2013, 05:13:09 am
I'm bored. The Barghest is done, and the animated fence is mostly tedious work now. I need a project, any suggestions you'd like to see my styling applied to?
Post by: Geo on May 30, 2013, 08:44:03 am
Post by: Unorthodox on May 30, 2013, 02:38:00 pm
http://animal.discovery.com/tv-shows/lost-tapes/creatures/bear-lake-monster.htm (http://animal.discovery.com/tv-shows/lost-tapes/creatures/bear-lake-monster.htm)
Which reminds me, I've been meaning to pull a prank that I need to check the legality of...
We have a portion of the bonneville shoreline trail relatively close. http://www.bonnevilleshorelinetrail.org/pleasantviewtoi84/pleasantviewtoi84.html#i84 (http://www.bonnevilleshorelinetrail.org/pleasantviewtoi84/pleasantviewtoi84.html#i84)
Specifically the I84 trailhead portion. There's a 2 mile stretch that climbs 300' that is very rarely utilized. Heavily populated by wildlife, it passes 3...ponds/marshes. These things look like they come right out of a horror movie. In fact, in my mind, that's where all the Chimera have come from. In 2011, we even attempted to get Chimera one back into the first pond for a photo shoot, but some late season flooding prevented it, he's just too big, awkward, and heavy and the 4 wheelers just weren't going to get through.
Since then, I've wanted to build a smaller creature, and have him 'peaking' out from behind a tree on the far side of that pond/marsh. It would be a bear to get to, and I'm not sure if it's legal to leave behind such a thing.
See where random joke statements take me?
Pond 3 is private property, I might have better luck convincing the owner to allow me to put it up, but it's the most 'clean' of the 3 ponds, thus the least desirable to put a monster.
Post by: Unorthodox on May 30, 2013, 04:52:17 pm
Just saw the trailer...
My god is that going to suck horribly.
As an unabashed headless horseman fan, I'm going to have to watch.
That is the one thing I REALLY want from my childhood that's not to be found. Early 70's Biestle company Halloween cutouts. They had a headless horseman that always terrified me. Him silouhetted up against the moon. You can find copies of most of their designs still for sale, but not the horseman.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 30, 2013, 07:14:18 pm
Still - any inspiration for a project on a dental theme, maybe?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 30, 2013, 07:16:07 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on May 30, 2013, 08:27:51 pm
Then, I've had relatively few dental problems. Wisdom teeth, they put me out, and despite coming out of the drugs early, I was only awake long enough for them to put me back under (both times I've been put under I come out before the operation was done). Other than that, I had bucket teeth filled as a precaution, just bad taste, nothing scary, and had to have my canine's filed, too young to really know much more about that one/why.
My old dentist was superb, and the guy he chose after he retired is a fan and saves me denture samples for me to use.
No, you want scary, it's the optometrist. Shoving things into your eyes, that's just wrong.
But anyway, it would be like clowns for me. Not something I would do for myself, but if you ask me to build you a dentist based room, I've studied it enough to do so.
The ones you typically see take it the wrong direction, IMO. They have the room and doctor covered in blood wielding rusty old equipment. This makes it just another room, same old crap.
No, to do a dentist you need it PRISTINE. Including that medical cleanser SMELL. WHITE walls/floors/ceiling, dentist chair. If this is a hands on, you would want to strap someone in, if it's hands off, you want an actor in there, strapped down, especially the head.
Key selling points are going to be the chair, xrays on the walls, including lighted boards, medical models, and possibly jars of teeth, roots and all, in a preserved liquid. Bright spotlights should be pointed to shine off the nice metal tooling. Script wise, this would be an excellent room to have a spitter (compressed air and water mist blows on patrons) to correspond with the surgeon pulling out something. You want his back to the audience, yank a piece out, spit the crowd, and have the doctor turn to reveal him to be something inhuman.
Maybe too much twilight zone "eye of the Beholder" influence there...
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 30, 2013, 08:44:46 pm
I suppose drawing up some detailed plans for someone else to use isn't enough of a project? You've definitely outlined something effective.
Post by: Unorthodox on May 30, 2013, 09:59:48 pm
The problem is there is not the someone else. Kinda pointless to design something for a theoretical space.
Could theoretically push up the guardian from next year to THIS year. But, that's a BIG project and I'd probably have to rush it.
Post by: Unorthodox on May 30, 2013, 10:02:28 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 30, 2013, 10:31:34 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on May 31, 2013, 12:30:53 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 31, 2013, 01:55:45 am
The beauty part? You could hide a lot of stuff inside, from fog machines to a tiny control room...
Much could be done with a whole Mesoamerican theme, and you've certainly been doing the research forever.
Post by: Unorthodox on May 31, 2013, 06:09:47 am
I'll probably change the stele design to be similar to Trevor instead of straight paper mache thiI s time. Would hold up much better to weather. I think of them every time I go in the shed, as the firebowls are still there.
The 'them' prototype is still in there too. It is terribad in it's present form, don't think I've ever even fully revealed it, and that's part of the reason for the fence redesign this year, testing/learning for 'them'. I've already figured out most the bugs and have much lighter construction methods, which would make it potentially doable now. There's a reason I did a mass purchase of 20 motors this year...
We ran a 5 year course before the theme switch last time, and that's a reasonable timeframe, this being year 3, and year 4 already mostly planned. Besides I still have a thing or two to say on this whole "Harvest decorating is just boring" sentiment.
Post by: Unorthodox on May 31, 2013, 06:17:02 am
Only pic of the Them prototype. Right before the catastrophe. In fact, I picked this up just as the doomstorm was rolling in. Just the mechanics being tested. SORT of worked. I don't normally use stretchy webs either, and wouldn't for the real thing. Idea was for several to be writhing against the webs.
Post by: Unorthodox on May 31, 2013, 03:58:00 pm
http://www.scarfolk.blogspot.co.uk/ (http://www.scarfolk.blogspot.co.uk/)
Post by: Unorthodox on June 01, 2013, 04:39:19 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 01, 2013, 04:49:26 am
Post by: Unorthodox on June 01, 2013, 04:52:55 am
Post by: Unorthodox on June 01, 2013, 04:54:34 am
Mostly just crap in June. July looks good though.
Post by: Unorthodox on June 01, 2013, 05:05:30 am
(gift from them4 years ago) I've been advertising the crappy movie night for some time.
Post by: Unorthodox on June 04, 2013, 12:47:38 pm
For the most part I've NEVER been able to get pumpkins to start from seed reliably. (Exception being dumping literally THOUSANDS of seed into the garden in the fall and letting the resultant volunteers live)
So, this year I was going to work that out. Bought a window box seed starter kit.
Nothin'
I figured it gets too hot in the window here, so I went and got some grow lights, put the seeds in the little pots, figuring the grow lights control the heat better. I got 4 out of 50 seeds.
I've since moved on to several other methods, including scoring the seeds, soaking them overnight before planting, and the plastic baggie with a paper towel.
The Paper Towel method swiftly resulted in near 100% sprouting the little roots in 2 days! The question is whether they survive being transferred into the little pots.
Post by: Geo on June 04, 2013, 05:13:39 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 04, 2013, 05:18:00 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on June 04, 2013, 05:36:07 pm
Of all plants, I didn't expect pumpkins having difficulties sprouting. ;lol
Guess I should post the caveat:
I'm attempting to germinate unusual varieties.
2 species are traditional FRENCH pumpkins. I got the one to work (sorta, we're clearly too hot for it some times, so it would get stressed) last year by buying a couple seedlings, so I wanted to try them in the three sisters planting arrangement as the corn would help keep their roots cool. The other french variety is not grown around here at all, but will make marvelously unique jacks if it works.
The mini pumpkins are technically gourds. (0% germination on them this year)
Lumina's are notoriously difficult. Inbred white pumpkins, they are expensive seeds with low germination rates to begin with. I've been tempted to grow ONLY them and sell the seeds as we had TERRIFFIC luck growing them last year (from seedlings). 4 plants yielded 13 pumpkins.
The Sugar pumpkins, I just barely planted, so don't know if they would have given me trouble or not.
All our volunteers are most likely the family heirloom pumpkins (or would be hybrid who-knows-whats if they come from my pumpkins last year). Our own stock seeds going back at least 50 years, grow great locally. My uncle plants those for me, and they make up at least 80% of what we use on Halloween. I focus on the oddities to bring a variety.
Post by: Unorthodox on June 04, 2013, 05:42:40 pm
(alergic to melons. DEATHLY alergic. Didn't used to be. Carving one can make me swell up.)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 04, 2013, 06:42:03 pm
Alright, I have a problem now.Have you given any more thought to a partially exposed/buried skeleton thing, as I believe you mentioned when they found Richard III?
I'm bored. The Barghest is done, and the animated fence is mostly tedious work now. I need a project, any suggestions you'd like to see my styling applied to?
Post by: Unorthodox on June 04, 2013, 06:52:37 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 04, 2013, 06:54:11 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 04, 2013, 06:55:48 pm
Stick Insect Hatching (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KiV-DsfoJwA#ws)
Act Wild for Lord Howe Island Stick Insects (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eg3dcYJ2oI4#ws)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 04, 2013, 10:19:57 pm
Quote
Report: EPA Staffers Hid Offices, Dodged Security Camerashttp://news.yahoo.com/report-epa-staffers-hid-offices-dodged-security-cameras-123518166.html (http://news.yahoo.com/report-epa-staffers-hid-offices-dodged-security-cameras-123518166.html)
By Amy Harder | National Journal – 8 hrs ago..
Employees at an Environmental Protection Agency warehouse in Landover, Md., worked out in a makeshift gym while conditions inside the facility “were rotting and becoming potentially hazardous,” according to an EPA inspector general report issued on Monday.
“Deplorable conditions existed in the warehouse,” the report by Inspector General Arthur Elkins Jr. states. “Door jambs were corroded; dirt, dust and vermin feces were pervasive; and several items were rotting and potentially hazardous.”
The report found that the 70,000-square-foot warehouse—one of EPA’s largest—was storing large amounts of expensive, unused equipment, ranging from computers to pianos. It also found numerous security and safety issues.
“Personally identifiable information and agency sensitive files—such as passports and legal files—were located in unsecured open boxes throughout the warehouse,” the report states. “There was a locked office inside the facility for which we could not determine a purpose.”
Employees had created hideaways arranged to be out of the sight of security cameras, the report said. “The warehouse contained multiple unauthorized and hidden personal spaces created by and for the workers that included televisions, refrigerators, radios, microwaves, chairs and couches,” the IG report said. “These spaces contained personal items, including photos, pin ups, calendars, clothing, books, magazines and videos.”
They also created a makeshift gym spanning an area larger than 30 feet by 45 feet. While exercising, employees apparently listened to music and used EPA steno pads to record workouts, according to the report.
“These conditions raise questions about time charges made by warehouse employees under the contract,” the report states. No explanation was offered for the pianos, of which there were three, according to photos released as part of the report.
EPA leases the warehouse for $750,000 a year under a contract that began in 2007.
“Our initial research at EPA’s Landover warehouse raised significant concerns with the lack of agency oversight of personal property and warehouses space at the facility,” Elkins said in a May 31 memorandum to Craig Hooks, assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Administration and Resources Management.
The report also includes a five-page letter to Elkins dated May 23 by acting Administrator Bob Perciasepe detailing the action EPA has already taken in the wake of two briefings Perciasepe has had on May 15 and 16 on this matter.
“The EPA is committed to addressing the previous conditions at the warehouse and implementing institutional protections to ensure those conditions do not recur at this facility or any other used by the agency,” Perciasepe said in the letter.
According to Perciasepe’s letter, EPA officials took immediate action on May 17 by visiting the facility and escorting off the premises the employees and issued a stop-work order to Apex Logistics, the company EPA had contracted for the warehouse employment. This was the only contract EPA had with Apex, according to the letter. EPA officials continued its response to the situation throughout the weekend of May 18-19 and into the next week. Perciasepe conducted a meeting on May 21 where he directed officials to evaluate conditions at all warehouses and storage facilities used by EPA.
Post by: Unorthodox on June 05, 2013, 01:49:53 am
Quote
“Deplorable conditions existed in the warehouse,” the report by Inspector General Arthur Elkins Jr. states. “Door jambs were corroded; dirt, dust and vermin feces were pervasive; and several items were rotting and potentially hazardous.”
I can sympathize. Been to a few of those.
Though, why you want to use such a location to exercise boggles the mind.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 05, 2013, 02:04:27 am
Post by: Unorthodox on June 05, 2013, 02:42:38 am
Anywho, there may be a good reason the one kind of pumpkins aren't grown here. The one sprout of it I had and transferred...I've never seen anything like it...almost like the leaves sunburned.
Post by: Unorthodox on June 05, 2013, 05:22:41 pm
Post by: Geo on June 05, 2013, 05:51:16 pm
(The missiles I mean...) :P
Post by: Unorthodox on June 05, 2013, 07:59:42 pm
Go on...
Electronics were going wonky yesterday.
I have one of those little speakers you plug into your ipod, just start up broadcasting SOMETHING without anything plugged into the jack. Nothing intelligable, just noise, but a structure to it. I've had a megaphone do that before and managed to track it down, so I have a decent guess what caused it.
The alarm system was going all haywire.
Strange noises outside.
Bay doors opening by themselves.
Just a strange day.
It's the first time I've been here in a thunderstorm, so I'm blaming that for now. They can really mess with crap if you're in "one of those" locations. Old workplace was 'one of those', and I was nearly struck 3 times by lightning. Might have been once, was thrown across a room. The other 2 were close enough I could see the plasma hang in the air after the strike. Really neat...don't want to see it again.
Ok, I can rule out thunderstorm. We're going all wacky again today and clear skies.
Exactly 4 weeks since the last time. Coincidence?
Post by: Unorthodox on June 06, 2013, 04:44:08 am
The Musquee de Provence (the not grown here french pumpkins) seed transplants are coming along quite well. 2 sprouts and a bunch more that will break through tonight/tomorrow. The garden one seems to be shaking off the burnt leaves...I'm guessing it didn't like the fertilizer I dumped on at transplanting.
The Sugar Pumpkins are sprouting all over. (no surprise, this is a more 'normal' variety)
The Rouge vif D'etempes (sp) aka Cinderella pumpkins and the Lumina pumpkins are being stubborn.
One more Cinderella seed from the second batch has sprouted, non of the transplanted towel seeds. But, I already have 3 transplanted outside (which equals the total planted last year), so not too critical anymore.
Nada from the Luminas so far. If the Luminas don't sprout by the weekend, I just might go buy a couple from the nursery.
Post by: Unorthodox on June 06, 2013, 02:20:48 pm
Side project.
20 years ago I was working with a dual lens reflex camera and doing studio portraits. Naturally, mom thought this meant I should take her picture for a potential publication (it's a contest, and she knows she's a finalist, but winners won't be announced till end of the month). But, wouldn't listen to me on when or where I wanted to shoot. "My schedule is more important than lighting"
I have my pentax with high quality lenses, but it is OLD and not really built for portrait work. It's slow, only can hold 2 pics in the buffer, and resolution is not the best, plus I have to shoot in full manual with my 60 year old lenses.
She has a Nikkon with kit lenses I would only know the basics of operation. My brother has a Sony A5 with kit lenses, we have the same camera at work, and it's a good camera for more general use. In fact, I nearly bought one, but got to preview my brothers in a low light environment to discover it sucks hardcore in that application.
Naturally I stuck with my camera...but also took the 60 year old FILM camera.
Shot in raw, I haven't photoshopped more than a couple into viewable format, going to take a while.
(Had to DRAG her to this spot, only decent lighting in the location she chose)
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-biUPHDNELl0/UbCH_fNMLhI/AAAAAAAASMY/Ii-luyFfZbM/s800/IMGP2007CROP.jpg)
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-rNp0smhADc0/UbCIFTofCCI/AAAAAAAASNY/HOWgzLQDqXE/s800/IMGP2012BW.jpg)
The too-harsh lighting most the rest of the places hold:
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-h0IweQ9mmFo/UbCH-fsC__I/AAAAAAAASMM/NWVRKPRaltM/s800/IMGP1990BW.jpg)
Post by: Unorthodox on June 06, 2013, 02:26:05 pm
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-86pyP8SvHUk/UbCIJJRyriI/AAAAAAAASN8/8PHtF7dlSDo/s800/IMG_0048.JPG)
Post by: Unorthodox on June 07, 2013, 04:24:18 am
Most the Musquee pumpkins have sprouted, virtually all the sugar pumpkins in the paper towel test, and a couple from the soak for an hour test. 2 new Cinderellas. First 2 Luminas from the paper towel test.
It's become quite evident the paper towel in a ziploc is the way to do this next year.
Why all the stressing:
I leave for business travel on Sunday. Pumpkins take 100-120 days to mature from planting, we're presently 147 to Halloween. Be down to 130ish by the time I get back from travel, it's kind of now or never.
Post by: Unorthodox on June 07, 2013, 06:34:02 pm
This should net about 60 pumpkins. There's at least 20 more pots that haven't sprouted, maybe by the time I get back.
We have a TON of unused space in the garden. I'll fill it up with some special maize a little later this year, but it's nice to know I should be able to fill my quota of 100 pumpkins on my own in the future if needed.
Post by: Unorthodox on June 08, 2013, 05:08:26 am
I joined the local haunters club mostly because it's a great place to sell off my stuff and to get in on group buys. It's their big party this weekend.
http://www.rockymountainhaunters.com/2013_RockyMountainHaunter_GatheringSchedule.pdf (http://www.rockymountainhaunters.com/2013_RockyMountainHaunter_GatheringSchedule.pdf)
They all get together and hold classes on how to do this or that. My email and facebook is flooded with pics and messages back and forth...and I just can't get over the endless stream of cliche rolling by.
There's a reason I don't go to these things, there's nothing there for me unless I felt like showing off the Barghest. It's still hard to be reminded just how much I'm an outsider even among other haunters.
Post by: Unorthodox on June 10, 2013, 04:21:39 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 10, 2013, 04:46:37 am
Post by: Unorthodox on June 10, 2013, 04:48:54 am
Post by: Unorthodox on June 10, 2013, 01:44:54 pm
About 20 minutes north of Panguitch (a tiny Utah town who's storefronts could be used for a 1900 era piece set), there were a couple of Buckys (medical grade skeletons that had a flaw in the mold and are sold on the cheap to us wierdos) on top of rusted old tractors.
Now, this struck me as hilarious, of course, especially as I'm kind of eyeing some land 20 minutes south of Panguitch specifically to build a sculpture garden. The people there are old fashioned and have a differing sense of humor, and it's not uncommon for you to see "skeletons" decorating, but they are usually cobbled together from various animal bones into a roughly humanoid shape. Someone, however, went to the expense of getting Buckys, and I can appreciate that. I couldn't stop where I was at, but will try to get pics on the way home.
Post by: Unorthodox on June 10, 2013, 01:51:49 pm
http://lifeontheopenroad.blogspot.com/2012/06/more-fun-around-panguitch.html (http://lifeontheopenroad.blogspot.com/2012/06/more-fun-around-panguitch.html)
Though, she's wrong, that's not a skeleton under the front tire, that's The Zombie of Montclaire Moor. (and it's probably sad I know that on sight...)
http://www.designtoscano.com/product/code/DB383020.do?code=PDINCLUDE&code=DTPLAS12 (http://www.designtoscano.com/product/code/DB383020.do?code=PDINCLUDE&code=DTPLAS12)
All together, we're looking at $500 in skeletons/zombie.
Post by: Geo on June 10, 2013, 07:42:52 pm
Reporting in safe from Flagstaff in case anyone was curious.
Say hello to the observatory from me. :D
Post by: Unorthodox on June 12, 2013, 01:11:08 pm
There's been one that's been in the back of my head for a while now (2, maybe 3 years, much like the Barghest), and I think I finally know how to make it come to fruition. If it works, it, nay, they well could become iconic, another "that's an 'dOx build" thing. (interesting aside, gaming communities have always shortened my name to "Uno", Halloween communities to 'dOx...don't know what that really says...guess they are more 'formal' or "last name" basis?) Also ready to work the accursed fence some more. Been in a rut on that for some time.
Post by: Unorthodox on June 12, 2013, 01:22:07 pm
Minor flaws in my last one kinda annoy me. Was going to just use it, but what the hell?
Post by: Unorthodox on June 12, 2013, 07:29:29 pm
Most surreal moment today, someone scribbled their last will and testament on the wall of the building. Word is they got lost in a snow storm, were freezing, and thought they were going to die, but had triggered the alarm, just took the guards a few to get back to the building.
Post by: Unorthodox on June 14, 2013, 03:01:40 am
See if the kids killed all my pumpkins or not...
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 14, 2013, 03:13:53 am
Post by: Unorthodox on June 17, 2013, 03:07:54 pm
The Musquee variety is EXPLODING. Very excited that it's doing well in our heat. Cinderellas are struggling again this year where exposed. The corn-shaded ones seem to be doing well. Both the sugars and luminas are going well as expected, but are a week+ behind the musquee/cinderellas.
Post by: Unorthodox on June 17, 2013, 03:13:40 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 19, 2013, 01:22:05 am
(http://foo.ca/wp/wp-content/uploads/2007/02/ChickFF01-701.jpg)
(http://foo.ca/wp/wp-content/uploads/2007/02/ChickFF02-701.jpg)
(http://foo.ca/wp/wp-content/uploads/2007/02/ChickFF03-701.jpg)
(http://foo.ca/wp/wp-content/uploads/2007/02/ChickFF04-701.jpg)
(http://foo.ca/wp/wp-content/uploads/2007/02/ChickFF05-701.jpg)
Post by: Unorthodox on June 19, 2013, 02:55:41 pm
The guy who keeps buying my stuff lives over by my son's school. Dropping my boy off for football camp Monday, he flagged me down, and needed some help with the cauldron creep he's building. (cliche do-it-yourself build, widely known plans.) So, we get it working, and he was fussed over lighting it. At least he knows how important that is.
So, offered to meet him last night after dark to go over it. He invited a few dozen folks from that local haunt group...
Post by: Unorthodox on June 19, 2013, 03:05:30 pm
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-gADZpSAamn4/UbXPRTou0hI/AAAAAAAASOw/j01nbWac7Ek/s800/IMG_0051.JPG)
So, here's what I come home to. (started weeding some, as evidenced by all the pulled weeds on the left here, kids watered but didn't weed.)
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-RZF2KPQ2VwA/UcG1BmAIKYI/AAAAAAAASTQ/iuM2PwK54Is/s800/IMG_0078.JPG)
Musquee variety thriving.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-6cLQDmpUZjA/UcG1B3z4bJI/AAAAAAAASTU/ny_VEx1nMxU/s800/IMG_0075.JPG)
Cinderella's slacking behind. (they did this last year too)
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-cthWhHBTiDo/UcG1AGuqP6I/AAAAAAAASS4/rC4nXnvEJTQ/s800/IMG_0076.JPG)
Luminas and Sugar pumpkins in corn batch 2. (can't tell them apart at the moment.)
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-jwWQt4qd1WA/UcG0_Q1pSaI/AAAAAAAASSo/4kiW85SB3p4/s800/IMG_0074.JPG)
A dozen more sprouts awaited me in the starter kit when I returned as well. A couple of the direct sown mini pumpkin jubilee mix finally sprouted as well.
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Ycfwo7mPKUE/UcG1ApfMd1I/AAAAAAAASS8/FXTL92ah5k4/s800/IMG_0072.JPG)
I've made several mistakes in my attempt at the 3 sisters garden this year. Nothing to do but learn and apply it to next year.
1: It's not designed for sweet corn. I knew that going in, attempting to adapt it AS I DID was a mistake. The whole planting sweet corn every 2 weeks to keep you in corn, and having to wait to plant pumpkins after each set of corn is just too problematic.
2: Idiot...I should have made many shorter rows of corn running the other direction instead of fewer long rows. Would have allowed easier access later on.
3: The beans...are not working out well. I'm going to replace them with fish emulsion fertilizer.
Post by: Unorthodox on June 20, 2013, 12:39:51 pm
I'd enjoy that meeting. The Council isn't going to sound too knowledgeable talking insects with a guy who knows them by their proper names.
It wasn't pretty. One of the baffoons had Dragonflies, Damselflies, and crane flies (which they thought were mosquitoes) pegged as harmful insects.
Closing this down will eliminate predators, not mosquitoes. And bees. Don't forget the bee habitat. You know, since they're all dying and all. (I only feel a little dirty for playing that card, ccd doesn't impact the species in question)
Subject was tabled for a later date as they now have 2 different University studies in hand on the beneficial insects that arise from such habitats that I may or may not have had a hand it writing. ;)
UPDATE TIME.
While the council had tabled the issue, I took to edumicating neighbors, and convinced many to apply for new water rights (which go through a different department) as THE WORST DROUGHT EVAR! (news term) is going to crush us ALL!!!!
So, the next town meeting saw the council with a waterway with more than just a couple old standby's with a stake in it.
However, the drama is not yet over. The city has imposed water restrictions on our secondary water, under threat of shutting down your secondary water. I decided early we would just not use our secondary this year, and just flipped the valve so our irrigation pump ran our sprinkler system. My water rights give me a set day/time to water from the irrigation. This does not line up with my secondary water day/time. Thus, to outward appearance, I am in violation of the secondary water restrictions, and someone turned us in on it, so we got a warning in the mail yesterday.
The Drought is no laughing matter, seriously. There's a city south of us that is imposing restrictions on CULINARY WATER. (granted it's because their idiot residents are using culinary to water their precious lawns)
Post by: Rusty Edge on June 20, 2013, 05:12:11 pm
I've made several mistakes in my attempt at the 3 sisters garden this year. Nothing to do but learn and apply it to next year.
1: It's not designed for sweet corn. I knew that going in, attempting to adapt it AS I DID was a mistake. The whole planting sweet corn every 2 weeks to keep you in corn, and having to wait to plant pumpkins after each set of corn is just too problematic.
2: Idiot...I should have made many shorter rows of corn running the other direction instead of fewer long rows. Would have allowed easier access later on.
3: The beans...are not working out well. I'm going to replace them with fish emulsion fertilizer.
[/quote]
I'd encourage you not to give up. I don't have a lot of experience with pumpkins, and what success I did have may have been more due to good luck than good management. Or maybe good weather.
Sweet corn I know more about. I grew up on a farm and we sold roadside for decades. Contract commercial sweet corn, too.
I think #2 is the key point. No, you're not an idiot. Common mistake. For one thing, unless you are hand pollinating, or orienting your rows towards the prevailing wind, sweet corn will pollinate better when planted in a square than a long narrow rectangle. So I think the shorter rows are the way to go for multiple plantings.
Also, even if you don't have as many plantings of pumpkins as corn, can you guide the vines ?
Or reserve spots for future cornstalks with something like stove pipes, or tomato cages until the corn grows above the pumpkin canopy?
On the other hand, if it's primarily decorative stalks/Halloween, I suppose you could switch to popcorn, or ornamental corn, or just plant the sweet corn all at once and then process and freeze the surplus.
Just food for thought... so to speak.
Post by: Unorthodox on June 20, 2013, 08:25:29 pm
Quote
I'd encourage you not to give up. I don't have a lot of experience with pumpkins, and what success I did have may have been more due to good luck than good management. Or maybe good weather.
Sweet corn I know more about. I grew up on a farm and we sold roadside for decades. Contract commercial sweet corn, too.
I think #2 is the key point. No, you're not an idiot. Common mistake. For one thing, unless you are hand pollinating, or orienting your rows towards the prevailing wind, sweet corn will pollinate better when planted in a square than a long narrow rectangle. So I think the shorter rows are the way to go for multiple plantings.
I knew that to be better for the corn. But, Pumpkins are the priority, so this design was specifically to maximize the number of pumpkin plants. What I failed to realize is just HOW MUCH corn I'm really able to plant. It's a deceptively large garden. I could run the other way and not really significantly impact my pumppkin numbers, but possibly double or triple the corn. I'm doing 3 plantings of corn this year (2 of pumpkins, 3 varieties of corn), and could easily make room to do 5 or 6 smaller plantings next year. More likely I'll do 3 plantings in 6 plots next year.
The beans are just being a pain in the ass. They're whole purpose is to add nitrogen, we're not going to eat more than a couple (I'm the only one that would eat them). I can accomplish the nitrogen with a fish emulsion routine just fine...maybe even just bury a couple buckets at the start of the year.
Quote
Also, even if you don't have as many plantings of pumpkins as corn, can you guide the vine?
That's what we're trying in corn batch 3. The pumpkins are already planted and growing, will be planting the corn this weekend.
Quote
Or reserve spots for future cornstalks with something like stove pipes, or tomato cages until the corn grows above the pumpkin canopy?
Stove pipes?
Quote
On the other hand, if it's primarily decorative stalks/Halloween, I suppose you could switch to popcorn, or ornamental corn, or just plant the sweet corn all at once and then process and freeze the surplus.
Just food for thought... so to speak.
Sweet corn is one of the few things out of the garden the kids will all eat. So, SOME of it is for eating.
However, I'm producing a TON of plants here, some is just for decoration. Batch 3 of corn is a silage corn unsuitable for human consumption. Waiting 3 weeks between batch 2 to make sure no crossbreeding/taste contamination on the sweet corn.
During my hiatus of work last October, I spent several days driving through farm country, and found a farmer selling a few stalks for decoration, and bought a lb of seed from him in the spring. It's impressive stuff, if it'll grow in the small garden.
Post by: Rusty Edge on June 20, 2013, 10:30:47 pm
The silage corn is usually bred for tonnage, and to be digestable, so it's a softer stalk. Grain corn is bred to have a hard stalk so that it can stand late into the season and dry as much as possible naturally.
So- if you get more of those high winds, you might need to support them with some stakes and twine trelis, sort of like a row of sunflowers in a backyard.
Post by: Unorthodox on June 20, 2013, 10:49:44 pm
If it does well, I'll cut back my aggressive splitting of the raven grass (going to be a horrible harvest of that this year, I transplanted and/or split 80% of it last fall. Lost some, too). If not, I'll just stick to the raven grass plan for Halloween decor. Raven grass rows on half the bed (leaving room for pumpkins between them) would be just as effective for my purpose as the corn/pumpkin combo.
Post by: Unorthodox on June 22, 2013, 03:57:36 am
Post by: Rusty Edge on June 22, 2013, 06:18:06 am
Since I know your views on corn pesticides with regard to bees... What sort of insects and other natural controls do you use to control the beetles and moths that attack the corn stalk and roots?
Post by: Geo on June 22, 2013, 08:32:14 pm
I assume it's the manhours needed to harvest that's holding you back? :(
Post by: Unorthodox on June 23, 2013, 02:34:18 am
Great!
Since I know your views on corn pesticides with regard to bees... What sort of insects and other natural controls do you use to control the beetles and moths that attack the corn stalk and roots?
Between the tachinid flies and trichogramma wasps I've been actively encouraging as predators on squash bugs, they naturally predate on the corn pests as well, we had 2 ears get a borer last year. That's acceptable numbers for me. One of the bigger things to get used to is that your bugs need stuff to predate on, so you're going to have some pests, you just have to live with it, and hope to keep the numbers acceptable.
So far, in my monitoring, we have 3 new species of tachinid flies this year, and 2 unidentified trichogramma wasps along with mantids, FINALLY, and ladybugs (which were also absent last year). We also have an impressive natural population of green lacewings that I've never had to actively encourage. In fact, they are occasionally annoying.
I'm attempting to get some orbweavers going this year as well.
NOW, as long as the new neighbors don't go plastering insecticide, we should be good. They start spraying, and it could be problematic. Their kids already freaked, a couple days ago (5 years and under). So, I got the net and observation box out (basically just a box with multiple magnifying glasses), and taught them what was what.
There's also 4 species of bees, 2 of which are new, and I'm attempting to cultivate a hive of one of them, as I have the queen and quickly made her an suitable home (the other is a solitary species).
However, we do have a rather impressive amount of activity over there...and it's an intimidating SOUND at some times of the day, as in nightmarish amounts of buzzing. If I didn't know what I knew I'd be spraying in a heartbeat.
We know one of the neighbors on that fenceline sprayed a hive in the past. I can just educate and hope.
Post by: Unorthodox on June 23, 2013, 02:39:10 am
UnO, since you have so much unused veggie yield, and appearantly don't use pesticides, there's no local market for organic grown veggies?
I assume it's the manhours needed to harvest that's holding you back? :(
Legal issues, basically.
I'd have to certify as an organic grower, then licenses and crap. I'd never make back the costs therein. TECHNICALLY we could get in trouble for the pumpkin stand. But then, kids can get in trouble for lemonade stands, TECHNICALLY.
What we'll have unused this year is a lot of corn, and a few beans. We'll give away the sweet corn easy enough.
I'm considering what to do with the corn from the silage/silo corn.
Post by: Unorthodox on June 24, 2013, 01:31:42 am
Post by: Rusty Edge on June 24, 2013, 05:01:00 am
Between the tachinid flies and trichogramma wasps I've been actively encouraging as predators on squash bugs, they naturally predate on the corn pests as well, we had 2 ears get a borer last year. That's acceptable numbers for me. One of the bigger things to get used to is that your bugs need stuff to predate on, so you're going to have some pests, you just have to live with it, and hope to keep the numbers acceptable.
So far, in my monitoring, we have 3 new species of tachinid flies this year, and 2 unidentified trichogramma wasps along with mantids, FINALLY, and ladybugs (which were also absent last year). We also have an impressive natural population of green lacewings that I've never had to actively encourage. In fact, they are occasionally annoying.
I'm attempting to get some orbweavers going this year as well.
I fooled around with trichogramma wasps on the farm. I had no idea they were so versatile, but I guess an insect egg or larva is a lot like another insect egg or larvae from a food source / egg laying standpoint. I don't think they stayed around any plants where I tried to introduce them. On the other hand, I thought they made a big difference over time in the fly population on the crust of the stored hog manure and around some of the buildings .
Do you need ladybugs if you've got plentiful green lacewings?
Post by: Unorthodox on June 24, 2013, 05:10:13 pm
The Lacewings are excellent...I'd actually like to REDUCE their numbers though, as they keep making themselves annoying. They seem to LOVE to clog up the propane lines on the grill. Don't fret, the grill has a charcoal side for when I want to do real cooking as well, and even a smoker attachment, thank you, but it's just easier to fire up the propane to grill a few burgers for the kids, and I LOVE the propane side burner that works as a charcoal starter...which they've presently clogged up, gotta clean it out.
Plus I have a 5 year old daughter...ladybugs are 'cute' lacewings are 'icky'.
Post by: Rusty Edge on June 24, 2013, 05:21:51 pm
Here and now, my wife likes teriyaki marinades for steaks, lemon-garlic marinades for pork and charcoal grilling so that's all that normally happens.
Post by: Unorthodox on June 24, 2013, 07:50:29 pm
http://www.gas-grill-review.com/char-griller-duo.html (http://www.gas-grill-review.com/char-griller-duo.html)
I'd say it's a jack of all trades grill, so it works for us, but there's better out there if you're going to specialize in any one aspect.
We keep it in the garage during the winter, and I happily wheel it out and grill in sub freezing weather in the driveway to the amusement of neighbors.
Post by: Geo on June 24, 2013, 08:05:27 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on June 24, 2013, 10:13:54 pm
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Aussie-Walk-A-Bout-Portable-Charcoal-Grill-4200-0A236/100164850 (http://www.homedepot.com/p/Aussie-Walk-A-Bout-Portable-Charcoal-Grill-4200-0A236/100164850)
(which appears to be $50 now, wtf?)
This grill was part of my payment for consulting/prop building for the professional haunt in 2011. Owner was a dealer, so probably was a lot cheaper for him than retail.
Post by: Unorthodox on June 25, 2013, 01:49:59 pm
Only about half the pumpkins are ready for that kind of heat. I expect increased water restrictions before too long. Might accelerate a Halloween plan that would double as a shade for the garden for just such circumstance...
Post by: Geo on June 25, 2013, 03:08:52 pm
Yeah, you can get a good charcoal grill for dirt cheap. Propane gets pricey. Prior to this we were rockin' a $20 aussie grill.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Aussie-Walk-A-Bout-Portable-Charcoal-Grill-4200-0A236/100164850 (http://www.homedepot.com/p/Aussie-Walk-A-Bout-Portable-Charcoal-Grill-4200-0A236/100164850)
(which appears to be $50 now, wtf?)
Part of decreasing the budget deficit? Doubling import taxes of foreign goods? :D
Post by: Unorthodox on June 25, 2013, 07:05:17 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on June 26, 2013, 12:27:32 am
Time to have the car renewed. Left at the shop a mile away and walked home.
First thing to catch my eye was an ungodly amount of honeydew ALL OVER the trees near the shop. On inspection, I HAVE NEVER SEEN SO MANY APHIDS IN MY LIFE!!!
I monitored plants as I walked, aphids are normally a minor cosmetic annoyance at worst, but they are KILLING plants by sheer number, and the mold that potentially forms from excessive honeydew could be problematic as well. Low lying plants are doing ok likely thanks to pesticides, but people are not spraying the TREES, and it's clear the aphids are spreading down the mature elms that line the streets here.
The plague level is presently about a block from my place, and the mummies start appearing from there (leftovers from trichogramma wasps). This explains why I have several new species of the wasps set up shop in the garden as the best habitat in the vicinity, and in general they should keep aphids in check, but I've never seen this level. Will be interesting.
Post by: Rusty Edge on June 26, 2013, 04:10:27 am
Post by: Unorthodox on June 26, 2013, 04:42:11 am
Post by: Unorthodox on June 26, 2013, 02:53:29 pm
Those of you who have followed me a bit may recall my present point and shoot (known affectionately as string camera) is falling apart. After being abused for 10 years, it is presently held together by a string, and is now suffering from some focus issues that come and go. 10 year old camera technology is not that great, no, but for a point and shoot in the shop, it is a wonderful little device. I want a new one, but google only brings up spare parts on the thing. No used, no refurbished...nothin'.
New point and shoots are severe overkill for my needs. I have bertha for when I want a nice picture.
My last road trip showed me my lovely 2nd? genreation ipod is struggling with capacity as well, for when I load up audiobooks...
I'm noticing the cameras on an ipod touch exceed my 10 year old point and shoot in capability, and such a device would be in the shop blaring music anyway, so handy. My question that google seems to be having trouble answering:
How easy is it to transfer said pics to the PC for editting? Is it a 'normal' file format, or proprietary?
Anyone with any real experience taking photos with one?
Or, any recommendations on a good, cheap, camera?
Post by: Unorthodox on June 26, 2013, 11:43:22 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 27, 2013, 12:51:08 am
Post by: Unorthodox on June 27, 2013, 03:45:13 am
Watching goosebumps with the kids, it featured intelligent worms uh, threatening?, a town, so I started singing that song. Kids didn't believe it was a real song, so googled it for em, thought I'd share the results.
Post by: Unorthodox on July 01, 2013, 09:06:54 pm
Releasing a few thousand ladybugs tonight in response. I'm well aware of 1976 UK ladybug 'plague' brought on by increased aphids following a similar hot spell there, ran out of aphids and reportedly bit people). I'll take the ladybug plague later, thanks.
Post by: Unorthodox on July 02, 2013, 02:08:51 pm
I'm not fond of most the pests. I just believe that your standard practice of chemical warfare does more harm than good. Virtually all your predators recover from such methods at a much slower rate than the pests.
My war against the squash bugs last year was not pretty. Tachinid flies are not commercially available and the native ladybugs aren't fond of squash bugs. Had to deal with the first brood by hand, inspecting and squashing eggs. Rounded up and released a few hundred tachinid flies (from the farmer I typically sell the water to, he was going to spray, so I rounded up the flies first) to deal with the second brood. There's a certain satisfaction with watching the fly crawl it's way out of the squash bug Alien style.
And silverfish. they creep me out for no logical reason.
Fortunately, we're typically too dry for them here.
Yeah...about that...
This new building is apparantly infested with them. Makes some sense, the leaky roof has this a nice humid habitat. I'm severely tempted to drop a couple bug bombs and come back next week. They spawn a reaction in me similar to most people with spiders. First time I've had to really confront them, however.
Post by: Unorthodox on July 02, 2013, 04:07:07 pm
The Cinderellas that were exposed have died, but the ones shaded by the corn are growing well, so the experiment there has done well. The mini pumpkins are a lot less vigorous than I had hoped so far.
The 15ft tall corn had fantastic emergence from the seed the farmer sold me. We've been having rather high winds with this heat wave, though, so if it gets too tall before the roots take hold, could be trouble. Winds have knocked down half of the "Ambrosia" corn I planted. "King Kool" seems to be doing better with the wind (was also in the ground 3 weeks longer), but did not seem to handle the early planting as well as advertised. Found a supplier for the old hybrid we grew on the farm anyway, going to switch to that next year.
Post by: Unorthodox on July 02, 2013, 05:01:21 pm
3 years.
3 YEARS.
And you're just now realizing you don't have the paperwork to GET PAID? :wall:
Not to mention I don't really want my name associated with this abomination to begin with.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 02, 2013, 05:07:51 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on July 02, 2013, 05:20:55 pm
Post by: Geo on July 02, 2013, 06:27:04 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 02, 2013, 06:31:49 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on July 07, 2013, 05:17:12 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 07, 2013, 02:32:36 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on July 07, 2013, 09:55:04 pm
"Daddy, we need to make a scarecrow so the birds don't nibble on our corn."
"Ok, you can build one and I'll put it out there."
"No, scarecrows don't work very good to scare the birds, we need to put Fred in one of those scary coats, and put his arm out like this, and put a hat on him, then the birds will nibble on Fred and not the corn, but they can't get to all of Fred because the coat is there so they can't get all fulled up and will keep nibbling on Fred."
"Maybe that will scare the new little neighbors, honey."
"Oh, that's just silly, I'll tell them to come say hi to Fred and they wont be scared."
Guess I have a project for tonight. Woe be upon the neighbors.
Post by: Unorthodox on July 08, 2013, 02:19:18 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 08, 2013, 02:22:36 am
Post by: Unorthodox on July 08, 2013, 10:07:54 pm
You might have already guessed, it's not every day I have the patience to sit down and hotglue hundreds of strings to a skull...that kind of project is reserved for SPECIAL occasions...this being only the second one I've created. Oh, but this one was even a full on original sculpture prior to getting the string treatment. Yeah, you know I'm in a good mood when that happens. Not to mention those annoying as hell pumpkins in the background I had been avoiding the tedium of for just such a mood....at least I'm getting things done again. Gotta love the 4th, family and all.
For now...I've been off since last teusday...morons in my absence contacted IT with no clue, and now have royally fubarred one of the main programs I use. My "it can wait til I get back monday" was apparantly insufficient even though it's a bigger mess now.
Post by: Unorthodox on July 08, 2013, 10:14:39 pm
Email from IT: "If we had a good record to begin with we would have been doing the same steps Uno tried to do, now we're not sure how to fix it"
Yeah...good times.
(this company, 3rd party program, has tried to hire me a couple times as I can typically run circles around their own IT folks, and write more bug reports than anyone in it's history. I just can't afford to move to cali. )
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 08, 2013, 10:43:10 pm
Post by: Rusty Edge on July 09, 2013, 11:55:01 pm
(this company, 3rd party program, has tried to hire me a couple times as I can typically run circles around their own IT folks, and write more bug reports than anyone in it's history. I just can't afford to move to cali. )
Are these reports about software bugs, or the garden variety bugs?
Post by: JarlWolf on July 10, 2013, 03:43:18 am
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-2TEIcDcXXDE/UdnimkFYYtI/AAAAAAAASYc/WUfyV91hXCk/s800/IMG_0002.JPG)
And THAT is one of the reasons why this is one of the best forum on the internet.
Post by: Unorthodox on July 10, 2013, 07:19:13 pm
(this company, 3rd party program, has tried to hire me a couple times as I can typically run circles around their own IT folks, and write more bug reports than anyone in it's history. I just can't afford to move to cali. )
Are these reports about software bugs, or the garden variety bugs?
Don't think they'd care for insect reports.
It always surprises me how few people know how to recognize something in a program as a bug, and give the pertinent information. Too many years playing beta tester for Blizzard, I guess.
Anyhow, I walked IT through how to fix the latest problem. I could do it myself if someone in cali would give me the permissions...but, well, job security and all.
If you're wanting an insect report, the neighbors sprayed, but were kind enough to not point it over the fence. It's hard to judge the impact completely. I'd say a good 50% decline in overall population, it no longer has that ominous buzzing, but they moved their kids' play set back away from the fence just the same. Fortunately, we have fireflies in the corn, and their boys come over to catch some in jars. Haven't seen them since Fred went up, though.
I have a new problem, slugs. Not quite the horror movie level we had early last year, but no more friendly neighborhood skunk to come eat them. They LOVE our butterfly bush for some reason. And the peppers. So, it's a salsa garden problem, not a pumpkin problem for now.
We also have squirrels...Debating how to handle them. If they start going after crops, I'll trap. If they just want to keep eating the birdseed, that's fine.
The ladybugs released in my trees are winning the war over there vs the aphid plague. Any luck and they'll start repelling it further and further.
Post by: Unorthodox on July 11, 2013, 11:52:07 pm
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-lZHRHBi_k14/Ud812WSwRgI/AAAAAAAASZI/EWVVTkKw5UQ/s800/IMG_0006.JPG)
Underside of wings is white.
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-pc2XvcP1U3A/Ud812dgTcTI/AAAAAAAASZE/2ybODrRLbQ8/s800/IMG_0007.JPG)
Guessing family Lycaenidae...looking through lists for Utah.
Post by: Unorthodox on July 12, 2013, 12:02:41 am
Gray Hairstreak. Apparently here to lay eggs on the beans (no problem). Bunch of males on my corn and pumpkins looking for mates.
http://bugguide.net/node/view/579 (http://bugguide.net/node/view/579)
Utah info says it's most northern location known is about 40 miles south of me. Hot year, means it come north, will not survive the winter.
Post by: Rusty Edge on July 12, 2013, 01:31:23 am
If you're wanting an insect report, the neighbors sprayed, but were kind enough to not point it over the fence. It's hard to judge the impact completely. I'd say a good 50% decline in overall population, it no longer has that ominous buzzing, but they moved their kids' play set back away from the fence just the same. Fortunately, we have fireflies in the corn, and their boys come over to catch some in jars. Haven't seen them since Fred went up, though.
I have a new problem, slugs. Not quite the horror movie level we had early last year, but no more friendly neighborhood skunk to come eat them. They LOVE our butterfly bush for some reason. And the peppers. So, it's a salsa garden problem, not a pumpkin problem for now.
We also have squirrels...Debating how to handle them. If they start going after crops, I'll trap. If they just want to keep eating the birdseed, that's fine.
The ladybugs released in my trees are winning the war over there vs the aphid plague. Any luck and they'll start repelling it further and further.
Sure, insect reports are always welcome!
Slugs! I detest them. Lime the --- -------- at night, I say! I suppose your PH isn't compatible with that approach. Skunks can be a pain in the corn patch, because they are wasteful and destructive. While a raccoon and it's family will consume a lot more, at least a raccoon knows how to check an ear for ripeness without destroying it, and he eats what he husks. Raccoons know their corn. I'm on a slug eating mammal tangent, I guess. Mixed blessings.
Out there, don't you have lizards and toads to eat the slugs?
Congratulations on turning the tide in the aphid war so soon!
Post by: Unorthodox on July 12, 2013, 03:40:35 am
The skunk didn't touch much of anything other than the slugs last year, and it was HORROR MOVIE LEVELS, as in the ENTIRE SIDE OF THE YARD was a writhing mass early in the mornings, you couldn't walk, slime covered skin crawling sight. I figure the skunk was just getting his fill on slugs and thus left the garden alone, and the house next door was for sale so his den was safe at the time. It took me a few weeks to pin down what it was getting into the yard at night, had a few close brushes with it. Once I got a light on him, I just made sure the kids knew how to handle it if they ran into it, but I'm usually the only one up at the same time. One or two nights there was an odor, but it was mostly just interesting. Kinda sad when they trapped it.
There's no lizards here in the wasatch front. Out in the desert you might. Toads are rare thanks to housing developments. I have some salamanders down by the irrigation ditch, but that doesn't help where the slugs are. I could bring in some ducks, but would rather not. Beer traps will be clogged far too quick. Rather not bait. vinegar/water was working before the skunk showed up last year.
Sat watching the garden for about an hour this afternoon. Lots of those butterflies.
I've been letting milkweed grow in a corner in the hopes of attracting monarchs for my daughter, but 5 years now and no luck, but we do have red milkweed beetles. I have a special affection for the longhorn beetles.
Couple spider species I can't place, but I'm not that good with arachnids, so no surprise there.
Ants tending aphids in the corn was interesting to watch. There's not a terrible plague level there, so not too fussed about it. Interesting...it's only the King Kool corn. That's the one silking/tasseling now...gotta see if that's coincidence or not later.
Harvestmen are abundant. Fitting. (though more commonly known as daddy longlegs)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 12, 2013, 03:48:46 am
Couple spider species I can't place, but I'm not that good with arachnids, so no surprise there.:o
Post by: Unorthodox on July 12, 2013, 01:44:20 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on July 12, 2013, 01:56:02 pm
It's a 3rd party, and a kit lens, but would work on Bertha. I have a new point and shoot coming this weekend, we'll see how it handles things. String camera took 20 shots to get the 2 usable ones of the butterfly above, thing is dying swiftly.
Post by: Geo on July 12, 2013, 04:32:18 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on July 12, 2013, 05:18:34 pm
Post by: Rusty Edge on July 12, 2013, 05:32:35 pm
I guess that's right up your alley. Now all you need is that Zombie of the moors statue, a can of beer to spray around, and you'll have a photo to terrorize that decorating contest.
I can see as how you'd need a nocturnal predator for that kind of infestation.
Or maybe train your magpies to attack at dawn...
Post by: Unorthodox on July 15, 2013, 06:37:18 pm
The local fruit stand started erecting their pavilion this weekend.
I grew up working a farm, and helping run one of these stands. I earlier had made it a point to support this particular stand as opposed to driving out of my way to get to the ones in Layton.
2010, that changed.
Prior to that, we would buy 1-3 pumpkins a year. It was no big deal to head over to the permanent structure, and buy a couple pumpkins. Sure, I could get them at walmart for $3, and was paying $5 at the stand, but it was the whole support the local farmer thing.
2010, we lost most our stuff and the whole idea of the pumpkin party was born. Meanwhile, the fruit stand had struck hard times of a sort, and had to move out of the permanent building, instead building a temp stand a couple blocks from us. I hadn't planned on the pumpkin party, it kinda sprang upon me in September, so wasn't growing my own at the time. I saw them put out their pumpkins soon after, so went to talk. Surely, me buying 60 would get me some kind of bulk discount. I've been in the business, know the score.
Nope. Not only no deal, but those $5 pumpkins were being sold for $10 or more. "Specialty" pumpkins selling for $15 or more.
A Layton stand gave me the same story. I eventually got numberous farmers thrilled to deal with me, and eventually settled on our official nursery. http://www.countrygardensnursery.co/about/ (http://www.countrygardensnursery.co/about/)
They fully signed on, and put me in touch with the growers, negotiated at-cost purchase and purchases of smallish sizes, that, while perfectly fine, are more difficult for those farmers to sell, thus CHEAP, and delivered the pumpkins that year. $5 for pumpkins of the past was made a mockery as I was buying for $1.
While I've begun growing my own, we do make at least an annual trip out to that nursery. It's a little out of the way from us.
Last year, I was happy to provide many of our neighbors with the $1 pumpkin, as much to stiff that damn stand as anything else. They offered to buy me out before we sold any. I turned them down. We easily had as many pumpkins as them the day we had our stand up. We sold out in an hour. I'm sure they got replenished through the year, but they filled several dumpsters after halloween.
Well, they've moved within a block of me this year. If it weren't around the corner, and thus behind a house, i could see them from my porch. They'll start selling corn, probably this week. (my own should be ready for picking by the weekend)
I think it might be interesting if I have pumpkins to sell this year. Especially if all my 'specialty' ones do well. Almost makes me wish I could plant enough corn to sell...
Post by: Unorthodox on July 15, 2013, 06:51:08 pm
The anti-halloween neighbors across the street. Tried beekeeping last year, wouldn't listen to me, 3 hives perished. Bought more in the spring, they all swamed over the weekend. Unusual for a first year colony, probably indicative or poor conditions. Freaked out the neighbor kids as the swarm took up residence on their tree, near my garden. Captured, catching the neighbor in time before he loosed his can o poison. Stung a few dozen times in the process. Sans-bee suit.
The neighbors insist it's not theirs, but a glance at their hives tells me otherwise. Ah well, donating to a local keeper, honeybees are too much work for me.
Post by: Unorthodox on July 17, 2013, 06:42:07 pm
The pumpkins are beginning to produce female flowers, mostly the musquee and sugars right now. Most are shriveling in the heat, but good bee activity in the area.
Pretty sure we have our first one set, despite the heat, but will take a few days to be sure. It has me questioning though, as it's on what I had labeled as Musquee, but looks a LOT like the cinderellas of last year. Interweb searches are inconclusive with musquee pics either looking the same or vastly different. It's entirely possible we got some hybrid seeds...I mean I was extra careful with the labeling...
The King Kool corn could be ready for picking any day now, it topped out at 6', so the stalks won't be useless after all. The Ambrosia is starting to tassle, and is already at the 6' mark, so will make good decor material as well. The field corn is already waist high after 3 weeks.
New camera due to arrive any day now.
Post by: Unorthodox on July 18, 2013, 02:16:07 pm
It also handles ISO settings different than the old one, only allowing it to be manually set in a couple modes instead of universally. I tried to shoot a couple things right out of the box, and they looked like crap. The camera had automagically set it's iso to 3200...which is almost never a good thing on digital cameras (in it's defense it was probably 'logical' considering the lighting and no flash set).
Post by: Unorthodox on July 18, 2013, 06:32:19 pm
"Hi I'm calling from (insert pest control place here) letting you know we're going to be in the neighborhood spraying for insects today, and wanted to know if you had any problems we could take care of."
"Not really"
"Your neighbors are reporting problems with bees and hornets, we could take care of such pests for you."
"I don't consider them pests."
"You don't have any pests that need to be killed?"
"Companies killing bees probably don't count, do they?"
Don't know if someone really called in something or not, but company soliciting in the area spraying for bees is probably not a good thing.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 18, 2013, 06:52:10 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on July 18, 2013, 07:17:02 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 18, 2013, 07:30:54 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on July 18, 2013, 08:50:52 pm
Lawn care, pest control, etc. Someone in your neighborhood signs up for something, a salesman will knock down doors trying to sign up more people at least once a month, it's better for routes, I assume.
Then there's the insallers...TV/Phone/Internet guys love to do a neighborhood at a time, so any time someone switches/signs up, they knock down doors. Someone gets new windows/siding/roofing/etc, same routine.
Maybe it's a utah thing, all those missionaries come back and need a job...
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 18, 2013, 09:50:09 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on July 19, 2013, 12:34:11 am
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-4dpJnIjmSKs/Ueh5VTTidTI/AAAAAAAASbk/1NWQZUbLzO4/s800/IMG_0005.JPG)
unfortunately, you have to be within a few inches and the autofocus doesn't always pick right. tachinid fly
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-gXqQfOsZ6LQ/Ueh5VqzvbMI/AAAAAAAASbI/N0eL35y6_mQ/s800/IMG_0006.JPG)
Has a zoom that lets you back off, but that makes the macro mode's focus problems amplify and pixelates the image. Damsel fly.
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-0EF2G1qbJT0/Ueh5skdNpnI/AAAAAAAAScM/kvumC_IbWhg/s800/IMG_0008.JPG)
There's also a macro setting within manual mode that doesn't go fully 1:1, I'll try it out later.
Just a point and shoot replacement here, I know it's not the greatest quality in shots, but good for the shop.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 19, 2013, 01:25:35 am
Post by: Unorthodox on July 19, 2013, 01:26:35 am
Post by: Rusty Edge on July 20, 2013, 04:29:29 am
It's hard to tell if this is clever telemarketing or real.
"Hi I'm calling from (insert pest control place here) letting you know we're going to be in the neighborhood spraying for insects today, and wanted to know if you had any problems we could take care of."
"Not really"
"Your neighbors are reporting problems with bees and hornets, we could take care of such pests for you."
"I don't consider them pests."
"You don't have any pests that need to be killed?"
"Companies killing bees probably don't count, do they?"
Don't know if someone really called in something or not, but company soliciting in the area spraying for bees is probably not a good thing.
;lol
Well, with your pollinators buzzing, and the other neighbor's runaway hives, there were probably enough bees about to bug somebody enough to make a call... even if they were just seen or heard. It only takes one allergic person to make an entire family nervous.
I'm guessing somebody actually called.
Post by: Unorthodox on July 20, 2013, 04:00:05 pm
Honey bee with macro setting on the manual mode of the camera. Not true macro.
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Yxcpo0bqwDs/UeqiUvZta9I/AAAAAAAASc4/C6xBpVSjYhI/s800/IMG_0012.JPG)
Squash bee in "digital macro" mode.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-yj_PFFFfav0/UeqiUZYB8FI/AAAAAAAASc8/G7z76-JiW4w/s800/IMG_0009.JPG)
If there was a manual focus, this would actually be a useful setting instead of situational.
Post by: Unorthodox on July 20, 2013, 04:06:09 pm
Post by: Rusty Edge on July 20, 2013, 07:55:33 pm
I'm sure you would put the macro lens to good use.
I know there are things that I can afford, but cannot justify to myself. Sometimes because I think the price is excessive. Sometimes because the purchase or donation is sort of frivolous. Sometimes because of financial uncertainty in my life, and I need contingency funds to feel secure.
You'll have to work that out for yourself. I'm sure if you really want it, you could create a marketable Halloween sculpture to offset the costs. Few people can compare to you when it comes to combining creativity, productivity, and time management.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 20, 2013, 07:59:24 pm
Post by: Rusty Edge on July 21, 2013, 01:13:52 am
http://seattletimes.com/html/homegarden/2009448964_yardsmart11.html (http://seattletimes.com/html/homegarden/2009448964_yardsmart11.html)
For Recipes -
http://www.thekitchn.com/five-ways-to-eat-squash-blosso-87564 (http://www.thekitchn.com/five-ways-to-eat-squash-blosso-87564)
Post by: Unorthodox on July 21, 2013, 05:50:01 am
Post by: Unorthodox on July 22, 2013, 04:03:55 am
First shot with new camera shop work, inside, no flash. It's overexposing on it's own, going to have to reign that back.
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-kipSaCmzIJ0/Ueygq3SCSeI/AAAAAAAASd0/_Rzlfp5zpSM/s800/IMG_0019.JPG)
Post by: Unorthodox on July 22, 2013, 06:22:26 pm
Post by: Rusty Edge on July 22, 2013, 06:31:18 pm
Ok, we gots the squash bugs. Saw a mating pair the other night, and just stomped em.
;lol What an instructive name!
Post by: Unorthodox on July 23, 2013, 03:26:06 pm
I need to put up and lock the gate, apparantly.
So, long story short, my neighbor to the NW, the one who in the past has sprayed bees living near the shed, sprayed weedkiller on that 'nasty' milkweed I had growing, and various other "helpful" things over the years took it on himself to come spray the garden last week. "All those little flies and bees" obviously were not good, and he hadn't seen me, so thought I was out of town again, so he came over to 'help'.
Well, he decimated my trichogramma (and put a good dent in the squash bees) and now I have squash bugs running rampant as a result. We're giving the neem oil a chance, and I manually disposed of a few hundred eggs, but I have some real nasty stuff in storage if it comes right down to it.
Post by: Geo on July 23, 2013, 03:29:45 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on July 23, 2013, 03:31:14 pm
Post by: Geo on July 23, 2013, 03:37:33 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on July 23, 2013, 03:57:17 pm
Yes, he sprayed the bees before, but the hive was between my shed and the fenceline. He's raising 2 granddaughters, and I really couldn't blame him for that with the common perception of bees, especially if the girls are allergic. It's one thing to spray something through/over the fence, I never considered someon bringing a sprayer and coating my property, though.
Thing is, in his mind he's helping me. Gardening is a thing in Utah. LDS members believe in being self sufficient, and some in Utah take it to an extreme. If you're buying vegetables, you're doing it wrong. My methods are not kosher with the accepted norm around here, having learned from a much older heathen farmer, I don't use the modern methods being taught by the church organizations (yes, really) add in mixing my own entomology interests, and thus I'm doing it "wrong" and need to be taught, fellowshipped, and converted. My parents have done similar to me over the years, coming to "help" and show me the error of my ways through example. I did explain I had been trying to go organic, and what the bees and 'flies' were actually beneficial. Will it stick? I don't know. I'm still a little flabergasted at the though of someone going to someone else's property to spray poison.
Post by: Geo on July 23, 2013, 05:28:53 pm
We've had some disagreements on the fenceline, with the milkweed, and a few other plants that he promtly weedkilled, but the raven grass on that corner has been a mutually agreed planting.
Yes, he sprayed the bees before, but the hive was between my shed and the fenceline. He's raising 2 granddaughters, and I really couldn't blame him for that with the common perception of bees, especially if the girls are allergic. It's one thing to spray something through/over the fence, I never considered someon bringing a sprayer and coating my property, though.
Thing is, in his mind he's helping me. Gardening is a thing in Utah. LDS members believe in being self sufficient, and some in Utah take it to an extreme. If you're buying vegetables, you're doing it wrong. My methods are not kosher with the accepted norm around here, having learned from a much older heathen farmer, I don't use the modern methods being taught by the church organizations (yes, really) add in mixing my own entomology interests, and thus I'm doing it "wrong" and need to be taught, fellowshipped, and converted. My parents have done similar to me over the years, coming to "help" and show me the error of my ways through example. I did explain I had been trying to go organic, and what the bees and 'flies' were actually beneficial. Will it stick? I don't know. I'm still a little flabergasted at the though of someone going to someone else's property to spray poison.
Okay. I do hope you somehow get the message across it's a huge no-no to not only enter your property unannounced (thinking you're not home), but physically forcing his way of life on your garden. It sounds borderline fundamentalistic to me.
Post by: Unorthodox on July 23, 2013, 05:55:04 pm
The Word of Wisdom is a perfect example. People happily ignore the whole part about eating little meat and getting to bed on time, but fanatically embrace things like no coffee, alcohol, or smoking. The whole circus that is Utah drinking laws reflect that.
They are pushing the gardens again recently, at least at the local level. Guess the younger generation has lost it's way there. Hence the neighbor's across the street trying to do beehives. The church told them to make a garden, thus God wants them to be beekeepers. In fact, they are in charge of the big church run farm. I was offered space there, as they have extra, haven't decided whether it's worth being hassled every time I head over or not.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 23, 2013, 05:57:57 pm
Post by: Rusty Edge on July 23, 2013, 06:39:49 pm
You'd definitely get sprayed behind your back there.
True. On the other hand, if you just wanted to plant pumpkins to undersell that nearby stand...
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 23, 2013, 06:46:28 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on July 23, 2013, 08:06:59 pm
I was ostricized early on in the neighborhood. 12 boys my age in the ward. Various things led the boys to believe I was evil. My best friend in the neighborhood had his dad go all murder suicide while we were in school one day, I walked in on it with him, called the cops, age 5. Since then, anything bad was my fault more or less, a view I come to share. The whole Halloween thing probably didn't help, even though at the youngest age, a lot of it was my means of coping with the above. Not that Halloween is frowned upon by the church, not at all. But, I was quite gruesome early on.
Worked on the farm in the summers while I could, while the other boys were being kids. That didn't lead to any teasing at all...
The farmer fell down his stairs and died, I found him, age 14. I fell into depression shortly after amidst more 'cursed Cole' talk from the boys (shocking, I know), and my wonderful bishop at the time (who I now work with) councelled all these boys to keep away from me as a bad influence in my depression, so I found new friends and a mixture of drugs and various forms of witchcraft. This scared a number of people, someone notified the church. This prompted the bishop to 'council' me, I told him where he could stick it, this led to formal discipline where I refused to repent, Mom standing by my decision, thus out I go.
That summer I was sent to a medicine man of the Sioux nation which formed the basis of where I'm at now, religiously speaking, and come home to get involved in the haunt industry from a mentor I've spoke of before, which got me out of the drug circuit. We recreated the deaths I'd witnessed in the house that year. Also had the hunting incident, had to wrestle a deer down and slit it's throat that year, after it had gored me and broke a shoulder blade... The medicine man would say I have some of the deer's soul in me now.
Took me a couple years to exorcise all the demons of the whole drugs/witchcraft timeframe, and some not-so-smart decisions that followed, and finally worked through the whole 'curse' thing with myself in the process.
I come to realize I don't really have a problem with the CHURCH. I have issues with how some of the members interpret things. Same can be said for many a religion.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 23, 2013, 08:14:27 pm
-Way to love the afflicted on the part of the church community, though. ;sarc
Post by: Unorthodox on July 23, 2013, 08:31:13 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 23, 2013, 08:34:00 pm
Post by: JarlWolf on July 23, 2013, 08:39:13 pm
I never caught on the religious belief of it, but his philosophy stuck. I don't know if he survived after I was pulled out or not, I'd like to think he's still alive.
And what you do for the Halloween festivities is admirable. I am not a religious person but I can tell you that you do have a bit of spirituality about you, and that's golden: most people don't really have spirituality, and most people mistake dogmatic belief for it. Spirituality is finding enlightened perspective through belief, and most people use religion as an excuse to shut away problems and blind themselves from other issues.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 23, 2013, 08:50:41 pm
You were in on the LAST imperialistic foreign adventure in Afghanistan? Fascinating.
I imagine you think about people never learning a great deal when the US imperialistic foreign adventure in Afghanistan makes the news.
Post by: JarlWolf on July 23, 2013, 08:58:23 pm
Afghanistan is hole that the United States and other nations are throwing their men to suffer and die in. That country is too divided for Capitalist Democracy to work, the same as it was for Socialist Democracy. What that country needs is a strong regime that can unite the tribes and install its authority so there can be a transition to peace. And ironically the Taliban were the closest thing to that: as repressive as they were. Before people can achieve stable freedom they have to have a peaceful home, you cannot make decisions together if you are at each others throats. And coming into a country to subjectively place a government on them is only going to unite them against YOU. And its a damned shame because so many young me and women are sent to die and linger in that hole still it disgusts me. So I am going to divert the subject before I get angry in my posts. (Not angry at any of you its just a subject that makes me relatively pissed and discontent.)
Edit: And with that its a slow steady transition: I heard news of the Arab spring and there was moronic CHEERING of rebels on forums and blogs and all this other [nonsense]- Its all just going to be full circle revolutions. You cannot have stable democracies, installed by military autocrats, and keep a nation united. The Americans learned that in their revolution, The Soviets as well. After their revolution they had to deal with loyalists and become repressive to extents, and on the Americans side they butchered and suppressed various native groups to unite their country and colonize. I am not saying atrocities are justified mind, but its a no brain conclusion that you need security and control of a situation before you implement freedoms and choice: One has to build a foundation if they are going to create a magnificent home, and without a foundation it all comes crumbling down.
Alas I am going to shut up for now. I am going to go to sleep shortly, I'll speak with you all later, dasvadanya.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 23, 2013, 09:04:04 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on July 23, 2013, 09:25:17 pm
Well, I'm glad I asked; it's a more interesting story than you credit it being. I don't recall you ever before mentioning finding dead people as a kid. You've had an interesting life.
I don't specifically avoid mentioning it. :dunno:
Quote
He said to me that Allah was found in all things, even pain and death, and its a lesson that he teaches to harden his servants so they become wiser and value life more, and so that they can walk the path.
I never caught on the religious belief of it, but his philosophy stuck. I don't know if he survived after I was pulled out or not, I'd like to think he's still alive.
And what you do for the Halloween festivities is admirable. I am not a religious person but I can tell you that you do have a bit of spirituality about you, and that's golden: most people don't really have spirituality, and most people mistake dogmatic belief for it. Spirituality is finding enlightened perspective through belief, and most people use religion as an excuse to shut away problems and blind themselves from other issues.
I don't know that I'd say I was spiritual, per se.
Just touched by a child. Halloween, for me, really went through a big metamorphasis about 8 year ago, meeting a little girl, overhearing her comment on "another house I can't go up to", where I had the classic gags with a strobe going. I offered to turn it off, she didn't want to 'ruin it' for her siblings. Made her a promise that night to fix it for her, and make it bigger and better.
Nothing was better than seeing her that next year. She had been in a depression for the season until she saw me setting up, her parents were concerned I had forgotten. The following year, we started bringing in her school. Yeah, I get 1000+ people each year, but I do it for ~24.
AFAIK, I'm the only dedicated epilepsy safe haunter around. Even epilepsy organizations think I'm crazy to even attempt such a thing (I asked around for advice the first couple years). If I ever make my own house, it will be safe as well. Yeah, she died a few years back, but I like to think she still stops by every year, just to see how it's going.
Post by: JarlWolf on July 23, 2013, 11:33:22 pm
Post by: Rusty Edge on July 24, 2013, 01:01:08 am
Well, I'm glad I asked; it's a more interesting story than you credit it being. I don't recall you ever before mentioning finding dead people as a kid. You've had an interesting life.
He told the murder- suicide story before, I can't recall if you were Omni-present at the time.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 24, 2013, 01:04:08 am
Post by: Unorthodox on July 24, 2013, 01:58:31 pm
Post by: Rusty Edge on July 26, 2013, 03:02:46 am
Why the subject came up... It might have had something to do with me mentioning I was squeamish and Uno listing why he was desensitized to such things( which included ambulance or first aid work, too ), or it could have been some other discussion. That could have easily occurred with a discussion about other haunts, horror movies, etc. I'm thinking it was mentioned twice in Off Topic.
Well, Buncle, maybe you were temporarily banned at the time. I'm better at remembering " I read about this before" than I am remembering even which year something happened, or when I read about it.
Of course there were plenty of other times when they had technical issues, and not everybody could access the site.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 26, 2013, 03:10:59 am
Post by: Unorthodox on July 26, 2013, 02:17:08 pm
I do appreciate not having the license anymore though. Might be a state law, but while I had it, good samaritan no longer applied, and if I was around something I was required to help and open to lawsuits. Sued 5 times in the 8 years I had that damn license, my favorite being the drunk neighbor that blew his own leg to shreds and sued me because he lost the leg. Sure I saved his life, but ya know, that don't count.
Ironically, my training is among the reasons I departed Boeing. Their safety person and I did NOT see eye to eye on a lot of things. Most famously I "Ruined" the companies safety record when I insisted a coworker go to the doctor. Yeah, she had 3 broken metacarpals, but "it could have waited until after work". He stripped me of my first aid certification. Year later, I got in trouble for driving a coworker to the hospital. Sure he was having a stroke, but I wasn't certified to diagnose that.
Post by: Geo on July 26, 2013, 02:23:06 pm
Sued 5 times in the 8 years I had that damn license, my favorite being the drunk neighbor that blew his own leg to shreds and sued me because he lost the leg. Sure I saved his life, but ya know, that don't count.
Hope none of those five accusers won? Also, the drunk neighbor, he's still your neighbor? I hope not, with a shotgun in his possession.
Post by: Unorthodox on July 26, 2013, 02:30:54 pm
No, I don't live in that neighborhood anymore. Between that guy and the drug house I turned in, can't imagine why I wanted to move...
Post by: Geo on July 26, 2013, 05:06:45 pm
Post by: Rusty Edge on July 26, 2013, 06:44:37 pm
Well, like I said, I'm squeamish until the people stop screaming and the blood dries. That and I have a vivid imagination. So I try to forget the details. Maybe I deliberately forgot about the shotgun leg.
*********************
That being said, Unorthodox stories are one of the peaks of these gaming forums. I read them all, I love them all.
"How Uno became an Urban legend" was a classic worth a re-read. Post #9
http://www.weplayciv.com/forums/showthread.php?5381-When-I-was-a-child&p=164609&highlight=Urban+legend#post164609 (http://www.weplayciv.com/forums/showthread.php?5381-When-I-was-a-child&p=164609&highlight=Urban+legend#post164609)
I'm ready for a fresh insect and slug report .
Post by: Rusty Edge on July 26, 2013, 09:07:29 pm
http://www.weplayciv.com/forums/showthread.php?5381-When-I-was-a-child/page2&highlight=Urban+legend (http://www.weplayciv.com/forums/showthread.php?5381-When-I-was-a-child/page2&highlight=Urban+legend)
This gives you insight into character, and persistence of vision.
Post by: Rusty Edge on July 26, 2013, 09:18:25 pm
http://www.weplayciv.com/forums/showthread.php?3871-Do-you-own-a-gun-or-not&p=131777&highlight=suicide#post131777 (http://www.weplayciv.com/forums/showthread.php?3871-Do-you-own-a-gun-or-not&p=131777&highlight=suicide#post131777)
Post by: Unorthodox on July 27, 2013, 04:43:24 am
Took rather intensive look at the pumpkins while going through the corn. The squash bugs don't seem to be getting worse between my egg crushing and the neem oil. Probably 10-12 pumpkins have set. Real confused on the french ones. Pretty sure the one pictured earlier is a cinderella now, in which case my cinderellas are doing much better this year. Look forward to eating them...
The musquee...them is some odd pumpkins. The flower appears to be GREEN. Or I got some odd hybrid something on one of my vines.
Luminas seem to be struggling so far, but they were a little slow last year too. The sugar...well, it's getting hard to tell them from the howden volunteers at this point.
Additionally, we have 3 jack be little pumpkins, and half a dozen more ready to bloom, all on the same vine. Planted for my daughter. Apparently they don't follow the rule of thumb of one per vine at a time. If the other 2 vines start producing, I could have a LOT of those.
Tomatoes have EXPLODED with the heat. The early girl is well taller than me, probably 7' normally they get about 4' here. The romas have overgrown their trellis width wise, again, not normal for here. Even my pepper plants are freakishly tall this year at near 4', but this had caused them to lay down, not normal either. Notes for next year.
Post by: Rusty Edge on July 27, 2013, 05:42:49 am
What of the aphid plague? Were generations of ladybugs able to defeat them?
Post by: Unorthodox on July 27, 2013, 07:29:53 pm
My parents' place (20 miles) saw a similar plague, so I think it's epidemic to northern utah. She followed my lead in releasing a hoard of ladybugs, but the topography is much more difficult there, untended hillside behind them, much more foliage. Still, their yard is at least mostly clear.
Post by: JarlWolf on July 28, 2013, 05:13:26 am
Also on the note of de-infestation, my neighbours have their own farms and one of them has a potato and cabbage patches and they like using spiders to help with that. Spiders are used quite a bit for farming here I notice, is it like that in your country/Utah?
Post by: Unorthodox on July 28, 2013, 04:54:57 pm
I am going to try to go round up some egg sacks in the fall and try to reintroduce some orb weavers to our property.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 28, 2013, 05:20:58 pm
It's really admirable that you take the trouble to learn about, and implement, a more natural balance in your gardening. Manufactured chemicals are all around us to a very unhealthy degree, and ought to be a last resort in, at least, the production of food.
Post by: JarlWolf on July 28, 2013, 10:32:25 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 28, 2013, 11:06:56 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on July 29, 2013, 12:33:22 am
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZaiGRvNT6Vg/UfWo1dukLqI/AAAAAAAASf4/i4-fRkDJ1xE/s640/IMG_0100.JPG)
The Jack Be Littles climbing the fence. One's hidden by the pipe there, but there's 4 and counting.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GtqSjTEoSmM/UfWo13_-LqI/AAAAAAAASfc/qaIA2YH2ua8/s800/IMG_0101.JPG)
One of the french pumpkins, I THINK this is a Musquee...
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-unWDkAaemIE/UfWo2J1tL6I/AAAAAAAASfY/ZtCwBJtz9Es/s800/IMG_0102.JPG)
Which would make this the best cinderella we've ever grown. But, honestly, I'm just guessing on the french ones.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-P8Jv9FcqHJA/UfWo2hkDjRI/AAAAAAAASfg/PBCcWYQfxzA/s800/IMG_0103.JPG)
Post by: Unorthodox on July 29, 2013, 01:15:14 am
Some in the neighborhood appreciate me.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 29, 2013, 01:18:38 am
Post by: Unorthodox on July 30, 2013, 06:16:48 pm
We saw approximately 50% emergence from the seed planted. We were within the minimum temps listed, but barely. Unfortunately, I didn't have enough seed for a second planting to see how much that impacted emergence.
Stalks grow to 5-6' tall, as listed, and are a little more sparsely leaved than most corn, which helped them withstand the wind. 2 ears per stalk. Tassling starts at 4' tall, and the pollen emitted is coarse and abundent, covering everything in a visible dust. Bees acted near drunk on it.
EXCELLENT polination of ears in our garden. We are at the bare minimum 4 row depth for corn, and normally see a little more sparsely developed ears. Kernals were a little on the smaller side than most corn, but pretty flavorful. Not the best SH2 corn I've ever had, but very good none the less. Better raw than cooked (as most SH2 corn).
Uno's allergic reaction meter: mild-average.
Bug update:
The squash bees are starting to rebound from the spraying. It's time for another round of Neem oil. We have adolescent hoppers present now, not damage worthy numbers, but worth noting. Trying to explain to the kids why fireflies aren't glowing any more. Squash bugs seem to be moving into the depths of the corn, where it's difficult to spray/crush. This is a compromise I can live with, as it's away from the main vines of the pumpkins, it'll kill a runner, but not the plant. Set up some traps with the farmer friend, going to catch and reintroduce some tachinid flies which have been absent since the spraying. Then the squash bugs can't run so easy.
Post by: Unorthodox on July 30, 2013, 10:10:58 pm
Pepsis wasp confirmed, trapped on my desk right now...debating on whether to have it sting me or not...
It is considered the most painful sting in the insect world. I can personally attest that it is a most unique pain that will immobilize whatever limb gets stung for a few hours whilst making you able to think of nothing but the pain.
Why: Injury of years ago, both thumbs dislocated, and there's some lingering damage there and tendonitis/pain on a daily basis. The first pepsis wasp sting, an accident, left me pain free, so remarkable, I purposely got the other arm stung that night. I was pain free for a couple years after. The pain is not at the original levels, but is coming back. I've tried bee sting therapy to no avail...I just don't know that I'd be able to drive myself home if I get this thing to sting both my arms...
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 30, 2013, 10:14:25 pm
Post by: Geo on July 30, 2013, 10:32:38 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on July 31, 2013, 02:35:09 am
Post by: Unorthodox on July 31, 2013, 04:10:29 pm
Sign v 1.0, aka what crap I could find in the shed from the previous owner:
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-YJJT2Lo2h-Y/SKWNHsB1S4I/AAAAAAAABJE/E059sFNrzW0/s800/post-11-1159032320.jpeg)
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-yJyl1LxtY_A/SKWNie0taGI/AAAAAAAABJM/9tpScuPcIc4/s800/post-11-1159072018.jpeg)
It was unique at the time. Not many people (I won't say no one, but I hadn't seen any even online, yet) were doing count down signs, and NO ONE around here for sure.
Of course it was hardly waterproof, and you couldn't really read it at night.
Sign 1.5 was meant to solve that problem:
Wooden number placards and a blacklight fixture made it much more weather resilient. However, the wear and tear on the wooden placards coupled with UV deteriorating the fluorescent paint on the numbers made it a pain to upkeep.
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-VbebSrHojQY/SKWOboYUDOI/AAAAAAAABJU/e90FfZT-Y2o/s800/post-11-1189992956.jpeg)
Sign V2.0, 2.5, and 2.8:
2.0 and 2.5 were actually built together. Meant to be a little more adaptive than the previous signs, we made chalk boards.
Home made fluorescent chalk let the numbers show at night, with our familiar blacklight fixture.
2.0
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ZvBJEzAYjAc/TFjd5IkjHEI/AAAAAAAAHhw/lG6G9jGhG7U/s800/_IGP0451.JPG)
2.5, larger, "announcement" sign.
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-N-FYcWFbMcw/TKFTrDt0bYI/AAAAAAAAH00/NciYCra9_4E/s800/IMG_5266.JPG)
2.8 VERY large board.
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-rBjgQVB4SPo/UHt8xVftdQI/AAAAAAAAOJ4/8nLJb1tvXwU/s800/IMG_6557.JPG)
Of these, 2.8 is still around, the others, chalk board paint prooves to be less than resilient to the abuse I subject things to, and while regular re-coating kept them up, weather finally killed off 2.0 and 2.5 last year. 2.8 also suffers any time we have a good bit of wind, and it's some kind of miracle it's still alive.
What do I do with sign 3.0?
It's clear I want something resilient to weather and more adaptable than just a number board.
I've been giving some thought to these led chalkboards: http://www.flashadboard.com/02_gallery_a.html (http://www.flashadboard.com/02_gallery_a.html)
Now, at $100+ for anything over a desktop size, that means making one myself. The trouble I'm having is whether or not they need to be UV LEDs/liquid chalk or if more mundane options would also work.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 31, 2013, 04:30:59 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on July 31, 2013, 06:06:36 pm
If I wanted to keep that, I'd have to wash the board with a blacklight then shine the spot with a regular light. The numbers would still glow but the jack face would light up as well. The way to do this would really to get a dedicated spotlight, maybe one of the solar powered lawn stake type, and apply a stencil to the front of it.
Which really doesn't help with the board itself. I'm liking this lightboard idea, just for the utility.
I ran a quick and dirty test with some...let's say coasters...a Dioder disk pack from IKEA I've had set aside for the lemonade stand from hell for about 7 years, and a wet erase crayon.
It would appear that UV LEDs are not required.
1/4" plexiglass at 24" square is $26: http://www.delviesplastics.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=DPI&Category_Code=Clear_Acrylic (http://www.delviesplastics.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=DPI&Category_Code=Clear_Acrylic)
Lighting...A dioder strip pack would run another $30, but there's other things on the market these days. A electric supply place down the street has basically tape strips of LEDs. Doubt the power supply would be weather tolerant though. Sylvania Mosaic lights would be ideal, gotta price check those.
Post by: Unorthodox on August 01, 2013, 02:27:20 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 01, 2013, 04:22:53 pm
http://www.thegrower.com/news/Marmorated-stink-bug-makes-itself-at-home-in-Utah-187885691.html (http://www.thegrower.com/news/Marmorated-stink-bug-makes-itself-at-home-in-Utah-187885691.html)
I'm not 100% certain without a pic/sample to check for the specific band on the antenna, but a very real possibility, would also explain why I couldn't ID it right off.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 01, 2013, 04:48:00 pm
-I think the cuss filter may not be working - I just had to edit something of my own that should have been caught...
Post by: Unorthodox on August 01, 2013, 04:49:22 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 01, 2013, 05:00:14 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 02, 2013, 02:53:50 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 02, 2013, 03:05:12 am
Post by: Unorthodox on August 02, 2013, 03:19:15 am
Though I'd have to hand it to anyone that managed to move Fred at all. Had a group of teens try one year. I watched them for 10 minutes before speaking up. His support runs several feet down.
Post by: Geo on August 02, 2013, 04:03:01 am
Post by: Unorthodox on August 02, 2013, 01:43:11 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 03, 2013, 06:02:03 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 03, 2013, 06:08:46 pm
Post by: Geo on August 03, 2013, 06:12:52 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 03, 2013, 06:19:23 pm
Hey Uno, check out the Pulpomizer thread.
Post by: Unorthodox on August 05, 2013, 03:01:32 pm
Anyway, in case you all hadn't noticed, I've been mostly playing it rather casual re: halloween this year. Er, casual for me. Part of that is by design.
2 major things happening this fall.
1. We're heading to the mouse ears the first week of October. This really changes the October dynamic for my time.
2. My daughter has already enterred the Chinese program.
Spent most the weekend trying to get the damn thing working on the laptop.
I'm not sure how widespread this is in the nation, but here in Utah, this is a BIG deal. Most districts have at least one immersion school, various languages. The idea is to have them learn half the day in a foreign language from 1st through high school. They would graduate high school with a minor in said language.
Of course the district wants a commitment from US to stay in the program through highschool. They currently only have the funds through 6th grade...
Virtually all the state's budget is tied into setting these up, the schools that get the program get that extra money, etc. Oh, it's "Optional". Sure. As explained to us, there's 3 chinese classes Tali's age, and one normal class. But, they're shuffling all the 'problem' children into the normal class, but you can still opt to send your child there, or to another school that has less funds and you have to arrange transportation.
Anyhow, the chinese program comes with added responsibilities for us, especially first grade. She's started homework already, 2 weeks before school starts. She goes to school a full week early, and that first week is 9 hour days crash course in 100% chinese.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 05, 2013, 04:45:54 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 05, 2013, 07:38:49 pm
Started a couple years after Alec started school, so they now have teachers through the 4th grade. Each year, they'll fire a couple local teachers and hire some chinese ones. Real economy boost.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 05, 2013, 07:43:23 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 05, 2013, 07:50:02 pm
There are also spanish, french, and portuguese immersion schools, we're just 'lucky' to be the chinese pilot program.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 05, 2013, 07:56:20 pm
I just hope they work out the details sensibly, and sensibly is never the way to bet when it comes to public education.
Post by: Geo on August 05, 2013, 09:48:29 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 05, 2013, 10:14:58 pm
Kinda wish we lived in one of those districts. At least then when she's a teenager I'd know what she's calling me when she mouths off.
Post by: Geo on August 05, 2013, 10:20:48 pm
Nobody forbids you to follow a course too, you know?
Post by: Rusty Edge on August 06, 2013, 01:55:40 am
Post by: Unorthodox on August 06, 2013, 03:53:51 am
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-jGypQXysIyc/UgBjSyVUiHI/AAAAAAAASiM/RVnJWCroM9g/s800/IMG_0027.JPG)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 06, 2013, 03:55:01 am
Post by: Unorthodox on August 06, 2013, 03:59:07 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 06, 2013, 04:04:55 am
Post by: Unorthodox on August 06, 2013, 04:09:25 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 06, 2013, 04:12:23 am
Post by: Unorthodox on August 06, 2013, 02:33:21 pm
So, after eating our second round of corn last night, I think I have a full review for King Kool corn:
We saw approximately 50% emergence from the seed planted. We were within the minimum temps listed, but barely. Unfortunately, I didn't have enough seed for a second planting to see how much that impacted emergence.
Stalks grow to 5-6' tall, as listed, and are a little more sparsely leaved than most corn, which helped them withstand the wind. 2 ears per stalk. Tassling starts at 4' tall, and the pollen emitted is coarse and abundent, covering everything in a visible dust. Bees acted near drunk on it.
EXCELLENT polination of ears in our garden. We are at the bare minimum 4 row depth for corn, and normally see a little more sparsely developed ears. Kernals were a little on the smaller side than most corn, but pretty flavorful. Not the best SH2 corn I've ever had, but very good none the less. Better raw than cooked (as most SH2 corn).
Uno's allergic reaction meter: mild-average.
Ambrosia corn review:
Very good emergence and vigor from the seedlings. Near 100%. We were well above the minimum temerature threshhold at planting.
Stalks grow 6-8' tall and are densely leaved. Coupled with a relatively soft stalk, this led to many problems with the wind. However, the plants would knock down, then pop right back up. After the beans grew enough to start climbing, the wind problems stopped (thank you thee sisters planting). Tasseling starts at 5-6' height, and the pollen is very fine, nigh invisible and profuse. Bees took notice, but not with the same zeal as the King Kool.
Average polination for the garden setting, ears showing definite holes at times, expected from a garden planting of corn. Very small kernels, but LOADS of them per ear. The boss couldn't differentiate between this SE corn and the King Kool SH2 corn. I'm a bit of a corn snob, myself. This was a very sweet SE corn, but has a slightly more buttery flavor to King Kools sweet flavor. Coin toss whether better cooked or raw as little change in flavor either way.
Uno's allergic reaction meter: High-severe. I'm wary of the time it comes to chop this down.
Bug update:
The french pumpkins are in a bad way. I'm more certain that new unidentified bug is that marmorated asian baddy. Something's eating on them, in addition to the squash bugs and the protracted heat, the french vinces are struggling. I've got to milk them out at least another month.
So, we chopped down the king kool corn. It's stopped producing ears, bundled it up to dry. This let us have better access to the french vines for better coverage of neem oil, but opens them up to more heat. If they fail this year, I'm giving up on the french varieties. They struggled last year as well.
Post by: Unorthodox on August 06, 2013, 02:37:12 pm
Post by: Geo on August 06, 2013, 03:21:41 pm
FWIW, the last 4 weeks, i've eaten little outside of corn, lettuce and tomatoes...sometimes some bacon to make a blt.
Sounds like that stem cell burger is something for you? :D
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 06, 2013, 03:23:37 pm
Post by: Geo on August 06, 2013, 03:24:45 pm
He expressed willingness.
Today in the newspaper, I read the 'volunteers' didn't find it bad. A bit too lean perhaps.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 06, 2013, 03:28:33 pm
Post by: Geo on August 06, 2013, 03:30:07 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 06, 2013, 03:31:38 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 06, 2013, 03:59:30 pm
He expressed willingness.
Today in the newspaper, I read the 'volunteers' didn't find it bad. A bit too lean perhaps.
"It's texture is almost like meat but without any juice to it" (paraphrased) is the comment that stuck out in the video I watched. I stick to my comment it would probably be fine in, say, a taco or similarly seasoned type dish, but not as a burger.
I used to be full on vegetarian all summer each year. As long as the garden keeps supporting it, I have no real desire to meatify. Going to the store every day or two for fresh produce is just a pain in the ass or I'd rarely eat meat.
Post by: Unorthodox on August 06, 2013, 04:10:19 pm
http://www.yardinflatables.com/Scarecrow-Holding-Pumpkin_p_1488.html (http://www.yardinflatables.com/Scarecrow-Holding-Pumpkin_p_1488.html)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 06, 2013, 04:24:09 pm
Post by: Rusty Edge on August 06, 2013, 06:02:08 pm
Then they'll have something that will make a stroganoff, shepherd's pie, meatloaf, or chili, for example.
Or casseroles ( something I don't normally eat ).
Post by: Unorthodox on August 06, 2013, 06:10:11 pm
The idea of you even owning that is pretty funny.
I can almost hear the collective WTF just thinking about buying and displaying that. I mean, neighborhood kids bring new people around just to see the 'cool stuff', if THAT was in it's place in early October... ;lol
Post by: Unorthodox on August 07, 2013, 02:19:34 pm
The previous scoring has turned into nice scars.
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-o-lnbo_S77s/UgJFyFQ9stI/AAAAAAAASi8/aAt-u1xeOgY/s800/IMG_0030.JPG)
Squash bee working this early as well. (they will actually sleep in the flowers and come out in the wee hours of the morning, before the honeybees wake)
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-E40cbNikJ9A/UgJFyLHGUfI/AAAAAAAASjA/mJH9CY0O0iM/s800/IMG_0029.JPG)
One of the two known luminas. There's likely more I can't see.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-AXw7b5kg-LU/UgJFzNhaiOI/AAAAAAAASjY/PjJi3p7hhmA/s800/IMG_0032.JPG)
Yes, we have squash bugs, and I've been fighting them, and most the plants are doing OK...the cinderellas, however, are not. I struggled keeping the cinderellas alive last year, and we are again this year, the shock of bugs on top of the heat is just proving to be too much for them. In a last ditch effort, we chopped the corn they were planted in/around to allow me to get a more thurough spraying of the patch. This increases the heat problem for them, but hopefully will let me take out the bugs. This was 2 days after I sprayed, first day after a thurough watering, and they are actually looking a little better. I'm not going to say out of the woods or anything, but better, some of the leaves getting a bit of green back in them.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-r61O_oxVumk/UgJFzM6wQSI/AAAAAAAASjc/PmoYf7mfqKs/s800/IMG_0033.JPG)
On an aside...
Marigolds as companion plants to keep away bugs: ;lol Back to nasturtium for me next year.
Post by: Rusty Edge on August 07, 2013, 09:38:25 pm
Actually, that must look pretty good planted with pumpkins.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 07, 2013, 09:41:37 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 07, 2013, 11:34:36 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 07, 2013, 11:39:09 pm
Post by: Rusty Edge on August 08, 2013, 03:18:18 am
You guys would enjoy if I posted about my big April-May RL project, turning the mess of carolina moonseed that grew in Mylochka's back yard as a weed into an ornamental vine, wouldn't you? I took pictures of my progress, and everything...
Sure, but this isn't my thread.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 08, 2013, 03:22:29 am
Post by: Unorthodox on August 08, 2013, 04:18:44 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 08, 2013, 04:20:35 am
Post by: Unorthodox on August 08, 2013, 02:24:22 pm
I was about to give up. Saw a female over there last night. Any luck, she'll be laying eggs this morning.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 08, 2013, 02:34:03 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 08, 2013, 05:27:12 pm
Seems 5-8 years is the average 'lifetime' of a haunter. Then they typically move on, lose interest, either from neighborhood changes, income, age, etc. Part of that is a LOT of haunters are teenagers, then the move into the real world. Typically they'll start up again when their kids get interested, and once they move out again, it's done.
Realized how sick I must truly be...I've been at it for 29 years now. I started MUCH younger than the average. I've been through every situation that typically discourages people. Total lack of neighborhood interest. Destruction of my stuff. Income issues. Everything.
One of my fondest memories is the year I had ONE, singular, trick or treater at the old house. This causes many to throw in the towel. It's not QUANTITY, it's QUALITY. Rather simplistic setup that year, actually. Just me in a chair in ye olde gag of pretending to be a dummy. Bowl on my lap with 'take one' sign. Only child, about 5, not so nice neighborhood, both parents walking him around. Dad walks up to me, declares it's just a dummy. Mom don't believe him, so he spends a couple minutes SHINING A FLASHLIGHT right into my eyes trying to see inside my mask. Pokes me with it, and says confidently just a dummy. Kid comes up and grabs one and skips back to mom, dad still shining a light on me, then he turned.
His wife come out of her skin when I got up, the kid bolted for home, and dad, seeing their reactions, ran, looking back at me, and smack into the fence. We laughed about it, the kid's probably in therapy. Great year. If anything I miss the days when I had that kind of time per trick or treater.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 08, 2013, 06:17:13 pm
For me, the community's never really given me the feedback I want/need on my game art -I spent years at a place where far too many people refused to believe I ever posted on-topic, let alone was a respected active modder- so I shifted focus to little jobs, witness the avatars, and community-building activity, to at least have people to talk to about SOMEthing, if not the game game art that wanting to discuss initially drew me into joining.
I'm rarely bothered about the frustration of my initial goal, so there is that.
Post by: Rusty Edge on August 08, 2013, 06:32:36 pm
It's a legitimate super power!
Post by: Unorthodox on August 08, 2013, 07:56:21 pm
Funny; I see parallels in the SMAC(X) community. I mean, there's still a few guys from 14 years ago around, but you couldn't get them to get up and post something with dynamite, and it's rare that they're even good for a chat.Yeah, I can see that happening too. I mean, I only joined that forum 3 years ago, and already I'm one of the oldest with few I can say have been around the whole time. Most the ones that are still there are now merchants and will only post on their own product.
Quote
For me, the community's never really given me the feedback I want/need on my game art
I see this a lot too. Lord, some people get upset if folks don't post within minutes. This is where the biggest burnout happens for Halloween too. Kids start being rude and/or stop coming, and the interest dies.
It's a position I can appreciate academically, but one I probably can never fully understand. I'd be doing this if no one cared.
Another thing that I never understand fully is the people who get frustrated when they're not as good as someone else. Lord, I can post a dozen people more talented than myself without trying. Never understood the whole competition aspect some people get. This goes with games, too. Specifically demogames...wow do people take that a whole
That's one thing the AC games always did better, IMO. Fun and roleplaying was always the priority. Don't know why the two communities were different that way.
Quote
-I spent years at a place where far too many people refused to believe I ever posted on-topic, let alone was a respected active modder- so I shifted focus to little jobs, witness the avatars, and community-building activity, to at least have people to talk to about SOMEthing, if not the game game art that wanting to discuss initially drew me into joining.
I'm rarely bothered about the frustration of my initial goal, so there is that.
See, that's something a lot of folks don't understand either. Yes, ok, I'm the crazy halloween guy...but you have to build the community first. I'm not generally this unapproachable recluse the rest of the year. Take the new neighbors, I've had their kids catching fireflies, posing with the Barghest, playing with glowsticks, whatever. When the wierd goes up, it doesn't take a sinister turn that way. I'm not exactly a recluse the rest of the year. You gotta put in the ground work.
Good people first, hobby second. It's why I'm here on a board I don't even have a working copy of the game.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 08, 2013, 08:11:37 pm
As far as the feedback issue - when I spend a lot of time making a thing, I'd like to TALK about the thing. Because it's on my mind, not simply over the normal human desire for praise. I'm, happy to say, not bothered that Kilkakon is a more accomplished graphic artist than I; you and he are both more accomplished in artistic areas I fancy I've mastered, but I've earned the respect that I've earned, and it's GREAT to have peers, more or less, to discuss these things with.
And, you know, I have my status in the community as a graphics teacher/troubleshooter to fall back on, though not even that with you and sculpture. [shrugs] You put a lot more into it than I do. Funny, though; I'm glad I really feel that way. I honestly have to suppress my urge to get into peepee-measuring contests with people about a lot of things, and I'm glad I don't need to with you.
(I figured out how to hide the "Administrator" tag, BTW! :danc:)
Post by: Unorthodox on August 08, 2013, 08:48:06 pm
I put WAY TOO MUCH into it last year. I look back on the monstrous time investment Trevor was and...
well, honestly I want to make a version of transi de rene de chalon
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-2XWKWHpGgRg/TrH-QfNR8aI/AAAAAAAAKfE/xnTVU6GFcJk/s800/aoa0028_restauration.jpg)
...for no other reason than the challenge of it. I just gotta remind myself I can't do that all the time.
I mean, seriously, I would never actually USE that...but I could sure sell it in a heartbeat. Which if I ever build something like that again, it will be to mold and produce.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 08, 2013, 08:58:38 pm
As far as masks, I coincidentally happened to be looking through my stuff with my sister for that binary stuff you make the rubbery yellow push molds out of (for making soles for doll shoes, and didn't find it), and we talked about taking the tools and supplies back to Texas with us when we go shortly. Buster's birthday present is over a month overdue; going to sculpt her a Boston Terrier head. And I'm still thinking about that Neanderthal skull, and she was talking about taking another run at online selling.
So soon, maybe.
Post by: Unorthodox on August 08, 2013, 09:16:33 pm
A cheap vacuform product would sell like hotcakes.
Then, the same goes for the chimera. At least a dozen attempts after posting my tutorial...still waiting on the first completion.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 08, 2013, 09:23:26 pm
:danc:
Post by: Unorthodox on August 08, 2013, 10:16:05 pm
You made me nearly competant at photoshoppery.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 08, 2013, 10:31:40 pm
I bet it's the RL aspect - I can say Filters>Enhance>Sharpen, and that means something. Not like how to shellac the burlap on the frame...
Post by: Unorthodox on August 08, 2013, 10:34:32 pm
Though the BYOB tutorial has gotten quite a few skeletons made....most of them have been for anatomy classes...poor kids.
Post by: Rusty Edge on August 08, 2013, 10:45:51 pm
You know a thing lately that ROCKS MY WORLD? We've actually got a bench four-deep of competent artists working modding these days, (all but Kil, taught by me), and several of them are interested in stuff besides their own projects. I've been doing this and teaching with considerable success for four years, and this has never happened before. Any art job Jarl or Sigma does for anyone is pressure off me, and I still have some pride of accomplishment.
:danc:
That is pretty cool 8) ;b;
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 08, 2013, 11:24:28 pm
It's like realizing you've built a forum from nearly nothing...
Post by: Unorthodox on August 09, 2013, 04:36:34 pm
Didn't get to that damaging level. Few treebranches down here and there. The corn held up pretty well. That field corn, som of it is leaning, but not knocked down. Hoping it bounces back.
Post by: Geo on August 09, 2013, 06:06:40 pm
Strong wind out of the east last night. This is the same scenario that tore off our roof. Winds out of the east are rare, but powerfull, thanks to the geography.
A line of trees on the eastside of your house (to break the wind) isn't possible?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 09, 2013, 06:11:57 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 10, 2013, 01:47:33 am
Post by: Unorthodox on August 10, 2013, 01:54:44 am
Unfortunately the wind was blowing it around too much for a good pic.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-qaV0Z1YKl6E/UgV_Tw8sPrI/AAAAAAAASk8/I223x7r8CyQ/s800/IMG_0043.JPG)
Butterfly garden. All that milk weed, the little purple flowers are nectar factories for food, known as a butterfly bush, there's another on the other side of the fence just left of the pic.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CafG7qIMdxM/UgV_Ro4n0QI/AAAAAAAASkA/PtjJ21WKXxM/s800/IMG_0036.JPG)
The butterflies were flitting in the wind to try to find shelter. I went inside to get some containers, going to bring them in for the night, went back to find one smashed on the fence, and no sign of the others, so shifted to inspecting the milkweed.
Long legged fly. Probably not a good enough pic to make a more specific identification.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6fPAm3ueyoU/UgV_TFg53XI/AAAAAAAASk4/iJO7Eqz8Pxg/s800/IMG_0041.JPG)
But, what I was looking for...
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Zg71oXXGybo/UgV_UqY3eSI/AAAAAAAASlY/5cegH7cZq60/s800/IMG_0045.JPG)
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-6FMdrBJW6XM/UgV_Up4a3QI/AAAAAAAASlU/0ACGaMwO848/s800/IMG_0046.JPG)
I'd need to magnify to be 100% but fairly certain those are monarch eggs. Several more had either already hatched or been eaten.
Post by: Unorthodox on August 10, 2013, 02:02:38 am
Spring, these dianthus usually survive the weather great. That's an arizona flower in the back, picked for drought hardiness.
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-0hVtYXmJolE/UbXPPruuiJI/AAAAAAAASOk/o6eFgnmhlJo/s800/IMG_0050.JPG)
The dianthus have all withered. Only the arizona flower remains.
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-RmtcGIJGSsg/UgV_R4cx1jI/AAAAAAAASkQ/kNXju7hyp9A/s800/IMG_0035.JPG)
Audrey II coming up out of some Utah Wildflowers, planted for the bees. Nasturtium around the base as well.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uVGyWP9gbX0/UgV_UtX3iWI/AAAAAAAASlw/UH77k1yAEZg/s800/IMG_0044.JPG)
Post by: Unorthodox on August 10, 2013, 07:16:11 pm
I know it's been a rough year, but I had no idea how good I was keeping up. Their tomatoes looked awful, as did the peaches, beans and potatoes. Onions, corn, and melons were the only things really doing well from what I saw.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 10, 2013, 08:38:22 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 11, 2013, 05:25:09 am
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-CbX0lX4kSnM/UgcRrgJkUzI/AAAAAAAASmQ/fb_1-FNN9DU/s800/IMG_0047.JPG)
This evening.
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Dvv9ExNmZOc/UgcRsE3CaUI/AAAAAAAASmg/FQQceR7LyVk/s800/IMG_0054.JPG)
Post by: Unorthodox on August 12, 2013, 01:00:01 am
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-PClOx1MqxaU/UgglFeYADDI/AAAAAAAASnE/rNTpOocRcLs/s800/IMG_0055.JPG)
Alec makes the body, Tali makes the dress, I slap on the belt.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-b6LdaxIpyh8/UgglFUZb9-I/AAAAAAAASnA/keKP2jOFeGQ/s800/IMG_0056.JPG)
No signs of life in the other egg...mom's been out all day laying more, so I brought a few more in. Not all is doom and gloom, though, eggs typically take 3-5 days to hatch.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 12, 2013, 01:03:41 am
What bothers me, you know, is that I think she looks like you more than her (cutie of a) mom - your face looks great on a girl her age, but I wonder what it'll look like in ten years.
Post by: Unorthodox on August 13, 2013, 03:52:56 am
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ngSWI2g3I8w/UgmfbmILdaI/AAAAAAAASnk/w0KKvkcbXOk/s800/IMG_0063.JPG)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 13, 2013, 02:01:08 pm
Quote from: ete;12699502
On and off for the past few months I've been working on a wiki for Alpha Centauri, since I like wikis, building things, and Alpha Centauri. It's probably about time I announced it properly. Here it is (http://"http://alphacentauri2.info/wiki/Main_Page").
Currently it has:
A full set of datalinks, based on the datalinks update with many improvements by me, Guv'ner, and others.
An archive of factions (http://"http://alphacentauri2.info/wiki/Category:Custom_factions") which currently contains 132 custom factions, searchable and categorized by everything from factions opposed to Police State (http://"http://alphacentauri2.info/wiki/Category:Factions_opposed_to_Police_State"), through factions with a Planet bonus (http://"http://alphacentauri2.info/wiki/Category:Factions_with_a_Planet_bonus"), to Progenitor (http://"http://alphacentauri2.info/wiki/Category:Progenitor_factions") and factions with energy interest (http://"http://alphacentauri2.info/wiki/Category:Factions_with_energy_interest").
Information on the various unofficial patches.
A versioned set of core text files (alphax, helpx, etc).
Hopefully this will be of use to some of you. I know I've taken to referring to it when I need to quickly check some aspect of game mechanics or find an intersting faction to use in my next game.
My immediate plans are to finish off uploading all the custom factions I can get my hands on (about 20 to go, maybe another 3 hours work), then check through them fixing obvious issues and release a custom faction package. Feedback would be much appreciated during the checking and fixing stage (especially since part of the project will be putting factions into rough tiers of power, and identifying them/creating balanced versions of as many as possible), as would assistance with various extra organizational things (adding leader infoboxes for example). After that I will likely move my focus to either scenarios (mirroring alteria centauri and categorizing them with wikiawesomeness) or collecting strategy information, which we are notably lacking and it would be great to collect up.
Also, after hearing about the issues with a previous wiki which held much AC info and was lost, I've set it up so any user can make a full backup of content with just a few clicks using Special:Export, and have made recent backups myself.
If you like writing and organizing AC related things, come on over and play with the wiki! You'll be able to edit virtually any page using your AC2 account. Check out the to-do list (http://"http://alphacentauri2.info/wiki/ACWiki:To-do_list") and see if anything looks interesting to you :)
~ete
Just that quote, if it will let you - add something like "This is certainly A Thing Worth Doing..." if not...
Post by: Unorthodox on August 13, 2013, 02:34:48 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 13, 2013, 02:39:28 pm
Click on banner, goes to forum. Click on home, goes to forum. Click on articles, goes to...not sure what that is. Nor am I seeing a promote button.
GOTM goes to an error page, FYI.
Change browser address to just the AC2.info, goes to forum....you guys sure you PUBLISHED the front page?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 13, 2013, 02:43:51 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 13, 2013, 02:45:01 pm
And it only loads on the WWW. ac2.info, not the http://ac2.info (http://ac2.info)
FYI.
Post by: Unorthodox on August 13, 2013, 02:46:19 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 13, 2013, 02:46:50 pm
I don't know why you're not seeing our Front Page - Home button takes you there, and Who's Online claims you spend time there...
Post by: Unorthodox on August 13, 2013, 02:50:12 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 13, 2013, 02:52:13 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 13, 2013, 02:57:32 pm
I don't remember from when I had access how the Articles thing worked, so no help there, but I did use it once or twice, and I remember not having all the trouble in the world figuring it out...
Post by: Unorthodox on August 13, 2013, 02:58:44 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 13, 2013, 02:59:39 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 13, 2013, 03:00:29 pm
AC Forum post, too?
I assume WPC has a FB page, and it went there...
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 13, 2013, 03:05:32 pm
Hmm. No posts since the Long Outage was going...
Post by: Unorthodox on August 13, 2013, 03:06:41 pm
The two "Publish" buttons show up there too, but both go to facebook. From what I've seen from doing news in the past, one should normally go to the front page. (which makes it so your news person doesn't have to type anything, just promote any post to the front page.)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 13, 2013, 03:10:03 pm
No, here is taken care of. I don't see anything at WPC.
Post by: Unorthodox on August 13, 2013, 03:13:00 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 13, 2013, 03:15:06 pm
Rough day?
Post by: Unorthodox on August 13, 2013, 03:20:16 pm
Lemme see....if they haven't been doing their houskeeping I can get poly too.
Post by: Unorthodox on August 13, 2013, 03:22:28 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 13, 2013, 03:23:13 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 13, 2013, 03:23:43 pm
Done..Don't. I got 'poly, but there's something going on, and I don't know what yet. You trying would look all wrong.
Lemme see....if they haven't been doing their houskeeping I can get poly too.
Post by: Unorthodox on August 13, 2013, 03:25:09 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 13, 2013, 03:29:31 pm
You got what we wanted up at WPC. ;b;
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 13, 2013, 04:15:27 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 13, 2013, 05:39:13 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 13, 2013, 05:45:55 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 13, 2013, 05:49:32 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 13, 2013, 05:57:34 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 13, 2013, 06:00:52 pm
I just feel a little bad about having to keep asking for more.
Post by: Unorthodox on August 13, 2013, 06:32:38 pm
Now, if Dots would put out their Halloween flavors again, I could get excited. "Bat blood orange" dots are one of the better things I've ever had, candy wise.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 13, 2013, 06:55:42 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 14, 2013, 01:51:11 am
I was excited to see the first monarch, I had no idea we would become grand central. There were 4 flitting about the garden when I got home today. Of note, they are a LOT more timid than they used to be (as in 20 years ago), used to be they become nigh oblivious when feeding, not so much these days. Took a considerable amount of patience.
Another female, fueling up for either laying or travel.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-I9pOIdBg6F8/UgrRGDnOUtI/AAAAAAAASpY/zRmMPfM33JM/s800/IMG_0074.JPG)
I'll have to pull out a reference on this guy.
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-BoBQpusLq_4/UgrRGmOddOI/AAAAAAAASpk/bMiG8QbjkhI/s800/IMG_0076.JPG)
But he provides the perfect example of why the point and shoot is not going to work, no manual focus for macro just doesn't work:
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-8w1Bky-lzFI/UgrRHZ2WzFI/AAAAAAAASpw/bxzy1BkHmJw/s800/IMG_0077.JPG)
Honeybee.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-UbFh5xzjiu0/UgrREQYFkUI/AAAAAAAASos/yGWxGO-tT2g/s800/IMG_0067.JPG)
Firefly
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-kTUcvAXrzRU/UgrRD7fEbNI/AAAAAAAASog/A8ww7WFvu44/s800/IMG_0064.JPG)
Of course, it's not all happy bugs.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-P1i0HEj3isg/UgrRHXrR8nI/AAAAAAAASqA/yYpjAL0zYpQ/s800/IMG_0078.JPG)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 14, 2013, 02:16:09 am
(http://l1.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/H7oqRv2EQK.sJVLccXJSOQ--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTUzOTtweW9mZj0wO3E9ODU7dz01NzU-/http://media.zenfs.com/en_US/News/LiveScience.com/monarch-butterfly-milkweed.jpg1376419174)
Post by: Unorthodox on August 14, 2013, 02:37:56 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 14, 2013, 02:39:59 am
Post by: Unorthodox on August 14, 2013, 02:51:19 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 14, 2013, 03:17:15 am
Post by: Unorthodox on August 14, 2013, 04:58:59 pm
Talia: "I didn't know he was going to change COLOR!!!
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-WnzZpJXA69Q/UgultOayjnI/AAAAAAAASq4/7f6HxguCoBk/s800/IMG_0083.JPG)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 14, 2013, 05:02:15 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 14, 2013, 08:35:45 pm
They want me to be the regional expert for Utah, as they have had reports from a bunch of ignorant people that need someone who might know a thing or two and can teach folks here.
Take a few pics, use scientific names in your report, and they think you're an expert. I have a very basic knowledge of butterflies (compared to my wasp/hornet/bee knowledge), but really don't want this to be a chore.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 14, 2013, 08:37:04 pm
A grad working on it is your real goal, anyway.
Post by: Unorthodox on August 14, 2013, 09:30:42 pm
BYU (hour+ drive south) has a CLUB, and USU (hour+ drive north) has an "agricultural science" dept. Maybe I could get someone in one of those to sign up.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 14, 2013, 09:50:06 pm
Tell them what's in it for them...
Post by: Unorthodox on August 15, 2013, 12:04:54 am
Stripes and Chompy are getting ready to hatch.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 15, 2013, 12:07:43 am
-Tell 'em that. (The entomologists, not Wiggles & co.)
Post by: Unorthodox on August 15, 2013, 03:10:19 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 15, 2013, 05:42:09 pm
Have been getting hit by some religious group all week, there's been 4 attempts at hacking the site, and the host caught each one and fixed immediately. None of the hundreds of hate messages have made it live either. Slowly blocking the various IP ranges used.
It's certainly been one of those weeks...What did I ever do to Baptists in Louisianna anyway?
Post by: Geo on August 15, 2013, 06:16:28 pm
I have a pretty astounding webhost, I must say.
Have been getting hit by some religious group all week, there's been 4 attempts at hacking the site, and the host caught each one and fixed immediately. None of the hundreds of hate messages have made it live either. Slowly blocking the various IP ranges used.
It's certainly been one of those weeks...What did I ever do to Baptists in Louisianna anyway?
I remember some post of you about a couple shocked missionaries on your doorstep, some weeks back?
Post by: Unorthodox on August 15, 2013, 06:24:47 pm
Post by: Geo on August 15, 2013, 07:45:12 pm
Yeah...it's crossed my mind. But, I doubt they'd have my website address.
They have church members in the NSA?
But seriously, if your website isn't there for just a select few, it can be found, and through the url located.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 15, 2013, 07:53:40 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 15, 2013, 08:04:49 pm
It's just not a very logical leap to hey, this guy is odd, let's go find out if he has a website and attack it. My facebook would be the most logical place to strike for a local wanting to cyberbully, wouldn't it?Yeah...it's crossed my mind. But, I doubt they'd have my website address.
They have church members in the NSA?
But seriously, if your website isn't there for just a select few, it can be found, and through the url located.
I mean, later in the year I advertise the website, but not at the moment. (I would have a countdown out already, but didn't want to put it out this year since we're going on vacation)
Post by: Geo on August 15, 2013, 08:57:10 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 16, 2013, 12:07:44 am
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GcCQBM4U97w/Ug1bhVRMqEI/AAAAAAAAStU/Nl1nqNZ9vM8/s800/IMG_0120.JPG)
Stripes.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZNj2wkyzixc/Ug1biLk5LdI/AAAAAAAASts/Ef3D-iTGA2s/s800/IMG_0123.JPG)
Chompy
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2Ubu4NdS0Vo/Ug1bi7KGxrI/AAAAAAAASt8/oGayzsC3h30/s800/IMG_0125.JPG)
Dead/infertile egg.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-_fCcd2kfybg/Ug1bceaCe_I/AAAAAAAASro/ihWbbI6ucRU/s800/IMG_0107.JPG)
4th egg was parasitised. Something fast zipped out of the container.
Post by: Unorthodox on August 16, 2013, 12:10:39 am
Post by: Rusty Edge on August 16, 2013, 04:01:07 am
Yeah...it's crossed my mind. But, I doubt they'd have my website address.
It's just not a very logical leap to hey, this guy is odd, let's go find out if he has a website and attack it. My facebook would be the most logical place to strike for a local wanting to cyberbully, wouldn't it?
I mean, later in the year I advertise the website, but not at the moment. (I would have a countdown out already, but didn't want to put it out this year since we're going on vacation)
Yes, I think your facebook would be the logical focal point of locals and people you know.
Couldn't somebody just do an image search and stumble across it? I presume there's rivalry between the holy haunts and the traditional. Even if somebody is only looking to steal ideas from the heathen haunts, or learn how to make a skeleton, that discovery could lead to you, couldn't it? Then, when somebody else asks where they got the idea/learned how , etc. the secret is out. Then, if you are judged to be evil , maybe they see it as God's work to persecute you.
Post by: JarlWolf on August 16, 2013, 05:13:49 am
Post by: Unorthodox on August 16, 2013, 05:14:23 am
Post by: Bertilak on August 16, 2013, 05:22:05 am
Quote
more hungry.Like starving citizens at a base :D.
Post by: Rusty Edge on August 16, 2013, 03:47:19 pm
What about that photo contest . You sort of stick out there. Does it lead to your site?
Or your You tube how to?
Post by: Unorthodox on August 16, 2013, 04:54:48 pm
I don't do youtube how-to's mostly because my process is far too disjointed for video. Best correlation would be my moderatorship on Halloweenforum, but there's little reason to single out ME there.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 16, 2013, 04:57:22 pm
Post by: Rusty Edge on August 16, 2013, 08:16:05 pm
I really have no credible explanation.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 16, 2013, 08:24:25 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 17, 2013, 02:38:29 am
What a wonderful cap to a week from the abyss.
Supposed to be off today, the entire reason I went in was to meet some idjits who never showed and I had to track them down.
Then to top it off some uppity up in the research project called me a moron (politely). Told me I needed to take their training class because they have no record of monarchs on this species of milkweed, at this elevation, temp, etc, and I likely had queen butterflies, not monarchs. "It's an easy mistake for the untrained eye." I sent them a few of the papers that have my name in them, tons of pics I've been documenting this, and told him he's welcome to come train me any time he wants, or he can start filling in the glaring hole that is Utah in his data.
And now the Raiders look like total crap.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 17, 2013, 02:59:47 am
-Not that I'm not interested in discussion of the post where I moved it.
Must've been some satisfaction in being able to whip out your credentials on that uppity up...
Post by: Unorthodox on August 17, 2013, 03:58:36 am
Post by: Unorthodox on August 17, 2013, 04:07:53 am
Set the butterflies free, or keep them overwinter? (yes I can do that, and have) Assuming we have a male/female we could even mate them in the spring...
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 17, 2013, 04:10:55 am
You've certainly already done them bugs a solid. Would it be worth it for edumacatin' the kids?
Post by: Bertilak on August 17, 2013, 04:34:55 am
Post by: Unorthodox on August 18, 2013, 02:17:38 am
Anyhow, working on a light board, I think I got it nearly functional, maybe tomorrow.
Post by: Rusty Edge on August 18, 2013, 02:54:34 am
Maybe that's a stupid question. If they're released at the right time they'll go the right direction, won't they?
Post by: Unorthodox on August 18, 2013, 03:39:59 am
The migration sometimes takes several generations, and it's not really known how they know the way, nor why generations seem to have different purposes. Migrating generations have shorter lives but stronger wings, overwintering populations live MUCH longer than the migrating ones, etc.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 18, 2013, 03:57:34 am
Post by: Unorthodox on August 18, 2013, 04:00:41 am
Post by: Unorthodox on August 18, 2013, 04:05:00 am
I went to my childhood collection site, and it wasn't a pretty sight. There were a few signs that there may have been some caterpillars there once upon a time (caterpillar poop, yes, I can tell). Then, there was a big release of monarchs today at a wildlife refuge, so mine just might be the tail end instead of the start. So, we'll monitor what we got, if I see another big site, I'll do a check, but we'll set up to check earlier next year.
Post by: Geo on August 18, 2013, 10:47:29 am
So, open question.
Set the butterflies free, or keep them overwinter? (yes I can do that, and have) Assuming we have a male/female we could even mate them in the spring...
Let them decide. Open up the caches. They'll find their way.
Post by: Unorthodox on August 19, 2013, 03:53:06 am
Not the best led setup, since the local costco stopped carrying the strips I wanted to use and this is what I could find. Room to improve in the future.
Post by: Unorthodox on August 19, 2013, 04:58:37 am
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TrNzWOTUuSc/UhGU3F-5lVI/AAAAAAAASug/ZTfg_bUNtT0/s800/IMG_0151.JPG)
Post by: Bertilak on August 19, 2013, 05:26:39 am
Post by: Rusty Edge on August 19, 2013, 05:29:04 am
I'm also interested in the insect report. How are Chompy ( love that name for a caterpillar ) and the other one doing? Parasitized or not?
Post by: Unorthodox on August 19, 2013, 06:03:55 am
Wiggles...lessee, he's older 2nd instar, should molt in the next day or two, then another several days as a 3rd instar, another day to molt, couple days as a 4th instar, molt, day or 2 as a 5th instar to find a site to make his cocoon. A lot depends on temperatures. Since I have them inside, it's a little slower than outside. The typical collection is as a 3rd or 4th instar, and it usually only takes a few days from there. (they are tiny and hard to find before that) So, I'd say another weak or so.
Chompy is getting ready to molt into 2nd instar.
I need to find/make a new container for the 5th instars/chrysalis/adults though. It's best to keep the adults overnight before releasing.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 19, 2013, 09:09:31 am
Post by: Unorthodox on August 19, 2013, 03:42:21 pm
Let them decide. Open up the caches. They'll find their way.
It's actually not as easy a question as it sounds.
Yes, if released they will start back towards California. Or Mexico. Not sure.
If I have a male/female, however, it might be more responsible to overwinter them and produce a generation of monarchs in the spring. In the controlled environment here, I could turn 2 butterflies into 30 or so.
30 released in June here, any offspring would have a head start on most the predators.
Post by: Unorthodox on August 19, 2013, 04:07:13 pm
Stopped by the farm I collect corn stalks from on the way in this morning. The overall thought was that this year, between my own corn, and his, I wouldn't need to go cut up reed grass this year. Being that the reed grass makes me miserable thanks to allergies, it was a win-win.
It's a small family farm, as in it feeds about 5 households for the year. They can their stuff for the winter, and all. Anyway, no corn. No tomatoes. Both vicims of the drought. Instead he doubled up root crops that are more drought tolerant, try again next year.
This is the 2nd or 3rd person I've hear struggling with corn and tomatoes this year. I'm feeling pretty good about our setup as a result. However, on the way in, I also heard that Pineview is cutting back to 50% irrigation. This is my uncle's farm, which would be my pumpkins. Hadn't checked how it's going there, they are fairly drought resistant just by location, and a cut back this late might not do a whole lot to the crop, stunt some growth maybe, but need to check on how it's going.
Get here, I see my county has been declared a disaster area thanks to the drought. Not sure what that means to farmers.
Post by: Bertilak on August 19, 2013, 04:29:53 pm
Post by: Rusty Edge on August 19, 2013, 06:27:22 pm
Post by: JarlWolf on August 19, 2013, 07:52:51 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 19, 2013, 07:57:56 pm
Post by: JarlWolf on August 19, 2013, 08:18:21 pm
The current gov't BUncle is the United Russia party, which is a Nationalist party, not a Socialist one.
Though Socialist/Communist support is on the rise in my nation, so that may change soon. I live in the Red Belt and we've seen many Socialist leadership take over, and things ave been improving.
Do keep in mind that the New Socialist party and the Communist party would've gotten way more seats and probably political power if it wasn't for the corruption here: I can say that from personal experience. I ran for my local municipal election and I was on the council for a term, and then the next election comes, I get a good portion of the votes as expected but then holdup:
A recast of the votes is called because it is said there was an error, and what happens next? The unpopular United Russia candidate, who has some wealthy backers gets in and replaces me. And then certain businesses come in and start taking over, and you just see other local ones being closed down.
If that is not corruption I don't know what is.
Post by: Geo on August 19, 2013, 08:27:26 pm
If that is not corruption I don't know what is.
October 2017, the Second Coming? :o
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 19, 2013, 08:32:52 pm
Robust agriculture is a national security issue - I would have thought Putin would be more on top of it.Being nationalist changes nothing in this...
Post by: JarlWolf on August 19, 2013, 08:53:52 pm
Being nationalist changes nothing in this...Tell that to the nationalists.
Post by: Unorthodox on August 19, 2013, 09:47:02 pm
Not long ago grabbed a pair of skeletons because I was in the right place at the right time, no real plan to use them (this year, I'm sure eventually...).
Well, $40 ea. As expected they sold out in a day, and are going in the local classifieds for $70+. There will be more next year after all...
Post by: Unorthodox on August 19, 2013, 10:27:21 pm
Got to get my consumables orders in a week earlier than normal, kinda messing with the whole budget in the process.
I know I'm not really trying to build anything, by design, but just feels wrong.
Probably start petering on something just because.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 19, 2013, 10:34:38 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 19, 2013, 11:30:45 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 19, 2013, 11:37:05 pm
Wiggles, boss wanted size references. 3rd instar, FWIW.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IrkfLApipEY/UhKdL4kl86I/AAAAAAAASvc/Hzc0pVNyY8c/s800/IMG_0153.JPG)
Chompy, 2nd instar.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Wvue_dX8JGA/UhKdL4NjzEI/AAAAAAAASvg/vXNg9KWyEX0/s800/IMG_0155.JPG)
Talia's first picture.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-SLym4_8ioQE/UhKdMsvsnrI/AAAAAAAASvo/aBLOqsauB10/s800/IMG_0156.JPG)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 20, 2013, 12:08:32 am
To clarify, we don't generally do "themes" in the traditional sense. It's the general harvest thing we've done since 2010.Are we not talking about Halloween anymore? I thought we were when I asked...
Post by: Unorthodox on August 20, 2013, 12:10:16 am
But, what do you call this "theme"?
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/--B2kjaUNXao/UJCYPBjMoPI/AAAAAAAAOa8/di40LAc_BYk/s800/IMGP1480.jpg)
Add some candles, some skulls on stakes, maybe some voodoo elements as window dressing, and the Barghest.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 20, 2013, 12:11:32 am
Post by: Unorthodox on August 20, 2013, 12:12:20 am
Post by: Unorthodox on August 20, 2013, 12:13:23 am
The motors I bought may or may not work for a breathing grave, but I didn't want to start that till after.
Post by: Unorthodox on August 20, 2013, 12:17:06 am
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-RsRxbyAg7jc/SuusVKV6wZI/AAAAAAAAFMU/m36W4lis32M/s800/IMGP2282.JPG)
Post by: Unorthodox on August 20, 2013, 12:19:43 am
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-3PG8OgOhn_c/Tq_9oZeMH9I/AAAAAAAAKSk/tZK76b0_Bhw/s800/IMG_3231.JPG)
I think that's something to really think on for the future though.
Post by: Unorthodox on August 20, 2013, 02:32:45 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 20, 2013, 02:38:56 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 20, 2013, 02:42:38 pm
It's running like crap cap'n!
Post by: Unorthodox on August 20, 2013, 02:47:43 pm
Back to school night last night. Teacher says something to Tali, she responds without hesitation. Sure, it was what amounts to "this is for you" and "thank you", but after only 4 days camp, it was impressive to see. The chinese teacher blogs RELIGIOUSLY every day what happened in class. That's pretty sweet too.
Alec meanwhile has...I'll give her the benefit of the doubt...the wife (maybe daughter) of my least favorite teacher growing up. Happy joy times. And, what's this, her supply list was different than the one the school emailed out last week...lovely.
Post by: Unorthodox on August 20, 2013, 03:54:18 pm
Anyway, it's one of 5 potential skippers, unfortunately, they are all variable in markings, so lest I find a caterpillar...
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Z24VpNyDd5I/Ug1bfW-CzDI/AAAAAAAASso/QUQszHpI3x0/s800/IMG_0115.JPG)
They all like grass, though. Tall grasses. But none are known to go after the raven grass, so entirely possible they're just stopping by for food since I'm the nectar factory for the neighborhood. They sure SEEM to be perching for mates though...
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 20, 2013, 03:55:41 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 20, 2013, 04:10:53 pm
Duh moment: Corn = tall grass. All the corn this year attract those skippers? Something has been munching the silo corn, just assumed it to be grasshoppers. (the raven grass is usually more or less untouched)
Be interesting to do a light trap this year. The range of life has really increased with the increased garden.
Post by: Unorthodox on August 20, 2013, 05:56:08 pm
Secondary water is being shut off Oct 1 this year. That's essentially a month early, but it means I don't need to worry about having someone come water while we're on vacation.
Bad news.
Pineview has cut back to watering once a week. This is my Uncle's place growing our pumpkins. That means what has set will ripen early, but we're limiting any new pumpkins from setting or growing large. Coupled with the heat, it could wipe out the plants all together. He's fairly shaded though, so pleasant thoughts...
Harvested the Ambrosia corn stalks. Thoughts on my modification to the three sisters:
Planted too much corn too densely. 2 plantings is also not enough. Need to plant smaller plantings more frequently next year.
Pumpkins planted within the corn rows did well early on, but ended up petering out later. Plant around the edges.
At this point, this year:
Cinderellas are having one amazing year. Dozen + cinderellas, most respectably sized. At least one at 2' + diameter.
Musquee: Interesting pumpkin, only one confirmed so far. Possible crossbred seed was bought.
Luminas: EXTREMELY disappointing year. After the fantastic showing last year, they've totally gone to crap.
Sugar: Slightly larger than advertised, good production so far.
Jack Be Little: HOLY COW, are they a factory! 2 plants, at least 2 dozen pumpkins/gourds.
Leaning towards not messing with the 'specialty' stuff next year. Plant one cinderella for eating, and 1-2 musquee for curiousity, then focus on sugar and old zebs.
Post by: Bertilak on August 21, 2013, 01:20:42 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 21, 2013, 01:26:19 am
Post by: Unorthodox on August 21, 2013, 02:43:57 am
Well, Buncle, whatcha think?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 21, 2013, 02:53:49 am
Would it be slightly improved by making the glow of the letters a color that stands out a little against the green? Or is matching the white glow of the eyes more important? Would it be better with a slightly less cramped layout?
I'm not sure.
Post by: Unorthodox on August 21, 2013, 02:56:39 am
<img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-RLJ8LZMyQc4/UhQcFKvjyMI/AAAAAAAASv8/6TlcKTAXb4I/s144/button%2520copy.jpg" height="130" width="144" /> (https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/6fGtcV0qTgw2jzy-iVsdyqOgPB_2iMI-byPfqegtqvc?feat=embedwebsite)
Post by: Unorthodox on August 21, 2013, 02:57:22 am
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-RLJ8LZMyQc4/UhQcFKvjyMI/AAAAAAAASv8/6TlcKTAXb4I/s144/button%2520copy.jpg)
Post by: Unorthodox on August 21, 2013, 02:58:44 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 21, 2013, 03:06:11 am
Post by: Unorthodox on August 21, 2013, 03:32:07 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 21, 2013, 03:41:19 am
Post by: Unorthodox on August 21, 2013, 04:01:43 am
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-MPSCJWnD9E8/UhQtNUwyYKI/AAAAAAAASwo/eH7uUGjRt48/s800/IMG_0157.JPG)
Today's pics brought to you by Talia:
Wiggles
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-eNBfnNvEiYg/UhQtNfxposI/AAAAAAAASwg/vTkACeCWUTQ/s800/IMG_0158.JPG)
Chompy
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-kRukJ9wU8wc/UhQtOm4ej3I/AAAAAAAASw4/a9rUll6ulho/s800/IMG_0161.JPG)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 21, 2013, 04:10:33 am
Post by: Unorthodox on August 21, 2013, 04:13:01 am
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-24ryWJtCHYA/UhQuOFMWRPI/AAAAAAAASxY/P7UWgaV9h0w/s800/IMG_0162.JPG)
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-48r-hDt5zUs/UhQuOGGoUKI/AAAAAAAASxc/Hlb9fpOmikQ/s800/IMG_0163.JPG)
Sample of our sugar pumpkins next to my size 11.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-BegaEZrm75g/UhQuOIXwN2I/AAAAAAAASxg/RdpW9Nx7ceU/s800/IMG_0164.JPG)
The prize cinderella.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mTjPAx1t6iA/UhQuOq8ABTI/AAAAAAAASxs/h7UhkZ5Oo3I/s800/IMG_0165.JPG)
The prize Musquee.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Jk5ju5t-gJM/UhQuPDjwjQI/AAAAAAAASx0/zq-ySas4h1c/s800/IMG_0167.JPG)
Post by: Rusty Edge on August 21, 2013, 05:00:17 am
Tell Talia thank you, and that she's very pretty in the first picture.
What the man said.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 21, 2013, 05:14:23 am
Post by: Unorthodox on August 21, 2013, 01:58:29 pm
I'm really loving that musquee pumpkin. Those deep ribs...I might just make a mold of that one.
Post by: Unorthodox on August 21, 2013, 02:00:06 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 21, 2013, 02:10:55 pm
Groovy girl-intensive OT NOW! Spoon!
Post by: Unorthodox on August 21, 2013, 02:14:41 pm
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1327932176/the-scary-godmother-doll (http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1327932176/the-scary-godmother-doll)
I'm sure you're all shocked to hear Talia already prefers the monster high girls to barbie...really considering pitching in for this thing.
(the disney princess barbies being locked up by the monster high girls is a 'regular' playtime around here)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 21, 2013, 02:25:06 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 21, 2013, 02:53:22 pm
Post by: Geo on August 21, 2013, 03:05:57 pm
Oh, what a sad day...like a nightmare.
Those too will pass. :)
Post by: Unorthodox on August 21, 2013, 03:07:47 pm
Post by: Geo on August 21, 2013, 03:08:22 pm
I'm not sure which forum you're talking about.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 21, 2013, 03:39:39 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 21, 2013, 04:11:09 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 21, 2013, 04:14:00 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 21, 2013, 04:15:40 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 21, 2013, 04:22:13 pm
Quote
Awesome new avatar! And unique too!
Pm as much for you as me.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 21, 2013, 05:03:19 pm
However, Vegas is about not causing trouble or embarrassing anyone, and this totally passes the smell test and is in compliance with the spirit of the rule. Good call, 'cause that makes me happy. Someone at the Halloween forum, or what?
-Also? :D
Post by: Unorthodox on August 21, 2013, 05:52:01 pm
I'm da rulebreaker! ;uno
Post by: Geo on August 21, 2013, 05:55:21 pm
I'm da rulebreaker! ;uno
:rockon:
:cute:
Post by: Unorthodox on August 21, 2013, 05:57:54 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 21, 2013, 06:10:04 pm
The motors from china DO run on AC and I did not blow anything up! (yay for chinese markings not meaning a damn thing...hurry and get taught, Tali)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 21, 2013, 06:49:02 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 21, 2013, 07:48:46 pm
Post by: Geo on August 21, 2013, 08:04:42 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 21, 2013, 08:34:17 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 21, 2013, 08:37:06 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 21, 2013, 10:19:43 pm
Paintball arena. In california, during my vacation.
Really interesting concept where YOU SHOOT THE ACTORS.
Post by: Unorthodox on August 22, 2013, 02:19:59 pm
Don't know why this line just struck me especially funny this morning.
Anyhow. The whole animated fence idea isn't going to work. I had a feeling that was going to be the case all along, but confirmed it last night. Too much weight, I'll have to flip the axis and counterweight the thing, but that's going to have to wait till next year.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 22, 2013, 06:06:32 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 22, 2013, 06:11:54 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 23, 2013, 02:29:02 am
Quote
This is an all ages event, blood and gore are allowed
These are my kind of people.
http://www.utahzombies.com/ (http://www.utahzombies.com/)
Post by: Unorthodox on August 23, 2013, 02:08:59 pm
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-7ZwrNPPaqI0/UhdAr99n2jI/AAAAAAAAS0I/8vUkk9OJKys/s800/IMG_0181.JPG)
Chompy taught me something. Caterpillars can JUMP. Now, I've had them do all kids of things: curl into ball, fling down on silk, spit goo, etc when I try to move them onto their new leaf. Chompy, He JUMPED! Curled, and flick! 6" bounds at a time. Almost flew off the table.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6l156SVIOtg/UhdArIj325I/AAAAAAAASz4/VQlQYSflegY/s800/IMG_0179.JPG)
Post by: Bertilak on August 23, 2013, 11:53:01 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 24, 2013, 12:31:54 am
Post by: Bertilak on August 24, 2013, 12:52:48 am
Yeah, he's gotta roughly double that size before that.
That is going to be one big caterpillar :o.
Post by: Unorthodox on August 25, 2013, 04:08:04 am
Had the kids help me build a butterfly cage...I don't thing there's a square angle in it.
Post by: Geo on August 25, 2013, 09:37:24 am
Post by: Unorthodox on August 25, 2013, 02:03:34 pm
Post by: Bertilak on August 25, 2013, 02:07:11 pm
End of the drought?
Takes a heck of a lot more than one storm to end a drought. The trouble is our reservoirs are practically empty.
It would take several heavy storms in a season to end a drought.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 25, 2013, 02:26:55 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 25, 2013, 03:41:36 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 25, 2013, 11:52:20 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 26, 2013, 01:32:58 am
I've tried to get Kil to look in here even though he doesn't work in sculpture and is pretty opposite you in nature of fantasy life - an artist's eye is still an artist's eye, and he has real talent. I suspect the opposite thing is the hangup...
Post by: Unorthodox on August 26, 2013, 03:51:00 am
This is the place Chimera was designed for. I had pics of it 'living' here. IF there was any way to get it back there, I would. And if it were possible, I would build a haunt that stretches this trail.
Before getting to the area, you have the bridge begging for a troll.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Ee3Z-p8zjso/UhrAt_H98-I/AAAAAAAAS2w/kXsTtP3RYzY/s800/IMG_0200.JPG)
Unfortunately the leg back to Chimera's home is in MAJOR disrepair, and if it weren't for the creepy tree I would have missed the turnoff myself.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-S0reV0LvZ4o/UhrAt1OzMlI/AAAAAAAAS20/pX6JAXZA4rE/s800/IMG_0202.JPG)
Then you get to Chimera's home, a nice big pond/marsh.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-iubwTeMoPmE/UhrAuye75rI/AAAAAAAAS3M/NuJ3bQxtx_E/s800/IMG_0203.JPG)
Unfortunately the trail to the far side is gone. But tell me this thing doesn't belong there.
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-F8f2Fh22nUA/TmLq7ckM_wI/AAAAAAAAJaE/ZchxIvEvNvg/s800/IMG_5766.JPG)
I've wanted to build a...thing...to be peaking out behind a tree down there. Been worried about the legality of it.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 26, 2013, 03:55:31 am
you have the bridge begging for a troll.You suck, bridge!
Post by: Unorthodox on August 26, 2013, 03:59:45 am
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-dokYeyR0448/UhrAu9EjSlI/AAAAAAAAS3I/bPD9926uyC0/s800/IMG_0205.JPG)
One of the reasons to hike this trail is the washes....at the top of the hill there is a freeway. On the far side of the freeway is a gully which is one of the creepier places I've ever been. This runs under the freeway, washing everything from the gully down here. Good place to find bones.
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-r4RiI14VNnI/UhrAvQjmqzI/AAAAAAAAS3c/sK7NGEcVldQ/s800/IMG_0211.JPG)
Unfortunately they were too fresh. Someone's pup.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-9m5172D9yKw/UhrAwNcOC2I/AAAAAAAAS3g/A7MW0j-e_xg/s800/IMG_0212.JPG)
The trail itself keeps you on your toes. Bull ants. Their mounds dot the lower end of the trail, and well, if you don't pay attention, they WILL collapse under you and you'll have a lotta pissed off ants on you.
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-IQJ7aTnvvmM/UhrAa8Bc6MI/AAAAAAAAS1M/Vx9P2Lv207U/s800/IMG_0207.JPG)
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Cwlpbud9X5U/UhrAa5kgRsI/AAAAAAAAS1U/udcWjt7CiRY/s800/IMG_0208.JPG)
Spider web across the trail.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VF4fT4kMwGY/UhrAcRqvCJI/AAAAAAAAS1w/yoqmgwAE7dY/s800/IMG_0213.JPG)
Hot insect love. No idea what these are. (well, I have a general starting point, but little else)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AG-viWyc51Y/UhrAcCY8Y1I/AAAAAAAAS1o/8RApC0CWHWQ/s800/IMG_0214.JPG)
Post by: Unorthodox on August 26, 2013, 04:05:18 am
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-9rFaFENJf3s/UhrAcqc44kI/AAAAAAAAS14/-VLlpTQjyhk/s800/IMG_0218.JPG)
As such, he's been given a new home.
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-DEGAE94f1Pw/UhrAdduiT1I/AAAAAAAAS2M/0ml2t3FAm24/s800/IMG_0221.JPG)
Chompy, with his old head.
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-2abVRFYc69Q/UhrAdrEFozI/AAAAAAAAS2Q/aD8U1Rh2mWs/s800/IMG_0225.JPG)
Another phrase that would be strange elsewhere: "Dad, you spilled his head!"
Post by: Rusty Edge on August 26, 2013, 04:32:15 am
"If you like vegetables,
Fruit and fresh flowers,
Give thanks to us bugs,
Who labor for hours,
And if not for the fact,
That we love the taste,
You'd be out there wallowing,
In shoulder -high waste!
(shoulder-high waste!)
And..... If.........
All of the bugs were
Wiped off of the planet,
There'd soon be no humans,
Around here to man it.
The great thing about us?
You can't live without us!
It's tough- toooo beee a bug!!!"
You'll understand soon enough.
Post by: Unorthodox on August 26, 2013, 01:58:42 pm
Hot insect love. No idea what these are. (well, I have a general starting point, but little else)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AG-viWyc51Y/UhrAcCY8Y1I/AAAAAAAAS1o/8RApC0CWHWQ/s800/IMG_0214.JPG)
Well, crap, not where I expected it to be on the bug guide...might have to ask what's that bug.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 26, 2013, 03:08:49 pm
(http://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=1295.0;attach=6181)
This prudery brought to you by AC2.
This prudery brought to you by AC2.
Post by: Unorthodox on August 26, 2013, 03:16:13 pm
Cranefly. The overall shape and structure screams out cranefly, thus it's my first guess, but those legs really don't fit.
Moth. Clearwing moths love to mimic others, and the legs and antenna on the female (the top one) really point at moth.
Cranefly: I can find no definitive list, let alone pictorial, for North America, let alone Utah.
Moth. I've ruled out the ones listed on the Utah Lepidopterists' Society website. But, it's a 2003 list and could be outdated/incomplete.
Post by: Unorthodox on August 26, 2013, 04:09:35 pm
ID is a hanging thief. (not too distant relative of the crane fly, so I'm not terribly embarrased.)
http://bugguide.net/node/view/639343 (http://bugguide.net/node/view/639343)
Wicked little bug predates on anything it can catch. First recorded in Utah in the mid 90's (back when I was getting out of the game), and mostly isolated to the shores of the great salt lake. Obviously, the range is expanding. Of note, I got a pic of these two as they were, um, preoccupied, but there were at least a half dozen more that wouldn't let me get close enough for a pic.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 26, 2013, 04:10:44 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 26, 2013, 04:24:25 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 26, 2013, 04:31:52 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 26, 2013, 05:15:10 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 26, 2013, 05:19:08 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 26, 2013, 05:32:16 pm
Post by: Rusty Edge on August 26, 2013, 11:09:31 pm
Bite mosquitos before they bite me.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 26, 2013, 11:13:24 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 27, 2013, 12:09:51 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 27, 2013, 12:31:21 am
Post by: Unorthodox on August 27, 2013, 12:37:43 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 27, 2013, 12:40:34 am
Post by: Unorthodox on August 27, 2013, 01:09:10 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 27, 2013, 01:21:55 am
Post by: Unorthodox on August 27, 2013, 02:22:37 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 27, 2013, 02:28:14 am
Post by: Unorthodox on August 27, 2013, 02:33:36 am
My understanding is there was supposed to be english instructions on the website, but uh, not yet.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 27, 2013, 02:37:03 am
Post by: Unorthodox on August 27, 2013, 04:02:13 am
"You should get a bunch of dirt and make the whole yard a hill. Then on top of the hill you can put a bunch of skeletons on sticks and put the pumpkins under them, and when the people walk buy you can have the sticks and skeletons moving. That would scare a lot of people. When I get done trick or treating, I can come move the sticks and be scary. "
Tali's pushing for Vlad the impaler...
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 27, 2013, 04:10:02 am
Post by: Unorthodox on August 27, 2013, 04:29:55 am
Post by: Unorthodox on August 27, 2013, 04:31:30 am
1: Egypt
because of Mummies.
2: Romania
because of Dracula
3: England
because of Harry Potter
I don't think the teacher is expecting these kinds of reasons. I'm also fairly confident no one in the class would pick Romania.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 27, 2013, 05:03:06 am
Post by: Rusty Edge on August 27, 2013, 05:20:46 am
Not that I know Chinese characters beyond being able to differentiate them on Mahjong tiles, or words beyond what we used in Kung fu classes, but this looks to me like somebody swapped some stuff out on a math work sheet for Chinese characters.
I thought Chinese was read right to left, but there are question marks on the right.
Do the Chinese even use Arabic numerals?
Perhaps Chinese math works left to right, I have no idea. It doesn't "Add up" for me.
I would avoid confusing Talia by trying to sort this one out, and send the teacher a note explaining that the website is down, and you can't understand the Chinese instructions. Ask if they could please provide printed English instructions until the website is operational.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 27, 2013, 05:53:31 am
I'm pretty sure they don't use Arabic except in documents aimed at foreigners, which are probably not in Chinese in the first place. And doesn't the writing go top to bottom?
Post by: Rusty Edge on August 27, 2013, 06:57:54 am
Post by: Unorthodox on August 27, 2013, 01:58:13 pm
I'm confident it's addition problems in the "A+B=C" format. The problem is we only have "A" as far as I can see, unless "B" is supposed to be 0, but that doesn't fit the examples up top. I think either the bottom end is all supposed to = 6, so "3 + X =6" and you write in the 3 and draw 3 dots...
or, I'm totally lost.
This is a big packet not due to next monday. Bless her heart, the kids are home for about an hour before I get home from work. She did the entire thing herself. Did most of it WRONG, but she buckled down and did her homework. New rule: let dad get home before you start on that. Alec, however, could learn a thing from her.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 27, 2013, 02:05:46 pm
I suspect you might just love your daughter a little.^This.
Post by: Unorthodox on August 27, 2013, 10:12:05 pm
http://www.ksl.com/?nid=218&ad=26298834&cat=&lpid=&search=rib bones&ad_cid=1 (http://www.ksl.com/?nid=218&ad=26298834&cat=&lpid=&search=rib)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 27, 2013, 10:21:45 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 27, 2013, 10:36:14 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 27, 2013, 10:46:49 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 28, 2013, 02:31:46 am
Doesn't preclude him going back to eating, but it does mean we're close to cocoon. Tomorrow, maybe the next day.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 28, 2013, 02:32:29 am
Post by: Unorthodox on August 28, 2013, 02:52:10 pm
So we've had hail, rain, and drizzle for the last couple days. All the humidity that brings has brought on the mildew on the pumpkins. Got a few dry days before more scattered showers come in, so gotta see what we can do about the mildew. I'd like to squeeze at least 2 more weeks out of these plants before they go. Preferably 3. Pencilling in 9/20-9/21 for harvesting, which would let us sell surplus pumpkins 9/23-9/26 before our vacation.
The field corn is tassseling, and topping out at right around 10-11'. Not the 14' monsters, but given conditions this year, it's not bad. Comparing to my raven grass, it's thicker stalk has certain appeal. We'll probably use the rest of the seed, but if all my raven grass starts hold up well, a year or two from now, this corn will really be superfluous. As it stands, it's hard to tell if I'm going to have enough corn or I'm going to need to go after reed grass this year. Prefer not to.
Post by: Unorthodox on August 28, 2013, 09:48:15 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 28, 2013, 09:54:29 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 28, 2013, 11:23:31 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 28, 2013, 11:25:08 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 29, 2013, 03:32:47 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 29, 2013, 04:58:14 am
Post by: Unorthodox on August 29, 2013, 02:43:30 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 29, 2013, 02:45:58 pm
Sure, it's still 70 degrees out in the wee hours of the morning, but it FELT different today. The air is changing. It's not colder, really, there's just a different FEELING to fall air than there is to the other seasons.
And now here at work, that SMELL is in the air as well. Probably someone running a harvester in one of the nearby fields. Fall is on the way.
Post by: Unorthodox on August 29, 2013, 02:49:30 pm
Post by: Rusty Edge on August 29, 2013, 02:57:12 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 29, 2013, 04:10:04 pm
Drought in Utah is a little different than your normal definitions. It's mostly based on reservoir levels. A little rain, while it temporarily stops my water problems extremely locally, it doesn't help the drought condition. At present, I believe it would take 2-3 years of normal snowfall to recover the reservoirs. (now, how they got to this point in the first place is a lesson in mismanagement in some cases)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 30, 2013, 03:36:27 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 30, 2013, 10:18:53 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 31, 2013, 04:41:42 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 31, 2013, 04:43:42 am
Post by: Unorthodox on August 31, 2013, 04:51:37 am
"it's not that deep' said the doc, thus the glue. Taking off the bandage tonight, it had bled through which is a bad sign, the glue come right off. I could see my heartbeat throbbing ooze out of the cut tonight. that's not good news either. Boss is trying to reglue with her stuff.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 31, 2013, 04:57:37 am
Well, at least the Boss knows what she's doing. Could be worse.
Post by: Unorthodox on August 31, 2013, 05:02:49 am
Post by: Unorthodox on September 01, 2013, 08:23:48 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 02, 2013, 12:51:28 am
Contender 1, my squash bees, whom, as you know, we adore.
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-CQBlr10JzSg/UiPQZ-SxtHI/AAAAAAAAS5w/gb5QAyclWmw/s800/_IGP2056.jpg)
However...in a surprise, we have some leafcutters making nests in the corn.
(that's a tongue, not some wicked mouth)
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-jtFpSikLx-M/UiPRWFaMIsI/AAAAAAAAS6k/CKWVRvaEut4/s800/IMGP2063.jpg)
The latter could cause problems come time to chop that corn...
But wait, we're not done. A Bumblebee queen (I've yet to narrow it to a specific species since this set of markings is not on the predominant Utah guide) is looking to make a nest on the side of the shed as well! (here a squash bee harassing her)
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-sr68K6C2ZNg/UiPQaSgx4aI/AAAAAAAAS6M/uXinr-8CuaA/s800/_IGP2060.jpg)
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Q_0ACAnRJmg/UiPQZISJ-2I/AAAAAAAAS5g/9F9FIRnKy68/s800/_IGP2053.jpg)
Post by: Unorthodox on September 02, 2013, 10:26:45 pm
Sorry I missed whatever was going on as a result.
Taking stock, we have ~20 pumpkins I can count on, and a bunch more smaller ones that might make it. Got lots to decide on. With the trip timed how it is, do I pick and sell the week before (so Sept 23 or so) or wait till we get back, and sell the 2nd week of October?
Problem is most of the sugar pumpkins I planted SPECIFICALLY to get smaller pumpkins, max size supposed to be 10 lbs, are 20 lb pumpkins. Musquee, I have 2 solid pumpkins, and 4 smaller ones coming on. Probably a dozen cinderellas, some pretty LARGE.
1 lumina. Baffled by the change from last year.
Debating on planting large varieties for next year.
Wiggles is cocooning. If I can set up the time lapse, I will.
Post by: Unorthodox on September 03, 2013, 03:14:01 am
Post by: Unorthodox on September 03, 2013, 03:59:57 am
Wiggles:
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-rfPWVIPlflo/UiVQvabuH6I/AAAAAAAAS7A/MZrDMK3S5js/s800/IMGP2071.jpg)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 03, 2013, 04:10:21 am
Post by: Unorthodox on September 03, 2013, 05:28:24 pm
Mountain Monsters.
Boys and I caught a marathon of this sometime late Sunday.
It's no secret I'm a fan of the hunt for mysterious beast shows, mostly because I get to hear about different legends and whatnot I can use. Still, I was very skeptical with this particular show given the channel and premise.
After watching a few episodes, it very apparantly falls into a routine. Drive to location, interview, walk around at night looking for things, commercial break, come back with witness grainy video evidence, build a trap, try to hunt/kill whatever.
Post production sound effects and whatnot make it feel incredibly staged at times, and some of the prints they find are way too perfect. But, one thing they have going for them most shows of this type don't:
Most the time, they are being called because something is supposedly eating someone's livestock. Werewolf (woofman as they pronounce it), "lizard demon", whatever it is, they usually find something that's been supposedly killed by whatever. Run around, build a Wil E Coyote styled trap, and shoot in the dark. Forget collecting evidence, we want a dead body. Chances are it'll be one of the people on the show...
It's no destination truth, but it's entertaining.
Post by: Unorthodox on September 03, 2013, 08:24:59 pm
Martha Stewart is judge.
I think I'm gonna go throw up now.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 03, 2013, 08:30:27 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 03, 2013, 09:01:12 pm
Tali's first brush with a Dark Ride.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-CYOgLst5iUs/SgZJ1xgzq2I/AAAAAAAADCw/eThlSNAXXwQ/s800/IMG_2978.JPG)
Became her favorite that year.
She had been wanting to be a 'witch's cat' this year, since pretty much last Halloween. She doesn't change her mind much, but recently wanted to be Esmeralda instead. When first approaching the switch, she asked "is that still scary to help you after I get home?"
Frankly, overall voodoo feeling we're doing, a gypsie isn't so far out of touch.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 03, 2013, 09:07:47 pm
(Also, "gypsy" being an ethic slur in the eyes of Romany/Travelers, should that word be allowed here? I'm asking.)
Post by: Unorthodox on September 03, 2013, 09:41:53 pm
As for Gypsy, it's a term applied to a wide variety of ethnicities, actually, including the Romani and is a grey area, much like "Indian" is to Native Americans. You don't call someone an Indian giver, and you don't claim someone Gypped you out of something. But your average Indian or Gypsy are not offended by the specific terms: Anecdotal observations from those of the respective cultures I'm acquainted with.
In terms of the costume, SPECIFICALLY, it will be a Gypsy costume no matter which way we go, with all the undertones that implies, and may be offensive if you were to specify a more specific ethnicity to it. And she'll still be a dorable.
Whether such a costume builds/enforces some kind of racism I'll happily let history decide with a clear conscience, personally.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 03, 2013, 09:47:41 pm
she'll still be a dorable.QFT.
Post by: JarlWolf on September 04, 2013, 12:51:32 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 04, 2013, 01:04:48 am
Post by: Unorthodox on September 04, 2013, 04:51:27 pm
I don't know that we're going to have AS MANY pumpkins this year. But, they are sure going to be LARGER.
Here I was thinking of planting large varieties for contrast next year, but looks like I need to go SMALLER for contrast. Maybe the pumpkins just went fewer/larger as their response to the drought conditions?
Powdery mildew is killing his quicker than it is mine, so definitely harvesting before our trip. Harvest 9/20-21, sell off any surplus 9/23-27.
Both of us bought commercial seed this year, and we both have lots of odd hybrid varieties growing...I take it whoever is supplying seed to Burpee is not very careful/knowledgeable.
Tons of work coming up to get everything ready.
Post by: Unorthodox on September 04, 2013, 07:33:08 pm
Wow, we harvested our cinderellas and luminas on 9/9 last year. Crazy just thinking about how early that is, but makes me feel a lot better about how the patch is dying off now, doing much better than last year in that way. Of note, however, we did plant about 2 weeks later, so it's all evening out in that way. Harvested the big patch 9/20 last year, so that seems like a good time again.
Depressing to see the raven grass harvest from last year, though, we have practically nothing compared to that this year.
Post by: Rusty Edge on September 04, 2013, 10:39:17 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 04, 2013, 11:08:27 pm
Post by: Rusty Edge on September 05, 2013, 01:42:04 am
Anyway- hot/dry weather means that there are fewer blossoms "set" in the case of beans. Most fall off. Then the plant puts all of it's energy into what it has left, making the pods and seeds above average in size.
With corn a similar thing can happen- a variety that might produce multiple ears in a good season will abort the additional ears, and they will wither. The overall yield will be less, but the single ear, or the kernels that are on that ear may well be bigger than usual. When things are really harsh, a corn plant might produce only pollen and not even attempt an ear.
So basically a plant might switch from quantity to quality when it comes to reproduction. After all, in harsher conditions a larger seed with more stored energy stands a better chance than a normal one.
Post by: Unorthodox on September 05, 2013, 04:36:28 am
I know pumpkins 'set' better in cooler temps (specifically early morning), that never really come this year. this would actually explain the poorer performance of the Luminas this year as well, since they were planted last among the plants, they would have been exposed to less of the cool temps early in the year. And the Giant pumpkin growers artificially induce one per vine to get the size. It's just a guess at the moment.
The tall corn will make up for the loss of raven grass, sure, but it means I'm at a net loss on the year and will have to go cut reed grass again, something I had hoped to avoid. I'll probably try to stretch what I have to cover anyway, see if I like it.
As for how bad the year has been:
Hottest mean temp on record. We've had more 'hot' days in the past, but our lows were especially warm this year.
Bottom 10% on amount of water. "91% of the time we have more precipitation". This is measured some odd August to August schedule.
Post by: Unorthodox on September 06, 2013, 12:57:04 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 06, 2013, 01:15:54 am
Post by: Rusty Edge on September 06, 2013, 01:27:11 am
Well, I don't think that would be funny. Probably just because I happened to traverse the great state of New York on 911, and dealt with people in shock or panicking because the phones were overloaded & useless and they couldn't find their children or other loved ones.
Normally I worry before something happens, and get a grip when it does. I'd probably be on the floor bracing for the shockwave to break the glass and planning on getting others safely out afterwords.
I think I'd be infuriated to learn it was a joke, and split some knuckles on somebody's face or put some furniture through that fancy screen, so that they would think before terrorizing anybody else. You could pull all kinds of pranks with a screen that's a convincing window. Why not do something that's actually funny?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 06, 2013, 01:31:54 am
Post by: Rusty Edge on September 06, 2013, 01:55:47 am
Post by: Unorthodox on September 06, 2013, 02:59:49 am
Post by: Rusty Edge on September 06, 2013, 04:38:28 am
I might let the interviewer get weirder and weirder until the candidate is starting to wish it were over.
Then I would have the interviewer tell the candidate he'll get the job- When pigs fly!" Meanwhile, what should appear "outside the window", but a flying pig? :D
What would you do with fake window and job interview set-up?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 06, 2013, 04:46:09 am
Post by: Unorthodox on September 06, 2013, 06:49:51 am
You the TV at the end of a longish room, and a live-ish feed of the room playing, but it's tape delayed a few seconds. PEOPLE, Especially kids, LOVE to play with this kind of setup. They make faces at the camera, etc. But, the tape delay gives you a chance to sneak up someone behind them, and by the time they SEE the person coming in the TV, they are RIGHT UP next to them, but the brain doesn't register that time delay, so it's a shock when they turn.
Originally conceived as a "Blair Witch" room, updated to "The Ring", don't think there's a current fad theme that would be able to utilize it.
Scifi did a show that was a TON of pranks, often on job interviews/first days, and fake doors/windows have become a staple of haunted houses, I think I would honestly be mighty suspicious from the get go.
Post by: Unorthodox on September 06, 2013, 02:16:02 pm
Seriously, what kind of childhood do you have if you never raised a butterfly? I thought that was a basic class project. How do you not know it's possible?
Anyhow, stopped it by, I guess they had released some butterfly at the presschool, but the kids were sick and didn't get to see it, thrilled to have their own. First question. "Is it a boy or a girl?" "Let me know when it turns into a butterfly and I can tell you, before that it's pretty hard to tell."
Post by: Rusty Edge on September 06, 2013, 04:18:04 pm
I did keep spiders. Jumping spiders were my favorites, because they were excellent hunters. That carried into adulthood, but the mrs can't share her home with any bugs.
Post by: Unorthodox on September 06, 2013, 06:26:05 pm
Caterpillar>butterfly is like basic 1st grade science stuff. We kept one over-winter in 5th or 6th grade, but that was mostly my doing at the time. I was presenting the collection and answering teachers/student's questions by that point. Probably lasted a week or so, my collection in the library, each class coming to see/ask questions.
Recurring theme through biology class in highschool. Biology class, collect 10 insects and we'll figure out how to scientifically group them in class...extra credit if you bring in more. I didn't need to be in that class after that...but the teacher let me do weird things, like breeding giant water bugs, and I answered any questions on what something someone brought in was. If only the physics and chemistry teachers would have let me explore on my own similarly, I might have actually attended their classes more regularly...as it was, I was just bored.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 06, 2013, 06:32:39 pm
Post by: Bertilak on September 06, 2013, 06:39:10 pm
I understand not in the home, just baffled by the not in school/didn't know it was possible.
Caterpillar>butterfly is like basic 1st grade science stuff. We kept one over-winter in 5th or 6th grade, but that was mostly my doing at the time. I was presenting the collection and answering teachers/student's questions by that point. Probably lasted a week or so, my collection in the library, each class coming to see/ask questions.
Recurring theme through biology class in highschool. Biology class, collect 10 insects and we'll figure out how to scientifically group them in class...extra credit if you bring in more. I didn't need to be in that class after that...but the teacher let me do weird things, like breeding giant water bugs, and I answered any questions on what something someone brought in was. If only the physics and chemistry teachers would have let me explore on my own similarly, I might have actually attended their classes more regularly...as it was, I was just bored.
I have never been particularly interested in biology or life science in general as a area of study. I have always been more interested in physical sciences like geology, chemistry and such.
Post by: Unorthodox on September 06, 2013, 06:43:54 pm
Really wasn't Physics teacher's fault. I'd already taken Calculus, which had already covered all the same material. Wish I'd known that before signing up.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 06, 2013, 06:54:44 pm
I did show up for class, but spent it writing long letters to my sister. I'd read the text book at the beginning of the year, and it was enough. In the third quarter, I made the experiment of completely stopping all paying of attention and doing the busywork, and it turns out that was enough to drop my grade for the quarter to a B.
The course and the tests happened to play to my strengths, but I don't know how anyone ever managed to flunk it, though I knew some who did...
Post by: Bertilak on September 06, 2013, 07:02:22 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 07, 2013, 03:08:38 am
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-rSAF8NAyTV4/UiqKGpCXRZI/AAAAAAAAS8M/TSLrNNCuB9Y/s800/1236350_593960903999786_1826368370_n.jpg)
So, we planted 3 jack be little pumpkins...ONE of the plants was obviously...something else. Green/yellow bicolor oddities.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-88B5xStK8pQ/UiqGB-m7kxI/AAAAAAAAS70/EVxIul-Nz4Q/s800/IMG_0003.JPG)
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-MhggPswXMik/UiqGB4w8U7I/AAAAAAAAS7w/6tp2I5MJWmc/s800/IMG_0001.JPG)
Post by: Mylochka on September 07, 2013, 03:13:58 am
Post by: Unorthodox on September 07, 2013, 03:16:42 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 07, 2013, 03:18:49 am
dang near print advertisement quality pic here...Perhaps it's the model, too? You've gotta post that one at the Pond for Zik.
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-rSAF8NAyTV4/UiqKGpCXRZI/AAAAAAAAS8M/TSLrNNCuB9Y/s800/1236350_593960903999786_1826368370_n.jpg)
Uno, were you, perchance, a very pretty child?
Post by: Unorthodox on September 07, 2013, 04:42:36 am
It's a great pic, just wish it was a better camera used instead of the phone.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 07, 2013, 04:45:16 am
-That didn't come out right at all, did it?
I'm betting you were a pretty large child.
Post by: Geo on September 07, 2013, 09:41:25 am
Switch the yellow stripes on Talia's dress to red, and you about got an add pic for the virtues of American 'frontier' life.
Besides that, it's a pretty picture. ;b;
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 07, 2013, 06:05:10 pm
The yellow provides contrast with the background but some unity with what she's holding, thus highlighting the wholesomeness and appeal. From nature, food for your perfect little girl, it says.
Post by: Unorthodox on September 07, 2013, 06:18:25 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 08, 2013, 06:42:13 pm
Neat badge, huh?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 09, 2013, 02:27:33 am
If you don't like it, go to your profile in the left-hand sidebar>Look and Layout>hit 'change' at the end of the first line>look around and pick something.
Post by: Unorthodox on September 09, 2013, 03:05:39 am
"WTF, didn't think I hit the Caverns of Blood link. Reclick link. WTF?!?!?! Manually type in, WTF?!?! BUNCLE!!!"
Not sure the reply box is working properly, smilies don't work when I click them. Oh, and there's no reply button.
Post by: Unorthodox on September 09, 2013, 03:07:38 am
For service above and beyond in supporting the building of AC2 -we needed this thread, seriously- for stamina, and loyalty when it counted, and for advice provided outside Rec Commons and unmistakable extra efforts to contribute to building activity, Uno is hereby the first inductee into the Alpha Centauri 2 Hall of Fame.
Neat badge, huh?
You sure about this...didn't work out so well for the last forum that put me in the HOF.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 09, 2013, 03:09:32 am
Post by: Unorthodox on September 09, 2013, 03:19:59 am
Most break the smilies, and the post/preview buttons in the reply box exist, but are kinda hidden and not labeled.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 09, 2013, 03:23:21 am
Both the girls are using Enterprise, the first thing I installed. Most things look okay in that, but then none of the icons, badges or anything I've done in the last year 1/2 was intended for a dark background.
Post by: Rusty Edge on September 09, 2013, 07:26:41 am
For service above and beyond in supporting the building of AC2 -we needed this thread, seriously- for stamina, and loyalty when it counted, and for advice provided outside Rec Commons and unmistakable extra efforts to contribute to building activity, Uno is hereby the first inductee into the Alpha Centauri 2 Hall of Fame.
Neat badge, huh?
Congratulations! I hadn't seen that done before.
Post by: Unorthodox on September 09, 2013, 02:02:05 pm
We've had drisely weather for the last few weeks, finally put the sign out last night, hopefully to stay. It's gotta come in during rain, unfortunately, until I can get the better lights on the thing (which is probably a next year thing).
Half a mind to put Fred out front with a hardhat now. Have to think about it...
Post by: Unorthodox on September 10, 2013, 12:04:17 am
Not bad. Wouldn't call them good, but I HATE candy corn, so there's that.
Pretty darn good if mixed with plain M&Ms.
Meanwhile, I have it on good authority Pumpkin Spice Kisses, SUCK.
Where the hell are my Blood orange bat dots! ;uno
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 10, 2013, 12:07:56 am
Why do they still make candy corn? Nobody ate that [poop]back in the 70's - they crowd out the real candy.
Post by: Unorthodox on September 10, 2013, 12:10:43 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 10, 2013, 12:18:58 am
Post by: Unorthodox on September 10, 2013, 12:21:43 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 10, 2013, 12:28:22 am
Post by: Rusty Edge on September 10, 2013, 12:45:14 am
I don't eat a lot of it, but I do like to have some as a seasonal nostalgia thing, same as spice jelly beans at Easter or a candy cane at Christmas.
Apparently other people eat it too, because I've seen red and green "reindeer corn" for sale at Christmas and pastel blue corn at Easter time ........ unless.... it just sits in the back of the store until it changes color over time :whistle:
Post by: JarlWolf on September 10, 2013, 01:23:02 am
Post by: Unorthodox on September 10, 2013, 03:45:33 am
ah, bringing danger to folks across the web...(student got his ladder working)
Post by: Unorthodox on September 10, 2013, 02:39:01 pm
Post by: Geo on September 10, 2013, 05:17:07 pm
(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hfTad8eeOto/UiI-yK9zw0I/AAAAAAAAuTc/zi1KRSntau4/s1600/beggingforcandy80.jpg)
;lol ;b;
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 10, 2013, 05:53:39 pm
Post by: Rusty Edge on September 10, 2013, 06:06:40 pm
Maybe both God and the devil have a divine sense of humor.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 10, 2013, 06:10:01 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 10, 2013, 09:36:33 pm
House down the street has their decorations up.
Well, guess I have the sign out, but they got the martha stewart porch/door thing covered. (I rarely put much more out until right before, and when I do it's in jest.)
Bonus points, it's in the HOA, blatant violation of the accepted dates.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 10, 2013, 09:42:37 pm
No interest in the Mayan theme?
Post by: Unorthodox on September 10, 2013, 09:44:27 pm
Me? No Mayans this year. And Tali want's to do Vlaad the impaler next year (or at least that's how I interpretted her ramblings), and I might be able to make that happen...if I don't decide it's too graphic.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 10, 2013, 09:46:25 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 10, 2013, 09:48:49 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 10, 2013, 09:53:52 pm
I need pretty high contrast for the webs. Some of the halloween ones look nice, but they're too close to places I visit, kinda like this place to stand out.
Post by: Unorthodox on September 11, 2013, 04:25:23 am
Muahahahhahaha!!!! IT'S ALIVE!!!!!
ah, bringing danger to folks across the web...(student got his ladder working)
:D
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 11, 2013, 04:31:09 am
Post by: Unorthodox on September 11, 2013, 04:31:56 am
Last night, the school's "Family fun fair" this being the big PTA fundraiser. You know, bounce houses, face painting, etc.
Well, not face painting...as the person doing that was SLLLOOOOOWWWW.
Anyhow, you would think leaving a box of sidewalk chalk out for the kids to color on would be a great idea, right. Nice innocent elementary kids...it was the source of my best experience, and my worst, of the evening.
Early on, some kids had drawn some pumpkins. NOT my kids, mind you! That made me smile quite a bit...
Later in the evening, with handwriting indicating someone older, there were anti gay slurs along with website addresses...
For the first time in my life, I defaced someone else's work...
Post by: Unorthodox on September 11, 2013, 04:32:16 am
Cool! Does it do the rising arc thing?
Yeah. Don't think he has a video camera, though.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 11, 2013, 04:33:38 am
So,Siiigh.
Last night, the school's "Family fun fair" this being the big PTA fundraiser. You know, bounce houses, face painting, etc.
Well, not face painting...as the person doing that was SLLLOOOOOWWWW.
Anyhow, you would think leaving a box of sidewalk chalk out for the kids to color on would be a great idea, right. Nice innocent elementary kids...it was the source of my best experience, and my worst, of the evening.
Early on, some kids had drawn some pumpkins. NOT my kids, mind you! That made me smile quite a bit...
Later in the evening, with handwriting indicating someone older, there were anti gay slurs along with website addresses...
For the first time in my life, I defaced someone else's work...
Post by: Unorthodox on September 11, 2013, 02:10:15 pm
Testing...
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/fT-MFS_3wqgUHjl93Jg7i4lXOapvFrl4J4HG0lZTNNxt=w276-h207-p-no)
Post by: Unorthodox on September 11, 2013, 02:15:54 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 11, 2013, 04:15:10 pm
Post by: Geo on September 11, 2013, 05:57:17 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 11, 2013, 06:14:51 pm
I didn't "upgrade" because I really didn't want to, so I've been using a work around to still use the old picasa.
Editted some pics last night, went to upload this morning and it looks like they've shut down the work around. Whatever, go ahead an join stupid google + just to use picasa, since my blog is site integrated with picasa already. Well, it's all fubarred. I can't seem to share new things uploaded to google+ quite the same, and everything new I'm uploading is automatically reprocessed and "enhanced" as part of the upload. This turns the pics into crap to begin with. I can turn it off, but only per individual upload. I already run my RAW files through Photoshop to get them how I want, now this is fubarring my pics all to hell, AND I can't share them outside google+
Just [poop]. Looking for a plugin for my website to host my own damn albums.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 11, 2013, 06:20:56 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 11, 2013, 07:12:44 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 11, 2013, 07:23:39 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 11, 2013, 07:29:35 pm
The boss has a book that tells you how somewhere...
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 11, 2013, 07:36:52 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 11, 2013, 08:08:04 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 11, 2013, 08:27:19 pm
-Sounds complex, but would take seconds to do once you get used to it. When M gets home from work, I'll ask her to look in there and talk about whether there's a simpler way to do it with an automatic function. She knows a lot more than I about exotic shoop functions...
Post by: Unorthodox on September 11, 2013, 08:45:22 pm
Can't remember what version...
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 11, 2013, 08:52:08 pm
I'm looking for the packaging for the CD so I can reactivate my copy of PhotoShop CS and be more help...
Post by: Unorthodox on September 11, 2013, 09:13:57 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 12, 2013, 03:23:39 am
bummer....
Post by: Unorthodox on September 12, 2013, 03:28:19 am
testing....
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 12, 2013, 04:18:45 am
Post by: Unorthodox on September 12, 2013, 04:21:37 am
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-88B5xStK8pQ/UiqGB-m7kxI/AAAAAAAAS70/EVxIul-Nz4Q/s800/IMG_0003.JPG)
Well, there's a hell of a backdoor....
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 12, 2013, 04:32:56 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 12, 2013, 05:03:55 am
Post by: Unorthodox on September 12, 2013, 02:27:26 pm
Many of the plugins wouldn't let me hotlink, and those that did had some dangerous code to be throwing out into the web when people are attacking my site.
Then I found one that let you backdoor into picasa straight from your site control panel. I dug into it's code to see how it was doing that, and was able to access my old picasa again. From the picasa side, I was able to get rid of the google+ idiocy. Sure, it was just a settings change, but it was auto-redirecting all my attempts to get to the settings page without this rigamarole.
So, for now, I've got picasa working again, at least temporarily until the next update, so I have a little time to poke around.
On the album programs that allowed automagical watermarks, they auto-pasted an image to a particular area on the pics. More likely auto-superimposed. Didn't look at that coding.
The idea for me being, to have my website on all the pics, that way I get something out of hosting them on my site. But, still playing around with how that all works. Don't want to have the directory deep down into the website, just anunorthodoxhalloween.com/gallerynam/picname.jpeg or somesuch.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 12, 2013, 02:36:09 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 12, 2013, 02:56:55 pm
"Goliath" silo corn.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zWDucuPaGV4/UjG6IXDo2GI/AAAAAAAATAM/Ik1fsiLfTFA/s800/IMG_0001.JPG)
Raven Grass.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-n_mCviOR5_w/UjG6IBkzrVI/AAAAAAAATAI/PZ1dwSPCAZI/s800/IMG_0002.JPG)
Roughly even in height, the corn is a little thicker, and certainly has more foliage.
Since my macro lens is a kit job, playing around with it at the school fair. Tali and Alec on the rock wall.
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-WdyBAoMeatA/UjG6T383EPI/AAAAAAAATAs/7CHnq6JltWE/s800/IMGP2074.jpg)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zFkipHM2DYw/UjG6Tm5_MlI/AAAAAAAATAc/S2RdQ07oCV0/s800/IMGP2072.jpg)
Thing was a bit cumbersome to get around, actually. Too spoiled by my primes I guess.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-b1_likTINcs/UjG6TnKpQVI/AAAAAAAATAk/yYBtU1wtQNU/s800/IMGP2081.jpg)
I knew from the get-go that pumpkin prices were going to be interesting this year. Flooding in the prime growing locations locally delayed planting early in the year followed by the hottest summer and one of the worst drought years was bound to have an impact. (no, flooding and drought are not unusual together here in Utah)
As usual WalMart was first out of the gates, and has set the bar at $5 ea (ok, $4.88) on standard jack sized pumpkins. $.50/lb on specialty pumpkins, and $.75 ea on the minies/gourds.
This is up from a high of $3.50 at walmart on jack pumpkins last year.
Kinda scary what that might do to prices at the stands. Still plan to be "some jerk selling them for $1".
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 12, 2013, 05:49:20 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 12, 2013, 05:55:30 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 12, 2013, 06:02:10 pm
Here's the trick to adding to pics: File>Place...>select stamp (this creates a new layer)>move stamp where you want on the pic>Layer>Flatten Image>Save.
Let me know how this works out.
Post by: Unorthodox on September 12, 2013, 06:07:28 pm
I likey those long ones. Might play with the color a bit though.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 12, 2013, 06:09:41 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 12, 2013, 06:11:30 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 12, 2013, 06:14:06 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 12, 2013, 06:15:42 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 12, 2013, 06:16:43 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 12, 2013, 06:17:13 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 12, 2013, 06:19:31 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 12, 2013, 06:21:33 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 12, 2013, 06:30:29 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 12, 2013, 06:42:24 pm
ah...forbidden fun. :(
Post by: Unorthodox on September 12, 2013, 07:00:35 pm
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hJeIO7tUOz8/UjIA0tASvdI/AAAAAAAATBw/NfrDr4TYajM/s800/20130910_124434.jpg)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 12, 2013, 07:13:56 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 12, 2013, 07:16:03 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 12, 2013, 08:00:33 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 12, 2013, 08:05:40 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 12, 2013, 08:25:51 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 12, 2013, 08:35:33 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 12, 2013, 08:47:24 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 12, 2013, 09:09:07 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 12, 2013, 09:37:44 pm
If your Halloween forum allows animated picture sigs, you could hyperlink this...
Post by: Unorthodox on September 12, 2013, 10:13:50 pm
Hilarious "real" monster sightings schtick. If the video tomorrow is a bad knockoff of one of those hunter shows this is going to instantly be one of my favorites.
Post by: Unorthodox on September 13, 2013, 02:08:50 am
Alec wants to do the sorcerer's apprentice (lots of traditional/mythological monsters).
The Boss thinks we should do Harry Potter!
But, there's the big mansion up the hill that does Harry Potter, turning their whole house into Hogwarts...and they don't do it ON Halloween anymore, but the weekend prior (though I assume next time Halloween falls on Saturday, it'll be ON Halloween). hEt want's US to do all the DARK SIDE stuff, since they only have the happy fru-fru garbage up there.
Not as huge a fan as the boss, trying to rack me brain if there's much to build on outside of dementors and the masks. The whole KKK outfits of the deatheaters, only black, really rub me the wrong way, too.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 13, 2013, 02:11:03 am
Post by: Unorthodox on September 13, 2013, 05:05:19 am
FWIW, Harry Potter is a fairly common theme for haunters...but I've seen NO ONE do the dark side.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 13, 2013, 05:15:14 am
Post by: Unorthodox on September 13, 2013, 11:42:11 pm
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-4na4wWLXGoA/UjOUx9PS89I/AAAAAAAATCQ/ZCErFU5-KQc/s800/IMGP2083%2520copy.jpg)
Though the file>place is pretty simple too.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 14, 2013, 01:15:20 am
Post by: Unorthodox on September 14, 2013, 01:36:39 am
Well, went the B movie route, was hoping for the bad monster hunter knockoff. Still pretty hilarious.
Post by: Unorthodox on September 14, 2013, 02:34:33 am
I don't normally post in the INDOOR threat, because the INDOOR is the boss's domain, and there's hasn't usually been a whole lot going on. However, over the last couple years she's come on over to the dark side. This year it's already up.
We grew all the mini pumpkins, the rest is stuff she's made/collected over the last few years.
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/--pQyJty2-1I/UjO7eFViPeI/AAAAAAAATCw/cQrCX39oITs/s800/IMGP2086.jpg)
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-r6xB1cPH6hQ/UjO7eKEpXrI/AAAAAAAATC4/z9sxw-0b4C0/s800/IMGP2087%2520copy.jpg)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5svxIvDNiuU/UjO7eFRPYGI/AAAAAAAATC8/ddD115_nCTg/s800/IMGP2088.jpg)
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-8dTE90s2Cho/UjO7eXwoRJI/AAAAAAAATDA/EC402-R7CVo/s800/IMGP2089.jpg)
Post by: Rusty Edge on September 14, 2013, 02:36:38 am
Post by: Unorthodox on September 15, 2013, 06:39:37 am
I know I'm on the outskirts already for lighting primarily with torches...but I'm giving serious consideration to ditching even those in favor of even more intimate lighting.
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-lxSm2xC_UYc/UjVGWVXztzI/AAAAAAAATD8/qJAgnH8VGDs/s800/IMGP2100%2520copy.jpg)
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-rLNSlmJbFqU/UjVGU_HgbtI/AAAAAAAATDo/2hux2p3l0yk/s800/IMGP2097%2520copy.jpg)
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-6H6wsiU0X3s/UjVGU_WDHZI/AAAAAAAATDs/viwD0qgRcPs/s800/IMGP2094%2520copy.jpg)
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-zPPaDtRZlIo/UjVGU-drrwI/AAAAAAAATDk/56Xc0yC3OFM/s800/IMGP2092%2520copy.jpg)
Adding in 40 or so pumpkins to that area, and about twice the candles...I don't know, it bears some consideration. Going to be running some more tests tomorrow.
Post by: Unorthodox on September 16, 2013, 04:51:31 am
HOW to do that is the question, and might portend a 'do it next year' thing.
Overall, though, this really has some potential.
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-FEKlUYrw6V8/UjZ-CNgZSGI/AAAAAAAATEw/oU64HbP0_KU/s800/IMGP2110%2520copy.jpg)
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-2T7_R91bn0Y/UjZ-CE0u7dI/AAAAAAAATE0/nOBUNM54QME/s800/IMGP2107%2520copy.jpg)
Anyhow, I have this setup, and was taking Tali out for a walk through it, and some random people are out walking. Keep in mind, you can't see any of this from the front, but I went out front to turn on the sign, and we were just going to walk the loop around. The dad remarks "46?" (on the sign) and one of the kids pips up "Days till halloween, silly! This is the Halloween house!"
Hey, I've already got a little mini scene setup anyway, and just ask if they want to come see what I'm testing out.
Some ~5 year old boy was THRILLED to walk past Fred, then turns the corner to see my skulls and candles and looks up at his dad "I don't want to go anymore." His daughter didn't make it past Fred.
Post by: JarlWolf on September 16, 2013, 04:55:26 am
Post by: Geo on September 16, 2013, 12:54:43 pm
..., but there is an art form of itself in your hobby...
Now, that I find a creepy remark. ;)
Post by: Unorthodox on September 16, 2013, 02:42:01 pm
Thought it was kind of sweet...., but there is an art form of itself in your hobby...
Now, that I find a creepy remark. ;)
Post by: Geo on September 16, 2013, 05:13:03 pm
Thought it was kind of sweet...., but there is an art form of itself in your hobby...
Now, that I find a creepy remark. ;)
";)"
Post by: Unorthodox on September 16, 2013, 06:55:28 pm
So, for 3 weeks or so, we've had enough rainfall that I've not needed to water the lawn, and since I'm purposely attempting to stress both the tomatoes and pupmkins into ripening, no need for watering the garden either.
The Skunk has been absent the last few weeks as well, either someone trapped him, or the rain has kept him away, but the slugs have been mounting a vengeful resurgeance.
Squash bugs are all but absent, however.
Picking pumpkins come Friday/Saturday. Water gets shutoff the following weekend.
Debating whether to chop down the raven grass and goliath corn before we head out of town or wait till we get back.
Thing that annoys me is even with all the rain, neighbors have left their sprinkler systems blasting.
Pointless waste, really.
Noticed something a couple weeks back, and doing the lighting tests this weekend really highlighted it.
At some point, the city has come by and changed all the bulbs in our street lamps to LED thingamabobs. The results have been quite interesting:
The old lights were amber colored. The new ones are WHITE, to maybe just a touch of blue mixed in.
The new lights are VERY DIRECTIONAL. Probably a 120 degree broadcast down. The old ones were full 360, but with the reflector on the top. Still, the new bulbs broadcast their light in a MUCH more defined cone under the lamps.
The result is 2 fold:
1. The neighborhood, as a whole, is DARKER! Outside those cones, the whole place is just BLACK unless someone has a garage light on.
2. They've changed enough of an area, light pollution is down, and the night sky is noticeably improved.
More specific for ME, however, THE STREET LIGHT NO LONGER TOUCHES MY YARD AT ALL.
I was already fairly fortunate in that I had a tree blocking it from most the FRONT yard, but the old light used to color up most of my side yard and a decent portion of the back. I still get some light pollution from our neighbor's windows and/or back porch lights, however. Usually the back porches are not an issue for Halloween.
I really need to make a scrim to go along the fence.
Post by: Geo on September 16, 2013, 07:27:04 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 16, 2013, 07:28:21 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 16, 2013, 08:02:44 pm
I have enough fabric, just been lazy about building a frame, and would be a nightmare for storage.
Post by: Unorthodox on September 17, 2013, 02:05:51 am
Soon...
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 17, 2013, 02:11:16 am
Post by: Unorthodox on September 17, 2013, 02:14:50 am
We took Chompy over to the neighbors.
Post by: Unorthodox on September 17, 2013, 02:16:08 am
Post by: Unorthodox on September 17, 2013, 02:27:45 pm
Post by: Geo on September 17, 2013, 04:02:30 pm
Rather shocked how well that pic come out, it's taken THROUGH a net...
Really? I couldn't tell.
Post by: Unorthodox on September 17, 2013, 05:45:34 pm
Rather shocked how well that pic come out, it's taken THROUGH a net...
Really? I couldn't tell.
That was my point. I'm shocked as well.
I was using my 50MM F1.4 lens wide open on that shot, the narrow depth of field, coupled with the spotlighting on the cocoon, the net(about a foot in front of the cocoon, and RIGHT in front of the lens) just evaporated into nothing. I expected it to be a little haze, but it's just GONE! Optics trickery, not photoshoppery.
I'll get a wide shot of the butterfly box tonight.
Post by: Unorthodox on September 17, 2013, 10:35:45 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 17, 2013, 10:44:07 pm
Video.
Post by: Unorthodox on September 17, 2013, 10:50:21 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 17, 2013, 11:54:51 pm
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JqeNo3HtNjs/UjjdAaJ5MvI/AAAAAAAATFw/KXRL6nsN3YE/s800/IMGP2128%2520copy.jpg)
crappy pic of the crappy cage
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-o8XdoMgaVWk/UjjdASmCRdI/AAAAAAAATF0/AeN6B2DijgY/s800/IMGP2129%2520copy.jpg)
He's getting all rambunctious and can't handle himself yet, Tali was a little nervous about holding him.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 17, 2013, 11:58:21 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 18, 2013, 02:20:55 pm
Saw discount tickets for Nightmare on 13th (http://"http://www.nightmareon13th.com/") this morning. They've fallen prey to the new business model, and it deeply saddens me. The idea is you take your space, and instead of doing a haunt for, say, $15...you do THREE! For the bargain price of $20!!!
I hate this model. As a customer, you're not getting any more entertainment. In fact, you're getting less since you now have 3 lines to wait in. The smaller haunts lend themselves to be just a jumble of junk rather than have a story line as well. Just terrible all the way round.
Especially troubling since Nightmare on 13th got rid of their 'Nightmare theater' to make room for this. One of the best gimmicks I've ever seen, TOP of the line animatronics/show that would play while you were in the queue line. Frankly it was always better than their haunt to begin with.
Then to add insult to injury, one of the haunts is "Dark Harvest". Seriously? Because...what are you harvesting in this INDOOR haunt again? Come on people, some things just don't belong.
In other news, Lagoon (the local amusement park) is offering character dining (http://"http://www.lagoonpark.com/pdf/offers/2013CharacterDiningFlyer.pdf")! I've always remarked that what made Halloween at Lagoon so much better than the rest of the year was the characters. Only during Halloween did you have characters entertaining you, and opportunities to go up and meet them/get pics. Both original creations, and your classic Frankenstein, Wolfman, etc. Well, guess they found a way to make money off the photo ops. Dinner, private shows, just nickel and dime BS.
With us not having the season passes this year, attending a 'normal' haunt is on the radar. Kinda debating whether to head way out to the haunted forest (http://"http://www.hauntedutah.com/haunted_forest_index.html") or maybe trying one of the corn mazes. Always wanted to do one of those.
Post by: Bertilak on September 18, 2013, 03:53:50 pm
The new industry model has claimed another victim.
Saw discount tickets for Nightmare on 13th (http://"http://www.nightmareon13th.com/") this morning. They've fallen prey to the new business model, and it deeply saddens me. The idea is you take your space, and instead of doing a haunt for, say, $15...you do THREE! For the bargain price of $20!!!
I hate this model. As a customer, you're not getting any more entertainment. In fact, you're getting less since you now have 3 lines to wait in. The smaller haunts lend themselves to be just a jumble of junk rather than have a story line as well. Just terrible all the way round.
Especially troubling since Nightmare on 13th got rid of their 'Nightmare theater' to make room for this. One of the best gimmicks I've ever seen, TOP of the line animatronics/show that would play while you were in the queue line. Frankly it was always better than their haunt to begin with.
Then to add insult to injury, one of the haunts is "Dark Harvest". Seriously? Because...what are you harvesting in this INDOOR haunt again? Come on people, some things just don't belong.
In other news, Lagoon (the local amusement park) is offering character dining (http://"http://www.lagoonpark.com/pdf/offers/2013CharacterDiningFlyer.pdf")! I've always remarked that what made Halloween at Lagoon so much better than the rest of the year was the characters. Only during Halloween did you have characters entertaining you, and opportunities to go up and meet them/get pics. Both original creations, and your classic Frankenstein, Wolfman, etc. Well, guess they found a way to make money off the photo ops. Dinner, private shows, just nickel and dime BS.
With us not having the season passes this year, attending a 'normal' haunt is on the radar. Kinda debating whether to head way out to the haunted forest (http://"http://www.hauntedutah.com/haunted_forest_index.html") or maybe trying one of the corn mazes. Always wanted to do one of those.
What new business model? You mean the one that asks how they can get the most money and not care about their customers? Yeah, that model is terrible
Post by: Unorthodox on September 18, 2013, 04:03:12 pm
As long as people keep forking over $ though, the shell game will continue.
Post by: Unorthodox on September 18, 2013, 11:53:00 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 18, 2013, 11:54:42 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 18, 2013, 11:55:57 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 18, 2013, 11:56:53 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 19, 2013, 03:22:49 am
We went out to harvest tonight.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-KuItonQ3VI8/UjpbnD1y7uI/AAAAAAAATKU/66FMdXlefd0/s800/IMG_6121.JPG)
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-qcA09h_TnKU/UjpbrTVYBiI/AAAAAAAATKc/Q6rLDir1xYY/s800/IMG_6130.JPG)
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-HKNCYQ0sdsU/Ujpbr_akFsI/AAAAAAAATKk/HHynRY25ZN0/s800/IMG_6131.JPG)
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-304QC1nh5dA/UjpbtvjA3cI/AAAAAAAATKs/PJKtmW-veWQ/s800/IMG_6133.JPG)
Our sole white pumpkin that is bluish???
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-UOxsYd7MkfI/Ujpbv058fCI/AAAAAAAATJc/6GAYQbGzyig/s800/IMG_6141.JPG)
Bicolor?
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-W2wjgQ1Zcr8/Ujpb0fXEkQI/AAAAAAAATK4/2AJ0H6rxzIg/s800/IMG_6156.JPG)
All told, kind of disappointing this year.
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-VGdzITGFSCU/UjpaEO2NSYI/AAAAAAAATGo/f0U4Tv3E0lQ/s800/IMG_0013.JPG)
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Vjz_gbm-__M/UjpaEINy9MI/AAAAAAAATGs/Z3nq_znp-sI/s800/IMG_0014.JPG)
Our Musquee de Provence.
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-xxK8Od5o_No/UjpaENQpfhI/AAAAAAAATGg/serqOr2ilpk/s800/IMG_0015.JPG)
Slugs had destroyed 2 more of the Musquee pumpkins, another cinderella, and a couple others.
Post by: Rusty Edge on September 19, 2013, 05:59:44 am
Post by: Unorthodox on September 19, 2013, 12:20:22 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 19, 2013, 02:02:05 pm
Preparing to wage war on the slugs tongiht. They've done pissed me off, you don't mess with the pumpkins. Anyone have a good slugicide?
We'll be ripping out all the vines and tilling the ground tonight. Friday evening looks like a superb time to bait/spray/poison/whatever. With most other food sources thus removed, should make any bait/poison most effective.
Post by: Arbee on September 19, 2013, 04:25:04 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 19, 2013, 04:28:39 pm
Post by: Geo on September 19, 2013, 07:16:55 pm
Post by: Rusty Edge on September 19, 2013, 07:19:39 pm
Slugs! I detest them. Lime the --- -------- at night, I say! I suppose your PH isn't compatible with that approach.
Well, lime or something of the sort that can dehydrate them is probably the safest & most effective way.
But you have to see them first.
My grandfather once told me a story about his uncle Dave, who was basically a lazy genius. Dave did this sort of medicine show once to sell a batch of cochroach killer he had made from arsenic and cyanide ( or was it strychnine ?) ... whatever he could buy back in the 1920s. Dave offered a quarter each to boys in the crowd to go ketch him a couple of large cockroaches . When the roaches arrived Dave quickly dispatched them with an eyedropper and a single drop of his special roach killer, which impressed the audience, and quickly sold out.
As my grandfather then explained- "you can kill cochroaches with a hammer, too, but the trick is getting them anywhere near it. " ;) Dave had a tendency to go away for long periods of time, so people could forget about him.
Getting the slugs out of the ground is the first issue.
Anyway, I think the best bait for slugs is beer. No harm done to birds or skunks which eat beer marinated slugs. They also like wheat germ and corn meal, as I recall, but that's not so different than the mash used to make beer.
If you don't want lime in your soil, maybe you could put down something smooth, such as a piece of moist plastic, and bait them onto that at night and then deal with them. For that matter, in a dry environment , some wet ground under a sheet of something might be a slug magnet, too.
Post by: Unorthodox on September 19, 2013, 08:46:22 pm
anyway, the area is too large for beer traps to work, and that's a mess I'd rather not deal with, and I'm just getting the ground back in shape from the rampant liming previous owners were utilizing.
Getting them OUT of the ground won't be a problem... We're stripping the foliage tonight and disturbing the soil, going to water nice and heavy tomorrow evening, with the disturbance, coupled with a warm evening, they'll be out in force. Then I'm going to broadcast something....
Seems there's 2 leading candidates. The "Poison" route, and the "environmentally friendly" route.
The former uses a couple pesticides I'm familiar with, one of which is a contact poison, and would be lethal to pretty much anything that eats the stuff. It doesn't stay in the soil, however, and the ground will be safe for next year.
The 'friendly' route on the other hand utilizes metallic salts, which break down and alter the soil PH. Supposedly the slugs eat this and then starve to death. Fortunately for me, it turns the soil more acidic, which would not be a bad thing for my pumpkins or tomatoes.
Post by: Rusty Edge on September 19, 2013, 09:06:37 pm
Regardless of how you choose to go about it....
DEATH TO THE SLUGS! :hunter: ;lynchmob ;nuke;
Post by: Unorthodox on September 20, 2013, 03:00:18 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 20, 2013, 03:02:04 am
Post by: Unorthodox on September 20, 2013, 03:59:50 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 20, 2013, 04:24:20 am
Post by: Rusty Edge on September 20, 2013, 05:41:57 am
Still photo if that happens.;lol
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 20, 2013, 06:28:32 am
Post by: Unorthodox on September 21, 2013, 02:25:51 am
Sayin' goodbye.
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-xXtgMu-b29Q/Ujz1Ecg-qCI/AAAAAAAATME/tDQyMiv14EM/s800/IMG_0021.JPG)
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-yv-ww-Ouh2Q/Ujz1FVcEPLI/AAAAAAAATMM/QgbY3Y7YTEc/s800/IMG_0022.JPG)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 21, 2013, 02:26:57 am
Post by: Unorthodox on September 21, 2013, 02:30:12 am
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-A27DLpAvAx4/Ujz1-9dJ91I/AAAAAAAATMk/profPUYZ2xw/s800/IMG_0023.JPG)
The stand has about 20 fewer than last year.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-aWoDqPd5fKE/Ujz1_9ZFbjI/AAAAAAAATM4/d7-DtR8wcQ8/s800/IMG_0029.JPG)
My order come from what has to be my favorite halloween store. The free brain come with the order, as advertised on the site. Talia doing her evil laugh...
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/--3AmGBNf-g4/Ujz1--2F1nI/AAAAAAAATM0/AzIPG5fFohs/s800/IMG_0028.JPG)
But, another free surprise.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8JaJMgVrZcs/Ujz1-yjTG4I/AAAAAAAATMw/mmYcGcbuiFI/s800/IMG_0027.JPG)
Post by: JarlWolf on September 21, 2013, 02:38:39 am
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-xXtgMu-b29Q/Ujz1Ecg-qCI/AAAAAAAATME/tDQyMiv14EM/s800/IMG_0021.JPG)
Those mountains...
:'(
They look like they are from The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly. Beautiful.
Think this is fitting music for the goodbye.
The Ecstacy of Gold---Ennio Morricone (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOr0na6mKJQ#)
Post by: Unorthodox on September 21, 2013, 07:53:17 pm
Pumpkins sold out in 20 minutes. :danc:
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 21, 2013, 09:02:11 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 21, 2013, 09:46:21 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 21, 2013, 10:02:30 pm
Wally:
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-WSxCXnsqZvA/Tzand6x8hjI/AAAAAAAAMFc/ymZlBp3P33A/s800/IMG_6049.JPG)
Pose N Stays are out of the same mold, but are a heavier cast and have bolts through the joints for much better durability.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 21, 2013, 10:10:40 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 22, 2013, 03:06:05 am
With any luck it's ye olde foamies that have been missing for the last 5 years.
Post by: Unorthodox on September 22, 2013, 04:54:42 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 22, 2013, 05:23:10 am
You guys would enjoy if I posted about my big April-May RL project, turning the mess of carolina moonseed that grew in Mylochka's back yard as a weed into an ornamental vine, wouldn't you? I took pictures of my progress, and everything...
Sure, but this isn't my thread.
It really deserves its own...
As far as I'm concerned it sounds like it falls under "random crap".SO - I took this as encouragement and eventually did it (http://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?topic=4359.0), aaand - where's the love?
Post by: Unorthodox on September 22, 2013, 06:15:34 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 22, 2013, 06:22:15 am
Post by: Unorthodox on September 22, 2013, 01:14:38 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 22, 2013, 11:49:04 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 22, 2013, 11:57:23 pm
Texans are a bunch of reactionaries, but they're a YARD-APE sort of conservatives, and they LOVE Halloween.
Post by: Unorthodox on September 23, 2013, 02:23:37 am
Well, first working prop since April. Got the grave prototype going, needs some painting and stuff, but won't get to that till we get back from the mouse. Ironically, it looks LOADS better in person than I can get it to video. No idea why. Going to do some candlelight looking later.
Post by: Unorthodox on September 23, 2013, 02:31:08 am
"He was a good butterfly." -their 2 year old.
"Ew" - on seeing Fred out front.
"That's a good monster" - on seeing the Chimera.
It's really been a good weekend for me overall. Hard, but good. I needed it.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 23, 2013, 02:35:41 am
Post by: Unorthodox on September 23, 2013, 03:02:17 pm
The grave. I just tossed some sand on top, need to do a little work to actually make it look how I want after vacation, but good enough for last night.
My kids were mightily impressed.
The candlelight test didn't go well, going to have to think on that for a while.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 23, 2013, 04:11:47 pm
Post by: Geo on September 23, 2013, 04:15:55 pm
"This video is private."
Ooooh... Kinky... :D
Post by: Unorthodox on September 23, 2013, 04:19:20 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 23, 2013, 04:21:15 pm
My fix for the damn picasa thing has broken my youtube.
Post by: Unorthodox on September 23, 2013, 04:35:35 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 23, 2013, 04:40:39 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 23, 2013, 04:47:01 pm
That should do it...
Post by: Unorthodox on September 23, 2013, 04:48:58 pm
The boss bought a costume...
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QlvsY9fsQ9o/UkBOPiXQX7I/AAAAAAAATOY/v7Xn39ClMJU/s800/1280855_599527686776441_1812409045_n.jpg)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 23, 2013, 04:50:40 pm
Post by: Geo on September 23, 2013, 04:56:53 pm
*grumble*
That should do it...
It did.
How did you do it? Sequenced air pump?
Post by: Unorthodox on September 23, 2013, 05:09:19 pm
It's basically a rotisserie with a couple arms on it. Built out of a dead reindeer.
Post by: Geo on September 23, 2013, 05:14:16 pm
My kids WATCHED me build it and didn't get it either.
It's basically a rotisserie with a couple arms on it. Built out of a dead reindeer.
Ah, that explains the longer deflation (in respect with the inflation time).
Dead reindeer? So it's a real grave after all! ;lol
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 23, 2013, 05:26:19 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 23, 2013, 05:27:59 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 23, 2013, 09:01:05 pm
The boss checked, and it's sounding unlikely they'll have an esmerelda costume...ah well, will be fun to make one.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 23, 2013, 09:02:23 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 23, 2013, 09:07:51 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 24, 2013, 09:15:57 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 24, 2013, 09:18:34 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 24, 2013, 09:21:37 pm
Didn't see how much, but doubt it's worth it...
Post by: Unorthodox on September 24, 2013, 09:22:39 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 24, 2013, 09:25:18 pm
Incidentally, there's been a healthy supply of well-done FAKE pumpkins, and I've not paid much attention to which is fake and which is real.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 25, 2013, 03:52:27 am
Post by: Unorthodox on September 25, 2013, 03:25:46 pm
Halloween Music Vid - "No One Lives Forever" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eStq-IvLaXk#)
Post by: Unorthodox on September 25, 2013, 03:26:26 pm
Okay, I was in the grocery store this afternoon, and they had some pretty big, pretty good-looking real pumpkins for sale, $6 apiece; most of them a nice orange and mostly reasonably unflawed. -Also, some warty, gourdy-looking ones at the same rate, some orange, some green, some yellow, and some combinations thereof. Naturally, I took a good look when I saw them, after our talk.
You got 4 people heading on a road trip. ;b; From "couple hours south of Dallas"
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 25, 2013, 04:16:25 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 25, 2013, 04:32:10 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 25, 2013, 05:09:31 pm
Just dumping here for later perusal.
Post by: Unorthodox on September 25, 2013, 05:44:48 pm
Post by: Geo on September 25, 2013, 05:48:50 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 25, 2013, 09:41:57 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 25, 2013, 10:02:37 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 25, 2013, 11:49:22 pm
Seriously, both my boys are bringing home what may as well be another language. It's not that I don't remember how to DO whatever, it's that when they ask me a question, they're calling things TOTALLY different than I was taught.
Post by: Bertilak on September 25, 2013, 11:59:35 pm
when did math TERMINOLOGY change?Would you please give some examples of how you think there has been a supposed change in math terminology? Perhaps someone might be able to help "interpret" this different language.
Seriously, both my boys are bringing home what may as well be another language. It's not that I don't remember how to DO whatever, it's that when they ask me a question, they're calling things TOTALLY different than I was taught.
Post by: Unorthodox on September 26, 2013, 03:23:11 am
Send home some examples then as far as I'm concerned.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 26, 2013, 03:27:13 am
Post by: Unorthodox on September 26, 2013, 03:31:15 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 26, 2013, 03:35:02 am
I keep telling youDo not.
Post by: Unorthodox on September 26, 2013, 04:07:35 am
Spooky Bats and Scaredy Cats A Halloween Tale (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QeBmwGVU94#)
Just dumping here for later perusal.
So, BU, opinion: Is that candleman feasible? (like first 30 seconds is all you need to see)
Post by: Bertilak on September 26, 2013, 04:17:18 am
I don't even remember what it was last night, terminology wise. We've had a couple of them come home that are just odd. The problem is they are into mathematics where there's multiple means of coming to the answer, I have to decipher WHICH they are supposed to be doing. Apparently I told Alec the shorthand method of what they were doing last night when they want them learning the long way first.I bet it has something to do with show all your work and all of the steps that are involved to get there. That is probably why they do not want the shorthand version of it. I personally think that yes, a student should know how to do a concept the long way first but teachers should explain before hand if they want the work done the long way. I have had some bad experiences with math were they wanted it done the long way but I did it the short way because the work did not explicitly say that it needed to be completed using a specific set of steps :(.
Send home some examples then as far as I'm concerned.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 26, 2013, 04:32:32 am
It's tough. You'd have to fake most of it with lights, PVC and hot glue drippings to make something durable enough to move around in. A few actual lit candles arranged so they can't fall off easily and can be easily replaced when they do, but mostly faked, and mighty heavy no matter. Plan to work in a stout chinstrap somehow - maybe by building a medieval peasant hood into it under the hat.Spooky Bats and Scaredy Cats A Halloween Tale (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QeBmwGVU94#)
Just dumping here for later perusal.
So, BU, opinion: Is that candleman feasible? (like first 30 seconds is all you need to see)
Post by: Unorthodox on September 26, 2013, 04:36:36 am
Thinking I could hot glue most of it to build up and make them look bigger, but votives for the candles? Combined, that should keep the weight down.
If I combined it with a mask, the chin strap wouldn't matter. I mean, that plague doctor of last year I was STRAPPED IN tight. Question would be what mask to go with...
Post by: Bertilak on September 26, 2013, 04:39:38 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 26, 2013, 04:43:14 am
Post by: Unorthodox on September 26, 2013, 04:43:41 am
Did said plague doctor mask have a long beak like those worn by doctors during the times of plague ridden medieval Europe?
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-9IHkLLxdgH8/UHTrzQzmQJI/AAAAAAAAOII/E-N0EnTs7YQ/s800/IMG_6548.JPG)
Post by: Unorthodox on September 26, 2013, 04:45:54 am
Tomb Chiller test (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GxpXfgDc7GA#)
Some kids actually understood the reference, that was the shocking thing.
Post by: Unorthodox on September 26, 2013, 04:48:40 am
LED tea lights...just wouldn't be the same...
Probably going to table this for next year to think on.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 26, 2013, 04:53:42 am
Post by: Unorthodox on September 26, 2013, 02:02:41 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 26, 2013, 02:55:32 pm
"well, I'm off after today"
"I thought you weren't off until Octooooooo$%&*."
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 26, 2013, 04:51:36 pm
Post by: Geo on September 26, 2013, 09:35:18 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 26, 2013, 09:44:51 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 27, 2013, 01:04:10 am
Now if I can find out what freakish strain they are selling. Stems as thick as baseball bats.
Post by: Unorthodox on September 27, 2013, 04:58:48 am
Post by: Unorthodox on September 27, 2013, 05:18:43 am
Short stories for the win.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 27, 2013, 05:20:35 am
Post by: Unorthodox on September 27, 2013, 10:39:31 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 28, 2013, 07:22:55 am
Your vacation is not doing an impressive job of keeping you offline today...
Post by: Unorthodox on September 29, 2013, 05:38:50 am
Post by: Unorthodox on September 29, 2013, 01:03:07 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 29, 2013, 01:19:25 pm
Post by: Geo on September 29, 2013, 02:52:52 pm
Post by: JarlWolf on September 29, 2013, 07:21:33 pm
Free Market rules! ;rockon
:wall:
Post by: Geo on September 29, 2013, 08:55:21 pm
Free Market rules! ;rockon
:wall:
No worries, tovarish. I wasn't saying that free market rules it all, just mentioning one of the rules of the free market - greed.
Post by: JarlWolf on September 30, 2013, 12:26:29 am
Free Market rules! ;rockon
:wall:
No worries, tovarish. I wasn't saying that free market rules it all, just mentioning one of the rules of the free market - greed.
:-\
Post by: Unorthodox on September 30, 2013, 02:19:37 pm
I'm not a fan of early holidays. It's just so --- nakedly greedy.
But when your BUSINESS is to put on a haunted house, it makes little sense to limit your business by opening late. Harvest Moon has always been the standard I'm aware of.
Observation: Couldn't even go to dinner in California without bumping into a haunted house. And according to the website, it's been open since EARLY AUGUST! THAT is early.
Tried to talk my niece and nephew into going in with me and they were mortified.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 30, 2013, 02:29:31 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on October 01, 2013, 02:16:26 pm
Observation: Walt was a huge fan of the dark ride. Makes me wonder if that was the best technologically available way of the day, or if he was just a fan of the dark ride. How would he feel about the newer, technologically superior, but not always aesthetically superior 'attractions'?
Post by: Unorthodox on October 02, 2013, 04:49:48 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 02, 2013, 05:31:29 am
Post by: Unorthodox on October 02, 2013, 05:46:51 am
The Boss's MOM (who keeps halloween at arms length, mind you) brought it up, so this isn't a just not up to Uno standards thing.
Sad that, in general, the local amusement park does a better job with the makeover aspect. I'll be doing some pics later. Now, there are AREAS that are superbly done, but overall it feels somehow lacking, as in, they leave A LOT that could have been easily managed.
And I KNOW Knotts and Universal blow Disney out of the water there. This isn't a 'kiddie friendly' issue either.
Now, Disney has put a lot of effort into their special PARTY that requires ADDITIONAL ENTRANCE FEES. But that's another big post all together.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 02, 2013, 05:51:28 am
Post by: Unorthodox on October 02, 2013, 06:09:59 am
Notably absent in my own mind: Mulan, Tiana : Both characters are featured in meat and greets, the latter in at least one parade, and represent minorities glaringly absent from the above list. Honorable mention for Sleeping Beauty with the caveat that I often mix her up with Cinderella as far as disney stuff goes, so it's likely she should be in the above list.
Another so-obvious-it's-all-but-unfathomable omission. The princess and the frog show was pretty much ALL about Tiana with her gumbo and sweets (forgetting the name in the show) building a restaurant. Long standing food stand, in a park known for naming these things after their characters with suitable facades, mind you, selling gumbo and fritters....HOW IN THE HELL WAS THIS NOT MADE INTO TIANA'S RESTAURANT? Perfect place to set up the meet and greet even.
Post by: Unorthodox on October 04, 2013, 06:07:43 am
I was approached yesterday about doing a survey via Email and figured I'd collect my thoughts and give Disney my thoughts then.
Tonight, a reporter from the NY times who has been hired as a consultant by Disney stopped and asked a few questions, which turned into a probably 30 minute interview. I don't think many stop to talk to her that long to begin with, but I also have a unique perspective on things re: Halloween.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 05, 2013, 04:00:39 am
(http://dpegb9ebondhq.cloudfront.net/product_photos/5924256/zipper-eyes-temporary-tattoos-costume_original.png)
Post by: Unorthodox on October 05, 2013, 04:33:56 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 05, 2013, 04:42:34 am
Post by: Unorthodox on October 06, 2013, 03:57:23 am
Post by: Unorthodox on October 06, 2013, 04:02:42 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 06, 2013, 04:32:18 am
Post by: JarlWolf on October 06, 2013, 05:00:10 am
Post by: Unorthodox on October 06, 2013, 11:25:46 am
Post by: Unorthodox on October 06, 2013, 12:41:41 pm
Example:
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-BMPUKPI8HEc/Ukl4hRyNTLI/AAAAAAAATdc/uJd5s52DDn4/s800/IMGP2194.jpg)
The boys were playing out too far for me to use my nicer set of lenses. My doubler also had some dirt in it which I just spent the better part of an hour cleaning out of the camera body/sensor.
Pics with the good lens.
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-o4ASpOrSTD8/Ukl4cOh-dZI/AAAAAAAATbo/fp_b2mSZup4/s800/IMGP2179.jpg)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FUyHuLpsNIE/Ukl4RS1cwoI/AAAAAAAATYQ/pIdbZWL8raU/s800/IMGP2153%2520-%2520Copy.jpg)
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-4XH8mwZF6Ac/Ukl4OotsaSI/AAAAAAAATXM/TeN97pm6D8k/s800/IMGP2146.jpg)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 06, 2013, 03:36:04 pm
So, BU: Dealing with glare in photoshop? I don't have a polarized filter for this particular lens and was hoping for a photoshop solution.That's an excellent photo.
Example:
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-BMPUKPI8HEc/Ukl4hRyNTLI/AAAAAAAATdc/uJd5s52DDn4/s800/IMGP2194.jpg)
The boys were playing out too far for me to use my nicer set of lenses. My doubler also had some dirt in it which I just spent the better part of an hour cleaning out of the camera body/sensor.
Is your problem that you'd like your boys to show as other than silhouettes? You could try cutting them out of the background, tweaking the brightness/contrast - color saturation, then pasting them back, but I suspect that's way too much trouble to go to to polish a turd. There's just not enough to work with, I think, especially with (Kyle?) in the foreground.
Post by: Bertilak on October 06, 2013, 04:02:19 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on October 06, 2013, 05:26:34 pm
Alec here, probably salvageable to something semi nice, for instance. These are more impressive when you realize JUST how far out they were. Still, difficult shooting without the tripod at that distance.
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-o-zv9GktlPw/Ukl4m1lppnI/AAAAAAAATfQ/a9K8sYt20j4/s800/IMGP2208.jpg)
Kyle
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-CYxy1HMxriw/Ukl4n9_Y1rI/AAAAAAAATf0/2ZoyO8_MJb4/s800/IMGP2211.jpg)
Cousins/nephews/nieces/etc
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0WZ8MMSrAKo/Ukl4ohXvSeI/AAAAAAAATf4/siKFxjCFgiY/s800/IMGP2213.jpg)
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/--FRytdNBi_M/Ukl4kVbq8WI/AAAAAAAATeY/w0fN7cTN5AM/s800/IMGP2201.jpg)
Kyle with his cousins. Really too bad I didn't have a polarizer for the lens.
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-jvCBRkkbQas/Ukl4iGOIshI/AAAAAAAATeA/bXamuHX8_8I/s800/IMGP2196.jpg)
Boss says it's Huntington Beach.
Post by: Unorthodox on October 07, 2013, 01:51:07 am
Good to be home.
Post by: Unorthodox on October 07, 2013, 03:51:21 pm
This was at the limits of the camera's zoom, see if you can spy several monarchs here.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cd9raZ6uNwY/UlFVIgy7JTI/AAAAAAAAT14/EuoYIuMWJqg/s800/canon68.jpg)
Started spotting Monarchs in the Mojave desert as we drove, and saw a number around the grounds at Disney.
Post by: Unorthodox on October 07, 2013, 05:12:54 pm
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-MtsCrw2VLXk/UlFUfmZYJ6I/AAAAAAAATkE/pIA00nt3k48/s800/IMG_0013.jpg)
Debated on this one.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-n1n5hdu2KMc/UlFVGDqzoFI/AAAAAAAAT1M/xWxRUTUB0yI/s800/canon61.jpg)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 07, 2013, 05:15:46 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on October 07, 2013, 05:17:15 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 07, 2013, 05:20:12 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on October 07, 2013, 05:22:30 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on October 08, 2013, 02:49:10 am
full review pending the cleaning of 100+ pumpkins.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ykoMy8K9JzM#t=91 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ykoMy8K9JzM#t=91)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 08, 2013, 02:53:38 am
Post by: Unorthodox on October 08, 2013, 02:57:15 am
My Uncle grows me my pumpkins on Grampas old farm here.
Post by: Unorthodox on October 08, 2013, 02:58:29 am
No family in Texas.
Post by: Unorthodox on October 08, 2013, 02:59:12 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 08, 2013, 03:21:04 am
I got another Uncle that grows gigando sized pumpkins, but I don't use those.Ah. I misunderstood the following, given the proximity to your vacation.
No family in Texas.
Halloween forum types then.Okay, I was in the grocery store this afternoon, and they had some pretty big, pretty good-looking real pumpkins for sale, $6 apiece; most of them a nice orange and mostly reasonably unflawed. -Also, some warty, gourdy-looking ones at the same rate, some orange, some green, some yellow, and some combinations thereof. Naturally, I took a good look when I saw them, after our talk.
You got 4 people heading on a road trip. ;b; From "couple hours south of Dallas"
Post by: Unorthodox on October 08, 2013, 12:10:41 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on October 08, 2013, 04:04:44 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 08, 2013, 04:06:09 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on October 08, 2013, 08:34:55 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on October 08, 2013, 09:10:28 pm
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-9TdQdIBJEMs/UlRmYwRqYrI/AAAAAAAAT68/Zs7rT-FiVS8/s800/IMG_0002.JPG)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 08, 2013, 09:48:57 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on October 08, 2013, 09:55:48 pm
Nice size/shape on the fruit too, which were fairly uniform. At the very least, I have seeds of some pumpkin variety that have crossed with the big stem freak. At best, I have the big stem freaks I can then think about crossing with things on my own.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 08, 2013, 09:58:26 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on October 08, 2013, 10:00:10 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on October 08, 2013, 10:01:40 pm
I'm getting some indoor growing equipment. Don't really know the proper terms.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 08, 2013, 10:03:05 pm
I wouldn't be surprised if pumpkin is one of those plants that's only annual because it gets cold in the winter...
Post by: Unorthodox on October 08, 2013, 10:22:02 pm
I DO have some hydroponics stuff somewhere in the Halloween supplies...not that I ever got that idea working....
I don't know...keeping a vine FED would become quite daunting if you tried to keep it alive, I would think. Wouldn't surprise me if they have a built in suicide switch just for that. Between pumpkins and corn, I've got to nutrients in my grounds somehow. The polebeans did a lousy job of it this year. Indoors...it would be a LOT of fertilizer.
Post by: Unorthodox on October 08, 2013, 10:25:22 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on October 09, 2013, 03:59:56 am
That [complaint or disagreeable woman] my brother married texted me that the family pumpkin carve will be on the 30th this year (instead of the Sunday before like it always has been). I don't really like going to the thing ANYWAY, but a lot of the family likes to come to my party that I've been doing on the 30th for, oh, the last 8 years.
Gonna get interesting how that all shakes out.
Swear filter me will you...
That hundin my brother married.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 09, 2013, 04:36:59 am
Post by: Unorthodox on October 09, 2013, 02:28:28 pm
WAY back when, grandpa grew the pumpkins, and we'd all head over there to carve the pumpkins just before Halloween. There was a barbecue, and it was really the ONE time my dad's side of the family all come together. I mean, we'd visit through the year, but Halloween was that one get together we'd see all the cousins. Mostly because my mom did Thanksgiving and Christmas for her side of the family. I would assume Gramma G (dad's side) did these for the family at large, but Gramma T (mom's) was a widow for a long time, and Mom had to help cook the dinners. Thanksgiving was at Gramma T's with the larger family, and she'd come sleep over at our place at Christmas to help with the puppies.
Back to Halloween. Grandpa died when I was 5 or so. I don't know what, exactly, all transpired, but my dad quit speaking to his brothers after this. Most my uncles worked the UP railroad. Dad and my great uncle (grampa's brother) Blaine worked the SP railroad. Blaine more or less become my grampa after that. A couple years went by, and Dad started speaking to Uncle Rex again. They lived right across the street, so I guess it was easier that way.
Uncle Rex wanted to get some of that tradition back, so he started growing the giant pumpkins, and our two families would go to his house to carve. It was nice and simple. Then the hundin my brother married got involved. First, oh, we had to turn this into a dinner party. Then, the kids all need 'activities' to do. Oh, and then there's little party bags. Etc. And HEAVEN FORBID the kids actually CARVE! Ew, it's messy and the sharp knives.... Soon, my Aunt gave up, and it become my cousin and the hundin's job. I've been slowly chipping away, bringing my kid safe knives and smaller pumpkins and letting my kids carve their own, thank you. Most the kids now carve and the activities are mostly gone.
I was 18 before dad would speak to Uncle Tom again. I never really got to know Tom much as a result. Back in 2010, I took it on myself to break the ice, and went down to Tom's (my Grampas old place) to ask if I could harvest his corn. Thus, he learned of my Halloween. He come that year's party, and recalled the carving parties at grampas' (indeed told me more about it than I could recall). He's grown the pumpkins for us since, and his kids usually come over to the party.
So, there's this complicated thing now. You got half the cousins who have never come over to my party, and the other half who do. I honestly don't know of Rex and Tom still have some problem with each other or not. Somewhere, Grampa's upstairs rooting for me to somehow get them all together, though.
Post by: Geo on October 09, 2013, 03:06:12 pm
Though there's a shism in the making as well between the siblings of my family.
Will probably really come to the surface once my mom passes away (which shouldn't happen for at least the next generation).
Post by: Unorthodox on October 09, 2013, 04:38:33 pm
Question is WILL people upgrade, and what will that do to the prices of used/refurbished K5 models.
Even better news, the new K3 (yeah, numbering has always been odd on Pentax) is coming out with a new line of lenses to make use of it's larger sensor. That means those that DO upgrade will likely be dumping old lenses as well.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 09, 2013, 04:41:37 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 09, 2013, 05:02:31 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on October 09, 2013, 05:08:42 pm
Google tells me the price of a new K5 body has dropped $100 since I was looking a couple months back. Unfortunately, used prices are not changing yet.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 09, 2013, 05:12:13 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on October 09, 2013, 07:01:19 pm
I do miss woolworths, though.
Went down to Spirit for the first time this season. It happens to be right next to a Savers (Thrift store that also does new Halloween items, not sure how national they are) this year, so had to stop there as well. Really, a shocking difference in both price and quality between the two. Bringing home a hat from the latter.
Though, to give spirit SOME credit, they did address one of my major complaints in some of their new props. They are JUST the VOICE, and not an annoyingly cheap 'spooky' soundtrack going in the back as well.
This was easily the best mass produced prop I've seen.
http://www.spirithalloween.com/product/Sv-Sickening-Reaper/ (http://www.spirithalloween.com/product/Sv-Sickening-Reaper/)
I still wouldn't buy it, mind you.
Post by: Unorthodox on October 10, 2013, 12:33:19 am
Feeling good to be doing something for a change. Then a storm rolled in. :-\
Oh, got a mold started too.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 10, 2013, 01:36:15 am
Post by: Unorthodox on October 10, 2013, 03:19:48 am
Currently mutilating the aforementioned new hat.
Post by: Unorthodox on October 10, 2013, 08:45:26 pm
Genuinely surprised how effective the method is, going to have to file that away for later use.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 10, 2013, 08:55:27 pm
Post by: Geo on October 10, 2013, 10:07:34 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 10, 2013, 10:20:11 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on October 10, 2013, 10:21:43 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 10, 2013, 10:27:32 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on October 10, 2013, 10:33:20 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 10, 2013, 10:44:36 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on October 11, 2013, 02:37:51 am
Just realized the thrift store most likely to have the items I need for Kyle's costume has closed down...
Post by: Unorthodox on October 11, 2013, 04:01:11 am
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-z-SEh1yjtpc/UldofibyYsI/AAAAAAAAT9E/QJo7LLWq8xs/s800/IMG_0003%2520%25282%2529.JPG)
hEt's added the hat and Jack here, I didn't have anything to do with it.
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-i8we2piezgk/UldofozKCkI/AAAAAAAAT9E/PkhvD-txiaU/s800/IMG_0006%2520%25282%2529.JPG)
Post by: Unorthodox on October 11, 2013, 04:03:18 am
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-OouHoC1-YZU/Uldofp2_LMI/AAAAAAAAT9E/J1NxJYh-f6g/s800/IMG_0005%2520%25282%2529.JPG)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 11, 2013, 04:04:59 am
Post by: Unorthodox on October 11, 2013, 04:23:25 am
Post by: Unorthodox on October 11, 2013, 01:41:48 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on October 11, 2013, 02:33:51 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on October 11, 2013, 05:44:29 pm
Discover UV floralytes...
UV floralytes that solve the directional issues of the old floralytes no less...And come with sticky wax to slap anywhere...
Oh, yeah, add those to the basket.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 11, 2013, 05:57:04 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on October 12, 2013, 05:12:51 am
Watching the Village again on TV. I've always wanted to build one of the creature costumes.
Originally the notion was to just wander the neighborhood in the costume scaring the bejeebus out of kids. Wondering how I could work the yard around the idea.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 12, 2013, 05:32:36 am
Post by: Unorthodox on October 12, 2013, 05:41:30 am
But then, I though 6th sense wasn't all that, and it's generally the one people go all googoo over.
Post by: Unorthodox on October 14, 2013, 03:36:25 am
Gotta love October. Keeps ya hoppin'.
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Wcjv6zwlv5Q/UlqluNEL5yI/AAAAAAAAT-E/3xQoaRkEtZw/s800/IMG_0012.JPG)
Dollar store hilarity
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-H49votvIOF0/UlqltnqXJKI/AAAAAAAAT-E/5Gm7m5pluo4/s800/IMG_0011.JPG)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 14, 2013, 04:11:44 am
But then, I though 6th sense wasn't all that, and it's generally the one people go all googoo over.I cried in the parking lot afterwards.
"Gramma says hi."
-It hadn't been a year since we planted Grampa, and I don't appologize.
Post by: Unorthodox on October 14, 2013, 02:20:51 pm
They only had 2 of the skull ones left.
Strange drive in this morning...If I start acting all normal like, assume the '93 version of Body Snatchers is coming to pass.
Re:"I see dead people"
I'm biased against the film, it's true. The thematically similar "Stir of Echoes" dealt with the whole "I see dead people" better, IMO, but was overshadowed by 6th sense, IMO, largely because the latter was PG-13, and thus reached a wider audience than the R rated counterpart. Sad, the difference in films is largely due to language, and Stir of Echoes could have easily been modified into a PG-13. It's a good demonstration of why many film makers have lost sight of the audience with horrorish movies, thinking you NEED an "R" rating, when it's the PG-13 one you should really be shooting for. To the point where I facepalmed when Universal SPECIFICALLY added crap to the Wolfman remake to make it R to "show it is a serious horror movie."
Anyway, I like Stir of Echoes better because it more closely follows my own experiences with 'seeing dead people', picking up on little nuances most films miss.
6th sense, I had 'the twist' figured quite early on, and presently find the best use for the movie is to set people up for watching "The Ring".
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 14, 2013, 03:33:51 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on October 15, 2013, 02:27:42 am
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-q-5S-eRL2Lc/UlyZk27HREI/AAAAAAAAT-s/J15vE-jWAcI/s800/IMG_0015.JPG)
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-0A22uIhDY6g/UlyZk5lsr0I/AAAAAAAAT-s/Jh71Ln08KkE/s800/IMG_0019.JPG)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 15, 2013, 02:43:46 am
Post by: Unorthodox on October 15, 2013, 03:07:16 am
Arguably, he's an aspect of Baron Samedi, aka Baron Saturday, who is where they pulled Baron Sunday from.
The teeth and skulls are key aspects of the loa, but it's up to the person doing the representation which goes on the hat and which on the necklace. I had the necklace already, so, the hat got the teeth.
Post by: Unorthodox on October 15, 2013, 03:14:41 pm
Post by: Geo on October 15, 2013, 03:26:32 pm
..., always meant to make a scarecrow out of it. ;lol
He might have that youthful innocence over him, but I think you succeeded. ;cute
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 15, 2013, 03:42:17 pm
We back? Everything ok?Yah. The domain renewal invoice never seems to have happened, and although I had $40.02 in my account, domain renewal doesn't happen automatically like server bills when you've pre-payed. I got it taken care of though, so no worries for another year.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 16, 2013, 12:29:51 am
Quote
1,985 lb pumpkin wins the 40th Annual Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images October 14, 2013 3:00 PM
The World’s Greatest Gourd Growers and their astounding, mind-boggling, Volkswagen-sized orange orbs gathered on Monday, October 14 at the 40th Annual Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off -- the “Super Bowl of Weigh-Offs” -- in the World Pumpkin Capital of Half Moon Bay, California.
Gary Miller of Napa, California won the 40th Annual Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off with a gigantic pumpkin that weighed in at 1,985 pounds. Miller took home a cash prize of $11,910, or $6 a pound.
(www.miramarevents.com (http://www.miramarevents.com))
(http://l.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/UWHncAJdJ1JMXBKcF5SIeA--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTYxODtweW9mZj0wO3E9NzU7dz05Mjg-/http://l.yimg.com/os/publish-images/news/2013-10-14/bfe5bd45-3514-4c64-9b46-def48002d7c2_184586425.jpg)
(http://l3.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/7OuEUlVIX7M_DeegLLnxYw--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTYxODtweW9mZj0wO3E9NzU7dz05Mjg-/http://l.yimg.com/os/publish-images/news/2013-10-14/90034f9b-082f-4df6-98bf-8d2f5e33f948_184586439.jpg)
(http://l1.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/WpbfGMPAhgXceDU_2W5BBg--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTYxODtweW9mZj0wO3E9NzU7dz05Mjg-/http://l.yimg.com/os/publish-images/news/2013-10-14/da94f3c5-26b5-4f4e-b894-ec281f2735f4_184586519.jpg)
(http://l.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/IY.WyhamWdPyVosAe8EWAg--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTYyNztweW9mZj0wO3E9NzU7dz05Mjg-/http://l.yimg.com/os/publish-images/news/2013-10-14/dabeb2b4-5feb-42eb-a14a-c3bc9e828e93_184586427.jpg)
The winner of the contest. Looks ready to eat the losers.
(http://l3.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/QIGN8xoDjG_U8Zlqxav2Ow--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTYxODtweW9mZj0wO3E9NzU7dz05Mjg-/http://l.yimg.com/os/publish-images/news/2013-10-14/2ab6698d-7fa7-4c3b-b56b-a425901ec868_184586431.jpg)
(http://l1.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/72VLGdBiO93uFeFnonrxGQ--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTYxODtweW9mZj0wO3E9NzU7dz05Mjg-/http://l.yimg.com/os/publish-images/news/2013-10-14/265f778a-e48c-47c6-bd7c-6f0d3b5974d6_184586426.jpg)
(http://l1.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/_.gmLI.KTeqbezGELJ7.cQ--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTYyODtweW9mZj0wO3E9NzU7dz05Mjg-/http://l.yimg.com/os/publish-images/news/2013-10-14/64bcb974-4ec0-417e-808d-ef0930f30eba_184586430.jpg)
http://news.yahoo.com/photos/1-985-lb-pumpkin-wins-the-40th-annual-safeway-world-championship-pumpkin-weigh-off-1381777674-slideshow/ (http://news.yahoo.com/photos/1-985-lb-pumpkin-wins-the-40th-annual-safeway-world-championship-pumpkin-weigh-off-1381777674-slideshow/)
Post by: Unorthodox on October 16, 2013, 02:31:11 am
Post by: Unorthodox on October 16, 2013, 12:20:45 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on October 16, 2013, 04:34:35 pm
Well, the super extended forecast has our annual storm coming on Monday, October 28, clearing for the party/halloween, and descending into storms again by the 2nd. COLD halloween by the looks of it. It's too far out to make plans, but lets hope one of those storms doesn't slip into the key times...
As said, the storms tend to slip around a lot in the extended forecast. That monday storm has now slipped back to Halloween.
I'm...ok, we'll have to take care of the fog machines, I don't want to lose those again, but otherwise, I'm good with that, just don't want the party rained out. Hopefully it keeps slipping off into November.
Post by: Unorthodox on October 16, 2013, 08:13:23 pm
Ricoh just announced a new pentax $1600 flagship behemoth. Theoretically, this opens the door to my next upgrade. I'll now be 8 generations out of date, and while the last 3 generations have essentially been only minor differences (K5, K5II, and K5IIs), all three are worthy upgrades to my specific low light photography penchant (and indeed the only cameras rated better at it than my present model across all brands/cameras under $2k), and this is the first camera to give people a REASON to update in 3 generations.First K5IIS on the local classified by someone preordering the new K3...$800 is a little steep for me still...hell, I can get a new one for not much more than that.
Question is WILL people upgrade, and what will that do to the prices of used/refurbished K5 models.
Even better news, the new K3 (yeah, numbering has always been odd on Pentax) is coming out with a new line of lenses to make use of it's larger sensor. That means those that DO upgrade will likely be dumping old lenses as well.
Post by: Unorthodox on October 16, 2013, 08:18:29 pm
(The K 30 is, essentially, a rebranded K5 from when Ricoh took over. There's some 'features' that were trimmed and others added, to my use, they are essentially the same)
Post by: Unorthodox on October 17, 2013, 02:42:35 pm
See, we're not tied to Lagoon this year, so I wanted to go to see one of the more abbeynormal ones.
My first choice was quickly dashed.
The Haunted Forest has been well established for years and year. They ran a continuous theme out through the forest for years...
This year they split it into three and upped the price for the 'three different' idiotic model people are going to. Basically, they turned it into just another crap one.
So, my second thought was to try one of the corn mazes that throw in the spookiness at night.
There's only 2 really withing distance worth considering. Or, there was 2. One did not open this year. The other...I draw the line in my pocketbook at some point, especially when some of the features that justify that price are the novelty of your kids getting to pick their own pumpkin from the field...
I think my kids have had enough of picking pumpkins from the field.
This brought me circling in on The Haunted Village at This is the Place Heritage Park.
You guys being from outside Utah, this bears some explaining, what I just said.
This is the place is a STATE PARK. Easy enough, so far...
However, it is operated by "The Place Foundation", which is a non-profit specifically for running this park. Still with me?
The Place Foundation is primarily funded by the LDS church.
So, what we have is a technically separate entity here with very close ties to the LDS church. Putting on a haunted house, where one can pretty much count on the typical LDS standards of dress and demeanor. This is actually not as novel as it may sound, they've been doing it in the Polynesian Cultural center in Hawaii for quite some time.
This place come to my attention 2 years ago when they pulled out the theme of Jean Baptiste, The Ghoul of Salt Lake City.
A local spectre that could be done VERY creepy, indeed, and a dark blotch on the early church history, so dark that some efforts had been taken to cover it up at some point. I found it a remarkably interesting choice.
I had hoped this theme would still be running.
However, this year's theme is "Revenge of the Witch". What I've heard of this place is they rely less on the cheap props and thrills, and more on setting a theme and letting your own mind provide the scares while they actors do their job. This sounds completely like my kind of place, and one a little more on the level Talia would appreciate as well.
Of note, I'm wearing "the staff jacket" (earth o lantern on back) and hauling around Bertha. This is like a standard no-no in haunted houses. NO PICS. And, we had arrived a half hour early, so I went up and asked what appeared to be security if it would be ok if I took pics. We exchanged cards, and got to talking about how long they've been running and what the story behind this is.
Seems one of the staff members was related to the salem witches, and the story of those trials is still passed down in their family, after converting to LDS and traveling to Utah with the first pioneers. So, they decided to run with her families' story for the theme.
Asking about the Jean Baptiste theme, there was some surprise I knew anything about the actual history at all, and some careful avoidance and reluctance to talk about how they managed it at the park. Talking to some folks in the visitor center afterword, I hear the whole Jean Baptiste theme "was awful". These folks had no idea it was an actual local legend and were mortified when I started detailing some of the things from the real story. "why didn't they go into THOSE parts?" was uttered a few times. ah...wasted opportunity then.
Back the the haunt. Here I am going into a haunt based on Salem. They COULD have put a local spin on the thing, there WERE witches hung around Utah as well, not to mention some of the native american mythologies, but the tried and true Salem is hard to discount in it's potential, and we have a whole town to play with here.
Post by: Unorthodox on October 17, 2013, 03:02:25 pm
So we watch a film setting up the haunt, how the witches made the crops turn to dust and all this and that, and BURN THEM!!!
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Ec9apMG4d_Q/Ul_RCN223NI/AAAAAAAAT_U/SAkWhJmzKA0/s800/IMGP2238.jpg)
Gorgeous faux gaslighting in the moviehouse.
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-pogP8V3ES10/Ul_RC89PXrI/AAAAAAAAT_o/u-ltCYNgejU/s800/IMGP2239.jpg)
I only snap this moving on to the next house as our 12 year old starts FREAKING OUT as HERE are those failed crops, it's all real, they're gonna eat me!!!
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-DVG5CfqkIY4/Ul_RC8-xCZI/AAAAAAAAT_8/mAvhq7o-Vv8/s800/IMGP2247.jpg)
Of course, my taking pictures also disturbs him. "Aren't you scared?!" Nope, I build this kind of stuff. "WHY do you DO that?!?!?!"
We step into one of the most gorgeously crafted scenes I've had the pleasure of seeing. A chapel all deranged for a witch's ritual.
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-lJL5OncH6bE/Ul_RgpV2-YI/AAAAAAAAUB8/e1Y9DWqL-8M/s800/IMGP2255.jpg)
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-BHhKXPCRwDo/Ul_RDZXdpFI/AAAAAAAAT_w/qonmvuuowsM/s800/IMGP2255.jpg)
The second witch working the crowd, smells fear and of COURSE takes her place right behind the 12 year old. *snicker*
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LuyVvCh9sQo/Ul_RGa1KDOI/AAAAAAAAUAs/dtQabrDj5gQ/s800/IMGP2259.jpg)
As folks filed in and filled up the pews, and the ritual goes on, I start to thinking this would be a nice gig to see little clips through the whole town...
Which is exactly the point in which they, of course, cease that train of thought.
Guide directing us to the next destination, and informing that from here, we'll be in smaller groups. The setup is now over, time to get to the rest of the place, more or less.
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-0cgvCYWWfCw/Ul_REYRrhwI/AAAAAAAAUAM/gPuIEJ64ues/s800/IMGP2261.jpg)
Post by: Unorthodox on October 17, 2013, 03:25:03 pm
Cool, web witch...did they do spider woman?
(https://picasaweb.google.com/SirUlias/HalloweenFun2013?authkey=Gv1sRgCPu9jZCZrMSQbg#5935692710593716802)
I'm curious how much is intended symbolism here...the evil witch is offering patrons a wine glass (alcohol of course against the LDS religion).
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Yl_aqfxBoKA/Ul_RFle_FgI/AAAAAAAAUAc/19-a-iMcJuY/s800/IMGP2263.jpg)
And the wheels start coming off the theme here...why is the barber evil now? What's that got to do with witches? He does get a rise out of Talia for threatening to chop her hair.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ejLTFn1lgCM/Ul_RFs3BqTI/AAAAAAAAUAk/d6zR4Iv0Bn8/s800/IMGP2264.jpg)
More webs...and red lighting...
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-qpLMTPcPQms/Ul_RGRYlxhI/AAAAAAAAUA4/B-ZiKqcRe2k/s800/IMGP2268.jpg)
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Z5huUZnPmqI/Ul_RJdqEueI/AAAAAAAAUBs/77prtCa1RI4/s800/IMGP2273.jpg)
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Mzt-TIz2DzU/Ul_RHd0Yo7I/AAAAAAAAUBA/r2fUf_lLkIU/s800/IMGP2277.jpg)
And, ooo, another black cloak generic figure...
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-qQPssiSYThA/Ul_RCxC2xQI/AAAAAAAAT_0/e8a410eMutU/s800/IMGP2248.jpg)
And so it went.
Some Gillie suits out in the bushes.
Then we get to another acting room! Yay!
The stunned silence from the group that had reformed through the rest of the place (so much for pacing us) at the sight of a Ouija Board!!! OMG evil. Alec continued his habit of JUMPING into the chair of every fortune teller, only to not have a question to ask (several different haunts now). hEt knows how to play this game though, and asks the board how old will Alec be when he dies. I think that shocked the actor more than anything.
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/--rTF5ihEP9A/Ul_RH4dpHBI/AAAAAAAAUBQ/vY7lc1cGbuI/s800/IMGP2284.jpg)
Kinda curious on this scene, though, as it was VERY softballed. These witches had banter muck like one would expect from Samantha and Endora, to the point I half expected one to wiggle their nose. With one calling the board nonsense right there. Not quite fitting with the edgy demonstration from the chapel. But then, the actors may have been dumming it down for the younger grandkids and 12 year old that were all pretty scared at that point.
Post by: Geo on October 17, 2013, 03:26:57 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on October 17, 2013, 03:30:11 pm
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-40ipqZGxE3o/Ul_RIta2uYI/AAAAAAAAUBY/fmvBXqI7OGM/s800/IMGP2286.jpg)
Of course, we end with burning the witch. Which...was really off beat as well. The rest of the witches had played this up as real witches, and this played it up as help me I'm innocent. I'd have much preferred a witch cursing us all with a promise to come for our pitiful souls, myself.
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-f0SV38INxLs/Ul_RJJzckRI/AAAAAAAAUBo/qVBcpOzEN5E/s800/IMGP2287.jpg)
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-NgfIwnFBaAk/Ul_RJOqtzlI/AAAAAAAAUBw/NB9N8yp_idQ/s800/IMGP2289.jpg)
All said, different, fun, about the right speed for a family outing, but lots of room for improvement.
Post by: Unorthodox on October 18, 2013, 02:12:03 pm
I don't know if it's a local Utah thing or what, but the blood moon is one of the most spectacular of the year, particularly when setting early in the morning.
Anyhow, officially full tonight around 7, and there's a partial eclipse for those of you on the east coast.
Post by: Unorthodox on October 18, 2013, 03:17:21 pm
However.
http://contest.halloweenexpress.com/ (http://contest.halloweenexpress.com/)
Not that I would even enter that one.
Post by: Geo on October 18, 2013, 08:11:58 pm
Gorgeous blood moon this morning.
I don't know if it's a local Utah thing or what, but the blood moon is one of the most spectacular of the year, particularly when setting early in the morning.
Anyhow, officially full tonight around 7, and there's a partial eclipse for those of you on the east coast.
It looked typical white here (either this morning, or yesterday morning).
Post by: Unorthodox on October 18, 2013, 10:58:46 pm
I meant blood moon as in it's the name of the october moon, the moon of the blood harvest. AKA the hunter's moon or the Sanguine moon. Not that it was red.
The partial eclipse probably won't turn it red either.
Though when setting, here, it appears especially large and gets a nice golden yellow tinge to it.
Post by: Unorthodox on October 19, 2013, 07:55:49 am
Post by: Unorthodox on October 20, 2013, 04:16:31 pm
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kxc7JYDcUhM/UmPuC3OETaI/AAAAAAAAUGI/uk4exjnk4GY/s800/IMGP2315.jpg)
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-OIlVJf5fy34/UmPuCO1mnPI/AAAAAAAAUGA/RiuPuzVt02E/s800/IMGP2303.jpg)
Gorgeous night out.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CfrRWmy95Fs/UmPuCE3zQaI/AAAAAAAAUF8/t94tP51M0Qg/s800/IMGP2305.jpg)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SRA7QYRmtCA/UmPuCvcZupI/AAAAAAAAUGE/bUtTMczZyqk/s800/IMGP2308.jpg)
It was "Haunted", in that they had a bunch of folks out in the corn with masks and/or noise makers. It's clearly a little family run thing that's only 'haunted' on Saturdays. And, depending on your perspective, to their credit or detriment, they had the kid gloves FIRMLY on when dealing it us.
Can't blame them, you see Talia coming, the typical 6 year old can't handle much. For THIS family, though, it was a bit soft. Judging from the screaming in the corn, they do know how to get the scare on when they want, so I can appreciate the 'don't scare the little ones' mentality instilled in the family setting.
The maze itself, maybe it's the fact that I've been designing mazes in various forms since I was 8 in various forms, but I found mostly logical for these things, and the general concept of following the sound of screams paid off.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 20, 2013, 04:24:37 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on October 21, 2013, 02:47:19 am
Post by: Bertilak on October 21, 2013, 03:16:51 am
Post by: Unorthodox on October 21, 2013, 03:22:44 am
Anyway, I had an idea...why not use the trees for a change?
Setting up for hopefully the last lighting test...
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-G2CUTUfJMKc/UmR7GwUxr1I/AAAAAAAAUIE/hDqKbgEoqDc/s800/IMGP2321.jpg)
(that's a breathing grave on the ground there)
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-9AWRr1Y6pw4/UmR7G9iIwcI/AAAAAAAAUIE/Yl10E7YHebI/s800/IMGP2325.jpg)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2Teeo-wtpXg/UmR7G4T3VKI/AAAAAAAAUIE/GC1tyxgOBbI/s800/IMGP2327.jpg)
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-t4OjFN5OrlM/UmR7HfcjzVI/AAAAAAAAUIE/LBDJIRXGSFo/s800/IMGP2328.jpg)
Just testing right now, but I'm liking the idea...
Post by: Geo on October 21, 2013, 06:53:00 pm
Anyway, I had an idea...why not use the trees for a change?
Do you typically have calm weather around Halloween?
I suppose if the wind gets too strong, and with fire hanging from the trees...
Post by: Unorthodox on October 21, 2013, 07:03:16 pm
Post by: Geo on October 21, 2013, 07:04:23 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on October 21, 2013, 09:59:43 pm
You can decide whether that's a joke or not.
If'n we were to have terrible weather, I always have torches I can throw around.
Post by: Geo on October 22, 2013, 01:44:59 am
Don't worry, I've sacrificed enough blood to the weather gods, it's gonna work.
So that's how to get rid of the excess Mexicans in U-ta!
Quote
You can decide whether that's a joke or not.
ditto
Post by: Unorthodox on October 22, 2013, 03:37:01 pm
K 30 for $550. That's getting closer...
(The K 30 is, essentially, a rebranded K5 from when Ricoh took over. There's some 'features' that were trimmed and others added, to my use, they are essentially the same)
NEW K5's online have dropped to $550 on clearance sales! YES...buy the new shiny everyone!!! I want the old shiny. Ironically a lot of places still have them at $1100, and used ones are all over the board.
Used K30 best price is $450 so far. New can be found for $500, no reason to buy a used one.
Post by: Mylochka on October 22, 2013, 04:00:39 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on October 22, 2013, 04:33:18 pm
2.5 days...man are they going to drag.
Started working on my mask a while ago, but wasn't really into it, just going to go forward anyway. See, it's a throwback to 2007, which was the best of the olde masks, but redesigning really didn't excite me much. Looking back, though, the new one is infinitely better, in no small part due to working with much better materials (and the fact I have the head to sculpt on now, instead of sculpting ON my head).
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-BCUfENrJpCc/UmZqsp9tFeI/AAAAAAAAUJg/yC6ymZGkf24/s800/IMGP2346.jpg)
The shell wont come off, so we're going to have to bake it to melt the clay out. Nice to have that option. Was real close to making this a latex prosthetic instead of a mask, but choosing the simpler option as both boys are mostly makeup-based, no need to make even more work for me on Halloween.
Post by: Unorthodox on October 22, 2013, 05:36:59 pm
Wednesday
Clear. High of 50F. Winds less than 5 mph.
Wednesday Night
Clear. Low of 32F. Winds less than 5 mph.
Thursday
Clear. High of 54F. Winds less than 5 mph.
Thursday Night
Clear. Low of 36F. Winds less than 5 mph.
Post by: Geo on October 22, 2013, 05:54:11 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on October 22, 2013, 08:18:08 pm
Post by: Geo on October 23, 2013, 06:38:59 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on October 24, 2013, 01:01:45 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on October 24, 2013, 04:45:32 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on October 24, 2013, 10:24:43 pm
If all goes well, I should be done by Sunday and relaxing through next week.
Post by: Geo on October 25, 2013, 02:39:02 pm
Post by: Mylochka on October 25, 2013, 04:07:10 pm
Post by: Geo on October 25, 2013, 04:38:02 pm
Post by: JarlWolf on October 25, 2013, 04:53:47 pm
Post by: Geo on October 25, 2013, 04:56:47 pm
She's not cold looking enough. Looks more like a Cuban or Mexican ;lol
U tellin' me she ain't Roeska??? :o
(http://www.gunslot.com/files/gunslot/images/59005.jpg)
Post by: JarlWolf on October 25, 2013, 05:04:48 pm
U tellin' me she ain't Roeska??? :o
(http://www.gunslot.com/files/gunslot/images/59005.jpg)
See, she looks much more cold/imposing, so it fits the bill! ;lol
Post by: Unorthodox on October 26, 2013, 03:51:24 am
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-R-CQhP9lUo4/UmsuClgURtI/AAAAAAAAUKk/vLeHpgq1Hso/s800/IMGP2348.jpg)
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-QI4_uAAcS1M/UmsuCkH-3tI/AAAAAAAAUKo/55KyxUs1Dxc/s800/IMGP2349.jpg)
Post by: Bertilak on October 26, 2013, 03:28:34 pm
Day 1 before and after.My thoughts on this are very simple: ;uno is coming up very soon.
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-R-CQhP9lUo4/UmsuClgURtI/AAAAAAAAUKk/vLeHpgq1Hso/s800/IMGP2348.jpg)
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-QI4_uAAcS1M/UmsuCkH-3tI/AAAAAAAAUKo/55KyxUs1Dxc/s800/IMGP2349.jpg)
Post by: Unorthodox on October 26, 2013, 11:14:33 pm
Had obligations this morning, and kids' parties this afternoon/evening, so not much done today.
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Yb-HVVWkIw8/Umw6Jqfj1sI/AAAAAAAAULU/fwXsZL9XqMA/s800/IMGP2356.jpg)
Blatantly ripping off the cornstalk walls from jdubbya only slight modification on how I'm doing them as opposed to him. Only about half up right now, but loving the tunnel vision they make right to the barghest.
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-LbqA4aapNTI/Umw6Jh7p4vI/AAAAAAAAULQ/pcI24N3Egkc/s800/IMGP2355.jpg)
Talia and Alec getting ready for the parties. Tons of comments on Alec's makeup job as I blatantly skirt the 'no blood' policies.
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-cRvatybFtzQ/Umw6WMrJN-I/AAAAAAAAUMA/Cgnhh_QbL1Y/s800/IMGP2352.jpg)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hIQxKWd5vQE/Umw6R19rQ9I/AAAAAAAAUL0/f5J5nlKIuP8/s800/IMGP2358.jpg)
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-pTng3yfE7ns/Umw6RxF4gJI/AAAAAAAAULo/FglyAb3HdfU/s800/IMGP2362.jpg)
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-KEGcpGd8xJs/Umw6SVXSesI/AAAAAAAAUL4/QDUfg__3s5I/s800/IMGP2363.jpg)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 27, 2013, 01:55:41 am
Quote
Deadly Halloween tableau too realistic for somehttp://news.yahoo.com/deadly-halloween-tableau-too-realistic-174630602.html (http://news.yahoo.com/deadly-halloween-tableau-too-realistic-174630602.html)
Associated Press
By KRISTI EATON October 17, 2013 5:23 PM
(http://l3.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/j_xWnIrIpmhHO.Qtbp3o6A--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTc0MDtweW9mZj0wO3E9NzU7dz05NjA-/http://media.zenfs.com/en_us/News/ap_webfeeds/61be7cc2054a7d23400f6a706700009a.jpg)
Johnnie Mullins poses with his controversial Halloween display featuring headless dummies dressed in his work clothes at his home in Mustang, Okla, Thursday, Oct. 17, 2013. In the display, one dummy lies under a truck with blood splattered on the driveway, foreground, and another along the blood-stained garage door. Mullins' wife, Jennifer, said she got the idea for the macabre scene from the social media site Pinterest. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
MUSTANG, Okla. (AP) — One man lies on his stomach on the driveway. Blood is splattered along the garage door that smashed his head and presumably killed him. Another man lies a few feet away, run over by a truck.
The scene in a middle-class Oklahoma neighborhood made of single-story homes and well-manicured lawns seems out of a horror story because, well, it is. The two accident victims are in fact dummies, created as part of a family's vivid Halloween display to shock and frighten.
And it certainly has. At least one woman has called 911 to report that a man's head had been shut into the garage door. Emergency personnel who responded discovered a dummy.
Jennifer Mullins, of Mustang, said she got the idea for the macabre scene from the social media site Pinterest and showed her husband, Johnnie, who was happy to scare up a display while he was on worker's compensation and unable to work. Using Johnnie's work clothes and blankets for stuffing, the couple first placed one life-sized dummy at the garage in early October and the next day, placed one next to the truck. A sign above the dummy in the garage door reads "you're next." The front yard is filled with spider webs, skeletons, crosses and RIP signs.
Mullins knew the ghastly display would raise some eyebrows, but she's surprised by just how much attention it's received, mainly online.
(http://l3.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/7Uey.IbXXeO6hP_SBJqG2g--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTY2NztweW9mZj0wO3E9NzU7dz05NjA-/http://media.zenfs.com/en_us/News/ap_webfeeds/5e085afb054c7d23400f6a706700109a.jpg)
Johnnie Mullins poses with his controversial Halloween display
"People think we went too far, and you know, we're devil worshippers and we must not be Christian folk," the 32-year-old mother of two girls said. "They've said all kinds of stuff. But we're normal. We love Jesus. We celebrate Halloween."
As for the woman who called 911, Mullins called it "ridiculous" and said if it was her, she would have gotten out of her car to check on the person and then seen it was a dummy.
"Plus, I'd probably put two and two together, seeing the decorations in the front yard and then seeing the bodies and then think, 'Oh, it's Halloween,'" Mullins said.
A spokeswoman for the local police department said no crime has been committed because of the false-alarm 911 call.
Some of the Mullins' neighbors said that while the display initially created some spine-chilling moments for them, they aren't opposed to it.
(http://l2.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/kADYGFfJ3ZJ38SMvjz4_BA--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTY5NztweW9mZj0wO3E9NzU7dz05NjA-/http://media.zenfs.com/en_us/News/ap_webfeeds/edbd9711054c7d23400f6a7067005407.jpg)
Johnnie Mullins poses with his controversial Halloween display
Chris Wilson, 38, who lives a few houses down, said he was driving by on his motor scooter when he saw what he thought was the body of his neighbor collapsed under the weight of the garage door, blood trickling from his body. He grabbed his phone and ran over to the home, prepared to call for help. But then he realized the body was fake, made up of cloth and blankets.
"He got me," Wilson said with a chuckle.
Post by: Unorthodox on October 28, 2013, 01:54:07 am
YESTERDAY, the forecast for Monday was rain snow, and 10 mph wind. That's doable easy enough...
NOW, that forecast is for 29mph wind. Yeah....
So, here is the corn tunnel. Quite possibly seen for the last time...
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-77pNVHJcUmc/Um3BsDKx0NI/AAAAAAAAUNw/volPQDaWYl8/s800/IMGP2376.jpg)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8lyXN2YtMGA/Um3BsMtRMyI/AAAAAAAAUN8/Kp7VO6S0iY4/s800/IMGP2375.jpg)
Mini lighing test, sorry, no tripod. It LOOKS nice and dark, but it's quite manageable once you step down into it. There is absolutely NO way I would have EVER gone into that as a kid.
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Ubgk706wwpk/Um3Bs9kVPRI/AAAAAAAAUOI/Ll2hUCXM7Ec/s800/IMGP2385.jpg)
The rest the day was spend hanging stuff into the trees.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-HuZYUk-jFIs/Um3BsMz_F2I/AAAAAAAAUN4/PgpLHTyCu9Q/s800/IMGP2377.jpg)
Still got tons of candles in glass jars to hang, but figured it's best to wait to do those till after the wind.
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-zvFkGq6VfNc/Um3BsuHkHkI/AAAAAAAAUOE/vfHrHj8KFww/s800/IMGP2378.jpg)
Oh, and that little minor task of moving those 100+ pumpkins into the garage so I can clean them out during this storm.
Post by: Unorthodox on October 28, 2013, 02:29:28 am
Post by: Unorthodox on October 28, 2013, 02:50:16 pm
Actual recording by the neighbor's weatherbug right now: 65 MPH.
It's actually kinda funny to watch all those bones I tied into the tree FLY around.
I've done this enough, everything has been put into "storm" mode. I can probably put the front back together in about 10 minutes, but that tunnel's going to take some time.
Post by: Geo on October 28, 2013, 05:31:55 pm
Actual recording by the neighbor's weatherbug right now: 65 MPH.
That's a tiny bit harsher then we had today.
Had any rain with it?
Post by: Unorthodox on October 29, 2013, 04:07:44 am
Neighbor across the street with a big grin: "Looks like your halloween has been blown away."
"Oh, I did all that so it wouldn't get damaged."
Post by: Unorthodox on October 29, 2013, 04:31:41 pm
;woohoo
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 30, 2013, 06:16:14 pm
Quote
Pumpkin-carving passion keeps the trick-or-treaters lined uphttp://news.yahoo.com/creative-pumpkin-carving-photos-mark-ratliff-132242383.html (http://news.yahoo.com/creative-pumpkin-carving-photos-mark-ratliff-132242383.html)
By Tim Skillern 4 hours ago
(http://l1.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/CeObUq7hfW2rK20oN9HQcw--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTE2Njc7cHlvZmY9MDtxPTc1O3c9MTI0OA--/http://l.yimg.com/os/publish-images/news/2013-10-30/58928e1a-8c5c-4d18-baac-cdb1522676c6_10.jpg)
Pumpkin-carver extraordinaire Mark Ratliff upped his game when he tired of Halloween trick-or-treaters seeing his simple designs and lamenting: “I saw this pumpkin two blocks over.”
Those commonplace triangle-nosed jack-o'-lanterns with toothy grins? See ya later. Hello Captain America, Yoda and Van Gogh’s “Starry Night.”
Since the late '90s, Ratliff has carved increasingly complex and difficult designs that showcase cartoon characters, mythological creatures and rock stars. He has carved about 100 pumpkins — each taking about three to eight hours — and the effort has paid off.
“I love watching people’s faces light up when they are looking at them,” the 47-year-old Clarkston, Mich., resident says. “By having such a broad range of subject matter carved, I get adults oohing over ‘The Shining,’ while teens would ahhh over the Joker, only to have a little girl get excited to see Tinker Bell.”
See more of his work on Flickr. (http://www.flickr.com/photos/95736510@N00)
(http://l2.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/dUvayb67c2.VWcC.ppNG7A--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTEyODI7cHlvZmY9MDtxPTc1O3c9OTYw/http://l.yimg.com/os/publish-images/news/2013-10-30/5d43ae86-6f0c-47e2-8658-f4ec33f3e698_17.jpg)
Mark Ratliff's "The Ghost"
Ratliff began carving more detailed and time-intensive designs by using stencil patterns sold by companies like Pumpkin Masters. He then discovered websites that featured patterns and message boards that nurtured carving communities where enthusiasts could share tips and tricks. He notes two in particular: stoneykins.com and carvingpumpkins.com. “The community of jack-o'-lantern carvers is very open in sharing tips and answering questions. And there are a LOT of tips and tricks.”
Among his favorite creations: Norse mythology’s Loki, a mummy who’s discovered he’s out of toilet paper, Van Gogh’s “Starry Night,” a Dark Queen and one entitled “Vampire’s Kiss.” He shared his work and insight with Yahoo News this week.
In 2005, he started creating his own patterns, and all of his designs since 2006 are original.
His most difficult was “The Ghost,” a 2008 feature of a winged and tattered skeleton-like figure who’s clutching a skull: “It was completely cut through with no shading to keep it from falling apart. One slip of the drill or the knife would have destroyed the entire pumpkin.”
And his “Silver Moon Fairy” from 2006, for instance, demanded more than eight hours just to adapt an original Jessica Galbreth painting to the point where he could carve the image. But it’s worth it: He says that design started a trend of carving fairies.
(http://l2.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/f7.fRVEt45ojEU2xI.pGlQ--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTEyODI7cHlvZmY9MDtxPTc1O3c9OTYw/http://l.yimg.com/os/publish-images/news/2013-10-30/5a28bef2-aee3-4c3e-b621-2c28294147c6_9.jpg)
Tinker Bell
Ratliff explains that the darker orange is where a thicker portion of the pumpkin skin remains. The lighter the color, the more he’s carved away and thinned the pumpkin. “For the most part,” he says. “I design my pumpkins with three colors in mind (dark orange/black, light orange and yellow).”
His tool of choice is a Dremel with a 1/32-inch drill bit that allows him to work fine detail into his pumpkins. But he also employs the typical tools of the trade: X-Acto knives, speedballs and clay tools that can be found at most hobby shops. Ratliff has increasingly turned to foam pumpkins — rather than the real thing — so his work won’t sag and rot by early November.
“I love to push myself,” he says, “to see how elaborate a design I can come up with and still be able to carve it.”
Post by: Unorthodox on October 30, 2013, 08:00:25 pm
3 hours to party...
Post by: Unorthodox on October 31, 2013, 03:08:26 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 31, 2013, 03:19:05 am
Post by: Unorthodox on October 31, 2013, 03:38:59 am
Post by: Unorthodox on October 31, 2013, 02:32:22 pm
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-jXRpIDaBEqM/UnJK04_uxbI/AAAAAAAAURk/gymqellNWUU/s800/Party1.jpg)
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ExN7TGbC6Io/UnJK1jJ8eXI/AAAAAAAAUSA/FS0VqKsvVHA/s800/Party2.jpg)
Kids' pumpkins continue to impress me. LOVE the works of art of every skill level intermingled.
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/--7UXPipR2zw/UnJK1tLD2_I/AAAAAAAAURs/aLPc7pNdhvo/s800/Party3.jpg)
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/--Ntq_xz4KCo/UnJK1g45HqI/AAAAAAAAUR0/FxCMV5U1yMc/s800/Party4.jpg)
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-S7Tw894UZNc/UnJK2m3whwI/AAAAAAAAUSM/KMfKPGQp6gM/s800/Party6.jpg)
Not nearly enough chairs this year. I couldn't even venture a guess how many we had over.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XGeIh6vpGmE/UnJK2pYCvKI/AAAAAAAAUSg/7rnPunC5yLk/s800/Party7.jpg)
A unicorn skull?
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OwLvhILC-h4/UnJK3OAUQeI/AAAAAAAAUS8/azSEdSV2zuM/s800/Party9.jpg)
Well, time to break out Bertha.
Post by: Unorthodox on October 31, 2013, 02:32:56 pm
Taking pretty much front to back. One really nifty thing this year is the city 'improved' our street lamps by changing them to LED bulbs, these are VERY directional in their lighting, and I get practically no light pollution from them. I also approached our next door neighbor, and he let me put some colored bulbs in his garage lights, so I don't get it from THERE either.
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-_HrCSgj5cxY/UnJKvWcmPQI/AAAAAAAAUPY/Z2CXFSNdruw/s800/IMGP2388.jpg)
The original Chimera...may be on it's last legs.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-AU09XwlISLw/UnJKvZE1fkI/AAAAAAAAUPc/_U9j34p558k/s800/IMGP2389.jpg)
RaNdoM. I love it.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3ty7On0VgDo/UnJKvS3LsLI/AAAAAAAAUPQ/BgEqRvcPd-c/s800/IMGP2390.jpg)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-07QW-CcT19o/UnJKwExYgDI/AAAAAAAAUP8/qbmiFrDFqcM/s800/IMGP2391.jpg)
Some real artists in there too. We don't provide stencils, but a few folks have started bringing them.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-mdr7Il4IPTk/UnJKwL3mgkI/AAAAAAAAUPo/He5E47w4k0k/s800/IMGP2392.jpg)
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ITxbZFU_oEA/UnJKwIoPJrI/AAAAAAAAUPw/8zvGPfsN_Dw/s800/IMGP2393.jpg)
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-w-Yn8THUC-U/UnJKwpfDR-I/AAAAAAAAUP4/G86Dmk40ujo/s800/IMGP2394.jpg)
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-77lyY6of8I0/UnJKxMWbUuI/AAAAAAAAUQI/QcuBkjXQ-L4/s800/IMGP2396.jpg)
For me, this will be the enduring image of the year.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uqtL-2TQe_8/UnJKxUrPlWI/AAAAAAAAUQQ/j9JLuIeL7bI/s800/IMGP2400.jpg)
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-a0k2kDo92yU/UnJKxkUFUDI/AAAAAAAAUQM/ftTu0bPYVhc/s800/IMGP2401.jpg)
Post by: Unorthodox on October 31, 2013, 02:35:49 pm
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-CIVZoddcCBY/UnJKyhVTc9I/AAAAAAAAUQs/KSVmPGB6VNI/s800/IMGP2405.jpg)
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-LAnzcNqBC_g/UnJKyqpgJjI/AAAAAAAAUQg/-gr62cQBLpM/s800/IMGP2406.jpg)
The burial ground.
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-oc8QX7vTqGo/UnJKzORZvJI/AAAAAAAAURI/7PTgnSoIcD0/s800/IMGP2409.jpg)
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-JnyPb2tGZA8/UnJK0SEd-VI/AAAAAAAAURc/8D5wcMRcJYE/s800/IMG_0005.JPG)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-df5AHoKXwmc/UnJKz5jlolI/AAAAAAAAURM/D_eSOf-q9SA/s800/IMGP2414.jpg)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1Rm1NUZqLus/UnJKz0xh30I/AAAAAAAAURU/gT4buFRC_Y0/s800/IMGP2412.jpg)
Awesome 360 design went up in the tree.
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Y8h-jdxjULA/UnJKzUwiosI/AAAAAAAAUQ8/OsqMCsoQzZM/s800/IMGP2411.jpg)
Does anyone understand the whole mustache craze lately? Even pumpkins are not safe.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PMQpO8Ia0oQ/UnJKzGW08tI/AAAAAAAAUQ0/M3-5hW1fIhw/s800/IMGP2410.jpg)
Post by: ariete on October 31, 2013, 05:04:12 pm
A friend of mine re-posted this on Facebook and I immediately thought of your dislike of "too cute" Halloween decorations...
ahahhahahah i'm going to post on facebook to a drunk friend page, surely he appreciated it.
anyway i've seen many interesting artistic pumpkin heads from unorthodox (this festivity is your karma ;uno) and the uncle.
sorry if i deal with these things with astonishment but what is ordinary for you here isn't so widespread.
Post by: Unorthodox on November 01, 2013, 10:11:07 am
Post by: Geo on November 01, 2013, 11:32:51 am
Some beautifully carved stuff there. And that's all done by children?
Somehow, the pumpkin masks at the entrance of the corn tunnel (your enduring image of the year) reminds me of SW stormtroopers.
Can't really make out the 360° design. The candle must've been fluttering when you took the photo. :(
All in all, it looked good. One year, I should go see such a Halloween display live. ;)
Post by: Unorthodox on November 01, 2013, 12:16:20 pm
It's custom that I don't carve any pumpkins save for the fence. The kids go put pumpkins wherever they want, and come back ON halloween to show their parents.
An Unorthodox Halloween 2013 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUSs7KtIhyQ#)
Post by: Unorthodox on November 01, 2013, 01:15:38 pm
Several full sized bars now. One ambitious treat bag with 2 full size treats and a package of fruit snacks.
One bowl of cereal...which is initially a wtf impression, but brilliant when I think about it. Big, cheap, kids love it. Hm....If only they made count chocula in the single serve bowls.
Post by: Unorthodox on November 04, 2013, 09:42:32 pm
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-yVFgvhXg-YI/UnOj81lPnJI/AAAAAAAAUoA/t43TWZV1tVg/s800/IMG_6290.JPG)
Our traditional family pics before we begin (there was a line forming while we were taking these...we let that deter us last year, but not this.)
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-OXFit2_6C7M/UnOkCsVIMdI/AAAAAAAAUic/YKuz_mV4ybM/s800/IMG_6303.JPG)
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-qnPvWs6yRBg/UnOkD9vmHJI/AAAAAAAAUiw/XzKi8Gk83V0/s800/IMG_6306.JPG)
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-VePlZ27Iobo/UnOkFcUbe3I/AAAAAAAAUjM/iaNxblXKp5A/s800/IMG_6309.JPG)
Alec...having too much fun with his zombie act.
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-_RPhq5bSsss/UnOkItwMZUI/AAAAAAAAUkk/VUHksWnG49c/s800/IMG_6318.JPG)
The candy drop...not pictured, leftover doughnuts from the party for the adults, and a water station (I'm SHOCKED how many appreciate the water...)
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-zC1pux9Samg/UnOkI9L5ptI/AAAAAAAAUkU/NZijJWgLb4w/s800/IMG_6319.JPG)
Tali, our last trick or treater in the house.
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-SysFPIizpcw/UnOkJvGyr5I/AAAAAAAAUko/0RonXqab1I0/s800/IMG_6320.JPG)
This is actually a remake of the 2008 costume, as most the theme was remaking old ideas.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9FPkwm3QwKc/UnOkJUYSNWI/AAAAAAAAUks/9f7dprPBzX4/s800/IMG_6321.JPG)
Post by: Unorthodox on November 04, 2013, 09:43:54 pm
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-x3fSVvjzRc4/UnOkJ0eYnKI/AAAAAAAAUkw/d5sHBLsYWcQ/s800/IMG_6322.JPG)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GIpLHNi6230/UnOkK-P4wpI/AAAAAAAAUlE/aqyPDVEgiOk/s800/IMG_6324.JPG)
Fred the scarecrow, been up all year...
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-kSDztlCC5sU/UnOkLST3AlI/AAAAAAAAUlk/ZGhSI3v33gA/s800/IMG_6326.JPG)
Cool sequence she got heading through the corn tunnel:
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-xY94pMjm_tw/UnOkLm0s9jI/AAAAAAAAUlc/Ngc8xGw7-FQ/s800/IMG_6327.JPG)
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-CtDq8M7ZxdU/UnOkL0iatHI/AAAAAAAAUlg/MTcjSQVkwKM/s800/IMG_6328.JPG)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YiAiES7j5vw/UnOkMUU6w2I/AAAAAAAAUlo/fZioeSRZyfs/s800/IMG_6329.JPG)
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-D1Kk1gSt7Kw/UnOkNbsYtwI/AAAAAAAAUmQ/Szh8I9ziYVM/s800/IMG_6331.JPG)
Great shot of the burial ground. The breathing graves were a big hit, but two of them broke when someone tripped on a wire (just need to rewire the motors). It had to have been either Kyle or Alec, probably when lighting all the pumpkins/candles.
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-gkcBgTPG1Jk/UnOkNqJgi3I/AAAAAAAAUmI/PoJe5zwF-NA/s800/IMG_6333.JPG)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wid0OJkA4XY/UnOkOhFlHZI/AAAAAAAAUmw/kFPht_f6Ev8/s800/IMG_6337.JPG)
I always enjoy the chalk on the side, almost as much as the kids do. Note the blue at the end, coming from the neighbor's garage. He let me put up colored lights instead of his very bright white ones this year. Would have preferred a different color, but his sockets are oddly shaped, and the blue was all that would fit.
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-DCJk5h3nIbk/UnOkPqiUWuI/AAAAAAAAUnI/kkdVlYWpUek/s800/IMG_6339.JPG)
Post by: Unorthodox on November 04, 2013, 09:45:40 pm
maybe-soon....
Post by: ariete on November 05, 2013, 11:56:35 am
Post by: Unorthodox on November 05, 2013, 04:08:51 pm
Post by: Geo on November 06, 2013, 02:07:52 pm
At what age does the "trick or treat" walkaround usually stop for American children?
Post by: Unorthodox on November 06, 2013, 03:22:38 pm
At what age does the "trick or treat" walkaround usually stop for American children?
There's the rub.
USUALLY the average household will start giving you questionable looks when you hit your teenage years, and likely comment 'aren't you getting old' or something along those lines in the 14+ range (or whenever puberty is becoming obvious). It starts becoming less 'cool' with the other kids around middle school, and generally looked down on in highschool.
Some cities are putting official limits on trick or treat recently. General age limit there is the 12-13 age range.
Myself, I stopped at 8 and started haunting. Kyle chose to stop at 9, Alec at 8. Talia's showing no signs of slowing. She goes trick or treat, then comes home and helps here.
Now, as far as I'm concerned, for my yard: There is no age limit.
Had a couple come through last year in their 70s. Alone. Just to trick or treat. HELL YEAH, come on through!
This year, had a 18? year old (+- 1 year) group. Just to our house, not general trick or treat, then go back home to watch movies. Perfect.
Also had a couple 16-17 year olds come over on an obvious group date. Good for them.
The only line I draw is the couple folks DRIVING THEIR KIDS AROUND tried one year, asking for a refill of their beer. Yeah, I don't need to be helping you break the laws there, buddy.
Post by: Geo on November 06, 2013, 03:46:39 pm
So these three from the 16-18 age group came for candy?
Post by: ariete on November 06, 2013, 04:49:43 pm
So these three from the 16-18 age group came for candy?
yeah, for dat white ;lol
Post by: Unorthodox on November 06, 2013, 07:17:52 pm
Am I missing something here? Trick or treat is going from door to door for candy, and haunting is what you do on your yard, yes?
Trick or Treat is going door to door for candy, yes. Haunting is what us wierdos do in our yards, yes.
Quote
So these threeMore like 10-12 in a couple groups.
Quote
from the 16-18 age group came for candy?Candy and entertainment in the case of a yard haunt, yes.
Think of it this way.
So, you're a 14-18 year old group of kids. Can't get a ride to the haunted house or don't want to wait in those lines/pay that $, it's not cool to go trick or treat, and your parents won't let you watch the "good" movies (mostly a misconception, and probably a bit of a Utah thing as "R" movies are against the predominant religion, sorta). But, that wierd guy down the street is kinda in the middle somewhere, you're not trick or treating, really, plus it's scary enough the girls can pretend to be scared and snuggle up to their boyfriends, free, gets you out from under parent's watchful gazes...
Post by: Geo on November 06, 2013, 07:40:25 pm
You're not charging. ;)
Is your haunt open for one night only, or the whole Halloween weekend then?
Post by: Unorthodox on November 06, 2013, 07:44:25 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on November 06, 2013, 10:36:39 pm
Treat/start/leftover
Chocolate/210/1
Soda/156/36 *
Chips/90/0
Pixie Sticks/200/46 *
We always plan for ballpark 600 kids on Halloween. This treat selection was based on last year's numbers, but last year was skewed by how Kyle put out the treats....and looks like he did a little skewing again.
The 36 remaining soda and 46 remaining pixie sticks (there were 50 remaining before the last group come through, I opened the case...) are remaining specifically because he was not putting them out, instead getting rid of the rest of the chocolate towards the end of the night. (Ok, the soda was forgotten about as that case wasn't with the rest of the stash at the beginning)
Don't know why he was hoarding the pixie sticks.
So, what can I really take from the numbers?
Soda that was put out went swift. Last year's chip numbers were indeed an abberation and we need to buy more. Hard to tell with the pixie sticks since the last case wasn't opened.
Post by: Rusty Edge on November 06, 2013, 11:09:58 pm
She insisted I show you her idea of the scariest Halloween picture.
Post by: Unorthodox on November 07, 2013, 12:28:40 am
Post by: Unorthodox on November 07, 2013, 02:04:42 pm
Uh...no.
Post by: Geo on November 07, 2013, 02:51:26 pm
You should've said: "Are you feeling lucky?"
Post by: Unorthodox on November 10, 2013, 02:52:15 am
The last attempt ended horribly (conventional recipe using fresh pumpkin instead of canned), if this one don't work, I may just give up on the idea. Totally threw out the conventional recipes as crap for this purpose, and have instead come up with an original after extensive research into how pumpkin bakes...so pretty much took my wifes chocolate chip dough and replaced the eggs with the pumpkin.
Post by: Unorthodox on November 10, 2013, 09:20:29 am
Post by: Rusty Edge on November 10, 2013, 04:39:10 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on November 10, 2013, 11:30:16 pm
I'm toying with the idea of creating some pumpkin sugar cookies. Something I've never even heard of being done before, but I have a killer sugar cookie recipe.
They do cook a little strange. The pumpkin might keep it all together like eggs, but it don't cook the same as eggs.
Post by: Unorthodox on November 12, 2013, 04:46:21 pm
Over Halloween, I found a mantis egg sack in my corn. Figured I would go back and harvest it to save for next year, as my garden alone could probably support a dozen mantids. Well, by the time I went back it had fallen off the leaf (not a good sign), got rained on, and was sitting in a puddle. I don't know if any could really survive that or not, but I salvaged the thing and dried it out, now debating what to do.
I COULD (looks at hEt lurking) take that empty aquarium out of Kyle's room and rear any young that might survive through the early spring, just to ensure they don't get killed, you know...not out of morbid fascination, no....
Post by: Rusty Edge on November 12, 2013, 05:04:20 pm
but I'm thinking this is an awesome idea. Are your camera lenses in order?
Besides...I know you're doing Vlad the Impaler next year according to Talia's idea, but I think that there's potential inspiration in the mantid rescue project for an awesome new Uno-monster. This could always be sold to raise money for sound, lighting, and other effects.
Post by: Unorthodox on November 12, 2013, 06:12:45 pm
The Barghest area was just a shade on the 'too scary' side, as we had about 5-10 groups unable to pass down that corn tunnel with him at the end. Not sure how vlaad would go over on the general populace. I'm still toying with the idea for a giant effigy as well.
As for the Vlad idea, I have 3 corpses and 3 skeletons that could be turned to corpses real quick if we decide to go all impaler. The question is HOW to impale them.
I'm also getting a gorgeous new skull for christmas. A painting "mistake" from my buddy scourge bought on the cheap. Not up to his standards for selling to the public, but knows I'm just going to recast it myself.
I have a rudimentary kit macro lens, would like some improvement there, but keep watching for a cheap camera. Had one yesterday that turned out I was just a bit late on, so new body probably before new lens is likely. New body would allow macro VIDEO...
I would guess the eggs are all goners, yes. But, with 500ish eggs in there, you never know. I could always BUY an egg sack, just for kicks.
Post by: Rusty Edge on November 13, 2013, 05:58:25 pm
Well, I once told you that the scariest movie I ever saw was "Quatermass and the Pit" . Mantid monsters sort of play into those Martian insect devil horror images in my subconscious.
That aside, mantids are just cool predators, without being dangerous in a Japanese hornet sort of way.
Post by: Unorthodox on November 19, 2013, 08:30:41 pm
Post by: Rusty Edge on November 20, 2013, 12:08:45 am
I'm currently reading an historical fiction called "Sunset of the Iroquois", about the nations being forced to choose sides during the Revolution. I thought of you as a read about sacrificing the first deer to the crows, so that they would not warn the other animals of the hunting party.
Good Luck!
Post by: Unorthodox on November 21, 2013, 02:38:21 pm
Basically, We're getting a cat 1-2 hurricane tonight. Minus storm surge.
I brought the Barghest in. He's going to be part of our Christmas display, but I haven't staked him down into place yet. Shame, really, I'm curous how well my staking method would survive the weather. He openly mocked the 50-60 we had in October, fully staked, but he was in a more sheltered corner of the yard then as well.
Hoping the biggest loss will be the leaves I had been trying to use as a cover in the garden to help speed mulching the pumpkins. Should have tilled in the leaves as well, apparantly, they'll likely just blow away now.
Post by: Unorthodox on November 22, 2013, 09:25:38 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on November 25, 2013, 09:25:34 pm
What's left of the Chimera will be wrapped in lights as usual, and the Barghest is likely to make a holiday appearance as well. However, hEt suggested leaving Fred (skeleton with 'skin' on him) out as well, just putting a hat on him. I'm a little nervous on that front. I mean, sure, Fred was out all year and everything...but it was the side of the house, away from the neighbors that don't really care for that kind of thing. Maybe I should slap up a Bob (clean skeleton) instead. But then, a Bob would be much more prone to damage.
Post by: Unorthodox on November 26, 2013, 04:20:49 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on November 27, 2013, 05:51:34 pm
Talia's seen bits and pieces as it's been on TV this week, and wanted to watch.
Hilarious to see her cover her eyes every time the monsters come, peeking through fingers. Show was that perfect mix that got them both worked up, but not nightmared.
Post by: Unorthodox on November 28, 2013, 08:35:21 pm
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-4WubDEbHgD0/UpeoTnRyRbI/AAAAAAAAVbk/Fc2cvWcVhJc/s800/IMGP2436.jpg)
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ihVI78-qRX8/UpeoUOENcXI/AAAAAAAAVbk/zNDoNILs9Hg/s800/IMGP2437.jpg)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AHy92FVlQZg/UpeoTsH1gCI/AAAAAAAAVbk/L-O0OC2AA-Q/s800/IMGP2435.jpg)
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-V76rEdzGBms/UpeoTmrsNGI/AAAAAAAAVbk/lXesc-Er218/s800/IMGP2434.jpg)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 28, 2013, 10:06:39 pm
Post by: Geo on November 30, 2013, 09:22:48 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on December 01, 2013, 02:52:11 am
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-JvwUxSM-MsQ/Upqj5kcISYI/AAAAAAAAVcU/CBdtL2M7Oac/s800/IMGP2440.jpg)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BDxCZeXSlDQ/Upqj56ZlJrI/AAAAAAAAVcU/8SqEDoM-cLg/s800/IMGP2442.jpg)
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-sC1ushvZAxA/Upqj5oyvBEI/AAAAAAAAVcU/a35aJVSJ5LI/s800/IMGP2443.jpg)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-atXfoqLhjmY/Upqj6A30fsI/AAAAAAAAVcU/-iG6qbgwcNI/s800/IMGP2444.jpg)
Post by: Unorthodox on December 02, 2013, 03:16:31 am
Post by: Geo on December 02, 2013, 05:25:24 am
Post by: Unorthodox on December 04, 2013, 02:28:25 am
Some idiot decided they needed to blur out the chests on the southern oracle and associated gate. Can't for the life of me remember anything worth blurring out.
Post by: Unorthodox on December 04, 2013, 09:05:16 pm
Which is fine. Some folks still asking $900 + for new, so most used are listed for $600 or so. Guess I'm waiting till after christmas and seeing if anyone starts dumping them off then.
Post by: Unorthodox on December 05, 2013, 03:58:13 pm
Would be so much fun with a bigger version...
Post by: Buster's Uncle on December 05, 2013, 06:23:52 pm
Post by: Geo on December 05, 2013, 08:19:34 pm
Those days may come back, if you put up enough adds for the upcoming Disney versions... ;cute
Post by: Unorthodox on December 05, 2013, 08:31:47 pm
Talk about random crap. Don't think either of us expected to find someone to talk about THAT today.
Post by: Unorthodox on December 09, 2013, 01:55:49 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on December 09, 2013, 02:37:57 am
-Not that there was a lot of it, mind - the fallen leave were never completely covered - just a really thorough job of freezing several million people who can't cope with winter weather in...
Post by: JarlWolf on December 09, 2013, 07:05:43 am
Post by: Unorthodox on December 09, 2013, 03:11:58 pm
You got it better than us, then - freezing rain Wednesday night turned into sleet Thursday night, and very little progress in melting so we can leave for America yet.
-Not that there was a lot of it, mind - the fallen leave were never completely covered - just a really thorough job of freezing several million people who can't cope with winter weather in...
I've only seen freezing rain once. I have no desire to be out in it again.
Lake effect snow this morning, the car had difficulty starting in the cold as well, cold enough the road salt did nothing. I was out before most the idiots took to the road it seems, and the plows were driving all around...without their blades down. wtf?
Post by: Unorthodox on December 09, 2013, 03:18:16 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on December 09, 2013, 10:05:53 pm
Yes that was in doubt.
The building has a skylight now. This program always puts me up in the best locations...
Post by: Buster's Uncle on December 09, 2013, 10:15:05 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on December 09, 2013, 10:32:51 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on December 09, 2013, 10:34:59 pm
Post by: Geo on December 10, 2013, 05:42:34 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on December 10, 2013, 06:02:59 pm
A ton of infrastructure was created in Utah for WWII, as we served as the supply dump for all branches of the military, midway between the gulf and the coast, far enough in to be relatively safe from bombing.
These buildings are almost all cookie cutter copies of each other, and have been converted to various uses over the years. The ones still owned by the govt tend to be in the worst shape, but all of them suffer from the icicle problem.
Coming in this morning, there was a 3 ft wide pillar of ice descending from the roof to the pavement. That's gonna fall at some point. Don't want to be near when it does.
I'd take a backhoe to it in a controlled manner if I thought it wouldn't bring the roof down with it.
Post by: Geo on December 10, 2013, 06:26:31 pm
Coming in this morning, there was a 3 ft wide pillar of ice descending from the roof to the pavement. That's gonna fall at some point. Don't want to be near when it does.
:o
How cold is it in Utah atm?
Post by: Unorthodox on December 10, 2013, 07:44:36 pm
Post by: Geo on December 10, 2013, 08:00:22 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on December 10, 2013, 09:54:25 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on December 12, 2013, 04:00:19 pm
and a previous one had cops in riot gear outside because they feared we would riot, so that's saying something.
Post by: Geo on December 12, 2013, 04:32:33 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on December 12, 2013, 05:31:13 pm
Love the guy. Most straightforward and clear all hands/state of the company meeting I've ever seen. The company is not healthy.
Post by: Geo on December 12, 2013, 06:28:42 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on December 12, 2013, 07:21:45 pm
Post by: Geo on December 12, 2013, 08:10:31 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on December 12, 2013, 08:21:32 pm
I'm hoping to get onto something that's not a 6 month contract for a change. Haven't had more than 12 month job security for the last 8 years, and I'm tired of it.
Post by: Unorthodox on December 19, 2013, 02:05:28 pm
getting colder as the day goes, though, so could make for an interesting drive home.
Post by: Geo on December 19, 2013, 03:08:36 pm
HEAVY wet snow, and lots of it. OH YEAH, come on!
getting colder as the day goes, though, so could make for an interesting drive home.
How far's the drive?
Over here, we're flirting with 10 degrees Celcius.
Post by: Rusty Edge on December 19, 2013, 03:49:26 pm
HEAVY wet snow, and lots of it. OH YEAH, come on!
getting colder as the day goes, though, so could make for an interesting drive home.
How far's the drive?
Over here, we're flirting with 10 degrees Celcius.
That always comes as a shock to me.
The reason is that where I grew up, the only people who had been to Belgium were there for "The Battle of the Bulge" , and they complain about the weather. I know it was unusual weather, but that's how I picture Belgium before Christmas.
Post by: Geo on December 19, 2013, 04:21:42 pm
On average it's 5 degrees cooler in Wallony then in Flanders.
But there ain't snow there either sofar.
OTOH, a couple winters back, we had snow already in November, with two-three times the usual time it stayed frozen on the ground.
Post by: Unorthodox on December 19, 2013, 05:22:11 pm
If I go around, it's at least double the drive, and has other challenges, including a terrible in the snow overpass/corner that piles up accidents like nothing else around. But, I've done that drive plenty of times too.
Post by: Unorthodox on December 26, 2013, 05:43:45 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on January 04, 2014, 03:53:08 pm
Quote
Droll Hunting
by Noah Berlatsky January 4, 2014 7:59 am
(http://www.hoodedutilitarian.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/large_the-troll-hunter-3.jpg)
Imagine if crossed the Blair Witch Project with This Is Spinal Tap. Now set it in Norway with trolls — and you’ve got Trollhunter.
You may be asking yourself, do we need another Blair Witch knock-off? Do we need another Spinal Tap knockoff? Even together? Even in Norway? And the answer to all of your questions would be no. No, not really. Like the trolls it purports to document, the film’s existence is both superfluous and kind of ridiculous.
That’s not to say that the film is bad, exactly. Just that there’s something oddly mysterious in its unmotivated lumbering.
It’s possible something crucial has been lost in the translation from the Norwegian. Or, alternately, Trollhunter may suffer from excess of appetite. The eponymous government troll hunter Hans (Otto Jesperson), in one of his many quirky troll anecdotes, discusses a troll he saw who was so dumb it tried to eat its own tail. The movie itself seems to miss the mark in a similar way. It tries to be comedy; tries to be horror; staggers back and forth a little and then, getting into the swing of it, settles for just roaring a lot and knocking things over.
(Spoilers follow, if you care about that sort of thing.)
The dilemma is perhaps best summed up during what’s probably supposed to be an emotional highpoint; the death of one of the teenaged main characters three-quarters of the way through the film. The protagonists and Hans are trapped in a cave with marauding trolls. The doomed kid (the cameraman), in a panic, frantically rubs disgusting troll stink all over himself, hoping to hide his scent. Unfortunately, though, he is, as it turns out, a Christian, which means that the trolls can smell him. Shortly thereafter, he’s eaten, leaving his companions to wail at the uncaring heavens, “Why didn’t he just say he was a Christian!”
So that’s the joke, and it’s moderately funny in a ha-ha-we’re-all-atheists-here kind of way. It could almost be a really low-key Monty Python sketch — except that up to this moment, the dead character has been treated as an actual person, rather than a goofy gag line. Not that there’s a ton of character development or anything, but for purposes of the previous horror-movie-running-away-and-screaming, there’s been at least some effort to pretend that what happens to this guy matters. And then, all of a sudden, he’s just thrown away. And then you see everyone else grieve for a minute or so…and then they stop, and get a replacement cameraperson (who’s a Muslim, so trolls probably can’t smell her — only Christians, not Muslims. Get it?) The whole thing just ends up being not just crass, but unbelievable. This kid just died; there’s no investigation? No explanation to the police? The other teenagers don’t stop and say, you know, our friend just died; screw the trolls, I’m headed home?
Instead, on they go, trundling from set piece to dry-humored set piece. Hans dresses in armor to fight a troll; Hans explains that the trolls’ extra heads are just growths designed to impress other males and attract females; Hans talks about the trauma of killing troll infants; a veterinarian explains the improbable biology of trolls turning to stone when sunrise hits them. It’s amusing enough, and the trolls themselves, as special effects, are goofily effective. Over the entire film, though, the archness becomes tedious. The Last Exorcism, with its hand-held camera horror, was not a great movie, but it cared about its main character, about its genre, and about the story it had to tell. This Is Spinal Tap was a goof, but it clearly had great affection for the hapless band it parodied. Trollhunter, in comparison, has no real characters, no real story, no real point —just extended snickering and occasional enjoyable special effects.
In a way, it almost makes you hope for the inevitable English-language remake. If somebody cares about the thing enough to purchase the rights, maybe they’ll care enough to give the film some kind of direction. Laughing at the trolls is all right in limited doses, but if this is going to work, someone out there needs to love them a little as well.
- See more at: http://www.hoodedutilitarian.com/2014/01/droll-hunting/#sthash.frDviEWK.dpuf (http://www.hoodedutilitarian.com/2014/01/droll-hunting/#sthash.frDviEWK.dpuf)
Post by: Geo on January 04, 2014, 06:31:45 pm
Only 90% of normal snowpack after the last round of storms. :( We need more frequent storms...
In 30 years today's 90% might be the norm? ;cute
Post by: Unorthodox on January 04, 2014, 06:48:54 pm
Quote
It’s possible something crucial has been lost in the translation from the Norwegian.
Yep, it's clear that guy had not the foggiest about the mythos the movie is based on. It's not bagging on Christians, ya freakin moron. That's not a joke, it's part of the what makes a TROLL. They crave good christian blood (and fear churchbells). At least know what the hell you're talking about before you go talking about it.
The christian in question was questioned at least 3 times and chose to lie, even after learning that trolls were real. This wasn't some joke, this was just his actions placing the entire party in danger, and him getting what he deserved in the finest of horror tradition.
It's hardly just walking away from it as well, but rather going on trying to get final evidence that the government is hiding the truth about trolls existing so they don't sound like crazy people trying to talk to the police. Hell, did this guy pay any attention?
As far as the found footage films go, Trollhunter is one of the better ones. Goofy at times, sure, and it is very steeped in myths that may not be the best known, but just roll with it and enjoy.
Post by: Unorthodox on January 04, 2014, 06:49:23 pm
Only 90% of normal snowpack after the last round of storms. :( We need more frequent storms...
In 30 years today's 90% might be the norm? ;cute
Yeah, not looking good now, haven't had a storm since then...
Post by: Unorthodox on January 07, 2014, 02:02:23 am
Homemade Chicken Tikka Masala. Darn near perfect. Made with my own home grown and canned tomato sauce.
Craft room about 60%.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on January 11, 2014, 10:01:53 am
Post by: Unorthodox on January 17, 2014, 07:37:04 pm
We're having an awful water year so far, especially since the reservoirs are dried up to begin with, so I'm not fiddling around with any weirdo varieties. Just straight up drought tolerant corn and good ole zeb's pumpkins. We are going to try a few more mini pumpkin varieties, though.
Post by: Unorthodox on February 07, 2014, 02:38:18 pm
Post by: Bertilak on February 16, 2014, 03:15:29 am
Post by: Geo on February 16, 2014, 11:26:02 am
Post by: Unorthodox on February 17, 2014, 01:45:40 am
Yeah...grey. The fabric was refusing to bat an eye at the coffee.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-s_7dtlcH8WU/UwFoxsDb32I/AAAAAAAAYqk/aukNeLoeego/s800/IMG_0021.JPG)
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-c_MvPrm8WdE/UwFoyL9AvVI/AAAAAAAAYqg/2LnmqAzVG1g/s800/IMG_0022.JPG)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 17, 2014, 02:00:40 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 27, 2014, 12:04:46 am
Post by: Geo on February 27, 2014, 06:43:36 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 27, 2014, 06:51:19 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 01, 2014, 11:45:59 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 05, 2014, 03:34:03 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 05, 2014, 11:38:56 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 06, 2014, 04:57:45 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 06, 2014, 07:53:36 pm
Post by: Geo on March 07, 2014, 08:26:44 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 07, 2014, 08:51:06 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on March 11, 2014, 01:58:22 am
I'll be back when things get in order. Going somewhere else looking for me wouldn't help much. I've even been largely absent from the halloween forum
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 11, 2014, 02:01:12 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 11, 2014, 02:05:07 am
Have you seen the dancing Ming smilie?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 11, 2014, 11:32:27 pm
Post by: Geo on March 13, 2014, 07:33:18 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 14, 2014, 01:30:06 am
That sounds awful, but I used to stay blue most of the time.
Post by: Unorthodox on March 15, 2014, 12:22:31 am
Anywho.
Tilled the garden today. The pumpkin compost performed fantastically this year. The garden's soil is night and day better than last spring, and the section that was looking terrible in the fall seems up to par. I don't know if it was the fact we had generally larger pumpkins last year, the addition of our neighbor's leaves to our own, or the mild winter/wet spring allowing more action in the soil over the winter. Or, maybe it's just the gradual buildup. The thing was covered in grass just 2 years ago, hardly gardening material.
Also got some italian heirloom tomatoes just sprouted in the house. We've become rather addicted to my homemade tomato sauce, so going to be making TONS next year.
Trying a bunch of flower seeds with Tali, but I don't have high hopes on some of them. Half expecting some neighbor to think I'm trying to grow some more 'interesting' things indoors...
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 15, 2014, 02:09:07 am
Post by: Bertilak on March 15, 2014, 02:14:10 am
Post by: Unorthodox on March 15, 2014, 03:43:28 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 15, 2014, 04:02:24 am
Just because.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 15, 2014, 05:01:00 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 20, 2014, 06:46:23 pm
(https://www.google.com/logos/doodles/2014/first-day-of-spring-2014-5086324449083392-res.png)
Post by: Unorthodox on March 20, 2014, 11:15:28 pm
Well, I've started on coffins...yeah, totally too normal, I know, but at least it's SOMETHING. I might come up with some interesting things on them, we'll see how it works later.
There's actually 2 lids stacked here. Might finish one off tomorrow just to see something.
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-JGt-hIj0dek/UytycNkQzbI/AAAAAAAAYw0/lcRQAQ46oLQ/s800/IMG_0027.JPG)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 27, 2014, 06:39:58 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 27, 2014, 09:14:26 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 28, 2014, 04:17:50 am
Post by: Unorthodox on March 28, 2014, 08:16:32 pm
Anyway, taking apart more rotting fence to build more coffins, and it was covered with some cocoons I can't identify. The actual cocoons are covered in a sawdust and grass shell, NO freaking clue. There's not a lot of cocoon identification help out there.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 28, 2014, 08:22:19 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 28, 2014, 08:25:39 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 30, 2014, 06:30:39 am
Quote
Utah boy finds American Indian remains in backyardhttp://news.yahoo.com/utah-boy-finds-american-indian-remains-backyard-223214788.html (http://news.yahoo.com/utah-boy-finds-american-indian-remains-backyard-223214788.html)
Associated Press
3 hours ago
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — A 14-year-old boy digging a trout pond in the backyard of his father's Salt Lake City home stumbled across a surprise: the remains of an American Indian who lived about 1,000 years ago.
Experts from the Utah Department of Heritage and Arts spent Friday removing the remains, which were confirmed by medical examiners as those of a person from a millennium ago, and investigating the site for archaeological clues after ninth-grader Ali Erturk's discovery earlier in the week.
"Humans have occupied this valley for up to 10,000 years," department spokesman Geoffrey Fattah told The Salt Lake Tribune. "We do run into situations where progress runs into the ancient past."
A forensic anthropologist will analyze the remains to try to learn more, including the person's sex and cultural affiliation. A report will go to the state Division of Indian Affairs, which will try to determine whether the remains are linked to current tribes, Fattah said. A tribe may claim the remains and perform interment rites.
Other private property in Salt Lake City has occasionally yielded Native American graves. The department typically receives about six reports of ancient remains statewide each year, Fattah said.
Erturk said he had been working on the trout pond for a couple of weeks until he discovered what he initially thought was just an animal bone.
"When I saw it looked like a human skull, then it definitely was a bit creepy," he told KTVX-TV. "I really do think there's other bones nearby, and I don't think that it's that unlikely or that lucky that I stumbled across this."
Fattah urged the public to contact law enforcement authorities if human remains are unearthed so they can be removed professionally and respectfully. Erturk's father notified Salt Lake City police after his son's discovery.
;lol
Post by: Unorthodox on March 30, 2014, 05:49:18 pm
I guess you have to wait for emergence before you can use the wood?
It's all empty. Most likely some kind of moth/borer. But, I don't know of any that weave the silk to glue a sawdust shell this these did, and there's so little info out there on cocoons, google hasn't helped. What's that bug even gave up when I sent a pic, so that's pretty much that.
Picking them up to get some yardwork done, I'm half tempted to build coffin-henge.
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-GELeZxe1HLE/UzhH5nnBI4I/AAAAAAAAYyA/3WpRtcvc-qM/s800/IMG_0034.JPG)
Got another fence section torn apart, so I now have enough to make 2 more coffins. Might be able to swing 3. Then there's a few more piles of crap wood within a block I might go knocking on doors and asking if they would like to get rid of them. Gotta figure a way to transport it home first, with the truck no longer an option (don't ask).
Rectangle design I got off some 'green burial' website. It's a lot easier than dealing with the toe pincher angles, but I don't think it works out quite as well, overall. It could just be a wooden box of nondescript manner. Properly staged, it comes off fine, but a toe pincher is just so iconic.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-406yCjIDXzY/UzhH5FTywZI/AAAAAAAAYyE/6w6DvPDs4xs/s800/IMG_0035.JPG)
[img]
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 30, 2014, 05:55:02 pm
Quote
the truck no longer an optionDistinct from your dad sold your truck?
Post by: Unorthodox on March 30, 2014, 06:04:03 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 30, 2014, 06:05:47 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 30, 2014, 08:15:16 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on March 31, 2014, 02:52:23 am
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-NtDxGFeX2jM/UzjG1-4q8qI/AAAAAAAAYyk/yS7cpYso2x4/s800/IMG_0037.JPG)
Post by: Unorthodox on March 31, 2014, 05:42:32 pm
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-S51OBdhE9pE/UzmY4Fe-cfI/AAAAAAAAYzg/U5jrOR8_PFg/s800/IMG_0040.JPG)
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-VtwwoJhEGus/UzmY4Eh3esI/AAAAAAAAYzs/mEb-5uy-mFA/s800/IMG_0041.JPG)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pBUUYhVtNsg/UzmY48Wq_iI/AAAAAAAAYz4/hcPl6795Sqo/s800/IMG_0042.JPG)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 31, 2014, 05:43:53 pm
Post by: Geo on March 31, 2014, 06:30:42 pm
Spring is already here. ;)
Post by: Unorthodox on March 31, 2014, 09:49:30 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on March 31, 2014, 10:16:53 pm
P3121579 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTuy9ya8dco#)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 31, 2014, 10:27:54 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 01, 2014, 04:57:49 pm
http://www.royalcollection.org.uk/microsites/amazingrarethings/maker.asp?exhibs=ARTmerian (http://www.royalcollection.org.uk/microsites/amazingrarethings/maker.asp?exhibs=ARTmerian)
Apparently she wasn't on drugs either....
(http://apolyton.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=175642&d=1396367442&thumb=1)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 01, 2014, 09:39:44 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 02, 2014, 08:39:34 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 02, 2014, 08:53:24 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 02, 2014, 10:23:38 pm
Quote
Want to Stop Colony Collapse? Print Your Own Beehive (Really!)http://news.yahoo.com/print-own-beehive-hope-help-solve-colony-collapse-203926838.html (http://news.yahoo.com/print-own-beehive-hope-help-solve-colony-collapse-203926838.html)
By Liz Dwyer | Takepart.com | April 1, 2014 4:39 PM
If you've ever observed a beehive, you know that an incredible amount of teamwork goes into keeping the colony running. Beekeepers have a similar tradition of sharing ideas and collaborating, and with one-third of U.S. colonies having died off since 2006, there's plenty of conversation about what saves bees. Also, if more people—and by “more people,” we mean you—become beekeepers, there will be more data about what's helping or hurting bees.
That's the idea behind Open Source Beehive, a crowdsourced science project created by a global team of eco-technologists. The effort is a “collaborative response to the threat faced by bee populations in industrialised nations around the world.”
Anyone around the world can download a hive design for free. Next, all you have to do is head to a maker space or a fab lab to access a machine that can reproduce the pattern on wood and cut it out for you. It sounds complicated, but don't worry, the project provides a list of places across the country, so it's as plug-and-play as possible.
The key to these hives, however, is the Smart Citizen Kit, which is an open-source sensor that transmits data to an open platform. The sensors send data on the general health and behavior of the bees as well as the temperature of each hive and whether pesticide residue is present. The hope is that the “data collected from each hive" will be "published together with geolocations allowing for a further comparison and analysis of the hives.” The project's Indiegogo campaign is currently raising funds to help refine the sensors.
Andre Houssney, one of Open Source Beehive's advisers, says that a major challenge to solving colony collapse disorder is that much of the research out there is funded by corporations like Monsanto. Producers of genetically modified crops are known to spray them with neonicotinoid pesticides, which are believed to be so dangerous to bees that Eugene, Ore., recently banned their use on city property.
That's why Houssney, who runs Zambeezi, a Zambian-based social enterprise that produces organic, fair-trade honey and beeswax products, believes the citizen-led information data gathering that'll happen through this project could provide an alternative perspective.
“If we could get enough people to get their sensors out there, get their beehives out there, we could start to collect data on what’s really causing colony collapse,” says Houssney.
Post by: Unorthodox on April 03, 2014, 07:31:37 am
Bumblebee die-off http://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?topic=8094 (http://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?topic=8094)
Wow, don't often see bee studies outside honeybees.
Post by: Unorthodox on April 03, 2014, 07:39:56 am
Kerbal NASA spinoff http://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?topic=8097 (http://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?topic=8097)
Just downloaded, but more interested in the patch than the specific mission.
Started a new career mode, so going to take me a while to unlock the goodies.
First launch, not technically orbit, but made it to space, considering the parts available, that's actually impressive. Collecting data for reentry. The flag on the spacecraft is new, kinda curious if you can make ones for individual missions now.
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-r4IXJ1JbO94/Uz0BoZdFdWI/AAAAAAAAY0I/0oEa30F1wvo/s800/2014-04-02_00002.jpg)
Post by: Geo on April 03, 2014, 08:06:54 am
Post by: Unorthodox on April 07, 2014, 03:37:15 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 07, 2014, 04:00:00 am
Post by: Geo on April 07, 2014, 03:03:06 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on April 08, 2014, 03:03:31 am
Talia's report from her seed starting. I think there's a few more than that...
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 10, 2014, 07:33:56 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on April 11, 2014, 03:55:59 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 11, 2014, 06:21:11 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 16, 2014, 12:58:57 am
http://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?topic=8292 (http://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?topic=8292)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 17, 2014, 11:10:15 pm
Neanderthal: http://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?topic=8332.0 (http://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?topic=8332.0)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 22, 2014, 01:21:35 am
Post by: Unorthodox on May 01, 2014, 01:11:02 am
There can't be a big market for that...
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 01, 2014, 01:13:19 am
Post by: Geo on May 03, 2014, 07:17:36 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on May 05, 2014, 05:23:17 pm
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-fAS92klqFW4/U2eyO1OxmMI/AAAAAAAAZEw/34kcxEA90v0/s800/IMG_0104.JPG)
I've never been much of a spider person as identification is usually trickey, this is a redback jumper. Usually, we don't get the bright red coloring around here, but more specifically, I've never seen these around these parts as wolf spiders have dominated the local habitat....I haven't seen a single wolf spider so far this year. That's a little odd.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 05, 2014, 05:28:02 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on May 05, 2014, 08:05:16 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 05, 2014, 08:18:32 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on May 05, 2014, 09:51:03 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 05, 2014, 09:52:15 pm
Post by: Rusty Edge on May 05, 2014, 09:57:31 pm
They were supposed to have the best vision of all spiders, which isn't saying much, but you've got to look before you leap. That gives them an edge against other spiders when it comes to a duel, or bounding away.
I don't know about your wolf spiders. Here in PA at my parents' place we are only seeing the first dandelions today.
Spring ( and ground temperatures ) are apparently weeks behind normal. Maybe they'll turn up later.
Post by: Unorthodox on May 06, 2014, 01:58:10 am
I had noticed a BUNCH of (disorganized) webs on the coffins when we put them up, could have been some ballooning going on, but I was surprised to see this guy all full grown this time of year. Hoping he finds a mate and makes lots of babies.
Quiet desperation, eh? I get that a lot.
When there is news I'll share it. Pretty much just trying to stave off depression in the mean time.
I did go out and buy a new scythe. Mulling over rebuilding Chimera I.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 06, 2014, 02:01:35 am
Post by: Unorthodox on May 06, 2014, 02:04:06 am
If it comes down to it I might just try a crank ghost modification.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 06, 2014, 02:07:12 am
Post by: Unorthodox on May 07, 2014, 10:06:10 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 07, 2014, 10:31:15 pm
Post by: BlaneckW on May 07, 2014, 11:10:39 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 07, 2014, 11:39:10 pm
Post by: BlaneckW on May 08, 2014, 01:56:15 am
And it worked?Yes. Just yell at it. ENOUGH!
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 08, 2014, 02:08:33 am
Post by: BlaneckW on May 08, 2014, 02:09:55 am
Post by: Unorthodox on May 08, 2014, 07:11:52 pm
What breed of pumpkins?
I think those were Neon in the pic. Those are the primary pumpkins we're planting. Smallish (no bigger than a basketball) Jack o Lantern variety that is orange from the get go, and can be picked earlier than most, allowing for shorter growing seasons. A close relative (Old Zebs) has been the best producer in my yard, so hoping this is similar. Biggest challenge will be keeping the slugs away.
We're also planting some sugar pumpkins, mostly for carving. Talia, and a lot of the smaller kids like that smaller size to carve at the party. I'm going to try to trellis them this year, should work.
Also have a slew of mini/ornamental varieties in the Jack Be Littles (standard tiny pumpkins), pumpkemon (new variety, orange with white stripes) and the mystery variety where I saved seeds out of those green and yellow pumpkins from last year that were supposed to be jack be littles. Now, just because the seeds come out of the green/yellow things doesn't mean that's what will grow out of them, pumpkin crossbreeding isn't visible in the fruit, so you get a bit of a gamble when you save seeds.
I tried starting my own tomatoes this year, and I'd say it's about 50/50 whether that's worked or not. I have to make a decision in a week or 2 whether to run with my starts or go buy plants.
We also started a crapton of flowers from seeds indoors. All this is quite new for me, never did the greenhouse stuff before.
Talia also got a book from school about building a sunflower house (with a packet of seeds), so we're trying that out as well. Figured it could make a fantastic end to the corn tunnel if it works.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 08, 2014, 07:17:22 pm
;b; It's edumacational; I bet at least one of your kids ends up in gardening/biology/entomology and another in something artistic......
Post by: Unorthodox on May 14, 2014, 04:51:38 pm
My gorgeous Christmas present. Friend of mine...taught him how to make molds of skulls way back, that's now what he does for a living, buying real skulls and making copies. He was testing a new casting and painting technique so I got a prototype on the cheap.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-e-h8vWi37m0/U3OQDVR4luI/AAAAAAAAZHs/RDZIp3usblU/s800/IMG_0113.JPG)
Time to get out of the doldrums and do something with it.
Cautiously optimistic on the other situation as well.
Post by: Unorthodox on May 14, 2014, 04:54:33 pm
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9L9dkFyfhzg/U2ff-km9NJI/AAAAAAAAZFg/tbosNd0awdk/s800/1656396_783321348358797_7296155353555481799_n.jpg)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 14, 2014, 05:15:39 pm
I've told you about the massive head wound Ken candles I made years ago for Halloween several times, haven't I?
Post by: Unorthodox on May 16, 2014, 08:23:47 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 16, 2014, 08:34:54 pm
Really easy to do...
Also, ;b;. I do appreciate.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 16, 2014, 08:37:39 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on May 16, 2014, 08:41:05 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 16, 2014, 08:48:36 pm
I'm going through some heinous excrement right now that I can't talk about, BTW...
Post by: Unorthodox on May 16, 2014, 10:18:29 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 16, 2014, 10:22:53 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 17, 2014, 08:38:23 pm
sisko and I are planning to add an Other Games...
Post by: Unorthodox on May 17, 2014, 10:55:43 pm
It would be against my personal etiquette to go headhunting people. If they ask, I'll mention the place, but I'm not going to promote abandoning of one for the other.
If the new game takes off, you're already setting up as the better location for that.
Post by: Dale on May 17, 2014, 11:03:40 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 17, 2014, 11:05:02 pm
Not quite ANYONE...Well, I really don't want to log in, and I do want you to have Big Dork to play with.
It would be against my personal etiquette to go headhunting people. If they ask, I'll mention the place, but I'm not going to promote abandoning of one for the other.
If the new game takes off, you're already setting up as the better location for that.
;lol I was halfway through typing that sentence before I realized...
Good to see the old avatar, Dale.
Post by: Unorthodox on May 18, 2014, 01:21:04 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 18, 2014, 01:54:39 am
Post by: Unorthodox on May 18, 2014, 03:03:31 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 18, 2014, 03:19:42 am
Post by: Unorthodox on May 18, 2014, 04:20:40 am
Post by: Unorthodox on May 18, 2014, 04:34:37 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 18, 2014, 05:00:58 am
Post by: Unorthodox on May 18, 2014, 02:45:23 pm
Standard crank ghost is pretty much a staple of haunted houses and dark rides. When you start pulling the strings around joints and making them each do multiple motions it gets a lot harder to map out.
My first Flying Crank Ghost for Halloween 2009 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8PRoS3J8Q4o#ws)
Here's a similar setup to what I'm considering. The crank ghost heavily modified here, multiple strings moving numberous parts each.
Wallbreaker, aluminum crank arm and rubber bands (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1F6QcGwC9o#)
A cam drive in progress by the same guy.
Phantom Shadow 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2uCrv179bVc#)
Post by: Geo on May 18, 2014, 02:53:01 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 18, 2014, 03:35:38 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on May 18, 2014, 05:09:50 pm
What is is supposed to do? Just staying in motion, showing machinery in action?
First one off google:
Flying Crank Ghost (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0r08g4_PkK8#)
OLD school smoke and mirrors, buddy. There are dozens of these mechanisms at Disney in a variety of rides. From floating objects (*cough* madame leota *cough*) to full body apparitions. (I don't really see rides the same as most people, I see that device here, this one there, the other over there, etc, not really the display as normal audience sees it)
Axworthy ghost mechanisms are a little more difficult to hide...
Anywho, still deciding whether I'm doing crank or cam. Meanwhile working on the thing I'm going to try to animate.
Post by: Rusty Edge on May 18, 2014, 09:17:04 pm
Post by: Geo on May 18, 2014, 09:23:09 pm
Post by: Dale on May 18, 2014, 10:11:47 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on May 18, 2014, 10:42:39 pm
I suppose an eccentric pulley was already ruled out?
That's for a monster in a box.
Monster in a box (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kJkvoLP92E#)
Post by: Rusty Edge on May 19, 2014, 02:53:26 am
I think I'm going to leave this thread before I understand a little too much...
Post by: Unorthodox on May 19, 2014, 01:58:28 pm
"Dad, you only have 8 ribs. THERE'S SUPPOSED TO BE TWELVE!"
Yeah, I only do 8 because it's more appealing to get bigger spaces, but god I hope the average person wont notice...or maybe it's common knowledge for all 7 year olds...yeah, right.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 19, 2014, 03:02:40 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on May 22, 2014, 02:29:57 am
The website I used to use to figure out mechanical linkages is down, anyone got a good one?
Post by: Unorthodox on May 22, 2014, 04:43:34 am
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-5ueUivjOFoo/U31w2K6yxoI/AAAAAAAAZJo/sh0HbaWZ03k/s800/IMG_0117.JPG)
And the companion ribcage. Yeah, you might recognize the project, I started it years ago but wasn't liking the string I was using at the time, finally getting around to working it.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-laO59tNjBDU/U31w3gMpH8I/AAAAAAAAZJ4/cLi74CCrsDU/s800/IMG_0119.JPG)
Post by: Bertilak on May 22, 2014, 04:50:17 am
To add insult to injury, I'm down with the flu...
Please make sure to take care of yourself and seek appropriate medical attention if needed.
Post by: Unorthodox on May 22, 2014, 04:54:23 am
Post by: Unorthodox on May 23, 2014, 02:25:56 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 23, 2014, 02:59:46 am
Post by: Unorthodox on May 23, 2014, 04:25:11 am
Post by: Green1 on May 23, 2014, 05:23:02 am
EB's goal in life was to create a temple to the Egyptian god Toth in a small flat in the French quarter New Orleans. He accomplished that. One of his crowning achievements was stealing a hand holding out an ankh off of a Mardi Gras float when it was stored at a Westbank float making facility after Mardi Gras. The place was like a incense-permeated tribute to both Toth, commercial NOLA voodoo, and Wicca.
He even treated it like a temple. Shoes were OFF when you went in. No smoking unless it was pot or a clove cigarette.
Sadly, he moved. I hear he lives now in the same city I live in. I may track him down one day or ask on FB if anyone has heard from him.
Post by: Geo on May 23, 2014, 03:26:27 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on May 23, 2014, 03:33:25 pm
(about 50-50 clove to tobacco IIRC)
While we strive to respect whichever religion I might be drawing some kind of inspiration from, and take efforts to look authentic, yet sure we're not conjuring some pissed off spirit of somethingorother, don't confuse anything I do for Halloween with actual worship.
Though we did do some mild conjuring last year. Nothing specific, just energy in general. Interesting how that hit some people.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 23, 2014, 03:34:24 pm
Post by: Geo on May 23, 2014, 03:35:56 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 23, 2014, 03:36:46 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on May 23, 2014, 03:40:22 pm
Post by: Green1 on May 23, 2014, 04:38:52 pm
It is a weird hippie cigarette, exactly.
It smells like incense and I will admit is not very offensive to non smokers.
All the hipsters used to smoke it when they went out in New Orleans years ago. It was a favorite in the "in" coffee houses of the day like Kaldi's, Rue, and later Zotz. It kinda pops when you smoke it. Expensive [poop], too. Djarums run like 8 dollars a pack. Sopernas (which are no longer made) were the menthol version and run about 6 to 7 a pack. And this is in a place where cigs are not as expensive like up north. Regular coffin nails like Kools run about 4 a pack and generics like GPCs about 3.
You see, most of us were service industry folks in the Quarter and addicted to nicotine from years of abuse from fat ass tourists and insane and egotistical restaurateurs. They do not tell you that the sweet dudes on the Food Network like Emeril, K Paul, etc's overseers are assholes.
EB enjoyed company but did not want his "sacred circle" broken by folks ducking outside on the balcony to light up. So, he decided to force on us the no smoking but cloves (or pot) rule. He even kept "guest cloves" for visitors not familiar with the rule in a gold Egyptian sarcophagus looking small box decorated with Mardi Gras beads. He never ran out of "guest cloves". Those things may smell good and not chase away non smokers, but they are so friggin harsh that you could not chain smoke them if you tried.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 23, 2014, 04:47:41 pm
Post by: Geo on May 23, 2014, 05:05:26 pm
Yeah; if you're around goths and/or hippies and/or broody weird teens anywhere in America, Djarum packs will become a very familiar sight.
Luckily there's still plenty of space to run... ???
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 23, 2014, 05:06:45 pm
Post by: Geo on May 23, 2014, 05:09:00 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 23, 2014, 05:28:49 pm
Broody weird teens are not an urban phenomenon...
Post by: Bertilak on May 23, 2014, 05:39:48 pm
The trees I see out the window ain't no park.
Broody weird teens are not an urban phenomenon...
;deidre;: What are you implying about those trees!?!?! ;hippy
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 23, 2014, 05:44:27 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 02, 2014, 07:08:44 pm
By Unorthodox, on May 16th, 2014
Fred first joined us Christmas 2007. At the time, he represented the most significant single investment in Halloween we had ever even thought of.
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-3PGdvIO13bQ/SDwheI6rk_I/AAAAAAAAAtk/Th5YIGKCBhU/s800/IMGP1215.JPG)
From Halloween buildup '08 (https://picasaweb.google.com/110814824659217641240/HalloweenBuildup08?authuser=0&feat=embedwebsite)
However, he was BORN July 4th, 2008. At the time, I was dragging him over to my dad to help with impaling him. Some of the neighborhood kids screamed and cried at the sight of him…my niece however danced around holding his hand singing happy birthday. Thus, he was ‘born’, and was soon at work in 2008.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6rqWXPNRbCc/SQryIzz9m1I/AAAAAAAAB8k/syWlm2ZA5ls/s800/IMG_2000.JPG)
From Halloween 2008 (https://picasaweb.google.com/110814824659217641240/Halloween2008?authuser=0&feat=embedwebsite)
And reprized his role in 2009.
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-lRWJzA-T17s/SuusHYNJlgI/AAAAAAAAFKk/eqHm_X7OlB0/s800/IMGP2252.JPG)
From Halloween 2009 (https://picasaweb.google.com/110814824659217641240/Halloween2009?authuser=0&feat=embedwebsite)
In 2010, we lost nearly everything we had built up for Halloween in August, and was left with a last minute scrambling to put together SOME idea for the yard, didn’t realize I was putting together what would become a basis for our theme ever since. Fred, however escaped destruction and took one for the team.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rdlXq8xd5As/TMuW4NGTgAI/AAAAAAAAILg/k8az5pd4jAA/s800/_IGP0700.JPG)
From The Harvest (https://picasaweb.google.com/110814824659217641240/TheHarvest?authuser=0&feat=embedwebsite)
2013, Fred was promoted to full time employee by my daughter, who insisted he needed to watch over the corn “so the birds will nibble on HIM and not the corn.”
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-2TEIcDcXXDE/UdnimkFYYtI/AAAAAAAASYc/WUfyV91hXCk/s800/IMG_0002.JPG)
From 2013 buildup (https://picasaweb.google.com/110814824659217641240/2013Buildup?authuser=0&feat=embedwebsite)
Last month, Fred was his normal cheerful self for our little Walpurgisnacht display.
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-DmRpHGASoIM/U2G4sVLvCuI/AAAAAAAAZDs/BjRxyQS2XFU/s800/IMG_0097.JPG)
From Buildup 14 (https://picasaweb.google.com/110814824659217641240/Buildup14?authuser=0&feat=embedwebsite)
He’s presently resting up for another tour as the designated nibble target.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-cAXo6sF4YeA/U3ZfHlAczuI/AAAAAAAAZIU/O54tfP1EPRU/s800/IMG_0115.JPG)
From Buildup 14 (https://picasaweb.google.com/110814824659217641240/Buildup14?authuser=0&feat=embedwebsite)
HOWEVER…
Talia has apparently declared him dead.
“That’s Fred. We put him in his coffin, so now he’s happy because he’s dead, and can be a happy ghost.”
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3R1h0jOlZvI/U3ZfHrAqw4I/AAAAAAAAZI0/r2zCi4iYcVI/s800/IMG_0114.JPG)
From Buildup 14 (https://picasaweb.google.com/110814824659217641240/Buildup14?authuser=0&feat=embedwebsite)
RIP Fred.
7/14/2008 – 5/14/2014
We hope you’ll stick around and be a happy ghost for us this year.
http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/?p=1001 (http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/?p=1001)
---
I don't think this thread ever made it to page two before...
Post by: Unorthodox on June 02, 2014, 07:59:56 pm
Cleaning out the shed, we stumbled on the remains of the old stele that got destroyed in 2010. Since I'm frustrated with trying to animate the skeleton project, figured I might look into rebuilding them.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 02, 2014, 08:08:56 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on June 02, 2014, 08:27:49 pm
Really, it was a blessing, since it was the catalyst for me starting the whole pumpkin party.
Well, the destruction coupled with some people being jerkish, claiming anyone that 'just throws up some corn and pumpkins' was just boring, so I decided that's what I was going to do.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 02, 2014, 09:00:43 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 03, 2014, 03:22:44 am
Post by: Unorthodox on June 03, 2014, 04:59:36 am
I vaguely remember the storms and the sheds roofs being torn up, but you must have been too busy afterward to post much about what was lost - I still don't recall that.
We lost the stele and the 'witches' (hard to describe if you don't remember), and the gazebo, which was going to be the framework for the temple we were going to try to make. I still have the bar stools and fire pits that were the heart of the stele. I really like the corn tunnel in place of the temple. In fact, the whole garden area wouldn't have happened had we not had that stuff break and my switch to pumpkins.
There was a lot of assorted things ("Them", I've NEVER posted good info on "them", since I was purposely hiding that info from prying eyes...might be time to think of rebuilding that too) that got damaged at the time as well, but were of lesser importance, and I cleaned out and started selling stuff shortly after in the whole simplification move, which let me do weird things like build Trevor.
Post by: Unorthodox on June 03, 2014, 11:49:34 pm
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-veVgyyysEw4/U45PgIjzsgI/AAAAAAAAZRk/ngJgo40O_5w/s800/IMG_0146.JPG)
Also unidentified something or other that was potentially interested in the egg, it disappeared before I could really observe it.
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-poCAegYLNi8/U45P7_mso0I/AAAAAAAAZR4/9HgNfrtSQPU/s800/IMG_0144.JPG)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 03, 2014, 11:53:06 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 04, 2014, 12:01:37 am
Post by: Unorthodox on June 04, 2014, 12:03:51 am
Post by: Unorthodox on June 04, 2014, 12:08:13 am
Hey, have you heard about the Slenderman stabbing? No way you haven't...
I called that months back with my kids. One of the very few things banned in our house.
It's not slenderman. There's another, more human, sinister crap going around tying himself into the mythos. I don't have the links right now because it was just WRONG.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 04, 2014, 10:32:51 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on June 04, 2014, 11:32:11 pm
Hey, have you heard about the Slenderman stabbing? No way you haven't...
I called that months back with my kids. One of the very few things banned in our house.
It's not slenderman. There's another, more human, sinister crap going around tying himself into the mythos. I don't have the links right now because it was just WRONG.
Let me rephrase a bit.
Slenderman is so damn open source, there are a lot of elements to it. Now, supporting characters and all sorts of oddities. About 8-9 months ago, I become aware of someone/some group claiming to be slenderman and/or surrounding characters, and crossing that line where they were messaging people to do things in the real world. And it was some messed up crap. No, not killing, but clearly working people up to increasingly antisocial activities through twitter, email, PMs, etc. In that context, the stabbing does not surprise me at all. Whether one of the slendermen people told these particular kids to do this, or they just read the stories of it telling others to do mean things and they were already half crazy to begin with, I don't know. I just know someone's perverted the original slenderman story into some very sick 'games'.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 04, 2014, 11:42:23 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on June 05, 2014, 12:00:58 am
I mean, come on, we had the same basic premise as the slender man story in the 80's twilight zone. (probably before that, but this is always what I think about)
The Twilight Zone 1985 - The Shadow Man (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUP64E930iw#)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 05, 2014, 03:26:42 am
He asked me if I knew about Slenderman... No kiddin'.
Post by: Rusty Edge on June 05, 2014, 03:58:46 am
You can't execute them, you can't rehabilitate them in an institution, and you can't take the chance of returning them to society. Life in prison could mean 75 years.
Post by: Unorthodox on June 05, 2014, 04:21:46 am
Original story:
Just pics and written fiction. No big deal, IMO.
Video games/videos:
Amateur horror versions of various quality of category 1. Almost entirely lowbrow jump scares.
THE GAME:
This is where it gets weird. LARP "game" with a "puppetmaster" controlling the game, and people needing to act it out in their everyday lives (this is where it goes a little left of the D&D stuff, the 'game' doesn't end when you're all drunk and go home). This is where there are some SICK puppetmasters.
I've seen some asking people to video tape hazing/bullying their best friends in public, or just walking up and punching someone for no reason, and all kinds of things that were cruel on an emotional level.
These girls claim to be a "proxy", this is the role of those in the game helping slenderman. It won't surprise me if the other girl is "blind" (unaware) or a "runner" in the game. I hope the authorities are taking a hard ass look for a potential puppetmaster.
___________________________________________________________________________________
There's nothing wrong with being into zombies and horror, though. Get the kid involved with a good haunted house. Seriously. Turn that interest into a charity organization. Most haunters are good people.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 05, 2014, 04:47:38 am
http://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?topic=8862.0 (http://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?topic=8862.0)
Post by: Unorthodox on June 05, 2014, 04:59:17 am
At eight? Disagree. He's a crack baby grown into a giant for his age and no good will come of this.
Yes. At 8. Even better. Any of the main charity houses in your area would bring him into the family, while the ones just interested in a buck would not even think of hiring the kid. I was 9 when I started.
Post by: Unorthodox on June 05, 2014, 04:59:29 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 05, 2014, 05:09:21 am
Post by: Unorthodox on June 05, 2014, 05:19:17 am
Post by: Unorthodox on June 05, 2014, 05:29:17 am
Post by: Unorthodox on June 06, 2014, 01:12:38 pm
At this stage, they mostly eat the 'fuzz' off the leaf and shows no real damage, practically impossible to find in the wild. They like to get high and towards the stem of the plant at this stage.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-fPeD3bdGMk8/U5GuPlFx35I/AAAAAAAAZTc/TkHEg7IfWds/s800/IMG_0149.JPG)
Of a sidebar interest to me personally. The arrival of monarchs to my garden coincided with the disappearance of milkweed beetles. No sign of the beetles last year, or so far this. No idea what would have happened to the beetles unless some of the predators for the corn/pumpkin pests liked them as well, which would be rare. Anything that feeds on milkweed is typically toxic to predators. I do have some milkweed bugs this year, try to get a pic soon.
Frankly, I miss the beetles. As a general rule, beetles are more interesting than butterflies IMO.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 06, 2014, 10:56:58 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on June 07, 2014, 01:37:44 am
Just about getting ready for the nightly feeding.
Post by: Unorthodox on June 07, 2014, 01:38:46 am
Post by: Unorthodox on June 07, 2014, 03:58:25 am
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-WWt9LBkdx90/U5J9kL7VZMI/AAAAAAAAZT4/0c_cqxnugP0/s800/IMGP2672.jpg)
"Stripes"
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-RyWO7X27zMc/U5J9zROg6YI/AAAAAAAAZUA/W8cyOMX0fVs/s800/IMG_0151.JPG)
Sample of what a 1st instar eats, it's not all the way through the leaf.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-x-pMqetgrbg/U5J90WkNFeI/AAAAAAAAZUQ/2ISl08aArFE/s800/IMG_0152.JPG)
3rd egg will hatch tonight/tomorrow. Talia's naming.
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-gGlU1i7Ewbw/U5J91DqzCbI/AAAAAAAAZUo/nkdlGaFHf9U/s800/IMG_0153.JPG)
And, from our evening walk, isn't he cute?
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-M3srHp-ANv8/U5J91hs43NI/AAAAAAAAZUc/VpavqAZLgJs/s800/IMG_0156.JPG)
It's our little zergling...err, lady bug larva.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EZOVg4HAk_Q/U5J90fHfCQI/AAAAAAAAZUM/8yaND7217rk/s800/IMG_0154.JPG)
Post by: Unorthodox on June 07, 2014, 11:19:39 pm
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-SovQAtiQHq4/U5M_HUlE8PI/AAAAAAAAZVw/aSaIcBDMAwU/s800/IMG_0161.JPG)
Long Legged fly, predator.
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-sDRtW9Znx8A/U5M_HWwxNiI/AAAAAAAAZVA/32lVyPiUjMM/s800/IMG_0164.JPG)
Black stem weevil, sunflower pest.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-IzUohgCg33U/U5M_JJapvxI/AAAAAAAAZVk/I8noqkc9e4I/s800/IMG_0170.JPG)
Harvestman (somehow fitting for my garden), NOT a spider.
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-27EQkOUhe94/U5M_JISKXDI/AAAAAAAAZVs/UkPA3QG5zRE/s800/IMG_0171.JPG)
Post by: Unorthodox on June 08, 2014, 03:44:54 am
That lump is not normal. That's his former head. If this is caused by a deformation, it will probably die in the chrysalis, or be untenable as a butterfly. Or maybe it just got stuck when he molted.
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-RAP5WHaxgJ4/U5PK8FiAerI/AAAAAAAAZWI/VdFb5JpFuMY/s800/IMG_0173.JPG)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 08, 2014, 04:09:13 am
Post by: Unorthodox on June 08, 2014, 04:46:45 am
It's called the head capsule, in a technical sense. It pops off when they molt.
Post by: Bertilak on June 08, 2014, 05:10:37 am
Post by: Geo on June 08, 2014, 06:57:58 am
Post by: Bertilak on June 08, 2014, 04:36:03 pm
Spring has finally arrived? ;cuteSpring got skipped over and bled straight into summer.
Post by: Unorthodox on June 08, 2014, 09:52:44 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on June 09, 2014, 03:37:44 am
The headcap is gone, and he's laid down a silk mat, getting ready to molt to 3rd instar. Look at his rear, and in the shadow he casts to see the silk.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LFH0run2mJc/U5UdY1wKLII/AAAAAAAAZW8/6KSof_WIdFY/s800/IMG_0007.JPG)
Post by: Unorthodox on June 10, 2014, 05:16:32 pm
Mild winter, aphids at insane numbers again.
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-YnCqGzRkrGI/U5ctxIb2JwI/AAAAAAAAZXc/NLJfOkApnlQ/s800/IMG_0009.JPG)
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-zw0L3CYJsIo/U5ctw4IHmpI/AAAAAAAAZXg/24jea95EBAk/s800/IMG_0008.JPG)
But, thanks to someone releasing the ladybugs last year, and the mild winter, we already have a rather sizeable populations of the ladybugs out battling.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Ou4kG3wmsHw/U5ctysFnpiI/AAAAAAAAZYQ/0wO6g2lF7WA/s800/IMG_0012.JPG)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZGWXWQCnPXI/U5ctw25gtdI/AAAAAAAAZX4/_BNNhMpU_2g/s800/IMG_0010.JPG)
And some I'd never seen in the garden before, this is a tiger fly. As the name suggests, predator. Couldn't tell what she was chomping on.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-n8rkTQDz9Gk/U5ctyikr4gI/AAAAAAAAZXw/PFYcxABiglU/s800/IMG_0017.JPG)
Post by: Unorthodox on June 10, 2014, 05:41:47 pm
Quote
I am a casting associate for an upcoming ABC Halloween Special. "The Great Halloween Freight Fight." From the producers of "The Great Christmas light Fight"
We are looking for four family's with amazing Halloween displays or walk through to compete for a $50,000 prize.
I came across An Unorthodox Halloween and believe it would be a great contender.
If you are interested I would like to get more information.
I am also happy to provide you with more information on the show and answer any questions you may have.
I am attaching a copy of our flyer to this message.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 10, 2014, 07:29:29 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on June 10, 2014, 08:10:57 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on June 10, 2014, 11:39:06 pm
Post by: Rusty Edge on June 10, 2014, 11:44:50 pm
My initial reaction was "try it", not with the expectation of winning, but with the assumption that it might lead to something else. Sponsorships, buyers for old props, volunteers, etc.
My second thought was that the publicity could lead to overcrowding.
Your hobby, your choice.
Post by: Unorthodox on June 10, 2014, 11:46:22 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 11, 2014, 03:09:19 am
You a decent family man (w/ eccentric hobbies), but they want freaks. You DO NOT want to make your kids stars, on account of you love them. They gotta go to school the next day.
Post by: Unorthodox on June 11, 2014, 03:26:51 am
Here was my initial response:
Quote
I guess I need to know a lot more before I'd be willing to sign up for something like that.
What, exactly, would something like this entail?
If we were to enter, I'd be happy to just do what we normally do, but I'm not going to be one to attempt to one-up the next person in line. Halloween, to us, is about bringing a community together, and competitions have a tendency to drive people apart. If you're looking for teams dramatically rushing around trying to out-do each other and create drama, that's not us.
He responded how this was a national contest and I wouldn't even KNOW the people I'm competing against. I commented how in the day and age of the internet community is a global phenomenon, and I'm in contact with thousands of like minded individuals around the world, chances are, I DO know whoever they might choose.
Then the schedule was brought up, and that was that. It would be quite literally impossible for us to do our normal thing in August, or do the "big reveal" like they were wanting to film. I left them with a number of names that fit their contest better. Several I know are attention whores...
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 11, 2014, 04:28:20 am
And there's this: I could easily imagine that in some cursory background research, they find out about your excommunication --- and proceed to trick you into talking about it on camera -they trick people into saying too much for a living- and then frame the entire coverage of you and your family w/ that - and the kids still would have to go to school the next day.
$50,000 is sucker money for all the grief potential there, if winning was guaranteed - and we know better than that in this stupid world.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 11, 2014, 04:59:50 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on June 11, 2014, 05:05:18 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on June 13, 2014, 03:51:24 am
Find out next week.
Post by: Unorthodox on June 13, 2014, 04:40:44 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 16, 2014, 05:57:19 pm
Post by: Geo on June 16, 2014, 06:38:17 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on June 16, 2014, 09:32:29 pm
The Birthday Skeleton (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_-a7PEAUhs#ws)
Post by: Unorthodox on June 16, 2014, 11:06:46 pm
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-lm8ln2tzB80/U59m0dfgFOI/AAAAAAAAZa8/-Ce3LU3Xf0g/s800/IMGP2694.jpg)
These little things were ALL OVER the gamble oak. I have no freakin' clue what they are. Alien spores, for all I know. Not a bug, maybe a slug or fungus or something, I wasn't going to go poking them.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-i6bsTHLGqAI/U59m85_-9QI/AAAAAAAAZbw/5Li1r0XIKLw/s800/IMG_0082.JPG)
Little leafhopper.
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-XZjFIPo3Z2o/U59m9DtKDvI/AAAAAAAAZbQ/IgxiUVyTYtg/s800/IMG_0083.JPG)
Mason bee.
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-xUjbFePcHPA/U59m-eaFtoI/AAAAAAAAZbo/8D2g2ClZ4vE/s800/IMG_0085.JPG)
I don't have enough to make a final identification of this guy. Impressively large, gorgeous. Either seeking prey, or a mate up on the grass like that.
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-r3VCpREXqwc/U59m-98XypI/AAAAAAAAZbs/caKeGLJCmLY/s800/IMG_0086.JPG)
Mining bees.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JlD-3kbr1Ms/U59mzLQH4sI/AAAAAAAAZa4/tbXnKRAfPsc/s800/IMGP2691.jpg)
Pic doesn't do it justice, web was probably 6ft diameter.
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-A6JCi-IeCb0/U59mzCfuK2I/AAAAAAAAZak/4dAV2qA-bBU/s800/IMGP2692.jpg)
Post by: Rusty Edge on June 17, 2014, 02:37:57 am
Something like this, I guess.
Post by: Unorthodox on June 17, 2014, 03:02:49 am
Post by: Unorthodox on June 17, 2014, 03:06:58 am
Post by: Rusty Edge on June 17, 2014, 03:12:29 am
Post by: Unorthodox on June 17, 2014, 03:47:33 am
But it shouldn't be HERE or on the gambel oak.
Post by: Bertilak on June 17, 2014, 05:58:23 pm
Took the kids down my favorite little trail this morning.Interesting Pictures. That thing growing on the leaf is odd and does remind of some fungi.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-lm8ln2tzB80/U59m0dfgFOI/AAAAAAAAZa8/-Ce3LU3Xf0g/s800/IMGP2694.jpg)
These little things were ALL OVER the gamble oak. I have no freakin' clue what they are. Alien spores, for all I know. Not a bug, maybe a slug or fungus or something, I wasn't going to go poking them.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-i6bsTHLGqAI/U59m85_-9QI/AAAAAAAAZbw/5Li1r0XIKLw/s800/IMG_0082.JPG)
Little leafhopper.
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-XZjFIPo3Z2o/U59m9DtKDvI/AAAAAAAAZbQ/IgxiUVyTYtg/s800/IMG_0083.JPG)
Mason bee.
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-xUjbFePcHPA/U59m-eaFtoI/AAAAAAAAZbo/8D2g2ClZ4vE/s800/IMG_0085.JPG)
I don't have enough to make a final identification of this guy. Impressively large, gorgeous. Either seeking prey, or a mate up on the grass like that.
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-r3VCpREXqwc/U59m-98XypI/AAAAAAAAZbs/caKeGLJCmLY/s800/IMG_0086.JPG)
Mining bees.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JlD-3kbr1Ms/U59mzLQH4sI/AAAAAAAAZa4/tbXnKRAfPsc/s800/IMGP2691.jpg)
Pic doesn't do it justice, web was probably 6ft diameter.
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-A6JCi-IeCb0/U59mzCfuK2I/AAAAAAAAZak/4dAV2qA-bBU/s800/IMGP2692.jpg)
Post by: Unorthodox on June 18, 2014, 03:51:42 am
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-P5wKBswRXxI/U6D85cyV0SI/AAAAAAAAZdU/m8O6mU69Y7o/s800/IMGP2698.jpg)
Can't afford a macro lens, so I'm making my own, dammit.
Extension tubes, pull the lens away from the body of the camera, to act almost like projection photography. Cost, $5.
The things are weird to work with, so I'm gonna have a learning curve. First thing learned...focusing is practically backwards, and there is no infinite setting...gonna have to play with all my lenses to see what ones work with this thing best, just using my standard 50mm tonight, I'm also going to need to bright lights to shoot with them, unless I find a way to get these guys to hold still and pose.
These are not cropped at all, have them in high res but the host likes to do odd things automagically at upload.
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-XZQ9X6Q0MQA/U6D85RRWo6I/AAAAAAAAZdI/JwKLtoA7Ooo/s800/IMGP2704.jpg)
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-V9NdCZ8G1WY/U6D86BuM5kI/AAAAAAAAZdM/HuB7NCDoKKE/s800/IMGP2708.jpg)
Now I need some kind of light setup to allow better shutter speeds and higher F stops...hmm...
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 18, 2014, 11:57:13 pm
http://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?topic=9100 (http://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?topic=9100)
Post by: Unorthodox on June 19, 2014, 04:44:05 am
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ls3OAJ4VYos/U6Jat8L7iVI/AAAAAAAAZd8/cY2zcGiAGsg/s800/IMGP2709.jpg)
Much better pics with the lighting.
One Eye Willey...really not looking good, to be honest. I've determined him to be 4th instar, and hoping he molts and shows better health for it.
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-8kspLTjKSKo/U6Jat0XmOII/AAAAAAAAZeE/Wm-d3LJkI4w/s800/IMGP2711.jpg)
Sprinkles is gorgeous as a 5th instar with those DEEP black lines, but still not showing normal tentacle use/developement.
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Nw5bQnkeWTI/U6Jat5Aq6OI/AAAAAAAAZeI/PKzh1PWhADU/s800/IMGP2713.jpg)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 20, 2014, 03:09:36 am
Post by: Unorthodox on June 20, 2014, 04:33:09 am
Still one eye, and if you look close there's a line down his back that could suggest injury.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-n4TUe_6QA5c/U6OqkexuBfI/AAAAAAAAZew/O8mSg8LjD5U/s800/IMGP2719.jpg)
Post by: Unorthodox on June 20, 2014, 06:27:40 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on June 21, 2014, 02:45:51 am
Post by: Unorthodox on June 21, 2014, 04:22:35 am
???
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 21, 2014, 04:59:38 am
Post by: Bertilak on June 21, 2014, 06:31:59 am
Post by: Unorthodox on June 23, 2014, 05:20:04 am
Haxan is on in about 7 hours. Rare silent film documentary on witchcraft that was widely banned in the western world. (would not be considered documentary today, dramatized 'history' of the malleus maleficarum. )
TCM network if ya got it.
Post by: Unorthodox on June 24, 2014, 04:38:41 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 24, 2014, 05:08:14 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 24, 2014, 07:17:36 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on June 25, 2014, 03:35:38 am
Willey Chrysalis (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-nsj4_WYr4#)
Post by: Unorthodox on June 25, 2014, 05:49:59 am
New skunk...this one's much more skittish than the one I got on speaking terms with a few years ago.
Hope to get it used to me.
Post by: Unorthodox on June 26, 2014, 04:46:58 am
Working out some animation for the skelly
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-muqluCIt1wc/U6uTjAOLEAI/AAAAAAAAZhA/OR9D72S-XAs/s800/IMG_0006.JPG)
Quick shot of one of the new stele. Total re-imagine to something that fits our decor, but is ordinary enough to make resale easy. You might recognize the recycled 'tombstones' from a few years ago. Hollowed out the symbols so they can be lit up, and the firebowls can still go up on top. The plaster up there providing fireproofing and hide the base of the bowls.
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-16O5C36FNmI/U6uTjO5sw4I/AAAAAAAAZhE/r6IvXA5xrnI/s800/IMG_0005.JPG)
Post by: Unorthodox on June 27, 2014, 07:11:37 pm
Just loaned out pretty much everything of material worth in my halloween collection.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 27, 2014, 07:22:25 pm
Post by: Geo on June 27, 2014, 09:14:42 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on June 27, 2014, 11:26:06 pm
In support of the boss (hEt). She's running a relay race over the mountains, and part of her team being allowed in mandated volunteers. I thus got volunteered, and then came the requests for equipment from volunteers...and here we are. Exchange 19 is being brought to you by An Unorthodox Halloween. All goes well, I bring it home after my shift tomorrow morning.
If it gets busted up though, it'll take me years to replace.
Post by: Geo on June 28, 2014, 06:24:04 am
If it gets busted up though, it'll take me years to replace.
You must love her very much. ;)
Post by: Unorthodox on June 29, 2014, 12:10:29 am
Milkweed beetles are back!
6 bee species are going bonkers on the milkweed blossoms too.
Post by: Rusty Edge on June 29, 2014, 01:29:24 am
This has me wondering. What about the rest of their life cycle? Where are the larvae? Do they chew the roots, bore the stalk, among the blossoms? I never noticed.
Post by: Unorthodox on June 29, 2014, 02:54:23 am
I was always happy to see milkweed pests...
This has me wondering. What about the rest of their life cycle? Where are the larvae? Do they chew the roots, bore the stalk, among the blossoms? I never noticed.
Well, depends on which one's your talking about, really.
Milkweed BUGS, the true bug variant plants eggs under leaves, and the young live their lives through instar stages on the milkweed. Most advocate killing these, as they attack the seed pods of the milkweed...My milkweed mostly spreads via roots anyway, so I don't care.
The Red milkweed beetle, there are 13 species, but I believe they all have the eggs laid around the base of the plant, the grubs burrow into the stem, or into wood around the base of the plant and feed on either rotting leaves or roots overwinter, then pupate in late spring to spend the summer as adult longhorn beetles.
They are harmless as far as I'm concerned. If you get a plague of them, they could kill a plant, but mostly the amount of sap they suck out is inconsequential.
Milkweed LEAF beetles (look like oversized ladybugs) are a back east thing and I'd have to google that. I do know they are frequent targets of hostilities from monarch lovers as they directly compete with the caterpillars in eating the leaves.
Post by: Rusty Edge on June 29, 2014, 05:16:18 am
I grew up on an Eastern farm, and spent a lot of time pulling and cutting them. They were hard work when the clay was dry. The milky sap was sticky and dark as it dried. I hated those weeds. The red beetles with the long antennae were pretty, and they only bothered the milkweeds.
Post by: Unorthodox on June 29, 2014, 01:58:06 pm
In fact, a banded alder borer was the prize of my collection. Incredibly difficult to find a good specimen, they are one of the few bugs you can make money selling carcasses. All the more impressive was they had no business being in utah. We had a (very rare here) tornado the day before I found it, figure the storm blew it in from somewhere. Since, it has expanded it's range and there are now confirmed breeding populations around here, but still very rare, if no longer endangered.
Post by: Unorthodox on June 30, 2014, 04:04:30 am
The unusual milkweed flower...
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-LYF6KoNcx9U/U7DNF6vBqSI/AAAAAAAAZiM/jxl-ndCkT8g/s800/IMG_0013.JPG)
Red Milkweed Beetles love em
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-z_grSZ1dkPY/U7DNDxqo6RI/AAAAAAAAZh4/3g9emak3KH4/s800/IMG_0010.JPG)
Bees love em...
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-XXMGY9L0kFs/U7DNCmqWQQI/AAAAAAAAZhk/QE_gOOadXsg/s800/IMG_0008.JPG)
HOWEVER, little known fact...they are also dangerous traps for bees. Note the bee's leg stuck in the flower, he died never able to free himself.
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-OC9Lvp7J5xk/U7DNCmR7pjI/AAAAAAAAZhw/G2haNxNUzDk/s800/IMG_0009.JPG)
In fact, only the bottom bee is still alive here, and he's quite stuck/likely dead tonight. (of side interest is what appears to be an italian honeybee in the middle there. One of the local keepers is playing around...)
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-OCfVdq2TzC8/U7DNCoXfYmI/AAAAAAAAZho/UdhfsY4D524/s800/IMG_0007.JPG)
The native bees don't seem to have the same problem, at least not yet. The bumblebees are just too bulky to get stuck, and the other natives visiting haven't had problems.
Post by: Geo on June 30, 2014, 04:21:40 am
Edit: indeed, its called the "silkplant" in Dutch, and appears to be an invasive species in Europe.
Post by: Unorthodox on June 30, 2014, 04:42:07 am
Post by: Bertilak on June 30, 2014, 05:56:40 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on June 30, 2014, 08:47:31 pm
Post by: Rusty Edge on June 30, 2014, 08:50:49 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on July 02, 2014, 12:24:02 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 02, 2014, 01:11:31 am
Post by: Geo on July 02, 2014, 05:27:46 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on July 04, 2014, 02:43:40 am
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AjeMj34nUtQ/U7YBXebLzmI/AAAAAAAAZjQ/JoVfAoEcMjU/s640/IMG_0017.JPG)
"Neon" variety this year, easy to spot, smaller vines, just better for our situation overall. But, we're having some real mixed results some plants doing great, others not so much.
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-yMglJ5BPEMg/U7YBVB_xTiI/AAAAAAAAZjA/mPYbahMtSsI/s800/IMG_0019.JPG)
This side is mostly mini pumpkins this year.
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-fQ_D5HRKktE/U7YBWiDxGdI/AAAAAAAAZjI/znS0E0JQsb8/s800/IMG_0020.JPG)
A "Lil Pumpkemon" variety. The deep parts of the ribs are supposed to end up orange, the raised sections white.
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-50CLV9mEUuE/U7DNG7XAvsI/AAAAAAAAZic/bB_1XRwLxJQ/s800/IMG_0015.JPG)
Post by: Unorthodox on July 04, 2014, 02:49:44 am
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-wFY2xrFEAoY/UdnimnBpjAI/AAAAAAAASYI/SprwBMmcKJs/s800/IMG_0001.JPG)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 05, 2014, 06:39:30 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on July 07, 2014, 12:12:08 am
Post by: Unorthodox on July 07, 2014, 10:02:38 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 08, 2014, 06:08:37 pm
A hominin skull (dubbed Skull 17) from the Sima de los Huesos cave site in Sierra de Atapuerca, Spain.
Post by: Unorthodox on July 09, 2014, 12:40:03 am
Post by: Unorthodox on July 11, 2014, 03:45:35 pm
Debating whether to paint or leave natural, still lots of asthetic work to do as well.
Jim test (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMPO6ASwBKQ#)
Post by: Geo on July 11, 2014, 07:22:40 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on July 11, 2014, 08:02:45 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on July 13, 2014, 04:03:23 am
My hands have been getting beat to hell this year. Turns out I'm allergic to my daughter's shampoo, so every time I did her hair, I was aggravating every little cut on my hands. Been trying to figure out what was bothering me for months, finally clicked as I hadn't really been into anything else today, and broke into hives as soon as I washed her hair. Check of the ingredients, yep, we know i'm allergic to corn pollen, just don't know what it's doing in shampoo.
Post by: Geo on July 13, 2014, 08:10:21 am
What'ya gonna do now? Another brand of shampoo, or saying "no" to your little girl when she asks to do her hair?
Post by: Rusty Edge on July 13, 2014, 05:06:11 pm
Besides, they want to be able to hug and stuff without sneezing, and her hair is contaminated.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 16, 2014, 09:12:34 pm
Shall we avenge your death now?
Post by: Unorthodox on July 17, 2014, 03:57:50 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 22, 2014, 06:21:39 pm
Two human skulls prepared for clinical use that were donated to a Bellevue, Washington thrift store, are pictured in this undated handout photo courtesy of the King County Medical Examiner. REUTERS/King County Medical Examiner/Handout via Reuters
http://news.yahoo.com/donated-skulls-washington-state-lead-more-human-remains-212628874.html (http://news.yahoo.com/donated-skulls-washington-state-lead-more-human-remains-212628874.html)
Post by: Unorthodox on July 26, 2014, 02:26:59 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 26, 2014, 02:52:35 am
Can we avenge your death then?
Post by: Unorthodox on July 26, 2014, 04:16:12 am
Post by: Unorthodox on July 26, 2014, 04:40:37 am
(those are fireworks in the background, that's how NORMAL people in Utah spend the 24th of July, state holiday. We threw this up and slept under the stars)
Post by: Geo on July 26, 2014, 08:02:28 am
Well, it's not who I expected to be hearing from, they are still being idiots.
Oh. Sounds like a former employer trying to 're-enlist' you...
Best of luck. :)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 26, 2014, 06:41:03 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on July 27, 2014, 03:18:58 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 31, 2014, 08:32:17 pm
Post by: Geo on July 31, 2014, 08:59:55 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 31, 2014, 09:07:34 pm
Girls like dolls.
Post by: Unorthodox on August 18, 2014, 03:46:50 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 18, 2014, 09:18:39 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 20, 2014, 07:39:07 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 20, 2014, 11:28:51 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 20, 2014, 11:31:05 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 21, 2014, 12:57:36 am
Post by: Unorthodox on August 21, 2014, 01:13:50 am
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-xfH6XRSrKBs/U_UaB8CHZQI/AAAAAAAAadI/0J8MuN0f5T0/s800/IMG_0181.JPG)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 22, 2014, 12:55:04 am
Post by: Rusty Edge on August 22, 2014, 06:11:18 pm
Has it been too dry for the plague of slugs this year?
Post by: Unorthodox on August 23, 2014, 01:33:45 am
When I harvested last year, we removed ALL vegetable matter from the garden, and spread a biodegradable slug bait that would stay for 3 months before breaking down. 2 weeks later, I tilled, disrupting any hiding places and re-baited. Then left that for another 3 weeks before doing our normal compost routine for the year.
Then when I tilled our sheet compost in at the start of spring, I seeded nematodes that are known to parasitize slugs.
I haven't seen a single slug this year.
That's what happens when you eat my pumpkins.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 23, 2014, 01:46:16 am
Post by: Rusty Edge on August 23, 2014, 08:40:23 pm
Yeah, that sounds like a scorched Earth policy. Well, if it's as dry as they say, I'm guessing mildew is less of an issue, too.
Does it look like a great crop?
Post by: Geo on August 23, 2014, 08:51:04 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 23, 2014, 09:17:47 pm
Post by: Geo on August 24, 2014, 09:25:31 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 24, 2014, 12:40:51 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 24, 2014, 03:18:15 pm
Does that mean the draught came to an end?
insert spelling joke here.
Not exactly.
Yearly average, we're still in drought conditions, and the reservoir is so low they had to close it to boats, but I haven't needed to water for a month and the associated humidity is letting mildew go rampant. Wet summer was expected due to the el nino/la nina/whatever. We're also expecting a crappy winter of little snowfall, so drought continuing.
Post by: Geo on August 24, 2014, 04:18:38 pm
Does that mean the draught came to an end?
insert spelling joke here.
Oh hush.
Turn it into a Halloween boardwalk. :P
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 25, 2014, 04:08:30 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 26, 2014, 02:06:14 am
Post by: Unorthodox on August 26, 2014, 03:39:37 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 26, 2014, 03:49:05 am
Post by: Unorthodox on August 26, 2014, 04:26:36 am
Well, I've spoken before how Halloween at our place was something mom hated. She was thrilled when I started haunting the front porch and she didn't have to do anything, and I started building my own costumes at 8, because I got tired of THE BOX she would pull out each year that we had our choice of a couple stock costumes. Still, I would generally wear one of the stock costumes to school because I didn't want to tip anyone how I'd be dressing to scare them later.
So, a little Unorthodox in the making:
My parents early camera had...issues. Water in the lens or something, they don't remember...so...well, pics sucked.
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-_Q4NMB1hVsI/U_vE6nVM8jI/AAAAAAAAagE/k-PhAwzv8IM/s800/Costme3.jpg)
I was clearly THRILLED at being Dracula. Stock costume #1.
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-f-AXbVpp_Ys/U_vE7fFHhlI/AAAAAAAAagQ/gpV2kTjtfGg/s800/Costme5.jpg)
I remember this costume well, as it become my go-to school costume as I got older. It was not in the stock box at the time, and was the first costume I built myself (with a heck of a lot of help from grandma). No idea what's up with that hat...I loved hats, guess I decided if I was a ghost I was keeping my hat.
Brother the stereotype...
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-0lKi2EMqezc/U_vE6-cH5oI/AAAAAAAAagI/B3jf6BcddJA/s800/Costme4.jpg)
Stock costume #2.
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-oQi9y_bx4Ww/U_vE803NVjI/AAAAAAAAags/Y3mV7fJwnUg/s800/Costme7.jpg)
This is what happens when you're my younger brother and you want to be a robot and your 9 year old brother decides if mom's going to refuse he'll do it instead.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Qow1wpsw1BM/U_vE2kpRc7I/AAAAAAAAahQ/7bHCbXXov4E/s800/Costme11.jpg)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 26, 2014, 04:05:01 pm
http://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?topic=10143.0 (http://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?topic=10143.0)
Post by: Unorthodox on August 26, 2014, 10:27:55 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 26, 2014, 10:29:59 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 26, 2014, 11:31:13 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 27, 2014, 12:53:05 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 27, 2014, 01:54:05 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 27, 2014, 08:39:13 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 27, 2014, 11:12:07 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 29, 2014, 10:13:38 pm
Post by: Geo on August 29, 2014, 10:18:52 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 30, 2014, 12:07:09 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 30, 2014, 12:08:23 am
Post by: Unorthodox on August 30, 2014, 12:23:20 am
Post by: Geo on August 30, 2014, 07:25:42 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 30, 2014, 05:05:55 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 01, 2014, 02:56:50 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 01, 2014, 04:00:00 am
Post by: Geo on September 01, 2014, 06:43:23 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 01, 2014, 06:57:16 pm
Post by: Geo on September 01, 2014, 10:09:10 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 01, 2014, 10:55:15 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 02, 2014, 03:17:19 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 02, 2014, 03:28:12 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 02, 2014, 09:05:35 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 03, 2014, 12:21:52 am
Alec has a "reverse classroom" where you watch the lesson at home and do the work in class and the teacher is there to ask questions...
Anywho, I have to enable plugins for Talia's online workbooks to work then disable them for Alec's videos. Real annoying. (yeah, multiple profiles, gotta set up, I know, just discovered the issue)
Post by: Unorthodox on September 03, 2014, 12:31:38 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 09, 2014, 02:41:25 am
Quote
Chocolate craniums are desserts to die forhttp://news.yahoo.com/chocolate-craniums-desserts-die-115225232.html (http://news.yahoo.com/chocolate-craniums-desserts-die-115225232.html)
CNET CBS
By Bonnie Burton 13 hours ago
(http://l2.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/27tccssLGw.IRsN6sujNwA--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7cT04NQ--/http://media.zenfs.com/en-US/homerun/cnet.cbs.com/e89d9383916125b2a897e0625787edda)
Alas, poor Yorick... looks delicious! Black Chocolate Co.
This Halloween, scare your guests with anatomically correct chocolate human skulls from Black Chocolate Co. (https://www.etsy.com/listing/115839827/100-chocolate-skulls-anatomically) on Etsy. Moulded from a real human skull, these handmade Belgian chocolate treats look so realistic that you might creep yourself out while snacking.
Created by UK-based Black Chocolate Co., the life-size chocolate skulls come in four different flavors: dark chocolate, chilli chocolate, caramel chocolate and milk chocolate. Each skull contains 1.5kg of quality Belgian chocolate and may contain traces of nuts.
The skulls are hand-cast, which gives each one an individual appearance with various cracks. "Some skulls may show evidence of chocolate bloom, an inherent part of the casting process which does not affect the chocolate in any way, and only adds to the skull's gnarly, 'fresh from the ground' look," Black Chocolate Co. stated on its Etsy page.
The skulls are dusted in fine cocoa powder in a sterile environment and are edible for up to six months when kept in a cool, dry area -- but not in a refrigerator.
The skulls are currently priced at $113.92/£68 (AU$120 when converted), plus shipping and handling fees. And if you don't want to nibble on a chocolate cranium, you can display the skull in a cool and dry area. "It will practically keep forever," Black Chocolate Co. said on its Etsy page. "We have one kept in a glass box on our bookcase."
"It is a beautiful piece and my wife couldn't bring herself to eat it. It's now under a glass dome next to our mummified bat," Etsy user David Gravenmier wrote in his review.
Whether you decide to nosh on the skull or use it in a tasty rendition of Hamlet, orders must be in at least three weeks in advance of Halloween to arrive in time to frighten your guests.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 09, 2014, 03:32:37 am
Post by: Unorthodox on September 09, 2014, 04:18:40 am
Post by: Geo on September 09, 2014, 12:06:56 pm
So, most the kids' homework is online this year.
Alec has a "reverse classroom" where you watch the lesson at home and do the work in class and the teacher is there to ask questions...
Anywho, I have to enable plugins for Talia's online workbooks to work then disable them for Alec's videos. Real annoying. (yeah, multiple profiles, gotta set up, I know, just discovered the issue)
There's no public school in your area, or is it because they go to a private/alternative school?
Also, school also starts in september in the USA?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 09, 2014, 01:41:29 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 09, 2014, 05:57:36 pm
So, most the kids' homework is online this year.
Alec has a "reverse classroom" where you watch the lesson at home and do the work in class and the teacher is there to ask questions...
Anywho, I have to enable plugins for Talia's online workbooks to work then disable them for Alec's videos. Real annoying. (yeah, multiple profiles, gotta set up, I know, just discovered the issue)
There's no public school in your area, or is it because they go to a private/alternative school?
Also, school also starts in september in the USA?
This is public school.
Post by: Geo on September 09, 2014, 06:35:24 pm
Since 'homework' is done at school then (at least for your son), I assume kids are not fulltime at school?
I mean, they're not supposed to watch all the online lessons during normal off-school hours, don't they?
Post by: Unorthodox on September 09, 2014, 06:41:36 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 10, 2014, 07:01:30 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 10, 2014, 07:04:20 pm
Interesting mold technique on those chocolate skulls. Would think something more akin to the hollow easter bunny technique would be easier.Looks like they HAD to have used something like a flexible silicon mold for that to work at all - so why the seam?
Post by: Unorthodox on September 10, 2014, 07:47:33 pm
Food rated silicone is less flexible than some others, and if it's hollow as I assume, that limits the pressure you could exert to get the thing out. I think the mold pours from the rear, and opens something like a banana from the back to get no seams on the face. the seam along the zygomatic process would let you keep that area hollow, I bet there's one on top and bottom too.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 10, 2014, 07:59:52 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 10, 2014, 11:11:17 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 15, 2014, 05:03:51 am
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-dJ7X016zWrg/VBZjLmpZ62I/AAAAAAAAbmQ/51er4-b7vdM/s800/IMG_0206.JPG)
(this is actually Alec's design)
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Y_lZYAts_0I/VBZjLSu8wDI/AAAAAAAAbmM/q9pBVzij2uc/s800/IMG_0207.JPG)
The staff is supposed to be green, we know, Talia wanted pink.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tzOxrST9KKg/VBZjLNucejI/AAAAAAAAbmI/rOV4Thfh00k/s800/IMG_0209.JPG)
"evil face"
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-G79o9ahChmE/VBZjMdQ4IyI/AAAAAAAAbmY/ewMsRVEcbL8/s800/IMG_0210.JPG)
Post by: Geo on September 15, 2014, 12:08:32 pm
"evil face"
Heh. Let's say she needs practice. ;)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 15, 2014, 12:44:20 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 17, 2014, 01:20:34 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 18, 2014, 02:13:47 am
http://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?topic=11236.0 (http://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?topic=11236.0)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 18, 2014, 02:43:29 am
http://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?topic=11209.msg55796#msg55796 (http://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?topic=11209.msg55796#msg55796)
Post by: Unorthodox on September 18, 2014, 02:55:54 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 18, 2014, 02:56:59 am
That's how.
Post by: Unorthodox on September 18, 2014, 03:09:27 am
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-IYFV2FDGILc/VBo7isiE3kI/AAAAAAAAbm8/N6Fyw-KINWY/s800/IMG_0211.JPG)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 18, 2014, 03:10:18 am
Post by: Unorthodox on September 18, 2014, 03:12:41 am
:o
That's how.
Jim is replacing the barghest at the end of the corn tunnel, so plan is to have the sensor about half way down the tunnel, so Jim turns on and starts moving after the group is IN the tunnel.
Barghest, while awesome, and one of my favorite things to date when coupled with the corn tunnel, proved a little too much for some kids, and I don't like kids leaving in tears...don't know how Jim will go over.
Post by: Unorthodox on September 18, 2014, 03:15:02 am
Grilling improves the taste?
Grilling is the traditional preparation for Cinderella pumpkins, my preferred pumpkin for cooking. These are sugar pumpkin, so don't really know if it will turn out as good. Grilling as opposed to baking reduces more water content from the pumpkins, which makes doing up the puree easier if nothing else.
Post by: Unorthodox on September 18, 2014, 03:13:30 pm
Mildly concerned they are predicting a very dry October prior to that. Since secondary water gets turned off soon, that could mean a rough year on the grass.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 19, 2014, 09:20:45 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 20, 2014, 12:20:05 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 21, 2014, 04:25:42 pm
http://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?topic=11451.0 (http://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?topic=11451.0)
Post by: Unorthodox on September 22, 2014, 02:09:09 am
The top was painted random blackish mismatch paint I had, then the accents dry brushed in gold.
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-XIJtCO5Io6o/VB91BN7-cHI/AAAAAAAAboY/S9SWvnC-hMY/s800/IMG_0051.JPG)
The bottom I stained walnut, then took advantage of all the borer tracks and painted them gold.
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-wG9cj6eaQzs/VB91AO0yBQI/AAAAAAAAboQ/17ZcGXQA0uE/s800/IMG_0052.JPG)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fMx_g5O0mjg/VB90_sl19kI/AAAAAAAAboE/pYXpuPfq6bc/s800/IMG_0050.JPG)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 22, 2014, 02:51:52 am
Post by: Rusty Edge on September 22, 2014, 03:47:19 am
Post by: Unorthodox on September 22, 2014, 08:20:25 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 22, 2014, 08:37:00 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 23, 2014, 02:47:32 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 23, 2014, 02:53:24 am
That sounds like you're moving up ion the world, whether you like it or not.
-And I do understand preferring a not-stuck-in-one-place job... I trust you'll at least be making more -- and getting paid to sit indoors and use your brain instead of your hands isn't all downside. You're smart; you'll do good.
Post by: Unorthodox on September 23, 2014, 04:11:03 am
It's been interesting what's happened to the market just by my doing this.
The local Wal-Mart has pumpkins up for what they always do, $5 for biggish carvers.
The local small chain grocer has pumpkins up at $.25/lb. Half what they were selling them for before "some jerk" started selling them for a buck.
The local fruit stand thus far has very minimal pumpkins available, and what they do have up is mostly specialty varieties. Seems they've mostly given up as they used to do a big pumpkin patch and charge a boatload. Chances are they just shift those to other stands a little further away, but still.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 23, 2014, 09:25:40 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 24, 2014, 02:11:36 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 24, 2014, 02:18:14 am
Post by: Unorthodox on September 24, 2014, 02:41:44 am
My fence ones are the best I know of and they wouldn't translate to a costume at all.
Post by: Unorthodox on September 24, 2014, 02:56:06 am
A hybrid 'living creature' type, usually deforming the natural head shape and enlarging the mouth.
Ye olde jack o lantern on the head look.
I want something in between the two somehow. Think I'd first rotate the 'pumpkin' so the stem becomes the nose, and work from there. I mostly got the nose and up worked out, just not sure yet how I want to work the mouth area.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 24, 2014, 03:33:29 am
It doesn't seem like it would be that difficult - now...
I wouldn't think a Jack Pumpkinhead look would be that bad - it's a little fluffy bunny, but only a little...
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 24, 2014, 09:52:12 pm
http://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?topic=11630.0 (http://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?topic=11630.0)
Post by: Unorthodox on September 24, 2014, 11:00:58 pm
Gonna see that one day. Technical marvel, the house is completely interactive with the individual patrons.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 24, 2014, 11:08:48 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 25, 2014, 08:27:49 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 27, 2014, 03:04:18 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 27, 2014, 07:58:53 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 28, 2014, 01:19:14 am
I'm not sure it's a modern human skull.
Post by: Unorthodox on September 28, 2014, 03:13:56 am
In-progress on my trial of making a pumpkin mask. Your "looked like a helmet" comment made me think of just running with that idea somewhat. Not entirely sold on the whole thing (as I wasn't before I even started), but not totally dismayed either.
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-1lmBQPJGhEw/VCdtEZOjzrI/AAAAAAAAb0I/KhX0ZIo_OQY/s800/IMG_0073.JPG)
Post by: Unorthodox on September 28, 2014, 03:16:00 am
I'm seeing a lot of Slenderman stories, last couple of days.
I assume from the trial?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 28, 2014, 03:17:46 am
Had some interweb troubles lately.Well - for the kids, for door-to-door and party purposes, a touch of mundane and not-that-scary is not a bad thing...
In-progress on my trial of making a pumpkin mask. Your "looked like a helmet" comment made me think of just running with that idea somewhat. Not entirely sold on the whole thing (as I wasn't before I even started), but not totally dismayed either.
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-1lmBQPJGhEw/VCdtEZOjzrI/AAAAAAAAb0I/KhX0ZIo_OQY/s800/IMG_0073.JPG)
Post by: Unorthodox on September 28, 2014, 03:20:27 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 28, 2014, 03:22:37 am
Post by: Unorthodox on September 28, 2014, 03:32:47 am
Dark, atmospheric, sure, but not "horror".
Or, as I look at it, we do 30's style horror.
I set out to maskify this thing, or at least create something in the same 'family'.
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-b3wWsdBNucA/TJN87RnT5qI/AAAAAAAAHwY/w303ysSLpRE/s800/_IGP0572.JPG)
Think it's going about as good as reasonably possible.
Post by: Unorthodox on September 28, 2014, 09:24:15 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 28, 2014, 09:28:54 pm
Well that's a win.
Post by: Unorthodox on September 29, 2014, 02:50:00 am
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-9oMXhbQhAQA/VCi4Q05BcBI/AAAAAAAAb1k/vYUSHT6z9qQ/s800/IMG_0075.JPG)
Lots of work left to do, finishing off the guts around the rest of the head, adding the lacing to the back of the head, and actually attaching the 'pumpkin' after I get the base done.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 29, 2014, 02:51:39 am
Post by: Rusty Edge on September 29, 2014, 09:35:50 pm
Actually, that would make for an interesting scarecrow, sickle held in one pumpkin-vine fingered hand... and the other missing.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 29, 2014, 09:36:57 pm
Post by: Rusty Edge on September 29, 2014, 11:15:58 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 29, 2014, 11:17:42 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 29, 2014, 11:23:31 pm
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-QWBmmjwHiyo/Tq1gT-ThLFI/AAAAAAAAbDc/k0lON5zmobY/s800/Harvest9.jpg)
I do have a spare scythe...
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 29, 2014, 11:27:20 pm
...I only got the one...
Post by: Rusty Edge on September 30, 2014, 04:21:56 am
One hand begs the question.... what happened?
Fire?
Did the Flying Monkeys take it?
Attacked by crows? ( insert attempted murder joke here )
Caught in a corn-picker?
Did he cut or chew it off himself?
Lost a battle against the Barghest?
Perhaps the cows ate it.
Post by: Unorthodox on September 30, 2014, 04:53:51 am
Of course you do...
...I only got the one...
I thought I was going to have to replace the one on the chimera. Fortunately, I was able to repair it, so now I have a spare.
Post by: Unorthodox on September 30, 2014, 05:00:36 am
That is always awesome to see. Love the lighting.
One hand begs the question.... what happened?
Fire?
Did the Flying Monkeys take it?
Attacked by crows? ( insert attempted murder joke here )
Caught in a corn-picker?
Did he cut or chew it off himself?
Lost a battle against the Barghest?
Perhaps the cows ate it.
Asymmetry is VERY difficult to do right.
I had that idea back on chimera 2, one arm, all odd looking and whatnot.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nc8H1-GtKh8/TlW-hcloZDI/AAAAAAAAJW8/CNDtKzMDy00/s800/IMG_5734.JPG)
As the boss put it, you need symmetry. Even deformed things have a kind of balance. Add another arm, even if it is a small mangled thing.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-zhB3OfOPfI0/TlmD-mXNS6I/AAAAAAAAJX0/ZRCD9wylRNs/s800/IMG_5751.JPG)
Post by: Unorthodox on September 30, 2014, 05:05:35 am
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-w09AopV4_jU/TnExlSCg70I/AAAAAAAAJak/98Ph7EljeHw/s800/IMG_5777.JPG)
Post by: Rusty Edge on September 30, 2014, 06:03:38 am
My wife finds your monsters amazing and disturbing.
Post by: Unorthodox on September 30, 2014, 05:54:41 pm
I could generally do with less blood at Halloween.
Blood is lazy.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 30, 2014, 05:56:22 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 30, 2014, 10:13:30 pm
http://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?topic=11932.0 (http://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?topic=11932.0)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 01, 2014, 08:24:16 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on October 02, 2014, 12:14:26 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 02, 2014, 12:15:51 am
Post by: Unorthodox on October 02, 2014, 05:40:29 am
They've utterly ruined the prison haunt this year (I originally designed, remember). You travel through the cells as normal, laundry, cafeteria, but gone is death row and the execution chamber complete with theme appropriate firing squad and electric chair. In their place? Yes, a chainsaw (which makes 3/5 haunts there ending with a chainsaw, btw) makes PERFECT SENSE. WTF?
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-y6a1IjSUtYc/VCds-D_qTGI/AAAAAAAAbys/KlrROcDISo8/s800/IMG_0053.JPG)
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-h3J_PXAfuLc/VCds-5l6API/AAAAAAAAb1E/wmiwSucBZr8/s800/IMG_0056.JPG)
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/--SmZscZS7lc/VCdtCrgeE6I/AAAAAAAAb0Y/IgiBlm-qeUY/s800/IMG_0068.JPG)
In fact, a lot of the place looks like they just had the teenagers throw things together this year half assed.
Seriously, why bother building this if you're not lighting it? (and we've been there 3 days over 2 weeks, so it wasn't just a broke for the night thing)
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-9PaIsn-A2t0/VCds77Qlp5I/AAAAAAAAbyA/_B_4QO9hRs0/s800/IMG_0046.JPG)
Stretchy webs...seriously? Sure they look ok...after this week's storms though, I'm sure this is going to look a lot different.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-XM2LKyHkYgE/VCds4YbAUoI/AAAAAAAAb1E/dRWlG3cIkgE/s800/IMG_0034.JPG)
In the past they've always had the fog blast into bushes or bales of hay to disperse and cool it for more atmosphere. They are just blasting it out...
Worse yet, though, is that is a food stand and seating off to the left there. ALL the seating in the park has a fog machine near...because you want that while your eating...
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-3a9V_pW5SRc/VCds5oecxwI/AAAAAAAAb1E/6EkaPCPh154/s800/IMG_0037.JPG)
And perhaps most egregiously, lighting 101...DO SOME!
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-X-oX5TZGBE8/VCds6g5tcmI/AAAAAAAAb1E/c3Ha7Okf2Bg/s800/IMG_0040.JPG)
Post by: Unorthodox on October 02, 2014, 05:50:32 am
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-htW1eb0ExSc/VCds7El9R_I/AAAAAAAAb1E/at959usRwyM/s800/IMG_0043.JPG)
2011, not only better staging, but actual mood lighting.
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ua7vPlbCtbM/Tq_7ofv9L2I/AAAAAAAAJ80/VxIW3fkLw-k/s800/IMG_3032.JPG)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 02, 2014, 06:28:40 pm
http://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?topic=12075.0 (http://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?topic=12075.0)
Post by: Unorthodox on October 02, 2014, 08:26:56 pm
He will hungry go.
For Joe and Ed and Bob and Ned
And Phil and Fred and John and Jed,
And even little Tom and Ted
And every boy I know
Has made a Jack-o’-lantern
(And some are making two).
Poor Peter, Peter, Pumpkin-eater!
What will Peter do?
ruminating on possibilities...
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 02, 2014, 08:34:36 pm
Post by: Rusty Edge on October 02, 2014, 10:24:56 pm
Will Peter turn zombie?
Or cannibal?
Or vampire?
Become a hungry ghost?
Let's go with stark, raving, mad-
Peter stood rather tall,
Then he raised a large maul,
And turned to a young carver named Josh.
"Since you used all the pumpkins,
I'm forced to chew the next bumpkin,
I can capture, and fracture, and squash!"
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 02, 2014, 11:47:16 pm
Quote
Cincinnati Zoo's Gorillas Go Wild on Pumpkinshttps://gma.yahoo.com/cincinnati-zoos-gorillas-wild-pumpkins-205900743--abc-news-Halloween.html
By ABC NEWS
1 hour ago
(https://s.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/KR2ssWm1hOTSmnLIfCYAgQ--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTU0MDtweW9mZj0wO3E9Njk7dz05NjA-/http://media.zenfs.com/en_us/gma/us.abcnews.gma.com/HT_gorilla_ml_141002_16x9_992.jpg)
No pumpkin was spared at the Cincinnati Zoo this morning when the zoo’s gorillas got hold of the Halloween treat at their annual Pumpkin Party.
Around eight of the zoo’s gorillas trick-or-treated in search not of candy, but of pumpkins filled with their favorite snacks, including granola, raisins, sunflower seeds, peanuts, grapes, popcorn and apples.
The Gorill-A-Lanterns, as the pumpkins are called by the zoo, were spread throughout the animals’ enclosure, known as Gorilla World.
(https://s1.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/SC7f8G_edOiNEOELLpNGaw--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7cT04NQ--/http://l.yimg.com/os/publish-images/gma/2014-10-02/de24b9f0-4a77-11e4-b925-dda8cab6d2e5_HT_gorilla1_ml_141002_16x9_608.jpg)
Courtesy Cincinnati Zoo
“Trick-or-treating for the gorillas not only offers them a nutritious treat, but is a great enrichment activity,” a spokeswoman for the zoo said in a statement. “Searching for a variety of treats is actually a lot like the behavior these animals would display in the wild while foraging for food.”
The gorillas’ pumpkin party kicks off HallZOOween, an event in which the zoo opens its doors on the weekends to trick-or-treaters and others who want to enjoy “animal pumpkin pandemonium.”
Today’s pumpkin party was open for visitors to watch, many of whom could be heard oohing and aahhing in the background as the gorillas tore through the pumpkins.
The Cincinnati Zoo was in the headlines last month when it took in a girl gorilla named Kamina who was rejected by her mother immediately after her August birth at the Oklahoma City Zoo.
Cincinnati Zoo officials are now taking Kamina through a “gorillification” process in which she will spend three months with human surrogates who dress up like gorillas and mimic the actions of a mother.
---
Perhaps Talia would enjoy this story?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 03, 2014, 01:00:28 am
Post by: Unorthodox on October 03, 2014, 02:53:31 am
Post by: Rusty Edge on October 03, 2014, 05:06:50 am
Our zoo has( or had?) a grandma orangutan for such primate emergencies. I guess she convinced the keepers to let her give bottle feeding a try by gesturing once upon a time. She has all kinds of time and she's a great groomer and socializer, too.
The silverback gorilla had some noteworthy behavior, also. He was in the habit of leaving his enclosure by way of the door every night, and then the keepers would tranq him every morning. Eventually they discovered a piece of wire hidden in his mouth which he used to pick the lock. He never made it out of the building. I often wonder if he liked getting the drugs...
Post by: Geo on October 03, 2014, 08:48:15 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 03, 2014, 09:23:54 pm
Post by: Rusty Edge on October 03, 2014, 10:09:13 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 03, 2014, 10:11:53 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on October 04, 2014, 04:06:13 am
Post by: Rusty Edge on October 04, 2014, 05:09:39 am
;lol
;lol Yeah. Rather uncouth.
Post by: Geo on October 04, 2014, 06:11:11 am
[shrugs] You know how bonobos are - he may have just been looking for a good time...
Then again, what species is genetically closest related to humans? ;cute
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 04, 2014, 05:43:54 pm
Why do you ask?
Post by: Unorthodox on October 05, 2014, 12:24:00 am
Nothin fancy since weather and all. got the frame of the corn tunnel up, and am using a good ravengrass harvest to help define it, that stuff is practically bamboo strength anyway, so I just drove all of it into the ground as extra support, and tied the arches all down the tunnel like I do on the fence.
Our tall corn, the only thing I have tall enough to support the stalks while they dry is Fred, so he's out front with a buncha corn as well.
Debating when I should throw the bridge down.
Post by: Unorthodox on October 06, 2014, 02:45:11 am
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-8h6IxSGzWyI/VDHxlUda7mI/AAAAAAAAcAs/9YnkZ2nfmJ8/s800/IMG_0084.JPG)
we'll have to be frugal with the tall corn and spread it out down the tunnel, not a great corn harvest year.
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Ikdty44C7lc/VDHxl0s_d6I/AAAAAAAAcA0/zqw46R1APCg/s800/IMG_0087.JPG)
So, the corn tunnel features 3 times the metal posts this year, and the raven grass interspersed as well, building it to survive some weather when it comes, don't want to worry so about it getting destroyed like last year.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-M7mGfxPmtuc/VDHxlXdy1VI/AAAAAAAAcAo/-q-asVJkb8g/s800/IMG_0086.JPG)
The side benefit of the raven grass adding an illusion of a roof from the forced perspective of the entry.
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-u1ljotinNV8/VDHxlRn_eNI/AAAAAAAAcAw/7iOyZloDp7k/s800/IMG_0085.JPG)
Of course, all the corn going into the tunnel means the front yard is going to be somewhat barren. Have an idea to revisit an idea that was very poorly realized in the past to deal with that.
Post by: Geo on October 07, 2014, 03:57:34 pm
Belgians.
Why do you ask?
There's a certain percentage of Americans descended from Belgians. ;cute
Post by: Rusty Edge on October 07, 2014, 05:42:58 pm
Belgians.
Why do you ask?
There's a certain percentage of Americans descended from Belgians. ;cute
Somebody's got to make the chocolate! What kind of Christmas, Easter, Valentine's Day, or Halloween would we have without it? How cranky would our women get?
Post by: Unorthodox on October 08, 2014, 01:12:21 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 08, 2014, 01:17:55 am
Post by: Unorthodox on October 08, 2014, 02:46:33 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 08, 2014, 02:52:51 am
Post by: Unorthodox on October 08, 2014, 04:13:44 am
Post by: Geo on October 09, 2014, 06:46:20 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 09, 2014, 08:59:57 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on October 10, 2014, 12:58:20 am
Post by: Unorthodox on October 12, 2014, 02:43:20 am
This is SUPER early for me to be setting up, but with the present schedule, I'm basically relegated to the next couple Saturdays and that's it.
All corn (or similar) I have is being set aside for the new corn tunnel, this leaves me with something of a problem out front. Namely, it's completely barren.
Enter an old idea from 2010. "The Orchard".
Back then, things were...well, they were too green. Trimmed early september, I thought they would drop their leaves and look all skeletal. Didn't...
Well, I'm still not sold on the idea, but at least it IS an idea, and gives me a chance to move some pumpkins up off the ground at the carving party. I think it will play well once we get some pumpkins and the bridge out there with it.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-lytr8dNkclk/VDnSh7IoXNI/AAAAAAAAcDE/ER6YkVjq288/s800/IMG_0088.JPG)
Have a bunch more to do, but need to cut up some more rebar and my saw broke.
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-I6Bo-KuEF8g/VDnShze3ITI/AAAAAAAAcDA/PBiMmRcCKOs/s800/IMG_0089.JPG)
[img]
Post by: Unorthodox on October 12, 2014, 03:15:43 am
I was thinking of sewing the end of the cape to the dress...but then wondered if that would be annoying in school.
Oh, and "look at the camera" is obviously code for "look at yourself in the mirror".
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-VYsZQNglQF4/VDnisTESp5I/AAAAAAAAcDc/Uj6a2jbu3fQ/s800/IMG_0096.JPG)
"evil" face
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-aHl2bkttW3o/VDnisVYABUI/AAAAAAAAcDk/cvbaLrxuuvs/s800/IMG_0097.JPG)
"casting a spell"
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oVfwQFzXQ2E/VDnistirsEI/AAAAAAAAcDg/a_ztX_QrL8s/s800/IMG_0099.JPG)
Post by: Geo on October 12, 2014, 03:42:52 am
Post by: Unorthodox on October 12, 2014, 12:25:21 pm
Really too bad I missed this as a kid.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 12, 2014, 04:04:49 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on October 12, 2014, 04:32:32 pm
Quote
MECHANIC FALLS, Maine —The Maine Fire Marshal's Office says one person has died after Saturday night's hayride accident involving the Gauntlet Haunted Night Ride at Harvest Hill Farms in Mechanic Falls.
PHOTOS: MORE THAN 20 HURT IN HAYRIDE ACCIDENT
More than 20 people were hurt in a hayride accident at Pumpkin Land in Mechanic Falls Saturday night. Click for photos from the scene.
MORE
Tap here for photos from the scene
The Fire Marshal's Office said Sunday morning that a 17-year-old girl died overnight.
Twenty-two others were injured. The most seriously injured are a teenage boy and the driver of the Jeep towing the wagon for the hayride. The boy has been transferred from Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston to a Boston hospital.
Investigators said the Jeep lost control at about 9 p.m., careened down a hill, hit a tree and overturned.
Eleven people were taken to Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston. Seven people were taken to St. Mary's hospital in Lewiston. One person was taken to Maine Medical Center in Portland, according to a news release Sunday morning.
Investigators said a mechanical problem with the Jeep may have caused the driver to lose control.
The Fire Marshal's Office licenses mechanical amusement rides in Maine; however, the hayride did not require one.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the injured and their families,” said John Wallace, a spokesman for the farm.
Wallace said the hayride is a separate business on the property. The ride opened on Oct. 3.
Pumpkin Land and all events at Harvest Hill Farms will be closed Sunday.
Stay with WMTW News 8 and wmtw.com as this story develops.
Read more: http://www.wmtw.com/news/emergency-personnel-respond-to-incident-at-pumpkin-land/29072330#ixzz3FwduO9JY (http://www.wmtw.com/news/emergency-personnel-respond-to-incident-at-pumpkin-land/29072330#ixzz3FwduO9JY)
oi...that's going to change the rules for hayrides...
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 12, 2014, 06:46:25 pm
Quote
Washington man killed by bus at Idaho corn mazehttp://news.yahoo.com/washington-man-killed-bus-idaho-corn-maze-170932882.html (http://news.yahoo.com/washington-man-killed-bus-idaho-corn-maze-170932882.html)
Associated Press
21 hours ago
HAUSER, Idaho (AP) — A bus carrying paintball players struck and killed a Washington state man inside a zombie attraction at a corn maze in northern Idaho, authorities said Saturday.
Jeremy T. McSpadden Jr., 18, of Spokane Valley, Washington, was a role player in the "Zombie Slayer Paintball Bus" attraction at the Incredible Corn Maze in Hauser on Friday night, the Kootenai County Sheriff's Office said. Dressed as a zombie, he emerged from his hiding place and ran toward the modified school bus, but he tripped and fell in front of the rear passenger-side tires, witnesses reported.
He was run over and apparently killed instantly. Because of the uneven terrain of the corn maze, the bus frequently rocks, and the occupants did not immediately notice what had happened, investigators said.
"It was not until the bus had traveled away from the victim's location and the role players began to reset for the next bus to come along that anyone realized something was wrong," the sheriff's office said in a news release.
The attraction is new this season, according to the corn maze's website. For $15, customers ride the bus, which has paintball guns mounted outside the windows, and shoot at the zombies as the vehicle drives through the corn maze.
The bus was going forward, and neither speed nor alcohol was a factor, Sgt. Ward Crawford said.
"The focus of the attraction is the bus creeps forward so the customers have plenty of opportunity to blast away at the zombies," Crawford said. "This looks like it was just a horrific confluence of events."
A recording on the corn maze's information line Saturday morning said, "We are sad to announce that all of the attractions, including the free drive-in movie, will be canceled for the remainder of the weekend."
A message left seeking further comment was not immediately returned.
Hauser is near the Washington border east of Spokane.
Post by: Rusty Edge on October 12, 2014, 08:13:35 pm
I suspect the jeep was going too fast.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 12, 2014, 08:47:16 pm
http://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?topic=12521.0 (http://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?topic=12521.0)
Post by: Unorthodox on October 13, 2014, 03:38:31 am
All of the hay rides I've ever seen were pulled by tractors, which puts the top speed in the 18- 25 mph range at best. Mostly 20 top speed. That makes sense when people that aren't secured. Probably no more dangerous than riding a bike without a helmet. Less so, because the tractor and wagon are a lot more visible than a bike, and the tractor is in front in the event of a head on collision.
I suspect the jeep was going too fast.
You have farther to fall off the wagon than a bike.
Post by: Unorthodox on October 13, 2014, 03:40:31 am
QuoteWashington man killed by bus at Idaho corn mazehttp://news.yahoo.com/washington-man-killed-bus-idaho-corn-maze-170932882.html (http://news.yahoo.com/washington-man-killed-bus-idaho-corn-maze-170932882.html)
Associated Press
21 hours ago
HAUSER, Idaho (AP) — A bus carrying paintball players struck and killed a Washington state man inside a zombie attraction at a corn maze in northern Idaho, authorities said Saturday.
Jeremy T. McSpadden Jr., 18, of Spokane Valley, Washington, was a role player in the "Zombie Slayer Paintball Bus" attraction at the Incredible Corn Maze in Hauser on Friday night, the Kootenai County Sheriff's Office said. Dressed as a zombie, he emerged from his hiding place and ran toward the modified school bus, but he tripped and fell in front of the rear passenger-side tires, witnesses reported.
He was run over and apparently killed instantly. Because of the uneven terrain of the corn maze, the bus frequently rocks, and the occupants did not immediately notice what had happened, investigators said.
"It was not until the bus had traveled away from the victim's location and the role players began to reset for the next bus to come along that anyone realized something was wrong," the sheriff's office said in a news release.
The attraction is new this season, according to the corn maze's website. For $15, customers ride the bus, which has paintball guns mounted outside the windows, and shoot at the zombies as the vehicle drives through the corn maze.
The bus was going forward, and neither speed nor alcohol was a factor, Sgt. Ward Crawford said.
"The focus of the attraction is the bus creeps forward so the customers have plenty of opportunity to blast away at the zombies," Crawford said. "This looks like it was just a horrific confluence of events."
A recording on the corn maze's information line Saturday morning said, "We are sad to announce that all of the attractions, including the free drive-in movie, will be canceled for the remainder of the weekend."
A message left seeking further comment was not immediately returned.
Hauser is near the Washington border east of Spokane.
Been waiting for the injuries to roll in from these things. All sorts of bad ideas rolling together into a feast of idiocy.
Post by: Unorthodox on October 13, 2014, 03:44:53 am
Injuries and Lawsuits coming, mark my words.
Post by: Unorthodox on October 13, 2014, 03:53:06 am
Quote
With Halloween right around the corner, many people may look to haunted houses for a frightfully good time. However, some are left wondering if a few “haunted houses” are taking it too far. McKamey Manor, which is billed as one of the “most extreme” haunted houses in the United States, has a waiting list of over 17,000 people who are hoping to have a chance of entering what is best described as “living a horror movie.”
McKamey Manor has been featured on Travel Channel’s Making Monsters and Halloween’s Craziest due to its unconventional nature. All participants must be 21 years of age or older to enter the manor, and they must sign a waiver releasing McKamey Manor from all liability. Participants are screened physically and mentally before they enter the attraction, but many of the tours are cut short due to medical reasons.
The attraction is not typical. In fact, it teeters on the border of legality in many people’s eyes. Is it okay to mentally and even physically abuse individuals if they sign a waiver? Is there a limit to what should be legally acceptable? In the video, we see a watered down version of what happens in the McKamey Manor. Frequently people can be seen being held against their will, hit, punched, bound, and gagged. The “experience,” unlike standard 20 to 30 minute spook houses, can last anywhere from four to six hours. To make the experience even more unnerving, individuals must go through whole ordeal alone or with one other person. Groups larger than two are not allowed.
You heard me correctly, the McKamey Manor “haunted house” experience lasts around four hours for each participant, and they must do it alone or with one other person. The experience is described as both mentally and physically exhausting. Though the house already had a low “success” rate — that is, the number of people able to complete the entire experience — the owners decided to up the ante and do an “experiment” to see exactly how much a participant could handle. Sadly for the first few groups, it appears the experience was too intense. Not a single group was able to make it through the entire journey without quitting.
(ACT 1) 2010 McKamey Manor Home Haunt (Complete Tour)
HALLOWEEN CRAZIEST feat. MCKAMEY MANOR
2014 MCKAMEY MANOR Survivors and Quitters
(ACT 5) MCKAMEY MANOR 2012
McKamey Manor My Experience| BabyyGabss
At the end of the “experience,” you can see participants are physically injured with numerous scraps, cuts, and bruises. Participants can also be seen shivering and in “shock” from the whole ordeal. This has left many wondering why anyone would knowingly put themselves through this and how exactly it is legal? Is this a good way for people to confront their fears, or is this a sick person who gets kicks out of torturing people who has found a legal loophole to do so?
McKamey Manor isn’t the only one jumping on the “extreme” haunted house bandwagon either. BlackOut in New York is known for its extreme measures to bring fear to those entering. In fact, some of the actions borderline sexual assault. In past years, patrons have ended up half-naked, bound, and gagged, standing opposite a highway in full view of the world. There is even a safety word for those who can’t take it and want out, according to Fox News.
If you are looking for a less extreme scare, try walking through the streets of Wasco, California, at night. Terrifying clowns are roaming the cities streets at night with balloons.
What do you think? Would you enter the McKamey Manor?
Read more at http://www.inquisitr.com/1531608/extreme-haunted-house-or-legal-torture-mckamey-manor-allows-you-to-live-a-horror-movie-video/#PXBhKx1PxC1LQcpE.99 (http://www.inquisitr.com/1531608/extreme-haunted-house-or-legal-torture-mckamey-manor-allows-you-to-live-a-horror-movie-video/#PXBhKx1PxC1LQcpE.99)
Post by: Unorthodox on October 13, 2014, 04:47:50 am
The MOST horrible english dubbing was slapped onto my favorite vampire movie (Let the Right One In). Horrid, horrid, horrid. This makes godzilla dubbing look good.
Post by: Unorthodox on October 13, 2014, 04:58:25 am
(click to show/hide)
Post by: Rusty Edge on October 13, 2014, 03:02:14 pm
http://www.inquisitr.com/1531608/extreme-haunted-house-or-legal-torture-mckamey-manor-allows-you-to-live-a-horror-movie-video/ (http://www.inquisitr.com/1531608/extreme-haunted-house-or-legal-torture-mckamey-manor-allows-you-to-live-a-horror-movie-video/)QuoteWith Halloween right around the corner, many people may look to haunted houses for a frightfully good time. However, some are left wondering if a few “haunted houses” are taking it too far. McKamey Manor, which is billed as one of the “most extreme” haunted houses in the United States, has a waiting list of over 17,000 people who are hoping to have a chance of entering what is best described as “living a horror movie.”
McKamey Manor has been featured on Travel Channel’s Making Monsters and Halloween’s Craziest due to its unconventional nature. All participants must be 21 years of age or older to enter the manor, and they must sign a waiver releasing McKamey Manor from all liability. Participants are screened physically and mentally before they enter the attraction, but many of the tours are cut short due to medical reasons.
The attraction is not typical. In fact, it teeters on the border of legality in many people’s eyes. Is it okay to mentally and even physically abuse individuals if they sign a waiver? Is there a limit to what should be legally acceptable? In the video, we see a watered down version of what happens in the McKamey Manor. Frequently people can be seen being held against their will, hit, punched, bound, and gagged. The “experience,” unlike standard 20 to 30 minute spook houses, can last anywhere from four to six hours. To make the experience even more unnerving, individuals must go through whole ordeal alone or with one other person. Groups larger than two are not allowed.
You heard me correctly, the McKamey Manor “haunted house” experience lasts around four hours for each participant, and they must do it alone or with one other person. The experience is described as both mentally and physically exhausting. Though the house already had a low “success” rate — that is, the number of people able to complete the entire experience — the owners decided to up the ante and do an “experiment” to see exactly how much a participant could handle. Sadly for the first few groups, it appears the experience was too intense. Not a single group was able to make it through the entire journey without quitting.
(ACT 1) 2010 McKamey Manor Home Haunt (Complete Tour)
HALLOWEEN CRAZIEST feat. MCKAMEY MANOR
2014 MCKAMEY MANOR Survivors and Quitters
(ACT 5) MCKAMEY MANOR 2012
McKamey Manor My Experience| BabyyGabss
At the end of the “experience,” you can see participants are physically injured with numerous scraps, cuts, and bruises. Participants can also be seen shivering and in “shock” from the whole ordeal. This has left many wondering why anyone would knowingly put themselves through this and how exactly it is legal? Is this a good way for people to confront their fears, or is this a sick person who gets kicks out of torturing people who has found a legal loophole to do so?
McKamey Manor isn’t the only one jumping on the “extreme” haunted house bandwagon either. BlackOut in New York is known for its extreme measures to bring fear to those entering. In fact, some of the actions borderline sexual assault. In past years, patrons have ended up half-naked, bound, and gagged, standing opposite a highway in full view of the world. There is even a safety word for those who can’t take it and want out, according to Fox News.
If you are looking for a less extreme scare, try walking through the streets of Wasco, California, at night. Terrifying clowns are roaming the cities streets at night with balloons.
What do you think? Would you enter the McKamey Manor?
Read more at http://www.inquisitr.com/1531608/extreme-haunted-house-or-legal-torture-mckamey-manor-allows-you-to-live-a-horror-movie-video/#PXBhKx1PxC1LQcpE.99 (http://www.inquisitr.com/1531608/extreme-haunted-house-or-legal-torture-mckamey-manor-allows-you-to-live-a-horror-movie-video/#PXBhKx1PxC1LQcpE.99)
Not my idea of fun. It sounds like a future episode of CSI Las Vegas or Criminal Minds.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 13, 2014, 08:12:07 pm
Quote
Teen dead, more than 20 hurt in hayride crashhttp://news.yahoo.com/23-people-injured-maine-hayride-flips-054953917.html (http://news.yahoo.com/23-people-injured-maine-hayride-flips-054953917.html)
Associated Press
By PATRICK WHITTLE 20 hours ago
(http://l1.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/9w_I_IWcLO7HLqhQRCzSBQ--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTcyMDtweW9mZj0wO3E9NzU7dz05NjA-/http://media.zenfs.com/en_us/News/ap_webfeeds/66c5f46325d65228620f6a7067009251.jpg)
Gates that lead to the Gauntlet Haunted Night Ride at Harvest Hills Farm in Mechanic Falls, Me., are open Sunday, Oct. 12, 2014, although the farm was closed after a Halloween-themed hay ride accident during the Gauntlet Haunted Night Ride crashed into a tree Saturday night, killing a teenage girl and leaving more than 20 other people injured, police said Sunday. The farm remains closed while police investigate. (AP Photo/Patrick Whittle)
MECHANIC FALLS, Maine (AP) — A Halloween-themed hayride loaded with passengers crashed down a hill in the Maine woods and slammed into a tree, fatally injuring a teenage girl and leaving more than 20 other people hurt, police said Sunday.
Seventeen-year-old Cassidy Charette of Oakland died from her injuries after the Gauntlet Haunted Night Ride wagon overturned Saturday night at a rural farm in Mechanic Falls, authorities said.
The crash "threw everyone off the trailer and into each other and into trees," said Sgt. Joel Davis of the state fire marshal's office. He said a mechanical problem prevented the SUV pulling the wagon from stopping.
Several actors participating in the ride's scenes assisted the injured riders — including some performing CPR — and likely helped prevent the accident from being even worse, Davis said.
About a half-dozen of those hurt remained hospitalized Sunday afternoon but their injuries did not appear life-threatening, Davis said.
Charette was among a group of friends who visit Harvest Hills Farm every fall, Davis said. One of her fellow students at Messalonskee High School, 16-year-old Connor Garland of Belgrade, was being treated at Boston Children's Hospital, state police spokesman Steve McCausland said.
Oakland resident Kathy Mathieu, whose son Zachary is a close friend of Connor, said Charette and Connor attended the school's homecoming celebration together last week. She said the community is planning a fundraiser for Charette's family.
"Everybody is doing everything they can to help this family," Mathieu said. "There are no words to express the sorrow for the parents."
Charette was a member of the school's girls' soccer team and scored goals in recent games, according to results in local media. Garland was a member of the Central Maine Owls, a 15-and-under baseball team that won the state championship this year, according to the Portland Press Herald.
Messalonskee Principal Jon Moody sent a statement to the school community saying grief counselors will be available at the school this week.
The hay wagon was being pulled by a 1979 Jeep when it crashed, according to the fire marshal's office. The driver, identified by police as David Brown, 54, of South Paris, was among those hospitalized. Brown is an experienced trucker who has a commercial driver's license, according to a spokesman for the farm.
(http://l1.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/fPiCEAU2leC.Bmx9o4fwYQ--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTY4MztweW9mZj0wO3E9NzU7dz05NjA-/http://media.zenfs.com/en_us/News/ap_webfeeds/2067caf4262d5328620f6a7067007605.jpg)
A sign attached to a pole points in the direction of the Gauntlet Haunted Night Ride at Harvest Hills Farm, in Mechanic Falls, Maine, Sunday, Oct. 12, 2014. The farm was closed after a Halloween-themed hayride accident during the Gauntlet Haunted Night Ride crashed into a tree Saturday night, killing a teenage girl and leaving more than 20 other people injured, police said Sunday. The farm remains closed while police investigate. (AP Photo/Patrick Whittle)
The sprawling New England farm is set on a forested hill in a rural area about 25 miles southwest of Augusta, set back from a two-lane road. A 10-foot, caged monster statue stands at the entrance to the haunted attraction. The farm also features Pumpkin Land — a daytime attraction.
"Our hearts and prayers go out to the family," farm spokesman Scott Lansley said. "We're a tight community. This is really a tragedy for us."
Lansley said the tour's narrator was among the other 19 people authorities said were injured.
The owners have been hosting the haunted ride for about five years without incident, Lansley said. He said Saturday night was a busy night for the ride, with more than 500 patrons. The entire park was evacuated after the crash, he said.
State fire marshals inspect and license mechanical amusement rides in Maine, but hayrides do not require such licensing.
The investigation into the crash is still ongoing and results will be forward to the district attorney to determine if there is criminal liability, Davis said.
Post by: Unorthodox on October 13, 2014, 08:28:24 pm
Post by: Geo on October 13, 2014, 08:30:24 pm
What age did he reach?
Post by: Unorthodox on October 13, 2014, 09:51:43 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on October 14, 2014, 04:32:41 am
Religion aside, I was a dirt poor kid who's parents hated Halloween partly due to the cost. Got started on the theatrical makeup myself at 8. So, I'm donating 4 theatrical makeup kits and doing a class on how to use them at the big event for folks to get their stuff tomorrow. Any other year I might have done more kits... Maybe they will make this an annual thing.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 15, 2014, 03:12:39 am
Not a shoop...
Post by: Geo on October 15, 2014, 09:01:08 am
Post by: Unorthodox on October 16, 2014, 12:55:24 am
(http://cnet1.cbsistatic.com/hub/i/r/2014/10/13/723a1ebf-eee2-46c6-a52f-8acc1c10b0d3/resize/770x578/ce0032493ebba11e9dbf6e02b575bd4b/halloweensun1.jpg)
Not a shoop...
reminds me. I've been meaning to ask for a new avatar...
think you could get the headless horseman holding up the eartholantern?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 16, 2014, 01:39:20 am
Probably best if you find me a horseman image you like.
Post by: Unorthodox on October 16, 2014, 02:55:17 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 18, 2014, 12:34:37 am
http://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?topic=12747.0 (http://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?topic=12747.0)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 18, 2014, 03:37:27 pm
http://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?topic=12753.0 (http://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?topic=12753.0)
Post by: Unorthodox on October 19, 2014, 01:06:01 am
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7omYPTkwE9s/VEL-s_ed9CI/AAAAAAAAcGM/N9inA2MOIyU/s800/10471421_805672609495280_1227971081628589642_n.jpg)
Yes, my fat ass did a race.
Post by: Unorthodox on October 19, 2014, 04:56:47 am
I think I'm gonna have to crash that next year...don't know how I missed it, but the entrants were...cute...
Post by: Rusty Edge on October 19, 2014, 05:44:50 am
This had me perplexed. I was reading the url as
"south hog den city" "out hog" "hog den" "hog den city" , etc. It just wasn't making sense at first.
Post by: Unorthodox on October 19, 2014, 03:40:44 pm
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nwODRMJvl5s/VEMBOHTDbQI/AAAAAAAAcGY/p4w146YX4ME/s800/headless_horseman_by_srdunko-d5je622.jpg)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 19, 2014, 04:54:04 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 19, 2014, 05:15:52 pm
Quote
Mayhem erupts near pumpkin fest in New Hampshirehttp://news.yahoo.com/arrests-pumpkin-festival-turns-mayhem-044838645.html (http://news.yahoo.com/arrests-pumpkin-festival-turns-mayhem-044838645.html)
Associated Press 1 hour ago
(http://l.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/hJYqGkmyZDCZ3ld0hUTnnQ--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTQxNDtweG9mZj01MDtweW9mZj0wO3E9NzU7dz03MzY-/http://media.zenfs.com/video/keyframes//hearstnews/9/5/7ba0f0ee-6ddd-45e3-8098-cb7e6ca1cfa5_Q8FxyWMiDsDDOqf9FsuiqEpvxDwuDt-KpkeOcWmSUXKhKT_2WgzYuZaB7e2f6Nzu1b-PKcBCu4o-_16_88.jpg)
Disturbances lasted until early Sunday near Keene State College after an annual pumpkin festival erupted into mayhem and led to arrests, injuries and police in riot gear using tear gas.
KEENE, N.H. (AP) — Violent disturbances near Keene State College during an annual pumpkin festival lasted until early Sunday and involved dozens of arrests and injuries, as well as police in riot gear using tear gas to disperse crowds.
Keene State student Ellery Murray told The Boston Globe that she was at a party Saturday that had drawn a large crowd when people started throwing things.
"People were just throwing everything they could find — rocks, skateboards, buckets, pumpkins," she said. "People just got too drunk."
The parties around the school coincided with the annual Keene Pumpkin Festival, where the community tries to set a world record of the largest number of carved and lighted jack-o-lanterns in one place.
WMUR-TV in Manchester showed video of a crowd overturning a car, people running from tear gas clouds, street signs being torn down and fires burning in the streets. Police, who dressed in riot gear and ordered crowds to disperse, also investigated reports of people throwing glass bottles and fireworks, jumping off a roof and banging on cars.
One group of young people threatened to beat up an elderly man, and another resident heard someone "threatening to kill officers," according to the Keene Police Department log, which shows 235 calls between 2:30 a.m. Friday and 3:30 a.m. Sunday and at least 49 arrests.
(http://l3.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/NIA.h2bzCcPHQe6XHg71cw--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTk2MDtweW9mZj0wO3E9NzU7dz05NjA-/http://media.zenfs.com/en_us/News/ap_webfeeds/ff108adfff36e728620f6a7067000168.jpg)
In this photo provided by Seth Meyer police officers line up. Local police, firefighters and ambulances in New Hampshire responded to large crowds of students as the annual Pumpkin Festival is underway near Keene State College Saturday, Oct. 18, 2014. Media report several people have been injured in an apparent Saturday afternoon melee. (AP Photo/Seth Meyer)
Not all were part of the disturbances, but at least 14 on Saturday and early Sunday appeared related to the unruly behavior. Most involved disorderly conduct or alcohol-related offenses.
At least 30 people were injured near the school before evening Saturday, and 20 of them were taken to hospitals, Keene Fire Chief Mark Howard told New England Cable News.
Gov. Maggie Hassan said state and local safety officials worked to defuse what she called "the situation." College officials provided few specifics on the melee but said Keene State students and out-of-town visitors were involved.
College President Anne Huot said in an emailed statement that the festival has been promoted by others "as a destination for destructive and raucous behavior" and the college had tried working with the city and campus to prevent unruly conduct.
"We deplore the actions of those whose only purpose was to cause mayhem," she said, adding that the students involved will be held accountable.
Post by: Unorthodox on October 19, 2014, 06:27:47 pm
(http://l.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/jC4iC2mBuGMOAJO2WEuZWQ--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTI5MztweW9mZj0wO3E9NzU7dz02MDA-/http://media.zenfs.com/en_us/News/ucomics.com/lu141019.jpg)
Story of our house.
Post by: Geo on October 19, 2014, 07:21:15 pm
Don't know how well this one might work, there's a second choice but I've gotta screengrab it, not just saveas.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nwODRMJvl5s/VEMBOHTDbQI/AAAAAAAAcGY/p4w146YX4ME/s800/headless_horseman_by_srdunko-d5je622.jpg)
Is that... Famine that's riding there?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 19, 2014, 09:51:47 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 19, 2014, 10:03:28 pm
Post by: Geo on October 19, 2014, 10:08:55 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 19, 2014, 10:14:30 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on October 20, 2014, 03:59:19 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on October 20, 2014, 04:12:08 pm
scam. No such haunted houses exist.
Though anyone believing that this place sells out, online only prepurchase reservations, and only has a 20 minute line to get in probably deserves what they get.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 21, 2014, 02:12:50 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 21, 2014, 03:58:01 pm
http://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?topic=12820.msg59690#msg59690 (http://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?topic=12820.msg59690#msg59690)
Post by: Rusty Edge on October 21, 2014, 10:44:31 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 21, 2014, 11:06:45 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on October 22, 2014, 01:43:02 am
Quote
Kirk Cameron recently urged Christians to embrace Halloween, arguing that it was a holiday that pagans had tried to steal from them.
In an interview published by The Christian Post on Monday, Cameron explained that the “real origins” of Halloween had to do with a Catholic Church tradition of remembering the dead before All Saints Day.
“When you go out on Halloween and see all people dressed in costumes and see someone in a great big bobble head Obama costume with great big ears and an Obama face, are they honoring him or poking fun?” the actor asked. “They are poking fun at him.”
Cameron observed that mocking President Barack Obama with a Halloween mask was similar to when “Christians would dress up in costumes as the devil, ghosts, goblins and witches precisely to make the point that those things were defeated and overthrown by the resurrected Jesus Christ.”
“The costumes poke fun at the fact that the devil and other evils were publicly humiliated by Christ at His resurrection,” he continued. “That’s what the Scriptures say, that He publicly humiliated the devil when He triumphed over power and principality and put them under his feet.”
But according to Cameron, pagans had tried to claim the Christian holiday for themselves.
“Over time you get some pagans who want to go this is our day, high holy day of Satanic church, that this is all about death, but Christians have always known since the first century that death was defeated, that the grave was overwhelmed, that ghosts, goblins, devils are foolish has-beens who used to be in power but not anymore,” he insisted. “That’s the perspective Christians should have.”
Historians universally recognize Halloween’s origins as dating back to the Celtic festival of Samhain, in which the ghosts of the dead were said to return to Earth for one night. It wasn’t until over 600 years later that Pope Boniface IV incorporated the pagan festival into the tradition of All Martyrs Day. And historians believe that the church created the All Saints Day celebration 400 years later in an attempt to replace the festival of Samhain.
???
Post by: Unorthodox on October 22, 2014, 01:44:28 am
Post by: Unorthodox on October 22, 2014, 01:45:54 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 22, 2014, 01:46:55 am
-So he wouldn't appreciate your yard.
Post by: Unorthodox on October 22, 2014, 03:16:42 am
Post by: Unorthodox on October 22, 2014, 12:17:42 pm
Ah, the annual theft and/or vandalism stories.
I was recently asked by someone new to the neighborhood how I kept from having things stolen.
What are they going to steal? Corn? Sticks? The Chimera are not exactly smash and grab material you can toss in a truck and fly. Minimum of 2 man lift, and not exactly something no one's going to notice or not know where you got it. Fred is the only real item someone would target.
This answer struck a long time neighbor who had somehow never realized I decorate mostly with yard refuse.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 22, 2014, 05:27:06 pm
http://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?topic=12861.msg59847#msg59847 (http://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?topic=12861.msg59847#msg59847)
Post by: Unorthodox on October 25, 2014, 05:35:07 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 25, 2014, 06:14:17 am
Post by: Valka on October 25, 2014, 06:29:30 am
I'm not much in the mood for Halloween this year, after the terrorist attack on Parliament Hill the other day.
Post by: Unorthodox on October 27, 2014, 01:06:46 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 27, 2014, 01:25:08 am
Post by: Unorthodox on October 27, 2014, 03:42:21 am
Post by: Unorthodox on October 27, 2014, 11:04:00 am
There is actually a lot of nuance that's just not going to show in the pics. If you've followed me for some time, you know I have something of an obsession with doing a haunted forest. This is just another take on that front. Reimagining the awful attempt in 2010:
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-5QDrEhFLumY/TMM6hq3iZJI/AAAAAAAAIGA/shH-SzKQmYs/s800/IMG_5328.JPG)
You knew I couldn't leave a crappy attempt alone, I had to fix it. I've come back with a much more barren, and stable effort in 2014. Complete cost of the entire front yard is rolling in at $15 for cost of string, candles, and torch oil, a huge key for our effort this year. Pumpkins may be placed up in the trees as well. This is hard to picture all the nuance until I light it all.
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Qx3IUje61VI/VE4g6_8UBVI/AAAAAAAAcMU/HhLmDBbcSHU/s800/IMG_0132.JPG)
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-jyq9OtMu6Fk/VE4g8MpBw5I/AAAAAAAAcMg/ZSyG3sXw0Vo/s800/IMG_0133.JPG)
The side still has the corn tunnel. There's one broken raven grass down in the back there, surviving the 25 mph winds on Saturday night, I'm surprised that's all there was. It's ready for corn to be thrown in today. Jim will also take post at the end of the tunnel, framed by the tunnel itself, he'll be on a motion sensor so when they pass a point in the tunnel he lights up and begins to move. Cost, $15 for string and motion sensor. This'll be done tonight, better pics then.
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-NXr9eaVbof4/VE4g9sFlSeI/AAAAAAAAcM0/gkptSIFTSGM/s800/IMG_0136.JPG)
The back is sporting the new coffins, and will draw on some of the walpurgisnacht experimentations.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-djwoWPL_HYY/Uy5UjRA1WNI/AAAAAAAAYxY/QtIfinmho50/s800/IMG_0033.JPG)
As well as some old wally's (that the birds ate on years ago) I'm not particularly fond of, but they'll get the job done.
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Y6rZT35xW0M/VE4g2i-77NI/AAAAAAAAcLc/tRozLYHvS3Y/s800/IMG_0120.JPG)
Post by: Geo on October 27, 2014, 04:30:05 pm
I assume its mostly the same people that come visit the yard each year?
Post by: Unorthodox on October 27, 2014, 06:31:17 pm
Post by: Geo on October 27, 2014, 06:34:56 pm
One family drives several hours to get here. Why?
Someone in their old neighbourhood must be doing something right? ;)
Post by: Unorthodox on October 27, 2014, 07:36:39 pm
Now I feel old.
Post by: Geo on October 27, 2014, 07:46:58 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on October 27, 2014, 08:46:15 pm
7 years of doing a full on haunt at the house.
13 years since working (volunteer) IN a haunted house to get my halloween fix in since the old house sucked.
14 years since getting the cops called on me for scaring a neighborhood.
16 years ago I gave up trying to do Halloween parties because people wouldn't get into it.
29 years since my first haunt.
30 years ago I quit trick or treating.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 27, 2014, 09:18:51 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on October 28, 2014, 03:01:26 am
Oh, I've GOT to put that gif somewhere I can use it...
Post by: Unorthodox on October 28, 2014, 03:02:50 am
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-4mUWh8-SJZ0/VE8GVHv-PiI/AAAAAAAAcNI/YvMMfG8PaFk/s800/Uno.gif)
Post by: Unorthodox on October 28, 2014, 03:05:45 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 28, 2014, 03:14:57 am
ok, I hate the "hot topics" on top of the forum.
Oh, I've GOT to put that gif somewhere I can use it...
testing:D
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-4mUWh8-SJZ0/VE8GVHv-PiI/AAAAAAAAcNI/YvMMfG8PaFk/s800/Uno.gif)
And I hate it, too. Nerdz are amazingly conservative, myself not excepted.
Post by: Unorthodox on October 28, 2014, 02:22:49 pm
I'm looking for someone who can custom make me a mask blah blah blah".
Not at this point! Some people have no concept of how much time this stuff takes...
Post by: Unorthodox on October 28, 2014, 02:37:18 pm
The pilot was basically throwing as much from the comic mythos as they could at the audience and seeing what would stick. Way too much crap being tossed, not even trying to establish characters, odd way to start a series...
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 28, 2014, 02:38:39 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 28, 2014, 02:41:24 pm
"Hi,I get that a lot with modding collaborations - do you really want that background changed worth four hours of my life?
I'm looking for someone who can custom make me a mask blah blah blah".
Not at this point! Some people have no concept of how much time this stuff takes...
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 28, 2014, 03:05:48 pm
Post by: Geo on October 28, 2014, 04:56:17 pm
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-4mUWh8-SJZ0/VE8GVHv-PiI/AAAAAAAAcNI/YvMMfG8PaFk/s800/Uno.gif)
;lol ;b;
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 28, 2014, 06:09:19 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on October 28, 2014, 06:21:31 pm
http://www.jazzapples.com/bite-me/jazz-apple-difference (http://www.jazzapples.com/bite-me/jazz-apple-difference)
Go try one. Seriously.
Got one from a fresh food stand years ago in California, and have not eaten another type of apple since. They can be difficult to find on occasion, but the boss found some in Costco of all places.
Post by: Unorthodox on October 29, 2014, 12:34:14 pm
If this was supposed to be about families' and how they do their house...why were 4/6 of the "houses" they showed professional haunts? Gee, you mean one of the biggest professional haunts in the nation wins this supposedly family build competition? I'm shocked. Oi.
Post by: Unorthodox on October 29, 2014, 12:41:20 pm
Anyway, we always bring the pumpkins I've put the kids' names on.
Niece: "How did you do the names?"
"The Great Pumpkin did it."
"Who the hell is the Great Pumpkin?"
???
Post by: Unorthodox on October 29, 2014, 12:50:21 pm
Challenge accepted.
Post by: Geo on October 29, 2014, 08:49:37 pm
Gee, you mean one of the biggest professional haunts in the nation wins this supposedly family build competition? I'm shocked. Oi.
Welcome to 'porate 'merica?
Post by: Unorthodox on October 30, 2014, 12:19:19 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 30, 2014, 02:11:07 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 30, 2014, 02:13:06 am
Let's try it square...
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 30, 2014, 02:18:59 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 30, 2014, 02:28:38 am
Post by: Unorthodox on October 30, 2014, 03:03:16 am
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-nqy13zQ_Jdo/VFGnbu7S1bI/AAAAAAAAcNo/IxxqNDETp-4/s800/Costme1.jpg)
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-mx0Yonp0RUE/VFGnbtJuQkI/AAAAAAAAcNk/tBmYiuArxlU/s800/Costme2.jpg)
Loving the vague shadow of Jim at the end of the corn tunnel. New neighbors stopped tonight as I was out doing the lighting test. 8 year old boy stops dead at the gate, looks at Jim and turns back. 6 year old girl happily heads down the tunnel...right up till Jim turns on, then flees back out of the tunnel. Definite hit with the first 2 to see him in action.
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-2g9X1kHfbgo/VFGnbhO-cQI/AAAAAAAAcNs/DFMtsxidijw/s800/Costme3.jpg)
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-lV187kcfyxw/VFGncHdCuZI/AAAAAAAAcNw/T4Vwl6VyV6A/s800/Costme4.jpg)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 30, 2014, 03:21:10 am
---
Here it is at a size I hope the browser handles better, at two speeds. Maybe if you put a frame around it, you'd have something...
Post by: Unorthodox on October 30, 2014, 01:28:52 pm
They both stop at the end of the yard and stare down the corn tunnel at Jim.
"what's that?"
"I don't know, let's go back there and look."
Look over at us cleaning. Look back down the tunnel. Look around, touch a bone.
"Holy *&%# those are REAL."
look back at us cleaning. None of us say anything, just keep cleaning.
"I've heard this guy has real skulls he keeps in his shed too."
Silence...
"You go back there"
"I'm not going alone, come with"
"No way, he's watching"
They look at me, I give them THE LOOK, they swiftly ride away again.
Yeah, I think Jim's going to be JUST fine this year.
Post by: Geo on October 30, 2014, 05:15:40 pm
Or were there bones close to the street walkway?
Post by: Rusty Edge on October 30, 2014, 06:05:27 pm
Don't they know that he gets his real bones and skulls from nosey boys? They got lucky... this time.
Post by: Unorthodox on October 30, 2014, 07:59:57 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on October 30, 2014, 09:12:30 pm
Post by: Geo on October 30, 2014, 09:28:52 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 30, 2014, 10:10:14 pm
http://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?topic=13179.msg61139#msg61139 (http://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?topic=13179.msg61139#msg61139)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 31, 2014, 04:37:55 pm
http://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?topic=13201.msg61173#msg61173 (http://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?topic=13201.msg61173#msg61173)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 31, 2014, 08:19:33 pm
(http://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=13201.0;attach=13357)
Post by: Rusty Edge on October 31, 2014, 08:31:34 pm
Post by: BU Admin on October 31, 2014, 08:35:00 pm
Post by: Geo on November 02, 2014, 03:59:51 pm
Am I the only one whose browser won't display this?
(http://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=13201.0;attach=13357)
Works in Maxthon. :)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 02, 2014, 04:03:59 pm
Post by: Geo on November 02, 2014, 04:04:51 pm
Check this:
Works too.
Bit of a discontinuity though. The eyes, nose, and mouth light up, but not the open top?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 02, 2014, 04:08:07 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on November 02, 2014, 04:51:47 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 02, 2014, 04:59:30 pm
It just isn't the same without you.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 02, 2014, 06:25:48 pm
http://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?topic=13244.msg61270#msg61270
Post by: Unorthodox on November 02, 2014, 07:34:45 pm
Overall great year. Lots I wasn't totally happy with, and an injury of unknown severity to my knee while tearing down and the annual flare up of tendonitis in my hands hit especially hard this year, but considering all challenges this year, about as good as could be expected.
Unfortunately, Jim got broken during the party (by some kids messing with it), and though it will be an easy fix, I just didn't have the stuff on hand or the time. Never got a full up video of him working properly. Don't know how you guys with more animatronics deal with that. Don't know if I'll be doing them again or not.
We're still finding it challenging to get a great video in the lighting. It's really not this dark in person, but we keep getting better it seems.
autoembed not working?
Post by: Unorthodox on November 02, 2014, 07:36:34 pm
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Q3EA13KF6dE/VFWU8x992EI/AAAAAAAAcTc/sErpiMBBqrE/s800/IMG_3731.JPG)
And soon we were hopping.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-BJiwI4qNsag/VFWU98HkbtI/AAAAAAAAcT0/h-7SzH0wbIs/s800/IMG_3734.JPG)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-r54ASe23ELk/VFWU-N99nCI/AAAAAAAAcT4/n3y7Id5ODVk/s800/IMG_3735.JPG)
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-XP8tMp3gQ6Q/VFWU-nxS9-I/AAAAAAAAcUA/Rv1AvzUSR1Q/s800/IMG_3736.JPG)
One minor annoyance this year, we asked for a mix of doughnuts from the bakery. Last year that meant roughly half chocolate, this year, that translated in 2/18 boxes chocolate and LOADS of bizarre varieties. (plus it takes a special kind of talent to make pumpkin bread doughnuts dry)
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-9cL6DNUwlF4/VFWU--F4yrI/AAAAAAAAcUI/l5YpHthnEcs/s800/IMG_3737.JPG)
Son with his black eye. (learning stage makeup in drama class)
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-z4TsIRpYCL8/VFWU_dJ7NoI/AAAAAAAAcUQ/L_M3xOoL9eI/s800/IMG_3738.JPG)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UyZiElJgdGY/VFWVCa70NMI/AAAAAAAAcVE/eQWupebuWMo/s800/IMG_3745.JPG)
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-GnDY4UcHEFs/VFWVDdGzLnI/AAAAAAAAcVc/Ob2_KgP6Tf4/s800/IMG_3748.JPG)
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-d8heFgclutM/VFWVGTHbw-I/AAAAAAAAcWw/kI_I7qZAbiM/s800/IMG_3757.JPG)
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-uXpiwWaNfjk/VFWVHCAUuKI/AAAAAAAAcW4/f2PPNwNEbDs/s800/IMG_3761.JPG)
Post by: Unorthodox on November 02, 2014, 07:39:07 pm
Night descending on the party.
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-MurbA7H4XCk/VFWVIR71_aI/AAAAAAAAcXg/q8TfFw8Pvhc/s800/IMG_3765.JPG)
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-1cxj4B2ISfI/VFWVJdoZjFI/AAAAAAAAcX4/_BAOmNCprng/s800/IMG_3768.JPG)
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-vXRev7sBmVI/VFWVJtHVqUI/AAAAAAAAcX0/kIU9ov-xyws/s800/IMG_3769.JPG)
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-xhbl5vVpFCo/VFWVKEwIE0I/AAAAAAAAcak/WqbOCHEsvk8/s800/IMG_3770.JPG)
Jim
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-rJqacxVotzA/VFWVK3d0fkI/AAAAAAAAcaY/SF1PAqx2loI/s800/IMG_3772.JPG)
Note the very CLEAN row of pumpkins...ah, kids.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-999v4Iq4PGM/VFWVLHM144I/AAAAAAAAcZY/iG_GWTSU8gc/s800/IMG_3773.JPG)
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-s48-Yy8itzU/VFWVLs5e6bI/AAAAAAAAcYk/8qD7b5uDaL0/s800/IMG_3777.JPG)
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-o9pvD_2yWjQ/VFWVL-TQh0I/AAAAAAAAcZU/eyrTXwkrZe8/s800/IMG_3778.JPG)
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-35o4J90aE14/VFWVMGuTNsI/AAAAAAAAcYw/m79vv2qkLJI/s800/IMG_3779.JPG)
Post by: Unorthodox on November 02, 2014, 07:40:08 pm
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-1ZAJIRbBnUI/VFSy1rqzi6I/AAAAAAAAcQ0/m4fTMmFa_q8/s800/Party%25209.jpg)
Halloween morning, off to school.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-O5WY7oC4rZY/VFWVOnxRepI/AAAAAAAAcZ0/_DiRHOESpjs/s800/IMG_3795.JPG)
"evil face"
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-wribauGNdkU/VFWVOrzy59I/AAAAAAAAcZw/Gje_UU79ykM/s800/IMG_3792.JPG)
New batteries in my camera, after rearranging that clean line of pumpkins. Goal of making little clusters and getting more up in the trees.
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-lDk_Z0SZroU/VFSyvK4VIsI/AAAAAAAAcR0/huE2CHVeHRc/s800/IMGP28301.jpg)
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-FCxK3I1-kDo/VFSyvOyE6eI/AAAAAAAAcR0/xEK6CudAYfU/s800/IMGP28312.jpg)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-eAeefYJTkZM/VFSyvAFyPhI/AAAAAAAAcR0/JIh0D7eQ2As/s800/IMGP28323.jpg)
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-h5IxbhOF_2Q/VFSywLCFhEI/AAAAAAAAcR8/UhDPynZn73o/s800/IMGP28378.jpg)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4vY8dYEzUyk/VFSywbbVL9I/AAAAAAAAcRg/Gi8N4jLbcz0/s800/IMGP28389.jpg)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZkWGdVEvCQ8/VFSywbYd8qI/AAAAAAAAcRk/k2TAMx-Rspw/s800/IMGP283910.jpg)
Post by: Unorthodox on November 02, 2014, 07:40:44 pm
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-7olnMhZmKFU/VFSyxa_DPhI/AAAAAAAAcPE/6cgnoJ744d0/s800/IMGP284415.jpg)
really wish I would have made some wooden crosses for the back. The tombstones I had, just wouldn't fit the area.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PYhx41nxdKo/VFSyxmHswtI/AAAAAAAAcRM/lyIIfn87lrE/s800/IMGP284516.jpg)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Re9zkojpNXQ/VFSyyGAi2aI/AAAAAAAAcRI/7HdEUCmkY-w/s800/IMGP284718.jpg)
"Ancient wizardry" one kid called it.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-tT3O-eYYZxM/VFSyyg6aLAI/AAAAAAAAcRE/cvh8o7hCoZA/s800/IMGP284920.jpg)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cDpvewUAfgw/VFSyyhkY_cI/AAAAAAAAcPo/O3dAzrDHSzE/s800/IMGP285021.jpg)
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-2I8QNBPfUT0/VFSyzIVAwYI/AAAAAAAAcP4/hdbdZ55PkUA/s800/IMGP285122.jpg)
more to come, but gotta get moving.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 02, 2014, 07:51:14 pm
A plugin yet to be reinstalled after restoring the forum, no doubt - you currently don't have your HOF badge displaying, either. It'll get fixed in the next week or so.
autoembed not working?
[Huh. Someone's installed a bunch of crappy little BE smilies w/o consulting me - and none of the ones I made.]
Post by: Unorthodox on November 02, 2014, 10:27:36 pm
Student recreating Charr.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 02, 2014, 10:30:15 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 02, 2014, 10:44:24 pm
http://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?topic=13254.msg61312#msg61312
Post by: Unorthodox on November 04, 2014, 01:46:42 pm
Once I get the house in order, though, I'm going full bore on to the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come. There's an outside possibility I could even get it in the annual christmas tree jubilee and auction it off for a cause. The very thought of such a thing amongst all the evil happy trees just makes me giddy, but it's rather unlikely I'd finish in time.
So, its really down to do I want to keep it, or sell it?
What I know I want out of the thing:
I want it to be the center piece on a display, at least with a Scrooge tombstone, and for it to be the sole source of light. Yes, the very thought of the GoCF lighting anything is rather unorthodox.
I want it done in my chimera styling, making it much more ragged than traditional versions as well. Tattered ends of the robe the only thing touching the ground.
Mostly just the torso floating, using the tattered bits of robe to conceal the supports.
Built from ground up for 4 season outdoor display.
Blue lights. First chimera with blue lighting.
Fiber fix. This will be a very thurough test of the product's strengths.
Quite possibly NOT built with monster mud...thinking on alternatives better suited to year round weather.
Right now, plan is to have this powered by 2 lights:
1 blue CFL in the chest, completely hidden, will illuminate the ground below the ghost, and in so doing, sillouhette the shape. MIGHT let some shine up into the empty hood.
The second will be a spotlight hidden (blue led spot from Spirit after halloween clearance) in the sleeve of the outstretched hand to illuminate the tombstone (and ideally also cast the shadow of the hand on the stone and/or wall of the house).
Post by: Unorthodox on November 05, 2014, 01:54:28 pm
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vLUJVhNKJcg/VFWVPzA29LI/AAAAAAAAcaQ/lq0R3i73_h0/s800/IMG_3806.JPG)
The family picture, minus one, my middle son skipped out on us this year for a party.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dOx2mq0ZnUs/VFWVUnPv9qI/AAAAAAAAccU/U5vOhoYQfF4/s800/IMG_3852.JPG)
Opening at 6 PM...this is what's waiting at 6 PM.
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-eQKZgn8msbo/VFWVRgusNGI/AAAAAAAAcbI/8uvfl5EjthQ/s800/IMG_3839.JPG)
Our neighbors, I'm responsible for that knight. "The ones in the store weren't REAL"
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-adHTdserfLk/VFWVTQxoKoI/AAAAAAAAcbk/fqkYqd-7Pow/s800/IMG_3844.JPG)
Tribute pumpkins, cancer ribbon for my wife's mom who's had breast cancer metastasize to her brain, and one for her dad who died on the 13th.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Qxp-T7PPIPE/VFWVTswt5RI/AAAAAAAAcbs/OzNp30f7BTc/s800/IMG_3848.JPG)
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-LwjR58IZmpc/VFWVUIfC4WI/AAAAAAAAcb4/oohkF_JxJGA/s800/IMG_3849.JPG)
Out front with my scythe.
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-F-nCNa5zEu8/VFWVUxZZnTI/AAAAAAAAccs/WfH7Rm24M2I/s800/IMG_3861.JPG)
Post by: Geo on November 05, 2014, 08:31:50 pm
The family picture, minus one, my middle son skipped out on us this year for a party.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dOx2mq0ZnUs/VFWVUnPv9qI/AAAAAAAAccU/U5vOhoYQfF4/s800/IMG_3852.JPG)
Someone on the pic doesn't like dressing up?
Opening at 6 PM...this is what's waiting at 6 PM.
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-eQKZgn8msbo/VFWVRgusNGI/AAAAAAAAcbI/8uvfl5EjthQ/s800/IMG_3839.JPG)
How warm was it? I see a young girl without sleeves at the head of the waiting line?
Post by: Unorthodox on November 06, 2014, 12:16:48 am
The boss doesn't dress up, never has.
Post by: Unorthodox on November 06, 2014, 12:17:40 am
Post by: Unorthodox on November 06, 2014, 01:38:09 am
Post by: Unorthodox on November 07, 2014, 02:16:40 am
1 jar sauce
2 can tom
1 cott
1.5 sausage
2 onion
2 garlic
1 cup broth
Post by: Unorthodox on November 09, 2014, 05:16:38 am
A couple trick or treaters mentioned they thought I was recreating Mr Jones this year.
Well, this is more significant than they could have imagined. See, Mr Jones recently hit netflix. Well, Pumpkinrot (http://www.pumpkinrot.com/pages/Page49.html) created all the props for the movie. He's generally considered one of the best at what we do. And, while we have certain similarities in styles, we are also each unique.
So, I'm watching it tonight.
Mr Jones makes scarecrows and totems.
The Scarecrows are pure "Pumpkinrot" style. However, a lot of the smaller totems drift very clearly in the "Unorthodox" style. And the movie focuses on that aspect more, skimming over some of the more impressive builds.
I swear a version of this was in the movie, along with most the rest of 2011's pieces, which are what I pulled back out this year after they'd been rotting in behind the shed.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6fLRdwvHLLM/ToPeVsP1WBI/AAAAAAAAJiE/lMJy3anUW8k/s800/IMG_5852.JPG)
So, the trick or treaters had it backwards...
Post by: Unorthodox on November 10, 2014, 02:24:58 pm
I can't let this stand unchecked...
Post by: Geo on November 10, 2014, 04:14:42 pm
'Happy' still rules over 'creepy'? ;)
Post by: Unorthodox on November 10, 2014, 04:19:12 pm
Time to show these people how to make a SCAREcrow.
Post by: Unorthodox on November 10, 2014, 05:08:27 pm
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-8DPhfhmI5TA/VFWVTTypXDI/AAAAAAAAcbw/knV4KKstQ3k/s800/IMG_3846.JPG)
Post by: Geo on November 10, 2014, 07:33:44 pm
But the pumpkin doll at the top isn't what I'd call 'creepy'. Skeletons are that.
Post by: Unorthodox on November 10, 2014, 10:38:14 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on November 12, 2014, 06:46:21 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on November 14, 2014, 12:13:50 am
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-XlJdgB3WwaY/VGSdfF0IFpI/AAAAAAAAceY/zAFrlV5kulg/s800/scarecrow-reaperking.jpg)
But, there's a dark and long forgotten corner of the web I'm trying to resurrect that would fit the idea perhaps even better...in fact, I believe it may have even been the inspiration for the above as well...
Post by: Unorthodox on November 16, 2014, 01:22:51 am
I was planning to do a kind of homage to an old inspiration of mine, who quit the halloween business 10 years ago or so, and now does concept art.
There was an old prop and concept art to surround it with I was hoping to pay tribute to, but he's not returning my inquiries about. I like to get permission and give credit when I do such a thing...
I guess I could go ahead and do it. The prop comes up on no image searches (in fact pics of my yard do, as I seem to be the only one that even mentions the guy anymore), but it just don't feel right.
Guess I need to rethink the whole idea.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 16, 2014, 01:30:07 am
Drop him a note about how much he and his work mean to you - that'd cover part of it right there.
Post by: Unorthodox on November 16, 2014, 01:42:09 am
1993, the scarecrow standard in the Halloween community was Jack's vision at the start of the movie:
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KTGEAZtfKm8/VGf9sJ0TLMI/AAAAAAAAcfI/D1tYUDnnvOo/s800/tumblr_mubkfcxgfl1rrhs85o1_500.gif)
But few actually were able to copy it.
In 1999, Burton revisited the same vision in Sleepy Hollow.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-8bg94Htwxz8/VGf9YHMFtFI/AAAAAAAAce8/SmHsXx1csLg/s800/sleepy-hollow-scarecrow.jpg)
This led to pretty much EVERYONE doing some kind of derivative. Including me.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-B3v_gYsRRWk/R-qr8ks-3II/AAAAAAAAazE/x84RVvrF__0/s800/1.JPG)
The current hot item people are all emulating is the Sentinels from Pumpkinrot.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-eDRfLTp1QrI/VGf9YPcXkMI/AAAAAAAAcfA/VWV5wV-2NEE/s800/DSC03323a-500x375.jpg)
Other than the whole 'everyone's doing it' aspect, I really like the asthetic of them as well. More skeletal less corpse at the chest, add some lighting, and they could be very 'Uno'. Bifurcate the pumpkin up top as well while you're at it...
Worth considering.
Post by: Unorthodox on November 16, 2014, 01:44:53 am
...
Drop him a note about how much he and his work mean to you - that'd cover part of it right there.
Yeah, did, and asked if he would mind me using some of those old pieces as inspiration with proper credit. No answers. He's responded well to other inquiries and keeps some old tutorials on his more famous pieces up and active, which leads me to believe he's either not ok with it, no longer has the pics, or has no clue what I'm talking about as they were "lesser" pieces.
Post by: Unorthodox on November 16, 2014, 01:52:10 am
Post by: Unorthodox on November 16, 2014, 02:10:45 am
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-4TLrI2HIrDw/VGgGayRwrmI/AAAAAAAAcfY/u0TmWKlMh8o/s800/harvest_time_by_Radojavor.jpg)
Post by: Geo on November 16, 2014, 12:40:49 pm
Post by: Rusty Edge on November 16, 2014, 08:52:53 pm
For me harvest and Halloween wasn't just about crops and crows, but surviving noxious weeds.
I was always taken with the similarity between a Horse Nettle ( member of the nightshade family ) and a thorny toxic pumpkin tree.
http://idarkansas.blogspot.com/2008/09/horse-nettle.html (http://idarkansas.blogspot.com/2008/09/horse-nettle.html)
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_d3WawrNXCkM/SL8P3ttmp6I/AAAAAAAABmE/QMa_TVr475A/s1600-h/DSC_3548ps.jpg (http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_d3WawrNXCkM/SL8P3ttmp6I/AAAAAAAABmE/QMa_TVr475A/s1600-h/DSC_3548ps.jpg)
Post by: Unorthodox on November 17, 2014, 01:58:50 pm
Ray Bradbury, I am not.
Toying with modifying an old design concept of mine for the purpose. Was going to really run with the bifurcated pumpkins as a whole theme a few years back. Use vines with little mini ones wrapped around things to light them up. Since their inception, they've been rather iconic anyway. Just take it and run with it.
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-b3wWsdBNucA/TJN87RnT5qI/AAAAAAAAHwY/w303ysSLpRE/s800/_IGP0572.JPG)
Toying with the idea of a vine of little ones winding around a creature with a big one as it's head to make something of an Audrey III.
Mean Green Mother From Outer Space - Little Shop of Horrors (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ovu0_VFJsBY#)
Yes, I have serious addiction problems to that movie.
Post by: Unorthodox on November 19, 2014, 03:42:56 pm
. . . . . . :scratch:
Post by: Unorthodox on November 19, 2014, 10:17:28 pm
Post by: Geo on November 20, 2014, 12:05:58 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on November 20, 2014, 01:05:50 pm
Most of the remains are fairly ugly, IMO, but that armor piece is fantastic, and THE HANDS! However they preserved (or sculpted on the bones, haven't decided) the hands was remarkable.
Talia likes the one in the red dress...
There's also a couple creepy 'eyes' in the set.
The armor is a retrofit on that particular skeleton, it was originally in roman armor, then someone changed it in the 17th century for whatever reason.
There's a second suit of armor I wish they had a better pic of. Heart shaped hole cut into the chest which appears hollowed out and having something inside. Need better angle, stupid artsy photography crap.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 22, 2014, 07:08:34 pm
http://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?topic=13737.msg62622.0 (http://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?topic=13737.msg62622.0)
Post by: Unorthodox on November 23, 2014, 05:54:25 pm
http://www.mprnews.org/story/2014/11/23/npr-thanksgiving-costumes (http://www.mprnews.org/story/2014/11/23/npr-thanksgiving-costumes)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 29, 2014, 06:38:37 pm
http://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?topic=13947.msg63237#msg63237 (http://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?topic=13947.msg63237#msg63237)
Post by: Unorthodox on December 02, 2014, 02:20:56 pm
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-sw1oSytCJI8/SVqSWE7ep2I/AAAAAAAACds/kn_D5S2wCd8/s800/post-11-1112642319.jpeg)
2014:
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-MM8Q4GKdU68/VH1Cd567hcI/AAAAAAAAchU/HaPlcRFGMPI/s800/IMGP28631.jpg)
Post by: Geo on December 02, 2014, 07:31:50 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on December 02, 2014, 08:28:13 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on December 02, 2014, 09:02:06 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on December 02, 2014, 10:24:53 pm
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/e-t-initially-horror-film-202700630.html (http://finance.yahoo.com/news/e-t-initially-horror-film-202700630.html)
Though, rewatching as an adult, there is a creepy factor to ET I never caught as a kid, with the whole sucking the life out of the boy thing/symbiotic relation whatever...don't know why that never registered to me as a child.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on December 03, 2014, 12:22:12 am
(http://l3.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/PkMaRl0fBUUXOBC3noUpZg--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTY2OTtweW9mZj0wO3E9NzU7dz05NjA-/http://media.zenfs.com/en_us/News/ap_webfeeds/778f601d53ea182f670f6a706700beac.jpg)
Post by: Unorthodox on December 03, 2014, 01:25:12 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on December 03, 2014, 01:29:17 am
Tough man, and a much better one than Shakespeare would have it, evil or not.
Post by: Unorthodox on December 05, 2014, 09:53:47 pm
"Well, that's not what I wanted at all!"
Show him the drawing HE drew.
"Yeah, but I wanted it this way instead. Fix it."
Uh. NO.
Then the girls upstairs don't like the morning rearrangement either, cause now they can SEE each other at their desks (they asked for this), and don't like that.
I just want to crawl home, shower and bed, but I can't. Started a marinade last night for Chicken Tikka Masala. It's a bit of a process to cook, but now it's got to be done. Then the Boss wants us to go to a C word thing. The whole church christmas themed "Journey to Bethlehem" thing from the jerks that don't want my help. Normally I'd be all for that, but I'm really not feeling up to it right now.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on December 05, 2014, 09:59:41 pm
Post by: Geo on December 05, 2014, 10:57:13 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on December 05, 2014, 10:58:17 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on December 06, 2014, 12:22:50 pm
In Focus: Mammoth Bone Huts of Mezhirich (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNP8ZjZ_cRU#ws)
Post by: Unorthodox on December 08, 2014, 05:31:40 pm
The whole Christmas haunted house at the church thing was...they got issues.
If you say 6, you really need to be ready to go at 6. We sat at least a half hour before they started moving at all. Once started, it was a decent pace though.
It's funny, otherwise they seem to take my advice into account, though we've not gone for a couple years (and they had to skip last year, anyway).
They ATTEMPTED to fix the lighting I had last noted to them by adding these battery powered lanterns to the mix. EXTREMELY WHITE, atmosphere destroying, LED lanterns that were like looking into car headlamps and obscuring as much as they were revealing.
Years past, I had mentioned their use of scrim to make a nice illusion at the end, sadly that is gone. Also several small firepits with smoldering tiny flames rather stunted the enjoyment for me personally, wood smoke is nigh on lethal to me.
Various other little tidbits weren't 100% operational, but I doubt anyone else even noticed. Just something I always see is little bits that are supposed to DO something and they arent.
Post by: Unorthodox on December 11, 2014, 08:23:43 pm
Last year, Pentax released the K-3. Upper end fancy camera. This had the pentax community clamouring to grab the new shiny, which meant a lot of the old shinys were being sold off. However, the K30 was a very small niche crowd at the mid-tier. People tend to upgrade from the low tier straight to the upper tier, and this mid-tier camera gets lost in the shuffle.
Selling new last year at $600, used prices stabalized at $400.
Last year, Pentax was also purchased by Ricoh, keeping the pentax name.
Ricoh quickly rebranded the K30 as the K50 and released it to the market at a lower price. K50's now sell for $400 new. Why cheaper? Lower quality bodies.
Poor sales later, Ricoh released the Pentax KS1....to HORRENDOUS reviews. Look, us Pentax people have been pentax people because of build quality and lenses. Other cameras are better at the digital features spectrum, we get that, but we like the QUALITY of the glass and images and do the digital stuff post processing.
Totally blowing up the camera and trying to turn build one into an iphone that could use pentax lenses and pairing it with a bunch of cheaper lenses was NOT what people buying DLSRs want. Most especially Pentax people.
This has all led to a bizarre marketplace right now.
The K3 has a couple bare bones models that are selling well. The K50 selling steady at $400, KS1 not selling at $600, and NEW K 30's selling at $550. However, do you trust Ricoh that these new K30s are actually up to spec?
So, here I am: I'm heavily invested in Pentax. Well over $1000 in lenses. However, the company is heading down a very dark path trying to turn itself into Canon.
I can get a confirmed Pentax pre-Ricoh K30 used for about $325 right now. However, in doing so, I might be dead-ending myself with the last DSLR I can buy.
Jumping ship to another brand, however, will be extremely costly and time consuming and I frankly wouldn't even know where to begin. Other brands take tier level jumps typically to catch up to my low light needs.
Post by: Unorthodox on December 17, 2014, 06:12:54 pm
Taking a wait and see approach, I'm looking at instead buying more lenses for my existing camera.
While this sounds insane, to invest even more heavily in a Pentax line I'm not sure I'll be interested in later down the road, the truth of the matter when it comes to SLR cameras is that Bodies devalue as time goes on, Lenses typically do not. So, I'm not throwing money away, really, as I'll be able to sell them at near what I'll be paying if I decide to jump ship.
Plus: Great lens + cheap camera is always better in terms of output than cheap lens on great camera. It's why all these cheap kit lenses that come with your camera are nonsense/ways for these camera companies to raise the price of their cameras.
Currently debating whether to buy a right and proper "D" Macro (specifically designed for the dslr's, actual lens that I don't have to run full manual on, the camera's meters will actually WORK), or a proper telephoto "M" lens (old school, all manual)
The Macro would bring me up to the modern technology and allow me to continue to grow in that little sub-hobby, and at 100MM, could double as a portrait lens and allow greater diversity with my existing extension tubes.
The telephoto option will be interesting for our upcoming trip to Yellowstone, and those times when I want to get a shot of the moon or something similar. Probably not as diverse a use as the macro, but a use I really don't have such a great option at right now, where the macro I at least have SOME ability at presently.
Also found a place that will buy my old crap laying around. I have a couple ye olde film cameras, a few spare lenses, and crap I'm never going to use. Might be able to get enough to buy both if I'm lucky. Gotta plug in the serial numbers and see.
Post by: Geo on December 17, 2014, 08:10:06 pm
Might be able to get enough to buy both if I'm lucky. Gotta plug in the serial numbers and see.
Plug away, mate!
And make profit. ;)
Post by: Unorthodox on December 18, 2014, 02:43:58 pm
Road isn't even WET idiots...
Post by: Unorthodox on December 18, 2014, 07:44:34 pm
Overall it would be a good modification. Might try it on my busted Ist camera first. For that matter, the Ist might actually make a suitable downgraded camera. It was fancy things like autofocus and light metering that busted...I've since moved to manually doing both anyway, probably test it soon. Suitably modified, it makes the manual operation easier at the expense of some of the automagic features...
Yep, time to see if the sensor also busted or just the automagic stuff.
Post by: Geo on December 18, 2014, 07:55:09 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on December 18, 2014, 08:05:46 pm
One day I wouldn't mind some Zeiss lenses, but even they are well out of my price range. Even used.
60-70 year old pentax are just fine. (most have actually gone UP in price over the years, but not quite enough to pace inflation)
Post by: Unorthodox on December 19, 2014, 02:49:01 am
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ux7NyohMyW0/VJOQXn298TI/AAAAAAAAcic/TIBSHsNP78A/s800/IST1.jpg)
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-gHTjzIh-wzI/VJOQXssPGkI/AAAAAAAAcik/dC7ZdJkukMA/s800/IST3.jpg)
And I thought Bertha sucked in JPG, oi... Once I found the settings to get it going full manual and raw, we were rollin'.
Anywho, now it's time to retrofit this thing to accept lenses older than me. Unfortunately, I can't swap the focus screen with one of my older film cameras here, was hoping, but they are one of the few pieces that changed when it went digital. This is actually a better camera for the macro work and 'normal' lighting, Bertha was only better at low lighting.
Post by: Unorthodox on December 19, 2014, 04:53:05 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on December 22, 2014, 08:22:09 pm
BOOM!!!
Alarms (despite them being put on test) Attempt to cancel alarms results in feedback blowing the speakers.
Physiclaly go round everyone up from evacuation to get them back in, they come rushing back out: Floors 2-4 are flooding.
I think the system officially failed it's test...
Post by: Geo on December 22, 2014, 08:26:48 pm
At least its not as dangerous as a failed Tsunami warning system. ;eek
Post by: Unorthodox on December 22, 2014, 10:12:19 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on December 23, 2014, 11:17:40 pm
Hmmm.......
Post by: Buster's Uncle on December 23, 2014, 11:41:19 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on December 23, 2014, 11:47:39 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on December 23, 2014, 11:48:35 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on December 29, 2014, 01:36:11 pm
Second decent snow of the season.
WHERE. THE. HELL. ARE. THE. PLOWS?
It's not like we are some idiot city that sees snow once every 5 years here, people. We SHOULD be prepared for this. It's not even a LOT of snow, but what is coming down is the very slick type of snow.
NOTHING was plowed yet.
Correction. Work's PARKING LOT is plowed. Just none of the actual ROADS. In fact, most business parking lots were plowed, it appeared.
Result: 15ish mile drive: 35 cars off the road, several of them SEVERELY off the road and down in a ditch. 10 car pile up on 193.
While I'm on the subject:
Toyota, what the hell is your "Traction control" system thinking? And why does it automatically reset once I gain traction so I have to manually turn it back off every stop light instead of it staying off? And when I turn it off, why do the alarms still go bonkers? Yeah, the tires are spinning. I know. Welcome to snow. They NEED to spin sometimes. Alarms and bells and flashing lights in my face aren't helping anything. The system might work decent for run of the mill driving, but it has made this car the worst one I've ever owned for driving in snow.
Post by: Unorthodox on December 29, 2014, 01:41:01 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on December 30, 2014, 01:09:53 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on December 30, 2014, 02:33:16 pm
Can stand the cold, but the blowing snow is blinding. Need goggles.
Post by: Geo on December 30, 2014, 04:40:19 pm
Wind chill: -28 American. (-33 for the rest of ya)
Can stand the cold, but the blowing snow is blinding. Need goggles.
Or stay indoors? The average employee actually has to go to work in such conditions?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on December 30, 2014, 05:03:07 pm
Post by: Geo on December 30, 2014, 08:52:21 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on December 30, 2014, 09:11:10 pm
---
More Monarchs return to Mexico, but now face cold
http://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?topic=14904.0 (http://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?topic=14904.0)
Post by: Unorthodox on December 30, 2014, 11:24:24 pm
Judging by traffic, the average person stays home, yes...
Post by: Unorthodox on December 31, 2014, 03:15:12 am
Funny thing (keep in mind these are mostly birding, landscaping and macro photography buffs) I had to join the forums and make a couple posts before I could buy the thing. You can tell the young guys from the old ones.
Young guys are baffled at the quality of my Halloween night shots. My camera is supposed to be "crappy" at low light because of the noise at high ISO. Man, the digital age has made some lazy photographers...Photography class these days is more about how to photoshop what you got into something good than how to take something good in the first place.
Post by: Unorthodox on December 31, 2014, 01:23:59 pm
There's no more snow to blow around, it's all stripped and moved down wind, but I got to drive through a dirt/sand drift today...at least the sand is giving traction to the ice from no one plowing.
Oh, and it seems -30ish is the limit of my car's radio. The screen went all garbldeygook. Don't know if it'll come back when it warms up or not.
Post by: Geo on January 01, 2015, 04:29:45 am
Something peculiar is going on... ;notes; - David Bowie
Post by: Unorthodox on January 05, 2015, 04:26:02 am
Starting work for 2015, need a big pumpkin for to use as a base form for many projects. Test run of a new clay recipe working out great so far.
Post by: Unorthodox on January 07, 2015, 01:54:43 pm
Assuming the Gov't keeps it's promise to announce on time, hundreds of people I used to work with will be informed of their fate tomorrow, and I get to oversee their exit. Gonna be a crappy month.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on January 07, 2015, 04:22:17 pm
Post by: Rusty Edge on January 07, 2015, 07:31:07 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on January 07, 2015, 07:45:20 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on January 07, 2015, 08:00:17 pm
http://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?topic=15154.msg66723#msg66723 (http://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?topic=15154.msg66723#msg66723)
Post by: Unorthodox on January 08, 2015, 04:08:09 am
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_qrBoYAfHpQ/VK3-Qah04FI/AAAAAAAAcww/J0Yr4wQtxWM/s800/IMG_0007.JPG)
Almost a little sad this is just a form for me to use to make something else
Post by: Buster's Uncle on January 08, 2015, 04:09:36 am
Post by: Geo on January 08, 2015, 07:19:39 am
One year ago, I was laid off...
Assuming the Gov't keeps it's promise to announce on time, hundreds of people I used to work with will be informed of their fate tomorrow, and I get to oversee their exit. Gonna be a crappy month.
Wait a sec. You were kinda rehired in a different position?
Post by: Unorthodox on January 08, 2015, 04:35:25 pm
Company A is contracted with the govt 20 years ago to handle all of Alpha. Company A subcontracts out a lot of the actual work to Company B, which include Omega. Uno is hired to work Omega by company B.
5 years later, Omega is closed by the Air Force, and Uno goes to work on Charlie (boring!!! Glorified garage door opener...), which started due to 9-11.
3 years later, Charlie is finishing up, Company B lets Uno know he will be out of a job in 3 months. Meanwhile Company C splits off of company A, and the Air Force declares Company C will restart work on Omega separate from Alpha. Company C knows no one else (under the age of 70) can bring Omega back on line, and hires Uno away from Company B.
3 years later, the Airforce declares Omega will once again close down. Uno is thus unemployed and most of C is absorbed back into Company A. Meanwhile, Obama says Alpha sucks (which it does), and Hydra is being formed (which might not be any better).
Company D gets contracted to the Hydra body, and as such cannot work on any of the 4 heads of Hydra to prevent conflict of interest that ran rampant under Alpha, but must coordinate between the heads, and ensure the transition from Alpha to Hydra. Uno goes to work for company D after 10 months (both of Hydra's existance and my unemployment, it took them that long to hire for my field, partly because company A and B are purposely delaying the transitions). Company A and Company B are currently competing for 2 of the heads of Hydra. It is suspected both heads will be awarded the same company. One of the heads is due to be announced today, the other by mid month. I'm the middle man between whoever loses and whoever wins.
Meanwhile, Omega has restarted again in a limited capacity. ???
Post by: Geo on January 08, 2015, 06:49:07 pm
Sounds disgustingly complicated.
Post by: Unorthodox on January 08, 2015, 07:10:47 pm
I can talk to this person about Hydra and Alpha, but not Omega or Charlie, etc.
Post by: Geo on January 09, 2015, 02:09:27 am
You should see the inter-office politics.
I can talk to this person about Hydra and Alpha, but not Omega or Charlie, etc.
Next you're telling us you have a "shadow" for every company meeting you got to do. ;)
Post by: Unorthodox on January 09, 2015, 05:50:06 am
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-6HSgaq3MtEo/VK9qRlAHuKI/AAAAAAAAcxE/LlH7Hba9QT8/s800/IMG_0009.JPG)
Needs some touchup and reinforcing, but the process is going to work.
Post by: Unorthodox on January 10, 2015, 03:04:58 am
Post by: Flux on January 10, 2015, 03:11:42 am
Let production commence.Is this a ghost pumpkin?
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-6HSgaq3MtEo/VK9qRlAHuKI/AAAAAAAAcxE/LlH7Hba9QT8/s800/IMG_0009.JPG)
Needs some touchup and reinforcing, but the process is going to work.
It looks like a ghost pumpkin. From Pac-man. With sinister eyes. Plus it's white
Post by: Unorthodox on January 10, 2015, 05:28:51 am
Post by: Geo on January 10, 2015, 06:38:45 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on January 10, 2015, 09:11:52 pm
http://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?topic=15217.msg67087#msg67087 (http://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?topic=15217.msg67087#msg67087)
BONEZ
Post by: Geo on January 11, 2015, 04:21:11 am
BONEZ
Yes, Jim?
Post by: Unorthodox on January 12, 2015, 02:16:30 pm
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-GhXNFU8rWnA/VLI2-CjO3qI/AAAAAAAAcxU/ImFwQRBs_o4/s800/IMG_0010.JPG)
BU, I've been VERY pleased with my new clay so far: 5 parts celluclay, 2 parts all purpose joint compound, water to the consistency you want, flour if you get a bit too much water. I mix it up in an old busted kitchen mixer with the bread hooks.
The joint compound makes the celluclay a LOT easier to work with than just using it straight up. Sure, I could make my own version of celluclay, but I'm lazy.
That said, considering a major change: Using casting tape (as in broken arm casting) and Apoxie clay instead of plaster wrap and paper mache. Trying to determin if the increase in cost (of the clay, the tape is no more than plaster wrap) would be worth the added sturdiness.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on January 12, 2015, 11:45:39 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on January 12, 2015, 11:48:14 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on January 13, 2015, 12:35:24 am
Post by: Flux on January 13, 2015, 12:42:16 am
Wind Chill: -34 AmericanHahaha! I laugh at you up north. ;lol
There's no more snow to blow around, it's all stripped and moved down wind, but I got to drive through a dirt/sand drift today...at least the sand is giving traction to the ice from no one plowing.
Oh, and it seems -30ish is the limit of my car's radio. The screen went all garbldeygook. Don't know if it'll come back when it warms up or not.
Where I live, deadly cold up north means you might want to put on a jacket - no pressure.
Of course, I miss snow... I haven't seen it for a really long time.
Post by: Unorthodox on January 13, 2015, 01:50:54 am
The new clay - that's the spitwad-in-a-bag stuff?
That would be my description of it prior to my modification. With the joint compound and using the mixer it comes out closer to cookie dough, which at least I can work with.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on January 13, 2015, 02:26:46 am
Post by: Unorthodox on January 13, 2015, 04:28:55 am
My daughter finds the most interesting things in the library.
Post by: Unorthodox on January 14, 2015, 10:03:05 pm
;troll :whistle:
;uno ;grrr :rules:
;troll :rules: :scenic: O:-)
;uno ;clenchedteeth, :announce: :salute: ;troll ;hypocrite
;lynchmob ;troll
;troll :doh ;brainhurts
;uno :P
Post by: Buster's Uncle on January 14, 2015, 11:09:12 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on January 15, 2015, 01:19:30 am
Post by: Geo on January 15, 2015, 02:53:25 am
Post by: Unorthodox on January 16, 2015, 05:01:21 am
Hm...quirks of the new camera. Low light wasn't supposed to be it's strong suit to begin with. The higher resolution compensates for most of the weakness, but there are a few quirks that show through to a trained eye. Of a split mind at the moment whether to sell Bertha or not and just use this one at present.
Post by: Unorthodox on January 16, 2015, 06:42:47 pm
;lynchmob ;aaa ;aaa ;aaa :help:
;uno :stop: :tada: :ok:
;lynchmob ;woohoo
;troll ;...
;uno O:-) :whistle:
Post by: Buster's Uncle on January 16, 2015, 06:45:39 pm
Post by: Geo on January 16, 2015, 06:49:21 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on January 16, 2015, 07:09:47 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on January 20, 2015, 01:45:41 pm
Well, getting an upgrade in the camera after all. The Pentax wierdos have their own little classified section and someone posted up a camera permanently modified for ye olde manual lenses like I was about to do to my ist for only $50 more than I can get the parts for the ist. It just happens to be 3 generations newer than my K100 at the same time and double the resolution. Might just sell off Bertha if the thing proves adequate in low light. Wouldn't sell the ist, too many issues with it.
Funny thing (keep in mind these are mostly birding, landscaping and macro photography buffs) I had to join the forums and make a couple posts before I could buy the thing. You can tell the young guys from the old ones.
Young guys are baffled at the quality of my Halloween night shots. My camera is supposed to be "crappy" at low light because of the noise at high ISO. Man, the digital age has made some lazy photographers...Photography class these days is more about how to photoshop what you got into something good than how to take something good in the first place.
Well, I sold off a bunch of old cameras I'd collected over the years while buying old lenses, and was able to purchase a new macro lens as well. Given that it's mid winter and there's not a lot of bugs outside (and I'd probably be in trouble if I went digging to rear some inside), and the fact in some small way it might be a slight boon to him, I went down to my brother's store to play with the new equipment.
I can see the new lens quickly becoming my go-to for most everything, really. While it's technically a macro, it works fabulously in a wide range of applications.
From true macro
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-JHyxiBdDe7Q/VL22aBzTk6I/AAAAAAAAc1I/KyqgoJPIWlk/s800/Music%2520Village2.jpg)
To general use.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/--iNB8H7p5rY/VL22ZFdfztI/AAAAAAAAc0s/VWmG7nSDSAs/s800/Music%2520Village1.jpg)
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-DP2tGRdHrQo/VL22b3soLpI/AAAAAAAAc18/53Yt6D9UEdY/s800/Music%2520Village31.jpg)
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Hcet-WXDcKU/VL22eTSqbtI/AAAAAAAAc24/uOrADcwmw7E/s800/Music%2520Village7.jpg)
Left them with a bunch of shots they could use as stock photos to jazz up their website or facebook. Whether they use them or not is not my problem. Tried to teach my niece a thing or two about photography whilst at it.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-hIyQ2LWTW8I/VL22Z-9wmVI/AAAAAAAAc1E/iTMPvn5T6lg/s800/Music%2520Village22.jpg)
The new camera...oh how much EASIER it is to use! Image quality really isn't that big of an upgrade, but boy is it much nicer to shoot with. Metering is swift and efficient, retrofitted to accept the old lenses. There are quirks, yes, but the EASE has sold me totally, going to depart with Bertha.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on January 20, 2015, 02:01:01 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on January 20, 2015, 02:31:43 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on January 20, 2015, 02:37:50 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on January 20, 2015, 02:49:10 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on January 20, 2015, 02:53:07 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on January 21, 2015, 03:30:23 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on January 22, 2015, 09:44:50 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on January 23, 2015, 02:55:30 am
Guess which the Dox's submitted (all by Talia) (porch lights are evil)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5LsWZsLSklU/VMG18v37XFI/AAAAAAAAc5o/UW1PcnwYkgY/s800/IMGP6240.jpg)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kcZrDb1-C2A/VMG18xKSdDI/AAAAAAAAc5U/VOGmMq17Ff0/s800/IMGP6243.jpg)
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-e207RzXFQII/VMG19jnVMJI/AAAAAAAAc5g/nDBQ2ob-biY/s800/IMGP6244.jpg)
They also set one on our porch for hEt. Haven't talked much about that, her mom's breast cancer is attacking her brain and spine now, doesn't look good. Let me take a test run with the new camera in a nighttime situation.
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-g3W81i0nDgw/VMG16zeTB5I/AAAAAAAAc5M/V17NROMSy58/s800/IMGP6238.jpg)
Pics are gonna look GOOOOOD this year!
Post by: Geo on January 23, 2015, 04:39:34 am
(That last pic I mean)
Post by: Unorthodox on January 23, 2015, 01:36:00 pm
Oooh, that's sharp, man.
(That last pic I mean)
Yeah, that's why I've decided to call this one Vera (short for Veronica, means true image).
The biggest 3 improvements Vera makes:
I can now use the in camera meter. No handheld needed, and no more guesswork. SOOO much easier.
Manual focus aid retrofitted into the camera. Sure it breaks it for autofocus lenses, but who cares? Nifty optics how the things works.
WHITE BALANCE. Oh, Bertha was HORRIBLE at white balance, I'd just taken it as 'normal' that I would have to adjust it before every shooting session and then tweek it more in photoshop. Vera has been spot on with just auto mode. Would probably be comfortable shooting in JPEG instead of RAW most the time with Vera as a result. But not when I'm 'serious', too many nice things to do to the raw file in photoshop.
Not a great shot as I was too lazy to grab the tripod or use flash, but Vera (left) and Bertha as seen from Frank (the ist, suffered electric shock and back from the grave). Doesn't look that much bigger, but Vera is considerably heavier.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-6aqXK5LY8Xw/VMG167yMTuI/AAAAAAAAc5k/ylU2LLGeRu4/s800/IMGP6236.jpg)
Frank and Bertha along with a couple lenses I have better versions of have now been sent off to the used store.
Post by: Flux on January 23, 2015, 11:23:50 pm
THE END IS NIGH
Post by: Unorthodox on January 24, 2015, 12:24:32 am
The Devil's Carnival - Painted Doll (666) Song (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Og3MCPrzoQ#ws)
Grace For Sale-Terrance Zdunich (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kV9yxBVSl_4#ws)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on January 24, 2015, 12:29:39 am
It's of Uno's neighbors congratulating him on his 'devil' yard.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on January 24, 2015, 12:45:09 am
The Devil's Carnival - Painted Doll (666) Song (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Og3MCPrzoQ#ws)
Post by: Unorthodox on January 24, 2015, 12:53:03 am
Prick! Goes The Scorpion's Tail - The Devil's Carnival (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWUavL9XqVU#ws)
Post by: Unorthodox on January 24, 2015, 12:53:58 am
Post by: Flux on January 24, 2015, 01:15:13 am
I don't like things like that. I actually don't celebrate Halloween. Which was really friggin hard to start doing, with my mom and sisters celebrating it as well.
But I manage to get Halloween at my dads house every year. I'd like to know what it's like inside the mind of people who like those kinds of things.
Personally, the creepiest I'll go is some demon horns on a smiling bell.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on January 24, 2015, 01:19:38 am
Post by: Unorthodox on January 24, 2015, 02:53:51 am
I'd like to know what it's like inside the mind of people who like those kinds of things.
What would you like to know?
Anecdotal evidence seems to suggest most of us have awful troubled childhoods and find some kind of solace in it.
Personally, name me another hobby that lets me make my own stage, play, acting, directing, animatronics, and event planning.
Post by: Unorthodox on January 24, 2015, 02:54:26 am
That second vid is sorta evil Downtown Abby...
I only knew of it because most the cast of the movie did her music video.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on January 24, 2015, 03:05:39 am
Post by: Unorthodox on January 24, 2015, 03:37:13 am
Post by: Rusty Edge on January 24, 2015, 03:39:28 am
In it the Demon Barker ( who was magically disguised )was drawing people into a sideshow. Within the tent there was a sign at one point "Choose heaven or hell" and the paths diverged. Strangely, the hell side descended on a long stairway underground...
Post by: Unorthodox on January 24, 2015, 04:21:19 am
It reminds me of an Iron Druid short story "The Demon Barker of Wheat Street", which appeared in a collection called CarniePunk.
In it the Demon Barker ( who was magically disguised )was drawing people into a sideshow. Within the tent there was a sign at one point "Choose heaven or hell" and the paths diverged. Strangely, the hell side descended on a long stairway underground...
typically when you do that in a haunt, both end up in hell at the end...
Post by: Unorthodox on January 24, 2015, 04:53:59 am
Digging Up the Marrow Official Trailer 1 (2015) - Sci-Fi Thriller HD (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MCSYNT7Xrfs#ws)
Post by: Unorthodox on January 27, 2015, 12:30:22 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on January 27, 2015, 01:44:55 pm
http://hauntcon.com/education/advanced-all-day-workshops/creating-a-detailed-crypt-set-in-a-day-expert-level-hands-on-scene-building-workshop/ (http://hauntcon.com/education/advanced-all-day-workshops/creating-a-detailed-crypt-set-in-a-day-expert-level-hands-on-scene-building-workshop/)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on January 27, 2015, 06:28:21 pm
(http://l1.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/VRw5Dh7VXLB2jSf9r7VJ5g--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTU3NTtweW9mZj0wO3E9NzU7dz01NzU-/http://media.zenfs.com/en_US/News/LiveScience.com/penghu-1-fossil.jpeg1422371489)
Post by: Unorthodox on January 27, 2015, 07:26:21 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on January 28, 2015, 12:24:44 am
http://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?topic=15605.msg68346#msg68346 (http://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?topic=15605.msg68346#msg68346)
(https://fbexternal-a.akamaihd.net/safe_image.php?d=AQAiluk-6n4XLOx1&w=470&h=246&url=http%3A%2F%2Fl2.yimg.com%2Fbt%2Fapi%2Fres%2F1.2%2FYMfG5dC5vcpWQgU0VXC_Jw--%2FYXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTI4NjtpbD1wbGFuZTtweW9mZj0wO3E9NzU7dz00NTA-%2Fhttp%3A%2F%2Fmedia.zenfs.com%2Fen_us%2FNews%2FReuters%2F2015-01-27T232158Z_1_LYNXMPEB0Q18M_RTROPTP_2_USA-BUTTERFLIES.JPG&cfs=1&upscale=1)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on January 28, 2015, 09:09:36 pm
http://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?topic=15616.msg68404#msg68404 (http://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?topic=15616.msg68404#msg68404)
(http://l2.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/xsRfOmwThMMhEOiBUYn3Fw--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTYwMTtweW9mZj0wO3E9NzU7dz01NzU-/http://media.zenfs.com/en_US/News/LiveScience.com/otzi-iceman-tattoos.jpg1422462398)
Ancient Israeli skull may document migration from Africa
http://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?topic=15613.msg68401#msg68401 (http://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?topic=15613.msg68401#msg68401)
(http://l.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/sYzBKi6jPzozKWBiiNFU4w--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTgwNjtpbD1wbGFuZTtweW9mZj0wO3E9NzU7dz05NjA-/http://media.zenfs.com/en_us/News/ap_webfeeds/0724f17a856a89046c0f6a7067004548.jpg)
Post by: Unorthodox on January 29, 2015, 02:13:48 pm
I really nailed the arms, thighs, and pelvic area on Trevor. Should have gone more skeletal on the calf area. My source material at the time messed that up as well, though.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YDFbEDWKjF4/T9qnAFgQFXI/AAAAAAAAMy8/dy43YqrPUq4/s800/IMGP1390.jpg)
The chest and head were meant to be more artistic interpretation from the get go.
One day, I'm doing a version of this though. Mark my words.
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-2XWKWHpGgRg/TrH-QfNR8aI/AAAAAAAAalw/5c92hXhzWY8/s800/aoa0028_restauration.jpg)
I'm not there, yet. Maybe time to do another corpse next year as practice...
Post by: Buster's Uncle on January 29, 2015, 02:32:24 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on January 29, 2015, 05:06:58 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on January 29, 2015, 05:24:19 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on January 29, 2015, 05:28:29 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on January 29, 2015, 05:37:25 pm
My money is on it being purposely preserved in such a position, not the natural mummy that died meditating the initial story implies.
Post by: Unorthodox on January 29, 2015, 05:39:16 pm
Boy do I just love people...
Post by: Geo on January 29, 2015, 06:21:43 pm
UnO, over the phone or face-to-face?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on January 29, 2015, 06:31:22 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on January 29, 2015, 06:37:33 pm
And no one is happy about the project. Awesome.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on January 29, 2015, 07:17:36 pm
Post by: Geo on January 29, 2015, 07:26:43 pm
-->;lynchmob<--
One at a time, please...
Post by: Unorthodox on January 29, 2015, 07:45:54 pm
Post by: Geo on January 30, 2015, 04:29:00 am
Post by: Unorthodox on February 02, 2015, 04:59:38 pm
Each day more get frustrated I'm not going to deal with them at their beck and call. My manager "wanted someone intimidating" handling this that wouldn't take their, um, stuff.
Post by: Unorthodox on February 03, 2015, 12:02:45 am
"Why doesn't your dinosaur glow any more?" (the chimera, which is in the yard year round)
"He's getting too old and tired."
"He got broked in the storm?" (he tipped over, not broked)
"Yeah, I need to make some new ones, huh?"
"Yeah, I like it to glow red. And be on there (points to the fence) to scare my brother."
Guess one of my new guys needs to be red this year.
Post by: Rusty Edge on February 03, 2015, 05:52:43 am
Post by: Geo on February 03, 2015, 06:03:21 am
Post by: Unorthodox on February 05, 2015, 02:10:44 pm
Ricoh just announced a new Pentax full fram DSLR. If they can manage to not screw it up all to hell and back like they did the last DSLR they made, this is HUGE news for me.
Why?
Because those that jump ship to full frame will need to buy new lenses, since older ones will leave dark edges on the corners of the shots. Flood the market with lenses people! Cheap glass for me!!!
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 05, 2015, 02:24:32 pm
Post by: Rusty Edge on February 05, 2015, 05:52:32 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 05, 2015, 09:27:39 pm
http://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?topic=15818.msg68922#msg68922 (http://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?topic=15818.msg68922#msg68922)
Bonez
Post by: Flux on February 06, 2015, 01:54:40 am
Prehistoric Grave May Be Earliest Example of Death During Childbirth
http://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?topic=15818.msg68922#msg68922 (http://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?topic=15818.msg68922#msg68922)
Bonez
All I can say is "ow".
Post by: Unorthodox on February 06, 2015, 03:21:41 am
Quote
Mystery Skeleton Found In Barn
Posted: Feb 04, 2015 9:01 PM MST
Updated: Feb 04, 2015 9:01 PM MST
Posted by: Burt MummoloCONNECT
A shell of what it once was, the dilapidated barn has an eerie feel. Its rib caged walls concealing another set of brittle bones within.
"I never expected to find bones in a barn like that," laughed Gwyn Priddy.
They unknowingly came with the property that Ms. Priddy bought last month, and were only discovered when her nephew went exploring and came back hollering.
"And what I saw at first was just a foot," she said.
A foot bone connected to an ankle bone, connected to a full blown mystery.
"I knew the first thing to do was to call the police and have them take care of this," she said.
"It's definitely one of the weirder ones I've had," said Deputy Rebecca Hendrix of the LeFlore County Sheriff's Office.
Making it even weirder, the skeleton was in what was left a casket.
"It was in a wooden casket, had the old cast iron handles on it, I've dated it back to the early 1900's late 1800's on the casket itself," she said.
"And the bones were kind of turning greenish color," said Priddy.
"Where did it come from?," asked Hendrix.
"I just forgot about them," said Pete Butler, who used to own the property, and who thought the skeleton was fake when he found it in an old building he bought in Poteau, which was once home to the Oddfellows Lodge.
"Secret society in the 1900's," said Hendrix.
"They used these bones to, in their program that they put on, and just part of the program," he said.
New pledges were supposedly blindfolded, and at some point during initiation...
"When the blindfold was taken off they were face to face with a skeleton, and it's to remind them that mortality, death is inevitable," said Hendrix.
But just as you think this story is taking one step forward towards solving the mystery...
"We found two caskets with two bodies in them," said Butler.
That second skeleton however was is nowhere to be found, because...
"Someone, and I forgot who it was, wanted to take that other one and use it as a Halloween prank, and they never brought it back," said Butler.
"I'm trying to track down the second skeleton and go from there," said Hendrix.
The case of the mystery skeleton(s) - one found, one missing, both unknown, and so far, not a single visit from a ghost.
"No, not yet," smiled Priddy.
;lol ;b;
Post by: Geo on February 06, 2015, 05:44:59 am
Bet ya the other skeleton found its way to some ramshackle Scottish castle, towering on top of a hill in the Highlands.
Post by: Unorthodox on February 06, 2015, 03:51:47 pm
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1037128407/snitch-on-the-witch (https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1037128407/snitch-on-the-witch)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 06, 2015, 04:03:08 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on February 07, 2015, 03:39:25 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 07, 2015, 03:42:23 am
Post by: Unorthodox on February 07, 2015, 03:53:14 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 07, 2015, 03:59:16 am
Maybe google Poison Ivy, the Batman villainess? Some green makeup and a leaf danceskin ought to do it.
Post by: Unorthodox on February 07, 2015, 04:02:15 am
There's a reason it's been 20 years since the last attempt.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 07, 2015, 04:04:47 am
Post by: Unorthodox on February 07, 2015, 04:06:42 am
Post by: Unorthodox on February 07, 2015, 04:07:38 am
Do you sew? Does HeT? Leaf shapes are not that hard to cut out - then just stich to a green leotard.
I hand sew incredibly roughly.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 07, 2015, 04:09:43 am
Post by: Unorthodox on February 07, 2015, 04:10:00 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 07, 2015, 04:12:59 am
-I googled Poison Ivy, and was reminded that she's usually a redhead; you should talk Het into sporting a sexy version...
Post by: Unorthodox on February 07, 2015, 04:22:27 am
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-UXJhAANDkcI/VNWScPSzHKI/AAAAAAAAc7w/llQtvaVl98w/s800/dina-creature.jpg)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 09, 2015, 04:03:20 am
Saw this on the Facebook, and had to post it for you:
(https://scontent-a-atl.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/s526x395/10959662_10203470479070138_6221345852052561017_n.jpg?oh=ecb45a83533024d61ce201cac9b87284&oe=5594D432)
That's not bad horror, and I like the joke.
Post by: Geo on February 09, 2015, 04:38:14 am
What spurred this:
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-UXJhAANDkcI/VNWScPSzHKI/AAAAAAAAc7w/llQtvaVl98w/s800/dina-creature.jpg)
An elf on leaf? (pun intented ;) )
Post by: Unorthodox on February 10, 2015, 03:54:41 am
only suitable for the Valentines box.
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Wcd31mpoWEU/VNl_byiv6PI/AAAAAAAAc8w/9h8HV5iZDp0/s800/IMG_0163.JPG)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 10, 2015, 04:11:21 am
Post by: Unorthodox on February 10, 2015, 03:45:51 pm
Sculpey's an unfortunate combination of heavy/bulky and brittle for anything but very small bits, I'd say.
Flowers are nothing but very small bits. Even still, the one above is a beating waiting to happen. I gotta go bigger, my hands are bigger than when I used to do this.
Post by: Unorthodox on February 12, 2015, 05:57:42 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 13, 2015, 02:29:13 pm
http://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?topic=15921.msg69303#msg69303 (http://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?topic=15921.msg69303#msg69303)
Post by: Unorthodox on February 13, 2015, 09:00:45 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 13, 2015, 09:30:14 pm
Post by: Geo on February 13, 2015, 09:47:32 pm
Hope y'all's friday the 13th is being less eventful than mine.
My car passed its annual check. ;b;
I had to use PayPal to sent gifts abroad. ;q;
Anything you can share on your events?
Post by: Rusty Edge on February 13, 2015, 10:10:01 pm
As it turned out, their computer system was down, and they could only operate on cash, and couldn't send anything internationally. They said it was a nationwide problem. I'll go back tomorrow.
I wonder if the North Koreans are claiming credit?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 13, 2015, 11:40:06 pm
(http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/line2-13-9a-620x591.jpg)
Post by: Geo on February 14, 2015, 12:14:55 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 14, 2015, 12:16:27 am
Post by: Geo on February 14, 2015, 12:25:44 am
Nice comeback, Sir. :salute:
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 14, 2015, 12:33:08 am
Post by: Unorthodox on February 14, 2015, 04:03:27 am
Anything you can share on your events?
Pretty much anything mechanical, electrical, or technological that could go wrong at work did.
Now these idiots are hacking my website. er trying to. my host is shutting them down hardcore. i at least understood why the Baptists were trying to shut us down, but these guys?
Ancient Aliens on Mars: Curiosity Spotted Carved Animal Statue and Strange Artifacts (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7IUkZ7au-HU#ws)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 14, 2015, 04:18:33 am
Stranger than usual.
Post by: Unorthodox on February 17, 2015, 02:00:56 pm
In April.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 17, 2015, 05:05:51 pm
http://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?topic=15956.msg69475#msg69475 (http://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?topic=15956.msg69475#msg69475)
Post by: Geo on February 17, 2015, 05:43:29 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 17, 2015, 06:16:02 pm
Talia want's a witch's tea party for her birthday.I vote in favor of this. It sounds adorable.
In April.
Post by: Geo on February 17, 2015, 07:05:48 pm
In April.
She's an Aries as well? :o
Post by: Unorthodox on February 19, 2015, 12:53:32 am
not sure I'm ready for this becoming the norm.
Post by: Unorthodox on February 19, 2015, 01:54:07 am
Dropping a dress code on parents mandating red dresses 2 days before, not so much
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 19, 2015, 02:34:37 am
Pics of Het in hers, though, please.
Post by: Geo on February 19, 2015, 07:40:15 am
not sure I'm ready for this becoming the norm.
You didn't had to deal with neighbourhood boys when yours grew up?
Post by: Unorthodox on February 19, 2015, 01:32:07 pm
I just can't see you rockin' a red dress.I do crazy things for my girl.
Pics of Het in hers, though, please.
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ohiEjgja1Yg/S6pbppuHNhI/AAAAAAAAF-o/dbqp12ssQOM/s800/12-09%2520229.jpg)
Dress for Talia, silly.
Because its so easy to find red dresses in the selection of spring dresses on sale now.
We got her a shirt at Savers, and that's just going to have to do.
Other "fun" includes the fact our school decided to break away from the state program's festivities at the local university to do their own, but openly admit there will not be enough stuff for everyone. It's changed from serving dinner to 'food sampling', and there won't be enough seating for the program, they want us to "rotate" and have each grade perform, shuffle out the audience, bring in a new one, repeat, which is surely going to smoothly.
If they'd have just told us all this to begin with I would have just to Talia we couldn't make it.
Oh, and I'm supposed to put her hair in a bun. hEt's working, my hair skills are relegated to braiding and pony tails. HOW the sam hell do you make a bun?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 19, 2015, 02:30:37 pm
Post by: Rusty Edge on February 19, 2015, 06:52:17 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on February 19, 2015, 09:22:33 pm
Check
twist it tighter
Check
then wrap it around itself
Check
and pin it place with bobby pins.
DANGER!!!
Having never USED a bobby pin, this is where it all falls apart. Literally.
Post by: Rusty Edge on February 19, 2015, 10:04:02 pm
Advice about alternatives doesn't sound that simple. I asked about using a chip clip to hold it in place while the bobby pins went in, but that was frowned upon. There's a dual pony tail technique, and there's advice about bobby pins, using small amounts of hair. So the mrs asks her how many should you use-
"I can do it with as little as three, but I had over 130 for your wedding."
Uh, yeah. Doesn't sound like the thing for somebody with big fingers and no experience.
Can she sleep over at a friend's house that has the same requirements? Send cookies along with her, that's how I'd try to arrange it.
Post by: Geo on February 19, 2015, 10:36:55 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on February 20, 2015, 03:24:09 am
not sure I'm ready for this becoming the norm.
You didn't had to deal with neighbourhood boys when yours grew up?
Not really. For many reasons. Kyle's friends are mostly out the front door to the right. This is clearly more prosperous housing than to the left, and they tend to have nicer stuff, so he went over there more than they come here.
Alec's friends are mostly further away, and he also tends to go over there, since they all live closer together, the group is easier to form in their neighborhood.
Talia's friends are thus far tending to be out the door to the left. We have a swing set and a trampoline, things these girls don't have otherwise. Thus, we're the place to be.
Post by: Unorthodox on February 20, 2015, 03:28:28 am
I'm happy, Talia's happy, it all works.
About 5 seconds after getting there, my stick is frowned upon (it's too dangerous) and her former teacher takes her into the back, pulls it out and redoes it with some throwaway chopsticks.
Whatever. I give.
Post by: Rusty Edge on February 20, 2015, 04:52:08 am
You're a great Dad, Uno.
Post by: Geo on February 20, 2015, 07:53:13 pm
Not really. For many reasons. Kyle's friends are mostly out the front door to the right. This is clearly more prosperous housing than to the left, and they tend to have nicer stuff, so he went over there more than they come here.
Alec's friends are mostly further away, and he also tends to go over there, since they all live closer together, the group is easier to form in their neighborhood.
Talia's friends are thus far tending to be out the door to the left. We have a swing set and a trampoline, things these girls don't have otherwise. Thus, we're the place to be.
Guess you have the easier of your kids possible friends then. ;)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 20, 2015, 07:55:43 pm
They're less likely to break things than the boys.
Post by: Unorthodox on February 21, 2015, 01:11:30 pm
Post by: Geo on February 21, 2015, 05:54:50 pm
Post by: Rusty Edge on February 21, 2015, 09:29:04 pm
Post by: Geo on February 21, 2015, 09:30:48 pm
A week ago I attended a show featuring Alton Brown( food expert, chef, and host of numerous TV shows ) . It was a two hour show which ran 2:55 due to delays for laughter and applause. He was telling us how great his relationship was with his daughter until puberty. "Boys get stupid. Girls develop multiple personality disorders."
I thought the nomer was "boys you can train as they start wild, girls become wild as they start civilized"?
Post by: Rusty Edge on February 22, 2015, 12:21:01 am
Post by: Geo on February 22, 2015, 09:31:16 am
I don't that saying, but your cultural awareness is different than mine.
Probably. At least, I'm not aware of MPD's in the majority of the local ladies.
But a significant percentage of the local boys avoid/refuse social potty-training.
Post by: Flux on February 22, 2015, 09:09:44 pm
I must see if you're as evil as they say....
Post by: Unorthodox on February 22, 2015, 11:59:18 pm
What is your opinion on bunnies, Uno? (http://i.imgur.com/0IUyMM0.gif)
Night of the Lepus (trailer) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_yww2x3bm9k#ws)
Post by: Unorthodox on February 23, 2015, 12:02:11 am
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ovoFYbBmAyQ/T4DlFFtpkcI/AAAAAAAAMd8/PnuB4PgY-88/s800/strip6.png)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 23, 2015, 12:12:39 am
Post by: Rusty Edge on February 23, 2015, 12:26:38 am
Speaking of kids, the horror was the kid's fault as he tried to protect his favorite lab rabbit, ( and released it into the wild?) .
You say Lepus,
And I say Lupus,
... funny how those two names are so close.
Post by: Unorthodox on February 23, 2015, 01:05:28 am
Night of the Lepus is one of those lovely 70's horror shows that was attempting to get some social message across through really BAAAD horror movies. There was actually a serious rabbit problem across much of the west at the time (as well as other countries) and several controversial methods proposed for controlling them from birth control to viruses. Hence the premise of the film that whatever the scientists tried backfired: Message, don't muck with nature.
With Hammer cranking out flicks in full production in the 70s and raking in $ hand over fist, other studios tried to capture some of the market, and would routinely tell writers that submitted a script to turn it into a horror movie.
It's Alive is probably the most celebrated example, where it was proposed as an insightful drama about a family learning to cope with a child born with deformities, both mental and physical, and the struggles of being accepted in society.... Instead, we ended up with a baby murdering everyone in the delivery room after chewing/clawing it's way out.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 23, 2015, 01:09:17 am
Post by: Unorthodox on February 24, 2015, 09:57:39 pm
Just me an Talia tonight...
Post by: Rusty Edge on February 24, 2015, 11:25:52 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on February 25, 2015, 02:07:13 am
Broke a couple strength tester games....
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 25, 2015, 02:11:39 am
Post by: Flux on February 25, 2015, 02:17:07 am
I envy both of you for it ;lol
Took her to an arcade and taught her pac-man
Post by: Unorthodox on February 25, 2015, 02:22:02 am
Post by: Flux on February 25, 2015, 02:23:43 am
Joystick is easy, it's the trackball centipede machines that are wacky to play.On the contrary, I HAVE used an original centipede machine....
Otronicon at the Orlando Science Center had one. That was a pretty boring con, but at least it had that. Also had Frogger, TMNT, and "Klax" arcade machines.
And it is wacky to play.
Post by: Unorthodox on February 25, 2015, 02:24:54 am
How did she manage that at her age? ;)
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-s3ql7g4Ynh4/TfJobJlz8wI/AAAAAAAAJD8/hISTDzkHg9g/s800/IMG_5590.JPG)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 25, 2015, 02:26:57 am
Post by: Unorthodox on February 25, 2015, 02:30:32 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 25, 2015, 02:32:25 am
Post by: Rusty Edge on February 25, 2015, 04:35:48 am
Anything else sounds suspiciously... disreputable.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 25, 2015, 05:05:37 pm
(http://l2.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/444l2qefPIMC6JdOmGjTOQ--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTc1MjtweW9mZj0wO3E9NzU7dz01NzU-/http://media.zenfs.com/en_US/News/LiveScience.com/Paracas-Necropolis-burial-24.jpg1424469637)
Post by: Unorthodox on February 25, 2015, 06:18:28 pm
Though...that appears to be foreign debris in the eye socket...doesn't track with nerve/eye remains. Something nest in this guy's head?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 25, 2015, 06:21:42 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on February 25, 2015, 07:25:25 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 25, 2015, 07:53:11 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on February 25, 2015, 09:51:04 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 25, 2015, 10:39:10 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on February 26, 2015, 03:12:42 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on February 26, 2015, 07:19:47 pm
???
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 26, 2015, 07:51:27 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on February 26, 2015, 10:16:45 pm
"Your drill is broken, it spins the wrong way."
Post by: Rusty Edge on February 26, 2015, 11:22:45 pm
"hey Uno, we just bought this $500,000 piece of equipment, spent 6 months preparing this space, and didn't think to measure. Now it won't fit in the door or line up with any of the plumbing or electrical we had done, make it work by next week, but you have no budget to modify anything. Thanks"
???
I guess that leaves pirating some hose and wire from somewhere else and hooking it up outside, unless you can dismantle a wall or the machine and then put it back together.
Post by: Unorthodox on March 01, 2015, 06:28:24 am
Can't talk about it right now without breaking the curse filter.
Post by: Geo on March 01, 2015, 08:16:23 am
Post by: Unorthodox on March 01, 2015, 04:12:19 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 01, 2015, 04:23:20 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on March 02, 2015, 03:04:24 am
Moving on.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-jDGqrgart0c/VPPOmxiGnvI/AAAAAAAAdBc/AeIlCfFxHrg/s800/IMGP6359.png)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 02, 2015, 03:25:01 am
Post by: Geo on March 02, 2015, 02:47:32 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 02, 2015, 07:20:06 pm
Bonez.
Post by: Unorthodox on March 02, 2015, 08:59:08 pm
"hey Uno, we just bought this $500,000 piece of equipment, spent 6 months preparing this space, and didn't think to measure. Now it won't fit in the door or line up with any of the plumbing or electrical we had done, make it work by next week, but you have no budget to modify anything. Thanks"
???
Phone: "Uno, you need to come to this meeting."
Walk in, Engineers with big drawings of the machine up on the board, arguing about how to build a stand to get all the wire and hose connections to line up properly.
"Guys, it's already done."
"But we didn't tell you how to build it yet. Theres (list of problems)"
"You told me we needed to build a stand last Friday, so I did."
"But how did you (list of problems)"
"Be a lot easier if you just go look, it's already up on the stand and (list of problems) all line up fine."
(really is a gorgeous piece of simplicity combined with out of the box design, wish I was allowed to take a pic)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 02, 2015, 09:02:17 pm
Post by: Rusty Edge on March 03, 2015, 12:20:37 am
:adore:
Uno is awesome.
His workplace is Dilbert City.
Well, ( seeing as how they have no budget, but you did save the day) they should have had the decency to give you the rest of the week off. Or paid time in October, whichever.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 03, 2015, 01:18:26 am
Uno is awesome.QFT!
His workplace is Dilbert City.
Well, ( seeing as how they have no budget, but you did save the day) they should have had the decency to give you the rest of the week off. Or paid time in October, whichever.
Post by: Geo on March 03, 2015, 03:00:29 am
Also, first you need to get it fixed by Friday, no budget or help, and now the engineers were 'meddling'? Panic reaction of an executive, or are things literally like a disturbed chicken pen at work?
By the way, the machine still stands in the corridor next to its assigned room? :D
Post by: Unorthodox on March 03, 2015, 04:19:32 am
How did your solution compare to the engineers drawing, UnO?
Also, first you need to get it fixed by Friday, no budget or help, and now the engineers were 'meddling'? Panic reaction of an executive, or are things literally like a disturbed chicken pen at work?
By the way, the machine still stands in the corridor next to its assigned room? :D
Big bosses have better things to do on a Friday than be in the office, but get really mad at people who spend half a million without measuring on Monday morning and tell these people to fix it. They hold the budget, so no budget on Friday turns into go engineer a fix on Monday as well.
Their design wouldn't have worked as it was. It was akin to my first thought on building one. The specs of the machine don't account for the casters, though, because they didn't expect anyone to not measure. I had to pull actual measurements off the machine to build my solution, then address the safety issues involved with raising it. Otherwise, they were being typical engineers and getting fancy materials when me and a couple 2x4's got the job done fine.
Plus side, second time in the last 2 weeks I've amazed people at work with my woodworking abilities. Downside, it's required me bringing in a lot of my personal tools.
The machine is in and on the stand ready to be played with. Instructions didn't cover enough removal to get it to fit, but as long as you label your screws and wires and hoses, it's not THAT tough to figure out.
Post by: Unorthodox on March 03, 2015, 10:19:34 pm
Work is "observing" on Friday the 13th. Hm...What pie would be most appropriate?
Wonder if the school is going to get involved this year...
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 03, 2015, 10:52:49 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on March 03, 2015, 11:33:37 pm
Post by: Rusty Edge on March 04, 2015, 01:16:30 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 04, 2015, 04:34:27 pm
http://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?topic=16147.0 (http://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?topic=16147.0)
Post by: Unorthodox on March 05, 2015, 01:37:03 pm
Post by: Geo on March 05, 2015, 02:52:13 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on March 05, 2015, 02:55:36 pm
Brand new can do everything you ever could possibly want software. 5/5 I have broken in the first day of training.
"That shouldn't happen" Love the instructors always saying that.
It's almost as much fun as 2 months from now when I eventually have to call in to customer support when I break something else, and then have to teach the support tech the software he's supposed to be helping me on and convince them to let me in the back end to fix my own stuff. (last software company offered me a job during training. Just didn't want to move to San Diego)
Well, off for real work while they try to figure out what they configured wrong.
Post by: Unorthodox on March 05, 2015, 02:56:41 pm
You live near the east shore?
Most people in Northern Utah (which is a good chunk of the total population of Utah, really) live along the east shore of the Great Salt Lake, yes.
Maybe helpful. See how the major cities fit along the lake (and a whole lotta nothin beyond):
https://maps.google.com/maps?q=great+salt+lake&hl=en&ll=40.925965,-111.884766&spn=2.568961,6.586304&sll=37.6,-95.665&sspn=42.648313,105.380859&t=h&hnear=Great+Salt+Lake&z=8
Live in Ogden, work in Layton.
Post by: Unorthodox on March 05, 2015, 06:59:38 pm
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
;uno
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 05, 2015, 07:19:35 pm
Post by: Geo on March 05, 2015, 08:14:35 pm
Maybe helpful. See how the major cities fit along the lake (and a whole lotta nothin beyond):
https://maps.google.com/maps?q=great+salt+lake&hl=en&ll=40.925965,-111.884766&spn=2.568961,6.586304&sll=37.6,-95.665&sspn=42.648313,105.380859&t=h&hnear=Great+Salt+Lake&z=8
Never realized I could just link to a certain location on a google map. Thanks. :)
Post by: Unorthodox on March 05, 2015, 10:30:28 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on March 05, 2015, 10:31:20 pm
Those sound pretty Beneath the Planet of the Apes...
I'm curious how much wind it really needs.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 06, 2015, 12:32:16 am
I've gotta have one, if they work.
Post by: Unorthodox on March 09, 2015, 12:34:28 pm
I DO think I might try to build one, though. Who knows, it might be something someone down at the music store knows all about. (my brother is more knowledgable on the electronics stuff, but he's got some guys that repair stringed instruments that might know something on this)
Post by: Unorthodox on March 09, 2015, 06:51:40 pm
Much as this amuzes co-workers, if it prevents more migraines I don't care. Damn flourescent lighting...
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 10, 2015, 12:46:53 am
http://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?topic=16199.msg70467#msg70467 (http://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?topic=16199.msg70467#msg70467)
A new theory for why the bees are vanishing
http://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?topic=16191.0 (http://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?topic=16191.0)
Post by: Unorthodox on March 10, 2015, 01:52:21 am
She comes apart at the waist and neck, planning for the arms to be removable as well. Familial resemblence to ye olde charr (http://"http://www.halloweenforum.com/halloween-props/76053-year-charr.html?highlight=charr").
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-2GXQE4LCQOI/VP5JH65qq4I/AAAAAAAAdC8/xbTohMz1Dpo/s800/IMGP6360.jpg)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 10, 2015, 02:34:09 am
Post by: Unorthodox on March 10, 2015, 12:48:41 pm
I decided to enter the town's scarecrow contest. In so doing, I decided to run with that as a general theme this year. I've got 3-4 planned, this will be the mother.
The hunched stance is so I can have a bunch of 'baby' pumpkins hanging out her gut, it's wierd, I know, just roll with it.
One of the kids will be for the contest.
Post by: Unorthodox on March 11, 2015, 12:21:45 pm
"Ghost stories, weird stories, and murders, too. The Hermit knows of them all. Turn out your lights. Turn them out. Ahhh. Have you heard the story (of) [insert episode title here]? Then listen while the Hermit tells you the story..."
Post by: Unorthodox on March 11, 2015, 09:15:53 pm
This dress code wasn't made for real work.
Post by: Rusty Edge on March 12, 2015, 02:35:47 am
Post by: Unorthodox on March 12, 2015, 01:45:54 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on March 12, 2015, 06:11:13 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on March 13, 2015, 09:06:05 pm
She's sat with me through the Oak Island and In Search of Giants (it was such a horrid train wreck of an idea I had to watch) "documentaries" on History as well. Fascinated with these searching for thing shows.
This one is very much in the vein of Oak Island in that it's CLEARLY a couple guys getting History channel to pay for their expedition. However, at least the first couple episodes at least were far more interesting than Oak Island episodes. They still have some of that annoying 'lets recap the entire series after every commercial break' crap that History loves to do to fill dead space, but they seem to have more ACTUAL things to show so there's much less of it than Oak Island.
What's been entertaining the most is that they are actually following theories and various maps and 'signs' fairly swiftly. By episode 2, they declared the first map pointing to a known mine that has been played out, "clearly not the lost dutchman mine". They're now off to a second theory/map.
This REALLY has my daughter's attention, and I quote her opinion: "This is much better than those other shows, at least they are actually FINDING things even if there is no gold, not just digging around every hole they find."
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 15, 2015, 02:34:52 am
Quote
Mummy mystery lingers on daunting Mexico peakhttp://news.yahoo.com/mummy-mystery-lingers-daunting-mexico-peak-014532221.html (http://news.yahoo.com/mummy-mystery-lingers-daunting-mexico-peak-014532221.html)
AFP
By Yemeli Ortega 14 hours ago
(http://l1.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/VimRqDGf9IEW45HF87q_YA--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTYzMDtpbD1wbGFuZTtweW9mZj0wO3E9NzU7dz05NjA-/http://media.zenfs.com/en_us/News/afp.com/ee4d8d4d22ec164809039489499e91f6dc429553.jpg)
Picture taken from Tlatichuca, Mexico, on March 13, 2015 of the Pico de Orizaba mountain, where two mummified bodies were found, believed to be two of three climbers buried by an avalanche 55 years ago (AFP Photo/Ronaldo Schemidt)
Chalchicomula (México) (AFP) - A blanket of fresh snow has fallen on Mexico's highest summit, preserving the mystery surrounding the discovery of two mummified bodies near the peak locked in a cold embrace, frozen in time.
Could they be two of three climbers buried by an avalanche 55 years ago? For now, the answer will have to wait because fog conceals the top of Pico de Orizaba.
The storm has delayed an expedition to recover the cadavers discovered last week, raising concerns that the remains could be lost again on the 5,610-meter (18,400-foot) volcano, also known as Citlaltepetl.
As rescue teams await better weather to begin their expedition, it is adding to the anxiety of friends and families of climbers who vanished five decades ago.
"We fear that the cadavers will be covered up again... and that they are forgotten again," Luis Espinosa, a veteran mountaineer who has searched for three friends missing since 1959, told AFP.
The slopes of the mountain, which straddles the states of Puebla and Veracruz, were white with snow on Friday while the summit was walled off by dense fog.
The snowfall forced the closure of the Mexico City-Puebla highway for several hours on Thursday.
And the expedition to recover the bodies, initially planned for this weekend, was indefinitely delayed as four meters (13 feet) of snow fell on the mountain.
"We know a lot of people are worried. There are many relatives who could think that it's an easy task. But a rescue at an altitude of 5,000 meters puts everybody's lives at risk," said Ricardo de la Cruz, the federal civil protection director general.
(http://l.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/j1CMdBB2.5250c3dX1S9qw--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTYzODtpbD1wbGFuZTtweW9mZj0wO3E9NzU7dz05NjA-/http://media.zenfs.com/en_us/News/afp.com/bf6ed48206066eeac4bb1d67274d103b9c75c889.jpg)
Handout picture released by the town council of Chalchicomula showing one of two mummified corpses found near the peak of Pico de Orizaba, believed to be two of three climbers buried by an avalanche 55 years ago (AFP Photo/Hilario Aguilar)
The first body was discovered by chance by climbers on March 1. After they reported seeing a head protruding from the glacier, an official expedition was sent and discovered the second cadaver embracing the first one.
- The avalanche -
Luis Espinosa, 78, is convinced that the bodies belong to his missing friends and hopes the third one can also be found.
"It's them, without a doubt," the chemical engineer said, showing a newspaper he saved from November 4, 1959, which describes the "intense search" for Alberto Rodriguez, Manuel Campos and expedition chief Enrique Garcia following an avalanche.
He said red cloth found on a body matches the color of Garcia's sweater, worn 55 years ago.
The theory was backed up by Gerardo Reyes, who maintains a registry of climbers on the north side of the volcano, where the bodies were found.
(http://l.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/rvlnBzeT04dpFvNwhqy76g--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTYzODtpbD1wbGFuZTtweW9mZj0wO3E9NzU7dz05NjA-/http://media.zenfs.com/en_us/News/afp.com/ae5f22547c16e8c8546de44def620840713f47ea.jpg)
Handout picture released by the town council of Chalchicomula showing one of two mummified corpses found near the peak of Pico de Orizaba, believed to be two of three climbers buried by an avalanche 55 years ago (AFP Photo/Hilario Aguilar)
He showed yellowing pages in which mountaineers have written their names since the 1930s.
"We don't know of anybody else who has remained lost on the mountain, neither foreigners nor Mexican nationals," Reyes told AFP in his refuge for climbers.
But he acknowledged that some people go up the mountain without registering and could have vanished without anybody knowing.
The mayor of nearby Chalchicomula, Juan Navarro, said he received calls from people as far away as Spain and Germany asking for information about the bodies.
- Spirit of the mummies -
The mystery has prompted the government to restrict access to the volcano because some people have been caught trying to sneak up to see the bodies.
"We have caught some climbers trying to go up. They were going directly toward the mummies," a Chalchicomula town official told AFP.
Alberto Rangel, one of the climbers who found the first body, said his group tried to keep their discovery as quiet as possible because "we know how daring climbers can be."
They were 200 meters from the summit, climbing a 50-degree glacier, when they decided to come back down because some in the six-person team were injured.
It was on the way back that they spotted something that looked like a coconut on the snow. They deviated from their route to investigate and discovered that it was a mummified human head.
After they took a picture, one of the climbers slipped and tumbled 300 meters down the slope. He escaped with slight injuries. Was it pure luck to get away so lightly?
"I'm not a believer or anything like that, but I don't know what to think," Rangel said, chuckling at the "protection" provided by the spirit of the mummies.
---
Click on the mummy pics to embiggen.
Post by: Unorthodox on March 15, 2015, 05:51:51 am
Post by: Unorthodox on March 15, 2015, 03:50:22 pm
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MnR61vlSvZs/VQWpoWmA-wI/AAAAAAAAdDg/lXmYybK6-aA/s800/IMGP6379.jpg)
Post by: Unorthodox on March 16, 2015, 12:43:05 pm
All fountain machines have gone to that computerized everything comes out of the same spout crap so that I get to taste that lemon lime cherry vanilla grape orange diet ginger dr pepper someone dialed up.
Who the hell thought this was a good idea? On one hand, I totally understand people wanting to go back to ye olde soda jockey days and experiment with the different flavored syrups, but there was also a reason machines were made to NOT CROSS CONTAMINATE the different base flavors, not to mention the flavored add ins.
Part of my job at ye olde Burger King ages ago, and at the theater even before that, was maintaining these machines, calibrating them every day and cleaning the nozzles so they worked right. I know a bit about what I'm talking about and what a soda should taste like. It's bad enough 90% of the people didn't calibrate their machines properly/often enough, but now people just don't care, throw everything in a cup and call it good.
In other news the one place I know I can get a decent soda was closed this morning.
Post by: Unorthodox on March 16, 2015, 12:48:37 pm
(http://l.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/j1CMdBB2.5250c3dX1S9qw--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTYzODtpbD1wbGFuZTtweW9mZj0wO3E9NzU7dz05NjA-/http://media.zenfs.com/en_us/News/afp.com/bf6ed48206066eeac4bb1d67274d103b9c75c889.jpg)
Handout picture released by the town council of Chalchicomula showing one of two mummified corpses found near the peak of Pico de Orizaba, believed to be two of three climbers buried by an avalanche 55 years ago (AFP Photo/Hilario Aguilar)
(http://l.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/rvlnBzeT04dpFvNwhqy76g--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTYzODtpbD1wbGFuZTtweW9mZj0wO3E9NzU7dz05NjA-/http://media.zenfs.com/en_us/News/afp.com/ae5f22547c16e8c8546de44def620840713f47ea.jpg)
Handout picture released by the town council of Chalchicomula showing one of two mummified corpses found near the peak of Pico de Orizaba, believed to be two of three climbers buried by an avalanche 55 years ago (AFP Photo/Hilario Aguilar)
Ok, it's been bugging me, that's gotta be BOTH mummified corpses, NOT one as the description reads. The mummified hand coming up out of the snow is the wrong direction, the 'top' corpses (corpse's?) hand is tucked in tight to the chest and barely out of the snow.
Post by: Geo on March 16, 2015, 03:24:27 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on March 16, 2015, 06:41:10 pm
Note the thumb on the exposed arm, it's upside down. Couldn't be from the upright mummy without obvious fracturing. The upright mummy's hand is actually at the elbow of the exposed arm. These two were burried in an avalanche together and/or were huddling for warmth.
Post by: Geo on March 16, 2015, 08:44:20 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 16, 2015, 08:46:47 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on March 17, 2015, 12:35:05 pm
I wish they'd have exposed more of the mummy's right arm to be sure it didn't break off and end up in his lap.
Local traditions can handle mummies oddly, depending where exactly this was, and climbers have some really wierd thoughts on this stuff sometimes, too. Frankly surprised they dug out as much as they did.
Post by: Unorthodox on March 23, 2015, 01:58:27 pm
Yeah, perfectly normal there.
Trying for more Glenda less West, at least.
Busy weekend getting a "Ripstone" pinata made. (R.I.P. year 7 Stone)
Post by: Unorthodox on March 24, 2015, 01:31:40 pm
(http://l.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/j1CMdBB2.5250c3dX1S9qw--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTYzODtpbD1wbGFuZTtweW9mZj0wO3E9NzU7dz05NjA-/http://media.zenfs.com/en_us/News/afp.com/bf6ed48206066eeac4bb1d67274d103b9c75c889.jpg)
Handout picture released by the town council of Chalchicomula showing one of two mummified corpses found near the peak of Pico de Orizaba, believed to be two of three climbers buried by an avalanche 55 years ago (AFP Photo/Hilario Aguilar)
(http://l.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/rvlnBzeT04dpFvNwhqy76g--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTYzODtpbD1wbGFuZTtweW9mZj0wO3E9NzU7dz05NjA-/http://media.zenfs.com/en_us/News/afp.com/ae5f22547c16e8c8546de44def620840713f47ea.jpg)
Handout picture released by the town council of Chalchicomula showing one of two mummified corpses found near the peak of Pico de Orizaba, believed to be two of three climbers buried by an avalanche 55 years ago (AFP Photo/Hilario Aguilar)
I had this out for elsewhere, just noting where I succeeded and need to work, but my peeling flesh is reasonably close...
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BOrPW2dcIFY/UC2lfL8RL4I/AAAAAAAANJo/MWXTDiZtUbk/s800/IMG_0267.JPG)
(In case you can't tell, I REALLY LOVE that mummy...I might just have to make one)
Post by: Unorthodox on March 25, 2015, 12:37:35 pm
Stumbled onto this on Netflix last night.
The pilot was SO DAMN BRITISH they almost lost me. Found the whole idea rather silly. Maybe I just don't get the whold fascination with the royal family or something, whatever. If the second episode didn't auto-start I would have never looked back.
That second episode was like the best Twilight Zoneish show I've seen since the 80's run of the zone. I suppose the series will be hit and miss with the random nature of the episodes, but it's worth a watch if you like these kinds of shows.
Post by: Unorthodox on March 25, 2015, 04:29:58 pm
The monarch folks have "Recently discovered" that monarchs do indeed live in the rockies. (after calling me an idiot 2 years ago) Looking for people to head the project around here. Training in Boise while I'm going to be in Yellowstone.
Idjits.
Side note, Milkweed beetle collection project has started...that actually interests me more than flutterbys. Love beetles. Doubt the boss wants collection tubes filled with things around the house though.
Post by: Unorthodox on March 27, 2015, 03:41:51 am
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-7iGV0ALQB30/VRTQRUQcVaI/AAAAAAAAdLk/5TMhZUuBhdo/s800/IMGP6462.jpg)
Part of a gift exchange I entered for the month (Think halloween flavored secret santa in March). Buncha martha stewart types, the recipient may or may not appreciate it.
Includes the mold to make copies yourself.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-26MBPbNRwy8/VRTQN4clMFI/AAAAAAAAdLA/IH4EBYMwShQ/s800/IMGP6450.jpg)
And has a bit of a surprise.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-jlOWGPLiLeo/VRTQRK7clwI/AAAAAAAAdLg/aZQ58K7fsWo/s800/IMGP6459.jpg)
Post by: Geo on March 27, 2015, 02:18:00 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on March 27, 2015, 04:35:29 pm
Back in, what, 2010? I did a lot of practice at making paint that is flourescent without being some rediculous bright orange or yellow, etc. Wilfire (paint company I used) offered to buy my work back then for use at the trade shows, but I sold it to a local haunt instead. Wildfire has since made a fairly big business in such paints, and offers classes on how to mix them so you can get more natural shades by regular light.
Post by: Unorthodox on March 27, 2015, 04:42:20 pm
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-V18FmgVXYS8/S7Mw03bXx4I/AAAAAAAAGBE/_-Gbel7w1_M/s800/IMG_5024.JPG)
Crappy pic of my skull progress, left to right, getting the colors right under blacklight.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-chtwRC6ylnA/TGgSQLCyPEI/AAAAAAAAHlc/-84CwL1yfi0/s800/_IGP0454.JPG)
Post by: Unorthodox on March 27, 2015, 04:48:23 pm
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7r5mi9HLPE0/Tq_9mQLayKI/AAAAAAAAbkA/qgg3fQjzBuQ/s800/IMG_3227.JPG)
(note the light pollution ruins some of the effect, hence why I don't do much of it.)
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-3PG8OgOhn_c/Tq_9oZeMH9I/AAAAAAAAbkI/D2Tk9e0qozs/s800/IMG_3231.JPG)
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-kmgFsbgspvE/Tq_9lRltnrI/AAAAAAAAbjs/K5WFH0GtAlk/s800/IMG_3224.JPG)
Post by: Unorthodox on March 29, 2015, 04:48:37 am
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-sRiL3s81TbQ/VRblPKUTu3I/AAAAAAAAdMU/vspKzxpSoDE/s800/IMGP6467.jpg) The female wouldn't come out, hoping they are nesting back there so I can get baby pics.
Post by: Rusty Edge on March 29, 2015, 06:14:48 am
Quail on the bridge of death.
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-sRiL3s81TbQ/VRblPKUTu3I/AAAAAAAAdMU/vspKzxpSoDE/s800/IMGP6467.jpg) The female wouldn't come out, hoping they are nesting back there so I can get baby pics.
That is an awesome photo! I hope you get more pics, too!
"Quail on the bridge of death" sounds so profound it could be the title of a novel or something.
Post by: Unorthodox on March 29, 2015, 07:00:47 am
Post by: Geo on March 29, 2015, 10:44:21 am
Post by: Unorthodox on March 29, 2015, 04:50:45 pm
No sign of them yet this morning though. Back behind the shed is another good area for them. Haven't gone looking.
Post by: Geo on March 29, 2015, 07:32:36 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on March 30, 2015, 02:22:16 am
My review:
Not enough horror, but the few moments that ARE there are well done. Wouldn't mind seeing a sequel, but likely wouldn't go to it in the theater.
Post by: Unorthodox on March 30, 2015, 08:59:31 pm
Post by: Geo on March 30, 2015, 09:58:55 pm
Post by: Rusty Edge on March 31, 2015, 04:15:23 am
Post by: Unorthodox on March 31, 2015, 03:41:09 pm
Transformation (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DpiyT_KB8Ec#)
(seen worse...)
Post by: Unorthodox on April 01, 2015, 01:24:56 pm
And I mean HERE, here. This building.
Glad I'm scheduled to be off that day, gonna be a zoo...(which might mean I get called in just cuz.)
Post by: Geo on April 01, 2015, 03:35:40 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on April 01, 2015, 04:50:32 pm
Zombie apocalypse starts Easter.
Post by: Rusty Edge on April 01, 2015, 05:00:05 pm
hrm, President coming here on Friday.
And I mean HERE, here. This building.
Glad I'm scheduled to be off that day, gonna be a zoo...(which might mean I get called in just cuz.)
Presidential visits to your city are like blizzards that shut down the airports and expressways for hours. Stay home and wait for it to pass.
Post by: Unorthodox on April 01, 2015, 06:37:58 pm
Post by: Geo on April 01, 2015, 08:24:41 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on April 02, 2015, 04:06:04 am
Post by: Geo on April 02, 2015, 05:32:14 am
Kinda curious why they wouldnt just land AF1 right at the base, actually.
Is the runway long enough to handle jumbo jets?
Post by: Unorthodox on April 02, 2015, 01:59:06 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on April 03, 2015, 01:56:58 am
"oh, that's gotta be so awful it's funny" was my exact thoughts...
Show is actually GOOD!
Kept the comic book feel and humor, most importantly.
Post by: Unorthodox on April 06, 2015, 05:45:35 pm
Wed: family Bday party for Talia
Thurs: Go through photo albums for MIL viewing
Fri: Prep dinner for 15 people Saturday as SIL will be in town with family.
Sat: Witch's Tea for Talia, in laws cancel dinner, go to amusement park, freeze tons of food.
Sun: Easter with my family...
Mon: Viewing
Tues: Funeral
I'm not sure I could devise a worse week if I tried.
Post by: Geo on April 08, 2015, 05:48:01 pm
hrm, President coming here on Friday.
So, was this your April Fools prank?
Post by: Unorthodox on April 08, 2015, 06:40:51 pm
hrm, President coming here on Friday.
So, was this your April Fools prank?
Google obama utah.
April 1st is Talia's birthday, not some stupid made up holiday.
Post by: Geo on April 09, 2015, 03:37:28 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on April 11, 2015, 03:03:13 am
Post by: Geo on April 11, 2015, 02:10:43 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on April 14, 2015, 05:36:46 pm
At least last year I had a reason.
Post by: Rusty Edge on April 14, 2015, 06:19:11 pm
Been in a lousy mood the last week now...
At least last year I had a reason.
Are you joking? It hasn't been easy for you lately..
[/"Recapping the week.
Wed: family Bday party for Talia
Thurs: Go through photo albums for MIL viewing
Fri: Prep dinner for 15 people Saturday as SIL will be in town with family.
Sat: Witch's Tea for Talia, in laws cancel dinner, go to amusement park, freeze tons of food.
Sun: Easter with my family...
Mon: Viewing
Tues: Funeral
I'm not sure I could devise a worse week if I tried." b]
That doesn't even address migraines. You've had enough frustration to affect your mood.
Don't be so hard on yourself.
Post by: Unorthodox on April 15, 2015, 01:31:22 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on April 23, 2015, 09:23:42 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on April 24, 2015, 06:21:33 pm
Post by: Geo on April 24, 2015, 07:08:34 pm
And...that makes 5 for 5 injuries per day this week. Do I win something yet?
[astrology reference]Must be a dwarf planet in your house.[/astrology reference]
Post by: Unorthodox on April 24, 2015, 09:21:44 pm
SPECIFICALLY testing the 'catch in focus' feature's usefullness. Forgot to change a setting that would have made these much better...gotta switch that, can't remember why I set it this way in the first place anymore.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bL6SyjSKBog/VSCkVMD6-KI/AAAAAAAAdS8/yUO9EFf7I3Y/s800/IMGP6511.jpg)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cjgPfupJ9Uo/VSCkUtM9KsI/AAAAAAAAdSM/tkeouDW0dGc/s800/IMGP6503.jpg)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kCxbNCE50VU/VSCkV40ObjI/AAAAAAAAdTA/G7zoLIJ2_F8/s800/IMGP6524.jpg)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Nmi30yjVyhM/VSCkXqdU1-I/AAAAAAAAdTM/lTJchBIYMaQ/s800/IMGP6557.jpg)
Boss witch.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JgGgn_lXzD0/VSCkT_zz0EI/AAAAAAAAdSI/tDTnjYw0vS0/s800/IMGP6485.jpg)
Don't remember WHAT settings I was testing for easter...
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-G7eekzFkORU/VSCkSAsR-ZI/AAAAAAAAdRM/bCi8kpt9qQk/s800/IMGP6478.jpg)
Post by: Unorthodox on April 27, 2015, 04:12:26 am
Not as far as I hoped, but really good to accomplish something for a change.
right arm to the elbow, I have the rest, but the shoulder didn't dry. Need to find a left arm. Head needs to dry, so stuck there too.
Post by: Unorthodox on April 30, 2015, 02:14:52 pm
Happy Walpurgisnacht!
Post by: Unorthodox on April 30, 2015, 06:30:48 pm
hm.....
Post by: Unorthodox on May 04, 2015, 03:17:51 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on May 05, 2015, 02:40:23 am
Rock formation known as the spiral jetty, I'd have to google who and how they made it. Drought = no water (way out in the distance there)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-j45UZbedYIE/VUgZyiigEXI/AAAAAAAAdaQ/juFZ_eVigzM/s800/IMG_0061.JPG)
It's also a tar field that occasionally bubbles up and cools and makes all sorts of oddities in the rocks/beach/sand/salt.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-R-OFI2pimVA/VUgZytQvsPI/AAAAAAAAdaM/2qcaCU0KG2A/s800/IMG_0062.JPG)
Someone's mini version.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JZZHyyVRKz4/VUgZ0AG6O8I/AAAAAAAAdao/hynAPWTWxLM/s800/IMG_0065.JPG)
Windy...
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wFtOfOvPFJ8/VUgZ1k2ZtYI/AAAAAAAAda8/351N6nLbxbM/s800/IMG_0068.JPG)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UESlnw5i9WA/VUgZ38vIEII/AAAAAAAAdbc/D2d-XzGreDQ/s800/IMG_0074.JPG)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 05, 2015, 02:43:39 am
Post by: Unorthodox on May 05, 2015, 05:15:25 pm
Thats not enough, frankly. Twice a week, sure, 20 minutes is actually crap. I specifically went drip irrigation the last few years to save water. Less water over a longer time is better than tons of water in 20 minutes.
Already warned the boys, the grass may go to hell, but we'll be keeping the vegetable garden and maybe the flowers going through greywater.
Post by: Unorthodox on May 06, 2015, 02:23:45 pm
Someone on the halloween forum is doing a "those we don't speak of" costume from the village. They've dug up a bunch of pics from the auction of the actual movie props.
Gotta go get the pics onto the home computer. Thinking I'll actually do that next year. The costum is actually a LOT more simple than it initially appears, as it's counting on that cloak to cover everything from the back, so it's only halves of everything. Most importantly, it has multiple angles of the masks.
Didn't realize Noah's mask was so starkly different than the one that is walking around town. The town one, while sculpting could be interesting, is easy to replicate, latex buildup could be used. . Noah's would require lifecasting, sculplting, molding, etc.
Post by: Unorthodox on May 07, 2015, 01:21:10 pm
Nicely done. LOL
Post by: Unorthodox on May 07, 2015, 01:25:39 pm
https://youtube.com/devicesupport (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKY3scPIMd8#ws)
Post by: Unorthodox on May 07, 2015, 04:58:27 pm
Or is it the outdated browser at work that is the problem?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 07, 2015, 05:02:53 pm
Can you see them now? It was working for me when I came on an hour 1/2 ago.
Post by: Unorthodox on May 07, 2015, 07:57:10 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on May 07, 2015, 07:59:31 pm
https://youtube.com/devicesupport (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKY3scPIMd8#ws)
Alright, that's VHc-ywmzMPU see if it redirects...
Post by: Unorthodox on May 07, 2015, 08:01:43 pm
Can't imagine that would be my browser editing the actual post link when I hit submit. But, if I leave the s after http, thus NOT embedding, the link works.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VHc-ywmzMPU (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VHc-ywmzMPU)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 07, 2015, 09:15:07 pm
Odd - I went to the skeleton tea party link -it played fine on YouTube- and it's actually changing what link displays on the forum automatically, not just what embeds.
I'll call sisko's attention...
Post by: Unorthodox on May 08, 2015, 09:12:16 pm
Talia sick all night
Stuck in the service elevator half the morning (great for being claustrophobic and all)
Idjits harrassing me here
Trolls abounding over there
Can I start the weekend yet?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 08, 2015, 09:27:39 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on May 12, 2015, 02:32:50 pm
Non of my teachers ever had us do anything that fun. :( A whole slew of highschool kids learning to make dead bodies...hopefully some of them put it to good use.
Post by: Unorthodox on May 12, 2015, 06:42:44 pm
Post by: Geo on May 14, 2015, 07:07:33 am
A whole slew of highschool kids learning to make dead bodies...hopefully some of them put it to good use.
Implications abound here. ;lol
Post by: Unorthodox on May 14, 2015, 07:12:08 pm
Heading into a long weekend with lousy weather and wanting to work on either gardening or one of my monsters when neither will be possible.
But, 2 weeks ago, I got a decent amount done on "Father". Talia named it, "since the other one is Mother, now they can have a family."
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SN8ZhSZ8Wiw/VT1yBDSxNPI/AAAAAAAAdX4/3jxqos0h0sI/s800/IMGP6602.jpg)
Doing a lighting test at night, something was off.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KP-hmvrLHUA/VT71m-tANJI/AAAAAAAAdYk/mOksy3lfG4c/s800/IMGP6605.jpg)
The open chest design completely disappeared. So, easy fix was to put a bulb up in the chest...
Question is...
Orange?
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-u99nUiIQNLs/VUMAWqRrQ6I/AAAAAAAAdZU/3NZZOn7yUtI/s800/IMGP6617.jpg)
Or Green?
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LZniS991jZE/VUMAWNpGFtI/AAAAAAAAdZQ/H249o4BGOxU/s800/IMGP6616.jpg)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 14, 2015, 08:12:22 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on May 14, 2015, 10:13:16 pm
Green stands out a lot more.
I'm finding it surprising how many say the same about orange.
Post by: Unorthodox on May 14, 2015, 10:15:42 pm
Never eat at charity lunch again.
;no
Gonna be well acquainted with the porcelain god tonight.
Post by: Geo on May 15, 2015, 05:47:54 pm
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KP-hmvrLHUA/VT71m-tANJI/AAAAAAAAdYk/mOksy3lfG4c/s800/IMGP6605.jpg)...
Stone house!
Post by: Unorthodox on May 17, 2015, 03:07:59 am
Post by: Unorthodox on May 21, 2015, 12:18:46 am
Always wondered why I hadn't seen them about the garden, they love pumpkins in general as adults and I have the host plants for the young... Guess I just haven't been out after dark enough.
Post by: Unorthodox on May 21, 2015, 03:35:12 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 21, 2015, 03:40:52 am
Post by: Unorthodox on May 21, 2015, 04:14:35 am
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pJ5Flp50HUQ/VV0_vzHycWI/AAAAAAAAdjI/cnoQvwhSXNc/s800/IMG_0012.JPG)
Post by: Unorthodox on May 26, 2015, 02:14:33 pm
(yeah, he's thrilled)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-t39HYCbuCWs/VWPa7trOm_I/AAAAAAAAdls/0B8L40ecyuA/s800/IMGP6628.jpg)
Here's where I'm struggling with this catch in focus shooting mode, not very noticeable, but focus is JUST off. (mostly practicing this mode for Yellowstone coming up)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Tm6_kmZVxr0/VWPa8aLmBMI/AAAAAAAAdoE/2YA8XIpoX7U/s800/IMGP6631.jpg)
The range of what the camera thinks is "in focus" is just a little too wide. At least with this lens.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CQp5ihv37pc/VWPa9mjovzI/AAAAAAAAdms/9BeFla7E9Mw/s800/IMGP6647.jpg)
The amusement park was miserably crowded, though, and we headed out to what I considered the best approximation of the conditions I'll see in Yellowstone, the Bear River bird sanctuary. People don't think of marshland when they think of Utah. We're a desert. Yet, the north end of the Great salt lake is home to a wide ranging wetland habitat. (The south end of the lake has wetlands too that see both brackish and fresh, can find flamingoes down there) Plus with all the recent rain, things were sure to be active.
Switching out to my sole telephoto lens to see what it's capable of.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-US95GzEIc-0/VWPa-D_R2aI/AAAAAAAAdmk/o94vHhXoDOc/s800/IMGP6661.jpg)
There's a couple little niggles I have with the lens, but for the large part, it really does a fine job for what it's designed for. I'd love to tell you what everything is, but I'm not a birder.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lUteZO4M66Y/VWPa-bS2dYI/AAAAAAAAdm4/ddo33k6Ez9Q/s800/IMGP6662.jpg)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6KbmpaV1gzI/VWPa_NQicMI/AAAAAAAAdnM/ex62h8pDTNk/s800/IMGP6664.jpg)
Knowing the focus range struggles, I dialed the fstops up a bit on the telephoto, and it pretty much nailed everything I pointed it at. The only place I had trouble is trying to catch something in flight, but that was more lighting and shutter speed issues. Lesson:going to have to switch that mode off for portraits and on for wildlife.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9zizeiNUBY4/VWPa_3l6zEI/AAAAAAAAdnU/j81Cknkl8xQ/s800/IMGP6666.jpg)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1mogANFnkW8/VWPbAOWt2cI/AAAAAAAAdnk/A8SztdqtNUQ/s800/IMGP6668.jpg)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZGkMdKrNnZk/VWPbA3hZsiI/AAAAAAAAdn0/IHTzJwmOpE0/s800/IMGP6678.jpg)
Post by: Unorthodox on May 26, 2015, 02:20:50 pm
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jq1Pw2exDm0/VWPbBX9qJ7I/AAAAAAAAdoA/MApbCdXZwz8/s800/IMGP6680.jpg)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JZjRnY4a1XA/VWPbBe2JdhI/AAAAAAAAdn8/Wza9fOyOq94/s800/IMGP6683.jpg)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-akWP-h6e8bA/VWPbBht2CpI/AAAAAAAAdoU/icNYYA73CCg/s800/IMGP6685.jpg)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-i5rhPBjqWVA/VWPbB-AUumI/AAAAAAAAdoI/ObjQ2Xk8wIs/s800/IMGP6686.jpg)
I could have spent hours out there. Probably days just messing with the camera.
Post by: Geo on May 26, 2015, 07:11:27 pm
Not enough food here to support such big birds. ;no
Post by: Rusty Edge on May 27, 2015, 03:10:37 am
Nice variety in birdlife.
Not enough food here to support such big birds. ;no
Don't you have any storks in Belgium?
Post by: Unorthodox on May 28, 2015, 03:52:44 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on May 28, 2015, 03:55:37 pm
Post by: Geo on May 28, 2015, 04:29:33 pm
Nice variety in birdlife.
Not enough food here to support such big birds. ;no
Don't you have any storks in Belgium?
Mmm... during Spring/Summer I think we have a few nesting places. Not that many though. Its often a highlight on TV when a couple has been spotted.
Post by: Unorthodox on May 31, 2015, 11:58:30 am
hm....not terribly far to drive...
Post by: Unorthodox on June 01, 2015, 04:17:49 am
Dont know why moths are instinctively "ew scary/gross" and butterflies are "oo pretty let me hold it".
Had pretty orange and black underwings, but wouldn't show them off for the camera.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XN9ij1PxG8M/VWvMM0OPvRI/AAAAAAAAdqI/kq9mU2cugVU/s800/IMGP6755.jpg)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Twyzo-4gnPg/VWvMM34lffI/AAAAAAAAdqM/ttCUHA1Op88/s800/IMGP6759.jpg)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tcDPCo6tlkE/VWvMM0GLHuI/AAAAAAAAdqE/Lz99NQfVgyc/s800/IMGP6752.jpg)
Post by: Rusty Edge on June 01, 2015, 05:36:39 am
Dont know why moths are instinctively "ew scary/gross" and butterflies are "oo pretty let me hold it".
Probably a matter of butterflies - brightly colored, frequent flower beds.
Moths- dull, nocturnal, dusty. People make subconscious associations.
Me, I like the big, rusty colored moths- Corcopias? About the size of a Luna.
Post by: Unorthodox on June 01, 2015, 01:35:40 pm
Dont know why moths are instinctively "ew scary/gross" and butterflies are "oo pretty let me hold it".
Probably a matter of butterflies - brightly colored, frequent flower beds.
Moths- dull, nocturnal, dusty. People make subconscious associations.
A lot of my favorite lepidoptra are moths. Not as many are nocturnal as people think. And dusty?
Quote
Me, I like the big, rusty colored moths- Corcopias? About the size of a Luna.
Wouldn't be something local to me. Eye spots or not? Eyes would probably be a polyphemus. Without, could be a dozen I know of, so probably hundreds of possibilities.
Post by: Rusty Edge on June 01, 2015, 04:49:54 pm
Adult cecropia moth, Hyalophora cecropia
Figure 4. Adult cecropia moth, Hyalophora cecropia (Linnaeus). Photograph by Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources - Forestry Archive, Bugwood.org.
http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/misc/moths/buck_moth.htm (http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/misc/moths/buck_moth.htm)
This one looks brighter red than the ones I usually saw, but that's what I was thinking of.
---------------------------------------------
Here- with the UHF TV antennae
http://www.adirondackbasecamp.com/2010/06/seeking-adirondack-saturniidae/comment-page-1/ (http://www.adirondackbasecamp.com/2010/06/seeking-adirondack-saturniidae/comment-page-1/)
But all of these silkworm moths are cool.
http://www.rebeccaruppresources.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/silk_moths.jpeg (http://www.rebeccaruppresources.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/silk_moths.jpeg)
Post by: Unorthodox on June 01, 2015, 07:34:18 pm
I'm sure you know a lot of moths. By dusty, I meant that when you touch some moths, you get a substance like flour on your fingers. Why is that?
It's scales. Butterflies have them too if you touch the wings you'll get them on you.
Post by: Unorthodox on June 03, 2015, 01:35:26 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 07, 2015, 06:55:08 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on June 08, 2015, 01:59:40 pm
Alec got home from scout camp on Saturday, had to pack myself and the boys for the trip by sunday (because when I scheduled my vacation last year, I was in the 'must work as much as possible we need money' mode and really should have taken today off to prep...oh well) which made a crapton of laundry to do, and the yard still isn't where I would have liked it before we left, but little I can do about that. Weather has been real odd this year. It'll be fine, just wish the pumpkins were more established going into water restrictions for June with me not here to use grey water.
Meanwhile, something lit some fire under my brother in law to get the in-laws house ready to sell asap after a month of let's wait a while, so had to move the stuff hEt wanted over the weekend as well so they can do an estate sale while we're gone. All told, very little down time this weekend.
Don't know what kind of connection the cabin we're staying at will have (Free wifi doesn't mean good), so don't be shocked if I go totally absent for the next week. Even if they do have a good wifi, there's a good chance the laptop will be working as a netflix box as they don't have TV and I'm not that used to using the phone yet. Unless they've updated the various visitor centers in-park, there's little to no connection (or cell phone service) inside the park.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 08, 2015, 07:34:40 pm
I've seen claims that she used to troll Russian forums as a witch, too...
Post by: Rusty Edge on June 08, 2015, 07:43:35 pm
But being a recluse at heart, I like to be able to escape the grid in a park, and the people using the grid. No International crises, no sports scores or stock market reports. Nobody making demands upon my time, or intruding into my thoughts, except for those I take with me. No cell towers ruining my view.
Granted, smart phones have a lot to offer in terms of weather & gps & emergency advice.
They will continue to encroach. And it makes me sad. :(
Well, have a nice time, just bring back a couple of pictures!
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 08, 2015, 07:47:32 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on June 08, 2015, 10:17:19 pm
I haven't been hunting or camping this millennia, and probably never will again.
Why the hell not?
Don't think I'd go so far as to call Yellowstone camping.
At the least, if it's camping, it's the Disneyland of camping. You certainly don't escape people there, anyway. We had the choice of Flagstaff or Yellowstone this year, and I wanted to get all the kids to Yellowstone (we've been to Flagstaff, but there's plenty there we didn't see). Kyle's at an age he might not be traveling with us much in the future, and wanted them all to see it at least once.
Debating how to respond to the inevitable "oh, I'll take your picture" from a kindly tourist that offers to use my camera. The average joe isn't going to be able to even attempt to operate my camera.
Post by: Rusty Edge on June 08, 2015, 11:17:16 pm
I quit to preserve what hearing I had, while I still had it. That's the big reason.
I don't have land or crops anymore, so no varmints to hunt. I might get frustrated and infuriated not being able to hear the game if I tried to hunt with a bow or something. I don't have any family in this time zone, so there's no social aspect of going hunting or camping any more.
My wife is more of a cabin person than a camper, and a fisher rather than a hunter. So spending a couple of weeks a year sitting with her in a small boat, catching fish and watching the mink and eagles, etc. usually satisfies that urge to get back to nature. She's serious about it and doesn't chatter in the boat, so I do get a chance to clear my head.
But we're usually within a mile of a cell tower, the cabin has a tv, and there are relatives in the rest of the cabins on the street. So it's like a small noisy house.
To satisfy my urge to get off the grid, I get a better fix at Disney or on a cruise ship. On the cruise ship we turn the phones off, so that we don't get pinged and hosed with international rates. We don't watch tv in either place, unless it's to check the weather, so we are blissfully unaware of the news, sports, and financial markets.
Post by: Geo on June 09, 2015, 10:48:43 pm
Debating how to respond to the inevitable "oh, I'll take your picture" from a kindly tourist that offers to use my camera. The average joe isn't going to be able to even attempt to operate my camera.
Just say its either a specialized instrument, or the settings are too sensitive to explain in a hurry. ;)
As for the hunting, when I got a degenerative nerve condition in my right ear, I found out how much noise damage I'd done to my left ear by shooting every day( practicing when I wasn't hunting), even with protection.
I quit to preserve what hearing I had, while I still had it. That's the big reason.
Did the nerve condition happen because of the noise damage, or was it something that simply developed as you aged?
Post by: Rusty Edge on June 10, 2015, 03:04:26 am
The nerve condition is Meniere's disease-
Perhaps you've heard of it. They say it's about as miserable as you can get without being terminal. Getting on a carnival ride drunk and being unable to get off again is a pretty good description of what it feels like , too.
I have the classic case in my right ear- so it affects my cognitive function , too.
I believe that it is a caused by a latent herpesviridae , which tend to imbed in cranial nerves and lie dormant for decades. Then burst forth with something surprising like shingles or Bell's Palsy http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herpesviridae (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herpesviridae)
I have had the 4 symptoms-
1) rotational vertigo, often followed by nausea, vomiting chills, cold sweats, and diarrhea
2) hearing loss. It varies from day to day, but the trend is worse.
3) tinnitus that never goes away.
4) fullness or pressure in the affected ear.
And the optional
5) drop attacks.- sort of like suddenly being pulled over backwards or tripped. That's the painful part.
It's what you call ideopathic- there is no definitive test, cause, or cure.
It's determined by differential diagnosis- ruling out everything else.
So doctors often take the good news/ bad news approach- We finally know what's wrong with you. We can't cure it or stop it from getting worse. You'll have to figure it out on your own.
In life, some people take the "fight it" approach and strive for full recovery.
In this case, I took the "roll with it " approach. I expect crap to happen and I prepare for it and try to otherwise adapt to a new reality.
The 24/7 tinnitus and vertigo and drop attacks cause people anxiety, and progressive deafness causes depression, and a lot of people go on valium. Valium is a drug I would be addicted to in no time at all, so I refuse to have it prescribed.
Anyway, I've rearranged my life, and I haven't vomited in years. That part really gets old once the stomach is empty. I retired in '04, and got this syndrome in '07, in my late forties.
I haven't vomited since '09. So the other dizziness is easy.
That may sound like it sucks, but my Dad died of cancer when he was 33. Life is kinda relative.
Probably more than anybody wanted to know. Any questions?
Well, I didn't mean to highjack the thread, but I guess it is random crap. Buncle can always split this off.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 10, 2015, 03:13:40 am
I can attest that the thing about deafness and depression has something to it. Being a little deaf so it doesn't really show is still a horrific social barrier - the misunderstandings, the actually minding noise more because it makes you functionally deafer, the related impaired enjoyment of anything involving crowds or music at much volume -which leaves out an awful lot of restaurants- that lonely feeling of realizing everybody knows the words to songs but you...
Being self-reliant is great, in concept, but there just too many of the things you might want to do in this world that you can't do alone.
Post by: Rusty Edge on June 10, 2015, 03:32:31 am
I'd respect his wishes.
Post by: Geo on June 10, 2015, 09:05:07 am
I assume you had to retire due to this condition. Is your spouse still working? I can imagine money is hard to come by if you're not still working.
Post by: Unorthodox on June 10, 2015, 11:37:20 am
The boys lost their clothes that were packed, but mostly had replacements. I pretty much lost everything I had that wasn't the nice pants they make me wear at work. Had to do shopping on the way up, which turned a planned arrival of 2 pm into 6 pm. Oi. Awake in the wee hours right now before the rest of the family, sunrise in an hour.
Post by: Geo on June 10, 2015, 01:06:56 pm
So, I was loading the car, and between a couple trips with bags, someone pulled up and stole the luggage right out of the rental car in our driveway.
Bloody hell. ???
Do you think someone from the neighbourhood stole it?
Post by: Rusty Edge on June 10, 2015, 07:12:38 pm
So, I was loading the car, and between a couple trips with bags, someone pulled up and stole the luggage right out of the rental car in our driveway.
The boys lost their clothes that were packed, but mostly had replacements. I pretty much lost everything I had that wasn't the nice pants they make me wear at work. Had to do shopping on the way up, which turned a planned arrival of 2 pm into 6 pm. Oi. Awake in the wee hours right now before the rest of the family, sunrise in an hour.
That's terrible! Was it just clothes, or did you loose camera and electronics, too?
Post by: Rusty Edge on June 10, 2015, 08:06:25 pm
Definitely more then I expected to hear.
I assume you had to retire due to this condition. Is your spouse still working? I can imagine money is hard to come by if you're not still working.
1) I misunderstood your original question. For about 6 weeks, I was frequently misunderstanding my wife, asking people to repeat themselves, and turning up the TV.
Then as I was getting out of bed one day BANG! Worst vertigo attack of my life. We feared it was a brain tumor or something. So, in hindsight it was a gradual onset, but in experience it was as sudden as a muscle cramp.
2) No, I retired a couple of years before that.
3) Money? Don't feel sorry for me. My wife is great with it. House and cars and Disney time share are paid for. We have great investments. In fact, she was Chief Accounting Officer for several divisions of Viola North America. I used to work as an insurance adjuster, and she never did like me traveling working late and unpredictable hours. She said the money I made only went to pay taxes, and she would rather have me home getting dinner ready and running errands so that she had her evenings and weekends free. I was clashing with my boss, over ethical issues, and got let go. She said don't find another job, and I've lived happily ever after.
True, her parent company sold everything piece by piece to raise cash, and she was terminated to cut costs. She had the last laugh, because once she was gone one of the Vice Presidents committed $40 million in fraud.
So the fact that I'm too inconsistent to hold a job if I needed one doesn't cause a problem. She liked to keep 6 months salary as a cash reserve because she's been laid off before in her career. While my wife hasn't been able to find another Chief Accounting Officer job locally, she could get project work if we really needed money, but we're enjoying spending all of our time together.
Thanks for your concern.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 10, 2015, 08:43:37 pm
Incidentally, I put a lot into understanding my friends here, and I'm confident that Uno doesn't mind a little letting the flow of conversation go where it goes in his "Random" thread, provided we don't keep it up forever or drift into talking forum politics. ;nod
---
Uno, good luck with Yellowstone, and I'm freaked out by someone pulling into your driveway to rip you off - the open car clearly says you thought you'd be right back, and that sounds like druggies cruising your neighborhood looking for quick opportunity crimes. You need to call the po-po then you get back, for purposes of getting more patrols in the neighborhood. Dude. Seriously.
Post by: Geo on June 10, 2015, 09:31:04 pm
Out of curiosity, did I phrase my question in a weird way or something? English isn't my first language, so...
Post by: Rusty Edge on June 10, 2015, 10:16:10 pm
I think it's probably a matter of
1) it's a peculiar syndrome, and doesn't fit either/or categories very well.
2) I can deal with the syndrome better by ignoring it, or parts of it. If I acknowledge the tinnitus/"ringing in the ears", for example, it's harder to tolerate. So I focused on the "it wasn't part of the noise damage". The right ear masked the noise damage until the Meniere's started up.
Post by: Unorthodox on June 11, 2015, 03:38:09 pm
Neighbor across the street: "Ya know, I wondered if I should go get that license plate. It was a bald guy in a white car."
You WONDERED? Really?
Whatever.
I had taken the two out, then had to bring Talia's bag back in because something wasn't packed yet. Was taking the computer out after that when I found the empty car. Hope they enjoy the socks and undies.
Idaho Falls has a decent mall, better than the Ogden and Layton ones, who knew?
Post by: Rusty Edge on June 11, 2015, 05:31:21 pm
I don't have any trouble seeing you clashing with your boss over ethical issues - I have trouble seeing such an utterly lovely person (complement) being an insurance adjuster - that sounds no more fitting than when my grampa, who loved dogs and desperately wanted no one mad at him ever, worked for a while as dog catcher.
Family handed me the job. I turned it down at first, but when my Mom asked me she cried, and I folded. Didn't want it at the time, put it paid well with benefits, I got to travel and be alone most of the time. Lots of times you get to be the hero. I was tops in the exams, and was going to specialize in the part I enjoyed the most- getting the clients inspected, inventoried, documented, and organized before they had a claim. That way everything was quicker and easier when they did have bad luck. But it was never to be.
It wasn't until the 3rd boss that I had problems, when I moved to be in the same city as my future wife. I liked to see as much money as possible go to the people who had bad luck, rather than the ones who were negligent, fraudulent, or just felt entitled. My 3rd manager was more interested in pleasing the agents who wrote the most business. As you can imagine, those who sell the most aren't always the most honest about their products, or careful about taking the time to match them to the needs of their clients. When I say I was let go, they gradually stopped assigning cases to me. Nothing formal.
Well, in the graft vs. Bureaucracy thing, you need the complex paperwork for insurance, or the greed takes over quickly. Almost everybody is acting in self-interest, and don't think of it as stealing from their community by driving up costs.
Post by: Unorthodox on June 13, 2015, 01:52:31 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 13, 2015, 02:12:23 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on June 14, 2015, 04:26:22 am
Anyway, guess my birthday present.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ROLOPgIFJao/VXzzlpVVTcI/AAAAAAAAd3Q/Cla-Ke7VRsI/s800/IMG_0124.JPG)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 14, 2015, 04:32:40 am
A necktie?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 14, 2015, 08:47:37 pm
-Always struck me as somehow wrong, that automatically wanting to kill one to study a species.
Post by: Unorthodox on June 15, 2015, 02:14:10 am
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xepfhXDVOYA/VX4l0zz13oI/AAAAAAAAd4Y/M4HnFBtC1Cg/s800/IMGP6972.jpg)
How to go about molding....
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 15, 2015, 02:28:51 am
You may have to cast some detail separately and glue together. Probably, even.
Post by: Unorthodox on June 15, 2015, 03:20:42 am
Post by: Metaliturtle on June 15, 2015, 03:30:50 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 15, 2015, 03:34:10 pm
Post by: Metaliturtle on June 15, 2015, 03:35:46 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 15, 2015, 03:41:31 pm
Tryin' to run a classy place, but go find the Let's Make Smilies! thread about a page back, and requests within reason will be honored - custom jobs and stuff, too.
Post by: Metaliturtle on June 15, 2015, 03:51:01 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on June 15, 2015, 04:51:46 pm
Neat! ;b; glad to see UnO here :)
Likewise. ;b;
Post by: Metaliturtle on June 15, 2015, 09:20:21 pm
Neat! ;b; glad to see UnO here :)
Likewise. ;b;
:danc:
Post by: Unorthodox on June 15, 2015, 09:36:47 pm
Think I've narrowed it down to a group of flies (dobsonfly relative) but no luck on species.
I'm throwing in the towel.
It's EITHER some species of mantisfly (less likely) or stonefly (springfly most likely), but I can't find anything on either changing color swiftly, just seasonally/with temperatures.
The best source I could find on Yellowstone insects is surprisingly lax. Figured it would be someone's project somewhere. Oh well.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 15, 2015, 09:40:25 pm
Post by: Metaliturtle on June 15, 2015, 09:46:20 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 15, 2015, 09:48:07 pm
Post by: Metaliturtle on June 15, 2015, 09:52:19 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on June 15, 2015, 10:16:01 pm
Who do you know to talk to?
Interview with the lead entomologist for the area:
Quote
I think
most people who come here just visiting have heard about the
charismatic megafauna, and that’s what almost all people focus
on. But if you look at ecosystems, you start thinking about how
many insects there are in Yellowstone relative to other animals.
We probably don’t know even within an order of magnitude
how many there are.
Looks like most the research in the area is around the lake and various valleys, not the geothermal areas where this was found, too. (though to be fair, a fairly normal ecosystem in the river was relatively near) Since it would be practically impossible to safely conduct thurough field studies in the geothermal areas, it's not surprising, just worth noting.
Should have seen if I could make it back to the car for the macro lens.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 16, 2015, 12:37:33 am
Post by: Unorthodox on June 16, 2015, 01:39:36 am
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LejDl7EBfIY/VX9vS8W_OFI/AAAAAAAAd5E/SzH3trnGCc4/s800/IMG_0113.JPG)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KtYXvhz3qpg/VX9vS6PCy6I/AAAAAAAAd5I/vFMDpo5LYWs/s800/IMG_0114.JPG)
Post by: Unorthodox on June 16, 2015, 09:23:35 pm
Yeah, I'm asking for it because I have it, yep.
Post by: Unorthodox on June 16, 2015, 09:32:35 pm
Hmm. Stands to reason that the geothermal areas, with their known extremophiles and special conditions, ought to be an especially fertile ground for fieldwork/investigation into speciation and neat-o science stuff like that. Seems obvious, really.
Other than the fact the ground is unstable and any step could be your last, that is.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 16, 2015, 09:39:33 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on June 16, 2015, 09:54:04 pm
We visited the west yellowstone bear and wolf center while waiting for hEt one day. The big highlight was SUPPOSED to be the kids going into this habitat and hiding food for the bear to find once he was released.
The habitat was outside, no roof, and a parade of kids happily marching through as instructed. I leaned over to the kids and said, "that bear is going to be going hungry, let's go watch the bird show next door."
Alec come with me, Kyle and Talia stayed to watch the bear. As Alec and I were walking next door, the kids had finished and left. No sooner did the cage door shut than the murder of Ravens that had been watching the kids descend and start gathering up all the food. Talia tells me, further that when the bear was released, the Ravens kept darting at him till he lost interest and moved to a corner of the cage, then they kept eating the food.
Most interesting thing at the center was a little note about Ravens. Turns out they are actually training the wolves in Yellowstone. Or rather, they are at least communicating with one another, with Ravens helping the packs spot prey, then they are able to have the scraps.
Post by: Unorthodox on June 16, 2015, 10:26:33 pm
"Ideally this would be an hour class."
Right. An HOUR. Think I spent 4 months sculpting that...
They want the Davis Graveyard knockoff where you just dip a sheet in paint and throw it on a storebought Wally. That could be done in an hour.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 16, 2015, 11:34:00 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on June 17, 2015, 01:27:52 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 17, 2015, 01:46:16 am
Post by: Metaliturtle on June 17, 2015, 04:22:14 am
Post by: Unorthodox on June 18, 2015, 02:06:15 pm
Broiling hot here. Hope it translates into being able to work on things this weekend, but I'm somehow doubting that.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 18, 2015, 02:20:04 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on June 18, 2015, 02:34:37 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 18, 2015, 02:39:22 pm
Say - nosy personal question. How are you fixed for the formal edumacataion on paper? I have a vague impression you may not have graduated high school, having been going through a thing about that time in your life. GED? College? Have I surmised wrongly?
Post by: Unorthodox on June 18, 2015, 04:18:33 pm
Tricky. Super-trick to make work as one piece, I can tell form the picture.
No mandible, so it's not as tricky as it might look. I'll have to tool out a couple areas on the copy I had to fill to make it a one piece
Quote
Say - nosy personal question. How are you fixed for the formal edumacataion on paper? I have a vague impression you may not have graduated high school, having been going through a thing about that time in your life. GED? College? Have I surmised wrongly?
I somehow managed to gradumate from High school. That's it. My attendance record would have kept me from graduating (Bored to tears in AP chemistry and AP Physics, both classes had the test as 70% of your grade, so showed up only on Friday test days and pulled C's in both classes without doing a lick of work outside the tests), but I got that waived by working as a counselor for kids going through issues, most of whom were my friends anyway. Should have signed up for either work release or early college instead of the "advanced" classes. :zzz:
Didn't know what I wanted to do out of high school, so went to work in a manufacturing job to put my wife through school (married at 19). The idea being I'd go when she got out. By that time we had a kid. 6 years of production later, I was told by a supervisor I would NOT be moving up in the company as long as he was around. Day I quit, I visited HR and he got fired.
Stumbled into the Boeing job because I used to do yard work for the hiring manager. She knew I was a hard worker despite not having the schoolin'. Funny interview, that one. In front of a board of about 5 people, I was driving semis at the time and had to come over at my lunch hour. I'm covered in dirt and grease, head to toe, not looking remotely nice enough for an interview and one of the idiot's first canned questions was "this can be a dirty job, are you willing to get dirty?" I just looked at him and motioned to my state.
Technically I should have a degree, but I's don't. It's 60s tech, a degree in todays tech is worthless, but my extremely old school philosophies fit nicely with it. TASC had me even doing Egineering reviews I know the tech well enough. Sure a degreed someone would have to approve my reviews cause I aint got the paper, but there it is. Those engineers always loved running problems by me because I see things differently than the average person. I can read a drawing if I have to, but I'm much better if you set me in front of whatever and let me go to work with my hands.
Couple patents out there floating around with my name, but owned by the companies I worked for at the time.
BAE needed people with experience in the tech, and you literally can't find many people with experience in 60s tech that are under 70 years old these days, so I got picked over a schoolined newb. I'm told I interviewed rather impressively too. They felt like I was interviewing THEM more than the other way around, and they knew they were in that much trouble, so I get to clean up another mess.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 18, 2015, 04:36:30 pm
Everyone else in my immediate family has an advanced degree, and with Daddy gone, I'm in last place on paper, so I know exactly what the paper's worth, being not educated inferiorly to any of the three left outside their narrow specialties - and Mylochka finds my thought and insights into her specialty worthwhile, though, alas, my brother does not, to his error.
I'll tell you, though - a thing of real value that what formal education I can claim did is make me study some subjects of no interest. I consider myself far more self-educated than formally, but the formal has made me a better-rounded person with less holes in his knowledge. You never know what will end up being useful, and I'd like to point out that the community college system in most states -and I definitely expect Utah to not be an exception- is cheap, good, convenient and easy to get into. It's never too late while you live and can think.
(I make that last point to cousins and cousins' children all the time - lotta powerful brains going to waste, there.)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 18, 2015, 04:59:58 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on June 18, 2015, 05:38:12 pm
I don't think schoolin is for me at this point, honestly. There is some formal CERTIFICATION, however, I would like to persue. It's a piece of paper that says I know what I'm doing in my field. More interesting to me than a piece of paper that says I paid to spend x hours 'learning' stuff I already know.
Quote
About the skull; in the pic it appeared to have -I don't know what you call that cheekbone structure on the sides- an arch that looked to have a hole all the way through. How are you handling that, if so? Cardboard separation in the arch while making mold and gonna clamp when casting and sand the seam?
The zygomatic arch. For the jaw muscles. I filled that gap with clay, like I do when making human skulls.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UduTANO31xc/VRTQC6wE8OI/AAAAAAAAdJA/lf8uSuyjtQU/s800/IMGP6393.jpg)
In the human skull copies, it's all but imperceptible unless you really LOOK for it. And the number or people that know TO look for it, AND will notice it for my halloween purposes is miniscule, so I never bother hollowing it out.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kdj_fdGarvQ/VRTQRoymD0I/AAAAAAAAdLo/R31L6e3sF08/s800/IMGP6463.jpg)
The bear, I'm thinking I'll have to tool the area out with a drill or dremel. My first copy, however, I'm going to modify to make ANOTHER mold of.
Post by: Unorthodox on June 18, 2015, 05:41:39 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 18, 2015, 05:46:02 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on June 18, 2015, 05:49:57 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 18, 2015, 07:48:52 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on June 18, 2015, 09:49:48 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 18, 2015, 09:53:20 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on June 18, 2015, 09:54:48 pm
It SEVERELY shortens mold life though. I'm lucky to pull 5 resin out of a mold that would give me 30+ plaster.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 18, 2015, 10:02:46 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on June 20, 2015, 05:19:00 am
12 hours, just have to hold off this urge to kill for 12 hours.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 20, 2015, 05:22:45 am
Post by: Unorthodox on June 20, 2015, 11:44:29 am
Post by: Unorthodox on June 20, 2015, 01:51:43 pm
Serenity now!
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 20, 2015, 02:02:47 pm
I WAS up too late again...
Post by: Unorthodox on June 20, 2015, 02:26:06 pm
Yep, I'm totally wrong. Just been going to the local swap meet for 30 years. I got no idea how this works nope.
So glad the experts that have never done this are in charge.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 20, 2015, 02:43:12 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on June 20, 2015, 04:52:32 pm
(HEts bro/sis)
Trying to get them to act at least professional in front of people.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 20, 2015, 06:05:03 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on June 21, 2015, 01:05:10 am
I'm so done w people right now
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 21, 2015, 01:30:58 am
Meeellllooooww. Meeeellooooowww.
;nod
Post by: Unorthodox on June 21, 2015, 02:13:02 am
Post by: Unorthodox on June 22, 2015, 04:26:53 am
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-98sWc2TlaBA/VYd8WhU15OI/AAAAAAAAd6g/Nfdt3ukvJ6I/s800/IMG_0197.JPG)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 22, 2015, 05:01:32 am
Post by: Unorthodox on June 23, 2015, 03:53:43 am
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Gwmdm9pD7tU/VYjIK2yy-zI/AAAAAAAAd7A/yoZBQGq4oms/s800/IMGP6974.jpg)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vGwtl6aD3ZE/VYjILOYrCAI/AAAAAAAAd7E/1FAUl_A6xu4/s800/IMGP6976.jpg)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 23, 2015, 12:41:52 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on June 24, 2015, 01:22:00 am
Tour is actually coming to Utah this year...
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 24, 2015, 02:35:09 am
Post by: Geo on June 24, 2015, 08:02:17 am
Post by: Unorthodox on June 24, 2015, 01:32:58 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on June 24, 2015, 01:38:47 pm
That's going to be very popular there.
They didn't exactly book a huge location.
Boss has given the go ahead to ticket purchases, though.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 24, 2015, 03:41:55 pm
The boss took Talia to the amusement park last night (to meet with her friend their, girls night). After taking the friends home, Talia wanted to go back to ride the Dracula's Castle, then proceeded to point out all the faults on the dark ride (I have not discussed them with her). Lighting that needs to be moved, sets that need to be updated, etc. Her training is coming along nicely.I need to figure out a Swelling With Pride smilie...
Post by: Unorthodox on June 24, 2015, 09:40:10 pm
They even let me paint these because they want the area to look nice. Then they go punch holes in a wall and I have to point out they can't mount the damn thing right under a fire sprinkler. So much for looking nice with a gaping hole or 4.
Post by: Unorthodox on June 25, 2015, 04:11:35 am
So...the latex on the skull is going odd colors....thats....interesting...
So, um...
well, the mold is off...
the color was blood. They must have bleached the outside white, then the ammonia in the latex followed by capillary action brought up blood in the skull.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 25, 2015, 04:23:29 am
Post by: Unorthodox on June 25, 2015, 04:28:56 am
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DgahcnAo1u0/VYt0LvgOIAI/AAAAAAAAd8Y/w7cuRNtNLUQ/s800/IMGP6978.jpg)
I don't have plaster right now, so we'll know this weekend.
Post by: Unorthodox on June 28, 2015, 04:18:48 am
How's the mold as a mold, though?
tricky.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 28, 2015, 04:39:37 am
Post by: Unorthodox on June 28, 2015, 05:29:36 am
Post by: Unorthodox on June 28, 2015, 05:40:40 am
Do I pull still warm or wait till cold, dis/advantages either way.
Post by: Unorthodox on June 28, 2015, 05:41:42 am
Post by: Unorthodox on June 28, 2015, 06:23:30 am
Post by: Unorthodox on June 28, 2015, 02:19:35 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 28, 2015, 02:31:36 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 28, 2015, 02:39:51 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on June 28, 2015, 02:41:31 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on June 29, 2015, 01:36:39 pm
Got some work done on both Father and Mother last night.
Most structure work done on Father now. Got a little to do on his right arm, it's kinda temporarily attached right now, and some detail painting on the left arm, and I need to build a stand for the contest.
Brighter light in the chest, finally found a use for those newfangled LED bulbs.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uhv3clGriSs/VZEvC72MLvI/AAAAAAAAd94/_8UMPb8sgVM/s800/IMGP6979.jpg)
Beginning of the structure on Mother. About 60% skinned. We need to find some yard refuse for her arms and legs though. Debating a third child, but might also go with even more children hanging elsewhere. They will have umbillical/vines "hanging" them from in there, painted with a green wash, and a green light in the chest to highlight them as well, but orange lights are inside each of them to make the eyes pop.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HXK8hSMBLyQ/VZEvC1OedxI/AAAAAAAAd-A/wrIhVuwR4y8/s800/IMGP6981.jpg)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-he7GipAalkY/VZEvCyLOVsI/AAAAAAAAd-E/VopGEaDy3-A/s800/IMGP6982.jpg)
Post by: Unorthodox on June 29, 2015, 01:40:09 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 29, 2015, 01:42:41 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on June 29, 2015, 02:09:59 pm
Nice effect with the children inside.
Toyed with an idea early in design to put a translucent "skin" over the belly as well...might revisit once it's further along.
Post by: Unorthodox on June 29, 2015, 02:15:46 pm
A LOT the last few days...
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 29, 2015, 02:19:21 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on June 29, 2015, 02:50:00 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 29, 2015, 04:00:27 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on June 30, 2015, 03:22:21 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 30, 2015, 03:30:22 am
Post by: Unorthodox on June 30, 2015, 03:40:22 am
Post by: Unorthodox on July 01, 2015, 02:24:39 pm
Can't load the pics to picasa right now. Talia tackled her fear, now to pour her head so I can get to work...
Post by: Unorthodox on July 01, 2015, 02:30:26 pm
Quote
She ought to have been the breakout star of Aliens as the little girl, Newt, who defies all odds to escape from a remote planetoid overrun by lethal extra terrestrials, but Carrie Henn never saw her name in lights again. Now the actor is to return to the screen almost 30 years on from the release of James Cameron’s brutal space thriller in a fan film set in the Alien universe.
Henn, 39, will play Anne Jorden, young Newt’s mother, in a flashback sequence for Alien Identity, which is being directed by Adam Sonnet. Newt herself will be portrayed by the film-maker’s wife Elle Viane Sonnet.
“I am looking forward to working on Aliens from a different perspective,” said Henn, who has been active on fan convention circuits in recent years. “I can’t wait to hear what all the fans think!”
Ricco Ross, who played space grunt Private Robert Frost in Aliens, is also returning for the new film. He will play the role of Richard Frost, the late Robert’s brother, as well as taking a producer’s credit.
Related:
More on this topicI'll ignore Alien 3 and take the franchise back to familiar territory, says Neill Blomkamp
Fans of the Alien series have long speculated on how Henn’s career might have developed had her character not been written out by Alien 3 director David Fincher at the start of the film. Many remain angry at the way Newt was so quickly dispensed with after audiences had spent so much time rooting for her and Sigourney Weaver’s Ellen Ripley in Cameron’s film.
Henn is known for the line “They mostly come at night … mostly”. According to Alien fan sites she was discovered by casting agents while living with her US air force-employed father on a base in Lakenheath, England, in the mid-80s. The agents sent a photograph to producers and the eight-year-old girl won the part after auditioning at Pinewood Studos.
The Alien saga, which began with Ridley Scott’s Alien in 1979 and has spanned four films and two Alien vs Predator spin-offs, not to mention the pseudo-prequel Prometheus, is also set for a big screen return. In fact, Newt but might still be alive in District 9 director Neill Blomkamp’s proposed film, which will see Weaver returning as Ripley. The South African film-maker said in February that he planned to ignore Alien 3 and Alien: Resurrection to return to the “Freudian nightmare” of the earlier films, though he later appeared to backtrack.
Alien Identity takes place 14 years after the events of Aliens, which was released in 1986. Producers are currently crowdfunding via Kickstarter at www.AlienTwoPointFive.com (http://www.AlienTwoPointFive.com).
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 01, 2015, 02:39:51 pm
(https://scontent-atl1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xta1/v/t1.0-9/p296x100/11402748_1004716942895035_7277426037958369556_n.jpg?oh=f224c12de469504bc74f2b8923e3b26d&oe=562E07D7)
Those seem to always bork up eventually, but nice for now... The camera does love that chile.
Post by: Unorthodox on July 01, 2015, 03:22:42 pm
(https://scontent-lga1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/s720x720/11666042_1004698049563591_7740628880848117732_n.jpg?oh=994e9e9970966335f53b5600a8b9e9b5&oe=55E8FD46)
She almost lost it when the power went out, killing the movie she was listening to.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 01, 2015, 03:25:47 pm
Have I ever shown you the devil mask I made from my face in college?
Post by: Unorthodox on July 01, 2015, 03:55:32 pm
Want to do it ONE more time, but kinda have a catch-22. The level of detail I want to go to, I'm the only one I know that could do the actual work.
Don't think we've seen the devil mask, no.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 01, 2015, 04:10:05 pm
For me, it helped that I'd grown up with a dad w/ no sense of personal boundaries/space and spent a lot of time in Dr.'s offices getting treated - so I have no trouble going limp and waiting when I've no reason to fear the person handling me (or Daddy, because putting up a fight was counterproductive). I rule my passions; they do not rule me.
Post by: Unorthodox on July 01, 2015, 05:35:56 pm
Well, most years. Occasionally I don't cover my nose/mouth area, which is where the panic sets in. Last year was the worst...
Post by: Rusty Edge on July 01, 2015, 05:39:21 pm
I've only done it twice (and you have one of the results), and don't think I could sit through it with anyone but hEt. The alginate version is actually worse than the plaster. Partly my whole propensity to panic whenever my face is covered (thanks mom), maybe that overblows the experience for me some.
Want to do it ONE more time, but kinda have a catch-22. The level of detail I want to go to, I'm the only one I know that could do the actual work.
Maybe one day Talia will be qualified, call it a hunch.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 01, 2015, 09:24:48 pm
Probably never had a shot of the devil anyway, or you'd remember, Uno. I think not hard to find the original or the one paper mache copy, though, and a camera is right here beside me from the picture I took of BA yesterday...
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 01, 2015, 10:24:40 pm
Below is the first thing I ever did in plaster, back in 1988. Most of the people in the class did lame crap with paper plates. You will be shocked, SHOCKED I tell you, that I totally got an A. It doesn't fit me all that well, because I caved the cheeks in a little as part of the face-shaping. Mylochka says it's still recognizably me, which I can't believe.
The third is a paper mache impression I did of it a teeny bit more recently. Looking at the base, you can imagine how much fun it was to separate and mend the back of the horns intact, so between that and having fondness for the somewhat fragile original, I may not do any more copies. I don't think it's one of M's most inspired paint decoratings ever, but the little dancing devil silhouettes on the face are pretty teh awesome.
(The first shot enlarges when clicked on.)
Post by: Unorthodox on July 02, 2015, 02:23:35 pm
. . . whats that black and red one underneath? it appears to have an aztec feel from what I can see....
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 02, 2015, 02:30:31 pm
That devil needs some shading to bring out the full lips and some of the other features, that's for sure. I would have gone for the obvious, but classic and resonant, red devil look - but I'm collaborating with someone who has a delightful talent for decorative arglebargle detail that I wouldn't have thought of, and that's one of the glories of collaborating...
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 02, 2015, 04:07:48 pm
I note that for anything I photographed myself, I still have the ridiculously-oversized original pics w/o size/cropping and whatever processing I deemed needed, so detail shots are very doable where anyone asks for a closer look.
Post by: Unorthodox on July 02, 2015, 04:29:12 pm
http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/the-monkey-ozomatli-servant-of-xochipilli-mexico-aztec-news-photo/152193300 (http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/the-monkey-ozomatli-servant-of-xochipilli-mexico-aztec-news-photo/152193300)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 02, 2015, 04:41:57 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 02, 2015, 07:37:27 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on July 02, 2015, 08:31:27 pm
...We just discussed doing a series, in fact, of monkeys around the world where there's a design motif in a monkey/ape-inclusive culture that she'd like to play with...
Bigfoots.
Seriously, do bigfoots. And the various names for ape-men around the world.
Post by: Geo on July 02, 2015, 08:44:04 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 02, 2015, 08:58:19 pm
Bigfoots.That might be a separate series - the idea was Indian-looking decorative argle-bargle around the edges of a Hanuman, Monkey King w/ Chinese decoration, and so on.
Seriously, do bigfoots. And the various names for ape-men around the world.
Yetis, etc., would be a challenge just having the face to work with, maybe... She might be interested in going for realism and trying to imagine various distinct looks on the otherwise-identical faces, but she does her best work with riffing on human cultural styles - (we've talked before about why she's never played with Islamic mosque decoration; she agrees that it's a missed opportunity - but that's not a good source for figural inspiration, exactly, is it?)
Post by: Unorthodox on July 05, 2015, 03:08:41 am
stumbled on while looking for mask pics. written for a college class, rare interview I grant.
Post by: Unorthodox on July 05, 2015, 03:32:21 am
Post by: Unorthodox on July 05, 2015, 04:56:44 pm
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Z_K2x9wnrLU/VZlSvf3aMfI/AAAAAAAAd_8/e0wmosJFAiA/s800/IMGP6998.jpg)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-61L9rvSpw9g/VZlSuEohbsI/AAAAAAAAeAE/FegMJjDJIm8/s800/IMGP6994.jpg)
Post by: Unorthodox on July 05, 2015, 05:04:33 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on July 05, 2015, 05:08:03 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 05, 2015, 05:08:44 pm
Yeah; green children would give the thing some pop in daylight and makes sense for baby O'lanterns.
Try putting on the Star Trek theme from your user settings for dark background here.
Post by: Unorthodox on July 06, 2015, 01:21:45 pm
Finished up the cast of Talia instead.
(https://scontent-lga1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xta1/v/t1.0-9/11202086_1007400472626682_1067604586125729012_n.jpg?oh=028cd7702055147e78a61722f2c0d021&oe=561459CF)
Post by: Rusty Edge on July 06, 2015, 02:43:52 pm
I'd love to see the lighting on that show...
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 06, 2015, 02:55:04 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on July 06, 2015, 02:57:54 pm
Wednesday Addams is on the short list.
If I can ever get her to stop smiling.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 06, 2015, 03:10:32 pm
The chile's perky; roll with it and use it.
Post by: Unorthodox on July 06, 2015, 08:23:16 pm
Might just go with the dress and let one of the pros at the event paint her skelly, though. Pics could be worth the $
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 06, 2015, 08:29:49 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on July 06, 2015, 09:08:45 pm
Once tried the hair chalk stuff to no avail. And colored hairspray is messy.
I could do a Wednesday Addams hairstyle, though, that's why it's on the short list. Focus on what I'm capable of. hEt's working that day.
I THINK I could possibly maybe sorta do a beauty makeup someday with minimal practice needed. I mean, I know the IDEA...just haven't really played with that stuff much. (Once even explored the possibility of using the eye shadows and whatnot for costume purposes, only to discover they hardly impact my skin tone anyway, and I'd need to do a foundation first, at which point I may as well stick with the stage stuff.)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 06, 2015, 09:28:47 pm
I gained some small mastery of beauty makeup in my youth as part of stage makeup -there were always these horrid older fat girls with no taste making boys up like street hookers, so I learned for myself out of self-respect- and I didn't think it was much of a challenge for someone with color vision and a little talent and good taste. I ended up able to make up some younger (but college age) girl cousins better than they could themselves - even they thought so...
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 06, 2015, 09:33:56 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on July 06, 2015, 10:05:50 pm
Dunno how to get around her dark hair
That was the trouble with the chalk stuff. There's some team colors dyes for sports events I'm curious to try.
Post by: Unorthodox on July 07, 2015, 02:04:50 pm
I wish I could sketch more than stick figures...
Talia began with this:
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UXJhAANDkcI/VNWScPSzHKI/AAAAAAAAc7w/llQtvaVl98w/s640/dina-creature.jpg)
And we moved on looking for more fallish inspiration and come on these:
https://www.etsy.com/market/dryad_mask (https://www.etsy.com/market/dryad_mask)
HOWEVER, Mask is a no-no for school. So, we're just kind of combining the ideas into something original.
Anyway, I THINK I have the head down. At least, I have a game plan for the head.
I got some fake leaves and flowers in fall colors, and I can EITHER make a crown out of them OR if she'll let me I can actually blend the edge, latexing some/some moss onto her forehead at the edge to make it look more like it's growing out of her. (she's very nervous about the latexing in general, Alec had an issue with some one year.) hEt is looking for a suitable stretchy headband thingy like she wears running, I can latex the leaves directly to the band to make it all easy on/off/stayput.
Now the DRESS....is giving me fits.
I think I'm going back to the zanders here.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jYTiMReG7PA/TXKdRNNoScI/AAAAAAAAIp8/O8A1WtcW80s/s800/IMG_5438.JPG)
Alec-zander above was such a perfectly simple construction, but I'm thinking I want to make this one look like it's made of bark. For which I'm having trouble. Do I attempt to FIND bark (which I pulled a bunch, but it's too, well, it's not gonna work). Do I try to sculpt it? (notoriously hard) Do I mold it? (Possible. Very possible) Then how do I get it on, paint, etc. And what do we put under shirt wise, or for the skirt?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 07, 2015, 04:54:40 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on July 07, 2015, 05:04:48 pm
ISTR posting pics of Poison Ivy and talking about stitching simple cloth leaf shapes to green tights sorta like the scales on scale mail WRT the dryad. Is that idea still a non-starter?
Well, we got maple leaves going on the head, and a fall color theme going, so green is out. I don't want the dress to blend into the head, mostly. I would possibly entertain the idea of using either my raven grass (green brown and red coloring, really pretty dried), or dried corn leaves as a skirt (easier, but drab), even, but they present certain challenges. Some of which I could counter (dried tending to break), some not so much (edges can be itch/cutty).
Post by: Rusty Edge on July 07, 2015, 07:09:16 pm
A Realtree or Mossy Oak camo t-shirt wouldn't do ? Even with some leaves/vines/bark/ grass etc. attached?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 07, 2015, 07:14:21 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on July 08, 2015, 01:26:42 pm
Father is fine save for his right arm, which is incomplete, but it won't get any worse with the storms. My new construction is so light, it's amazing to move them around.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 08, 2015, 01:31:13 pm
Light is good.
Post by: Unorthodox on July 08, 2015, 03:44:23 pm
Do I build a stand (and probably weight it down with haybales), or do I take and drive my rebar into the ground?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 08, 2015, 03:45:25 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on July 08, 2015, 05:35:41 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 08, 2015, 06:07:05 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on July 08, 2015, 07:26:46 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 08, 2015, 07:40:43 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on July 08, 2015, 08:30:54 pm
All from someone making a typo.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 08, 2015, 08:36:34 pm
Are you Milton or who?
Post by: Unorthodox on July 08, 2015, 09:08:09 pm
Basically, work's had my SSN wrong for the last 8 months (hired 9 months ago and it was right at that time), and we gotta figure out what to do about it.
Found today when I suddenly didn't show up in the big gubt list of who should be where. Since, ya know, it was looking for the wrong SSN and all. Hilarity for being somewhere "I wasn't on the list for" (but I was, the info was just wrong) did ensue until we figured out WHY. Now there's joys of 8 months of pay stubs filed wrong, a years taxes, etc.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 08, 2015, 09:10:21 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on July 08, 2015, 09:12:07 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 08, 2015, 09:15:39 pm
All chainsaws pawnshops and junkers, all the time, now.
Post by: Unorthodox on July 08, 2015, 09:26:53 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 08, 2015, 09:43:30 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on July 09, 2015, 01:41:12 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on July 09, 2015, 01:41:53 pm
I liked that show ok, though they bungled Sylar IMO. It was kinda hit or miss. Anyone care/paying attention?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 09, 2015, 01:54:49 pm
I really hated that dark carnival junk you liked in the last season, though. Like evil circus people all you like -they were tough in early Marvel comics- but these guys just teh lame.
Post by: Unorthodox on July 09, 2015, 02:36:11 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 09, 2015, 02:39:27 pm
slayer-dead skin mask (http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=VNFglDcW7dQ#)
Post by: ColdWizard on July 09, 2015, 04:38:31 pm
I saw a commercial for a Heroes reboot.
I liked that show ok, though they bungled Sylar IMO. It was kinda hit or miss. Anyone care/paying attention?
I only ever watched the first season. Couldn't get through the first ep of the second. I'd probably give it a try before I go back to "History" Channel. Except for Counting Cars, I still enjoy that one.
Post by: Unorthodox on July 09, 2015, 05:12:43 pm
You're a construction company building a Gobt complex specifically for sensitive work and you put no conduits to run secure lines between buildings?
So, you have to cut holes in walls and side drill, but don't bother to cap those holes at night....
And the torrential rain goes right onto computers and all sorts of fun equipment, much of which is, shall we say, unique and um, no longer made.
We're having a good day here.
Post by: Unorthodox on July 09, 2015, 06:01:57 pm
Oi.
On the other hand, Mother weathered the storm fabulously, handling wind more than I expected of her. The babies might need some rework as they were not weather resistant yet, but overall impressed.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 09, 2015, 06:12:14 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on July 09, 2015, 06:16:14 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 09, 2015, 06:23:44 pm
Post by: Rusty Edge on July 09, 2015, 08:47:42 pm
I usually want to say- "It's not your fault that you're stupid and oblivious. You've proven time again that you can't help it. Please don't take it out on me, just because I'm observant. Blame your parents for your limitations. I know I do. "
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 09, 2015, 09:27:34 pm
Yes. Or when they get mad at you because they are the ones who are stupid or forgetful.:D That's super-arrogant, and I love it. :D
I usually want to say- "It's not your fault that your stupid and oblivious. You've proven time again that you can't help it. Please don't take it out on me, just because I'm observant. Blame your parents for your limitations. I know I do. "
Post by: Rusty Edge on July 10, 2015, 01:15:27 am
Sometimes a lot of trouble & stress could be prevented if a decision-maker would only ask before action is taken if they may have overlooked anything.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 10, 2015, 02:27:49 am
Post by: Unorthodox on July 11, 2015, 06:31:57 pm
looks awful. Gotta see it.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 11, 2015, 07:13:52 pm
BTW, a NSWF term is said early on, and it's good if one labels vids containing terminology I would not allow typed out... Also, you can edit the post once it's up to insert a proper title in place of "! No longer available".
Post by: Unorthodox on July 12, 2015, 12:44:10 am
why does the not available autoembed?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 12, 2015, 01:01:05 am
Post by: Unorthodox on July 12, 2015, 02:49:44 am
resurrecting old parts I disliked...Uno and electricity is always a sketchy prospect.
hEt's on board for Uno-zombies in 2017. There's a better term for them than zombies, but I don't have it off the top of my head, so NOT what you are probably thinking.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 12, 2015, 03:12:40 am
Post by: Unorthodox on July 12, 2015, 04:06:33 am
It's an ancient subset of an Alraun, but utilizing actual human remains in the construction. For the life of me I can't find the proper term (and someone absconded with my bible. Yes I had a dark magic bible. For reference. Mostly. Loaned to a client and never got it back. These are not things one buys for themselves, they are supposed to be gifted. Hence no replacement yet.)
Possible for 2016, but I'm not sure if I'll be able to swing the requisite parts, budget wise, this year.
Post by: Unorthodox on July 13, 2015, 03:31:44 pm
It goes on nice, and gives something of a studded leather look...However, our mulch is stuff run through a chipper. I'm curious if I should go find some actual bark mulch instead for a more textured look. Don't know if the wood grain will really show with our present stuff.
Halloween festival this weekend. ;uno
Kyle is bringing a girl...
Post by: Unorthodox on July 13, 2015, 04:04:14 pm
No sweet bees or mason bees, either.
Bumble bees have made a nest under the shed, which is fine, and we're getting honeybees from neighbor's hives as usual.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 14, 2015, 08:17:07 pm
heT! heT. erO. doX! Sign up here! We want you!
I promise to stop being a jerk about fake Star Trek!
Mars Needs Women!
Post by: Unorthodox on July 15, 2015, 01:22:36 pm
Bear skull copy managed to fool my dad into thinking it was the real one. I know I need a pic.
Post by: Unorthodox on July 15, 2015, 01:24:36 pm
Latex prices have doubled in the last 3 years, and it's now cheaper to pay shipping than buy local.
Post by: Unorthodox on July 15, 2015, 05:10:20 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 15, 2015, 05:17:54 pm
This is to do with family crap or work crap?
Post by: Unorthodox on July 15, 2015, 05:38:39 pm
Circus day is tomorrow.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 15, 2015, 05:45:20 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on July 15, 2015, 08:38:19 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on July 15, 2015, 11:06:30 pm
Whatever it takes that they don't look behind the curtain.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 15, 2015, 11:13:51 pm
Post by: hEtErOdOx on July 16, 2015, 03:03:19 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 16, 2015, 03:05:04 am
Also, welcome and all that stuff.
Post by: hEtErOdOx on July 16, 2015, 03:58:43 am
Post by: Rusty Edge on July 16, 2015, 06:13:28 am
Post by: Unorthodox on July 16, 2015, 11:24:13 am
Post by: Unorthodox on July 16, 2015, 01:10:43 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on July 16, 2015, 03:22:36 pm
Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain!
Ya know, Oz never figured out the best way to hide the curtain is to put it center stage...
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 16, 2015, 04:46:24 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on July 16, 2015, 05:16:13 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 16, 2015, 05:34:16 pm
Just do your best and avoid provoking any long-term consequences. You're very good at documenting to cover your own butt...
Post by: Unorthodox on July 16, 2015, 06:02:51 pm
hEt can attest how much I worry about making sure we have enough at the party, going well overboard each october. (ironically, numbers wise, it probably matches up with the circus today pretty well)
You sure as hell don't hire caterers for X people when there are Y people, and hope Z people don't show up. You order Y + 10% because caterers and portion size aren't always realistic.
(guess who's not getting lunch today)
Post by: Unorthodox on July 16, 2015, 06:15:14 pm
Freaks and clowns. See what you want them to see, hear what you want them to hear, believe what you tell them to believe. There is no curtain...
Presentation!
! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dy2zB8bLSpk#)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 16, 2015, 06:28:01 pm
You GO, Megamind!
The Superior Man gets a big supper and a kiss from a babe/his (real) Boss, I betcha.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 16, 2015, 06:37:14 pm
Start at 1m 5s, Uno - that's us ;nod (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfWlot6h_JM?t=1m5s#)
Post by: Unorthodox on July 16, 2015, 06:44:47 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 16, 2015, 06:55:21 pm
Really.
Post by: Unorthodox on July 16, 2015, 08:51:06 pm
At all. If it's slow she might post though. ;)
It's one of the secrets to our happy marriage. Only see each other 3 days a week.
Though we somehow managed to not kill each other during my unemployment last year.
I only got 2 kids to feed tonight, both kinda picky, so big dinner isn't going to happen either.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 16, 2015, 08:59:59 pm
;nod
Post by: hEtErOdOx on July 17, 2015, 02:08:20 am
We're not terribly busy, and I'm in between deliveries right now.
Post by: hEtErOdOx on July 17, 2015, 02:11:05 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 17, 2015, 02:12:38 am
Post by: Unorthodox on July 17, 2015, 04:49:25 am
Post by: Unorthodox on July 17, 2015, 04:58:20 am
The Unokin. cultivating this seed for 3 years now. Born this odd color, adapted to climbing, crappy soil and drought tolerant.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 18, 2015, 02:45:38 am
Post by: Unorthodox on July 18, 2015, 03:05:48 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 18, 2015, 03:29:03 am
Killing Time is pretty excellent, BTW. A pleasant surprise, there.
Post by: Unorthodox on July 18, 2015, 05:16:16 pm
Post by: Bertilak on July 19, 2015, 01:05:47 am
Yeah, it's nice to have a workable dark theme. Most are atrocious. In general, not just here.I generally prefer the basic forum theme because everything operates as it should.
Post by: BU Admin on July 19, 2015, 03:27:03 am
Post by: Unorthodox on July 19, 2015, 04:29:24 am
It's an hour south of us, and you know I had to attend when I heard about it.
Difficulty: NO costume work prepared sooner than yesterday. Just feel like pointing out the range I assembled.
Kyle: On a date to this thing needed to look GOOD and be in costume.
Alec: Zombie makeup with nothing but white, black, and red as colors in my kit, and construction latex instead of makeup latex. Specifically asked for the big wound on his left cheek.
Talia: difficulty, cake makeup, I've never used before. Nor have I done beauty before.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-E5YI-2MutbA/VasUHDxq5WI/AAAAAAAAeE4/kkU39K6wmH4/s800-Ic42/20103_960927360636470_5694012482842097437_n.jpg)
One of the furry contingent in attendance. The mouth worked, it was kinda cool/creepy. Wish I had a pic of the whole contingent, but it was too crowded by the time they all arrived and proceeded to um, stroll? down the street.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1KotEG9Z71Q/VasUDEjlDKI/AAAAAAAAeEM/oTyGrgw7rUg/s800-Ic42/IMG_0225.JPG)
Probably was here for the cosplay contest which ended just before we arrived. I'm not familiar enough with the EU to know if this is some Fett from a book or not. Killer hearse in the background.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-U0NlVfEOaSQ/VasUDMx7twI/AAAAAAAAeEs/xmwiKayb0aA/s800-Ic42/IMG_0224.JPG)
Have tons more pics on Vera will get to when I can.
Got home...I can't find this guy on the net anywhere. Spiders are not my thing, GORGEOUS.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YMW-m9gIt7Q/VasT_EShrSI/AAAAAAAAeEA/KbkGRt5VseY/s640-Ic42/IMG_0234.JPG)
Post by: Unorthodox on July 19, 2015, 04:30:59 am
Post by: hEtErOdOx on July 19, 2015, 04:50:40 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 19, 2015, 05:25:05 am
Post by: Unorthodox on July 19, 2015, 05:25:26 am
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XNUfxUbw3ew/VaskUMbTtCI/AAAAAAAAeF4/lnTVWSdSnHE/s800-Ic42/IMGP7002.jpg)
Talia's practicing her creepy look.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nOv3cIahaNU/VaskVjviHoI/AAAAAAAAeGM/hEePyqKuf20/s800-Ic42/IMGP7007.jpg)
Kyle.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-beifiY45krI/VaskWFuixzI/AAAAAAAAeF0/cGhl3myGYU4/s800-Ic42/IMGP7008.jpg)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-aIOKUd2gz-g/VaskW37UE4I/AAAAAAAAeGU/THdfqaMcWM8/s800-Ic42/IMGP7009.jpg)
One of the interesting booths.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-eetfHeIvxEA/VaskXS4GsaI/AAAAAAAAeGQ/DCijrkTFPUI/s800-Ic42/IMGP7011.jpg)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-S88-bxLqKZA/VaskX1R-RbI/AAAAAAAAeGY/JaRMnzaXd_Q/s800-Ic42/IMGP7012.jpg)
That hearse.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fJ_yt-5fD4g/VaskY_TyUkI/AAAAAAAAeGo/4UsMmPRh8MY/s800-Ic42/IMGP7015.jpg)
Post by: Unorthodox on July 19, 2015, 05:32:44 am
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cs49Eztm-l8/VaskY5avE1I/AAAAAAAAeGs/J3cSc94oKEk/s800-Ic42/IMGP7021.jpg)
Ma MA ma MA MA mA!
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gEh4BM1b2IU/VaskaVu0ORI/AAAAAAAAeG8/kamsJATSTAM/s800-Ic42/IMGP7024.jpg)
"Goretrooper"
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8e3TUMP3vow/Vaskaz0k9GI/AAAAAAAAeHM/WdcIvRpNUL0/s800-Ic42/IMGP7027.jpg)
A local haunted house.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-InpT7Csc-30/VaskbxC4J5I/AAAAAAAAeHY/w0bmEOFa9ws/s800-Ic42/IMGP7031.jpg)
The one thing that kinda upset me. This was a sideshow act going on at the main stage...
THE BARKER PROMISED ME A GEEK SHOW HEADLINER!!!!
This is NOT a geek show.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-T2GUSof36F4/VaskcCsKztI/AAAAAAAAeHU/Bz7A8YVRaq0/s800-Ic42/IMGP7033.jpg)
Well aware a geek show may not have fit the "family friendly" bill.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 19, 2015, 05:42:28 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 19, 2015, 05:50:00 am
Post by: Rusty Edge on July 19, 2015, 05:54:33 am
Love the jumping spider! I can't find it either, these are the closest-
Post by: Rusty Edge on July 19, 2015, 05:57:04 am
Post by: Unorthodox on July 19, 2015, 05:59:04 am
...Were there more clowns and freaks than at work yesterday?...
Sure, but the audience left Thursday night. Had a whole different show Friday. It sucked. Bad.
Then I had to go get reminded I'm part of "THE SYSTEM".
Post by: Unorthodox on July 19, 2015, 06:01:32 am
"Killer Hearse" sounds like a Stephen King novel.
Love the jumping spider! I can't find it either, these are the closest-
Oh, it's a Phidippus species jumper. The way markings can vary on individual spiders, it might very well be impossible to identify from a pic. That's why spiders suck so bad, a lot of times you need extreme magnification to identify.
Post by: Unorthodox on July 20, 2015, 02:01:22 pm
The black and white stripes on the female are a known color morph.
They must have been attracted either last year or this as I started sunflowers as a regular addition to the garden, as they are a preferred habitat. Finding them on the milkweed is just logical for them at this point with the milkweed blooming, but not the sunflowers yet. (I was under the impression they might be milkweed specialists as all insect that specialize in milkweed are orange, black, and white.)
If I can get one to hold still, the fang/mouth/mandible/whatever spiders call em should be irridescent.
Unknown whether the spiders would pose a threat to potential monarch caterpillars.
Post by: Rusty Edge on July 20, 2015, 08:22:36 pm
But they would also kill and eat other predators, and might decoy wasps away from Monarch caterpillars.
Net effect unknown.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 21, 2015, 02:12:23 am
Post by: Unorthodox on July 21, 2015, 03:09:55 am
Edit, fixing....
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TV7DqmJzu-Q/Va2o7ZOA2mI/AAAAAAAAeII/imjnNS-VdyE/s800-Ic42/IMGP7041.jpg)
There's evidence one may have hatched earlier. Very few other things would be eating milkweed leaves.
Post by: Unorthodox on July 21, 2015, 03:13:53 am
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uSscLlOAUDM/Ug1bcQz-psI/AAAAAAAASrw/jz6gRhc-d6Y/s800-Ic42/IMG_0105.JPG)
Post by: Unorthodox on July 21, 2015, 03:15:40 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 21, 2015, 03:54:26 am
End around on the spider??
Edit, fixing....
Post by: Unorthodox on July 21, 2015, 04:31:42 am
I originally had the wrong pic up.
Post by: Unorthodox on July 21, 2015, 01:22:49 pm
They have the wrong name listed, like a lot of places on the web. Oh well.
I did find they patched in a Nazca Civilization though. Curious implimentation, they amalgamate Nazca, Inca, and Chachapoyan cultures distilled with some existing in-game stuff to make their nation. Might play around with it a bit.
Post by: Unorthodox on July 22, 2015, 04:14:47 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 22, 2015, 04:26:17 pm
Stuff you post from that movie is always good...
Post by: Unorthodox on July 22, 2015, 05:44:05 pm
To my knowledge he's only been in Repo! The Genetic Opera and The Devil's Carnival 1.
He's written all three.
Post by: Unorthodox on July 22, 2015, 05:45:12 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 22, 2015, 06:27:27 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on July 22, 2015, 10:09:55 pm
It was one of them "oh nothing else is on" shows before I had netflix. Decent for a monster of the week show, kinda like a slightly more adult Scooby Doo...
Very little Angel.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 22, 2015, 10:58:16 pm
Very weak mystical world-building on both shows, too.
Post by: Unorthodox on July 22, 2015, 11:26:35 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on July 22, 2015, 11:27:56 pm
Boreanaz is an even weaker performer than soap-opera-hack Gellar.
First Picard, now the bones hunk...you're not scoring points with hEt....
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 22, 2015, 11:29:26 pm
Patrick Stewart has something he doesn't, incidentally, and I've never said a single word against women who proclaim "the bald guy is sexy", which is not a few of them. -I can sorta see a Sean Connery cool thing going there.
Whats with the foot?It's part of the North Carolina flag inside a Tarheel outline. You don't read Rusty's Military/Naval History thread.
Post by: Unorthodox on July 22, 2015, 11:44:51 pm
aforementioned series. It's a slow burn very low budget thing. The list here filters out what students did....these originally come out as classes with the public submitting responses. Some got very disturbed...
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 23, 2015, 12:03:56 am
Post by: Unorthodox on July 23, 2015, 02:46:20 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 23, 2015, 02:52:32 am
Post by: Bertilak on July 23, 2015, 03:22:43 am
It IS you, but I DID just darken the Primal Horror icon. ;b;With that change, the ;uno icon could use some darkening.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 23, 2015, 03:26:11 am
You agree, Uno? At least your Thing in the Shadows usergroup icon? -Or do you like the contrast?
Post by: Unorthodox on July 23, 2015, 02:14:19 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 23, 2015, 02:19:33 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on July 23, 2015, 05:00:22 pm
They brokeded my baby! *sigh*
Thousands of links busted, I gotta go fix them one by one. Don't make me go upload it all, damnit...I'll break the capacity....
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 23, 2015, 05:07:45 pm
Yeesh, webpages are a lot of nit-picking work - I was spending a lot of time on Dr. Taylor's Mowatt pages we host, recently.
Post by: Unorthodox on July 23, 2015, 05:17:55 pm
People are often flabbergasted when they see my baby. 20 years experience and history in one big ball of awesomeness.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 23, 2015, 05:19:03 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on July 23, 2015, 05:26:09 pm
Post by: Bertilak on July 23, 2015, 05:47:22 pm
GAAAAAAHAAAAAAA!It is okay Unorthodox. Everything will turn out for the better.
They brokeded my baby! *sigh*
Thousands of links busted, I gotta go fix them one by one. Don't make me go upload it all, damnit...I'll break the capacity....
Post by: Unorthodox on July 23, 2015, 06:05:01 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 23, 2015, 06:09:11 pm
Post by: Bertilak on July 23, 2015, 06:12:40 pm
Was able to write a script to fix it automagically. :bot:I have no clue what you are talking about :-[ :-\ :whistle: :). *Denies everything said in contrast to officially posted material on specific issue*
Post by: Rusty Edge on July 23, 2015, 06:16:47 pm
:D You GO MegaMind!
:danc:
Post by: Unorthodox on July 24, 2015, 10:45:33 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 24, 2015, 11:16:53 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on July 24, 2015, 11:58:13 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 25, 2015, 12:05:24 am
Post by: Unorthodox on July 25, 2015, 01:58:29 am
I really HATE the LED eye fixation people making props have...and i need a bunch of these.....
Post by: Unorthodox on July 25, 2015, 02:01:12 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 25, 2015, 02:55:48 am
Post by: Unorthodox on July 25, 2015, 04:44:42 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 25, 2015, 04:50:15 am
Post by: Bertilak on July 26, 2015, 12:58:22 am
Wait. Doesn't that mean nine bucks?If the exchange rate is right, than the actual value approximately equals fifty-five U.S. Dollars . . .
Post by: Unorthodox on July 26, 2015, 03:53:01 am
Mother has entered the "too clean" stage.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-k3Yi16zwaLw/VbRIhdDjWDI/AAAAAAAAeKE/NQQDxU8S9m8/s800-Ic42/IMG_0040.JPG)
The babies still need some detailing, want to see them after everything gets a black wash.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-l4PU0cJjKxw/VbRIhYgiTzI/AAAAAAAAeKA/jjfRNqpkedQ/s800-Ic42/IMG_0041.JPG)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BM4PbuwXhvQ/VbRIhMC-F4I/AAAAAAAAeJ8/ltpOmE-botg/s800-Ic42/IMG_0043.JPG)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 26, 2015, 04:55:49 am
I wonder if there are an pictures of my pumkin helmet in an album somewhere?
Post by: Unorthodox on July 26, 2015, 06:43:04 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 26, 2015, 06:49:41 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on July 26, 2015, 06:59:22 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 26, 2015, 07:01:15 pm
-The end phrase endorsing the Trinity I just know He didn't say, mind you.
Post by: Unorthodox on July 26, 2015, 07:38:02 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 26, 2015, 08:18:02 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on July 26, 2015, 10:03:33 pm
I've never been rude to proselytizers. Regardless of faith. These ladies were interrupting dinner and wouldn't take the hint though.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 26, 2015, 10:33:27 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on July 26, 2015, 11:38:50 pm
One wont be here for Halloween (the outspoken clearly senior companion who looks like she just wants some touristy pics with the wierd guy's stuff), so I invited them to my lighting test. They would be welcome at the Halloween party, too. Which theoretically may prove useful to them, as most my neighbors are shocked how many heathens come to that but not the other "neighborhood" events (typically at the church and only advertised there)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 26, 2015, 11:41:39 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on July 26, 2015, 11:59:17 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on July 27, 2015, 03:26:37 am
I bought spray. That should give you an idea the level I'm talking. It won't picture, but the back yard is more a web than grass. I draw a line when they start invading the home heavily.
Whilst spraying roused a velvet ant. Had to look that sucker up, one of the species that escaped my collection, kinda unusual for this area, preferring sandy locals closer to the lake (which is how it escaped my collection, I never was able to get to the lake as a kid).
Post by: Unorthodox on July 27, 2015, 04:35:00 am
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SXG9XzQS3Nc/VbWlgX9MRyI/AAAAAAAAeKk/Dz_fWR0ufLE/s800-Ic42/IMGP7056.jpg)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UaEf3s9KKYw/VbWlgc6SRpI/AAAAAAAAeKs/bswv7htYRhM/s800-Ic42/IMGP7058.jpg)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KjfDebcwqKE/VbWlg9o_vKI/AAAAAAAAeLA/8OR0Zyka90I/s800-Ic42/IMGP7061.jpg)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9ThuXoRfNFI/VbWlhH8N0dI/AAAAAAAAeLg/IAePAkrVQfw/s800-Ic42/IMGP7065.jpg)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-S4IbN0Bj5NM/VbWlhOARwXI/AAAAAAAAeLE/oRztRXT28os/s800-Ic42/IMGP7066.jpg)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ARGetVKXfgA/VbWlh6Ve_GI/AAAAAAAAeLc/kcLPdd0RwbM/s800-Ic42/IMGP7073.jpg)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 27, 2015, 04:48:56 am
Post by: Unorthodox on July 27, 2015, 11:53:30 am
Post by: Unorthodox on July 29, 2015, 04:45:57 am
So, here's a missionary flirting with my monsters, which is perhaps one of the most bizarre things I've ever typed.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IMx9GzWU2BY/VbhLXsKBjvI/AAAAAAAAeMU/4S9QLKixxZE/s800-Ic42/Missionary%2525201.jpg)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KP91GZTrkO0/VbhLX-sTrxI/AAAAAAAAeMY/TkIo35qeJHw/s800-Ic42/missionary%2525202.jpg)
Post by: Unorthodox on July 30, 2015, 05:56:00 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 30, 2015, 06:21:55 pm
I never know how literally to take you with these things...
Post by: ColdWizard on July 30, 2015, 06:31:44 pm
Dungeon?This makes me feel better. If you don't know, what chance do I, a lurker-newb, have?
I never know how literally to take you with these things...
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 30, 2015, 06:40:19 pm
He might be working on a Halloween project, he might be stuck somewhere awful at work - and he might be in trouble with hEt.
-All three at once are also possible...
Post by: ColdWizard on July 30, 2015, 06:49:26 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 30, 2015, 06:55:28 pm
Post by: ColdWizard on July 30, 2015, 07:18:18 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on July 30, 2015, 07:39:04 pm
The dungeon is a slight improvement from THE HOLE that I used to mention, and it's purposely kept off the grid.
Anyone
hEt supports building them. That's down right sexy.
Post by: Unorthodox on July 30, 2015, 07:53:47 pm
It's Uno, man.
He might be working on a Halloween project, he might be stuck somewhere awful at work - and he might be in trouble with hEt.
-All three at once are also possible...
Can't seem to recall the last time I was in trouble with hEt, and certainly not the last time it was for any significant length of time.
She's THE BOSS. I've made that clear for at least 16 years now, if not 20. What she speaks is gospel. Period. Question it and face my wrath. Rare disagreements are handled in private, NOT in front of the kids, and it's usually over what to do about the kids. Given my childhood, I don't have the best base to build on in that department, but at least I recognize that and can quickly follow her lead instead, thus disagreements are fleeting.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 30, 2015, 07:57:04 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on July 30, 2015, 07:58:42 pm
Post by: hEtErOdOx on July 31, 2015, 08:35:53 pm
Plus, I love the uniqueness of the monsters in the yard. Uno's work is exceptional.
BTW, I love the Teela avatar. Thanks, BUncle
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 31, 2015, 09:26:19 pm
Tough thing, losing a parent. I found out the hard way that a boy shouldn't lose his dad at any age, and I was 39. I was having grief relapses for almost a year - the universe just didn't seem right for a long time without his jerk butt sitting at the center.
Post by: hEtErOdOx on July 31, 2015, 10:51:59 pm
I've learned it doesn't matter what age you are when you lose your parents, or how grateful you are that they aren't suffering anymore (the last few weeks watching my mom waste away were awful), it just sucks that they aren't there anymore. It's a hole in my world that nothing can fill.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 31, 2015, 11:22:51 pm
It's a hole in my world that nothing can fill.^THIS.
That's exactly it.
Post by: Unorthodox on August 03, 2015, 02:13:05 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 03, 2015, 02:16:31 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 03, 2015, 07:35:00 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 03, 2015, 08:56:56 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 03, 2015, 10:37:37 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 03, 2015, 11:33:44 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 04, 2015, 04:17:17 pm
*sigh*
Absolutely nothing redeeming about this show.
Post by: Unorthodox on August 04, 2015, 06:08:25 pm
;grrr
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 04, 2015, 07:41:51 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 04, 2015, 07:53:54 pm
Talia's review:
"Let's watch that AGAIN!"
"We should have a party and have my friends watch it because they would all get scared!"
(she had to climb into my lap and cuddle at the height of the tension)
Uno's:
Reminds me of an 80s movie I've lost the name to whatever fog exists in the brain. Hole in the basement that whatever your biggest fear is climbs out and chases you.
Bonus points for some abnormally adult stuff the teens featured were afraid of but I won't spoil it as it's a major plot point.
Overall above expectations.
(can you guess I watched a lot of netflix while trying to burn the house down over the weekend?)
Post by: Bertilak on August 05, 2015, 01:34:03 am
Soylent Green...Recycling Tanks . . .
Post by: Unorthodox on August 06, 2015, 01:38:45 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 06, 2015, 01:52:35 pm
I've experience that dealing with customers you're in a business relationship with can be worse than the general public - they're even more likely to cuss to you, for one thing, which I don't particularly care to hear from strangers.
Post by: Unorthodox on August 06, 2015, 02:07:55 pm
Just 2 more days...I'm making someone else handle the fallout Monday morning. ;lol
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 06, 2015, 02:15:47 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 06, 2015, 02:20:52 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 06, 2015, 02:47:59 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 06, 2015, 05:47:32 pm
Or if you're into astrology, being Gemini, just have to make sure the one twin is in charge at work.
Post by: Unorthodox on August 07, 2015, 04:29:00 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 07, 2015, 07:21:49 pm
Eventually have to figure out costumes for all of us, but major builds done.
However, I have some stuff left over, and am casually considering either revisiting the ghost of christmas future or making a little tabletop Motheresque creature. Minis are really not my forte, but it would be fun, and the difference of it has appeal in and of itself.
Post by: Unorthodox on August 08, 2015, 02:29:25 am
Post by: Unorthodox on August 08, 2015, 03:06:08 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 08, 2015, 03:07:57 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 08, 2015, 03:13:52 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 08, 2015, 03:23:51 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 08, 2015, 04:06:45 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 08, 2015, 04:07:25 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 11, 2015, 03:27:34 pm
Tiger Swallow found in the garden. I'm genuinely curious why we don't have more of these. Host plants abound in the neighborhood.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-aaFiJH6O1qU/VcnRquAY_XI/AAAAAAAAeRI/mh7AhGzihn8/s800-Ic42/IMG_0258.JPG)
Mark 1 dress: The skirt here is becoming the base for Mark 2. Softer, lighter, easier.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-P-OTBVWkB0s/VcnRt2phVhI/AAAAAAAAeSQ/TJGaNqKjubw/s800-Ic42/IMG_0278.JPG)
Starting on the headdress.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4QO-sL-Nnh0/VcnRvHisr8I/AAAAAAAAeSc/hqt5ZWT2THA/s800-Ic42/IMG_0284.JPG)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 11, 2015, 03:38:16 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 11, 2015, 03:53:51 pm
My one complaint on it so far, why can't I just upload stuff straight to my host?
Anyhow.
Not much else relevant.
Cool pirate sculpture found on our anneversary (yesterday, hence why I've been absent). Incorporated torch, something I've always wanted to do in a sculpture. But they half-assed the hose on it, which ends about waste, but by the time you tied it to the arm and down the spine to hide it, it would be about mid-spine. Should have run it all the way down the leg.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DG3d9AZn_aY/VcnRuovN9-I/AAAAAAAAeSU/aTwF99Va8_M/s800-Ic42/IMG_0283.JPG)
Halloween advent calendars as well. Inexplicably, they don't have chocolates like the Christmas versions. Just pictures and riddles/poems.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Om_5MYtcY5g/VcnRuGAEqhI/AAAAAAAAeSY/UKrrwN5DE9g/s800-Ic42/IMG_0282.JPG)
hEt bought a skele-couple I'll have to get a pic of if she don't post it.
Post by: Rusty Edge on August 11, 2015, 05:50:06 pm
If they came with candy corn, I'd buy one!
Post by: Unorthodox on August 11, 2015, 06:46:00 pm
Post by: Rusty Edge on August 11, 2015, 09:58:43 pm
As a kid in the 60s, it was the candy that defined the holiday. Whenever it turned up, Halloween was coming.
Post by: hEtErOdOx on August 12, 2015, 01:39:51 am
Post by: hEtErOdOx on August 12, 2015, 01:41:05 am
Post by: Unorthodox on August 12, 2015, 02:01:19 am
I'm assuming there's an app that would let me upload directly to my pictures...
Post by: Unorthodox on August 12, 2015, 02:11:13 am
Hey BU...uh....whatcha think? avatar?
Post by: Unorthodox on August 12, 2015, 02:16:23 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 12, 2015, 02:27:36 am
Post by: Rusty Edge on August 12, 2015, 02:29:34 am
From what I've seen of the Adams Family in years since, I figure I was lucky.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 12, 2015, 02:33:04 am
Post by: Unorthodox on August 12, 2015, 02:48:55 am
Herman is just fantastic in every sense. The Munsters is all about Herman and Grandpa anyway. Everyone else is just there.
Morticia > Lily, though. Less Gomez and more Morticia could have made the Addams fun.
I think I can avatar the heck outta that - the only question is cropping. ?
Good question. Somehow need the eartholantern too...
Which would seem to lend itself to the two torsos and the lantern in the back easiest?
Post by: Unorthodox on August 12, 2015, 02:51:16 am
Post by: Rusty Edge on August 12, 2015, 03:11:03 am
My problem with the Addams Family revolve around Gomez. Never managed to like the guy in any iteration yet.
Herman is just fantastic in every sense. The Munsters is all about Herman and Grandpa anyway. Everyone else is just there.
This. Herman and Grandpa were fun! Gomez was boring.
Post by: Unorthodox on August 12, 2015, 03:22:33 am
Should be much easier to edit...
Thinking eartholantern moon in the sky or behind them.
Can use this to edit/compose/make the moonolantern:
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jojomQRB4wg/U0tY-sPqbzI/AAAAAAAAY8A/zjoJKT4TYM0/s800-Ic42/IMGP2569.jpg)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 12, 2015, 03:36:37 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 12, 2015, 03:40:51 am
You'll want separate copies of the MoonO'Lantern and the Boners w/o background, too - just as well; I have to make those elements to put them together...
Post by: Unorthodox on August 12, 2015, 03:49:33 am
Found a free iphone to picasa uploader that's working great.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Ukt88iCO_BM/Vcqz4fv1nPI/AAAAAAAAeUE/mFS-W6QMrbA/s800-Ic42/IMG_0287.JPG)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 12, 2015, 04:03:07 am
Did I get right what you wanted for the MoonO'Lantern?
Post by: Unorthodox on August 12, 2015, 04:16:25 am
Post by: Bertilak on August 12, 2015, 04:18:19 am
I might not get to this tonight. I'm trying to wrap up on my chainmail semi-bikini design, which is taking forever to draw, even though the design did a full Athena 12 hours ago.What does the phrase "full Athena" mean? I think it means the idea came into your thoughts completely formed since Athena was born in full armor from Zeus's head. The intial mental image I got was of Athena springing into the design ???.
Post by: Rusty Edge on August 12, 2015, 04:46:35 am
Making it tangible to others is another matter.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 12, 2015, 05:40:43 am
-I wonder what HE'd been eating...
(It was his second wife Metis, but why ruin a good gag with facts?)
Post by: Rusty Edge on August 12, 2015, 05:45:50 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 12, 2015, 05:49:32 am
Post by: Rusty Edge on August 12, 2015, 05:59:22 am
Conversely, whenever my cousin stops taking his meds he tends to have serpents crawling out of his ear and bacteria covering his body, forcing him to strip off his clothing and run. That's a clear case of things sprouting from one's head, armed and armored. As for wisdom, we encourage him to keep taking his meds.
Post by: Bertilak on August 12, 2015, 02:48:08 pm
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wgRTOD4CRB8/VcqtCDd9jyI/AAAAAAAAeT0/NFGTWb6ZCoM/s800-Ic42/IMG_0286.JPG)This picture of the skeleton couple gets better the longer I look at it. :)
Should be much easier to edit...
Thinking eartholantern moon in the sky or behind them.
Can use this to edit/compose/make the moonolantern:
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jojomQRB4wg/U0tY-sPqbzI/AAAAAAAAY8A/zjoJKT4TYM0/s800-Ic42/IMGP2569.jpg)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 12, 2015, 03:19:39 pm
It's adorable in its Uno way, isn't it? Mr. U. Weird Creepyman is all feelin' the big luvs for his (cute and) tolerant wife. :D -The big softy.
I have to at least do a version where I've put them on a bench in some romantic context, lovers' MoonO'Lantern shining in the night sky.
Post by: Unorthodox on August 12, 2015, 09:20:37 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 12, 2015, 09:24:34 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 12, 2015, 10:20:45 pm
#2 please.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 12, 2015, 10:35:31 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 13, 2015, 01:07:34 am
[cracks knuckles] NOW we're ready for some creepy/cute evening romance pics...
Post by: hEtErOdOx on August 13, 2015, 01:24:25 am
Post by: Bertilak on August 13, 2015, 01:30:35 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 13, 2015, 01:34:06 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 13, 2015, 03:05:42 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 13, 2015, 03:40:23 am
Post by: Bertilak on August 13, 2015, 03:51:47 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 13, 2015, 04:20:07 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 13, 2015, 04:46:41 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 13, 2015, 05:19:17 am
Post by: Unorthodox on August 13, 2015, 01:38:19 pm
Dunno. I'm not seeing it - yet.
Ooo, I like the idea there...
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 13, 2015, 01:45:27 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 13, 2015, 02:22:28 pm
Post by: Bertilak on August 13, 2015, 02:58:46 pm
(http://www.wpclipart.com/holiday/halloween/skeleton/child_skeleton_BW.jpg)
Post by: Unorthodox on August 13, 2015, 03:57:43 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 13, 2015, 03:58:58 pm
;nod
It won't let me here, switch me to this one. (or I will tonight) Works especially well since I'm sinister.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 13, 2015, 04:20:11 pm
Took me a minute to parse that last. I was just flipping to match the lighting direction.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 13, 2015, 04:35:08 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 13, 2015, 05:15:59 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 13, 2015, 09:37:06 pm
:D
Took me a minute to parse that last.
Sorry. I love using sinister in that way. Though honestly, I'm fairly ambidextrous, I'm a natural lefty and learned righty.
Curiously, there is an abnormally high number of lefties here at work. (population is 10%, work is 30%. My previous job had 50%!)
Post by: vonbach on August 13, 2015, 09:54:50 pm
His cat Sam was going insane. He could actually see the pulses of the light itself
from the thing while it was on.
Post by: Rusty Edge on August 13, 2015, 09:56:12 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 14, 2015, 03:21:38 am
Random things huh? My step father had to change his newer generation light bulb.
His cat Sam was going insane. He could actually see the pulses of the light itself
from the thing while it was on.
An led or a fluorescent?
Fluorescents can drive me batty. Migraine city. That's why they moved me out of the hermit cave at work. The new digs are more central and loud but away from the cursed lights. (and the hermit cave was ugly apparently)
Post by: Bertilak on August 14, 2015, 03:38:33 am
Looking at it from an initial cost perspective, LED lightbulbs are more expensive than Fluorescent light bulbs. However, LED lightbulbs tend to have a longer average life span than the equivalent Fluorescent lightbulb.Random things huh? My step father had to change his newer generation light bulb.
His cat Sam was going insane. He could actually see the pulses of the light itself
from the thing while it was on.
An led or a fluorescent?
Fluorescents can drive me batty. Migraine city. That's why they moved me out of the hermit cave at work. The new digs are more central and loud but away from the cursed lights. (and the hermit cave was ugly apparently)
Post by: Unorthodox on August 14, 2015, 03:43:13 am
Looking at it from an initial cost perspective, LED lightbulbs are more expensive than Fluorescent light bulbs. However, LED lightbulbs tend to have a longer average life span than the equivalent Fluorescent lightbulb.Random things huh? My step father had to change his newer generation light bulb.
His cat Sam was going insane. He could actually see the pulses of the light itself
from the thing while it was on.
An led or a fluorescent?
Fluorescents can drive me batty. Migraine city. That's why they moved me out of the hermit cave at work. The new digs are more central and loud but away from the cursed lights. (and the hermit cave was ugly apparently)
There were some very reasonably priced led shop lights at Costco last January, actually. Like competetive with fluorescent priced. One of the bigger regrets of no job at the time since my garage sits inadequately lit right now.
Post by: Unorthodox on August 14, 2015, 04:30:08 am
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2UKK9FElWYE/Vc1frzUZ1EI/AAAAAAAAeUY/lTxLkz1NRCY/s800-Ic42/IMG_0289.JPG)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 14, 2015, 05:10:25 am
Post by: Unorthodox on August 14, 2015, 12:48:46 pm
Post by: vonbach on August 14, 2015, 01:37:16 pm
Quote
An led or a fluorescent?LED I think.
Fluorescents can drive me batty. Migraine city. That's why they moved me out of the hermit cave at work. The new digs are more central and loud but away from the cursed lights. (and the hermit cave was ugly apparently)
Post by: Geo on August 14, 2015, 02:29:55 pm
Probably the worlds ugliest seam on the back, and the sleeve/straps just pinned in place right now...
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2UKK9FElWYE/Vc1frzUZ1EI/AAAAAAAAeUY/lTxLkz1NRCY/s800-Ic42/IMG_0289.JPG)
Is HeT always reading when dear daughter is posing for a new UnO outfit? ;)
Post by: Unorthodox on August 14, 2015, 02:44:27 pm
Couple notes for the costume: It's just a base for me to add leaves/flowers to. Black shirt underneath. All costumes in Utah need to be baggy because you're likely (50/50) to see 30s on halloween, thus need to layer underneath. There are actually butterflies on it, but no one would ever see them unless they closely inspect it. Talia and I like that little 'hidden' feature, though.
Black skirt of same patterned type material needs to be added.
Quote
LED I think.
Hm. Unless it was on a dimmer, the flicker should have been well over 120 Hz. Since these are the wave of the future, you might want to suggest he get an LED driver. These are available off the shelf and allow LEDs to produce flicker free lighting.
There are those that believe the color of LED lighting (the "white" has a lot more blue than other lighting) can exaserbate symptoms of depression and disrupt circadium rythms, though.
The switched our street lights to LEDs a couple years ago...it's GREAT for Halloween as it eliminated all light pollution in my yard (other than our neighbor who lets me manage that). For the intended purpose of lighting the street, though, they only make a cone of light under the pole, and that's it.
Post by: Unorthodox on August 16, 2015, 04:02:51 pm
Most terrifying...
http://www.spirithalloween.com/product/decorations/outdoor-decor/inflatables/bloody-slender-man-inflatable/pc/1005/c/1020/sc/1021/71314.uts?currentIndex=0&thumbnailIndex=21 (http://www.spirithalloween.com/product/decorations/outdoor-decor/inflatables/bloody-slender-man-inflatable/pc/1005/c/1020/sc/1021/71314.uts?currentIndex=0&thumbnailIndex=21)
Post by: Unorthodox on August 16, 2015, 04:05:36 pm
http://www.spirithalloween.com/product/decorations/exclusives/cerberus-3-headed-dog/pc/0/c/1005/sc/1006/46478.uts?thumbnailIndex=4 (http://www.spirithalloween.com/product/decorations/exclusives/cerberus-3-headed-dog/pc/0/c/1005/sc/1006/46478.uts?thumbnailIndex=4)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 16, 2015, 04:08:05 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 16, 2015, 04:12:59 pm
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mhsZX3KZGQI/VdCnKiu-LDI/AAAAAAAAeVA/hvR7F5wZ2eE/s800-Ic42/download.png)
WTF is that?
This is what a REAL demonic dog looks like, damnit.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ixOqo37ysMY/UXyWldoLn0I/AAAAAAAASBE/hjay88g1eMg/s800-Ic42/IMGP1873.jpg)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 16, 2015, 04:23:18 pm
Post by: Bertilak on August 16, 2015, 04:25:14 pm
Post by: Bertilak on August 16, 2015, 04:26:15 pm
I dunno; THIS is what a real demonic dog looks like, in my book...That dog appears cute and cuddly rather than demonic :D.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 16, 2015, 04:30:12 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 16, 2015, 08:47:01 pm
Last time I checked, the animal you picture has neither three heads nor represents Cerberus.
They are both hell hounds, which have many traditions around the world. I chose the Barghest and posted instructions how to do others, including The means to split the fog for Cerberus. The next 3 headed one I see that looks good will be the first, but spirit's looks comical.
Post by: hEtErOdOx on August 17, 2015, 07:30:06 am
Post by: Unorthodox on August 17, 2015, 01:33:58 pm
The fence is quite pinterest popular, and Trevor is gaining ground slowly but has a lot of knockoffs and folks claiming it as theirs. Anything else would have been fairly random to find.
Post by: Unorthodox on August 17, 2015, 01:59:28 pm
Guess maybe I should have looked up how those are actually meant to be done or something, but it seems my idea is working out ok so far. Hope to get it attached tonight and have some pics.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 17, 2015, 02:01:07 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 17, 2015, 03:23:20 pm
Cool. On the model?
Probably not till tomorrow. I cheat quite a bit and use liquid stitch, so dry time and all.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 17, 2015, 03:26:33 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 17, 2015, 03:35:00 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 17, 2015, 03:37:16 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 17, 2015, 06:03:11 pm
Casting Talia's head. SEE the JOY in her face. She was VERY scared about this, and even hEt laid down the law that it was gonna happen, deal with it.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-glvWeUEyZBo/VdHnexQxezI/AAAAAAAAeVw/7jEPLjHg3rc/s800-Ic42/IMG_0199.JPG)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jSI8G1S3J60/VdHniETGw5I/AAAAAAAAeV4/bwMwIdNp-RU/s800-Ic42/IMG_0204.JPG)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NxFmv_Z3ItQ/VdHnN2nKdII/AAAAAAAAeVo/UhXpPhpmhE0/s800-Ic42/IMG_0207.JPG)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WUnDwyVhkf8/VdHnDLbFB9I/AAAAAAAAeVg/GJ0mR7Tn2p0/s800-Ic42/IMG_0208.JPG)
I should really get a pic of just how ROUGH this "near lifecast" method comes out. I've gotten quite skilled at taking the rough form and making a decent face though.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Lu5cp7rpwTU/VdHmyqjPQxI/AAAAAAAAeVU/wZKssb-N-iY/s800-Ic42/IMG_0214.JPG)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 17, 2015, 06:10:52 pm
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-glvWeUEyZBo/VdHnexQxezI/AAAAAAAAeVw/7jEPLjHg3rc/s800-Ic42/IMG_0199.JPG)The child has herself a cute sulky-face. ;nod
Post by: Bertilak on August 17, 2015, 06:20:19 pm
1980's Fluorescent lights in the kitchen. Present. Operating room fixtures. Present. Overall, the layout appears perfect to perform molding operations on an individual. ;lol
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NxFmv_Z3ItQ/VdHnN2nKdII/AAAAAAAAeVo/UhXpPhpmhE0/s800-Ic42/IMG_0207.JPG)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 17, 2015, 06:31:57 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 17, 2015, 07:02:48 pm
(maybe next year)
As in blowing out the back wall of the house and moving it 4-6ft back, thus fixing the "great room" (dining/living room), kitchen, and the master bath.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 17, 2015, 07:12:26 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 17, 2015, 09:25:37 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 17, 2015, 09:37:19 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 17, 2015, 09:44:31 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 17, 2015, 09:46:34 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 17, 2015, 10:05:33 pm
-But more likely, you'd just have to break in a whole new set of Mormons.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 17, 2015, 10:08:04 pm
Post by: Bertilak on August 17, 2015, 10:37:19 pm
You're a bad man, you know that?Why is Unorthodox a bad man? What prompts such a claim about him? Why not simply state that he has eccenteric tendencies?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 17, 2015, 10:41:02 pm
:D As I used to want to say to the owner of my first renfair when he made suggestions: "Well Jeff: one of these ways is funny; the other is yours." :D
Post by: Unorthodox on August 18, 2015, 10:38:33 pm
BTW Uno, can you have the circus ready for 3AM tomorrow? You did such a good job of it last time.
I also had a week last time...
And you're sticking me with Seigfried and Roy. In my book they never qualified as freaks OR clowns.
At least I can hope for a tiger attack, I suppose.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 18, 2015, 10:41:30 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 19, 2015, 11:48:59 am
Post by: Unorthodox on August 19, 2015, 11:52:10 am
Tried to post this last night.
Basic form of the dress done, still a seam at the back of the skirt I gotta do. Ready to start adding leaves and flowers.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1071gXMFCpQ/VdPW_jjUSRI/AAAAAAAAeWo/2dEjCbFMikM/s800-Ic42/IMG_0297.JPG)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 19, 2015, 11:57:47 am
I hope the sleepy tigers were pretty at least.
Post by: Unorthodox on August 19, 2015, 12:24:03 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 19, 2015, 12:31:31 pm
Good luck with that. They're mutants.
Post by: Unorthodox on August 19, 2015, 12:40:22 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 19, 2015, 12:42:31 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 19, 2015, 03:15:09 pm
Batgirl has died.
Post by: Unorthodox on August 19, 2015, 05:38:03 pm
Loved it as a kid. Had a read along record...
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 19, 2015, 05:54:29 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 19, 2015, 06:15:47 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 19, 2015, 06:18:15 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 19, 2015, 06:23:29 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 19, 2015, 06:31:04 pm
Looked them up, the winners have to go to a FORMAL ceremony and everything. Hoping I can scuttle this NOW.
Post by: Unorthodox on August 19, 2015, 06:34:40 pm
*panic attack*
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 19, 2015, 06:36:07 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 19, 2015, 06:52:35 pm
"FORMAL and at the mother ship."? "that stand I built"? -Work or hobby?
."hey Uno, we just bought this $500,000 piece of equipment, spent 6 months preparing this space, and didn't think to measure. Now it won't fit in the door or line up with any of the plumbing or electrical we had done, make it work by next week, but you have no budget to modify anything. Thanks"
???
Phone: "Uno, you need to come to this meeting."
Walk in, Engineers with big drawings of the machine up on the board, arguing about how to build a stand to get all the wire and hose connections to line up properly.
"Guys, it's already done."
"But we didn't tell you how to build it yet. Theres (list of problems)"
"You told me we needed to build a stand last Friday, so I did."
"But how did you (list of problems)"
"Be a lot easier if you just go look, it's already up on the stand and (list of problems) all line up fine."
(really is a gorgeous piece of simplicity combined with out of the box design, wish I was allowed to take a pic)
I presently work for a US subsidiary to a UK company. These awards are held by the mothership. In UK. In formal attire.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 19, 2015, 07:06:33 pm
You can do that if you have to, though. There might even be good food. Take a date.
Post by: Unorthodox on August 19, 2015, 08:12:41 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 19, 2015, 09:00:55 pm
PRESENTATION!
Post by: Unorthodox on August 20, 2015, 01:10:21 am
BTW, still having lots of trouble accessing the site. Not always 404 errors, but lots of unable to access.
Huh. my old bookmark don't work no more. That's the problem. Fixing.
Post by: Bertilak on August 20, 2015, 01:49:21 am
Post by: Unorthodox on August 20, 2015, 03:38:22 am
Post by: Unorthodox on August 20, 2015, 03:38:59 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 20, 2015, 03:39:35 am
Post by: Unorthodox on August 20, 2015, 03:49:28 am
Post by: hEtErOdOx on August 20, 2015, 04:09:01 am
He deserves the recognition, he's really quite innovative.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 20, 2015, 04:15:52 am
Post by: Bertilak on August 20, 2015, 05:58:59 am
There it is. ;nod
I just informed Uno that if he wins, we're totally going as long as it's on the company dime. I'll drug him through his discomfort of flying, and we'll find him an awesome tux to rent.I would remain dubious of situations where an individual plans to drug another person through its duration. In other news, I hope Unorthodox receives a :medal: in that competition.
He deserves the recognition, he's really quite innovative.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 20, 2015, 10:45:57 am
LONDON, man. There outta be overnight accommodations and a free tourist day in it, minimum - I'd spring for a few more nights and make a week of it, really get my trauma's worth outta the trip, if it was me.
Post by: DrazharLn on August 20, 2015, 02:05:43 pm
London is also home to some exceptionally fine and free parks, gardens, museums, galleries and libraries. I know some locals I could put you in touch with for recommendations along your lines of interest, if you'd like.
I'd highly recommend a visit for the anthropology and wow-factor alone if you haven't yet visited one of the great metropolis.
Post by: Unorthodox on August 20, 2015, 05:31:43 pm
But, looks like they've now lumped my stand in with that 500k piece of equipment it was built for, so chances of success are rising and chances I'll have to do anything presentation wise are lowering. The big team now wants my drawing for the stand to put into their big writeup ubersubmission. Do I openly laugh, or give them the page in my notebook that is little more than measurements and math that will make sense to practically no one else? I'm NOT going to go make a drawing at this point because I don't remember half of it.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 20, 2015, 06:10:02 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 21, 2015, 12:06:42 am
Post by: DrazharLn on August 21, 2015, 12:22:37 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 21, 2015, 12:28:26 am
Post by: Unorthodox on August 21, 2015, 12:53:05 am
I REALLY want to make a ghoul and just leave it sitting in the middle.
legal ramifications?
Post by: Unorthodox on August 21, 2015, 12:56:04 am
Post by: hEtErOdOx on August 21, 2015, 01:15:24 am
Post by: Rusty Edge on August 21, 2015, 05:37:17 am
So, they built this underground tunnel to cross the highway near me.
I REALLY want to make a ghoul and just leave it sitting in the middle.
legal ramifications?
If it were Seattle you could donate it to the city as public art, and tourists would pose for pictures with it.
I'm thinking there in the theocracy they wouldn't take kindly to heathen pranks or sculpture. Even so it's tempting.... What are the possibilities for such an opportunity? Hmm..
Post by: Unorthodox on August 21, 2015, 05:03:03 pm
(https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xta1/v/t1.0-9/11760169_10153508685736103_4872095792436381731_n.jpg?oh=5086ef5c2b412c83d71b0b75deb9a430&oe=5670ADB0)
would make a fantastic head for a Krampus.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 21, 2015, 05:21:56 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 21, 2015, 10:47:35 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 22, 2015, 03:44:53 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 22, 2015, 03:50:46 am
Post by: Unorthodox on August 22, 2015, 04:06:20 am
It's like someone custom built my needs.
Post by: Unorthodox on August 24, 2015, 01:51:49 am
! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Idg41jBax8Y#)
Post by: Unorthodox on August 24, 2015, 03:54:41 am
Some of you know this has been years in the making.
Post by: hEtErOdOx on August 24, 2015, 06:09:51 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 24, 2015, 06:54:35 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 24, 2015, 10:22:30 pm
Granted, putting me in charge of an exchange will always turn out...let's go with 'colorful'.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 24, 2015, 10:32:06 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 25, 2015, 12:43:49 am
Post by: hEtErOdOx on August 25, 2015, 02:38:14 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 25, 2015, 03:10:51 am
Post by: Unorthodox on August 26, 2015, 02:42:28 am
It's like Shatner trying to over-sensationalize Nimoy's unsolved mysteries. (or whoever is paying him to do it)
Naturally, I'm hooked.
Post by: Unorthodox on August 26, 2015, 03:13:47 am
Shatner is simulating aliens having sex with barbie dolls on my TV.
LOL
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 26, 2015, 03:25:53 am
Post by: Bertilak on August 26, 2015, 03:31:51 am
Oh my...What color are the aliens? :P
Shatner is simulating aliens having sex with barbie dolls on my TV.
LOL
Post by: Unorthodox on August 26, 2015, 03:58:54 am
Appeared to be a Disney Jasmine Barbie, too.
Post by: Unorthodox on August 26, 2015, 03:59:24 am
Post by: Unorthodox on August 26, 2015, 04:05:17 am
! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12WY9pTnpEQ#t=1940)
Post by: Unorthodox on August 26, 2015, 04:08:13 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 26, 2015, 04:16:22 am
Ah. Asked and answered.
Post by: Unorthodox on August 26, 2015, 04:20:17 am
The mutilated cow toys near the start are equally hilarious.
Post by: Unorthodox on August 26, 2015, 04:20:56 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 26, 2015, 04:22:55 am
Gosh.
Post by: Unorthodox on August 26, 2015, 04:26:57 am
! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FsqJFIJ5lLs#)
Post by: Unorthodox on August 26, 2015, 04:35:03 am
Quote
This is a show that's challenging on many, many levels. You sit there, laugh at Shatner, and get amazed by the story.
Don't know that I've been amazed yet, but the laugh at Shatner part is dead on.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 26, 2015, 04:36:45 am
:PWell golly gee, Fonz; stupid isn't entertaining.
! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FsqJFIJ5lLs#)
Post by: Unorthodox on August 26, 2015, 04:52:51 am
Post by: Unorthodox on August 26, 2015, 04:56:29 am
An ANIMAL PLANET (wtf?) found footage horror movie supposing the fairly recent "hobbit" finds are somehow still alive (and eating people). Mixes actual documentary, found footage horror, and local legends quite well.
It's like a made for SciFi movie...only actually DECENT.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 26, 2015, 11:11:03 am
Post by: Unorthodox on August 26, 2015, 02:29:05 pm
Edit:
Was going to come back and praise a series called the Lost Tapes I've caught on occasion, in sindication, where found footage format has people finding big foot or loch ness, etc. Just now looked it up and see Animal Planet produced it as well. Makes perfect sense those people have moved on to making movies. The movie and series are smart enough NOT go give you this full CGI sequences of crapola, and keep the interactions to mostly sound and obscured shapes in the darkness. Hollywood could learn a thing or three.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 26, 2015, 03:28:42 pm
-Also, the lady 'scientist' heavily featured in the first is seriously good-looking, by my tastes.
Post by: Unorthodox on August 27, 2015, 04:37:27 am
My patience for working on this is fairly limited because it makes my hands hurt, so it's going to take time, but you get the idea.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-O9_uTJ9NB6w/Vd6EJroaAeI/AAAAAAAAeZA/Pyhh4TwJ6c4/s800-Ic42/IMG_0306.JPG)
Post by: Unorthodox on August 27, 2015, 02:51:59 pm
I leave every morning at 5:30 or so. I walk out the back and around the garden.
This time of year, that's about an hour and a half before sunrise, so it's nice an dark. We also get NO light pollution in the back yard from street lights or such unless a neighbor leaves their back porch on, which is not typical.
My night vision is above average to down right excellent, and I've been able to work and navigate in the dark for most my life, regularly working on the farm in the darkness and encountering all the regular critters.
SOMETHING has been PICKING and eating our tomatoes.
Badgers have been reported in the city.
Raccoons and skunks are regulars.
Porcupines are not unheard of.
I'm familiar with all "in the wild", save the badger.
Whatever it was was dark colored, but beyond that I can't put a color on. Smaller than a typical cat, and seemed to be upright when I first saw it. It hunched and went into the pumpkins.
Started yammering at me as I walked by and generally thrashing and making as much noise in the vines as it could. My typical response in these situations is to just ignore it and move along like I don't care. This aproach has kept me from getting sprayed by skunks or attacked by various animals in the defensive posturing, so I just moved on without trying to identify.
Not typical skunk or raccoon behavior. No smell, either. Though skunks don't ALWAYS smell.
Not familiar with the sounds it was making and while not typical behaviour I wouldn't rule out OWL based on the sound either (I'm forgetting the name of the little owl with the wierd sound). We've had mice and rats in the yard this year, so theoretically possible.
Post by: Rusty Edge on August 27, 2015, 05:57:45 pm
Although as far as the sound goes, I've only heard hisses and throaty sounds, sort of like a tiger makes.
Post by: Rusty Edge on August 27, 2015, 06:02:57 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 27, 2015, 06:08:39 pm
My guess is a possum. They like Tomatoes. Well, I think they eat practically everything if they're hungry, kinda like rats.
Although as far as the sound goes, I've only heard hisses and throaty sounds, sort of like a tiger makes.
Non native to Utah. Doubt there's much of a pet trade...
Post by: Rusty Edge on August 27, 2015, 06:42:49 pm
I suggested possum because I figured you weren't familiar with them, and as you've proved just because something's not officially in a state doesn't mean it doesn't pass through.
I know next to nothing about wild badgers from personal experience. I may live in the badger state, but the only live one I've seen is at the zoo, and it's not alive any more.
Maybe you could do something to capture tracks. Soak the ground, or cover it in some kind of dust? Dry sand maybe?
Post by: Unorthodox on August 27, 2015, 10:25:35 pm
Possums seem to avoid the rockies all together.
Badger MIGHT be hunting mice, and theoretically might bite into the tomatoes to go after the juice to drink. It would be consistent with the one bite and drop it nature of the 'eating'.
Skunks have traditionally been in our garden. Fairly sure we had one earlier in the year, but only briefly. Maybe it returned.
Post by: Bertilak on August 27, 2015, 11:44:29 pm
Most logical answer would be a kit raccoon. About the time of year for them to be wandering further away from mom. Maybe it was more distress/calling mom? Something I wouldn't really know what sounds like. I'd expect a coon to be more destructive than the one or two a night once or twice a week that I'm seeing on the tomatoes. hEt has positively ID'd a coon on our street this year on her way home from work in the middle of the night as well.One of the great questions about this universe ::).
Possums seem to avoid the rockies all together.
Badger MIGHT be hunting mice, and theoretically might bite into the tomatoes to go after the juice to drink. It would be consistent with the one bite and drop it nature of the 'eating'.
Skunks have traditionally been in our garden. Fairly sure we had one earlier in the year, but only briefly. Maybe it returned.
Post by: Unorthodox on August 28, 2015, 12:38:52 am
One of the great questions about this universe ::).
The day I don't find joy and wonder in such a simple experience is the day I want to die.
Post by: Unorthodox on August 28, 2015, 12:40:45 am
on the form: "briefly describe what your scarecrow will look like."
"Traditional pumpkin headed scarecrow with a twist"
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 28, 2015, 01:28:46 am
Post by: vonbach on August 28, 2015, 02:06:15 am
I may die in front of my monitor from starvation.
Post by: Rusty Edge on August 28, 2015, 02:45:16 am
One of the great questions about this universe ::).
Actually, I find this mystery interesting. Same as I did the mystery jumping spider, the monarch butterflies that didn't exist in Utah, the aphid plague, and the slug plague that was defeated by a skunk. It's all cool.
The great thing about this forum is that you have the ability to create a thread of your own and name it -
"Great Questions of the Universe with Dio" and you can post whatever you deem appropriate. Pretty cool, huh?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 28, 2015, 02:58:45 am
Yeah, I think he's pretty swell. ;nod
Post by: Unorthodox on August 28, 2015, 03:57:06 am
I have started playing fallout shelter. This game is evil.
I may die in front of my monitor from starvation.
Iphone game? Maybe I'll have to try it out.
Post by: Bertilak on August 28, 2015, 04:31:42 am
I think Rusty Edge had a sarcastic intent behind his post, and I believe that he tires of my laconic humor. ;...One of the great questions about this universe ::).
Actually, I find this mystery interesting. Same as I did the mystery jumping spider, the monarch butterflies that didn't exist in Utah, the aphid plague, and the slug plague that was defeated by a skunk. It's all cool.
The great thing about this forum is that you have the ability to create a thread of your own and name it -
"Great Questions of the Universe with Dio" and you can post whatever you deem appropriate. Pretty cool, huh?
Post by: Unorthodox on August 28, 2015, 05:01:28 am
With that bit of information it wasn't hard to find the culprit.
Distress call this morning, while clamoring through the pumpkins. They are capable of sprinting as well as flight.
http://burrowingowlconservation.org/Media/BOCN-BUOW_alarm.mp3 (http://burrowingowlconservation.org/Media/BOCN-BUOW_alarm.mp3)
Probably not the tomato culprit, and likely hunting bugs and maybe mice in the yard. Fairly rare for Utah, one of the least common Owls to come on anyway.
Post by: Rusty Edge on August 28, 2015, 07:05:19 am
I think Rusty Edge had a sarcastic intent behind his post, and I believe that he tires of my laconic humor. ;...One of the great questions about this universe ::).
Actually, I find this mystery interesting. Same as I did the mystery jumping spider, the monarch butterflies that didn't exist in Utah, the aphid plague, and the slug plague that was defeated by a skunk. It's all cool.
The great thing about this forum is that you have the ability to create a thread of your own and name it -
"Great Questions of the Universe with Dio" and you can post whatever you deem appropriate. Pretty cool, huh?
I'm only used to taking that sort of teasing from my friend GeoModder.
I'm not in the mood for it from anybody else tonight.
Post by: Rusty Edge on August 28, 2015, 07:35:15 am
So, heard something out back and went a looking, found my visitor out in the garden again...but this time it flew off.
With that bit of information it wasn't hard to find the culprit.
Distress call this morning, while clamoring through the pumpkins. They are capable of sprinting as well as flight.
http://burrowingowlconservation.org/Media/BOCN-BUOW_alarm.mp3 (http://burrowingowlconservation.org/Media/BOCN-BUOW_alarm.mp3)
Probably not the tomato culprit, and likely hunting bugs and maybe mice in the yard. Fairly rare for Utah, one of the least common Owls to come on anyway.
That is really cool. I suppose it's too dark to snap his picture. I think I once saw one of those in a zoo, but mostly I live in the opposite part of the country from burrowing owls.
Post by: Unorthodox on August 28, 2015, 09:16:35 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 28, 2015, 09:39:03 pm
Post by: hEtErOdOx on September 01, 2015, 10:02:25 pm
Post by: vonbach on September 01, 2015, 10:03:59 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 01, 2015, 10:05:34 pm
Post by: vonbach on September 01, 2015, 10:07:45 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 01, 2015, 10:11:42 pm
Post by: vonbach on September 01, 2015, 10:13:40 pm
Quote
You mean last post displaying first? ...I can't imagine what I might have done to cause that.Yes thats whats happening. :D
Post by: BU Admin on September 01, 2015, 10:22:32 pm
Post by: vonbach on September 01, 2015, 10:30:50 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 01, 2015, 10:31:34 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 01, 2015, 10:32:10 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 01, 2015, 10:33:17 pm
Post by: vonbach on September 01, 2015, 10:33:36 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 01, 2015, 10:34:33 pm
Post by: vonbach on September 01, 2015, 10:37:03 pm
Post by: BU Admin on September 01, 2015, 10:39:13 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 01, 2015, 10:41:09 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 01, 2015, 10:48:11 pm
Post by: Bertilak on September 01, 2015, 11:03:37 pm
Post by: hEtErOdOx on September 02, 2015, 03:10:23 am
It might be because I just use safari on my phone.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 02, 2015, 03:15:59 am
Post by: Unorthodox on September 02, 2015, 03:22:03 am
Post by: Unorthodox on September 02, 2015, 03:26:42 am
There's a setting for Display last post first somewhere, but I've never touched it, certainly not today, certainly not in the Default theme or Lazy Summer today.
It's in look and layout. hEt certainly never checked that to begin with, she's trying to change it now.
Lazy Summer was not phone friendly on the menus btw.
Post by: hEtErOdOx on September 02, 2015, 03:27:44 am
Post by: Unorthodox on September 02, 2015, 03:29:41 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 02, 2015, 03:30:32 am
We figured it out, and all's right in the forum world again :)Give - I couldn't find a setting in a cursory search, and others are having the problem...
Post by: Unorthodox on September 02, 2015, 03:32:23 am
LOGGED OUT Safari defaults to the new posts on top format.
Theres a check box in look and layout for new posts on top that you need to uncheck.
Post by: BU Admin on September 02, 2015, 03:38:17 am
--I wonder how THAT got checked, and why it only affected three people who are neither guests nor new users?
Post by: Bertilak on September 03, 2015, 01:16:02 am
AH. Got it. Fixed.The problem actually caused any guest that viewed this forum to experience the problem. I really am a good deal at times with regards to providing useful insight into issues ;).
--I wonder how THAT got checked, and why it only affected three people who are neither guests nor new users?
Post by: Unorthodox on September 03, 2015, 02:30:28 pm
The boss has heard a few of these...but for all the crap I have around, these kinds of videos show just how bad it COULD get...man that's a lotta junk..
Post by: Unorthodox on September 03, 2015, 09:33:59 pm
4 day weekend coming up, with our annual trip to insanity thrown in just for fun. I'll post pics of THAT later.
Got some items that need attention on the Halloween front, too, probably work on those while hEt sleeps in. Time to update the party pages and buttons for the year. Hard to believe this is year 6 for the carving party. Might just reuse the button, it's not too shabby at all.
Devil's Carnival in 2 weeks!
Post by: Unorthodox on September 03, 2015, 09:39:02 pm
Another piece of equipment we bought without thinking things through...
deal with that next week.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 06, 2015, 01:59:03 am
Boss Mrs. Uno, I'll be expecting feedback on the changes to Astronomy...
Post by: Unorthodox on September 06, 2015, 02:02:37 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 06, 2015, 03:07:31 pm
Halloween before:
(http://alphacentauri2.info/MGalleryItem.php?id=974)
After:
(http://alphacentauri2.info/MGalleryItem.php?id=975)
It's always a lot of fun tracking down where in the stylesheet any particular theme has hidden things like the menu and the linktree so I can move around. ;sarc The improvement in topspace really shows in the right sidebar.
This one had the breadcrumbs in a border box generated somewhere other than index.css that I can't find, so I couldn't move it or get rid of it, which introduced a tiny flaw in the background you can make out in the thumbnail, but hope won't stand out for users. Tough for my pedantic soul to let it go at that, but diminishing returns to spend half a day hunting down something so minor.
The very top is a great empty field of black so I decided to swap in the wide version of the logo - which demanded that I center it, which the .css code wouldn't do, so I had to in the art, and which sorta forced me to center the menu under it, which is another thing the stylesheet won't just do - so hours burned on just those.
The bit I like about this pass at the theme best is the customization of the logo. I've done some really cute little thematic adjustments to go with, for example, Winter and Enterprise, and I'm a bit put out that no one has let on that they noticed...
Lean in and look real close; I didn't just turn the planet orange, but the effect I spent so much time on is subtle by design.
I need to update the thumbnail for Curve to reflect changes I made weeks ago, then I'm taking a break to finally watch Star Trek: Renegades after a week, which I anticipate hating even more than most.
Don't forget to vote in the poll at the top of the thread.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 06, 2015, 03:43:42 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 07, 2015, 01:24:04 am
-Pretty astonished that you've not been by in the nearly 10 hours since I posted that last. I don't know how forums in this circle could survive if people didn't browse at work.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 07, 2015, 02:30:50 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 07, 2015, 03:06:12 am
Fiddled the board title backgrounds to improve the legibility of the titles.
Those links are green now, which is still a little faint against the quote background, but no longer nearly invisible and looks great everywhere else.
Rearranged some index subforum display blocks a little to save vertical space.
Upped all the smaller font sizes slightly - they struck me as pushing too small for good legibility.
-Jiggering the breadcrumbs and menu top spacing still to go...
Post by: hEtErOdOx on September 07, 2015, 03:14:56 am
Post by: Unorthodox on September 07, 2015, 03:22:22 am
Well,11 hours now. Cover me boys; I'm going in...
There's less than 60 days to get ready, I'm always sporadic this time of year. You should be used to it by now.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 07, 2015, 03:27:25 am
I should by now, shouldn't I? What's it doing September already?Well,11 hours now. Cover me boys; I'm going in...
There's less than 60 days to get ready, I'm always sporadic this time of year. You should be used to it by now.
Astronomy looks great, on both my phone and tablet.:D The changes are showing already?
Have you seen Star Trek: Renegades? It's post-Voyager and has Tuvok and Ichib in it. Video embedded/linked a few pages back in the Star Trek thread.
Post by: Unorthodox on September 07, 2015, 02:03:09 pm
"We're the house over there with the monster in the yard."
"Oh! You're the Halloween house! We heard about that, it's one of the reasons we looked in the neighborhood! We're going to be your competition this year!"
I managed to not laugh at the last.
A: I've never understood the "competition" mindset to begin with.
B: What we do is so far outside the box it wouldn't register.
C: Given equal budget, there's maybe a dozen people in the nation I'd consider competition.
Bonus: neighbors might be able to break the HOA Halloween deathzone.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 07, 2015, 02:11:39 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 07, 2015, 02:39:55 pm
They've severely softened their stances since we moved in. I'm hoping we finally break em all together.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 07, 2015, 02:46:33 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 07, 2015, 03:05:03 pm
Post by: hEtErOdOx on September 07, 2015, 08:09:40 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 07, 2015, 08:19:53 pm
I'm guessing we'll see what they have around October 1 or so, where I don't decorate till a week out. I'm not even sure they saw Father before he was taken down.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 07, 2015, 08:20:48 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 07, 2015, 08:31:36 pm
Any luck, it's another customer for when I decide to sell things off.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 07, 2015, 08:37:22 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 08, 2015, 03:15:18 am
To recap, since planting, I HAVE DONE NOTHING this year. Alec weeded a time or two in spring, but pretty much, no watering, weeding or fuss.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dUzGgJt43cY/Ve5DBz2ColI/AAAAAAAAec4/JevbxVTTh7g/s800-Ic42/IMG_0321.JPG)
The two bigger ones here are my mystery pumpkin.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WqUxTlFytbw/Ve5DC3mS2DI/AAAAAAAAedA/As1mwYjWXcY/s800-Ic42/IMG_0323.JPG)
Post by: Bertilak on September 08, 2015, 04:06:48 am
Well, everything dead in the field and one rotting already, figured we may as well pick.Does your area receive snow regularly during the late fall or winter seasons? That basement window below ground looks unusual to me because most houses in my area lack below ground structures.
To recap, since planting, I HAVE DONE NOTHING this year. Alec weeded a time or two in spring, but pretty much, no watering, weeding or fuss.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dUzGgJt43cY/Ve5DBz2ColI/AAAAAAAAec4/JevbxVTTh7g/s800-Ic42/IMG_0321.JPG)
The two bigger ones here are my mystery pumpkin.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WqUxTlFytbw/Ve5DC3mS2DI/AAAAAAAAedA/As1mwYjWXcY/s800-Ic42/IMG_0323.JPG)
Post by: Unorthodox on September 08, 2015, 04:29:42 am
Underground basements are normal around here, unless the area has a high water table. Being up the hill a bit, that's not an issue. About 15 miles north of here, you don't see too many since the water table is different.
Post by: Unorthodox on September 08, 2015, 03:36:41 pm
And they are great for some quick and dirty stuff, but we like to shop at the local permanent shop:
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DNRYgS2LRBY/Ve7hhFiCe3I/AAAAAAAAedU/2R613hUIldM/s800-Ic42/IMG_0309.JPG)
http://www.fxsupply.com/index.html (http://www.fxsupply.com/index.html)
They sell the hollywood grade stuff there, and I wanted to get some of the higher quality makeups for Talia this year. Unfortunately, they sold out of the one I wanted, so I've got to make another trip to Salt Lake when it comes in.
Also reworked every one of our Island King torches. (90% of our yard is lit by them these days) I don't know what all had gone wrong, whether it was bad oil, or bad wicks or what, but we've had a devil of a time keeping the couple we use year round lit lately, so I just bought a big spool of cotton wick and dumped the old oil in everything. Cotton wicks chosen due to the unique nature of the Island King torch. Should yield better flame than the old fiberglass ones.
Started on a mask for me. Everyone else in the house is going the makeup route this year. Still not entirely sure what I'm doing for me, just letting it come out how it needs.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 08, 2015, 03:47:07 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 08, 2015, 04:32:45 pm
"Wally's" hit the shelves in 2010-2011 or so. They go for around $20. Decent looking, super light...they are unfortunately extremely breakable at any joint. Hotglue the holy hell out of any joint and you're good.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2hm2B0pJPrA/TnVZ2OPLC_I/AAAAAAAAJcA/rlRXUHSyJlY/s800-Ic42/IMG_5793.JPG)
"Pose N Stay" skeletons hit in 2012-2013. Especially the costco ones were sought. $35-60 depending on your source, they are VERY similar in design to the Wally, but with MUCH better connections at the joints. Ironically, the necks and spine are prone to breaking and actually lower quality than the Wally's. I've used bamboo to reinforce mine when needed. Unfortunately, this year, they are all up in the $50-60 range...
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-z846MjutFH0/UmyQIBRSJTI/AAAAAAAAbrc/uQEdkgh4K-A/s800-Ic42/IMGP2373.jpg)
This year there is a bunch of department store knockoffs of the Pose N Stay with wildly varying quality issues.
The crown jewel of skeletons will always be the Bucky, but it's going out of style with reasonable quality alternatives. Medical skeleton with casing errors that render it unsuitable for teaching, it's the most realistic you'll find. It's main drawback is actually weight, more than price. At $80-$120, but 60 lbs vs the 5-10 lbs of the others.
(Fred here getting skin, not sure where my "clean" image of him is sitting right now. He also had 2 vertebrae removed from the neck at this point because it was the only way I could get him to hold together properly. )
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cm-knYZBoBo/SFe3dcR2r-I/AAAAAAAAA1Y/t8O3bTEjPaI/s800-Ic42/IMGP1440.JPG)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 08, 2015, 04:38:03 pm
So those sorts of stores must be pretty profitable to be catching on. You'd expect that they'd have to do MAD volume at hefty markup to make up for the inefficiency and overhead of being temporary/seasonal. -It's starting a new store every year they do it. Do any go Thanksgiving/Christmas before they close?
Post by: Unorthodox on September 08, 2015, 04:47:21 pm
If hEt would LET me get back to doing "THEM", I'd actually have a use for child sized skellys, but she's put the kibosh on anything remotely spider related and the bat people from beastmaster.
Telling you bunch of bat people, easy, effective, mass producable goldmine. Bunch o them standing around...
! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_6x9NRz8gk#)
We could always go Vlad the Impaler style with costumed kiddy sized skellies...
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 08, 2015, 05:00:46 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 08, 2015, 05:11:43 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 08, 2015, 05:17:40 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 08, 2015, 07:24:42 pm
Quote
Re-live old school nightmares as you experience rooms from some of the most popular houses during the last 20 years of Frightmares! Be warned: This labyrinth will haunt and deceive you: The Labyrinth, Nightmare Midway, Haunted High School, Haunted Hollywood, Deception!
Basically sounds like random greatest hits from all the past haunts they don't use anymore.
My question becomes, what the hell do they still have in working order from The Labyrinth, one I designed 20 years ago. (yes there was a minotaur in it) At the time we were reutilizing most of the old funhouse equipment, but they don't utilize that building at all anymore. Nightmare Midway I had a hand in as well, but it's stuff has been continually reused/renamed through the years. In fact, Deception was pretty much just a repainting of Midway.
This means the haunts this year are most likely:
20 years of Terror (3/5 using my designs)
Nightwalk (Vampires, spent several years of suck (pun intended), but VASTLY improved last year, love to know who redesigned it. Still some mind numbing flaws in some rooms)
Twisted Fairy Tales.
???? one more: 2 logical choices are either the damn clowns again (though there would be some overlap with the nightmare midway there. Don't care for the "3D" haunts, mostly because the glasses don't work so well for me), or Lockdown.
Then you have the pioneer village haunt that could use some serious attention, and the 2 kiddie trick or treat walks.
Post by: Unorthodox on September 08, 2015, 07:37:36 pm
Kyle, not sure what specific year, but one of the last for Labyrinth. The original Nightmare Midway way in the back. It got hacked apart into other haunts and transformed over the years. They stuff two half-assed ones in that building now... :-\
Post by: DrazharLn on September 09, 2015, 12:51:29 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 09, 2015, 12:57:41 am
Post by: Unorthodox on September 09, 2015, 02:35:14 am
Thinking of you (http://naturem0m.tumblr.com/post/128428431331/person-its-too-early-for-halloween-stuff-its)
;b;
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 09, 2015, 02:38:16 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 09, 2015, 04:40:55 am
Post by: Unorthodox on September 09, 2015, 01:42:51 pm
I know there's a movie on the way at any rate.
Moon, mars and venus putting on a show in the mornings before work lately.
Going to be breaking out the bridge of death for modification tonight...pray we don't run into any nasties...I'm concerned things may be living in it this year.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 09, 2015, 01:54:32 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 09, 2015, 03:24:52 pm
If, like Trick R Treat, he purposely adds nonsensical themes specifically to get an "R" rating "because real horror movies are rated R", I'll wait for it to be on my TV/netflix.
(for the record, he didn't even add a HORROR scene to Trick R Treat, but rather 20 seconds of straight up porn or rather a character watching a porn video to get the R. Random SIDE character, no less. Useless scene. Easily editted and it becomes something I can enjoy with my kids. Piss me off to no end. And...well, Krampus leaves a LOT he could add in that realm if he's into that kind of thing/after shock value)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 09, 2015, 04:12:38 pm
Wouldn't be horribly difficult, if tedious and time-consuming, to generate a .gif of a game screen playing part of a level. What would the little profile EarthO'Lantern be gobbling? How to portray angry/creeped-out Mormon neighbors as the ghosts? What does the level look like? Everything needs that eight/16 bit look, of course...
I sorta want to actually do this, so do kibitz.
Post by: Unorthodox on September 09, 2015, 06:24:45 pm
I'd say take one of my big fears, still and make the ghosts aliens. Tying this back to the yard easy enough, you could have the board be a corn field, the maze being crop circles, the power pellets would have to be jack o lanterns, and the 'food' that pops up would be skulls. Should be easy enough to find bit art for most that.
Post by: Rusty Edge on September 09, 2015, 06:38:43 pm
Concept: An Unorthodox Halloween is a Pac-Man rippoff. (Creep-Man?)
Wouldn't be horribly difficult, if tedious and time-consuming, to generate a .gif of a game screen playing part of a level. What would the little profile EarthO'Lantern be gobbling? How to portray angry/creeped-out Mormon neighbors as the ghosts? What does the level look like? Everything needs that eight/16 bit look, of course...
I sorta want to actually do this, so do kibitz.
If you do all of the art, I bet Dale could take it further.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 09, 2015, 06:49:28 pm
---
I think PacMan level screenies will be insanely easy to find and study, and I guess I need to do that first. before I begin drawing stuff.
I reckon the aliens can come out of the (cursory) house at the center, and your yard is the play area. It needs to be square, so crop circles would be a problem. Unless we're doing an advanced level with a lot of wasted corner.
So give me a rough schematic of a maze that I can draw up as the level. I think I want to keep it down to 500x, 800x500 at most - it'll be a BIG .gif file even that small if the sprites can be made to work at that size.
How much can we pack in in about 10 seconds? If I can't keep it under 100 frames, too big a file to be wieldy, again.
I never played much pacman, so if you weren't too young at the time, I'm open to guidance...
Post by: Unorthodox on September 09, 2015, 07:20:41 pm
I know we can't do "circles" just figuring why a maze would be in a cornfield.
Ok, not 2013...further back?
I've got a crappy schematic of my yard somewhere.
Post by: Unorthodox on September 09, 2015, 07:33:35 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 09, 2015, 08:24:33 pm
I'll put a cursory 8bit roof on the ghost box, though.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 09, 2015, 08:52:42 pm
B.) I have no way of knowing if you saw the thing I made you and posted last Halloween. I assume you were too busy to remark instantly and then forgot, but I can't know you didn't just miss it...
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 09, 2015, 09:03:13 pm
(http://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=1295.0;attach=13367;image)
Post by: Unorthodox on September 09, 2015, 10:24:22 pm
Could do Jim better. Jim deserves better. Maybe one day.
Probably one of the last pics from Bertha there.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 09, 2015, 10:29:21 pm
A.) W/o the crop circle maze, are we still doing aliens for ghosts??
Post by: Unorthodox on September 09, 2015, 10:38:18 pm
IMO crop circles don't need to be circles. I've always wanted to do aliens, and getting you to do a "Signs" tribute on the sly is hilarious...
Seriously, Aliens seem the easiest to do and make lots of sense.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 09, 2015, 10:51:59 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 10, 2015, 12:46:52 am
second year in a row. WHAT is liking to pupate on the bridge of death?
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gUnIathVjDQ/VfDAfRMk2XI/AAAAAAAAeeI/Jb946DQ9IEA/s800-Ic42/IMG_0329.JPG)
Moth, obvious, but WHAT?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 10, 2015, 12:48:02 am
Post by: Unorthodox on September 10, 2015, 12:58:56 am
Post by: Unorthodox on September 10, 2015, 01:01:25 am
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2jfIF4_V7O8/VEc0-Gy0fzI/AAAAAAAAcK4/U9b6LeZo8fA/s800-Ic42/IMG_0119.JPG)
unaware of butterflies making such cocoons, but maybe a moth that looks butterfly? ie a silkmoth of some sort? ( not supposed to be in Utah, but we've heard that before)
Post by: Unorthodox on September 10, 2015, 01:08:02 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 10, 2015, 01:22:26 am
Post by: Unorthodox on September 10, 2015, 02:40:10 am
! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fy9uaWqUNa8#)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 10, 2015, 02:59:37 am
Post by: Unorthodox on September 10, 2015, 01:17:23 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 10, 2015, 01:24:11 pm
Quote
The Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA) project is ambitious effort to collect and provide access to quality-controlled data about butterflies and moths for the continent of North America from Panama to Canada. The project is hosted by the Butterfly and Moth Information Network and is directed by Kelly Lotts and Thomas Naberhaus. Our goal is to fill the needs of scientists and nature observers by bringing verified occurrence and life history data into one accessible location.
BAMONA is a rich data source that grows daily. Citizen scientists of all ages and experience levels participate by taking photographs of butterflies and moths and then submitting their observations. Additional BAMONA data come from museum and personal collections, published literature, and professional lepidopterists. Quality control is provided by collaborating lepidopterists who serve as regional coordinators. Standardized data and metadata are stored in a database and accessible through the web site via checklists, species profiles, maps displaying point data, and other tools.
..
Eh, why not? They supposedly have a Utah Moth expert already, see if they can identify. Maybe they just don't have pics of the pupa yet for their ID database.
Post by: Unorthodox on September 11, 2015, 03:54:13 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 11, 2015, 03:57:19 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 11, 2015, 04:26:25 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 11, 2015, 04:43:30 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 11, 2015, 04:48:18 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 11, 2015, 05:01:01 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 11, 2015, 06:07:43 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 11, 2015, 06:15:53 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 12, 2015, 06:11:30 am
Krampus - Official Trailer (HD) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6cVyoMH4QE#)
Post by: Bertilak on September 12, 2015, 05:30:24 pm
I've been waking up wrong all week. Something in the air is just totally ignoring my allergy medicines and I wake at about 2 AM unable to breath. Migraine today might be related.I have never experienced a migraine. I have experienced allergies almost every year from specific types of grasses that flower during the Spring.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 12, 2015, 05:45:13 pm
Post by: Bertilak on September 12, 2015, 06:01:11 pm
Wash your face a lot. It helps when you get snotty.It really depends upon the instance of the allergy. The symptoms I often experience vary between tearing, itchy eyes, runny nose, congested nose, or headaches.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 12, 2015, 06:17:18 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 13, 2015, 01:27:18 am
After getting a second dose of aspirin in me, I was able to stay on top of it for the evening, and sleep it off.
Post by: Unorthodox on September 13, 2015, 01:34:23 am
Krampus - Official Trailer (HD) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6cVyoMH4QE#)
Still could go either way, that. What it's rated will determine whether they get my $ or not.
Post by: Unorthodox on September 13, 2015, 01:35:11 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 13, 2015, 02:24:42 am
Post by: Unorthodox on September 14, 2015, 02:53:22 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 14, 2015, 02:56:10 am
Post by: Unorthodox on September 14, 2015, 02:57:27 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 14, 2015, 03:07:31 am
Post by: Unorthodox on September 14, 2015, 03:23:30 am
Post by: Unorthodox on September 14, 2015, 01:51:29 pm
! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f15vDfpV-Ig#)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 14, 2015, 01:57:00 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 14, 2015, 02:28:32 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 14, 2015, 02:57:57 pm
Hobo Clown, Painted Doll, Wick and Scorpion being the most popular of the carnies, more or less in order.
! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLsGlfKoAwI#)
! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWUavL9XqVU#)
Wick is the main lady singing here (Alexa Vega...), don't believe I've posted anything by her before (also the Magician, Fool, and Woe Maidens shown):
! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sv3-K24MVhE#)
Scorpion
! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TqTQYGUhz_Y#)
and of course Lucifer.
I'm sure there'll be more from #2, but doubt they'll change the popularity much.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 14, 2015, 03:15:09 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 14, 2015, 03:15:20 pm
Especially the agent:
! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JtVX1UsuaSg#)
Who has a nice iconic look, and gets a hell of a number, that if it's filmed half as good as it's recorded will be awesome:
! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BpYgpncQ7RY#)
Post by: Unorthodox on September 14, 2015, 03:18:04 pm
...There's a rumor on the internet that you're a fan...
Don't know how that started...
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 14, 2015, 03:32:07 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 15, 2015, 01:57:47 am
I'm genuinely impressed. Father is now waterproofed.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 15, 2015, 02:00:26 am
Seed planted...
Post by: Unorthodox on September 15, 2015, 02:55:12 am
https://www.google.com/search?q=wick+devil%27s+carnival&espv=2&biw=1517&bih=714&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0CCAQsARqFQoTCJfjxoX398cCFcQuiAod7IEB2Q&dpr=0.9 (https://www.google.com/search?q=wick+devil%27s+carnival&espv=2&biw=1517&bih=714&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0CCAQsARqFQoTCJfjxoX398cCFcQuiAod7IEB2Q&dpr=0.9)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 15, 2015, 03:17:14 am
Post by: Unorthodox on September 15, 2015, 01:21:04 pm
I dunno; Painted Doll in the kimono is more the sort of look she goes for.
I can get that.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 15, 2015, 01:56:49 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 15, 2015, 02:15:53 pm
Let me see if I can dig up Hasslehoff's video where she is an applicant.
Post by: Unorthodox on September 15, 2015, 02:24:09 pm
! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W80ugBiD5kU#)
When Hoof and Lap finally posts as a video, I'm sure it's going to be quite the show for her character.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 15, 2015, 03:03:51 pm
-Of course, who I want to be comes from me, and not that interested in God's opinion about it any more than anyone else's.
Post by: Unorthodox on September 15, 2015, 04:42:39 pm
Considering the Director made Saw II and III and campaigned for the production company to let him do something HE wanted to (Repo! The Genetic Opera), and they agreed so long as he did Saw IV. Well, they didn't give Repo! a proper release. No promotion, limited theater release, etc. I know it never officially came out in Utah, not even to the art houses until it had hit DVD. So, he split with the company after Saw IV, and has since been blacklisted by the bigger companies in Hollywood.
He took Repo! more or less door to door on a roadshow, and it's gained a cult following something akin to Rocky Horror to prove a point that it COULD have been successful. They WANTED to make Repo! 2, more or less, but the movie house refused to release the rights (And made a bad movie with the same concept Repo Men). So, Darren/Terrance made Devil's Carnival instead. Unable to find a production company, they did it on their own dime, and #1 was officially a short film, coming in under an hour. Marketed directly to fans with a roadshow tour, it made enough to fund #2 at full length, also made completely independently and marketed directly to fans with roadshow.
So, yeah, Hollywood condemned him to the hell of their blacklist, and he's just decided to revel in it. I think it says a hell of a lot that most the cast from Repo! is still with Darren doing Devil's Carnival, and those that aren't are due to scheduling conflicts more than lack of desire.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 15, 2015, 04:47:25 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 15, 2015, 04:49:06 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 15, 2015, 04:50:49 pm
I should probably google that and get it right. I'm not even sure it's Milton.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 15, 2015, 04:53:25 pm
Quote from: Paradise Lost, Book I, by John Milton
... Farewell, happy fields,
Where joy for ever dwells! Hail, horrors! hail,
Infernal world! and thou, profoundest Hell,
Receive thy new possessor—one who brings
A mind not to be changed by place or time.
The mind is its own place, and in itself
Can make a Heaven of Hell, a Hell of Heaven.
What matter where, if I be still the same,
And what I should be, all but less than he
Whom thunder hath made greater?
-See also my sig - and I am trying to be a certain someone here -mostly succeeding, I think- not really related to the rest.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 15, 2015, 04:58:09 pm
Post by: Bertilak on September 16, 2015, 02:40:18 am
...I just Skyped that at Solver, though...I have never used Skype :(. Although I do know what it is . . .
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 16, 2015, 02:48:56 am
Post by: Unorthodox on September 16, 2015, 02:42:46 pm
Devil's Carnival in SLC.
Friday, Lagoon opens their Halloween festivities and we'll be taking the kids down to that as well.
The super extended forcast shows 2 thunderstorms for the last week of October, one the night of our carving party. My experience with this forecast is that it's fairly "accurate" in the number of storms, but they tend to slip one way or the other up to 10 days. Most of October warm and dry, with that last week very cold and wet. Hoping it slips into earlier in October, because lack of water for my lawn will be a problem if we don't get any in October as they are shutting off water October 1 this year. 1000 people walking all over already dead grass would probably not be a good thing.
Post by: Unorthodox on September 16, 2015, 04:57:13 pm
Kyle and Alec are fairly set.
Mine is up in the air. I'd started a fairly generic mask, but I'm not in love with it.
Part of me wants to try something that would help me in future years for Talia, but don't dare experiment on her. That would mean shaving my head...hEt don't like that, and it's not something I love to do, yet I'm leaning that way at the moment...unless I come up with a good inspiration for a headpiece...
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 16, 2015, 05:12:06 pm
Post by: hEtErOdOx on September 17, 2015, 01:14:33 am
If you must.....
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 17, 2015, 02:41:04 am
Post by: Unorthodox on September 17, 2015, 02:42:15 am
Post by: Unorthodox on September 17, 2015, 10:13:39 pm
! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqBPKvUNhE8#)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 17, 2015, 11:09:01 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 19, 2015, 04:37:02 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 19, 2015, 04:41:30 pm
Having a bad morning, but I suppose you'll be glad to hear that I took of and nuked the site from orbit to be sure. I feel a tad like a huge jerk, but there it is.
We need you to take a moment to relate what your theme is this year and what you're working on. I know you're busy, but just a few sentences, please. People care about your work and want to know.
Post by: Unorthodox on September 19, 2015, 08:01:16 pm
I have no corn, and only ~30 pumpkins. Can always go chop the reeds for the front, but they can't fill in on the corn tunnel. Also decided I want some hay bales for the scarecrow contest and need to make a sign for Father.
Putting a second coat of the flex seal on Mother/Father (though one coat rendered the clay pumpkin heads waterproof in that deluge. Someone had been very busy building a huge web around Mother's open chest. Figured what the hell and coated the work with the flex seal as I sprayed the babies. Whether it will preserve the web or not is anyone's guess.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 19, 2015, 08:03:33 pm
Asked and answered. Thanks. I have a lot of faith in your ability to make it work. It'll be a good show.
Post by: Unorthodox on September 19, 2015, 09:01:24 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 19, 2015, 09:10:24 pm
That's for the prospect of pics - and also for Kyle obviously being his father's son. It's not bad strategy at all to emphasize what's special about you to a date, managed carefully.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 20, 2015, 02:30:43 am
QuoteThere are currently 1701 users online.
Most users ever online was 19,062, 04-20-2014 at 08:51 AM.
Threads 91,301 Posts 1,624,464 Members 47,829
Welcome to our newest member, Kelly Fisher
Yeah, there's a LOT. Gets overwhelming at times with the moderating, that's why the whole no tolerance nuke from orbit.
It's also why you could sell some masks over there...
There's a thread. It has a URL.
I'll take more pictures.
-No I won't until some key stuff shows up - and I've posted all the finished masks I can lay hands on.Thanks. I didn't have anything up to show last year - now I do, and my collaborator is motivated. No promises on her behalf about anything more than selling what's done and posted, but bet on greed as a muse.
HowEVER? Much more for Mylochka's finances than mine, now is the time and that mask thread URL is http://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?topic=16613.0 (http://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?topic=16613.0) -We might be open to requests, though that's up to her finding some stuff and wanting to paint - but the money would be nice, and she'll want to make arrangements and do that. Bills to pay.
-I 'spose putting a source for goodies up almost six weeks out is good for the Halloween forum, too...
Post by: Unorthodox on September 20, 2015, 04:02:03 am
Working on something for a sign on Father for the competition. Critique?
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uOmmElEe6D8/Vf4gCdwt1XI/AAAAAAAAelk/MUG26FzS1SM/s800-Ic42/Father.jpg)
Father, needs a very little done. The flex seal is a bit on the glossy side, which actually gives the pumpkin a good look. For the contest, the wires will be hidden up in the chest. For Haloween, they will be secured to the back of the post better. For tonight, I don't much care. Seeds by Alec.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LbEe2_dxWX0/Vf4gG9YjryI/AAAAAAAAel0/rtzswBDsn9s/s800-Ic42/IMGP7119.jpg)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-psRAPMDO1Cs/Vf4gGywl69I/AAAAAAAAelw/JwuVwnfG_CI/s800-Ic42/IMGP7120.jpg)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 20, 2015, 04:10:10 am
Just copy pics wholesale (w/linkback because what the heck, I always gotta try to promote AC2) or whatever you think best. Mylochka's happiness would be increased by money in her pocket. I'll see to it she knows to at least make arrangements for unloading the masks already finished online. -That's not part of my end of the collaboration. She has my permission to sale everything for whatever she chooses and can get - I don't have to get half, if she really needs it.
Critique to follow shortly...
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 20, 2015, 04:38:32 am
Good, strong layout. No quibbles there. Black background is sorta mandatory. You're the Thing in the Shadows.
I've only one reservation about from "by" on down for font choices, placement and colors - the green glow is possibly -only maybe- too bright, which might say Toxic Avenger instead of Swamp Thing (If you don't know Alan Moore's [no on else's and you can skip his last year on the book] Swamp Thing, it is a tragedy. It. was. for. you. -Find some collections; he's a challenging writer and it is best if you start at the beginning) and your work tends to be completely Swamp Thing/organic, certainly nothing radioactive, ever, that I know of. I may be overthinking it at that, because it looks great. (Of course, also branding, and well-incorporated.)
But I do feel pretty strongly that the font on "Father" is a loser. Too hard to read, the letters too shiny with highlights. I can see an intent of something resonant of scarecrows and ghosts and such, thorns and roots, but the shiny highlights make it look inorganic, which is all wrong for your work, and the overall look with that and the red glow says something like Ramstein album, and German death metal is not right for Uno's Harvest Season Organic Creepyfest at all, in my arrogant opinion.
Moby Dick doesn't work as any metaphor if he doesn't work as a whale, after all, and a sign doesn't work if it's too hard to read. A more straight forward font is what I'd recommend before anything else. I bet you have a simpler, woodier, stick-frame w/ string sort of font?... Use that, if so.
Hope I wasn't too brutal. It's a visually arresting sign as-is, and you certainly have a fine grasp of design and layout.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 20, 2015, 04:44:51 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 20, 2015, 05:39:39 am
Quote
This is the place....Just sayin'...
It breathes, it eats, and, at night, beneath a crawling ground fog with the luster of vaporized pearl, it dreams, dreams while tiny predators stage a nightmare ballet in sharp black grass. It is a living thing it has a soul, it has a face.
At night you can almost see it.
At night you can almost imagine what it might look like if the swamp were boiled down to its essence, and distilled into corporeal form; if all the muck, all the forgotten muskrat bones, and all the luscious decay would rise up and wade on two legs through the shallows; if the swamp had a spirit and that spirit walked like a man...
At night, you can almost imagine.
You can stare into those places where the evening has pooled beneath the distant trees, and glimpse an ambiguous shifting of the darkness, something large, large and slow, its movements solemn and inevitable, heavy with clotted, sodden weed that forms its flesh, its skeleton of tortured root creaks with each funereal pace, protesting at the damp and sullen weight, within their sockets its eyes float like blood-poppies in puddles of ink.
You can inhale through flared nostrils, drinking in its musk, green and pungent, there is the delicate scent of mosses and lichens adorning its flanks, there is the dry and acrid aftertaste of the pinmold that spreads across its shoulders, fanning out in a dull gray rash.
You can stand alone in the blind darkness and know that were you to raise your arm, reaching out to its full extremity, your fingernails would brush with something wet, something supple and resilient, something moving.
You shouldn't have come here.
Post by: Unorthodox on September 20, 2015, 09:11:52 pm
the bottom half, while it dates back to my headhunter days is branding I rarely deviate from. The Font was made specifically for me.
Need to go looking for fonts.
The only other one I have that's close, also with different treatment.
Take 2
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3bOPXs1ic8E/Vf7OhdKM78I/AAAAAAAAemQ/6E4PJetDvYU/s800-Ic42/Father%2525202.jpg)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 20, 2015, 09:34:44 pm
-My new avatar is a fallen angel, of course - if that makes you happy. I reckon it creepy either way...
Post by: Unorthodox on September 20, 2015, 09:40:47 pm
anyway, something a bit different before I go font shopping.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4VfB_tJ4TTE/Vf8ZLuP0CrI/AAAAAAAAemg/PI6afwz_8XQ/s800-Ic42/Father%2525203.jpg)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 20, 2015, 09:42:43 pm
I don't think I like that take as well, but pretty much the same remarks. Also good enough, if not as sublime as you are capable of.
Post by: Unorthodox on September 20, 2015, 10:01:21 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 20, 2015, 10:05:47 pm
You already know all this, of course...
Post by: Unorthodox on September 21, 2015, 01:49:48 am
Ok, there's only one thing I don't like about this one, and I COULD fix, but it'd be a real pain in the ass to do, but I'll let you comment before I go into that.
And this is one of the rare cases I'd consider toning down the green on the logo.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 21, 2015, 02:10:00 am
Post by: Unorthodox on September 21, 2015, 02:19:05 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 21, 2015, 02:23:28 am
Post by: Unorthodox on September 21, 2015, 02:35:37 am
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YYjR37v00KI/Vf9efzMslVI/AAAAAAAAem4/xsrXKjFLiBI/s800-Ic42/Father6.jpg)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 21, 2015, 02:39:45 am
Post by: Unorthodox on September 21, 2015, 02:50:24 am
My eyes are hurting, gotta take a break for a minute.
Second try at the "unquiet Spirits" font.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 21, 2015, 02:57:34 am
Post by: Unorthodox on September 21, 2015, 03:14:18 am
Post by: Unorthodox on September 21, 2015, 03:16:24 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 21, 2015, 03:27:34 am
Post by: Unorthodox on September 21, 2015, 04:41:17 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 21, 2015, 04:44:57 am
Post by: Unorthodox on September 21, 2015, 02:32:19 pm
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qWxqs5qA7Ds/VfyTmwgcM0I/AAAAAAAAefs/prRhhsovUYQ/s800-Ic42/IMG_0341.JPG)
I am very sorry I didn't get a pic of hEt in her killer outfit for the show...but it was covered most the night due to some chilly weather. She's redone her hair and I need to get you guys pics of that as well. More purplish and dark, of which I approve greatly.
Of course I couldn't pass that poster above.
Anyhow: Alleluia! Devils Carnival 2 Review:
To rewind just a bit for the uninitiated:
The Devil's Carnival imagines a world that, while it mirrors Christianity, Aesop's Fables serve as THE BIBLE.
In #1, we saw Hell and how it treated 3 condemned souls, with Lucifer rebelling and forgiving the 3rd of his sin and sending him back to Heaven. This allowed Hell to interrupt Heaven's broadcast and act as a pirate signal, sending hellish music into Heaven.
#2 we find Lucifer acting oddly, ignoring the Carnival, not preparing for war, and holed up by himself while God is frustrated and unable to create due to the constant interruptions from Hell.
Then we enter the flashbacks for Painted Doll (forgetting her Heavenly name, sorry) to get a portrait of Heaven. I'm forgetting the specific list, but Heaven is a caste society based on 30's Hollywood. Gods' Pets are #1 (the movie stars) while The working Horses are the bottom tier. Our Doll as applicant begins her career as a Horse, but catches the eye of a pet and gets a taste of the good life. Using her sudden celebrity, she manages to commit a forbidden act I won't ruin and is cast from Heaven.
The Aesop's fable was meant to end at this point, but as Lucifer informs us, stories don't go away just because Heaven bans them. Thus the story continues with our Doll now mangled of face (minorly gory) from her Fall finds herself among these frightening creatures all struggling to survive, she loses everything before Lucifer welcomes her to his fold. I will say, her transformation from the broken applicant to Painted Doll is quite fascinating to watch.
#2 culminates in God sending his favorite Pet to Hell to deal with the rebellion. He happens to be the same #1 that fell for Doll, and she serves up some comeuppance. This is the Hoof and Lap I mentioned previously...and BU, you will definitely appreciate the "outfit" Doll sports here.
This is now the third collaboration of Darren, Terrance, and Saar. Each has had a definitive theme, and the hard line 30's musical inspiration here is fantastic and spot on. I think the visual interpretation is one of the weaker ones to date with blues tending to wash out scenes too often for my taste. I get WHY they did it (since Hell is all red and gold), I just think it was a wrong decision.
I won't ever say these movies are for everyone, but if you haven't seen any of them you should give one a try. You won't miss much jumping into Devil's Carnival 2 over one. The budget is pathetic, and I believe this movie in particular sacrificed some visuals in order to shoot a full-length movie. I also don't think they'd work as well as a full budget film. If campy is an art form, then these are master level works.
It's not totally hEt's forte, maybe she'll provide a review from a "normal" person.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 21, 2015, 02:41:45 pm
Seems to me that if you don't take any theological aspect literally/seriously, all the clips I've seen in this thread look like pure win.
Post by: Unorthodox on September 21, 2015, 02:54:07 pm
Our local amusement park.
They gave their hearses a makeover.
NIIICE..
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oxUJmN41-DE/VfyUTJyjttI/AAAAAAAAef8/WJ0NEtZL2tk/s800-Ic42/IMG_0343.JPG)
The second one was total crap...I didn't even picture it. Doh!
I was a little surprised to see that Lagoon has basically went shopping at Spirit...
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kxSVabMN6RM/VfzqVOvjvwI/AAAAAAAAelE/gwCTG-FAIhA/s800-Ic42/IMG_0347.JPG)
Um...Good luck keeping things working. Someone Somewhere must have decided it's cheaper to buy and replace throw away stuff than quality stuff and repair it.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Bj_oP5lq9U0/VfzqUNoEtFI/AAAAAAAAek8/Qa2MbitrfRA/s800-Ic42/IMG_0348.JPG)
However, it's stuff kids relate to easily, so for less scary areas, it actually WORKS well, provided it, um, works.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dc8QxN7Ux5A/Vfzp7YNjyrI/AAAAAAAAeh4/accUi3LjjJA/s800-Ic42/IMG_0524.JPG)
One area Lagoon has MAJORLY stepped up their game is on makeup. They have a real airbrush artist somewhere.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oHbhIBeHMvU/Vfzp-lL25vI/AAAAAAAAeiU/nPxHYOrEXZs/s800-Ic42/IMG_0369.JPG)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-I2Fvx5BoRbo/VfzqH-s712I/AAAAAAAAejg/qdMsre8A76g/s800-Ic42/IMG_0360.JPG)
On the haunted houses:
Nightwalk: DREADFUL acting this year...horrible. Hopefully they fix. Lighting is better than past years, though.
Lockdown (my prison): Incoherent...What the hell did they do to the second half? And how does the chainsaw make ANY sense? Acting better realized than Nightwalk, though. Talia actually interacted with people here.
20 years of Terror: Greatest hits haunt. WHY DID YOU RUIN MY LABYRINTH? They're doing it all WRONG!!! Other than that, to paraphrase Forest Gump, random is as random does.
Fun House: Did not enter. I don't care for the clowns anyway, and the 3d stuff don't work for me.
Pioneer Village Scare Zone: Easily the most FUN out of them this year. More relaxed. Actors that don't think everything is screaming! Marvelous!
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-n7i-R2vrxKQ/Vfzp6jGL8zI/AAAAAAAAehw/BqrAKddpOqk/s800-Ic42/IMG_0525.JPG)
Ah...the ghillie suit trick.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-M9o8WCYBfKk/VfzpzUlThCI/AAAAAAAAegk/LpJ-C_fc7xE/s800-Ic42/IMG_0535.JPG)
Post by: Unorthodox on September 21, 2015, 03:00:42 pm
I'd note that the "hellish music" sent into Heaven is pretty good show tunes. Not all meanings of hellish...
Seems to me that if you don't take any theological aspect literally/seriously, all the clips I've seen in this thread look like pure win.
Pretty much. "Hellish" being anything not from God. Don't overthink, and enjoy the music and visuals for what they are.
in a rehearsed drone: "Ours is not to question the author, only to learn from his wisdom." - flash too-perfect false smile.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 21, 2015, 03:03:09 pm
The Frightmares hearses are crying out for a Ghostbusters relaunch treatment, but that's surely a legal problem and the release timing will probably be way wrong to do anything with next year, even if it doesn't tank, which I smell coming...
We haven't talked about the reboot...
Post by: Unorthodox on September 21, 2015, 03:05:17 pm
Yep. 'God' being Paul Sorvino, 'Heaven' can't be all that great, anyway.
in a rehearsed drone: "Ours is not to question The Author, only to learn from His wisdom." - flash too-perfect false smile.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 21, 2015, 03:13:28 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 21, 2015, 03:32:12 pm
-It may be a feature, not a bug, in this case...
It is indeed hard for the Almighty to take himself TOO serious, is it not? The My Word is Law, city destroying, firstborn killing, sacrifice demanding OT God, mind. Not the hippy love thy neighbor NT God.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 21, 2015, 03:54:42 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 21, 2015, 04:08:49 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 21, 2015, 04:18:17 pm
They could always do a prequel with their own Devil's Carnival-style version of Milton...
Post by: Unorthodox on September 21, 2015, 07:03:35 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 21, 2015, 07:15:02 pm
I don't like morbid, creepy, stuff one whit more than I ever did, but you've put some thick callus for it on my mind's eye - I look at that video and hear a well-sung arrangement of an old ballad with effectively-done exaggerated funereal/death visuals and enjoy and admire the craft of it, barely even noticing the morbid/creepy, let alone being put off by it. ;)
Post by: Unorthodox on September 21, 2015, 07:52:54 pm
You'd be shocked at some of the stuff I'm numb to.
I watched that as more a technical aspect. I'm wondering how they managed the fog coming out her dress. The fog screen (they overused, by the way) is old hat/news, but barring buried chords (possible, admittedly) I'm not aware of a chordless fog machine that would put out that much. Then again, it was limited enough in scope it COULD have been some consumable stage magical supply stuff.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 21, 2015, 08:21:39 pm
About the masks, selling of - she's up to her ears in tarting up dolls for RL sale at a show, and we agree that it's too late for requests before Halloween or any new stuff w/ snail mail involved, but she's enthusiastically on the bus about exchanging what's on-hand, finished, for American earth dollars -we've got photos of our work to keep, after all.
Mylochka thinks it best to just ask a flat $25 dollars apiece, and take payment through PayPal - I assume that covers shipping and handling; the masks don't weigh much.
There's a few in the thread unfinished, of course, a few only ready to paint - we'll offer those, too, for $15 if anyone wants to paint their own ape-face or whatever.
Merely link the thread, do something more elaborate - whatever you think best, given your time and effort and all - and pick out another one for yourself, gratis, as a payback token. -Or a custom request, if you'd rather wait forever for us to get around to it. Seriously.
Be careful of the WPC-linked pics, of course; most are still around -we've given a handful of masks away, and most of the masks from any of her shows pictured are in a closet at the University of North Texas, Denton- but the shots I attached lately we're sure of.
Post by: Unorthodox on September 21, 2015, 08:59:45 pm
As for me, I'm going to wait till we figure out what we're doing with the house. We are likely either expanding or moving in the next year or 2, and I'm hoping a proper shop is part of that.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 21, 2015, 09:10:04 pm
Probably best if you at least START the Thread, soonest, because you're known, and that will lend credibility as we're-not-strangers and more likely to be trustworthy.
Wait and do a custom request for you later, it is; that suits everyone better w/ an open time-frame. I still don't have some stuff I need to get back in the saddle yet, anyway.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 22, 2015, 12:40:34 am
(https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/12039606_537224049758355_4698164022312771062_n.jpg?oh=e2136afa91a442235380b7ff9383dbeb&oe=56A14FA8)
I don't think we ever talked about the movies - I think they were win, and rather polished the turd of a TV show without distancing themselves - and little miss Ricci quite nearly out-charisma'd Raul Julia, which wasn't possible to actually do, but touching him at all is deeply impressive.
Post by: Bertilak on September 22, 2015, 01:14:23 am
I can post links and whatnot, especially with prices. Can't give you a timeframe, but I'll try to get it this week assuming the home laptop keeps chugging. It's gonna die on me some day sooner rather than later. Just knowing the folks over there, they would be a lot more likely to throw money if there was someone to answer questions over there.I hear moving can become extremely stressful on a family.
As for me, I'm going to wait till we figure out what we're doing with the house. We are likely either expanding or moving in the next year or 2, and I'm hoping a proper shop is part of that.
Post by: Unorthodox on September 22, 2015, 02:15:40 am
Post by: Unorthodox on September 22, 2015, 02:19:14 am
A Christina Ricci as Morticia shot going around that you probably saw forever ago and a rather obvious shoop, too, if you ask me - but just in case, and because it makes me want to see her actually play Morticia. -And not just a little bit.
(https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/12039606_537224049758355_4698164022312771062_n.jpg?oh=e2136afa91a442235380b7ff9383dbeb&oe=56A14FA8)
I don't think we ever talked about the movies - I think they were win, and rather polished the turd of a TV show without distancing themselves - and little miss Ricci quite nearly out-charisma'd Raul Julia, which wasn't possible to actually do, but touching him at all is deeply impressive.
Can't say I particularly care for slutting Morticia up like that, but Mom made sure I don't see that kind of thing like most
! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vS7c41AbjQI#)
Post by: Bertilak on September 22, 2015, 02:19:55 am
Any less so than cutting off the back wall of the house and adding 6'?At least if the cost of the addition does not exceed the value added or extra mortage that you would have to pay at a new house. In addition, it could help to consider whether or not later on you want to maintain a larger house.
Post by: Unorthodox on September 22, 2015, 02:26:31 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 22, 2015, 02:30:15 am
That's not why I'd like to see Ricci take a run at it. (I'd estimate she could pull off pretty darn close to exactly that look, but that's not actually why.)
Post by: Unorthodox on September 22, 2015, 02:38:42 am
Post by: Bertilak on September 22, 2015, 02:46:04 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 22, 2015, 03:10:13 am
Can't place the actress, and I'm worthless with anything but character names, so can't comment much further.:o You never cease to surprise, sir.
I avoided the movies like the plague.-This, a lot less :o. Iiiiii- think if you liked the Little Shop take on horror, you'd like the two movies in question just fine. They were well-done examples of the Addams Family sort of comedy, only ACTUALLY funny and charming. It's the actress who played Wednesday, you CAN'T have not seen a lot of clips of various of her -nailed- gags over years on the webs, and she just killed, no-prisoners KILLED, in those as a little girl.
-She's creepy and she's spooky, you see.
Post by: Unorthodox on September 22, 2015, 01:27:12 pm
Can't place the actress, and I'm worthless with anything but character names, so can't comment much further.:o You never cease to surprise, sir.
According to IMDB, the only thing I've seen her in is Sleepy Hollow as the blonde witch girl who's job was to be innocent and pure and pretty, which she did well, but doesn't lend itself to Morticia.
Quote
I avoided the movies like the plague.-This, a lot less :o. Iiiiii- think if you liked the Little Shop take on horror, you'd like the two movies in question just fine. They were well-done examples of the Addams Family sort of comedy, only ACTUALLY funny and charming. It's the actress who played Wednesday, you CAN'T have not seen a lot of clips of various of her -nailed- gags over years on the webs, and she just killed, no-prisoners KILLED, in those as a little girl.
-She's creepy and she's spooky, you see.
I've seen clips sure, but have come to the conclusion it's not HARD for girls to be creepy in that way. Something about little girls doing the all too serious look just comes off creepy. I don't think it would be terribly difficult to get a girl into that mode for long enough stretches to film clip length portions.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nOv3cIahaNU/VaskVjviHoI/AAAAAAAAeGM/hEePyqKuf20/s800-Ic42/IMGP7007.jpg)
IMDB informs me she made a Lizzy Borden made for TV movie...I need to see if that's made netflix, it would be a better judge, IMO.
Frankly, I think a Wednesday Addams spinnoff would be more interesting than yet another Addams Family. Let's see her in college or married, and have the others be mere camios.
Post by: Unorthodox on September 22, 2015, 02:08:48 pm
I only had time to skim your thread for pics, holler if there's specific ones you want me to add over there.
http://www.halloweenforum.com/for-sale-by-merchants/144010-jk-studio-masks.html#post1794788 (http://www.halloweenforum.com/for-sale-by-merchants/144010-jk-studio-masks.html#post1794788)
Post by: Unorthodox on September 22, 2015, 08:22:55 pm
Yeah, we're playing by MY rules now, and we'll be doing this RIGHT, not by the seat of our pants BS crap you always pulled. Deal with it...
*sigh*
Ah well, back to work.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 22, 2015, 08:32:08 pm
Has your brother tried to pull something?
For hEt: attached is the Princess Aura from the 79-80 Flash Gordon cartoon. This version is a bad-butt huntress, and I naturally thought of you.
If you want to have a look through the AVATARS! thread, there's a small selection, created for you before we settled on Teela, posted. Thought you might want to change from time to time...
Post by: Bertilak on September 23, 2015, 12:42:26 am
Must. not. troll....What happened presently? It appears as though you are talking to yourself or another third party that we cannot see on this forum.
Yeah, we're playing by MY rules now, and we'll be doing this RIGHT, not by the seat of our pants BS crap you always pulled. Deal with it...
*sigh*
Ah well, back to work.
Post by: Unorthodox on September 23, 2015, 01:16:27 am
[blinks] Whaaa?
Has your brother tried to pull something?
Work crap
Post by: Unorthodox on September 23, 2015, 01:18:25 am
Must. not. troll....What happened presently? It appears as though you are talking to yourself or another third party that we cannot see on this forum.
Yeah, we're playing by MY rules now, and we'll be doing this RIGHT, not by the seat of our pants BS crap you always pulled. Deal with it...
*sigh*
Ah well, back to work.
Ixnay eakspay orkway apcray ainlyplay.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 23, 2015, 01:55:11 am
I've seen clips sure, but have come to the conclusion it's not HARD for girls to be creepy in that way. Something about little girls doing the all too serious look just comes off creepy. I don't think it would be terribly difficult to get a girl into that mode for long enough stretches to film clip length portions.Okay - this particular young lady, I'm only familiar with as a model, alas, but much of that work in the horror genre, she's pure charisma, and I've heard a lot of industry gossip about her that makes me think she really 'gets it' and would be a natural at something like playing Wednesday Addams... I just have a feeling about this one...
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nOv3cIahaNU/VaskVjviHoI/AAAAAAAAeGM/hEePyqKuf20/s800-Ic42/IMGP7007.jpg)
Post by: Bertilak on September 23, 2015, 01:55:32 am
??? What are you saying? It sounds similiar to gibberish.Must. not. troll....What happened presently? It appears as though you are talking to yourself or another third party that we cannot see on this forum.
Yeah, we're playing by MY rules now, and we'll be doing this RIGHT, not by the seat of our pants BS crap you always pulled. Deal with it...
*sigh*
Ah well, back to work.
Ixnay eakspay orkway apcray ainlyplay.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 23, 2015, 02:01:08 am
Say that hypothetically, you knew someone online whose work often intersected with, oh, national security/defense industry needs; such a person, hypothetically, might not be able to speak freely about something on the order of about 40 hours a week of how he spends time...
Post by: Bertilak on September 23, 2015, 02:22:59 am
Nix speak work plainly. -You seriously don't know Pig Latin? I didn't think THAT would ever go out of style.I have heard of pig latin, but I have never spent the time to actually figure out what it means. I would much rather learn the actual latin language.
Say that hypothetically, you knew someone online whose work often intersected with, oh, national security/defense industry needs; such a person, hypothetically, might not be able to speak freely about something on the order of about 40 hours a week of how he spends time...
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 23, 2015, 02:29:55 am
I wish my high school teacher had understood that I worked as hard on that as about any course ever - just, if you slept through English all those years because you speak the written form like a native and it's a waste of your time? Latin has intricate grammar, and no way to learn it if your mastery of the grammar of English is not book-learned; languages are taught in the classroom on the assumption that you were awake in English and know the book rules and terminology, and nailing the vocabulary doesn't teach conjugation and parts of speech, of which Latin has half again as many.
Post by: Bertilak on September 23, 2015, 02:49:41 am
Actual Latin rocks.I have heard college-level Latin is one of the few foreign languages in our country that does not require students to speak it extensively in order to pass the course.
I wish my high school teacher had understood that I worked as hard on that as about any course ever - just, if you slept through English all those years because you speak the written form like a native and it's a waste of your time? Latin has intricate grammar, and no way to learn it if your mastery of the grammar of English is not book-learned; languages are taught in the classroom on the assumption that you were awake in English and know the book rules and terminology, and nailing the vocabulary doesn't teach conjugation and parts of speech, of which Latin has half again as many.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 23, 2015, 02:56:02 am
Post by: Bertilak on September 23, 2015, 03:07:15 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 23, 2015, 03:15:49 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 23, 2015, 02:37:46 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 23, 2015, 03:22:36 pm
The big box of info with the avatars is...interesting... I don't think it was that big in other themes. Overall it's much improved from what I remember, but some things don't quite line up on this older version of explorer.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 23, 2015, 03:54:57 pm
Otherwise, I can't claim all the credit in the world for this one. I tightened up the top-space a lot, toned down much of the orange to be not so retina-burning -I've always wondered if most people aren't a little color-blind- and the not lining up is probably not your browser, but a problem I introduced and can't lick. The breadcrumbs/navigation tree was in an orange box I can't move or get rid of - that's the double line at the top of the page "« previous next »" is crowding into. Looks terrible, but I think, worth the saved time scrolling down in the long run.
That's just standard, the cramping up the top elements for the sake of user friendliness; I worry about the esthetics of it, but every time I check CFC, my resolve to minimize the time users spend scrolling down hardens. You go into their Site forum, and the first thread not a subforum is a whole page-and-a-half scrolling down on my monitor...
The intertwining flame pattern in the postbits -I don't know how they did that- I had nothing to do with aside from turning down the color saturation on the flame image it uses. I love the look of it, but I do notice that it makes my vertically-long postbit significantly longer. It shouldn't be longer than a relatively long post like this one, but just look.
Post by: Unorthodox on September 23, 2015, 04:24:38 pm
Clever. I could nitpick, but it's more a personal thing than anything if I did. Somewhere, sometime I need to make proper digital stencils of the ones I made when I was 12 and have yet to deviate from much. Handfull of mix and match bits
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 23, 2015, 04:40:22 pm
I'm pleased to note that against black, the PRIMAL HORROR items have just the effect I was going for when I darkened it and fiddled the shading on that version of the image. Looks fine in a light theme, but better like this.
I can't decide if this context makes my avatar look more 'fallen' or less. The ambiguity is part of the fun of it, though, I think. I didn't go in intending the creepiness of the eyes, but noticed it early and left them that way - it works for an angel, especially an armored one, either way.
Did you like Prophesy, Uno?
Post by: Unorthodox on September 23, 2015, 05:09:25 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 23, 2015, 05:17:13 pm
Then I love that too, but for totally different reasons.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 23, 2015, 05:54:03 pm
Walken, a better actor than he gets credit for, but a profoundly strange-of-affect person -privately, I hear, as well as on screen- was born to play a killer literally without a soul... (Came on my radar with ... [thinks] what was that Steven King flick? The book was a lot better, but he was good as John Walker in the movie.) And was that a pre-Aragorn Viggo Mortensen as Satan? -Ah. IMDb says I clocked that one. He was very good, too.
I've only seen the first of the sequels - more evidence that people don't know they're already finished when there's money in not being...
Vaguely aware of the existence of the Love Canal mutant in the snow one, but mostly because of remembering the title when the angel one came out - also, I think there's a book I never read, it was probably based on, been lying around somewhere in the basement for decades...
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 23, 2015, 06:25:48 pm
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0114194/trivia?tab=qt&ref_=tt_trv_qu (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0114194/trivia?tab=qt&ref_=tt_trv_qu)
The IMDb quotes page for Prophesy is full of gold...
Post by: Unorthodox on September 23, 2015, 07:09:05 pm
Speaking of the devil...
! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4bF_quwNtw#)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 23, 2015, 09:04:14 pm
That Lucifer wouldn't have threatened a threatening angel with Dad.
I wonder who'll play Elaine Belloc, and I wonder if they'll even DO that plotline. They're automatically going to take enough crap just for doing the show.
Viggo Mortensen's Lucifer was pretty brilliant in the blend of ethereal beauty and black brutality, both as written and as he performed the part. There's definitely commonalities in the concept with Gaiman's take and what carried through to that trailer...
Post by: Unorthodox on September 23, 2015, 09:50:42 pm
! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fKyQpuiMHQ#)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 23, 2015, 09:58:56 pm
Wasn't Brimstone a western series on HBO?
Post by: Unorthodox on September 23, 2015, 10:12:35 pm
This was one of the major networks (probably fox), what, late 90's?
Outside of John Glover's appearances, most the episodes are entirely forgetable. Sci Fi likes to drege it back up around this time of year.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 24, 2015, 12:02:20 am
That Lucifer wouldn't have threatened a threatening angel with Dad.Wellll, possibly---
"You will not. I do not know why He has tolerated my existence for ten billion years, but tolerate He has. You will cease to bore me pretending that you may."
---But as likely just blinding burning light, depending on how arch the angel is.
Post by: Unorthodox on September 24, 2015, 04:41:00 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 24, 2015, 04:42:12 am
Post by: Unorthodox on September 24, 2015, 05:05:52 am
Back as a lad in elementary school, the school had 2 "big" events for Halloween. The Costume contest, and the Pumpkin contest. Now, my school featured a wide diversity of some very wealthy families, and some very poor. Being a lot closer to the latter demographic, I realized very early that I was never going to win the costume contest. Thus, when my mind turned to Halloween 24/7 at age 8, I circled the pumpkin contest as the thing I WAS GOING TO WIN!
A lame attempt at age 8. I tripped heading to the bus at age 9, and my efforts to glue it back together with fake blood, while humerous, were not worth. Thus, in 5th grade I was damn fired sure I was going to win.
I made a spider.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-q_y4CN-gmik/U_vE42bRNGI/AAAAAAAAag4/KZ2IviS43Vk/s800-Ic42/Costme14.jpg)
Yes, that's a clothes hanger web.
I took second place. To a Humpty Dumpty.
Now, EITHER this other boy in my class suddenly had not only taken an interest in sewing and become extremely proficient at it....OR...his mom made Humpty Dumpty.
His mom. President of the PTA...who was judging the contest.
During the assembly to hand out the awards, the principle called me up for second place, and asked the student body "and who thinks this should have won?"
This began a long history of me taking lower places to "Humpty Dumpty" whenever I/something I make enter a contest. , to a point where I expect it.
Kyle there losing to a store bought baby...I think it was a pea costume...
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CF-RKrJSG1s/S18Bsyfb-3I/AAAAAAAAFk8/S9zBLv11AG4/s800-Ic42/post-11-1099238052.jpg)
Multitude of Guild Wars contests losing to bikini armored girls.
My Friend I did up as Hellboy lost to a little bo peep.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lUZAp5DRw7Q/TNHANqg_1yI/AAAAAAAAIQc/fYOcKD9npGY/s800-Ic42/Oct%2525202010%252520054.jpg)
It's a systemic problem, though. Even Pumpkinrot never managed to win, and loses to humpty dumpty:
http://pumpkinrot.com/pages/Page3.htm (http://pumpkinrot.com/pages/Page3.htm)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 24, 2015, 05:14:42 am
As I just told Lori, not trying to one-up, just expressing solidarity with your luck. I want to know who put a curse on me 45 years ago and how to get rid of it.
Post by: Unorthodox on September 24, 2015, 05:19:30 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 24, 2015, 05:30:23 am
Post by: Unorthodox on September 24, 2015, 01:45:36 pm
So...
Apparantly a new person started Monday and it's caused quite a stir so now we all get to go to sensitivity training. Yay.
At issue, they apparantly have a service dog, and some people have an issue with that.
I'm a little surprised because over 50% of the workforce is veterens, and I thought service dogs for veterens had become mainstream enough people would know not to take issue?
Now, I'm aware that some people out there use "service dog" as an excuse to bring their pet to work.
I'm also aware 90% of the population doesn't know how to handle a service dog. It's WORKING, you don't go pet it and baby talk it.
Having bred and raised SHOW dogs, I can also tell a trained dog from an untrained one in a hurry. I'll be meeting this dog either today or tomorrow and will know whether this is a trained service dog or a "service dog" at that point.
_____________________________________________________________________
On an aside, my neighbor has 2 dogs that are typically unruly. He's Kyle's friend and one day they were walking by and those dogs went nuts yanking and dragging this boy going after Talia. I took the leashes and had 2 well behaved dogs in 2 minutes. 90% of dog training is establishing yourself as Alpha. I'm afraid that boy may never grasp that aspect.
______________________________________________________________________
Great as dogs can be, I'll keep my cats.
(for giggles/out of boredom, I trained one of my cats to walk on a leash last year. He won't mind anyone but me very well, though. )
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 24, 2015, 02:31:56 pm
"wear the head" - typo. The kid wasn't even wearing the whole costume.
Post by: Unorthodox on September 24, 2015, 02:48:03 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 24, 2015, 03:04:45 pm
Quote
The Pumpkin search made several strides today.
Our current price listing is as follows:
Day Farms: $.16/lb (best price on med-large sizes)
Maceys: $.19/lb
Home Depot: $4 ea
Walmart: *Varies by store. Seen them priced both by lb and by each. Averaging around $2.50 for a ‘normal’ size pumpkin
__________________________________________________
Farm in Harrisville: $.50 1-5lb, $1 5-10lb, $2 10-15lb, $3 15-20lb, etc *will not discount for my purposes as he serves a couple schools and wont have enough.
Country Gardens Nursery: $.20/lb *Likes The Harvest idea, will discount to $.12/lb for my bulk order
Welch’s Produce, Nursery, and Handmade Gifts: $.20/lb *offered 25% discount ($.15/lb) for bulk order, but willing to haggle on that.
Prices today seem a rather flat $.25/lb across the board, with several places offering $3-5 pumpkins (which is a horrible deal).
As an aside, most the local farms have informed me they actually can't grow enough and end up buying additional from a big farm in central Utah. That would require me paying delivery, which ends up at $.15/lb from the big farm.
Two local farms that DO grow enough refuse to give bulk rates.
However, I found a farmer in the next county through word of mouth. He doesn't advertise, and has a fairly set list of clients, but has enough for me at $.12/lb delivered. $.11/lb if I go pick up. I'm actually BEATING my 2010 price! With bulk prices at $.12-$.15, and stores charging $.25/lb and up, it always amuses me the markup that happens...especially when come November 1, loads of pumpkins go into the trash.
Maybe we'll just end up getting on his client list for the future.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 24, 2015, 03:11:01 pm
Post by: Bertilak on September 24, 2015, 03:23:18 pm
You need to talk to Mylochka. I've been trying to tell her that about her dogs for years.She needs to become the alpha (female) ;lol.
"wear the head" - typo. The kid wasn't even wearing the whole costume.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 24, 2015, 03:24:48 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 24, 2015, 04:50:49 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 24, 2015, 06:22:23 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 24, 2015, 06:33:00 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 24, 2015, 06:45:58 pm
Dead. Apparent domestic violence incident...
Well. If anyone can swing that into a cash cow, it's Zack Bagans
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 24, 2015, 06:49:30 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 24, 2015, 09:39:08 pm
Perhaps ironically, though the paranormal is not a huge topic there.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 24, 2015, 09:41:36 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 24, 2015, 09:44:40 pm
Still give a 50/50 shot Zack tries to capitolize on it somehow.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 24, 2015, 09:47:42 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 25, 2015, 03:14:33 am
Post by: hEtErOdOx on September 25, 2015, 03:17:49 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 25, 2015, 03:19:11 am
Think I might just have to do a witch next year. Design in my head is VERY 'me'...I guess being mysterious is part of your charm...
Post by: Unorthodox on September 25, 2015, 01:31:32 pm
I guess being mysterious is part of your charm...
Not much to really say. I can't draw, so it's an idea in my head.
You've been around long enough to know "My" style. I have a pile of bones I picked up, my dad picked a bunch more up on his hunting trip (and buried 2 carcasses for retreival next year), and I'm infatuated with this song of late.
! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ieUQxZQXrg#)
Which was envisioned as a continuation of this song:
! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bimam2j2gEg#)
Mash all that together with lessons from Mother/Father into a concept that's still 'scarecrow' enough to enter the contest next year, and there you go.
Post by: Unorthodox on September 25, 2015, 10:30:57 pm
(her hella lot newer than mine laptop)
(windows 10 update seems to have had ill effects)
Post by: Bertilak on September 25, 2015, 10:37:35 pm
;eek you know it's bad when hEt drops the f bomb. (her laptop no worky)I imagine that she has become frustrated after attempting numerous different methods to make the device operational (all of which have failed so far). How accurate was my previous sentence concerning the wife?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 25, 2015, 10:38:13 pm
;eek you know it's bad when hEt drops the f bomb. (her laptop no worky)It's like that with Mylochka - often means she's been talking to a salesman working on commission. -Or a car mechanic. -Or thinks her Doctor is misogynist, or holds fatties in contempt...
Post by: Bertilak on September 25, 2015, 10:44:16 pm
The more you talk about your sister the more difficult it sounds to handle her on a daily basis. It sounds almost as if she would open a new orifice on an individual that sufficiently angers her.;eek you know it's bad when hEt drops the f bomb. (her laptop no worky)It's like that with Mylochka - often means she's been talking to a salesman working on commission. -Or a car mechanic. -Or thinks her Doctor is misogynist, or holds fatties in contempt...
Post by: Unorthodox on September 25, 2015, 10:47:36 pm
Post by: Bertilak on September 25, 2015, 10:52:29 pm
I'm not sure I've heard her use it before...and certainly never seen her text it before. It takes a certain amount more thought to type something than speak it.I imagine that means she tends to act like the proper mother role model. This action must only occur on rare occasions.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 25, 2015, 11:22:28 pm
Post by: Bertilak on September 25, 2015, 11:39:55 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 25, 2015, 11:46:55 pm
Post by: Bertilak on September 25, 2015, 11:56:40 pm
Sir; you just insulted me and my sister at a stroke.I believe this statement insulted far more individuals than just your sister :-[. I should probably back-pedal.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 25, 2015, 11:59:48 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 26, 2015, 06:13:06 pm
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pSGPHSs6lW0/VgbO-HChDtI/AAAAAAAAeos/9xvTKnnluF4/s800-Ic42/IMG_0573.JPG)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 26, 2015, 09:30:02 pm
(http://imgs.xkcd.com/comics/the_sake_of_argument.png)
Several months behind on xkcd, and catching up today...
Post by: Unorthodox on September 27, 2015, 01:32:19 am
Post by: Bertilak on September 27, 2015, 02:39:15 am
I always bet on the Uno for not boring.
(http://imgs.xkcd.com/comics/the_sake_of_argument.png)
Several months behind on xkcd, and catching up today...
The pursuit of intellectual expansion often involves the analysis of opposing arguments. This process occasionally allows us to understand the reasons that a specific opinion appears correct to another individual.
Post by: Unorthodox on September 27, 2015, 04:46:49 pm
Have a lot to do to get ready, but at the same time not much I can really do yet. Probably start on bridge repair next week in an effort to minimize the setup at the end of the month.
Overall, this plan of trying to be mostly done by September is nice, but a little foreign still. A lot less panicked about not being completely busy this year. Rethinking my plans for shaving the head: It could make day of more busy than it needs to be. I'd rather focus on Talia's makeup than trying to do my own as well.
That means I need to try out the other thing somehow else...
Might just randomly try it one night. But it was only one part of what I wanted to do.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 28, 2015, 01:25:31 am
Probably going to stop tomorrow. I miss sunlight.
Post by: Unorthodox on September 28, 2015, 01:52:23 am
Was Thursday morning, or Friday, I made complaining mention of it being rather oppressively overcast? It started drizzling Thursday afternoon, and has kept up since. We were way behind on rain for the month, going into the last week of it, but that was four inches of persistent intermittent drizzle ago.
Probably going to stop tomorrow. I miss sunlight.
That was us when I flooded a few weeks back.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 28, 2015, 01:54:30 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 28, 2015, 02:26:40 am
Post by: Rusty Edge on September 28, 2015, 03:15:40 am
...Also, no eclipse for us tonight...
I was just out watching it. Pretty spiffy. I can't remember the last time I saw one.
Post by: Unorthodox on September 28, 2015, 03:33:17 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 28, 2015, 03:52:07 am
Aw, rub it in, willya?...Also, no eclipse for us tonight...
I was just out watching it. Pretty spiffy. I can't remember the last time I saw one.
Post by: ColdWizard on September 28, 2015, 04:02:13 am
Post by: Unorthodox on September 28, 2015, 04:05:00 am
The soundtrack got all immediate neighbors out their door to find the source of the sound, as it is indeed rather otherworldly. And one "what the hell IS that?" somewhere close enough for me to hear, but don't know where from.
It is quite possibly one of the more disturbing
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 28, 2015, 04:07:04 am
Post by: Unorthodox on September 28, 2015, 04:11:03 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 28, 2015, 04:21:13 am
Post by: Unorthodox on September 28, 2015, 02:26:26 pm
Movie very loosely based on The Wardstone Chronicles books.
Mindless action movie. If you can get over the fact the movie bears no resemblence to the source material.
Maggie
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1881002/ (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1881002/)
Horror movie. In a very 1930's-40's styled Horror sense.
See, golden age horror movies were often as much about the horror that the lead playing the monster is going through more as the horror the victims are going through. They gave you reason to empathize with the monsters.
Maggie brings this old school treatment to the Zombie genre with our lead having been infected, and slowly turning into a zombie.
One of the better horror movies in recent years in my opinion, and easily the best zombie movie in quite some time. Highly recommended.
Bonus, Arnold Schwarzenegger actually can act!
! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GtyvEVqxtyI#)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 28, 2015, 02:29:48 pm
-I always heard that a lot of the sadness in Boris Karloff's performance of the monster was due to being in agony from all the appliances he had to wear...
Post by: Unorthodox on September 28, 2015, 02:39:32 pm
No. way. Really?
Really about which?
Yeah, this is my favorite Zombie movie. Period. I should probably make a list, actually...decent Octoberish thing to do...
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 28, 2015, 02:46:54 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 28, 2015, 02:48:07 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 28, 2015, 02:55:44 pm
Bonus, Arnold Schwarzenegger actually can act!I imagine this required a good director frequently saying "No, that was the Ahnold character" and a lot of takes...
! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GtyvEVqxtyI#)
Seriously - a good director can make all the difference. I know of no reason Schwarzenegger couldn't learn to act, but I figure he'd need to drop a lot of bad habits built up over a long movie career - the man has a very robust sense of humor, and would tend to give lines scary or comedic readings instinctively, when bewildered or afraid was called for.
-But he's pretty bright, and no reason he couldn't learn...
Post by: Unorthodox on September 28, 2015, 03:06:02 pm
Ever seen Revenge from Planet Ape
Spanish zombie film (Tombs of the Blind Dead) about knights rising from the grave...someone somewhere decided it would be better to cash in on the American fascination with Planet of the Apes and reshot a couple scenes and dubbed over the movie to make the knights into zombie apes.
Figured you might have caught it at a drive in...sadly very tough to find these days.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 28, 2015, 03:11:22 pm
...I think Halloween was pretty much the template for well-done mad slasher flicks, and Alien and Terminator for SF horror. I may not have ever mentioned that...
-The first three or four Planet of the Apes movies deserve mention for a kind of effective visceral SF horror, now that you bring that up.
Post by: Unorthodox on September 28, 2015, 03:35:05 pm
I really SHOULD make you a list. I'm EXTREMELY old school in my tastes. I'll have to think on that.
For instance, my top 3 zombie movies would be:
Maggie
I walked with a zombie (*Real* zombies, as in voodoo, not flesh eating)
White Zombie (*Real* Zombies)
Though I could easily split *Real* zombies and Hollywood zombies into 2 categories...
Top Vampire would be
Let the Right On In (If you MUST, Let Me In, the American remake is ok)
Dracula (1931)
Nosferatu (silent)
Probably have to give more thought on what subgenres to do than actual listing them after that. (for instance, what subgenre would The Shining go under?)
In other news, Monster Squad is on Netflix for the month.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 28, 2015, 03:38:06 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 28, 2015, 04:50:45 pm
! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIkBA31nJqU#)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 28, 2015, 04:54:01 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 28, 2015, 04:54:57 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 28, 2015, 04:58:29 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 28, 2015, 05:01:22 pm
Yep - haven't checked to see if this one's especially horror, but season one most always had strong elements. Plenty to choose from in the sidebar if you watch this on the toob.
-It didn't really seem to mean to be horror - just really punched up the creepy menace of the menaces... For being what it was, it was clearly done by people who cared about doing it well.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 28, 2015, 08:29:26 pm
The Wild Wild West Full Episode Season 1 Episode 21 - The Night of the Puppeteer (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HcctlQiqMs#)
Post by: Bertilak on September 29, 2015, 02:40:58 am
This one is a much better example...
The Wild Wild West Full Episode Season 1 Episode 21 - The Night of the Puppeteer (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HcctlQiqMs#)
The Oregon Trail . . . I died of dysentery, or having the cattle run me over.
Post by: Rusty Edge on September 29, 2015, 03:06:22 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 29, 2015, 03:25:02 am
(Jim or Artie playing Kerbal Space Program, though Dr. Lovelace could have invented it early enough...)
Post by: Rusty Edge on September 29, 2015, 03:47:08 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 29, 2015, 03:53:59 am
Post by: Unorthodox on September 29, 2015, 03:33:40 pm
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-eQKZgn8msbo/VFWVRgusNGI/AAAAAAAAcbI/oSX6NiZ1ev0/s800-Ic42/IMG_3839.JPG)
Didn't get any 'down time' yesterday between work, yard work, cooking, homework with the kids, and my son dropping "oh yeah, the Halloween dance is Thursday" on me, so he needs a costume NOW not by end of the month.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 29, 2015, 03:42:04 pm
Post by: ColdWizard on September 29, 2015, 03:54:24 pm
Stumbled on this today. The line of kids that showed up early (I have posted times), waiting while we lit the pumpkins last year.
Gotta get there early before all the good spots are taken.
Post by: Unorthodox on September 29, 2015, 06:39:23 pm
Quote
Stage One: The Street View
You can’t scare the daylights out of little goblins if they never make it to your front door, so make a first impression that’s appreciable from the road. “Night of the Living Dead”-style X-shaped zombie barricades across every window and door is always classy, but you can also make a statement with flickering shadow silhouettes in the windows: a creepy old lady rocking in a chair (“Psycho”), long-fingered strangle hands (“Nosferatu,” “Dracula”). To pull off the effect, just cut a shape out of dark paper, dangle it from dental floss behind a drawn shade, and place a light source and gentle fan on the floor below. Multiple foam gravestones in the yard (Party City currently has a buy-two-get-one-free promotion on select models) are a classic that can get trick-or-treaters salivating. Little do they know what’s in store...
Um. Yes you want a well placed scene...none of their suggestions will make that. Lighting is key, but from the street they're not going to notice the little props.
Quote
Stage Two: The Approach
Now that you’ve got their attention visually, engage the other senses. Set up a playlist on your smartphone of increasingly scary sounds to play through a Bluetooth speaker hidden on your porch. Start with simple, deep, repetitive music (like the “Jaws” or “The Omen” soundtracks, both available on Spotify) and proceed to soul-shaking Halloween sound effects. (One album to try: “Halloween Chopped Up: Scary Horror Sound Effects,” available from Amazon Prime Music and other services). As the kiddies get closer, skip to incoherent whispers (“Children of the Corn”) or mournful animals braying (“An American Werewolf in London”), cawing (the raven from “The Omen”) or snarling (the rabid dog in “Cujo”). When you can see the whites of their eyes, remind them they’re not alone by adding a human factor, like laughter or chanting demon children (“The Ring”). The track “Ghost Twins Singing” on the aforementioned sound-effects album is particularly chilling.
Lighting should be bright enough on the path so kids can safely flee if they lose their nerve—but with plenty of dark corners. As they creep within range, up the ante, and make them start abandoning all hope with some unexplained mystery, like those little stick statue things from “The Blair Witch Project,” a big ’n’ bloody “Do NOT Open” crate (“Creepshow”), a cleaver stuck in a porch post (“The Horror Show”) or a slowly swinging meat hook (“The Texas Chainsaw Massacre”). The key: Let them know they’ve passed the point of no return—they’ve walked into a living nightmare, and it’s too late to turn back now.
;lol How to be as cliche as possible! Sound is step 2, yes. But avoid the cheesy canned tracks of sound effects. Get familiar with dark ambient works and choose one to fit.
Quote
.Stage Three: The Scene at the Door
As they near your door, they’re going to start smelling the prize (metaphorically, unless you’re doling out caramel apples). It’s the perfect time to chill them to the bone with a detailed scene they’ll never forget. Hit your local thrift store for a dentist’s chair and a tray of improbable-looking surgical instruments (“Hostel,” “Saw”). Or drag out some old children’s toys—there’s honestly nothing creepier than that (“Chucky,” “Magic”). Find some old puppets, or assemble a family of broken antique dolls. And clowns; definitely throw in some clowns (“Clownhouse,” “It”). Consider a clown in a hockey mask, handing a dead-eyed doll to a puppet—genius!
Don’t stop there: With fishing line running through a series of hooks, a co-conspirator can control these from behind the front door like puppets, and make them move—not much, just enough to convince the kids they saw...something (“Paranormal Activity”).
Did a teenager write this?
You want a "staircase" scene of some sort. Some point they have to decide: Keep going...or turn back. Lots of ways to do this. There should be a hint of danger at the far end.
Quote
Stage Four: Cue the Action
Now that you’ve worked them up to a fever pitch, it’s time to spring the trap. Cinema has showed us many ways to surprise a curious young person. Once they knock or ring the bell, cut the audio to dead silence and wait—the calm before the storm—then, throw open the door, and play a sound effect like screeching violins (“Psycho”) or a bloodcurdling scream (every horror movie ever) and pop out of the shadows dressed as a killer (“Halloween”) or an unfortunate victim (“Friday the 13th”). Spring any unsprung surprises: If your brother-in-law was pretending to be a dead body in a porch chair, for example, now’s the time for him to jump up and reveal it was a human accomplice after all. Just warn him to wear shin-protectors: There will be kicking.
Gotta be a teenager...
No, you don't have time to be killing music and whatnot. Classic jump from the dark scare are easy, and a decent place for someone to start.
Quote
Denouement
Finally, cement the memory of this trauma by going big with the prize and supplying full-size candy worth bragging about. You’ve spent an oodle on the tricks, so don’t cheap out on the treats—there’s nothing “fun” about “fun size” candies. And remember who gets to eat the leftovers.
There, at least, I can agree.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 29, 2015, 06:56:28 pm
Long pause and eyes got pretty big before he said "Trick or treat" badly. Turned out the kid was deaf, and it was exactly right for him...
Post by: Unorthodox on September 29, 2015, 07:07:44 pm
We average somewhere near less than one trick-or-treater a Halloween, and the only time I did anything special, I had on a black hooded robe and my broadsword handy. Opened the door slowly with hood up and sword tip-on-the-floor in front of me. Just stood there silently, hands resting on hilt, and loomed.
Long pause and eyes got pretty big before he said "Trick or treat" badly. Turned out the kid was deaf, and it was exactly right for him...
The silent scares actually are a hell of a lot more difficult to pull off, so well done.
When I hear teenagers scream from the back, it makes me smile, knowing one of the kids' got them. But it's a fleeting moment.
When I get that 5 year old petrified up front, tell him that this glow stick is magic and will scare the monsters away, see him nervously holding it out in front of him, encouraged by his parents to disappear down through the corn tunnel, and come out the other side extatic and wanting to go fight the monsters again I could leap for joy. I know the boys acted the scared part PROPERLY, which is not easy to do in some of our costumes. THAT is what we're all about at my place. That is something that will stick with the kid for a long time.
Post by: Unorthodox on September 29, 2015, 07:14:40 pm
critique the lighting:
(http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc73/mrincredibletou/Halloween%202013/Nancy%20Pic%20of%20house.jpg?522)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 29, 2015, 07:22:18 pm
Shadows.
I see grave and corpse props, so light should be to make shadows, not really to light except to focus attention, even misdirect. You can do all sorts of things with black light effects -the purple hints that that's what's up- but they don't work very well when they're telegraphed, now, do they? That's why horror movies have funny scenes disarming the audience before the shock reveal of the bloody corpse or slasher attack. Less is more.
Also? Electricity is not free, and we are doomed as a civilization.
I was pleased at the return on my modest effort. Seems to me that kids have to be pretty young and credulous to buy into anything so overt as recordings playing, you know? Less is more.We average somewhere near less than one trick-or-treater a Halloween, and the only time I did anything special, I had on a black hooded robe and my broadsword handy. Opened the door slowly with hood up and sword tip-on-the-floor in front of me. Just stood there silently, hands resting on hilt, and loomed.
Long pause and eyes got pretty big before he said "Trick or treat" badly. Turned out the kid was deaf, and it was exactly right for him...
The silent scares actually are a hell of a lot more difficult to pull off, so well done.
When I hear teenagers scream from the back, it makes me smile, knowing one of the kids' got them. But it's a fleeting moment.
When I get that 5 year old petrified up front, tell him that this glow stick is magic and will scare the monsters away, see him nervously holding it out in front of him, encouraged by his parents to disappear down through the corn tunnel, and come out the other side extatic and wanting to go fight the monsters again I could leap for joy. I know the boys acted the scared part PROPERLY, which is not easy to do in some of our costumes. THAT is what we're all about at my place. That is something that will stick with the kid for a long time.
I also didn't want to scare some random kid enough to get a scream, really. The pause, widened eyes and hesitation was JUST right.
Post by: Unorthodox on September 29, 2015, 07:26:23 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 29, 2015, 07:30:11 pm
Not a valid vimeo URL
Also stumbled on the test run for Talia's July costume. Don't know if I ever posted it. Tried for giggles, having never tried my hand at 'face painting' before. She had fun with it for the rest of the day, creeping out the neighbor kids.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-aUi0xmy8HEI/VaskUGrykQI/AAAAAAAAeFM/QXBMtTMXXMo/s800-Ic42/IMGP7001.jpg)
Post by: Unorthodox on September 29, 2015, 07:32:08 pm
Short version - too obvious, too fake. Mostly bad colors unless it was SUPPOSED to be some elctro-sciency horror.
Shadows.
I see grave and corpse props, so light should be to make shadows, not really to light except to focus attention, even misdirect. You can do all sorts of things with black light effects -the purple hints that that's what's up- but they don't work very well when they're telegraphed, now, do they? That's why horror movies have funny scenes disarming the audience before the shock reveal of the bloody corpse or slasher attack. Less is more.
Also? Electricity is not free, and we are doomed as a civilization.
Good it's not just me who sees that as an actual suggestion at proper lighting and I just have to bite my tongue and walk away.
Post by: ColdWizard on September 29, 2015, 07:35:01 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 29, 2015, 07:36:46 pm
Also stumbled on the test run for Talia's July costume. Don't know if I ever posted it. Tried for giggles, having never tried my hand at 'face painting' before. She had fun with it for the rest of the day, creeping out the neighbor kids.She's a perfect little Wednesday Addams right now, I think. You might ought to actually do that before she gets too old.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-aUi0xmy8HEI/VaskUGrykQI/AAAAAAAAeFM/QXBMtTMXXMo/s800-Ic42/IMGP7001.jpg)
We try to avoid water works. "Clinging to parents legs, not up all night with nightmares" is our motto.I wonder how my kid did that night...
Post by: Unorthodox on September 29, 2015, 08:54:15 pm
What the HELL? (again, I typically prefer to listen to full musicals, thus the movie rather than the soundtrack to said movie)
Post by: Unorthodox on September 30, 2015, 06:14:01 pm
Not that I'm not adept at such a thing, I just prefer to do it on my own terms. Ad libbing for ill prepared acts is not something I appreciate being put on the spot to do, and NO ONE is prepared outside my freaks and clowns. We have OUR show down. If you need me to cover for the other acts, not just lead my own, tell me up front I'll be the ringmaster and I'll prepare a gag or two 'just in case' the other acts are not ready, don't just drop it on me.
Post by: ColdWizard on September 30, 2015, 07:40:39 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 30, 2015, 07:45:27 pm
don't just drop it on me.No luck trying to tell them that, I take it.
This reminds me of the turd of a joust I had to make a show out of/polish on the fly as MC in my renfair days - the one when there was exactly one (1) knight/horse present and able to perform turned out to be one of the best shows -no, it was actually hands-down the best- and was a masterpiece of improvisation for me and the knight.
The knights' company was a perpetual trainwreck who collectively had no business being out there doing something so dangerous. They weren't ready, they weren't going to EVER BE ready, and I got thrown out there not even knowing their show (that never ended up actually happening) or them. The first day, I was bad and so were they.
It's hard to have a boring joust, you know, because it's HORSES -LIVE- and you can FEEL the hoofbeats as they run. So not complete failures as shows, but no thanks to me or the other humans, several of whom got hurt. It was so bad that one of the things I'm proudest of for the experience was being one of the only people who was in every show and never got hurt. By the end of the second show the first day, I'd gotten down off the podium with the royal court and was moving around the tilt yard working the crowd up close - and horses have a thing about me where they like me a little too much and start doing little dangerous dominance moves trying to bite me and stuff - but none of these skitzo horses managed. Didn't get bitten, kicked, trampled, thrown over a fence or anything, which put me out way ahead of some of the knights, and not because I wasn't in the line of fire (made a point of spending a lot of time with the knights during the week, vainly trying to help them organize into a real show and helping with the horses to let them get to know me -the night we fed them after dark was truly frightening and should never have happened- so I handled the horses a lot and ended up doing a fair bit of squiring during the shows.)
(My secret to working with horses up close -it was hardly my first time- is the same as the one that makes me a safe driver and hard to hurt in a fight - fear is your best friend when you manage it well, and if you're not -a little- afraid of something as big as a full-grown horse, never ever get in the corral with them, because a smallish mare can spook at anything and make you dead without trying hard. -If you're not able, on the other hand, to convince your inner child that you're meaner than a horse and smarter than a horse, and that you can whip a horse in a fight if you have to, given any chance at all, stay out of the corral; they will smell it. "My ancestors ate your ancestors and I could eat you, so let's be cool instead" I've cheerfully told many a horse I handled. I'm aware of the danger and very careful, is all.)
My secret to MCing what's otherwise a bad show into a good one -and this was at the heart of what I did right in my own stage act, which wasn't really anything but 'renaissance' standup comedy- is getting the audience chanting and shouting and making their own fun. It turns out a bunch of people sitting on bleachers to see fake violence and horsies running are VERY receptive to this. (I'm not sure exactly how that would apply to some indoor corporate thing, Uno - telling a story, not trying to give advice.)
So the second weekend, mid-day show, between injuries and crazy horses we had one (1) knight and his horse present and able to perform at showtime. By definition, can't do a joust with one knight/horse, and quite a creative challenge for us two humans with a crowd already assembled...
The knight and his horse were both giant brutes and dangerous to be around -just perpetual walking disasters with no emotional control- but that session, they followed my improvised verbal cues exactly while we struggled to make one (1) knight on horseback doing tiltyard training tricks interesting.
I got the crowd cheering for them to break the pail (target he was tilting at, a shield on a wooden stand). HE had the genius inspiration of dismounting, when they'd indeed broken the pail, picking up the pieces and holding them over his head roaring in triumph. The crowd totally lost it.
(I daresay it was the greatest moment of Jason's life to that point, too - the boy had SERIOUS issues, and needed that affirmation SO desperately. I'm as proud of my part in that for the poor broken SOB as I am in the making a show out of it.)
Post by: Unorthodox on September 30, 2015, 10:16:44 pm
The massive weight of all that beaurocracy moving, though, is enough to ensure nothing's stopping completion tomorrow.
Post by: Bertilak on September 30, 2015, 11:55:05 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 01, 2015, 12:07:59 am
Had to rope Federal, State, County, and now City Gubments and steer their heads all in the same direction. This is an overly ridiculous amount of beaurocracy for something so entirely trivial, and believe me, I've spent 20 years on Gubment crap, this goes well over and above.And then you don't have to worry about it anymore. Good man.
The massive weight of all that beaurocracy moving, though, is enough to ensure nothing's stopping completion tomorrow.
Sounds really opposite to what I was up against with the joust...
Post by: Bertilak on October 01, 2015, 12:18:52 am
Post by: Unorthodox on October 01, 2015, 12:39:56 pm
Sounds really opposite to what I was up against with the joust...
Oh, the circus is another issue all together.
Post by: Unorthodox on October 01, 2015, 02:08:34 pm
6 months of working on the "impossible" about to be completed.
Once done, it establishes a pipeline with all relevant parties, making the next 6 years much simpler.
! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPQlXNH36mI#)
Post by: Unorthodox on October 01, 2015, 09:25:37 pm
And it's my Friday. :D
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 01, 2015, 09:38:45 pm
Congratulations, sir!
Post by: Bertilak on October 02, 2015, 12:17:02 am
Completed a second project today, this one 10 months in the making. ;woohooI agree with the above smilie about Friday (or its equivalent) ;b;.
And it's my Friday. :D
Post by: Unorthodox on October 02, 2015, 01:54:41 am
Alec off to his Halloween party
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MGwBPs6MV5Y/Vg3D2fA13tI/AAAAAAAAev4/v4eizUKlyDE/s800-Ic42/IMG_0579.JPG)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 04, 2015, 02:17:28 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 04, 2015, 03:58:32 am
Post by: Unorthodox on October 05, 2015, 02:56:30 am
http://nerdist.com/kick-your-jack-o-lantern-skills-into-high-gear-with-wild-fire/ (http://nerdist.com/kick-your-jack-o-lantern-skills-into-high-gear-with-wild-fire/)
Highly toxic smoke, and the best burn time I got was an hour. Good to get a pic, impractical to actually use.
http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/?cat=14 (http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/?cat=14)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 05, 2015, 02:58:10 am
You been scarce this weekend. Get a lot done?
Post by: Unorthodox on October 05, 2015, 03:20:05 am
No lighting yet, and aside from a slew of Spirit products (including one I even considered a few years ago), there is a very nice Pumpkin monster.
It's CLEARLY based on the original creeper and source of inspiration of mine:
(http://img12.deviantart.net/c197/i/2009/338/3/d/the_pumpkin_kreep_by_robertdbrown.jpg)
Most likely derived from instructions from one of the multitude of imitators. No bifurgcation, more upright, a lot of the people don't even KNOW of that original, since that site's been shut down for about 10 years.
Robert there now does concept art for video games and has no time for Halloween.
anyway, it was too dark, I'll get pics of their monster later.
It's above average on the attempts I've seen.
Bridge redesign about 80%. There are going to be some bugs at assembly we'll have to work out. Crazy busy this weekend between the bridge and shuttling kids around.
Post by: Unorthodox on October 05, 2015, 03:24:02 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 05, 2015, 03:26:04 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 05, 2015, 03:29:43 am
Alec off to his Halloween partyI hope for his sake he did exactly that smile a lot at the party. That's the handsomest Emmett Kelly-style clown I ever seen.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MGwBPs6MV5Y/Vg3D2fA13tI/AAAAAAAAev4/v4eizUKlyDE/s800-Ic42/IMG_0579.JPG)
Post by: Unorthodox on October 05, 2015, 02:49:13 pm
I hope for his sake he did exactly that smile a lot at the party. That's the handsomest Emmett Kelly-style clown I ever seen.
Oh, Emmet Kelly is the quintesential Hobo Clown. However, to those that have studied clowning, Alec is actually a Tramp clown subset of the Hobo Clown. Think more Freddie the Freeloader. He wanted to be a Hobo Clown based off the Devil's Carnival version, however, it would be a crime to cover that hair, so we come up with a general take off the genre for him.
I actually quite messed up his makeup. Given I had all of 20 minutes it's not completely awful, but it doesn't do him the justice he deserves.
The really nice thing about clown makeup in general is it serves to amplify the actor's expressions. This one can go REALLY creepy in a REAL hurry, and Alec is more than capable of pulling that off. There's a whole nuance to the distressing on the jacket that doesn't come across in the picture, but I can play up later if he decides to stick around and help us out this year, for instance.
I was coaching him for the shot, having him ham it up. Unfortunately, it read more creepy at the dance apparently.
Other random crap:
Talia wanted a hair bow. Improptu jabbing flowers in.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-z2JnnEPrixQ/VhJ1-HMz0NI/AAAAAAAAexI/2S-6_7pKPvg/s800-Ic42/IMG_0585.JPG)
Lagoon Fridays are almost over. This coming week should be good, then it'll be a mess and too crowded.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-iousWPXK0Jc/VhJ2GiMLLaI/AAAAAAAAexQ/DTbkJlt-dsg/s800-Ic42/IMG_0586.JPG)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-q7-ojDmfUw4/VhJ2oJ4uSCI/AAAAAAAAexo/fYTiy4jYAcw/s800-Ic42/IMG_0595.JPG)
I was kind of watching, Lagoon had bought a lot of the Gemmy props available commercially to the average person. This week marked the 'they just don't work anymore' threshhold. So, 3 weeks in a commercial setting...
Post by: Unorthodox on October 05, 2015, 04:00:58 pm
Post by: Mylochka on October 06, 2015, 12:13:55 am
This one is a much better example...
The Wild Wild West Full Episode Season 1 Episode 21 - The Night of the Puppeteer (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HcctlQiqMs#)
If you're looking for a good example of what "The Wild, Wild West" did well, in my opinion, you can't go wrong with these two b&w Dr. Loveless episodes --
! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQzOyFv84ds&index=5&list=PLZwkV4aPDlHS61r0j9oopyfoM-acTX2Me#)
! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ciTJEvyEDkw&index=32&list=PLZwkV4aPDlHS61r0j9oopyfoM-acTX2Me#)
Post by: Unorthodox on October 06, 2015, 01:47:24 pm
Long range forecast now has the week leading to Halloween rained out.
That's fine, except we need our party clear.
So the new neighbor doesn't suck, or not a lot. That's kind of awesome, isn't it?
They're a bit cliche, but far from suck. Sounds like they are a mixed breed. The mom is a builder more interested in classical /interesting where the dad is more buy all the zombie stuff.
They put a bunch of stuff back away, only very basics out or I would have got a picture. We'll see how it developes. I'm sure they're wondering what in the world is up with us as we really don't have anything out. And really, compared to a lot of folks, we really DON'T put out a lot of stuff.
We'll move Mother into position at some point this week, and start getting the gates done. Not looking forward to moving her. She'll be more visible from the sidewalk at that point, though.
Also have some cornstalks that were supposed to drop off last night. Hoping it'll be enough, but I really don't know how many there are yet.
Post by: Rusty Edge on October 06, 2015, 04:06:39 pm
Alec off to his Halloween partyI hope for his sake he did exactly that smile a lot at the party. That's the handsomest Emmett Kelly-style clown I ever seen.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MGwBPs6MV5Y/Vg3D2fA13tI/AAAAAAAAev4/v4eizUKlyDE/s800-Ic42/IMG_0579.JPG)
Every time I scroll past this photo I think. "Man, when did he grow up?!"
Post by: Unorthodox on October 06, 2015, 04:39:28 pm
Every time I scroll past this photo I think. "Man, when did he grow up?!"
This year. Literally.
A year ago, on his toes, he's now just an inch or two shorter than Kyle:
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7omYPTkwE9s/VEL-s_ed9CI/AAAAAAAAcGM/iJlilfqY4WA/s800-Ic42/10471421_805672609495280_1227971081628589642_n.jpg)
Hm..
Didn't upload many from summer vacation...
Post by: Unorthodox on October 06, 2015, 08:01:54 pm
http://kdvr.com/2015/10/06/burger-kings-halloween-whopper-has-unexpected-side-effect (http://kdvr.com/2015/10/06/burger-kings-halloween-whopper-has-unexpected-side-effect)
Quote
MIAMI — You don’t have to go to Japan to try Burger King’s black-bunned Whopper.
Burger King is bringing it to the U.S. just in time for Halloween.
“Something wicked is coming,” the burger chain on Twitter, with a brief promo video featuring thunder and lightning and a lunar eclipse, with a burger standing in for the moon.
But it’s not just the color, insists Burger King. It’s also the flavor, with A.1. sauce baked into the bun. According to Burger King, it’s the sauce that turns the buns black.
It’s a Halloween miracle. A.1. #HalloweenWhopper https://t.co/7dBr4CYqkV (https://t.co/7dBr4CYqkV)
— Burger King (@BurgerKing) October 5, 2015
“While the pitch-black bun gives the Halloween Whopper sandwich a look that may make some think ‘hmmmmm?’ the burger’s classic A.1. flavors will have tasters saying ‘mmmmm,'” Burger King said.
Burger King has been selling colored Whoppers in Japan. As part of a summertime promotion, the chain sold “samurai burgers” with red or black buns.
In the U.S., the black Whopper has 710 calories, 43 grams of fat and 1.5 grams of trans fat. That makes the nonblack Whopper look relatively slim, with its 650 calories, 37 grams of fat and 1.5 grams of trans fat.
The black-bunned Whopper is only the latest of a series of experiments that Burger King is conducting. It recently launched a “burger merger” with several other burger chains, including Wendy’s, to create hybrids of their rival burgers.
While the Whopper looks appetizing, it appears to have some unpleasant residual effects in the toilet. People have been taking to Twitter to say the black bun is turning their poop green.
Rumors are true about the Halloween Whopper. #GreenPoop #TMITuesday
— Moo (@Mooslan) October 6, 2015
@BurgerKing Now I know why I had #GreenPoop for three days thank you #HalloweenWhopper pic.twitter.com/qxLWpdow2J
— Eddie Mitchell (@FDNYMECH) October 6, 2015
I think people are even more interested in trying a #HalloweenWhopper now that #GreenPoop is trending…weird thing to attract business
— Shark Senpai (@BootyHaver) October 6, 2015
The hashtag #greenpoop started to trend, and some people say they want to try the sandwich to see if it really happens. Others are upset at Burger King and want an explanation about the black dye’s health side effects.
Post by: Unorthodox on October 07, 2015, 01:41:06 pm
! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjRH2Paf39c#)
Post by: Unorthodox on October 08, 2015, 01:34:27 pm
Kyle also rounded up a bunch of teens and we got mother moved to her post. Her shadowed figure was awesome from the sidewalk this morning.
On the docket for the upcoming weekend:
Probably last Friday at Lagoon.
Another dump run, more stuff to clear out, and need to get the trailer cleaned out for reed grass, coming soon.
Dracula run on Saturday. hEt's been involved with this one. Charity to help Romanian orphans. Naturally you have to use Drac. Again, I'm more of a shamble than a run.
Time to harvest the raven grass, and get the gates set up. See how much extra we have this year. The corn tunnel "roof" last year didn't work well with people in inflatable costumes, so need to decide how to use it.
Prepping for the contest on Tuesday. Need to get Father buttoned up and wires and chords up and hidden for the contest.
The Halloween forecast seems to be slipping to the left a bit. Now the biggest storm is on the party, not Halloween, and it's snow, not rain. Keep slipping...
Post by: Unorthodox on October 09, 2015, 09:29:27 pm
Quote
PARMA, OHIO (WPVI) -- Some people in Parma, Ohio say a Halloween display in their town is way too real.
A mother says her daughter thought they were real bodies.
Some kids in the suburban cleveland town say they didn't even realize it was just a display.
It's close to an elementary school.
Jackie Anselmo was so troubled by it that she took a picture and emailed the city to try to get the display taken down.
But the city says there's nothing they can do about it because it's freedom of expression.
The owner and her husband say they haven't had any complaints.
She says she even has a two-year-old and a special-needs teenager, and would never do anything to purposely frighten children.
Video at site.
Lay odds their beef is more with the upside down crucifixion than the 'realism'.
Unimpressed with any of it, myself.
Post by: Bertilak on October 10, 2015, 12:21:56 am
Corn has arrived. Not sure if it'll be enough, and it's been stored differently than I normally do, so was at a loss how to handle it till I need it. Just relegated to the fact it's going to be a mess and need to find somewhere to put it away till we need it. Have to see what the weather brings that last week before putting it up, and plan on a time when I can medicate myself into oblivion after.It sounds, based upon your descriptions, that you own sufficient land to grow a decent amount of crops. Any worthwhile land at a reasonable price in this area requires an individual to look outside the city into the desert.
Kyle also rounded up a bunch of teens and we got mother moved to her post. Her shadowed figure was awesome from the sidewalk this morning.
On the docket for the upcoming weekend:
Probably last Friday at Lagoon.
Another dump run, more stuff to clear out, and need to get the trailer cleaned out for reed grass, coming soon.
Dracula run on Saturday. hEt's been involved with this one. Charity to help Romanian orphans. Naturally you have to use Drac. Again, I'm more of a shamble than a run.
Time to harvest the raven grass, and get the gates set up. See how much extra we have this year. The corn tunnel "roof" last year didn't work well with people in inflatable costumes, so need to decide how to use it.
Prepping for the contest on Tuesday. Need to get Father buttoned up and wires and chords up and hidden for the contest.
The Halloween forecast seems to be slipping to the left a bit. Now the biggest storm is on the party, not Halloween, and it's snow, not rain. Keep slipping...
Post by: Unorthodox on October 11, 2015, 12:32:51 am
I personally own practically no land.
Pumpkins from a farmer. Corn from a neighbor who's family owns land. Reed grass will come from irrigation ditches, and is an invasive species. Raven Grass is my own I've been cultivating for about 8 years now. It's not "meant" to be used as decor.
Post by: Bertilak on October 11, 2015, 12:58:18 am
Post by: Unorthodox on October 11, 2015, 03:14:55 am
The pumpkins are coming from good old fashioned networking from a farmer that doesn't advertise at all anywhere.
The corn stalks I'm getting thanks to Facebook and my wife's friend list.
The reed grass is always available out along the desert. I'll get a pic when we go harvest.
I imported the Raven grass from Michigan and afaik was the first one to use it for decor. The local amusement park does now as well. I prefer it to corn stalks for decor but don't have the qty to solely use it.
There's probably a healthy dose of karma involved too. Might get the orchard idea done properly this year thanks to a chance tree felling we were able to pick over today.
Other than having to take Kyle to the er it's been a good day.
Post by: Bertilak on October 11, 2015, 03:54:28 am
Post by: Unorthodox on October 12, 2015, 02:15:00 pm
Talia took 3rd place in her age at the Dracula run, which was neat, especially when I know some of the other kids in that division got carried or pushed in strollers.
She was TRYING to beat her brother, though, who was really dogging it. He ran off at the start, but Talia and I (walking) had caught up to him by the half way mark, at which point he ran off again. When we had again caught up to him in another half mile, she wanted to run and try to beat him.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-G0eszDrGNYg/VhurXZOt5WI/AAAAAAAAe0w/gGDp9Veq4Ew/s800-Ic42/IMG_0602.JPG)
We were actually an obscure couples costume...
! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5FtI472Q6I#)
Got the gates up, but not all the Raven Grass harvested.
Kyle stole my evening on Saturday with an impromptu trip to the E.R. He apparantly forgot he had to chew his food while at his friend's house, and got something stuck.
At least I got an xray pic out of the trip.
In something of a quandry over my costume this year:
- I want to try a new product/technique for makeup.
- Talia's costume is so fun it would be fun to be a companion piece, which lends itself to Green Man territory.
- You look at Green Man for autumn, and you can't ignore the obvious tie to the Horned One.
- I have some wicked horns I could use...
- That very well may be seen by the ignorant (of which it's probably safe to assume no one around here knows the Horned One) as Uno just embracing Lucifer.
- "Make it a skull mask with the horns"
- Then you won't be doing the makeup you want to try...
Scarecrow contest starts tomorrow. Need to wrap up Father's wires, and pack everything tonight.
Post by: Unorthodox on October 12, 2015, 07:43:40 pm
Need to figure the best way to go about it now.
Post by: Unorthodox on October 13, 2015, 01:50:20 pm
On one hand, tis SCARECROW DAY!!! Halloween officially begins tonight. I've literally not been this excited for anything since April 2013.
About 9 hours now till we go drop off, and I CAN'T WAIT! Didn't sleep because of it, even.
So, let's celebrate with some hilarity:
! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SPsCBJDLxFs#)
! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcgvUxD43-k#)
On the other hand, hEt's gonna have a bad day. :(
Post by: Unorthodox on October 13, 2015, 06:06:33 pm
Muahahahaha!
No, really, that's one stress off my mind, the registration DID go through.
Post by: Unorthodox on October 14, 2015, 12:46:30 am
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4E0nlqxeZSM/Vh2VlkRDPXI/AAAAAAAAe2Y/9A7DU30Wf60/s800-Ic42/IMG_0622.JPG)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OxeodcklqAA/Vh2VkaRvplI/AAAAAAAAe2Q/4L4AdUCocK0/s800-Ic42/IMG_0621.JPG)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UgG7ZE_HUgw/Vh2ViyJFqUI/AAAAAAAAe2I/RiuS7sGs3no/s800-Ic42/IMG_0620.JPG)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UjC4LLSGgT8/Vh2Vh-x42bI/AAAAAAAAe2A/1rb3-3RwPIs/s800-Ic42/IMG_0619.JPG)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ScA7xiaK8PY/Vh2VgbM3YCI/AAAAAAAAe14/HURiwNZ4yOQ/s800-Ic42/IMG_0618.JPG)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-U4U0zxfRE00/Vh2Vm_CTCaI/AAAAAAAAe2g/8mV0fNak__8/s800-Ic42/IMG_0623.JPG)
Post by: Unorthodox on October 14, 2015, 12:49:08 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 14, 2015, 12:56:35 am
Post by: Unorthodox on October 14, 2015, 01:14:48 am
Post by: Unorthodox on October 14, 2015, 01:20:55 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on October 14, 2015, 01:41:38 pm
Thing is, a lot of people seem to prefer that to the stuff I do, so to each their own.
Playing with Vera last night, got some great pictures, but had trouble installing photoshop onto the new computer to get them editted, so they didn't get uploaded yet. Upgrade to my old Photoshop apparantly we'd had for a year, but finally have a computer that can run it. Don't know that I like it yet, some things I used I'm going to have to refind.
The good news is we seem to have broken the spine of the HOA on Halloween. Another house has decor up now as well. Always so nice to see people participating in any capacity. Heck, maybe they'll even get some Christmas stuff instead of the Stepford Christmas Standard that's been the norm.
Post by: Unorthodox on October 14, 2015, 06:57:04 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on October 15, 2015, 02:22:56 am
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hidUHCQ-C_g/Vh7_Tu9RGsI/AAAAAAAAe3I/CNUb-ZvtLHY/s800-Ic42/IMG_0625.JPG)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 15, 2015, 02:47:56 am
I'm concerned about those horns staying stable in action. I imagine you've put a lot that doesn't show into that, so I'm mostly trying to guess where you're going with the rest. How you plan to finish it, whether under burlap, fur, or latex skin, would give me a better idea of how far along you are towards being finished.
Nice command of the anatomical structure you're exaggerating. Those brow creases over the nose are really well done. You've got the basic structure of an exaggeration of your own nose going. If this is going to be something latex/skin, those realistic details really matter - they matter anyway, but especially then. I mean, not so scary if it looks fake.
Keen to see where you take this. Those horns are gonna look great.
Post by: Unorthodox on October 15, 2015, 03:49:47 am
Haven't fully determined how I'll finish the showing portions of the nose and cheeks, but autumnal leaves from the forehead up and back of the head are the initial plan.
The Coif of muslin my sculpture is attached to provides most the security. I stitch the back something akin to a luchador mask so as to tie myself into these kinds of masks.
As for how far along, this was literally my first hour of work aside from the coif.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 15, 2015, 04:24:31 am
Post by: Unorthodox on October 15, 2015, 05:20:38 am
Post by: Unorthodox on October 15, 2015, 02:28:06 pm
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-n3ht1jMS7sQ/Vh-K5NRbDtI/AAAAAAAAe3g/u6AHmfWuWiM/s800-Ic42/IMGP7164.jpg)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-akwZ8d4mTy8/Vh-K8-GQqUI/AAAAAAAAe3o/7WOMXKWC2Uk/s800-Ic42/IMGP7184.jpg)
(niece)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-91wURzCljpA/Vh-LLGYzwlI/AAAAAAAAe3w/I1PBd25Rj6w/s800-Ic42/IMGP7169.jpg)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zlxCY_Z2INs/Vh-LWtmCc9I/AAAAAAAAe34/G0loCGQUtWs/s800-Ic42/IMGP7139.jpg)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yd_1ZuhQMpg/Vh-LpFAmBCI/AAAAAAAAe4A/x8bynQhcdK8/s800-Ic42/IMGP7136.jpg)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EbdC38UG6I4/Vh-LstZl1CI/AAAAAAAAe4I/kdYP4b3qNsA/s800-Ic42/IMGP7125.jpg)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7CEIwCBoyKE/Vh-LvLBwQDI/AAAAAAAAe4Q/LslQ1ZZ5hsY/s800-Ic42/IMGP7126.jpg)
The neighbor's house at the start of the week...
Their pumpkin monster in the back here. Nifty homemade. I believe off SpookyBlue's instructions. Those pink topped sticks in the front will be a ring of ghosts playing. It's a cliche Martha Stewart project.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2HSR1GOrbRw/Vh-Lx5NvlDI/AAAAAAAAe4c/Yn1nPOHfXLI/s800-Ic42/IMGP7121.jpg)
Cliche pinterest project (not sure the original). Cute. But works better as a focus piece.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-57fQ4yPURYc/Vh-Lzr1rA7I/AAAAAAAAe4w/MadyYlXcT58/s800-Ic42/IMGP7124.jpg)
And...the storebought crap overflow.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ew41031hhQM/Vh-LyZ61qcI/AAAAAAAAe4k/MPnOl3grR8A/s800-Ic42/IMGP7122.jpg)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lgmU9fajpm8/Vh-Lyz6PHJI/AAAAAAAAe4s/oyWO8Pcf3Lk/s800-Ic42/IMGP7123.jpg)
Post by: Unorthodox on October 15, 2015, 02:36:31 pm
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7NCDPLwJz98/Vh-nuj2tV6I/AAAAAAAAe48/Wqe1ijpD6RQ/s800-Ic42/IMG_0626.JPG)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 15, 2015, 02:40:48 pm
Post by: Rusty Edge on October 15, 2015, 08:23:24 pm
I'm loving this new mask! :danc:
Post by: Unorthodox on October 15, 2015, 09:02:49 pm
Like many businesses pictures of our 'product' adorn the walls. They are having a bring your kid over to trick or treat party for all the lower gubment slogs and thus decorated the office in spook alley fashion. It amuses me as perhaps more macabre than normal to have the assorted Ghouls next to pictures of the product. Or maybe I'm overthinking it.
Post by: Rusty Edge on October 15, 2015, 10:15:23 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on October 15, 2015, 10:56:51 pm
In other news, supposed to get the mid-October big storm I needed this weekend.
Post by: Unorthodox on October 16, 2015, 06:36:10 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on October 17, 2015, 02:39:01 am
Taking a break since my hand hurts like hell.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5i9HRX_izUQ/ViGkiIevegI/AAAAAAAAe5g/QhLKXGSOS_g/s800-Ic42/IMG_0631.JPG)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 17, 2015, 02:41:52 am
Post by: Unorthodox on October 17, 2015, 04:03:53 am
Post by: Vidsek on October 17, 2015, 08:22:48 am
Try using indirect daylight (but not a cloudy day...clouds subtract the blue also), or a more full-spectrum light bulb.
Vidsek, who's patiently waiting for his new, bionic eyes.
Post by: Unorthodox on October 17, 2015, 05:11:22 pm
but the camera never lies ;)
Not entirely true in the digital age. The processor methods vary from camera to camera, and produce different results under the same condition. I'm quite positive Vera wouldn't have had the same problem.
Post by: Unorthodox on October 17, 2015, 07:47:15 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on October 19, 2015, 04:04:57 am
Our cat's come up lame, which is going to make a crappy day tomorrow.
T minus 5 days to vacation. Other than my costume clothing (which I could get by in a pinch on existing material), we're in the best prepared state I've ever been in. Still nothing up, and neighbors asking what's going on. I really need to troll everyone by getting something uber cute one year.
Post by: Unorthodox on October 19, 2015, 04:20:00 am
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-m3S3FOCu7Dk/ViRgQ_8kPeI/AAAAAAAAe6g/WE1-K_dvrxQ/s800-Ic42/IMG_0639.JPG)
The witch isn't foolin no one. get the christmas food out.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7z1x5q_A6Eo/ViRgP5C4SII/AAAAAAAAe6Y/1ClVQ-SVgak/s800-Ic42/IMG_0640.JPG)
Post by: Unorthodox on October 20, 2015, 02:22:19 am
Post by: Unorthodox on October 21, 2015, 03:46:07 am
Midnight circus at work....
Post by: Unorthodox on October 21, 2015, 07:27:53 pm
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VHjU--G1bqE/VifYheZ9vRI/AAAAAAAAe7I/_a9yYNq6aEU/s800-Ic42/IMG_0646.JPG)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4TUUuBbZD-g/VifYf4Bzk1I/AAAAAAAAe7A/_R57g2ikXx0/s800-Ic42/IMG_0645.JPG)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NM8QlYlarfA/VifYjEP_LcI/AAAAAAAAe7Q/3pDRB1NFr00/s800-Ic42/IMG_0644.JPG)
Post by: Unorthodox on October 21, 2015, 07:36:19 pm
Post by: Rusty Edge on October 21, 2015, 08:13:13 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on October 22, 2015, 01:48:33 pm
Now starting to get a little anxious. Shouldn't be, I've got everything very well under control, but ready to get it done now.
The biggest concern is the bridge redesign. Everything else is fairly simple. I know there's going to be bugs on the redesign though. Just need to treat it as a test for a possible entire rebuild next year.
Mother's in place, Father as well. I need to time my setup of The Field and the Corn Tunnel to where I can medicate myself into oblivion after. There's a potential for wind on the 29th, which is when our annual storm is settling on. 29th, morning of the 30th. Which works well for everything else considered. Worst case, the kids are home Friday, we can recover from wind.
Post by: Unorthodox on October 23, 2015, 11:36:12 am
Bridge redesign went together MUCH better than anticipated. Yes, there were some bugs, but only 2/8 had them, and they were anticipated and readily adjusted for. It's not quite as dominant a piece in the yard, which has both advantages and disadvantages from a design angle, but it's much less prone to people being idiotic as well.
So, bridge is at 80%, still need to do the annual repairs and the enter/exit ramps.
Post by: Unorthodox on October 23, 2015, 01:34:09 pm
So, Alec and I are building the bridge, and a REALLY FANCY convertable drives by. Like, has no business in this neighborhood fancy.
It turns around and comes BACK and stops at the driveway. Out comes a member of the City Council to talk to me. Crap.
This is all kinds of can of worms for a home haunt. Get on the city council's bad side, and you're not gonna last long.
Can she put up a sign? No. I don't sully my Halloween with ANY of the political detritus, even when it's something I've felt strong on.
Conversation naturally goes into what we do, the party, etc, how many people...This is real dicey territory for me. While I believe she's just considering making an appearance at the party to look "in touch" with potential voters, we're very borderline on needing to register as an event on the party just due to numbers. Halloween night, we're still in the law as trick or treat is not "serving food", but they asked another house to shut down based on traffic, and that's not a fight you're going to win.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 23, 2015, 03:11:18 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on October 23, 2015, 06:15:21 pm
YES!
Let Halloween 2015 begin.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 23, 2015, 06:19:14 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on October 23, 2015, 06:21:13 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 23, 2015, 06:23:39 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on October 24, 2015, 02:42:17 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 24, 2015, 02:58:59 am
Post by: hEtErOdOx on October 24, 2015, 04:56:00 am
Post by: Unorthodox on October 25, 2015, 02:28:41 am
Not entirely sure on the makeup. Plan to glue on some moss around the headdress to hide that seam a bit, but that was too involved tonight. mostly worried about the eyes.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8miPngcgvYs/Viw1d_JNlUI/AAAAAAAAe98/57_F3a1uZpQ/s800-Ic42/IMG_0665.JPG)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PJpeK6eM2Ro/Viw1c5CNLGI/AAAAAAAAe90/qBJhU39DgOo/s800-Ic42/IMG_0664.JPG)
Post by: Unorthodox on October 25, 2015, 02:32:56 am
Post by: Unorthodox on October 25, 2015, 02:13:04 pm
They're remaking Teddy Ruxpin....
Creepy damn bear.
Post by: Unorthodox on October 26, 2015, 06:19:32 pm
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FI22Ty_6nCY/Vi1nujiNX3I/AAAAAAAAe_I/OpLBOc5Yu1g/s800-Ic42/IMG_0672.JPG)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-05QHoWJUGG8/Vi1npBcHdgI/AAAAAAAAe_A/5-3xMz_u5tU/s800-Ic42/IMG_0671.JPG)
Needing some things from the store. Bridge now fully repaired and operational.
Post by: Unorthodox on October 27, 2015, 07:10:50 pm
Ready for pumpkins in the front.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kNPRegZmzQA/Vi_LBu0h1zI/AAAAAAAAfAU/oHg7De_bhWE/s800-Ic42/IMG_0673.JPG)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZCYa5KluPE8/Vi_LALOXksI/AAAAAAAAfAM/Uh1vN_jmrr0/s800-Ic42/IMG_0674.JPG)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zepBRWRDei8/Vi_K9XltbSI/AAAAAAAAe_8/VxHLJv8dRJU/s800-Ic42/IMG_0677.JPG)
I suspect kids will like to pile pumpkins around Mother and Father.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UlzW5V6napA/Vi_K76HZ9PI/AAAAAAAAe_0/oaj-TEmkE_E/s800-Ic42/IMG_0678.JPG)
unfortunately the pics of the back didnt come out, will try again later. It's rather tribal.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PvLGjltJa4g/Vi_K6SVDYiI/AAAAAAAAe_s/4UwqMSMbo6E/s800-Ic42/IMG_0679.JPG)
Even more primitive arch than the one in front.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PvLGjltJa4g/Vi_K6SVDYiI/AAAAAAAAe_s/4UwqMSMbo6E/s800-Ic42/IMG_0679.JPG)
More to do in back, and need to run the electrical cords.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xl_vibjuA1I/Vi_K-5fj1JI/AAAAAAAAfAE/8DhjbzGRgnI/s800-Ic42/IMG_0675.JPG)
Post by: Unorthodox on October 28, 2015, 03:05:19 am
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wCGaustvWoA/VjA5PBU0iXI/AAAAAAAAfBM/DLo5qxJRHMY/s800-Ic42/IMG_0684.JPG)
Father showing off.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Gq-03AZl0zw/VjA5OYq5ysI/AAAAAAAAfBE/pXMsbqi0xM4/s800-Ic42/IMG_0685.JPG)
Robot Jim's head hanging on the primitive arch in back
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9HwUu6KCsNc/VjA5QK9FR6I/AAAAAAAAfBY/zRkuoHKk7S4/s800-Ic42/IMG_0682.JPG)
Mother.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Z2a1N8QwCg8/VjA5PuhBKwI/AAAAAAAAfBU/HRZi_jnf1PM/s800-Ic42/IMG_0683.JPG)
The Corn Tunnel is shaping up nice. That optical illusion of total blackness from 2013 is back
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-A7eIr95V8Uc/VjA5NgNHqXI/AAAAAAAAfA8/zsZG9mB1dhM/s800-Ic42/IMG_0686.JPG)
Post by: Unorthodox on October 28, 2015, 03:28:21 pm
TCM isn't even running movies yet, and AMC seems on a non stop Friday the 13th marathon. bleh. Various other networks have junk on.
Pan's Labyrinth is the most "Halloween" thing on.
Post by: Unorthodox on October 28, 2015, 10:23:33 pm
Organized by the lovely specimen my brother married...
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 28, 2015, 11:49:41 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on October 31, 2015, 04:02:20 am
That didn't slow attendance. We just crowded into the garage.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LuoM9f15x_A/VjQvzFuhY_I/AAAAAAAAfHY/shkx5RdlSR0/s800-Ic42/IMG_0709.JPG)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lXP5dtm7Gio/VjQvyZUAdpI/AAAAAAAAfHQ/8GzP8Rte8ko/s800-Ic42/IMG_0710.JPG)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lD7b9t-Gd4U/VjQvxRB-CTI/AAAAAAAAfHI/69D-Se9NIyY/s800-Ic42/IMG_0711.JPG)
As it went on, the rain stopped and it warmed just in time to start lighting things.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HNGxGvbRjAA/VjQvuW-0saI/AAAAAAAAfGw/hu7mKh9JD8w/s800-Ic42/IMG_0714.JPG)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-C3zsQ2f-A5s/VjQvvK2Kj_I/AAAAAAAAfG4/7-kZp389JX8/s800-Ic42/IMG_0713.JPG)
I knew early on, this year was special as it started to fill in.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4t_qETqm5CA/VjQvnwlfuAI/AAAAAAAAfFw/knJjITtEDeE/s800-Ic42/IMG_0722.JPG)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 31, 2015, 04:10:22 am
Post by: Unorthodox on October 31, 2015, 04:12:57 am
IMO, this is as close to perfect as I've ever managed.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ByB1p5eC8Yk/VjQ7Ik-ECrI/AAAAAAAAfH0/D44FaVszkoo/s800-Ic42/IMGP7204.jpg)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6IKvZfXy7_Y/VjQ7IWzuGKI/AAAAAAAAfHw/Yp-DhHaDpWM/s800-Ic42/IMGP7205.jpg)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vsumnZRJMnc/VjQ7MMnMNcI/AAAAAAAAfII/9OvR1VQ4oic/s800-Ic42/IMGP7209.jpg)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JtdzizKRCx4/VjQ7PVTYkQI/AAAAAAAAfIg/hjhEJ6jdt2k/s800-Ic42/IMGP7211.jpg)
The definitive Father pic...
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UPCSQk7Qmzs/VjQ7QgUVdjI/AAAAAAAAfIo/Za5o9-VM7ac/s800-Ic42/IMGP7213.jpg)
The 'boring' bales of straw did exactly what I wanted: broke up the tendancy for kids to make a solid line of pumpkins.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-d5HyvwgZUvI/VjQ7RkDnWdI/AAAAAAAAfIw/jwDnKmGeuck/s800-Ic42/IMGP7214.jpg)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DYbcxXSZw1A/VjQ7S33d44I/AAAAAAAAfI8/0YgGL5xXM2Y/s800-Ic42/IMGP7215.jpg)
The skull stacks were a last minute inspiration from Pirates of the Caribbean 2...
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0PUlByNDflQ/VjQ7T4VDnZI/AAAAAAAAfJE/XiunzJJaGIE/s800-Ic42/IMGP7216.jpg)
2015 fence.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-i-xKla7naE4/VjQ7WzYbhgI/AAAAAAAAfJU/cYl3s_8a3gQ/s800-Ic42/IMGP7220.jpg)
Post by: Unorthodox on October 31, 2015, 04:19:03 am
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-STKSZh5vbYY/VjQ7XCXl4TI/AAAAAAAAfJg/4tOzul_vpwI/s800-Ic42/IMGP7222.jpg)
"The Orchard", finally realized as conceived in 2010.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-b1hlyRL6kEw/VjQ7epM3RLI/AAAAAAAAfKY/38GPeNCVWjE/s800-Ic42/IMGP7229.jpg)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Kg--GoIV7ic/VjQ7beN8T2I/AAAAAAAAfKA/YPU9Y1reAEE/s800-Ic42/IMGP7226.jpg)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-p-zIdIwhA6k/VjQ7bIBemOI/AAAAAAAAfJ8/uIT-SWD7gTs/s800-Ic42/IMGP7225.jpg)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tr9a1UiDR_U/VjQ7dZtq5qI/AAAAAAAAfKM/dTcChAoi2fQ/s800-Ic42/IMGP7227.jpg)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zJYT1TqViJw/VjQ7eBUKG3I/AAAAAAAAfKU/TAG_ULnHHVc/s800-Ic42/IMGP7228.jpg)
Post by: PLATO on October 31, 2015, 09:44:10 pm
Post by: Rusty Edge on November 01, 2015, 03:54:08 am
Oh....
They're remaking Teddy Ruxpin....
Creepy damn bear.
Agreed!
Post by: ColdWizard on November 01, 2015, 04:13:16 am
Post by: Unorthodox on November 01, 2015, 12:59:58 pm
Not a bad couple's costume.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-h9wX-aoORKA/VjYK4bNmBgI/AAAAAAAAfLE/8RA7_2DLKgA/s800-Ic42/IMG_0749.JPG)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MBbYpU4BVdw/VjYK6O9cvEI/AAAAAAAAfLM/VPt26IkCS_s/s800-Ic42/IMG_0748.JPG)
Post by: Rusty Edge on November 02, 2015, 07:00:08 am
IMO, this is as close to perfect as I've ever managed.
I was thinking the same thing. I thought that the corn shortage would be an issue, but I just noticed more of the awesome Jack-O-Lanterns this year.
The Horned One and Dryad is my favorite costume year, too.
Did your new neighbor express an opinion or appreciation?
Post by: Unorthodox on November 02, 2015, 11:48:46 pm
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qoWx62Kvj-0/VjbnMhLm05I/AAAAAAAAfYg/4ItDtn61kZ4/s640-Ic42/IMG_8339.JPG)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xwQ8pW6E1PA/VjbmyrsS4eI/AAAAAAAAfVU/nQjZ9JBXsaE/s800-Ic42/IMG_8312.JPG)
Quote
Did your new neighbor express an opinion or appreciation?
I'm told they were at the party, but didn't run into them. Too busy with a couple of California transplant virgins who were used to everyone doing Disney knockoff or uber-gore decor and didn't think things like this really existed.
Post by: Bertilak on November 03, 2015, 01:29:22 am
Post by: Unorthodox on November 03, 2015, 01:50:34 am
Post by: hEtErOdOx on November 03, 2015, 02:38:42 am
I took Talia trick or treating, the new neighbor's "Halloween Vomit" was somewhat scary to her, but not everything was functional and they weren't even there to add to the experience. I was rather disappointed.
Post by: Unorthodox on November 03, 2015, 04:36:10 am
It's like the guy by the school everyone loves to tell me is 'competition'. The proper term is 'customer'.
Post by: Unorthodox on November 03, 2015, 02:12:26 pm
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--68GBZz23j0/VjYK1_N4wCI/AAAAAAAAfK8/ahPdjEwytiY/s800-Ic42/IMG_0750.JPG)
I need to look into the possibility of renting an event tent. The space was pretty cramped, and rain doesn't keep people away from the party.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FHUCjVCM3OM/VjbjYU1X9CI/AAAAAAAAfME/K9BArzmza8E/s800-Ic42/IMG_8228.JPG)
The glow chalk was pretty weak this year...don't know why.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PxIX-TJHvv0/VjblL2Xi_tI/AAAAAAAAfOI/dbp7pnaDTew/s800-Ic42/IMG_8246.JPG)
Orange is the technically better color in the chimera, but there's something about the subtle space variation the green provides. I think we're just going to have to actually repair him.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UguPtdzEKt0/VjblquqWI7I/AAAAAAAAfPo/5J_ZJKXkJe0/s800-Ic42/IMG_8263.JPG)
All the pumpkin lights are yellowish because the batteries are crappy quality this year.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Dm6m5Ar03ro/Vjbl1ccygtI/AAAAAAAAfQA/Y8aIYoqOKzA/s800-Ic42/IMG_8266.JPG)
Staying lit much later than usual to get pics was definitely worth it.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Ncqetzk9bh0/VjbmHY6NUWI/AAAAAAAAfQ4/QbfZqfBIJjE/s800-Ic42/IMG_8274.JPG)
4 sticks lashed together...
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cR08ZhUd4cw/VjbmZRtyKVI/AAAAAAAAfSU/Uk95edNocpU/s800-Ic42/IMG_8284.JPG)
One more in the books.
So...on to next year:
The Harvest is now done in my mind. We've pretty much nailed it.
So, which of the ideas do we revisit for next year?
I never did get to finish the witches line of thought...
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1roFrTI0D94/SV40yEbWyuI/AAAAAAAACeM/YGPet8MO5qo/s800-Ic42/475px-Vasilisa.jpeg)
With the work toward the temple of the spider woman getting destroyed in 2010.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4aloN96GyaA/SV40zyfMVvI/AAAAAAAACec/SR0aAovO0us/s800-Ic42/800px-Great_Goddess_of_Teotihuacan_%25252528T_Aleto%25252529.jpeg)
Turning the corn tunnel into a hallway leading to an altar would be a lot of fun. Though, the initial plan for my new stella is not going to work, we found out. The whole pumpkins thing that has sprung up since can work well with witches. SOMETHING must be making Father/Mother...
And then there is Trevor....Do we go back and revisit the graveyard idea?
I have more to 'say' along those lines.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2XWKWHpGgRg/TrH-QfNR8aI/AAAAAAAAalw/L_jbWqBiRIY/s800-Ic42/aoa0028_restauration.jpg)
Pumpkins are harder to tie into that...and perhaps that's part of the challenge. It's also more suited to a DISPLAY than a WALK THROUGH. Properly lighting a graveyard for a walkthrough could be tough. But since when do I shy away from a challenge?
Both are multi-year projects. Open to opinions.
Post by: Rusty Edge on November 03, 2015, 05:25:49 pm
My initial reaction is that the graveyard theme is most likely to be perceived as a direct competition to the neighbor who claims to have no competition, but seems to crave one.
While I have no clue as to the cost, the event tent for the pumpkin carving sounds like a good idea. Great thing if it's cold, windy, or wet. On the other hand it's one more complication to the set-up, particularly if you get some ferocious high winds in the forecast close to the day.
Post by: Unorthodox on November 03, 2015, 06:06:16 pm
http://www.tarps.com/econoretail.htm (http://www.tarps.com/econoretail.htm)
And that's just the first site. But a 20x20 or so would be plenty.
Post by: Unorthodox on November 04, 2015, 01:59:11 pm
My initial reaction is that the graveyard theme is most likely to be perceived as a direct competition to the neighbor who claims to have no competition, but seems to crave one.
Been thinking about this, but have decided it's not a consideration.
He has pumpkin monsters: could see Father/Mother as "competition". He has witches, thus "competition. Ghosts. Zombies. Graves. Skeletons.
Hell, if anything, doing something as simple as a graveyard might flip the light on in their head that the biggest problem is their lack of focus. I could take a third of their stuff, BUY SOME LIGHTING FOR GOD SAKE, and have a better display than what they did.
The points in favor of going the graveyard route:
Easily the most marketable route when I decide I don't like things and want to sell.
hEt/the kids seemed to like it.
The neighbors across the street responded to Trevor favorably.
Unobies. (cause you all know I wouldn't be normal on the zombies)
BOAT LOADS of plans available online to alter, less figure it out as you go along.
-
Little bit cliché for me, though I of course have ideas there.
Lighting challenges (again, ideas)
Pumpkins need to be worked in meaningfully.
Probably more expensive...but easier to fund itself via selling.
Witches:
Megacraptons of research already done.
Tie in to existing Harvest theme easily
"Scarecrow" plan for the contest.
Can be a bridge to future themes easily.
-
That temple is going to be one major pain in the ass to implement the way I want. Probably years down the road.
Less marketable
Staffing could be more problematic.
Post by: Bertilak on November 04, 2015, 02:11:13 pm
A potential solution to the "staffing" problem involves the deployment of your children and wife in this endeavor :D.
That temple is going to be one major pain in the ass to implement the way I want. Probably years down the road.
Less marketable
Staffing could be more problematic.
Post by: Unorthodox on November 04, 2015, 04:43:52 pm
Now, since the spider woman costume COULD got fairly "light", similar to Talia's this year if we had a suitable model, hEt MIGHT consider it somewhere down the road when Talia's done with the trick or treating, but I don't anticipate that being the case this coming year.
Or we could take it really HEAVY if I use one of the boys.
Post by: Rusty Edge on November 06, 2015, 01:59:09 am
I am curious to see what you do with a caldron.
GRAVEYARD- What I like about the graveyard is that you could multi-produce, if not mass produce.
In other words, you could build three variations of Fred, or Trevor, or Whomever at one time, keep the one you prefer and sell the other two.
The more I think about it... every grave could have it's own jack-o-lantern couldn't it? Maybe the Unobies or skeletons are using them to decorate the graves? Or just to help them see?
The static display requires less help on Halloween night if your teenagers have to be a at a certain party to prove they are cool.
---------------------
Yeah, that do it yourself event tent is surprisingly affordable.
Well, whatever you decide to do next, a new theme is a lot of work and I'm looking forward to seeing your new creations.
Post by: Unorthodox on November 06, 2015, 03:00:05 pm
I figure the jack o lanterns would be interesting to see what kids do with them in a graveyard.
2014, they clustered them on/around the coffins.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PYhx41nxdKo/VFSyxmHswtI/AAAAAAAAcRM/fbt7XhUpdrg/s800-Ic42/IMGP284516.jpg)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cDpvewUAfgw/VFSyyhkY_cI/AAAAAAAAcPo/B1rds2Wu2xQ/s800-Ic42/IMGP285021.jpg)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-afKry8kwg1E/VFWVMgtHdgI/AAAAAAAAcqQ/uZvTS2xJP3A/s800-Ic42/IMG_3781.JPG)
2012, they avoided Trevor like the plague (I may have said nothing ON him at the time, but expected some AROUND him)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1aTcO9ykqMA/UJCYS3IL2NI/AAAAAAAAbaE/FyiRYQPmoUg/s800-Ic42/IMGP1493.jpg)
And did the 'one per "tombstone"' you suggest.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GuuILVzFotQ/UJCYS3rGZmI/AAAAAAAAbcA/N52GutHtVAI/s800-Ic42/IMGP1494.jpg)
Post by: Unorthodox on November 06, 2015, 04:31:03 pm
Post by: Rusty Edge on November 06, 2015, 06:02:39 pm
Perhaps you could light tombstones and coffins from within, or try a glow in the dark approach.
Post by: Unorthodox on November 06, 2015, 08:13:13 pm
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-S8rbBmsCE7E/U2G4tOYGlkI/AAAAAAAAZDw/Of0L3lLtJes/s800-Ic42/IMG_0099.JPG)
You'd never know there are 2 floods shining on that coffin. Then the candle, with a light inside. Easy for a photo shoot. More difficult to have people walking.
It would be easy to go haunter 101, make a bunch of simple tombs, lit from within, and add subtly motions. Lid lifters, sliders, rockers, etc to the lids. Tombs are great places to hide things. I might even be able to hide some lighting tricks decently...
Subtle. Like the breathing graves from 2013. They were a big hit before Kyle tripped on the cords...
! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQ9VF6WJHKA#)
Like you said, it could all pay for itself easy enough, after all, it's what all the cool kids are doing...
Or bring more day of the dead style and light the whole area in candles by the hundreds.
Fun.
Awesome.
Original.
Annoying as all hell to light.
Fake candles don't live up to my expectations. At least none I'm aware of.
Post by: Bertilak on November 06, 2015, 10:00:32 pm
I've been lighting from within since 2008. It's just subtle, like a lot of my stuff.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-S8rbBmsCE7E/U2G4tOYGlkI/AAAAAAAAZDw/Of0L3lLtJes/s800-Ic42/IMG_0099.JPG)
You'd never know there are 2 floods shining on that coffin. Then the candle, with a light inside. Easy for a photo shoot. More difficult to have people walking.
It would be easy to go haunter 101, make a bunch of simple tombs, lit from within, and add subtly motions. Lid lifters, sliders, rockers, etc to the lids. Tombs are great places to hide things. I might even be able to hide some lighting tricks decently...
Subtle. Like the breathing graves from 2013. They were a big hit before Kyle tripped on the cords...
! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQ9VF6WJHKA#)
Like you said, it could all pay for itself easy enough, after all, it's what all the cool kids are doing...
Or bring more day of the dead style and light the whole area in candles by the hundreds.
Fun.
Awesome.
Original.
Annoying as all hell to light.
Fake candles don't live up to my expectations. At least none I'm aware of.
Ohhh!!! The lights in the first photograph fascinate me for some unknown reason.
Post by: Rusty Edge on November 07, 2015, 06:50:39 pm
I've been lighting from within since 2008. It's just subtle, like a lot of my stuff.
That's what I love about your monsters. Thanks for sharing the idea of the monster sculpture trail.
Like you said, it could all pay for itself easy enough, after all, it's what all the cool kids are doing...
Or bring more day of the dead style and light the whole area in candles by the hundreds.
Fun.
Awesome.
Original.
Annoying as all hell to light.
Fake candles don't live up to my expectations. At least none I'm aware of.
That sounds like a boy job. At age 10 or 12 I would've paid you a dollar or two ( about as much as I ever had in my pocket at that age ) to play with fire.
Post by: Unorthodox on November 10, 2015, 08:17:31 pm
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-D5-EaMEg88I/VkJPh3VaQGI/AAAAAAAAffY/Rf2OWXTpOu8/s800-Ic42/IMG_0760.JPG)
Truly state of the art compared to a lot of stuff around here.
Post by: Bertilak on November 12, 2015, 01:40:11 am
Lookie what I found.I assume the previous comment has a ironic tone in that the object of this photo lacks significant monetary value . . .
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-D5-EaMEg88I/VkJPh3VaQGI/AAAAAAAAffY/Rf2OWXTpOu8/s800-Ic42/IMG_0760.JPG)
Truly state of the art compared to a lot of stuff around here.
Post by: Unorthodox on November 12, 2015, 01:23:17 pm
Nightmare before Christmas gang take over for the Ghosts of Christmas/Krampus/other "dark' aspects to Christmas.
Santa realizes Christmastown has gone too soft and naughty is on the rise because they've lost that dark aspect so he approaches Jack...
Disney, make it happen.
Post by: Unorthodox on November 15, 2015, 12:49:19 am
Take a character I don't like, a concept so abstract it's hard to film and bordering on plain silly, cast actors I could care less about....
and make an above average film.
Alec really enjoyed it.
Best cgi ants I've ever seen...
Post by: Unorthodox on November 16, 2015, 02:08:27 pm
Lookie what I found.I assume the previous comment has a ironic tone in that the object of this photo lacks significant monetary value . . .
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-D5-EaMEg88I/VkJPh3VaQGI/AAAAAAAAffY/Rf2OWXTpOu8/s800-Ic42/IMG_0760.JPG)
Truly state of the art compared to a lot of stuff around here.
You assume wrong.
That IS state of the art for around here. The Bat computer is in the basement somewhere. Unfortunately the drive broke, so I don't know what value the item has, working on a replacement.
Any proposal to upgrade these items is immediately shot down in senate/house. Meanwhile, cars this old would be relegated to shows and museums.
I have a stack of 5 inch floppys here too, but they have writing/can't be pictured.
Post by: Unorthodox on November 17, 2015, 02:46:42 pm
Having to learn new programming as I go...meh.
Couple more pieces I REALLY want to get added make me nervous.
Post by: Unorthodox on November 18, 2015, 04:28:15 pm
Not that going through 11 years of picture albums wasn't informative, showing where I've grown and a bunch of what was I thinking moments.
At some point I'ma gonna to have to sit down with photoshop as well for new thingamabobs as I reorganize areas. I have a new tutorial to write too...
Post by: Unorthodox on November 18, 2015, 10:16:02 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on November 19, 2015, 05:12:19 am
Quote
about 90% through the worst most tedious bits of the rebuild
Scratch that...went to make something....I have to rebuild my font collection...
Post by: Unorthodox on November 19, 2015, 06:34:02 pm
(company thanksgiving today)
Post by: ColdWizard on November 19, 2015, 08:43:19 pm
Half the time I think I work at a preschool...And the other half you think you're being unfair to preschoolers?
Post by: Unorthodox on November 19, 2015, 09:00:15 pm
Half the time I think I work at a preschool...And the other half you think you're being unfair to preschoolers?
Pretty much.
Migraine starting. Probably related to the aforementioned 300 people crammed into a space big enough for about 50. I don't have my hermit cave anymore either.
Post by: Unorthodox on November 20, 2015, 04:41:20 am
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QjqkGCwXLHA/Vk6iONzKwCI/AAAAAAAAfgg/fQLGN4SYqHQ/s800-Ic42/Coming.jpg)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1roFrTI0D94/SV40yEbWyuI/AAAAAAAACeM/YGPet8MO5qo/s800-Ic42/475px-Vasilisa.jpeg)
EXTREME UPDATE to this 2007 concept test I'd forgotten about is now planned. Deemed a failure at the time, lead to the field of skulls then. Time to bring the original concept back...
! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdMAZ0bmup4#)
! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-F4-yxQDgO4#)
LED lighting has come a long way since 2007 after all.
Post by: Unorthodox on November 20, 2015, 03:55:55 pm
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-E_rYERCE8N8/Vk9BwPDrnSI/AAAAAAAAfg4/lwg_al8m0nE/s800-Ic42/IMG_0768.JPG)
Contest awards officially:
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VTaTsX7BcQo/Vk9Bx-NVojI/AAAAAAAAfg8/BuJo4uG4EAg/s800-Ic42/IMG_0766.JPG)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FoCiBnD_uL8/Vk9B0f-sldI/AAAAAAAAfhE/s6CqgUhFuXA/s800-Ic42/IMG_0767.JPG)
Post by: Unorthodox on November 20, 2015, 07:25:22 pm
Lake stink is bad today.
Quote
While the Great Salt Lake is famous worldwide, it’s notorious locally for what has been dubbed “lake stink.” These infrequent smelly episodes usually don’t last long, but historically they have been around since pioneer days.
The saltiest of the Great Salt Lake’s water sits on the bottom of the lake. The heavy brine traps organic material (i.e., algae and plant and animal remains) and gases at the bottom of the lake. When the bottom of the lake gets stirred up, lots of bubbles rise to the surface. The bubbles release the gas that forms from the decaying organic matter, and this gas smells anything but pleasant. It smells somewhat like rotten eggs, not unlike the sulfur hot springs that are also common in the intermountain west.
For most residents of the Wasatch Front, “lake stink” wrinkles their noses perhaps two or three times a year, for usually a few hours a day. Those who live closer to Farmington Bay are bothered somewhat more often. The odor is most often noticeable when northwest winds blow across the lake, stir up the shallow waters, and carry the smell to populated areas.
Post by: Unorthodox on November 25, 2015, 09:49:39 pm
Post by: Rusty Edge on November 25, 2015, 10:35:39 pm
Alright, I'm outta here for a few days. Everyone enjoy your Thanksgiving.
You and yours also, as best you are able.
Post by: Unorthodox on November 30, 2015, 02:24:21 pm
We are go.
The "bone fence" and a new "scarecrow" are the primary builds for the year. Going to see me making skulls again, and considering buying a disarticulated skeleton so I can start copying individual bones. A bunch of femurs would be nice, for instance.
Post by: Rusty Edge on November 30, 2015, 09:27:51 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on November 30, 2015, 09:48:14 pm
I'm mainly a fan of monsters, but the next concept sounds exciting!
Well, the next "Scarecrow" will certainly qualify. Keeping in mind, as far as I'm PERSONALLY concerned, they've ALL been "scarecrows". I'm less concerned about making it look "traditional" than I was with Father. Did what I want with the contest, just figure I'll enter whatever I build from here on out and let them decide whether it qualifies as a scarecrow or not.
The "bone fence" concept I have might be closer to a series of creatures than you're thinking as well. Unobies. Cause zombies are boring. Roots and vines raising the bones and rotting carcasses from the ground at the Bone Mother's command. Might toss in some subtle animation, but that's probably a year or two off.
We're pretty much looking at my next 5 years, concept wise. There's lots of little things I can do with this, but a lot depends on how quick I can get parts.
(anyone else foresee a then 13 year old Talia on a nice bone THRONE?)
On the iffn' I have time list is a Chimera rebuild using my new techniques, and possibly a chimeraling. The neighbor kid made a cute concept drawing based on the Chimera, would be kinda fun to make it for reals.
Post by: Rusty Edge on November 30, 2015, 10:01:32 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on November 30, 2015, 10:18:47 pm
And bones. Lotsa bones.
My present bone collection "only" fills 3 totes. Not counting skulls. Mostly ribs. Gonna need more.
Family marked a couple too-fresh carcasses for later retrieval in the woods this fall...
Post by: Unorthodox on December 03, 2015, 02:18:53 pm
http://www.irishexaminer.com/technow/games/uncharted-4-beta-launches-early--today-369481.html (http://www.irishexaminer.com/technow/games/uncharted-4-beta-launches-early--today-369481.html)
Post by: Unorthodox on December 03, 2015, 03:35:02 pm
;wince
Post by: ColdWizard on December 03, 2015, 05:06:50 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on December 03, 2015, 10:43:40 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on December 07, 2015, 01:50:19 pm
Some oddities to note:
Apparently the green man upset some people.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MBbYpU4BVdw/VjYK6O9cvEI/AAAAAAAAfLM/VPt26IkCS_s/s800-Ic42/IMG_0748.JPG)
They've been complaining to my mom.
Pretty much solidifies my intent to revisit the costume and improve on it.
Briefly toyed with the idea of even modifying for Christmas, since it's not a terribly far trip to REALLY old Father Winter territory.
There was a Christmas themed ren faire this last weekend which would have been fun to go thus bedecked, for instance. Or the neighborhood party tonight. Just to mess with people.
Post by: Unorthodox on December 07, 2015, 07:09:49 pm
Someone didn't think that all the way through, now I gotta deal with the consequences...
Post by: Unorthodox on December 08, 2015, 04:15:39 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on December 08, 2015, 05:45:50 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on December 08, 2015, 05:51:05 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on December 08, 2015, 08:56:02 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on December 09, 2015, 08:52:53 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on December 14, 2015, 09:49:03 pm
they're talking of shutting the base down for snow...
Post by: Unorthodox on December 14, 2015, 10:02:55 pm
They've actually loosened the restrictions on paying early a tiny bit this year, just wish I could pay it now and not have to get all this expiration notices when I'm not allowed to renew till next week.
The host is great otherwise.
Post by: Unorthodox on December 14, 2015, 10:16:28 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on December 15, 2015, 12:44:19 am
That new construction and waterproofing method rocks.
Post by: Unorthodox on December 16, 2015, 07:22:50 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on December 16, 2015, 09:20:26 pm
Post by: Bertilak on December 18, 2015, 04:00:46 am
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-L-VHvxuZT8U/Vm9hZ7bzHlI/AAAAAAAAfkE/RyAoJY_x1_k/s800-Ic42/IMG_0784.JPG)I enjoy the new outfit on those skeletons :).
That new construction and waterproofing method rocks.
Post by: Unorthodox on December 21, 2015, 01:10:46 pm
:luv: :luv: :luv: :luv: :luv: :luv: :luv: :luv: :luv: :luv: :luv: :luv: :luv: :luv: :luv: :luv: :luv: :luv: :luv: :luv: :luv:
22 years ago, she saved me from a miserable life.
Happy Solstice everyone else. ;hippy
Post by: Unorthodox on December 22, 2015, 05:50:36 pm
Work neighbor:
Post by: Unorthodox on December 22, 2015, 06:02:38 pm
Post by: hEtErOdOx on December 22, 2015, 10:39:20 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on December 23, 2015, 05:53:11 pm
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2497046,00.asp (http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2497046,00.asp)
Quote
Those who have been anticipating the release of the PlayStation 4 exclusive, Uncharted 4: A Thief's End, will have to wait another month.
Over on the PlayStation Blog, Naughty Dog's Creative Director, Neil Druckmann, along with Game Director, Bruce Straley, announced that the game will now launch on April 26. Before today, the title was set to release on March 18.
"This is our largest Uncharted game to date, and the team has been working incredibly hard to meet the challenge of closing out the game's development in a timely manner," said the directors. "However, as we approached our final deadlines and started wrapping up the game's levels, we realized that several key sequences needed extra resources to bring them to the finish line. After carefully considering all of our options, we decided to extend our schedule, making sure that we get a few more polish passes before submitting our gold master (the final disc for manufacturing)."
(To the uninitiated, Uncharted is hEt's game of choice, presently. Drake is her video game boyfriend. And the PS4 at Christmas is TOTALLY so she can play Uncharted, disguised as a 'family' gift. Uncharted 3 is the first game I never felt a desire to play, yet have seen every bit of at least once, if not more, through watching her play.)
Post by: Unorthodox on December 23, 2015, 07:39:48 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on December 23, 2015, 10:25:46 pm
Enjoy your Holiday.
Post by: Unorthodox on December 26, 2015, 10:55:32 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on December 29, 2015, 05:33:00 pm
At least this time we TRIED to order the right thing, the stand is just backordered till May, and I can make one a lot quicker.
Post by: Unorthodox on January 04, 2016, 01:48:24 pm
First off, we're mostly having a down year on the garden so I can try to get some nutrients into the one side of it. However, I also may have found a source for those Cheyenne Bush pumpkins I've been trying to find for 3 years. There are likely some hoops to jump through to get the seeds, though, and I think I might just have to, so I can cultivate my own seeds.
My Post Christmas Shopping yielded 12 lights. That's 6-12 monsters. (I haven't decided if each needs 2 lights or one. Father was built with 2 of these) New skull mold means I can start churning out tests soon. Maybe this weekend. Need to decide on what I'm doing about bones, and that starts with inventorying what I have.
The Bone Mother will likely use regular sockets and CFLs, more akin to the Chimera than Father/Mother. This will let her stand out brighter/more 'powerful' and the other things as her servants, visually. Toying with whether I want to make a new sculpt or repurpose my old witch skulls to use as her base head, and considering repurposing FRED.
So, that's a total of 7 creatures possible this year. Likely don't have time for that many. Bone Mother first, then we'll see.
Post by: Unorthodox on January 05, 2016, 07:55:05 pm
We need a vaccine.
Post by: hEtErOdOx on January 06, 2016, 02:08:43 am
We could make millions :danc:
Post by: Unorthodox on January 06, 2016, 08:54:49 pm
http://www.forbes.com/sites/kristinakillgrove/2016/01/04/heres-the-anatomical-story-behind-that-new-2-shakespeare-skull-coin/ (http://www.forbes.com/sites/kristinakillgrove/2016/01/04/heres-the-anatomical-story-behind-that-new-2-shakespeare-skull-coin/)
Post by: Rusty Edge on January 06, 2016, 09:59:19 pm
I don't know anybody in England. I'll have to ask my wife.
Post by: Unorthodox on January 11, 2016, 08:13:43 pm
Attempting once again to get Cheyenne Bush Pumpkins. Absolutely impossible to find in the US, I'm attempting to import them from Canada. Theoretically, these would be a solution I could grow at the house. Compact plants grow pumpkins more like a zuchini plant with heavy yields. Hopefully we shall see.
Talia picked a number of bizarro sunflowers to try as well, but most the flower orders this year are going to be from the nursery. She likes that better than the seeds.
Case of plaster wrap on the way, soon as it gets here, we're going to get to work on some Unobies, I think.
Post by: Rusty Edge on January 11, 2016, 08:38:42 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on January 12, 2016, 01:19:29 pm
Leaning towards a Harvey ribcage, though.
The skeleton guide:
Blucky: Blown (hollow) mold plastic skeleton, completely unrealistic (ribcage is one piece), $10-$20, what you've seen in wallmart prior to 2010 or so.
Wally: Blown plastic, but much more realistic than a blucky as the bones are represented separately, but not anatomically correct. $20-$30
PoseNStay: Same mold as above, but cast plastic, so much sturdier. Hardware at joints lets it hold a pose. $30-$40
Barnes: Latex skeleton, so flexible. About the same 'realism' as the PoseNStay otherwise. $50-$60
Barney: Child sized medical skeleton: $60-$80
Bucky: 4th quality medical skeleton. Didn't pass the QA test to make it worthless as a teaching skeleton, so sold as Halloween props. $80-120 (this is Fred)
Harvey: 2nd quality skeleton, teaching quality, but a few discolorations or rough spots. $180+
1st quality: $600+
I can get JUST the ribcage of a Harvey for $60. Tear it apart (probably leave the spine together actually), that's a ton of bones I can mold. But I can probably swing that with just the normal budget as well. Just going to forget about the other for the time being.
Post by: Unorthodox on January 12, 2016, 02:07:58 pm
! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGnpbcAFbEw#)
Bucky:
! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5TiybZQLytc#)
Post by: Unorthodox on January 15, 2016, 02:44:17 pm
Have we been sufficiently random with the polls, folks?
Post by: Unorthodox on January 15, 2016, 02:59:30 pm
! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQy-ANhnUpE#)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on January 15, 2016, 03:36:29 pm
So......Poll topic!
Have we been sufficiently random with the polls, folks?
Post by: Unorthodox on January 15, 2016, 09:19:43 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on January 15, 2016, 09:38:47 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on January 19, 2016, 06:03:06 pm
(Girl from The Ring vs Girl from The Grudge)
. . . . That's bound to be awful...please come to Netflix...
On an aside, Sadako all the way. How is this even a contest?
Post by: Unorthodox on January 22, 2016, 03:57:24 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on January 22, 2016, 04:05:24 am
Post by: Unorthodox on January 25, 2016, 01:34:47 pm
Perspective: about 2.5x the size of a normal skull.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6XqsdiDrs5Q/VqYjIWBlV1I/AAAAAAAAftY/p4KsCQSM8xU/s800-Ic42/IMG_0843.JPG)
Apparently, this is what happens when I watch Beneath twice in one weekend.
On an aside, I REALLY want the SERIES to come to Netflix.
Post by: Unorthodox on January 26, 2016, 09:38:01 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on January 26, 2016, 10:27:09 pm
Post by: Rusty Edge on January 26, 2016, 11:59:21 pm
Their problem was that they were always chasing their tail from cheaper to faster to correctly. Every year they changed their priority, and never seemed to appreciate it was a two out of three trade off.
That cheap and quick approach worked long enough to get the vice-presidents their bonuses, but didn't stand up in court.
In the big picture, the work people like me did was essential, but a negligible piece of the expense pie. We should have had a consistent "quickly and correctly" focus for our work, don't worry about the costs, just report them quickly and correctly, too.
Post by: Unorthodox on January 27, 2016, 01:25:05 pm
For 3 years.
I mean, I get the legal need to put it on hold last year, but the priority shift this year is going to either lose business or land people in jail.
Post by: Unorthodox on January 27, 2016, 08:02:51 pm
Also:
Kids today. ;no
Post by: Unorthodox on January 28, 2016, 12:54:09 am
Lucifer was decent, if not completely 'good'.
I like my devil far more sinister.
Post by: ColdWizard on January 28, 2016, 04:28:53 am
Post by: hEtErOdOx on January 28, 2016, 09:14:18 am
Post by: Unorthodox on January 29, 2016, 08:12:08 pm
;modban
Post by: Unorthodox on February 01, 2016, 03:36:08 am
Been more challenging than normal getting the form cast and the rough out done, but stumbled on an air dry clay that's easier to work than DAS, which has been my go to for years. The were out so shot in the dark on this one. Hoping it's sturdy too.
Post by: Unorthodox on February 01, 2016, 06:08:10 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on February 01, 2016, 08:46:37 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 01, 2016, 09:14:27 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on February 01, 2016, 10:02:31 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on February 03, 2016, 01:45:10 pm
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HkG0XXqMqZE/VrIB8sHTWZI/AAAAAAAAfuk/5G7cSSRBCWg/s800-Ic42/IMG_0846.JPG)
Post by: Unorthodox on February 05, 2016, 04:03:11 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 07, 2016, 11:12:28 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on February 08, 2016, 03:32:18 pm
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-REEBSvY7Zkw/VrfETcyGt8I/AAAAAAAAfv4/zI8uqwji1sE/s800-Ic42/IMG_0848.JPG)
Post by: Unorthodox on February 08, 2016, 09:15:15 pm
http://www.viking.ucla.edu/Scientific_American/Egils_Bones.htm (http://www.viking.ucla.edu/Scientific_American/Egils_Bones.htm)
That's one fugly dude...
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 08, 2016, 09:36:49 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on February 12, 2016, 05:32:01 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on February 15, 2016, 01:52:32 pm
I know it really doesn't look like anything in particular, but we learned a ton:
1 light system is going to work.
Head is very secure to the neck (a system I keep improving on)
Neck-body connection idea is solid.
Need to sculpt out the back of neck, not just leave it to the corpsing., possibly put a base for the front as well.
The light is able to be much further down the throat than expected.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ddtFayHYeCE/VsHS0W9KqbI/AAAAAAAAfwQ/Z0TMmxkNnGE/s800-Ic42/IMG_0853.JPG)
Post by: Unorthodox on February 16, 2016, 06:53:17 pm
It was suitably creepy for both of them and had them going.
Not exactly 'found footage', but one of the kids is an aspiring film maker and filming everything, thus our window to the world. I believe M Night uses this to completely spoof a lot of his perceived shortcomings with 'creative' angles and odd focusing and other critiques you hear of him purposely done by the 'film maker' with commentary on why she is doing it. I'm pretty sure there was even a joke about Lady in the Water's story tossed in. At least I think it was intended as a joke.
Scare wise, it had both the kids going for the duration, but it's no nightmare inducer.
One oddity.
The printing on the disc said the movie was rated R. Redbox said it was PG13. The movie was PG13. This is the 3rd instance of the disc being printed wrong at redbox I'm aware of. WTF?
Post by: Unorthodox on February 17, 2016, 08:45:42 pm
Lizzy Borden Chronicles is on Netflix. Almost through it. I'm now officially sold on the Ricci > Morticia Addams idea, but cringe at the thought of watching another Gomez...
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 17, 2016, 08:48:03 pm
Gomez would be a challenge... I always thought John Ashton stunk up the place, but nobody wants to follow Raul Julia at anything.
Post by: Unorthodox on February 18, 2016, 09:44:08 pm
The circus is in town for midnight Sunday morning....
Post by: Unorthodox on February 19, 2016, 11:58:09 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 20, 2016, 12:09:00 am
(Also, Schwarzenegger's wardrobe for Raw Deal (It was still Triple Identity at the time - I saw a script) spent a night in our driveway...)
Post by: Unorthodox on February 20, 2016, 01:20:39 am
Mylochka's ex-husband was Linda Hamilton's driver on King Kong Lives!
Wow. Just...
That ranks down there with queen kong as all but unwatchable.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 20, 2016, 01:23:11 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 20, 2016, 07:13:59 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 21, 2016, 02:43:21 am
Post by: Unorthodox on February 21, 2016, 03:08:42 am
The skull...well, all of halloween might get put on hold (more on that later)... but I'll try to finish the Bone Mother there.
Meanwhile off to the circus.
! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_R4o1K-ENR4#)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 21, 2016, 03:13:57 am
Post by: Unorthodox on February 21, 2016, 05:40:27 am
Main lyric is "Fa La La It's off to hell we go." Sang WAY too chipper in a round. I find it fitting for many things I may not be thrilled about.
Post by: Unorthodox on February 21, 2016, 05:43:40 am
The skull...well, all of halloween might get put on hold (more on that later)...
So, yeah. We think we're pulling the trigger on major remodeling this year. As in knocking down the back of the house and adding on 10 ft to the whole length of the house. Which means, we'll be in construction hell for the entire year, and timeframe brings it into October with delays that you can count on happening pushing it right up to the big event.
It's a needed inconvenience, though.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 21, 2016, 06:45:27 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on February 22, 2016, 12:24:05 am
Post by: Unorthodox on February 22, 2016, 07:58:24 pm
hmm.
Horror movie doing better than expected in theaters, has good reviews, and is being backed by the satanic temple...going to have to put this on the to-watch list.
Post by: Unorthodox on February 23, 2016, 04:22:44 pm
So, Q:
How do I keep from going into a total malaise with the house a construction zone, no access to the garden, and an inability to work on Halloween this year?
Thinking on it, the rest of Bone mother is real messy. Thinking it might be better off put on hold till next year.
Perhaps it's time to just embrace the suck, take a year 'off' and really hardcore organize everything.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 23, 2016, 04:25:45 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on February 23, 2016, 05:00:35 pm
We will be losing the master bedroom, 'master bath' (little more than a closet now), the kitchen sink and counters, and crowding the 'great room' upstairs. Which means I got to make room for the master bedroom somewhere else in the house, with the leading candidate our craft room that presently houses all my supplies.
Outside, we'll be losing the back and side yards, which means I need to transform the driveway into a patio for the grill and thus most the cooking for the summer.
There's simply not going to BE anywhere to work.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 23, 2016, 05:24:16 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on February 23, 2016, 05:54:58 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 23, 2016, 06:10:07 pm
hEt barely tolerates me.Fixed.
Post by: Unorthodox on February 23, 2016, 06:36:15 pm
:mad:
Post by: Unorthodox on February 23, 2016, 06:42:58 pm
Well....That's not going to be tolerable. My picture host is going away...gotta find new.
Post by: Unorthodox on February 23, 2016, 07:01:40 pm
Interesting option...
Post by: Rusty Edge on February 24, 2016, 03:35:39 am
What would your competitive neighbor think if you only had the carving party, displayed the Jack-O-Lanterns, and greeted kids at the front door for a change? That might mess with his mind.
Maybe it's the perfect time for that.
After all, didn't you say that the numbers attending Uno-Halloween were pushing the limits of local ordinances? Maybe since you did everything you wanted to do with the old theme and are going to transition to a witch theme, it's the ideal year for a break.
Then you resume with the new theme and reduced crowds the next year, and build from there.
Post by: hEtErOdOx on February 24, 2016, 06:31:07 am
I tolerate Halloween chaos because Uno is awesome to have around...
Post by: Unorthodox on February 24, 2016, 02:09:18 pm
The only thing I'd really be sad if I didn't get to is some 'scarecrow' concept for the contest. That was going to be Bone Mother, but she's big and complicated and going to take 3 months of fairly regular work still. I need to be more flexible in my scheduling. Something smaller.
Maybe the first Uno-zombie instead.
Post by: Bertilak on February 24, 2016, 02:10:04 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on February 24, 2016, 09:52:59 pm
http://www.nspe.org/resources/partners-and-state-societies/national-engineers-week (http://www.nspe.org/resources/partners-and-state-societies/national-engineers-week)
And there's been a series of events around here, mostly working as recruiting tools with local colleges and elementary schools. I'm trying real hard not to become the permanent event planner for all special events at this company, but I seem to excel at it, with very few problems on any events I've been in charge of, where everyone else around here lacks the wider vision. Total disaster today now has me filling in the rest of the week.
:mad:
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 24, 2016, 10:02:46 pm
You're going to have to train someone if you want to get out of it. Step one: find someone trainable...
Post by: Unorthodox on February 27, 2016, 11:23:21 pm
You say something about aa small project?
actually more 'medium'
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 27, 2016, 11:26:02 pm
I LIKE.
Post by: Unorthodox on February 28, 2016, 04:03:41 am
So....what to do with this....
(and its been buried in salt for a year since the pic)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 28, 2016, 04:16:05 am
Post by: Unorthodox on February 28, 2016, 08:36:38 pm
Execution of the screenplay was haphazard and the female lead really floundered, which is unfortunate as it was her, not Kirk, that should have driven the episode. Which makes it bad Trek.
Particularly grievous was a complete lack of exploring Vulcan unconscious with aliens that bring unconscious into reality.
Highlight: "Bad poetry, Captain" - Spock's opinion of the witches.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 28, 2016, 08:48:07 pm
Wolf in the Fold is deeply flawed, but much better than that. You'll see that it could have been very effective w/o needing near so much improvement. -I think it was also Bloch-written, not that anything on the show got to air from one author.
Post by: Unorthodox on February 28, 2016, 09:30:37 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 28, 2016, 09:41:11 pm
The Alternative Factor, the very worst episode of real Star Trek because it didn't end up working as a story at all, was closer to being successful horror, and it wasn't even trying to do horror.
Post by: Unorthodox on February 29, 2016, 02:21:04 pm
There was as much horror there as many episodes of Night Gallery (remove the space elements, and just put it as, say, a modern military stumbling on actual witches), or an Outer Limits (just move it off the enterprise). Especially of that time period, and really would fit in right next to either of those. Again, that doesn't mean it was a good TREK episode. Just average low budget horror of the time period.
In fact, cast Christopher Lee as the wizard, add some shock value special effects, and you could pull off a decent Hammer Horror production out of that.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 29, 2016, 03:07:21 pm
A better-looking Sylvia would have done a lot, too - Nancy Kovaks, (who played Nona the healer in A Private Little War [the horned white space gorilla episode]) could have been a very nice mix of hot and creepy/evil in the part.
In case Valka or Mylochka sees this, I CAN say Kahn-ut-tu and Mugato.
Post by: Unorthodox on February 29, 2016, 04:18:07 pm
I said the actress drug down the episode. I don't know that eye candy was the problem so much, because wardrobe/makeup/hair did her no favors, but acting ability was sorely lacking.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 29, 2016, 04:21:13 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on February 29, 2016, 04:23:34 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 29, 2016, 04:33:36 pm
I see he was married to women three times, but that's not exactly the vibe he gave off...
Post by: Unorthodox on February 29, 2016, 04:46:19 pm
I see he was married to women three times, but that's not exactly the vibe he gave off...
Couldn't care less either way.
Post by: Unorthodox on February 29, 2016, 05:00:44 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 29, 2016, 05:04:48 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on March 02, 2016, 01:27:09 pm
Beware there is language.
! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55NLbMHUi10#)
Post by: Unorthodox on March 07, 2016, 02:42:41 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 07, 2016, 02:45:21 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on March 07, 2016, 04:40:53 pm
floor plan designs for the new Casa de Dox.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 07, 2016, 04:43:57 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on March 07, 2016, 04:52:29 pm
Can't do that from here. :(
Post by: Unorthodox on March 07, 2016, 08:34:45 pm
Super Powers allow me to remove that poll that somehow got attached here...
Post by: ColdWizard on March 07, 2016, 08:36:32 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 07, 2016, 08:39:33 pm
Post by: ColdWizard on March 07, 2016, 08:47:59 pm
He could have just asked me a long time ago, CW. -I probably wouldn't have held out for my bakeesh.
I was referring to the pdf-->image thing. It's crappy and out of date but it was cheap and only broke Word once.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 07, 2016, 08:49:45 pm
Send me the .pdf, Uno, if you don't want to wait till you're home, and I'll do it...
Post by: Unorthodox on March 07, 2016, 08:50:40 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on March 08, 2016, 01:51:14 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 08, 2016, 01:51:32 am
Post by: Unorthodox on March 08, 2016, 01:53:36 am
Post by: Unorthodox on March 08, 2016, 01:56:09 am
! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZUmhE2HJSc#)[/url]
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 08, 2016, 01:56:48 am
Post by: Unorthodox on March 08, 2016, 02:01:19 am
Post by: Unorthodox on March 08, 2016, 02:07:33 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 08, 2016, 02:11:00 am
Post by: Unorthodox on March 08, 2016, 01:14:50 pm
Help a Utahn out there. How's that work outside this state?
Here, it's an optional class folks can take in High school to learn their Mormon religion so they're ready for their mission. I'd only ever heard it referred to outside of that as for those seeking a, I guess "calling" is the right word, in their respective priesthood.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 08, 2016, 01:18:19 pm
Reverend Dr. Buster's Daddy has been working as a supervisor in campus security, but the place is moving, and Buster is 12, time to not be going to school in California.
Post by: Unorthodox on March 08, 2016, 02:06:22 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 08, 2016, 02:13:07 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on March 08, 2016, 02:37:18 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 08, 2016, 02:46:50 pm
Post by: Bertilak on March 08, 2016, 06:49:09 pm
Preacher college - theology, Hebrew, Greek, ect. Preachers who want to be all edumacated in preacher stuff got there.A major reason the public schools from K-12 in California lack the quality from previous eras involves the presence of Proposition 13 (1978). This proposition sets the tax rate on a property at the last time it was assessed. The assessment occurs after the property changes ownership or an extension of the original structure occurs. These rules also apply towards corporations that own property in the state because the corporations are considered "people." This means that the assessed value of a property bought in 1978 could equal $58,000 at 1% of its value while a property bought in 2016 might have an assessed value of $500,000. The property tax might vary depending upon the county or city, but the effects of this include the severance of a major revenue source for the state after that year because the proposition severely limits the rate at which the government can increase the taxes on the assessed value of a property (I think it is somewhere around 2% per year). Proposition 13 also makes it difficult to pass new taxes in the state because it requires 2/3 approval from the Legislatures. This ultimately makes it difficult to fund many programs, which includes public education, in this state.
Reverend Dr. Buster's Daddy has been working as a supervisor in campus security, but the place is moving, and Buster is 12, time to not be going to school in California.
Post by: Unorthodox on March 09, 2016, 02:26:35 pm
However, she discovered Pokémon this last weekend.
Now, having 2 older brothers, that was bound to happen, but they gave her "Black", and she's been hooked.
I started up a "White" playthrough on a Nuzlocke challenge to go along with her. (Though I modified the challenge rules, technically, capturing anything unique to white just to trade to her, I'm in the spirit of the rules. My boys have ragequit a couple times attempting the challenge)
Here's the thing. While I've attempted this at points with the boys over the years, whoever lent me the game to try would want it back in a few days to battle their brother, and so aside from an occasional start, I haven't played a Pokémon game since the original "Blue" on my fat brick Gameboy.
Random crap:
Some things have changed. Type weaknesses and how dual typing works most prominently (and EVERYTHING seems to be dual type now). Throws me off occasionally.
Graphics, other than color, don't seem to have changed much over the years.
Pokémon design seems to be scraping the bottom of the barrel. Some of these are just plain fugly.
Talia gets a lot more attached to her Pokémon based on 'bond' (but I've had it forever, I don't want to put it in the box) and looks than necessarily effectiveness.
Come to think of it, Alec may be looks biased too, just in a different way.
Nuzlocke rules for the uninitiated:
1. Only catch the first pokemon you encounter in each area.
2. If it faints, it dies, release it.
Makes you a lot more careful and use a lot more potions than normal. Had a real crappy grind session before I was comfortable tackling the 2nd gym, but otherwise just randomized my team so far.
Post by: Unorthodox on March 10, 2016, 04:11:21 am
Post by: Unorthodox on March 10, 2016, 04:08:59 pm
My sleepless night earlier looks like it was rather inspired. There's a few details that need to be added, but the basics look like they're down. I'll try to get them converted to images later. (my printer can scan them as images, copy of a copy quality, but workable)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 10, 2016, 04:39:15 pm
Good job on the counting your blessings - and the awesome wife.
5,00th post FTW!
Post by: Unorthodox on March 10, 2016, 05:31:21 pm
Everything sounds like it's the genre done right, which is a welcome change from the normal crap that gets put out. (though The Witch recently got good reviews, too). Invoking Twilight Zone and Hitchcock comparisons from reviewers is EXACTLY what I want from something of this sort. But it's one of those know too much and you'll ruin it situations.
Got to find a way to take the boys soon.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 10, 2016, 06:36:33 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on March 10, 2016, 06:38:13 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 10, 2016, 06:47:12 pm
Censors and budget alike made it necessary to take care of most of the horror in the writing end and not lay it on too thick.
Post by: Unorthodox on March 11, 2016, 02:28:46 pm
I'll start with the basement as it's the easiest to show where we're adding.
Everything on the right here is new construction. The "storage" at the top, we plan to take down that wall and add the space to the 'rec room', though that might be at a later time, not in this particular production, depending on budget when we get there. The upstairs is the primary focus.
Hallowworkshop on bottom right.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NhgSyjEWX5s/VuJFIxZ1OUI/AAAAAAAAf1Q/amc9SytdxUo73HAj0os51Mf0VAZjHwqOgCCo/s800-Ic42/ll.jpg)
Upstairs is a little more funky what's new vs what's old. If you look real close (didn't scan well) there's a dotted line through it where the current wall sits.
Basically, our entire current "master bath" fits into our future shower...
We've planned the kitchen extension since we moved in. The master bedroom expansion has been over many iterations through the years, at one time being a deck with hot tub addition.
Other tidbits, the current laundry is over at the garage entrance (roughly center), and is really inconvenient. Moving down the hall, but keeping on main level was one of our goals.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RyaRPGz_Rzw/VuJFJIYh93I/AAAAAAAAf1k/jmBSXVEc3TknXac2Tx8Bw-YlmxzLwmFZACCo/s800-Ic42/mf.jpg)
Post by: Unorthodox on March 11, 2016, 05:58:38 pm
Todays meeting, lead engineer presenting, engineer has an entire team of 5 more engineers under him.
Comes question time, engineer from other working group asks question.
Lead doesn't know, looks at his crew of 5, none of them know. Looks up.
"Where's Uno? Uno, what's (question)"
"How the heck should I know, I've never worked (system)?"
"It's the same thing we did on (other system from other whole (task completely unrelated to present job))"
"Oh, (answer)"
"You remember what (technical part) is?"
"(Answer)"
Audible murmurs.
Other engineer: "Why would you ask him, he's only (present job)?" (my biggest complaint here is this attitude, not only directed at me, but at anyone in general)
Lead: "I've worked with Uno over 15 years, and "only" is one thing you'll learn can never describe him."
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 11, 2016, 06:31:55 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on March 12, 2016, 05:30:18 am
Uno: Paint by numbers thriller, but well done paint by numbers.
Alec (13): Really good with lots of scary moments and twists.
Kyle (17): I liked it! (his vocabulary seems to grow more limited by the year)
If it's not your thing it's a wait for video gem.
Post by: Rusty Edge on March 12, 2016, 06:04:19 am
:D ;b;
What Buncle said.
Post by: Unorthodox on March 14, 2016, 01:07:11 pm
Had someone trapped this morning and I'm one of the first ones here.
Post by: Unorthodox on March 14, 2016, 02:03:28 pm
In the process of moving, I'll clear out anything that has outlived it's usefulness. Got through most the garage, will be starting in on other areas soon.
Need to start adding "lighting and stuff" to the drawings. Have to be able to sit with hEt first, but she's been working since we got the last set in, really.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 14, 2016, 02:43:31 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on March 14, 2016, 04:28:28 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on March 14, 2016, 04:30:40 pm
! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xkocr4opaeM#)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 14, 2016, 04:33:21 pm
I'm more apt to put in a stone henge or passage tomb at my place.I don't see how you can make a henge double as a shed, but the tomb idea has a lot of promise...
Post by: Unorthodox on March 14, 2016, 04:38:05 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 14, 2016, 05:47:09 pm
We're not talking about a lot more back yard than I'd expect in the 'burbs, are we?
Post by: Unorthodox on March 14, 2016, 08:17:52 pm
There is a company locally that specializes in those things though.
We will be getting a built in gase fire pit in the patio with a gazebo over it, though.
something like this one.
http://www.costco.com/Cedar-Wood-12'-x-12'-Gazebo-with-Aluminum-Roof-by-Yardistry.product.100232830.html (http://www.costco.com/Cedar-Wood-12'-x-12'-Gazebo-with-Aluminum-Roof-by-Yardistry.product.100232830.html)
Post by: Unorthodox on March 14, 2016, 09:17:00 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 14, 2016, 10:13:49 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on March 15, 2016, 12:55:58 pm
So, Talia has a "Wax Museum" tomorrow. (Long time followers may remember Alec-zander)
They had to choose someone from history to do a report on, dress up, and memorize a speech. In that speech, you had to include an actual quote from the person (or at least on attributed to them).
The list of suggestions was practically worthless. Talia wanted to be someone that kicked but a little, and you can't have a whole class of Joan of Arks.
Her first choice: Mulan. Couldn't find enough evidence of the real one to do the report right, not to mention likelihood of multiple clones with the Chinese class.
So, we focused on who I knew we could get info on.
After spitballing a bunch of options, it boiled down to Elizabeth Bathory or Boudicca.
As much as I would have supported her going for sheer shock value, I was a little relieved she chose Boudicca.
I think it was the quote that swung her, as her speech now conclude with the quote spoken with attitude: "Let the MEN live as slaves if they want, I will not!"
I have some fabric, we're going to pin up as a "dress". (The roman histories said she wore a many colored dress, and this fabric actually looks different depending on how the light hits it, the flash kinda ruined that effect)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-eE7EzgyENuk/VugAdChFP3I/AAAAAAAAf2E/60MMpyukV7ICjvxKF3gJU7HVZt7BwvK3gCCo/s800-Ic42/IMG_0854.JPG)
Blue woad paint is easy enough.
Anyhow, she tells me last night, at bed time.
"Oh yeah, we're allowed to bring props now! You know, weapons. There's probably not time now, but I'll look really silly in my pose if I don't have something to hold..."
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 15, 2016, 01:05:59 pm
Post by: Rusty Edge on March 15, 2016, 07:22:29 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on March 15, 2016, 07:24:03 pm
Go figure.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 15, 2016, 07:26:34 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on March 15, 2016, 08:35:35 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 15, 2016, 08:39:54 pm
I used to have a job where I had a dagger on my belt, and trust me on this. ;nod
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 15, 2016, 08:41:20 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on March 15, 2016, 09:07:38 pm
I'd fallen in love with Gates for Destination Truth, and this show is pretty much the same, but much more grounded in reality.
This video is sped up so he sounds a little chipmunky. This episode, he actually talks to the folks that ate a vampires heart, but if you watch, you'll find the shows are more about the cultures surrounding whatever he was going to look for than the intended target of the investigation, and this series allows him more of THAT exploration than looking for ghosts or monsters in the night.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8m62lWXcbkQ&list=PLjKyTrfp1BX2IBIiK378TeK9g-6aMH6WE (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8m62lWXcbkQ&list=PLjKyTrfp1BX2IBIiK378TeK9g-6aMH6WE)
Post by: hEtErOdOx on March 15, 2016, 11:53:18 pm
Anyhow, she tells me last night, at bed time.
"Oh yeah, we're allowed to bring props now! You know, weapons. There's probably not time now, but I'll look really silly in my pose if I don't have something to hold..."
[/quote]
It's your own fault for making our children believe you can create and manufacture anything that they need or desire...
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 16, 2016, 12:02:08 am
Post by: Unorthodox on March 16, 2016, 01:04:55 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 16, 2016, 01:56:25 am
Peace tying was just the law - it was a good idea. I'd have had God knows how many punk boy draw my knife to see if it was real, and they'd have been armed when I slapped their hands if it wasn't for that bit of string.
It ain't super high-quality, though it wasn't supposed to be - I wish I could weld a little, 'cause the crossguard wiggles the teeniest bit. But I've eaten steak with it, just to see if I could -the blade was freshly shined, of course, at the time- and oh yes - it is real.
I should have left the stupid thing home, actually. It was asking for trouble to have it on ever again after I slapped my first hand.
Note the deliberately crude cross carved into one side of the handle...
Post by: Bertilak on March 16, 2016, 01:46:21 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 16, 2016, 01:55:31 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on March 16, 2016, 11:12:29 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on March 17, 2016, 01:06:25 pm
! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lulfRjHFrDo#)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 17, 2016, 01:19:32 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on March 17, 2016, 03:02:27 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 17, 2016, 03:08:40 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on March 17, 2016, 03:12:29 pm
And leaps and glides and slides
Across the floor
Right through the door
And all around the wall
A splotch, a blotch
Be careful of the blob.
Killer sax solo....
Repeat.
played so upbeat and totally antithetical to the movie.
Post by: Unorthodox on March 17, 2016, 03:15:37 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on March 17, 2016, 03:17:29 pm
The first side here...um...yeah...
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 17, 2016, 03:21:50 pm
Beware of the blob, it creepsThe most cheerful-sounding horror movie theme song ever?
And leaps and glides and slides
Across the floor
Right through the door
And all around the wall
A splotch, a blotch
Be careful of the blob.
Killer sax solo....
Repeat.
played so upbeat and totally antithetical to the movie.
Post by: Unorthodox on March 17, 2016, 04:27:31 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on March 17, 2016, 04:30:35 pm
Number of the Christmas themed ones fall under that category too.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 17, 2016, 04:48:37 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on March 17, 2016, 08:58:38 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on March 18, 2016, 02:39:26 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 18, 2016, 02:44:05 am
Post by: Unorthodox on March 18, 2016, 08:02:35 pm
Lack of sleep has 2 side effects on me: I get REALLY productive for a stretch before the crash, and I find things absurdly silly.
Watching this muted with the song running has me rolling and Talia mightily confused.
! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=glzcxa7jtoI#)
Post by: Unorthodox on March 21, 2016, 02:01:56 am
Tali-Boudicca
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qpk5v5wJ4D4/Vu9UPFUG7vI/AAAAAAAAf24/es4Pr6FHsu8_03ISKSaBcvoHXGEeemgIQCCo/s800-Ic42/IMGP7317.jpg)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-g8ekMci24rk/Vu9UOXffmfI/AAAAAAAAf24/DW1nR0upYOASKGaZ0M-zunctySDjARfuQCCo/s800-Ic42/IMGP7324.jpg)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MBGd6i3W8wk/Vu9UOVTiOLI/AAAAAAAAf24/_wNiuz3UzE035poqLsnr9JZLM1prLUthQCCo/s800-Ic42/IMGP7321.jpg)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BlMHt_Gc-ws/Vu89539xMdI/AAAAAAAAf2k/ELnwgroqEuwLgA3F3H71ZzXyYw12c6PiACCo/s800-Ic42/IMG_0901.JPG)
Post by: Unorthodox on March 21, 2016, 02:08:34 pm
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1MC2ogdzAws/TXKdRSOz5iI/AAAAAAAAIqI/kFXv4O-byKw4tQ4mT3X1RTY7bkGCQe8KQCCo/s800-Ic42/IMG_5443.JPG)
...I think she could take him...
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 21, 2016, 02:15:51 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on March 21, 2016, 02:16:31 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on March 21, 2016, 02:17:08 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 21, 2016, 02:18:15 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on March 21, 2016, 04:27:05 pm
Having to modify my ribcage methods since the soda cases have been redesigned since the last time I made one. Kinda digging the new spine-first approach. Especially for the first uno-zombie here.
(there's a light up in that there skull too) Tonight/tomorrow for the ribcage if things go to plan.
Post by: Unorthodox on March 22, 2016, 02:26:41 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 22, 2016, 02:36:11 pm
Post by: Bertilak on March 22, 2016, 03:21:51 pm
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bJDD5t6QwDc/Vu890nGGh3I/AAAAAAAAf2c/QjkgVD1Ls78FtvZ6huoz67ccqnkQQteoACCo/s800-Ic42/IMG_0900.JPG)Does the skull design in the photograph include an external auditory meatus (a.k.a. earhole)?
Having to modify my ribcage methods since the soda cases have been redesigned since the last time I made one. Kinda digging the new spine-first approach. Especially for the first uno-zombie here.
(there's a light up in that there skull too) Tonight/tomorrow for the ribcage if things go to plan.
Post by: Unorthodox on March 22, 2016, 04:11:37 pm
The nasal concha kinda bugs me a little though. The other things were tactical decisions on my part, and the concha makes sense since they ALWAYS get plugged up with time in the ground.
Post by: Unorthodox on March 22, 2016, 08:34:43 pm
Cleaning up someone's mess at work?
Yeah, and they blamed me.
Vindication soon followed and now there's a whole messy problem being exposed which might end up turning into more work for me anyway.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 22, 2016, 08:35:28 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on March 23, 2016, 02:10:13 am
you can fit a surprising number of spider rings in an Easter egg...
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 23, 2016, 12:47:28 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on March 23, 2016, 07:55:28 pm
I really need a large format printer to make this simpler...
Post by: Unorthodox on March 23, 2016, 09:27:54 pm
Unique position of one of the few people in the world I actually don't like the idea of playing the bad guy to is going to force it...
(http://fc02.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2012/354/1/b/1b6c1ce47b8d6d5f2f25b3ee8f18ebdf-d5onbsb.png)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 23, 2016, 09:47:04 pm
Hm.? Does not compute.
Unique position of one of the few people in the world I actually don't like the idea of playing the bad guy to is going to force it...
(http://fc02.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2012/354/1/b/1b6c1ce47b8d6d5f2f25b3ee8f18ebdf-d5onbsb.png)
Post by: Unorthodox on March 23, 2016, 10:54:40 pm
I usually relish being the bad guy.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 23, 2016, 11:00:23 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 24, 2016, 12:21:00 am
Hm.FIFY?
[I'm in the] Unique position of one of the few people in the world I actually don't like the idea of playing the bad guy to is going to force [me to]...
Post by: Unorthodox on March 24, 2016, 03:05:20 am
Post by: Unorthodox on March 24, 2016, 12:31:52 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on March 24, 2016, 06:54:05 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on March 25, 2016, 12:32:10 am
Post by: Unorthodox on March 25, 2016, 12:33:05 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 25, 2016, 12:38:54 am
Forced to be the bad guy?
Post by: Unorthodox on March 25, 2016, 01:09:57 am
Post by: Unorthodox on March 25, 2016, 01:23:34 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 25, 2016, 01:29:46 am
Post by: Unorthodox on March 25, 2016, 12:59:14 pm
So, one decent freak and no clowns make Uno not happy.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 25, 2016, 01:31:24 pm
Quote
(https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtf1/t58.6885-6/c0.66.524.233/p235x350/12504219_618272545003835_1036237848_n.jpg)https://www.facebook.com/topic/Nik-Collection/1433071727006149?source=whfrt&position=2&trqid=6265970626568185252 (https://www.facebook.com/topic/Nik-Collection/1433071727006149?source=whfrt&position=2&trqid=6265970626568185252)
Nik Collection: Google Makes $149 Collection of Photography Tools Now Free to Download
Google originally gained the collection when it bought out German developer Nik in 2012 and dropped the price for the tools to $149 from $499.95. Users who paid for Nik in 2016 will be refunded.
Post by: Unorthodox on March 25, 2016, 01:36:48 pm
Any experience with it? Will it read DNG?
Post by: Unorthodox on March 25, 2016, 01:38:17 pm
Huh. Wonder if it'll work with my version.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 25, 2016, 01:39:48 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on March 28, 2016, 01:39:05 pm
Survived the family sans hEt, which is always dicey at best.
Overall things have been fine when it's just my parents, or parents and younger brother. Unfortunately this was everyone, and as always happens it became all about my older brother. I don't even remember what the vituperator said but I didn't want that talk around my kids, and shut her up with a look. I've always had rather legendary evil glares, but I must be in rare form these last few days with the dead zone at the Chinese function and now vituperator slaying.
Anyhow, older brother woe is me act and my resisting the urge to point out if he ever actually WORKED it might not be a problem. Unfortunately, I actually need something from him at work, for my sister in law. So, played it nice and made a point of injecting what I need.
Otherwise mostly just played with my niece and nephew, who find me hilarious. "Uncle UNOOOOOOOO!"
At home, playing the bunny was hard this year. I really could have used that hour of sleep I got up early, and timing prevented recuperating it in nap form.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 28, 2016, 05:43:39 pm
Post by: Rusty Edge on March 28, 2016, 06:51:18 pm
Everybody laughed at each other's jokes, the teasing was good natured, too. Way better than the Christmas thing where 911 was pre-dialed and poised to send if the yelling turned physical.
Too bad there wasn't game playing afterwards, but grandma was getting sleepy/cranky, and we decided to return her to the nursing home.
I don't know. Maybe everybody was on their meds again.
Post by: Unorthodox on March 28, 2016, 06:58:50 pm
Fallout of being bad raining down today.
Post by: Unorthodox on March 28, 2016, 07:46:15 pm
! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XB7R0ZxNgC4#)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 28, 2016, 07:58:23 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on March 28, 2016, 09:45:13 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 28, 2016, 09:49:09 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on March 28, 2016, 09:53:11 pm
Back to being the bad guy though...
Post by: Unorthodox on March 29, 2016, 07:03:32 pm
Yeah, think before you buy.
Post by: Unorthodox on March 29, 2016, 10:02:31 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 29, 2016, 10:07:07 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on March 29, 2016, 10:11:55 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 29, 2016, 10:19:30 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on March 30, 2016, 05:35:07 pm
Wellllllll [fuddle-duddle]. :wall:
"Ok, we can do this but I need the freaks and clowns."
"You can have the untrained monkeys."
;clenchedteeth :scratch: ;waiting ;morganercise :relief: ;woohoo
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 30, 2016, 05:43:31 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on March 30, 2016, 06:07:30 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 30, 2016, 06:14:07 pm
I guess you need to figure out what's an adorably grotesque parody of humanity with your monkeys, and trick them into acting it out...
A competent MC who's a showman, MegaMind, can make a good show out of ANYthing. I've told my MCing the joust story before...
Post by: ColdWizard on March 30, 2016, 06:18:47 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 30, 2016, 06:26:28 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on March 30, 2016, 07:21:24 pm
They didn't. We avoided death/dismemberment. It's all good now, other than overtaxing my wrist, but that's nothing new. Just the monkeys all know better than the script and all wanted to try THEIR way, at the same time, half of them countering each other, which left me with way too much of the problem on my own for a moment before I could whip them all back to script.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 30, 2016, 07:33:54 pm
Post by: Bertilak on March 31, 2016, 12:37:54 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 31, 2016, 02:04:07 am
Post by: Unorthodox on March 31, 2016, 01:15:26 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 31, 2016, 02:06:21 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on March 31, 2016, 04:39:36 pm
Post by: Bertilak on March 31, 2016, 04:41:45 pm
Hey Tuberski's in Utah right now; he made it before his mom died.I do not know the person personally, but a quick search on google reveals a user with the name Tuberski on Apolyton.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 31, 2016, 04:51:16 pm
He's expressed interest in keeping up with Uno's hobby posts before, and I dunno how well they know each other, but I thought I'd pass the news along...
Post by: Unorthodox on March 31, 2016, 06:13:22 pm
Whoever designed the new logo is hilarious. I'll see if I can find a copy available...
Post by: Unorthodox on March 31, 2016, 09:40:12 pm
! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZAY-78zhmw#)
(Seriously underrated Disney movie)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 31, 2016, 09:53:34 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on March 31, 2016, 10:13:53 pm
The last (?) traditionally animated movie they did (will ever do?).
There were calls to boycott it from various groups over racial concerns, and it sees little play on network tv, likely as a result...Tiana just can't win.
Post by: Unorthodox on April 01, 2016, 04:13:04 am
! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f15vDfpV-Ig#)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 01, 2016, 04:22:02 am
Post by: Unorthodox on April 01, 2016, 04:45:07 am
(http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m7jeamQNpa1rb65xho1_500.jpg)
Post by: Unorthodox on April 01, 2016, 04:55:18 am
The cracks are a little...fluid as well. The most common configuration above, the severity alters from scene to scene
Post by: Rusty Edge on April 01, 2016, 06:25:42 am
Post by: Bertilak on April 01, 2016, 02:26:26 pm
It's accomplished with mortician's wax to make the cracks...
(http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m7jeamQNpa1rb65xho1_500.jpg)
Wow. The image appears surreal because of the large cracks on the face. I expect the next step in the process involves the sloughing of flesh off the body.
Post by: Unorthodox on April 01, 2016, 04:24:09 pm
There were downsides but I think I could overcome.
Post by: Unorthodox on April 03, 2016, 04:32:10 am
Suspect I'll be all but incommunicado Mon-Wed, and spotty from there till the 11th.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 03, 2016, 09:21:46 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 04, 2016, 12:52:44 am
I do not know the person personally, but a quick search on google reveals a user with the name Tuberski on Apolyton.
He invented the Tuberski.You notice how I have the last post in every thread on page one of Rec Commons? That's a minor tuber. -I'm told a REAL one would be getting the last post in every thread showing in the root directory. [shrugs] It's springtime, and the weekends are getting real slow on the boards.
Post by: Bertilak on April 04, 2016, 01:04:21 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 04, 2016, 01:08:49 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 08, 2016, 05:01:01 pm
Post by: Bertilak on April 09, 2016, 12:20:28 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 09, 2016, 12:46:39 am
Post by: Unorthodox on April 09, 2016, 01:20:12 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on April 09, 2016, 01:53:17 pm
Talia shopping for hats in Cameron.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TxoLwOIKsqk/VwXfGIvPb-I/AAAAAAAAf4Y/V4xUhAnHFqwPPjqHv3msZGHDaj4SX44bQCCo/s800-Ic42/IMG_0982.JPG)
Rim trail at grand canyon, Talia insisted on touching every single rock along the trail.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-h79nla2rhx0/VwXffLCbdsI/AAAAAAAAf4Y/iHngARc_0n8uNazb-uN9nbUkBSoV7_pqQCCo/s800-Ic42/IMG_0983.JPG)
Unfortunately a small fire was hazing the air a bit around the grand canyon.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-os3XRvACBqk/VwY8Q_DzwrI/AAAAAAAAf5E/61R9QRaLEpgy2Cs3-r805dHMf2Iq50WkACCo/s800-Ic42/IMG_0988.JPG)
Utah oddity. Ho-made
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-W3Kn0npmHlg/Vwjzv98JpdI/AAAAAAAAf64/3q4BfCqo7bEvH-ja8dMrFxR_ILZMT31TgCCo/s800-Ic42/IMG_0996.JPG)
Orderville is perhaps the most "Uno" town on the map. Someone attempted to create a monster out of really bad articulated random bones. There's random antlers in odd places (including as 'fangs'), and just all kinds of fail. Awesome.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9YAGYLOYCYM/Vwj0AnenTEI/AAAAAAAAf7A/xm067835Xs8kTXUK9edyNruH8x6OawvTgCCo/s800-Ic42/IMG_0999.JPG)
The table of spares.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pnTLHh6ewN8/Vwj0SK_HL8I/AAAAAAAAf60/BvlGS-xP528diUmxgrtfIVzOtaW5B5YIgCCo/s800-Ic42/IMG_1003.JPG)
More orderville humor.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0gRPCYXQy0A/Vwjz77JGYMI/AAAAAAAAf7A/kws8SeTDVsc6yp8kZ_Pp_UZPbu00OidmwCCo/s800-Ic42/IMG_0998.JPG)
Post by: Unorthodox on April 09, 2016, 01:59:34 pm
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ylM-2N83bNU/Vwj0Yr_kutI/AAAAAAAAf7Y/_BDirSo2XvM6H3x79XuKeLYtN2LALN9SACCo/s800-Ic42/IMG_1004.JPG)
Bryce, might not be as expansive, but more picturesque than the grand canyon.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rVjdm7yr9x4/Vwj088asG-I/AAAAAAAAf70/23uEyPC22eIAWBxLSOEit2YJ_c_5fiO1wCCo/s800-Ic42/IMG_1011.JPG)
We did "THE" hike. Down from the rim through all those hoodoos. Wasn't sure I was going to make it back out. (Our rental was at the bottom, so I had an escape route if I couldn't)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fKQi28RYTDo/Vwj1ZlCo8rI/AAAAAAAAf8E/mOu3SlDDXrsiiQt4WwPbI204LoVsnmBYgCCo/s800-Ic42/IMG_1026.JPG)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SAcpJvATK5A/Vwj1pxzW3qI/AAAAAAAAf8E/6UukTjWxp-QdIlXdVfXJuu0VsIFMMe0cgCCo/s800-Ic42/IMG_1028.JPG)
Post by: Rusty Edge on April 09, 2016, 06:12:09 pm
2) Yes, Bryce has more plant life and is prettier, I've always thought so from seeing them on calendars. Flyover, too, if I had my bearings right.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 09, 2016, 06:23:13 pm
Post by: Bertilak on April 10, 2016, 01:50:03 am
Post by: Unorthodox on April 10, 2016, 06:47:31 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 10, 2016, 07:24:03 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on April 10, 2016, 07:47:35 pm
Looking forward to seeing how Vera saw this.
Friday and Saturday were rainy. We took advantage of this, with people thinking we are nuts, by taking atmosphere pics.
In fact, bummed the cloud passed before we could get this shot, we headed back to this burn scar specifically to take pics of a dead forest in the fog/cloud.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oM3EpslLjgs/Vwm7IpDstJI/AAAAAAAAf8s/iAd-2SwgIAIq4hJeIQoq99JT69Nywo8cwCCo/s800-Ic42/IMG_1033.JPG)
(hEt sinked our phone pics, and I'm struggling to find order to how they meshed...)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-K3mQcCutq3g/VwogdzbvCjI/AAAAAAAAgAA/aeH5JImPfGA6ndI_SR6M8m47S2yXIKCiQCCo/s800-Ic42/IMG_9731.JPG)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_s8_aBR_Xec/Vwogq_QCpuI/AAAAAAAAgAI/RFzTWTgAcqoy2r45doxOHipyo7tLL7vTwCCo/s144-Ic42/IMG_9729.JPG)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Bb_aP9ilOWE/VwoltiGeDKI/AAAAAAAAgBA/oQOhpQpBNKEJLdy0VASrPpFifDbpFoWYwCCo/s800-Ic42/IMG_9661.JPG)
Post by: Bertilak on April 10, 2016, 09:01:57 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 10, 2016, 09:28:06 pm
Post by: Rusty Edge on April 10, 2016, 09:31:49 pm
Ok. New computer, got to go through and load stuff back on.
Alec off to his Halloween party
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MGwBPs6MV5Y/Vg3D2fA13tI/AAAAAAAAev4/v4eizUKlyDE/s800-Ic42/IMG_0579.JPG)
He changes every time I see him! Now alec's filling out... he keeps growing up and growing up. Your groceries must vanish. He can't be getting enough to eat at school under the Michelle Obama plan.
Post by: Unorthodox on April 10, 2016, 11:19:06 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 10, 2016, 11:42:49 pm
Do you remember the filename, perchance? That would make it a great deal easier...
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 11, 2016, 12:34:11 am
Any experience with watermarking crap?Now, to see if those attachments are still any good...
The boss has a book that tells you how somewhere...
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 11, 2016, 12:44:03 am
Here are the rest.
Here's the trick to adding to pics: File>Place...>select stamp (this creates a new layer)>move stamp where you want on the pic>Layer>Flatten Image>Save.
Let me know how this works out.
So, the boss showed me how to turn those into a custom brush!I see I have to re-upload the lot. Please stand by while your request is being processed...
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-4na4wWLXGoA/UjOUx9PS89I/AAAAAAAATCQ/ZCErFU5-KQc/s800/IMGP2083%2520copy.jpg)
Though the file>place is pretty simple too.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 11, 2016, 12:47:57 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 11, 2016, 12:52:34 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 11, 2016, 01:03:12 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 11, 2016, 01:37:18 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 11, 2016, 01:50:50 am
Post by: Unorthodox on April 11, 2016, 02:14:49 am
Two more.
That top one with the green writing would be best. Looking at an automagic album maker for the website, since google is dropping picasa. A number have stamp functions.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 11, 2016, 02:16:51 am
Post by: Unorthodox on April 11, 2016, 02:18:42 am
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wCcxtw2ho8s/Vwr5HsbaZuI/AAAAAAAAgO4/hW5U-t8EfQYBmH7N9b2ispXc3ey5Fn0iwCCo/s800-Ic42/IMGP7541.jpg)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Ph1-3ZsgUyQ/Vwr5H8sDxSI/AAAAAAAAgPE/LhWEZoo-EvEZlzkRPihDST8cp2cugm86wCCo/s800-Ic42/IMGP7544.jpg)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mrBQiPzNo9w/Vwr5IGUdSWI/AAAAAAAAgPQ/HtQA6DylVB0EQiq-Oc1cqYA5nSXh66ORQCCo/s800-Ic42/IMGP7546.jpg)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_i01VEJq7C8/Vwr5CVz0HhI/AAAAAAAAgM4/j0e72LwZcmAgDNA0BIUfC7bU-P3c2S55QCCo/s800-Ic42/IMGP7494.jpg)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AGOL06K1hnY/Vwr5CGbzu7I/AAAAAAAAgMs/tOZBrBsMmNsSbjiia7TW5PvTDSeqLJ9awCCo/s800-Ic42/IMGP7492.jpg)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wjWMsm30Asc/Vwr5Bgn9_rI/AAAAAAAAgMk/1gRoqtjWB7wdJCSlF4ggxBb_q2ZIMEekwCCo/s800-Ic42/IMGP7489.jpg)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TYJecoe85Tg/Vwr5BTw3kUI/AAAAAAAAgMc/LBCBXz-aBNwhamHqtTweDvLC7tyiT28bgCCo/s800-Ic42/IMGP7488.jpg)
Post by: Unorthodox on April 11, 2016, 02:19:58 am
(http://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=1295.0;attach=18126;image)? Are you asking for an alteration?
No, My eyes are just shot and I didn't see it. Just processed 200ish pics off Vera, can hardly see the screen now.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 11, 2016, 02:21:55 am
Post by: Bertilak on April 11, 2016, 02:49:03 am
Well, you'll end up needing some selection - green is great, for example, but is liable to be a problem the first thing you post of the garden...Interjection: I think a color that rarely appears in the natural world would help with the background issue because that it means the majority of pictures would not conflict with the color. A few colors that come clearly into my mind includes orange and gold.
Post by: Unorthodox on April 11, 2016, 03:03:16 am
Well, you'll end up needing some selection - green is great, for example, but is liable to be a problem the first thing you post of the garden...Interjection: I think a color that rarely appears in the natural world would help with the background issue because that it means the majority of pictures would not conflict with the color. A few colors that come clearly into my mind includes orange and gold.
Branding. The logo is Green. I'll have to deal with conflicts.
Since 2006:
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MZ_FxqUzCBc/S1-FB-n-Q2I/AAAAAAAAFmQ/XBjm6UUwdDYW2P92QmBidm-EQwouegLsACCo/s800-Ic42/Title.png.jpg)
Post by: Bertilak on April 11, 2016, 03:06:05 am
Post by: Unorthodox on April 11, 2016, 03:07:13 am
Post by: Bertilak on April 11, 2016, 03:11:17 am
Post by: Unorthodox on April 11, 2016, 03:16:25 am
I don't particularly think everyone needs to celebrate it, mind you. And most certainly not to my extent.
Post by: Bertilak on April 11, 2016, 03:23:19 am
May I ask why not? (we may have had this conversation before, I have it often)It began with the fact that my family is more into the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays than the Halloween holiday. By the time I could actually appreciate the holiday, I lost interest in it from a lack of exposure beyond a recognition of the fact that some people really enjoy it.
I don't particularly think everyone needs to celebrate it, mind you. And most certainly not to my extent.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 11, 2016, 03:36:32 am
Post by: Unorthodox on April 11, 2016, 03:37:05 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 11, 2016, 03:40:47 am
Post by: Unorthodox on April 11, 2016, 02:22:30 pm
https://picasaweb.google.com/110814824659217641240/Fun2016?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCJ7P4KfJ55yF9gE&feat=directlink
Don't know how many I'll link. Mostly phones at the start and Vera at the end.
I like the ones of us being goofballs.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ledNO_IXzc0/VwoOroR24hI/AAAAAAAAf94/ZuLfHr3vsOobBO5ewguwYPBFcAN_0Y_-QCCo/s800-Ic42/IMG_1046.JPG)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Bb_aP9ilOWE/VwoltiGeDKI/AAAAAAAAgBA/oQOhpQpBNKEJLdy0VASrPpFifDbpFoWYwCCo/s800-Ic42/IMG_9661.JPG)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vlEd_8uXi5c/VwoSBmALSwI/AAAAAAAAf-s/5N5S7aFncQ8a9AU_QAE00s-DCFStPTAPwCCo/s800-Ic42/IMG_9775.JPG)
There's also come fairly competent portrait type stuff (considering I was exclusively using my wide angle lens not designed for this, trying not to pack everything).
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-R0SsYVEI8bM/Vwr43PGoevI/AAAAAAAAgQI/uL9UB1WBjtEqZuwzf-WVIkFw8eR1KaWdQCCo/s800-Ic42/IMGP7418.jpg)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UqLhs6D_rek/Vwr43YvMJ-I/AAAAAAAAgQI/be1GFA5X5nUPQuCpfb-wWANoQohGd08rACCo/s800-Ic42/IMGP7419.jpg)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-c9oZpzJnNLE/Vwr44ud1J0I/AAAAAAAAgQI/X8hsfT81a4wsCk1fXBrRi-i8rrORSTtFQCCo/s800-Ic42/IMGP7430.jpg)
And of course the landscapes.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4juKr08ERcA/Vwr48o-xOLI/AAAAAAAAgQE/4zYLvEB20oMGkvdVFlNlCioGr0ppufzWQCCo/s800-Ic42/IMGP7454.jpg)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8R4BZSnei4c/Vwr5AlxyCCI/AAAAAAAAgP4/ixJu3WWxD6QEFhGWdJ0jwltliryKzeC7wCCo/s800-Ic42/IMGP7482.jpg)
Post by: Unorthodox on April 11, 2016, 02:24:57 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on April 11, 2016, 03:46:02 pm
Looking at an automagic album maker for the website, since google is dropping picasa. A number have stamp functions.
Pinterest is my holdup so far.
I'm having trouble finding a free one that will let pinterest work, not totally close it off.
Post by: Unorthodox on April 11, 2016, 04:26:32 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on April 11, 2016, 09:18:05 pm
I have to get up in front of everyone for a stupid dog and pony show tomorrow.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 11, 2016, 09:19:09 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on April 11, 2016, 09:22:09 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on April 11, 2016, 09:26:24 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 11, 2016, 09:27:03 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on April 11, 2016, 09:36:50 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 11, 2016, 09:39:18 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on April 11, 2016, 09:54:26 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 11, 2016, 10:17:10 pm
Yes, I know what I just said. It's how I got through gate duty in the renfairs. It's not like it came naturally...
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 11, 2016, 10:23:15 pm
An apple doll I carved the head for as a kid - it really didn't turn out well, any more than it wanted to photograph worth anything...I mean, I carved a pretty good face, and all the details vanished when it shrunk...
(http://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=4298.0;attach=18137;image) (http://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=4298.0;attach=18139;image)
Post by: Bertilak on April 11, 2016, 10:53:47 pm
An apple doll I carved the head for as a kid - it really didn't turn out well, any more than it wanted to photograph worth anything...I mean, I carved a pretty good face, and all the details vanished when it shrunk...
(http://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=4298.0;attach=18137;image) (http://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=4298.0;attach=18139;image)
Why does the doll look like a demonic version of a juvenile individual? I hope he does not plan to employ the doll in a reprehensible ritual . . .
Post by: Unorthodox on April 12, 2016, 01:25:46 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 12, 2016, 02:22:40 am
Post by: Unorthodox on April 12, 2016, 01:38:32 pm
So, how/why is the head so black? I've gotten nice browns before, but not BLACK.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 12, 2016, 02:51:04 pm
So, how/why is the head so black? I've gotten nice browns before, but not BLACK.Beats me. Probably microbial action.
Post by: Bertilak on April 12, 2016, 03:27:52 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on April 12, 2016, 04:43:46 pm
So, how/why is the head so black? I've gotten nice browns before, but not BLACK.Beats me. Probably microbial action.
Possibly. The Utah air is pretty dead in the summers when I've made them. Very rapid drying/dehydration.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 12, 2016, 04:54:52 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on April 12, 2016, 06:12:07 pm
It's now en vogue.
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=flgc-jfbeLQ#)
! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmtKD-fEKyc#)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 12, 2016, 06:31:07 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 12, 2016, 06:45:31 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 13, 2016, 03:33:14 am
Post by: Unorthodox on April 13, 2016, 04:12:19 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 13, 2016, 01:49:15 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on April 13, 2016, 06:39:03 pm
Americans Spend More on Candy for Easter Than Halloween
:(
Post by: Unorthodox on April 13, 2016, 08:44:43 pm
We avoided death/dismemberment. It's all good now, other than overtaxing my wrist, but that's nothing new. Just the monkeys all know better than the script and all wanted to try THEIR way, at the same time, half of them countering each other, which left me with way too much of the problem on my own for a moment before I could whip them all back to script.
So, this boiled down to basically all 5000 lbs coming down on my end. In other news, I can catch 5000 lbs enough to keep it from crushing my legs/feet.
While the wrist was what hurt at the time. It's been my shoulder ever since. Specifically right below the lower edge of my shoulder blade. Sharp stabbing pains when I move certain ways...including when I move my neck.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 13, 2016, 11:16:54 pm
Post by: Bertilak on April 13, 2016, 11:44:00 pm
Oh. I didn't realize at the time that you were talking about an actual physical event...Of course not! We, the people, would not expect an incompetent fool like you to understand such a complex concept as allusions.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 14, 2016, 12:12:25 am
Post by: Bertilak on April 14, 2016, 12:20:49 am
EXQUISE ME?The second post before the current post speaks for itself. We can all recognize the addled state of BUncle as he fails to adapt towards the demands of a regular lifestyle. Why should we the people support a deadbeat that does not contribute financial resources towards the improvement of our society?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 14, 2016, 01:47:09 am
Post by: Bertilak on April 14, 2016, 01:59:47 am
...Why are you so quite all of the sudden? The previous posts were just for fun.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 14, 2016, 02:17:21 am
Post by: Unorthodox on April 14, 2016, 01:37:38 pm
Slightly less physical today, waiting for the meds to kick back in.
Post by: Unorthodox on April 14, 2016, 02:27:08 pm
Oh. I didn't realize at the time that you were talking about an actual physical event...
I said actual work.
The freaks and clowns are two specific work groups, the monkeys are a third.
I'm with the monkeys today...
Post by: Bertilak on April 14, 2016, 03:56:44 pm
Why do you associate people with stereotypical and derogatory groups in the workplace enviroment? I know some people act like buffoons and freaks, but the monkeys I cannot place in my mental picture. I hope you will help clarify the picture.Oh. I didn't realize at the time that you were talking about an actual physical event...
I said actual work.
The freaks and clowns are two specific work groups, the monkeys are a third.
I'm with the monkeys today...
Post by: Unorthodox on April 14, 2016, 05:01:24 pm
For the record, I would be counted among the freaks. Working act freaks. Sword swallowing and fire breathing, not the conjoined twins type. Do it by the book and you'll be fine, make a mistake and someone's getting hurt. Shock and amaze is the gig. At the end of the day, we're the side show, though, if people even bother to look over this way, and no one will stay too long. The fact I'm a freak with an act easily adapted to multiple situations and am a capable barker has put me in with other groups.
The clowns, while they outwardly appear silly and clumsy, it takes a great amount of skill to do what they do at a high level without causing harm. Turning routine things into something amazing, yet also able to blend into the background as support of the bigger acts, or able to buy time for the bigger act to set up. Occasionally clowns can even headline, but more often they work as transitory pieces.
Monkeys, I could have chosen any of the animal acts. But, our monkeys don't pose the danger of tigers, the awe of elephants, or the precision of horses. They are semi-trained, and can be quite skilled when doing the specific task they've trained for. Let loose of the trainer to wreak havoc outside their specific tasks, they become cumbersome, bordering on dangerous. Thus, earned the name over this last situation.
There are a few groups I've yet to work with enough to name as well.
Post by: Unorthodox on April 14, 2016, 05:43:18 pm
The monkeys bought themselves a new tree to climb on. When it arrived and was too big and heavy to fit in their cage, they were directed to me, as I'd helped with the previous two items groups had purchased and not measured for, building stands for them to work.
However, the tree was SO heavy, I couldn't suitably modify anything to support it in their cage, since the cage itself wasn't rated for it and we were going to have to move it to the larger cage. I sat down with the clowns and drew up a step by step how to do this with our equipment that was borderline inadequate for the task. However, the clowns were booked, the monkeys were anxious, and the tree was insecure where it was, so the monkeys were going to provide labor.
I ran over the 10 step plan with them, and it went fine for 9 steps. At step 9, I had to go get an additional tool, to return to find 4 monkeys had decided to attempt to secure the tree without the tool. The result was a dangerous situation with feet and toes especially in danger, arms and fingers only a little less. More problematic, the tool would no longer work because of what they tried.
I came up with a 2 step plan on the fly, and everyone agreed. Step one accomplished and temporary blocking to secure the danger was put in place while we evaluated step 2, when one of the monkeys decided 'we just need to' and started yanking, causing the temporary blocking to collapse and the tree to fall towards me. This frightened the other monkeys who quickly abandoned posts before returning to finish the job.
Thus, wrist pain at the time, shoulder pain now.
Post by: Rusty Edge on April 14, 2016, 07:45:14 pm
I'm reminded of the time when we liquated the family farm enterprise.
After the auction, we were assisting all kinds of customers load their stuff for about a month. Fortunately, none of them earned a Darwin award in the process. #1) Was merely foolish. A neighbor from up the valley bought one of the wagons, We helped him hook up and even though it had been raining for the last week, he drove through the corner of the field to turn around and got stuck in the clay. We tesed him and laughed at him. #2) Bought a diesel fuel tank and electric pump. Like your monkeys, he decided to proceed before we were finished securing and balancing the tank, much less getting his underfoot children clear. When it suddenly shifted my brother and I were able to react quickly enough to deflect it away from the kids. #3) This gray haired monkey was old enough to know better. He bought a sort of forklift with a front end loader. He showed up late, and didn't have his own propane tank. While we were busy rigging ramps he attached one of our tanks to the forklift, started it up and raced onto the truck, to make up for lost time- except that the ramps gave way when he approached the top. We barely got clear. We were so mad we could have tossed him through the closed window. "DON"T TALK. WE'LL LOAD YOU. THEN YOU'LL GO AWAY AND NEVER COME BACK."
Well, I know now why factories have lockouts on the panels.
Post by: Unorthodox on April 14, 2016, 08:15:09 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on April 14, 2016, 09:33:36 pm
Well, woke up resolute. Rules is rules. Trained her well enough she should understand. (though I thought she would have avoided the situation all together)
And, the bad guy act is nearing it's ultimate conclusion...
! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZAY-78zhmw#)
(Seriously underrated Disney movie)
! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACFfdvcxOJE#)
(since I cant find a better copy of this song):
! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-dQMX2EgwQ#)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 14, 2016, 11:29:53 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on April 14, 2016, 11:47:06 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 14, 2016, 11:49:38 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 16, 2016, 04:12:49 am
Post by: Unorthodox on April 17, 2016, 08:05:19 pm
Couple days dedicated resting of the shoulder has it feeling better.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 17, 2016, 08:09:36 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on April 18, 2016, 02:34:07 am
Getting a little work in on the unobie too.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 18, 2016, 02:41:22 am
Post by: Bertilak on April 18, 2016, 02:43:11 am
;excite;How long will that emotion remain active after he reads my response in the BU's Foul Mood Thread?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 18, 2016, 02:45:46 am
Post by: Bertilak on April 18, 2016, 02:54:57 am
This is a good place to ask.I destroy excitement like a wet towel on top of a small candle. ;)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 18, 2016, 03:10:49 am
Yes, you do.
Post by: Unorthodox on April 18, 2016, 04:08:45 am
Since Kyle had this project, we've been making Skulls.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-n6p3VNHaZgg/SBUSlVs-dBI/AAAAAAAAbSk/MiUca5yXCkY0o5iyfSBxjb4ipqZhfVQDgCCo/s800-Ic42/IMGP1322.JPG)
Both the boys cleaned up with a small skull and a "premium" one. Kyle made crystal versions for "Premium". Alec made larger models.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cyy-KFS--Zs/TcS3sX3IxfI/AAAAAAAAI6U/RF9KzIhkaEYxLVtlia4FxEqp3D9mD7pggCCo/s800-Ic42/IMG_5523.JPG)
Talia watched Alec's experience especially and where the boys mostly focused on "cool" skulls that looke more realish with only a few "girl" colored ones, Talia is looking to appeal to a wider market with Day of the dead styling. Thus she wanted more "cartoony" mini skulls.
Thus ice cube trays and magnets, painting coming soon:
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uBl3iwXcjL0/VxRM3yEJp4I/AAAAAAAAgSs/HkCF_Ky_E3gzzgEMZS_gJZGuTibnM3OagCCo/s800-Ic42/IMG_1130.JPG)
Post by: Unorthodox on April 18, 2016, 01:44:24 pm
Post by: Bertilak on April 18, 2016, 02:03:37 pm
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SESI19h4wDo#)
What is the name of the video?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 18, 2016, 02:07:17 pm
Post by: Bertilak on April 18, 2016, 02:12:08 pm
You're serious?I think it has something to do with the Wizard of Oz. I cannot remain certain because it might remain some variation on the theme.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 18, 2016, 02:16:37 pm
Check the title on the video...
...Your education is lacking if you're not sure of the Flying Monkeys, the Wicked Witch and the rest at a glance. That movie is beyond a classic - everyone else has seen it at least five times...
Post by: Unorthodox on April 18, 2016, 02:56:58 pm
The corporate handlers dealt with, Dorothy freed, and I have the slippers.
Been a busy morning.
___________________________
The boss took me up to find the skeleton she had previously located.
Someone had procured the skull in the interim, but the rest of the skeleton lay intact. I can't be 100% but fairly sure it was a moose, possibly elk.
Either case would have made the skull collection illegal, but would have helped me identify easier.
Have the spine and about half the ribcage now, the rest of the ribs were still in the soup that was left of the body. While the smell wasn't completely appalling, there wasn't a need to soil the car with it.
Post by: Unorthodox on April 20, 2016, 12:06:57 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 20, 2016, 12:13:47 am
And you will, in the end...
Post by: Unorthodox on April 20, 2016, 01:30:57 pm
Her seamlessly transitioning from "I like the hot pink better, let's do more of those" to "That's not the right red, we need to make it look like it's covered in BLOOOOD!" is also rather funny.
The Earth O Skull is not a bad idea, but beyond me, and I'm betting it's been done.
Post by: Unorthodox on April 20, 2016, 01:32:24 pm
(http://rlv.zcache.com/earth_skull_round_sticker-r5896dc3326c644d7a35f2d72e6b0db80_v9waf_8byvr_512.jpg)
Post by: Bertilak on April 21, 2016, 02:02:06 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 21, 2016, 02:24:34 am
Post by: Unorthodox on April 21, 2016, 01:42:15 pm
I'm guessing they used a lindberg kit as the model to draw off.
http://www.amazon.com/Lindberg-Human-Brain-Skull-Combination/dp/B000XQ2JW8?SubscriptionId=AKIAIKBZ7IH7LXTW3ARA&&linkCode=xm2&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B000XQ2JW8&tag=wwwbookcompar-20&ascsubtag=5718c95648308f11e0e9ae7e (http://www.amazon.com/Lindberg-Human-Brain-Skull-Combination/dp/B000XQ2JW8?SubscriptionId=AKIAIKBZ7IH7LXTW3ARA&&linkCode=xm2&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B000XQ2JW8&tag=wwwbookcompar-20&ascsubtag=5718c95648308f11e0e9ae7e)
Post by: Unorthodox on April 21, 2016, 01:49:32 pm
90% of Uno's skulls are 3rd generation copies of a 21 year old Chinese female.
The Lindberg kit is a sculpt based off a caucasian original that can be nit-picked as to accuracy but is fairly decent. I have one, but dislike the seam. Saving in case I ever make a robotic skull.
My newest skull is of a Caucasian male, 1st generation copy, of which I make 2nd generation copies.
Post by: Unorthodox on April 21, 2016, 10:04:40 pm
Now I gotta deal with the Treasury Department. :wall:
Post by: ColdWizard on April 21, 2016, 10:40:07 pm
Minor point of interest to no one but me: MOST realistic skulls you see are of Asian origin due legal issues making it easier to procure actual skulls in Asia.
Not surprising in retrospect but an interesting factoid.
Post by: Unorthodox on April 22, 2016, 01:37:48 pm
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mKKFIWdrOZI/VxoaTsZrvqI/AAAAAAAAgTo/SvZ3RP9Q0wItNMVzRwa0sv552y6q6v8_gCCo/s800/IMG_1132.JPG)
One bonus to Talia's version of the skulls is they are a lot easier to mass produce than the more realistic ones were.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 22, 2016, 08:38:49 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on April 22, 2016, 08:52:09 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 22, 2016, 08:58:43 pm
Roughly 50% done with the skull magnets, but considering making even MORE, because really, who WOULDN'T want a fluorescing skull magnet? (not that I expect anyone to even have a blacklight to see the fluorescing)Satisfying to work out Talia's version of things, then? She has no idea how lucky she is with a dad who can make anything...
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mKKFIWdrOZI/VxoaTsZrvqI/AAAAAAAAgTo/SvZ3RP9Q0wItNMVzRwa0sv552y6q6v8_gCCo/s800/IMG_1132.JPG)
One bonus to Talia's version of the skulls is they are a lot easier to mass produce than the more realistic ones were.
Post by: Unorthodox on April 25, 2016, 02:44:41 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 25, 2016, 02:56:21 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on April 25, 2016, 03:24:32 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 25, 2016, 03:26:27 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on April 25, 2016, 03:50:52 pm
! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q616brD5APg#)
Post by: Unorthodox on April 25, 2016, 03:54:25 pm
Bad because location, people or your function?
The dungeon is a dead zone so no outside communication, can't even bring in music. Makes for long days. Poor ventilation and humidity this week aren't going to make the work pleasant either.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 25, 2016, 04:20:43 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on April 25, 2016, 07:03:42 pm
Still too tied to old school paper planners, I remember a lot better if I write it DOWN. not electronically, actual write.
Post by: Unorthodox on April 27, 2016, 02:15:14 pm
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tvfM2ea2Fp4/VyC5kcNnk3I/AAAAAAAAgeA/DXLfQmZs1XgkX8KNb0HVhWv6QL5Aat3GQCCo/s800/IMG_1154.JPG)
Post by: Unorthodox on April 27, 2016, 07:05:55 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 27, 2016, 08:16:14 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on April 27, 2016, 09:52:36 pm
Idiot making an ass out of himself in a meeting. I really tried to help him not show what an utter ignoramus he was, but to no avail. Those were questions better suited for him to ask his people in private, not air out in front of mixed company. Even gave him an out and the contact info for who he needed to talk to, but he continued to press.
Now I'm going to have to head an audit of his entire company because he's an idiot and made the whole company look bad in front of the powers that be.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 27, 2016, 11:31:37 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on April 28, 2016, 02:42:06 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 28, 2016, 03:31:33 am
Post by: Unorthodox on April 28, 2016, 01:44:32 pm
Dad's family all worked for the railroad, which is a lot more brawn than brain work, but they are deceptively SMART, if not schooled. I think dad's dyslexic, but he don't talk about it. Just seeing some of his writing...
Mom's family...I honestly don't know too much about. Grandpa had many jobs, and very eclectic, but died very young. Grandma worked hard as a widower to keep food on the table, and had a very wild youth, though I'll never know the full extent. Flings with baseball players and being a "Soda jockey" for a private club during prohibition among them.
Uncle is smart, aunt is...well, she married an abusive jerk and made increasingly poor decisions after that.
Mom would be a good journalist, but she wants to be a novelist. The brief time she was actually stable, she was quite bright. But most my childhood she had hormone problems, and now she's on a concoction of drugs that has neutered her mental acuity.
My siblings have never had to work for anything, and thus lack of effort covers a lot of potential.
Older brother is theoretically a genius in a very specific field. He got handed a job at the store he now owns when he hit 16, teaching guitar lessons. Went to school as an electrical engineer and moved on to doing repair work at the store. He designed what he claims was a revolutionary sound system in his late 20s/early 30s (honestly, I can't tell much difference). Sold the concept to Peavey, which marketed it through Van Halen, who older brother got on stage with as a result. Offered a job to go design stuff for them, decided to stay behind to eventually own his own music store, which he did...and then let it go down the crapper while blaming everyone else. He doesn't like the business of dealing with his employees, which he leaves to the vituperator who shouldn't be allowed in that role.
Something went really south between my brother and the former owners. I don't know, but suspect the vituperator was involved heavily. There's been lawsuits and all sorts of ugly, which forced them to declare bankruptcy, though the store is open again now, I'm not sure how sound it is financially.
Younger brother is VERY OCD. Dropped on his head as a baby (literally, I think staring at the skull and brain scans of his head when I was age ~5 has something to do with the skull obsession now), and suffering 2 additional concussions in childhood have likely knocked something loose. He also picked up the Thornock stubborn streak something fierce, and is completely allergic to work. Offered managerial position at Target, but he refused and quit because he didn't want to change his days off. He teaches drums at the store what would be considered part time in a normal world, and is otherwise a stay at home dad.
Gubment work is all about rules and regulations, though. Alls I do is make sure everyone plays by the same rules (often including the gubment). I'm naturally a bit perfectionist, so it suits me in that way. Doesn't really take a lot of brain power, though. Thus the hobbies.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 28, 2016, 01:56:09 pm
Your dad's family sounds a lot like my dad's family - who are a bunch of sharp, sharp, ignorant/uncooth folks. Mom's people are far less loud, and less loudly smart, but more subtle, probably deeper, thinkers -they go in for puzzles and what I call 'sorting games', which inclination is a major component of the artistic streak- I superficially resemble Daddy's people more, but got a lot of gifts from both sides, as did my sister and brother.
How about your kids?
Post by: Unorthodox on April 28, 2016, 02:10:10 pm
Alec is too much like me. Almost entirely unmotivated by school, the problem is getting him to focus and not wander off on some random tangent or into his own world. Socially awkward, he internalizes everything and keeps it all bottled up till the eventual explosion. It's a dangerous trait I had to learn to manage. Whatever he decides to apply himself to, he'll excel at. It's getting him to apply himself.
Talia's school experience is so different than the boys with the Chinese program, it's hard to say right now. Easily, she is the best behaved of all of them, so the elementary school system adores her so far. She enjoys art much more than the boys ever did as well, and will take to something new in that arena and focus on it for some time. She's started figuring out redstone in minecraft on her own as well. That's not exactly always EASY.
Post by: Unorthodox on April 29, 2016, 08:53:20 pm
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Po1y0bePXVI/VyOfn2aBWEI/AAAAAAAAgeY/CPRLAp6eKOgB2-YfaOp_-m3HGyZS8QCwQCCo/s800/IMG_1155.JPG)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 29, 2016, 09:12:45 pm
Off work early today for remodeling business, then?
Post by: Unorthodox on April 29, 2016, 09:16:25 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 29, 2016, 09:43:02 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on April 29, 2016, 09:45:39 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on April 30, 2016, 08:56:33 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 30, 2016, 09:14:04 pm
You're not putting up any of the workers, surely...
Post by: Unorthodox on May 01, 2016, 12:58:29 am
laughing at the largest net at the pet store, we caught him with a 5 gallon bucket and transported/let him wait while we moved the tank in an 18 gallon.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-il6GsdjI9N0/VyVFFAF4JII/AAAAAAAAgeo/yGGDV9jOAMwuhUxNJnfQ6NSJLp_V3oSgACCo/s800/IMG_1157.JPG)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-L5KBBuKVC7U/VyVFGb7TB4I/AAAAAAAAge0/-PTlQjzpQfsNEdqeL50_PmQFjDhp1aOGwCCo/s800/IMG_1159.JPG)
I've never tried to move the tank like that before (used to have a second tank that could house the fish for a few days while the tank got all safe at the new location), so don't entirely know if it will kill Joe or not.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 01, 2016, 01:53:41 am
Post by: Rusty Edge on May 01, 2016, 02:18:49 am
Notice that the cats and the fish are Halloween colors.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 01, 2016, 02:27:19 am
Salt then - I thought that funny tail and big dark face looked familiar.
Post by: Unorthodox on May 01, 2016, 04:16:43 am
Notice that the cats and the fish are Halloween colors.
I hadn't noticed that.
No salt, he's an Oscar, which is amazonian. The logs in the tank are actual amazonian wood to maintain the proper PH.
The only reason he's an oscar is the boys fed my angels magnetics and poisoned the tank, and I couldn't afford more angels, but I had it set up for the amazon. So, that left me with oscars as what I could afford. Didn't realize they could be so long-lived at the time.
Post by: Unorthodox on May 01, 2016, 04:30:30 am
Original tank:
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ua12iKV37so/SVqST40em-I/AAAAAAAACdc/yuejFu5YcCQOXxU6C_ZRK25CSD4n7gpxwCCo/s800/post-11-1111460453.jpeg)
Tank didn't match the floors when we remodeled, so the switch to a black stand:
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Im7ud8zmx5E/SWIceUHyCRI/AAAAAAAACf4/BRl1rJ944b8cFTAsDUfaGpSIVnK0ucD-QCCo/s800/IMGP1869.JPG)
hEt used vinyl to change the tank to black:
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JlrjuI4Llq8/SWIcdlS7KxI/AAAAAAAACfs/mCRjACq0CZQ67XSvump2ATfcJb-tQKV1gCCo/s800/IMGP1868.JPG)
catfish
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-V_E9OpKuP_o/SWIce_a7tVI/AAAAAAAACgA/NRzUyWreoOcUhlnAnD2HIeplb-JXSD8KgCCo/s800/IMGP1870.JPG)
The shortlived angel tank:
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zRXob6hhFhs/ScbxCFulRGI/AAAAAAAAC04/rXl42p1PAFg7YT4iELbTMa2Oi3NEugnHgCCo/s800/IMGP1971.JPG)
Alec:
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sw1oSytCJI8/SVqSWE7ep2I/AAAAAAAACds/odDoZc6lK-Iz2p_BH07duUpIw8iTeivaACCo/s800/post-11-1112642319.jpeg)
Talia:
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9vrvS8YDyrE/SYuj98hm5LI/AAAAAAAACsA/OLXXEw4jZm8hOu7T9V4S8mhHH6MrPvELwCCo/s800/IMGP1917.JPG)
Baby Joe:
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-g253p3GJzA8/S2w8RRKAZWI/AAAAAAAAFr4/P_0QfqYz2vsTPui91I3CrLlqY2r3D47gQCCo/s800/02-10%2B006.jpg)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 01, 2016, 04:37:03 am
They're hell on other fish, too.Notice that the cats and the fish are Halloween colors.
I hadn't noticed that.
No salt, he's an Oscar, which is amazonian. The logs in the tank are actual amazonian wood to maintain the proper PH.
The only reason he's an oscar is the boys fed my angels magnetics and poisoned the tank, and I couldn't afford more angels, but I had it set up for the amazon. So, that left me with oscars as what I could afford. Didn't realize they could be so long-lived at the time.
I'd have SWORN Oscars were salt-water - I only know about them because a close friend in college had one. What am I confusing, then? He was trying to keep a salt-water tank going for a while, and I recalled the Oscar in that, lo, 30 years ago...
Post by: Unorthodox on May 01, 2016, 04:38:55 am
Angels, special order from local breeding factory.
Joe, random petsmart fish....
Post by: Unorthodox on May 01, 2016, 04:40:04 am
I'd have SWORN Oscars were salt-water - I only know about them because a close friend in college had one. What am I confusing, then? He was trying to keep a salt-water tank going for a while, and I recalled the Oscar in that, lo, 30 years ago...
Friend maybe an idiot?
Post by: Unorthodox on May 01, 2016, 04:43:27 am
Post by: Unorthodox on May 01, 2016, 04:45:57 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 01, 2016, 04:50:21 am
Uh, he's a strange guy, but not in the way saying that sounds... I dunno; he read a lot - good books. I read half his copy of The Satanic Verses and discovered the Anne Rice vampire stuff through his copies of the first three back before she ran it into the ground so hard the series came out in China and is halfway to Alpha Centauri by now - and 40 billion trendoid kids (who think they're non-conformist while they non-conform alike in groups) slimed everything with it's trendoid/goth to like teh Lestat...
I'd have SWORN Oscars were salt-water - I only know about them because a close friend in college had one. What am I confusing, then? He was trying to keep a salt-water tank going for a while, and I recalled the Oscar in that, lo, 30 years ago...
Friend maybe an idiot?
Not as smart as his somewhat-sophisticated reading tastes make him sound, but I must misremember/conflate some key detail of which fish was in what tank...
Post by: Unorthodox on May 01, 2016, 05:09:55 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 01, 2016, 05:14:57 am
Post by: Unorthodox on May 01, 2016, 05:22:21 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 01, 2016, 05:33:29 am
Once upon a time in my youth, her ideas about vampires were interesting and original -both of which were ruined by popularity, as she's hopelessly ripped off all over creation now, and hacking out hackery not-for-me, besides.
Post by: Rusty Edge on May 01, 2016, 06:08:20 am
Post by: Unorthodox on May 01, 2016, 12:52:42 pm
Cat 1 hurricane force winds now till 6am. same storm type that destroyed our roof a few years back...
6am, if anything winds are getting worse, all neighborhood stations are offline for exact numbers, power sketchy.
Father surviving is no surprise. Mother is a little bit of a surprise.
Post by: Unorthodox on May 01, 2016, 01:38:07 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 01, 2016, 02:02:16 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on May 01, 2016, 02:11:00 pm
Mother still stoic. Father laughing. Chimera probably dead.
Post by: Unorthodox on May 01, 2016, 02:25:00 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 01, 2016, 03:12:57 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on May 01, 2016, 05:55:15 pm
Neighbor's weatherbug still offline (and is wobbly, it might come off their roof). Dee event center (mile away) recording 89 mph max gusts.
Post by: Unorthodox on May 01, 2016, 05:58:26 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on May 01, 2016, 10:59:56 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on May 02, 2016, 01:49:07 am
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Gmc0ZhSKHjg/VyZ5FugxUfI/AAAAAAAAgfo/9QHkTdNy8UUy36HG66YAcaNLifoy6GGowCCo/s800/IMG_1162.JPG)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-huO6gFf4Y54/VyZ5IZzz8nI/AAAAAAAAgfo/XEgUhFEIpu8laoxFgS5yNlEZ2nad9zFlgCCo/s800/IMG_1163.JPG)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HCNxg_mY9Jc/VyZ5K5qLw8I/AAAAAAAAgfo/yPAMglmLsC8jQYToybmXerSDVYvwWawBwCCo/s800/IMG_1164.JPG)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MpXcpKxz6zc/VyZ5Ntps6uI/AAAAAAAAgfo/ytRpfc5uDDgKCIiYmIBVEqkJrtCQh5aywCCo/s800/IMG_1165.JPG)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uymH7NGamS0/VyZ5RiSqZAI/AAAAAAAAgfo/sfpb0YmsZl8ojZUvg3QfHrVF0IgZMJjagCCo/s800/IMG_1166.JPG)
hEt's brother's house...Kyle's 6' tall
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9OBMW6WH7ik/Vyaii4FTFsI/AAAAAAAAgf4/U3bjCi6hUHEkFDFfcsgvagaCqG4CMZ1YACCo/s800/IMG_1168.JPG)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-S1UkJdHTYaM/Vyaij9Wj28I/AAAAAAAAgf4/blv5t98-bK8uDqIdxlhK_rR54fpbNFukQCCo/s640/IMG_1169.JPG)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 02, 2016, 02:55:26 am
So your place did okay except for a Chimera leg?
Post by: hEtErOdOx on May 02, 2016, 04:31:58 am
Post by: Unorthodox on May 02, 2016, 01:41:38 pm
Is he done growing? How tall are you? -hEt's male relatives?
So your place did okay except for a Chimera leg?
I'm 6'1". My Uncles on both sides are taller, most my dad's side is all similar height 6'-6'3", my mom's dad was short, but his boy was tall.
Yeah, only the Chimera at our place. And he was damaged beforehand. Looking at it, I could probably figure a way to fix it, but I'm interested in a complete tear down and rebuild on him.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 02, 2016, 01:51:46 pm
It would have changed my adolescence profoundly if I hadn't been a late bloomer - high school got a lot easier in 11th grade, when all those boys who couldn't take me stopped making me prove it.
Post by: Unorthodox on May 02, 2016, 06:50:47 pm
Dang. Bigger than I am, and the whole world is built a little undersize for me -
There are plenty of car models my head hits the roof. Even more the seat doesn't go far enough back to keep my knees from banging dashboards.
Post by: DrazharLn on May 02, 2016, 06:55:46 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 02, 2016, 06:56:53 pm
Backseats are worse - especially if the driver is a youth with a good stereo, but that's a separate issue.
Post by: Unorthodox on May 02, 2016, 07:10:39 pm
Even in America? You lot have ridiculously huge cars!
Hey, I drive a Corolla right now, and it's fine. (though the back seat is a bit uncomfortable now for my boys, and a process for me to fold my legs out of on the rare occasion I sit back there) My former Tercel was just barely adequate. The Tercel before that was great, despite being the smallest of the lot. None of these were 'big' cars.
Meanwhile I've been in bigger "SUV" vehicles where my head hits the ceiling (looking at you KIA). It's rather random which models have issues. All models need a wider range of motion and should come standard with a seat up and down adjust as well as fore and back IMO. It's not that there's not enough room there, it's the adjustments don't offer the range for anyone outside the "normal".
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 02, 2016, 07:30:05 pm
The main hallway of this house -and Momma just can't wrap her head around this when decorating- is a minor obstacle course for me; her shoulders ride low and narrow enough that she can't brush against the pictures lining the wall and knock them down. She gets mad at me when I bump into the bookshelf sitting right around the corner where I'll bump into it and knock over some dolls. She gets madder when I tell her if she'd stop setting traps I'd stop tripping them. Yeah Momma, I brushed my hip just to spite you, sure.
I'm a lot bigger than you, Mom, need more clearance, and that's not going to change - I can't change it. But this is my perverse and hostile world - I don't know of another one that fits better and I'd certainly look around for one if I could...
Post by: Unorthodox on May 03, 2016, 02:32:19 am
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CIqoWpYs_tE/Vyf-_-7MGBI/AAAAAAAAggI/a67c-bpnwNgCIAsOyXjRzxIDRdYY2-jdQCCo/s800/IMG_1172.JPG)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 03, 2016, 02:39:10 am
Post by: Unorthodox on May 03, 2016, 03:01:23 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 03, 2016, 03:25:54 am
Post by: Unorthodox on May 03, 2016, 04:32:34 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 03, 2016, 04:35:38 am
Post by: Unorthodox on May 03, 2016, 01:24:21 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on May 03, 2016, 01:43:32 pm
It's not completely uncommon for Oscars to get moody like this, but it's always worrying. Refusing treats he usually loves, even. Going to have to see if I can change up his diet to get him eating again...maybe some goldfish friends as well.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 03, 2016, 01:58:44 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on May 03, 2016, 02:13:15 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 03, 2016, 02:14:56 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on May 03, 2016, 02:20:01 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on May 03, 2016, 02:23:17 pm
Understandable - but on the bright side, if worse comes to worse, angelfish...
Probably not, honestly. I've come to like the BIG conversation fish.
Maybe a Jack Dempsey.
(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_4ldJlJnG9GY/TFxtuunPTrI/AAAAAAAAALg/7-d3Nrp7Ejc/s1600/P8060158.JPG)
Or...*gasp* a Discus pair. (very hard to find)
(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d_GL36IJFEA/T3zYtTGYk2I/AAAAAAAAFjg/SclYvLshHLc/s1600/discus+fish.jpg)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 03, 2016, 03:49:39 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on May 04, 2016, 01:20:08 pm
2 friends and at least 5 shrimp snacks swimming around (there were 6 shrimp, but couldn't see one)
His brand of pellet is no longer available locally. Usually only used when he's grumpy like this.
He did at least take both the pellets I COULD find and the frozen food, but spat them both out in disgust.
I'll make a batch of home-made frozen tonight. If he won't eat that, either, there's not much more I can do.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 04, 2016, 01:41:03 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on May 04, 2016, 10:12:01 pm
Really. I WILL find out.
I'm fairly forgiving of problems if you're honest, but HIDING just pisses me off.
(edit, not the kids this time, boss. Don't worry)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 04, 2016, 10:38:36 pm
Detective co-workers, I never met any.
Post by: Unorthodox on May 04, 2016, 10:49:18 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on May 04, 2016, 10:59:14 pm
Oh detective dad; that brings back unpleasant memories...
The kids, it's always their grades. It WILL eventually come out.
Quote
Detective co-workers, I never met any.
(http://i.mobavatar.com/what-s-on-your-mind/i-just-do-my-job.jpg)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 04, 2016, 11:01:27 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on May 05, 2016, 02:12:04 am
Post by: Unorthodox on May 05, 2016, 02:09:47 pm
He took a couple pellets, but that's it.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 05, 2016, 02:32:51 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on May 05, 2016, 11:03:06 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 06, 2016, 12:55:19 am
Post by: Unorthodox on May 06, 2016, 01:53:27 am
Talia's sign.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-U9QbdepdQjI/VyvqYwhgQgI/AAAAAAAAggw/N3eY6iUjZnkqWyYJeuF4BBh1mP9Ev6_qQCCo/s800/IMG_1173.JPG)
Post by: Rusty Edge on May 06, 2016, 05:17:41 am
Post by: Unorthodox on May 06, 2016, 01:20:27 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on May 06, 2016, 02:00:21 pm
The lack of eating is a problem for a multitude of reasons, most pressing now is the food is rotting, so now I have to clean the tank again. Meanwhile the slightly acidic nature of the Amazonian water in the tank is killing the shrimps (expected, but hoping they'd get eaten before that happened).
Post by: Unorthodox on May 06, 2016, 10:32:39 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 06, 2016, 11:24:02 pm
Post by: Rusty Edge on May 07, 2016, 01:31:59 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 07, 2016, 01:41:25 am
Post by: Unorthodox on May 07, 2016, 01:52:15 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 07, 2016, 01:57:45 am
Post by: Unorthodox on May 07, 2016, 03:42:18 am
Joe is not eating at all today... :scratch:
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 07, 2016, 04:21:19 am
(I'm at best hit-or-miss with Mexican, myself...)
Post by: Unorthodox on May 07, 2016, 04:29:13 am
Post by: Unorthodox on May 07, 2016, 04:59:54 pm
The water feels warm, the new heater might be over-aggressive. checking with old school thermometer.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 07, 2016, 05:12:30 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on May 07, 2016, 05:30:58 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on May 08, 2016, 12:57:44 am
You might want to pay attention to the calendar and think the dude that looks like he has no business anywhere near the makeup counters with his daughter, both looking lost, might need some help instead of making eye contact and assisting the lady behind me instead. 5 separate ladies!
Fortunately the manager spotted us, knowing exactly what was up, and ignored me to ask my daughter if she was shopping for mom, and took my silent cues to guide Talia into making the correct decision. Then whipped one of the counter girls into shape.
Post by: hEtErOdOx on May 08, 2016, 02:52:38 am
...and I would never ruin The Cinco de Mayo taco tradition!!! :o
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 08, 2016, 03:28:04 am
...and I would never ruin The Cinco de Mayo taco tradition!!! :oIt was Skeletor who said that; he's always had it in for you...
Post by: Unorthodox on May 08, 2016, 03:33:33 am
The water feels warm, the new heater might be over-aggressive. checking with old school thermometer.
:mad:
Yeah, new heater thermostat set to 75, running 82.
So...that's one problem at least.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 08, 2016, 03:34:54 am
Post by: Unorthodox on May 08, 2016, 03:40:53 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 08, 2016, 03:49:25 am
Post by: Unorthodox on May 08, 2016, 04:00:44 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 08, 2016, 04:04:29 am
Post by: Unorthodox on May 08, 2016, 07:03:47 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 08, 2016, 07:08:23 pm
I 'spose a handful of ice cubes tossed in would be a bad idea for one reason or another?
Post by: DrazharLn on May 08, 2016, 11:34:41 pm
Might be a bit gentler to strap an icepack or something to the side of the tank.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 09, 2016, 01:45:02 am
Post by: Unorthodox on May 09, 2016, 01:49:50 pm
You need to treat water before you use it in an aquarium.
Uh. Sure... Mostly you just need to remove the crap your city puts in, which in my tank is done by biological means, so unless you were changing a vast amount of the water, it shouldn't matter. The sticky part is I HAD to change that vast amount when we moved the tank. So, he could have been poisoned a bit by fluoride, or chlorine, or whatever else they put in, and the bacteria levels aren't where they need to be yet, and etc, but the water is clear now, and green algae is growing again (sign of very healthy water)
The one problem that might still be going on is the water would take time to adjust back to the PH level with the logs working as the buffer.
temp still at 77 last night, turned the new heater to it's lowest setting...gonna be really mad if I have to get another new heater...
He's still not eating. Now at all. In fact he's taken to playing dead, which has been his sign for "I don't WANT that" for a while. (he'll go lay down on the bottom of the tank) Debating whether to go buy some more goldfish. He shows interest when I open the 'new friends' side of the tank, but nothing when I open the general feeding side. He might just be being a pain in the ass. Oscars are known to be moody. He is also old. Human terms he's probably 65-70ish.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 09, 2016, 02:30:42 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on May 09, 2016, 02:49:18 pm
Post by: Rusty Edge on May 09, 2016, 05:58:15 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on May 09, 2016, 06:18:23 pm
I prefer pure biological/mechanical filtration for sustainment reasons, but it's time to consider there's some other stuff maybe going on. A week of UV/Chemical/Mechanical/biological combo sure isn't going to HURT anything, and will leave my conscious clear I tried everything I could.
To be clear, Joe is a big damn fish, healthy going into the move. It would take something pretty out of whack to take him down water wise. I find that hard to believe since the goldfish would have acted as a canary in the coal mine, and didn't die to bad tank setup. I don't think there's any problems in there other than Joe's stress presently.
Post by: Unorthodox on May 10, 2016, 12:38:35 am
Post by: DrazharLn on May 10, 2016, 01:00:51 am
Post by: Unorthodox on May 10, 2016, 03:00:34 am
Started a salt treatment (about the only economical means of medicating a tank this big, and works as a panacea). A lot of people actually salt their fresh water regularly, but it's the change that proves beneficial to killing any fungus or bacteria. When the light gets here on the weekend, we'll vacuum and hit all the filtration media to scrub the salt and anything else back out.
Post by: Unorthodox on May 11, 2016, 02:24:07 am
Post by: Unorthodox on May 11, 2016, 02:24:57 am
Post by: Unorthodox on May 11, 2016, 01:30:51 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on May 11, 2016, 01:32:48 pm
I've had more than a dozen people EACH YEAR promise to get me the pictures they take in our yard, and the only ones that ever followed through were the missionaries.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 11, 2016, 01:35:40 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on May 11, 2016, 03:25:45 pm
So, to further expand on the event.
The monkeys bought themselves a new tree to climb on. When it arrived and was too big and heavy to fit in their cage, they were directed to me, as I'd helped with the previous two items groups had purchased and not measured for, building stands for them to work.
However, the tree was SO heavy, I couldn't suitably modify anything to support it in their cage, since the cage itself wasn't rated for it and we were going to have to move it to the larger cage. I sat down with the clowns and drew up a step by step how to do this with our equipment that was borderline inadequate for the task. However, the clowns were booked, the monkeys were anxious, and the tree was insecure where it was, so the monkeys were going to provide labor.
I ran over the 10 step plan with them, and it went fine for 9 steps. At step 9, I had to go get an additional tool, to return to find 4 monkeys had decided to attempt to secure the tree without the tool. The result was a dangerous situation with feet and toes especially in danger, arms and fingers only a little less. More problematic, the tool would no longer work because of what they tried.
I came up with a 2 step plan on the fly, and everyone agreed. Step one accomplished and temporary blocking to secure the danger was put in place while we evaluated step 2, when one of the monkeys decided 'we just need to' and started yanking, causing the temporary blocking to collapse and the tree to fall towards me. This frightened the other monkeys who quickly abandoned posts before returning to finish the job.
Thus, wrist pain at the time, shoulder pain now.
The monkeys now want the tree somewhere else. ;grrr
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 11, 2016, 03:33:35 pm
That's a useful smilie when you need it - draw your own conclusion about why I thought of it. It's just that kind of world, sometimes.
Post by: Unorthodox on May 11, 2016, 04:48:09 pm
Post by: DrazharLn on May 11, 2016, 05:04:02 pm
Sorry about Joe.
Post by: Unorthodox on May 11, 2016, 06:48:11 pm
Who are the monkeys and clowns in this scenario? Other government workers?
Sorry about Joe.
Since work is the circus, I'm associating groups with different acts. I actually have a lot of respect for circus acts, mind you.
For the record, I would be counted among the freaks. Working act freaks. Sword swallowing and fire breathing, not the conjoined twins type. Do it by the book and you'll be fine, make a mistake and someone's getting hurt. Shock and amaze is the gig. At the end of the day, we're the side show, though, if people even bother to look over this way, and no one will stay too long. The fact I'm a freak with an act easily adapted to multiple situations and am a capable barker has put me in with other groups.
The clowns, while they outwardly appear silly and clumsy, it takes a great amount of skill to do what they do at a high level without causing harm. Turning routine things into something amazing, yet also able to blend into the background as support of the bigger acts, or able to buy time for the bigger act to set up. Occasionally clowns can even headline, but more often they work as transitory pieces.
Monkeys, I could have chosen any of the animal acts. But, our monkeys don't pose the danger of tigers, the awe of elephants, or the precision of horses. They are semi-trained, and can be quite skilled when doing the specific task they've trained for. Let loose of the trainer to wreak havoc outside their specific tasks, they become cumbersome, bordering on dangerous. Thus, earned the name over this last situation.
There are a few groups I've yet to work with enough to name as well.
Post by: Unorthodox on May 12, 2016, 01:24:26 pm
It's not looking good, but if there was an intestinal block, it's now cleared. This was a good sign last time, so we'll see.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 12, 2016, 01:52:35 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on May 12, 2016, 01:57:40 pm
Kinda like give me a camera, and I can go through any situation.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 12, 2016, 02:06:25 pm
I can't help think about why when I spend so much time watching. I want to understand this terrible universe, knowing being half the battle...
Post by: Unorthodox on May 12, 2016, 04:18:30 pm
"New" piece of equipment in today.
IT department: "What's that?"
Anyone else want to teach the kids how to use a 9 track tape drive?
Anyone?
Crap.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 12, 2016, 04:24:14 pm
(Yes, I know you're talking about a long-term backup device that probably doesn't look like the giant reel-to-reels of 50s/60s TV, not the pretty much plain tape recorder I had.)
Post by: Unorthodox on May 12, 2016, 04:33:45 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on May 12, 2016, 04:36:53 pm
And yet we also have a 3d printer.
Post by: Unorthodox on May 13, 2016, 12:47:56 am
but if there was an intestinal block, it's now cleared. This was a good sign last time, so we'll see.
He just aggressively chomped down about a dozen pellets. Looks like crap, no color, way too skinny, but clearly feeling somewhat better. Played dead for the frozen food though.
So, another intestinal block, caused by stress. means we can look forward to this again come fall.
now we know bribing with live food at the start will just prolong the suffering instead of heading it off.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 13, 2016, 01:52:42 am
Post by: Unorthodox on May 14, 2016, 02:14:38 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 14, 2016, 02:20:20 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on May 14, 2016, 02:30:36 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 14, 2016, 02:32:53 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on May 15, 2016, 02:34:49 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 15, 2016, 02:45:28 am
Post by: Unorthodox on May 15, 2016, 04:50:42 am
Was eager and playful tonight, attacking my finger and making faces back to me as normal. Still refusing the frozen, but took a healthy dose of pellet and more importantly some frozen peas. Long a favorite treat, they should help with the intestinal issues the species is known for. (they are part of the base for my homemade frozen as well)
Post by: Unorthodox on May 16, 2016, 01:50:24 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 16, 2016, 02:46:40 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on May 16, 2016, 06:30:01 pm
They started up on the 'what the hell you doing to our property' type questions. Really think they would have figured out they SOLD it by now. Hasn't been theirs in ages, and we already went down the 'you gotta abide by our bylaws' path with the Halloween stuff.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 16, 2016, 06:42:27 pm
I can see the neighbor behind you or beside you getting a convenient memory about where the property line is - in this neighborhood, we had a terrible land-hog that way, and I don't know HOW Grampa kept out of it when he shared a line with the man - me and Buster's Daddy were good friends with his grandsons, and they had the BEST stories about bits of the feud with another neighbor that they probably had no business relating. It was HI-LARIOUS to us kids.
They're the heirs, so even though we share that line now and they're strange fellows, I don't think they failed to learn how happy a land-hog feuding with a neighbor is - and records and surveyors are easier to come by these days. And Daddy didn't play when it came to his land.
-But how does the guy across the street come to get ideas about your back yard? I'm asking.
Post by: Unorthodox on May 16, 2016, 06:49:47 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 16, 2016, 06:55:20 pm
Post by: Rusty Edge on May 16, 2016, 07:16:44 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on May 16, 2016, 08:24:32 pm
Post by: Rusty Edge on May 17, 2016, 02:40:01 am
How is Joe?
Post by: Unorthodox on May 17, 2016, 02:57:39 am
Post by: Unorthodox on May 17, 2016, 02:12:58 pm
Need to clean out his tank again for the food he's refused to eat.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 17, 2016, 02:21:40 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on May 17, 2016, 02:51:29 pm
Flex time allows one to set their own hours to a degree, I choose the early side.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 17, 2016, 03:25:51 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on May 17, 2016, 03:33:57 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 17, 2016, 04:11:30 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on May 17, 2016, 04:30:24 pm
Uno convinces Boeing they need a department in charge of this task at Utah. They finally agree, post application for head of department, award position to Uno, paperwork filled out, week before it officially starts, Uno is transferred to "Boeing Services Company" (a wholly owned subsidiary business) because the new manager of BSC can't be supervisor over his wife. His wife is thus moved to Boeing proper and given the position formerly awarded to Uno (but without the raise or title) while Uno is put on the BSC 1 year contracts for the next 3 years before they are no longer renewed.
Uno been scrambling to stay employed ever since.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 17, 2016, 08:18:37 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on May 17, 2016, 09:59:51 pm
Post by: Dale on May 18, 2016, 12:00:44 am
Ugh. Day can't get done fast enough.
Mine's only just started.
Post by: Unorthodox on May 18, 2016, 03:27:11 pm
More likely he'll pull through than not at this point. Whether he survives the move BACK is a good question.
The UV filter finally came, but didn't want to put it if Joe was going to eat in as messing with the tank will upset Joe. Another cleaning tonight, followed by the filter install is needed.
That filter sat at the Ogden airport for 3 business days before being loaded for delivery. I'm convinced they purposely sat on it until the last day of it's delivery window to hope you pay for upgraded shipping.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 19, 2016, 12:32:50 am
Post by: Unorthodox on May 19, 2016, 02:18:23 am
I've eaten very poorly today and feel like crap. Only partially linked, that.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 19, 2016, 02:19:48 am
Post by: Unorthodox on May 19, 2016, 01:32:57 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on May 19, 2016, 01:56:33 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 19, 2016, 01:58:24 pm
I've seen you doing birthday party magic for little girls, I know you're a magnificent showman, and I could totally see you working up a little something to do in the lanes fer larfs a few weekends a year. The money sucks if they're even impressed enough to pay you as a local, so if you cared about making it pay for itself, you'd want to work up something where you get hat privileges. Something selling some service works; I was a Flatterer after getting my start as a Town Cryer.
It's educational for a showman, which I didn't even know I was before I did it, having to think on your feet as you interact with the audience. The main thing, though, is that it's a lot of fun - this is why I say renfairs to you. You're not going to get ambitious about it, being a family man who couldn't go on the road, and that leaves you out of a lot of the cast politics, provided you just be aware that they're a thing and keep your opinions about the authenticity of the show and so on to yourself.
There's one north of SLC and one about the same distance south - they weren't shows anyone I knew did, if they go back to my day, and I don't know if they're one weekend wonders or major seven weekend shows - I didn't do a lot of research, just found two in more-or-less your area. I think one's in August and the other around Thanksgiving.
Go check one or both out when they're up, and maybe you'll see the possibilities. Protips from actual pro: to get your money's worth, be there first thing and make a day of it. There are always a lot of participants whose interests somewhat align with yours -no telling how Utah affects that- so you may not want to buy crafts at the shops, but you'll find endless artistic inspiration shopping. Food and drinks can be dear at these things, so plan to take a break, especially if Talia is along, at a nearby restaurant sitting down and climate-controlled in the middle of the day, then go back and see more - a heathly renfair is more than you can see everything worth it in a day - vaudeville is alive, and it has a dirt floor. ;nod
Post by: Unorthodox on May 19, 2016, 02:16:25 pm
The closest things to grab my interest is the Halloween in Summer fest. http://halloweeninsummerfestival.com/ (http://halloweeninsummerfestival.com/)
We made it down last year, and it was both better and worse than I expected. We didn't accomplish my GOAL of going, by any stretch, and that wasn't a geek show! Don't promise me a geek show if you're not gonna deliver!
And the Winter Faire: http://www.utahwinterfaire.com/ (http://www.utahwinterfaire.com/)
Missed it last year, but wanted to go.
I have this urge to really nail down the greenman costume and take it to both. Just because for the Halloween, but dressing it for 'winter' and going to a Christmas thing just to see reactions sounds fun.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 19, 2016, 02:30:57 pm
I heard over the years that Treeman caught on in a big way. Dunno how Cliff pulled tips doing it, but sounded like it got popular enough he could get the show to pay him large to do it. -So you're going to get accused some of ripping him off with the greenman costume; he works mostly western fairs... Not a problem or anything, just some people who travel would say Treeman to you, at least if Cliff's still doing it recently...
Post by: Unorthodox on May 19, 2016, 04:49:45 pm
Stalkabouts (sit on the shoulders with puppeteering to control the head/arms/etc) and stilt costumes are a fairly common thing these days, I think the peak for those was the mid to late 90s. Though the recent walking with dinos ones still wow folk pretty hardcore. Generally, they don't have quite the same impact they used to. (that's not to say kids aren't impressed)
No interest in trying to make money at it besides.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 19, 2016, 04:57:47 pm
You're an entertainer and a natural for the faire - and a lot of your kind of freaks gravitate to this kind of thing, both audience and especially participants. Keep your involvement simple/limited, and I can't see you not loving it. -Making your gas money back definitely easy for you if you want to try...
Post by: Unorthodox on May 19, 2016, 04:58:54 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 19, 2016, 07:42:48 pm
One afternoon, the same season of the Arizona Fair, my first on the road, I was sitting in the Mayor's pavilion for the shade and nosh, the Mayor had nodded off -there was one other participant sitting in there, but he kept quiet and giggled a little the whole time- a family approached gingerly and one asked "Is that the King?"
"Nay" quoth I, "'Tis the Lord Mayor, and he does make most gracious greetings that you honor our lovely town of Farihaven with your presence."
...I ended up having a five minute conversation with those nice people on the Lord Mayor's behalf ("He wishes me to tell you" and so on) and he never woke up. I was really proud of that impromptu bit...
---
So the idea is, I see Greenman doing the walk around looking amazing and not talking thing, right?
If that's the plan, it would be insanely cute if part of the time, he has a lovely companion/assistant/ensorcelled damsel, Pirate/Princess/whatever Talia. From what you've described of her personality and understanding of performing over the years, just give her a setup and let her do all the talking. It sounds like she's ready...
Post by: Unorthodox on May 19, 2016, 07:51:36 pm
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MBbYpU4BVdw/VjYK6O9cvEI/AAAAAAAAfLM/VPt26IkCS_slauPBdpP3dB1zUvXF3AtOgCCo/s800/IMG_0748.JPG)
If I get around to it, we'd have a trio walking around the Halloween fair this July. Alec, myself, AND Talia. Though we might be doing a test run of her painted doll at that point.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 19, 2016, 07:56:11 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on May 19, 2016, 07:57:55 pm
She wants to walk with all the kids that are scared at the house.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 19, 2016, 08:09:16 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on May 19, 2016, 08:20:54 pm
Post by: hEtErOdOx on May 20, 2016, 04:57:56 am
Post by: Unorthodox on May 20, 2016, 01:57:14 pm
! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f15vDfpV-Ig#)
I was kind of hoping they'd market this one like they did with #1 and release videos of all the songs as soon as it hit DVD, but that seems not to be the case.
So, Talia was heading with me to the pet store last week, getting the second set of friends for Joe and looking for medicine. She spent the drive watching the movie for her second time.
When the doll sins, Heaven's security beats her to a pulp and tosses her down to hell. She winds up at the carnival entrance thus, a bloody mess of a face. There is one thing I need to make rather clear.
TALIA DOES NOT LIKE BLOOD. Never has:
http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/?cat=26 (http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/?cat=26)
Anyhow, our Doll winds up in Hell, where she is frightened, alone, and wounded. She is brought to Satan who, through the course of a musical number, teaches her to accept who she is and thus heal herself. (There's some crazy symbology going on around this as well, but I won't get into it now) It is during this, we see her washing off her blood and wounds, to find the cracked doll beneath.
Talia looks up at me:
"You know what would be cool? We should have the cracks BLEEDING. Just a little though."
A: She doesn't just want to replicate anymore, but make it her own. That is awesome in and of itself.
B: Zootopia might have cured her of the blood thing. Yes. Zootopia.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 20, 2016, 02:05:45 pm
Child artists tend to begin in utter imitation -which is great; it helps them master the basic crafting skills and learn what works about what they copy- and drift into more and more original elements until, one hopes, they're producing entirely original work. In a few years she'll be doing work -in whatever medium, including dressing herself- you don't care for, I bet - but that's a part of the cycle, her job as progeny, to strike out on her own and annoy the parental units in her teens.
This comes as absolutely no surprise - you've been describing a budding artist who was starting to get it for a couple years now. She's learning at the feet of a master, and has taken the first step of becoming her own Talia as an artist. ;nod
Post by: Unorthodox on May 20, 2016, 06:09:32 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 20, 2016, 06:17:12 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on May 20, 2016, 06:39:55 pm
This is the 3rd 50+ wind advisory in the last month.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 20, 2016, 07:06:24 pm
Post by: Rusty Edge on May 20, 2016, 09:59:18 pm
I used to go to school with people who blamed NASA's launches for the weather.
Post by: Unorthodox on May 21, 2016, 02:48:06 am
http://www.outerplaces.com/science-fiction/item/11966-alien-day-reveals-first-official-image-from-alien-covenant-and-alien-king (http://www.outerplaces.com/science-fiction/item/11966-alien-day-reveals-first-official-image-from-alien-covenant-and-alien-king)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 21, 2016, 03:04:41 am
Post by: Unorthodox on May 21, 2016, 12:21:38 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 21, 2016, 12:56:04 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on May 22, 2016, 01:25:41 pm
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XDm8QvkXjvc/V0Gf-PLvhyI/AAAAAAAAgjo/juZVhiY2Nw0y1YNi0nrUiiXkXI6Wq-VsACCo/s800/IMG_1191.JPG)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HK5v_A5WMvI/V0Gf-qhJc6I/AAAAAAAAgjs/Bafn_TQPbZk50t824DYKVgj1ntJIdBzWwCCo/s800/IMG_1192.JPG)
While not unheard of, it's unusual for Oscars to spawn without a mate.
No one knows entirely why they do decide to spawn when single. Water is clearly ideal conditions presently. The new location gets more direct sunlight than before. The odd weather may be a factor.
Among the more amusing, Oscars being notoriously emotional, with extensive courting and generally monogamous relations, some tend to believe they sometimes view their owners as mates.
This explains some of the not acting normal, as she was apparently doing some mating rituals...when Alec was near.
Right now she is insanely protective of the eggs, a change which surprises the boys. I'm going to have to get in there and clean them out, though. That might lead to suffering some bites.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 22, 2016, 01:32:47 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on May 22, 2016, 01:41:24 pm
I was reading some mating rituals as signs of stress as well, discovered after trying to figure out how this would happen.
Post by: Rusty Edge on May 22, 2016, 09:39:47 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 22, 2016, 10:28:13 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on May 23, 2016, 03:34:44 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 23, 2016, 03:50:28 am
Post by: Unorthodox on May 23, 2016, 01:25:10 pm
Some sort of suction tool?
http://www.pythonproducts.com/index.html (http://www.pythonproducts.com/index.html)
I can no longer imagine trying to keep a fish tank without one. Especially a large tank.
Curious business model, though. You'll never need a replacement (and it's cheaper to get parts that wear out at your local hardware).
Ours has an especially long hose, I normally would run it out to the garden, using the waste to fertilize. But that won't work with Joe in the basement, since the whole thing is gravity fed. (well, I COULD throw the pump on it, but there's not really a need.)
She's normally afraid of the tube, so we'll see how it goes. Hopefully she attacks it, not my hand, if she remains territorial over those eggs.
Post by: Unorthodox on May 23, 2016, 01:28:46 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 23, 2016, 01:53:40 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on May 23, 2016, 02:30:54 pm
But, the rest of the house has been rather thoroughly sorted. We'll have to finish up and get the yard sale done in a couple weeks so I can start staging other items in the garage to make room for construction. Debating whether we need another storage shed, or just pack the garage and make hEt park outside. Or turn the garage into the kitchen for the summer, even. Some combination thereof.
Appraiser comes today, once we get that finished, things should start falling into place and schedules firming up.
Ideally, we're breaking ground right after Memorial day, breaking the wall in early July. So, I have June to pack and move most of the house, trying to pace it out a bit and not have this all at once problem come July.
Post by: Unorthodox on May 24, 2016, 02:37:38 am
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_32UlfocmDw/V0Nyk4fwZVI/AAAAAAAAgkw/d0Zfq6JFkXMlaizRI3Az9sTT7y96GBLSgCCo/s800/IMG_1195.JPG)
Sale of the big ones started slow, but each one that sold became free advertising.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Nr6NAt48pOY/V0NyjjmY1tI/AAAAAAAAgkw/zp8mY__hJpsX_w-DY9LwERrrwgC-a4CPwCCo/s800/IMG_1199.JPG)
Ended up bringing home a couple of the magnets, but considering 3 others were selling more standard variety fridge magnets, that's not too bad.
Now I have to make up the time I took off work to be there the rest of the week. :-\
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 24, 2016, 02:49:06 am
Took home a few magnets sounds like a resounding success, all right. She's already becoming dangerous.
Post by: Unorthodox on May 24, 2016, 03:03:23 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 24, 2016, 03:08:08 am
Post by: Unorthodox on May 24, 2016, 03:18:51 am
Anyhow, removed the eggs. Joe is terrified of the python, and that didn't matter. She attacked it straight away until I showed her it was boss, then she backed down. (Cichlids compare mouth sizes for dominance, the python's is bigger) Not sure if she'll be back to normal or not tonight.
Appraiser come, we'll see, keeping fingers crossed for good numbers. At least in the ballpark what the bank thought. Will be a load of stress off me once that part is settled either way. Give me paths and issues to face to walk over waiting for crap any day.
Post by: Unorthodox on May 24, 2016, 03:21:42 am
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mKKFIWdrOZI/VxoaTsZrvqI/AAAAAAAAgTs/E5wutnohIOQJHbC7DSt4DvyCS8fTOy9hQCCo/s800/IMG_1132.JPG)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 24, 2016, 04:16:07 am
Post by: Unorthodox on May 24, 2016, 04:26:38 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 24, 2016, 04:46:06 am
Post by: Dale on May 24, 2016, 11:33:55 am
Post by: Unorthodox on May 24, 2016, 12:14:11 pm
Stood to reason between who the raw materials source was, and glow in the dark refrigerator magnets being a navigational aid in the middle of the night.
Fluorescent =/= Phosphorescent. (You can't imagine how often this comes up on the Halloween place, works both ways too, not all phosphorescent paint is fluorescent ) They glow under black light, not in the dark. I don't expect anyone to stumble on that feature.
Post by: Unorthodox on May 25, 2016, 01:07:23 pm
Quote
•An opposite reaction in which you feel excited, jittery, or nervous, known as paradoxical CNS stimulation instead of drowsy or sleepy
Helps explain why I've occasionally had the oddball panic attack this year.
Might have been the Aleve/Claritin combo.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 25, 2016, 01:16:58 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on May 25, 2016, 01:31:48 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 25, 2016, 01:34:01 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on May 25, 2016, 01:43:32 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 25, 2016, 02:21:03 pm
I only managed that once, around age 11, which was indeed pretty sweet. I told off the whole class hassling me that it was MY dream and we weren't doing that anymore.
Post by: Unorthodox on May 25, 2016, 08:29:19 pm
Daddy punched Momma in his sleep once upon a time.
Can honestly say that's never even been a suppressed thought, so not likely to come up in a dream either.
Just the damn aliens...
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 25, 2016, 08:34:31 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on May 25, 2016, 11:09:54 pm
I don't do waiting well at all....this shouldn't take 4 days...
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 25, 2016, 11:17:06 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on May 25, 2016, 11:40:28 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 25, 2016, 11:43:32 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on May 25, 2016, 11:51:26 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on May 26, 2016, 12:03:42 am
Here before reveille and past retreat today. On no sleep.
Doing rather ok about it. LONG day though.
Things I do for Talia...
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 26, 2016, 12:10:08 am
Post by: Unorthodox on May 26, 2016, 03:42:49 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 26, 2016, 04:04:49 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on May 26, 2016, 04:35:09 pm
I think I tracked down what's been flaring up my arm. Work switched soaps. I'm betting it has some kind of evil scent/moisturizer I'm allergic to. Don't know how to go about FIXING the problem right off. Bringing my own is cumbersome at best. But it get's worse over the coarse of the day and better at home. Gotta be something here.
Post by: Unorthodox on May 26, 2016, 04:39:13 pm
There's a distinct possibility the bank is just not as polite as quicken, that they have the appraisal, and just haven't bothered to share it with us as well. I'm more stressed over a perceived delay than whatever the actual numbers are going to be.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 26, 2016, 04:43:03 pm
Gets -literally- right up my nose, it does.
I also have trouble not losing it when I think I'm being treated like my time doesn't matter. Conducting medical business is hell for me, not because of discomfort and pain.
Post by: Unorthodox on May 26, 2016, 04:55:17 pm
It's not smells that get me. We discovered during my big layoff that certain moisturizers and scents, then in Talia's conditioner, are pretty much death to my skin. Stress aggravates histamine response, it's long be known. So, if the soap here at work is using corn silk extract, some sunflower extract, or anything melon related, (all of which are related to ragweed) it's just going to eat my arm away.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 26, 2016, 05:07:25 pm
Well, I'm not allergic to God, but his church people wear obnoxious amounts of perfume, vanity of vanities. -They'd offend my senses less coving themselves with dust and mold - probably Protestant God, too.
Post by: Unorthodox on May 26, 2016, 05:38:31 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 26, 2016, 06:16:26 pm
Post by: Rusty Edge on May 26, 2016, 07:57:02 pm
I think I tracked down what's been flaring up my arm. Work switched soaps. I'm betting it has some kind of evil scent/moisturizer I'm allergic to. Don't know how to go about FIXING the problem right off. Bringing my own is cumbersome at best. But it get's worse over the coarse of the day and better at home. Gotta be something here.
THAT'S IT!
I have issues in my travels with my forearms, whenever I use public bathrooms day after day. I don't know if it's the dyes, or scents, or anti-bacterials, and probably never will because they don't label the ingredients on the dispensers, but it's a regular occurrence for me on east coast road trips and sometimes at Disney. Fortunately there the hotel toiletries are high quality, so I can wash whatever it is off.
But using washrooms and hotels along the interstate, it doesn't work so well. If I can remember to pay attention, I may be able to identify which color of liquid soap is the issue.
OR maybe I should just start carrying a little thing of alcohol gel stuff on my belt or keychain on those trips.
-----------------------------------
As for the scent thing, I read a newspaper article years ago that explained that often, those over-users become desensitized to their favorite fragrance, causing them to re-apply during the day also.
They have no idea how strong they are.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 26, 2016, 08:01:09 pm
Post by: Dale on May 26, 2016, 09:11:18 pm
We use natural bar soaps at home, but it's hard when you go out somewhere. Like playing Russian Roulette.
Post by: Unorthodox on May 26, 2016, 09:25:03 pm
It's some purple scented thing they switched to here. I've been told it's a mis-shipment and it'll be back to normal after the current stuff runs out. (so a month) Till then I'll mostly use the kitchen to wash. I guess. Avoiding the soap today has yielded positive results.
Post by: Unorthodox on May 26, 2016, 10:12:39 pm
I'm officially downshifting to no news is good news. Looked more closely at the façade on the website to see it's only a vehicle for one way communication, not two. Just crappy service. Oh well, beggars v choosers.
Likely means I won't be able to get a schedule settled for when we can start though.
Post by: Rusty Edge on May 26, 2016, 10:31:53 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on May 28, 2016, 06:24:30 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 29, 2016, 07:46:56 pm
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6AotSwDs4aA#)
Post by: Unorthodox on May 30, 2016, 12:08:05 am
Post by: Unorthodox on May 31, 2016, 01:35:41 pm
Despite the trashy element of moving the trampoline to the front yard (because the back will be a hole and equipment soon, we hope), we got a megacrapton of yardwork in over the weekend.
Mother moved to the back yard. Kyle dropped Father, and he'll need repair, but it's doable. Provided me the info I needed since they were both tests on new waterproofing techniques. The Carcass of the Chimera dragged off to a corner where I can work on dismantling it. In the end, the scythe on that thing was disintegrating in my hands. Removed all trellises from the gardens to clear a path for backhoes, and started some sheet composting in the gardens themselves to prep them for next year.
All told, the yard is not ready for construction to go. Just need to pick up the patio furniture and move the grill out front when it happens.
Composed a new system for watering the lawn for the next year, maybe two until I can install a new automated sprinkler system.
Perhaps more importantly, hEt and I headed down into Salt Lake, having exhausted Ogden, and were able to find furniture we liked for the new house, which led to decisions on flooring and cabinet colors as well.
Also got the swamp cooler fired up with 90 degree temps coming this week.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 31, 2016, 02:23:20 pm
I'm extremely cool with that, having done a lot of it myself, but it's funny. Some of us really don't seem the types. I mean, individual personalities aside, 4x tbs gamers can be really detail-oriented and all, but this is a gaming forum full of gamers, and it's still funny. The Civ community has aged.
I suppose a lot of your yard plans are necessarily vague and improvisational, you needing to have a look at the space left after the expansion's done and see the construction damage before you can form them up...
Post by: Unorthodox on May 31, 2016, 02:35:55 pm
After the house is done, we'll have to decide on what to do about a patio in the back before I can make any more definite yard plans. Features we're looking for in the back: Permanent built in fire pit. More permanent gazebo. I just couldn't picture it on the drawings until the house is done, so it's a next year thing.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 31, 2016, 02:47:54 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on May 31, 2016, 03:13:26 pm
Don't know what's up with her now...
Post by: Unorthodox on May 31, 2016, 04:54:10 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 31, 2016, 04:58:51 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on May 31, 2016, 05:00:37 pm
Bank says at least 2 weeks out, which is a hell of a lot different than the first of June they originally said. There goes being done by October.
Post by: Unorthodox on May 31, 2016, 05:05:05 pm
Is what you needed a high valuation or low? High, I assume. Why are you fooling with a loan, anyway?
As specific as we need to get: We needed a 30 to get the amount of loan we needed, and my rough maths said we should get that based off our old appraisal updated to new square footage alone. Bank lady said it should be 50 based off house market raise. Appraisal came back at 70.
Why a loan? Because it makes more sense at the end of the day. Even with a new loan, we're walking away with more equity than we currently have.
Not touching the cash funds means it can be put to work in the mean time as well.
edit: Amount of loan I wanted, not needed. I wanted a very generous contingency built in in case something goes fubar.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 31, 2016, 05:15:27 pm
Just askin'. Figured you'd have sound reasons.
Post by: Unorthodox on May 31, 2016, 05:39:02 pm
We went in just hoping for enough to pay for the extension (usually you only see about 80% return on a remodel), the fact we're making equity out of the deal is a little surprising, and particular to our specific circumstances. All the newer construction of bigger houses around us meant our house had more room to 'grow' in value. Assuming the 70 holds through the construction (they reassess after completion), we'll more than double our equity.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 31, 2016, 05:48:05 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on May 31, 2016, 06:25:20 pm
Equity can come into play depending on what the economy does, however. A home equity line of credit can be cheaper than a car loan, for instance (less interest to pay). My parents also like to keep a portion of their house equity tied up for tax purposes.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 31, 2016, 06:40:18 pm
My point is that you could mess up planning too much for 40 years from now and not enough for next year. You gotta live there in the meanwhile, and that has to come first. Comfort and other intangibles matter now more than money value later - maybe. Anything could happen with Talia by the time she's my age, and she may not need it...
Post by: Unorthodox on May 31, 2016, 06:56:38 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on May 31, 2016, 07:30:20 pm
hmmmm.....
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 31, 2016, 07:31:14 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on June 01, 2016, 03:06:46 am
W.T.F.
! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09QkOg0w8wA#)
The trailer doesn't inform you it's also a musical....
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 01, 2016, 03:22:27 am
Post by: Unorthodox on June 01, 2016, 01:36:56 pm
I got about 80% through it when Kyle come home and was confounded, so we restarted to show him the truly disturbing opening scenes with the workers cutting babies out of the cabbages.
It's not a terribly GOOD film by any stretch, hampered by rather mundane music and a refusal to commit. When you make something this outlandish, you play it straight, not with a (constant) wink and a nod. I'll probably go back and finish it at some point.
Post by: Unorthodox on June 03, 2016, 02:50:18 pm
I really don't wait well...
Anyhow, be in the dungeon most the day.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 03, 2016, 02:56:26 pm
Post by: Spacy on June 03, 2016, 09:18:07 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 03, 2016, 09:21:47 pm
Post by: Spacy on June 03, 2016, 09:31:09 pm
...??? what a strange thing to say...
Well, it is a random crap thread. :D
Post by: Unorthodox on June 06, 2016, 01:56:01 pm
Joe's back on hunger strike.
Don't know what's up with her now...
Ok, so it turns out a couple days hunger strike is...well, basically fishy PMS. Couple days, she started eating again, but only the pellets, then back to normal, then lays more eggs.
The egg thing is coming out of nowhere. She's been mature for at least 6 years, why all the sudden the eggs is a mystery, but clearly not a fluke (but a bit annoying having to clean them out every couple weeks) might be the more secluded area of the house makes her more comfortable, but I'm saying she just really likes Alec.
Post by: Unorthodox on June 06, 2016, 08:16:48 pm
More waiting.
Post by: Unorthodox on June 07, 2016, 01:32:38 pm
WTF? If it spends another 2 weeks in underwriting again, I'm going to be bouncing off the walls. And it was their auditor in the first place, what the hell is that?
Post by: Unorthodox on June 07, 2016, 09:25:09 pm
One of the monkeys tells the venue that the freaks and clowns haven't even started and aren't going to be ready. Venue calls the ringmaster, who comes asking us freaks what's going on.
First of all you NEVER tell the venue that, they're ass is on the line just as much as the circus. Second of all, the monkeys have no idea what us freaks and clowns are doing, let alone the state of readiness.
Monkey: "Oh, I was just joking with the venue"
Ringmaster: "My fault. Monkeys are never to have meetings with the venue alone again."
Post by: Unorthodox on June 08, 2016, 01:26:06 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 08, 2016, 01:38:47 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on June 08, 2016, 03:03:50 pm
However, this is a special situation. The Mother Ship being foreign, there's a special need for smoke and mirrors when they arrive on site.
Post by: Unorthodox on June 08, 2016, 05:55:45 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 08, 2016, 05:57:47 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on June 08, 2016, 06:51:22 pm
Whatever that means for timing...
Tangible progress none the less.
Post by: Unorthodox on June 08, 2016, 08:50:21 pm
Don't know if it'll be enough to satisfy my need of feeling like I accomplished something over the weekend. Meanwhile my hands are tied in other avenues on the house while the bank waits...
Might just have to dig something out to build.
Post by: Rusty Edge on June 08, 2016, 10:18:30 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on June 08, 2016, 10:28:48 pm
Post by: Rusty Edge on June 08, 2016, 10:59:37 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on June 09, 2016, 02:10:36 pm
There better be a way to speed the 10 day waiting period...WTF?
Post by: Unorthodox on June 09, 2016, 09:27:40 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 09, 2016, 09:56:19 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on June 09, 2016, 10:11:33 pm
They are sequestered over at a dog and pony show this afternoon.
Nice thing about foreigners is lots of folks want to get in on the act.
Post by: Unorthodox on June 09, 2016, 10:31:13 pm
Wise man, the ringmaster. Honeywell had to learn the hard way, I'm a very big believer in the show must go on. I don't care how very VIP someone thinks they are.
I know a lot of folks think our ringmaster is a hard fellow to get along with, as in, it usually shocks folks that he and I joke with each other when he doesn't with most anyone else. That's not to say we've always seen eye to eye on situations, but we're both brutally blunt and honest, and he respects the fact I don't treat anyone different no matter their title.
One of two fellows at that level of a company I respect enough to say if he ever needed me somewhere, I'd follow him if at all possible. The other was at TASC, but for different reasons.
Post by: Unorthodox on June 10, 2016, 04:29:15 am
Post by: Unorthodox on June 10, 2016, 05:08:32 pm
Feeling a lot better than last night though, if not normal.
Post by: Unorthodox on June 11, 2016, 07:53:39 pm
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CCzNJWO3Fe4/V1xb6BVsU4I/AAAAAAAAgpE/mbCc9t74HrAWr8rB67IApaElQESFjMsLgCCo/s800/IMG_1229.JPG)
Post by: Unorthodox on June 13, 2016, 04:22:19 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 13, 2016, 04:26:26 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on June 13, 2016, 05:40:31 pm
And it's not like we're scraping by trying to squeeze every penny out here either. This is a no brainer, perfect credit, more than enough equity for collateral, plenty of cash on hand if there's a housing bubble popping, etc.
Starting to see why people do this out of pocket, despite the protection a construction loan provides.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 13, 2016, 07:27:00 pm
Post by: Rusty Edge on June 13, 2016, 07:43:32 pm
Well, I guess it's the pendulum swung the other way from "NO MONEY DOWN!" too easy era.
Post by: Unorthodox on June 15, 2016, 07:33:57 pm
Quote
As soon as it is clear to close from the underwriting dept I will get with you guys. The appraiser had to address a couple of items on the appraisal and it is done so we are just waiting for it to be completed.
Post by: Spacy on June 15, 2016, 11:18:31 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on June 16, 2016, 04:55:23 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on June 16, 2016, 04:57:31 pm
Not final, we're meeting with the designer again next week, but a decent idea the direction we're going with the remodel.
Post by: Spacy on June 16, 2016, 08:03:30 pm
Might want to reconsider that upper all by itself next to the sink. Leaving it out would help the light enter the rest of the home from that window and make the space feel bigger.
Also, consider more oversized drawers instead of big open box cabinets with shelves for pots and pans. Of course, it costs more, but I know I prefer the drawers.
The hex shaped backsplash tile is very in trend right now. If you are worried about getting a dated look, changing that to a square tile (same colors even) will help it last longer (for style and looks only, mind you, as they should function for a couple hundred years if they are good tile to begin with). Just remember that golden harvest or avocado fridge you had growing up and how that would look in the kitchen now a days. Also, think now about grout color. With unstained wood cabinets (I am a fan of the unstained maple), and the grey flooring, and the other colors you have, you really should look at a sample with both a neutral light grey and with a dark charcoal color to compare and contrast.
I am assuming that door next to the fridge goes to the garage, or exterior as you have a detached garage, right? If so, and if you have it in the budget, I would move it over 8-16" from the wall. That corner basically is a mud room, and if you move it over you can put in a hall tree, or a shelf with a bowl for keys, a bench, or whatever. It won't be as pretty, but it will add a lot to functionality and organization.
Just some random thunks is all. Overall, really nice!
Post by: Unorthodox on June 16, 2016, 08:26:29 pm
The door/corner leaving the kitchen goes into "The Fish Room". There's a barely visible dotted line running down the center of the kitchen, everything to the right of that line is new construction. I don't love the corner there, but it kinda has to stay unless we tear into the other half of the house as well.
There's a glass sliding door just to the left of that upper cabinet you can't see, so lighting shouldn't be an issue in the rest of the area, but I see the point. I'll run it by the boss, this was just a first draft of the cabinetry. Right now we have so little space, and a lot of cooking items spill into "the craft room". We're more than doubling our cabinet space, but it's hard to know just how much we're going to need. (though if it's there, we'll probably fill it)
I'm actually asking for different lighting options for near the cook top, because I need function over form over there, and some spot lights will do that better. The ones in that first draft are fine for over the island.
The cabinets are stained the dark...whatever brown color (colorblind)...I'm not sure why the unstained piece is in the design pdf, I think it was just to note the wood type.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RyaRPGz_Rzw/VuJFJIYh93I/AAAAAAAAf1o/kWqgrwE6HEYMStqw_Jfh-uEbtM2bvzYBQCCo/s800/mf.jpg)
There's a bunch of oversized drawers under the cooking range, I have a better pic of that side without the bar in the way, but ironically I CAN'T pull that one from here, but could do the PDF.
Basement has been modded some from this drawing, but gives you a better idea where the new construction is. (And the Halloween workshop!)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NhgSyjEWX5s/VuJFIxZ1OUI/AAAAAAAAf1Q/amc9SytdxUo73HAj0os51Mf0VAZjHwqOgCCo/s800/ll.jpg)
Edit: Cabinets are the "Nutmeg" color. My contribution to all the color scheming is the bronze fixtures and the countertop.
If I design the shop outside a simple whatever I can find, expect a whole lotta dark. ;lol
Post by: Spacy on June 16, 2016, 10:34:38 pm
I am getting the idea of how the home is expanding. Looks good.
One thing you might want to consider - I am insisting on it for the designs we are getting for my new home - is external stairs into the basement with a "kansas storm door" type covering. Our new basement won't be finished right a way, but I will likely have a lot of stuff stored down there along with future plans for a shop / studio down there - and having external access will make life so much easier.
Post by: Unorthodox on June 17, 2016, 12:40:03 am
Post by: Spacy on June 17, 2016, 01:55:09 am
Post by: Bearu on June 19, 2016, 04:46:18 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on June 20, 2016, 06:56:40 pm
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5nJfPiOIiI4/V2NgYiGb9rI/AAAAAAAAgu0/z8YK8Zi9LnUU0TgCT-dTTkLYJUyj2lfuACCo/s800/IMG_1233.JPG)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fCqJMnVeQLE/V2NgYHutLNI/AAAAAAAAgu0/TRwH5Zmo9dwTZZuelod469pVS7R3uUYaACCo/s800/IMG_1234.JPG)
Post by: Unorthodox on June 20, 2016, 07:02:32 pm
"Don't they freak you out with all that buzzing?"
To demonstrate my coming point, I reach out and pet one down it's back with a finger.
"These guys are just big ole babies. They aren't going to hurt anyone."
Bumblebees are one of the few things capable that have NEVER stung me.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 20, 2016, 07:07:44 pm
Post by: Dale on June 21, 2016, 03:34:10 am
Everything else we have just wants to kill you.
Post by: Unorthodox on June 21, 2016, 02:13:26 pm
Of agricultural importance, the "blue banded bee" seems to have a niche similar to Mason Bees here in the States.
But no bumblebees, which actually surprises me.
Learn something every day.
Bumblebee distribution.
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/42/Bombus_distribution.jpg)
Edit: If I ever make it to Australia, I want to go out and get me a jack jumper ant farm. :D
Post by: Unorthodox on June 21, 2016, 04:07:58 pm
Alright, it's time to preserve my sanity and move on to something I CAN control.
How do we fix this costume? For something I started Mid-October last year, it was shockingly well done, and an awful lot of fun reactions. I would consider wearing it to the festival in July if I get this all fixed up.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xwQ8pW6E1PA/VjbmyrsS4eI/AAAAAAAAfVU/nQjZ9JBXsaExGJqXxRZrS6ua2JhjLx7pQCCo/s800/IMG_8312.JPG)
First off, the mask.
Not a terribly LOT needs to be done there. But trimming up the undercloth is a must. There's a couple holes to fill in as well.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-f1XGNr-1hoI/VjbnUhp22sI/AAAAAAAAfZs/SsuYfjlA68QpTFBJ7KMaaYQegNThdFhjQCCo/s800/IMG_8349.JPG)
The rest needs a total overhaul. (since it was literally put together day of Halloween and meant to be temporary, that's not a shock)
First, the fur has to go. Not only is it too hot, but it clashes with the moss beard. Looking over inspirations and options how best to do this, I'm thinking a form of ghillie suit/ghillie net is the way to go. I can dement the hell out of it by tying on feathers and bones with the 'camo'. Still toying with best possible color combos.
This especially appeals as it's a multipurpose 'costume' I've wanted to do for a while anyway.
Post by: Spacy on June 21, 2016, 05:22:30 pm
If you have time (and patience and a bit of extra cash) do henna on the arms to fake in some celtic tattoo's.
Pants should be more kilt like (keeping the celtic theme - which is what I associate the Green Man with, even though it is more cosmopolitan than celtic in origin).
Or, were you more trying to be Cernunnos (horned god / boatman) instead of just Green Man? If so, and if I remember my latin art correct, didn't he have torques on his horns, which were more antler like as opposed to bovine like? I remember them because there was a big discussion we had that basically amounted to even though he should be a wild animal, he was proven to not be so because he had the torques and thus was either human (jewelry) or at least he had been domesticated enough to have ornamentation.
Post by: Unorthodox on June 21, 2016, 05:49:27 pm
Or, were you more trying to be Cernunnos (horned god / boatman) instead of just Green Man?
Somewhere between the two, though both played part of inspiration as well as other things. Most especially my overall thoughts of the plants animating and taking over we have going on in the yard as a whole. Thus the moss on the arms, which could be done better if I had more time (or someone that could apply them to me instead of trying to do it solo)
Literally, I just wanted a male counterpart to Talia's costume.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WDUI0OeTPAw/VjbnJmIQ2WI/AAAAAAAAfYM/XAzGgh3QROkgzQl-FmtZI8w220UFC1i0gCCo/s800/IMG_8336.JPG)
The locals are so bereft of wider religious/mythological knowledge that they were completely baffled and couldn't even pull green man or horned one from it, which amuses me as well.
Henna don't show up dark enough on me. I'd have to go get tats airbrushed. The summer festival is put on by a tattoo parlor, so it's doable, but time and money, and potential issues at work.
I actually have the pants on under a black kiltish thing. I can get that illusion better with the ghillie net used for the kilt.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 21, 2016, 06:08:30 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on June 21, 2016, 06:44:50 pm
Ditch the t-shirt, of course. Your forearms look like the rest might be reasonably buff...
It was what I had at the time. I started the mask Oct 14, the rest of it was day of whatever I could find. However, the resulting complete farmer's tan of removing sleeves wouldn't be particularly helpful either. We do need to blend the edge there, at the very least so it doesn't LOOK like a T.
Edit: Also of possible concern. It's not uncommon to be sub-zero on Halloween. Those furs have kept me warm many years. Ditching them could get interesting. I don't run barefoot anymore due to the bridge and potential foot hazards, though. I considered going shorts under the skirt and barefoot. It fits better, but was impractical.
Same would be said of the summer festival. Barefoot in 100 degree possible temps on blacktop isn't practical. I could DO it, I just doubt I'd come away unscathed.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 21, 2016, 06:51:00 pm
-I'd say be thinking about what you can do with fur-optional according to conditions. I speak as a former full-time rennie who had to work all day in all sorts of outdoor conditions, almost never nice ones...
Post by: Dale on June 21, 2016, 07:07:43 pm
Google tells me there's 1500 species of native Australian bees, so you definitely have more than honey bees.
;eek
Quote
Edit: If I ever make it to Australia, I want to go out and get me a jack jumper ant farm. :D
Those things aren't funny.
Post by: Spacy on June 21, 2016, 07:11:31 pm
Some fake moccasins (slippers) would work well with the kilt idea, and keep it rustic looking. Particularly if you get some leather string and tie them up to your knees as if they were part of the moccasins. Just watch for water - wouldn't do well to get them too wet.
Instead of black (if you want to keep the Tee & Shorts) go with a rich red. In the dark, will look black enough, but should offer a good contrast with the green in lighted conditions to help delineate the moss.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 21, 2016, 07:13:44 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on June 21, 2016, 07:26:52 pm
Those things aren't funny.
Oh, I know a lot more than when I made the red fire ant farm as a kid, and they are the logical next step.
Post by: Unorthodox on June 21, 2016, 09:28:21 pm
Instead of henna, you can always go Sharpy Markers - will be dark enough, and gives you multiple colors and price wise should be doable - but they will last a couple of weeks I expect.
Yeah, same with Henna. Potential issues with work, there. Heck, I wouldn't necessarily be opposed to a straight up sleeve tat if it wouldn't cause undo problems with work/family.
Quote
Some fake moccasins (slippers) would work well with the kilt idea, and keep it rustic looking. Particularly if you get some leather string and tie them up to your knees as if they were part of the moccasins. Just watch for water - wouldn't do well to get them too wet.
Real moccs are available fairly easily around here, but wouldn't do much for the hazards I face. I try to keep in steel toes.
Quote
Instead of black (if you want to keep the Tee & Shorts) go with a rich red. In the dark, will look black enough, but should offer a good contrast with the green in lighted conditions to help delineate the moss.
Well, I got to wear something under the "kilt", that's just given. MAYBE...the fake tattoo nylon things...they'd have to be custom made, though. The shirt I'm more open to, but need something, and tan line is as bad as shirt line. Again, MAYBE the fake tattoo nylons, but would need a custom job...and THERE I'm not even sure I could find a blank in my size. Last adult size I saw wouldn't go over my forearm.
http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=nylon+tattoo+sleeves&FORM=HDRSC2 (http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=nylon+tattoo+sleeves&FORM=HDRSC2)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 21, 2016, 09:51:39 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on June 21, 2016, 10:46:22 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 21, 2016, 11:35:32 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on June 22, 2016, 06:32:28 pm
We can't hit the accelerator till next week, though. Some stupid mandatory waiting rule. Because I haven't waited enough yet.
Post by: hEtErOdOx on June 23, 2016, 09:04:48 am
Post by: Spacy on June 23, 2016, 12:21:08 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 23, 2016, 01:47:33 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on June 23, 2016, 02:20:56 pm
The rendered drawing of the kitchen seems to be flicking a light switch in a lot of people's heads as to what we're trying to do.
Post by: Unorthodox on June 24, 2016, 04:30:05 am
http://www.charismamag.com/blogs/the-plumb-line/24566-5-clear-signs-witchcraft-is-attacking-you-right-now (http://www.charismamag.com/blogs/the-plumb-line/24566-5-clear-signs-witchcraft-is-attacking-you-right-now)
Quote
Obviously, there is a spiritual force that the Bible is warning us about. It causes us to take leave of our senses. Witchcraft releases strong confusion against our minds so that Jesus is not the clear focus of our lives. Once that happens, we are more vulnerable to the vain imaginations the enemy whispers to our souls. We have a responsibility to know about this spiritual wickedness and guard ourselves against it. With that said, here are eight signs you are under a witchcraft attack right now.
1. Confusion: Witchcraft makes you question yourself, question your friends, question your leaders—question God. When witchcraft attacks, it's difficult to make sound decisions, you may forget your keys
I AM BEWITCHED!!!!! My god, I forget keys!!!
Quote
2. Trouble paying attention: When witchcraft attacks, it can feel like your mind is scrambled like an egg. You have trouble staying focused on the tasks at hand. Your mind wanders to and fro.
MORE PROOF!
Quote
3. Wanting to hide in your cave:
(If only I could find a way to make money at it.) CLEARLY a Witch is attacking me!
Post by: Unorthodox on June 24, 2016, 04:38:41 am
(https://anibundel.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/s04_e0401_09_135758782135.jpg)
Post by: Unorthodox on June 24, 2016, 09:37:03 am
My cats flipping out and breaking glass was enough to ensure I'm not sleeping. Left wet nose/mouth marks on the screen door, and knocked over a jar I had outside. I've never heard my cats react that way to anything. Not sure if it was my cats or the jar that scared it, but heard it run by outside my bedroom, clamoring in the stuff by the shed. A stray dog wouldn't be in that stuff.
I hear a dog down the street flipping out now.
Post by: Unorthodox on June 24, 2016, 09:53:55 am
Or maybe thats a good thing.
http://www.utahhalloweenexpo.com/ (http://www.utahhalloweenexpo.com/)
Post by: Spacy on June 24, 2016, 02:35:42 pm
Googling around looking for an out of circulation prop, I stumbled on this:
http://www.charismamag.com/blogs/the-plumb-line/24566-5-clear-signs-witchcraft-is-attacking-you-right-now (http://www.charismamag.com/blogs/the-plumb-line/24566-5-clear-signs-witchcraft-is-attacking-you-right-now)QuoteObviously, there is a spiritual force that the Bible is warning us about. It causes us to take leave of our senses. Witchcraft releases strong confusion against our minds so that Jesus is not the clear focus of our lives. Once that happens, we are more vulnerable to the vain imaginations the enemy whispers to our souls. We have a responsibility to know about this spiritual wickedness and guard ourselves against it. With that said, here are eight signs you are under a witchcraft attack right now.
1. Confusion: Witchcraft makes you question yourself, question your friends, question your leaders—question God. When witchcraft attacks, it's difficult to make sound decisions, you may forget your keys
I AM BEWITCHED!!!!! My god, I forget keys!!!Quote2. Trouble paying attention: When witchcraft attacks, it can feel like your mind is scrambled like an egg. You have trouble staying focused on the tasks at hand. Your mind wanders to and fro.
MORE PROOF!Quote3. Wanting to hide in your cave:
(If only I could find a way to make money at it.) CLEARLY a Witch is attacking me!
Sounds a lot like the vicodin I am taking right now....
Post by: Unorthodox on June 27, 2016, 01:54:42 pm
There's a few items that still need to be addressed with the contractor, but they are all finishing type stuff.
Saturday, ordered most of the appliances. Some salesman hit the jackpot when we come in, wanting an entire kitchen set.
Closing on the loan today, should have a schedule shortly after that. I think the loan has to fund before they can really start. Hopefully groundbreaking towards the end of the week.
Post by: Spacy on June 27, 2016, 02:23:14 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 27, 2016, 02:40:23 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on June 27, 2016, 03:13:12 pm
Post by: Dale on June 27, 2016, 11:26:09 pm
I know for a fact the back yard swallowed a few of my skulls over the years. They should be mostly small chunks and indiscernible if not completely decomposed by now, but I'm kinda curious what, if anything, gets found when we start digging.
I'm interested in the worker's reactions when they start digging those things up. hahaha.
Post by: Unorthodox on June 27, 2016, 11:55:29 pm
Loan won't fund till Friday, so probably not starting till next week.
Post by: Unorthodox on June 29, 2016, 10:06:49 pm
First they ask me to bring em back from the grave, but they'll have to pay me to put em back in.
! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nMYLaroqUvw#)
Post by: Unorthodox on June 30, 2016, 04:50:55 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 30, 2016, 05:12:35 am
Post by: Unorthodox on June 30, 2016, 02:38:28 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on June 30, 2016, 02:47:32 pm
(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--pEpfJAUjUg/Vo8ANFf6iNI/AAAAAAABCjE/CmRIWMmaKFs/s400/beggingforcandy200.png)
Post by: Unorthodox on June 30, 2016, 02:58:35 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 30, 2016, 03:31:47 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on June 30, 2016, 03:40:13 pm
http://pumpkinrot.blogspot.com/search/label/begging%20for%20candy (http://pumpkinrot.blogspot.com/search/label/begging%20for%20candy)
Post by: Unorthodox on June 30, 2016, 08:02:37 pm
Quote
•True 365nm UV with no visible purple light. Even the best fluorescent UV lamps like our SableLux® have a little bit of purple light mixed in with the UV. But SableLED™ is the first true 365nm UV lamp, allowing you to see the pure fluorescent effect undiluted by purple light.
•Flicker-free and free of RF interference. Fluorescents are known for flickering with inexpensive or failing ballasts, and can be prone to RF interference. Not so with SableLED™. You get pure, stable UV light all the time.
Pure UV....That could lead to some real game changing designs.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 30, 2016, 08:18:54 pm
Did I ever tell you about the black light effect Mylochka did on one of her shows?
Post by: Unorthodox on June 30, 2016, 10:17:59 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on July 01, 2016, 02:09:28 pm
Mystery nocturnal animal upsetting Indy.
Between the two, sleep is not being a friend.
Well. Kinda sorta got a look at what's driving Indy bonkers this morning.
Anyone know what eyes shine red?
I know it rules out raccoon and most dogs and cats (with some exception for a rareish blue eyed species).
I can rule out owls as this is definitely quadruped.
I think that leaves us fox or small coyote. Of which, considering how it wasn't totally petrified and fleeing, coyote that's been fed by people is the more likely candidate.
Post by: Unorthodox on July 01, 2016, 02:14:47 pm
Just had to open my big mouth. Yay. More time with the family...
Post by: Unorthodox on July 01, 2016, 02:20:06 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 01, 2016, 02:28:01 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on July 01, 2016, 03:08:33 pm
Was being polite to family, they unexpectedly took me up on it.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 01, 2016, 03:15:50 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on July 01, 2016, 03:39:47 pm
Post by: E_T on July 01, 2016, 06:09:57 pm
Similar idea to my ghillie suit idea. Think it would work well.
(https://anibundel.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/s04_e0401_09_135758782135.jpg)
Looks fantastic in the light, but what about in low light situations??
Post by: Unorthodox on July 01, 2016, 06:17:16 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on July 02, 2016, 02:43:33 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 02, 2016, 02:46:39 am
Post by: Unorthodox on July 02, 2016, 09:31:07 am
Post by: Rusty Edge on July 02, 2016, 10:20:45 pm
So, we have a 2 fold problem. White kitty is pissing off Lily. On the other hand, it's made her more prone to be upstairs "guarding" her house, and much more tolerant of me in the times immediately after a spotting.
Mystery nocturnal animal upsetting Indy.
Between the two, sleep is not being a friend.
Well. Kinda sorta got a look at what's driving Indy bonkers this morning.
Anyone know what eyes shine red?
I know it rules out raccoon and most dogs and cats (with some exception for a rareish blue eyed species).
I can rule out owls as this is definitely quadruped.
I think that leaves us fox or small coyote. Of which, considering how it wasn't totally petrified and fleeing, coyote that's been fed by people is the more likely candidate.
http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/wrcp/wildnotes/winter0708/eyeshine-pg20108.html (http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/wrcp/wildnotes/winter0708/eyeshine-pg20108.html)
This cites foxes, rabbits, and some owls as having red eye shine at night. But that's in PA. Your mileage may vary.
Post by: Unorthodox on July 03, 2016, 06:03:12 am
Report from the day.
Mystery cat eyeshine is blue/green. Not the red culprit.
It has run off or eaten my burrowing owl and taken over residence or at least spending a great deal of time and guarding the area near where the owl's uh...den? was. Back behind my shed. He's (guessing at sex, haven't gotten close enough) actively pestering my cats, hissing and provoking them at the door and window. Has been fed, but doesn't appear to be getting regular food, but can't be sure.
Decent chance the other (more intermittent) problem is related to his presence. Coyote looking for a meal (mixed reports on coyote eye shine = red).
I'm not opposed to cats in the yard, but this one's gone territorial. Typical male feral activity.
I begun passive deterrent today, disrupting his area with both noise and scent. I figure construction will provide more deterrent.
Capture/relocate is on the table if I need to get more aggressive.
Post by: Unorthodox on July 03, 2016, 05:40:42 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 03, 2016, 05:48:52 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on July 04, 2016, 04:21:19 am
As tradition, the kids and I are sleeping outside tonight. So, I doubt he'll be bugging our cats tonight.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 04, 2016, 04:27:06 am
Post by: Unorthodox on July 04, 2016, 09:54:09 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on July 06, 2016, 01:27:27 pm
Meanwhile, the Halloween in summer fest is a week from Saturday. I'm going to see if I can't get something ready. That'll kill 2 weeks.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 06, 2016, 01:31:10 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on July 06, 2016, 05:24:46 pm
How do we fix the one area that really needs it on the mask?
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QA4N0EUSMis/ViMS17nKEWI/AAAAAAAAe6E/kk0ZvgPQiRADYI2V1qL1vimBfE50yBSbwCCo/s800/IMG_0638.JPG)
Designed purposely that the mouth area would be glued right into my goatee. That's going to be miserable in the summer heat rather than just annoying on Halloween. Not to mention it's messy to apply, which is not going to happen in the car.
Stripping the Spanish moss in favor of something else IS on the table as well. Something that doesn't shed so bad.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 06, 2016, 06:11:44 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on July 07, 2016, 01:21:34 pm
2 craft stores lack what I need for the costume. One more to try. Might not be possible in the given time.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 07, 2016, 01:29:34 pm
I wonder how feasible turning some dead-leaf brown would be?
Post by: Unorthodox on July 07, 2016, 01:50:04 pm
The leaves already in place in the pic above - those are those thin fabric leaves one sometimes sees on better-quality fake plants and place settings? You could do more with those if you had the leaves.
I wonder how feasible turning some dead-leaf brown would be?
3rd store says they have my suit stuff if the online is accurate.
Hitting the wayback machine, same stuff I made ye olde Zulu styled leg...doodads for the witchdoctor.
Should be able to get the suit illusion with much less weight than a 'real' ghillie suit with that stuff.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7I4X0Ymr31M/SQxm0zIfxaI/AAAAAAAACCA/aeBlPf0kH6ATTJRk1zgzNHg_y1z-0FwyQCCo/s800/IMG_2014.JPG)
Toying with the idea of using it for hair on the mask, but I have mixed feelings. They don't use the same exact stuff anymore, so want to see it on the suit first.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 07, 2016, 02:10:17 pm
3rd store says they have my suit stuff if the online is accurate.How do you keep a buncle in suspense?
Post by: Unorthodox on July 08, 2016, 07:33:34 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on July 09, 2016, 04:19:43 am
Post by: Unorthodox on July 12, 2016, 01:54:37 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on July 12, 2016, 09:15:35 pm
Not for worry of finishing, really, but hEt's not going to be able to go, and I don't need to be distracted or limiting my peripheral vision at all when I have Talia to watch in a crowd. I'm a firm believer in situational awareness.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 12, 2016, 09:22:00 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on July 12, 2016, 09:41:05 pm
Talia is debating between a practice run on the doll makeup and another day of the dead design for her.
Either way, my facepaint/makeup toolbag is lightyears ahead of where it was last year, so should be fun and good practice for me.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 12, 2016, 09:49:07 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on July 12, 2016, 09:59:39 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 12, 2016, 11:20:43 pm
Post by: Rusty Edge on July 13, 2016, 02:12:24 am
They are producing a spray and taking orders. Thanks Uno!
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/kite-shield-deet-free-mosquito-repellent-spray#/ (https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/kite-shield-deet-free-mosquito-repellent-spray#/)
Post by: Unorthodox on July 13, 2016, 02:01:23 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on July 13, 2016, 02:31:31 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 13, 2016, 03:43:52 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on July 13, 2016, 05:10:08 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 13, 2016, 05:14:25 pm
How frustrating is the remodeling wait at this point? Any noteworthy developments since you've mentioned?
Post by: Unorthodox on July 13, 2016, 05:22:27 pm
We're at least 2 weeks from starting. I'm trying to keep my mind off it.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 13, 2016, 05:25:02 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on July 14, 2016, 01:22:37 pm
Post by: Dale on July 15, 2016, 05:39:46 am
Checked the gravity of my home brew strawberry and pear cider. Still not ready, maybe a couple more days of fermenting to go. If anyone knows what it all means, the SG is 1012 at the moment. Aiming for a settling point of 1007 which will give an alcohol reading of ~4.7-4.8%.
It's been pretty cold around here this last week, so I'm not surprised it's going to take a couple more days.
Post by: E_T on July 15, 2016, 10:20:40 am
Post by: Unorthodox on July 15, 2016, 02:43:45 pm
Starting to plan the trip tomorrow. Debating whether I really want to see any of the entertainment:
http://halloweeninsummerfestival.com/entertainment-first-stage.php (http://halloweeninsummerfestival.com/entertainment-first-stage.php)
Talia enjoyed the Burlesque Circus last year (even if they failed to deliver on the geek show they promised. Yes, I'm sick enough I wanted to see a real geek show. Google it)
Depending on what Talia decides to do for costuming, she might qualify as 'cosplaying' for the contest or not. I've long been a fan of making my own costume rather than trying to emulate someone, so we don't really typically conform to "Cosplaying". Don't know why people can't do a straight up costume contest. Where this is much closer to the actual trick or treating this year, it's a possibility.
http://halloweeninsummerfestival.com/festival-events.php (http://halloweeninsummerfestival.com/festival-events.php)
Coupled with time for me to shop, since I actually have some cash this year. (not that I really plan on seeing anything to buy, but there might be some skulls)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 15, 2016, 03:10:43 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on July 16, 2016, 09:50:07 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 16, 2016, 11:00:07 pm
Is her nervousness about the wax needed for the painted doll assuaged now?
Post by: Unorthodox on July 17, 2016, 01:01:33 am
Post by: Unorthodox on July 17, 2016, 01:09:03 am
Post by: Unorthodox on July 18, 2016, 02:02:11 pm
From a purely analytical sense, the festival was much more successful this year. It at least doubled in size, and gained news coverage.
https://www.ksl.com/?sid=40685390&nid=148&title=halloween-haunts-heat-up-at-summer-celebration (https://www.ksl.com/?sid=40685390&nid=148&title=halloween-haunts-heat-up-at-summer-celebration)
Subjectively, it took a step back. They're trying to do too much.
First of all, the booths:
They let there be a sole sponsor this year, and this was an incredibly bad move. That sponsor being Salt Lake City Comic Con, they turned it into just another advertising stunt for themselves (naturally). Now, LAST YEAR, when you had 3 different haunted houses sponsoring, they each were trying to one-up each other, and so we got to see all the professional grade costumes on display with over a dozen professional actors.
Those houses this year, just had a plain clothes handing out flyers. Why put in effort without the billing?
While the number of booths doubled (good thing) splitting them down two streets was a rather dumb move. And while I get the concept between mixing in the food trucks with the booths, it created a logistical nightmare where last years 'food court' style setup with all the trucks at one end kept things with a nice flow.
______________________
The Wares:
Not much was to my taste, that's no real surprise. The prop makers were rather bland. One clearly got ahold of my method of building Father/Mother, but did something neat with it. Another stole the whole bifurcated pumpkins design.
Masks and dolls, I'll get the pictures edited and up later.
There was a rather cute diorama booth that used bugs and plants. Talia ended up buying a little terrarium piece from them.
Lots of more Martha Stewart stuff and various new agey mystical stuff that was just not up my alley.
No unpainted skulls this year.
The professional artists there to sell makeup lessons asked me how I managed Talia's (which looked better in motion than the stills really show)
Talia wanted some custom fangs (no, not till you're done growing)
And custom contacts (No, not till you're done growing and your mom can help because dad don't do eyeballs)
_______________________________________
Costumes.
Last year, if I had finished the costume I'm working on, I would have not been embarrassed to walk around.
This year, if I had finished, I would have been one of the most impressive.
There was one really good costume. And it was more of an admire the technical aspect than it was necessarily wow I'm impressed. (And both Talia and I are geek enough to have recognized both it and the lady escorting)
http://www.facebook.com/jennifer.roberts.12914/videos/804553439646186/ (http://www.facebook.com/jennifer.roberts.12914/videos/804553439646186/)
The furry contingent was much less impressive this year. Only two of them were donning their full getups, which had been updated/altered. Mechanical/steampunk elements added, which was....interesting. They didn't stick around for pics either. The rest had devolved to just tails and ears, with the occasional footings or gloves mixed in.
Post by: Unorthodox on July 18, 2016, 02:41:12 pm
That puts a completed date as Dec 8th.
The good news in this is that the kids will be back in school before we have strangers in the house. That's one less thing to fret about.
It ruins some Thanksgiving plans for hEt, however.
Post by: hEtErOdOx on July 18, 2016, 10:19:37 pm
It's our year to host my family on Christmas Eve, and it will be really cool to deck out the new house for that purpose...I think my mom especially would have appreciated it.
Post by: Unorthodox on July 18, 2016, 10:28:02 pm
Don't see how it could be done logistically right now, but there's the OPTION of having two trees this year as well, since I haven't disposed of the old one yet. (whether we have enough quality ornaments and such is another matter)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 18, 2016, 11:16:53 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on July 19, 2016, 02:13:15 am
Suggesting a second tree is true love.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 19, 2016, 02:55:31 am
You know, with her you're a weirdo -God bless- but really a respectable family man, responsible, sober, and a good husband and father really making a go of life. ;b; Had she not been on the market for a bad boy when she met you -and sir, you know by now what very high regard I hold you in for your astonishing gifts at so many things, and as a moral person for all your love of trolling IRL with all the creepyman stuff- my buncle powers see a much more bitter lonely man today without her steading influence. Like weird enough to put up with your weird, normal enough for kids and a house in the 'burbs, and I think you needed the steady, and the touch of normal. -She got a Super(anti)hero who can do anything, you got a Lois Lane who doesn't fall out of windows and gives you reason to live and smile.
True love, indeed.
Post by: Unorthodox on July 19, 2016, 04:19:08 am
! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_bY0fdgpISc#)
Post by: Unorthodox on July 19, 2016, 04:27:41 am
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RaHA5ZNrnyc/V42YkLqROII/AAAAAAAAg64/44nOphwgZFQVZLjT4VFV5nL6sLs8-xjWACCo/s800/IMGP7569.jpg)
That there pic in the backwould be an unofence design ripoff...
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AFcuPCu-8T4/V42YkG1RSUI/AAAAAAAAg64/v5MCmNx2igwOSL56MhOeEnfGmxOQ51wNgCCo/s800/IMGP7570.jpg)
The firepits are neat though
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-eX8UKmEUlXM/V42YkRxYR0I/AAAAAAAAg64/UH3fQTeQFlwKrDMkVI5qIMpA2GIaHQ5_gCCo/s800/IMGP7571.jpg)
That wraith pic... I could build that....
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2k_aGa04lJg/V42YkUtHA-I/AAAAAAAAg64/XxMT_Or2gnsV_9RIqTcZMUrg-dc_pahQACCo/s800/IMGP7572.jpg)
Someone else is using Unomud and jute netting to construct.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vhkPwBi-wHM/V42Yk6L8tkI/AAAAAAAAg64/dHemFWoohvcde--8YX9ehTIXR8EUxbuRQCCo/s800/IMGP7576.jpg)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-viU5OxHhWek/V42YlCM7U-I/AAAAAAAAg64/YOvJjkyoUYEjiNBO04jImp4gDGegKf5IgCCo/s800/IMGP7577.jpg)
Even I'm not THAT crass.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZKwgx9tic3Y/V42YlZLxnvI/AAAAAAAAg64/ojtenjpEwEsIKavbdaq3Spm2OFHNfnInQCCo/s800/IMGP7579.jpg)
Post by: Unorthodox on July 19, 2016, 04:33:44 am
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6a3c-lXmpO0/V42Ykw6WvVI/AAAAAAAAg64/VR5epThatWgIaSzOyUM37Vm-kZdjm_gFQCCo/s800/IMGP7575.jpg)
Dolls:
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1YyCgk5Rx-I/V42Yjn-TuUI/AAAAAAAAg64/UQmztUZKtIAfihmAx45_q1ZS4au2sOpHACCo/s800/IMGP7565.jpg)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8liCX6w_R8A/V42Yj1_rXxI/AAAAAAAAg64/Ocu9anIxrtQ4pQVsIwyb2Uo6m3ZpLiiJgCCo/s800/IMGP7566.jpg)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0vj8b3YgQAM/V42YkhMbfdI/AAAAAAAAg64/jei4ttWhv809mnD8P7h-q8qBO49XeQFWwCCo/s800/IMGP7573.jpg)
...shudder....couldn't be avoided...
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uD77ISrFhdU/V42YkpDwr9I/AAAAAAAAg64/EagyaAcGBxgFAAQCkz2_XyxIdaD4jtySgCCo/s800/IMGP7574.jpg)
Fun
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-v2JNM80wR74/V42YlKhyn5I/AAAAAAAAg64/y1eifW-qXhwVhhSfgqnQsNygUx9VJ_XvgCCo/s800/IMGP7578.jpg)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CcjtTtZ7Dno/V42Yj5UMDHI/AAAAAAAAg64/vgfRV5Af9Qkk_RJ4FHN8OqcxmeKlULMwwCCo/s800/IMGP7567.jpg)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NbCHPJUR3LQ/V42Yjdf85_I/AAAAAAAAg64/0k3QyTV4GmYnA9hf0IRnhaVL2f0fcNtXQCCo/s800/IMGP7564.jpg)
Post by: Unorthodox on July 19, 2016, 04:36:48 am
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cw0ETdWWIe0/V42YlT4xFOI/AAAAAAAAg64/aojR5mGAUNYbmwOXX8C2e8JgcR4CCknIQCCo/s800/IMGP7580.jpg)
Masks, just decorated pre-made blanks:
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-04oBi31F_bo/V42YjGLQwwI/AAAAAAAAg64/d-7bsZZv5I8TUtaUOayewXFmHYn_W6TGwCCo/s800/IMGP7562.jpg)
Post by: E_T on July 19, 2016, 09:38:10 am
Just finished watching the Netflicks Season One of Stranger Things and it was Awesome! Great mix of Scifi, Thriller, Horror and Drama that is set in the mid to late 80's (pay and rotary dial phones, The Thing on VHS, DnD 2nd Ed). Would love to get UnO's take on it.... especially the monster...
Post by: Dale on July 19, 2016, 11:13:54 am
* I know this is a random crap with Uno thread, but I hope he doesn't mind me putting up a random crap with Dale since I don't usually have enough for a whole thread. :)
Checked the gravity of my home brew strawberry and pear cider. Still not ready, maybe a couple more days of fermenting to go. If anyone knows what it all means, the SG is 1012 at the moment. Aiming for a settling point of 1007 which will give an alcohol reading of ~4.7-4.8%.
It's been pretty cold around here this last week, so I'm not surprised it's going to take a couple more days.
Hmmmmm........ took a reading today. It's 1011. I might be at the end of the run.
I'll check again tomorrow.
Post by: Unorthodox on July 19, 2016, 01:25:43 pm
Stranger things
Just finished watching the Netflicks Season One of Stranger Things and it was Awesome! Great mix of Scifi, Thriller, Horror and Drama that is set in the mid to late 80's (pay and rotary dial phones, The Thing on VHS, DnD 2nd Ed). Would love to get UnO's take on it.... especially the monster...
I'll add it to the weekend to-do list (having only heard of it yesterday).
Post by: Unorthodox on July 19, 2016, 02:11:21 pm
Huh. whodathunk? First year trying to start up. They've picked awful timing, whoever planned this. Most the expos run spring time.
Or maybe thats a good thing.
http://www.utahhalloweenexpo.com/ (http://www.utahhalloweenexpo.com/)
They seem to be entering a desperation mode, giving away booth space.
Kinda torn on the idea. I'd love a local convention, so want to support...
But really, timing couldn't be any worse for any of the quality merchants.
Post by: Unorthodox on July 19, 2016, 03:52:18 pm
;grrr
:stop:
:announce:
:ok:
;woohoo ;woohoo ;woohoo ;woohoo
;aaa ;aaa ;nuke; ;aaa ;aaa
:announce: ;lalala
:wall:
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 19, 2016, 04:16:03 pm
Post by: Rusty Edge on July 19, 2016, 04:35:41 pm
Post by: ColdWizard on July 19, 2016, 04:45:08 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 19, 2016, 04:52:35 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on July 19, 2016, 05:51:07 pm
Most the freaks have been detained by authorities.
The audience is in town and expects a show.
I hate having to perform smoke and mirrors stage magic...but thus far it's working.
And yes, there will need to be a tour through the monkey cage just as filler given the situation.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 19, 2016, 06:04:54 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on July 19, 2016, 06:42:43 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 19, 2016, 07:01:57 pm
WAS he actually bad at it, considering the turd he was having to try to polish? I'm really asking, not having ever been to Iraq and having gotten all I know about it and him from hopelessly biased sources used to more sophisticated PR and openly mocking him...
Post by: Unorthodox on July 19, 2016, 07:16:08 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 19, 2016, 07:21:14 pm
Seriously - one imagines a certain amount of the him looking like a huge inept liar was as simple as being fed bad info and stunts not coming off on schedule...
Post by: hEtErOdOx on July 20, 2016, 12:03:05 am
You know what? Not sucking up to hEt here, but I've concluded that you really are honest-to-God a VERY lucky man to have her, and not because she's out-of-your-league pretty.
You know, with her you're a weirdo -God bless- but really a respectable family man, responsible, sober, and a good husband and father really making a go of life. ;b; Had she not been on the market for a bad boy when she met you -and sir, you know by now what very high regard I hold you in for your astonishing gifts at so many things, and as a moral person for all your love of trolling IRL with all the creepyman stuff- my buncle powers see a much more bitter lonely man today without her steading influence. Like weird enough to put up with your weird, normal enough for kids and a house in the 'burbs, and I think you needed the steady, and the touch of normal. -She got a Super(anti)hero who can do anything, you got a Lois Lane who doesn't fall out of windows and gives you reason to live and smile.
True love, indeed.
I don't think I've ever heard a better description of our relationship. <3
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 20, 2016, 12:09:16 am
Post by: Unorthodox on July 20, 2016, 02:58:02 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 20, 2016, 03:04:19 am
Post by: E_T on July 20, 2016, 07:56:27 am
Post by: Unorthodox on July 20, 2016, 02:02:17 pm
as a moral person for all your love of trolling IRL with all the creepyman stuff
My problem here is the implication that being creepy is trolling and amoral by default.
It took a fair amount of time to just accept the creepy instead of trying to bury it, and not giving a damn what the larger public thinks of it. And yes, hEt played no small part in that. I only actively troll those who piss me off.
Speaking of not giving a damn about the public, I've decided on Sunday for our pumpkin party. With everything in the house going to be a cluster at the time, I won't be in the mood to further inconvenience myself. Let the neighbors decide whether it's appropriate for their beliefs or not. It also frees them to have the church party on the Saturday without me ruining it (because more come to my party when there's a conflict).
I'm probably only doing the front yard this year as well, and maybe only a display as opposed to full on walkthrough. Gonna stick hardhats on father/mother/any other props and put up a 'pardon our dust' sign saying we'll be back in 2017.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 20, 2016, 03:07:43 pm
Now me - I avoid the people who cheese me off to the extent I can, and troll my friends, not playing for blood and according to what I think they'll mind. It's probably all to the good that my circle of buddies here aren't much of the temperament/sense of humor for that. (Dale is easy meat, but not playing for blood gets in the way of that...)
Post by: Unorthodox on July 21, 2016, 01:44:36 am
Post by: Unorthodox on July 21, 2016, 02:20:30 am
Stranger things
Just finished watching the Netflicks Season One of Stranger Things and it was Awesome! Great mix of Scifi, Thriller, Horror and Drama that is set in the mid to late 80's (pay and rotary dial phones, The Thing on VHS, DnD 2nd Ed). Would love to get UnO's take on it.... especially the monster...
Start of episode 1 hooked Talia immediately.
Post by: Unorthodox on July 21, 2016, 03:55:51 am
Post by: Bearu on July 21, 2016, 04:43:59 pm
Sounds like we might be getting a jump start on the building.The building noises already begin to fill the inside of my brain *hammer sounds* *jack hammer sounds* *pneumatic nail guns* *large construction vehicles* *city inspectors* *shudders*.
Post by: Unorthodox on July 22, 2016, 02:48:15 am
Definite dropoff from #1, shades of Twin Peaks.
Frighteners styled creature in wall sighting. (use may predate Frighteners, but that movie made it ubiquitous)
Talia still hooked ;b;
(click to show/hide)
Post by: Unorthodox on July 23, 2016, 04:03:51 am
Talia getting angry with the people being stupid.
More Frighteners-wall-beast action. Better than 2, but pacing is still off kilter, bringing more Twin Peaks feel.
(click to show/hide)
Episode 4:
Pacing nailed this episode. Beast outside of the wall looks familiar, but I can't immediately trace the inspiration. Definite Japanese horror feel to it.
(click to show/hide)
Post by: Rusty Edge on July 23, 2016, 10:59:17 pm
Episode 3:
Talia getting angry with the people being stupid.
More Frighteners-wall-beast action. Better than 2, but pacing is still off kilter, bringing more Twin Peaks feel.(click to show/hide)
Episode 4:
Pacing nailed this episode. Beast outside of the wall looks familiar, but I can't immediately trace the inspiration. Definite Japanese horror feel to it.(click to show/hide)
It's what you do.
http://youtu.be/4TJCEDW1xoA (http://youtu.be/4TJCEDW1xoA)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 24, 2016, 03:58:36 am
It's an inference, BTW - what I meant to imply is that there's a certain pretense to evil(ishness) involved, though you're actually the sober family man and a superhero not just to them, but at work - and no doubt other contexts you don't always mention here. Mr. Halloween devil guy does teh good works on the sly... Arguably a massive troll, if reversed, and moral/whatever inferred opposite is a matter of appearances...as a moral person for all your love of trolling IRL with all the creepyman stuff
My problem here is the implication that being creepy is trolling and amoral by default.
Post by: Unorthodox on July 24, 2016, 05:25:25 am
It's an inference, BTW - what I meant to imply is that there's a certain pretense to evil(ishness) involved, though you're actually the sober family man and a superhero not just to them, but at work - and no doubt other contexts you don't always mention here. Mr. Halloween devil guy does teh good works on the sly... Arguably a massive troll, if reversed, and moral/whatever inferred opposite is a matter of appearances...as a moral person for all your love of trolling IRL with all the creepyman stuff
My problem here is the implication that being creepy is trolling and amoral by default.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
(http://66.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mcgvxyRf4L1qhmu4uo1_1280.jpg)
Post by: Unorthodox on July 24, 2016, 05:44:30 am
We need a facepalm smiley...
(http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f351/charonn0/ohgeez-1.gif)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 24, 2016, 02:01:25 pm
EEEXactly.It's an inference, BTW - what I meant to imply is that there's a certain pretense to evil(ishness) involved, though you're actually the sober family man and a superhero not just to them, but at work - and no doubt other contexts you don't always mention here. Mr. Halloween devil guy does teh good works on the sly... Arguably a massive troll, if reversed, and moral/whatever inferred opposite is a matter of appearances...as a moral person for all your love of trolling IRL with all the creepyman stuff
My problem here is the implication that being creepy is trolling and amoral by default.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
(http://66.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mcgvxyRf4L1qhmu4uo1_1280.jpg)
Post by: Unorthodox on July 24, 2016, 05:14:12 pm
Post by: hEtErOdOx on July 24, 2016, 07:27:01 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on July 24, 2016, 08:35:15 pm
Post by: Dale on July 24, 2016, 09:09:05 pm
* I know this is a random crap with Uno thread, but I hope he doesn't mind me putting up a random crap with Dale since I don't usually have enough for a whole thread. :)
Checked the gravity of my home brew strawberry and pear cider. Still not ready, maybe a couple more days of fermenting to go. If anyone knows what it all means, the SG is 1012 at the moment. Aiming for a settling point of 1007 which will give an alcohol reading of ~4.7-4.8%.
It's been pretty cold around here this last week, so I'm not surprised it's going to take a couple more days.
Hmmmmm........ took a reading today. It's 1011. I might be at the end of the run.
I'll check again tomorrow.
Bottled it last night. Tastes fantastic!
Now to let it prove and carbonate for a week.... then drinkies!
Post by: Unorthodox on July 25, 2016, 03:10:58 am
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-a1flW6Og95M/V5VedNoocRI/AAAAAAAAg9k/SPm1XNOO9mgIb5MNlEZpHJe5vrrTr9jVACCo/s800/CerD2NWXEAQx3Kl.jpg)
Post by: Rusty Edge on July 25, 2016, 03:17:35 am
Post by: Unorthodox on August 01, 2016, 02:40:25 pm
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0ItETq5iuBk/V5tEyqtZSMI/AAAAAAAAg_Y/IbWjHiKJ1UwjNv32rbLMoruShT4db2vQgCCo/s800/IMG_1320.JPG)
They actually have the footing forms in as well, but I didn't get a pic.
Pissed off hornets, broken window, hornets and glass spilling onto my son, power shut off on hottest day of the year, fridge not recovering from the power outage, secondary water inaccessible still, Talia making a valiant effort to save the flowers, and half the kitchen now packed away into boxes and my bedroom about to move.
Quite the week. ???
Post by: Bearu on August 01, 2016, 02:46:19 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 01, 2016, 03:08:00 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 01, 2016, 03:55:34 pm
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NhgSyjEWX5s/VuJFIxZ1OUI/AAAAAAAAf1Q/amc9SytdxUo73HAj0os51Mf0VAZjHwqOgCCo/s800/ll.jpg)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 01, 2016, 04:28:22 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 01, 2016, 06:33:01 pm
hEt sent me a pic of the pumper truck doing footings, but Kyle burned our data this month, so I can't upload it. No promises tonight either....
Because they are cutting holes tomorrow. That wasn't supposed to be for a while, so I'm not ready. Got to move a bunch of stuff tonight, including setting up the cats upstairs and locking them out of the basement.
I'll get secondary water back tomorrow as well. Might even be soon enough to save some grass.
And...my supervisor quit.
Because why should only one area of my life be in chaos.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 01, 2016, 06:43:29 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 01, 2016, 06:53:57 pm
What type of water proofing, if any, does the foundation in the photograph require?
Doesn't need it. I'm in the desert. Well up the hill from the river. Flooding will be from a busted line somewhere if it happens.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 01, 2016, 07:03:50 pm
The Satanic Temple: Group Says It Plans to Offer After School Satan Clubs at Public Elementary Schools
https://www.facebook.com/topic/The-Satanic-Temple/1755396668021494?source=whfrt&position=2&trqid=6313920870346235739 (https://www.facebook.com/topic/The-Satanic-Temple/1755396668021494?source=whfrt&position=2&trqid=6313920870346235739)
Post by: Unorthodox on August 01, 2016, 08:27:00 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 01, 2016, 08:37:08 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 01, 2016, 09:42:36 pm
Some Christian (possibly other religion, but less likely) school clubs have been allowed to operate. The Satanic Temple then says they'll start up their own, by damn. (pun intended) Christians get their panties in a twist over the very concept.
The goal is actually to shut down the Christian clubs and demand separation of church and state, not start up a Satanic club.
Like I said, sounds like their general philosophy.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 01, 2016, 09:47:50 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 01, 2016, 09:53:51 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 01, 2016, 11:59:59 pm
I'm a tiny bit prone to make up my own meanings for words that seem obvious to me, but that maybe isn't my most endearing quality...
Post by: Unorthodox on August 03, 2016, 10:30:40 pm
Doesn't need it. I'm in the desert. Well up the hill from the river. Flooding will be from a busted line somewhere if it happens.
Speak of devils and they do appear.
And...my supervisor quit.
It appears the plan is not to replace, just dump workload on people.
Post by: Unorthodox on August 04, 2016, 09:01:14 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 04, 2016, 09:03:55 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 04, 2016, 09:04:14 pm
The Freaks are being dismantled as a group.
The Clowns are moving.
The Monkeys are getting a larger cage.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 04, 2016, 09:08:20 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 04, 2016, 09:22:23 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 04, 2016, 09:31:39 pm
Narf!
Post by: Rusty Edge on August 05, 2016, 05:10:38 am
;lol
Narf!
What Buncle said!
Post by: Unorthodox on August 05, 2016, 05:12:53 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 05, 2016, 05:24:19 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 06, 2016, 02:55:49 am
! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IyjtMymhg38#)
! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8frs6kog1GE#)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 08, 2016, 08:05:24 pm
(http://apolyton.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=178501&d=1470593924)
-and you do not have one...
Post by: Unorthodox on August 09, 2016, 01:35:46 pm
I was given a bunch of broken ones. That skull is useful for a number of things...however, google has killed picasa, so I don't seem to be able to access any of my pictures now....
Post by: Unorthodox on August 09, 2016, 01:47:48 pm
(https://goo.gl/photos/Kz8Qu8rTuNKyXkyW9)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 09, 2016, 01:51:16 pm
Who knows how many people in RL Utah would get the Lovecraft joke, but it's a funny toboggan - and I bet it would keep one's face warm on a cold day...
Looking at it, I think one wouldn't be hard to croquette -am I spelling that right? the not-knitting with a hook- the face tentacles are just a LOT of narrow strips. I haven't croqueted anything in about 30 years, and I think I could make one...
Post by: Unorthodox on August 09, 2016, 02:05:32 pm
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/UjYe8g6lzr_KAaXii0uGj2YqX3Ax4cUbNIT536MQhJmH3R9NLXjrmnWEPkEJWfBMm8057MfSyN79rtYhPSgqnIffaOk0y8YYbfOicWSwhQRc7jHzrDIuIYtOajOXVSw4bnRS14l5Q4mDsWsjFAFFRx0Zoc8q7Q-rFLeXOI97W5wHRzvqtembTfFTtmUMHq9DVQM-MU8rdNLW7gBLuX7M1tKrvOX6kDl7CnbPUpPxkUtsD1c3h5rM_KTFXQ88HYAxKdF6KJ-HmX4jLo5kwb22tXr_bg0nDmtiSc3_c_LIwUHoMcxLdVJOxkpEbciebariaScltZIqsnl_qOa9J3gAu0YGtJ9qeVB9Lg66KQMMYtHkQgVFD0_QYniR_JGQ64U0oFYFAJaCQL-U2XNLLI0lO5eQRxROLIQx82isicfva7wn8DdmpfbX4MRYdDA0jRFs5PfS2wKB57kYKp_SZdyn3xEV3RwZNETqd26QGAGhvXNlbk3ufH0Cmh-T9Woj8Egq13ByU1HbGMsJstCq99i36HDE34sKHPKY06-pg9Zj0buxOMTmAEA2CLZ5ThtxrJ_RnNNtkjmPG_B8BXcmBBED-Ni8R1nbdBe7=w670-h894-no)
You should know by now I don't like things covering my mouth/nose. It's an exercise in panic control every year for Halloween.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 09, 2016, 02:13:16 pm
One for Talia and/or the boys, then?
Post by: Bearu on August 09, 2016, 02:53:12 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 09, 2016, 06:05:14 pm
Post by: E_T on August 16, 2016, 04:27:40 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 16, 2016, 05:21:53 pm
Uno hinted that maybe he likes the child and was proud, maybe just a little. Details begin about 30 pages back...
Post by: Unorthodox on August 16, 2016, 07:01:34 pm
what is Talia selling and did she do any good??
Skulls of course.
Skull magnets, and skull planter/pencil holders.
Post by: E_T on August 16, 2016, 07:36:59 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 17, 2016, 04:05:11 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 19, 2016, 01:49:04 pm
So the story is, when Mylochka was about to turn 16, Momma asked her what she wanted. -She said "a man". So Momma made her first lifesize doll, Harlan Mann.
(http://alphacentauri2.info/MGalleryItem.php?id=1370)
He's lived in the playhouse since, but has been in the woodshed for a couple months since the cleaning.
(http://alphacentauri2.info/MGalleryItem.php?id=1369)
If the story's right, he'll be turning 38 about the time Civ 6 drops. White knit material, stuffed, acrylic paints face - real clothes (Dig the far-out mid-70s polyester material).
(http://alphacentauri2.info/MGalleryItem.php?id=1368)
Post by: Unorthodox on August 19, 2016, 11:53:41 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 20, 2016, 12:01:33 am
Post by: Bearu on August 20, 2016, 10:54:55 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 27, 2016, 01:14:19 pm
! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-fHagw41Tg#)
um, context wise, the cup she gives is explained here.
! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZY4QbjQ8ams#)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 29, 2016, 03:51:35 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 29, 2016, 09:20:57 pm
The whole bit about making some RNAI that'll kill the mite but not the bee is over my head, frankly.
Post by: Unorthodox on August 29, 2016, 09:25:54 pm
I haven't had time to more than leaf through the thing, though.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 29, 2016, 09:27:19 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 29, 2016, 09:30:42 pm
Post by: E_T on August 31, 2016, 02:02:31 am
I take it this is a physical copy you have, not something you can link?
Wonder if it will scale up...
Post by: Unorthodox on September 01, 2016, 02:47:40 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 01, 2016, 03:18:26 am
Post by: Rusty Edge on September 01, 2016, 04:15:00 am
Post by: E_T on September 01, 2016, 01:36:30 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 01, 2016, 02:40:06 pm
Oh. I hope another case of cancer in the family so soon isn't rubbing salt in the wounds.
hEt is having a hard time. Kyle too. The other kids don't know yet. I don't feel things normally, so it really doesn't hit me.
Post by: Spacy on September 01, 2016, 09:54:08 pm
Dad has teh cancer.
Ack!
Post by: hEtErOdOx on September 02, 2016, 03:52:16 am
Post by: E_T on September 02, 2016, 03:55:47 pm
Oh. I hope another case of cancer in the family so soon isn't rubbing salt in the wounds.
hEt is having a hard time. Kyle too. The other kids don't know yet. I don't feel things normally, so it really doesn't hit me.
Don't sell youself short, just because you don't feel things normally (and that all depends on your definition of Normal, not the one used by General Society) DOES NOT mean that it won't hit you in some way, shape or form...
Post by: E_T on September 02, 2016, 03:58:38 pm
Het is a freaking wreck.
Be strong and it's o.k. to allow yourself to fall apart, at times, how else you going to clense that from your system....
Post by: Spacy on September 02, 2016, 09:12:37 pm
Het is a freaking wreck.
Breath in, breath out.
Post by: Unorthodox on September 06, 2016, 03:58:04 pm
Het is a freaking wreck.
hEt's entire world has been upended. Losing her parents, trying to figure out new dynamic with siblings, and a husband that can't let her deal with that before tearing the house in twain while STILL plopping Halloween all over on top of it.
Post by: hEtErOdOx on September 07, 2016, 07:21:11 am
Post by: Unorthodox on September 07, 2016, 01:43:54 pm
Post by: E_T on September 07, 2016, 03:04:19 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 07, 2016, 08:03:57 pm
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Submersible-LED-RGB-light-waterproof-tealights-candle-light-for-wedding-decoration-led-vase-light/2023873088.html (https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Submersible-LED-RGB-light-waterproof-tealights-candle-light-for-wedding-decoration-led-vase-light/2023873088.html)
Quote
Nice day
We are Manufacturer of Submersible Light from Shenzhen , China .
We know you are making many Pumpkin Light from Google .
We want Submersible Light for you from Google.
So we hope that we can build a good business relationship with you .
The unit price of model is 1.5 USD with Remote Controller .
If you want a sample to test , the sample cost 4.3 USD including shipping cost .
We can accept paypal , Delivery time : 10~15 days . Ship by small package .
The model is waterproof design with 10 PCS RGB SMD LEDs .
It makes use of ABS Plastic Material , Flower Round Shape .
7CM (2.8inch ) Size . Work with 3AAA Battery Operated for more than 6 hours
It can shows 16 static colors, 4 colors-changing programs with our 24keys Remote controller in 10M distance .
Enclosed is the quotation of model and picture , please check from my attachment .
If you have any question , please feel free to let me know .
Thanks
So, basically, my reviews of a fair few lights caught their attention and they want to get this product out there.
Oh, this is mightily tempting.
Uses triple A batteries, SO MUCH EASIER to replace than my present lights that use CR2032.
REMOTE CONTROLLED, just leave in the pumpkins walk around and click on the second day? *drool*
200 minimum order is a real kink in the system though. That puts it at $300 for a lifetime buy of lights. Not a terrible deal, really, but not something I really have handy with everything going on this year.
Post by: Spacy on September 07, 2016, 09:26:27 pm
Interesting product. The remote controls how many lights? As if they are on the same frequency, one remote for all of them is... good and bad at the same time. If it is 5-6 different remotes... that can get real clunky. It looks like they have separate on and off, so shouldn't end up turning half off and half on at the same time. A good thing.
If they have selectable frequency (inside by the battery, say) than that would end up being real nice. Think garage door remotes - you only have 3 frequencies here in the US (IIRC, could be wrong, been a long time since I looked it up and am too lazy to do so now), but each house has its own code that the remote sends the base unit - once it gets that code it activates. Could be easy to do with these light I would think, and it would explain their relatively high price.
With the # of LED lights on it, I would expect it to get rather bright. Surprised they went with 3xAAA instead of 1x9v. Either way, easy of replacement should be nice, and the cost can be reasonable in terms of batteries.
If I were you, I would sent them an email back saying if they want a public review, they can send you a complimentary set of 4 (1 box). Doesn't hurt to ask, as all they are really doing is giving you a box for you to write a couple paragraphs. I have seen it done quite a bit on Amazon over the past couple of years "This product received as a promotion in return for my honest review."
Post by: Unorthodox on September 07, 2016, 10:02:03 pm
Post by: E_T on September 07, 2016, 10:53:35 pm
Post by: E_T on September 07, 2016, 11:05:10 pm
Get enough recharges and batteries to have one set charging and another set in use... plus a few spares...
Now, if the color, brightness as well as power on are also done via the remote, could rebuild it to operate off a programmed system tor varying due to a lot of things... the possibilities boggle...
Post by: Unorthodox on September 08, 2016, 04:42:06 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 08, 2016, 10:49:05 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 09, 2016, 02:11:43 pm
I don't think it's a marketing. Because it's been going on around the world for a few years. Not woods, mind, but clowns randomly being creepy just to be creepy. Dark Alleys, random street corners, parking garages, etc. I think the woods element stems from last year's American Horror Story season. The more it makes the news, the more copycats you're gonna get.
It's the new slender man. And yes, just like that, someone is going to be messed up enough in the head to take it serious.
Post by: Unorthodox on September 09, 2016, 10:29:37 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 09, 2016, 10:46:13 pm
Post by: E_T on September 10, 2016, 07:33:38 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 12, 2016, 03:18:55 pm
Post by: E_T on September 12, 2016, 03:28:15 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 12, 2016, 10:15:59 pm
Post by: E_T on September 13, 2016, 05:11:13 am
Post by: Unorthodox on September 13, 2016, 08:23:50 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 13, 2016, 09:52:44 pm
How the hell did we end up last in line to get it then? (could care less about getting recognition for stating the obvious, just give me the damn upgrade.)
Post by: E_T on September 13, 2016, 10:58:36 pm
Post by: ColdWizard on September 13, 2016, 11:53:59 pm
B. Incompetence
C. Coincidence
D. One or more of the above
Post by: Unorthodox on September 14, 2016, 02:48:13 pm
A. They figure the guy smart enough to solve the problem is smart enough to get by while everyone else is sorted
B. Incompetence
C. Coincidence
D. One or more of the above
I know their thinking, it's just not going to work.
We handle over triple the volume of the rest of the corporate combined On paper, it's a lot easier to certify the system when you're only worried about small numbers, then ideally you just roll it off to the big stuff.
But I WILL break it and we'll have to recertify after the fix. Been through this 4 times now. I literally wrote the book in a few areas.
Post by: E_T on September 14, 2016, 11:20:09 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 20, 2016, 07:50:28 pm
! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uyLA6nfPvRo#)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 20, 2016, 09:27:32 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 20, 2016, 10:30:21 pm
Post by: Spacy on September 20, 2016, 11:39:02 pm
Looking up the doll itself, it is a Japanese exclusive. http://livingdeaddolls.wikia.com/wiki/LDD_Presents:_Sadako_Yamamura (http://livingdeaddolls.wikia.com/wiki/LDD_Presents:_Sadako_Yamamura)
Here is a smaller (6") more plastic one ($50): http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=BAN15714&mode=retail (http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=BAN15714&mode=retail)
I see a decent number of forum posts that Mezco Toys had licensed it for export to the US, but there is nothing on their website.
SHFiguarts (one of the biggest action figure seller) appears to have the same one as I linked above, but for $5 more (no idea on shipping costs though). I know a few collectors who tend to go through them due to warranty and convenience issues. http://www.shfiguarts.com/products/detail/4955/movie-The-ring-SHFiguarts-Yamamura-Sadako-Action-Figure.html (http://www.shfiguarts.com/products/detail/4955/movie-The-ring-SHFiguarts-Yamamura-Sadako-Action-Figure.html)
Post by: Unorthodox on September 21, 2016, 01:55:38 pm
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/9NRYD5gCHFDBF4V0EEQS7A91sKOPLa3bOaOq3TRWTdQ1n2H0D5wPPv7d5bKBrNV_WnCwpJvxFboFHt95kMNoqqKTzMQmHabkZZiGfzQYP0vWJ8NnM0TbBoEM7SnlUUX_-N0iQPmQNKanQf3pBSnKoK_1PG90ozW95PiB0wrzz8LHRnY33ynxbJRQ_BaxidWGdSuq1BRlSO4BvbPNC15c_q0fN9pGbvIGOC7K_LxU6b_lo7MIkJmkGjfQzctifvK6OEe-6T_U2cLovyo9BpyujXtBTzFoEuCaAnFGfkfe-4CZ5H-IKPN6cxcjtcKbguBKdROsw4uFEqY_dLjjxy2X7WAEoFx80ETi1R0xI1q8bFnSX_ZpWhAEHALgS2s8ggnR-8TTfDrO5Gu5HHp5N1fHPWkj7v6piD-9O4PXG9kz8MmU3Yp9cNu6_qe40xmEYxbr4briIuMjZjYStU3ZbF69-T19NWgg78duvVYeB6pcRpqzQh2e4FSaLEXERJctrRROwhpZ686rVHWduHDNFEoLX2wxyed-mhbXSKZC8FrLMN9OdT82RuRtsrGZ7X_zy0ZG62s6U8pSMr3Cl-V5uh_XtQZ-HbbWlvjmHLUG31FOgkMqSsnhnw=w673-h897-no)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Zgl5bLxs3R8Ne0HaqcKcjDCa-e0rD_YuEJNd_xeHACRBPo5vIVNqLHBC5j8PHijl1w9cVDAG7xoQP3GsPpDs8Jd1qhzs6J-BSonvh6AM9zKiI5qh_BbWaB8-xXRCDX1jYLyUSG7wwmDHW0yKr6K6U9dyovpPv9rx7wklb3GSj30k0-lz6xVEpC-6cSn6QDfCpQU34NS2Sfvrhgq-UxkDyxHheBPAuyave3qwMPVPZ7faRKw1TvKgv5TIdSvM3L-1PnQYeP75pWm2alHZ7uFiXeaN1e-frKLjdgQ2kfgUO3p-hdYMveNhJmOV1yQPiLfB_pHNaV31_VL2jz3v_ICnQ-tA56nycjbt9wBb31ofY33DbcqJp4a-qJuMomhmBj-GulNcDSz_h9pYIIDY4itsW_rotA5cyuw9UBdNr-YTuh41uIElPZiim9a8o_K_wXISOabl1Hy7666VYIQKH-qs2Xbe6rZlGIHUHRC4gZIjXXkQ2L0Vk287vnILkCqnjVT7Vs1vXp3XE2oAisJPhhdeCaw1AdaL2TEDgmhdmHeHHiB-D-JDFzMyrRQO70bsJpMz_eQX3dsMQZTwikJsd0vyfjBAYlLV0Wbk1Tqpv5Wb-9aIcnKwsg=w673-h897-no)
Post by: Unorthodox on September 21, 2016, 02:02:51 pm
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/uaMwTrct-XEPiGW38lds5mJF0lq03VR103mYTBSk4QDj7cYeqkiciqlXBLfomISS55RgjGXcaj7wTLM7JKQihlWc_E8F5lX9Q79jIBDJgZIuPtmw-ytVTWbbmZ8JcjFLfR2uanoWBLpWt0kw6HzVFM87KtmFjKaqVdlcDIn0DChiG0kdrd18oY54WI2CXKzW0PXX17hddTcYRopq6pbwR7QOWk0SdxkTL8rtaTTer_20B-rZgKEu-B2oVBDtKkrz5VMH8dvSk_EhS11mNcD8_-1BKbU5MboHt5SiuSvJ9kSnXMXQ4fp7VC7YOFlVJ3BOL9qScIW5YrfauDHe-MPX4AcpNZH6khhNzvJNJ0sPPDOtBWmZWjVB9YZYOcmojkKdREO1HnBFSBLyjrnKeeDmJi_vtD_O-TtFhCZS0ZvxoR7Gjcw1lM2aWHP-IdBEW7D6bNd5SyznoPoymbDkg-_6u3E-z-XNozF4pNs-Le9zJGn47TWqEP2Y6_XXpD3rpKB70JDW0aQ6tBwHARcKZa56JITAu9A__kv1maMA8AkHkzrPd73vZryJtjzfKy8S4x-klaq-qMWi0G1GypucU2VnR2v-uK2rm1CC3SRRiUXrwXdpTWWpxA=w673-h897-no)
Post by: E_T on September 21, 2016, 03:44:14 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 21, 2016, 06:27:27 pm
I've seen some of those stories.
I don't think it's a marketing. Because it's been going on around the world for a few years. Not woods, mind, but clowns randomly being creepy just to be creepy. Dark Alleys, random street corners, parking garages, etc. I think the woods element stems from last year's American Horror Story season. The more it makes the news, the more copycats you're gonna get.
It's the new slender man. And yes, just like that, someone is going to be messed up enough in the head to take it serious.
Bunch of BS...like I said.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2016/09/20/creepy-clowns-police-begin-making-arrests-as-false-reports-and-threats-plague-southern-towns/ (https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2016/09/20/creepy-clowns-police-begin-making-arrests-as-false-reports-and-threats-plague-southern-towns/)
https://www.rt.com/usa/360176-clowns-threats-terrorist-arrest/ (https://www.rt.com/usa/360176-clowns-threats-terrorist-arrest/)
http://patch.com/maryland/annapolis/creepy-clowns-haunt-annapolis-kids-streets (http://patch.com/maryland/annapolis/creepy-clowns-haunt-annapolis-kids-streets)
Post by: Unorthodox on September 21, 2016, 06:43:46 pm
Me: "Here, I'll take care of that."
This morning meeting: "We're waiting on Uno to get everything ready..."
"Here you go. All signed off and waiting on you."
"How did you get this done in 12 hours?!?!?!"
Post by: E_T on September 21, 2016, 07:53:16 pm
Post by: Rusty Edge on September 22, 2016, 12:19:43 am
Rewarding employees who save the company time with Paid Time Off is inspirational.
Post by: Spacy on September 22, 2016, 01:28:26 am
Post by: Unorthodox on September 22, 2016, 05:58:56 pm
How did you do those teeth on the new one with the cool paint job?
I know a guy...
Or rather, I taught THIS guy how to make molds (though he's admittedly surpassed my
http://skullshoppe.com/ (http://skullshoppe.com/)
His are a mixture of intense sculpture and actual real models.
So now I get first dibs on his test items and ones he screws up on the stain or something (since he knows I'm just going to make copies anyway)
Back in 2013, he messed up this one, and it's one of the few things I allowed myself to purchase knowing I was heading into unemployment in 2014.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/bjgUkpyioUcybqFjzO1dGOHbEMW0Vi3sbZkPnCAuuYDwSI1_xJm-rK87fFHr9CavyfurKfAGtShKV-MI-eV7xmjOeJrI152r1gMSC4IX-uxDv_CHgjhMgVMAeYgaH76RzwnhUZTy7wj3gBT5-TC2zObYpOw_zd9lKPiNEsTiROFg2nkFLxD0u88N_0FwYpCjRl5bnU5NFIZ2_U3AVNeJUCO1tSx_eyuO9c4lulCFu491SZs4QhyN48qlhR-b8KzDpn2X9UiY-Exp36kls3gYTl9c0f9ZTayEjXsVTNOg6QdZ1OsSuRIQbxhRU0vWrNX9iYEEMYlxVyP7qk3seKpo6R5wS5It9hzCbBpxphftGzUKrxOjt0mt3FHsJmUiHtpT6887fBNjHWv2dfyyLHXcKHJXhVJJcFaFPLGbNZKVfMjcEHycmENIT6EQxw2oZvJXbkWVCk_31UoJSFncLRo-JxDiocvHIJEPVzZQ3Re7szDMqzLi5nkXKHaZAknxniPI7MeFOhZ6jlNLmWzA0G4cJUCWP0gR_ju15daiKmLW4HuNrMzwrXbtmowugV-HE53xsgSnAS5NzLlIYj0qw94fZJ7-YTl20PM_mASaOe7NLwj2tcDpfA=w800-no)
Ironically, the teeth are one of the areas that are messed up. Up underneath, they formed bubbles, so there's holes inside and underneath them. You'll never see that for my purposes.
My old model developed a flat spot. another was just bad. This is now my standard model, though I'm looking for another...
Post by: Unorthodox on September 22, 2016, 07:38:06 pm
Some backdrop:
When I started in this business back in 2002, it was more of a Broadway Musical, which had been running for 40 years. Sure, there was a bunch of different crews, but they all worked to bring about one production. Of course, the director was a big fat jerk full of himself and demanded more and more of the proceeds go to his pocket. The theater (Gubment) eventually got tired of this, and decided we were going to take the show on the road and break it up.
Thus, the circus was born.
You have the acrobats doing the dangerous things up in the air. (7 yr contract)
You have the Magicians making things disappear and reappear. (3 yr contract)
And you have the daredevils with the human cannonballs and dome of death type acts. (10 yr contract)
Meanwhile, we have the sideshow where I work (8 yr contract). Our job is not just a side attraction, but rather keeping the other acts all in the same tent, filling in holes when one of the acts has a problem, keeping the theater happy and highlighting each for the audience as appropriate. Part of the sideshow contract is that we will not attempt to perform any of the other acts, however, as the theater is eager to prevent another monopoly situation like the old show.
The former director attempted to run the sideshow, but the theater was so unhappy with his previous stunts, they gave him a trial run of managing the Magicians. That trial is over next year, and the process has begun to find a more permanent replacement. Word has it that replacement might create 2 new acts, and all the acts smell the blood and are positioning themselves to gobble up any pieces that might fall onto the floor.
THUS.....
Last night, meeting with all the acts, Magician director: "We've got to coordinate with 4 different organizations and get 5 government officials to sign off. It's going to take 3 weeks."
the other acts start bickering about their parts in this and arguing who can do it quicker
Me: "Here, I'll take care of that."
This morning meeting: Magician Director "We're waiting on Uno to get everything ready..."
"Here you go. All signed off and waiting on you."
"How did you get this done in 12 hours?!?!?!"
(I have worked for both the acrobats and daredevils, and closely with a lot of magicians. I've literally written large swaths of the book on this particular job. I know how and where to push things.)
Today: [Magician Director on why it still hasn't been done]We object to Uno's name being on this, we won't do the work until his name is off and we get full credit for pulling this off. (which would upset the other acts and bring another delay) By (insert legal jargon in process) it doesn't need his signature.
(see, by helping them, plugging a hole like I'm supposed to, in front of the theater, I'd made him look like an incompetent ass again, when he's under review for a follow on...) I signed off as required (insert legal jargon).
Theater: I want this done by tomorrow.
___________________________________________
I've been thrust out from behind the curtain to handle a lot more of this politicking crap lately. Just cause I don't like it doesn't mean I can't DO it. Probably ultimately good that powers that be get to know me some more, but I can't wait to be able to go back behind the curtain...
Soonish.
Not soon enough.
Post by: terzaerian on September 22, 2016, 09:22:18 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 23, 2016, 03:50:31 am
Post by: Unorthodox on September 23, 2016, 04:27:09 am
Post by: terzaerian on September 23, 2016, 03:24:37 pm
Weather has been foul in my neck of the woods, but nothing as serious as that! Fall is starting off with a bang this year.
Post by: Unorthodox on September 23, 2016, 06:11:02 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 23, 2016, 08:16:08 pm
:help:
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 23, 2016, 11:05:10 pm
Post by: terzaerian on September 23, 2016, 11:55:37 pm
To illustrate how complicated it gets, I've been with legal most the day because someone from the theater forwarded me something from the acrobats that I wasn't supposed to see because I work with the Daredevils, but I have to see because my job is to advise the theater on the items in question. So, how do I protect the privacy of both the Daredevils and Acrobats while still doing the work for the Theater? Meanwhile I have to recuse myself from working the same item for the sideshow because I know what the acrobats are trying to do.
:help:
That's brutal, I hate it when the politics and chicanery of doing a job get in the way of actually accomplishing the purpose you set out to do. Some inter-departmental rivalry is to expected in any workplace but that sounds like it's gone full off from rivalry to all-out machinations...
Post by: Unorthodox on September 27, 2016, 08:56:22 pm
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/87ICciaJcOmZXYe2zfuhzSCLvGLrnnGMcO3s-wGLsR1I35CNyIOk3AO6fH0D62ISD2rfupvzA0Zw2xfGka1kHCCL1Gpmo_NnYr63Lt8ukKURoj8SZzT1leeJXq_XS5qkOlfM6cLfGJXyx5Bd5-J713THE4t1FnSNNjh40CbcQ1jFqvfRXJekcveITikyS-Ez8fQPnUuiocBP2QWTU3d-k2ABw39EtYG_x5vrpGklwwEOaLrVcyv1sDc54f4Vi4rd5Ac4Q1TJWKAjHb6J2j5LmZO2MXtB9UthPyHSHT2pVWqud0mgVt-kF1-hBJfONtI0RUMFqP2RI45cD9GcESHBi34QJG2SIAAL-KXuVpwTsWZZwIMn3N_0xTxmvpybvt3ZcshA01IUrgxg7N8QtAi3zla3hYNmrPShrQj6iGS_MRpKVGrqkcUW9ybtyXZAlgEOE6ydVYNYzgrbTx4Lb9aP_YsSx4ga7hAYIh4se3rxcqV2lVWSv5cgXRI9XkU6a-Z9DW1ZYrIb7o9yZvqizf4cpR-We5pB3ZVANM66teFUPyJSsNzFX7G1wl_OCKFZx0pGAYhVoL8Epa5xg5Orosbu54cN2zKBCt9SPCmmSP0u-M2wUllk=w800-h600-no)
4 years later, and no one has managed to recreate Trevor even now. However, a lot of chiller tombs are springing up (just no one else even attempts a transi).
This is the first one to perfect the delivery modification I mentioned I wish I would have done (the fog coming out of the robes on my pleurant instead of underneath)
https://www.instagram.com/p/9dRv4UnN4A/?taken-by=blackgatecemetery (https://www.instagram.com/p/9dRv4UnN4A/?taken-by=blackgatecemetery)
Some point in the future I'm going to revisit that thing. It was a really fun sculptural challenge.
Or perhaps take a crack at this instead.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/XZ1Z60qzX31GZg66xoaEYXZmZZIQlLLzGAdFL6BVBO1ahWOlW2hQDGM-v0oATUXadwisqTubkqYA-bJkC1fFn6NqWFLczBqOHBwLmliT2xHohiZXuUtkBccLj821HB-DIGsWxumenQn5RFGMX5kWGCKhuswVSMUkk7k97Hdol2S4Q7tkO7SuzNgoQopk8Rks4Eaw6g7vdmRRqEy1oX-i_vOiYoIvAikGTyQxhzzK6DA-S2c-teqcPv9FbJRt4qIiDQ8ioVnlAj1bjKe1T6qlidmwe-flQBcpPwGBd31Q8dlBXySCXgoBdXVB73Wy_BFOJ26R3rxlElLmn7c0cF44hPQ0hecKDE_bbu4UnXH8fdhwoAE0BeXqfHSy_aHxv3WLMxMJ5JxPvP-SbrY87vdeyKE9TUxpe8NjNEEv5QwBHl77nq7AEouJ5RbKJFmO8fznoZetv2LTr-cRrcXGJeklzK06Oql-D2V0z7LtmRODWFwciR9w5dTExVwRACKZ6zRJ3QOf4EUg_2Ek6pz9NL_BJKEwW3RBgBZaZxRjkJiQ-_0f37dgTlLl-0eh9io-GxoaGq9lci4AhzoogsykVlkmaObV7ZUW3MUiRL3KAmyUshApJA5qRw=w500-h747-no)
Post by: Spacy on September 27, 2016, 10:53:28 pm
Trevor - I want to try one of them someday. Hopefully after I get into the new home and have an actually place I can use / play / store stuff in.
Post by: Unorthodox on September 28, 2016, 02:50:19 am
Post by: Unorthodox on September 28, 2016, 01:46:33 pm
Quote
The Transi of René du Chalon by Ligier Richier
Ligier Richier actually had a second statue along the same lines, superior in some ways, that's been damaged.
(http://www.slate.com/content/dam/slate/blogs/atlas_obscura/2014/09/24/transi_statues_and_cadaver_tombs_memento_mori_of_renaissance_europe/dijon.jpg.CROP.promo-large2.jpg)
Post by: E_T on September 28, 2016, 02:28:02 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 28, 2016, 05:00:13 pm
I had to rebuild everything by hand when an update fubarred my theme, then google killed all my pictures when they axed picasa, and am still getting things set up. I know it's a bit of a mess, but the house reconstruction takes priority over the website.
Post by: E_T on September 28, 2016, 06:23:14 pm
And yeah, the construction is the main priority.
Post by: Unorthodox on September 28, 2016, 07:37:04 pm
Those three are still running the flashplayer plugin off ye olde picasa.
I've since updated most my slideshows to some slider based dohickymajigger or another that's built more for mobile. It's just a pain to reconfigure. Add it to my list...
Post by: Unorthodox on October 03, 2016, 04:38:30 pm
This would be majorly problematic.
My experience with forecasts this far out is that the storms will slip a few days one direction or the other. I need them to slip into November. (which means I'll get them early and have a giant mudhole.)
Post by: Unorthodox on October 03, 2016, 08:29:05 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 04, 2016, 01:06:46 am
Post by: Unorthodox on October 04, 2016, 07:14:09 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on October 04, 2016, 07:18:04 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 04, 2016, 07:52:50 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on October 04, 2016, 08:16:18 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on October 04, 2016, 08:17:26 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on October 05, 2016, 04:20:57 pm
Post by: E_T on October 05, 2016, 04:31:58 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on October 05, 2016, 07:38:22 pm
And what the hell is with hand on shoulder handshaking...
He finally figured out I'm not part of his team today, though, so hopefully that dies off. Newb manager wanting to impress folks I guess...
! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnmAsCr4Rjg#)
Post by: Spacy on October 06, 2016, 12:35:24 am
Post by: Unorthodox on October 07, 2016, 04:58:48 pm
So my present choices are knocked on my ass with this damn cold or bouncing off the walls medicated with an annoying buzzing in the brain.
Post by: Unorthodox on October 07, 2016, 07:39:28 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on October 08, 2016, 04:30:35 pm
Post by: E_T on October 08, 2016, 05:55:47 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on October 11, 2016, 01:58:41 pm
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/dpxg3m6bRUs7e6VaKDo2j8mcjPOBWRchjBKBxLOFZzvvXxNijwT2vM3dzEdu7xHFzRNYLvwPfw4irs-jIjS06eQfuMR3n_-dogqPGYDhdNFfyPfz2PBgDk2f0XsnYpwOPMqt99qa7_S3886oWOWuQ5JbOLoOBuHzjp41vw32YYy1P9S3FwJWepfwCwhSFqYP9PN-KVpLGUBo1R6b7He0tfAL7EsTovO77gcmgp3Ah6zMqlTymVuKMNc3lQPUY3c8xKt7-olb1HL_4KZ5PCP4V-HrsHnJH2Nb6xoAZkhWWsvXLFxLDheo1YhMpXvLl3tUHX8vSGfTxOZTizmbd3wyC5lCOJDosxQjjJyJ2mYxP7V-tfRf8GloY8BoO99Mec6QyP2vChRXoBK34sL8zTbucQcW6AuC3h8-mKr-ZuS7bkhw1sPuaF8Hd6TYqgtC4Wc6u5LPG1413nlx4mGJwgWWv5wVwm3kO_0z3XVDxhQdMBXFRy-Jo6h8bCeOLXcMD3KO2I1FAfhjDxzZQlPuTfRXCevPs-k5XSvi8-kgWHt_Y2w9vB3pwGP6i0E_BBJj3zGJ3mbK_I96r8a9i4iQJA-M3LmyQ0mOUAWy7fP5XI-8fu0FOdbijg=w678-h904-no)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/ajA-3RCyADMgjLCKLoFGPlZmHlVTj61hsI22-F5l3-uPm4C4OKUNvUphx7Mp-COJ3cs-LLrmPvMghBpaZys3PeRLKWaAreyoJTgmQ1PuWDOkT9byrPXBV1T3muGXAHPXCWStDo44IgsMgOPL4I4ykEN489U6BMzh5bDFGEYslKEMckp4GYV3YA9Ouzlbpp3e1Ao2zpFiwoxyNDOuLQ3OUVkEAePAVgM6ZK6G8cm1uR-y0sO14APcj5bz-cgk1r6476e9jWxkcsm3NXLEiKkJjSTDcDqHOx2qc5tRGkZ-_7vJJTRdP1btfGYXhR57jN0r9D1YUmBK8Hg8clhAK4BYxORZoNwfTgOoHDhloyBEN3kUGn_PYmhYks14WGBhOTlpe8Va8Xs24289nkTE6wzd3b-QqSkD6yJ9MSGrI0QEd3skXcmWCigXylZwEEInFhirm3NjV6SMrL9Uo2zfPf2foI-mE2FiP8TI4Mulg2yPyibBTVGo5otHDqstCAXtiqrFrxDPK6SklxitJdXkuF1hIjbS-Dr4Ru1VgV9hu7YTeUmXJJ6DIjxO0iClZKf5a6CNkwcVkIwzQ-y3qtg-oGjjlNkHGlSSju7JyNWMwIQY4zFoiR97jA=w678-h904-no)
However, I drove by later in the day. It's looking like there are 2 traditional scarecrows. (stuffed bodies) Kevin on the bike, and another sitting on a pile of straw bales.
Other competition includes one of those store bought el cheapo bamboo pole scarecrows, with a Halloween costume on it.
One with several mini store bought scarecrows.
And a couple that had already blown down so I can't even comment on them.
Post by: Unorthodox on October 20, 2016, 07:41:15 pm
Not sure which is more surreal, the bloody corpses scattered about, or the Captain America here to trick or treat. Both amongst the permanent displays of things Cap would protect, but would cause the former...
Post by: Bearu on October 22, 2016, 04:06:27 am
That time of year again...
Not sure which is more surreal, the bloody corpses scattered about, or the Captain America here to trick or treat. Both amongst the permanent displays of things Cap would protect, but would cause the former...
The real people that require protection involves the hardworking members of the government because the government guides the people towards a luxurious future.
Post by: Unorthodox on October 24, 2016, 09:13:34 pm
Post by: E_T on October 24, 2016, 11:51:17 pm
There is an unmitigated disaster brewing and I'm not sure if it's better to just shut down the phone and go on vacation, let it happen and deal with the mess after, or come in to work over my vacation and try to divert the worst of it.
Depends on if someone might try to use it against you...
Post by: Unorthodox on October 25, 2016, 01:34:38 pm
9 hours. Tick tock.
Post by: Unorthodox on October 25, 2016, 03:35:16 pm
Local news forecasting rain for my party (Sunday)
Local weather bugs and weather hawks predicting rain for Monday.
Post by: Unorthodox on October 25, 2016, 07:45:13 pm
Inspiration, though she wanted her own version:
(http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m7jeamQNpa1rb65xho1_500.jpg)
Trial one, July:
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/h4zYQsJLrB23JEhHlaPAL-s3F6CdBdkqQz-hvu8WZOeQOSUsM7ffHgAKTT2MBrowLGkSHa8w2WjTx2pUzaJW4tRdNvjw2AsY8hKRgbctHInoboLApfzrVwqbfu17jykV5E38udGgXFrapEKTiOycEbdc58sDuZUqnEceT9jWxs7sGv-QUqW2Zx2VvP63A6Pn0MDbeg78SXH1nwPNJsTFH8cM75Od4BnUqBYMM69TA0IBV8NNj6jNlNwTF8l-MVpu__XVoOzMrf2JFzxKnn1MhNm_7q5OLoDRFt41WOZIvKRvBigb8QIsCT8wES_yonOcnOFGVBfJhPdkQMHs0akkvELCtbd1aXwJD91TsfZFtxL8qEQu_0WK69s1aFpBzG9cDgoEseAKn_shPwQF1jMhf5EurPjbG2kP0XdCr2yEg_2f4bdbcf1VpzTCX1NO63el0bKwlHY7QzC_qf5ldQ6yEiUWL9u8A0DYa0lvkC7WsR0X-fJl7UTJsvhXhk-CCkm0M8v3lZBckB5SK73_dy6ajBecvtVHCTkbwRqL8VZhjxoS1lToXSaePyKI9n6houyrf94y1drIvfuwrB87zgrsrhvduebB1VraYqTnT8GOIWgvKrdwOA=w800-h745-no)
First time using the wax product, wasn't happy with the paint.
Trial 2, last weekend:
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/F7DDDyX7UoJYTJAT-uWx0f-kBSLclXnrOmb5COkvy02P_cI8NHb8Diw2meKF72N6-c_9ksDry39FTuYlVOdR4Ls6HpuliQglhSjyBQL47Lty6Bd7yohOAPSymRHe_0rrJ94r65rK4pi3A-zP0nboyiGUFbdIMuG4719-j4wqrECWJvATt18SckwtJLQNl7d0ZTFcbi5Myi6to6gHlcup6mjujWHZ0Gr2gtNHQdKAnjgke8aPQmZyZoxRnSboGOVTLakv43ewbYkwE4qSuRrUiqT08OVnde03bEiAcOB14yWo7tNP2qCqV4zAfRa1pe98AvnfIAUdAbHn-hsN0bsOGZ5mZddYUubbTQkj_kZk4BAx9jokGMDLA_FPB7Yso8OAqlYHzfvg3L6hwXh8ZCFwORHLLDV2DnxJXtH3thPyoruJrAiJM5OSdzpkQzqaueQqUbN-prSr6asdwLTDTv-DcWXHbtzv1U5hCia8Z7ekGnqX-t7gLmcWp3-XeR53Y7lZrB9IjRhXAOiLvgZRXi8fHzVBARN-0_-Cxy8wjs1QhuV8dSwkUWntl9bJ5j8SGEBQEYfL8jdhGbtUVUfEZ1O8zrgb_Hk9319YKueTQXmU7k5j-6mTmQ=w577-h861-no)
Wax went on MUCH easier, now practiced. Better painting technique, and barring me getting an airbrush likely as close as is possible with standard issue face paint. Need to expand the crack real estate I think, bring it down into the cheek more.
Post by: Unorthodox on October 26, 2016, 02:24:10 pm
Let's sum it all up.
The house is torn apart.
The yard is a mud pit.
It's supposed to rain out our party Sunday.
There are those who just accept fate in these situations.
For me, it's a question: Do we do the full yard walkthrough, or a front yard display?
The present situation:
Front yard fairly viable. Father ready to go.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/zM7BwCxp380GDGYfRbGnG7XqFWcAiLUK_oRy8slzKIYZYgvlGfwcYrXNJ-zXb6l2TSX79GPfFSgTly-Nt7JBDJckIGDBkjAR1gXTr971ZUFPOvhfmYPAuIPBFQmK-gx4TfZrCpbbkguT6C6ZG8UBOJfe0GCFPdjAI1QBkybGnqwhILLABqO77jA8J_SFzZkPk7WpOHJEVtcnjTGY8PukRESSfihD37hz7XJcBG1Tzm2-vol6qCa6Ao1AOiWqGJPvc0lynuw2WtbLzulAWIpJsiGR2k6_0_r7BxiqEfuzSGhSgRynHXrBfPFs6G_ftYYOcQsinVmVm-0Z4BBxWNGVz6ZW8mBcevPZCKDPwf11Kgs48F1H9jUQujLbFkagkK6FUTzzOzvsZYt8xSO8YlB02rc0704kTLq46imSfZtV-KkWGU4u0kckGUIa0hBnic-_toFhqvKko3EQPyYOIFm8iv4EybEHm0MdbdxWzs68weAXRIBUHxL5vKrny0SHYTw575lZ0H9wfRC9A6-Q7Cruk_nuozwqweLBJQ8-zIxop_ks0HcMP0YIdFrMvmxKjb5fKZMntESHAnV4nZMY89MvQtjnVwoxQwM05x9daZK7AmZZQjjjwg=w667-h889-no)
The rest...
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/ucNPw5WEjljLqLzkD3miFvsz6bSH2Aagy-GzqyZ8zWhDPin6RzlI-jw-KC0HprBOEMZH_W8im89sIosgt-u1XN11iCIWr2tPyerBLSGeMLdjVu72DgTpKuyKDTxc0LAOAHFDAhtkZ5qZ9h_fDFo40qrKz28qtQdVGNC56vKnxABZGseD6OhkSc0jsw0Rm0Ov0SYsdFUM669AD2JC-su0e157jcmR5OZND9Fn0qy_uC3Gh9hXVKiJdZaj8DuUTNhOO3LDICZx8VcbLJROTKHI-7NaYcCR35kNUZQt7x7mal_xIB4lXREBlwP9X1SLe-IuJcGxz0xU08HefqoWIR2c_EYIenR3XWBFgcthM-edCE1Z7SjMom1fGRE9CCL71xms6y98GtEsQH7IgWR7ogq5ZYBc8XgYYvKXJoIbtp27xgUhi2qBmrliwA1c1w-4vfUYuNFW9XDWp4xPWOcRN7h4DB7LxjrWQcoS6PccLUwg2mw-azLGaiMs2dk9LAk41uZKCCrCpqjb1DmF5yl9fCFbfh0bZTGKX8j9PgYdMG6px22Uk0FqKfD_SueFHNALO74nENk0gobFIh20ToMc-AJ9NIPia2OsrBnLKztW4bz6LxuG6L52vw=w667-h889-no)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/YufTwVjK3LThyMNAoagDBbHHy6gLNXK9YkGEVg0aXE5qtBT_0z96fUUByCCdRvrolPx9V4TFchdBRcVyPuV3sNJoyMpynN2wQZa_6UzqBD68UIOnP3F77pTG1Ff-suHsLy3I_voADGO5SCT237K3gurcQtLhqxQr1doUaSaDfLdDcxzaQwIZQluwSoN4b3hivl2Ue-vBsgQCyBXyBcWa86YTZLhLCQuboL3HwYJ6AbncTNA0nTaB2nLDZ5uTeuIBv7Vzy5hVBaA17Pnmb8u0NRrlNeLanBgzp-PI3kZLzC0cmlGr2krbW6sU4t8VAXh8JcbB7UZSzjHs9iUkwTuOv0oHvPEAbijOKxnP5gZyITtG9UrysqUFF_o93zFuBDk8-kNQhu0od_jk7EOMbuFuZEKuO84ljjyPRbJAU2cpJ3o8iREcTSPkAZZVgNOnWw0jgFj3VZNmRUqxRaOzsRcacrXZ3Ls5DiJrNiTXRbXxIPenC-xv2abFFFhVbdsDIzRhSLh2UvVtN5Y_PrsDdQX8d3mYBN7db_11PBxRMTmt9rKN5vG-Li52IecyzEt_ldgHm-7QNqX14tq6Rbar9sWu7eja_Vj9ogw3c57hFDbx0fWRBoue7w=w667-h889-no)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/X5YL-twHznvImw8oUYUe8zxs9c_3vicr-KPVuBh5LdALHg33MLO6uKqI08mHAG0-D_i5zWtOHpjI_eG6Cj9tUDyIll42U-xRm0sTdhjax7iySMcz0X6HCe4CRm7Ue1s2GYs8jSgiy1cwN7HAkZSO2zdlpwtDcPLxUEoV9mTEqMbdwqCzZ9Dm-9fnMcro2UwqfvptIGT2d2V5bVBapxiLIYq4rdecKIfSUwjtBrBEq1I8tatGPepKLzvAmWqd69Le98Qt-F5QJzDueoZNszcQvPOXchDma38Fwhe4Rtw3JKrrgiyAj-iS0L-uZMJE7hb1AaJjVhkETz-5hQR_6x-VzqNKRqp_r5OTWSVwjwtT_EmvnVYfymiNnf9yK2YoYkd90kS9aYDC_ZwpGQXh7Iact2RTL1bVa3yrX3cTlo3Xk705jiU4lKFTl7q9Cb-xUaTjFGdBL2GSLCTswvpn6K2L4lSgRmnPfc5iOMrOEs4hLM8T0Re1-GxUtua4Uk98Z-5VcSpm57r7z1-X4JroGjM5rhoh867eRf_8aKoym6ZC0n9z4kbXPbI_bmUZtQKlwjt1Q1yVCgu0I_Dv5I_oY7hCsVtBBs-j4eXDUXvuNrM9ulp9ARUzlg=w667-h889-no)
Post by: Spacy on October 30, 2016, 03:13:18 pm
Hard to say, go with your gut for what will be the most fun for the bang.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 31, 2016, 06:52:42 pm
(http://alphacentauri2.info/MGalleryItem.php?id=1561)
She's gonna get you if you don't watch out...
Post by: Unorthodox on November 01, 2016, 05:06:11 am
I never got to redoing the shirt like I wanted, or making a kilt like I want, and I didn't want to throw the deer hide on again because it hides the 'hair' on the mask. So I grabbed this green cloak.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/0vuUxH0AftHujCaBOSZ8HOBNbSkxHiIO8xJ64FoLx68ERgtO__1GXsLA8xKH7_e5zyT-yB3sq_z7MBe0SoTtSCA6-uO47EZG-tPhShR0aEnDb-_SQrfcMy5SdOxq9oCfpNcsB2gp7hJJMmxZVEAMKyG8_QGhtz29y4kZf2FM85YTCysg1EOq-ymxDV2NSM80bu44XpabIVe1uWTdM6_EX12R8ypwRvJw6_89pRjRgiFmFG8GdlozWLUgAjg4kAiIOMMq0tSptMO_xhjjRP9IkySwaOdbhDBrj8kIfJER74gU40n7FOO-o5plbutZvYcuNi56LwttCAUoUM7hpG94k8OHqAix_r71CyKZ94cxP_WQTJKFkZ53zVVaD50PMx0U_N5_YLz8kLWIlr5Ls5Z6xzPhFu2RIAqm8v6eDN2RVF04kRJ29ouVb-ssfvfIaEQ911UZzAi6Pt4WLNKTdf1yxRbbSE8j6jf8U7nl5sycuYRMSVpgBnCV7ueGSsbWzRphlpXa1nPR1lZxtVVjmEQLCIgYrSbmHQ4KbWaktv8evFqoTkKby7stlt-uwm-E5jle3q-jNht3XEjd6I_DyQ7Y0GbeuvJKosmgkBhPIm5zLlyqF91OnA=w690-h919-no)
It WORKED. So much you can just DO with a cloak as an actor.
Clearly my daughter's staff, not made for me. This yielded more comments and nervousness than anything I've ever done. Called everything from werewolf, viking, the beast (beauty and the beast), wizard, Lucifer, demon. The fact people can't place it disturbs them.
Cloak needs to be a part going forward. Maybe not THIS one, but A cloak.
Post by: E_T on November 01, 2016, 12:34:22 pm
So, I literally tossed this last minute.People fear the unknown. If they can't "comfortably" put a name to something, it eats at them... you very likely got more 2nd and 3rd looks than with other more identifiable getups...
I never got to redoing the shirt like I wanted, or making a kilt like I want, and I didn't want to throw the deer hide on again because it hides the 'hair' on the mask. So I grabbed this green cloak.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/0vuUxH0AftHujCaBOSZ8HOBNbSkxHiIO8xJ64FoLx68ERgtO__1GXsLA8xKH7_e5zyT-yB3sq_z7MBe0SoTtSCA6-uO47EZG-tPhShR0aEnDb-_SQrfcMy5SdOxq9oCfpNcsB2gp7hJJMmxZVEAMKyG8_QGhtz29y4kZf2FM85YTCysg1EOq-ymxDV2NSM80bu44XpabIVe1uWTdM6_EX12R8ypwRvJw6_89pRjRgiFmFG8GdlozWLUgAjg4kAiIOMMq0tSptMO_xhjjRP9IkySwaOdbhDBrj8kIfJER74gU40n7FOO-o5plbutZvYcuNi56LwttCAUoUM7hpG94k8OHqAix_r71CyKZ94cxP_WQTJKFkZ53zVVaD50PMx0U_N5_YLz8kLWIlr5Ls5Z6xzPhFu2RIAqm8v6eDN2RVF04kRJ29ouVb-ssfvfIaEQ911UZzAi6Pt4WLNKTdf1yxRbbSE8j6jf8U7nl5sycuYRMSVpgBnCV7ueGSsbWzRphlpXa1nPR1lZxtVVjmEQLCIgYrSbmHQ4KbWaktv8evFqoTkKby7stlt-uwm-E5jle3q-jNht3XEjd6I_DyQ7Y0GbeuvJKosmgkBhPIm5zLlyqF91OnA=w690-h919-no)
It WORKED. So much you can just DO with a cloak as an actor.
Clearly my daughter's staff, not made for me. This yielded more comments and nervousness than anything I've ever done. Called everything from werewolf, viking, the beast (beauty and the beast), wizard, Lucifer, demon. The fact people can't place it disturbs them.
Cloak needs to be a part going forward. Maybe not THIS one, but A cloak.
Post by: Unorthodox on November 02, 2016, 09:21:50 pm
Curious weather forecasting:
Local news forecasting rain for my party (Sunday)
Local weather bugs and weather hawks predicting rain for Monday.
Rain came down just after the party at 10PM through Monday morning.
All those sacrifices must be paying off.
Post by: Unorthodox on November 02, 2016, 09:22:16 pm
Make that 2 separate disasters.
9 hours. Tick tock.
Yeah...epic fallout...
Post by: Unorthodox on November 04, 2016, 12:48:24 pm
We'd been going counter-clockwise in the flow around the house since 2008. This decision was based largely on my predisposition to build haunts in 3 "acts", as it let me use the front as the 'staircase scene', then the side as the true entrance, and finally the back.
We had to go clockwise this year, largely due to unfinished back yard meant I couldn't safely secure the steps on that side, and while I built the bridge to minimize the hazard, there was less tripping hazard with folks stepping down than coming up on a step in the dark.
This confused a LOT of people.
hEt says it played with their heads as well, forcing them to view things and THINK it was all new, even though it was just the crap from storage to me.
Cropper has instantly hit the mainstream with at least 4 copy cats I'm aware of. 2 of them are rather vexing, really, as those folks claim it's their own concept. One of them is the reason I prefer to take my concept discussion away from the general Halloween areas of the internet, because they are ALWAYS trying to steal my ideas.
We'll see where it goes, he's a lot easier to copy than Trevor, thus it might not be long for a commercial copy to happen. I could see a modified pose n stay skeleton version happening quickly.
Post by: Unorthodox on November 04, 2016, 12:56:57 pm
She also had that on for~14 hours, which apparently makes wax in the eyebrows really problematic. None of our earlier trials had any trouble coming off, but this one did. You soap the eyebrows prior to application to keep it from sticking. Best guess is the soap had washed itself out during the day while she played.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/4FYgEyAeEHQxb74jC2mcC3aAkWDe6pI0H7Z3WINQbSLW6Ic9Pgam9jDQsTSZP9u6K9lHthPs-OLMxXURx3WPMSaDX9UB2nvy7Ninb9MO9JH9IlbrXfcT1BI764WHlFesXKvw86tGlQGJOz2fCzppan3j8bKCY4aAI1Mj9fn4qjDaJwaPX0x-LZWqglf0q9ObQ0VXGuCe4fjA4TRi5bIFsQiyfdIUO0e5ZUtSKFvtnG7CMV5G7OseXoQboiHWBhH9ho5UqO0e0Mkq8wFlBKJ7RLDH29ip4F1PJoifnn529UIHPask88Z9LqbAr0U0zjoHhQF63JXfZS_fnF13uZ3DOxUPn3niLsUZ7Vi-xKujpYQ_8kolDVoYkXKbBttcWMXlzOtiNyciC-jQbtbA8qk8-M5aq1oOdQQBNUOVrAUho2a7ELzyekW6wzOcg8wZehwyu5aanpXhI_8Rg409X8_FmCyiwjgXI-POl1cZFyDd-ef1vEukzIPxnZNEBv5Foc9RfyxcVW_c_TBugY9lii7Y-4D31RDrKFpJplVwPWleBeyctaqXcOwOf_0v7iBtDGj4vNrgn1sFr8ROxlFUdHutr2JcLTFNt0jZnq3n_nwOc6A_wr83ZQ=w800-no)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/SBSKTjkK8_5574qVeb9Bm5YkaMHObZiR0B7Cl3eluOTzL-1iuwM-gIlA4AetoWkrpxlDba-_phmSDSJXg9DPYD---u8OeQpf1m8p49U6HcP-P_fRcHmlBfq3YXnDrhNjmKUZQceAtZX1lzplA5Vsi7azwSKO4eCzdeQSAP2de6x6mBt-Ue_LktQhYlYMRuZ3-bxLECdP8I4galGanw6J-Ll6bcfCXRBFfE2hhlVLbaUGw3qseI_fm7lsIfYPAUifhKvd-YXGwX8vJfsUOJZQ-DRiyESenOMgidEsgXE-EdpxkkX4X1XVhRbUpma_VOQ2vfFRF3zywXO5K48TOiGf0bsWutuJp9tRmWkXiV0qrAkWvHVPBh2RLkD1vkcHzgk4fPgjzzkMts6vY322-_w7c-M8EEyIchlhBKjPQQMfvfcsfpfSHarq49R7fI7Z-dVmIZOK9fBsiYvv13akBBmCzK4nJJcqc4JsXKMkEw4YdlfbwunHUXTTXQbFyzvNdHMa6GNU3owy96XskjLNe6a76UamvCmmyJLOMpbWsrXwahhVLaaj7_ZIVTD7MOtKFruZ2MKkXfNaKCZBR2hxUcCL5eV7aMFbCGCejTQKiCe_refg5DT2hg=w800-no)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/iIT0wk7dpc_S1A2S0691fk9YNJJw9C6EQspWhN_FmKYmI4Oo9hvLCZ_1vUFTeSHypU1xNPjdrlicZl8An4ys_n6ZnvA8oWejP8kZz3aMKVHW0oEhmlGcQsQAPqNs4YrBSmLgvdDxr6OH1im3c6JugLd9pK6kmw6WgEE2MsewBSYcKV8S4JYkcSDRjnxiwNyhFX_NhRBMKt14ycoUMOC48EamfkFxaRK0i03AGwTY2JHEJwe-vSwKlq8ERbFWRTx8k9CXTdnu8zVqeJ7pYL05r_4OlllbihYxD3jwDfeiDys5UpyjBZ9zIN-LiEE1n6arTIjOw5WxTli7GAn9WQi72HXcD879LSzw17MPmFIdcj5lMIXBp2Gp0NzETulO27hugw-P8kNNlmJecohwTkDzWq6Uavg11IiPaz7KQdwdR14sCySxmMTJK8okb6KNEMqoNT4czYRpZUQPu_4xbshDWWWgsndjCyN-65FoBC553Hbw25voCxMSmjBlsJ6SgrIA8mglkFc5eZDWZXUuiYQEF-VvbZH0mwYgEaOBhKyWkghD2fEQrzrFVm0kNE5nAF-F5hSAJX3S3SLdiDXqMXZI8w7g1wSex-9-FoQAgySDCBIYGoHmdA=w800-no)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/KQ8PFoE-JXtK2OYIQfkMmZrqDVTHvtZ5r1vqCZcgYkbDT273Q9Ivo7C9EhgRylRxh2QSk7DkGCGPKvSzy7vZBC7jJtlbp_j8M4-VK1intAdXtNTQSPzzA61MOYq-7bjVWXnPAX9eHOzDKJ4b2CQWZn6Eq-zMIEr6NPd1kHv0izm690aFoPIcm2c6r9agL9ctVa3B1zotX2l8myRRQ32jIXQErMKoIIfArKKeq9b0NJNxk2LkblAqDZ1o-zMrWH9EGKjAwHiunSExWjJiAJkKlLchLckQMRJwmqRxs4-OX5SpEHKYVVUza7eXcP53L3OGw_BxsIgnFCXhNkEicmVH_WXndK6l96KA49OtlDt9sZ8GmZA8rbNM7-1ZOLNeiyOlaHgzcoXZ2rMeSrmEuRtSsFVjlJJ85MY5lzQqHZRX0G5me2lS9eWEDPNmIKJwf6dXfiu_czYc0fUFx5TkMQGpR6z3kLntnif0s56FmFr79ox5O7yAQ8M94tQIHFn0T3P0j8zvGaQo-0E8P2-uS69zCWLsi-PjOtHh-Vw_Wj6vjeGhXzy9prDL5zpRIERNCVZObs1OJIZzFXEY8S9_w4HASLRbyuVrscE3xXWk6m4bTLdWwBAmjQ=w646-h861-no)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 04, 2016, 02:58:30 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on November 07, 2016, 10:19:52 pm
Make that 2 separate disasters.
9 hours. Tick tock.
Yeah...epic fallout...
Still barely treading water from this. More fallout from the disasters as fast as I can patch problems.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 07, 2016, 10:43:14 pm
Post by: E_T on November 08, 2016, 01:33:54 am
Post by: Unorthodox on November 08, 2016, 01:47:32 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on November 08, 2016, 06:55:57 pm
Originally supposed to be mid Oct...
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 08, 2016, 07:13:17 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on November 08, 2016, 07:51:23 pm
I'm staying the hell behind the curtain and letting people sink or swim.
Post by: Unorthodox on November 08, 2016, 08:00:53 pm
I need to talk 2017 for sanity sake, and there's increasingly few places I know that talk won't get stolen.
Some people ran with some early concept thoughts on Bone Mother this year, but I'm not impressed. Cropper (which springs from the same source in my brain) also got several copycats. Some of them are frankly better than cropper, too. That's mostly to a rather rushed job on my part.
Where Bone Mother was left...
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Mu4E5NNkJvMUTs2LqEC3E9qL33P-N8koi8grjepcA6HtK4mn15Oeg4AxnmxSKcUxIlXnsYxsylxuo1rbm93i7IVHIHOEXMPxLq9kFyYSdSlq75QNj1G9p5MxNkE8dsBgPVU2pG0uQvW3V0KPwFB508K3tHIFDT5HpZ5ihIjzZ23t-ikYPm-uS_rLqbvto33bQhIBqdK6aYMA2OX22edA707dI6FXjTXuFsNtE1yPgDn9CkD7xOElyEzH266bS4j7n0ur2o45xxM21KPcpxGDuLxgAl6KdQqXuLz5M8t1L-27nP099UDoOhMwxE9iGJsKoXola7Xas2nuK6XgiQNTOngOfErVHnbHmfjo_LHrCtSdefIbV97JVYWTpL5gCWsDA57nxw7RIWfWKy0yBvAfBzeSBcp430Sl7tiqB0NjXzXnrV2AFGfwu7rZpP5jak3DaN_ddF5q5ZYuSt-Koer2mDJw8mewF75n88npjD0UMjKsJnzpiWidLHlQvyMjRRv91WGcMVHG2Ggx9OSQ3jxqvx0yARSL065BmA88dW-RhJDlbOC9UBDEhudxXEpi28xjV-k4cfWIxTvzbcWbDVqrdmu_xQO3m7vCnqnueZmI1UiHf15UJQ=s862-no)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/SvdF7XaZwo40tWsqQHf6Sp0v8n7MYLobzGy9LGq2ZfeOX0TxBN6wTFy47JWa0R5HHbU_j31F-0VASEB13rkIKeq9CLPuFe-bzKFxkhcdbiFaaLR4ZWlTSTjTEkRQeyatwwt0arSh0uCbgsGfOfvI9GliQWzYY8R1vENMNsvNTL6gFVxxFscykmcgOAGko-6jbHteJ1kFpULYnNGP_SvbeBdBYquTGgS3SvvXb7dZ6EEvTaGysvVLTWQJHYUkTqhmPbvWwR3Q_PrUGClh1_vrdqSIKGOU8CUqC6BPdSHz6sljtyLVnLaCyas-LU08ZHwTSfWZEW3HtJNfkfUTaCcwq7psm59VHMybbqmUCiIpoZMe9QJ5bjlgsXt8hsMhzet6uq8KYGzMNS3Ltl_ByznyMsJoQQ45ClWpwgdlu_IGxrBqQqLI7v0CtrChko991fG3HNmNRXgEzmhbk3Oq6G89ynqMD4_82k6tsugJstbXtCwGaIYRtIQgEom7unJp5jOTpHOp2kI2D_bzRtrDmlRjesnrn5oaUM-X5QtKg3_PrzFPs7zy3uTnVLwtspm3WzXRA13j21GE-o3H0uOxcoeUs_tsAiJguj19ndn2HeQJArHxCBQmWA=s862-no)
Plus some molds for translucent eyeballs to go into those sockets.
Any frame work would have been consumed in Cropper.
That was early February. By end of February the house plans were started and she was shoved aside.
Complete, or start on new ideas?
One thing the year otherwise not building gained me was more bones with which to play...
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 08, 2016, 08:07:24 pm
Post by: Rusty Edge on November 08, 2016, 08:32:19 pm
That skull reminds me of a gigantopithecus, I guess it's the heavy jaw and teeth. Well the scale compared to the other, too.
Has anybody done hairy bigfoot skeletons? Just curious.
As ultra-awesome as Trevor was, I enjoy your monsters the most.
Post by: Unorthodox on November 08, 2016, 08:45:22 pm
And her skull there will be getting flesh. More than this, but similar process.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/VwBBNH8eeV0WpI_7ZU-ww_ZXYEqFDn1gVUd_pijEqFONde9wIHivkvW2e2SuIFpt8AeHDUNFPOt-g06fGb0arq8txvXwgu2IPKqyx-LnfXgrn4FHM-IMBf4tlHg-Zoayqw-AY-yDjKKZ_kCOuZE2hsDrIYmykIw6DhrHRl6cWqNHACYxAZBTZQFyrRn0SRhdrrJBttdkToh2jrGGpm8krFFFZSAAwHz-X77E05nPYKwM1_rxZU2f7ekGGLwdJXhNAUjfpAvdM8zhrDTmS5tW9tzj3P-yZ003pS5C6mAQ5r01zn8i_sJ-fVAGSjPpyBrOrP72bu-7c0mHIlwtElR7-1mCDvplsS13pyfoVRP1mNlUArdIAACbwxCsW6DXnfhEXVLvN5BKrompSxqjCr2oUaEJ_HKV8yCRWs8owWp9kJHD6-d6EQx6HVL1jmAIIyrx2e-mp17ZMXUrOmNlGelchliJcdm1RZwpZJtkAEwEkU4wXUqdEgjKkVFHY1io0iYlTAntdB04d85RETIGvfQuMZjCxO9lpVlhRLpC_69t81KS-DzDmt6npXfQdLawA1GdYvfSr_XlHnZ5G-mH_SXej8hbbcp713tztDV84UotmsdZM19L=w800-h600-no)
Post by: Unorthodox on November 08, 2016, 08:52:14 pm
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/HjicIHzs45g82REEOj2kZrgcTxVpGXZQzYqqogQMSrWmveUfFefouoXQemRI6NxXpFq6TCiYBbrfIROQ_uFhdx32_ecpBT0Ga4_X_1QdhPHIQ5ZwyvmpaLPpMen-ZClUP6YytiNQyvs4nbZEYp4fXdEcd0IFmgeEZm1SFbr0pVNYIB94u4zvdCWQ3bqgkAd7_VeXrfunH-ae071bDceB63046GZSMzgO9i533UTMKSMhq5huCnKVUgFbaEkSHmXAnjE8STWT8B_U-YTg71CoCw81yNpuW3MmkFUs7s4AadNFLvpAyH34OpbCgUv3PsW8DWj5-AZKDDrwGsxp7Y6ZxSpF-KSgIkCJt1OkF9e23AMdS2bypZa78tQTN--0_gbGT9iZZUABeTrnA9yVBQeEb8QO7wo3otIkRI5zN8qsI6cjk8b1RTItGIZGWmI-_lYtRX4GJorN3irmdtMOjskOmE_jesBBOgchA6ehopJ08_JUfsF_DcVFerfDWwiHxZanJVFxufH3IuxLXBsz7jHt5QV0jDpaMZWI3z7kqZ1AfsTbYDQoC9jGt4w_df3rkSV9_DQGmqeEkoERiMuIIjDxxGc7BSYCmM9L8_rxUPbAI2BQ0zf9=w426-h640-no)
Post by: Unorthodox on November 08, 2016, 08:57:04 pm
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/VI6oFYWhhNNaadp19zAFCqP8Fu9YT-wSL4dYB8HBnrazjacJdy4MtJVcsZJAFJp0CgmMaU7snU4=w480-h640-no)
Post by: Unorthodox on November 08, 2016, 09:03:02 pm
That depends on the new ideas, doesn't it?
Kinda want to do another dog.
Also the Trevor standing concept.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 08, 2016, 09:09:11 pm
Post by: Rusty Edge on November 08, 2016, 09:28:47 pm
Or this Fred before he was eaten by magpies for being too realistic...
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/VI6oFYWhhNNaadp19zAFCqP8Fu9YT-wSL4dYB8HBnrazjacJdy4MtJVcsZJAFJp0CgmMaU7snU4=w480-h640-no)
That was so awesome.
Post by: E_T on November 08, 2016, 10:03:41 pm
Complete, or start on new ideas?
One thing the year otherwise not building gained me was more bones with which to play...
Why not both, especially with some free materials as well as upgraded workspace to work them in...
Post by: Unorthodox on November 08, 2016, 10:12:19 pm
Complete, or start on new ideas?
One thing the year otherwise not building gained me was more bones with which to play...
Why not both, especially with some free materials as well as upgraded workspace to work them in...
Most next years budget will likely go to buying things for the shop, and the one idea is a $400-500 idea. (which would then sell for quite a bit, admittedly)
Post by: Spacy on November 09, 2016, 01:39:46 am
You tend to break even at the worst of times, so you can always do whatever, then sell. You can even sell before hand, and then make enough to cover the shop costs.
Post by: E_T on November 09, 2016, 01:58:29 am
Post by: Unorthodox on November 09, 2016, 02:34:45 am
Depends on if you choose to sell or not, I would think.
You tend to break even at the worst of times, so you can always do whatever, then sell. You can even sell before hand, and then make enough to cover the shop costs.
The standing Transi idea is specifically TO sell, much like Trevor was.
Post by: Unorthodox on November 09, 2016, 09:44:19 pm
"What do you mean we can't? We're the customer, we TELL you what to do!"
*site regulation
"I'm calling in (insert officer)"
Officer: "hey, Uno...what did someone mess up now?"
Unfortunately it got too far before we got involved. Now there's cleanup...
Post by: E_T on November 09, 2016, 11:03:17 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on November 10, 2016, 02:04:00 pm
They didn't learn yesterday apparently.
Post by: Unorthodox on November 10, 2016, 02:15:09 pm
This is my theme today.
Warning: Disturbing images to those not desensitized.
! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWRjYdbsdng#)
Post by: Unorthodox on November 10, 2016, 03:14:57 pm
Post by: E_T on November 10, 2016, 06:00:28 pm
;notes; Zydrate comes in a little glass vial ;notes;
I should know the reference, but it is not jelling...
Post by: Rextraos on November 10, 2016, 06:09:37 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on November 10, 2016, 09:06:19 pm
;notes; Zydrate comes in a little glass vial ;notes;
I should know the reference, but it is not jelling...
*snicker* It's mostly directed at a specific person.
Post by: hEtErOdOx on November 13, 2016, 01:40:58 am
I could use some zydrate after this week...
Post by: Unorthodox on November 14, 2016, 06:40:29 pm
Just give me the damn thing and I'll learn as I go. . . . . . I have more than the entire rest of the company combined damn it. I don't need this spoon fed training crap all week.
Post by: E_T on November 14, 2016, 07:16:58 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on November 14, 2016, 07:21:13 pm
Post by: E_T on November 14, 2016, 07:30:03 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on November 14, 2016, 09:37:26 pm
Supermoon.
Our house is, well it's completely open right now. There's not blinds or curtains on any of the new side, and the windows there are HUGE compared to our last ones.
Cropper is still out in the back. Father and Mother are "put away" along the fence.
Light was POURING in the windows, so I sauntered over to look this morning and was really struck. We in the bidniss try really hard and make a lot of cool effects and lightings, but Mother Nature is still the MASTER. If there was some way to accurately recreate the light of a bright full moon, one could make a whole theme based on it.
Post by: Unorthodox on November 15, 2016, 04:07:12 pm
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/PaQIT4Sku7Zk338C2CBLkMqh9h9rG3e7hiy9YXNMp-PsTr-GzT3sV0mZ1QAIY971zCjJLqHyNMZ1FVemANVNW4hRQaoehaM1SGFwtRyiPQNEKSLuDPboJD5IJsr-fW2A8hXowBz-1F032hTEHGGeX_9Enl8VMmRQjLu2uQSMsT356g0DwbH85jK9U5ohRiX5qieVw1GAxXp4oDDH7DMcFlLS1vDS4Y_GOfN1TDP6LK2hwNtySZWyaQuH8_fSlZwfdDYnRczpuFTWNJUFBLigrpB7Fg6sUpkLZcyfanmFpcUiuR7JP0CNBZQ1GtPS9dnMWP-GV9FBGTv_vDyKy8BuVY1iDmaT48rJ0BGy6qPeuUQ1DpCUD0xYdK2v-tFAbtVF5we2sggKfMZAlbYA51-V-iL0474f8V82rvKvYRqm4R7ThRFj99j36VfQlZFUm3oeLFeSvjIEXhKB1lZ3pvXNAQYAwumiGB19PQ2Hhj7sILMnCVytjTtqz6vEvjJbP986Pq9hXywaUzqJB8N4M4pT_MWj2S6SazSPYKOm8wOZrWA6SDzsJUTF83BEcH1hVIuiOAW_Wf0cVMK2FpiJ0-0PSQx_ezZwPt1f2iuwrQwPZtAgHKAlyQ=w800-h536-no)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/2eDVZKNwqgPlC3DUUD12q83JMuy7gOdpnVEHqQ5KHWRXuxkkilcORic5DzWahn7QJ3aL7gJUe-wMRtux1xHzqR-J4sOUxqZg1WE0LEVzpn_xrUTwLES2Hp4e187Dr3Mn-fk54oCPd1uaApirnGIWIqFLLjTCxAT8xmenshLW7H2nC2W58hN-Zt7Ij2gR3eRIm3nEyN-QjaWyhX10SgqgiL4Q4bzRXqPieXR3NQa_AkczaV9x4QkuiJChIdbMAtLYkyPXOHfHCDnuXCl4IAVTXWtYvlTVTpZZX5rnGL3ORkvS3PPOdVFKiGdOl1f4J6-9wLAJ0CAPU941nOzDF-KzUVOJSOvxlzcouy-IO_cD6xLVeclDUehs794GMV3ZYNunSJqCPR0us-VloJ3xMRV2tQY7WM-P2lQoUYq4uyxF7akIAt0wQHB9xDgFlEE7dvY5NvyekoSqZs4V9ceWXv3sRN6pzxAPfCZ7enyEmDDdOb2-9CMlKapP2Ituj5L0o91g96YCyATtZYxYevPuL981Q-BZafwexTJdyKx6ZxkFVVxdHQkJFVMeEishCGQDjAEAsPWnQKpp9ZcXclfCdEoDKPb_i6rd5-QYE2jXC-yRqOnZLEHTYA=w577-h861-no)
Post by: Unorthodox on November 15, 2016, 04:12:25 pm
Again.
Post by: Rusty Edge on November 15, 2016, 08:28:46 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on November 15, 2016, 08:41:11 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on November 15, 2016, 08:58:49 pm
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/E-1ASf1bEc1J7Af3omBTMr8QmPZHAe8r0fiJp6GJy8EMCi6Sevb_IIS1qhlj7-CHA9Wfej_tNuh7D-7xrGB8qqSQNTgtNoD3gnZbSqsMqwvQMBwCAoQShzzHqpL3IjGeJS74UDT0_BzSRqZvxRrB6RWSwG0DEaNNLbzDAhcahfjXzQlyfZyEnA56qIn2Wq6zVEutFKBS1pniPvD_Gfhq9Zrs3C6Oyyf_GLrUqakwllbMZTohqADy4wo42gb5MHdFfUQC-w3OKnWNUQxnSPUxSLsfgyUZJjdT4f5cVqGbn8D7cT_p3GB4u5LBVwf21tdSLcRtRq99hSAX8spoPn3SqFhC4nT41jNbfhJ3lkQo21-g6KrWGBiRzsVUavW9f_GxIsNFuZY7KESY_fweR2zyQMrxRZg7ws09DU-NjlF4WgbIC81JfeVYMPnRh3AYNtK6bZYSmfEQLJsNeX8ropWTKfc1u-VvvdfYsyeTevOugQyLEhjff4Kkc1YwDODdGHAv9Bm5JyF58d1F4RiphSf5MG1B_h43AzBBm687SA_9TqHQnybdknt9nv7uNCz-H4PYt09dP2CG8-NnQw3rDMityxBAVpKoSouVMW4ScCiJeAwwWmkoDw=w800-h532-no)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_oMCeZcc7XGzTWarOaeRmmcDjUFEGlS3O9dA5On9U7OZn3rT3d6Ey5Xcw4IzuB84GQ03dMKjpJEenh1WK1ntDtfI29L2uXoN8QlGxFyJvyHhHYGj1PzrIqMhtT-uLAQmZ0IXZQlOuWMQMR-CHKrL4FEm2aqPOOPvw4yziBCjULj7L2Jterd6DVEmhS2ZbTACZTHgx5uYWIJFTAEG9wjrYtiJE7OGX1s4_39jiXzj_GxemfPiG_TxtRFLcsUCtAbGwgN-I3oRD16IOn7V0tTHXnMV4ssALqTVbmMbl9TGW_3xqkSWot9Na4RXl38fTPYWvolmGIwlel6Fmw3ENHzpGA2jL2o2LBVnFBU1B2uGvqASTWWCzuaH_chiAek2053H5EgqkkQELM5oN730x12h8uPcj78LxAJckYr0KpF1-vr3yrx8v_sDl7s64-UrkGz7LUVHAJ-08L02othiAly5BLZd_oQ8HxVn9LO2wYZVKEmzrbRcjZfkXVO8hcYzSBoygQrXgENhfskuZeLdI2i0D3FBYjmSV7tx0nobA9ff6VwZzb57RHe3ELQLe3IsDGjNKbhoWD1QADRx63Qcv3y8vFWcN2Q30C8OjnhLnZm5Rz6fpqwC=w800-h532-no)
Need to dim the floods some there, but otherwise would work well.
Post by: Spacy on November 15, 2016, 10:01:13 pm
Get a yellow/orange cutout. Get a spot light. Put them together on his roof (or on a pole, or whatever) aiming at your back yard. You should be able to get an approximation at least of moonlight quality light. Might not be "everywhere" like you would want, but should work out well for a showpiece area or two.
Other aspects work well in the dark - so use that to your advantage. Jack-o-lanterns are better in darker areas. You want the cutouts to glow, with just the shape of the pumpkin.
Post by: Unorthodox on November 15, 2016, 10:13:57 pm
You get along with the neighbor behind you?
Get a yellow/orange cutout. Get a spot light. Put them together on his roof (or on a pole, or whatever) aiming at your back yard. You should be able to get an approximation at least of moonlight quality light. Might not be "everywhere" like you would want, but should work out well for a showpiece area or two.
Other aspects work well in the dark - so use that to your advantage. Jack-o-lanterns are better in darker areas. You want the cutouts to glow, with just the shape of the pumpkin.
Exactly. I'm looking at a NO TORCH setup.
Moonlight grass and corn bundles will be just fine as well.
You get the "orchard" area with just some candles hanging from the trees, too. I think the whole thing could work really well with just pumpkins and candles.
I have professional light stands, I can put a light up 14' in the air somewhere no problem.
I think your idea of picking an area is right.
Post by: Unorthodox on November 15, 2016, 10:26:32 pm
I didn't like the look and how it fought with the torches so had mostly forgotten about it running with just torches.....
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/wsWx31HXya4corWeKNy44m6LIV0eD7jJKXoNZoqj1UWVKjS1TQHYQ5BIaBOwHXyx8PgSp_XCORjJWp-SKp5rTPU0GPw4OXjghx4NZm9R6la5YpWMK7X2pYl1jYSxED-meAFWIXt2Uj_jAZZCqM29l7Y3GZ72xgr6TFoNJ9BMkDGRy9sBTClPVXmEjQU1jAh4mzttwybyH7EAsNMZ7zv94n8bf-KxH8pTcoW02W2hLLG39YvVxWU_umys3mDWM2NvfOEtKqVs98sulanFytlDsuG5awQBX1_XAqcB0CtOr_S2tqaC-iLGNDdn0aefZ0iDQKiqMjcdUYS7LHNXp5ukLMkTS7MPWHyruxe-4X7Zp-3q6vxmlsNrckerkQgIC0scpSZloKEpZJ7YZH-SngcftKI8XXLX7_DEuAKFUri98yUWR6Ar6emznGjN8cojv5IU9JQWj_Y8jQte5GgnQjYJegg1y1xZW3iCpBvc7q2sjxmhwEyGogn2QniCv8NTpjn5xr09eWDhUUG-4UzqvmoKYUwREuP067c9mxpvEymUyjh4YVOKIsdSOJP11KDOHjrtgFWUyzfUWf2IHBNgEa9nHNGv2lIRW_X6PWDlc6La3T5mr_IpLg=w800-h534-no)
But, kill all that warm light and you'd be onto something...
Post by: Unorthodox on November 15, 2016, 10:35:33 pm
Pumpkins under the pseudomoon. (you can see them picking up some torch light from the left of this shot too)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/qb7wlMI0rhEymPEP9hEAeatUKHZpRi9eQydlLLextmPMHXCwtwrliu6Nm_q1KcmgE0-nMVk2Ojh3vRVkA6ynFAa_dUSgnG4Er5vIkh5Z-RvtDRfwOfG372t_AwgqxSxubhRc2tIZf3MpesdF5dPFQgwEb6LWqmRX8Z1CtyxmKdQL7Pt__2NOY3pOUznDk57IZP-E_ct4YFg28hVbFQ0g6XHEeAkpO9L4bvZhrhZvP0J_QJYGAR_XTxO91XdtIgOpAs-R1MTdDx4UvjxO6Eht3oixfsHV6khXjG0gNA_v1FgjuvfdYXgKdZct1Cz9cFOcRwo-qYYSEc1d2AD2I5zziNRUCftTbQR25_FCWVAFhBJoXo0af_yHwceK_cCfFLTJP6s5z1BAufQADi8x9FkOhMX1t2YTUtVRXi2tA8SXVsXnNWRGIXpi1SagZB7Kva7ZPwpe_N4NCgw2ERthYPRjd30q2tUnmuYKpqR2mHWnK4DI5WjxleCtGQN-vUTOx1TDlGvzRkRaFib2VyaIQWlRul-qZxQSp1jU6eUca9xrTgEN8VRrKem_W9vatYkAvhHNVnR5ZXonGo6kEuMIlDE9qvGhizrMwbnPnXusqcS0w_beVIy4LQ=w800-h600-no)
Good idea what we'd be looking at here. Just the single torch corrupting the shot in the back left. Long shadows, add some straw bales and Father in the center of this...
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/3naKmeIeslcEb7I6sMR6k886hVMvceSUBZ6NJVXp2Um2RBIRrNjqlnSGtd2WT5_svLFW-qcjqWMeHzZmmXeJL10RQsDLdZdL4OJEf7e0kSQ0HpJZ0r2XJRT9OxRcFY96WN772oo3uBik7uNP_xPbnaXfb0iK8u6o1a5TXu51Apt60yBDzSSQ-ftPU3kCOC9eA3F2B2_u3qae5yQXxcTT9jr91MZCTMMKaNOHXS39ZkNpZk_jommvVUzyQZ8YQfJ7oeTTVJawyn04yqox4E2vjzDwyOdEPsbpCZxKsr8OSv_pWEBkLHGkxGg3QPSa44inFHgLNQndv7bVugaPL77OERLGKaug36C8sB1hAZ7p9-zRQa15oJX9hoRzctOz8HQRB76vKJYJYe6G_NfV6ZhdnmCkdOtfsaWFC4mLtauIlt3yQ91IsJUIhINfdqtHadXFmEu78ycmT1Z_iWqzqgY72DaS1IkOs4FFUgSjgxgo-G4xkWe9jknTjNV1tq5kCOIuQd2nY3OHpwg9xxe142St2kGA4cSnOeR3Q4_RhQeoYbHw6OcT381gfHRoW7uKaRpIiGPkp652H0dgZsUNc6qX_cI9P9B3v6rdEroq-EIH3OgBlWvofw=w800-h600-no)
Post by: Unorthodox on November 16, 2016, 09:40:57 pm
Cat tails.
(https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Yzw1ibUvSWQ/WCYsh0qI-dI/AAAAAAABG54/p1WkIWz5ofIYF6UpStFGU19XMkr6renAwCLcB/s1600/DSC_0063.JPG)
Looks like he just jams em in the ground too...
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 16, 2016, 11:14:17 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on November 17, 2016, 04:19:17 am
That's something I could maybe put to use. Certainly bears some thought. I'm not sure what the overall theme there was supposed to be otherwise.
Anywho....
Job stuff.
So, Boeing's opened a job.
It's basically the one I got screwed out of 5 years ago. (though a different location)
Likely a non-trivial raise. I'm being rather heavily recruited with a call from several within the corporation, hinting it was put in at a higher level specifically with me in mind.
Here's the thing.
I REALLY hold grudges, and while I didn't burn any bridges, I was not happy with my exit. (I technically quit, but it was a 'there won't be a job here in 6 months so start looking' situation)
I REALLY like to finish things I start, and me getting in on the ground floor HERE was part of the attraction to THIS job, and I'm finally getting a bunch of the things I've been pitching since I started.
The facility its at is a bit of a drive and to the middle of nowhere. (though it's a whole other ecosystem and thus interesting from a bug standpoint)
Post by: Rusty Edge on November 17, 2016, 04:48:35 am
I guess that's how you do it for a KKK Halloween...
Or an alt right Halloween , or somebody who sees them as monsters.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 17, 2016, 04:57:36 am
I was only looking at the cat tails.Does not sound like a good deal...
That's something I could maybe put to use. Certainly bears some thought. I'm not sure what the overall theme there was supposed to be otherwise.
Anywho....
Job stuff.
So, Boeing's opened a job.
It's basically the one I got screwed out of 5 years ago. (though a different location)
Likely a non-trivial raise. I'm being rather heavily recruited with a call from several within the corporation, hinting it was put in at a higher level specifically with me in mind.
Here's the thing.
I REALLY hold grudges, and while I didn't burn any bridges, I was not happy with my exit. (I technically quit, but it was a 'there won't be a job here in 6 months so start looking' situation)
I REALLY like to finish things I start, and me getting in on the ground floor HERE was part of the attraction to THIS job, and I'm finally getting a bunch of the things I've been pitching since I started.
The facility its at is a bit of a drive and to the middle of nowhere. (though it's a whole other ecosystem and thus interesting from a bug standpoint)
Post by: Unorthodox on November 17, 2016, 01:54:36 pm
Boeing is taking the system I developed there, and adding the one I developed at TASC. The thing is right down my lane of expertise.
The facility in question is an utter disaster, in that the previous person refused to follow my system, retired a few years ago, and was never replaced, making the job a nightmare, which is what I specialize in, cleaning up nightmares. (though one would imagine a day I've got it cleaned up and it's just easy maintenance at some point, usually by the time I've got something cleaned up they find me a new disaster)
That facility has a remarkably low turnover rate. Hard to tell as an outsider, but I think they kind of have their own little community developed. It's THAT far out of the way. Solid 20 minute drive from civilization. It used to be a dead zone as well, not sure how the signal jammer is set up these days.
More interesting work ('dirty' work again) than what I'm doing presently.
IIRC 4-10 work schedule EVERY Friday off.
Unless policy has changed, I'd maintain my previous years for all accrual issues, so have 4 weeks of vacation a year.
Job security will be a question I'd need to ask.
I'm technically retired from Boeing, so that's going to be another question.
I'm gonna apply, we'll see what happens. Best case scenario I can use it as leverage to get a raise here.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 17, 2016, 02:06:06 pm
Best case scenario I can use it as leverage to get a raise here.;b;
Post by: Rusty Edge on November 18, 2016, 12:58:20 am
Post by: E_T on November 18, 2016, 01:52:05 am
So, what does The Boss have to say about it?
Post by: Unorthodox on November 18, 2016, 01:43:12 pm
Well, there's something to be said for a 4-10 work week, a personal favorite.
Normally I'd be all for it.
Factoring in ~hour commute it makes for long days. Where I'm the primary cook for the family as well, it could make dinner a pain.
My present 9-80 shift (9 hour days, every other Friday off) is this happy middle ground between a standard and a 4-10.
Post by: E_T on November 18, 2016, 05:06:34 pm
Well, there's something to be said for a 4-10 work week, a personal favorite.
Normally I'd be all for it.
Factoring in ~hour commute it makes for long days. Where I'm the primary cook for the family as well, it could make dinner a pain.
I thought that you've been teaching your kids your cooking skIllz? Sounds like an opportunity to see where they akin it...
Quote
My present 9-80 shift (9 hour days, every other Friday off) is this happy middle ground between a standard and a 4-10.
Post by: hEtErOdOx on November 18, 2016, 08:16:53 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on November 18, 2016, 09:03:30 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 18, 2016, 09:13:06 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on November 18, 2016, 09:18:31 pm
I always fancied a househusband gig - I have the basic skills, and the stresses of running a household are a finite set...
If the $ wasn't an issue, it wouldn't have been quite as bad. I'd still go insane though.
er more so.
Post by: E_T on November 21, 2016, 03:18:38 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on November 21, 2016, 07:52:11 pm
Depression and I do not make good partners.
Post by: hEtErOdOx on November 21, 2016, 10:38:45 pm
Post by: Spacy on November 22, 2016, 01:27:56 am
I love it - for the first 5-6 months. Then, I turn into a total b*&^%$# and nobody wants to be around me. Mostly it is the stress of money and the lack of things to keep me mentally occupied.
Post by: Unorthodox on November 22, 2016, 10:12:02 pm
hmm....
Post by: Unorthodox on November 23, 2016, 02:27:50 pm
;notes; REEEEEEEEeeeeePoooooOOOOOOOO mAAAAAAAAAN!
Post by: Unorthodox on November 23, 2016, 05:49:21 pm
Never fails..."Oh crap we forgot this project that takes 4 days needs to be finished today, HEEEEELP"
Post by: Unorthodox on November 28, 2016, 03:12:17 pm
Flooring due by end of the week, and EVERYTHING delivers Friday/Saturday.
Post by: Unorthodox on November 28, 2016, 04:14:33 pm
Post by: E_T on November 28, 2016, 10:41:23 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on November 30, 2016, 02:54:42 pm
Balancing letting him fail because he's not pulling his weight but not taking the contract down with him is problematic.
Post by: Unorthodox on November 30, 2016, 03:18:15 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on December 01, 2016, 12:35:25 pm
8 years ago we put in Laminate flooring. We've loved a lot about it, but with kids, it did get a few dings and a couple scratches, and one specific area had some water issues when someone didn't clean up some ice/snow. Overall, though, we liked it.
THIS, however is "premium vinyl plank". It's actually 3d printed, and you can feel the grains under your feet, and feels more natural than our old laminate. (newer laminate might do the same thing) 100% waterproof. Supposedly nigh bulletproof.
I'm a little concerned about sound/echo. The laminate had a sound pad underneath where this stuff is put right down onto the subfloors. The subflooring was VERY critical on installing this too, having nice, smooth, even floors, wouldn't work for all situations.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/wl4cBc-6mx7bQzmTNMdS_B-5xVh6YUBzAEqJ_0cnaUY7qhbXE3ZNqqybP7xx8HRgK8U4B31I52LvDQN-_c_c0LZPbtMTxkP-DhJK1iH0pN2Q_I5y_vKEMRgvn2ttfn5ZxOOMT-KABNXPU1e_yP32CrDKYEhhMIAaRCYiPKcYHe7Kh4GCcqQ0RuZcKDhpprWvoZSbOzCEQhzliwzDaW73sDrklHc6D7FhPHRBQE5xl-9mAH6J30jYnK515-jG6pj4jNNklFzIf0rpN_sYPvIMPt6cvZfL2FFfCTkUF5t0uRKEW-r5DoSQqJVJgaiQu6XCWrFDvjwen7VBxWzNmORFWXHj5567WqSbaaGW5PZ5bnNW_Lf41j0CWSFFRVyXbdoMQCMoW1NyESRHCZl483Cuh0DDhwnOLPBmLC3JuMl4RHUvDQ4gjKWUneXeFXbVve9pdAx_O-llCKIElRXCO2N_LwfzjxDNKJboTMozuVSuu4vwbUeA_CzWFsifTvA_-GRXH7NBWphqlgqoNs0lKLoMiasowLs8ujfveCWzr0mtnWpu_f4_KMdK80ilOKGCzHqsYlU9Z-92S3Hwk4fYPFNLiTYSaKJWAG6y5S94xcc_B_N-GuXlaA=w1184-h889-no)
It's stupid, but I'm very excited for this closet. Instead of the open banister before. A dumb thing to be excited about maybe, but I has plans.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/XPxAAPC7gD3b7hlxCKA7bNPzOue0Xk2vseAMyz4QAIZmqX4PPGaVjf4WPtXyCyavPcFjqc-jh_PfbUfA6_yZWUBNnY4kX89nYoGQ_EmX-kO5McoJokd8WCg0Getz0vxSInmp6rDV6rVnJR912CH7dkbrALa66WgcLsvmuVw9EYjIEuHt4sVIaK8IIN3hTeCuzNwGUdOsCV6dIcM-bUj1ch1XAu1lMXYtRAUuOHG9RjqvNX23mYNHDG5Oss7r_-KuoU-tw6i4n5W0IBzCuXsFukER7Fw4nX5TUX79ouWVyyAVX1hWnAchtz8c1smhHL6ZbPhC2TCpg_na735I5vp4i3xBU7XtnUFXEkDEmbigyw1yE3Yhz1Wm3vGGc30r5Wl-uGKQHwUYkju0wUiaDphSEGo71jSXQcsLzIWLvx-vAhtN63LPDOntS4LeJk_MaCBogS_O6B2nf0KEqzs_-TkHqnaX0VBzBqkvaUNgbc61HMEr3CDN6Y0uJVLANUjfQItTeYbIuAvTKgVQyHVoMbtZCc_xL3rAU4T3lxI41rAw2LeIHJfiyyWlSWAsOB4_OEhD0H4krMcaKLvtN2H1r0j-jM-TSqYoeiUfFvl1sIFvXj29p7mOaA=w1184-h889-no)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/is7ccb4ig7Cw7pCnnvCdelMlaUPKcRbd_zVJC5uegE4Nu53A8j7AVq0vM3HCr1lM9EaAyYiccwJ-I5OscS0BUIjUjyCtnOiMauVmaOoHVU_169Pv06Hn6YB6JEIojV9__NBUnQsbCU8K0qg8mpmhwf-0ljNLpyhj8yq2mMc7Pdg5XWBDrYtmG-eWPEQEIITN7dkqb9FvIbOrEnpKc89OMESxVzwc31wAGhSXSBp1evR2D7jWs3OwQ-qKz7dgRBKnXW6w8rH9Zxx0gp-fSSJH4nxNiTF0PdN_gSzF-Nt9LqiaigdseHPpo7olF5XuUysalo06xPsHvi54FEXJVHtfJ9ov5gwPX7PbQgUAR_FCoEHdhXtkY0sW8pgjHUMDjP7VrAPf713OZv2sk-ekwawy3H_hIePPBhrXuZjgXptZ9zy1wZa_5Vw8f1L9tclW45LDEdlrRAO6a-2tVMfIcK0rWdSoDA9RbL-_B3cWjo83Br5GbOr235AbBl24YODiAHZtBPbQmFVA8i6zOOrhRsN1CYoVChJ2ykyG58kDhnuKeXGs0XFGrE_oLKC7BvOip2jEFptngfVskOem01j9qFBv529gt1fUIoH4gaJwbf36MxVCw7KDIQ=w1184-h889-no)
Post by: Unorthodox on December 01, 2016, 08:04:50 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on December 01, 2016, 08:19:24 pm
The Mummy is my favorite of the original Universal monsters.
I was going in open minded about the remake even with the travesty that was the wolfman reboot.
Big name stars, whatever.
! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=shjoX8JTo9w#)
THAT is NOT The MUMMY.
(http://cdn.movieweb.com/img.news.tops/NEjpU4006eYrmj_1_b.jpg)
I'm OK with a female lead. I'll get over that's not old enough Egyptian style markings for the canon and the sarcophagus belongs in an Alien movie not a Mummy one.
YOU DO NOT UPDATE A HORROR FRANCHISE BY GOING THE SEXY _____________ COSTUME. WHAT the HELL is that? 2 strips of cloth and call it a mummy?
Post by: E_T on December 02, 2016, 02:30:05 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on December 02, 2016, 06:52:27 pm
I know I don't speak up often in there, but when you buy my stuff from a particular group you'd think you'd remember not to pass it off as your own creation.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on December 02, 2016, 07:21:46 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on December 02, 2016, 09:01:07 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on December 05, 2016, 03:01:15 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on December 05, 2016, 03:40:35 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on December 06, 2016, 02:35:52 pm
Not helping the crappy feeling at all, that.
Post by: Unorthodox on December 07, 2016, 01:55:14 pm
A. They figure the guy smart enough to solve the problem is smart enough to get by while everyone else is sorted
B. Incompetence
C. Coincidence
D. One or more of the above
I know their thinking, it's just not going to work.
We handle over triple the volume of the rest of the corporate combined On paper, it's a lot easier to certify the system when you're only worried about small numbers, then ideally you just roll it off to the big stuff.
But I WILL break it and we'll have to recertify after the fix. Been through this 4 times now. I literally wrote the book in a few areas.
Almost like I'm Psychic or something...
It's broken. I'm trying to fix.
Post by: Unorthodox on December 07, 2016, 03:32:57 pm
"I guess we should have listened to UnO in the first place."
"He's just a _________, just because he got lucky here doesn't mean *^%&."
There are days that Boeing job looks nice...
Post by: Unorthodox on December 07, 2016, 09:30:59 pm
I know I often refer to this place as the circus...
Some backdrop:
When I started in this business back in 2002, it was more of a Broadway Musical, which had been running for 40 years. Sure, there was a bunch of different crews, but they all worked to bring about one production. Of course, the director was a big fat jerk full of himself and demanded more and more of the proceeds go to his pocket. The theater (Gubment) eventually got tired of this, and decided we were going to take the show on the road and break it up.
Thus, the circus was born.
You have the acrobats doing the dangerous things up in the air. (7 yr contract)
You have the Magicians making things disappear and reappear. (3 yr contract)
And you have the daredevils with the human cannonballs and dome of death type acts. (10 yr contract)
Meanwhile, we have the sideshow where I work (8 yr contract). Our job is not just a side attraction, but rather keeping the other acts all in the same tent, filling in holes when one of the acts has a problem, keeping the theater happy and highlighting each for the audience as appropriate. Part of the sideshow contract is that we will not attempt to perform any of the other acts, however, as the theater is eager to prevent another monopoly situation like the old show.
The former director attempted to run the sideshow, but the theater was so unhappy with his previous stunts, they gave him a trial run of managing the Magicians. That trial is over next year, and the process has begun to find a more permanent replacement. Word has it that replacement might create 2 new acts, and all the acts smell the blood and are positioning themselves to gobble up any pieces that might fall onto the floor.
THUS.....Last night, meeting with all the acts, Magician director: "We've got to coordinate with 4 different organizations and get 5 government officials to sign off. It's going to take 3 weeks."
the other acts start bickering about their parts in this and arguing who can do it quicker
Me: "Here, I'll take care of that."
This morning meeting: Magician Director "We're waiting on Uno to get everything ready..."
"Here you go. All signed off and waiting on you."
"How did you get this done in 12 hours?!?!?!"
(I have worked for both the acrobats and daredevils, and closely with a lot of magicians. I've literally written large swaths of the book on this particular job. I know how and where to push things.)
Today: [Magician Director on why it still hasn't been done]We object to Uno's name being on this, we won't do the work until his name is off and we get full credit for pulling this off. (which would upset the other acts and bring another delay) By (insert legal jargon in process) it doesn't need his signature.
(see, by helping them, plugging a hole like I'm supposed to, in front of the theater, I'd made him look like an incompetent ass again, when he's under review for a follow on...) I signed off as required (insert legal jargon).
Theater: I want this done by tomorrow.
___________________________________________
I've been thrust out from behind the curtain to handle a lot more of this politicking crap lately. Just cause I don't like it doesn't mean I can't DO it. Probably ultimately good that powers that be get to know me some more, but I can't wait to be able to go back behind the curtain...
Soonish.
Not soon enough.
Attempting a more difficult follow on of the above.
Magician (Boeing) Director: "I know we really rushed things last time with a little help from Uno, but we need to make sure this is all lined up right this time first, we'll have the proper signoffs by next week."
Theater: "Uno already completed all that last week. You've been notified here, here, and here. Why is it not completed?"
MD: "He's not even supposed to be a part of this, we didn't ask for his help, we don't want him stepping into OUR business."
Theater: "His business is what I say it is, and I asked him to line it up so we didn't have to deal with your excuses."
MD: unimpressive death stare the rest of the meeting.
Don't know if this idjit has anything to do with the opening or not. Don't care. He can either appreciate I do things right and swift or be upset I'm
Post by: Unorthodox on December 08, 2016, 04:33:36 pm
Feel like crap. Medicating.
So, that was a nice nasal issue going on. It's not firmly lodged in my chest, which if you've known me long, my breathing is always tenuous in the winter pollution ANYWAY. Possible fever, been outside far too long to be able to tell. Feel like crap.
Meanwhile I'm still covering operations because the new guy hasn't caught on yet, so I've had to run 20 flights of stairs trying to keep things going in -10 wind chill. I finally get back inside to get assaulted by yet more 'UnO I need these financial reports' that are the one thing I told the director I want no part of, I've never touched, I have absolutely no info on, that's why we hired the new guy. Finances and operations. I come up to ask the guy about them. "Oh yeah, I haven't set up an account yet, can you help me?" It's a double click link in his email...that's it. Supposed to have been done over a month ago.
I seriously need to figure out how to tactfully let management know their new guy isn't cutting it. I was hoping folks would notice on their own...
Oh, and I have to move the monkey tree again.
Post by: Unorthodox on December 08, 2016, 04:37:41 pm
I know I often refer to this place as the circus...
Some backdrop:
When I started in this business back in 2002, it was more of a Broadway Musical, which had been running for 40 years. Sure, there was a bunch of different crews, but they all worked to bring about one production. Of course, the director was a big fat jerk full of himself and demanded more and more of the proceeds go to his pocket. The theater (Gubment) eventually got tired of this, and decided we were going to take the show on the road and break it up.
Thus, the circus was born.
You have the acrobats doing the dangerous things up in the air. (7 yr contract)
You have the Magicians making things disappear and reappear. (3 yr contract)
And you have the daredevils with the human cannonballs and dome of death type acts. (10 yr contract)
Meanwhile, we have the sideshow where I work (8 yr contract). Our job is not just a side attraction, but rather keeping the other acts all in the same tent, filling in holes when one of the acts has a problem, keeping the theater happy and highlighting each for the audience as appropriate. Part of the sideshow contract is that we will not attempt to perform any of the other acts, however, as the theater is eager to prevent another monopoly situation like the old show.
The former director attempted to run the sideshow, but the theater was so unhappy with his previous stunts, they gave him a trial run of managing the Magicians. That trial is over next year, and the process has begun to find a more permanent replacement. Word has it that replacement might create 2 new acts, and all the acts smell the blood and are positioning themselves to gobble up any pieces that might fall onto the floor.
THUS.....Last night, meeting with all the acts, Magician director: "We've got to coordinate with 4 different organizations and get 5 government officials to sign off. It's going to take 3 weeks."
the other acts start bickering about their parts in this and arguing who can do it quicker
Me: "Here, I'll take care of that."
This morning meeting: Magician Director "We're waiting on Uno to get everything ready..."
"Here you go. All signed off and waiting on you."
"How did you get this done in 12 hours?!?!?!"
(I have worked for both the acrobats and daredevils, and closely with a lot of magicians. I've literally written large swaths of the book on this particular job. I know how and where to push things.)
Today: [Magician Director on why it still hasn't been done]We object to Uno's name being on this, we won't do the work until his name is off and we get full credit for pulling this off. (which would upset the other acts and bring another delay) By (insert legal jargon in process) it doesn't need his signature.
(see, by helping them, plugging a hole like I'm supposed to, in front of the theater, I'd made him look like an incompetent ass again, when he's under review for a follow on...) I signed off as required (insert legal jargon).
Theater: I want this done by tomorrow.
___________________________________________
I've been thrust out from behind the curtain to handle a lot more of this politicking crap lately. Just cause I don't like it doesn't mean I can't DO it. Probably ultimately good that powers that be get to know me some more, but I can't wait to be able to go back behind the curtain...
Soonish.
Not soon enough.
Attempting a more difficult follow on of the above.
Magician (Boeing) Director: "I know we really rushed things last time with a little help from Uno, but we need to make sure this is all lined up right this time first, we'll have the proper signoffs by next week."
Theater: "Uno already completed all that last week. You've been notified here, here, and here. Why is it not completed?"
MD: "He's not even supposed to be a part of this, we didn't ask for his help, we don't want him stepping into OUR business."
Theater: "His business is what I say it is, and I asked him to line it up so we didn't have to deal with your excuses."
MD: unimpressive death stare the rest of the meeting.
Don't know if this idjit has anything to do with the opening or not. Don't care. He can either appreciate I do things right and swift or be upset I'mmaking him lookexposing the fact he is inept.
:wall:
And they did it WRONG.
Maybe permanently fubared. Literally don't know how to read directions.
edit: Oh, and they tried to hide the fact they did it wrong, which likely makes it WORSE. Fabulous. It's like working with my kids.
Post by: Unorthodox on December 08, 2016, 09:05:12 pm
Late to meeting on how it was going to impact the Circus:
Head monkey: "Oh, we're just closing up, I've been telling everyone why opening the new act can't be done Monday, I need this and that and we can't get them till next week. Do you have anything to add?"
"Oh, you must mean THESE. Sorry I was late."
Post by: Unorthodox on December 12, 2016, 02:31:19 pm
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/OsjXNcNS5e_FlaStQxyFd8HQ2SU63i-JXbg2kcjZOvjmUckejQ1ZZe8s18123vR1wkHpq6cBHtwPohtmJs6GoyhkWAQgP3ibfEot12IkzvapyJwCKhb-O9_z0_C0FSjLvvBs-fdXFG7mqVkveIuynhvxIPR7lKkx0ZiJru4ZzWQ9YQEDTLPyXawUVi3HNMBGweWwIxT5itOgmO23dL1cr6HE9toinerj1wCVTJmKG5lQWAxMGa7s_LmPJ8BQIMGEx6LGjLR9Vkf80j7PDPV5mwg5R7U4XNCLvDR8cGK-NAjz9WpeDJ5AE6C4lHT1wAvFTK3jJukV2l60Zib5iCbiqvx7bZKHbX1w8NueOpZJ9d3vITquw40swc_rKX5x0L3l-ciQ2wMGZVwmHMVked9QGc-OEArN770Q6wz9VY0kDjWgJCZpDTLREuTLAUW-RYgCfh3tu5-gqbu77-iwDR39Qm9S16dJFMo-2QYu6VhYUxbRdIyFr9bDS_sEHSuV40l00pkethFQT3yrN-8EQ-LWBrjoxNqt4L1_QiOH5Iaj8bu9Pmg6jv-whylHBlDHWHTM8YWm_bJXE3Eft9aXPmkfNb_aKBC6qqlWi9vzilXQ_EZXnaq9TLDcqI09JrZBssjvC7fEZjQv1Fc7xu_XpM3dmPV1l_nuUoLLbHDWzeSL7hM=w646-h861-no)
What we've been working with since starting...
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/i4hONmCTLVWWMWB_gceelSh7MacWEef7acwq3rLiuncHCFq0XSYCs_JAzODGbo75wCJwgzAxQc34Ukuh8ORnNTiCQ-l4UhFBemDUSb6PR7VVBKzo_dhyW_yTg_yH9biOn9PuVzw8Tkbt6OdLOz1KhrnsLmN1Bj-Wa1vVwdnmHXP5fGy1ZLZ2wfRc0ysGHTEN9fFY2j1pJRVM4mYN2frOtkvQ4FeGfTSFtmQOTZJab1fXau762IzpG6eF2hGCyCkEI6J-xwrDTv4YsSRd3thzuE76uStIlpEug1lPn4fbQimQe6uDwUjnWTHzPo4L5HwDkS8zHQGXSzZj9kVEO6qcyL4nhcnE4eIwmIpwxqCjUt_C2kNyIrXhhP5Pi-r8au_TZiNYv4T_wioXsUoAhhVhXJmYAqFgB46cJI1ATLNObUY-EhuX3H6EUds2ofKfDYSBhpJDd9-sC70yMtBUiQyxqWP_wGuvWpYuFiM-80Uq1gNPlT_PCHaGXfcXITTBL2WQx9VrnlNBYOUsL14DPjUufBbK_nK-8b4kWZy8xJ81Waw69Mft3WRatFPffWLgsrG-1lSZ6w5YE-eNxLXrKFmLpSE8GrTvHTDY_jBYgP7-XgWZ6BqXfSRSW4DXnBZKNXqkTEbKqOjCCYl3vEnXcfV73jiMJ43GUpADIb1jItRYMRU=w646-h861-no)
Progress. (couldn't get the full shot because the other half the room is full of boxes for the rest of the cabinets and appliances.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Q3TVG3eBKkmDlOkJRikwkLRp4D-X9slUgYha_fjgxpGydiP9omrlbzNv3qVGqu5O30cpeJU06Y_h0TdnlIRF-CzgSkJ-b9EyJuOCPUbTW55TJ9KOKDbXAgi3CLbL0h1w10-wMfvtmmRUuJ9Jc9_HWDepnnQCYr7eyLDXcnTunLuKe8Ouh2m3br7Dxp27G4jmf4TJT4L2A4ybIJFNexZvyZ_NBWP8oRcgayNTklUM7bv1A28j5fQ0e1rBxet6kmnqkI-gk2ZNhOvrfSnM5XNjqMaoBLFN38JF_NUr4-hsC6wflrGH7i0sXZUYDF0vDITpRhh9hhythVMhVvOxK2Vz_G8BK9AQkEYMmz2cM10RFp-S2trLzbpyJxbKh3DlS_pIJr0WOBNerJ0cMZH7uAb_A--mZlUlKi8-Zy_cMu1JJbjRuZ3vWvIBkisnyHqoQSUTk-FQQKWOy-pOFnF9I80-MQjezNirq5_cTtx-eWOJ7F2xUZnY9uY0KS4-vUiCCM3BD0Y3AT5IggQsyDewGQHY5I275RegIfVjRQCVoiesyWwyWQR7xusLl-oko3s9e2BBGPE8LxdmQzgsPpj9I67HMcRyy4ePIi51C8F-TJyHCcWS1e42zquZOhzHACcw4Ygi9_vv2rM42kyKmUDoykWGkuhBA0YhyPM75JPs8YMQlrM=w1148-h862-no)
ETA 11 days.
Post by: Unorthodox on December 12, 2016, 06:31:59 pm
Oh, and I have to move the monkey tree again.
Moved the tree Thursday.
They had Friday and Saturday, but still haven't managed to get their bananas over there. Meanwhile the freaks and clowns need the old cage.
Post by: Unorthodox on December 13, 2016, 03:23:55 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on December 16, 2016, 01:29:18 pm
I can't figure out this neck issue.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on December 16, 2016, 01:37:46 pm
Chiropractor?
Post by: E_T on December 16, 2016, 02:35:04 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on December 16, 2016, 04:29:33 pm
Pain is largely gone right now. Don't know what, wasn't really doing anything that SHOULD have popped something. Don't know if it'll be back.
Post by: Unorthodox on December 19, 2016, 04:37:29 pm
The monkeys have mutinied and ousted the head monkey. Interesting...
Post by: E_T on December 20, 2016, 03:13:33 am
Post by: Unorthodox on December 20, 2016, 01:38:50 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on December 20, 2016, 10:26:13 pm
I know I often refer to this place as the circus...
Some backdrop:
When I started in this business back in 2002, it was more of a Broadway Musical, which had been running for 40 years. Sure, there was a bunch of different crews, but they all worked to bring about one production. Of course, the director was a big fat jerk full of himself and demanded more and more of the proceeds go to his pocket. The theater (Gubment) eventually got tired of this, and decided we were going to take the show on the road and break it up.
Thus, the circus was born.
You have the acrobats doing the dangerous things up in the air. (7 yr contract)
You have the Magicians making things disappear and reappear. (3 yr contract)
And you have the daredevils with the human cannonballs and dome of death type acts. (10 yr contract)
Meanwhile, we have the sideshow where I work (8 yr contract). Our job is not just a side attraction, but rather keeping the other acts all in the same tent, filling in holes when one of the acts has a problem, keeping the theater happy and highlighting each for the audience as appropriate. Part of the sideshow contract is that we will not attempt to perform any of the other acts, however, as the theater is eager to prevent another monopoly situation like the old show.
The former director attempted to run the sideshow, but the theater was so unhappy with his previous stunts, they gave him a trial run of managing the Magicians. That trial is over next year, and the process has begun to find a more permanent replacement. Word has it that replacement might create 2 new acts, and all the acts smell the blood and are positioning themselves to gobble up any pieces that might fall onto the floor.
THUS.....Last night, meeting with all the acts, Magician director: "We've got to coordinate with 4 different organizations and get 5 government officials to sign off. It's going to take 3 weeks."
the other acts start bickering about their parts in this and arguing who can do it quicker
Me: "Here, I'll take care of that."
This morning meeting: Magician Director "We're waiting on Uno to get everything ready..."
"Here you go. All signed off and waiting on you."
"How did you get this done in 12 hours?!?!?!"
(I have worked for both the acrobats and daredevils, and closely with a lot of magicians. I've literally written large swaths of the book on this particular job. I know how and where to push things.)
Today: [Magician Director on why it still hasn't been done]We object to Uno's name being on this, we won't do the work until his name is off and we get full credit for pulling this off. (which would upset the other acts and bring another delay) By (insert legal jargon in process) it doesn't need his signature.
(see, by helping them, plugging a hole like I'm supposed to, in front of the theater, I'd made him look like an incompetent ass again, when he's under review for a follow on...) I signed off as required (insert legal jargon).
Theater: I want this done by tomorrow.
___________________________________________
I've been thrust out from behind the curtain to handle a lot more of this politicking crap lately. Just cause I don't like it doesn't mean I can't DO it. Probably ultimately good that powers that be get to know me some more, but I can't wait to be able to go back behind the curtain...
Soonish.
Not soon enough.
Attempting a more difficult follow on of the above.
Magician (Boeing) Director: "I know we really rushed things last time with a little help from Uno, but we need to make sure this is all lined up right this time first, we'll have the proper signoffs by next week."
Theater: "Uno already completed all that last week. You've been notified here, here, and here. Why is it not completed?"
MD: "He's not even supposed to be a part of this, we didn't ask for his help, we don't want him stepping into OUR business."
Theater: "His business is what I say it is, and I asked him to line it up so we didn't have to deal with your excuses."
MD: unimpressive death stare the rest of the meeting.
Don't know if this idjit has anything to do with the opening or not. Don't care. He can either appreciate I do things right and swift or be upset I'mmaking him lookexposing the fact he is inept.
:wall:
And they did it WRONG.
Maybe permanently fubared. Literally don't know how to read directions.
edit: Oh, and they tried to hide the fact they did it wrong, which likely makes it WORSE. Fabulous. It's like working with my kids.
So, Festivus today.
Supposed to be just us behind the curtain guys, trying to keep all politics out of it. But the Theater is fully represented so it's a BIG stage. A lot bigger than any of the normal acts actually can manage.
We open the curtains, show them exactly what's going on, and openly discuss ways the back stage can work better between us. Supposed to be pure shop talk with no politics.
THIS IS JUST NOT DONE. You don't typically open the curtain. Ever. Let alone share info across various back stages openly like this. I pitched this concept to the Theater when I started, and they've backed me fully, and are attempting to use it as a model to further THEIR careers.
Anyhow.
Magician director above had other ideas (not invited), and come to complain about the above incidences AGAIN.
The theater told him to shut it, and used those incidences as the example WHY we have the backstage aligned to work in such a non-traditional manner. And if folks don't like it, they are happy to adjust where they buy tickets.
Back stage, badges and politics are checked at the door. Leave that stuff to your acts.
Post by: Unorthodox on December 21, 2016, 02:09:21 pm
Happy Yule to everyone, and may the next cycle bring you joy.
To hEt, 23 years now. I think everyone here would agree that must qualify you for sainthood.
Post by: Unorthodox on December 22, 2016, 01:33:30 pm
We'd been using the 'basement' couches because they were bigger and could sit more in the one room we had during construction.
THEY WERE AWFUL. My parents gave us those, but they were just not right for us (hEt and I). My legs would cramp up just sitting on them. Hard to put a reason on it, really. They're quality stuff. We needed them since the kids had absolutely destroyed a set when they were younger.
But with the carpet in, the kids can start putting the basement back in order, so we put them back in the basement, and got the first set of couches we ever bought.
Even Talia: "They're SO SOOOOOOOOFFFFT!" Both she and I fell asleep on them shortly after getting them in. Old and worn, I wish I could just tear em down, repair, and re-upholster. I'm afraid I don't have the patience for that last, and don't know how to go about the repair.
Here's hoping the new set of couches for the great hall are quality. The last set we bought did not hold up well at all.
Post by: E_T on December 23, 2016, 12:10:35 am
Happy Yule to Ya'll, too (and everyone else!!)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on December 23, 2016, 03:37:45 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on January 03, 2017, 03:30:32 pm
Well that was the worst night of attempted sleep I've ever had.
I can't figure out this neck issue.
Mostly been relegated to 1-2 hour naps on the couch since then or my shoulder/neck would kill me. But, just completed a 'full' night sleep (6 hours is a full night for me) in my actual bed. And Sunday I got a full night sleep on my back in the recliner couch (I NEVER had slept on my back before). Actual 2 days full sleep for the first time in god only knows how long.
Post by: Unorthodox on January 03, 2017, 03:31:47 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on January 03, 2017, 08:31:26 pm
It was just a simplistic diagram of various configurations of the system I labeled so I always knew what folks were talking about, since everyone uses acronyms or numbers for the various pieces.
I would add to it in hand written notes when I come across more info I needed. Most of my notes dealt with my area of focus. Some engineers saw it and wanted copies, so I printed them the originals they could annotate.
When I switched from Boeing to TASC, I had to leave behind my copy, but the TASC Engineers had THEIR copy, but no one had a clean copy anymore. So, I took theirs and added my notes back into the diagrams, and we started running into problems. I had to limit some of my notes to avoid the total information available on the one document from becoming one that needed to be classified.
Fast forward to today.
Someone "found" this great cheat sheet with loads of handy info, and decided to share it with everyone.
I recognize the engineers handwriting. I recognize my own. There are 2 other handwritings on this drawing now as well. And given my history with this and what was and was not allowed...I immediately raised the red flag to security. Now we're shut down cleansing any system this has touched as it was not handled correctly. Waiting for a new computer....
Post by: Rusty Edge on January 04, 2017, 06:48:44 am
Post by: Spacy on January 04, 2017, 02:48:45 pm
Post by: E_T on January 05, 2017, 03:47:52 pm
)... Just hope that it doesn't get out into the public domain...
Post by: Unorthodox on January 05, 2017, 04:34:06 pm
None of the individual pieces are classified. It's the putting them together that becomes problematic, thus an easy mistake to make, really. Document not classified, my notes are not classified, logically one would assume it's still not classified. But together, presto.
It's like some of the items around here. They're either unclassified or top secret based on one itty bitty not so obvious change. Gotta be on your toes. And I'm one of the fairly old dogs on the program these days. Most the kids don't understand what to even look for.
The other day a package arrived for instance. Kid casually starts to open it, and I had to stop him and explain it couldn't be opened THERE! It's a classified shipment.
"It doesn't say it is"
No [poop] sherlock, you don't ADVERTISE that, it would be like putting a bullseye on packages to steal. There's particular packaging and shipping standard combos you just have to treat as if they are classified (and they usually are in this business).
Post by: Unorthodox on January 05, 2017, 08:20:20 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on January 05, 2017, 09:07:23 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on January 05, 2017, 09:36:08 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on January 05, 2017, 09:42:02 pm
Post by: Rusty Edge on January 05, 2017, 09:57:27 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on January 05, 2017, 10:08:11 pm
...It just doesn't sound to me like something Halloween fans would do, and - where's the profit angle, otherwise?
I THINK it's more related to the yahoo emails being hacked and they're trying to hack everything that tied to that account. I got looking at it closer, it's ALL from yahoo accounts that seem to have signed up for a feed.
Post by: Spacy on January 06, 2017, 02:36:48 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on January 06, 2017, 03:18:59 pm
University students in the UK find that a zombie virus would render defenseless humans extinct in the span of a single season of "The Walking Dead." (https://www.cnet.com/au/news/zombies-virus-wipe-out-humanity-university-leicester-walking-dead/)
Post by: E_T on January 06, 2017, 08:00:26 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on January 08, 2017, 01:36:46 am
-I never saw the Depp be what ruined a picture before. He's usually a very, very good actor - astonishingly good for such a prettyboy who could have made a fine career on just being pretty.
The picture had a look, in the elaborate, gorgeous, Collinwood sets - albeit under-lit, being a Tim Burton movie that had to look gothic. Michelle Pfeiffer, in particular, really nailed a very soap opera style of acting without dialing it up to the level it called attention to itself. Chloe Moretz never sucks in anything, besides, and it's a pity her part wasn't bigger.
The movie had everything it needed to pretty good something -it's exactly the sort of spider-webby thing that Tim Burton tends to excel at- except the thematic unity to decide whether it was horror or a comedy, and thus failed miserably as both. It's almost as if Burton told Depp, and no one else in the cast, it was a comedy; hard to believe, but harder to believe the failure was all Depp, given how hit-and-miss Burton can be.
I don't know what I expected, but it wasn't this, and I'm pretty disappointed...
Post by: Unorthodox on January 09, 2017, 02:36:35 pm
I had numerous issues with that movie from top to bottom.
As for Burton.
He's on a one for you, one for me styled situation with the corporate side of things where he makes an intended money maker, ala dark shadows or Miss Peregrines. It is a big name, all the hallmarks of a burton film, etc. But you can tell his heart's not really IN those projects. THEN he's able to make one he WANTS to make, at this time, that was the full length Frankenweenie...which was butchered as well.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on January 09, 2017, 02:53:21 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on January 09, 2017, 03:01:47 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on January 09, 2017, 03:05:23 pm
Moved grandma into a nursing home over the weekend.
She was born in 1917. Her mind is no longer all there. Arthritis has crippled her hands to being incapable of finer things like cutting food.
It's a move that should have happened at least a year ago. Could have happened 5 years ago.
Over the last few months, my mom has had hip surgery, and my dad has undergone radiation for the cancer. Coupled, they've become incapable of caring for grandma at her house. Mom is not coping well AT ALL. Her kidney disease and medication for that all on top, and I'm seeing the same signs of her madness from when I was younger for the first time in 20 years.
So, moving on Friday you have me. My brother, who was dropped on his head as a baby (really) and is rather OCD, trying to watch his son. Dad, can't move anything due to being tired and weak from radiation. Mom, feeling guilty and depressed for moving her mom into the home, in full madness mode. Grandma, actually rather at peace with the whole thing, but a little confused at times as well.
We meet at 9, and pack up by 10. It's a really small move, should be easy........
So, we get to the home and mom goes into full bore madness, covering with OCD since she can't just take it out on anyone physically anymore. Ok, we need grandma's favorite chair first to make her comfortable. No problem. But wait. We got to get the TV in, and hooked up, and we must finish this whole room including hanging the pictures and decorating. Meanwhile Kyle's boy touched the phone, so we have to stop and wash his hands. Then he needs to potty, so wash, go, wash. And we forgot a picture, so we have to drop everything and to get it, because that's just how it has to be.
12 handwashes for Austin later. 6 all stops to go back and get something we forgot instead of making a list and getting it all in the end. 2.5 hour hiatus because mom has to rest/eat and heaven forbid we get the rest of the stuff in while she rests. Simple job turned into all damn day in a hurry.
AND EVERYONE ELSE IGNORES THE FACT GRANDMA IS STRUGGLING TO GET OUT OF THE CHAIR TO MAKE IT TO THE BATHROOM. TWICE. She's not going to ASK, she's too proud for that. I just go give her a hand without word.
I could go on about the drama of selecting homes, or the trouble they're now having at this one because you know, heaven forbid they follow our recommendation after hEt's mom and grandpa both had good experiences with the other one. Or the whole 'she won't eat anything' argument, but I get in trouble for bringing her favorite treats she WILL eat.
Post by: Unorthodox on January 09, 2017, 03:10:03 pm
It's just --- that was about the last thing I would have expected Burton to just hack out, and the casting hints that he was serious...
I think he seriously underestimated the amount of time Frankenweenie was going to take. HE DIDN'T DIRECT Nightmare. He had help with Corpse Bride. He attempted Frankenweenie on his own. Stop motion is time intensive. As a result I think Dark Shadows just got rushed out.
Post by: E_T on January 09, 2017, 10:26:30 pm
At least Burton did not get the one Superman move out of early preproduction, it was shaping up to be a dog...
Post by: Unorthodox on January 10, 2017, 01:55:41 pm
! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=84TouqfIsiI#)
Post by: E_T on January 10, 2017, 04:41:08 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on January 10, 2017, 05:33:38 pm
Anyhow.
At least another day of construction coming. So ready to be done.
I haven't pictured "the princess suite" (master bed/bath) yet. I'll try to get some tonight. It was SUPPOSED to be done Friday so we could move in last weekend. I hear the tub fixtures are nowhere to be found though, so it won't be finished tonight either.
Really annoying trying to share the bathroom upstairs at times.
Lots of little detail work left to do. I want my shop. It's still storing garbage, they were supposed to haul it out. Basement is puttering along at a 'when we can get to it' pace. Which, admittedly, we were good with when the focus was to finish the upstairs for christmas. I'm going to have to start getting insistant we just finish up.
Post by: Unorthodox on January 11, 2017, 02:08:25 am
Post by: Rusty Edge on January 11, 2017, 03:05:58 am
Going to try to grow some sorghum this year I think...
As a Halloween decorative grass, as bird seed, or as syrup?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on January 11, 2017, 03:11:15 am
Post by: E_T on January 11, 2017, 03:14:25 am
Post by: Unorthodox on January 11, 2017, 01:47:00 pm
Knowing Uno, I wouldn't doubt that the answer is yes.
No to syrup. Too much work.
Post by: Unorthodox on January 11, 2017, 01:51:17 pm
Wouldn't doubt it as well as 2 other things that were not listed, too...
They are too much work, too. (assuming alcohol and ethanol)
Post by: Rusty Edge on January 11, 2017, 06:01:13 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on January 11, 2017, 06:42:55 pm
As a cover crop, it smothers weeds, is drought tolerant, and while similar requirements to corn for nutrients, it returns 100% back to the soil as it's easily broken down where corn stalks can take years.
Though we might be breaking the drought cycle this year. So far we're at 170% of normal to date, and already have ~70% of a normal year's worth of water with 3 months left in the water cycle. Barring an extreme shift in the pattern, we'll be facing floods and heavy water in spring.
Post by: Unorthodox on January 11, 2017, 06:58:39 pm
Post by: Spacy on January 12, 2017, 11:26:30 am
Post by: Unorthodox on January 12, 2017, 02:16:52 pm
approximate % ?
90ish.
BUT, they're likely not DEAD, really. While a honey bee range is a square mile or so, a lot of the sweet bees and squash bees I was cultivating are more like 100 yards max. They likely moved to a neighbor's location, I just need to encourage them to take up home here again.
And the Bumble bees were perfectly happy with the milk weed, so stuck around.
I did manage to keep a couple female squash bees assuming they survive the winter. That's absolutely key.
Post by: Unorthodox on January 12, 2017, 10:43:52 pm
Though we might be breaking the drought cycle this year. So far we're at 170% of normal to date, and already have ~70% of a normal year's worth of water with 3 months left in the water cycle. Barring an extreme shift in the pattern, we'll be facing floods and heavy water in spring.
After last nights storm, that's 187% of normal to date and 78% of normal for an entire year. Drying up till middle of next week though.
Post by: Unorthodox on January 16, 2017, 09:08:01 pm
When switching to a new computing system, maybe make sure the historical data from the old one is saved first.
Post by: Spacy on January 17, 2017, 12:22:39 pm
Sooooo sore today.... and bruises in places I really don't like bruised.
Post by: Unorthodox on January 17, 2017, 02:53:20 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on January 17, 2017, 06:52:16 pm
And Talia is already planning her scarecrow too.
Post by: Unorthodox on January 17, 2017, 07:14:17 pm
(http://cdn.backyardchickens.com/f/f9/f93791a2_33115_muscles.jpeg)
(http://th02.deviantart.net/fs71/PRE/i/2011/300/c/b/avian_wing_anatomy_by_silverfyre-d4e2qil.jpg)
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/58/PSM_V34_D714_Skeletons_of_a_bird_and_man.jpg)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on January 17, 2017, 10:07:51 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on January 18, 2017, 02:11:10 pm
How close is the remodeling to completion?
Depends on your point of view.
Theoretically "Done" by Monday, with the caveat that the wrong shower glass was ordered and the correct stuff has no ETA yet, and there's a ton of yard stuff (re-grading the yard where it sunk, putting the fence back up, etc) that can't be done till spring now.
But "Done" doesn't mean done, either. I still have to move back into the master bedroom and empty tons out of storage.
So, I'm guessing mid to late Feb for the interior to be done where I can relax, and god only knows on the yard work.
My shop will be a continuous work in progress. There's a lot I want for there, but budget is just going to have to piece meal it when I can.
There's also going to be a crack where the old and new house met along the ceiling. Waiting to see how bad it gets before they patch it. Apparently they expected that might happen and assure it's no big deal. I recognize the challenges there, structurally, and we faced a similar problem when my parents built their addition, having to redo the ceiling 2 years after expanding, it's just no less annoying.
Post by: E_T on January 23, 2017, 02:03:08 am
Don't mind me....
(http://cdn.backyardchickens.com/f/f9/f93791a2_33115_muscles.jpeg)
(http://th02.deviantart.net/fs71/PRE/i/2011/300/c/b/avian_wing_anatomy_by_silverfyre-d4e2qil.jpg)
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/58/PSM_V34_D714_Skeletons_of_a_bird_and_man.jpg)
Wings on a human skeleton?? Instead of arms/hand??
Interesting how that long tendon provides the wing edge and the tightening and loosening of it acts like the flaps do for slower flight speeds...
Post by: E_T on January 23, 2017, 02:08:00 am
Post by: Unorthodox on January 23, 2017, 04:17:58 am
(https://askabiologist.asu.edu/sites/default/files/resources/articles/bats/homology_550.jpg)
Post by: Unorthodox on January 23, 2017, 09:03:51 pm
Wings on a human skeleton?? Instead of arms/hand??
That's more along Talia's stated project (she's 9, subject to change, but traditionally sticks to her guns) She wrote a "Vampire fairy" story, and wants to make the vampire fairy. Though she's leaning more insect or bat wings so far.
I'm more just studying the avian structures for how the tissues all connect. One of the concepts would be potentially doing a scareCROW for the contest.
However, this is a curious piece:
(http://pre09.deviantart.net/1ceb/th/pre/f/2012/310/3/6/36881f06617f778d9d88ad75f591fabe-d5k8nlw.jpg)
An anatomical mess I won't get into, but interesting.
Quote
Interesting how that long tendon provides the wing edge and the tightening and loosening of it acts like the flaps do for slower flight speeds...
And I can have lots of fun with THAT in various states of decay.
Post by: Unorthodox on January 24, 2017, 02:31:21 pm
Edit: Looking at the record depths, looks like we're generally in the top 5 year to date, hovering at 3rd or 4th most snow water equivalent in 40 years at most locations, with a couples 6ths and 2nds mixed about. That new roof is getting a workout...though the valleys aren't near the 80s levels yet.
Post by: Spacy on January 24, 2017, 08:43:57 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on January 25, 2017, 01:44:47 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on January 31, 2017, 02:38:08 pm
Reality: Freezing pollution.
Couple days without a storm and you can't see or breathe.
Rain expected by Friday.
Post by: Unorthodox on February 01, 2017, 09:58:06 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on February 01, 2017, 10:28:13 pm
Accusations of me making mistakes or worse.
Every one now proven false, and most showed the accusers making their own "mistakes". Can I have my week back now? Jackasses. Don't have time to revisit things from months ago and keep up with the load as it is. I don't play these politicking games damnit.
Post by: Unorthodox on February 02, 2017, 01:43:58 pm
Really cool idea taken the latest haunted house trend to teach physics.
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/ldquo-escape-room-rdquo-game-challenges-physics-phobes-to-face-their-fear/ (https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/ldquo-escape-room-rdquo-game-challenges-physics-phobes-to-face-their-fear/)
Post by: Unorthodox on February 06, 2017, 01:55:55 pm
Mountain totals have topped 100% now (it's February and we've already had a years worth of precipitation in the mountains with 3 months left in the water cycle), all major tributaries to the great salt lake sit anywhere from 101 to 124%
Post by: Unorthodox on February 06, 2017, 03:06:23 pm
Of which, the worst of the lot looks like The Mummy reboot.
Couple of them actually look good:
! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JF1rLFCdewU#)
! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HguxTfWISKY#)
Post by: Spacy on February 06, 2017, 10:06:29 pm
Here is a nice tool to visualize... sorta...
http://htwins.net/scale2/ (http://htwins.net/scale2/)
Post by: Unorthodox on February 07, 2017, 10:03:28 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on February 10, 2017, 08:04:54 pm
Post by: Rusty Edge on February 10, 2017, 08:16:17 pm
http://nagato-iwasaki.com/ (http://nagato-iwasaki.com/)
I like it. A cross between musculature and skeleton. I wish that kind of art could be found a long a trail somewhere and not be stolen or vandalized. Imagine it in the desert, or the shores of the Great Salt Lake.
Post by: Spacy on February 11, 2017, 01:32:58 am
Post by: Unorthodox on February 13, 2017, 01:44:26 pm
http://nagato-iwasaki.com/ (http://nagato-iwasaki.com/)
I like it. A cross between musculature and skeleton. I wish that kind of art could be found a long a trail somewhere and not be stolen or vandalized. Imagine it in the desert, or the shores of the Great Salt Lake.
There's not a lot of driftwood around the GSL. In fact, the lake itself won't be around too much longer at the present pace. I'm interested to see how much impact this winter will have on the lake.
But, anything wood would look unnatural along those shores. Not even the sage brush gets out there.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/SoJWop0oMF3RCqt_nnb2wGQM3Xc1CIwfGd1C0w-NkckA6kGH-ZtRVmXktmCB-0w7mM2Bap6ccV0jeRXGEippzBCD6ExY-O55kYKkMrfFhFHYGVK1SEU1QuKHg-vp7_6NeH6ZyQy-FTEhjHnf51Du-lby5nnbsgXsVBVpJbNa_-DEqgPrLRhgyuo3MGYKxF31mqfDfCKw0m8wKl2gcQg8EuFeWuRgOkS3g9gM0RnNqDIRJU5GOZJEXID6I8cDqvmikvcQt61vAoALj6kJxqaHYI0cawtmx2vQ3vmNS-9NA6tqGEddUIZ9KeFOrEdKmOs0WBGUUsCcuNTETLvp_GjBVmz6ntVEFjZZ5dV3-RWzTXYtUDg5lcOdiADcfTd8-_yQA0c0BJ7XLvaEfCEOKRRhf7XZ3I58j05tn3jccaUPMXARViG7G_5Lj_Qi43MtI9FvB6wR4qI7XOeZWBhYr2keW1MSfHTTJq4Oq_vpBsjwvyAoHaFAxcBugnJKOamsER1KnzCQuBpmk8fuI47XcRyZDaVQhba2PpGghDTPKoIQVwCQVxnue3eS1iTobbG7TZc-RIchHRxURHNDNuIa_t5TGjmI52YYYQPaoJ-tslm1Eb0_8ovcRCt0oQ=w709-h945-no)
Post by: Unorthodox on February 13, 2017, 10:05:20 pm
Not quite the same level, but same idea.
Post by: Rusty Edge on February 14, 2017, 01:51:50 am
https://giovannilongo.com/portfolio/fragile-skeletons/
Not quite the same level, but same idea.
I guess I had those thoughts about desert and art, because I think of them as being more likely to preserve wood than those creek hollows in the photographs. Less likely to be disturbed, too. Well, I also like Georgia O'Keefe paintings.
Those animal skeletons are cool, too.
Post by: Spacy on February 14, 2017, 09:29:47 pm
Post by: E_T on February 15, 2017, 11:02:29 pm
http://nagato-iwasaki.com/ (http://nagato-iwasaki.com/)
I like it. A cross between musculature and skeleton. I wish that kind of art could be found a long a trail somewhere and not be stolen or vandalized. Imagine it in the desert, or the shores of the Great Salt Lake.
There's not a lot of driftwood around the GSL. In fact, the lake itself won't be around too much longer at the present pace. I'm interested to see how much impact this winter will have on the lake.
But, anything wood would look unnatural along those shores. Not even the sage brush gets out there.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/SoJWop0oMF3RCqt_nnb2wGQM3Xc1CIwfGd1C0w-NkckA6kGH-ZtRVmXktmCB-0w7mM2Bap6ccV0jeRXGEippzBCD6ExY-O55kYKkMrfFhFHYGVK1SEU1QuKHg-vp7_6NeH6ZyQy-FTEhjHnf51Du-lby5nnbsgXsVBVpJbNa_-DEqgPrLRhgyuo3MGYKxF31mqfDfCKw0m8wKl2gcQg8EuFeWuRgOkS3g9gM0RnNqDIRJU5GOZJEXID6I8cDqvmikvcQt61vAoALj6kJxqaHYI0cawtmx2vQ3vmNS-9NA6tqGEddUIZ9KeFOrEdKmOs0WBGUUsCcuNTETLvp_GjBVmz6ntVEFjZZ5dV3-RWzTXYtUDg5lcOdiADcfTd8-_yQA0c0BJ7XLvaEfCEOKRRhf7XZ3I58j05tn3jccaUPMXARViG7G_5Lj_Qi43MtI9FvB6wR4qI7XOeZWBhYr2keW1MSfHTTJq4Oq_vpBsjwvyAoHaFAxcBugnJKOamsER1KnzCQuBpmk8fuI47XcRyZDaVQhba2PpGghDTPKoIQVwCQVxnue3eS1iTobbG7TZc-RIchHRxURHNDNuIa_t5TGjmI52YYYQPaoJ-tslm1Eb0_8ovcRCt0oQ=w709-h945-no)
I'm surprised that they didn't try to plant some Sea Oats there...
Post by: Unorthodox on February 16, 2017, 01:45:10 pm
I'm surprised that they didn't try to plant some Sea Oats there...
Highly doubtful that would be successful.
http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/gsl/physical_char/ (http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/gsl/physical_char/)
I knew the bridge would eventually get copied and mass marketed, but this is a really good idea/improvement...now, how are they doing it?
! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6NAyRcfbts#)
Post by: E_T on February 16, 2017, 03:12:33 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on February 16, 2017, 03:58:10 pm
https://www.playlsi.com/en/commercial-playground-equipment/playground-components/belt-bridge-123 (https://www.playlsi.com/en/commercial-playground-equipment/playground-components/belt-bridge-123)
It's the surprise drop this is going for, which is cheap low-effort crap.
I'd actually argue a proper clatter bridge would be a better commercial alternative aimed at the professional market. The right setting and that would be awesome.
The bridge of deaths' biggest selling points are LOOKS and FEEL. You don't need to add surprise elements. The different FEEL of being on that board walk is difficult to quantify, and a properly built clatter bridge would bring that to a professional haunt. Especially if over a properly set and staged gap or through a vortex, as they suggested for this bridge.
Wonder if you could get a fire marshal to sign off on the safety of a plank sway bridge over a bottomless pit illusion...
Post by: Rusty Edge on February 16, 2017, 11:07:08 pm
Is the Great Salt Lake actually an inland sea?
Post by: Spacy on February 17, 2017, 01:09:28 am
Actually, at only 3 feet, two other options come easily to mind. For the deflection they have, they could easily be using a car leaf spring. And, although I don't believe you would get as much deflection, and it would be a lot more work, they could also be using a recycled tire. The steel banding inside most tires wouldn't allow for that much deflection though, but would still give a good 'bounce' and would be environmentally friendly. Would also be in essence a "free" material.
Post by: Unorthodox on February 17, 2017, 02:03:26 pm
Quick question that came up on the Hooked on Pirates! forum.
Is the Great Salt Lake actually an inland sea?
No...it's one of the largest terminal lakes in the world, and I think the highest elevation salt water lake, I seem to remember something about it's elevation being unusual.
That said, lake Bonneville may have been an inland sea? I'd have to look that up.
Lake Bonneville covered most of the desert around here back in the Pleistocene era. Clear into Nevada. GSL is what is left of that.
Post by: Unorthodox on February 17, 2017, 02:08:39 pm
For the distance traveled in that bridge, it has quite a deep drop. It looks like 6 boards make up a span. Each board appears to be a standard 1x6. So, that is roughly 3 feet. The drop looks to be about 4 inches for maximum deflection. I would guess that they are using basically rubber bands based on cost and ease of availability. Aging would be a serious issue, though.
Actually, at only 3 feet, two other options come easily to mind. For the deflection they have, they could easily be using a car leaf spring. And, although I don't believe you would get as much deflection, and it would be a lot more work, they could also be using a recycled tire. The steel banding inside most tires wouldn't allow for that much deflection though, but would still give a good 'bounce' and would be environmentally friendly. Would also be in essence a "free" material.
You have to build the box yourself, which provides the maximum deflection and hides the actual mechanism.
Edit:
Another video. No, not for me. My bridge creaks and groans like WOOD. Not warbles like metal.
! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAowrpsXKSE#)
Post by: E_T on February 20, 2017, 01:12:02 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on February 22, 2017, 02:17:44 pm
(http://www.skullsunlimited.com/userfiles/image/variants_large_7075.jpg)
(http://fc04.deviantart.net/fs10/i/2006/122/1/b/Raven_skeleton_by_PaleoAeolos.jpg)
(http://www.wallpaperup.com/uploads/wallpapers/2013/03/20/55072/aba405a4e79a0164e75ea6af54b88ce8.jpg)
Post by: Unorthodox on February 23, 2017, 09:17:55 pm
"What do you mean we need to run background checks on people working at a government facility?"
"What do you mean we need a licensed electrician?"
My idiocy tolerance is really being stretched to the limit lately.
Post by: Unorthodox on February 26, 2017, 04:54:51 am
If I extrapolate rough proportions out, this beak would yield a crow with an 11' wing span...
Post by: Rusty Edge on February 26, 2017, 05:16:59 am
Post by: Unorthodox on February 27, 2017, 12:47:43 pm
Err. "Wings"
Post by: Unorthodox on February 28, 2017, 10:30:58 pm
QA manager (been in the job a week or so) to auditors: "No, we don't do (insert Uno's job, which covers 90% of the reportable line items on the contract) here"
Hilarity is ensuing.
Post by: Spacy on March 01, 2017, 12:27:19 am
Post by: E_T on March 01, 2017, 04:08:35 am
Post by: Unorthodox on March 01, 2017, 09:49:41 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on March 02, 2017, 05:52:11 pm
Why?
I don't understand these kinds of things...random loot boxes either.
Post by: Spacy on March 03, 2017, 12:41:18 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 03, 2017, 02:37:19 am
Post by: Unorthodox on March 03, 2017, 11:38:43 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 04, 2017, 02:48:52 am
Post by: Unorthodox on March 06, 2017, 01:49:09 pm
A new light table of this size would run over $3k. Now the cornerstone of my new shop. (oh, and work on the crow)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/WWW37Q6mpHDM6OTigapbP5uTr2Ui0xSXzkgLcfQhjaBnl2ZpuIe3zWMRBaw8c49SaxNbp5W_gq_P7-kU8dYXY_xwmXajGS-yJVPHmtPAba8o4_L1KYmyRSbKzHhHs31nMHdMIpR5A9-chjaEbxHBV_tq3FFcauJU904ycr8iCaK_hckH5IyStI_4B72AFncZuqDjjuiiCo2Jn1_-JnsySvY28EYyVyzo6uI4xEHdzcZeTxXGujfXsR3hmbZpulylrR-zDhSXvO_QvXH5rOvuI33NCaJ9nuu9ijWDlixx7PxMkW1KQ-UIoAj67GbiYWm1iQPove0ZU0tlnsqToq-Me6zSSwR5Nj82Qu8lYNE3q4fh7FUaVLwW-EaVsuYyj_Surcox8iGj1Oc4ySUZrBtaRDK1VdJAnZXzLKTcch1GPDHxcsJD6NYyx1sJGRTBOEp_e4Er9aXR3hJBbB4Unm81b4D8TfnJ_O58cZ87gxPQK7Na1hMQU8JoZXOKnq7PKgPDDIWzYDtkwPNMNP1Eij8vBZ_xrL87l3Sot0Ge2BgTc1BY_8Z_WFWg_gWAem0XXXbGJeekpe6oJyg3lDV_tZ2kmJaw8H6cNQIixhALZgtnsqv-NMVUw6AA2A=w1196-h897-no)
Post by: Spacy on March 06, 2017, 10:28:06 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on March 06, 2017, 11:17:33 pm
Nice table! And skull (although shouldn't the nose openings be pointier?)They gonna be corpsed anyway.
They started that way, but I need the area strong, not a point of weakness.
Post by: Unorthodox on March 09, 2017, 04:27:05 pm
Boeing interview tomorrow.
Post by: Geo on March 09, 2017, 05:54:57 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on March 10, 2017, 01:20:54 am
First things first, got to land an offer.
Post by: Unorthodox on March 10, 2017, 08:38:03 pm
These guys weren't able/willing to answer my biggest question, which means I'm more leaning to just using it as leverage at this point.
Post by: E_T on March 15, 2017, 06:38:34 am
Post by: Geo on March 15, 2017, 10:36:43 am
Post by: Unorthodox on March 15, 2017, 01:15:25 pm
Specifically how long is the contract and what are the renewal terms?
Post by: Unorthodox on March 15, 2017, 06:22:12 pm
Some Boeing employees in the building have big mouths, and work had gotten wind that Boeing was looking at me for a position as a result.
Work fired an opening salvo aimed at getting me to stay today in the form of an 8% raise, along with a grade promotion.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 15, 2017, 06:29:21 pm
Post by: Spacy on March 15, 2017, 08:45:49 pm
Post by: Geo on March 15, 2017, 10:15:44 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on March 16, 2017, 06:09:19 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on March 21, 2017, 03:47:50 am
This is a double edged sword.
Post by: Geo on March 21, 2017, 06:56:29 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on March 21, 2017, 07:58:39 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on March 21, 2017, 08:45:36 pm
Work is remodeling. Likely for the rest of the year. My access is a little wonky as a result, and the stress is problematic to say the least. Thinking I just got the house in order, only to have the other area I more or less live in upended.
It was not well planned for, either, and guess who's in charge of fixing the plan...
Post by: Unorthodox on March 22, 2017, 08:00:54 pm
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Y2V4AB3A5vUH-V19Fq-iL8sFBQE_a6kXl-Q4eo4jwwUoRPXTSYV8Ne-A1nzoISmOvNsxQ8BEpZ0_adCbpNixtS8wHRnkOX_pZ8QJFWqz5s1BPe2nXSFXGZUSc5ei_3reqNg2J95Egz0eXmdSlLvc2Ghc_-rHSMdgdU3eSj0oiymAfzW2qmefzqIAZ8tG2Nea7aGztwAZA-xp-6HKRHzAMJcQD4ZaoCgrNSZ0lcAyVwIargfOA9NwRisJs3XbBLDqCVDNNEUh4RWH6LBWuedp1BbCpMSTBcg2VUfxQGVfkuZfJpsS7QA6a6XRTU_NLWhfnqIYz9izUROMwMzDQDcIk5t0CVlTPRIkBfmib-cRpfTmaf_1Ut6Qk3oSrxtETpT8C53ZcFDwbHWjLqI7elUrBFq_7KWCnrNNuDyvGl5qTljbc-wadTNgNcaKfq7mkzTB-LEhMD0vVvJDNrzMdrEK4-2NoRGOiAaWakM7WRYTpSVYxahVGcJVGgRhEWWJ-BLkNWRIPWAboOF-aUL0yD4Jc0tQRj8TWM1YNzAXIkn-TBszzILXMmt5ZAYLg7wGaUyDuDS9GQGm0YvO2GZqCSutNYDkk53q-5ruAC7Y0G3ODIK4iKaRDwrrRPiKr7-JCLvqluGNtaMLeVo=w401-h301-no)
Post by: Spacy on March 22, 2017, 08:39:52 pm
Post by: hEtErOdOx on March 22, 2017, 10:15:09 pm
Post by: Spacy on March 23, 2017, 10:26:16 am
Post by: Unorthodox on March 23, 2017, 06:59:44 pm
How do you professionally say '[fuddle-duddle] you'
Post by: Unorthodox on March 23, 2017, 07:15:40 pm
The doofus bitching about things isn't even impacted by them.
Post by: Rusty Edge on March 23, 2017, 10:04:46 pm
Help desk duty sucks worse than anything.
How do you professionally say '[fuddle-duddle] you'
"Have a nice day!"
Post by: Geo on March 25, 2017, 09:16:15 am
Help desk duty sucks worse than anything.
How do you professionally say '[fuddle-duddle] you'
"Have a nice day!"
"Sir, are you in need of a plumber?"
Post by: Unorthodox on March 28, 2017, 04:03:33 pm
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/6APbIEhe-R6yakZ2JlzLQe8bLD-67sBVVG1PeqE7yY4OelXkVM9lK37Z44aYDf0_W1kIZ-Y0_Lq342LT8WjcPCao4_MEteLzFKTIMavuhUdMpZONe-QNd3iX-7pApxFpHUbsZdfafzSN-i9Wo_kaWc_cTFS1oso6b6ziXs6mUruQf7Q8Ic08uElRCqx4T_WcPZe-b_zJE6g1uiOHrGLrUE17eyGSttsIf7HyZ-vQUV-6eGR6WV6BCH5H2tTP8Os8TjTPc6PJJR3fRc_oQYpClj3AW7wjFwP_9R-mC_VEYSa0J6mLsTRNL0QDQXkkjRjJoVfNbzF5OleVvNppbFG2aUMeOxM-2S4wL8syH3McsvYHytZDNdqoSpKXANIXUi2_yJtRHumykMR47X6KfgYlCRccwMJFNFteRQ5A8ScXaRJ1Cl2pdtv5HjQWihbzvHTnDYL0e-_OF-jDnVXUJSmPxaH_Pn5fjdBCwvyc7LMiub_jwwq2ga8V-aoD0IziOwV2WuzMq5yODsruOJIHJiWX1ubvu2XTxfmMROE9HrG9kSfdyD_DIBfcFBlCrfKc-8BN9xcQr3vzLtYO6DwLXotAvHLHDLqGiBVtHujj0yg3_p2dUsC5vKJbFA=w1195-h896-no)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/aTH8vSn0gFb0ygS7yItCFv9nI6RVlR5qJ86ewZa_EbjMHesE4cx37erI5DTJtuhplx6V3qm_tngyYA0yvZUAGfeEmX5EzD7kwp7UFOjHpyRwTSqBDSH9g6NKAPamiW5LO2pDLAWGSwYTapZ--YZLQnY94VCfNBQe3qTbKwAvK3XEy-TGL1aejysPIveF3RfDJr-GTXlueldj64ETJ1Gc1wT6wjiZZoPidAVxGTN8viH0P-NvKtEd2etNDzg96_mKHnEk5BVUz1eoZtjCZOQrueCDAkrxr7HlSp86TsqoTHbockgQyMQi3nk0M00GrR9HreR9ajNVDBbCbFcDpQ_EbGFG5qgUsbPlwiFdYQK0TJP7nPB-cS-_QvFrlXsCgeOWoGecdJyoCZhed8r38Tjzue_hmvS2Ts7Xkxiog5dvEl72qYnHveqQ7gKw7XyCCDXU3Xkr0GrqdhLNh-G9Xlr5RNBugRnduPf6NV9_0uWbajHmYWlMhTStNUBH2jlTHyDFndC3SZBpuyvj62sAB4k4vuBktuzfpaa6C3b_pqvioyjgcO9jrHZ3U5-TDKON4e3oRzrJEZb9M5enrUX9zIEo5sn3uHKP-xrZN0OUz1xZZbCcfeyp-HTI3g=w1195-h896-no)
My mask blanks, 'near lifecast' (I do a cheaper cast that get's the basic form pretty good, but not as detailed as a true lifecast) heads of each of us. I need to make new blanks for the kids...
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/p_8tcfplTr4TniJGePxTFnT1PhA6k0N0wjpEZEjii5RWnHhxHTyE0jd3asiFItRZQABhNTy2mKGKJDOa5GePGo5Gwh8Jshj9vcKHxjA2LRbbXEnGPnRuDCQDxltzIvVyge88kkvgS-ir6En7Hosow1-ZnOfgtPTOZ56s33XZXCcxc_RXFQh_IiwleOELkzHsmpF6FqeOiabrOwt2b5higSDVNkMsrwtOh1R8119ZX9E-XxmTpdCEc8zxE9_j9pdvNHowmyg91E0zsW_2s-T7sgTLXHXeruQXf9ppf8OyrOmn_VFB4ix3GCCyq1Gu0tgHrjQMd0EBHGC4dP7vtVjwtYwF7f68kwOQuHZD85I5bLWlx0lwjHr_g9AkIE_IyvwmEispEeYHcNVldJadY7Oj-2jsubxCwpkvHvezFc22JQc-EZbicg763KlOCBhq3zTs0j0am75ICwCa9uybkJNnVt1cEfsITb6cJEocSh-BCsOBiozthWx5eZ8kwynODBYw-JWgfOt349CLkQ2BYMjB5Aqg-2Ui27d9gWIoRN1zfJl_0VcNmW8cKsD53n_-XUm4QmdgJHSXfwoGSbMBeM5bYJrCr1GwJNuAo-2xEX_cRy95KFwAGEizrg=w1195-h896-no)
Post by: E_T on March 30, 2017, 12:06:10 am
Otherwise, it's lookin' like it's all coming together somewhat...
Post by: Unorthodox on March 30, 2017, 01:21:40 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on March 30, 2017, 03:10:02 pm
No. You can't have a passage that narrow.
Yes, we're really going to need more restroom facilities when we add 100 people.
The guy is supposed to be in charge of osha/safety. What the hell...
Post by: Spacy on March 30, 2017, 09:23:57 pm
Post by: hEtErOdOx on March 31, 2017, 01:49:41 am
Post by: Unorthodox on March 31, 2017, 04:19:09 am
How come I thought you were getting a mop sink or laundry tub in there.... oh well. Looks good! Lot more light than I was expecting
Because they plumbed for one if I want one later.
Post by: Spacy on April 01, 2017, 01:19:35 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on April 03, 2017, 03:01:28 pm
"No one told us it was TODAY."
Post by: Unorthodox on April 04, 2017, 07:54:17 pm
Desk.
Sucks.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 04, 2017, 08:32:35 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on April 08, 2017, 05:09:06 am
Post by: Unorthodox on April 08, 2017, 05:40:05 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on April 08, 2017, 06:43:22 pm
For those playing at home, this is what happens when my fat ass goes stomping in the mud.
Happily put it up next to any here: http://www.bigfootcasts.com/ (http://www.bigfootcasts.com/)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 08, 2017, 10:03:10 pm
Post by: hEtErOdOx on April 08, 2017, 10:52:14 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 09, 2017, 03:37:39 am
Five minutes in and thank me later. There is some language.
Post by: Unorthodox on April 09, 2017, 07:44:51 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 09, 2017, 03:48:43 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 09, 2017, 04:01:19 pm
There's more if that piques your interest...
Post by: Unorthodox on April 10, 2017, 07:27:33 pm
(https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/15036350_1323124231071384_2921566766353218819_n.jpg?oh=bcc8752bf46c8001b7e4951075ecb9dd&oe=59557262)
Post by: hEtErOdOx on April 11, 2017, 09:36:50 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on April 13, 2017, 02:30:07 pm
Actual instructions how to find me...
Post by: Unorthodox on April 13, 2017, 08:10:19 pm
Forcing an introvert to meet with 700 people in a single day...(hence the directions above)
Post by: Geo on April 14, 2017, 09:28:54 am
Definition of hell:
Forcing an introvert to meet with 700 people in a single day...(hence the directions above)
A colonel couldn't do without his battalion? ;)
Post by: Unorthodox on April 20, 2017, 09:27:00 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 20, 2017, 09:50:21 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on April 20, 2017, 10:16:38 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on April 24, 2017, 05:29:45 pm
Waiting to see if they issue an evacuation order...(depends on whether it's real or a drill)
Post by: Unorthodox on April 26, 2017, 04:27:53 am
Post by: Unorthodox on May 02, 2017, 01:21:49 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on May 03, 2017, 06:10:59 pm
Somehow I've been put as lead on the business end of things for this project, and anyone who has ever played any 4X game with me knows I DO NOT ENJOY BEING A BEAN COUNTER. That's not to say I can't DO it.
My problem here is I'm in charge of what I need here in Utah. When it's folks from my company in Virginia who is paying for the stuff they decided to hire a California company to install the crap. (when a utah company was cheaper and didn't have to travel, no less...this is why I hate bean counting, that makes sense to someone)
There was a half-mil $ screw up on the part of the manufacturers, and California decided to go ahead and install it instead of delaying the project, without telling us. So, 3/8 of my project is now defective parts.
California wants to come in and replace the defective parts as warranty work (because then the manufacturers pay them to install AGAIN), which would disrupt our business another 2 weeks.
Utah and Virginia just want a rebate for some portion of the parts that are defective but functional as the defect doesn't hinder us at all.
Meanwhile, in Utah, I need some change orders done which amounts to a few hundred dollars in order to keep the overall targets going forward, and I can't finish the last 1/8th without these change orders.
California won't order parts unless we pay for them.
Virginia won't pay for them until the rebate/defect situation is settled.
I'm literally ready to just pay for the damn stuff out of my halloween budget and go through the recuperation paperwork.
Post by: Spacy on May 07, 2017, 11:31:37 am
Post by: Unorthodox on May 09, 2017, 05:51:56 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on May 10, 2017, 02:10:15 am
We have fascinating waiting room material.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 10, 2017, 02:21:49 am
Post by: Unorthodox on May 10, 2017, 01:49:56 pm
Basically it was making a case for the same old argument.
Our ICBMs were built in 1978. Your car isn't that old. Even if it was that old and you had done perfect maintenance, it would be having issues. It's time to buy a new one.
Outlining reasons from the strategic to the economic.
I'm fairly sure [Sleezebag] read/got briefed on this, and didn't fully understand, right before he called the New START treaty a very bad deal.
Post by: Unorthodox on May 11, 2017, 06:12:08 pm
Good snowfall winter and straight to 80 degree weather. We're thinking of heading out to the spiral jetty again to see how much the Great Salt Lake has risen.
Post by: Geo on May 11, 2017, 10:29:45 pm
Might be a once in a decade view to see the lake full.
Post by: Unorthodox on May 16, 2017, 02:47:40 pm
Water was up to the outer rim of it, and just 2 days prior to our heading out there it was under water due to increased snow melt at the time, as that tapered off the lake leveled out.
North and South lake are divided by a causeway that lets trains go across the lake instead of over it. Most the wetlands are to the south of the lake, so there's 2 methods put in to preserve the wetlands during drought years. 1: the causeway has several gates that can be opened to allow more free flow between the different ends. 2: there's another canal system to make sure the bear river enters from the north even during heavy runoff. This year is so plentiful both systems have been opened to allow more water into the north, and peak flow even had the north end higher than the south end.
Couple observations from this trip:
1. There was a tour bus and 20 cars. TONS more crowded than last time.
2. The northern lake is over a tar pit, but the sand and rocks make walking on it relatively safe as long as you pay attention. Animals are occasionally trapped in tar that bubbles up. It was a LOT more solid walking out on it than last time. Either from the higher water, colder winter, or just chance.
Post by: Unorthodox on May 16, 2017, 02:47:57 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on May 18, 2017, 02:29:40 am
! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BzNBQnEnwhE#)
! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=05-c-iy-WnY#)
Post by: Spacy on May 18, 2017, 11:46:32 am
Post by: hEtErOdOx on May 21, 2017, 03:33:39 am
Post by: Geo on May 21, 2017, 08:05:14 am
Post by: Unorthodox on May 24, 2017, 01:26:58 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on May 30, 2017, 02:22:53 pm
! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIXTB9wtqxA&feature=youtu.be#)
Well...that was...
Great concept.
Great twist at the end.
Good acting from the old man.
mediocre to bad acting from the mains.
Horrible execution trying to use the found footage style on a concept and setting more suited to a traditional film.
Drop the forced jump scares and found footage crap, and do a traditional hitchcock slow tension style, or even a 70s styled horror pace, and this could have been a good film.
Post by: Unorthodox on May 31, 2017, 02:29:22 pm
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/dbSs1qEQsccTeuScDLCpdqw9cOD6R1qlk4cdy2PcatIYmJnNWTds4eLT8qAeO9byJDwAP3V6e0ncVV6D_qvCeU9x4GpEdz1djSYzE4HIoJVNLS6QQzhzKvdyEvg5Le250cTWK_bMGUf81EyzEp1_Srffv3EsfA_lfJGXDrIYzDw1IVARs25TgcYcgJXNGYn33jNm9uvD0Altap5Zt-Y2h7NlzLWYzPSrJusl7Ho79VdhQ7EOLxhd_Ich3sJlv90dz2VHV211f1rh8ec3DTtmkQ-9WJHrBWw27Oq9m-xuJFwH-VwYIxzozRbeyCGqAjjSRqpOGDP37Hw65r0I3ScqQmcKynhrwHqhg_1AS4OAWzAUe3AhDBOSyyeFY1_WvQISBtGLJFfgdi4oOWEpGxCITG9qAjl4-VnpDGBQ1N7XRWE491S56M1PPVRd8QJjnvlbo4-a0n08Y8mUXCcN8y-v60sTGkVe5Q8yHi5JBjw-WgDCP-KF4E_7-7BAtmty9gTxq5b2RRP-QGNEKPY9NVCFZMFBF2U0CmZ-LA2duKAkAJrR224JX62D6gYm6P8AJS9HOfO9Ezu3w9KYHcBMNxPk1G_AlrlRQ2PGrdCP1lZfiHf4nlWC-FkXgg=w1259-h944-no)
Post by: Geo on May 31, 2017, 03:24:16 pm
Post by: Spacy on May 31, 2017, 10:02:43 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on June 01, 2017, 02:50:23 am
Post by: Unorthodox on June 05, 2017, 07:22:55 pm
Post by: Spacy on June 05, 2017, 10:12:33 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on June 06, 2017, 03:10:11 pm
(honestly LOOKED more like a launch, though black smoke would have been non-standard rocket fuel)
Post by: Spacy on June 06, 2017, 09:30:08 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on June 07, 2017, 02:36:13 pm
Debating names for the new scareCROW.
Ravenous
Ravening (great word)
Post by: Unorthodox on June 08, 2017, 07:25:21 pm
Quote
The old black-and-white Universal horror movies were a mixed bag, but they had some imagination. They could be creepy or campy, weird or lyrical. “The Mummy” gestures — or flails — in a number of directions but settles into the dreary 21st-century action-blockbuster template.
As expected :(
Post by: Unorthodox on June 13, 2017, 04:59:21 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on June 14, 2017, 02:59:55 pm
Post by: Spacy on June 14, 2017, 08:04:24 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on June 14, 2017, 09:10:26 pm
He was a good damn fish who turned out to be a she.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/0uHbggVNJz_bLgltAT7cZfVlbFZnGhVv8IjJdEvojgDCU7A_7h865GsaDF-0W3qzvkk4hGPq7vlfGu541OaWr66iKTmQ7mW2lCiuSeDQMMzNIeD91KPsDq7W8OYlaXkrkexE1ywRopZIUc8qW6qsWzzZA5dYxihCz9-J6W7rhd1AIIkRn1VcTQrUWktYT90G4-mZN8gZcNnIkEP0mFBeVeSKGNNcq8Rpphmw-zLViiilSaaUt1i_XvIS8B9n8u6Qxoils-HR-t3Fa25sQpGgFLEFKc91o-GE0pIhjg45WZnDjiYao9Oh6vCpKx7f7OXXONmWDsbJ1lq4NkPcoXBIkJrn5JXVvA-Lq6KDI2EHgbHpVk151zfrOF-8_BWzktYqnwD5wBzVzvLFiwZH5XKNXJDll7jnu7Y1nGLitz65WzfzDL0_eBuiwiwmqKn2rtBCn5-4PjESjepgfRRaluQHMPGRlsy3z7wAH2hAXrJLQL3WUJo2JR9GVhOyFPE6T4c6Vk7upmSFWHZJ6h5hNi2Qm5f4oXJGfdMxMSy4Pe280vqRyg2xb48t_mu5ZjkBlZXhT_A_MraF1iSyIkkR5rRSfRMc3zJM_0fzn3Rv-eYM91LIpthAfqgsB8l1SA64sk8m3o5kUCFDq7YdGwnPiGV0cmtl-01cCv6R2UA-uQSZTsU=w709-h945-no)
Post by: Spacy on June 14, 2017, 10:16:41 pm
been lurking over at your Halloween forums this week (not blocked at work) rereading your threads on how to make things. Fun.
Post by: Unorthodox on June 15, 2017, 03:07:53 pm
I'm not too terribly pleased with the new owners over there. Super mega corporate conglomerate that doesn't give two shakes about Halloween. Trying to engage with them has been impossible. Though, I may have convinced them to reach out to some actual vendors. Problem is we can only talk to the support team, which isn't the folks I need to engage with on actually improving the place. They keep the lights on and the crap running, but seem only interested in the free cashflow the place brings.
Just been far too busy with the house and things to get into much Halloween this year, though there's a super secret project working in the basement. I tend to not post things THERE till I'm nearly done. Lots of folks like to steal my ideas over there, then make cla$$es teaching a watered down how to build it at conventions.
Post by: Spacy on June 15, 2017, 09:35:11 pm
Every time I think of signing up, I just realize how commercial that site is and it makes me think "fun to look at every year or two, but not so much to visit every day or even every month".
Post by: Unorthodox on June 15, 2017, 10:14:24 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on June 16, 2017, 07:44:02 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on June 20, 2017, 02:11:56 pm
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/nM1_4PUDoZBI8iZf37wrD9tI-8gTOF1Rlids8kNv8o1p87Izo3inx8KrXPOv4gip-TjWUg2zqYQ2DUpa-cEDc9SmcWnZKXYo-uQ_w0hZ0pcfndeDRP-vTtc2W1vlYEvQtuAtd7JquzkHUX-T_7ZRNKDGMkCysA-a3kLDMbTQBg4H9uTSbXJGJe_h3F5iyZoyZTc1uk9bnySKXACGg2O75n0UpHoOMgIYoNajSVul5O_TtAkwZNT7d4A-TiM3j0SKmbBZhJGXWMj5XRmj2SFiZ0f8GjoDLjQgZAgNWW1rWD3G4j54V1OYPtSZlhL-ivsFI4osMO8HoROzosfjPF2sj-4XBMgXEWkDqK-7lRMpUpVGWeZa_f8yUdLT2fOMQvuuMDdw0QdK2OMPfpTo9_Q-6fIVYyzlPX1HaoaBg3uh5ho95Z1WAz0t85eX-31fcK11wA3BNzFuM5CbxL7jXDTARukK2QHVONOqWWkiX6uOZaaXEXUvpItrzbxoAoc8W4RY9qYj336ZFrZFqCvwOhmj6BC7SYqUy2ARUOqXfzGMMHI7aYFIn90N-ppfv1n9oFQR-pDPVTkN7vffkQFRUchtyAuYQzarEpOzEUb5YyfrsYbNq2MD9vaBpw=w709-h945-no)
Post by: Unorthodox on June 21, 2017, 03:20:45 am
Got a random, google translated email from the supplier of these:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Submersible-LED-RGB-light-waterproof-tealights-candle-light-for-wedding-decoration-led-vase-light/2023873088.html (https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Submersible-LED-RGB-light-waterproof-tealights-candle-light-for-wedding-decoration-led-vase-light/2023873088.html)QuoteNice day
We are Manufacturer of Submersible Light from Shenzhen , China .
We know you are making many Pumpkin Light from Google .
We want Submersible Light for you from Google.
So we hope that we can build a good business relationship with you .
The unit price of model is 1.5 USD with Remote Controller .
If you want a sample to test , the sample cost 4.3 USD including shipping cost .
We can accept paypal , Delivery time : 10~15 days . Ship by small package .
The model is waterproof design with 10 PCS RGB SMD LEDs .
It makes use of ABS Plastic Material , Flower Round Shape .
7CM (2.8inch ) Size . Work with 3AAA Battery Operated for more than 6 hours
It can shows 16 static colors, 4 colors-changing programs with our 24keys Remote controller in 10M distance .
Enclosed is the quotation of model and picture , please check from my attachment .
If you have any question , please feel free to let me know .
Thanks
So, basically, my reviews of a fair few lights caught their attention and they want to get this product out there.
Oh, this is mightily tempting.
Uses triple A batteries, SO MUCH EASIER to replace than my present lights that use CR2032.
REMOTE CONTROLLED, just leave in the pumpkins walk around and click on the second day? *drool*
200 minimum order is a real kink in the system though. That puts it at $300 for a lifetime buy of lights. Not a terrible deal, really, but not something I really have handy with everything going on this year.
Many knockoffs now. For whatever reason, my candle supplier isn't loading, though. They have one I want to check the qty discount on.
Post by: Unorthodox on June 21, 2017, 01:34:14 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on June 21, 2017, 10:48:02 pm
hEt is taking Mystery to the butcher shop today. Mildly concerned, since she's been in before and escaped somehow. She might theoretically be pregnant again and they might refuse on those grounds. Plus the whole get what you pay for situation, they do not offer the same level of care our vet does, but it's an 8th the price as well.
They refused to cut on her 'because she's been fixed already'. We explained the situation at drop off, and I tried again. "She has the tattoo where they cut, must have stolen the kittens". And got fat before they arrived...sure.
Post by: Spacy on June 22, 2017, 01:34:33 am
Post by: Unorthodox on June 22, 2017, 01:38:49 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 22, 2017, 02:11:45 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on June 22, 2017, 06:00:30 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on June 25, 2017, 03:09:26 am
I took mystery out to a country doctor who was willing to check her mostly out of curiosity. Most the city doctors wouldn't have anything to do with her situation other than refer us back to the clinic.
(My own regular vet, Dr Hyde (yes, of course I go to Dr Hyde) would have, but they were booked for another month and I couldn't risk another pregnancy)
She had been opened and closed previously without any internals being removed. The previous scar tissue made the new closure not as easy or clean as they'd like, so we're now concerned about healing and infection.
I had medicine to give her today, and she is PISSED at me. As in, I'll likely have to take protective measures administering the medicine tomorrow.
Post by: Spacy on June 30, 2017, 03:37:08 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 30, 2017, 03:38:06 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on July 07, 2017, 05:23:44 am
Not sold on the name yet.
Had this idea rattling in my head for at least a year, and though we're scaling well back this year, I still wanted to get this one built.
Had use it or lose it situation on my vacation, so taking a few days off and getting a couple hours to work in the new air conditioned shop in between plenty of house work that needed to be done. .
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/rbFPsmtUhF0HeEF8eX5cvxARj8Li6f2h2nwfsgn7KwIrHXOdyhTE8h9__eOx0uF2ExUwwJki8RcuKDp7WGgHiiuKkC3fRVQOm6Be2p03SGiAzb2nppj3u9H0oaPm3FWAbeOfG5PPtTdSW5yd6RX5vY8sj48iobanXrsQjhEa4QwTFjWsNQAl_pBitvGFcRYieEgcPvynJ0MPgX24W3UWYDg63gSexTfTrrWDazKsQwcs_ajNmG4edjKAcBEFrDMZkuAj2_0vAzRofQYl6d9MDet5p4kfBiMNgDAjGGphnjqWDjcC9M9-9fYmztr1yAJBtZadZI5c6M-3xtdYbmUXdMpMM1-nsdKM5lYsZDUqYqOdi6OJ9oz1kJvfntKZryr0Cyv3QEsZljATv0KuW1KTKnqX08k4Z9ESiXY6bms7KpII-ULAtqm8La6fqfEGXf0003ZkWeY4D5BQUng8KhUqiCvMN48IcUUujWIi7Soq1I6ANRp598HpH2UWIhjAoPYyr2w92RI7IMxX8_U7x4GVhg8I4HLzjlsALF0ivA-wiDAATa2CEeFEZZdlJ5kVyNNv86ZSQvcH-C_aEDG4znpw9TbTtQQDD_SVQbh96Xc7bD3m96SOa34pvz6bIA=w690-h919-no)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/vWIoasD4A-iZ6t0FRLvxo5Q4EyrlVsz_GXWsPkLnsreOlUpNeIUANri7oBEP_HI_XQD94sGkmS9Rvq5IdLZk1JbIYIeyRjYQm7utMDrj_GKUjJnv1MjE_nhpEQWJ4jX21L-c8C-HHsMmS_3umlhWHOBpYqmfj6Hxq1jKx2jx1q7FgMJH9Sv7IZ6cu7yQ5jl863OSmESMQs2B4DjkOuLAlandMnIy-fTHWyvC7HrjJghvcSUKqD_2NrkNou6F83fX1HZ9dZOi3rJvmkKoiHHmaW9XVlsETCXbe8iplyWXK-QCr0bFKrXN_P8uHwFjdXd6lx25AUFBxZJQqYBSE6memdCl3K4kYF3lYEyovbxEDsPajDR4fAe8Kit5ggMt2wPnE7K9YjmjMfs0lkFPBTlDw-W-syp_sGWhTo6PyvpP3C25nt20xQQu4x6lQq23Vefy8wqT4YphlYPLUJezA65i0XJNqAoYa8Vm6IXBbnt6HiWcf5Iooyn7nFe1w0ApX0iOJeVGTfD4DLwRk5v4nzWdnWipwLip95NYwYWiG9tUZH2UKKeuDTgziKkBsiq6P8VOSD1Q_edKDH8s4My__nwtFbSHQEon0OYK5Kme75FIVX7bJuz0lTOaTQ=w690-h919-no)
Idea is to actually have the wings detachable and assemble on sight.
Post by: Unorthodox on July 11, 2017, 01:40:43 pm
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/z6hD4NtpspGaqUljR5Qn2Hyqkn9lKuG6gAMobG9vq7rS8s-bF0-xe_KPJGJCP1U2dqw5Am57MAtE2OF4xoBIe9xhOEDsrkxxfuEnTq4v1URo0Vatbe1qm6wINlUPPxtN-EI-E_q8WbPefqUMLlQi3Go2zg7fvi4B-ng-BXy-aFKbfNUUHORJRuvS_bgdaWxj82vYBWH_wo7Ocrscc6-I15AAkkQe0qq5jmxp8Yt_hhv7ZA4OHLD94uWWALeXhdLP28nqyQJOXVbaoigG_3L6Sqcp7UqzRs8P80pr0UzklWnmMSeLdaMgKRtCRWiRVLWshJAOJQe_xjxi05zV7mu62mEvq_xmec-YPrzdTNPQT0SCjFLY8xXIeNMGc-u_PRyunPebB3xe_Hhggw98MpcXkFbF5J5w57UBJcC6BMMWu717543JZKwp3TOf3mPc7rprQkhR_0YjBGaZTjqg1WNPX59ZkRhbCrTgcTQXPaL-71gj87NCKha1TLagtHQM0hdPtUIkNTX6k9KIhRupKD0lSkdByDPz8f0WLDBiyEQaOCXlVQDMUj33VUCfXHFXbn-onlSl-047opVyX2PjHU4CRuXFBPvvR7AzhuBL2OiAXcA6kyZYspqMDXuTgA=w1164-h873-no)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/ycp5EM6OjrrdKbufmjMgjLdMwyBEPEtX6Gjy1P8AaJozjrDLk7_oGn_bfvY-N82JIfvba4hNcGzLUeTiL6sT35oWvSoIihbQujmK_mfa5iK1vHDAlk0_8iWBerED9cGRFQP0TQKGxtF1COvzXDVj1zloQeEBrW14WwRFIKd287_dCXPD90TWqcY3JWq7Q732Z8tPIaOgL_-BbiPGQtm6TAek6EUxqh0M5vECzQUMymju2EBm2BKUipoLHOaWPusmNYDXDe3giO8C95c86VO6jfsXl0DuGn-vIj1-s59M51-A4plZoqGrrdaryRcNs8k0R4n-Qx3TmLGmf7B0n9ZPMZAcW13wiBz2_keAf7shNaU9ZxR6fXFucVghxMAul507W2MQGPkPvQs4uJ9qQ7VDExSMuH3TEBSwDHJK28phnwfEYYoDxD8EfAIHaxH9VvhEtXg0CtJTY3QYNeqkSqCPz8aMSGF8e-tLo4dkAPfWncGcQZhd0P6A5P56mn3Zze3_zYCMZeN1xgLVA-KZ0F3SquVBSXKjB9XJzLPPL8ma7lkPP_mRm3qWV6KdtpxbJ8ixyFoO2iGhL7ibf4KSXlnPqIk_pYxxs0VJf3dTI3ZyRgQLOuxn7ffc4yD4zA=w655-h873-no)
That's the vampire half.
For the fairy part...
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/7dOEtyjsvptxrFTT7x3UpFd3IJSTjNEbsW_JQ1GQbjkW4XSQKtwOLayGQpNQuSkL8hyFwRWZxAOWE1pbhTUzbH49KAqAOoJKGesop38NPkGaBVDpH5FKpiEhER7KYChqtufmR3psZhz6mvG9ZkT_bWSrKEJYeJuRsZ_JfNhe0W0cf4-pyrkxDghudYCvippIh3C0dKSiPhehb_wNvv5l4Rl6CwH1nOV6Wr7Sg3ZdPkkALinrwnkkIpjageOX-LVJxIMnpALhj0gX__l7FYUIejUvcnz8Vi29usm_WRl3j5t2hUGjh2sb0rBqxoVyWxVCDhfkYvUWCzHpw9JaQMZLvM_gveLfC-Wnk7d24Pxz7iCjXgy2cd9S2nxWDvM2QMLhXG8NjWd6xhdVhnxeu481NEqwcz6CKfjE_d_02DyrsbiH8Heib0VWPJzH1b4sRJgmNjd0sWzNWP0nblGxYhMpBlXfjEFRwS69Cgdq_wsAc5NkJt2Y6zQWyc1jfvhKxXrFUTb-qOmntxfiRp0_to8V79O_M_Hvqq95TOLfpI7GoYtiVnCwsFZN_cxNa8ujY6wQMT7BRy5Pwrg3N2E6G2OmaJtB48BMo8OpQhghNJflOzA1THlYkZ08l-YHMg=w1164-h873-no)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/xoy-J_7STsvfqbVtxK3TgKWjIPFKMWlSwC4mECE91jDST6cl9OtNBoYMTOfO7yLqRa293mLN6GpGUfW0TsQbYnQ-92xUz3CXah7A45rx45iCJx1AXHdwXztcgHG0QoevLF4OpO-MZjVd1Bt2qrU4kDQ6inPAmvERUi-r3glgyJFsBDuzlq9qCWuHxk1AjzrERkUPZ4cltUsxtv7f1buS0LOoCXKLoEbOrtj8pLH1Ov-Umx4fLcvtxPEcN-EQAYG3hPSZgcEbnPEeE6VmH3gjL1MJrdjYw4mWF3zez3oPaF_QFtx0mMappEgUU1n3C4F64KwojRQZFDShbHYbGQzD-g8P90491r-4nKv5Oqp420YTxi9Vp39b81Coh7Vfab-22FFqBAS6cDT9paeNZnuGt34MX4R9lap1rH2TiNb-F_Tpaae0CJB4GBhDEFXxMHVoWeS91-VzwndbE2EUj4MCVhZXlLscYvLRL0FHPnI9fCwpcP0svIznRV7vgBBcVonraWKNuM3u-HsLi35OYduYvxUKx3tFr3CzS2hOzPrQLkKnBQ9r1RLqj9RslkKzcALT1u5nWDfJkJrGpqsLZC1WJ9PSmalVdig4Y13RSR6c55h5Nad6BDlumA-8Fw=w1164-h873-no)
Post by: Unorthodox on July 11, 2017, 02:31:17 pm
Talia decided her costume in December when she wrote a story.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/PI0x1vBxvp0moj5bl8Ip0A_nUOyptKyBI454Xpux0kY9CnDLp1L_KW3BCZ6egnpASTd-wjZCmbnFr327jH8HYsZCbDE3uLyQZry7D3c20yCWnXXMFc71OnfQCl4qwBKIV7h6QGVdABbdd9XlSOIGCuWybuZRdj9KQQyCvCuHVm7oVhKzwwMTNIe8bagllEcDVIss89F1PpYmOsZkdWHjHickGKNLS3p3cTyF_JzLnPtbGrdUAQE2eeTJvuR3J4C10HcvFIzXRk5nUgWPjRixT-9HK8Ec8zFyCCAj1_rgLtOYjsSAPoZcle-7yWHtsZ-U3RYgEP8VGJxyBYL6VMLZXlIJCFcwDZq4Ge-nwMIhLyMAoJ5VqCMpbogP041RFSoaXxxifQEk88ZeeTWZYGClvwXaaek9etAtnkBKId_s88tIZx2uZTTmbrfvnkYGFqdHx5PGIycJnBatRVczzPpsV3DpnxYHZsdpZWPhuuyB6XrGeiXQVVU-5XH044h6kahsZ6MURNUfA3hl5Ifc9KAVZACnqgXwCK316LRWp1eMjaA6MNv0sIpUNxSUUKjj0DeG--E0dKURSMLU2qZhQ3j3MYN0ys6nwZsZRZhDQnVYVA0EmUFssKom6iZjfg=w655-h873-no)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/4QapjuIFJ5qZn4ydiELZJ-rZ4_K1mK1utwZp4jxsbSsFIPu_sE6XnBRJ60KGePuQoLonyyzmuEfeWDC1mpcjHzfH4LNqlbKqoZKX2OeN-vy17zpJePTCXgLn6vGrQ79IIi2UXri0Pk8wmGxAtWiB2hoJdd9IqsTROT8Me1v18cU_kzYnL21xFra23P5BlwtwxaVVs02QLmMryLBcmJyMAjzPX8b3SQ6C-4jrzpKOf5F7ADI3XZU5dQWc0jnwya_zLB5-6ReV7-VwZKmhdCf38bQpVEUkQF5ey2P-vlMAnAoC82F5qfgMxsjPSgZteRXy59bZBe2vcxc9qmUM9dNs_Ax8TO7iE4-akHnsnSJ9PZdaqxySbfbsZucgs_bqg4TqF7u3dI8o_DPPjvK2fOxWgJ4rVvlOHAO3HSpRLAZd1OzDyUbfj50zEzkGm08XhhRyHRPrf7nFEi1GsapAPHtN49z0ZaI59dOEZpy3rRVE0uaM-neeFF0mO1Bea4J5A8vr4i25Ajdihcq9UZLrmgep9tHdbcoml2E_y1Jl3BeXQsWyHRPxnlzQB0ykhyMHBTg9P64Kl8b8IEd7LlI419t5Npmn7d3UmvEzDJkkjm220ndVmjwcloIMEOSgkg=w655-h873-no)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/uV0p4H_iF1mdtrWXNvx5cDLCNi9V7i4v511ntYao2vdU6Sdrn42JdkjP2VKPyx4IwooGhtY5BnQBSc9zfa9WrSO--SGBKVvt-vs39X1_-1Yogcsd26gtYntsN5mIrqbsWNEgiWLI-qs1hztfWEhxPUY3tHJax-MgE4AbkL2Ji-hCuiXoDk0XXfiWSo9FAmb2R0Ta-VdhCnVpoIbX_7b8G2hrwGKKxviDt9PKgw-7FpNBS0xwaM0zGVWLLK3LXXEnFfyVv6kZZojs7WN93uQ9Iap-Di7VhIx2rY-tfJCOMlk8be1QMImk3bOtMJUzGy0JN_eD4eexLgAVyFVfksISbLpmZZ-F1ydFQz0MerROYBzK5oMXhEk2jXM3Zp15v6hRKKJe6nIYzB7juVP_F1b9WP6oVnl5XSnSuI1SWADstu3ytQCEuHsBeCgJKJRqohhG8feo1nSrdcdT6hWqXJPj6RrFQW5p3sytZkwAs_YQVotCP0dvkmGKslpzM3m_XEBAem1uq6PUUD6BhQWpa2iwIu9sS34zEtZldNb2XvdAVJRqRi3UfMI_3N7PKtJBbzT2JXxTgEiMy1AkW7H5Sgf0G2raFZw84qLR8n-jleyEviJpB1-kPBpx1VDiyA=w655-h873-no)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/bci6tF3LhzWgYDoZdLX1ydW11klwumwYCfkD5Tw051SqoXgeWaMWOMsc6u0c5yZPNBME3S9wR_KjiLJAFrkTvv__QQlOBVRNSJH5In2iJLxJUb9Z70akqSyy3RoSN8renoLQu-C7Dm5dlfETLXV4pK8l82TWm2PLWww8ayLjJ1-ECX1xx9l1eLOi8sjtksrjUxe0bGz73lay-fiuIxWnXTCjqFCqMJExr5hRYYELiTzy3UZjmXPH1tDAHQFc6wSctYd8rm5AtLrB8hrS7fOWsBZRrUWvW7KhAc3DuXzrVBKoHIu8TN3fGAUSc7s4RfoLV84-8Y0fBaH8bZZAG6nwn_Z1GRixxQZQdtwW81XhVwqhfwuPKb1OHemqIWZlbPRuI8jv_JLFkX0hFf1QsTWtHlYToORWtTjsZblsix28XAMl8ZLj3qXOsg_5loRfb2AaeCxY4reXRbD1KXLoBFaZOxrP-ZwgwCfgJ_QNLVKnwTC9YQl1fI4rBM-6ofgJY8DUB-PnbrMa_3RLIMT3w5PRM42DZgQuBPJkmlD53a3ZwpyoD8_6NQ9OCeOdC4gvJ5fumVRkPpIdKstTvGvq2Ku4ciLAvCvfHS_OUuk0MH5zCB0GBzaeyixtBQa97Q=w655-h873-no)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/3DJ2f0_O_L143vUDeW-X3WT5u3ivqTqaYeMoFjrJolF2ROfw2bFzlec3lKnAxaqBvWyRrjPUkuh2g_71EuwYb3M6yvyTk5iWd89nBweOO7SALKTzC2SBB8afYEOTDFk9WvktmyQSjY8dmpZ1vXq4sL6pML4YoOdSNrkPQ8BEIjcdgENuom3bcwgqQa236x8OmCaNsOaGM2bQBzYEavGqKuC5cF0FgbNNcjRyAnc7SYZBUK1nzbLP25rwKzhZMw0YM-jfDNcicd7W83Q52letAGYFnvn2cHpKBb1kNsx3pNZ6xT1pYhaC310wDzajbEpkeBg4YyEWg1Ok7JRhYDXI014K1xchebg83ZVuC5TUNHthw7e7ZlMyEzlKipWhc7DmgvJNKvnwK8wuEfcZnuNrnRZeLIdMjiqOe9l5RAE1bruiaPY6cWClkWfNE0pDtIuPBoxzCeDdtdxJDL69uV-JM98dq_3sNkFta_UTl-44h99CluYktAoArhUcd6fhS5bM9ItNet04ZwVfOr1O1GIVBviQPoYXnf09ok_wPZ-SC5YugHFLnvOLCfuk10LxbCblH9FvTJN42EcdOMPnXu_qwU_hRJroAJ4hn_ZKJVmJTy_3VPpJCGxnXKXHgg=w655-h873-no)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/SRmg2xQTSWq_SJik4WCdh3PI7N7Ckku0lnPILavCLU4WVf6yqWt832SaGQUktGperkBWS9em1ODOvT1Vax692Wgk-qq7XNEwoGTmvNtwsWH7FbjiGh8wHwKdgavwapjJ0Sj5GYSei4E6iR2PePArqmuJgopRsUFygaiYcg3Pq7QXl52A4k1e9Zdjq73AvfaanC5Q-HdfXWcRhOkalZvuOdbAU9NREG2r-pKYxl4jusRUcSK_ksZ8qx4TcKl-zXoHPJ9lQXQ7hbkk9ueU5GGJFjmxn7HSL0k6T0LQa7Lzu0kMFoK3kI5pwfG_EggBSRMoRWPJmlFToJy62X7CeIt_iDEk-eByCXM323X4GbcLaL_BacA5jBSnyHv9pZhgRhCVOq85-cSuMfyCaQbnucqp734ilRaMQ1Oa_jbe19Ji4kb5ZvC3x3T2fWxgsoiOSlhNqfkC3TWbiohNF65pxjl-7DV_mu0BckNZZQb9G56UbbLR0EVIR53OKxJwEdwLywchh6xFTgy84Jjz-Ls-LuyfHWo8_O5J5dnaqjYjIqFv6qFfeCCwWPfJFoaGRX7YmWfFUOJzCd5W71KNpjH3o1P1g-DOuNujch8VNKZErPEfyF9hgLZUFVacQhd8mQ=w655-h873-no)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/z1aOmc2KSMW6SydihPbrEIbwXD9AF9h9BGr0lzZ375DsAvIIwo2sv76z-HFDG6doKRCFDaAgoDQp8wXBBQpLmYQI5HyDEZb_r1AD5F9hvhor3XJ_qeYKHET2eZV_bL1RQ-miuD9t3D68eW-JEtJIIld38hi6ldMm2wtOfB6RkDHiB4X5P3eBgcBLHIeC8kwLMHh3Q1eYAc0fXmGkqgKLRq6H6oKz4xNU7M0kWOy_va0lyAttCRy7GpJBLvjIGlakg_6Id11mDlimIRl-oSuVOw3jtqz6OJgvKmu-_BsKUtRYJftODI29qcTGoGNWlQi3B9VRlQeEIK1zl5NJbL_LEDR6k7TFba1H9yScZ6C-nLbUsMpR3SBrMMJrrQKfZhzjyWel8Cn3g4MyD95IO-nbRXwyjHo0c6HnfdWgCR_ftUv9bPrmSiriQ-1N_59yN0Jq1toGlS5G5qcHrHuBoKiDKbiliuhMoLsmKwwf8r7OaXcPjQ98uZhsoNBTdeDtJp3CYS0CgpWX6inwc-XGo9y6so2d4UcOOGGjidFcMDWwafBQUL20uF_0r6JDDfH77W6Jrx0gq2Ao5dgmm8fgFX5RdxrCeGwSWgXqyhzroNh-eG8k-JZBFOk2dfWgOA=w655-h873-no)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/jtsGuQdab2znyrJ6Hfh5sjLrd_cPjU6Q6RqPDtWMfUwgUvLBNE_q1KIkEcl9zjVrPbX9XLP0h00BPt_BlQqbSb2MzLtefCiQmDC_bdU7BvakhnxnweNGJEbftDYxyeTodgBfj2l4IOoFlKjEZyGn-fLqQz773Zoa_wacbp-on2L5bCu6dauHF1dSp2MmP5zn71xu6SsJwNeYeMKIQT8Q91o465MJTLQ-XDcsrpJ3LmlkKNFnAG238wMvnwF2lUdjpkFOxgOjv3stsKvqNwtepwXx1Qs-e88RDUL_JWCnwlAxER0zQWtCggHRXpw_9P_UFI46SQ7rwNqZhZMBFtxtiKreNQPkxsnzx33YpYCOPCLhEjUQbKrRoxYvXuhlDTTOiKozJT6UtTZOy3Vbt5ogXxkclPiFVeJvKRYUne4EzyoTDIxiMKYVpo4z-YJXB7Jos8ySdol0hI1BD1V-gmWuAsZT9FpYvjwz_rnIcTd0_tIqcBVocdT2Hd_E5Y-O5HBlDJ3CrLO9S8XVA9brzGkl7W28SkeVuzRpNfdJkfDrLzxA8CAO0DTECwyNi4ukQl6xzu7voz-dTbaXoBa4UZpMj-tO9iTwIn6acAsv9eH9RSDGakaPZPYBWdv4RA=w655-h873-no)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 11, 2017, 06:15:32 pm
"evil face" can't suppress her smirk.It's the freckles that make it work. I knew a freckled goth dominatrix at a renfair a'times back - I used to hum the Donna Reed show theme when I was around her.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/z6hD4NtpspGaqUljR5Qn2Hyqkn9lKuG6gAMobG9vq7rS8s-bF0-xe_KPJGJCP1U2dqw5Am57MAtE2OF4xoBIe9xhOEDsrkxxfuEnTq4v1URo0Vatbe1qm6wINlUPPxtN-EI-E_q8WbPefqUMLlQi3Go2zg7fvi4B-ng-BXy-aFKbfNUUHORJRuvS_bgdaWxj82vYBWH_wo7Ocrscc6-I15AAkkQe0qq5jmxp8Yt_hhv7ZA4OHLD94uWWALeXhdLP28nqyQJOXVbaoigG_3L6Sqcp7UqzRs8P80pr0UzklWnmMSeLdaMgKRtCRWiRVLWshJAOJQe_xjxi05zV7mu62mEvq_xmec-YPrzdTNPQT0SCjFLY8xXIeNMGc-u_PRyunPebB3xe_Hhggw98MpcXkFbF5J5w57UBJcC6BMMWu717543JZKwp3TOf3mPc7rprQkhR_0YjBGaZTjqg1WNPX59ZkRhbCrTgcTQXPaL-71gj87NCKha1TLagtHQM0hdPtUIkNTX6k9KIhRupKD0lSkdByDPz8f0WLDBiyEQaOCXlVQDMUj33VUCfXHFXbn-onlSl-047opVyX2PjHU4CRuXFBPvvR7AzhuBL2OiAXcA6kyZYspqMDXuTgA=w1164-h873-no)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/ycp5EM6OjrrdKbufmjMgjLdMwyBEPEtX6Gjy1P8AaJozjrDLk7_oGn_bfvY-N82JIfvba4hNcGzLUeTiL6sT35oWvSoIihbQujmK_mfa5iK1vHDAlk0_8iWBerED9cGRFQP0TQKGxtF1COvzXDVj1zloQeEBrW14WwRFIKd287_dCXPD90TWqcY3JWq7Q732Z8tPIaOgL_-BbiPGQtm6TAek6EUxqh0M5vECzQUMymju2EBm2BKUipoLHOaWPusmNYDXDe3giO8C95c86VO6jfsXl0DuGn-vIj1-s59M51-A4plZoqGrrdaryRcNs8k0R4n-Qx3TmLGmf7B0n9ZPMZAcW13wiBz2_keAf7shNaU9ZxR6fXFucVghxMAul507W2MQGPkPvQs4uJ9qQ7VDExSMuH3TEBSwDHJK28phnwfEYYoDxD8EfAIHaxH9VvhEtXg0CtJTY3QYNeqkSqCPz8aMSGF8e-tLo4dkAPfWncGcQZhd0P6A5P56mn3Zze3_zYCMZeN1xgLVA-KZ0F3SquVBSXKjB9XJzLPPL8ma7lkPP_mRm3qWV6KdtpxbJ8ixyFoO2iGhL7ibf4KSXlnPqIk_pYxxs0VJf3dTI3ZyRgQLOuxn7ffc4yD4zA=w655-h873-no)
That's the vampire half.
Post by: Spacy on July 11, 2017, 07:08:42 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on July 12, 2017, 02:22:35 pm
Honestly, I think it is going to be the hair that makes or breaks that costume idea.
And what would you suggest?
Toying with a tiara for Halloween proper. No way to make one by saturday.
Post by: Unorthodox on July 12, 2017, 08:23:35 pm
Jackson's music will soundtrack the story of a young duo named Vincent and Victoria who "accidentally" meet on Halloween night. Alongside a dog named Ichabod, Vincent and Victoria wind up at 777 Jackson Street at the mysterious – and aptly named – This Place Hotel (a reference to the Jackson's 1980 song of the same name). Inside the This Place Hotel, Victoria, Vincent and Ichabod embark on a journey that ends with a dance finale featuring an animated Michael Jackson.
Post by: Spacy on July 13, 2017, 02:45:44 pm
Honestly, I think it is going to be the hair that makes or breaks that costume idea.
And what would you suggest?
Toying with a tiara for Halloween proper. No way to make one by saturday.
Tiara would probably work. But I was thinking more along the lines of bride of frankenstein.... Something large, with some color, to say "style, but not of this earth"
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 13, 2017, 03:42:29 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on July 17, 2017, 01:51:35 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on July 24, 2017, 04:38:40 am
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Zpkk--lC_fE5zHrcX1XmYcAgKrC_n-UmnFqZFukuNiVF7C_VgmLB4rxK7j0K5d6RpFQD4Q_8Tf79gRDhSdkbCexwmrzExSDJrz9QfLLdyfo6QXmMV2-_djlLokgvL1i9bCeiXa5SEeVN8MlNCNT6dM6PtPhBmLn3BHeWwBDfJ2g5Z6TdGGlriMVYtZzMKnpG4B1uFh-DptOYED-Q8KOEkfkuPBPFaVuS-PtXwWGnfGdwHD-w6BdofVzenvCy7d73cYDPtjOVp9R5R1EqI4JcAOQLocnTe2VQwzMsdyQksajs6MmjUYJBZagiJ6S5mPpXHl2w8jJWnc7R0iey2XrQ8zR1Vy_U3cSEbq9nZ2YnAnGMCUkHPz51M7CBHOUc4a7EPu8c-4uw5WgyRzoO7xHSDqackKJfVhMzNs3EnG8h9IS8s2uFmz2RFrz1IE6w83LnBjGnvY7VOYKupz2ASEVMlxVpeCOlJpod3RLRj-EC-MCGrRS3TZaLg1cnBviOXrdCwF_t50VTh8jUbQk83cGwK6OnvwnOCybpdfZhCdDztgZq_H4gVBXfjbJA5yI_xyxM5JKP5aW_WkSYw8Gfq6rfcbrpUGt8rbz-8ywSo_H2k-oyah9tH3xt9toChg=w690-h919-no)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/KLvkX423EN5jjtqqbS_i6mdgjIEC7qvkS2NNm36KX4v3KrJHGjuFtlheQsCBMfvAXd6KNBXSigcCtUddqYyCTay3FicaVwWhhkfietuAjSIc7YHsxmwaQbkGtr-gJ_vzqhkRv93696W7oau682D3w3P83eDNetGru93CfyzjN_x41-UtzDA2E3d8mvipiQl93ETYy3yLPx61KcrYukjTXsdldk9DAP4K-N-JFWepO9PYakt6GA26KrO-0hibJj2OBePGdv_1mJcm1-IRUkkWEetTWvJrxUNqUDJMhEks9N_uy-uTidpvrtMHc9Htjg-lpEn-Vbu5exm70Z4iUI_fCqiUiJI8Ag2QtFjOarKTZ8mdzXrmHnsLNUSoaVL4Tfxv_g_rTn9beQ7lN719bq9Q4_yBUrV6RRicckXDia8n_OB3EC6QCandmziPETlGZigApbiXyfxk8sPwAurQ0KoEprEKYRUvW8Hvf2UUp5pszQAJedXYf7SvkuSVrCL_r8q_avkvKuwqpup0TyDTGxJ7iQrgx5dd7Zp-BjHVpjOv01lqxXzVQFSuSmPcgEmJ8iG5Mt2dqTPD1-6xBsjKikoQKgr_8zb6a0SlNICtFHwFazdnDuMFCWXfn_pA2g=w690-h919-no)
Post by: Unorthodox on July 24, 2017, 04:47:58 pm
Kinda awesome she not only knows what to look for, but WANTS to.
Post by: Spacy on July 24, 2017, 05:14:59 pm
Cool about Talia looking for the eggs.
Post by: Unorthodox on July 24, 2017, 07:52:57 pm
Though I can't find my muslin right now. That's heavy canvas that doesn't work quite as easy
Post by: Unorthodox on July 26, 2017, 07:20:55 pm
http://www.biglots.com/product/animated-skeleton-dragon/p810346271 (http://www.biglots.com/product/animated-skeleton-dragon/p810346271)
Post by: Spacy on July 27, 2017, 04:48:48 pm
80 inches long... 50 high... that will be a beast to store
Post by: Unorthodox on July 27, 2017, 07:10:13 pm
Neck, tail, and wings come off, so storage wouldn't be that terrible.
I'm actually rather tempted to find one. Sculpt a new head, rewire it, and vine-ify the thing and it would do well with my yard...
Post by: Unorthodox on July 28, 2017, 09:04:40 pm
Post by: Rusty Edge on July 29, 2017, 12:22:32 am
Post by: rukaan on July 29, 2017, 05:40:48 am
I guess we won't see a dragon breathing illuminated fog this year.
what a guess. lovely.
Post by: Unorthodox on July 31, 2017, 03:13:22 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on July 31, 2017, 05:01:52 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 01, 2017, 05:58:11 pm
10% help on safety
10% help on Facilities.
Well, the Facilities manager quit back in September last year, I had to cover. The new Facilities manager is about as inept as possible, so I'm spending about 50% of my time there.
Anyway, back the week of the 4th. I was on vacation, and they had a major power outage. There's 3 buildings on campus here. 1575, 1580, 1581.
When power was restored, a cat had crawled into the fuse box of 1580, and it got fried. Since then, 1580 has been having nothing but trouble. Elevators randomly stopping wherever they want, with lights flickering. AC unit randomly switching heat or cool. Alarms going off for no reason. Various pumps and motors dying, etc. Most things traced to that power spike when the cat got fried, various electronic components of things just melted.
Sunday, I got called in to respond to THIS:
! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-QL49j8vZ4#)
I'm ready to call the place officially haunted by the ghost of the cat.
It was the actual power coming in to the building surging like that. We don't know why breakers weren't tripped, but it fried half the systems in the building. A squirrel got into the same box as the cat...
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 01, 2017, 06:02:58 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 01, 2017, 06:42:54 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 01, 2017, 06:48:20 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 01, 2017, 07:21:05 pm
Post by: Spacy on August 01, 2017, 08:26:26 pm
Really, a cat and a squirrel?
Post by: Unorthodox on August 01, 2017, 09:14:39 pm
And why THIS box? There's 5 others right next to it that haven't had problems in 7+ years. I still don't understand how it didn't just pop a circuit and instead cause the constant surge.
To be honest, though, the cat is explained because the door got left open as they were trouble shooting the power outage that day.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 01, 2017, 09:17:19 pm
Post by: Rusty Edge on August 01, 2017, 11:16:54 pm
I know, right?
And why THIS box? There's 5 others right next to it that haven't had problems in 7+ years. I still don't understand how it didn't just pop a circuit and instead cause the constant surge.
To be honest, though, the cat is explained because the door got left open as they were trouble shooting the power outage that day.
Call one of the ghost hunter shows. I'm sure their mysterious electronic instruments will detect energy. Or if they wave them around enough, pick up some sounds.
Seriously, if it's been this many years and they haven't figured it out they should give up and replace the whole box. Strange things happen with electricity, especially during surges. Insulation can melt, wires can weld themselves to other metal or arc, somewhere that isn't obvious. Then you have an alternative circuit, but maybe only during another surge.
Post by: Unorthodox on August 02, 2017, 11:08:23 am
Post by: Rusty Edge on August 02, 2017, 08:26:39 pm
I'm confused. Oh. The building is 2 years old , and the original surge was around 7/04/2017 ? Only a month ago? So you're probably still finding other things damaged by the surge?
Post by: Unorthodox on August 02, 2017, 09:15:53 pm
The FUN part is building 1581 hasn't even been completed yet, and has suffered both these surges as well. I'm glad we will not be tenants over there.
Post by: Unorthodox on August 07, 2017, 03:43:15 pm
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/WLybtSmIXM1cL9eFDSt4olcXxqOROz3uGxL6GufYcBiWRM5OWdMGeOVywaY6Pav1tiwd_F1RdikeNMGnZvI6HeGQ5LNYBNesYpBoUXwYfYDKS09jP1xDQfr2QLroDFIIT_O18rf67lGT91yF-KMCvpHORFPGDAc1MSFdmKfARN9o6dDm1scH5eyUiAqAwjtr76bJen9fqYHx4CIc9_PxNFbRyHm-q133c87Jzsz4W0--iOfBldzssagJ4t-25yYKd0TLWmATGECBMCXOOXxmn44DAY6QAcRijtSvdVa4YSTi4L3ogWBp5KsUM6ejqgtcIagC1_c77shyHTT4DeqT1a2xz40792qzyI97kfbankq9WLTtyXiIyA5wU2M64qRP_PYosniO7HTyxjWpDVhEB14J0Z1V42wN2i1fxC1OBuSR8v7_leqM8vkD0L1iaTG_qBmjZezHCv1IQccxdJSGdrt0fqiSNBH8BLhTvazrqTCwmK7n2MWXrnErKtq7CsR9B2cFGH14mODDPg4L-iQ5QB2kfXVG1P97nqv2ZlFtmkPCv5Ks4-6MtRT1eD6s7XgbGTK2e1HvRihUTdHVjxw95UUGicn42t_jqpN4ylZptnfz3a6eVdhvSNAiwA=w1259-h944-no)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/WgIOjQYbXKLJ86Xb_KyQb-y8RfSQ4kvk4z1ngy7H7cuYxfZzAiDQoOQaIUz-3Ko5eNCr3jGWCUuQMLVx1P0wX-e4RY8kUTVoh8T1ft4U5AWeZxBHjdgb-5SrfaG398nM4AbzyKA1xaq2l0XK8zRiMGmyIaHDNfFjugUTollAnUi05fL6fWoBVxq0CZ8IEj5nw7dV2EDp2O1Tzow-jtC6n-GUIvLoFf9Ll9Bbtfgafe-saBh9lh4HoU3U3zAgsFiXifQxBgJY05J5FCaOIFfodWkwaj3GAjZ3tDHR1QDrcshQH3H0WNj0MZaHE2u-H1cybOS8qTS9nHZLlebEczU4gDQzvXetjv1Frk_MfZdVftiRleGMRpnJjIrot9q-bMuMp-zR6OsRkMb5LJfKVt-mmLN-SUtVxJ2iG9OjcrF8r2tboyaSU0EKhk7ntaaBAxQ0Gk-46Ux3sCxkxiOAlWPcjGv4n2jjiGlV2zVRwp78R8oPqu9w51PxhqE_ST2vDaDDrt5z47PYuTyQaLN4Uh_cFndToiSHpbwkQmAzH-K6aG50i_rAP0yvgVVU1kBEWvGVM32kA14VnxcJN8D7H8EQOdzX8rta2r9HEL9qI4N_bF13hoxPgAmxSQ=w1259-h944-no)
Concept was modeled on the tendon a bird's wing naturally has in roughly this location. I'm not sure it works for my plans though. Other options include a smaller rope off the first 'joint' in the wings, would go arcross the back and thus prevent them from rolling, which is the problem. If that fails, there's always a pin possibility.
I need to locate a lot more 'ugly branches' to cover the frame and make disjointed 'featerish' shapes on the wings.
Post by: Unorthodox on August 08, 2017, 11:22:55 pm
Get a call from the ring master's assistant: "Meet me in the theater at (insert time I'm supposed to leave) to show me how to operate the things behind the curtain."
"Sure"
"You know about the big show tomorrow"
"Yep, I'm avoiding it at all cost"
"Well, the Ring Master wants you behind the curtain and prepared to act as barker."
"Do we have a script?"
"Nope, you'll have to wing it, that's why he wants you, no one else dares."
Post by: Spacy on August 09, 2017, 01:44:36 pm
Post by: Geo on August 09, 2017, 03:43:54 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 09, 2017, 05:39:22 pm
Plus he's actually asking me to play the villain in this particular instance, which is hard for me to turn down.
Post by: Unorthodox on August 09, 2017, 09:46:38 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 11, 2017, 02:37:12 pm
We planted exclusively Cheyenne bush pumpkins this year, however one volunteer vine somehow escaped the purge as well. Don't know what that means for saving seeds...
Anyhow, the cheyenne bush pumpkins are rather interesting. I waited 3 weeks later than normal to plant them as they are extremely quick growers. I probably could have waited another month.
Plants look more like Zuccnini.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/dxNtjTDgQDxXCTwhZmgI1eAGYj8XazwUcvSkEIxEDxYlGjWRpzQQegXYH7mpswGH5_7Pt5F87W_oXr2d6j_uMiUigMCZpGsZCoRvnyJ3utr2Rw6FBWFc2PJI0TGLtNgg0bGGC9nX0dUVyhbPVcd3Fd7RfIXYSU1ntXHUlo_ErwQuCj3rF2qo-yrAENwRnztVcH7DZrRhZC7W-9VOsMh5zM_Nu-ZDSCXcTe_J8D_jb-w5OQ5FFQR0JSXmzG0nkXiXHgYh9Jvz6nY11tsxd_zcqwc4imYJvF9XcJ22LvQOADR9Kd4g6aUTU3jRVMA5gKS-SSVu8wtRXLH4rHrL8K9N3R_ftV0qm06waAQh3K2siFqbQ93Zi_pm-wWbeIXHRybR6SZSlzkPla7NzwW8mhwgmdBGxhjYNUrL88V2jKOFzIolQWW8fdtpMlABnxbOYosQbiWk61LuO-3aBda0bkKo3xywGvAiOkAyOwyhEdJL4aui_Sq-iqYK6ZCTizXKwlzAp9k5mVCXf39RX-uCFsyKPpyT_gnltiQc0u4zcahcVMwKoZSBMcjV7MA9M5tVQ0PxE7hcOr9Ysxgqet07EwobtQWDiSJoo85TKalkNZAGn6-_wE02hnv7xw=w1194-h895-no)
Even when the first pumpkins set, they looked a lot like zucchini. AND, more importantly, they set in the middle of a 100 degree wave. Something I haven't seen other varieties do.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/6uf7F9Jnd2g93qhCvNrTKQsXcOo1iuWiEBV19mbwkcPSKbiP8tDFRMxGRig5MCvyMZPjnTiRNC8K3KgA-JIuJTZi-8ZYCBbcIQBaiDkKF2Y2xjpEDrzU9cHpOZvkWYeTAuT-UHFn7ei8jZwc_tqz-mEKPyWCVLd2DPENacz-o55l0fQ7q_XbGWAMS0ezYo8YU9SvCk2Q1VRK-c3612LzLyCoocPVwvs016qeJnxiEsnnd7KSHX4Hp62xXWdL8reoHj_srRuldZsCDpIQ9S8KZ_8Mrppjt2qKa9fCvUqmtOS4vERVf3FlCbJTS4VyjcBQ1w-54gRvYgzuTDzklSWqYGsbgauwC4DCzYduwukhP9kVbT7OodF3JtQphLOY8NjxQkfx4rB9_zlERNNf1ZaoOQu9ZN6gDrOUUcJx5yu1xzMjaB9n8s2MTgV8RtefFzcnfUbkE3r97ZNfhAd4TRcE9S_GQBz80b0aTBPM-iiSIhPImyKkKnNb90vqh2lblHDNxYAuBwwDhaHBOf6oUbEy2L6daaqLhQZKt31m4GdDvK5xmlsCop77m9tYB7z-jPs9kWcr8WQq71uX8GqoV1l4s-dbSyihdtqgR12a7a82MWlI6YBBFodgGxqjWQ=w672-h896-no)
Looks like the plants that set 2 pumpkins favor one of the 2. However, it doesn't appear to have aborted the second like other pumpkins do, either.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/3pjAHCdLFjRD08ATRdlMokoSvwiQA2FzY1-3IPLZemSlWXB7UriuXDWZH_IeVPtjUyu0HkYV5TTpIoPhhL7uuaJvmHd4VGqdRw-3QtsGYUqaZqXbJyOHF7IErKol7oQP1vMZsvjv3Q1oK0YU3MaC8ikVCo2Hmm3nsmn87rwcm_N7E-FHoldCrktISvwzjiCoj7P5YyrsJ5EFVZi05CXGAWkkqufjkQdzwxaF3qs1RJDASIbYuXmLXRaz4hQkfEztcUeqVQRCFUBbFs3c9M5IEOnUkL4R-Z4yUwuwr3oBOxzxlvYXQGh4maupBrFKsIBaQ8QeXL8N-Rwihvhacs9eBbGhT--cNDmMGG9UXHWjlJExpRZsSC7LKdFvCKsfUi_t5a8oNbvGJPUXnAh_4j4_J0RkI5NGE9VDfLTGUJRy0ZThMiwXkKHZIyXxTiVi3Tgu6ZIDe4oveYhr6JJA60lmnmVIw0zmXEcqsf4anpIVoZ51qAWM-NaFF0p_GlGropqesRiyPoT2HZPK973Y_osiPOaGIxvCCu0aZEXHXNmGV1FNVVDTpVvIEKRi5Mi5Ht24PehRuTmILVY64weKKvTfj62mJF667Z6KrD5NqgLXjKgcuDxxNWi6vzpD0Q=w672-h896-no)
Sorghum is promising.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/vbsc4xSkU4MSUei2u6YLwPb4FfZjnnV1BXDQVrMsKi37Snf8n_N6GrNfjUS4-8OkNwNIWtNJdlpZisgcqF-dMcyaEB4-JhGIoQ6QCDs-GbJjzZLXH9lxmEd-QN9lNjotK78Dj6k-0Gbxw61P8blNYekwCwdAkFUTG4jt3b4YgHRmbIZXsuywodjGRnOFX60NHsuejCHeCFc-ubh4r57Mz8Bygz0Ztj_Ku2heX0pDbXktS1-5FSYkhQuucmrpYYwSLbSf4RksysANCwJGmGcrNLbxB5ZQrV4O5R_ZyB1Gbx_-2d7OS4yd299pHfo08CJ8qnOakf5DQq8gDdq6xxZZL3sRC6ZlELpOkePIZ0Uf0nHz9gncutzPMvjMruSNeXvxnWTLmCfNYY92NYHuPIXbqbDUzBz4eQtMPvNUmp2EuyOsEatuU0JS7rA6gRjkkmU8cTVeHviNCHbtbePpHvUkRE_iZUlXrHizZ6xgyY3EMT6Frvv_Au9xz-UH4p3vPbPNJ8W_IZOSFMBmfVxfJrFAW5ma4UGPZSamlSgzj-1qsOioN5rosYub9tfTm-9lOTUqWkrZCvlBXA4EMKQ4AstH2t45iVw0UfhmUf9D-slwfH_pOX7CnWOj7bBHxA=w1172-h879-no)
Post by: Unorthodox on August 15, 2017, 01:58:44 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 16, 2017, 01:52:34 pm
The Ringmaster has my respect. I wouldn't attend as a participant, but if he needs me to run it, that's another story.
Plus he's actually asking me to play the villain in this particular instance, which is hard for me to turn down.
Huh. They actually gave me a special award for this.
Post by: Spacy on August 16, 2017, 03:52:28 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 16, 2017, 05:33:09 pm
Post by: Rusty Edge on August 16, 2017, 06:37:34 pm
Post by: Spacy on August 17, 2017, 02:38:43 pm
Post by: Geo on August 18, 2017, 08:02:41 am
$200
After taxes? ;)
Post by: E_T on August 19, 2017, 01:10:59 am
Working title: Scare, CROW
Not sold on the name yet.
Had this idea rattling in my head for at least a year, and though we're scaling well back this year, I still wanted to get this one built.
Had use it or lose it situation on my vacation, so taking a few days off and getting a couple hours to work in the new air conditioned shop in between plenty of house work that needed to be done. .
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/rbFPsmtUhF0HeEF8eX5cvxARj8Li6f2h2nwfsgn7KwIrHXOdyhTE8h9__eOx0uF2ExUwwJki8RcuKDp7WGgHiiuKkC3fRVQOm6Be2p03SGiAzb2nppj3u9H0oaPm3FWAbeOfG5PPtTdSW5yd6RX5vY8sj48iobanXrsQjhEa4QwTFjWsNQAl_pBitvGFcRYieEgcPvynJ0MPgX24W3UWYDg63gSexTfTrrWDazKsQwcs_ajNmG4edjKAcBEFrDMZkuAj2_0vAzRofQYl6d9MDet5p4kfBiMNgDAjGGphnjqWDjcC9M9-9fYmztr1yAJBtZadZI5c6M-3xtdYbmUXdMpMM1-nsdKM5lYsZDUqYqOdi6OJ9oz1kJvfntKZryr0Cyv3QEsZljATv0KuW1KTKnqX08k4Z9ESiXY6bms7KpII-ULAtqm8La6fqfEGXf0003ZkWeY4D5BQUng8KhUqiCvMN48IcUUujWIi7Soq1I6ANRp598HpH2UWIhjAoPYyr2w92RI7IMxX8_U7x4GVhg8I4HLzjlsALF0ivA-wiDAATa2CEeFEZZdlJ5kVyNNv86ZSQvcH-C_aEDG4znpw9TbTtQQDD_SVQbh96Xc7bD3m96SOa34pvz6bIA=w690-h919-no)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/vWIoasD4A-iZ6t0FRLvxo5Q4EyrlVsz_GXWsPkLnsreOlUpNeIUANri7oBEP_HI_XQD94sGkmS9Rvq5IdLZk1JbIYIeyRjYQm7utMDrj_GKUjJnv1MjE_nhpEQWJ4jX21L-c8C-HHsMmS_3umlhWHOBpYqmfj6Hxq1jKx2jx1q7FgMJH9Sv7IZ6cu7yQ5jl863OSmESMQs2B4DjkOuLAlandMnIy-fTHWyvC7HrjJghvcSUKqD_2NrkNou6F83fX1HZ9dZOi3rJvmkKoiHHmaW9XVlsETCXbe8iplyWXK-QCr0bFKrXN_P8uHwFjdXd6lx25AUFBxZJQqYBSE6memdCl3K4kYF3lYEyovbxEDsPajDR4fAe8Kit5ggMt2wPnE7K9YjmjMfs0lkFPBTlDw-W-syp_sGWhTo6PyvpP3C25nt20xQQu4x6lQq23Vefy8wqT4YphlYPLUJezA65i0XJNqAoYa8Vm6IXBbnt6HiWcf5Iooyn7nFe1w0ApX0iOJeVGTfD4DLwRk5v4nzWdnWipwLip95NYwYWiG9tUZH2UKKeuDTgziKkBsiq6P8VOSD1Q_edKDH8s4My__nwtFbSHQEon0OYK5Kme75FIVX7bJuz0lTOaTQ=w690-h919-no)
Idea is to actually have the wings detachable and assemble on sight.
For some reason, the name Bert(or BERT) jumped out at me
Post by: E_T on August 19, 2017, 01:14:10 am
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/gMNv1ciH7roA3ymhLskT9GsmutylLTSF0eoMI0eQqEWqCTxBQSnmSY7OdQ2iv-x6vEFwWTp-i1gjZG5IbeyC6mdzmVC5Rdy1AmD6qubXktCDldQ0W_NdNbopswbwK3MnXgoXPaiBCHBeHVbd_4I_8PAKMv8sdWKS_Da2jIhtwVQdkIfm-DVg1nxI00yO_aYOJaABugCtaAri8kNtjk7cc0MJaN8FVPAvxdYjYXhOR7pkvC7l1zFsnl2lyilJxPCVW5OMh_xp6UBPmvFYFPXKFobK3Pkt7z-rSpLCsaYsyc3uex7Mn2jpQWdUPW-xXhUutHCiymDNcQjw-CC5MtmYyi5B2IaTq1mnrb55AgY0tfeQIrIpzBCd_w0kcuFq1FMnbs2sGxUcndca2j7pgUY5qF6H5o8MTNWG5azFbacxS90fghgrrA9_5ekyvCWp50mQeJLTn1Q1cDuKxqLpGdOijuIzXMPG2Ai0mIjUyqEZpz89OuXiNMM5bO9TETxzr_qz9tv13w2M7Cq8fRVfNbz0ZRTNkht8SHnKeYz_nXQF1QTw9aJuFwGtVOpWeLz8H5s5hMlXOxQqfP0tYG3jzktqrIKjaNs5RhgYcSmXAnWawTVczmQKQwy3jsU7RA=w709-h945-no)
I love the bow
Post by: E_T on August 19, 2017, 01:24:43 am
Post by: Unorthodox on August 22, 2017, 01:24:01 pm
For some reason, the name Bert(or BERT) jumped out at me
I'm curious as to why Bert?
I've been circling in on Hector, myself.
Hector:bully, intimidate, browbeat, harass, torment, plague, crow
Specifically Hector the Harbinger.
Post by: Unorthodox on August 23, 2017, 01:15:26 am
Post by: E_T on August 23, 2017, 04:13:21 am
For some reason, the name Bert(or BERT) jumped out at me
I'm curious as to why Bert?
I've been circling in on Hector, myself.
Hector:bully, intimidate, browbeat, harass, torment, plague, crow
Specifically Hector the Harbinger.
It spoke to me... kind of...
Post by: Unorthodox on August 24, 2017, 01:27:47 pm
That's a lot of molding to do....
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_pO-I86xledIwsKHXN_e-Hi2PFRTRtn5HlSVhorNTt16eQcur7NkrkytWL1cVtZsoyOQ8CxVnGkxPGt38L83pF0h584ih3jUcXVJxR_9JjPP__y8bs8uU5g-4_I4FUwxTO5zWwybOZB0I9ciQktf9ryRzGNhLECAU6_xus9FVvLfI_RBw41imNsI_WnqiqWOaJ9vBcEgZgUUYjmz_DUqaKQxsXDp6CwCM5j0lpeNlS1LIvukQgwm7U-NBIyVNnYHLtcYSXZDbVhjHsC--eCX1vQHAJQ17hretTF10MgVoaDJzRIOd3QSQ9OVFh0W455O9NnHxAvFv8DxCeErDHYmthz2gPOU-LRX-nx4LIq31ynHQj7RYB_0xSlVmZjLTPNVDH4Wc4N_LGo0lrpp_SwN7RGezl5DO2G2PAIEIXu5PRRQcnRlPeSMi8NKBz3MNw3lEhrySnSt75h6-UUAMIQoAaWeZPF3O8r_tdjK0XV5wbjyZKLdCvRQ2gBhjn70VCn7EH7SVJPIafwVcl1bfUOKQeddvhNgM3AkuLPGT9fry4dF-Pybv3YhycAxkyRF47qgklKZuBcNMDcAt3kigeEHOKJ6RikVYlEg6AeJvf6hh8bqcT48WyhzjQ=w672-h896-no)
Post by: Spacy on August 24, 2017, 09:23:19 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 25, 2017, 08:14:00 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 25, 2017, 09:36:11 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 25, 2017, 09:52:13 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 25, 2017, 09:59:59 pm
Well, remember that people here know how great you are...
Post by: Unorthodox on August 25, 2017, 10:24:55 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 25, 2017, 10:53:19 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 28, 2017, 01:35:01 pm
I'm having a day.
Damn morons involved the other side. So, now I have to make them look like buffoons.
! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZAY-78zhmw#)
As satisfying as it'll be personally, it's not a good thing from a business perspective.
Post by: Unorthodox on August 28, 2017, 09:54:28 pm
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Home-Accents-Holiday-9-ft-Standing-Skeleton-T-Rex-Dinosaur-with-LED-Illuminated-Eyes-7342-99908/301148793 (http://www.homedepot.com/p/Home-Accents-Holiday-9-ft-Standing-Skeleton-T-Rex-Dinosaur-with-LED-Illuminated-Eyes-7342-99908/301148793)
Post by: Rusty Edge on August 28, 2017, 10:09:18 pm
Boss! We need three of these....
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Home-Accents-Holiday-9-ft-Standing-Skeleton-T-Rex-Dinosaur-with-LED-Illuminated-Eyes-7342-99908/301148793 (http://www.homedepot.com/p/Home-Accents-Holiday-9-ft-Standing-Skeleton-T-Rex-Dinosaur-with-LED-Illuminated-Eyes-7342-99908/301148793)
For Christmas display?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 28, 2017, 10:21:01 pm
Post by: Spacy on August 31, 2017, 01:30:20 am
Post by: Rusty Edge on August 31, 2017, 04:00:14 am
Post by: Geo on August 31, 2017, 10:04:34 am
Boss! We need three of these....
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Home-Accents-Holiday-9-ft-Standing-Skeleton-T-Rex-Dinosaur-with-LED-Illuminated-Eyes-7342-99908/301148793 (http://www.homedepot.com/p/Home-Accents-Holiday-9-ft-Standing-Skeleton-T-Rex-Dinosaur-with-LED-Illuminated-Eyes-7342-99908/301148793)
Looks like you'll need to place 2 orders then...
Post by: Unorthodox on August 31, 2017, 01:27:41 pm
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Home-Accents-Holiday-36-in-Animated-Hatching-T-Rex-Egg-with-LED-Illumination-7342-36976/301148531?cm_mmc=Shopping (http://www.homedepot.com/p/Home-Accents-Holiday-36-in-Animated-Hatching-T-Rex-Egg-with-LED-Illumination-7342-36976/301148531?cm_mmc=Shopping)|THD|google|&mid=sUvxYGeJ9|dc_mtid_8903jx325196_pcrid_126343229968_pkw__pmt__product_301148531_slid_&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI-fivhbyB1gIVw45-Ch1atAKoEAYYAiABEgLrrfD_BwE
While the 3 wise T-Rex have traditionally been Mom, Dad, Child...I'm not blind to the fact the whole baby thing might come off as me desecrating the nativity. Not that a dino nativity wouldn't be hilarious. But I'd rather have the T-rexs carrying trees replace the wise men in a traditional nativity if I'm going to desecrate the scene.
Post by: Unorthodox on August 31, 2017, 02:18:25 pm
I work in UTAH.
On an AIR FORCE BASE.
with 60% of the work force over the age of 50. And a good 80% are either LDS or X military.
I've been informed that a lot of them seem to think I'm gay, and I should really stop encouraging it.
WHY do they think I'm gay?
I have a PURPLE phone case.
I have a PURPLE and GLITTERY pumpkin decoration I proudly display year round.
I used to proudly flaunt a pretty PINK umbrella to block the headache inducing lights.
I'm the only non-female who can have a comfortable conversation with the transgender man (identifies woman) who works here.
I also comfortably associate with the 2 known gay men.
(incidentally, of the 700+ folks that work here, I can keep those I don't like to associate with to one hand)
Why did this come up?
Because my supervisor and I now share an office, and he's uncomfortable with people thinking HE associates with a gay man.
So, do I start bringing in lace decorations or what?
Post by: Rusty Edge on August 31, 2017, 09:52:36 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 31, 2017, 09:58:15 pm
Post by: E_T on September 02, 2017, 06:21:51 pm
Boss! We need three of these....
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Home-Accents-Holiday-9-ft-Standing-Skeleton-T-Rex-Dinosaur-with-LED-Illuminated-Eyes-7342-99908/301148793 (http://www.homedepot.com/p/Home-Accents-Holiday-9-ft-Standing-Skeleton-T-Rex-Dinosaur-with-LED-Illuminated-Eyes-7342-99908/301148793)
for a new version of the Three Wise T-Rexes??
Post by: E_T on September 02, 2017, 06:28:46 pm
So. Just so we are all on the same page.
I work in UTAH.
On an AIR FORCE BASE.
with 60% of the work force over the age of 50. And a good 80% are either LDS or X military.
I've been informed that a lot of them seem to think I'm gay, and I should really stop encouraging it.
WHY do they think I'm gay?
I have a PURPLE phone case.
I have a PURPLE and GLITTERY pumpkin decoration I proudly display year round.
I used to proudly flaunt a pretty PINK umbrella to block the headache inducing lights.
I'm the only non-female who can have a comfortable conversation with the transgender man (identifies woman) who works here.
I also comfortably associate with the 2 known gay men.
(incidentally, of the 700+ folks that work here, I can keep those I don't like to associate with to one hand)
Why did this come up?
Because my supervisor and I now share an office, and he's uncomfortable with people thinking HE associates with a gay man.
So, do I start bringing in lace decorations or what?
One of the reasons we love you, UnO. You have a very, very open mind that is coupled with a very no nonsense way of looking at and doing things. It is unfortunate that you have to deal with those whom are almost the exact opposite (usually, your bosses and the rest of the circus...), as much as you do...
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 04, 2017, 02:22:07 am
Post by: Unorthodox on September 04, 2017, 05:48:25 pm
I don't understand how they're still in business. The next person I talk to that says it's worth what they are asking will be the first. The areas I specifically had concerns about which was causing them all the trouble now operate as extra fee rides, not as part of the haunt itself.
The Diablo place didn't listen to me on the admission, insisting tickets should be $20 for their first year haunt. It didn't break even as a result. Most the stuff moved to Vegas, I've heard my stuff is at Circus Circus.
Post by: Unorthodox on September 04, 2017, 05:58:22 pm
The paintball experiences: Shoot zombie actors.
Hands on: They can grab and move you.
Extreme: They can restrain and torture you.
VR: small arenas with a VR headset to move about in.
Escape rooms: Find your way out (I actually saw a predecessor to these)
"Enhanced theater": Extremely expensive they invade your personal life, stalk you, kidnap you on your way to the car, or etc. No crowds, just you and maybe a few others.
I think most of these are horrid ideas.
We don't have Lagoon passes this year, so are thinking of checking some of the ones I don't usually have time for.
Post by: Rusty Edge on September 04, 2017, 07:35:56 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 04, 2017, 08:46:41 pm
A well done escape room would be my favorite, I think, but they are devilishly tricky to pull off right.
I'm not sold on the whole VR thing, but it's probably my eye problems cropping up making me not get fully immersed.
Post by: Rusty Edge on September 04, 2017, 10:42:59 pm
I was thinking lasers as much as paintballs, less mess on the art, although I suppose the zombies improve with bloodstains.
Post by: Unorthodox on September 05, 2017, 04:08:56 am
Post by: Unorthodox on September 05, 2017, 04:39:59 am
The need to finish off the costume to go with my mask has been apparent for years. I liked the cloak last year, from an acting standpoint. And I REALLY tried to find one that would work. I was left with springing ~$50 for one, then 'aging' it to get the look I want, or making my own.
I identified other things I wanted from the costume as a whole, and we're going to attempt to make a cloak...perhaps an entire one piece costume if I can swing it, though I'm betting it'll take at least two.
Primarily, I want to 'fit' in the same world as my monsters, so I'm dyeing a crapton of the same burlap netting I use to make the monsters. I can fray it at the ends to make it look like the vines hanging off me, just like most my other creations get. But, it'll continue to fray unless I have a base, so also dyeing a cheese cloth base to hold the burlap together where I want.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 05, 2017, 05:26:54 am
How much do you need an actual cloak - and how much are you really aiming at a closed robe or something?
Post by: Unorthodox on September 05, 2017, 02:41:09 pm
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/UkMv9HroftsrDOL38XiZ7Q0OL6jjY6abwehHDJz-isJ0Pqw6s7lfqNv4UDwgZcswl35OSzwYmRtQyYggP9keQvlqLcVzI-z5FYauEUoT9jDK_AFbtLDlMOiz23SulaClNdeD9vp11Wz0-SOh44LWbZQdq3SSQOjX0108dplo6i8KuthqNZbid7FQsBREaQrFtOFOsIs9n9zR2Cdu2s4ABE24G_TCQ8ZIvthWEmKLQl00fGaxUsQLGvGaDAeFGKs1u0Vw6t0J6ymbc-aG8sPM3NUVVZB7IeflHojmIsJENjyZpBgnb3T4rl285z7tjQ1XNXGxKw2Mn3nbKsoA05p_iy2rSPA2OQ_tMh-VqTn6pqJfLuzZ5hLJnwMvQBykM5xey_QSo9-43QXs9MS0k1m5jR059x0YHYA5MoL3rNraUYyw92Eb6-38M0tf1LcWAh7xXYVjAZwsEDZB0kKOpzONOE8BOcYyZeVErZvZeIamsiyGeebyNc6JwrgCfX6eBKHU6KacS5B1-F5LC78qFNBoMTmzJAPWfuddbDChVo_E3cTutosn08PVwV67XidBI-S3VzX66gLN0SHtwiwte4p8cBNW7aO3-SHJcC1JUHMAhEW0pqy_9-uD3Q=w684-h911-no)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 05, 2017, 02:58:55 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 05, 2017, 05:43:45 pm
This is within 2 miles from the house...
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 05, 2017, 05:54:41 pm
Post by: Geo on September 05, 2017, 05:59:28 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 05, 2017, 06:04:39 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 05, 2017, 06:28:52 pm
Just evacuated my kids from school. I'm out.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 05, 2017, 06:37:04 pm
Post by: Geo on September 05, 2017, 07:53:41 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 05, 2017, 09:07:12 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 05, 2017, 09:17:09 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 05, 2017, 10:03:34 pm
Post by: Spacy on September 06, 2017, 02:00:01 am
Post by: Unorthodox on September 06, 2017, 04:09:26 am
The moon is RED.
Post by: Unorthodox on September 06, 2017, 04:18:21 am
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/nv3le7GR4WN4habkGF3QWn0D4kZI7UsH6QjeprSn-lFIPmc5WWjpN3bGiMG2FD8XtYjzI5N2efjJCc1f9lbxquMIYVfiec0uSbwMbww6VOjVBt3Q45WvMwPcHLOCbU_G98lmaUOuSIBiKK3jU2cL5pt_0L3fL7lX0J5GrPTcdPWAKJWDRPXdjNCOIHv_3hAv7caUaO29EFjWmo7dbqlZLgcbKWT_TZ4vi11OZAUzrSSzZYskl3rW6SpSd_pYqDG5bBIDxB4fWtetxDaQK-1J_aqOtmGjQQc7jM0D6D8tGcC-PysxNe2DCtkXgGPShWuRKmoO2amFrieCHCx3r-RVmpvMVuqtTkvyGYjuD_I_ttQcYir__fok10sV-ydxgBZRyl9vFEy30qheNaA1C-bqQoJtF53p8qIwm-ammmowrBSO07iYDyJQFsWreV1T6CM5d7UqDEVLwywMEAooO97TdLmhCuHDVCCqPsRQ4L8_l1rYeU9HHFpVIFuCV96dclVJpHQYkby3w7jDUS4SdR7TToHwb53Z5kuBfwsxT4ILBvSIQ0hwitpKUUZ6APnxEjIqWCV7T9bU1oc1nBTUhCtqHAuaao-6xYpgHX9_8zY7f4ELhXTGc7iaGQ=w1225-h919-no)
Post by: Rusty Edge on September 06, 2017, 04:55:11 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 06, 2017, 05:11:50 am
Post by: Geo on September 06, 2017, 08:23:25 am
Post by: Unorthodox on September 06, 2017, 01:32:52 pm
They reopened the roads, so I was able to drive by most the area in the dark.
Wind last night stayed down to 10 MPH gusting to 20, rather than the 40 MPH gusting to 60 of yesterday, or we would have been in real trouble. The active blaze is moving up the mountain, but there's a 3 mile stretch along the freeway that still has glowing and sometimes flaming hot spots. If the winds had been enough to drive those again, it would be a nightmare.
It's that lower fire that lost contain yesterday and forced the school closure when the wind shifted direction as it does like clockwork between 10 and noon.
I don't think our house was ever really in danger. As envious as I am for all these homes where the builders left the gambrel oak in the yards that could make a great haunted forest, the lack of it anywhere around our house is a great fire break. All the buildings burned were surrounded by the stuff.
Post by: Unorthodox on September 06, 2017, 02:57:30 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 06, 2017, 03:44:43 pm
Quote
As for the cause of the fire, which began Wednesday 5 percent contained, investigators from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Layton Fire Department early on had looked closely at the area around a hillside power station, where workers reported seeing sparks on Tuesday.
However, as Wednesday morning broke the Interagency Fire Center declared the fire was human-caused, and asked that anyone in the area of the South Weber Park & Ride lot about 7 to 7:30 a.m., when the blaze ignited contact authorities. The IAFC specifically asked for any photos or video taken during that time.
That's a lot further away starting point than had previously been reported...
Post by: Spacy on September 06, 2017, 10:36:31 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 07, 2017, 04:24:09 am
Post by: Unorthodox on September 07, 2017, 02:19:56 pm
Post by: E_T on September 07, 2017, 07:23:19 pm
Fear Factory runs as a paintball arena most the year. They still do Halloween in the fall. Just Zombies.
I don't understand how they're still in business. The next person I talk to that says it's worth what they are asking will be the first. The areas I specifically had concerns about which was causing them all the trouble now operate as extra fee rides, not as part of the haunt itself.
The Diablo place didn't listen to me on the admission, insisting tickets should be $20 for their first year haunt. It didn't break even as a result. Most the stuff moved to Vegas, I've heard my stuff is at Circus Circus.
Can you imagine a slot machine or some other thing in Vegas that is based on your Halloween stuff...
Post by: E_T on September 07, 2017, 08:06:13 pm
Makes me think of all those fake Clown stories as possibly being a sort of marketing for this, except that they were mostly a year ago... too far away...
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 07, 2017, 08:24:21 pm
Can you imagine a slot machine or some other thing in Vegas that is based on your Halloween stuff...I can imagine a whole wing-full of slot machines based Tevor the Transi, with several giant versions and old ladies in a rows along the side feeding quarters into pleurants faces and cranking skeletal arms...
Post by: Unorthodox on September 08, 2017, 04:30:42 am
Post by: Unorthodox on September 08, 2017, 06:17:57 pm
Any opinion on the first of the AHS:Cult?
Makes me think of all those fake Clown stories as possibly being a sort of marketing for this, except that they were mostly a year ago... too far away...
I don't watch AHS. I tried the first two seasons. BORING.
But, my opinion would be shameless cash-in from the clown craze with bits of Purge for good measure. Too little. Too late. If anything, their carnival themed year was more original.
Horror's in a strange place as a genre. Almost everyone has made it a point to go low budget on the horror as the only way to make money. Horror doesn't draw crowds they say.
As a result, you get action movies posing as horror (The Mummy), cheap revealed footage crap (it's played out, folks, leave it alone), and random experimental projects with the occasional bright spot. (Shape of water looks interesting)
However, one studio is bucking the trend and cashing in this year, others will follow.
Warner Brothers first 2 horror films of the year have outperformed estimates by spending more on the filming and focusing on a good product
Kong: Skull Island
Annabelle: Creation
I'm sure that It will be mightily successful well.
In the case of Annabelle and It, they've had brilliant grass roots campaigns even. The likes of which I haven't seen since the days of Freddy.
https://www.facebook.com/LititzBoroughPoliceDepartment/posts/2065659250126418 (https://www.facebook.com/LititzBoroughPoliceDepartment/posts/2065659250126418)
Post by: Unorthodox on September 10, 2017, 02:28:16 am
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dj9qgcfdrLFHehP7eKvv-WcbWPGY4y82R343WvSFRu3uqTIwwq_BjcRr1KURVc1ixAjyUi9__GVVIh1jcfshgnhMtW7arwf8jbUYn225N4becS175LzmFur8nTx0yasEKqgvDx70mk1d8AE1Ox6G-dDn3j3EhgC2CqBvhwYfNDKDSBkm2WlDbMAM46h6FcjlA7TjlBHsSHhGeeBYIeRK5p5CyPGoT3fMka3wzUnQ_D1phs6iTZ5pZPGwFM0C9iPzUWPT7ZkPPEZHi9eRWCANcfkU64PjvxN_ELK1zjC2A_ZzLRfwhuM3MH1VKFZA43CV95dbOLh9gmpuqF6BEMa83It4BnnLpIgWKezlW6GExCDKr2AWWtZAjF5CoPi_b6TFus2X3qcLzvkDMpMEQzkNa5NYub7UDefW7xAUtX-quXXuLpTmoywOewyAmH0gBV5gtm49dX6P35ze1TKosX_nvqDxotIOGb0-uNkIBo8vs9Q-0RVVEFj5t0v29sCa9rxLWZ_2iMVYnTDOu56_sEQyjXBE3Tr4-OOGTkkBlyF6ZC5c4JBhGHlz86NQbBNtcgWIEx6EWm-uvrpxth24pdYzoMU5lFka2zbnj-DaEvb0HCgs73em2A8qg=w690-h919-no)
Got the shape of the base down, gonna take time to glue in all the burlap netting. With luck I could have if solid enough to try on tomorrow.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/zRgw9IEejxG-HSSavvi3W62DCaBsFXJWXjqA31jDmcbGCjZfO-KZppkcX_fBw7J0cHBLpwdwa62d7pZGxnsEHe_7Ro_BL0ZikxK4bpa-2WsKDTE-eZEIGHIiCxGKmq1E-GQgcUC1wPdPeDT8OTc9zblwZqnvyFoqR3yXD59nT6-5qqRVNdb3fPog35w9v6kHIgX2zTjkuLHDllO-aJb170oKEtvMZalSju20ASaE93m_Bc6TUbkZfYgZsjqXcAmmi8ix6h6MDGNN7-qWYSD1aHDwzahG_5i3F1DtiY10Lq7bCukoHgysjorqfKMtYw4eX0hZixuv1WjuYjPKQarSUopJy6SuYEGNPILghdI4SBc4IKzzO94NIho9hKw9L4jnPtTGYY-Xtrz6FvLcLzH4zeeZsqC5Rl6cz0vGGC-7ADoPSuSnom5mnxoa63eoM8c205w4Yn0ZMbTkPbQ1vSFwh2G08msKhwHznB_4OVF_bYtTXwXiez4PVTWgQIxN3oL8kaqjUau079iLW2fTVp1_l-Vnrqx2r0COElTlRpEEexA1vorSvgL6sA3m8g9BZYzUgZAEFyK7baJz-IMtgqaY5O_lP81_SVu1qgXZ-imMIz3l8qGjzgbTyw=w690-h919-no)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 10, 2017, 02:54:32 am
Post by: E_T on September 10, 2017, 07:26:23 am
Post by: Unorthodox on September 11, 2017, 03:27:52 am
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/qrNpMGNwYisciAGB5_gjIQVz5Qd1dL3XbWCKsqmSdwK-tslEGWl5-GQEkO1Vjwuua67gFVUbTDHTrrxbMgTLxFaExkJXCeTbJSisyupyrOquSRv8iFPl0quYc9fTxgxfHHJNj8KzCRj2tmdDKy293132z1-1u5EXdFmTWnI9t_DQyfDJ7RLc3GA96xCc15Vhkdemnp1s72veFGTipz7pRZZ-kQxH2NkjovhIysW7k89QyKq9PX_glNzJ_K6VddcUkOaQpNc0o8_VeSbFCAR2sIMQbn8pxNmgkzx8JYZhHJ07i4oJl78OgIjfL6lGPTQmALJAiOuaowtKxWX9-uRYJBXWC-PkzypiOxqCEiWYq_oFzHdspr3SwOXPdAwmvjEmKBXWATUZYG6AJQhHk1zEUXujRUJ_nMS0MOUugVWMgPcrRT-4uhcbWns7DX302PheJWn4rDny0iTH3FHL1g5CgpYyOxBUAkrVU971Iru9hNTOMc6F3qtCvsLDJ6otrLJPXC4kP_-1ME8N4UnCDJ9JtU5ROz8f2lkfTTxILZUQ5VIn5-3f83keN1Mmy7yYte4DieBPlvExLmWgff2m6cJX7AkrrqNTIsogTAV9U-ppjAPtRlfV4GkDxw=w690-h919-no)
Sawyer doing his part on fraying the ends.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/M0L2KRgM2ZDvLI77p5MJxyIgP_Mk458aSIA7HP1yma6yNUUNGhtOnKcgA4tqJiMC3htXLNY3TaoCewMZUW_0l9hl2rzvnWqe9Q2zorhqxuHqwK9IDYFtg7ClhbaRDJVj2jp28Xe3owH_kWEh84eWy6bDRstOTB6kqG9qexA40lpMKG6x38BEGokTTAzK7qTQc5n96xR7KDEr3S-3wsjzZdxDTWeJG3eHq7wmFgY0pXy9vBVGpknqy1t7uRRKRyxGIL5UJFfus5pK37Vqtoihk6qacRdMgwRjfe0Kj1d8wTCVfPD61mptdC1vaS3fqo1wtkueLI0k5S2LRcP-IUoxPqIY8rep1REsHUUPKDhH8m6BsDfWgJBHacDD04qJINxjNRLjsR2F7_tn3OZ5cQaSD4kQJHroEDsnREVKHUq_Pdx8oOCEIS0GZ3YtbmCgy9PStmGOTJmmLSFoDgNdmgwqRHjqogF9UuKG3sQKcf-zmNr0dtfx2YdtAp8pf_qqA8-Zzf1O1E07qfa1PpBTw54LmQjL00-vVNwwnQi3VnKJkMkO22mkB3qiwO0bJCYWr62SsKBYuan2KIX0HAUVsNlbsWDzhdfAtuGe3B93GY61UPdkjSsTFT9ZFA=w690-h919-no)
Post by: Unorthodox on September 11, 2017, 04:53:35 am
Post by: Unorthodox on September 11, 2017, 04:56:35 am
Post by: Unorthodox on September 14, 2017, 06:09:38 pm
Post by: Geo on September 14, 2017, 06:41:25 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 14, 2017, 08:12:37 pm
Post by: Spacy on September 14, 2017, 11:26:55 pm
9th grader (14 year old) hit by car and killed.
Post by: E_T on September 16, 2017, 01:23:10 am
Well, despite the Storm, Started a new Job at Conduent (formerly Xerox) doing Call Center for SunPass (toll system in FL, GA & NC).
UnO, have you tried to get on the WPC site recently? Hopefully, you should be able to from Work now...
Post by: Unorthodox on September 16, 2017, 02:35:22 am
Post by: Rusty Edge on September 16, 2017, 05:30:55 am
Ouch.
Well, despite the Storm, Started a new Job at Conduent (formerly Xerox) doing Call Center for SunPass (toll system in FL, GA & NC).
UnO, have you tried to get on the WPC site recently? Hopefully, you should be able to from Work now...
We've been SunPass customers for years.
Post by: Unorthodox on September 17, 2017, 02:12:12 am
Quote
First Ever prop building contest - Register now to show off a current prop or a monsterous creation in the making
Scarecrows, Monsters, Zombies, OH MY!
Share your talent, by showing off your favorite original scarecrow creation, old or new - Judged by members of our very own Rocky Mountain Haunters group.
First, Second and Third place prizes for the most popular entries.
SCARE OFF! REGISTRATION
I was about to enter Hector in this thing....
Then I read the finer print.
Quote
You may enter an existing original scarecrow or build a new one - get creative!
Your finished scarecrow MUST be free standing
If your scarecrow requires power, it must be from a battery source - any size
Finished scarecrow images MUST be submitted no later than October 1st - 2017
Your scarecrow cannot contain any vulgar or sexually explicit content
Your scarecrow MUST NOT contain any of the following:
Straw
Corn Stalks
Tires
Anything that is combustable
Judges decisions are final.
One haunter will be selected as the “Utah Halloween Expo - SCARE OFF! Grand Champion”
Judging will be provided by select members of the Rocky Mountain Haunters group
What is a scarecrow without combustible material?
I'm assuming my grapevines count as combustible.
No straw?
Corn stalks?
In other news, I haven't heard anything about the city doing it's scarecrow contest this year. I might have to think about this other contest for next year.
The only other contest locally would require my scarecrow for Halloween night, so it's a no-go.
Post by: Rusty Edge on September 17, 2017, 06:39:11 am
Without clothing and straw or cornstalks, it doesn't seem very authentic. Might be artistic, but would it pass for human to a crow?
Post by: Unorthodox on September 17, 2017, 05:33:51 pm
Just wasn't built with that thing in mind. I'll see what they actually do this year.
Talia meanwhile is building a vampire fairy scarecrow out of a doll, in the hopes the city contest goes on. She finds the idea of a teeny scarecrow about as funny as I do a scare CROW.
Post by: Unorthodox on September 17, 2017, 06:32:16 pm
Their main display piece is the bridge of death.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/gY3xu7fc4Vyx7g5pIfkwq58v-uX0Zr16F_KpiTA7iK8rlU9NoGgp61cwQyhEuvZdDA6mVn-hbqvwgwFpt70mnh5MFloYm1Nh8DiygI6EwuNn6ppmZPcC-jgkfQ3JOPyA2r31cIWdsmNTDcB_2OVA3Q4PJstNsgot6J9Dur0yqOs9Cqy0CVTekrTpyb7B0L-TGfLBqRbFf9lvcQpz9bHzQdbE32C0kCSLC404fk5YJnrE--5prssuoqxKP9Scfd2ld0hef9oAhlXYL9RhBZw2JzWlyP5nCn0sxWZVpw6KVdSeKCWiLrq4G4I3lCuKYvXVuK_NV30wEmADpCf5Z38z9TJdiPgiGCLBZt52U-1EKtDk9KOeLFsvyis-XzemGoSyxUt0F4BXqJKIAS_XVW9yVfH_hUbX7RxeX8XY82IeTc5tqSl6RxxyMgoQiyYs6PLr7oZnkTdNpnwyNmoirjNjG7nr8pxWvfovsMmBROLYldUsllZxv4ZjwC2DYM06C3AVnqhRqSQ5NLmCTtdOaqwWdoSpoOfit91kFSoq2Um1QRsBhE2sYsg7yXss4H38qvXrpnlTnyCpdk3gfz5i5tjpVS-M4k0xhaEuCy2-6rFjSHI=w667-h888-no)
It was surrounded by various 'dark harvest' figures. Makes me laugh.
Otherwise a horribly organized store.
Post by: Unorthodox on September 18, 2017, 03:27:38 pm
Ouch.
Well, despite the Storm, Started a new Job at Conduent (formerly Xerox) doing Call Center for SunPass (toll system in FL, GA & NC).
UnO, have you tried to get on the WPC site recently? Hopefully, you should be able to from Work now...
NET::ERR_CERT_COMMON_NAME_INVALID
Post by: Unorthodox on September 20, 2017, 02:12:53 pm
What would you guys do with the back yard?
Aside from cleaning up the various junk, and removing the bridge of death, these areas are more or less unchanged.
"the left"
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/N9YYq7NniGf9b54-AJL-C5j4WSBqtz40EwYJOt0K6yOMXo7lKnihhePdgltxFA6SXZP52qOYHkxvbvTtYuNmf3q8Rrlz8EyLvjqyd216zIF-gdPwERyrxP6BlXlyEU5bd3GTEETCu6jW3CzJeuMnzD2geM31c810yIUZKHxwTH2fEROovPmU0gooxAfUOAe9m3z5ZyWP5E__6n5CaYXpM-odLUaT2aq0GT9-Ue-jbD02EmF8goOcOB3kXzEjr-3wg8-TikGwt8qdtqjBGruQ3DS-Qh3g88VgdCtK2BbiiPwp3Wj9Et0n3YRWytwsv6NqrJxmgtd4wiPbRS5pWoPR2MX2YxtHpsa6P8jAKXVJn4qFfA90PmBtWVRq-LODn1r-_VM0w3I1UsbqJkn3lIxAOITZRHWQRt9DsMi1ZnXkzvE62QTYEvP_T8FfnbRggcuRDj5KY9Rqa9N0niNcinMo4KauUCN8sRWhKZnHacT4FQ0CnuBEDUhozFep7-ITPBoBIIPKMP7Nf5oW_eAYvdslfgD9wYwNa5XOU3GoYmugbSqVH03V1EEmP9fxom5sTw7qtr4OTwXRmY94rbvCx2Q1LjpVDwpwkwBwl4hKQ6uhfc8=w1215-h911-no)
Back house
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/W2TAnbyuzVPwE6wxWdHOS8JgSuxNkNJLY4HlZN4qL8tQrsTy43FJc2sbQP6rulwhyMud3Bf55rUD3Zb26tKHZZLi0Upwz-dlyNonu9m4S58cPzLs5e48shtGVu1YbX09bC6upA1zQWlsGHlBJDY3Cu0WyNinM0TH1qO6VX0M-IScqlT-LJwno0UHsuNxiES0tx9p4JRTVe7OEWyPVe-97ZHOPRGgXhzC-fVXzPFgRsbV9YR18LSsozda01FxI74w8QdY-ns2_hq-ggFs2l8ioOQWd3EzBmJYZ4jDiyxtFYeE3ZPghG-ZgWSC2rev4GYQ-n5HFGJdOJcpxtFwdcTDH4RIjX6LTjO4YmnV82Zjv8NX59nuzzluRt7z9SYvjEw7IzhJYq6Eit-DU6Ra23DwcytnIonYGSHK3hM6k1OFYq2kugoyuD6shL-_4kfCreaUGSLF_un9px7z2WPZaYo3Q0Tk0SyihfKuSqZdROrSmElfD_zT4iNqsQm3gGh2PvpdD3RkxsprjwxdEBUi6BsQngIqOniibI8ccfHiA_zxh3Rp4iH1YnkkqgIXC-6VyV5iI531EYoFtLdni_DlSTCSePFFropS922fZvOJQB1Y2Eg=w1215-h911-no)
Back fence (all the wood here is gone)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/uZ9mzyr4kovBhJCgrZhLNSwsAW0jZIHKTkPog2-6aEPNsmvPRNgsh5e_evvrglifbsgWv6Rax66dZHI-lBQpQnpR421qgCnxi1tmmMkTzliL5IzDEW-7YoFsc8dXu_vPcVzrYrgIH7F4YBcrN8W5sqbjF024eL3wfDpwnR3-3X2dtyICC4k1VbkpeFFpmTseH1VUj-c6jfD2Ufgg_XQhboLQmgWtOaivJ4WRnRcrgULuacskbvOAGV3roMhivPzQAhIpnIslSJ4XwVSDOTSj6PQ6qBN0fRJlZ8EDSPBeeYU0MBFeBhaa91nu_p0fGMDyQ1M4mQTAbCbGNJpGsBbLDO0lC16qagLpnXu8k4weNCIR32hNy1Z7YltSqGfr2bSfG0GWOmVnWHJ8-2PH6y87ktiX8io83phJpbtAndqjgw1bxTafGmKA68ffF1xUnm9KEAHirbOR4zimyHd0f0G9upSYff3tw8flixtPCsrIba5mi-dSSx3Hx6RxowvTSZK2r9y0TUq8l3pXgVQXfRoJlEJJKudBphYQzHUTZorMI-PSwPsWaQuTPGZI_NJnBcIT5mb8l3vbSRL8CXoKNmT7Mq0DzjUjMhxR3SdZCK6EJfE=w1215-h911-no)
Back swing (construction junk around swing and near shed gone):
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/oqrM0nMP3FIQNYd7IN5L1IOyGaxTFvlqhR-K--BUzcQKvcCuTi2fltyYMpXXZdaCtRm3qeFGeuaXuYFBX912W-l6TWYSeKAm-cj2YLDoxFRo4EEi1ve5rgCbOdBMp_ZRLMUfTScnE-7jfgsjXwfjhXhVEenkeKWyvyXokOY0BeTU6Ft66mtWtggxf3qWj-JIgcQbA16VRAHoM7AoBq_IgplxhYF30368UnTJeuB9NaeHjQaqWZlGeoV17x6TnYPXtii5wmAOCy7F5P3Pkn0Uy29ge1-H2CJue8CY7BiRTrmz66oRzR0wDSoSP6aPJ0aoCUM0Fnc992SICV0vj7hRIjUnrq0daMN__9sB-1Zz1l_Kt6ya8Fk-X7ayUpNQZhxLv0nomFaVqA7vetElgXhX-9O4MT1i-2tQ0E2KOmbbtWS4lPgpEQow40bNsRNHnbUm37HXVzdFkfwStBq5ZIw5aSyWab0u0D155sW7cb_Kwp_1ueFWkjVcc8bDLAN5d2kldJFWy_Ut8ZnRDOWaGNPAHiLxtpPJopW5bgjaaQ_LGSEAdVny6dm73lG2xDlo0iELeV7__EjlR-PFHxWBKO6bXQAYbmlVvVN7MxxyZ1Xbdyw=w1215-h911-no)
"The Right" (no real good pic, but it's where my gardens are, I really just want a path down the center over here)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/f3gDLp5AwdrIctZUe6vR8D7kRSAj-Wo_ZEPINSBbYMBNJXZubKIItoeCqJNSMicObR3QO8CS1vRHccbYdDVBDcFD8DO5MGFu9F-_qTQoGbSZreCrpdsmLDVJL7PWvvCwIs95gj1MqLTeLEfrXwVeAj9jBITMh-5Jb8tMzNPIqCLMFiuhmldkYKJJPUxcXpGUrQCGVQ2d2mFff1VbpI5mAvHaTfP00ztmlHOLj8aEFpsN5yrrRS3rfF3VheZiC5XaRpKyU5iJ8NLWniMRGllROvmCIzz8jQmx4RBDDp2PCljBlVC6CutTr6GNvI2a-njWIUXM7viEQ9tJooPDCxAwEKfS5C6YDCI215rGPIbL-tN6vQO7ULREZefbP_yucL5hOhBp4VD6A4zitpkLnaIkFOPqyXzfq-pbq5pkSitFO0qgCJevM6WAQUZC38v_WVubDScKuW9gjw2GIualJzLjE_PEzlBSF1souv1zYqbcm3BsjdZ6Oduk1EHZy9sY64amdCbA8E-vdfeJwurYP_rAVHojVxARMz_aYMuJ_oqEUYvBDu9T5QOQryGMoZFx6JFsSJCyT2KZoOEYOqtCJW-rnRN4iGcoWwip27kh-dhEXus=w684-h911-no)
Post by: Unorthodox on September 20, 2017, 02:19:59 pm
Path on the Left. Be it concrete or other. Flower bed or no.
Path on the right. Be it concrete or other. Gardens on either side of it, though I'm open to raised beds over there.
SOMEWHERE for a fire pit. Permanent preferable.
What we'd LIKE:
A covered space somewhere. Be it a traditional patio against the house, or a gazebo out by the trees.
Special challenges that don't really show on the pics:
Patio in the trees: those trees are pushing up more and more ground each year. Probably destroy something in 5-10 years out there.
Patio against house: There's a greater grade there than it appears. A patio up against the house out to about where the bridge was would probably be raised 1.5 steps at the end to be level. (which admittedly opens the possibility of a deck-ish structure).
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 20, 2017, 02:54:53 pm
Is the idea to do what's best for the yard as a living space and work around/with for Halloween?
Post by: Unorthodox on September 20, 2017, 03:34:06 pm
I don't know if it's budget-plausible at all but a mini stone henge around the fire pit would be fantastic. Both for holiday and just our style in a general sense.
I've toyed with the idea of a 'sun room' ish patio (covered and screened), akin to what old man Zitto used to have back when I worked on his farm, but it would require roof modification, which we've had enough of.
ORIGINAL, ORIGINAL plans was to have a deck off the back of the house instead of extending the master bedroom/bath. Do not regret the bedroom extension.
Post by: Unorthodox on September 20, 2017, 03:43:29 pm
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/5895+Cedar+Lane,+Ogden,+UT//@41.1553567,-111.9309945,73m/data= (https://www.google.com/maps/dir/5895+Cedar+Lane,+Ogden,+UT//@41.1553567,-111.9309945,73m/data=)!3m1!1e3!4m8!4m7!1m5!1m1!1s0x875306672277e071:0x1a1391e3991b4ce5!2m2!1d-111.930876!2d41.155512!1m0
That is Pre-expansion. The back of the house now comes to the end of the old patio there.
Looking at the pictures now, though, I could wrap concrete down the 'left', following where I had the bridge and more or less rebuild the old patio size on that side no problem. Big enough for a 12x12 gazebo eventually.
That would leave room for a new fire pit area possible roughly between the 2 window wells in the second picture.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 20, 2017, 03:59:17 pm
I had to copy/paste to get the link to work right -I think- but a satellite view of the treetops covering your back yard is incredibly unhelpful.
Post by: Geo on September 20, 2017, 04:50:46 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 20, 2017, 06:20:33 pm
Used to have Charr in the satellite image, too.
I had to copy/paste to get the link to work right -I think- but a satellite view of the treetops covering your back yard is incredibly unhelpful.
Gives you an idea how little space I really have to play with.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 20, 2017, 06:50:01 pm
-As a matter of fact, when I first stayed with Mylochka in Texas in the 90s in my renfair days, she was renting a decent house - with a backyard the size of a football field. The house she owned in the more recent stint was nicer, but her parties missed that huge back yard...
Post by: Unorthodox on September 20, 2017, 07:01:23 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 20, 2017, 07:04:06 pm
The football field took a while to mow, but it was just back and forth with nothing to complicate the job...
Post by: Unorthodox on September 20, 2017, 08:17:03 pm
Or rather a complete xeriscaped space.
The gardens are the perfect example. Sure, they take some work in spring and fall, but during summer (when it's 100 degrees out), just water and watch.
I'm not opposed to ALL yard work, just dispise that required by a lawn in the desert.
Post by: Spacy on September 20, 2017, 10:03:49 pm
The nice thing about brick is that if they do get pushed up (tree roots) or down (like mine do cause I park on them) they are easy to reset. They are also thick enough that they don't look like the cheep patio stones (which, are nice, don't get me wrong, but something that everybody thinks of as cheep even if they weren't) and last a long long time.
I would avoid concrete in areas that you know tree roots will interfere with, as it is almost like tossing money away when it does crack and cause trip hazards, or even flooding issues as it can redirect water into directions you don't want it to flow in. Stamped concrete is even worse, as there is almost 0 chance you will be able to match the stamp well with patches 10 years down the line, so you are stuck with large sections to replace instead of small ones. Oh, and watch the stamps if you do that for your walkways as some get slippery - and you don't want that.
Post by: Unorthodox on September 21, 2017, 05:56:46 am
If brick is an option ($$), I would say put in a brick patio/fire pit near the shed on the back right side. Open so out from under the trees, and good sight lines, and you can put things (chairs, prongs, etc.) into the shed easy. Can also easily tie into your future walk down that side and give you a nice future staging area for halloween. The doors to the shed itself, with the dark room, can easily be added in (Didn't you once have a couple skulls with LED eyes in there, otherwise basically black emptiness?)
The nice thing about brick is that if they do get pushed up (tree roots) or down (like mine do cause I park on them) they are easy to reset. They are also thick enough that they don't look like the cheep patio stones (which, are nice, don't get me wrong, but something that everybody thinks of as cheep even if they weren't) and last a long long time.
I would avoid concrete in areas that you know tree roots will interfere with, as it is almost like tossing money away when it does crack and cause trip hazards, or even flooding issues as it can redirect water into directions you don't want it to flow in. Stamped concrete is even worse, as there is almost 0 chance you will be able to match the stamp well with patches 10 years down the line, so you are stuck with large sections to replace instead of small ones. Oh, and watch the stamps if you do that for your walkways as some get slippery - and you don't want that.
The shed will need to be redone in the 5-10 year range as is. My only misgiving about a patio back the one tree is awful close, and if you come out the 'side' of the shed, it's cutting into the garden. Not a deal breaker, mind you, just something to note. That area of the yard gets awful swamped in a rainstorm as well.
Bricks/pavers, I'd rather do flagstone if I have my druthers.
I think you're remembering an old test years ago for the yaga baba fence. There were some glowing skulls back then. It was never used for Halloween.
Post by: Rusty Edge on September 21, 2017, 05:57:37 am
I always like to have something in the corners and around the posts & trees to make the mowing easier, that is, no trimming. Day lilies inter-planted with daffodils provide some nice color over a long season, and they also suppress grass, so there's less need to weed. The drawback is the expense, although...well I don't know if they both over-winter in Ogden or not. Maybe that approach won't fly without digging them up every fall & replanting in the spring, which doesn't save much work after all. Anyway, as the patch grows you can transplant to other locations.
I once rented a house that had a blueberry perimeter hedge in the back yard. I loved it, but that probably doesn't play in Utah because of soil PH and drainage.
I'm all for growing food and flowers instead of grass. I'd be sorely tempted to raise peaches in a place without peach tree borers! ;-)
Post by: hEtErOdOx on September 21, 2017, 08:42:28 am
Thanks for all your ideas, it's starting to give me a clearer picture of what we might want.
Post by: Unorthodox on September 21, 2017, 02:28:15 pm
Thanks for all your ideas, it's starting to give me a clearer picture of what we might want.
It's working...
Post by: Unorthodox on September 21, 2017, 02:50:19 pm
I'm all for growing food and flowers instead of grass. I'd be sorely tempted to raise peaches in a place without peach tree borers! ;-)
Peach tree borer is my 'the one that got away' story for my collection. Which is what made me start to actually study bugs instead of just catch them. We do have them here. To get GOOD peaches here takes a lot of work, and usually chemicals for the pests. I try to avoid chemicals for the most part, aside from the occasional spider spray that hEt insists upon. Even THERE, the number of spider predators in the yard is growing quite well to where I see a balance coming.
Talking about the garden side. At one point there was a dream to do a channel buried under the walkway to pipe fog underneath.
recognizing the impracticality of such a thing, what WOULD be pretty awesome is a pergola down the walkway.
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-GzDQZ3soWxI/TjnCKD_M7GI/AAAAAAAAQdg/-zU3qB0vHMo/s640/P8020648.JPG)
I'd have to think long and hard about the potential of some climbing plants for the thing (though honestly, mini pumpkins would work just fine), having such a structure there would open a lot of possibilities outside of a permanent plant covering.
Post by: Unorthodox on September 21, 2017, 03:18:49 pm
Just sayin'
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 21, 2017, 03:46:29 pm
Since hEt mentioned fence grapes, and I bet she hasn't seen any of my Ivy Gate project posts, and y'all are looking for landscaping ideas, I'll go find the Ivy Gate thread and bump it...
Post by: Unorthodox on September 21, 2017, 05:47:26 pm
They fall into the "I really hate the yardwork" category, more because we don't EAT the grapes, so cleanup is problematic every fall. I do like the VINES for my work. But they grow too slow to be completely useful and mostly just fight against me on what I want in the garden.
On the surface, a wisteria tunnel would seem ideal...but would likely get out of hand.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 21, 2017, 06:04:01 pm
hEt, that thread I bumped is titled "Putting the weeds to work for us".
Post by: Unorthodox on September 21, 2017, 08:54:27 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 21, 2017, 08:59:49 pm
Yeah; right there, the viney walkway notion is fem-positive attractive, if labor-intensive to get going, and SO you, too.
Post by: Rusty Edge on September 21, 2017, 09:19:52 pm
That picture is beautiful beyond expectation!
Post by: Unorthodox on September 21, 2017, 09:50:48 pm
Not that I'd be totally opposed to seeing what a end of October situation created, but it's likely not perdy. Not that THAT is necessarily BAD.
Post by: Unorthodox on September 21, 2017, 10:06:14 pm
back to 2014 would be the closest I'd come to such a thing.
IIRC this was a combo of sugar pumpkins and the Unokin variety I had been germinating for a few years. (I still have a few seeds of the latter)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/91XspS3EMecIoBxXPL8TjZpYVAG2CeATBNvGiGGG5mRLACihLnrUt2gVsh6BhIiSDCxFk8olo3j5_VLLjLPnvxYVRxHR88BK_kmgNcL0GXgzI1gWUqHM0sCxce4IYmoNyq2sDa3mSJlhVu_OA-dBq2XJzRBiswf1l440CttGyovVmO62XwS1803Zb5eNXLLXU4h7VtsyOsAJ2sPdPA052kvePIX_DGNdpFDWagBZDMRDssDFXpS4Lef-dejARyIpE508TAIFMW4a7I3uNuxMtqfOkqGhWw6bNg3i033Nr2bNnuEo7dOcveLDLP5BV06xHzLOFwjM1E31xSvGHMMAKsTgZMOui8miiB3BBxCFyx-TxIXjaPMBKk00WDS1FFt8kuwnqf6OWQ4RY39FTS53bW-lcb9qOZ1SRuVoAz3S7upsqenDzP5UOiUI9OJmoF73Z-N17zwNAw41XTOVIMhc0NjX3cGSJ6xds7c-KASf0xWfWp6gneE9SuJYK0MXaB56ENq29zki7oiEjGj4vmj6TwxqzweocHNsiMoyYpcsp2MVE_Orb-4vN72QgnXaV0MNXIxN3oYyZPTRO8EuULyEqhFLLsM9VqwcPz_X_KbC4JY=w1215-h911-no)
Late september, the sugars went to hell. The LOOK isn't bad for the creepy season, but the vine's ability to support the fruit dwindles. That would mean a lot of work tying up fruits.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/sDZ1UNUdvVK30kBNchxNwgbuxWzgQ_xR3ywtJ3EzHZLB24gVnAvuemrDcK_ottq2LAaUmNfiFNCL_av7h5FAd-ig1WHcXWwVoZ-pJIvJweMBy0zTuy6GQnHsF6XzcldgottX_xhmvSaa4kzK87kOy2EowDY--z5MpFrMqSqRp9e5LDHXvrJWfc1kn0LsNqdCfpSVViIHZ-vktIHOemjaxQcuZ2aGoUi6m2UEA0Gr6vEjv95DkQWDp43EB5LnwQacOo_cze7uQXw-jZO2kllitO5AuCJ4F40fek9hbBeQpFCKqd2_sOICQ0GQTTDrJkYa4CE8C_R_1cKjXr34wMEdKUzYZcKkioaGofxJy48LBUIHAHWgDDb8SgMm7GS33zPERez-LxScqjRcrE84GgQbL-v30upFNOyogYBenyOzr8hFiFw9_xefzK5GcYftXd2U1DIM-mpADYs9VZ6G2ozoSoaAE_2M-RqnuxqMACeqc3wUo9cnb_-fgyEwsovjQd01FnlcJGhuO15bSKLzbFKUtDT5FS_2oI56iNJKBt8-e5OSmKMSFBhWXB0nemmFkA5-1mR37tL2TuFUiA-hTf8WtNmhedmt9EP2Ywmk7ORfTco=w1215-h911-no)
Ol' Zebs vines end of October:
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/IXvYrj2EPqcT7-h8nQMHGg8VpBY7Myo9OKU8IqA7fJEO0nsWemH4C1ce1-MvRv86lQwiw9veL5wpSHkA1u0vedJtudnShqDTwJyq8Mqz8_79L0mlY4bYlkazuDLmLGNOO8ydeHZAPtJ11OBYv8LIPj29Af-jYl9Zzru24jqHbp-xVCEodWp93mary1cN-0vKugR7NHTv87UqbJPgZk5VBrs2EGyOIPCGLteXWsfSAceFPYIMqU-fLoccwY5MTJzWyXDSRfHRTM4Jc_nCjQxxPkntdEIzEuVfzaoob3FvfSfjrdZ35fsFVtx95JXi2gqbGfV8KlbNzsIj5vLDzTf34xP5135D_j-Bjs8_8tB7RhiYh9FUEGhkF9HOj7FGxhskaHgh0r9TfnYdVbf_aOU0nbTrNnH1psIF57HvdtfossjhHG1L0pw-tGm7EQnMxDx9BBg3ydEATC99eGDhaV4evEGimkWr3PdZ57d7F-yaSaXQaUxWeoGNoHPiDVM93kicC68KkRM6U2pdgUY8Z_UIXYFEz9vHMuZ22mXI91EcuZnJk4gfaUjbLyaxVtykxpdhwEiWgPeDqGrV4FIXLRHEIuxrmm_xwc5wzsXrRuffQLc=w800-h600-no)
edit, for fun, a look at the beginnings of my rather serious allergic reaction from 2014 at the wrist there. Covered both arms and started on the legs before we figured out what was causing it.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/o-_cEbJI2Z8xXCJYDGw73NBgsjtrg0NlJgEmzbq7v_3oBHZrAUm5dzurZDhLSMaXCtKvS-ym5NiLugVF3UucN7aqPjBqK5WRHeMIedk08DkMgHBxUD-1qaqbcAxwyojDSRScW3M1Ca3gqLMG6IS6l79Zmlz2haCOZTNHhbz6L3Gpt_Cgo0m-lQLV1UsSx97s9c9D9SO3LeRmO-K_B2ebhjDakzF85_hbAKfnZmHGjDIwGgoRMNmArHtSVzBujVbEFf5Isb0CK6AUhJuFy-7gjXv00YEEzIX6pEnTReIulLgIiGnFbaaC9mO9RGczLsgGpzd1b5jIk5VrOepia459MY942L15EHsaPWy9XSj09rbGNqe3dXyEGdtXg2Aj69LlkFZ_9BZsMyGJvOhEOV9OVyuAmIW4aXKpGFcZqKlzQavr9neDILNZy6-1Uo2vkgGAZn0KdpHZo1EjHhmpFhR6r7-GPqzA8WukohGYRBlN5srw7bosZWMV6mhvH99aIRmucPPJGRItrE4dfnEeJbmpo-9QSgnX4O20o3iphPBhHlJVORhGNeqkOnwtiNjwXqf3KCjAavOo3D6bLdCRB5c6viTIj3_1psgzPnoD_q9JdXI=w1215-h911-no)
Post by: Unorthodox on September 22, 2017, 02:00:45 pm
Now it's down to the details.
Down the 'left'.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/N9YYq7NniGf9b54-AJL-C5j4WSBqtz40EwYJOt0K6yOMXo7lKnihhePdgltxFA6SXZP52qOYHkxvbvTtYuNmf3q8Rrlz8EyLvjqyd216zIF-gdPwERyrxP6BlXlyEU5bd3GTEETCu6jW3CzJeuMnzD2geM31c810yIUZKHxwTH2fEROovPmU0gooxAfUOAe9m3z5ZyWP5E__6n5CaYXpM-odLUaT2aq0GT9-Ue-jbD02EmF8goOcOB3kXzEjr-3wg8-TikGwt8qdtqjBGruQ3DS-Qh3g88VgdCtK2BbiiPwp3Wj9Et0n3YRWytwsv6NqrJxmgtd4wiPbRS5pWoPR2MX2YxtHpsa6P8jAKXVJn4qFfA90PmBtWVRq-LODn1r-_VM0w3I1UsbqJkn3lIxAOITZRHWQRt9DsMi1ZnXkzvE62QTYEvP_T8FfnbRggcuRDj5KY9Rqa9N0niNcinMo4KauUCN8sRWhKZnHacT4FQ0CnuBEDUhozFep7-ITPBoBIIPKMP7Nf5oW_eAYvdslfgD9wYwNa5XOU3GoYmugbSqVH03V1EEmP9fxom5sTw7qtr4OTwXRmY94rbvCx2Q1LjpVDwpwkwBwl4hKQ6uhfc8=w1215-h911-no)
Couple sticky points this area creates:
The concrete pads to the left here are newer than the ones to the right. They were poured when the neighbor extended the fence and parking pad. Always one to eliminate stupid grass strips, I had them pour our side as well. However, they slope towards the neighbors house fairly significantly. Which is FINE...except it makes the stairs awkward. now that the walkway has to move around that cooler.
I think the solution is to pour concrete from the house, over to the edge of the bridge above, and change the stairs to a ramp (since widening the stairs is complicated by the slope of the second pad anyway, it also eliminates a tripping hazard I've always worried about).
The strip of grass to the left would be cumbersome to pour due to elevation change between our space and neighbor's yard. A couple plantings of raven grass will hide all that, though.
__________________________________
I think instead of squaring this off, we'd want to angle it to give that tree a bit more room. I also need to measure just how far out we'd want to go. This was even with where the stairs end, and we wouldn't want much MORE than that.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/bVGNpIpYIAY_YAMoAnSaqIOOZzYdOuA9sVl6PqkcVuPWMzuu6qC4ArFeBz4CbsNYTOGkuaQKc8x2y0v2F902UYfW-MM-46WmpywwH2syHHZXLrvukDAqwtiSTi8APqK_mD4Mh1p8luhYkC8JDJHzHlRTdG1R3RY7nqxDqto7Xg1tdbBAu2sio8U5hni4OlUHfnEKgIykVQDCsAAx5Saq5yA31M8_6cwwYwmzjs-37PZ-1swgh3iZl4Xf8HjdxnVm6eC97nPIW0weY8F_sysxQol3HCDBi0Ta82tF21RlK4sQotNVwxEi7Mowif0USrTrzau5h_uRtQszPOX-ANRciuQ6EAEcwADlxKEvmll7HrJLSgfIloFtilYxHioskM_i2Pth8-tmF6wzAL1ipT1EVBPuAiGV5sFu43dT31Q_YwN1eT9rZn9UujBdy0oi1erillzRaIYbm4P2kKHS48nT1vtZxK-9wZb36O9tUyPOmV1wqwdWqnKMXTcuococE65Kg-br3ibLipFlzajE7Yp5F7A2mpPbex3jsGjiXxevxpiVZFmjDiVfTBxqdQymYlm9gbnSxNrqbcg_81M0f3tNGiVZNbBxmJXeD_EBBLv-ihE=w1215-h911-no)
Then Pithenge...
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/MlvPYwXvOMg6KKDqOcv_mH9GtPQZJHo82Te-Ucq_JsgGfho6CtjycQ3Zv-lYfHnW9NMRe-7tJsU3IbIXiA3c-9k7GyLDx0DSi-GNE77sZv4pafuY3Dgt22zvhzLv86SLDEz4WKDI1uoQYW4SmYbbcBUjGEpj5N7K1i-o_g68XXFCxA381PmiUY29Vbagt-UgZfEASOnFuCeeX3mclK4J7eOiY0EQk3yeH_cFF9NkTpP_FiAJAUxF_KhJVHKYNNxZ5UZfO9rR_KGJtfTPAIX1WzEa4fl7wbJKfK1fUAELiAsMJYHnqLr8dv50CnNZWjd4dqD_AdD9EoJmrn2foJKNJsb14U48uvTp19t6fwUW01xeYg6_YjuhM7x6Mse0ksZDLnfeoUia752Cl5zm2W13u6O5KjBlwyG5Qp85e6m-8Q1zyKKJxNCQkmHrvqLH8wkmvP47aLkU_PmHN6cdL7WvXjZioYzu5pCkpXLpZaKqeafkjuqH0sYD_ZqRpmC6uXiJ6B0VUhH3EIHPa-rYycV_pG_aE9vmTxo320ddvUbZg3r2B-zqRtV7kOoEMaWoIAq0jFMl5nxG2rLw74lMaTvUnmWxOtrk7DCT2ob90FdGFRI=w1215-h911-no)[/img]
and I'd really prefer flagstone path from here around the other side. Preferably set into concrete or something, certainly NOT with moss/grass free growing like some people do.
With gourd tunnel likely a future addition.
Post by: Geo on September 22, 2017, 03:55:29 pm
(http://www.prescottenews.com/images/stories/postmail/Ornamental-Gourd-on-the-vine.jpg)
Must be spooky in the dark.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 22, 2017, 06:31:07 pm
Satan's Enigma: 'Possessed' Nun's 17th-Century Letter Deciphered (https://www.livescience.com/60442-possessed-nun-letter-deciphered.html)
Post by: Unorthodox on September 22, 2017, 10:38:08 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 22, 2017, 11:30:31 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 22, 2017, 11:41:32 pm
...I always thought the fertilizer technique had enormous potential, too, for vandalizing yards and outdoor sports venues, but forget anyone ever mentioned that, and don't try it...
Post by: ColdWizard on September 23, 2017, 03:47:28 am
I want the full text...
https://www.facebook.com/LudumMuseodellaScienzaCatania/posts/1392427140877505 (https://www.facebook.com/LudumMuseodellaScienzaCatania/posts/1392427140877505)
Post by: Unorthodox on September 23, 2017, 05:04:34 am
I want the full text...
https://www.facebook.com/LudumMuseodellaScienzaCatania/posts/1392427140877505 (https://www.facebook.com/LudumMuseodellaScienzaCatania/posts/1392427140877505)
Yeah, that's not the full text either. (even though it says it is, it also says they didn't finish the full text, if I understand the google translate properly)
Post by: Unorthodox on September 23, 2017, 05:09:17 am
Oh, and an idea IRT edge-mowing. I'll bet pretty much everyone has seen a spill with a bag of chemical fertilizer and noticed what it did to the spill spot for several years to follow. You get a dead spot for as much as five years, with a zone of unusually healthy grass surrounding. I ain't never tried it or know of anyone who did, but I imagine it would be cheaper and take less time to pour enough fertilizer along the edge of the walks every other year (where you don't want to plant something that will out-compete the grass) than to fuel a weed-eater and cut the darn edge grass several times a growing season. Ought to be a feasible way to avoid the weed-eating and fertilize at least some of the grass you want, depending on what they charge for fertilizer these days and if it don't take so much the FBI notices...
...I always thought the fertilizer technique had enormous potential, too, for vandalizing yards and outdoor sports venues, but forget anyone ever mentioned that, and don't try it...
I'd be willing to try that to clear remaining grass on the path where the gardens are.
Post by: Unorthodox on September 23, 2017, 05:17:05 am
NOT THAT EITHER ARE PARTICULARLY WELL PLACED OR DONE....
But these are new programable bulbs that let you customize this type of program via your phone. This has potential.
! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=new1cP2GK98#)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 23, 2017, 06:31:56 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 23, 2017, 07:32:58 pm
Post by: Geo on September 23, 2017, 10:03:57 pm
Am I the only one for whom embedded videos stopped displaying AT ALL this week? Big ol' blank where the vid that tells you to "Watch on YouTube" goes. -This is in IE; no change in MSEdge, and I ain't investigated any further than that...
I have it all the time?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 24, 2017, 12:02:38 am
Post by: Unorthodox on September 25, 2017, 02:34:20 pm
My experience with this thing is those tend to shift a few days one way or another as we get closer.
Post by: Unorthodox on September 25, 2017, 03:09:35 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 25, 2017, 03:10:54 pm
Edit: They appear to work in safari as well.
Post by: Unorthodox on September 26, 2017, 02:35:58 am
"so you want the benches to look like stone henge?"
"No, I want standing stones in a circle around the pit area. More Menhir than stone henge."
"......Like huge tall stones."
"Yeah, 6-7' tall standing stones"
;eek ;excite;
;nod
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 26, 2017, 02:45:25 am
Post by: Unorthodox on September 26, 2017, 05:00:06 am
It's just such an unusual request, and something for just about anyone's portfolio.
Post by: Geo on September 26, 2017, 08:46:34 am
"Yeah, 6-7' tall standing stones"
;eek ;excite;
;nod
;lol ;b;
Post by: Geo on September 26, 2017, 08:51:36 am
You ARE going to find them some pics of something like what you want, aren't you, and not just pray for good luck?
The whole of Carnac and surrounding areas can be found on the 'net...
Post by: Unorthodox on September 26, 2017, 01:47:25 pm
You ARE going to find them some pics of something like what you want, aren't you, and not just pray for good luck?
The whole of Carnac and surrounding areas can be found on the 'net...
Pretty much.
Cost is going to determine just how involved we get. We'd certainly prefer actual stones. Basalt columns, or straight up boulders.
I haven't ruled out sculpting them with hypertufa, though.
Post by: Unorthodox on October 02, 2017, 09:38:14 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on October 04, 2017, 08:03:08 pm
Hey Uno - is Fear Factory still going? How did that turn out in the long run? How about Diablo Dome?
So, Fear Factory has been running radio adds since October 1 advertising themselves as "The only REALLY haunted, haunted house in Utah."
Um, Asylum 49 would like a word, I'm sure. And I can't be the only one that knows they've been playing the really haunted card for YEARS.
http://www.travelchannel.com/shows/ghost-adventures/photos/ghost-adventures-asylum-49 (http://www.travelchannel.com/shows/ghost-adventures/photos/ghost-adventures-asylum-49)
I also see via facebook that the factory is closing a couple nights a week to provide flashlight ghost tours and 'investigations', for a fee.
Now, it's on a real factory that had a bad safety record back in the days, but I only know of 2 actual deaths. Lots of lost limbs and things, but only the 2 deaths. Not exactly something I would peg as a hotbed of potential, unlike the hospital above.
____________________________________________
I had planned to get out to a haunted house last Friday, but we got rained out (Haunted forest). I don't know that I'll make it out to one now.
Kyle and his friends went to an indoor one. Nightmare on 13th, which is running the new model multiple small haunts. One of them is "Dark Harvest".
Now, considering I KNOW these people watch me, and I've been running Harvest themes for 8 years now, it can't be coincidence that Kyle says the best part was a copy of the corn tunnel that had my bifurcated pumpkins all the way down it, and they moved. If you've been following me long, you might even remember I had a mechanism to DO that once upon a time, but didn't have strong enough motors...
_______________________________________
Hector got destroyed by 70mph wind gusts last night. I'd been trying to shore him up with some old school Power Grab like I used to use. But, several days of '30% possibility of showers" turning into all day long rains followed by the wind done him in.
The sculpt is fine, he's just fallen off the shepherd's hook.
I can either come up with a new post or reattach him to this one. I'm not sure which way I want to go at this point.
So. Just so we are all on the same page.
I work in UTAH.
On an AIR FORCE BASE.
with 60% of the work force over the age of 50. And a good 80% are either LDS or X military.
I've been informed that a lot of them seem to think I'm gay, and I should really stop encouraging it.
WHY do they think I'm gay?
I have a PURPLE phone case.
I have a PURPLE and GLITTERY pumpkin decoration I proudly display year round.
I used to proudly flaunt a pretty PINK umbrella to block the headache inducing lights.
I'm the only non-female who can have a comfortable conversation with the transgender man (identifies woman) who works here.
I also comfortably associate with the 2 known gay men.
(incidentally, of the 700+ folks that work here, I can keep those I don't like to associate with to one hand)
Why did this come up?
Because my supervisor and I now share an office, and he's uncomfortable with people thinking HE associates with a gay man.
So, do I start bringing in lace decorations or what?
So, I added a cutesy "The Witch is In" decoration to the office, one of the ladies here gave me a cute kitty calendar, and I've got pink and purple markers for the whiteboard.
The supervisor and his friends (like I swear the whole backwoods town he lives in works here) discuss how inappropriate it is at least once a day. (in 'private', not to my face, not that this area is private at all)
Post by: Unorthodox on October 05, 2017, 01:59:07 pm
Post by: Geo on October 05, 2017, 05:04:42 pm
Why did this come up?
Because my supervisor and I now share an office, and he's uncomfortable with people thinking HE associates with a gay man.
So, do I start bringing in lace decorations or what?
So, I added a cutesy "The Witch is In" decoration to the office, one of the ladies here gave me a cute kitty calendar, and I've got pink and purple markers for the whiteboard.
The supervisor and his friends (like I swear the whole backwoods town he lives in works here) discuss how inappropriate it is at least once a day. (in 'private', not to my face, not that this area is private at all)
;lol ;b;
Why oh why do you hate him so much... :-*
Post by: Spacy on October 05, 2017, 10:09:59 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on October 09, 2017, 03:47:25 am
Post by: Geo on October 09, 2017, 03:13:30 pm
Post by: Spacy on October 10, 2017, 01:18:10 am
Post by: Unorthodox on October 10, 2017, 04:11:55 pm
Pumpkin bacteria? ??? :o
Don't rightly know.
We worked outside in the yard Saturday. I had a rash with some blistering that night, and took benedryl, since ragweed can do that to me, then went to bed.
Sunday morning it was all red and hot and squishy. They've got me on medicine and the swelling was mostly down yesterday afternoon. I got some errands run, but it kept me up last night with a maddening itch, and got a little swollen again in the night. Moved to the couch to elevate it better, and it was down again this morning. I'm at work today, see how it handles that.
Post by: Unorthodox on October 11, 2017, 04:12:39 am
His brother is getting married and wanted to know if they could borrow one of my things for the wedding.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/biDfFeoM5H6Gi10rOXyZIQZsGv7DH46jfkvDz5G4f_gwid27rYMwSX-h-QUTKiQyXN_U34iGUvX2N5S8EliwtMGa5WUoHo0zC5u8Fh8HUyQmtILA47ABl4YI5wv0hTwE5lIfi_I5WtJY8weIVywFaQA39kwwF7H7hNf-nJpPqg05Xl9lw1n3WiZlOmsz_SOycvCmDKe-T4LBD7oO5_mCfxbX6spovEyL3ab90vP9LP7YuajLUZNsOXt_qhQttI8bJXck_ODWd9ThXx6uXwyCO2sdBM7FPBnecj88f967TUCGezM0sLcYfaD7zBcJjMYPWLH9MOeWPdEivhaSSrtSXAdb_T82rkp2Q9edOY0Z3ikE9tuZKiRNW7J8pOGvB63A7gU40dG_Q7nhEGGoWmqmEbTfPBL09aV5JbjEOEX5DtIagBNwCjVDmb6xnhr01DrcBk7BI3FF6FnjDV24jM1VElZzHMOHr5i22mgFvrHrmCK739W-13yboJ4ctlCaCmOPQh85tLGjc7BKsF-sXKuwgX48CJD6a5iCQ0pM9f5EwsXUTOqkY1ooG94Nyo2SfKmK8FcvUbaZH2lEGDaE-akxpzeQqo5nBx3RPiGK_59ESuw=w1224-h918-no)
Specifically asking how I had managed to get the 'hearts' in there at Christmas.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/9hTK7R1F-4NPMOTIYuRp2eP0PzdE0ZBZYRY96dw0cXGVBaVLis-znbWdyJagG-xx9QHk9kjit32VjO-RvartLFXkYU2AO5Oqdry-Vn4XFA8vdfZKJGxAOeK6ytRrNaFAJu-gSOOB48-dKiZthKi7caWKeB0dIBqZE-D7ZtQmYjB6buMRO-dzaEb9L5veIoNsNe_REsIcYwHaRez_yH_QtfZ3ooXgZjHrQ5ccCcBlIK-htCaTa3EWfjTmVRCxmw2tblewLuPbwOYCNoWjhgcwmAdyh_3ZfiI_lxMwr7Ix4psdv104tJ0sCAqYj7Z2h7tCRza6I8cldThvfFiUGDFF1jVapJVoohBm9dax1YF07QcXNmqfYjkr7OQeA8T-3YkOSsqlQWR-oz0lAPRPDwjVkwZW4S3xdnGozKs_AHtQgxuKCD_DFqG5hMkc1Y-L6t7_9aUD_bbqCKojVErKjUPrz48Kj4tjuRPZexN4plR3wJ3kbqw7_u0QGSNS9qO8fqvo-IxdHZiK4llFoQBdHmhwHkb1tEhqm0iK9Qxu8wx0hJEiCRgIY4QL9nxiIA8kSxzpytVUV4S8uksUu7Bzb6fBh2JzoycqusM4-dLMktuf_eUB8jf09lvJ4cI-h6_zMAr_x0dhB8YEo7mlhGa_KdqB1FL4Ebytk_llkqY6=w1224-h918-no)
Another instance of the things I tend to think of as silly/joke/last minute filler stuff being what the general public tends to latch on to.
Post by: Geo on October 11, 2017, 07:28:44 am
Post by: Unorthodox on October 11, 2017, 01:32:19 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on October 11, 2017, 03:56:06 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on October 11, 2017, 10:19:27 pm
Yeah, it's my holiday.
"You live in South Ogden, don't you?"
Yep.
"I saw you pulling out over there by the Chevron. Did you know there's this weird Halloween guy over there. They have like a million pumpkins. Last year they were renovating this house, and had the whole back yard done up with this wood path. Strangest costume I've ever seen out front talking to the kids, I've never seen anything like it. You should go check it out, it's not like the boring store halloween."
That's my house...
Post by: Spacy on October 11, 2017, 11:16:41 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 12, 2017, 01:40:05 am
Post by: Geo on October 12, 2017, 08:15:17 am
Post by: Unorthodox on October 14, 2017, 08:48:38 pm
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/SNExTvUQB3gd3Z4wgt-OZQqQdVz0wT82d17HvmVdLewX87XW7eYw_0uyNC7oWxoW9yDHXRAdemnMdEDPlsPLdLxES3sOeZn2PNltVlVT_Tm27454WSd4nEA5Ew4TKshoYSNuhyBp6lx2Zqfe9RIKfkjXGjvwW1b1Hl8eIxIQVfjLsE2dVpVfrUaRfx-aEsJfujgJc8Y_24_6_lGpt-rtfZzxqsydV_sw-s19u6ZbyHvPtf5NUFunpUi9yusB1ZeG0B_NShPdEFycA068zoQ_W1stvvF1d-oI13XTrbZpZluc01nlc8vWG7nMViFuDxAEtiEqoqbmvCceT1QnU6Gjj7Q64pzPRw0GjMrL-NeYhSpHvdGY_aSSsuZ-RaAkr6Jlpt88bs4CWe-rizrR-5yX0qIglRyJAvr1FcJ4aVndr44W_7ZqHRAsT9gY0gyGTg_KN_LiMc6t2SIHtIi9abXGvvnR3xxBKBLpzp0g1VJCPmsLy9uZMUI-9ctUr4Z2u7X2lk34wT3hDxiixygiyfNrWlE-8MszrOIVr941_UFn5-xS5fkvnE1JDaOFXDkN32gYzN9jGZ8TN95-7Hzp9nj-Ctja4y4MuVJzifkoD6J2QAE=w689-h918-no)
Post by: Rusty Edge on October 15, 2017, 02:26:24 am
Post by: Unorthodox on October 15, 2017, 04:23:45 am
Could be talked into 3 large and 3 smaller... which might even allow a recumbent circle aligned to the complete solar cycle.
Post by: Rusty Edge on October 15, 2017, 04:47:33 am
Post by: Geo on October 15, 2017, 10:27:39 am
Post by: Spacy on October 15, 2017, 03:33:43 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on October 15, 2017, 04:20:10 pm
A horseshoe shape would leave a sort of natural entrance to it.
The trouble is I really need 2. But, I think I can align 3 west, leave two gateways roughly N/S (more worried about yard flow than aligning those perfectly), with the remaining 2 to finish the gateways.
I'm going to have to toy with that idea.
Post by: Unorthodox on October 23, 2017, 03:27:04 pm
Vacation in 3.
Post by: Geo on October 23, 2017, 05:02:58 pm
For me, its the former.
Post by: Unorthodox on October 23, 2017, 09:51:02 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on October 23, 2017, 10:38:27 pm
(http://i479.photobucket.com/albums/rr160/skullandbone/prop_idea_01h.jpg)
(http://i479.photobucket.com/albums/rr160/skullandbone/prop_idea_01d.jpg)
(http://i479.photobucket.com/albums/rr160/skullandbone/prop_idea_01c.jpg)
(http://i479.photobucket.com/albums/rr160/skullandbone/prop_idea_01b.jpg)
Post by: Unorthodox on October 29, 2017, 04:22:50 am
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/E73oxC7ERp8jodzO6fJsvgrpIMuwMBJkp0MSOyKBQNwXQ2fadbxEszPkgf7VOPyjpbL7Kg1huqoYazy3vlJRYlKl5YyS5hYGfEi1uur3zcubBwBBPh8Sj1XFWLibtKHAx32_zPW5EGCpNAr4rNgrjUDxEUg0PGsLpEO6P_kmEbBxHFC7l4yA-0GAMmiFEmjMqSLbcfp85JUgsTsj2TEtWgn1mF8UM9xdQ3lmX776Q_2nkN-1Qd_xZuxpRA5yaLJgmlxtBXPlREuE0m2qc4g1iq8Dwkev5eKVR9j14MrtqcjUo8QnOqWUF0hAuP74rQG3d0E3ChZNqg6UXZ6ua4-yQceaACHBoVQbZw5btGhWOZS079g6NGBowCAa_mOYPVpP4AHWumD8O_5EDg8EoifhjoO4iFARnJ6axG6UboyBoqrWbrbJ9Mk0KLR9Pf6YEJmVwLy81pVXMZY_fe3n1SkDiWxLHwygnSEXzFdvMQUNmpjHuNw1GAN2BucSqIVuFzmUN5a1uQJ8-czZtfmBqHdMmDC1KamlR2C4K8birDOv91s4qN8BlfDmSEp42oj1R79Qsagklp_tIRVZWDdh6_fKRr5EsYwNyl1crkeqTm-QXnM=w1200-h900-no)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 29, 2017, 11:23:28 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on October 30, 2017, 02:22:23 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 30, 2017, 02:27:37 am
Hurt my heart, it did, seeing all the store-bought costumes -never had one in my life, and neither have either of my siblings- on kids, and wrapping up at sunset. Halloween should be a little later, y'know.
Post by: Unorthodox on October 30, 2017, 02:36:12 am
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/IjggiSgJgWgbuOrDyY0u7L77Yh3Yh77S-TMIHDBfNMQ91QZY07s_jiFquDlyyo-GGle1dVc-GTVuHR_OacBi6F25uHap0uINypGMnW2mtc-HEsNxrvTTJHo_AnrUkP9qKJ9AxLV0iU3__OZkO5JtYme5X5xKqMahxPU-Zim6gK9FeF9cJHAzf8BOU5M2rUL2qm6DxztmimuRdut7EqhXXWaB1K5H8pVVE38j1vME-MiUPdbRg1_eB1aml-PCfPwO8meXbArA4M02dAXW772n-NXfQfRD74vz_uz_KpPan6w7xtVT8caTABIG4vW-OPoLeX4U6IcyQP4DloH_XoS7LE5wEdGQF_nky5RfSzBzclhvd0pCtT3ycjmYDZOM17enXhEeudPIH-Yu3sReDJtRadiQv7h4UVARmNH1t8LSUzFDXCBUUXavspwCZ8QecC7mQmdlgBoe-_R_f1eSDTsag0J_z96d9wfztEoSkuaD9bIJ1tZInQKAJuDO3tXoAn3lmWJfaOOSrPGifeMrTL2bRA435Pd0TzYKvsX8ZELq5zby7qJYsMrb2pfM16WW1pGz8RO8c3H_pNY_k2TeJtCwtYq_mNnapFFBybIAn4E4LrE=w1200-h900-no)
I certainly like the torches better, but I do like the whole giving folks something different vibe of this lighting getup.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Mw-jh7Iuah5dpwLGjv8-17IVzTdruZ2_5ssOYY9V285pNoPP9pvYHdK56riL5oc41UrAUCzJpevbcS3vdGE5mm4_BXUY7xmA7HjVqSB6dSpWiooCf47OoOIXHqDs12OWEg5Rx02L9g28ZeyFNz2k3zfTdZuCyMHydpzv57LwFEkWz9lrxk5WWhcXD-JPqf-ZSg08JSk7ksK3g2qzzMj0QCBSEWhl4m62p0dj0nhNN4vBij6okNOh3xfywxhH0MPaRkiluumlep2lDsYZpxhsMq5wFRJN1ySqS0B_6pcHiJ0tzKxr6TkA-KKGi8JjJtPTHEiZE4TsGr_-24pGoxfgBrukyYOKhZzmGO3C3D3V5bj7z6krzh_F9JwY-S616YeJrp_UUIGdKf7TvNC7oLpmkCJ6WOqpUNhqqCRDNe-v9La1_sZ4GxNEfuOLfhAexbwzfIgoaXK67axqAM_dXGwZ3Y4mguP7SoGH7w_U1bm4HMmRlmHB9wR3eF72VIAxQytwCZNqAH0blW5UzoPMayVe_2Rjc681AkPd0VSe2-15CQ1QAk2GRbMQWj47zpLPKTbEv-2oKj2y76MqRN_astx2YMUhecx-390EA3hDH2EoGdE=w1200-h900-no)
Post by: Unorthodox on October 30, 2017, 02:40:47 am
As you know, I went with the clown. A lot of the music posted previously in the thread was me specifically searching for songs FOR the trunk or treat. I managed to strike that perfect nervous but not terrified level I shoot for, which I wasn't sure I'd be able to as a clown.
There's going to be plenty of appliance work involved in my makeup for Halloween night, though. As long as I have a bald head, I'm going to utilize the real estate.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 30, 2017, 02:46:57 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 30, 2017, 06:08:42 pm
The sword would be a lot more striking for these purposes naked-blade, but this weren't my first rodeo, and I knew that in a crowd, I didn't want to excite the little boys that much. -Besides, I made the scabbard, and I'm proud of it.
(http://alphacentauri2.info/MGalleryItem.php?id=2501)
(http://alphacentauri2.info/MGalleryItem.php?id=2502)
(http://alphacentauri2.info/MGalleryItem.php?id=2503)
As it turned out, some of the dads were nearly as thrilled.
The trick, I discovered, was to stand just past the car and draw about an inch of steel to draw attention as they walked past, then keep a straight face and maintain eye contact. I have what the kids would call resting [girldog] face, anyway, and the beard somehow made it look like not a costume.
Trunk or treats -any "Halloween" activity- in broad daylight are fundamentally lame, so I'm glad SOMEbody there was doing something faintly scary, even if I just threw on something I had lying around and improvised the rest...
Post by: Geo on October 30, 2017, 07:50:06 pm
That boy's face on the pic was good.
I'm a bit surprised the pommel of your sword didn't look more as a ;uno face...
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 30, 2017, 08:15:51 pm
Don't blame me; somebody else's lame idea.
Post by: Rusty Edge on October 31, 2017, 01:58:57 am
(http://alphacentauri2.info/MGalleryItem.php?id=2500)
The sword would be a lot more striking for these purposes naked-blade, but this weren't my first rodeo, and I knew that in a crowd, I didn't want to excite the little boys that much. -Besides, I made the scabbard, and I'm proud of it.
Great picture I like the scabbard, too.
Post by: Unorthodox on October 31, 2017, 03:57:17 am
It's a pun - The candy's dealt out from open car trunks.
Don't blame me; somebody else's lame idea.
I’ve always been confused by the argument that they are “safer” than traditional door to door.
You know. Teach the kids to take candy from a strangers car...
Post by: Geo on October 31, 2017, 03:31:50 pm
What's next? Trucked or treat? ;)
Post by: ColdWizard on October 31, 2017, 04:45:03 pm
http://www.npr.org/2013/10/31/241642597/a-new-way-to-do-halloween-chocolate-chunks-in-the-trunk (http://www.npr.org/2013/10/31/241642597/a-new-way-to-do-halloween-chocolate-chunks-in-the-trunk)
I was just assuming parents were getting too lazy to walk their kids door to door. ;cute
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 31, 2017, 05:20:52 pm
Post by: ColdWizard on October 31, 2017, 06:59:20 pm
Adventure and exercise are subject to investigation for child neglect. Apparently letting your kids, 10 and 6, walk alone to the park results in an investigation each time, since these parents were investigated and cleared twice.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 31, 2017, 07:54:51 pm
Post by: ColdWizard on October 31, 2017, 11:53:53 pm
For Halloween, we were in a set of apartment buildings next to a set of townhouses so there were hordes of kids and a bunch of adults with their and their neighbors little kids. Wasn't high traffic in terms of cars but several of the kids and most of the adults had flashlights.
Post by: Unorthodox on November 02, 2017, 02:16:25 pm
New lighting design, just messing around. If you've known me long, you know I hate seeing the bulbs, but the wind pretty much destroyed any attempt to hid them.
Probably more people than ever come over for the party, with only a couple commenting on the lack of the back yard, though everyone understood why we scaled it back to the front only.
I was a lot less busy with it all up front, not needing to continually hop back and forth to see if kids were breaking something as well.
The wind subsided for the start of the party, but picked back up around 8:30, which meant I didn't get my normal photo shoot after everyone left.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/61cwAjyBLnta8WG_CQ3osGkUpMnrETRoU-E_GK7cf8qtYTusjOAbTeJURdJKNuNR3CXiTAVDdb_WHFGpTeUs-soDWMO2Z2C02W2qEe4jhMlfdNR20vzNLRZIfRGUYyEYHda0YLb5OdeBQBq8IJjCPdAxYylpAzNcGZQuu8SDV2kzVb3A7GQljOnkNjO6xToVZPam6wQ7dV6TM6EaCW1dIFF_Ou9rppDYngVsRcXdmHDL7dL6xXFIRVnRAx1pbdl0tlo4_xmPh5-CDuMg4GJyD_TdbJkNiPWM_aC_7Yr2qUncadJtS_b9froD2gMvsXEIL0b6Zhtd_tZsDCvfwqdZLxFglaXAnxO2ve8SrXwWEMS-06tcSs-8SxVzSFX9CfYXz3rxmPumE8myittv6t1BgPd3N4_Gui7dieRxPFzbb3HF6HMa71q5cocC4jEAHn2bpNtvgICI1fKyw6D52HZ_mHX7O5PG4BxHKoITwSpQ4zaOC270QAMYxK3fO4LXyVrnHVIpXzeIHXWOIap9n5AUwDxyJFs3ZPq_V4BZU9nl5sPwTx_pvuoxuuWwHiga1YdJU8P6EdbUIefhnjdcwNfhvcRh_0YHSDrpdQzaIc3BdOI=w1200-h900-no)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/kPC2njiubZgxgkwW-MLBLS3dNRdQ1XvyNNhnxWeaTqNRJWoG0UyqVzHKOsIals4IGLCnONRHeu2ZM7vL2xpk2Bccgk0oLfZuh3RW3hEDdcUEx66qIg_dqCltLmnbBQinx7bn43m3_NTJBd1bcXmT6AZ_9i1tWlOxw-TLbrAnssDlOn9llZvRo3uq6jXuf47dNZziYycZo86NebIR3wUliZWdnYMpUqcB6WF5m6bk_UUXtq_f1tJ_37n8Wf9_-dtOeuTVNCj63jDMDPffBJwQOTNXJw2AJz4QOVemxAIvpqi0d_sF_zAsJ588rX3ZjWnQXkIRIe1C89VG-Xbx8iB5Yks-tVU7YCTcWdEJlOMPAaBFKd9mnEw64eESeTpvRI8_07PmRXqhhFw-vWHBDOgKgsE1vHU7rxi1NFzX8CWLVzZ_S11JN6jts2fCna8oQphW1Xgs5SwcuTgQ1EVvxz8eKttL_i3IYTfo-91VQbXRcqXf2fuv_Wqin5fvloP5txqMkPRDS05BCKO3SBs6CktQRlmm6MjFIl825EiI2YkzcDQGbHHMwOLfeKLlaz1_0xF8LcGFUxxw6zAhsFd69NYIxPQYqWw7ki4R4-wE2CTWN9A=w1200-h900-no)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/4PVSfve1sDtOwmvzVpfzOmB2HKy25ZO1C8RH0VGBa9itrKi98zRZRfWD3OAFhcYStf0BlRguZoDx9C05p4d_cVlH58KxeI4EiDVpiZkGEAHEdZC7aKktmBakvW-1ZasyessYJBAAP7v-sjJYlTs5Q5v9ALMhZhHCKSiagje7p2plsW-_PySvTQay_je0woIc8osW-VkMt3_RxWM0bdN9E9EzuCc-_e_eby0Wb4goCaBIso9Gh2_lNq31Eya9edqNJjgovOnTqOJlh72Om98cxwP1ixivtV7z2-rkre-yVmG2ifbPZvMAC6EBP16H0hAPh67SQnQ7wetBoSIkLGNVhviQSkIZsba9SC4Qr5ZNZZBcPHTT5mjFqxMPWREiVsfSt7sPBRfo08k2M1yzkyC2X9jXHEnBmNrvQUSC1qxMPtezWryW_HHvuLUv0iCM7yBHdAZXxjeWmk7r2K58lBElfAP6bma1LOZU1W3j_Ku8wWm9IvMqS-J5vKKbwx4-DsV8UGdP7o8RWzP1GoUq69pz-lfcgzWVQBQs5yCMZKRuOzMBnXjmFG7fO-ajFiy9HXBVpNagpRoahyQFOHAjFopcwir7XXEJVL65Mkhgu__xJJo=w1200-h900-no)
I'm always impressed with the wonderful diversity having this community carve makes. From crude faces to real artwork, I love it all next to each other, making it look like a real psychopath carved them all...
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/aIHkYuK08qHxY3Hf9Xa4POLOal2T3BIPfYtaZAUrSrS673mMFgt6gr2-GitB2Wb7XReo9gEWZHlEcuMM4vk2GmXCW-Ls1VqgKbKuttz7KoybHt-SxtlkN4h-sRVntDDDdUan2LQ21e4rsj_nTEv-7PRP7PXi7XQ8rx3vM2NksnNnW4uQHkOiPIWwbWZ_yQ21GoyZA3mzokLIA7BFha0Ur2D-JaBD1X2ysVsb2Ezz6iXlTX9pXyUk5DgVEkZh315-RfDNWnbXNHY0XDPFwhsTgzRnYyHhan5eg7_yDDJ0kvgShe360JILqmpCXYJTNKZ0LwNqt46WorQ5M88q_A5HN-qfU4j4B6OOTy6FBHTxDGBM1CiY91GQuSQ8u5I0aaHFRFmYZlriAn16nNfkRHcq0wkfQbgsHJN2n7pwttI4jxlYusxkjKIPxSDEMeK-44K3GMbB0Bzb0jtEEpMteebkokdlXgpX0gWAersiRdzEPP81rZnIaTcKbFmcwkSR5320kPssqOImNUUw8DEKslcDL0NZ_s89bhr7je5pE1u09RzJ63t2EydyI6YotD7A7SLGWKzhJS7ImX3AG2REtlXjzyhykTxfV9gvOAli3o5Xxs8=w1200-h900-no)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/K3ZfL0UCLQuvLZq2lz3Gy0AFocvtWXAg0V1wk9GFKUWekIdzrd2DEKopG-EePuZA1Wtrpp8GEAXNRAP3CesWRatqtx9_orL082HRcpVBbOK0oz8yBuoNpxng5M_8qRunSdWKhNuf_L7wpBN20I8_RDa2Yb_ofw2CBfh7w9Fd8Co5TDH6HBtFANJ8NhppG12lIONLFu_n4X8LCeHUH6R-qZ7JBy8XqCqf3fTwqDUQjt_KFNHf2SlAF2fnK_uLl0w404kqemRsBPcWjjkG_MihEzGz0PKZiBUKVJwBljZsYsuhrM_ijIIQ0e_IWkUN4-BXL2pXTt8fIjA31ydw-FfE-GtDaEvZzzl5dBdILVliKcTSfKYC2KGbqPpc_4afSORo0HMYAm0RMygwsUeMeKt0bHAjF3W1i5d7oDzBY6awLSkbYkFYkdo9QE6UxIwikT9GssSWR5WujdY_AlY6XnqqT9xhY3dO4nzUlzrSqsUrcGCBaCbR9tIVRSoPefqht6VHkT6ahQ38XxIDUDfp31h6T8GbH-IexNH3SxSFxUCo4ewBd2GcfLjbplI8jVXUGYnrizGYNmmdNiRtyMFWWjrp5FVEGajQP8kC0L78OJKLdtk=w1200-h900-no)
Hector
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/GJBifB23ARVt6wL8TF44E6OjzMytHzzkhM1FdvhtuKARZNfRjJR2rMRtbcnylRS164af4e0c335yvjItdHClOH7TBOwTO-tr4D-83j4LrbnhTwjHpnqbUUEUDanmnPQI4rZiuOTinErJE5Q4zfwIaAiTAi3XLgrIfLVTcu8Bbq55cx4cx_oECsLbBN_rzjuEzd5RE41Ur4jhveO1lczRdug18AfG0FHUjJU985Sti-gLvNju2R2l9IuxaYKagrQIPN16XywBlHBMRkR7OCNDeFvOXxisPZUCYiM-2gbVPdPxKvMhwiKxWDFKu-npZBg5KGISHaTbvBKW0oadaNMcjf5ncoj7IsdHd209hMz4l5vjgez5YavEIHUVcyAvCfMnbZP_RoK_cpe2FcrizStrOr85qPfnquMjHYB5Aje_BWjtJvDlwN2Da8Z8rywa5KnPMMjvzCWLbiI0QYAHVjJBOp-V4EajH51vg-Nkq0CRLwhnbgcHbU5pXqd6E8xNYAkvhL_gWvYkBAPb3NItLABjv3viWKMMQORK-nmWM2VxpQMC6EIMFepQJ15ctd-tG-Mef2ReaE3FDoaidaal0mFHRee-UtGvaJqhsG9PtngtA64=w1200-h900-no)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/egwx00Bkpy28OXei4M4bYeyOFKYsod4zNAluYd6jlQYOJ2y09c0EWoTGMgepCo6OIS4ms4hKqYObrGKRk1UiQVU2OUoGp5_Q7U4vOlzGp4YNt0OLW3LBOgBr5vzGDerxmBiK8zKg75Z7KN5ebYZuIKGXqWjc0NMBIfzV3lk8pfrVK04q5nx7l989O3QWlVHnkQpLd8BORSVnC3rgPjQA5GKshQMohwsDWhgFCAwTdJqDPr938xDPf4hMu5rUp5czT3Mi85XXcsndIEbQB2pyDLa7j2CS74wseLh-vdhfrIlYgIhXYqpa4YUdqrTUQrLuIQ3baJmBRwfYRBA82vMFZHTjctPokGjAGAixD-dnHfoAR3g_lexk7NRIIBILJlBJhUFLXTqqm0J691MDy-sLk6P6u52mPB_WdZ6UTuaWHhHjSRSYtFgiN4bKI79ziCNlUQvez2vKgQ911GLXvhMPtEh2cURGJtzXewtboO0rvg4XLv6ghsunkVUOaIadYehWVioS_bV0oa40InDdNPRSqflEaW9omYTIlQz-e4xHq3bmBODcmGHS-nvYlZFrhoLjrSp8HPrFNYz4J5QY4u6buPg0JYLUqUgA9fhq6mZMdWQ=w1200-h900-no)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/zrVd7lcMIlSzeEtc2B57KDP5jdVbkcdIbDSzB5T5QbRB4kqs6wjXW4yWT61A9WR_fMd43IqRQp4Bu59a9EJyMKzIU_6zYa8gw-Y5DWHWrpm_bRSn3-rb3JSJ1lMmCpAG0dqgp5aAWLG5-4v9rj4zW-IgdkDE60TJ4xvZtl4LwMsnA9YJHNfzAz7jD8oM2_hYY9WQ20s6hMy0LXiR_-s3OT4UuPW9Aq6o_LID4EgdNrHfEicgKLtJuTqnUgnGu6S267jscQ5tQ9B6aMQhk08k4WPZ4rIdh7ptfePB37SvZFMj2zusswla8nHVrUZYoPY8cv8Ry054V_DDk7NBl6Sw_hXYNSduMxxBSEqquTZuB7G6kkyn9uRoQesSaj6xSyYaMRQtg6TdcuZxLoySn1NWS3-MxqSS6NV4Mw1W3_wbgIfWKj2x2i8qnTvFxH43Av1EssEH93jQo0qOzCE_-25u8w8EFHr8HrYevoXgYn8kvEN9lxMe2x8eyxjPSZsQgZ1KnjnAg21xAXaRwe293isKmfDmbCC96jsTH1czc-e8UUJJisa4VCFMDjCA3XQ3PkKOO6Q4EabEC_m11jQFaUdkYBJDwI-9KIeOR_f490nHShA=w1200-h900-no)
Post by: Unorthodox on November 02, 2017, 02:18:08 pm
Halloween night...numbers were WELL down on years past. Mark of a trend as a lot of neighborhood kids 'outgrow' it I fear. This is a good thing (more on that later)
The crew.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/7snybPw2vmkoQu-jlHDdnBPT2RlXXnE0HrHf6WBR29jbGHWCvErVbC5G42wl-bYAZWXsLYCKHLMTI71V-wMjIi7TBkd1C-ObR_mnxzxA0bm4gNeE-46sDUW2PueF8iF92ptffDCWdRxGwmQ0rjPb3-NQqviS8JWSzYr53GqEEprr-rmAViX4Zm1QN3M_wJe8IeeLbetQtsX52p_XizQUoDkQiK67bOvzqIYfNt-TKY2GfptwH7AwMipuQFhzhHP4A5ZUQBZ1BskEVQuAz48HEoPibjpDsOk0zfJDzJZNi5i1E3vyxoHTAlcziWuiA9CxM2aj8KPlcExKZ_31W76hvhGNLbPBswlJUmI9NRQlVg7VMkmH86BfQNNAu2RFl2_l0Mp4n14jrHkn8jYzy5R2bSKfYIIwzM8uAywilRuUO7_QLkZLFRztAYtJXoQm7iCOfQc6gYvHFfmtiGVdQnCVSnL5XWHIHp837nI5mDAULcfk0hPTpds97Eu556qVwvXFbNYbNJnZyZ0xIusZ1wEhRrSe3ZtGsOaii0FEjFN2T8n9PqnsGZEhkpyw7v2CM_0ooGcbBAlwO1yV-JA2ilOVsmxHRNxaKd0LYUnu9qOENjk=w1209-h907-no)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/IN9idHro7moDhXcG9k_1dhkz7bdWdifDfOsh5O32sYeFlRycUvE6uYBH0oD8Cebd1OVvy61wpYsNwMkmOXi900UOLKGOfqBQ-ThZPvfRMx6eSctz6KpsX6GrEkAm7WYM9HKoVOlNkINY5cduyHLF9fDf1a2JkSXHe0xspXV0_FB7j0w0t6QiCq9368sBdDkyToa1Jr8nE5SG1zzEICh0uEyDHiNYkUfJtuZ1vCP0TMnPM_ZsN5E5PdbBjAUrfYKVJlsHJhZ7JcIapDVlUbRAFrW1ai52o5gV4AMocw7Mo9nuTqu59WxWU5Txa2nvsmqS1OS3YeJ4xRdm3ZuL3gsx5AA-UPNjqSoRYR38THqyHR6v0y6uXH59z40DkrKryGjceYNNEt-8MIwCs9ltfY53kUfiFWvdIxbd7uhbMB9Or22yc7vgFZ_t8BBV8_jmdhmlWzSfL_pPDWmD8JMZz_UqysnvyiVvo3ZL4XPrAq2vH48kw94Cpb5HV8e3IGviGTgRuF3Et2xN-jR-d33TLk1BvbKAIxsR_yQRClHIBlH2Tf0gSJ92t0P5TY8TFmsVVs7keqtcFvRZEfN6P5bzxe11zqUDonpTsRjvNBwQsEA4s4k=w688-h917-no)
The vampire fairy thought it hilarious to pick a potato over a candy bar at one of the houses trick or treating...
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/CfqwrSv_blmgzCqybgAXRoZOUIj_iRtvYefxPLLSBM2CjK6lBCiPDmcWOSXRkhhccoK8l6RYhe9tk39JvSLnyTxKfUpUa2OzGAqn0BJsy-iuTIfISdi0J3dyUI5hmPLriyOqyvmVO_cH_CX-SM4viTQvnWP36J59A9g7FjOZFbg_w3EkQQ5YTwnysO91OS6DSsPAstH7CtLJSwjEoAuffJs7zepUoaaaY2Omcd_SDTsYGOBGQmTylSPe_U180oaAdBcKXRIq5kR6yM9ndKmBi8Qrq9Kg8viwnoFSQeQuRqA_dRtDqFaCUfeMegv7VJaSVTANi6f7AZwdNIdDbgJKp9Nes51kJjGh9E31UubZnHqT40sO84QmaMzIr4ULHH94_rdrS83ph4Gaf263rkrBqKxey3e6RB9gUMQhmeKsaEWW4yAdUd1qUXXfx2l9_xRQBvjT4-9hLBtZfHyn9mMNn_gla0VaCaQF_kaZPmCZfPLwgKl1VBb6KUhx1RUbkpuoDbxpIYY2JumiYBs62L7Tfx4fa4giC_I0bu0t4TkepCoTfQMbNq6UwOsu7wKG8NlmS7AvQV-NsvENnSF-7mXbfSDuC6B-rIF2TshYVjaXWWE=w688-h917-no)
We've run a fire pit for years. This year, not so crowded, people tended to linger around it chatting and drinking the hot chocolate.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/T1YALWpU_Igh6VFnw3hpB-D8ErenSIQVopzjLOsUNksfpf02lmlpNUf4BZVHjAmf8dzMlF-IMQxOBDuFd5yJV313TKUkfxgjkV1AcopU4_b05_s0xCfcOb6sVq6CqpOYw3-NRhp3KzbCW-ORiwcphhH1m0Mjnxar4SJ52i2uWs7skLug_fes3fC6Kh9pBrO1bsGkrplNoo3FOhokCfsdIv-5lO-mlT_kWg_zrAYKnsYTlS-rC8-LOKAscKj_ycTT5XK8VNPF7NYCf-VwJsLQgsT5pmWm48J61gr_mh5MhCLNtPxBnYnqU5Vjk0UQ2T3v0Uoagr9raPubIY88TWfRcRZTySKncrNabwOahPYF8vbsrC5iGc4Smt93zLnek1RGRK1jfa28Rui0DKyqOPeEro-TTjlsG2H3gOTQCeKcAVdcw2viq7nj0TbpeOzcL6tYZv6GOaTa7s1Z5y6XdaSUFEBx22KsG2rqXlUJl5Sp0GGt9YLPsuxgA8NKOaPIXSNfsKxB_Z0fHiX96RdFOKjDPYMQwxYEAmkjlMIoC97FNDrkBgz7410KQKS3s9gQwkL812Wk4HmZRq119b1gjbQ111QINV7753kW3vKn0EaCmig=w1209-h907-no)
Alec took over the queue line duties this year, and gave a little story to everyone.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/TYApYFC7ALcyCZA-6j6CKSR_Ev2pnOioKOCcxRAGrCydV7b8zlSUn-0b07Z4pDsWyVMZNKkaIxaH2q3thOrBBkA1O6oDRvzK9z7TszneEJh3KRi-xS6r0mDO2l5Qj0FqPPP0CUnF2de3ciwd6skuVi4D6OuWP70mUpz40YHCRJMYrLQu-NGPEWedcEGuGqDSD35SkqpFjt3m4pQrMZV2DOOzgMTzmIjrDec0D5lORWk-K89PGG2kKpvZ2A0I1h-nGYUd73zrJNfXLlkRR0pyVUWH90FnEIHejhRf8cobqYSzRp50CFiAIYyfOZ8MrIugRvf3Dsum-oKbukFxPzQDdtWA_XhgxkknBQbjvHYeyscMP2yRPglo9lwtm84hPAxVc6UqWtTpg8o5L8idFsfrqCTtuYqvON7zYZp-pO7tEThJAWN4ApneVOvIziqysZfddd0YDRRX6bLPAj_Z1396DSRJhg3vFkkfEn4OQPd2isfz8DCtxir4GZ4_BjdECV4hUMHQbogTr-h_iSemByETgdTD7rHnKyW1xqvRwMBYAN2RxjCvhL71duCLuRGru-YCm1tvRPTYNGeHZr8O3MTpo5p7dgGgB49vY0_5tvMu0Q4=w688-h917-no)
Talia took over at the treat table after she did a little trick or treating.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Vu98MmuDvZcpkcASXLM35TPtd1iawSxS6jTvmnIMkeEN3hSzdlXPovkzEs0FkSuiL5Wv6OAdPR4HA36jWAhx5ac_OsXAZVvgohy5H_YhcjIznrj4kXwz8ctAz35hxg2MQ-xbic4XxElpmCzKyNmPpEfDeZP6Ly8B_v8-qTDCtX6ajwi_PTKAajkrteFxZWzFvY-9uzDUmNv5KIxRVjyEN2CiNC60Hcxu6sCa6ul5467KczYszY6irXjqCJk1klA15bPLP4y23fUFvic6GGFvkb_hg2TT5av8oApf035eKn0Od6npQ0RodJgr3beB7syNQ-MqlcbbfkL_NXcaBp3UeHb5TapCI1GJFh9RbnC8nXjTkY_B9IU_GFIJWUa28H-UWNGkZAZovwZ_FQe6yGHrH7vCp7X_yS9E4hBf4sNOUf_s2jddJKEU2CU8Ojh4seVyGzC5Z1QiDjnM6-s8vsZnU2M6j3zprLwLnSwk1B35s-zrPQcGUT5cVmlapW5z1PZeGn5kwl3sZEtvK0VZuLn1kqc7D2F7-qceCTclFDZ_kB5_lcGd6CO46uC8ufa6UomK9z0VxYPOeJfJAU2ihqk3A0qZT18Tlklk9Kt3GWZTQjU=w1209-h907-no)
This left me more wandering.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/aZ3oghhQ707tSujpOEkN9bRmQYYMsZaFjSFB8bAFbU2EU0cmuQ-MQo7CuMnbUv-th0e8JfLHXK1A8wR5SNhSA2Pzp1qYIehfBp1jLLIQVQz5Hhfs8IUPX1H8qe8OE4V20mjB1cTc5Wk10W1To_W0ZT8O7zjDYgVDz_LRQQmVPzkWZj4WJTiwxghXJsq8IR6DoflKanfos_xIkeTMgmqVoHPwbuJhaoj6A5yquUNDSr7eRhJlrvgqMpDpzFXxsIW5fD2gITrAkzp-DI2yMMof6tZDkgzwELtWD_5R2QRPR8d_TMsDNPfd0vXSWSDL0Bh2PayZmSj9c9sFYg7PKxBYnadsvqxsBv5HIgPT0djhwvLeoF2T--G5trs9pQBVXTs_5ULvyr7GvJ19hJy6-2AqQcxwRI73Z3TVU_YVJ9YBPTq-v3I2c2uyuJ3s7r_yOyeV1DgyXpVn7MAFPPy3eZjMWClgwulF3hclYppedIBKFNN-CP0hTuSZ7SktJa-wuJoDM5ihtPxAg0L4kIPyfhF08o-m1kApCLTTS7ur9zllgG4dul0cJWYWpK8APay0sMIfJeGQkDsOObr63zZ8WlrnDD-mSGKJu3AcUUh4Dv6-KwY=w1209-h907-no)
Not a great shot, but note the glow stick. This is one of the kids 'fighting' the monsters with our magic glow sticks.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/T24lqCLLfOBajoksfSpdSAiwmA4VZqZbCJ7VU-ZG4MaGp6iNwWNgLmUfeaLRw6UElKOOrh3S0qiKylFHpSwPZdFyKqUxV9CTEq-9P5sCHxpRh9dwC-iOhs-QAkSFOXEBi9XEQl4QOxapCyrZ_pXvnc6DmlFMGj5Jwp76ZAk4PDM6T7GtENtRdYVDh7Z-Cs4GuHCCBO2L_QYBkbr7wklcityF71xPWGjK1y_5QfKSxQrHXHVzaZZpL4DGEKnsmICSfaQTFoVuWyfd_e_vbrq2vNnlT8w7TkNSIPTOk8ry0UwEGp9jVG2vt2SL1_cajzTXk0tTYHaoSR_zrQg-5hxYXXRH3StBvujUpr8wyZcdb09UlXuiIutrp6f5z5V21iYn-qEBkoavTfLCsug4VWY_6Vv4PkaUbmvEpBZooL1_MgaEozEA96irdbfWPU6Y_NYGSlR8du8xS8K78davTAmCQJ46_3-YKOOSFJc3fy0Q_WlA5xkmGyXKZIDHoLPetCsiNxFk3MquDQVq7uOgGD0LFmYMX83va4BVnq0qwpw0U_-uHhVGTkurY4f16xwKnkHQhGxtXcGiRP5t_BoDJExW0PmT_JSc-OC7pbJcKFTgXyM=w1209-h907-no)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Q8VCbrwUcwu9FAywQN7e9ShNj8GC_4u6oRbrj0g4MJfsrOOYN7J3zNSDqBbXW177wTYheLsSvmVvqY-Q97AHLG7Eq9ae5X8is9Xr9vQWxWpnic9SBz4bo37f1xJ4QgEDsWR1lZTp05lzpn7AP_-Jq30Hh9Z6SOrTHwlsJ2taEH3WKDXXXcvVMPxRpiAgKoHFqYLk6soxmbzCHknWTw25mCsaDkvp_WyVL19clSLnR4dDBRroLCZUXzwEIP87mIiNOtXDV0Yva8MmIrNjdlvcj-R_XAMQG6At2RAa4wLlwH1cnSP-a8JW4_ai9Y-6NdZ8iy0hpZQjJEl6yyHMGzwURPEyEbuLgBDiaPzKRg7LJAEYpA1MTQCsu_-HIUqRsmRcAZLpgt0Y0FruUiDo_b2hycxe5lEpzWuP_MT7Bt6V9dFaRy8vGaHLuFPZ-AsivLnjoZWZ15anIh58j6cHXJfje6AHdveRR0efqg-DmbH42MmU-z8r4WR58qMulwYa6NQh7_VJsDYZLWXJJgHYhXoaKpdYfcQDVsjjdUBWjlwN4ufUu6UpTsOoo7OegRaCXKGkPLZZlwVxzcKJFkNFRSdczoksrzpM6WGX4fwyJwO_xR4=w1209-h907-no)
Post by: Unorthodox on November 02, 2017, 02:19:27 pm
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/F1BaDt3W2b2ZiEhfre4Q1Jd3wtm0DYfFnfKSU9PjMeKMjQg_qjLcOxoekmYsylM5eBFduNkiiVzx6sypHLa3bmyRPPorwwePIXsXWj8LL7aOYQK2C3wj0Ih2WaXadXAqH5I_kCMrPulzpTXvv6ZJDjPKvBEG6QlpxRUkEzxgEW7b70tdxz_xtmh9S4r6iDIiBJqG3akKK-U4hULOzHqVDqN7lO6QKtyqVphE_x55iRp2YqGwXpzB74_Xn2_sYe6nJOYnnTXQPu3h6vArkprTZxWPQNiCTe9NlM2uLJ08KbDGlyucXC8poMmYmrGPuQTGUru8E9nGSJTSIb_fQtOHhH8C7rIHuSstAvp-zXeRnsqMJRSRoYRQ5MfGJxMVFm4E3UjPIJspQpT_OPAcGThsPn2k_FSTAw3Go5KTVq3PD3RMzoH6d_5yElldUwvT5dp4vOdR84c6OVQlV-hfEhXUpY-TxRKGw18rGnMKEUQtyBUHhNCn3g4S_tgTuMy9EvKoGEgtsBZEiIioho097YeKlZSlIhMEkpvpAquuL5UkeabAn2cTGnd6nZ_m4JPjl8ffDxw-MHQtur5AolFpS4mE-r_xsEIQCXNu8wcNO_s3Hbw=w1024-h685-no)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/SUHwJ1UZcJpUWXyyVsAPxRRg4BUxFyF81-KudZ0HsPX94fJe5GcXAG3oZVhdUJpSeUScArJitVGMQCKoOy-eJPsan7SKF46gMRryIpRLu4LoQon0mqTP4FpcEwhwOOBxKBcPLgDeHpVUCY7_fnX-L-MJLrq7m7INU76KTdMB69Zvl_vzVFgDVmYHG7sMAyGP52QBfyW-lrrfIUmflMbeVgkhryKR4EHhl8wAw5kROkuPq-Fzrd-P-MWodEYAQPyXYAZZeS5zcPlfb-vBZrFNAIXVgXCDzmeQoxHj5dgxMTABVoxoDO2WXW5WSwjiqeXhAPBgshyzBmdSHe78B_EE7P7HchAekT1QSnt3AVs9-dfmEKShEZ7Azna-N4iIz3wzCQszo0LVuKkGSSkvlPq-NpaBDHP75M12CDmXJsnDN0HSCbnJVsdElgkUniYA_NzhwtQ4KrmopPaHM-ZpDm2ALMUGpcP4S-A5nT6d5sNWlKBAdI2Zj9Je2b0vy8encPo2heNYrLrEKkqWnAY53lPK2yRJqO00qUCwUs4kdh7qt20x_fF_yFSV7_Paal9ZXYp142WBDnWux8E02C38nqp6Egq1gPC3BR3zHFFQ7dQZR5Q=w1024-h685-no)
Hector:
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/tkiFvC2EyJfMX24j_qnf01bq8aJa5lBc8NNBk3l8ljft-nnH8jTmnh1k2LoInjuJ83jI7O19-ebHhvr_tXdAwC9Lc3c4KGuQSM9hJu27ZMXt4plVzHWc92j7coNhbEFnhab5OQpf6rv-JYbWnuppXmheK-_SaNDSmHwcvuJcWL7FLOEMcMw2mYMAVV3_WCaSPkdtom4mVBukTn9m4Mnm2mB5YplHdfCIho7uOpJH_bFM0FzSVCFTxIeM9CM9NvHGGYbb06t0NGDhC6NWOSXXPUtNkzmYehIsciDQGwZiXK4DzyS-ymRjn1iMI2pwNxEe4DJlEpfFfYrtg_ivX8uEmJP89o42BZrvDnOKGRHMK2XZ0qhC_UnBGvPVFmfj_aUcN9MebHLqjPAMeiZftIpW_e5wq88GqFQmYClOT5d_gYyhVPLHBJI3ZCDZDGjEAMIICXZhZ9XbTYSnZMb68aMg8rWBxA5dMVsLL67u-5-gENR6o2Wtpc-QYJvLyMvHU1FkzFrSz3dikJXYXQ2hE6d9zv_do2ZLhkRAL4m0v2exF-IsfUxjztJbhbsvcJR_IIUas3_EZE8MTupXFd5Y5bR2Hs5MyQRV-pmddnQSRg4dxqo=w1024-h685-no)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/sbyMoGzYGq7NE4y8VJu2SP2FdN1o2l_f22u1JPQbGyL5NnfdNN8mYTA0sbxa9S_VvbUHtmDb8ncB2BuWNPUyLvQWRtpYbE0I6g1SZfYAHtI43UB3OIYMzMYg9lk_8XnXYwZr4VN7WIIMGOXTgLo6GQ0TC06ne3gAT59dpFfCs_sa0jF_18rD15jlKJA31sGbJg13PYEJTh8PFOInXJkxhbJ5clQdDGAIkZlj0_UTzR-PaMazog-OqBWZei0JXoDiry4c0eevI1dKIjSey5eLokAGzEK_teXAvyB71BGzv-ENiBjua4e2-nXmIXUEsCpqX71xK1FwUDXYDwRGP3btyx-I5SqdjXQwxt81bTsqRvG2cBEGe_zqCoo8pKSESN-sqyBi4NTB02NiAey-brjMJH9Of87eB3m8I5AKXKDgksnkxPYyCl3WUdjycGHGaSzLJbGENoGlT3pxk1Jj1kJjmff04k4l8sNGIFC1b05hSL9UCn1Kj-IlsMsVdTloYI1A3jREY0gMXYtbl69h8vzr8J0yyo1JQC6fN5lAXWmWGChUzFpJ_omKX_huYemMnbPEYrhmYJXC9oe7QJkkGLV5q_sYdePJTpS5rBWs2a2XowY=w1024-h685-no)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/sTXd8ZmU0JWXDdxXXYKrplppLVZTfHNk8f2Z7Tpuc2m1aopIBtskoEUssMKMt6FgCsc-DNDHCTFABcQImtUo2nbq9huGTHFT0uxYDUHB6T5buIgWpIykVhnlnOQm_g41zfc_m1FqFseL5z_P1JD05s4JixXj44bizblOzEa74WrF5rYmxGDk-UcwO8U-zC75IRw4g960Or-PGJE14ZvdNKfl6iBfsW9qbiQ6G0JPx06EStXcw3lPMaTAk9hZxLEyutX1i_TuzulYfHQ6cAZloj4ChAjW5P_3yaByzqD7B-zcSLXlyHVqf6dlYV-gxn3xEZ9aZpiRsGdPmJWOgE4E4I0ymfZsVHVWH-zODzhEtHoXV98kImnJFkgqPpfM9hfIlo1F6PqeODU6OUP4GOLusI43DU4vvmhvCDPam9DFeGdVOgODVlGWuK3CK3GBQEWxPGC2bTKnF6ROz12tAFgaTDtd3XDpfEuBGyFpfh3KNgefB-yAy2BNB859IPKXfemTIhFFf7jx_4iOnOaEYgO-dO9UWiFmBacGFKqFMfm3sjvVKiStCtnqjv9ViwzZ1dhRa0BwmBjddqG8HkgiWK4lhkGbMZSYe7pAtWCWgkwYHQE=w1024-h685-no)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/ldEeOI9erMAgPmTR24Y_zK9HTqo_5U72dPnos3rlPHg9qfet--x13_gTe-3UrC1e2QscqXdbRTSE00uLcBdp_tOgjyY9Z3zSvZKS0D988X8gjqE-nSS2fklSfyvssxbjAPCCukTO1uOnBmlmx1NQ7bV8X2zoLyXuzfiJ9_KJin4NwxRKlJAMvs7787rI6Q7R-wxOHi9Be-y0vFBehpdp-nqYQ-4W-c_Na9zAKyl8-Nw8aacTjRfpSjWpphN21tAnG7BCGoR-xEUB5ZN5CYGMkMT5acK21tPpJsXhK80HNtDhYv1PCDigfN5e4KLSSpUcBHZp4R5wVJyOB-utjZPbBUWHKOtalE10V6N-nySxPGEu1aM_DldmGPvhXQElvBw0A8m5n8SVaqNDQU3t_ddiqSX2C6PGHPhdo65lB3hmnNsnNXo6-7q5GpIpqCzXRRv1UUsImWT1dvCR3zyeJ64JJt0IrBvNn0ToR8thAMFxsPc9KhHloAt0IQOceATZqI81sKvmn3NtT3YhREwp-CfXrnqFLWHFSv6IuJaeIs2P3TvprI8t-CnTXVhjla0vfAZJJ4CE04GJCI4bovTYaTZOzQiwqpnK2dlUe3ZCvLHQExI=w1024-h685-no)
Post by: Geo on November 02, 2017, 04:42:38 pm
Something ate the pics of your last post, UnO. Can't manage to show them, not even copying the pic link in another tab would do the trick.
Post by: Unorthodox on November 02, 2017, 05:04:02 pm
Post by: Rusty Edge on November 02, 2017, 05:11:27 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 02, 2017, 05:18:47 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on November 02, 2017, 05:28:28 pm
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/tkiFvC2EyJfMX24j_qnf01bq8aJa5lBc8NNBk3l8ljft-nnH8jTmnh1k2LoInjuJ83jI7O19-ebHhvr_tXdAwC9Lc3c4KGuQSM9hJu27ZMXt4plVzHWc92j7coNhbEFnhab5OQpf6rv-JYbWnuppXmheK-_SaNDSmHwcvuJcWL7FLOEMcMw2mYMAVV3_WCaSPkdtom4mVBukTn9m4Mnm2mB5YplHdfCIho7uOpJH_bFM0FzSVCFTxIeM9CM9NvHGGYbb06t0NGDhC6NWOSXXPUtNkzmYehIsciDQGwZiXK4DzyS-ymRjn1iMI2pwNxEe4DJlEpfFfYrtg_ivX8uEmJP89o42BZrvDnOKGRHMK2XZ0qhC_UnBGvPVFmfj_aUcN9MebHLqjPAMeiZftIpW_e5wq88GqFQmYClOT5d_gYyhVPLHBJI3ZCDZDGjEAMIICXZhZ9XbTYSnZMb68aMg8rWBxA5dMVsLL67u-5-gENR6o2Wtpc-QYJvLyMvHU1FkzFrSz3dikJXYXQ2hE6d9zv_do2ZLhkRAL4m0v2exF-IsfUxjztJbhbsvcJR_IIUas3_EZE8MTupXFd5Y5bR2Hs5MyQRV-pmddnQSRg4dxqo=w1024-h685-no)
Post by: Unorthodox on November 02, 2017, 05:36:22 pm
Post by: ColdWizard on November 02, 2017, 05:41:37 pm
I only see 2 x's, "Hector", and 4 more.
I'm not even getting the x's on Firefox or Chrome, just the text and some extra blank space.
Post by: Unorthodox on November 02, 2017, 05:49:04 pm
All in the same album...let me see if there's some kind of picture by picture share setting.
Post by: Unorthodox on November 02, 2017, 06:03:29 pm
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/CjVB_zmP3N1EshfP2hpd2AxN0Gpp7sUGq4I7wAqCrHciFoNZXz5vYevfXhCPJzt1zzBuQq9Y1fv-XF_xza4LEy0crR9BMG4ebXbQ2UrulPwLcls6VS3JqKkkB8HYObgycSbDmwgk4yDpYtP_aeiglRus75ZllAUVYPcOkFtQmBo8CQFIyGZS1gpnNMuq3B3-R7k27dROpvr3TxgTjCUCXIAjycj-BTnDgWLnuGR5ckB8_bw4iq3Mmj232BKkmQBBnw8RXAGz4tkh3Q_Pjlrpa1kxnqrHXalIIrR-y1GXDg7ORunJHp7uYU1vt72U1R8j83e5MWx9F-tuLztjI3j2O6wJQGahbuCUqekUZDwOYxIto2kbd0ic4Jc8Db-K0dWrclsN6El8ITQC-s_4fTAGLnzZzeq0zRl-VpIrIkMc5xaVww-t3nLYQEHFZsLW-5_YMj-TaUGClqV-aceP54GVqcQqVE_RFR54w1Y4aIX2VcLY94x22t6vzL0XdrDQ7MTYvtM8tjARmhri5-APz4kf-JB3mtaatmc7ZBaN8xER29IxUxiJzslyjGakIXQlqPSWNkK-vrqUd_Rz-vV4xHSMFZauVCc1QXEqzCoI8pqWlos=w1024-h685-no)
Post by: Unorthodox on November 02, 2017, 06:04:22 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on November 02, 2017, 06:06:33 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 02, 2017, 07:16:55 pm
Post by: ColdWizard on November 02, 2017, 07:22:21 pm
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/fMhXgw3kXHVAMkx8ngINCHLx8_XrxCdrrlbO7L0DDVsxgGEbMA-ltue85ilMl1HHxwW8Sd-rVf5G75FUna3EKlO4cudU4u9LE6V09FTx5oeDQboyYo3eRfEQfQXVpgaDPllrvVT9cC1UBc4KowyImaIxTcw4rHS-oRSGFKLSAAwU17qeumPICneJ0UItlADK32vdfIjC1XIIFE3qS1NFZCYqD4nF_T1dz74LH462WgaoweVhLH93Bd6cfOu_9x42aahXKfdc16LnNJyCmQdyK3NZ9yND1pp2JW4OHWCmwSn1iQG2BOKueLB0E7qJJm6SM-BO-cHc8wZWpdTi6MKL20KmRJGlcub4EyDTao1SoJkVoGf4xMYWkOANSNnHc59_LcmF3OK74LwilvNtGNXD-LpvhE2ADGSxlOCfkR8YZ8lJ4ytTLHh3aODj8OamSjSZoypgMRthjZtnzW5CvW-NGaOgus49LFttJGa-Oc6HIJyjQ9LGLYfy3nb4wdLrJsYgfA0i8uyvkcuBOBn4UKTUyCxbcMhGBz--94ErIKrPqWFIvHTDUFDsGVFQwKy6-yd5Mhi49oi_Z4HAuqS7CkL-FDQS5w9STi3-RbZPKnvKWd14PPDRdTjEDRyYuQ-QLfwStHddrJi0hiEJjcgE3Q8wszuBbpTC0nqbrXVI=w1024-h685-no)
I see this one. ;b;
Post by: Geo on November 02, 2017, 07:27:38 pm
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/fMhXgw3kXHVAMkx8ngINCHLx8_XrxCdrrlbO7L0DDVsxgGEbMA-ltue85ilMl1HHxwW8Sd-rVf5G75FUna3EKlO4cudU4u9LE6V09FTx5oeDQboyYo3eRfEQfQXVpgaDPllrvVT9cC1UBc4KowyImaIxTcw4rHS-oRSGFKLSAAwU17qeumPICneJ0UItlADK32vdfIjC1XIIFE3qS1NFZCYqD4nF_T1dz74LH462WgaoweVhLH93Bd6cfOu_9x42aahXKfdc16LnNJyCmQdyK3NZ9yND1pp2JW4OHWCmwSn1iQG2BOKueLB0E7qJJm6SM-BO-cHc8wZWpdTi6MKL20KmRJGlcub4EyDTao1SoJkVoGf4xMYWkOANSNnHc59_LcmF3OK74LwilvNtGNXD-LpvhE2ADGSxlOCfkR8YZ8lJ4ytTLHh3aODj8OamSjSZoypgMRthjZtnzW5CvW-NGaOgus49LFttJGa-Oc6HIJyjQ9LGLYfy3nb4wdLrJsYgfA0i8uyvkcuBOBn4UKTUyCxbcMhGBz--94ErIKrPqWFIvHTDUFDsGVFQwKy6-yd5Mhi49oi_Z4HAuqS7CkL-FDQS5w9STi3-RbZPKnvKWd14PPDRdTjEDRyYuQ-QLfwStHddrJi0hiEJjcgE3Q8wszuBbpTC0nqbrXVI=w1024-h685-no)
That one I see.
Still nothing from the post I reported on.
Post by: Unorthodox on November 02, 2017, 07:42:53 pm
Ok, looks like I have to shift them all over to a new album. That'll have to wait till I have a block of time to do that.
Post by: Spacy on November 02, 2017, 08:31:49 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on November 02, 2017, 08:36:07 pm
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/ukzHsOJsctlwItxULWK6_pedjJH507Qv_XawUW2OOUzAtWfJrj75ntyfividxx13RTbVGDX6TPmuuSEc3XVs776IdkaChD-i87Rc3t2oNhdmS1xDb2nCzzEBPnR_Mrd2eUPQTHSKQ7supXb9lSzL1Go6NsSPbNJQltf0ZYVswDX21FYhlxB36tN35z2Eg1g4OqcUZP9vL20KMWFi8UH7znlZZpkyJEzNi3iV2X3mHmJLoihpW-dp5nMP2Z7W3FdgNa8MIO1J54u18Sl2KlFDTGARd9I-i1kUtpqS9Sps2Oq3hM493NKIJJKBWFuAQ9ncIJSIKzfEyxy25rEdpDdqh24kiKuJdDmHuwx4RSFJi53sp-hDVaijerEQ9eUZhF-pHbNwSr0_t7QNHLm_rwqi_aQ13TV4rgo43Ftz4-aCznbChOR-vOMJsobUucHMrgp-88k15H7TfWHcNyN4s4qyqvGxdXS81caUgsA0HInMGEmPcUU36w1cb84a2_pAxHNCHyzCjkb7OWskS4cTXiLL3cJUgVoo6X53O_LRG5Exq2IV2vU7nE_jLYGWLrqcpLKcahvquSecd-7z7SQ-3CjIcUS5xTTUai5imbduRWODrSHx4x2RzRsDPTgCdfOxjiqVctrWA_loCUX8lY4deB-pkYyFrMVrE4e84J_K=w688-h917-no)
Many absolutely baffled at how it was done, which admittedly wasn't a terrible job at all for putting it on myself. Many found it creepy. A select few were terrified. Only one left in tears, however.
I found it completely silly (I really don't get either clowns or the pumpkinheads), but a definite improvement over the last one
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/LLOC9I1j6zpLgPFKRI1v17d54n15bDZKbCuJDySTNkkafyfrGMOHGRB0-6qHGevVp_dEsG2TsAONvT--kVmM8ybBS59ytdis7tEgH_Ce4czMOhI8C50Km9R42opaiUjqsAX2Lph1IRFLMkpDAUFe1UCBQLEfLueHP0LOOLrfZjLfPe62egPqlXAHRrHMr7OlcLNd4L9t6ulbmm-BLIfTH1qhIOIIgljcs1KJD02yXcMzEKq12X2O_UKlDpPVrYd052A2gV5Sg1aGH7ImsiJKek3aVU5cWX5QvxYTWflgf_8AxuQhJUnZhobarcIrfrTd1R5tN6VkVGKjkV8vF_79A-KvxEGO8xrC05h99DhZv2RqbnVV2UlEXO2irga5SoKrp4pOZIcJOu30RrGG8o3JVR_xfpu1G2f5xXizrnn3TesiEjA8KipBbKYVRinF__IxFfQUAC1_K1P3m8YOEyiWWN7a0ZcbTF33yKllYN7D_ktNyNv7qOSL4nY_TROXOEY2olrm-dE7IiQACiLxtHtq2hdWVYtpI4B8p7k0PrIbXAh64eBw4oS1U8efrAv3l7mM57niu0a-en7PC96-AbJJBkO1P8mTnSKCOxIR35wQ1hU=w688-h917-no)
Post by: Unorthodox on November 07, 2017, 08:04:38 pm
Anyone know whats supposed to be going on there?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 07, 2017, 08:51:49 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on November 07, 2017, 08:57:16 pm
UNLESS...maybe those are supposed to be poppies, and it's some kind of opium reference? Honestly don't know the age of the card in question.
Anywho, still don't explain how that ended up on a search for the little orphant annie silent film...
Post by: Rusty Edge on November 07, 2017, 10:10:35 pm
I think the flowers look more like thistles.
" Throughout history, many cultures have adopted the flower as a positive emblem, cultivating unique stories that tell the tales of past heritages. France for instance associates thistle as a weapon against witches and bad doers. Commonly called “Flower of the Sun” or “Herb of Witches”, the French believed that witches could not look into the sun, but the strong thistle always stood proudly to face the light. Because of this, lure proclaims that the flower is the icon for the sun sent down to protect others from harm and evil." http://blog.exoticflowers.com/blog-0/the-meaning-of-the-thistle-flower (http://blog.exoticflowers.com/blog-0/the-meaning-of-the-thistle-flower)
So is she protecting herself from the jack-o-lantern man at night by seeding thistles ? Or is he just attracted to a seedbed?
Post by: Unorthodox on November 08, 2017, 04:25:52 am
Post by: Unorthodox on November 08, 2017, 08:22:38 pm
Yes, it looks like a spike tooth harrow, which could be used to incorporate seed that has been scattered or broadcast on the ground, or to prepare a shallow seedbed. They don't work very well among roots and rocks.
I think the flowers look more like thistles.
" Throughout history, many cultures have adopted the flower as a positive emblem, cultivating unique stories that tell the tales of past heritages. France for instance associates thistle as a weapon against witches and bad doers. Commonly called “Flower of the Sun” or “Herb of Witches”, the French believed that witches could not look into the sun, but the strong thistle always stood proudly to face the light. Because of this, lure proclaims that the flower is the icon for the sun sent down to protect others from harm and evil." http://blog.exoticflowers.com/blog-0/the-meaning-of-the-thistle-flower (http://blog.exoticflowers.com/blog-0/the-meaning-of-the-thistle-flower)
So is she protecting herself from the jack-o-lantern man at night by seeding thistles ? Or is he just attracted to a seedbed?
So I've gone pretty deep diving and can't find any history linking thistle with the holiday...
HOWEVER, I ran into some Poppy customs, where the red Poppy is a mark of remembrance day in the UK, and it's proximity to Halloween got it mixed up a bit especially in the North. I'm not convinced that's what's depicted, but the red poppy WAS briefly a Halloween emblem.
Not that I'm convinced it's NOT thistle, mind you.
I've also managed to date the card to 1910-1915. That's the range that pumpkin head man was used.
(pay no mind to this, it's for next years invitations: "BARTON & SPOONER" BS
Series No 7107 Artist ----- Bernhardt Wall)
Post by: Unorthodox on November 08, 2017, 09:20:09 pm
Printed in Germany. 1910.
In fact, the whole thistle thing, AND HALLOWEEN, was apparently a fairly big deal in germany prior to WWI. There is horrendously poor documentation on this.
This is really cool stuff, I'm going to have to follow this down the rabbit hole all the way. Perhaps the most odd tradition I can find is a THISTLE TREE made for Halloween (that be a traditional turnip-lantern):
(https://img1.etsystatic.com/125/1/11254498/il_fullxfull.1104336129_9zcg.jpg)
My best guess is some odd mixing of Halloween and Vetrnaetr, in which Thistle played a role as a symbol for Donar.
Post by: Spacy on November 09, 2017, 12:14:20 am
Post by: Rusty Edge on November 09, 2017, 01:11:08 am
http://ag.utah.gov/divs-progs/50-plants-and-pests/hay-grain-seed/599-noxious-weed-list.html (http://ag.utah.gov/divs-progs/50-plants-and-pests/hay-grain-seed/599-noxious-weed-list.html)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 09, 2017, 01:45:34 am
Post by: Unorthodox on November 09, 2017, 04:55:28 pm
The traditional narrative has been that Halloween was brought to America by the Irish. I'd always argued there was too much Germanic influence for that to be the whole story.
Traditional narrative would have you believe the Catholic church made all saints on November 2 to abolish the pagan Samhain, much like they did the other holidays. I've just discovered this narrative is in debate. German bishops began writing the pope to move All Saints to November in the early-mid 1700s in order to help abolish Dísablót and Álfablót ceremonies still common in rural areas of Germany. The Protestant churches of Germany moved all saints to November by the early 1700s, with the Catholic church officially moving it in the mid 1700s. There the blót and All Saints' traditions intermingled for a while.
Then came Bismark and his Kulturkrampf. Among the tools used, he decided to highlight a Halloween celebrations that held a lot of the Álfablót origins over All Saints activities, with American expatriates. This became increasingly popular in Germany up to the 1930s, when it fell suddenly out of favor.
Halloween did not survive WWII in Germany, but a lot of the Germans who come to america brought some of their Halloween traditions with them...Most notably, the creation of a pumpkin-man. (derived from the turnip tree above) These effigies were made to represent the elves being honored at the respective blót.
Thus, the card above would almost certainly represent an Álfablót leftover. Head of the household blessing her field to curry favor with the elves (represented by the pumpkin man). However, many of the particulars are lost to time.
Since the fall of the Berlin Wall, however, Halloween has been gaining popularity again in Germany, with a lot of folks fighting against it as being an American institution. The historically German aspects seem lost.
This all gives me some devilishly twisted ideas.
Post by: Rusty Edge on November 09, 2017, 08:45:45 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on November 09, 2017, 08:56:16 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 09, 2017, 10:31:02 pm
Post by: Geo on November 09, 2017, 10:32:57 pm
This all gives me some devilishly twisted ideas.
Iron Cross (eisenkreuz) symbolism in your next Halloween creation(s)? ;)
This background you researched comes completely out of the blue for me as well.
Flemings and Dutch are not too far apart German culture, especially not medieval German culture, and I've got no knowlegde of Halloween being rooted in our society that far back.
Post by: Unorthodox on November 09, 2017, 10:53:30 pm
Ironically, the post cards are the most prevalent artifact left, with several German companies printing really DIFFERENT Halloween cards compared to what you see being done in America in the time period, which was a lot of the 'witches' and gazing into the mirror, or bobbing for apples type celebrations being depicted along with hijinks with kids and pumpkins. Many of these German cards are highly sought after to collectors, apparently.
Post by: Unorthodox on November 09, 2017, 11:07:29 pm
https://www.etsy.com/search?q=antique%20german%20halloween (https://www.etsy.com/search?q=antique%20german%20halloween)
Definitely a german styled witch here:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/563586989/rare-antique-german-wind-up-halloween?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=antique%20german%20halloween&ref=sr_gallery_28 (https://www.etsy.com/listing/563586989/rare-antique-german-wind-up-halloween?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=antique%20german%20halloween&ref=sr_gallery_28)
Post by: Rusty Edge on November 10, 2017, 07:52:46 pm
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KBNIZDK/ref=as_at/?imprToken=2r1vP3gEW1VFFYLCY6vqoQ&slotNum=3&&ascsub&linkCode=sl1&tag=septhandy-20&linkId=75149badcedc73195fa39ac6f98c4a7d (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KBNIZDK/ref=as_at/?imprToken=2r1vP3gEW1VFFYLCY6vqoQ&slotNum=3&&ascsub&linkCode=sl1&tag=septhandy-20&linkId=75149badcedc73195fa39ac6f98c4a7d)
Post by: Unorthodox on November 10, 2017, 10:43:41 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on November 11, 2017, 12:03:35 am
What is it about empty spaces that are creepy?
I mean, I worked alone in huge facilities for nearly 15 years, so mostly accustomed to it.
But, there's a skeleton crew in today and a lot of the people are a little freaked out by what are just normal things you don't normally notice when there's 1500ish people here.
This day's never ending, I swear...
Post by: Geo on November 11, 2017, 10:50:31 am
Post by: Unorthodox on November 11, 2017, 08:47:29 pm
Post by: Rusty Edge on November 11, 2017, 09:59:44 pm
Germanic Halloween is about elves. Santa has elves.
So our current holiday war of an encroaching Christmas and a strengthening Halloween is on some level a battle of the elves, or else an elf pincer movement against Thanksgiving.
Post by: Geo on November 11, 2017, 10:58:45 pm
Let me get this straight...
Germanic Halloween is about elves. Santa has elves.
So our current holiday war of an encroaching Christmas and a strengthening Halloween is on some level a battle of the elves, or else an elf pincer movement against Thanksgiving.
I don't know whether to go ??? or ::) on that one, Rusty. :P ;)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 12, 2017, 12:25:36 am
Post by: Rusty Edge on November 12, 2017, 12:35:56 am
Let me get this straight...
Germanic Halloween is about elves. Santa has elves.
So our current holiday war of an encroaching Christmas and a strengthening Halloween is on some level a battle of the elves, or else an elf pincer movement against Thanksgiving.
I don't know whether to go ??? or ::) on that one, Rusty. :P ;)
That's okay, I'm still trying to figure out the implications....
Elf decorations that could be dressed for both holidays? Or maybe an Elf War video game with Santa and the Devil as playable factions? A re-write for "The Nightmare before Christmas" movie ?
Post by: ColdWizard on November 12, 2017, 09:48:24 pm
Post by: Spacy on November 13, 2017, 11:28:23 am
Post by: Geo on November 13, 2017, 01:32:40 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on November 13, 2017, 02:29:13 pm
Cool stuff there.
Post by: Geo on November 13, 2017, 06:54:29 pm
https://ledflamelamp.com/
Cool stuff there.
Could you sent a couple samples of that flame torch and flame bulb my way? Pretty please? ;morgan;
Post by: Unorthodox on November 13, 2017, 08:21:51 pm
Theme of work today: Uno the diplomat.
Those who’ve played a demo game with me have some idea how hilariously bad an idea that is.
Post by: Geo on November 13, 2017, 08:29:03 pm
Not at the price they are wanting.
"We must dissent!" ;miriam;
Post by: Unorthodox on November 14, 2017, 03:29:31 pm
Round 2 coming up.
Post by: Spacy on November 14, 2017, 11:01:43 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on November 15, 2017, 12:38:07 am
My idiot boss royally screwed up with a vendor, threatening a corporate account of billions with 30 years history behind it. He was thus summarily removed from the project and HIS boss put ME in charge of it locally.
Unfortunately he hasn't tracked the project at all, so I was pretty devoid of info, going into a meeting with my corporate folks from Washington, the Vendor from California, and the Vendor's owners from NY to have a round table on what went wrong.
This is pretty much EXACTLY what I DON'T like to do. I was hired as an equipment guy. You don't become an equipment guy to deal with PEOPLE. That doesn't mean I can't or am not good at it in a pinch, but I really don't like it.
That said, with the present boss, I'm really regretting not taking his more people oriented position when it was offered. Wouldn't have been a raise, really, at least no right away, but I'm having to do it anyway from a position without the advantage of proper tracking and being able to get ahead of it.
Post by: Unorthodox on November 15, 2017, 05:42:39 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on November 17, 2017, 02:27:57 pm
Post by: Geo on November 17, 2017, 10:51:32 pm
Yeah, it's official. I just need to take over the entire job, he can't handle even the simplest items...
You mean your (former) idiot boss is still around somewhere?
And now you need to do fill in his (former) position (on the project)?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 17, 2017, 10:54:49 pm
Post by: Geo on November 17, 2017, 10:55:59 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 17, 2017, 10:59:30 pm
Post by: Geo on November 17, 2017, 11:03:48 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 17, 2017, 11:36:07 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on November 18, 2017, 07:54:05 am
Um. Good lord, how do I get this to make sense...
So, Uncle sam comes to us and says: I want to buy a new stereo for your station wagon, and cram 20 people in there to hear how awesome it is.
So, the company counters: I can't fit 20 people in the station wagon, why don't we buy a bus and you can put in the new stereo.
Uncle sam wants to dictate what motor and drive train go in the bus, so they agree to buy THOSE parts. (This is what I normally do, work with Uncle Sam to make sure they're getting the right parts and making sure they fit and work in the bus)
Corporate agrees to buy the interior and body.
Local management really wants fire red, so they agree to pay for the paint.
Corporate goes to a Ford dealer in California and buys the interior because we've been buying Ford interiors from them for 30 years, and they've already outfitted 5 busses in Utah and on the books for 4 more.
Ford dealer contacts a local mechanic to install.
Local mechanic sucks and causes us a minor headache trying to skimp out on the bolts holding the seats to the floor.
Idiot boss says "Fine, I'll contact my friend who owns this other local Ford dealership and get them to do it" Tell's him all the woes, gives them the pricing the other dealer was getting, and asks them to underbid it.
Local Ford dealer calls up Ford and tells them how much trouble corporate is having with the other dealer and how they can save the account from going to Chevy if they can give him a bit better pricing.
Ford OWNED the original dealer.
All hilarity ensues, idiot boss is no longer allowed to handle the Corporate portion and I have to take over the interior.
__________________________________________________
Moving on to today, I find idiot boss initially forgot to purchase the paint on time. He awarded that part of the contract to a fly by night operation that can't get on base, AND had a lead time past our due date. Now I've had to go back and check all contracts he's awarded and figure out what he did, and see if I have any budget to fix it all because I'm sitting here with a fancy stereo Uncle Sam wants to show off and an unpainted bus with seats that aren't secured to the floor.
Post by: Unorthodox on November 20, 2017, 10:21:17 pm
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/2XJwzgKu3_qSs-7T_9pXMz55hO2fO7lPAkGWL-NiHsjVPUEcBX0HDvgudbkhYZBUg9YiKkTTwE1j-tuMPpcA3wsNwR2RdQNdTJO8LZHGB4xbaVeNBOQaj-mAaN3Xfg-aLhaUdpzs4LeraFMVE_gU2G-3Yo1IZW8MeHYJMmqazQA5M6ob6onIor0X9txIHMbuP0dRs5FCJNV03RkTC9rKJ6sxfrggafu237_wnJ-Wbhco0guDF4oaLfQqBYA8kC1SGlBxb4OKG7vq6opWzyQG0Pmp3DFapHFnPeuJb0Wk6cila_paXjQ2CTOwy9JPpnt7HgjtYpLlWfDuOpQmiL7UFlyjK_hdd_FE7qgPizIYReRvILNb3tHlbUJh4TcEXSsp2DADfdjk0xFWLuQ3h5ZZZk_0syXPjzDl-BiBarYmaabQDw8C2GlPOsYJq4vh56gAE7tAQj92KOMDvZ_Dkr0QRjufbRDfdQmqGvEEGXO2Eg2qzZ-NtNuETxNwhe-dYwUgIDsJWeb3NHHpYdXMeewBkZHpnzjf3TwWYxej2irM2wK8Yyd5ePPI8FQ7AZb1v8pGkz5xdxQ-KsFeqOZ3qsBjoTsUqvoiR9pM-Ms03l6ji1pA9b9XK9SXuehVVcGgm1VAaSrY0iamvDpcUXOaM6K3zfOvY-43ynM6hRre=w551-h350-no)
Anyone got a line on the other flower here? Pumpkin man is in the thistle, what's around the um, oven?
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/B3Y9QpBO077oaKmSOyxuisZaVG8LuXDPZLCCGoXNDvUxoxZ8oKiDV5W0FYJLKLE6VYFazmnZv-TPzdcGXqGK-KBOo_L0jh5-utZ9U0b-y-T03Nq8r9V7EHc7uvFarW7Rd0Sz2suGLoRC-malKP2dyEmapN1-Eeqi14h_Ub2fMOdgB_IpefCBwawJ7G26WBdcE0IzRaGr5ibTrVgXbxuDdaTdODcwcdAblZm0C38oHoJJzBqFYuFJu2o_OYaY6HDcs02XJlLZRnWk9aKlrdl8rmWrnywwml1gkXW2i1ulElhnFVxawjUfhB__KBx6OYHQa3ViKc5bp63wo0nrNjt503gGrVd7f1wW4r-GNIjnLTbNWIuj5tBstSREyVxpYM9Pp7cZzjXSKGfitF1z0sG8vFBmPESgt6nG4vQA4Ip6Q5AQoqrbnWHAsFeipSOj_ZAWV3ED8P51c9zGBHi9cgqd6BcLqs0v9gp8H_RAtP8f6CZ900xEcsZ7wOU6_uL7yxXw0vaC11cYvzym1sXgYaO45q-fTy2yVHb3Ir7H99j7muVkNmN402aTo3V0nAnjKhV0P7KiFkz2G_rg2HW6EtW8rHVnlQiNEXFUpt5BWuTQrqsGzASRKu42Ao4OXT99X1vM4utUMrePrq-O6NuYcjtpFU-rE-SpeuZXPt93=w374-h600-no)
More weird oven thistle pumpkin man things. Note pumpkin man is burning a turnip jack in both.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/1synrfKy860n587rkQxsNkTCWhmOUE7NrN_AlBMPvHHI4e3JmdabZJcoCliUD3-UN6CB9AVFdRPoG2v9bMINl_ycoTwlg2fj3NYer67m4yycxXUmPok_vviEXTXISQ-jEOqQGQOf97AqSH4wMH4Ghx-Nsnyuk9x-zSVXklPOOmxdg3MuMbMeXMw9Yqzhr_TS_7Gq1fzsd23AHwGQkxKHPZWdj9DvVoF_hYzfAO3wtBeXrFrEzAuns2F-70HE9tQhvPovnr3DithnrVVva6s56u0T9ahfA7kpdwAnqxk19RQbpsNZgslw8Osu0NDGIeiHEOj-h7HhdLnhPF1ePd0Z4kXTALOL7k3wZcODTztWkGJaAcsxAJH7kQPjbrzZ3yDt8_q1owzw2rwaqdokKlzBLrr2Yq8J_GLYbhuFiaDpAfjxkRhZURRPqOYOg0wSlBmJxQs9l87zgVoGGCwd60AIeVyurlk7QS7i0Egu7OkODPPVQkV89_SZallCPUsH1CxG8B3gK2yBjG5A6i1N9I8KcksfmgNtqs0sVOB9_Q-wXak506aN6ilpASBj7mOC1Lryg4eMc_DakVrluRlnyrsUVh6ls0BOMH5P-odQtfARzfYJ4M8w6p-VNNBvMIuEB2xPdfNs1ZhnKryROVB9Kj0uYS-mjL6ZsP80zG71=w551-h348-no)
Thistle again?
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/i4zx6Mt22RS_INlRul1HMLhWuHNTBlHl6HWBBJ-ePQ_e7fsDJ6SSnfOF69oJzP_heRWiQqTW_NvMIdskN8df1t0ZI-Y7UKFOawIoplA4vjQTHU1n0zggHR5qG5oOkGgiw6QEUHdggf0YhUNpF6prMp_1RHHDBDnLptgHgqpJjARIVPapEXbD4lq7b6AVPAQLgdGpOR5WTqmXi8QberzrA8wXT-y_kP51bBouNpUGQfrIsmHBUkVqZZEo8X-zUJVeh_etM0HBJ6kdUfPk_WQdDoVJbYfZm-IJ0Dm2KHvcYP7GgO5umWlk-31wEUylt4onHoA8UaJ1NSnbc67DXC6dejCJOhLgLBNF_kOISHVu60gbhW5vBIlmpHnz_JihJs3_WBoL_WLpzSi_i1-_TPmiZxxZROOICEyRkN4WrLV7SR0TqqNqSlPY4Kd_GPXfMMebea55tV1dMr8WincBjOnFMEprXHs-BE2q-r1itvaCE9Af-4F6VthLfOjlzsJP_iXqOMdO8a-R6LGW1sEtAZ6-7tOYpvqKImVX3jBflAIERZR7x_w3vGdlTJUF35wXmZfMbABJ0sK14JeaDu78Uxej-cJDNY54opC2rVHRO7tczttWu9omj-UXq3HaVyzm5zVmqPErSc0Ac5UhxGcSQ9qTvu2eivEY2J3Jow-K=w389-h600-no)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/7j-sXbvY15YNID3ie0vJZBnrZCoDka5WX4aD0B-IEQHF18KxT7ZQH1tGhyz85zqaw6721F6Grh6_xk2MPJdqOcs_PxRIKyVHI8oaY8zAuaEhySZCDFH-y7PJKnSGGmhKRWadSvmBXAjGxP8Yq8uVVXw28NQJBQK_hWwKHqWExCUcfCEkWAucc6gz1gK9_vpkKt45XVt9RZL43O1Xoxm_ihyL31J5EbSw7w3tS6gfAEphEfZRUC8SRo37KcDi0-SBuSQQgX33KeOEl5d_IG7mR97LgeW9KMEnhVYeKc8epLep8e86oGiVVLeEcb2PejXggzhYac0oqQQSMctBNGTAVzyELAVQoe-L4DdJeCOvxG9gxUB46ovV4lHx2KLLCMSXrfnlt54ucEzs-cyiVNakK-P_JUT5SFmU-VDDDNlBBmKUHKQ_tSMtTAyb-dxDENnGYI9x16W19zNErTCFBAosUGCW33PzBL-P_CsWbuVxfCK-sB-6Me-lpQaCaCupMkL2ljdlQtF8-eOfFwtDVP_bMXeuO3-3bavG57M_VRywhvv6DT9LE9sL9kTfXqwI8KL9VKB8KzyBUCwAU-hPhs9VEWOlwBMtvDzCngPjLLmOOmUczelhE7cL4BmRIUEt1dg1v1Enx8CTbZKXOtU0KwVcFxpzTrf-mMf-ydVE=w540-h352-no)
Post by: Geo on November 20, 2017, 10:53:40 pm
Post by: Rusty Edge on November 21, 2017, 05:39:45 am
Post by: Unorthodox on November 21, 2017, 11:36:42 am
It wasn’t tied to Halloween. Supposed to be a girl. And no jack involved.
But. She would throw a blue ball of yarn into a limestone kiln and go hide with the other end. Supposedly she would then feel a tug on the line and call out “who holds?” A voice would then call back the name of her groom to be. Supposedly the devil might also be holding the other end. I've also seen accounts that claim it was more of a dare thing, less divination, something akin to the bloody mary mirror game, with whoever dared you almost certainly tugging on the string to prank you.
So, it would seem these cards printed in Germany are something of a misunderstanding of that Scottish game. With the pumpkin man doing the thing (all wrong, mind, still holding the ball) and adding the jack. It's unclear whether its just an artist impression thing, or if the jack being added became a part of it at some point. I could see that line of reasoning: the jack will speak the name.
Post by: Unorthodox on November 21, 2017, 07:56:23 pm
! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=22&v=2cylNnCaUI0#)
Boss, I know spiders are a no...can I do BUGS?!
Post by: Spacy on November 21, 2017, 09:51:33 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on November 21, 2017, 10:05:55 pm
But, that movie was sooo bad....
And I watch it every time it's on TV. Guilty pleasure.
Post by: Unorthodox on November 22, 2017, 01:43:47 pm
Quote
The room or rooms in which most of the
games are to be played should be decorated
as grotesquely as possible with Jack-o'-lanterns
made from apples, cucumbers, squash,
pumpkins, etc.
Ok, I really want to do this at the treat table, make kids pull a candy from a flaming bowl!
Quote
1. The dragon consists of half a pint of
ignited brandy or alcohol in a dish. As soon
as brandy is aflame, all lights are extinguished,
and salt is freely sprinkled in dish,
imparting a corpse-like pallor to every face.
Candied fruits, figs, raisins, sugared almonds,
etc., are thrown in, and guests snap for them
with their fingers; person securing most
prizes from flames will meet his true love
within the year.
Post by: E_T on December 03, 2017, 01:35:33 am
I think you are having too much fun with this. But please, continue, and keep us all informed!!!!
Seconded!!
Post by: E_T on December 03, 2017, 02:19:34 am
Not at the price they are wanting.
Theme of work today: Uno the diplomat.
Those who’ve played a demo game with me have some idea how hilariously bad an idea that is.
:eek
Post by: E_T on December 03, 2017, 02:24:26 am
Yeah, it's official. I just need to take over the entire job, he can't handle even the simplest items...
You mean your (former) idiot boss is still around somewhere?
And now you need to do fill in his (former) position (on the project)?
no, there is very likely still BS falling out from his incompetency that is randomly turning up and having f-ed up effects.
Post by: E_T on December 03, 2017, 02:38:35 am
Post by: Unorthodox on December 03, 2017, 07:04:30 am
So, you had stated earlier that this last Halloween was more an experimental one than normal, so... how did the experiment(s) pan out?
Really a mixed bag.
The lighting test, as is, violates Uno's first law of haunt lighting, in that the bulbs are obvious. Granted, this was exacerbated by the fact we were HAMMERED by wind this year, but it's a thorn in my craw that I can't look past
THAT SAID, at the same time, it proved a yard wholly lit by props is POSSIBLE. I'm not convinced it is IDEAL. But some mixture should allow more limited torch use in the future (always a safety concern)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/QhUzQRJcMSPV59F9bhCdEDZSwdlbDHz-tIR83KTkW5ax8oFOOYKoRSooHQlnHZzWdDCkrtg7mFScDd_X4_-v3LEIfE1MiOBheSL0sKouheJekA-YGFY8EgmVEzyQhDuZLQWueDiAIUT_j3USquu8RQBpnVh1_ghW_oFKry3pPRcY39A6nFdSz63q4wNQLbHql2olCiENAQDeTUurKsg4GP8cALoisB6bPaS4mCf8UCA0ajXZffSQYdaLD4guH9CShk4hJwRiC9LhQP9H_RBVq9L8ReSFfGOh6sK1qohmjq_H4-zIKsj9SRyMPJgjrll1phHpvF3SXxLHSGkIee77VOg_SCmX0pDKG8pkce40ZJLMWDQ3i804m1zHYOMp2iyeIAqAscl-VWRmBzaH-11ofWevqGhvbrfgOWYQkoZ0OQBlayGTOz5_pbMBFRfZpIKMawYZlzxGHSAdjb2iX0fqmQErEPJqYqUDhGbq_yrW6ERhloSiwjeayhi47VLfBGlGFG2rFusZTQi8pK9EWmcvOuB1acTo_Sx2jyl_Z68r3wS0bYrpumaLKh47Qc7COcCScdxuunj9XtiIMX6_LIJ3LGEaZXMEd1HBGHbrBjHG9o-GvbpSEh8bTLAPf5o6Y1LWIHdoEbDuxX6t-pSmd8hoUzEJC7QtP6v6OOTx=w1024-h685-no)
The first fence concept was an utter failure I didn't even picture, but the solution we come up with was great, IMO.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/m5LP3F3fkLdt8XumSTP4v-P-N5tdnceUSFoLPwSzv3JEPCEuWhEhMcqoixabHxfiui9z2pXegxv3Rnf-8VEYb2W8_EAttygbBQrKTQYEhtIKl8cdtq5_7qzPeUY66GnFf6CX0cUHQbRgoaOHqdeW2Q_pKMvbw4hpTCox2M3nCbCkX-4QUqzygJRquSMYzwBVz9mCdZo97fkx4eDchSQQ11vFz_ig23RWW82ESwdIB6MzluSnJmqSD9xxvFRu12LtwHhNz0qQiQlIBaGWyAvgFO0-zR8nSu_vP3KXnjtJb1ZjGVgVll5aVSBUc5fw4l-nd7_LuhAYYZT1Tgoqp_-BUZQpUV1nOu38wssvRVe-54Tgng5_eeXjgWp7TuK6KQMRhPaOQ-X46ZCiXtDndEr3aH8rl8hOUnMdF28VLacHp6SKJNji8K_Im61EBEqTwJ1A8BpjE3beZKjJpeODoxOoLrI_Qj-uutT3u_4xfDjcTtEPy9EEOtsCs0UK7Y2NT9vnFLzJ4oNJncKO5LLSd93V9e7VGUZU6lZrd-d6IjjDCu_5PtO21S88guaTgantYICS7JVUwBqVVf54regrqP5SdqAgHgrL-jilsnfCLWlCAjuQYqGPKqjEiTVuqYT5vcwp3Skqo57zR72PlFpGj4viQpysroZkqpjyCZTL=w1024-h685-no)
New lawn care schedule meant my lawn didn't notice the lack of the bridge of death. This is HUGE going forward...
My prosthetic makeup job got more comments than anything I've ever done before. I still don't love it...
Post by: E_T on December 03, 2017, 09:15:48 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on December 04, 2017, 04:12:12 am
Post by: Rusty Edge on December 04, 2017, 08:15:14 am
How did you like the new external power outlets from your remodel?
Post by: Unorthodox on December 04, 2017, 01:16:48 pm
Isn't it practically normal for you to get some hard winds in October? It seems like this is a constant problem.
How did you like the new external power outlets from your remodel?
We religiously get a storm the week of Halloween. 20-30 mph is normal. I normally just set everything down and rebuild after, or wait it out prior to set up. This year that wasn't an option due to timing. We braced the fence with some of the straw bales, and ended up staking rebar for those corn/grass bundles.
This year's storm was 50-60 mph and no water.
The outlets have worked great, save for one caveat: I discovered they put it all on one circuit, instead of the 3 I asked for.
I'm still night and day better off than before, since that socket was shared with the bathrooms, but wish I would have caught that when it was fixable. I also should have put a few plugs in the soffit on switches for heat tape and Christmas lights.
We even went to an electric mower with the convenience of power.
Post by: Geo on December 04, 2017, 10:19:26 pm
The outlets have worked great, save for one caveat: I discovered they put it all on one circuit, instead of the 3 I asked for.
I hope you weren't charged for 3 circuits?
Post by: Unorthodox on December 04, 2017, 10:37:02 pm
Post by: E_T on December 04, 2017, 10:43:39 pm
Post by: Spacy on December 05, 2017, 12:11:56 am
Post by: Unorthodox on December 05, 2017, 01:46:19 am
Punch list it
Too late for that.
It's most likely a moot point. I now have easy access to 3 circuits for halloween. The 2 in the garage used to share with various bits of the kitchen, but are now both dedicated to the garage. The other for the outdoor plugs will work fine as well, especially with the rise of LED lighting.
The soffit decision was initially because we weren't replacing the soffits on the front of the house. It wasn't top of mind when that was changed because of siding issues.
Focus for the next few years is as follows:
Pithenge and perma path for back yard.
Sprinkler system. (might get pushed back to a later year)
Gourd tunnel (likely a rolling project, not a dedicated year)
Gazebo.
Post by: Spacy on December 05, 2017, 11:51:46 pm
Crazy place. https://www.zillow.com/homes/for_sale/fsba,fsbo_lt/24567408_zpid/globalrelevanceex_sort/42.506401,-83.321965,42.492843,-83.342157_rect/15_zm/1_rs/ (https://www.zillow.com/homes/for_sale/fsba,fsbo_lt/24567408_zpid/globalrelevanceex_sort/42.506401,-83.321965,42.492843,-83.342157_rect/15_zm/1_rs/)
Post by: Geo on December 06, 2017, 12:07:00 am
Post by: Spacy on December 06, 2017, 12:14:29 am
Different areas have different pricing. I don't know anything about the Belgium market (it is Belgium, right?), but that house almost anywhere in New York or California would be about 3 million. Of course, if it was in southern Indiana it would be half that price. We are getting it well below market as it needs work and the children with to finish with the liquidation of assets. The work is mostly cosmetic, or bringing up to code from the 70's.
Post by: Geo on December 06, 2017, 12:26:47 am
For comparison, my parents buit a 3 bedroom house in '74-75 as well, and IIRC it costed them 110k $.
Post by: Unorthodox on December 13, 2017, 09:23:43 pm
So, the inversion is horrid, and it's created freezing fog around here the last few days. Well, the particulates in the air are now so dense, the fog is freezing right to particles in the air, forming snow, and it's snowing without a storm system.
Post by: Unorthodox on December 13, 2017, 09:24:35 pm
So, on a whim we put in a lowball offer on a house, as the plan for constructing our own house has been derailed time and time again.... and it looks like they might accept!?!
Crazy place. https://www.zillow.com/homes/for_sale/fsba,fsbo_lt/24567408_zpid/globalrelevanceex_sort/42.506401,-83.321965,42.492843,-83.342157_rect/15_zm/1_rs/ (https://www.zillow.com/homes/for_sale/fsba,fsbo_lt/24567408_zpid/globalrelevanceex_sort/42.506401,-83.321965,42.492843,-83.342157_rect/15_zm/1_rs/)
Just barely seeing this, don't know how I missed it. Love that wood room. Any updates?
Post by: Rusty Edge on December 13, 2017, 10:20:21 pm
Well, that's a new atmospheric condition.
So, the inversion is horrid, and it's created freezing fog around here the last few days. Well, the particulates in the air are now so dense, the fog is freezing right to particles in the air, forming snow, and it's snowing without a storm system.
My sister in Seattle said they were having freezing fog, too. Terrible for commuting. On the upside, it can make for some beautiful photos.
Post by: Unorthodox on December 14, 2017, 12:01:28 am
Post by: Spacy on December 14, 2017, 02:14:50 pm
So, on a whim we put in a lowball offer on a house, as the plan for constructing our own house has been derailed time and time again.... and it looks like they might accept!?!
Crazy place. https://www.zillow.com/homes/for_sale/fsba,fsbo_lt/24567408_zpid/globalrelevanceex_sort/42.506401,-83.321965,42.492843,-83.342157_rect/15_zm/1_rs/ (https://www.zillow.com/homes/for_sale/fsba,fsbo_lt/24567408_zpid/globalrelevanceex_sort/42.506401,-83.321965,42.492843,-83.342157_rect/15_zm/1_rs/)
Just barely seeing this, don't know how I missed it. Love that wood room. Any updates?
They accepted our lowball - but as we got the inspections done discovered that it has over 50K of broken things like all the pool mechanicals, all the AC's, one of the furnaces, foundation settling, etc. Also, a lot of safety issues (baluster spacing being the #1). Our lowball was to account for all the cosmetics - the vile carpeting with the pet stains, the 8 sliding glass doors that are original to the house, etc. So, in negotiations with the seller as we will accept the cosmetic stuff we have to deal with, but not really willing to take on 50K plus worth of stuff that just doesn't work when they would have to have them all fixed for any purchaser.
Post by: Unorthodox on December 14, 2017, 02:21:59 pm
Hopefully it can get worked out. Any chance they just leave you with the 50 k to fix it? Or is it law they have to fix some of those things?
Post by: Unorthodox on December 14, 2017, 08:16:30 pm
Post by: Spacy on December 15, 2017, 09:51:32 pm
So, we negotiated some pricing issues. I expect we will get stuck with 10K worth of mechanicals for the pool that we really shouldn't, but that will be about it, and that will be the cost of moving forward. Wife and I already discussed and we are willing to go forward, as long as they take care of the rest. Even with that, it is within the realm of the value of home, and we can do some really nice upgrades that would make it far more economical in terms of maintenance and upkeep.
Post by: Unorthodox on December 16, 2017, 12:55:42 am
That movie looks good.
So, we negotiated some pricing issues. I expect we will get stuck with 10K worth of mechanicals for the pool that we really shouldn't, but that will be about it, and that will be the cost of moving forward. Wife and I already discussed and we are willing to go forward, as long as they take care of the rest. Even with that, it is within the realm of the value of home, and we can do some really nice upgrades that would make it far more economical in terms of maintenance and upkeep.
Looks like a hell of a place. I was always nervous about asking former owners to fix anything as their hearts are no longer in doing a good job, just a quick and cheap one. Much preferred to get money and fix it myself.
So, been talking around in circles about pithenge in our back yard for quite a while. Think we've settled in on more or less a plan, but finding the stones is still proving to be the long pole in the tent, so to speak.
There is a gravel pit near that regularly gets larger granite boulders out of the mountain as well. They usually blast them smaller and sell as landscaping boulders. Present plan (and by far the most cost efficient) is to go hand select a bunch at the quarry and hope for the best. There's some details on how to transport them without breaking further, and how, exactly to set them, but I don't believe either of those to be insurmountable.
If that falls through (not big enough, or just too round), I have a local place that will cut sandstone pillars that would work, and a place in Washington that would ship me basalt columns for about the same price. Both these options are favorable for being lighter stones, with some option of coloring, and easier to work with on site as a result.
Post by: Spacy on December 17, 2017, 04:29:07 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on December 18, 2017, 02:20:43 pm
There's a couple of guncrete places around here, but only one really has experience at the kind of sculpting we'd be doing. While I'm confident I can get the sculpt down, staining it properly (which is just as critical) I'm not so confident. The granite option is actually cheaper as well, presuming we can find the right stones.
Post by: Spacy on December 19, 2017, 11:25:10 am
Post by: Unorthodox on December 19, 2017, 01:23:06 pm
Agreed on pricing. Seller is being a B and won't let us add to the mortgage to get some extra cash to put into the house, but otherwise all is done except scheduling the closing.
Some state rule? I don't know that the seller has any say in the mortgage here.
Post by: Spacy on December 19, 2017, 10:18:31 pm
Here, what we do if we want to get, say, 25k or so added to the mortgage and handed to us as cash is that we get the seller to "increase" the price on the house, but with an addendum of a "cash back for home improvements" added in as well for the same amount. I expect this was more to get around all the banking rules than anything else, but I honestly don't know. Well, the seller here is a true piece of work - and long story short we are not getting a great, or even a good deal, but not a bad one either - it is just OK. If we walk away from the house in the next 2 years or less, we won't make anything, but won't likely loose either.
We just love the house. To build it today would be 1.5-2 million, which is so far out of the realm for us, but this one, with work needed, doesn't scare us, we know we can do it, and that we have the time and skills to do so. It has almost 0 lawn maintenance (my plus), indoor pool (ack, now I have to figure out how to manage a pool and keep that clean - but I love this idea!) workshop that is ideal for woodworking and furniture restoration (yay me) and so much else. Gretchen is basically missing only 1 thing from her wish list - 1st floor master (which, we think we can adjust things later on to add in if necessary) otherwise it hit all her high spots as well - no visibility to the kitchen from the front door, big & private master bathroom, etc. It is a no brainer for us. And, it is so much cheaper than the construction of the new house, which we wouldn't even get 1/2 of our wish list items on. Big changes happening fast, though, so stressful. But exciting and fun all at the same time.
Post by: Unorthodox on December 19, 2017, 10:40:11 pm
Probably.
Here, what we do if we want to get, say, 25k or so added to the mortgage and handed to us as cash is that we get the seller to "increase" the price on the house, but with an addendum of a "cash back for home improvements" added in as well for the same amount. I expect this was more to get around all the banking rules than anything else, but I honestly don't know.
Yeah, definitely not how it works here, we'd just handle that cash back portion with the bank directly and it would depend on the appraisal of the home. (which is a very adaptable prospect)
Sounds like a good choice for you guys, hope it all goes well.
Kind of like how everyone said we were nuts for our remodel, we should just build new. Not realizing the economics we were involved in and how it made more sense for our particular situation to remodel. I'm still a little baffled that we 'made money' with the remodel.
Post by: Unorthodox on December 27, 2017, 09:17:09 pm
Post by: Geo on December 28, 2017, 09:52:25 am
Post by: Unorthodox on December 29, 2017, 04:04:59 pm
So, there's a stone place about a mile from work. With this week being a slow time anyway, I headed over there at lunch yesterday. Unfortunately they're closed for the holiday, so I couldn't go wandering the whole lot, but got a few pics from the road of potential workable items.
While I'd prefer a bit taller, these narrow slabs could certainly WORK.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/oSZBftWdCtfuV_rYqQvBUWcYrfPLA7u6dwAKdMo9-8RiKjOAQGNjZTzTEceTmUYAH2vSjLcI1Skls4Y3d8h32OWSj4wFL4-UQH-h-CuUN0U7mRg0Lgo0TqFp6POLim2FFipgiineDtpUBZ3SOqJoF2CIzXknBX0G0N84AewjUaoxNzxlV_YIYk9me4XICq5e-7aC52WrjVNl7JO6gXrDjE08POqxTSbc8kyN2ksEez6CzaX6uCehmwI3PR7Gv49zlr2Uu0UIegRChwtuPfaRweyjhDZFdbHJqWkyfCRfHOgLxEyjMI2R3tILuW_rkp-p-uKfv0jmYfyD8YsX1wq4voCxWI96HkMADdvDiyMJr8CFxXc5l0oDMGmzG8eLZOGzNvjCerD6yCxh7dyNUQoC5OmCDZBIOhXYwPNWO7UHN4dyc3TsUAHnWxw9KvLKP2qaKngzHJt_o77lNf4hmCmfUSDM6efmsnxD8iDHTPaney4WVMDZJzT6tFEJFEllcsatCtoQHx0FZ6uJI8YiSIXUgEAgu9CP6t3sfkzS3pC8OO3kvOkZbcfLzoww7GzKQOlqM-zvY_FX--x6hSmRLs2r3AbjZboPxmMrf0KOPCb_alnhaYJSbsmFZh0jQmSXzFTpbFp9_EfEk6xZjc7AMtRvq6FQg_9LMVxjig=w651-h867-no)
"Cherokee Red" slabs. Mostly picturing to see if hEt likes the color. I'm not sold on it.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/mRom6AczyseRjn_1WXO0YAnj39MXDzpEyZ1WcjDBoEL1qI-W-CSB3wSNbJcrdn60HQxkgmn4dP-etQSY86CYEgaVBRVOk5-shGV_h8knlUS1ey0zMMCxJV1qsCJqDHFS6z3ZpGeCkfkLIHUVPhrm-Za9-T61KINDpOyHgwYoY_u6qQvJsF_7ryJPVKrH57rccFBudHVpGhPPSxylvIJprFramMEWLDspPBeT5PUJqlfvDJVEhFXgH1SWLekw1KIycIeiV32s0_iC1TZKaL2rtyhyFVCTGKagtC_5dm1kkuXITlqfQY5eM-UWFP73069sRbZ64ldstEgHNQiZxRh4Uu7NYiMhstVmWP2KoAHJGALbtISvwocW3YDErhfcvVIBusm4S2IxAYUv_3ldvRkBTOOBcemBGmcRLuL7slq8UyA6SOY2w4tf-lMGKOpU0llDElL5_Ph2hSM36CtE6Qbvgp_2cVVT0HesgxZ1CJW5rVsPNwWPugfIVMXKDOGITRnMlL5_5XRV-lgbAHUFSc1sx9J_oXTtvVRMmoZImGhgnpmjQqydMZYyhF4qSyPdYptqIVhOAXvdyZ36DmA3ChAUudwslLZyPqdEbCCuJGlTDEBHKEzTKcBPlbKBZiZ1farpJilKdWvpdcBfFnReXO2NDmOMXknGJ9Th2Q=w651-h867-no)
This stuff looks like it could make some good pillars.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_s1o5XD0h6HC9fsmiY2A9iUdLqDRF3yzDw7y8s_wRfcszLZcPY7ViOhEcyekdvTMl2k-cRtGtTkOUOGQa2wmrlai4BpzVhRRd585-qJepuhcuxtNMjYp-Pk66j92m-HCFkuuvpmC4mVxChMyUWqwviQYBvA8_ZZmCoDjylpfyc4ccxvD47WvDEMWWImMWL36NAkPUBcsa8DRFC7swNuzMEJDpMR9zksu12S_V4_y1-FKhH-CqPD9HIWtfRQN6KQjKn2ZKtrVMfiuoiTQvHZVJt1Sc9_V7rF7zALB5_0wRO9alPKZBqLfNf7DUWPLuxuJDGJ0lQnoRft6EwOgusRGdg-9JtRMZR5XOI7TSJ7vSSgPji1hNPKe1LLk6usv9Bg0SlEhKhpoHzUxyeD2uY728ZqsmpGRoeM24CmJKQj7iCjQnwpOamt6boSpfaniQEijqiWnECQ4279Cx27C7RjQTOmJdHimL6BnEVHBqPBdOSKBTnnyHNvgQxVOMCOvC-9uFt6PybDvts-_olS2lGt3HSVPcGuXg6hcjeMzk6URSEEEohyoayO5yOU7JYGr-_diqzZPjlb1DH8Qvwx7b9-1HKQdqS9Xl07pqQVIy8ezMsqlgil1Ee7VC_X9wSrG6JGrIT-3nRjVpcJIpTOtejSb1kh6ZZpaTFjNFg=w651-h867-no)
More of that thick slab stuff. The color behind that pole was real nice, but they only had smaller pieces. Also the "stairs" in the back could work, though I don't like that yellow too much.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/aGhQ8JRuHClFP9LlkqXBSglJkk--ShAu8vZWMlUuzMvUKQ8Clx5GFU_y1vBCrsRI9931n1bPTC03QcQLX1Mu0W9vlphtpW41UFEqjs9JQfBNLKS0DbFMMMOVD46oBgxhWCITy5juBihey90XUvf2BoGKHnVMhJ_uHtsg0UVLk-6X10h1AxRclrQoV6xJKgX3UMaF_2SxYu89SMZlBI8eRFh7pNIYPYjfw-7APaSnfJi9GwfkyaB-MzBKYWmspPAgYaeMqBpQMPuTB_ddPbK2Lg1otO5aZ6kDXEXca969iQI9_IWQDl7sSDx_62Ei4qaC2yZ9WsDnsqsPrif4hS3ru39bxt5C5Kw8rdJmK9TseIuco-JFokrFC3nV7BNrN46SgJSvxhfTZDul1zOrSiWIwhKSOoOOp5rdPCtApw0OYLtAIAk8_dX2SK78G0--IVqn5VkrxqjWE1L8fRfMXyP_pHQjM2TWyr0nDovEyj9ltHdFC275b5BI2cAA148wi_RTJ63K0RJyHPPWgOna-BdG9E1Aj4ORLGbvzoFwr4ZkB9OpSJ_gAe9agRxD0v489VbkRJw1NTWXvpTmeBhMtNQSQJuZEl9FTg_i_BjhDbJh5P94TULQoSkA4o7CNTqisLFDGNw8qcytEDm6rl9pC6bxYIkUT9TYkxVrxg=w651-h867-no)
Post by: E_T on December 30, 2017, 05:03:45 am
Post by: Geo on December 30, 2017, 02:45:18 pm
Would you "decorate" them after you install them?
Runes!
Post by: Unorthodox on December 30, 2017, 04:12:22 pm
Would you "decorate" them after you install them?
No plans yet. I wouldn’t necessarily be opposed.
Post by: Unorthodox on December 30, 2017, 04:14:47 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on January 02, 2018, 02:35:12 am
(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-swS5BYNW9X8/UeR5CNp5RfI/AAAAAAAADuk/mhWLf6nJQQk/s1600/IMG_4327.JPG)
Post by: Unorthodox on January 03, 2018, 03:09:13 am
If you've been following me for a LONG time, this won't come as a terribly surprise.
Some of the rest of you are in for a little bit of a shock.
I have 2 big projects for the year. Pithenge is number one.
Number 2, then, it stands to reason is...
The aquarium.
Joe just made that hobby more of a sustaining one rather than an active one. And he was really just meant to be a filler when the kids accidentally killed my actual design back in 2009.
That said, having Joe was a lot of fun, and he had a lot of personality. So, I'm thinking along the lines of something along the lines of Joe, but small enough to have more than just a wet pet.
First I need to find a centerpiece though...
First up for consideration is the one I almost got in place of Joe to begin with. Just chance the store didn't have any at the time.
Jack Dempsey.
(http://www.smithsaquarium.com.au/content/images/products/fish/american-cichlids/central-american-cichlids/c-rocio-jack-dempsey-610.jpg)
Slightly smaller than Joe, but not by much. Personality similar, but a little more tolerant of mates.
2nd in line, "The poor man's Discus"
AKA Severum.
(https://www.worldwidefishandpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Red-Spotted-Severum.jpg)
(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f_SePljh6YI/Tgi0DkpVO7I/AAAAAAAAAPY/rvk7ReMUqmg/s1600/greenSeverum4.jpg)
Even smaller. Available in a slew of colors.
Moving down the size chart, Salvini.
These guys might actually end up as a mate to either above, but as a feature, small enough to have a couple and easy to find mates for.
(http://www.tropicalfishsite.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/salvini.jpg)
And about the same size, the Blue Acara.
(https://www.kavinbox.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/ElectricAcara.jpg)
(It just struck me that a pair of Blue Acara and a couple Salvini would be quite similar to our first Cichlid tank, but supersized. )
Post by: Spacy on January 03, 2018, 01:31:17 pm
I don't know enough about how to grow and raise them, but it sounds cool and I expect it would look cool in a larger sized tank.
Post by: Unorthodox on January 03, 2018, 02:23:13 pm
Have you ever considered corals?
I don't know enough about how to grow and raise them, but it sounds cool and I expect it would look cool in a larger sized tank.
I don't do salt water. Cost of maintenance is just too much.
Post by: Unorthodox on January 03, 2018, 02:42:53 pm
Well, I need to map it out in the yard in the spring to get a REAL good look at it, and how it aligns with the yard, but I'll start a drawing before that. Been thinking a lot about alignment of the circle, and started plugging things into some mapping programs.
It's less "circle" and more couple arcs, but it would MEAN something. Looking semi-random, I could do the kid's birthdays sunrise/sunset stones real easy. And, there's Something to be said about just 6 stones representing the kid's in the circle.
I'd like to add anniversary and Winter Solstice to that, but it becomes a little messy with some of them overlapping too close to the kid's stones...however, adding Anniversary and Winter Solstice stones for MOON location for certain specific years yields two nice 5 stone arcs, or we could just do the setting arc (the rise side would be against the house, not that I mind that, but if price becomes an issue, I'd sacrifice that side first, or put much smaller ones to that side). This makes a nice little 5 stone arc (about a quarter circle) out towards the west. One for each child's birthday, and 2 significant dates for us. We can just form the rest of the circle shape with the flagstone around the fire pit. If that looks funny a couple North/South stones to further define the shape wouldn't be terrible.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/AM97J5JNmbbiOavcRUw8QE13msrYDWiZuSZws3TVAtCArBWd8lME_Z9xceKM2i0vzx9ZVAo_2e5AhCSyOXThvzpWLrtYfH1WfVz3Jy0Qf8JGcJCnicnZigVw0u5FOu09tomHGBvIADaXDOsIJLgyVFncDXMPDHPMlRwnBibA5CWLFq-vayVSxORdB8RZV5BIGRhTCiBnvMc07V2gJ6VyQaBxEN0SGbkFdMLuE-crDJZhmZ0jwQn6ghScnAdug0VtJIldInSpdAcq7XXYNewD0ly_p4KmYQztFB4KaqutND6GTnZvVmgsoGgdtdNgsyfzL5LLInBXhdvTjTh8gotasR88b-YhwC59zalkVXjtOCAvEO0kinPBnqzNTF8BuFXOGZoTaok2zz_vDFW3ZkNxiDP2Pj4jj-v3D2efzlEvjd4qM9DV-toj8FLDat-NDCfKBz4K1H9JNwUvHS997v6fYwa-vNCwf807mYij9ZJdbOtS_6TalMCHM9urZSgh_s00TUK3OCrZKtajCw_cgzImMfPn6IDd0ATNT-eJXJTDwjL--HVXjciwOI4C0vU_HzyaAHpJXNfqa9nNeHjCQYiApRFmEOw-4YUUlAN3PSh8=w687-h916-no)
Post by: Rusty Edge on January 03, 2018, 09:57:31 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on January 04, 2018, 02:04:15 am
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/0zKnrmL-8IhVYwuQ8rBdR7Ly08E0uK16f6tL8PUK_yBFbYIRQxUTJR8TBo5LcjHsSVkTkgTo1Dzso7P2jwQRHLdu2Q2PvChCGBVhjH4D37G2CsfXDh9QGqax3-aaxkOW61IemeKusCBeg6vToW9X7r8bGHUY2-N5AjgKx-Sl5RydYV3cCVOO7njJi8Q5YrnVJXFcDsZ08Ll7mMWi0eEXu8zmQRkbtZ1gUzz71M2pVA3DE_uYGGSFm53Iv2QDeUgxp8SAgtGx78aGgHOWy2Vi3lojxCseql5p3rj-xBrfm5ydv6kpvFoZ6nF6jiex2tzvym-oybKnv5aONlSA0HxAU6IGgHjGcfbYhJ2yqLMOyMqj53wA5nqCNXSrAkA-JSFUtuluTkAxWiLZunwezEwKwI5DPcKwJ5LzD3YePTw0vDu4QQbiC3tR8lSGfKEz3xgae4dKt6E61nI3I9_qAJEA_YYZ5Z-sYI6BeLT7Z5uFoz6ihHQa5LIaJwNseXWjJAkaYC-cy6U9L4Hxtgsb1vl4ASbD5DXjI2wJvjrNRoiieLF9ExDAh-J0IWvW4fiuvx2lHuSfXmqN42YobmjH3LqBf8xmarCaTOptedN1iARA=w694-h925-no)
Post by: Rusty Edge on January 04, 2018, 03:03:16 am
"I like the blue ones!" I'm so predictable. My dog is the same way about brown dogs.
Post by: Unorthodox on January 04, 2018, 03:09:58 am
I was looking at the fish and I had the same thought I usually do when making a selection or expressing a preference-
"I like the blue ones!" I'm so predictable. My dog is the same way about brown dogs.
My hesitation with that is the wall is blue behind the tank.
Post by: Rusty Edge on January 04, 2018, 05:47:50 am
Weird. Your legal pad vanished again. ( in case Het was supposed to see it here or anything )
Post by: Unorthodox on January 07, 2018, 03:16:54 am
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Rhi9BfDZzfFFYnHigtgHuQZ5spKoP7kyL-ZJJZWfOvdWao2CTIgk94U4fLp5RAoCoVAaZXj43bxvjJUwuDPAdJY3JafhjRgs-q4avKxtSmI2Pv6P7oa6LNDWqiaHWgKnFJvKhVQGNQRzGqWa3kGGXNiQsnNTjGamaPuWA84Jymo14WwN16m1t7dnJFh4vSt-oxF0RYXFTEtmnEuy9oL7e8KikSedRN58ye16zMTJfRS0X84sUmpk9V4N-IEIj6fSAHPYGj_WbD6hbGRVHyocUa9xxlXIWuGDwSUZq6PAi-Gd6IF9E6H7xrjUbwQtDg2TaJGcuDbcxYAmGxvA4jGEEMayOFNCs-liO2dUq-2O5_k8_B4hShGrwLWEC6N5IZmAlewgXnc4mvf2Dn_McT4aLrMCly3f6xQXqrlgxqxiG7YXlETXSSgpvUaTMinnnHiu6WV_gfzgMfCxlpZPJMJdMARz0D-H0epPu8E9Y653uq0Jn_Igsfy_iJIaNZ58qKmz3SFrmzDpMNSIsLLF4V0vdQAMVH26EOGrG2k5OBubjTIwlL23zBlFUysrbEVbMxpOO_p55I9zv7AyXceXsJVsoqhxu46GSwueQgjLnYUM=w1253-h939-no.jpg)
We also stopped at area pet stores this weekend. hEt has signed off on the Blue Acara. Likely with a couple angels in the tank.
Post by: Geo on January 07, 2018, 03:51:56 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on January 07, 2018, 07:44:23 pm
(http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/img_2796-4-e1515354212899.jpg)
Post by: Geo on January 07, 2018, 08:24:48 pm
Gonna look like an open arcade to me.
Post by: Unorthodox on January 08, 2018, 02:26:40 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on January 08, 2018, 04:28:49 pm
There a couple of REALLY gorgeous upgrades at the pet store that I must resist.
One is a 125 show tank (extra long and tall at the expense of depth). Fantastic display tank, but might be overkill for our space.
The other a 150 Tall that's stunning with a similar footprint to my current.
This is a place I can easily sink a year's budget without a second thought, but I need that $ going outside...
In that light, I didn't upgrade our filter either, even though the trays are starting to get brittle. I can get at least a year out of it as is. We're also going with my tried and true dollar store media for half the filtration as well.
I want to add an undergravel filter, but am finding they are out of vogue these days and hard to find for anything bigger than a 20 gallon. It's not a deal breaker, just wanted to leave planting the aquarium as an option later (not in the budget right now). Yes, I know they aren't needed for planted aquariums and are antiquated for that purpose, but most of what I do is antiquated anyway, and you can use them as a quick and easy cleaning port by just slapping the vacuum over the tube.
Post by: Unorthodox on January 08, 2018, 04:48:34 pm
When we got Joe, Glofish were a curiousity you might find in a random store.
Now they are an abomination overtaking the hobby, and take up a third of the available stock in the freshwater section. With tanks, decorations, plants, and lighting specifically designed for them.
One might think I'd be all for a blacklight fluorescing fish, but that's what glass fish were for, with skeletons that fluoresced and clear skin.
Post by: Unorthodox on January 10, 2018, 01:47:39 am
(http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2018-buildup/C5E408B9-D4A5-4280-A057-DD6FB278A43F.jpeg)
(http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2018-buildup/E7326919-D46F-4A5F-9F47-F175E8AB26C2.jpeg)
Can you guys see my frankenfilter? The canister plugged into an undergravel...
Like Vera, this creates a merger of very oldschool tech blending with the new. In practice, it basically increases my canister media by at least 300%, coupled with the oversized pump on the filter already, we'd be suited to filter a 250-300 gallon tank, but just makes incredibly stable conditions for me here.
Post by: Unorthodox on January 10, 2018, 01:50:42 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on January 10, 2018, 01:54:56 am
Did you hear they're bringing Animaniacs back?
Post by: Unorthodox on January 10, 2018, 02:00:14 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on January 10, 2018, 02:05:29 am
Post by: Unorthodox on January 10, 2018, 02:26:32 am
Ok, I'm missing something I thought you meant you changed my avatar...
Post by: Buster's Uncle on January 10, 2018, 02:35:12 am
???
Did you hear they're bringing Animaniacs back?
Post by: Unorthodox on January 10, 2018, 02:37:52 am
???
Did you hear they're bringing Animaniacs back?
Told you I missed something.
Um. Looks like Hulu.
So, not back for me...not sure if that's temptation enough to add hulu.
Actually I'm happy to cut the cable, and add hulu and amazon to our netflix instead. hEt, not so much.
Post by: Spacy on January 10, 2018, 01:37:57 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on January 12, 2018, 06:47:14 pm
The bad news is the filter wasn't so much.
Repairable.
Post by: Spacy on January 12, 2018, 06:58:47 pm
Closed on the new house. Sale pending on old house - just paperwork BS at this point. Should close on the 2nd.
Post by: Rusty Edge on January 12, 2018, 08:36:29 pm
Cool.
Closed on the new house. Sale pending on old house - just paperwork BS at this point. Should close on the 2nd.
Congratulations!
Post by: Unorthodox on January 15, 2018, 12:41:09 am
So the good news is the aquarium is still water tight. (always a risk when moving)
The bad news is the filter wasn't so much.
Repairable.
So, I ran into a predicament this weekend. We fixed the filter no problem, and the water cycle began just fine. I'd cleaned and boiled most the stuff going back in since we didn't know what all had gotten into it in the few months it's been drying out, so we're starting NEW. That mean as soon as the chlorine cycled Saturday I really needed to get some fish into the tank to begin the ammonia cycle.
The plan was simple: Get a couple pictus catfish. They were planned to be my cleaners anyway. Should be readily available being a staple and all.
(https://aquaticmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Pimelodus-Pictus-Catfish-Polka-Dot-Pictus-Angelicus-catfish-information-Pictus-Catfish-for-sale-and-where-to-buy-Aquaticmag-5.jpg)
So, Petsmart lists store stock online. I simply find one close that has some in stock and make Alec drive me out there. There seem to be 2 kinds of petsmarts now. "Mini' stores, and regular stores. The Regular stores I know of near are Riverdale and Layton. The former has destroyed their fish section with poor care. The latter moved recently, but used to have the best section around.
This one was a little further out and turned out to be a mini store. There was about 12 aquariums with 3 dividers each. And while the pictus were there and appeared healthy, 2 dividers down had fish clearly suffering from swim bladder issues. Risking parasitic infection (though more likely just overfeeding) was not the way to start my aquarium.
We checked several PetCo's on the way home and found them all to be completely overrun with glowfish and the spawn that don't have the glow genes.
hEt wasn't comfortable taking a mail order delivery of live fish without me home, so I was left with this problem that I needed fish, but none of the ones I want to keep are available locally.
So, I'm the 'proud' owner of some danios at the moment. If they die, so what. If they live the future residents will eventually eat them.
Post by: Geo on January 15, 2018, 07:49:06 am
Post by: E_T on January 15, 2018, 04:04:27 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on January 15, 2018, 06:05:00 pm
(http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2018-buildup/478f619b6e695df0e42fbf3ad733693c.jpg)
Multiple places do the fountain pillars with just a cut base as well, though I don't think that's a good plan for my situation.
Post by: Unorthodox on January 15, 2018, 08:55:12 pm
Already paying dividends.
Some Boeing employees in the building have big mouths, and work had gotten wind that Boeing was looking at me for a position as a result.
Work fired an opening salvo aimed at getting me to stay today in the form of an 8% raise, along with a grade promotion.
Well, Boeing ended up losing that contract anyway, so another year of dealing with the crap here later. My 2nd level supervisor is new, and I've had to do a whole heck of a lot of covering for my immediate supervisor's incompetence later, with his royal fumbling of a major project and my salvaging it from the wreckage.
I don't dare jinx anything, as it won't go into effect til April, but I'm told it's all approved: Another grade promotion, one which enables the possibility of subordinates, and is a rather significant step both in $ and prestige.
I can do without the latter.
Post by: Geo on January 15, 2018, 10:51:48 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on January 16, 2018, 01:18:41 pm
Heh, setting up a foodchain, are you? ;)
Pretty much.
Talia is having a ball with the danios at the moment, though, so worth ever penny. Fast and aggressive eaters, they've already figured out people in the house mean food, not death. (very timid when first put in). Not sure if that's a sign of intelligence or lack of memory.
Post by: Unorthodox on January 17, 2018, 01:39:17 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on January 17, 2018, 01:47:00 pm
(dont expect that to be good but hitting netflix and potential for halloween props)
Post by: Unorthodox on January 17, 2018, 11:44:15 pm
Talia's school making us get chines inputs and swap between modes...
Post by: Unorthodox on January 22, 2018, 04:41:00 pm
I got to the stone supply and got a budget together for the stones. The good news is it's all the same price, just by weight, with discounts if I buy a whole pallet.
(over 6' tall on these)
(http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2018-buildup/5E6DECCB-EED1-4BCA-A15C-5A2349E3086E.jpeg)
Small ones for near the house.
(http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2018-buildup/E402A902-5507-4BFD-84AD-EB31FA35CF9D.jpeg)
They told me I should check the Salt Lake site for a better selection, but they won't deliver or hold inventory, so I've got to make arrangements before I go buying.
Post by: Unorthodox on January 29, 2018, 02:49:18 pm
And while we found the perfect basalt columns...
(http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2018-buildup/77164820-6DCC-436C-8EFB-453E13645DBB.jpeg)
They were all drilled for fountains, and the supplier is no longer in business. My exploration of them separately has yielded I'd need to order an entire shipping container and then try to sell off the spares, and I just don't have the business to do that.
Going over the other items and services, there were some intriguing possibilities from the sandstone that come off all together too smooth
(http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2018-buildup/B7FD65D8-9218-4C5C-AB52-32D170C71ABD.jpeg?i=571890395)
(http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2018-buildup/F0728359-5C42-4A72-A7B8-EDB098253BCD.jpeg?i=657538138)
To the possibility of simply cut pieces.
(http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2018-buildup/186A27EA-C8A9-401A-B998-31563180908D.jpeg)
But, we've ultimately decided to stick with the quartzite slabs pictured above for color. They are going to get with the quarry and see if there are some more squared slabs (that normally get broken down to boulders because no one wants pillars) available. Once we hear back from them, I'll be making a decision on which way to go, be it heading back to the more local yard or ordering from the quarry.
Neat light, possible future pathway lighting:
(http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2018-buildup/EEF997AB-9179-4742-B3C6-EF4627C2D6CC.jpeg)
Post by: Unorthodox on January 29, 2018, 06:11:03 pm
Post by: E_T on January 30, 2018, 12:33:42 am
Post by: Unorthodox on January 30, 2018, 07:31:56 pm
(https://cdn.movieweb.com/img.site/PHIXegysgweaLO_1_l.jpg)
Post by: Unorthodox on February 01, 2018, 06:36:59 pm
I don't dare jinx anything, as it won't go into effect til April, but I'm told it's all approved: Another grade promotion, one which enables the possibility of subordinates, and is a rather significant step both in $ and prestige.
I can do without the latter.
I now have "1.5 heads" who don't technically report to me but I'm to task them. (4 people total, each part time charging to my project) Mostly data entry stuff and an intern to help with the grunt work I normally do alone.
They also roped me into a contract discussion with the customer, which went hilariously well to all who mattered. I'm not exactly what folks expect in such a situation, and it tends to shock a lot of people. "The Bull Dog" is my current nickname around the company due to such things. I don't particularly have strong feelings about it either way.
Post by: Unorthodox on February 06, 2018, 10:30:58 pm
Post by: Geo on February 10, 2018, 10:50:18 pm
They also roped me into a contract discussion with the customer, which went hilariously well to all who mattered. I'm not exactly what folks expect in such a situation, and it tends to shock a lot of people. "The Bull Dog" is my current nickname around the company due to such things. I don't particularly have strong feelings about it either way.
Congrats on the... promotion... ?
You just wait 'til they start calling you 'the wrestler'. ;)
Post by: Unorthodox on February 11, 2018, 05:10:03 am
We've decided to resurrect the Altar of Greed for our fire pit.
With stone sizes, I was able to mark out a more or less final circle. Pit and chair for size reference.
(http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2018-buildup/9240CD16-FFAA-48E9-8F0F-357B23BCBE23.jpeg)
hEt likes the second one for the 'floor'.
(http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2018-buildup/D5FD67C3-9F53-479D-A286-C111E42BFC8F.jpeg)
I should have gotten a 'before' pic to show how shocking this cleanup is:
(http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2018-buildup/1B149C02-B289-4068-994A-CA2BEC41B568.jpeg)
(http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2018-buildup/5354AA32-E289-47D7-B5B0-635AA4AA359B.jpeg)
Pile of refuse all mashed down.
(http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2018-buildup/2B096422-54F7-4778-BBBB-F5F9D46AB4C0.jpeg)
Post by: Unorthodox on February 11, 2018, 05:36:55 am
New wood on the right, the stuff on the left used to be the same color. I'm having to take that new stuff out and clean it every few days as it's leeching some stuff still as the water slowly soaks all the way in. The plants attempting to attach to the older wood are giving me issues, but that's supposedly normal for them, I don't know as I've never been able to try plants before. I was surprised that the big looking plant I bought was just a bunch of one leaf cuttings tied together on that one.
You can see one of the pictus cats in the background on the left, there's 4 of them.
Original plan was for the next fish purchase to be next weekend, but not sure, I'll see how everything looks, might wait 2 more weeks.
(http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2018-buildup/34ABEA69-5212-4869-B8EB-FF869D523559.jpeg)
http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2018-buildup/34ABEA69-5212-4869-B8EB-FF869D523559.jpeg (http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2018-buildup/34ABEA69-5212-4869-B8EB-FF869D523559.jpeg)
Post by: Unorthodox on February 13, 2018, 08:42:20 pm
(http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2018-buildup/0C808B55-AB16-4305-9D20-8D075352EEC2.jpeg)
I especially like how they have just a touch of reflectivity in them, will catch the firelight very well.
(http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2018-buildup/155F002B-2225-48F9-ACCB-8347836A850E.jpeg)
The bigger ones range 6'-7', the smaller pallet 4'-5'.
If all goes well, I'm considering throwing a little mini party to celebrate completion, potentially Ostara, or perhaps more fitting to do a Walpurgisnacht celebration.
Post by: Geo on February 14, 2018, 09:27:45 am
Post by: Unorthodox on February 14, 2018, 12:42:07 pm
I haven't been privy to transporting ROCKS in particular, but BIG HEAVY stuff. Since it's palletized, you have to show an attempt at restraining all sides, even if it's completely pointless.
Post by: Unorthodox on February 14, 2018, 02:27:29 pm
As a general rule, I hate Valentines day as a parent. It ends up a load of parent homework to make sure the kids have valentines and boxes for school.
So, when the school sent home a note saying they were going to do a 50's lipsync party for their valentines day festivities, it was just one more thing to be annoyed about.
However, I respond to "Costume Contest" about like Robin Hood does to "Archery Contest".
We'll skip over the various girl drama Talia had to put up with and focus on the end result. I'm genuinely disappointed I won't be able to see her up with her group, but they are all wearing poodle skirts. While everyone else in the group is borrowing from grandparents...I get to play the Grinch. If I can't find one, I'll make one instead.
If the last dress I made featured the worst seam in the world, this one has # 2 and 3 worst. But they are well hidden. I know one stitch, and it's medieval and not really pretty. That's kinda the point.
What's a pattern? and How hard can it be? I somehow really messed up the waist measurement (I'm still confused how) but had planned for that eventuality and added an elastic waistband. Fit check with costume shirt:
(http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2018-buildup/F9836319-43EE-4B5D-8310-1D631EAE5A37.jpeg?i=119983192)
Perhaps the worlds worst poodle, cut out freehand.
(http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2018-buildup/FC8D758F-827B-472E-B998-B07AD986CCD3.jpeg?i=1910147317)
(http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2018-buildup/29C33B5C-3E23-4173-ADFA-BB9D61748723.jpeg?i=1283612102)
Post by: E_T on February 14, 2018, 06:57:30 pm
In the 2nd pic, it looks like might be too high on the waist...
Other than that, looks good.
Post by: Geo on February 14, 2018, 09:00:23 pm
Now I've read it all.
Post by: Unorthodox on February 14, 2018, 09:25:06 pm
Adolescents throwing a Valentine Party at school? ???
Now I've read it all.
Valentines is big business here, and elementary school is a big reason why. Kids are expected to bring a card (and typically a treat comes with) for everyone in the class.
(http://si.wsj.net/public/resources/images/OG-AC802_holida_G_20141014153202.jpg)
Post by: Geo on February 15, 2018, 09:38:01 am
Post by: Unorthodox on February 18, 2018, 01:00:08 am
The 'easy' ones are up. (smaller, but more difficult placement due to the house.
Post by: Geo on February 18, 2018, 09:33:39 am
Post by: Unorthodox on February 18, 2018, 12:44:27 pm
Post by: Geo on February 18, 2018, 08:14:31 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on February 19, 2018, 02:00:05 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on February 19, 2018, 06:14:19 pm
Post by: E_T on February 19, 2018, 09:28:20 pm
Rock Garden
Post by: Rusty Edge on February 19, 2018, 10:41:14 pm
Post by: hEtErOdOx on February 20, 2018, 04:29:59 am
Talia looks like she could lose a few pounds (or tighten up her belly)... You know the old question, "Does this dress...." :D
In the 2nd pic, it looks like might be too high on the waist...
Other than that, looks good.
Did you really make a comment about the weight of my 10 year old? Her weight is perfect, according to her doctor, so shut the hell up. She is still a child, is growing, and no child should ever hear comments like that from an adult.
Post by: E_T on February 20, 2018, 03:25:00 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on February 23, 2018, 05:29:55 pm
Even yesterday, many weather reports had NOTHING on forecast for today. Probably the biggest storm this winter so far.
Coincidence?
(I will note there's one forecast that I use that's been correct on all the storms so far within the five day. All the others seem to just copy the national weather service. I see now it's predicting snow all week, while the others only list Monday.)
Post by: Spacy on February 23, 2018, 10:39:57 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on February 28, 2018, 02:44:50 pm
(https://i.pinimg.com/564x/cf/06/dd/cf06ddf018d493ce2ef3395627b95d17.jpg)
(http://alexanderexorcist.deviantart.com/art/Pumpkin-Warrior-281798585)
(https://i.pinimg.com/736x/45/00/ba/4500bacff2aa0da0c54eff9a4d2815c9--scary-pumpkin-d-art.jpg)
(https://t00.deviantart.net/3O3LdkTRCq6KoKo5vWBjU0vk_Xc=/fit-in/700x350/filters:fixed_height(100,100):origin()/pre00/1d8d/th/pre/f/2015/304/d/d/pumpkin_rise_by_thepsychogoat-d9f1324.jpg)
(https://static1.squarespace.com/static/58bdcc6317bffc359079b2b3/58c01064d2b8578f5308a294/58d554a0e3df28af90a182cf/1490376394295/Vine+creature+final.jpg?format=1000w)
(https://www.pinterest.com/misszeale/creature-inspiration/)
(https://cdnb.artstation.com/p/assets/covers/images/000/954/147/20170205215558/micro_square/crowther-lindeque-rootwark-01.jpg?1486353358)
Post by: E_T on February 28, 2018, 10:01:37 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on February 28, 2018, 10:17:04 pm
I like the one with the belly full of Skulls..
It is definitely nice. I like the green, and the skulls, but Mother pretty definitively predates it.
Post by: Unorthodox on March 10, 2018, 01:53:48 am
(https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/cc/b2/a7/ccb2a74300e9c85b24f9263304d1189d.jpg)
(http://fotologimg.s3.amazonaws.com/photo/57/44/53/bronkito/1203123709_f.jpg)
(http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/10/29/article-2224832-15BE32E7000005DC-94_964x631.jpg)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 10, 2018, 02:14:21 am
Post by: E_T on March 10, 2018, 02:31:40 am
Post by: Unorthodox on March 10, 2018, 03:13:56 am
I believe that those were from somewhere in South America. I'm thinking Chilean Plateau area...
three of them are indeed from Chile. La Noria to be precise.
Post by: Unorthodox on March 10, 2018, 03:15:12 am
?
For only the second time in my life, I'm considering a cemetery theme.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 10, 2018, 03:32:40 am
Post by: Geo on March 10, 2018, 07:35:05 am
Ah. One imagines the firepit having a role...
It's a desert. To keep warm at night of course. :P
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 10, 2018, 01:57:04 pm
Post by: E_T on March 10, 2018, 03:38:26 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on March 10, 2018, 05:32:50 pm
Ah. One imagines the firepit having a role...
Actually mostly ignoring it as part of the decor plans, as it, along with the new patio, will be a meeting center for the party.
Mostly looking at dirt cheap to build. Quick and easy to put up. Allows any budget leftover to go towards needed equipment repair/replacements, and can be sold swiftly afterwards to bankroll next year.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 10, 2018, 05:54:12 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on March 11, 2018, 03:25:28 am
I'm looking at straight up simple wooden crosses. Nail the lighting, and add some fog. SIMPLE. Cliche/sellable. If I get real bored, maybe some breathing graves again.
! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQ9VF6WJHKA#)
Post by: Unorthodox on March 11, 2018, 03:29:25 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 11, 2018, 03:48:51 am
Post by: Rusty Edge on March 11, 2018, 03:43:05 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 11, 2018, 03:58:10 pm
Talia may or may not grow up to be interested in doing art, but I expect she'll have the ability and at minimum, be a snappy dresser who invents fashion. Buster's showing definite signs of that, stylish, and not in the trendy sense.
Post by: Unorthodox on March 11, 2018, 10:12:26 pm
We'll see if she wants to do a scarecrow this year. She kinda got bummed out when they didn't do the contest last year, having designed Kevin the year before. She was doing a vampire fairy scarecrow (completed with the fairy king sucked dry) out of a barbie before they cancelled the contest last year.
Kevin concept to execution:
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/xYNfiGPiaa3x1mJEcfB6E8zzOOhwTnZ7Qe-kgvdziucWfaQt2rmMP2ipijj8TDH1NtJI8Nv76aDxjm-531utwoLQy03mvG96kuIKRSbwbUAW6CwXb7RfPAZc-nuo_UOKMfGOIHJ2p0AMwDgvRg3aa2jalFULd5e3Fnvydx1PEKqkxCEGLgHAPte2reImxQbsHUMJYSrnQsvPj3u-b-DR4zSO58Qv1omFosbIsK8rq7LyY1nja-QP_sYU9RYrnl4kNhDmc0DYaRWDcSv8T3dYyNFSu1W8whc69pr0GelTRMgZ0DCaxZu_94ZG6ieKJNjCu599_H4AxNe1ieGtRUc4YoAf_wKL_XcprzsxXe993gSZDukG3d3TNW6EqSiQ630I1OdqcEfeG2rTh4Akkbizz-Orb1lFh2T0gXg0dzMsFVVFCQQBEc9qQPxfl1RZShhfZ0nGhaJKpNhJjit4DWp6LGk0BH8JgMAICaraGDq4BjaRHlBIrzgSxU5mDtUCc3r46LlENnPpfMCyEZFIl6a8mvC2Kqi7eOjRfjdxz1vkr4IUnjXEpP2mOGFbZppqExNWnHBbIB8INBPZgTkRdFNR7EjCOo2JscBpS8jBsmwS=w672-h895-no)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/N0qHLVUElkvTKJMbCpfrFivOwy8ToG7qKQCbsu8koTHDmmzBiJWrZ1TdgEwShpWJrSSL7lYmSW_P7t40TXnERgyfHvLZo4GB_aFdswzY79omKGDnABbUv2gvLKyaUbzUnahNRIIMhrVqUMYpYXCa--c7l9MxK6czUHDsDYmzXYm0i0eQ3Bdin0dGNHLgexXRtwAERJk3niNiipx2fxVV3AB05IMg1Pyxn09tYqAgRqy7UluCgoqWcp4edvE-ctPmsUrXVCBRftMAqgw_PJUpMFIRYkBGHu8DbJOeGkTRRFjP5sqUA88pOmj9U08sehrd7Z-bgafM9WsDrbc3qzDXf3wH7iMMpTVHwnfW7tqikPqzu3VLj8NN80W6zmDHGpTltMSW3GrD4h4geAho2p3zGy0jk06fae24Cox8pycFvGfdzHvxngYhHi9pGlFxP4t61vTkbF-WfdGYrHyVBmQN_dJ5hRwvrA6KtoZq_7EpFlk8uKDBMnKilsGFjhgnos0A9XU0GwmBP6CMDsTPldacO5Xu0q8YB64insufppc-0aTDtyVVeDZE0P66A69zciUHJOTTdy04Ty0YQbrlrS9ttdPUBsIe6s4h0byS6iSR=w672-h895-no)
(bonus costume design/my execution)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/FwO8lp8PltkuhJ83Ichf83WQvUwTDzPy4tWhm37FnQypjIOYHHR3SkymjNLeW7QHDmIOEOrXqyNXCvbHB-12vYYtOYr44Wgi2wMRlPR-3rDYYA9114plL5LV4d4J0DT7Di9RRSaA9U_NvQjUMJ1khstt_7L0geMUnW5WcA1QnJt2_juEwlsm88ftKS4DRKDRj3Xy0kzJtaMOrrzTbDblXgkPG7I29MmsapeS7gImBAxxCQX8JB1iB5jU5AvdH6y2VItBIxigRdsqrBvrzhQd6BclnD20N8jCSUHnuUObfCvvL1ztGnOOgYqPQ3xEwS-Lnt2rzGN1d3a0Y187bTPaWOy0ikqIKlf58dHwa0mfp_-1ZwsZs97R4LjCMtQT59GC4WUXFqAWt4J4hmHgVe2oZ3lBnABtYiAg5JQmdw_QtogZYM9VlP3GTFT4SHiPtnm3CrtN6jZ6ygz6EGXC69qBJPVXOUiojmpKrzcHNlH8czo1ftzMPe2LmsEls6nn3TrTkZ1kCF8CZ448Di0BjrnQFWciJInSJT9QJqaiQ_hmcz_RJxgz_rew178vJg-38FQq4TmhCpV2LKnzFDLFoeH4lAwC-IHvowluHEZM6H8u=w672-h895-no)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/u5WHmnw7EYtbZ3qo675fEeAwzn19054Gi1n97UuvrTZAsBfTVs2ZzRbdXcDyvnk1ub_9RLQlbhc63w6EN4DCUlhTox7o3Jq6X34zBnrCe4NLiTkdwuLEWxox-AEm8l_Kts7FeU6xk4_mJIclkuxzfmQocy0U11e5tlZF1HQzBmfc-V808avSSrHpc0EsDBZcdSCo21uwMPIXw9OKGlGx1Fk9h2HGaFhQ0hIMyP2kXg1niQ7CjyTyHGxkXggS6adRACjJd9E1HykMJeAAl8rPLNFjf6L-yrVORl4xQqdDk3wPMTE6LeB-nIZ3FaGzF2ZUx993IzYE326JUimfzDM4SInIlagBxDRhRdqLr7H9dnBYOy9yo7Csie4dMEgcivAe9BD1Zem0GeQUUBPazX_S4In16AOJid5ykaFl-5Ox3LXKRvkXnIi9eVMbM0I0MLKqBaZwmfH_eZNtCC5mCx004xQNzAIpLz2J1rGqeK9S8MPElseHjCP6V55iUbZJWOua5H-xYp7QYCwy8Ybl7TKFb8teygMQY6lAFwiPgaGUy6NMEtqJNk1YW53rDuKt8T8B7U0hPkJVPXtkvoxN0eywqXOh1EyAxmXq_sp8O0Y8=w600-h895-no)
Post by: Rusty Edge on March 11, 2018, 10:55:19 pm
Post by: E_T on March 12, 2018, 03:16:24 am
Post by: Unorthodox on March 12, 2018, 11:14:54 am
Post by: Unorthodox on March 18, 2018, 06:23:31 pm
Quote
The GoE is shutting down.
Buncha thieves, serves em right.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 18, 2018, 06:27:02 pm
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/u5WHmnw7EYtbZ3qo675fEeAwzn19054Gi1n97UuvrTZAsBfTVs2ZzRbdXcDyvnk1ub_9RLQlbhc63w6EN4DCUlhTox7o3Jq6X34zBnrCe4NLiTkdwuLEWxox-AEm8l_Kts7FeU6xk4_mJIclkuxzfmQocy0U11e5tlZF1HQzBmfc-V808avSSrHpc0EsDBZcdSCo21uwMPIXw9OKGlGx1Fk9h2HGaFhQ0hIMyP2kXg1niQ7CjyTyHGxkXggS6adRACjJd9E1HykMJeAAl8rPLNFjf6L-yrVORl4xQqdDk3wPMTE6LeB-nIZ3FaGzF2ZUx993IzYE326JUimfzDM4SInIlagBxDRhRdqLr7H9dnBYOy9yo7Csie4dMEgcivAe9BD1Zem0GeQUUBPazX_S4In16AOJid5ykaFl-5Ox3LXKRvkXnIi9eVMbM0I0MLKqBaZwmfH_eZNtCC5mCx004xQNzAIpLz2J1rGqeK9S8MPElseHjCP6V55iUbZJWOua5H-xYp7QYCwy8Ybl7TKFb8teygMQY6lAFwiPgaGUy6NMEtqJNk1YW53rDuKt8T8B7U0hPkJVPXtkvoxN0eywqXOh1EyAxmXq_sp8O0Y8=w600-h895-no)That right there's a little DOLL, BTW, under all the spooky paint.
Post by: Unorthodox on March 18, 2018, 11:06:39 pm
GoE?
The Garage of Evil.
One of the primary reasons I quit posting a lot of in progress stuff other places as they'd make quick and cheap knockoffs of the idea and then accuse me of copying.
a few times they straight out copied my tutorials and tried to sell them.
Though, my calling them out on that is a big reason they tanked the last few years.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 18, 2018, 11:16:13 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on March 23, 2018, 04:16:22 am
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/KB6z3o6-e25DjDOMP-Krtu7-AFkMULfSwzzH3bc3XrhOVRpUb9U63vfEzyugg4ypkDECjTY_VSOe2wO7-EJt3nCB3IjN02evn15oFaCkL4bulHrDZ4os2iAALLUD-qEMuUUUkiX5_fNM_jyWxXedDtUX1jawQCgEhjKcNYnbSuJNdunoAQ-VvTWvRS0Gr5lgKlYAZ1DY4Ydyo-8si3uocRtI8hMcaOrbASh2Wop6p4yUyCmlvodpiUPQTr6Q6aLIqV8NCMLRvYA6hNVoJVTZ0ae0BIrv9kkE4yPRnsIpFo-Th2_ffqHFsT-K78dT8ZiQX_tNiVueVEjeLcJIb5IO5__l6S5au4umwOQyiYyB_Xwh2aNwiPFg5ladVIUD8DGQA-0U50tXv2DoE_-8zQIzXH2MIQpVqF52uCa51LQ7DDQb1jj_mlj30-HtGF0-Cr4lOQMu8_olr1ktthkeRzfdiXO1hU5eY7tZ6AQgCMFwbZTZxwDKpVwhOWBAuX8YWcQojWdc_dqjcG2MZ_UrnDil0JJ0Q4aSk1pHM7ZXUrOBIzz-kzzEUQ5jm-b_UtlmOBlo3WgTzsmS0st5_QOJPB0FfDYXvIZ_fdsVkD54ohCM=w600-h895-no)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/MRuulHo7gfjMA4J0oAVVOTkOx31YlpBdqwC9M2JROgCAx_WH-B0sY5RJien0ciXdHW7ZyeIz5szlb9TOyI0-FHiYbB33xA-dIIKOpn7fPWv338BEBivbM2STVvUGlSbYSUOiIuXystSlCx7p9AEFNwV7dWSmJNNNoXjP2O-ckk--AbCKAfqdtpuHMFw8GgVr0qQK5PZD6c6zBvL8ZdG7z9TkP23SzTqoqOHCW40N-8vevbF5KXuDQcsMSoGoknvYAx7I72gTG1cBEmSnq7MuSdGMBCYCenEFsNL-ZmnjmTdddYqPlEM6ptl0rVJKoG9ZJjY0m8fSuDxlPSemsk7v59xBhoP5jb0tETZRMEv8bSoUf6j3etvt_d82y2tpq0tTVk66PWoggk1Cd50gC6Tj6E6qxkomHBHjYL1aoU27xBgPOeCaXAs1qiy_iLFhe7r1pIR4rYWsMZV9NjTyaCE2G3CNF89jMrqkWMAw1WYSnLbDnr1zbtDkH_nI5QGnt2WN-R0im8Mq5GKgS7Msvz0YZh413DBOuF2-QccQVn0ig0krIZYfI8epVQxZPWd6zSnnPyyI15208TW9_K2ilyl7-Pgx4AWXXe3S6uGQsE1_=w600-h895-no)
Scare Factory 2018:
(https://scontent.fsnc1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/29570854_1615971678492774_2887408388749828207_n.jpg?oh=e40ba35ece989e8ddfefa9320f3aad8a&oe=5B378401)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 23, 2018, 04:18:50 am
Have you thanked them for being dirty thieves?
Post by: Unorthodox on March 23, 2018, 04:28:24 am
Halloween community 2010: Harvest themes are boring.
Uno: I accept that challenge.
2016 community: Dark Harvest is the best
2017-2018 prop makers rushing to fill demand.
Surprised no one's mass marketed the fence yet. It's my most pinterested item.
That guy in the background's a ripoff of my friends' prop in Idaho as well.
Post by: Unorthodox on March 23, 2018, 04:30:48 am
Post by: Unorthodox on March 23, 2018, 04:27:14 pm
And the by people for that matter.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 23, 2018, 05:16:48 pm
Unsorted the first line, not so much luck with the second... You could make spider people the next big thing, though hEt's against them, probably a creep button pushed too hard. -Also the by people, whatever that is, next big thing to get ripped off widely and brazenly.
I don't doubt it - you're that good.
Post by: hEtErOdOx on March 23, 2018, 06:31:07 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 23, 2018, 07:00:59 pm
Post by: E_T on March 23, 2018, 07:16:41 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 23, 2018, 07:21:20 pm
Like, yo - it almost legally counts as a copyright notice, at least on the photo, ideas being harder to protect, though we are talking actionable infringement of specific designs...
Should I dig up all the watermark stamp files I made and add the curly c on one end and repost?
Post by: Unorthodox on March 23, 2018, 07:34:09 pm
?
Unsorted the first line, not so much luck with the second... You could make spider people the next big thing, though hEt's against them, probably a creep button pushed too hard. -Also the by people, whatever that is, next big thing to get ripped off widely and brazenly.
I don't doubt it - you're that good.
Bat people was the second line. Stupid phone. The only other thing hEt ever put her foot down and said no to.
We have a shared trauma around that concept. My natural instinct is to remake it. Hers is the more rational avoidance.
Post by: Unorthodox on March 23, 2018, 07:43:03 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 23, 2018, 08:05:42 pm
Still -
That there Unorthodox Halloween watermark stamp is no solution, but it sure don't hurt to apply liberally...?
Like, yo - it almost legally counts as a copyright notice, at least on the photo, ideas being harder to protect,
[snip]
Should I dig up all the watermark stamp files I made and add the curly c on one end and repost?
Post by: Unorthodox on March 24, 2018, 05:22:37 am
Photos I take with Vera automagically get a water mark in processing. Photos I take with my phone, I automagically upload to my website storage now. It's too big a pain to pull them off my phone, into the shop, save, upload.
What I need to do, now that I'm hosting my own photos, is find a plugin deal that will automagically stamp everything.
Post by: Unorthodox on March 24, 2018, 05:43:16 am
We went looking for our flagstone today, as there were issues with our first choice.
We'd originally chosen the second from the left here. That's moss and lichens on the stone, and we liked the idea of that randomness to the whole area.
(http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2018-buildup/D5FD67C3-9F53-479D-A286-C111E42BFC8F.jpeg)
However, looking at it in bulk, it was problematic, more boulders than flagstone, and much too red sandstone to fit with the house.
So, looking around the stone yard, both hEt and I immediately gravitated to these blocks. They aren't flagstone by any stretch, but the place will custom cut them to that thickness for us free. The dark grey contrasting our standing stone well.
(http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2018-buildup/5F8B7F67-1B38-4197-8614-908B903C48E1.jpeg)
The kicker is those lighter surfaces you see on some of them. I don't know how well it's visible on this phone pic, but thats fossilized shells, fairly common around lake Bonneville shorelines, geeky enough we love it all the more.
(http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2018-buildup/6ECDB9D8-F22D-48A0-93A9-45B5ED6E4CBA.jpeg)
Post by: Unorthodox on March 24, 2018, 05:56:15 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 24, 2018, 06:23:54 am
Post by: E_T on March 24, 2018, 03:28:49 pm
It's the old I'm lazy and suck thing.
Are you saying that your becoming more like Con?? :hide:
Speaking of which, we haven't seen you over at WPC in some time. Are they still blocking it at your work?
Post by: Unorthodox on March 24, 2018, 06:15:02 pm
I don't know what the hell is wrong with that place.
Post by: Unorthodox on March 24, 2018, 06:15:44 pm
It's the old I'm lazy and suck thing.
Are you saying that your becoming more like Con?? :hide:
Speaking of which, we haven't seen you over at WPC in some time. Are they still blocking it at your work?
That saying originated from Togas, though.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 24, 2018, 06:20:28 pm
Work, home, phone.;lol
I don't know what the hell is wrong with that place.
I do. Solver's only still keeping it on the nets because he uses the domain for something else -dunno what- and WPC is almost free to keep.
There's other stuff, but impolitic for me to go into.
Post by: E_T on March 24, 2018, 06:25:22 pm
Back to Pithenge (really needs a better name).
We went looking for our flagstone today, as there were issues with our first choice.
We'd originally chosen the second from the left here. That's moss and lichens on the stone, and we liked the idea of that randomness to the whole area.
(http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2018-buildup/D5FD67C3-9F53-479D-A286-C111E42BFC8F.jpeg)
However, looking at it in bulk, it was problematic, more boulders than flagstone, and much too red sandstone to fit with the house.
So, looking around the stone yard, both hEt and I immediately gravitated to these blocks. They aren't flagstone by any stretch, but the place will custom cut them to that thickness for us free. The dark grey contrasting our standing stone well.
(http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2018-buildup/5F8B7F67-1B38-4197-8614-908B903C48E1.jpeg)
The kicker is those lighter surfaces you see on some of them. I don't know how well it's visible on this phone pic, but thats fossilized shells, fairly common around lake Bonneville shorelines, geeky enough we love it all the more.
(http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2018-buildup/6ECDB9D8-F22D-48A0-93A9-45B5ED6E4CBA.jpeg)
looks great
Post by: E_T on March 24, 2018, 06:27:35 pm
And yes, I'm well aware that by making the permanent pathway out of fossilized remains, the bridge of death has literally become a path of death.
an Ancient Path of Death...
Post by: E_T on March 24, 2018, 06:29:29 pm
It's the old I'm lazy and suck thing.
Are you saying that your becoming more like Con?? :hide:
Speaking of which, we haven't seen you over at WPC in some time. Are they still blocking it at your work?
That saying originated from Togas, though.
Have you heard anything from Togas in a while?
Post by: Unorthodox on March 26, 2018, 04:24:34 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 26, 2018, 04:52:29 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 27, 2018, 02:22:23 am
Post by: E_T on March 27, 2018, 02:29:53 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 27, 2018, 02:30:23 am
Uno loves that thrill of fear.
-Also hEt, the only woman -as Norm said to Cliff once when he had a girlfriend- in the world weird enough for him. Respect!
Post by: E_T on March 27, 2018, 02:32:09 am
You have a bone to pick with me about it??
Post by: Unorthodox on March 27, 2018, 02:32:36 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 27, 2018, 02:33:47 am
See my edit above.
Post by: Unorthodox on March 27, 2018, 02:38:10 am
Post by: Unorthodox on March 27, 2018, 02:45:15 am
That thing is WORTHLESS. That's not even a pose-n-stay. It's a cut rate wally (for walgreens not wal mart) They go for $20 that I've seen, and I WOULDN'T PAY THAT.
Hell, I haven't paid $40 for a pose n stay (same basic model but with ratchet hardware in the joints so it holds a pose and typically thicker plastic) And I use those only for comedy.
Post by: E_T on March 27, 2018, 02:47:17 am
Is no one else disturbed by the $40 wally sitting there?
As not knowing what the proper pricing of bones could be, I would not have a clue. Looks kind of like a clearance type tag, too, so...
Maybe it had Bone spurs...
Post by: E_T on March 27, 2018, 02:48:37 am
But let's talk about the wally for a moment.
That thing is WORTHLESS. That's not even a pose-n-stay. It's a cut rate wally (for walgreens not wal mart) They go for $20 that I've seen, and I WOULDN'T PAY THAT.
Hell, I haven't paid $40 for a pose n stay (same basic model but with ratchet hardware in the joints so it holds a pose and typically thicker plastic) And I use those only for comedy.
Your the Expert, UnO
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 27, 2018, 02:48:46 am
Hey...maybe we need the bone couple back as my avatar...If you've lost another copy of Mr. & Mrs. Boner, gimme the highsign and I'll hook you up. ;nod
Awful pun troll! ;nod
Post by: E_T on March 27, 2018, 02:51:00 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 27, 2018, 02:53:05 am
Post by: E_T on March 27, 2018, 03:01:40 am
Post by: Unorthodox on March 27, 2018, 03:06:57 am
Hey...maybe we need the bone couple back as my avatar...If you've lost another copy of Mr. & Mrs. Boner, gimme the highsign and I'll hook you up. ;nod
Awful pun troll! ;nod
They seem to predate this hard-drive, yes.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 27, 2018, 03:46:25 am
You'll spot why I share this heads-up about halfway, and enjoy...
http://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?topic=2653.msg112416#msg112416 (http://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?topic=2653.msg112416#msg112416)
Post by: Unorthodox on April 01, 2018, 05:14:09 am
(http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2018-buildup/D3E8364B-C3EA-4D3F-A785-49D9EDBC3F43.jpeg)
View down the side, first of today's stones coming.
(http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2018-buildup/D60E210E-CFB3-41DB-91A2-62F30735D888.jpeg)
6' Kyle for reference.
(http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2018-buildup/7F079F38-8E01-4365-9B56-4C57C16D94C0.jpeg)
(the yellow tube is for the gas fire pit)
(http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2018-buildup/3EE40BD8-EBE1-45DB-895F-22178F4546F8.jpeg)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 01, 2018, 05:15:54 am
Post by: Unorthodox on April 01, 2018, 12:25:52 pm
WELL - that's nothing like I pictured for layout when you first mentioned the idea. Interesting.
A lot less pentagrammy than the first concept, yes. Plus it MEANS something.
Post by: Geo on April 01, 2018, 03:21:32 pm
Post by: E_T on April 01, 2018, 05:13:31 pm
and durn, Kyle's 6' now?? How they've grown...
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 01, 2018, 05:21:08 pm
Looking good, UnONo kiddin' 'bout THAT.
and durn, Kyle's 6' now?? How they've grown...
Post by: Unorthodox on April 02, 2018, 01:13:16 am
There's more space between the house and the fence then I thought from the plans you showed earlier.
I couldn't remember if there was 25' or 30'. Whatever the minimum code said, but there's clearly 30. Of that, the circle, with stones takes up nearly 22'. Once the trampoline slides back between those two trees to the right of the patio, there won't be much grass.
Post by: Unorthodox on April 07, 2018, 03:59:33 am
A sister to Vera is available for ~$100, where as the absolute top of the line I would ever need/want is hovering at $450. That latter has wi-fi capable direct upload potential. There's also a slew of step upgrades along this price range, but all moving towards upgrading my actual lens library.
I could also explore moving on to a brand jump. I'm rather fond of Sonys at work, and have enough Nikon experience to not totally hate that concept, but both those options have difficulties in specific scenarios.
Post by: Unorthodox on April 09, 2018, 02:45:09 am
As far back as 2012, I have been keeping an eye on the pentax K-30.
It remains the absolute top of the line low light camera. It also contains most of the modifications my K-10 has to work with the manual lenses, and a few tech features I presently lack. Plus simultaneously would allow me to upgrade to automagic D lenses.
Downside is it wouldn't have wifi and still would require the photoshop processing I currently have to do where the newer ones wouldn't.
Presently priced around $200. Definitely on the birthday/christmas possibility list.
Post by: Unorthodox on April 15, 2018, 01:45:04 am
Running a pressure test on the gas line to confirm no leaks. Then we’re ready to rock. (Pun intended). Maybe two weeks, weather depending. No eta on the patio though. Too much water still. The fire pit area isn’t as sensitive to that.
Post by: Unorthodox on April 16, 2018, 03:06:40 pm
Post by: hEtErOdOx on April 17, 2018, 03:12:53 am
Post by: Unorthodox on April 17, 2018, 09:28:36 pm
The step promotion is done (I can’t be bothered to figure exactly, less than 25, more than 20 percent raise)
Lots of technical stuff as well but that’s more difficult to explain.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 17, 2018, 09:35:56 pm
Post by: E_T on April 17, 2018, 10:38:26 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 17, 2018, 10:50:41 pm
You can say crap here, I think. ;nod
Post by: E_T on April 17, 2018, 10:52:25 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 17, 2018, 11:11:36 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on April 18, 2018, 02:26:09 am
Finally got the concrete collar poured around the stones. Over the last few weeks the tall ones had slipped several inches. I will feel a lot better in a few days when that’s all cured.
Running a pressure test on the gas line to confirm no leaks. Then we’re ready to rock. (Pun intended). Maybe two weeks, weather depending. No eta on the patio though. Too much water still. The fire pit area isn’t as sensitive to that.
So, in engineering my circle, I took a two phased approach. I looked up how they did it in the past, and I went to the local modern formations (of which there are a few). Here's the closest.
(http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2018-buildup/A4D2DFD1-4045-480D-B5B9-4C47079E57C8.jpeg)
I had wet cats in the car, so couldn't get out and get detailed pics, but you can still see a few of these stones cracking.
They poured a concrete pad, cut the bases of their stones, drilled them, and ran rebar up the stones to hold them steady. A couple have fallen and many are cracking to various degrees. Sandstone out of brown's canyon.
This was clearly NOT the way to go about this.
Traditional menhir that stay standing have 1/3 of their length underground. That was impractical.
Thus my hybrid concrete collar burying the actual stones.
(http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2018-buildup/77ED14F0-F329-4CA3-AFCC-AA22FE0D7D1B.jpeg)
We'll hide the collar under some decorative cobble later.
Post by: E_T on April 18, 2018, 10:03:05 pm
Post by: Spacy on April 19, 2018, 12:56:06 am
He's one of the few I never got facebook info on, and I'm 90% sure I only had his RL info on MZO.
If you want Togas' contact, I have him on my facebook feed. I think he just kinda gave up gaming when he founded his own firm and had his kids.
Post by: Unorthodox on April 19, 2018, 02:43:25 am
Post by: Unorthodox on April 19, 2018, 12:27:15 pm
(http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2018-buildup/BA3E25F2-83D0-40E2-9595-FC6ECFD41A25.jpeg)
Started on the fire pit last night
(http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2018-buildup/7CE982A5-8533-4798-B73C-8B0CB601FFB8.jpeg)
It was getting dark and I had my floods out, so I dialed up the orange on them. Note how the stones facing the lights reflect. Can't wait to get a fire going and see them all doing that.
(http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2018-buildup/0619B6D3-8812-4266-BC25-12A7C0DF1FDD.jpeg)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 19, 2018, 12:33:47 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on April 19, 2018, 05:04:56 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 19, 2018, 05:12:39 pm
-Just, lots of redress possibilities down the road, and I'm eager to see what you come up with over the years to come...
Post by: Spacy on April 19, 2018, 09:23:46 pm
Also, the concrete pad looks like it was just a 4-6 inch thick small slab - basically a sidewalk. Depending on how well that is attached to the rock and the other pads next to it will be a big factor in how well it holds up.
Post by: Spacy on April 19, 2018, 09:33:21 pm
Hey, how's your house coming? You get all moved in?
Moved in. But, lots of little issues.
Cable (& internet) are not properly wired, and I think we are at the point of having to rip out a lot of drywall to fix things.
Basement (where all the bedrooms are) keeps getting groundwater into the heating vents (which are below the slab), so we have to rip up all the carpet, chop out the concrete floors, install what basically is a french drain, then put it all back together. Work scheduled for Mid-May, and we are just living with the stink til then.
Found an illegal sewer tap, that is causing a lot of extra stink. Getting that fixed with the french drain.
Pool isn't working yet, have to do 12K worth of mechanicals on it....
Furnace we podged them together, but will have to replace all three of them in the next year or two. AC due to winter we haven't really tested, but the systems are a good 20+ years old so expect them to not work too well.
Roof keeps leaking near a skylight - roofers have tried 3 times now to fix it, but every new rain / snow melt it starts back up.
Painting of main rooms is done. Mostly a question at this time of getting the furnishings we want. Not in a major rush to do that, though.
The money pit is sucking money fast and hard, but we knew it would and love the place still. Hopefully, late summer / early fall we will have most of the work finished and be ready to host a holiday or two.
Post by: E_T on April 19, 2018, 10:48:22 pm
Mystery apparently approves.
(http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2018-buildup/BA3E25F2-83D0-40E2-9595-FC6ECFD41A25.jpeg)
Started on the fire pit last night
(http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2018-buildup/7CE982A5-8533-4798-B73C-8B0CB601FFB8.jpeg)
It was getting dark and I had my floods out, so I dialed up the orange on them. Note how the stones facing the lights reflect. Can't wait to get a fire going and see them all doing that.
(http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2018-buildup/0619B6D3-8812-4266-BC25-12A7C0DF1FDD.jpeg)
Neat!! Bet you can't wait to do some creative lighting in the area!! I remember you posting that one thing on lighting long time ago and this seems to call out for it!!
Post by: Unorthodox on April 20, 2018, 01:55:23 am
How deep did you bury them, and how deep is your winter frost line? Here frost is 2.5', 4' under pavement. I expect that will play a huge role in how stable they are.
Also, the concrete pad looks like it was just a 4-6 inch thick small slab - basically a sidewalk. Depending on how well that is attached to the rock and the other pads next to it will be a big factor in how well it holds up.
The earthworks under the stones are how they build the freeways here, with cobble, road base, then the stones/concrete. (yes, they use concrete on the roads as it's more durable than the blacktop) So, the earth under shouldn't freeze/move but the big stones + concrete are 2' deep rebar reinforced. You're likely seeing where we had extra concrete so poured just a bit wider at the surface.
In fact, the entire path would be the equivalent of a 30-40 MPH dirt road in one of the more rural areas here.
Fun fact: I'm knapping the stones around the pit.
Post by: Syn on April 20, 2018, 02:08:23 am
Post by: Unorthodox on April 20, 2018, 02:29:25 am
The concrete in Washington lasted over 50 years before getting too bad and needing replacement. With asphalt you're lucky to get 10 years.
We've had a few stretches of roads where it caused problems, but otherwise it's better.
Post by: Unorthodox on April 20, 2018, 02:38:03 am
(http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2018-buildup/83D9285C-0604-4F7F-8A41-08C902F8B11B.jpeg)
Tonight's progress. We're actually going to add another right to the top of this one for a touch more height. POSSIBLY FIRE TOMORROW...
(http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2018-buildup/6803CF02-816C-49EE-B284-3125EFFAC042.jpeg?i=1628282378)
Sunset on the stones.
(http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2018-buildup/DB4C41C9-6F30-4B57-92A5-88B30BA713F6.jpeg)
Post by: E_T on April 20, 2018, 03:21:52 am
Fun fact: I'm knapping the stones around the pit.
I noticed in the pictures, looks good so far...
I also noticed that the air port on the pit is away from the hedge. I would have thought that the fire light that plays through it would be more subdued light play on the hedge rocks at night, but maybe not...
Hope the mortar your using for the knapped stone is thermally stable...
Post by: Unorthodox on April 20, 2018, 03:31:50 am
This here be a modren gas firepit thingamabob. That hole is for the on/off valve, not for fire/air.
The fire ring will be up tippy top in the copper bowl, which will be full of lava rock. Not opting for fire logs, though I damn near DID buy the fire JETS instead of ring for a 4' tall flame, but my senses eventually prevailed there.
The copper bowl acts as a heat shield for the masonry below. Not that there will be much heat heading DOWN anyway. Kinda like a really BIG gas range in a marble countertop. The fire goes up and the metal beneath protects the marble from cracking under the heat.
Post by: E_T on April 20, 2018, 03:36:12 am
Kewlness!!
Post by: Unorthodox on April 20, 2018, 03:58:39 am
Post by: E_T on April 20, 2018, 04:29:32 am
Post by: E_T on April 20, 2018, 04:37:49 am
Post by: Unorthodox on April 21, 2018, 05:47:06 am
(http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2018-buildup/17177BDE-7437-417C-9B6D-72E8E15A5F0C.jpeg)
We have fire.
(http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2018-buildup/9606B9EA-8EE8-411A-90BF-99615627B45D.jpeg)
(http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2018-buildup/2ED45569-F9D9-4505-9FD4-5B3583883B1D.jpeg)
Post by: Spacy on April 21, 2018, 09:09:31 am
Looks nice. Just a thunk, add in some ground fireplace glass to the fire pit to get sparkles & reflections. Not sure how good it would look, to be honest, but I do know you can buy it in bulk on Amazon cheap in many different colors.
Post by: Unorthodox on April 21, 2018, 04:02:22 pm
We might do the glass at a later time, but I hear you can't really cook over the glass, and this is hot dog/smore central.
Post by: E_T on April 21, 2018, 05:47:05 pm
Can't wait to see it with all the rock, too...
Post by: Unorthodox on April 22, 2018, 02:11:19 am
(http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2018-buildup/E1F242BA-4A08-4DB8-A7C2-CDA2E2EE8850.jpeg?i=394937088)
(http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2018-buildup/B85DD55E-DAD5-48D2-97D8-5D869ECA46A4.jpeg?i=1447364741[/imf][img width=600 height=800]http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2018-buildup/58144C81-EBD5-4BA2-86B4-C3BAF418B372.jpeg?i=965112508)
Post by: Unorthodox on April 22, 2018, 02:19:10 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 22, 2018, 02:24:02 am
(http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2018-buildup/58144C81-EBD5-4BA2-86B4-C3BAF418B372.jpeg?i=965112508)
Ooh! And it's of :luv: TALIA :luv:!
Post by: Unorthodox on April 22, 2018, 02:49:41 am
I might pull vera out later, but I'm pretty damn pooped.
Post by: Syn on April 22, 2018, 02:56:05 am
Post by: E_T on April 22, 2018, 03:14:00 am
Post by: Unorthodox on April 22, 2018, 06:13:30 am
What are they, uh, pretending to cook?
Blue flame is next to invisible in the day on the lower setting since I still have too much air/ not enough rock/logs. I'll figure that out in time.
Post by: Unorthodox on April 22, 2018, 06:13:47 am
Hot Diggity Dawgs!! How did the Dawgs turn out? Make mine with chili and cheese... 8)
Chili over the fire?
I got to reading the ingredients on the Bar S hot dogs the kids were eating that have made me sick for years...
Yeah, more corn filler. I'm thinking I've had a huge BT corn problem for a long time.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 22, 2018, 01:36:15 pm
The power company did something to our meter Friday, and when the power came back on after five hours, the stove doesn't work, the hot water heater doesn't work, and the dishwasher isn't heating it's own water at all - every large appliance with a major heating element, save we haven't tested the central air yet.
Momma's head is naturally in danger of exploding - and I dread pointing out that we need to test the heat pump, 'cause I don't want to lose her. A call went in to Boss Duke complaining about the stove/oven Friday afternoon when we only knew about that - it is drawing power, all breakers have been checked, but only the clock/timer seems to work.
Any thoughts, based on that?
Post by: E_T on April 22, 2018, 01:59:51 pm
Uno, this sounds like something you just might have useful feedback/advice on as a practicing engineer...
The power company did something to our meter Friday, and when the power came back on after five hours, the stove doesn't work, the hot water heater doesn't work, and the dishwasher isn't heating it's own water at all - every large appliance with a major heating element, save we haven't tested the central air yet.
Momma's head is naturally in danger of exploding - and I dread pointing out that we need to test the heat pump, 'cause I don't want to lose her. A call went in to Boss Duke complaining about the stove/oven Friday afternoon when we only knew about that - it is drawing power, all breakers have been checked, but only the clock/timer seems to work.
Any thoughts, based on that?
You are only getting one of the two phases that come into the house. The Large appliances that you have are all two Phase things and need both active phases to work.
Just to be clear, the lines on the power pole are one to three phases. Your transformer(s) feed off and distributes the different phases to help balance the load. Your normal outlet is one phase (and in a properly load distributed house, the two phases get balanced for the different circuit breakers). So, NORMALLY, if you have only one of two phases present in your two phase house, 1/2 of the lights and outlets won't work. As well as all of your two phase things (although, some things might partly work, like an AC unit, the air handler might have a single phase motor, but the compressor and outside fan will both be two phase and not work).
they need to fix it...
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 22, 2018, 02:06:19 pm
The meter work was specifically something to do with load distribution, though I thought that was peak-draw/brownout stuff. So, in English, the 220 lines aren't working right?
I didn't know you were an electrician. Thanks.
Post by: E_T on April 22, 2018, 02:12:08 pm
If the problem is in your main breaker, that is beyond what the power company can fix and you would need an electrician to fix if for you (as it is after the point of the power company's service, which ends at their meter box).
Post by: Unorthodox on April 22, 2018, 02:19:38 pm
Beyond that, I'd summon the electrician as electricity and I have a rather notorious history.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 22, 2018, 02:20:05 pm
1969 wiring. So try toggling the main breaker, huh?
Post by: E_T on April 22, 2018, 02:24:16 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on April 22, 2018, 02:24:42 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 22, 2018, 02:32:52 pm
I've left Momma a terse note to be sure she doesn't miss it when she gets home from church soon - it would be impolitic to act on my own; her house...
Post by: Unorthodox on April 22, 2018, 02:40:40 pm
I've seen this same problem about 5 times over the last year, though. Every time has been a critter getting into the box. Either at the main, or out at the 'street'.
(cat, squirrel, spider, bird, spider) edit: I was keeping a running 'it swallowed a fly' joke going for a while
In your particular situation, though, fuse or human error is more likely.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 22, 2018, 02:47:07 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 22, 2018, 03:35:15 pm
Post by: E_T on April 22, 2018, 04:12:58 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 22, 2018, 04:43:17 pm
Think I'll go lay down while I wait...
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 22, 2018, 05:49:49 pm
Will update if anything interesting happens...
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 22, 2018, 11:55:12 pm
The help/advice has been much cherished; E_T, Uno, I thank you SO very much, because you have no idea how much your insights improved Momma's crappy day that would have been a lot more stressful for longer not knowing what you told me - she says she really appreciates it...
Will update if anything interesting happens and the power's still on to report.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 23, 2018, 05:55:24 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on April 23, 2018, 06:49:55 pm
Maybe doing s’mores tonight.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 23, 2018, 07:23:16 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on April 23, 2018, 07:45:22 pm
Ironically the blue is the correct color so you have to “break” things a bit. But combustion is something of a specialty for me.
Consequently, we damn near had a spent motor for a fire pit but I decided it would look off with all the rock.
Post by: Unorthodox on April 23, 2018, 07:58:16 pm
That IS odd - I don't even see the x-in-a-box - but grabbing the link, it seems to be working for me...
(http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2018-buildup/58144C81-EBD5-4BA2-86B4-C3BAF418B372.jpeg?i=965112508)
Ooh! And it's of :luv: TALIA :luv:!
Just feel like pointing out a little piece of awesomeness in this pic. That first stone was Talia’s bday at the first of the month. If it were her bday that shadow would be very near the center of the pit. (Not dead center because of astronomical reasons I can’t link to now. )
Edit: spellcheck doesn’t know astrology from astronomy
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 23, 2018, 08:10:09 pm
Consequently, we damn near had a spent motor for a fire pit but I decided it would look off with all the rock.Wait - you're saying you could have had a (used) ROCKET ENGINE for your fire pit, and didn't choose to go that way and make it work?
You, sir, have been in the biz too long, and I strip you of your accrued nerd-points.
Post by: Unorthodox on April 23, 2018, 09:02:19 pm
In fact proper nozzle plus the flame jet burner and I could do a proper wizard of oz column. If not the puffing
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 23, 2018, 09:11:00 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on April 23, 2018, 09:52:29 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 23, 2018, 10:13:47 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on April 24, 2018, 12:28:56 am
Don't suppose you have a meter you want to poke places?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 24, 2018, 01:02:19 am
It's her house, and a very bad idea for me to touch a darn thing, really. She ain't in a good mood.
Post by: E_T on April 24, 2018, 01:08:25 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 24, 2018, 01:14:49 am
Did they verify that the juice that is making it to the house are the correct phases?? They should be 120 degrees off from each other. But if they are BOTH the same phase, then 2 phase things won't work...Dunno. I felt warm water coming out the kitchen faucet, but didn't wait to see how hot it got - wrong end of the house to be practical. That's all I know, that those two d00dz, not electricians, thought it should have worked and are stumped, and that's all I know. I haven't decided yet whether to take that makeup hot bath, or be cautious in case it's only intermittent...
Post by: Unorthodox on April 24, 2018, 02:52:29 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 24, 2018, 03:23:53 am
I'm not checking anything at this hour and upsetting Mom; it would, and her brother's coming early tomorrow, and will know what to do.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 24, 2018, 03:53:43 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 24, 2018, 09:49:09 pm
Post by: E_T on April 24, 2018, 11:11:19 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on April 25, 2018, 07:04:41 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 25, 2018, 08:10:39 pm
Momma ran a small load of wash to check the dryer this morning, load being dry now - which it wouldn't be if it had only centrifuged cold for 20 minutes. I saw the dishwasher steam when she opened it mid-cycle to check last night - and I got her to go upstairs and turn on the heat to check, though I don't know if she made sure heat was coming out. (I need to be careful about nagging; she was married to a world-class nagger or 40 years and sometimes I have to step off, this being one of those times.) Otherwise, I think it's safe to call the rest okay.
Post by: Unorthodox on April 26, 2018, 02:05:29 pm
I mean, I get that his idiocy is proportional to his stress levels, but he stresses over some really stupid things.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 26, 2018, 03:00:00 pm
I'd been assuming the promotion meant you'd displaced the bad new boss in self-defense....
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 26, 2018, 10:50:29 pm
Post by: Spacy on April 26, 2018, 11:02:55 pm
Post by: E_T on April 26, 2018, 11:41:26 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 27, 2018, 12:03:57 am
Post by: Unorthodox on April 27, 2018, 12:08:20 am
Work again?
I'd been assuming the promotion meant you'd displaced the bad new boss in self-defense....
My position in the company is a little weird at the moment.
I'm an expert at managing a particular portion of contracts. On paper, our contract should have a staff of 5. I've was doing it with 50% of my time before idiot was hired.
With promotion, they want to move me to 75% on task (the contract grew leaps and bounds), and give me a couple IT folks that use 10% of their time to assist me on managing the contract. I'm more than happy to outsource the data entry portion, so this arrangement works well on paper.
The problem is idiot is so inept, it's taking me 80-90% of my time to do HIS job instead of just helping out.
But, they have a job req out to take 50% of his job away, so that should help.
Post by: Unorthodox on April 27, 2018, 12:13:04 am
the issue is no longer current...
Please stop, it hertz.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 27, 2018, 12:15:11 am
I guess a frank talk with someone over Idiot in the pecking order isn't going to work/be worth trying for some obvious reason?
Post by: Unorthodox on April 27, 2018, 12:22:23 am
I guess a frank talk with someone over Idiot in the pecking order isn't going to work/be worth trying for some obvious reason?
incompetence is not a fireable offense?
Supervisor A and I have had the frank discussion.
I regret not taking his job when it was offered me since I didn't want it, but I'm doing it anyway so I may as well have been getting paid for it.
She regrets not firing when she had the opportunity, but she was new to her position at the same time.
So, we have to wait for him to screw up bad enough to fire again.
And he will. We all see it coming.
So I'm in the position of attempting to allow his incompetence show without letting everything totally fall to hell.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 27, 2018, 12:40:50 am
Post by: Unorthodox on April 27, 2018, 02:25:13 am
But, with money, anything is possible.
If it would give hEt F U money, I'd do it.
Post by: E_T on April 27, 2018, 03:35:41 am
That is SO wrong. You are a terrible person - and also a punster.
;) Is that so shocking??
Post by: Unorthodox on April 27, 2018, 04:24:47 am
Post by: E_T on April 28, 2018, 12:27:01 am
Post by: ColdWizard on April 28, 2018, 02:07:51 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 28, 2018, 02:15:33 am
Post by: E_T on April 28, 2018, 02:22:57 am
E_T needs to be grounded.
Ah, ho, A live one... Are you positive about that??
Post by: Unorthodox on April 28, 2018, 03:00:07 am
I need to insulate this community from the awful, awful puns.
Resistance is futile.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 28, 2018, 03:00:32 am
Post by: ColdWizard on April 28, 2018, 03:57:12 am
E_T needs to be grounded.
Ah, ho, A live one... Are you positive about that??
I was, but I think it was just a phase.
Post by: E_T on April 28, 2018, 04:06:01 am
E_T needs to be grounded.
Ah, ho, A live one... Are you positive about that??
I was, but I think it was just a phase.
Hope you got a charge out of it...
Post by: E_T on April 28, 2018, 04:08:41 am
I need to insulate this community from the awful, awful puns.
Resistance is futile.
As long as you conduct yourself appropriately...
Post by: Unorthodox on April 28, 2018, 04:27:40 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 28, 2018, 05:25:14 am
Post by: E_T on April 28, 2018, 04:21:17 pm
I don't think that's within my capacity.
And here I thought that it was just right down your line, Man...
Post by: Unorthodox on April 28, 2018, 07:07:06 pm
(http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2018-buildup/90FEA583-DBD4-432B-9E6E-7C69CAB30BEE.jpeg?i=35761157)
Stamped with wood grain:
(http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2018-buildup/F0856B5A-BA25-45CD-B630-DF2EBFEE3404.jpeg?i=307887996)
It'll take a while for the final color to come out. There's a dust release they spread with the stamping, come back and sweep it off, then power wash and seal the whole thing in a couple weeks.
Boys and I working on the path. We got to just around the corner by the time the sun was hitting the side there, so called it a day. About 2-3 more hours to finish, but I'm not doing that in 80+ sun.
(http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2018-buildup/45877ED8-B0CE-44E1-9D86-C1A78A8EEAD8.jpeg?i=1160058701)
Mystery inspecting everything at every turn.
(http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2018-buildup/30DA2F6A-37CE-4B2C-93B6-622DA621DE5B.jpeg?i=1177028316)
Post by: E_T on April 28, 2018, 07:24:31 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on April 28, 2018, 11:55:07 pm
I’m in a pair of shorts that hasn’t fit in at least 2years.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 29, 2018, 12:06:47 am
Post by: Rusty Edge on April 29, 2018, 01:32:25 am
What pic?
I think the one before Mystery. Look at the top between the yellow wheelbarrow and the yellow hose.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 29, 2018, 02:20:15 am
Post by: Unorthodox on April 29, 2018, 03:52:56 am
(http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2018-buildup/2018-6.jpg?i=1107167572)
(http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2018-buildup/2018-7.jpg?i=830798950)
I had taken Vera out but missed the best of the sun hitting the tree.
(http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2018-buildup/2018-4.jpg?i=79541081)
I'd mixed up the stones when I spoke earlier. This is me standing in the center, that's Talia's stone. If we didn't have the tree and house on the horizon the sun would set just to the right of this stone at this time of year.
(http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2018-buildup/2018-2.jpg?i=1727273526)
Fred in the shed. I found it amusing.
(http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2018-buildup/2018-5.jpg?i=965790249)
Post by: Spacy on April 30, 2018, 09:17:14 pm
Post by: Rusty Edge on May 01, 2018, 02:52:32 am
Post by: Unorthodox on May 01, 2018, 04:15:27 am
He's like the elf on the shelf, just waiting around for his holiday.
Fred would kill you for that...
Post by: E_T on May 02, 2018, 12:04:03 am
Post by: Unorthodox on May 02, 2018, 12:57:33 am
Post by: ColdWizard on May 02, 2018, 06:47:31 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 02, 2018, 06:58:52 pm
Post by: E_T on May 03, 2018, 12:34:25 am
I expect BUncle will gravely conduct an exorcism to banish these puns.
Not getting your funny bone are they??
Post by: Unorthodox on May 03, 2018, 03:13:11 am
Post by: Unorthodox on May 09, 2018, 01:35:04 am
(http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2018-buildup/4E5A8167-6803-4CCC-8456-AFF4C5EE2DFC.jpeg?i=360437503)
Of note, this path is 5' closer to the house than it used to be. This means more room for pumpkin patch to the right, and a need for a new fence...
Post by: E_T on May 09, 2018, 03:34:49 am
Post by: Unorthodox on May 09, 2018, 04:22:45 am
Anywho, Pumpkin futures contract signed. That's one less thing to worry about this year...
Post by: Rusty Edge on May 17, 2018, 05:19:25 pm
http://www-hsc.usc.edu/~rwatanab/ponderin.htm (http://www-hsc.usc.edu/~rwatanab/ponderin.htm)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 17, 2018, 05:57:07 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on May 18, 2018, 12:37:50 am
A LOT of the jokes are about pants, there...
Yes. Pinky seems to have something of a fetish...
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 18, 2018, 12:45:30 am
Post by: Rusty Edge on May 18, 2018, 02:17:47 am
Post by: Unorthodox on May 18, 2018, 04:04:53 am
We had a couple days of bad eating in part due to celebrating Mother's Day, but it's been getting steadily worse from there.
Got reading up, known side effect of the allergy meds I take is increased gallbladder problems.
So...I can breath or I can eat, but I can't do both...
I don't know if we have any of the alternate allergy meds.
Post by: Unorthodox on May 18, 2018, 04:36:13 am
So, been doing digging.
As far back as 2012, I have been keeping an eye on the pentax K-30.
It remains the absolute top of the line low light camera. It also contains most of the modifications my K-10 has to work with the manual lenses, and a few tech features I presently lack. Plus simultaneously would allow me to upgrade to automagic D lenses.
Downside is it wouldn't have wifi and still would require the photoshop processing I currently have to do where the newer ones wouldn't.
Presently priced around $200. Definitely on the birthday/christmas possibility list.
So been digging more because I over-analyze these things. The reason the K-30's are dropping like a rock is they've discovered a flaw in them. The autofocus mechanism becomes magnetized over time rendering it inoperable. So...while a K-30 is still on the list as the best low light camera ever built, and my manual lenses would render the flaw inconsequential, it's useless to me as a gateway to automagic stuff for vacations.
Furthermore, this flaw extends to a whole line, eliminating the K-50, K-S1 and K-S2 options as well. That last one is particularly painful.
SO...
That brings my options to the K-5, K-5 II, K-5 IIs, K-3, and pie in the sky K-3 II. Technically the KP is an option, but I'm not interested.
K-5 ~300
K-5 II ~350
K-5 IIs ~400
K-3 ~450
K-3 II ~700
Uno-wise Low light quality goes down the further down you go on this list. The K-5 is about even with Vera though. The K-3, most notably would add wifi ability.
So, $200 for a K30 upgrade to Vera, or $300 for something the kids can use.
Post by: Unorthodox on May 18, 2018, 06:26:46 am
(neighbor three doors north...)
Post by: Unorthodox on May 19, 2018, 04:21:40 am
The insomnia usually only hits me after about a week on it, and was why I'd switched to the other.
Post by: Unorthodox on May 19, 2018, 11:39:57 am
Check the pic of it on the house...
I don't think much store bought is 'cool' anymore, but this is a nice piece. A little beef netting and lighting and you'd have a fantastic display.
Post by: Unorthodox on May 21, 2018, 02:08:47 am
That brings my options to the K-5, K-5 II, K-5 IIs, K-3, and pie in the sky K-3 II. Technically the KP is an option, but I'm not interested.
K-5 ~300
K-5 II ~350
K-5 IIs ~400
K-3 ~450
K-3 II ~700
So, I've decided it's going to boil down to whichever presents itself first.
K5 family has a shutter life expectancy of ~15000. K3's ~30000. Uno, roughly 1000/year.
So, Either the RIGHT K5 family with a shutter count that'll give me a good 10 years, or a Budget K3.
Post by: Unorthodox on May 22, 2018, 11:19:48 pm
Native Wildflower mixes for the flower beds.
Sorghum for the garden (though whether I grow for decor or silage is up in the air at the moment)
I do have some bush pumpkin seeds I saved from last year we'll give a go, but the only real thing I'm trying new this year is some pumpkin trees/pumpkin on a sticks.
Post by: Spacy on May 25, 2018, 02:11:02 am
My new house most recent words were "it's not asbestos", which was a nice 20k relief.
Post by: Unorthodox on May 25, 2018, 02:41:05 am
Post by: Unorthodox on May 27, 2018, 04:08:11 am
First of all was the surprise discovery of roughly triple what I had budgeted for the camera. Apparently I haven’t really been spending my Christmas money since I was out of work and there was 4 years in the piggy bank instead of 1.
Oddly this actually got me thinking of going cheaper on the camera so I could also upgrade a major piece on the aquarium.
So I looked up a couple k30s for 250, but there was a couple k5s up for bid on eBay as well so I put a lowball 200 bid on those. If I lost no big deal. Well, I won one of those at 150. Now I can even upgrade some pumpkin lights.
Post by: Spacy on May 30, 2018, 12:18:17 am
Solution was to chip out the concrete, install a french drain type system, and then redo the concrete floor (which, all has tile or carpet on it, so the trench would be invisible anyways). As they were removing the concrete, they kept getting close to the air vents - which were all rusted out from the water - and which fell apart as they got anywhere close to them. Then they realized that they air vents were "wrapped" in something. Once they realized that it might be asbestos, they stopped work and left. Took a week to get test results back, and not asbestos. They couldn't say what it is, just not asbestos.
We have AC people coming in this Friday to replace all the busted out vent pipes. Drain people will be back out on the 13 & 14th (soonest they would come back out), and they will not only install the drain, but repair the concrete. Wait a week or two for the concrete to cure, then carpet folks out. Hopefully, by July, major work inside the house is done.
Looking at getting new roof, and at a lot of retaining walls, outside still. Also, found a carpenter ant nest in some structural beams, so trying to see what to do with that (along with the roof).
Ah, home ownership of a money pit....
Post by: Unorthodox on May 30, 2018, 05:22:02 am
Looking at getting new roof, and at a lot of retaining walls, outside still. Also, found a carpenter ant nest in some structural beams, so trying to see what to do with that (along with the roof).
I've had excellent luck with Amdro ant block pellets, but they may not work in that location. IF you can get them foraging and taking some back, that's the ticket.
Might try a carpenter ant gel bait if you have the time and inclination to watch and know where to put it.
Afraid a professional with foam is the only other option, but my money is on the bait before you go chemical foam/spray/dust. Baits get the whole colony. The others typically just give them time to regroup.
I'd definitely broadcast some amdro around the house every couple years.
Post by: Spacy on May 30, 2018, 09:52:11 pm
Hard part is getting to it. Over the middle of the pool - 8' of water at that point, and a good 10 feet from the edge of the pool. The exposed part of the beam is the bottom.
Pellets won't work well, as they are not forging inside the house. They are eating their way through the roof and going outside. Inside is just H2O and a place that the flying ants get confused, land in the pool, and drown. A gel or liquid might work, but access will be an issue, and as I said, they generally are not forging inside, and I don't want to try to change that habit even to try and bait them.
One thing I am concerned with is that the chems will react with the other chems in the pool, or even worse just sit in the pool and get on us as we use it. So, I am a bit paranoid about the whole thing.
A roof R&R might be easy, as I can just have them strip that section, and I can then gain access to the top of the beam, put in some pellets and dust that will basically be contained, and then have them redo the surface with some good shielding. I am also thinking of switching from asphalt shingles to metal, and that will help with future issues as well.
Post by: Rusty Edge on May 30, 2018, 11:50:39 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on May 31, 2018, 02:13:48 pm
In fact, their location may indicate a secondary infestation up there. That high, they are likely eating protein rather than sugars, so possibly more insects.
Gel is your best bet imo. Liquid chems won’t get the queen. An expert, a stethoscope, and foam is the nuke it from orbit option here.
Post by: Unorthodox on June 11, 2018, 04:40:53 am
Combined with the Halloween in summer festival being moved up to next weekend instead of July, and battling some shoulder issues stemming from moving so much earth and whatnot, it's been rough month or so.
I finally just pulled the trigger and started cobbling with the interesting bits of root I saved from the tree we pulled with some limbs from a neighbor's tree.
Except I'm not sure which end is 'front' and which is 'back' at the moment. I just wanted to see where this thing went, and am trying some much more weatherproof methods than normal thus far.
(http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2018-buildup/C3BD7866-6DF1-40E7-98C5-997376B42AB1.jpeg?i=451298171)
(http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2018-buildup/F604182B-FF2D-4A95-9EDA-3F8FD72BB308.jpeg?i=1595494965)
(notice the mound of rocks in the background. We're to the decorative phase, at least)
(http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2018-buildup/71EE08EC-EBA0-4E29-879C-F87EB6F578A2.jpeg?i=1611962822)
(http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2018-buildup/2FDD3C05-F512-4A92-B632-27CD756DFA28.jpeg?i=2071780562)
Post by: Rusty Edge on June 11, 2018, 04:56:34 am
Post by: E_T on June 11, 2018, 03:41:34 pm
next to last pic is the "best" side, IMVHO...
Post by: Spacy on June 11, 2018, 11:05:23 pm
Post by: E_T on June 12, 2018, 12:20:40 am
Post by: E_T on June 12, 2018, 12:22:01 am
Post by: Unorthodox on June 12, 2018, 03:43:13 pm
Reminds me, for some reason, of the awful alien bugs in the Starship Troopers movies.
If by awful you mean great design. ! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2cylNnCaUI0&app=desktop#)
I’ve got my next design step planned, and with it goes what I need from lighting, so that will influence whatever we decide to do with the head.
Post by: Unorthodox on June 17, 2018, 05:13:45 am
(http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2018-buildup/2018-HF6.jpg)
(this was Alec shooting)
(http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2018-buildup/2018-HF7.jpg?i=1263491671)
(http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2018-buildup/2018-HF4.jpg?i=884009795)
(http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2018-buildup/2018-HF12.jpg?i=969147518)
(http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2018-buildup/2018-HF15.jpg?i=684837306)
I find it a little cumbersome to shoot with at times as there's a lot of stuff I need to figure out how to adjust.
Genuinely surprised by the indoor quality.
The light/shadow out by the circle could have been handled better.
A little too bright in the full sun.
All these are things I can adjust in the menu on how I want the camera to automagically handle those situations, I just need to read how to adjust them.
Post by: E_T on June 17, 2018, 06:53:32 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on June 18, 2018, 04:56:05 am
Only a basic shape placeholder testing various ways to play the light, settled on this.
Side by side on the cameras. I pulled Clarence out of auto, and ran it full manual (same kit lens), saved as a raw file, and processed bot it and Vera exactly the same in photoshop so that the difference is entirely the camera processors and censors:
Clarence. Clean, clinical. I can see how this would be adventageous for certain shots.
(http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2018-buildup/2018-HF1-1.jpg)
Vera still delivers that esoteric dreamy quality I love her for.
(http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2018-buildup/2018-HF2-1.jpg?i=1097213134)
Post by: Spacy on June 18, 2018, 01:08:51 pm
Post by: E_T on June 18, 2018, 03:06:48 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on June 18, 2018, 07:36:50 pm
Where it’s telling you is “right”.
The automatic pic out of Clarence looked like noon. So some of it is due to some of those meter settings I use on Vera to get the nighttime look I want. Vera only worries about the subject in lighting. Clarence is trying to balance the entire shot.
Post by: Spacy on June 26, 2018, 07:08:40 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on June 28, 2018, 03:43:46 am
So, Clarence and I tag teaming here as I put him in Semi-Auto. I'd control one or two settings and let him manage the rest. (don't ask me what photoshop did to the stamp here...I was just converting from raw in there, it's never messed that up before.)
(http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2018-buildup/bugs1.jpg?i=1228995592)
(http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2018-buildup/bugs4.jpg?i=1375848568)
(http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2018-buildup/bugs9.jpg?i=1304314047)
(http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2018-buildup/bugs17.jpg?i=1619770783)
Unfortunately a proper macro lens for Clarence is quite pricey. The Bokeh on these could be a hell of a lot smoother.
Post by: E_T on June 28, 2018, 04:34:59 pm
Post by: Spacy on June 28, 2018, 09:14:02 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on July 09, 2018, 07:29:48 pm
Ranged from the great.
(that's salt lake city)
(http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2018-buildup/bugs1-2.jpg?i=1311974121)
(http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2018-buildup/bugs3-1.jpg?i=424435679)
To the glaring weakness. Here Clarence autofocused on the bush. Which wouldn't have been a terrible situation if it didn't have a tendency to run wide open on the F stops. Coupled with Kyle presumably using the zoom instead of walking up, and you get an out of focus bird.
(http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2018-buildup/bugs5-1.jpg?i=59557626)
This weakness is what I ran into with the bug pics and why I've been going semi-auto on him, usually setting the F stop and letting it figure out the rest, but had to adjust shutter speed as well for my tank.
A lot of growing left to do on the plants, and I might add a school of mid-swimming tetras once we get a bit more plant growth. The big rocks are mostly from our yard. There's a fancy new light that runs a day cycle up top, sunrise-sunset, and moonrise-moonset.
(http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2018-buildup/bugs1-1.jpg?i=688716851)
One of the blue acaras. They are a breeding pair. I expect them to get a fair bit bigger, but info on these guys is spotty at best.
(http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2018-buildup/bugs4-1.jpg?i=1605596826)
As are two of the angels. The third is not likely to live long, but he's hiding rather well most often. Here's the female angel who has decided the intake filter tube is a spawning rock.
(http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2018-buildup/bugs5.jpg?i=1939117918)
Post by: Spacy on July 09, 2018, 09:48:18 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on July 10, 2018, 01:42:08 am
Post by: Unorthodox on July 17, 2018, 03:09:31 am
These little guys kinda 'hop' around the water.
(http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2018-buildup/bugs201-1.jpg)
The spaceship one on the right zooms.
(http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2018-buildup/bugs200-1.jpg)
Several others are nearly clear, can't picture.
(Vera with the macro lens, all this smaller than a pin head)
Post by: Unorthodox on July 19, 2018, 02:21:09 am
Post by: E_T on July 19, 2018, 02:31:25 am
Post by: Geo on July 21, 2018, 01:51:08 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on July 30, 2018, 02:14:21 am
(http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2018-buildup/2018-20.jpg?i=263875517)
I have a lot of composting and whatnot to do, but everything to the right here is going to be pumpkin patch in the future (minus our milkweed/butterfly garden in the front)
(http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2018-buildup/2018-22.jpg?i=312804900)
Wildflowers to the left really need some weeding. This whole thing just sprung to life during vacation.
(http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2018-buildup/2018-23.jpg?i=1804063169)
Needs some more gardening in the flower beds, but done for this year.
(http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2018-buildup/2018-32.jpg?i=173510656)
(http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2018-buildup/2018-33.jpg?i=281740237)
Post by: Unorthodox on July 30, 2018, 02:22:00 am
A little stop for a bite at donner pass...
(http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/vacation-2018/vacation1001.jpg?i=563022963)
(http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/vacation-2018/vacation1003.jpg?i=1111897132)
(http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/vacation-2018/vacation1005.jpg?i=1341903996)
And a lot of time on the beach of Tahoe. The smoke in the air made various things miserable (like hiking around Donner pass HURT my lungs, not just out of breath stuff, HURT), but made for GREAT sunsets.
(http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/vacation-2018/vacation1023.jpg?i=1636380626)
Clarence getting a little workout.
(http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/vacation-2018/vacation1009.jpg?i=622514932)
(http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/vacation-2018/vacation1017.jpg?i=1815485282)
(http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/vacation-2018/vacation1016.jpg?i=691338428)
Post by: Unorthodox on July 30, 2018, 02:28:02 am
We did a mine tour and a ghost tour (Talia really dying to do the ghost tour).
Clarence absolutely REFUSED to take pictures in the dark. Wasn't bright enough to focus, and it wouldn't go without. I presume there's a means of shutting that "feature" off, but it wasn't worth fiddling trying to find it in the moment. Most cameras I've dealt with before throw a 'false flash' out to focus with in these situations. Not Clarence...it was trying to use this little dim, green spotlight. Kinda baffled, not that I intend to use him in this situation often/at all in the future.
This shot it did get in a room that wasn't too dark, Talia SWEARS there's a ghost in the pic. The dresser to the left of the guide. The reflection in the glass, she says is an old dress...
(http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/vacation-2018/vacation1027.jpg?i=1897386470)
Post by: Spacy on August 01, 2018, 03:19:26 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 01, 2018, 08:55:36 pm
Also did some river rafting, which was something I've always wanted to do and always managed to have something prevent it.
Post by: E_T on August 01, 2018, 11:59:19 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 03, 2018, 02:40:01 pm
Post by: E_T on August 03, 2018, 04:34:48 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 08, 2018, 09:11:39 pm
Anyhow, to give you an idea, this was a system that's used by 6 different organizations, being paid for by a 7th. Since I was the only person able to run the old one well enough anymore, I was in charge of dishing out specs for the new one to the contractors and ensuring everyone's needs are met.
The old system was the very finest in turn of the century touch screen technology. Once the brains of the outfit fried, everything went to hell without some serious programming on the back end to get things running.
The upgrade, to quote one of the organizations:
"Let me get this straight: You upgraded the system by taking us back to the 60s?"
The accessible panel is now just a bunch of backlit buttons and a few dials. It looks like it would belong on the OS Enterprise. The good is no one can access the brains anymore and mess things up. We also split all systems apart, so no longer when one goes down, they all go down since there's no central coordinating brain. Infinitely more approachable since messing with any one system will no longer throw unrelated ones off due to that central processor. This makes repairs tons cheaper in the future.
Downside being the person in the chair needs to have just a tad more brains to know which system is messing up now.
Post by: E_T on August 09, 2018, 03:15:55 am
Post by: Geo on August 09, 2018, 05:34:03 pm
forward into the past...
First step of going Back to the Future! :D
Post by: Unorthodox on August 14, 2018, 03:35:44 pm
I need to take a moment to figure out a more reasoned response, but someone's clearly attempting to steal my logo.
Post by: Spacy on August 23, 2018, 11:10:56 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 24, 2018, 02:10:24 pm
At the moment, it's a case of if I bring it up it gives them more publicity than staying shut. And, technically it's Aro's work, which I got permission to use, granted, so probably legally would have to come from him.
Just another [jerk, sphincter], honestly. Local artist. Been supporting them for 3 years, they have my card and have seen our shirts around their events, and I'd talked to them about making some new shirt designs with a rendition of the chimera and/or barghest with the logo as well. Yeah...
It's been a rough year, Halloween wise anyway.
Good news is Ed is nearly finished, just waiting for some garden things to grow so I can finish him.
The super secret test for half the yard worked better than anticipated in it's secondary purpose.
The basic template for the front yard this year is based around this scene:
! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubVc2MQwMkg#)
The tombstones are easy with the pallet material I have left over from yard work being the main driver. I also wanted the mounds, and had been thinking on ways to make that work as easily as possible.
Well, since some areas, the sod is struggling as the soil under it is poor to non existant/gravel. This reminded me of an experiment in Arizona from when I was working there. Though I'd never seen the end results, they were broadcasting coconut coir into the lawn so that it would retain moisture.
So, I bought a couple bricks at the pet store, expanded, and worked out I need 3 bricks to make a decent mound. Not as clean as those above, but good looking for disturbed/fresh graves. This qty worked with my budget. Raking that coir into a troubled area has yielded immediate benefits. So, we've gone full bore into the coir mound plan. I'll scoop it up after and broadcast it over the lawn.
Back in 2008, we did 6 graves. In 2012, we did 9 + the tomb.
I'm going all in, shooting for from 16-20. Just in the front. Stupidly cheap, easy, and cliche. It will also be loved by most folks as a result. I can suck it up and have something I don't love for the year.
I think we're going to leave the back mostly clean this year. Let the circle stand on it's own with some candles and maybe pumpkins. Still working on a plan for the side.
Post by: E_T on August 24, 2018, 05:20:59 pm
I thought that was Tuko's backside...
Some of the stones in the Circle look similar to some of the headstones in the first part of that tGtBtU scene, where Tuko rolls into the headstone...
Post by: Unorthodox on August 29, 2018, 04:43:18 pm
Those of you who know what I do may or may not have seen the news a month or so back. But, we had a booboo. Not my company, not my job, but the system had a booboo.
Anyhow, when you have a booboo, there's a host of fallout on the hows and the whys and the whos, etc.
So I'm in a meeting to discuss the whats. The hows and whys are very closely guarded secrets, mind you. So, the meeting is being run by several AF folks, one of whom I've worked with for 15 years, and knows I understand the full picture. In the meeting are three companies. I've worked with one, for another, and am presently with the 3rd.
After the what's, they were going to report the how and the why findings. Present company man asks me to exit the meeting when the whats are done so they can discuss the how and the why.
AF person says wait just a moment: Uno, how long we worked on this system together?
15 Years.
AF: In all that time, I've seen you pick up a lot more than folks give you credit for. Did you ever get those patents on the system?
Those belong to company E.
Jaw drops from the others.
AF: But you made them, right?
Yeah, just fixing what needed to be fixed.
AF: So, do you know the hows and the whys here?
I don't see that data with this company, but if I had to guess, I'd say it was A or B, because of a problem with C based on the timing of the booboo.
STUNNED stares from the room.
AF: How sure are you?
It HAS to be C. It would only affect A or B. I'd have to see the trajectory data to tell which it was.
AF: Why are you so sure it's C?
Well, D happened earlier in the night, and that's always been hell on C. I'm frankly shocked the test wasn't delayed for D.
AF: How soon did you come up with this theory?
About a minute after the test failed.
AF, looking at the rest of the room. SO WHAT THE HELL HAVE YOU GUYS BEEN TAKING SO LONG FIGURING THAT OUT FOR?
I left. I got called to the principles office for a chat about how much, exactly, I understand on the system.
Post by: Unorthodox on August 29, 2018, 04:58:12 pm
Have you contacted Aro about it? See what his take is on it? Say hi to him, too...
That gets tricky as Aro's based in Brazil.
It's annoying, but not a lot we can do. I'll give karma a shot, let her handle it for a bit at least.
Post by: Geo on August 30, 2018, 07:44:46 am
I left. I got called to the principles office for a chat about how much, exactly, I understand on the system.
What was your answer? Something in the realm of "Sorry, that's classified/compartmentalized"? ;)
Nothing I remember reading in the news here about a failed test, but if it is what I googled up, I had no idea things were moving forward on that front again.
Post by: Unorthodox on August 30, 2018, 02:48:52 pm
Someone in my position typically doesn't know a whole heck of a lot outside my area of expertise, which has very little to do with the actual system.
But, I've had a wide swath of experience over the last 20 years, and have always been a quick study.
There is VERY little on the system I haven't physically handled and modified.
I come from a program who's sole purpose was taking the system and frankensteining pieces of it to create new things with differing capabilities, some of them fairly radical departures from the system's design.
As such, I know the what goes where and which does what better than most of the engineers here. Engineers tend to be very focused, this guy knows his pieces very well, but not necessarily how it interacts with all the other pieces. I'm kind of the polar opposite. I know very well how all the pieces fit together and are meant to work, but not necessarily how one piece is built/functions at the technical level.
Since this contract is mostly about providing the technical support level, there aren't a lot of big picture people, or really much need for it. So, I'm especially something of an anomaly here.
So, it's easy for me to say which pieces failed the test and how it cascaded...technically what inside of those pieces and how to prevent, not so much.
Post by: Rusty Edge on August 30, 2018, 04:17:11 pm
Post by: E_T on August 30, 2018, 07:15:58 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 10, 2018, 01:10:39 am
So this place is opening this month here, finally.
They've been hyping it up for years. I've heard so much about their professional sculptors and how amazing everything is going to be. My interest was genuinely piqued. They had a opening party last night and first descriptions are leaking out, while there was clearly a no photos clause to anyone who attended, they did have a booth at the FanX this weekend (comicon).
I've had several people who attended contact me saying I had done a great job of fleshing out their Halloween story.
Seems they've taken the overall concepts I've been working with since 2010 and applied them to a theme park scale. But, a lot of local folks know where those Harvest witch concepts have originated, even if I've never fully managed to bring the spider woman/Yaga Baba elements to my yard. I've always operated as if it was a continuous presence creating the things in my yard.
Not surprised or upset. It's a good theme with a lot of directions it can go. I'd personally like to see a whole theme park done with it, and they reportedly went celtic with it, where we all know I'd certainly go more Mayan/Aztec.
Then I see these from their booth.
(http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2018-buildup/41328249_1829522770470996_6519493174002450432_n.jpg)
Alright...That there is a prebuilt jack o lantern sold at Zurchers a couple years back. A purchased costume chest, a wally pelvis, and some sticks with the same cliche messy great stuff 'corpsing' that is lazy/popular amongst a lot of haunters these days.
(http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2018-buildup/41423532_1829522837137656_2216679853220954112_n.jpg?i=1318284278)
And that is a pool noodle/paper mache chest and a funkin they carved. Also more interesting arm to the left.
Look, I'd rate either of these at middle tier of a home hobbyist. And those uber plain tombstones aren't helping anything. But maybe this was just the stuff too lame for the park they had left over so threw it up at the FanX...It doesn't inspire much confidence in me for attending the park.
Then I look at the tickets for the park...
$50 season pass. Good year round from 10AM-4PM
$30 day pass for a childrens trick or treat from 5-7 PM
$30 night pass for adult event 8-10 PM
This is a damned nightmare. I spoke at length before how much a travesty the disneyland halloween party is, trying to shuffle guests out mid-day for the special priced event. An event that if you buy a ticket to you can't go to the park till mid day either. Maybe great for locals, but miserable for those of us traveling.
Now you're trying to do that TWICE! Logistically speaking ALONE it's a nightmare if you have ANY kind of crowd.
Well. I wish them luck. Ludicrous pricing structure, IMO.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 10, 2018, 02:44:05 am
Post by: Unorthodox on September 10, 2018, 03:26:56 am
Post by: E_T on September 10, 2018, 07:03:56 pm
Post by: Geo on September 11, 2018, 08:53:57 pm
One day when I have a few million cent.
Corrected that for ya! :D
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 11, 2018, 11:52:43 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 12, 2018, 03:20:28 am
Hey, speaking of this Mayan stuff...anyone else following the new findings down in Maya land? Huge metropolis of pre-classical Mayan ruins found? Changes the whole timeline of Mayan civilization.
Post by: Geo on September 12, 2018, 09:59:21 am
Hey, speaking of this Mayan stuff...anyone else following the new findings down in Maya land? Huge metropolis of pre-classical Mayan ruins found? Changes the whole timeline of Mayan civilization.
Linkie please?
Last article I read about the Mayans went about decline of their civilization due to extreme drought conditions.
Post by: E_T on September 12, 2018, 01:01:12 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 12, 2018, 01:40:48 pm
Does it date before their calendar??
The ruins have fully formed religious carvings thousands of years before we thought it developed. But since the calendar doesn't really 'start' or 'end', it can't really pre-date it.
Post by: Unorthodox on September 12, 2018, 01:42:30 pm
Hey, speaking of this Mayan stuff...anyone else following the new findings down in Maya land? Huge metropolis of pre-classical Mayan ruins found? Changes the whole timeline of Mayan civilization.
Linkie please?
Last article I read about the Mayans went about decline of their civilization due to extreme drought conditions.
Most are behind pay walls and blocked from here...let me dig.
Post by: Unorthodox on September 12, 2018, 01:54:37 pm
Here's where they found the structures.
The area structures around El Mirador is being dated to pre-classical on the ground, though, with enough structures that makes it bigger than modern day LA. There's evidence that the pre-classical Mayan might ACTUALLY have been the height of the kingdom, rather than the classical period we know the most about.
I hate these post show web episodes as there's no real structure, but it's the only free one I can find, there's two full episodes of expedition unknown that follow this lead archaeologist around the jungle.
! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QI-4gM6xoCk#)
Post by: Geo on September 12, 2018, 10:24:25 pm
The part of the video I watched was a bit too dramatized for my taste.
I certainly missed this announcement. At the time I was busy pinguin watching down south.
Post by: Unorthodox on September 13, 2018, 02:07:00 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 17, 2018, 03:12:54 am
I don't think I've ever seen a conjoined twin pumpkin before. I REALLY want to carve it.
(http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/fun-2018/Lagoon2.jpg?i=179207086)
hEt was stuck, having had eye surgery the day before (lasik) to where rides were out of the question, so we mostly just wandered and hit the shows.
Waiting for the new one here, I noticed they had a cumulus fog machine (or other brand of similar design). Surprises me due to the primary reasoning for running these is perceived health benefits. This might be the next thing I save up for.
(http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/fun-2018/Lagoon15.jpg?i=1032785588)
Clarence really struggled with the show. I might bring Vera another night as a result. They didn't specify no pics, so...
(http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/fun-2018/Lagoon22.jpg?i=1556649522)
Normally they just remix pop songs into a song and dance routine for these shows. THIS one however, was much more akin to a shortened stage show you'd see at Disney or the like, with an actual story being told and only intermittent story related music.
THIS beast was not only pretty darn cool, but it's easily doable.
(http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/fun-2018/Lagoon33.jpg?i=782040578)
(http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/fun-2018/Lagoon40.jpg?i=1919719773)
Rest of the decor is as expected, really. Though I did note they've moved to black label fog juice on the machines, again, a health over cost move.
(http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/fun-2018/Lagoon52.jpg?i=1649299488)
The second show as largely forgettable...
(http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/fun-2018/Lagoon58.jpg?i=210143829)
However....
There was a THIRD show.
This one cost more. I knew only 2 things about it:
1: It's called Seance
2: it involved a spirit table.
I knew I had to see this show, and had several tell me it was well worth the extra.
Maybe 20 minutes.
The bad: This was NOT a spirit table session of old. There was no actual spiritualist involved, and no cold reading coupled with SFX to get a jump. I had brief hopes.
The good: It is a fantastic combination of script and effects. Best described as, the old Extra-terrorestrial Encounter at disney world put into a seance setting.
Since that only scratches the barest understanding for the relative few who ever experienced that thing: The audience has 4 volunteers for the table. The other 35 or so are put into a bleacher setup.
Very good overacting 'professor' gives a spiel and starts the seance. What follows is a very slow and very well built up gorilla girl illusion with some other hinkiness built in. The bleachers have various effects, blowing on you, strings to touch your head, pneumatic whips to tickle your legs, etc...and the whole bleacher set is on a hellavator rig so it bumbs and drops at programmed times.
The table similarly has other effects. The culminating gorilla girl transformation and escape is well done...if blatantly obvious to one such as me.
Probably the scariest thing I've ever seen locally. I laughed the entire time. I'll take this kind of thing over any of the escape room or extreme haunt BS every day of the week.
Post by: E_T on September 17, 2018, 08:16:08 am
Post by: Unorthodox on September 17, 2018, 09:55:44 pm
(http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2018-buildup/CD06C2C8-F936-48BE-BB4D-FB1875FBE2A1.jpeg?i=52951433)
And a heck of a lot more 'mainstream' than I normally do, but modification to a store bought prop. I needed a couple of props to light the ancient path of death on the side of the house. These base guys were on sale dirt cheap, so in they plop.
(http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2018-buildup/D346D707-838A-47F8-A55A-3473E8C870D6.jpeg?i=2005999099)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 17, 2018, 11:03:35 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 18, 2018, 02:11:45 am
Debating how best to accent it and whether to do a lower jaw.
Post by: Spacy on September 18, 2018, 10:30:33 pm
I am so sporadic on my internet for fun time between the 3 year old and the new boss at work (new boss in High School = lots of change for change sake, to prove who the new boss is).
Post by: Unorthodox on September 20, 2018, 01:54:57 pm
So last year, we tried the bush pumpkins. Hand polinated, made damn sure there was no cross breeding, and saved seeds from the biggest one.
These were advertised as heirloom. Clearly...something's wrong.
All seeds FROM THE SAME PUMPKIN this year:
Our first pumpkin, Talia put her name on upside down...This is a slightly small, but typical example of what I expected from the bush pumpkins.
(http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2018-buildup/D2B4DE17-3C3B-47B8-BB19-AA37A84C9AEE.jpeg?i=343904671)
At the other end of the spectrum, we have what appears closer to a spaghetti squash, yellow since birth.
(http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2018-buildup/281A8EE0-E52F-48BF-B971-AE2B8AB6D51A.jpeg?i=1484429278)
Then there's these deformed suckers.
(http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2018-buildup/D95EE07C-346C-448C-81B7-48F6912DD90E.jpeg?i=550916252)
We've got some making vines, some staying bush, assortment of shapes... Now, some of that is due to some irregular soil conditions in the bed. After the construction and sand for the path, there's some real variation and some areas are plain not good. But back where the better soil is that we haven't really explored the vegetation is so thick, we're seeing that same variety
(http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2018-buildup/90F747A5-551B-4941-A905-9A49D582B7F5.jpeg?i=1647248251)
So, I think I found the reason the bush pumpkin seeds are so damn hard to find: They're not heirloom. They're some unstable cross. My attempt to plant them late to keep the plants alive into October failed miserably as well. Variety just isn't going to work well.
Debating whether to get a nice proven variety like Ol' Zebs or Neon for next year, or go off the rails and try for some 100 lb monsters or something for variety.
Post by: Rusty Edge on September 20, 2018, 09:51:46 pm
As an ex farmer I endorse this theory based upon the evidence.
Post by: Unorthodox on September 21, 2018, 02:18:27 am
(http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2018-buildup/Lagoon1.jpg?i=2146546438)
Post by: Unorthodox on September 26, 2018, 02:20:47 pm
"So, I think I found the reason the bush pumpkin seeds are so damn hard to find: They're not heirloom. They're some unstable cross"- Uno
As an ex farmer I endorse this theory based upon the evidence.
I've found more varieties mixed in.
~ 8 perfect sized pumpkins. I note they have much stronger stems than the mother bush pumpkin. Their plants tended to vine just a touch/semi bush.
2 Butternut type. (so far, I'm not harvesting just yet) Stayed true bush habit. Doubtful for carving, novelty carving at best. True bush habit.
4 of those deformed/acorn type. Large enough to carve, but odd shape will make placing odd. True bush habit
~5 DEEP dark green things. Big enough to carve, waiting to see if they're going to turn orange or not. These vined like crazy.
~6 of the spaghetti squash. Vined like mad, funky leaves and blossoms, at least twice as many rotted on the vine. Extremely unlikely to carve. (*I WILL carve one ANYWAY just because, I just suspect it'll be a thin walled fruitless effort.)
I think we're going to try some Big Moose pumpkins next year. Like a monstrous cinderella
(http://cdn8.bigcommerce.com/s-tevsl/images/stencil/500x659/products/883/1739/3229_Big_Moose_Giant_Pumpkin__64969.1435694199.jpg?c=2)
Maybe some Atlantic giants and try to cross them as well. Atlantic giants are the largest varieties, but they tend to make undefined lumps instead of pumpkins.
Post by: hEtErOdOx on September 27, 2018, 09:54:30 am
Post by: Unorthodox on October 01, 2018, 03:05:16 am
Interesting. Especially since I don't think we've had measurable rainfall since May.
If the predicted numbers are even close, we'll get 10% of annual average precipitation in one storm.
Post by: Unorthodox on October 03, 2018, 10:52:55 pm
Post by: Geo on October 04, 2018, 07:37:46 pm
If the predicted numbers are even close, we'll get 10% of annual average precipitation in one storm.
Maybe the warning center/meteo thought the soil wouldn't be able to absorb the predicted precipitation if you've been in a drought for a couple months.
Post by: Unorthodox on October 05, 2018, 02:37:47 am
Post by: Geo on October 05, 2018, 07:28:55 am
Post by: Unorthodox on October 05, 2018, 03:08:40 pm
The entire state has been in a drought for a decade?
I can only find official numbers for the last 4 years.
(https://www.drought.gov/drought/nidis/bar-chart/state/UT/700/600)
Over the course of 10 years, you'd see a couple month long stretches like the one in the graph where the state is not officially in a drought as those months had above average water. For instance, we've hit October's average already, so it would be 0 on this chart. Does that end a drought? Not from the definitions I was brought up with. In fact, we might have actually done additional harm as they were draining the reservoirs in anticipation of 2" plus rainfall, and we barely topped 1" total on the storms.
Reservoirs and whatnot have made the growing/drinking manageable. But, the great salt lake is disappearing, and the ground water is drying up due to this prolonged dry period, official drought or not.
Numbers I've seen, it would take 3 years of above average water to restore the ground systems.
Post by: E_T on October 05, 2018, 11:31:50 pm
Post by: Geo on October 06, 2018, 08:00:07 pm
The red line is the precipation in the last 6 months, everything below the white bar is considered a drought situation.
(http://www.kmi.be/meteo/view/nl/113200-ajaxcontroller.html/40819745/image.jpg)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 08, 2018, 03:51:26 am
Post by: Unorthodox on October 09, 2018, 12:59:01 am
(http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2018-buildup/77E92EC9-BDE9-4217-88C5-A8D4045A0258.jpeg?i=517647118)
Post by: Unorthodox on October 09, 2018, 01:02:35 am
(http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2018-buildup/B259CFBB-B11A-4BB8-A928-179A3EF0433E.jpeg)
And somehow these.
(http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2018-buildup/F0022D8D-DC2B-415C-AEB3-EA3A2A55467D.jpeg)
Post by: Geo on October 09, 2018, 08:56:09 am
Basically, mobile plants.
Post by: Spacy on October 09, 2018, 11:25:15 am
Post by: Unorthodox on October 09, 2018, 02:33:31 pm
"Ed" reminds me of the movie "Day of the Triffids".
Basically, mobile plants.
That could apply to most anything I make really.
But, he's an experiment from top to bottom. Testing new LED strip lighting. Testing new construction methods. Been wanting to do that head for a long time, and it might even become a staple. I like how it kind of feels like a headdress. With the whole mayan direction I'm heading in general, and the fact I'm going to have a megacrapton of that grass soon (been splitting it for 7 years, 3 starting plants are now more than 20), I can see a whole series with it/based on it. We'll see how it dries/holds up.
I've also got a little test plant that's supposed to be the same grass, but turn purple/red in fall.
Post by: E_T on October 09, 2018, 04:44:41 pm
Ed.
(http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2018-buildup/77E92EC9-BDE9-4217-88C5-A8D4045A0258.jpeg?i=517647118)
Nice!
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 09, 2018, 06:16:22 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on October 09, 2018, 06:44:34 pm
(https://cdn.movieweb.com/img.site/PHplLax82nNHsu_1_l.jpg)
I have ready access to enough refuse to reasonably recreate this as well.
Do I really want to clean it back up after though...
Post by: Unorthodox on October 12, 2018, 01:48:28 pm
I haven't put up any. It's just the normal stuff.
Post by: Unorthodox on October 12, 2018, 03:19:34 pm
Talia changed her mind.
A new netflix series is out, and she wants to be 'the curious'.
(http://cdn-static.denofgeek.com/sites/denofgeek/files/2017/10/creeped_out_main.jpg)
Very good series, actually. Like a child version of black mirror. Definitely better quality than goosebumps.
I've seen him wearing several versions of the mask, some a little more rough than others. That one is awful clean, I'm making one of the more rough ones. We have the jacket nailed.
! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXGjz6gKaR8#)
Post by: Geo on October 13, 2018, 08:38:12 am
Co-Workers: "I love your the halloween decorations at your desk."
Beware! They want something from you!
Post by: Unorthodox on October 22, 2018, 06:37:42 pm
Alec has been invited to a costumed dance. Needs couples costume.
Mad Hatter.
So both kids have changed costumes on me in October.
Post by: E_T on October 23, 2018, 07:13:52 am
Post by: Unorthodox on October 23, 2018, 02:25:06 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on October 30, 2018, 03:38:52 am
The ancient path of death.
(http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2018-buildup/lighting-test17.jpg)
The two scarecrows (hard to see on the left here) will get pumpkins for heads tomorrow. I'll pick randomly from the carvings.
(http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2018-buildup/lighting-test27.jpg?i=598267545)
The front is going to be largely, if not entirely unmolested from pumpkins.
(http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2018-buildup/lighting-test51.jpg?i=741242300)
(http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2018-buildup/lighting-test100.jpg?i=1273492099)
(http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2018-buildup/lighting-test101.jpg?i=1247329884)
(http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2018-buildup/lighting-test102.jpg?i=180130789)
Though I might put some pumpkins on the gate/entrance to the path of death.
(http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2018-buildup/lighting-test104.jpg?i=670267576)
daytime front. The graves are made of coconut coir. Its excellent for the lawn, will aid with drought conditions and the [poopy] soil conditions under some of the sod. Will spread it about after halloween.
(http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2018-buildup/42D6A6C6-C09D-4E2C-B364-0189DD419619.jpeg?i=1678851137)
Post by: Unorthodox on October 30, 2018, 03:56:57 am
Post by: E_T on October 30, 2018, 04:33:19 am
When's the Carve-fest? I was thinking that it would have been this last weekend, but from the gist of what you just posted, it has yet to happen???
Post by: Unorthodox on October 30, 2018, 01:06:34 pm
Post by: E_T on November 01, 2018, 01:38:47 am
Hope it's all going well...
Have you seen the trailers for the new Grinch Movie?
Post by: Unorthodox on November 01, 2018, 04:40:43 am
It's the Big night!!
Hope it's all going well...
Have you seen the trailers for the new Grinch Movie?
Good night.
1 child in tears :( She was older, even. 8 or so, and was having absolutely none of it just based on my costume.
The cold forced me to change my costume plans, so I didn't really 'fit'. Not that anyone else would notice. Back to my 'father halloween' green man based mask, which I do adore and donned my fur along with my unfinished vine cloak. I got called everything from the devil to a viking. Kept me warm enough.
Talia and two other girls went a-spooking in the back yard and did a great job of it. One of them has mastered the Samara crawl, and dressed the part. They had fun, and potential is there for helpers for 5 years or so if they keep wanting to scare instead of trick or treat.
Probably in terms of pure numbers down from other years (I'll do a count tomorrow, but it felt like 400 as opposed to near 600 at our peak a few years back), but that's mostly the 'richer' half of the neighborhood aging out. The lower income houses keep fresh youngsters coming. A lot of cars this year, folks that have moved away bringing kids back to our place.
2 fantastic product finds this year in some fake candles and alternative lighting for the pumpkins. Both operate on remote control, so make our thing night and day easier to turn on/off. No more half hour or more just setting up/tearing down.
Other successful tests were hurricane oil lanterns as lighting. Cheaper, easier, and more focused than the torches. Rain and windproof. Not a replacement, really, but different and worth exploring more. Scented candles inside select pumpkins also was a win. A dozen scattered about the hundred pumpkins added a noticeable effect.
I'll never understand the desire to turn the Grinch into a feature length film. It's an OK cartoon at it's present 45ish minute run time, but even THAT has plenty of filler crap in it.
If anything, Halloween is Grinch night has more potential.
Post by: Geo on November 01, 2018, 02:03:17 pm
Post by: E_T on November 02, 2018, 01:20:52 am
Anyways, good to here that it was (as always) a success...
Post by: Unorthodox on November 02, 2018, 01:23:39 am
! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ltj-S43QHU4#)
Photo gallery:
http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/?page_id=2177 (http://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/?page_id=2177)
Post by: Geo on November 02, 2018, 04:03:11 pm
And was the background 'music' playing from your turf, or from one of the neighbours?
Post by: E_T on November 02, 2018, 05:06:01 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on November 02, 2018, 07:16:45 pm
Who was the spooker just after the menhir (stone slabs) section?
And was the background 'music' playing from your turf, or from one of the neighbours?
That was Talia. My music. Mostly this:
https://lustmord.bandcamp.com/album/heresy
With a few other select pieces added. Didn't really listen to the video yet, so don't know what exactly is playing.
Post by: Spacy on November 04, 2018, 02:38:18 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on November 06, 2018, 02:58:02 pm
http://www.scarefactory.com/index.php/product/pmp102-creepy-jack-deluxe-pumpkin-creature/ (http://www.scarefactory.com/index.php/product/pmp102-creepy-jack-deluxe-pumpkin-creature/)
Post by: E_T on November 06, 2018, 04:57:03 pm
Problem is, there are only so many things that you can do with a pumpkin that it would not be hard for someone to come up with something similar on their own, especially when dealing with animatronics (sp). Or to take elements of several other things they have seen in other places (one of which could possibly even be your website) and combine them into something else that fits the bill.
But no matter, you might have a case against them...
Post by: Unorthodox on November 06, 2018, 06:54:19 pm
Take a bit of Skull'N'Bones, add a dash of Pumpkinrot concept, and toss in Unorthodox lighting and styles.
But this was clearly modeled after Father's unique combination thereof. More upset at how poorly it's done to be honest. Piss poor lighting on the prop itself.
Post by: Unorthodox on November 06, 2018, 09:47:39 pm
For the first time since...2008 by the looks of it...we have actual Christmas decorations to put up in the yard this year.
Most of you should be able to guess as to their nature.
;nod ;uno
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 06, 2018, 11:13:18 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on November 07, 2018, 12:47:21 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 07, 2018, 02:41:39 am
Post by: Geo on November 07, 2018, 10:06:04 am
Post by: Unorthodox on November 07, 2018, 01:39:46 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on November 07, 2018, 02:50:56 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on November 07, 2018, 05:21:28 pm
Many more places cataloging Transi tombs. Several restoration projects. 2 new wiki pages. Preferred search terms are now Cadaver tomb or Momento Mori tomb when previously only Transi would bring things up.
Post by: Unorthodox on November 08, 2018, 03:55:07 am
Several things have me considering Trevor 2.0
First, Trevor was awesome.
Second, I'm probably sticking with a graveyard next year because I need more of the coconut stuff, and likely have time in the spring that won't be spent rebuilding the yard.
Third, I have several ideas for improvement.
Ever used Apoxie sculpt BU? https://www.avesstudio.com/shop/apoxie-sculpt/ (https://www.avesstudio.com/shop/apoxie-sculpt/)
Waterproof, UV resistant clay...
Along with the case epoxy bandages I have sitting in storage, I could make an EXTREMELY durable Trevor.
I could also make a collapsible tomb...but that won't work if I want it to do the fog, it'd leak. So, fog or collapse decision. Collapse could be a lot shorter as well, not needing the ice and machine guts.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 08, 2018, 03:59:39 am
Couldn't you work up some sort of lining to make fog work w/ collapse?
Post by: Unorthodox on November 08, 2018, 04:19:06 am
First I've ever heard of Apoxie sculpt.
Couldn't you work up some sort of lining to make fog work w/ collapse?
Perhaps. But the hundredish lbs of ice also would present difficulties.
Some other effects could be easily added, a rumbler or slider on the lid, for instance, with just a bright light inside.
Actually, looking back at tests, I might even be able to get away without a huge fog machine production inside. Just the hollow box with the fog coming out from under the pleurant this time. Keep them right at grass level and let the natural cold and frost on the grass work as the chiller. I've put that natural chiller to good effect in the past. It would have to be more a mist than a solid blanket like last time though.
Post by: Geo on November 08, 2018, 10:04:11 am
It would have to be more a mist than a solid blanket like last time though.
Some kind of blower to stir the fog?
Post by: Unorthodox on November 08, 2018, 02:30:07 pm
Or I could try for the cumulus machine...but that's likely way out of my budget.
Unless...
Post by: Unorthodox on November 08, 2018, 02:38:39 pm
http://www.chauvetdj.com/products/cumulus/ (http://www.chauvetdj.com/products/cumulus/)
Essentially what they've done is take a regular fog machine (glycerin/water super heated and blasted out a pressurized nozzle, but a super high end version that can continually pump instead of cycle blast followed by warm up), but they blast it into a pure water vapor fog created by one of these.
! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6lzSwUGGsM#)
Then they suck that out of the chamber with a case fan.
The resulting mix is heavier, so stays low to the ground naturally, but dissipates quicker and can leave a surface wet. Much better on the breathing conditions too.
All of which really appeals to me.
I don't know of anyone that's tried to home brew one of these yet...but I'm willing to give it a go.
Post by: Unorthodox on November 08, 2018, 03:51:30 pm
Though possible several smaller ones might do the job cheaper.
Fog machine, preferably continuous, but willing to test timered
$80-200
$5 fan
I bet I could test one for ~$60. Full production, I could build under $300.
Post by: Unorthodox on November 08, 2018, 04:32:46 pm
So, they are doubling up the high end atomizers in these, and adding very little fog machine.
Two of THESE actually.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/10-HEAD-ULTRASONIC-MIST-MAKER-3500-5000ML-H-NEBULIZER-FOGGER-HUMIDIFIER-GREAT/391706069376?epid=895815522&hash=item5b33804980:g:QecAAOSwvEBbbUHf:rk:20:pf:0 (https://www.ebay.com/itm/10-HEAD-ULTRASONIC-MIST-MAKER-3500-5000ML-H-NEBULIZER-FOGGER-HUMIDIFIER-GREAT/391706069376?epid=895815522&hash=item5b33804980:g:QecAAOSwvEBbbUHf:rk:20:pf:0)
Wonder if I can still find an FX100 machine...
Post by: Unorthodox on November 13, 2018, 08:11:02 pm
In slightly better news, the chinese knockoffs are half the price of the Chauvet device. And frankly, given the performance of my last Chauvet, and the fraud they've been caught in with other machine specs, I trust the knockoffs just as much. Still likely out of budget.
Still debating the feasibility of a test run with some smaller misters.
Post by: Unorthodox on November 13, 2018, 08:17:00 pm
Quote
When generating a plurality of atomizer is set using the same container, each with a separate power supply need not connect a plurality of the nebulizer for use with a single power supply, and note the respective atomizer are mutually conductive housing, in order to prevent the work galvanic corrosion.Can anyone make heads or tails of that?
Post by: E_T on November 13, 2018, 08:25:09 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on November 13, 2018, 09:48:06 pm
Post by: Rusty Edge on November 13, 2018, 09:52:46 pm
QuoteWhen generating a plurality of atomizer is set using the same container, each with a separate power supply need not connect a plurality of the nebulizer for use with a single power supply, and note the respective atomizer are mutually conductive housing, in order to prevent the work galvanic corrosion.Can anyone make heads or tails of that?
Perhaps- [Multiple atomizers operate in the same housing, each with a separate power supply. So no need to rig them for use on a single outlet or extension cord. Each atomizer uses the housing as an electrical return, reducing corrosion. ] ???
I'm speculating atomizer and nebulizer mean the same thing here. I could be wrong. So this fog machine is a "coordinated battery" in the artillery sense of the term, each firing in turn? All fed from one electrical plug?
Post by: Unorthodox on November 13, 2018, 10:11:13 pm
Kind of. I'd be firing off 20 of them at the same time. 2 banks of 10, not in turn.
It's basically saying the water tank needs to be conductive, and grounded, or the atomizers are going to do bad things. What I'm unclear on is this line:
"each with a separate power supply need not connect a plurality of nebulizer for use with a single power supply"
That could either be "You don't need to connect each to a separate power supply" or "you need to make sure not to connect more than one to a power supply"
I'm about 75% sure it's the former, but that is some pretty bad engrish.
Post by: Unorthodox on November 13, 2018, 10:15:18 pm
Quote
Do not damaged during installation level sensor switch, switch failure caused the water level to prevent runaway nebulizer. Level switch should stop after the damage, otherwise there will be further damaged dry atomized piece atomizer. At this point in order to use the required repairs by qualified service personnel after a good.
Quote
The machine current voltage and temperature by less influence, because each nozzle current electronic automatic adjustment, the current increasing temperature will decrease (does not affect the amount of fog), to avoid serious power tube heat current increasing the vicious cycle and damage the atomizer
Post by: Rusty Edge on November 13, 2018, 11:08:54 pm
"each with a sepearate power supply need not connect a plurality of nebulizer for use with a single power supply"
That could either be "You don't need to connect each to a separate power supply" or "you need to make sure not to connect more than one to a power supply"
I'm about 75% sure it's the former, but that is some pretty bad engrish.
Agreed.
I'm experimenting with Google translate, and came up with this, both in simplified and traditional Chinese.
“Each has a separate power supply, no need to connect multiple nebulizers for use with a single power supply”
It occurs to me that maybe the basic question is "Who wrote this? Is it sales proclaiming features, or legal/customer service trying to issue rules? "
Is Talia still in that Chinese immersion program? Maybe she has a teacher that could make more sense of it.
Post by: Unorthodox on November 14, 2018, 01:09:51 am
They definitely do NOT have separate power supplies. I'm buying that separately on this particular one.
Or just go get a business license maybe. Then I could import one of the knockoffs for $400.
I don't know if it's worth it to ask my brother for help there...
Post by: Unorthodox on November 14, 2018, 06:14:41 pm
! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TFyyf2Vpjw#)
Post by: Geo on November 16, 2018, 07:12:22 pm
Don't you have (a) tree(s) on your property? This guy kinda hit it with the skeleton in the tree (for me). Too much light on it though, doesn't make it as spooky as it could be.
Post by: Unorthodox on November 16, 2018, 07:26:12 pm
Here's a shot from 2010...
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/yGGOu7GNblHgEelf9cr95vNNhrvrpDfrI0Sy3yLaKRMlQ2SDOMs5GJBE6Z5xWCyysEWY6pEYeuM8vY0GaKTIogQeR84wZksstmHB_xWgGA__Teuc9QVN9q0BVgkXvFlM2DEzoJXTapK-WJkXAX3uUEQG_x29YTLCCOqn3UuDse5AirpwBK_dIHMUa1ubC2lw92RpvU4NfcoJv56Lp1i2tCBtsufe7JYwJLi0XREf3Fs39AYn-8N5KwIA_9CofaZdF3bxWY5mRrC0luba6HfYYNhDRAF0JOCXCF77njN6iuwhagoh_qNoq23hzh9SZZOznGnb8aMPlGiq77DRls9OBKlL1FzKTZYBOiSfnTELXb3R8_yugreUao2wrDgzuuox-Gnp4CyTaINFhbqfR7cjDd5rsKhSzUBMCPmAhZkk6dy9TbUSEXzmXrnH6ApsHY80TiRHF4Du1cHFwqTT3kC4mfhr9kMZqejAsxn8x2IHJIs0ESAcAYTxfWXXLy84-PNA4WNvnSASUPwUtGDceaCrIuylnKRMI4X6KwzlKqmAYqAxNEkbUt_ZKlf3SWEADw6lTHBOx7WngloIIlag4ydfSSQs5a-1HoVB0AjosiX9BOAa-GcemGFveZr35KEoxaMkIh3kvS01GkdPxyGLBH1JNGaJ=w640-h480-no)
Now, we did trim some of the lower branches, added about a foot around the base of the tree, and the path goes a heck of a lot closer to these trees now, so it is certainly something to think about.
Post by: Unorthodox on November 16, 2018, 07:30:04 pm
I've figured a work around to the business license thing. Now it's more a decision of what I want to do. There's certainly something to be said for just putting in a vortex chiller as it will be much more accessible to those following and wanting to build their own. There's also something to be said for breaking new ground with the new machine.
Post by: E_T on November 16, 2018, 07:52:35 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on November 16, 2018, 08:44:35 pm
And hopefully some upgrades on the landscaping side too.
My raven grass plan from back in ~2010 just finally completed installation, I don't need to split it any more, so they can all just grow. In another year or two I should be making TONS of it.
Started some 'Indian Warrior' grass (similar but RED) this year as a test...I'm not optimistic due to when they sent me the plant, but we'll see.
Trevor 2.0 is just the first step in what I see as a 3 year plan, mixing elements of a bunch of my old stuff. Finally getting the witch done, and bringing in some real Mayan concepts, but meshing them into a more familiar setting for the general public.
Post by: Geo on November 17, 2018, 07:19:23 pm
Now, we did trim some of the lower branches, added about a foot around the base of the tree, and the path goes a heck of a lot closer to these trees now, so it is certainly something to think about.
Well, that's a good thing then they don't lose too many leaves. Anything you put in them and with some accent lights on it will look more mysterious because it can't be completely seen, and the leaves will cause more of a spotty shadow effect.
Post by: Unorthodox on November 23, 2018, 10:51:58 am
https://www.facebook.com/EdgewaterMortuary/videos/245962559607960/ (https://www.facebook.com/EdgewaterMortuary/videos/245962559607960/)
I mean, for gluing a store bought on the lid, it's actually not a bad design. But get the chiller portion right and don't come into my area claiming to have invented the thing.
Post by: Unorthodox on November 23, 2018, 11:13:44 am
(http://wallacemanorhaunt.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/IMG_9992a-683x1024.jpg)
Got the chiller right.
(http://wallacemanorhaunt.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/IMG_0016a-1024x589.jpg)
Post by: Unorthodox on November 26, 2018, 02:35:32 pm
I have to hand it to ipage. I've been using them since I started hosting my page. I know they aren't the cheapest, but it's days like today that I'm reminded how glad I am to use them.
Part of my renewal fee this year was adding SSL to the website. Lacking it has been causing me trouble as I host my own photos, and other sites over SSL often couldn't see them. Not only did the website entirely transfer correctly, they had a one click option to 301 redirect all my links on the database, something I had been reading I was going to have to do more or less manually, and figured on it taking me days to update.
So, website now back up to snuff from a functionality perspective. Time to look at other updates.
Post by: E_T on November 26, 2018, 07:43:45 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on November 26, 2018, 09:55:03 pm
Might just have to go see that.
Post by: Unorthodox on November 27, 2018, 01:56:44 pm
Mark my words, going to be bad copies of the concept on the mass market within 5 years.
Post by: E_T on November 27, 2018, 06:52:38 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on November 27, 2018, 07:13:34 pm
The market has a certain ebb and flow too. I started "The Harvest" concept in 2010. This year "Dark Harvest" was THE featured theme in the stores. In another 3-5 years, the market will have moved on and I'll still be doing it.
I'm just saying there's going to be a run on this design coming. Some will not like it. It'll wane. I'll still be doing it after it's done.
Post by: Unorthodox on December 04, 2018, 02:40:35 pm
Sorry... (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMDFfYAq0DE#)
Alien scene:
Sorry... (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9ebkHoU4Zk#)
Anyhow, basically lasers are now cheap enough to make this easy/cheap. Conventional use is to have people/things hiding under to pop up and out. I'm more interested in the shadowplay and hiding the grass. And makes me wonder if I put the lasers at the level of the first pit, how that pit area might look...
Post by: E_T on December 04, 2018, 03:23:13 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on December 04, 2018, 04:10:07 pm
Sorry... (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0uZfa9UdFyU#)
The problem for ME in that situation is the walls are practically impossible to pull off OUTSIDE. It's easy to fill a room with fog, and relatively easy to get a low blanket outside. Really
Post by: Unorthodox on December 04, 2018, 07:55:20 pm
Yeah...that would be illegal.
Post by: E_T on December 05, 2018, 12:58:21 am
Fog pouring out, high lit by the vortex, maybe
Post by: Unorthodox on December 05, 2018, 02:33:54 am
Post by: Unorthodox on December 05, 2018, 02:35:43 am
Hmmm, mix the vortex with the indirect lighting, Ala Father
Fog pouring out, high lit by the vortex, maybe
I think you misunderstand how the illusion works. If you're inside the tunnel, you can't see anything out of it. If you're outside, you can't see in. So, if I put the tunnel in, say father's chest, you'd not see father, only the tunnel...until you walked out of the tunnel.
Post by: E_T on December 05, 2018, 01:23:35 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on December 05, 2018, 01:50:27 pm
Prop wise, I think the best use would be akin to the barghest. Might have been interesting to see that with a few of the laser floors spitting out his back.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/H64jMPD5dbwO7o93qeAMwq34pSVWQsusA-WglClhSF8xwxYm6H3BMdqzIXShRm4pAFj9qqr77kADMH78HHodPTc7ThRoiqrYpG__WO3bAN1n2lM3yw5zc2UQebOnqDkqjg5dwIArddUuU7RKIGVx7yw4KGq8PmFIOKs2mtdJruSNqTwYXaL8hn1ps4R7iBuA_8FmNZT6eKo0Fb3Ka_nOijh5MXGLea_U_MJecGte0zg-zoWsaX_AIAZlxVtg__bUzF4XkGbCYuQts1mvqDS5i1WkaV6IdDAocKV9YXS96bDfCmjOQb7Ymi41VoaNJTZskyjavO3q-kuB3ik3zSMlj2x5hz-CyNfbF2-pGfgCo0fOBzN7-7Vv5NLB6Y3_yRI-aMUy_YJsPSQTthEiL3sYOAa-_KuSADQrobHx4S7athAV7cXNpGc0WWI6lQIG-Sy_zeWUTUpIb6nsnGGk2jU5tGMpFkj14M3iznIiPRpjWxNsqd0kl9JmXo7zAWi9ajZmZF-PG87KC7wWf9M8tQiMYSri6ZS-iKQs0_BC3wm-rAWsPhQl-U_jHdc_rh1iKR-Z1rFsSzLt9-EugnbYUNb8gHbbOU30lYrtYcgMPo4C05ZN3UiN6JLgcFkjni5V9LkGVhDqI-ORC3mn05AU-ExbD6yINQ=w800-h534-no)
Post by: Rusty Edge on December 05, 2018, 06:16:55 pm
I'm intrigued by the "really cool Christmas tree" concept. I could play some Trans Siberian Orchestra.
What would that cost, aprox?
Post by: Unorthodox on December 05, 2018, 08:07:48 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on December 05, 2018, 08:08:52 pm
Sorry... (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJGqvMTlcPY#)
Post by: E_T on December 05, 2018, 11:34:27 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on December 06, 2018, 02:42:54 am
Post by: Unorthodox on December 06, 2018, 01:37:27 pm
While I might have the most accurate skeleton tutorial online, it is NOT 100% anatomical. Kids looking for advice on the inconsistencies.
Post by: E_T on December 06, 2018, 01:59:37 pm
Woe be unto the university class that has a week to build and label a bob for their final... Never seen my email explode quite so fast.
http://vlipsy.com/embed/M99m5VWH (https://vlipsy.com/embed/M99m5VWH)
Post by: Unorthodox on December 06, 2018, 02:38:37 pm
100+ emails form panicked students about an online tutorial I wrote...9? 10? years ago. I've long known this tutorial was used in a couple med classes around the country, but I don't think it's ever been for a final before. But, no, I don't have what they need. They'll have to figure out the wrist, feet, and individual vertebrae on their own. Everything else, I cover.
Post by: E_T on December 06, 2018, 02:53:32 pm
Post by: Geo on December 06, 2018, 11:02:38 pm
Everything else, I cover.
The tailbone? ;)
Post by: Unorthodox on December 07, 2018, 02:04:16 am
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/uI1YddCuF9Rll_aExWl-GEHHC7dqukvoqI8RFNRfobTSs3HnB4ilEtXneWusOGcVQdrvE9qU3yPmIeKX5vB_ud4luJnFj2NXtjMujEsI87j6CfrFHiIOjOobBql4-0GGDLLRM094PZEAvCcbimazrdS50s7SWapu9CFT_D2e49uLiIUpfFyob_f8spRGpimfCxzmbK1v5utLS-A2XmpGfbYjCZjUJFSg32yHuyxWLHcPkqXXKXxqUISS6JO5oeIRTAG_P9g-abKYw7AgJ8PiIPypyUrN9fJFNM2DpSPg6KYN__7lo2Y-cO7-7Q0MqDefiBEYFUUfAtekkTaNc7ohHY_61ciPfX4_Xbwo-GdqvG0oUTA0pxWbSNU7VrKQxsRcJBk7GtmZWtbCMzPbv-o29wTGzugKEwXqGN8eRG5J34zi4C_3LxEsDLxWgYcxunSpWWJswOH_sIAubj0eKTmV8KvrC-fB7rWG25pPFnrdwMVVSErYk6izkBzia1abT3WbS6cqO-x98g9BiOYv_qoD5Fw5joxq_oEhK7gKEsPrU-onQdYxJu-PQUiQ_ot224tMoVCpWDaWLEXaHpjNjZ5WttfeD9wPJUQPVtabkTO_MX2fgOBAH4pgtF6wZmCvbJi6wLrvVp4TknHc0lALfWHDCuM3=w640-h426-no)
Covered in the pelvis section of the tutorial.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/VY5ziS50sj6lyrSICj_ccWcBeXHQ37TFqhrf4G7e9y2jZc6xRvur55lrfzO0vRWeK4fMsGixq_-5U-PLGhcTzIgDZtdpRalGb_pnw6jiAnQI-5xPuEFAeyrrNVJ0wx35IZiMPLj5tSSRWYsV8xrA44WJJP4noy2lVvN9SoM47nwHrsRCVb3mSQARf8STswsnD0fD0d34lQJ2J9qwYXHEq_q5VBVXHO5lxi-O_KYEZ41PPH_cfntgpdfSPLjQACIrnkOaUnn-OLqkyHjIxV1sQ4H3-Mo7P-t94UHSofv5m5uF4K9G2c3UVr1S1wAgtpXJHJnEWWWivWPBcfgB1Bkx0V9Enof6V-ftTVDRYWZPUcIUKmVQwQ61XCEgpbc0Ymyni0kUAyIgJhqmUmtNiEBhYQR79vXoajwHasJ6nQKH-o4WM0tpzztYkS99CXERVNoD3n4fltbpBH7K5cYURDTHcdZCwzjnLOFAICoy68VvcRVHQ1dJ2en7thOyEWXEjM3_6SP8rL344qTAUFEckeCPcY_RKgZuFYhC3WEZhyXDrruXx04ytJ5ZvFhx_xC2hjYQ72eJdxH2ZTS7ZbWq0iIpTmK9qhHKGP0uExQ_mzX_o4ZGOsIyngMoi5JUSAfORGfNhpVQHvn_w5yGtZFfuRd5vbSX=w640-h426-no)
Post by: Geo on December 07, 2018, 07:14:13 am
I suppose it also makes a good outlet or attachment point for elec wires. :D
Post by: Unorthodox on December 07, 2018, 05:22:23 pm
Yes, that was the point of the conduit/spine. Clear shot to the skull.
Post by: E_T on December 25, 2018, 08:11:29 pm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1tzFRIQfwXg (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1tzFRIQfwXg)
Post by: Unorthodox on December 26, 2018, 04:40:50 pm
But I admit I'm more looking forward to seeing what he does with the twilight zone reboot.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on December 26, 2018, 05:43:51 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on December 26, 2018, 06:45:09 pm
And once the military starts feeling it, there's several layers before it would hit me personally. So, it all depends on how much of a game these jokers are willing to play.
Post by: E_T on December 26, 2018, 08:55:20 pm
When's the Pig's shutdown going to start screwing with your life?
That's being nasty towards pigs, don't you think?? Idiot in Chief (or Commander in Tweet) is much better IMHO....
Post by: Buster's Uncle on December 26, 2018, 10:56:40 pm
Post by: E_T on December 27, 2018, 04:19:08 am
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LU83OjG7zy0 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LU83OjG7zy0)
Post by: Unorthodox on January 01, 2019, 04:04:43 am
For those playing at home, this is the type of storm that tore our roof apart a few years back, and has regularly ripped up trees. Tonight's advisory claims 50 MPH sustained with 80 MPH gusts expected.
To add to the fun, it's about 20 degrees and the wind chill is sub zero (can't bother to translate to non-american)
Post by: Rusty Edge on January 01, 2019, 04:23:42 am
Post by: Unorthodox on January 01, 2019, 10:15:58 pm
Do you have any decorations at risk?
Ed is the only standing decor left, but he's just a skeletal frame in the off season, purposely built that way.
It wasn't near as bad as they were predicting, though. Bitter cold, but not damaging winds.
Post by: Unorthodox on January 06, 2019, 07:43:08 pm
8" and counting later...
Post by: Unorthodox on January 07, 2019, 04:15:52 am
Western Monarchs down to 30K.
Anecdotally, this was the first year since growing milkweed, we never saw any at our house.
Post by: Unorthodox on January 07, 2019, 03:08:44 pm
Forecast 1-3" snow.
8" and counting later...
Another good 6" + this morning for a forecasted 1/2".
I'm not sure if it falls under the city or the state, but someone's decided the main highway by our house doesn't need plowing. We were out in it yesterday, and I had to again this morning, and neither time was it plowed.
Post by: Geo on January 07, 2019, 07:37:39 pm
Once the melt sets in that is.
PS: appearantly the seattlepi.com site is blocked in my region. Maybe because of the EU's data gathering legislation.
Post by: Unorthodox on January 08, 2019, 03:24:21 am
Does that mean the drought in your region is over? ;)
Once the melt sets in that is.
PS: appearantly the seattlepi.com site is blocked in my region. Maybe because of the EU's data gathering legislation.
Actually, no. We're still below average snowpack for the year. Long range has best outlook is hitting average, but really, another such storm and we'd tip above average for the date, but we really won't know till spring for the drought situation. As I understand, though it would take 3 years of above average water to get the ground water back to average.
Post by: E_T on January 08, 2019, 04:13:57 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on January 09, 2019, 11:57:42 pm
You know damn well I'm playing that up every time I answer the door.
Post by: Unorthodox on January 10, 2019, 12:17:32 am
:salute: : :look: :dunno: ;lol ;nutz;
;uno : :2c:
:salute: : ;rotflmao ;rotflmao ;rotflmao
;uno : ;grrr :look: :look: :look: :look: :wall: :look: :look: :look: :stickpoke: ;wince ;aki; :tada:
:salute: : ;lalala
;uno : ;grrr :stickpoke: :announce:
;king : ;eek
;uno : ;nod
:salute: : ;goofy; ;aaa
Post by: Geo on January 10, 2019, 05:00:52 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on January 14, 2019, 02:47:41 am
You might be interested I'm revisiting Trevor this year. Instead of sculpting an entire skeleton from scratch underneath this time, however, I just used Fred as a mold and put plaster wrap over him for a large portion. Will be buying some apoxie clay soon and let you know what I think of it.
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/index.php/nextgen-image/480/350x350/2ff5f231e7f832f4516f4862c8d2ee0e?1547433957550)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on January 14, 2019, 03:35:38 am
Yer girl is gettin' tall, ain't she?
Post by: Unorthodox on January 14, 2019, 02:47:05 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on January 17, 2019, 08:25:35 pm
Does that mean the drought in your region is over? ;)
Once the melt sets in that is.
PS: appearantly the seattlepi.com site is blocked in my region. Maybe because of the EU's data gathering legislation.
Supposedly the worst storm in 10 years has just begun. 30+ inches expected in the mountains, and more rain than snow down here at work, and 8-10" snow expected at my house. If that pans out, we might hit average snowfall for the year.
Post by: Unorthodox on January 21, 2019, 02:53:13 pm
Does that mean the drought in your region is over? ;)
Once the melt sets in that is.
PS: appearantly the seattlepi.com site is blocked in my region. Maybe because of the EU's data gathering legislation.
Supposedly the worst storm in 10 years has just begun. 30+ inches expected in the mountains, and more rain than snow down here at work, and 8-10" snow expected at my house. If that pans out, we might hit average snowfall for the year.
That one hit too far south, we only got rain down low and not enough snow in the mountain.
Next 'big storm' just started, we'll see. I'm getting tired of these doom and gloom predictions that never pan out.
Post by: Geo on January 21, 2019, 08:55:54 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on January 21, 2019, 09:01:19 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on January 21, 2019, 09:58:43 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on January 28, 2019, 02:07:30 pm
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2019-buildup/65EB295A-B0F8-4036-A87F-60A4CEB7344B.jpeg?i=1002039505)
Other than this is "white", I really have nothing but good things to say about it.
two parts, easily mix. It really reminds me of a plasticine clay, in that the more you warm it in your hand the softer the clay becomes. Much easier to work than the DAS clay I've been a fan of for a while.
While they sell a solvent for smoothing, a very tiny bit of water does a fantastic job of it as well.
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2019-buildup/73B0D0EF-D8E9-4507-80D5-924D328E0930.jpeg?i=1399509829)
Post by: E_T on January 28, 2019, 04:20:23 pm
Other interesting things that could be added to the mix while wet (without messing it up if it can be done): something that is blacklight florescent; something that glows in the dark; combination of the above...
Post by: Unorthodox on January 28, 2019, 05:28:44 pm
As this clay supposedly dries waterproof, freeze/thaw stable, has no shrinkage, etc, I really don't want to mess with that, but planning future projects around using it's pigment as a base coat in and of itself needs to wait till I see if a dried "orange" is really orange or some orange grey hybrid crap.
Post by: Unorthodox on February 05, 2019, 03:06:25 pm
I hadn't really gotten into this a lot on here since a lot of it was completely inconsequential to me.
I was made aware of the Halloween in Summer festival in 2015. It had begun in 2011. I naturally was drawn to such an event, being me.
It was a rather small venue when I first learned of it, being put on ostensibly by a tattoo parlor in a tiny town on the outskirts of SLC. I spoke with the owners that year and offered to get more people involved.
In 2016, the event blew up as I had notified several local Halloween groups, and all the local haunted houses (several of whom got involved). The leaders of the thing were extatic, but many of the folks involved made it well known that if the festival were moved away from the late july date, they'd be able to get even more involved. Thus, they took their concerns to the town council. This is where things started to fall apart...
Come 2017, even bigger, still in July, but nestled between July 4th, and July 24th. More haunted houses now involved and groups from out of state getting involved. More petitions to the city council to move the date...
2018. Announced this would be the final year. The owner of the Tattoo parlor happens to be some uppity up in the local church of satan. The Halloween in Summer Festival, to him, was more about making a statement against the 24th of July, a state holiday which celebrates the Mormon pioneers traveling to Utah. With mounting pressure to move away from the 24th, and more focus on actual halloween, he was no longer interested, and so they were canceling the event after the city council had forced them to move it into June. This move allowed a lot of the professionals to still advertise and promote in July events around the state.
It was at this point he also made an attempt to steal the earth 'o' lantern as a logo for a separate endeavor he was trying to start to again compete against the 24th.
Come 2019...
The City decided they don't need the damn tattoo parlor. Yeah, they'd put on the even in the past, but the CITY is going to organize it themselves. It has become that big of a business for the town.
His separate endeavor has not gained any traction.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 06, 2019, 10:25:55 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 07, 2019, 12:08:31 am
Post by: Unorthodox on February 07, 2019, 02:32:39 am
Can you replace the gem with the lantern?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 07, 2019, 03:18:50 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 07, 2019, 03:36:46 am
Post by: Unorthodox on February 07, 2019, 01:56:21 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on February 08, 2019, 01:58:43 pm
God, why do people do this [poop]...
Post by: Unorthodox on February 08, 2019, 09:18:53 pm
And we start the 13 hour shift by needing to call legal...
God, why do people do this [poop]...
Phone call on the way in from supervisor.
"Can we do x? Hot rush supposed to happen today"
"I've never heard anyone trying to do it that way, here's 10 points why it's a bad idea, but it might still technically be theoretically possible if we do XYZ first to cover our ass."
Phone call when I get here:
"They already did it this other way last night they didn't even ask about."
"That's not kosher, I need to make some calls."
Insert above.
Legal: We agree with all of Uno's points. XYZ would have made it legal, but a little bit grey on the ethics. We need the actions reversed immediately so we can file corrective briefs with the Govt.
several tiers above me that did wrong email: I need you to tell them you found the things and there's no need to report. We need to do this because (list of folks in govt) want it done this way.
Oh HELL no. This IS getting investigated, and I'm not going to be lying about a damn thing.
Tiers: attempts to recall emails to delete record. Calls me and tells me to delete my emails of it.
JAG: Oh, hi Uno, hows the kids? I assume you've documented everything like you always do, just hand it over.
tiers: You *&^% I told you to delete that %&*^! I'm going to make sure you're fired.
JAG: Oh cool, you said that for the tape, even.
And I still have 4+ hours left today...
Post by: E_T on February 09, 2019, 12:34:20 am
Post by: Geo on February 09, 2019, 04:00:15 am
Phone conversations are taped at your office? :D
Post by: Rusty Edge on February 09, 2019, 06:55:35 am
Next up: tiers wind up as the next round of replacements in the White House.
I wish that were funny to me, but it's simply an embarrassment. The current acting Attorney General is recused from oversight of the fraud investigation into his previous company.
Post by: Geo on February 09, 2019, 11:38:41 am
Post by: Unorthodox on February 09, 2019, 11:42:59 pm
Next up: tiers wind up as the next round of replacements in the White House.
Phone conversations are taped at your office? :D
Any conversation with JAG is taped, but I wouldn't be surprised if all phones are taped, too.
Post by: Unorthodox on February 11, 2019, 01:48:01 pm
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2019-buildup/269665E8-2064-4137-BEE6-1CAA04AECDED.jpeg?i=1137676475)
vs Original
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/5lgel7eANbqv_6b0hzuEdNLI7tl0OkTTYPPbMR2vELiTGMOo8O4WS2swrciGZ1-e8wyY-FSZGJEi53p1MS6Qt8ryGzo7oUPSkezdCZwP3rRmfc0kXzVIy1U-lKIEVX0pWlblNJk8OLgrUwr_iNm2WNraXS_8lXI4BntUkTmUSmXfP1ufnin3S-K7o_18uu1ga_cGPrJwdAFuljXin9MSmHgFzCDegZm8wSS_YJkGqoq14QU3UfM-_xDh-CkHLRqi49GH6sj9S5nQ4geoYiBS0tm5YXOJ_X07ENy5hcgPDPRbLv9jOgP9k-dLDVTnm3bIXF3FCMyMdqTnHPJFxmaEsq_dII4IklHXZnP1Lm1pH29-QUAumsd0h_kI8xC7y57WFWvDdrbrL366T0MkN5dXCdUDmzbams44ICFoKW_stGxOse-ogKQRNR_iC3nDcFqMGL9354Q8W0ha3dTEajKQnxKhzZDU11Beat4tlSMUREu_wnKX9L4lHNUl6DT-lejJPxq6PD0Pp2Xcj9lHcrKUdyQ1qGLazSG3_OMiglHKVMdfA-CgMUnFPqV2lPtMN5j1LntpQNBOyA4lxdbqXNhuPRqrIh0GNfZ3Gg98FoKKlUu8Us2NDluIm5NUckfBZTP8XVY9KwQlEMGmm9UXrfA1dsQ0c2mhOMpH=w800-h600-no)
Post by: Unorthodox on February 15, 2019, 11:07:23 pm
Does that mean the drought in your region is over? ;)
Once the melt sets in that is.
PS: appearantly the seattlepi.com site is blocked in my region. Maybe because of the EU's data gathering legislation.
As of this afternoon, yes, the drought is technically 'over' as we hit 103% snowpack for the year to date. However, it might not actually be truly over as right now that's essentially water potential, and if we dry up for the rest of winter, or it melts too quick in the spring, we don't actually retain enough for summer.
It is looking good for staying at least average precipitation, however. Melting...maybe not.
Post by: Unorthodox on February 19, 2019, 03:33:04 am
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2019-buildup/427A09DB-EF95-4139-A326-342BE20AB150.jpeg)
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2019-buildup/F607D3F0-F3D1-44A2-80F7-D19EBA9F9B49.jpeg)
And because her wrists fit...Talia's casting for the back of the hands.
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2019-buildup/279A2253-67B7-4293-A36C-FAE6B6F0687D.jpeg)
Post by: Rusty Edge on February 19, 2019, 03:39:46 am
Is she in a growing/stretching phase?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 19, 2019, 04:15:52 am
I've got to come up with some means of doing a base for the fingers as the clay is too soft to try to sculpt them directly.Wire skeleton? Laying in the cast of Talia's hands? Both?
Post by: Geo on February 19, 2019, 05:11:22 pm
Is she in a growing/stretching phase?
Seconded!
Post by: Unorthodox on February 19, 2019, 08:56:40 pm
I've got to come up with some means of doing a base for the fingers as the clay is too soft to try to sculpt them directly.Wire skeleton? Laying in the cast of Talia's hands? Both?
I need some of that aluminum mesh, probably. But might make a plaster armature.
Post by: Unorthodox on February 19, 2019, 08:58:55 pm
She looks happy!
Is she in a growing/stretching phase?
Yeah, mixed feelings about that.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 19, 2019, 09:18:06 pm
I've managed pretty good hands before on a twisted wire skeleton with spitwad/cellulose - I imagine that needed support during production than your clay does. Longevity of the finished product could well be another matter, of course.I've got to come up with some means of doing a base for the fingers as the clay is too soft to try to sculpt them directly.Wire skeleton? Laying in the cast of Talia's hands? Both?
I need some of that aluminum mesh, probably. But might make a plaster armature.
Post by: E_T on February 20, 2019, 01:26:40 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 20, 2019, 02:43:02 am
Post by: Unorthodox on February 20, 2019, 03:16:30 am
Post by: Unorthodox on February 20, 2019, 03:28:48 am
Me...two years younger.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/NKKJVawUsWufVqrJmzLF1c6W6YYOFR-ziH9uE_jpjjFgHW5i3t_PcgasmgdbgOeeghxr0T9HyhhWCfSLRvs)
Unfortunately the next several years were costumes you can't see my face, so I don't have anything of use handy.
Post by: Unorthodox on February 21, 2019, 08:16:29 pm
Apparently we begun a cloud seeding effort this year, which might be partially responsible for the average>above average snowfall.
PERSONALLY, I think part of the dry spell has been due to 'upstream' cloud seeding efforts as it is. Nevada has had a program in place for years. I'd be curious to see if in years to come downstream folks have drought.
Post by: Geo on February 21, 2019, 09:27:12 pm
https://www.deseretnews.com/article/900055180/salt-lake-city-utah-making-more-snow-with-cloud-seeding-winter.html (https://www.deseretnews.com/article/900055180/salt-lake-city-utah-making-more-snow-with-cloud-seeding-winter.html)
Apparently we begun a cloud seeding effort this year, which might be partially responsible for the average>above average snowfall.
PERSONALLY, I think part of the dry spell has been due to 'upstream' cloud seeding efforts as it is. Nevada has had a program in place for years. I'd be curious to see if in years to come downstream folks have drought.
The article said the drought has been going on for DECADES?
Post by: Unorthodox on February 21, 2019, 11:10:41 pm
But there's a couple sketchy things with our local weather.
Nevada and California cloud seeding 'upstream'
Mid 80s through I don't know when, they were pumping megacraptons of water out of the GSL, which plays a huge part in our weather patterns, because in the 80's it had grown to nearly swallow I-15.
How much did those lead to the drought now? I'm not scientist enough to know.
Post by: Unorthodox on February 22, 2019, 02:26:18 am
Sat>Monday my gallbladder decided to act up again. Much similar to when I went to the hospital though not quite to the crippling chest pain.
I went in to work Tuesday, but regretted it by evening as the cold Talia brought home settled in. Laid out with fevers ever since. I haven't slept in a good 24 hours as the medicine to breath leaves me bouncing off walls wired. Several attempts at sleep never get more than shivering under a blanket.
Post by: E_T on February 22, 2019, 06:55:33 pm
Did you see about the New Play by Cloud (see post in Civ6 subforum) and colorblind options out for Civ6 (part of the new patch)? Maybe you can see about getting a game or two going...
Post by: Unorthodox on February 23, 2019, 03:36:58 am
I'd rather put that money into clay/Halloween.
Plus this little tidbit:
Quote
New EULA:
"The information we collect may include personal information such as your first and/or last name, e-mail address, phone number, photo, mailing address, geolocation, or payment information. In addition, we may collect your age, gender, date of birth, zip code, hardware configuration, console ID, software products played, survey data, purchases, IP address and the systems you have played on. We may combine the information with your personal information and across other computers or devices that you may use."
Post by: hEtErOdOx on February 25, 2019, 06:06:16 am
You couldn't pay me enough to post hEt's childhood pics without permission.
Yeah, that was a wise decision. I went through an awkward stage at that age that Talia doesn’t seem to be going through. She’s almost as tall as me, although at 5’2” that’s not hard, she’ll probably end up a few inches taller than me.
Post by: Unorthodox on March 14, 2019, 01:59:15 am
That is an impressively BAD version of Mother.
Post by: Spacy on March 17, 2019, 06:31:14 pm
Post by: Rusty Edge on April 15, 2019, 05:26:27 pm
Post by: Geo on April 16, 2019, 09:44:22 am
Best quote from me grading exams this marking period, "The Flint water crisis was a result of politicians failure to properly install condoms".
I assume "conduits" was meant? ;lol
Small wonder if politicians have so many harassment cases laid out on them if installing condoms is part of their job. ;)
Post by: Unorthodox on April 18, 2019, 08:35:36 pm
We're looking to acquire insert part from system I worked on for 15 years.
"If we get those you're going to have to pay to recover the (insert dangerous chemical), because we can't use that any more and cannot store it at this site."
Engineer: "We've never used (dangerous chemical), it was banned in 96."
"These were built in the 60s. They're full of it, approximately 800 lbs per part."
Engineer: "Anyone heard of this before?"
Room agrees no one has ever heard of the chemical being used.
Engineer: "Stick to your job, this is engineering work"
"Check the drawings."
Customer: "Get Alphabet in here (engineer I used to work with on former project, his last name has just about every letter in it)"
Meeting skips this and continues for another hour.
Alphabet: "What do you need me for, Uno's right there?"
Engineer: "He's just a (title), we have engineering questions about using insert parts."
Alphabet: "Well, they never purged the dangerous chemical, so you're going to have to recover that before they can be used. Uno knows more about it than I do, he's the one that discovered they were never purged in the first place, and wrote the SOP for handling them. In fact, he wrote a LOT of SOPs on the system, you might want to listen when he speaks up."
Post by: Geo on April 19, 2019, 09:15:16 pm
"Just" a (title)? Who does this person think he is? Besides, I thought you 'upgraded' quite a bit in your job sometime in the last year?
Btw, nobody's quoted on the "check the drawings" remark? ;)
Post by: E_T on April 20, 2019, 05:19:07 am
Did "engineer" blush at some point?that's because it was UnO speaking...
"Just" a (title)? Who does this person think he is? Besides, I thought you 'upgraded' quite a bit in your job sometime in the last year?
Btw, nobody's quoted on the "check the drawings" remark? ;)
I want to know what the reply was (both verbal and non-verbal), after Alphabet had said what he had said...
Post by: Unorthodox on April 21, 2019, 03:46:04 pm
My position is complicated at best. And the contracts are muddy as hell.
In my company I'm 'just a (title)' to a lot of the engineers (mostly that formerly worked for a particular company, I think that's just the culture they come from).
To the customer, I actually have a lot of weight due to the upgraded title a year ago. However, that was at the bequest of our former ringmaster, and the present one doesn't really utilize me in that role much, because he's from the particular company above.
So, this scenario was one where I 'outranked' the engineer in the customer's eyes, but certainly not in my present leadership/company's eyes.
I was there specifically because of my former system experience, representing the former system, but the engineer clearly expected me to just nod and go along with their plans for the current system.
Happy spring celebration of your choice folks!
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2019-fun/F43E5D57-E0D4-488E-9426-7117BF1EDBA1.jpeg)
Post by: Rusty Edge on April 21, 2019, 08:22:06 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on May 06, 2019, 12:55:25 am
I'll go there when I'm ready.
Ah, Cinco de Mayo.
It's become a time for me to remember.
It was this day in 2014 I'd given up. I had emptied the Halloween budget to towards more practical things, like groceries, and put on a brave face for the kids, 'celebrating' cinco de mayo for the first time at some free taco promo.
Prospects weren't looking good at the time, and I had legitimately started planning on building things specifically to sell in the hopes I'd be able to at least buy treats for Halloween that year.
It was honestly perhaps the second most depressed day of that whole experience.
It's hitting me a little hard this year, as there's some things that are cause for concern with the contract coming up in about 18 months.
Post by: Unorthodox on May 17, 2019, 03:37:05 pm
This is the second from the same organization.
I understand why and the need, but am getting really annoyed with people crawling all through my stuff.
Post by: E_T on May 17, 2019, 04:48:30 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on May 18, 2019, 10:08:20 am
Post by: Geo on May 18, 2019, 03:07:49 pm
Do colleagues with a similar security-sensitive status/job have audits as well?
If not, 'discrimination' is a word that pops up in my mind.
Post by: E_T on May 18, 2019, 10:58:24 pm
Quote
conmcb25 Yesterday at 11:03 PM
@E_T Still about 750 miles from UnO, I promised him though, next time I am in his neck of the woods I would stop :smiley:
Post by: Rusty Edge on May 19, 2019, 12:25:22 am
Post by: Unorthodox on June 02, 2019, 05:07:59 am
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2019-buildup/99730C45-9565-475E-9E22-10F483830E7D.jpeg)
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2019-buildup/62DD0D88-4A19-443D-A798-DEDBB4758E10.jpeg)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 02, 2019, 06:57:25 pm
Post by: Geo on June 04, 2019, 07:30:52 am
Post by: Unorthodox on June 10, 2019, 01:49:38 am
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2019-buildup/3B6E2D7C-E1F1-435C-BDF1-1C685A7F32A6.jpeg)
I'll do a cheese cloth/dryloc coat across this entire bottom to protect the thing and mace sure none of those corner pieces get caught on anything, then I have enough clay to do any further details I deem needed, and it's on to sanding and painting. I might get to some of it during the week, but the next two weekends are busy. Probably the 4th-ish to finish up the lid. We have a plan for the base finally as well. Much more simple than the last.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 16, 2019, 01:04:45 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on June 19, 2019, 04:51:09 am
Might be finishing the lid this weekend.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 19, 2019, 05:09:06 am
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2019-buildup/367BBDB3-800B-4404-A239-5FD9F87DB204.jpeg)I'm in pain just looking at it...
Might be finishing the lid this weekend.
Post by: E_T on June 19, 2019, 07:50:55 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on June 20, 2019, 03:11:41 am
Trevor's white paint is rated for swimming pools. To last 15 years in a 30 ft deep swimming pool to be precise.
And the sanding pain was much mitigated by my dremel this year. I got abrasive sponge wheels for the dremel for all those curves, and used the power sander on the flats. Worked like a charm.
edit: Since BU brought up musical selection while working, a little known fact is all my projects have a theme song. Trevor 2.0 is this little ditty.
Error 404 (Not Found)!!1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?reload=9&v=N2yfR2g_tAc#)
This popped on my pandora station early on when I was still casting Fred to start, and I knew right away it was the theme to Trevor.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 20, 2019, 03:48:06 am
Post by: Geo on June 21, 2019, 10:41:44 am
Error 404 (Not Found)!!1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?reload=9&v=N2yfR2g_tAc#)
This popped on my pandora station early on when I was still casting Fred to start, and I knew right away it was the theme to Trevor.
Our Leader indeed! ;lol
Post by: Unorthodox on June 23, 2019, 02:20:50 am
Error 404 (Not Found)!!1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?reload=9&v=N2yfR2g_tAc#)
This popped on my pandora station early on when I was still casting Fred to start, and I knew right away it was the theme to Trevor.
Our Leader indeed! ;lol
Hey, Fred was the first big project of the yard, so in a lot of ways, he IS the leader.
First wash on Trevor.
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2019-buildup/65099659_2503574529675928_3845212369600905216_n.jpg)
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2019-buildup/65296906_2503574576342590_795978420587593728_n.jpg)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 23, 2019, 02:35:56 pm
Post by: E_T on June 23, 2019, 06:35:27 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on June 23, 2019, 08:01:33 pm
Wash of what? That's a great effect.
NORMALLY I would use a mismatched blackish paint. I had a gallon that the pain dab on the lid sure looked black...
inside the can was VERY blue.
So, I actually went and bought a can. Staring at the blacks and grays, I chose "Day's End" as I felt the name fitting.
But, I don't know anyone that really paints the way I do. I mean I've seen somewhat similar techniques but never in the capacity that I do. Anyhow, I mixed the black 1:1 with water, slather it all over (making sure I'm not in a sunny location this time), and then go back over it with a wet to damp cloth to wipe off the paint from the high places. Of course the base coat is somewhat stained by then. I've even blasted a project with a hose before to wash more off. Anyhow the valleys get the full color, and you get a LOT of variation that looks quite natural in between.
Post by: E_T on June 23, 2019, 08:36:45 pm
Post by: E_T on June 23, 2019, 08:37:18 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 23, 2019, 09:46:35 pm
dpGiving or taking?
Post by: E_T on June 24, 2019, 04:00:47 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 24, 2019, 04:02:10 am
Post by: E_T on June 24, 2019, 08:10:27 am
Post by: Unorthodox on June 27, 2019, 02:35:27 am
Kind of a dumb thing. Our yard was featured on one of the big Halloween places for the first time since 2013 after being an annual feature 2007 and again 2010-2013.
I mean, 2018 was OK ish and all as an unveiling of the new back yard to the neighbors, but nothing I would write home about as far as Halloween design goes. Pithenge was just that awesome of a project, though, they had to feature it, and Ed. I'm really on the fence about how this year's shaping up to be honest, but it's working towards something bigger.
Post by: Rusty Edge on June 27, 2019, 04:55:38 am
Post by: Unorthodox on June 27, 2019, 07:39:40 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on June 30, 2019, 05:27:33 pm
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2019-fun/Halloween5.jpg)
Halloween in summer time.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 30, 2019, 05:42:50 pm
Post by: Rusty Edge on June 30, 2019, 07:27:42 pm
Post by: E_T on July 01, 2019, 03:42:29 am
Post by: Geo on July 01, 2019, 11:52:30 am
;)
Post by: Unorthodox on July 09, 2019, 01:29:21 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 09, 2019, 02:15:40 am
Post by: Unorthodox on July 09, 2019, 11:59:05 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on July 11, 2019, 03:16:55 am
I need to hide the corners with some more wood, but 2.0 is fully collapsible as the wood frames make slots for the foam to slide into.
Post by: Unorthodox on July 11, 2019, 03:24:40 am
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2019-fun/E359B420-9099-4C8A-B010-1FB067593D1F.jpeg)
As with a lot of things there is a joke, emotion, and practicality behind the motivation. I've ordered some themed bags from a local vendor as well, and will get my logo in some form on it. Easy thing to bring to any events to put the logo out.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 11, 2019, 03:40:04 am
I don't get it.
Post by: Geo on July 11, 2019, 03:09:47 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 11, 2019, 03:21:35 pm
-Not making it up...
Post by: Unorthodox on July 12, 2019, 03:00:29 pm
Post by: E_T on July 17, 2019, 02:00:45 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on July 20, 2019, 02:12:26 am
Post by: Geo on July 20, 2019, 09:02:12 am
Post by: Unorthodox on July 21, 2019, 11:50:28 am
Post by: Unorthodox on July 21, 2019, 04:07:41 pm
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2019-fun/DEF21EE7-2F23-4B46-A238-4DE20A25FF2D.jpeg)
]
Post by: Geo on July 21, 2019, 11:04:37 pm
We will stop in Boise on the way back. In Portland now, a fair bit NW left to go...
Now that's eerie. When I composed the post my first impulse was to write 'Oregon' instead of 'Idaho'.
Post by: Unorthodox on July 24, 2019, 12:58:04 pm
Also, coincidentally, the town cemetery is our neighbor. About to take a moonlit stroll.
Heading for Seattle tomorrow in a reluctant return to civilization to give the girls some shopping opportunities.
Post by: Geo on July 24, 2019, 04:29:52 pm
Also, coincidentally, the town cemetery is our neighbor. About to take a moonlit stroll.
Watch out, its already waning Moon! ;)
Heading for Seattle tomorrow in a reluctant return to civilization to give the girls some shopping opportunities.
Wouldn't Vancouver put more in the pocket for your buck? :P
Post by: Unorthodox on July 30, 2019, 04:21:09 pm
From my phone, the trees on graves once it got light enough to picture.
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2019-fun/C7FA49F9-B736-4E11-8E5C-00C6A7FDF8A3.jpeg)
Flower garden instead.
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2019-fun/F54C4320-58B1-4A4C-8F3F-166CD387AAED.jpeg)
Random sunset in moclips.
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2019-fun/DE43A021-B360-4DBE-96F4-3BB1159CA182.jpeg)
Talia's first and only attempt at clam diggin.
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2019-fun/1F5D4656-87E0-4795-960D-63683E0B0681.jpeg)
She found a shrimp instead...
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2019-fun/8C1D3879-EC96-45C0-B6C7-9D1E002F5EED.jpeg)
Post by: Unorthodox on August 01, 2019, 04:26:15 pm
Looks like a number of the more popular folks have suddenly started making props with hollow chests light lit by hidden lights. I wouldn't go as far as to call them copies of the chimera designs, but this has been one of my staples in design. I've written articles on designing around that light and learning how it's going to throw light and shadow. The 'old guard' is catching on, and some of them will add their own spins to it as they play with the idea. Others will soon follow.
Mark my words, going to be bad copies of the concept on the mass market within 5 years.
Didn't take 5 years...
Error 404 (Not Found)!!1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCr197praIg#)
Post by: E_T on August 02, 2019, 03:51:17 am
Post by: Unorthodox on August 05, 2019, 03:31:03 am
Bonus points, I'm told my elder brother and the vituperator will not be around this year.
If you've followed much the last few years, you know this means I'm on spot to regale my niece and nephew with a campfire tale or two.
I'm open to suggestions.
Started with The Big Toe when they were real young, we've done most of the famous short ones by now. Last year I even memorized The Monkey's Paw, which my niece is still going on about, and even The Cremation of Sam McGee.
I'm open to suggestions at this point. Most the Scary Stories series is tapped out. I may be moving on to Poe.
Post by: E_T on August 05, 2019, 05:19:46 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 05, 2019, 05:41:19 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 05, 2019, 09:05:09 pm
Never more...
Yeah, I'm ruling out The Raven after having to explain half the words in Sam McGee.
I think I can easily reword to age appropriate The Tell Tale Heart into a good workable tale.
But, I like to have a good jump scare one as well. That's where I'm more stuck. Not that I COULDN'T make the ending to that a jump scare mind you. I'm not exactly beyond producing said heart and tossing it at someone...
Post by: Unorthodox on August 08, 2019, 01:28:17 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 08, 2019, 08:04:19 pm
From "The Grotto" in Portland. Shrine in a cliffside cave.
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2019-fun/Vacation23.jpg)
Cannon Beach.
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2019-fun/Vacation35.jpg)
So...let's talk Clarence.
I took Clarence along with a new lens on the trip. I was shooting Clarence in a program/semi-automatic mode, but in a bracket mode, so it would shoot several different F-stops back to back. I COULD have done a composite mode so it would stitch those together, which is what most folks do in photography these days. The lens is fixed, so manual zoom (walk closer). The idea being to keep things real easy and simple, and the kids could shoot as well.
This shot in particular would have been interesting in composite.
High F stop setting:
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2019-fun/Vacation51.jpg)
Low F stop:
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2019-fun/Vacation52.jpg)
Generally ideal lighting that evening...
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2019-fun/Vacation53.jpg)
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2019-fun/Vacation55.jpg)
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2019-fun/Vacation56.jpg)
Into the forest, I was impressed with what Clarence was able to do.
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2019-fun/Vacation64.jpg)
HOWEVER, I then handed it over to Kyle...and he shot a lot of stuff, but not much usable. Apparently I was so used to changing settings, I hadn't really noticed that I was, and Kyle's stuff was a lot more random in quality.
(compare how the lighting didn't show in this shot to the one above)
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2019-fun/Vacation62.jpg)
Post by: Unorthodox on August 08, 2019, 08:22:25 pm
So, I was bound and determined to get to the tide pools. Kalaloch beach 4 was rated as the best place, but I was not entirely sure I'd even be able to get there.
From tripadvisor:
"This hike is totally out of the reach of anyone who is too young, too old or too concerned about falling or twisting and ankle or knee. We would not have hiked down the steeply slanting trail and two sets of stairs if we had known we would not be able to get down to the beach and tidal pools. The trail ends at on a stack of rocks 30-40 feet high and you'll need both hands and feet to get down them. "
With my knee, a 30 foot rock climb was going to be difficult at best. But I was going to do it.
The above is well overblown. Yes, the trail is steep and technically ends in a sea stack, but the rocks have been eroded to practically form stairs if you just spend a bit of time picking your way down and aren't too ashamed to sit and slide or crawl a time or two. . Up was no problem at all.
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2019-fun/Vacation79.jpg)
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2019-fun/Vacation76.jpg)
I did not even pack the computer on the trip, and hadn't seen the trouble Kyle'd been having with the camera yet, so he shot most of this beach, and unfortunately a lot was unusable, including what should have been a good shot of hEt and I.
He also seemed to have a thing for shooting the ocean instead of the tide pools...
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2019-fun/Vacation85.jpg)
He did get a cool shot inside this tree on a random stop for "Big Cedar --->" sign.
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2019-fun/Vacation92.jpg)
I also took Clarence on this little stop to play with the macro features of the lens.
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2019-fun/Vacation95.jpg)
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2019-fun/Vacation96.jpg)
Looking forward to shooting some bugs.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 09, 2019, 12:05:43 am
Now why is it you didn't want to post w/o watermarks? Is the getting ripped off problem so bad vacation pics aren't safe?
Post by: Unorthodox on August 09, 2019, 12:53:10 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 09, 2019, 12:57:16 am
Post by: Unorthodox on August 09, 2019, 01:00:13 am
Post by: E_T on August 12, 2019, 08:31:00 pm
That 30ft climb thing, would it have helped if there was a rope set at the top that could help with the climb?
Post by: Unorthodox on August 12, 2019, 10:19:38 pm
Story time went well over the weekend. It was good enough a telling it even got Alec to put down his game and listen. Got a few 'nope' heebee jeebies out of Talia. No word yet how the niece and nephew spent the night.
Post by: Geo on August 13, 2019, 12:30:24 am
Post by: Unorthodox on August 25, 2019, 09:35:18 pm
A speaker, you see, that was triggered and played custom audio files. So, for the scary clown, it would play the appropriate laughing and music when the prop itself was triggered. Now, I know a lot of folks are going to buy these props expecting that quality sound to be a part OF the prop, the way it's hidden, but you can't pull one over on me so easily. I figured Spirit would be selling these speakers separately.
NOPE. They get them from actual haunted house supply stores. Industrial strength so they wont go bad over the season of 8 million activations by every kid that comes through.
I've been able to find a somewhat budget version online even. So, yes. Spirit sold me on something...just not from them.
https://www.amazon.com/Halloween-Amplifier-Speaker-Support-Playback/dp/B07FCLJPMM (https://www.amazon.com/Halloween-Amplifier-Speaker-Support-Playback/dp/B07FCLJPMM)
Post by: Unorthodox on August 26, 2019, 02:21:10 pm
NOT the lighting I'd use 'for real', but the easiest to put out.
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2019-buildup/Trevor1.jpg)
And yes, if you didn't see in the background...
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2019-fun/18EAFBB0-80FD-46CD-947C-AB8625617B39.jpeg)
Post by: E_T on August 27, 2019, 05:08:29 pm
The Tomb looks great!
Post by: Unorthodox on August 27, 2019, 06:38:05 pm
Rig the thing to have something pop's up (or something else: special lighting & effects, etc) when a bag gets tossed into the hole.
I know you were being funny, but in all seriousness a old school light gun shooting gallery or even a Buzz Lightyear or Men in Black ride lazer gun walkthrough would be on my bucket list of things to build. I'm unlikely to ever have that kind of money, but there you go.
Post by: Unorthodox on September 08, 2019, 11:18:53 pm
Fun factoid. I never disposed of the tombstones from the original Trevor's display in 2012. I'm updating them a little bit, and might make a few more things to go along with.
Post by: Unorthodox on September 10, 2019, 03:02:08 pm
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2019-fun/5BD55E04-1AD3-4BE8-BDEE-6924652DE86F.jpeg)
I don't think I've talked much about the garden here this year.
We tried something a bit different. The idea was to create DIFFERENT pumpkins at our place instead of going for numbers. It's been a mixed bag.
Primarily, I planted 4 (only) "Big Moose" pumpkins. These are the only giant (over 100 lb) pumpkin variety I've seen that advertise they actually keep their shape. Most Atlantic Giant derivatives turn into shapless blobs. These promised a good pumpkin shape without needing to purposely place the things.
On one hand, I've managed to keep them growing and healthy. On the other, they really didn't care for the summer weather, and I needed to make a shade.
Of the 4 plants, I think only 2 ever actually set pumpkins, and one of the plants died in August for reasons I can't figure. I'm probably going to give them a second go with more planning on the shade next year. We just did a quick Da Vinci Bridge with some shade cloth to cover the actual mounds and it's worked, but some height would be nice for the future.
This is our biggest of the lot. This is the largest pumpkin I've seen grown, and that includes my time at the farm and my Uncle growing Atlantic Giants. I'd guess in the 120+ range if I had to. I'm starting to wonder how we're going to move it. It's really hard to get a perspective, but those leaves are more than 1' diameter. ~ 2-3' tall, 3-4' wide pumpkin
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2019-fun/6111D2C6-DBF7-4E6A-8C8A-1E9BC80EF0E6.jpeg)
We have 3 of the big Moose pumpkins for sure set. The second largest is about half the size. The third is less than 1/4, and stopped growing in July, and is now turning red, I'm wondering if it'll make it at all. There's a couple more setting Now that the temps are back to reasonable in the evening/morning.
For the 4th year in a row, I've gotten a volunteer pumpkin that is what I term 'frankenstein' shaped. This is largely due to me selecting pumpkins when I pick them up for the party. I can tell you what a pumpkin is going to clean like just by sight these days, and I like the ones with the soft, pale, almost melon like flesh. Easy to clean and carve, do not keep well, though. Normal folks should avoid them, but I only need it to last 2 days. For whatever reason, they produce these regularly from the seed.
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2019-fun/DFE84F79-FE1A-4BF4-8A94-326EF64AF1A0.jpeg)
Our other plant selections had a hell of a time. The severely wet spring, I'd planted them out in the 'swamp' (my roof drains under the path out to the garden to prevent erosion to the path, it makes a swamp in wet weather), and they did not do well at all. "Early Giants". Oblong pumpkins meant to get 30-50 lbs. The shape is right, but the size is 10-20 lbs.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 16, 2019, 04:05:27 am
Post by: Unorthodox on September 16, 2019, 05:09:04 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 16, 2019, 05:46:11 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 17, 2019, 09:01:35 pm
Things are going weirdly this year. The party seems to be gaining a lot more attention than normal...
I've now got vendors and politicians asking to set up booths.
No, and No.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 17, 2019, 09:38:39 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 18, 2019, 02:04:08 pm
The Pum'kin carvin'?
Yeah, I don't know why this year's different, I haven't even started whoring out the link yet.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 18, 2019, 02:22:33 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 18, 2019, 10:09:08 pm
Post by: E_T on September 18, 2019, 11:03:17 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 19, 2019, 02:40:05 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 20, 2019, 02:18:38 pm
I know I've talked about the monkeys plenty in the past, and for the large part, they moved off to a different building and I don't have to deal with them much. However, in the last year they were supplied with an entire new jungle to play in. Part of that included several stages, and their toys had to play nicely with my stuff behind the curtain. No problems there.
However, they started throwing their crap around and moaning and whining that some of their toys just plain wont work with some of their older toys. They were supplied with multiple versions and configurations, but they wanted a specific shiny fancy toy and insisted nothing else would work.
None of this was my business, and I stayed the hell out of the poo flinging.
Again, I'm a clown, not a monkey. I might be the only clown left here, but I get the clowning done well enough, and have largely avoided the barking under our new management (though I have to do an entire show next month which might end up changing that). Over the last few years, I've gotten to work with a magician who makes sure all the effects are working properly behind the curtain.
Now, the Monkeys have changed the #2 Monkey several times, and the audience has not been too awful impressed with the poo flinging. In fact, some of them started asking for refunds. So, the circus owners sent in an animal trainer to the monkeys.
This trainer has worked with several groups here, and she usually cleans up the acts in a hurry. It's kinda what she does, goes in and whips acts into shape.
Just prior to her officially stepping into the Monkey cage, Monkey #2 immediately changes department. Monkey #3 resigns. Monkey 1 blames the issues on 2 and 3, insists that the toys wont work, and says if they cant have the fancy one, they need this other item which costs a ton. The audience refuses to entertain a higher ticket price.
Thus, I'm in a budget meeting (which is hilarious in and of itself and would have never happened under former management) with the circus owner and most the trainers when this gets brought up. The monkeys have to have these new pieces because the toys are le crap.
"Wait a minute. I haven't had any issues with the toys behind the curtain. All three stages are running the toys just fine. What's the problem?"
This caught all the trainers' attention.
Head monkey gives this complicated problem why they wont work Circus owner asks me to take a look. Now, this is NOT anywhere NEAR my job description, and will be stepping all over Monkey toes.
"I don't know enough about the special effects to do diagnostics. Let me bring in my Magician friend."
Magician: "oh, yeah, the monkeys don't have the right wiring, you just need this $10 fix per toy"
So we get a couple test wires.
Monkeys insist the new fix isn't working any better. Circus owner asks me to look into it.
Now, I come from a quality department background, and I just go about step by step trying to target what the actual problem is instead of a "this don't work". I talk with the magician and consistently his theory that the part they are complaining about isn't the problem, it's actually ANOTHER part, but we can work around that with his $10 fix.
Monkey story changes 5 times over the next week, and when I test each of their claims I can't find it being an issue, and write up my findings each and every time, like you would for any quality issue. I posit there may be people reporting issues specifically to discredit the toy and get shiny new things.
Ringmaster steps in and takes the things from the monkeys, installing them directly with some of the freaks. The freaks have no problems.
We increase the test sample size, ordering more from the magician. No freaks report any issues.
Monkey #1 is caught ordering some of the monkeys to 'make sure these things stop working because we can't look this bad'.
The bouncers just escorted out Monkey #1.
Monkeys 4-6 have been demoted, one of the Freaks is interim Monkey 1. Trainer is still sorting through the rest of the monkeys. They get on board or get out.
Now I'm getting asked to move into the monkeys as I've "clearly demonstrated knowledge on the subject".
I don't know a thing about the monkey's job. Really. I'm just really detail oriented, capable of critical thinking, root cause analysis, and very good at googling.
Post by: E_T on September 21, 2019, 01:22:24 am
Ah, Gov contract political BS...
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 21, 2019, 01:34:21 am
Post by: Unorthodox on September 21, 2019, 02:15:15 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 21, 2019, 02:37:09 am
Post by: E_T on September 21, 2019, 04:18:37 am
Post by: Unorthodox on September 21, 2019, 02:15:38 pm
You in the Cost+ contract bidnezz, ain't you? Weren't axin 'bout no REASONable level...
Obama killed those. Most everything was Fixed under him. I haven't been in a new contract under this administration. This happens to be a level of effort contract, however, so there ain't no money to be made on toys.
The trouble is a LOT of folks in this bidness have been on a cost + contract for over 40 years. Some are having a difficult adjustment.
Post by: Geo on September 21, 2019, 03:50:45 pm
Do you have a choice on the matter?
Post by: E_T on September 22, 2019, 06:09:05 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 30, 2019, 03:26:09 am
Post by: Unorthodox on September 30, 2019, 12:25:49 pm
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/fun-2018/A41A20B6-8D70-4D8C-9012-7E6C0D9BD420.jpeg)
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/fun-2018/A897EE9D-CA62-4D25-BC7E-EF66759EB507.jpeg)
But, theme this year is really nothing to write home about. I made the decision late during setup last year that I needed to do a 3 year plan for the yard from a strictly yard care point of view. So, I'm planning everything around the project I term "Return of the Living Mounds Bars".
This is really designed to repair the damage to the lawn over time more than it is about the Halloween aspects.
I wasn't totally satisfied with the mounds of coconut coir for graves last year, though I could have made it work with a little more effort this year, I had set the plan in motion for the return of Trevor already.
I'm going back to the ORIGINAL, ORIGINAL plan on Trevor, which was not a fog machine, but having it surrounded by breathing graves. To my knowledge no one has massed breathing graves in that nature before, and I don't know how it will look exactly. It presents some challenges with lighting.
The rest of the front is just refurbished 'tombstones' from the last time I had Trevor out with a couple newer ones tossed in to replace damaged ones. This is all planned to move towards the spider woman temple theme, which I'm shifting from Mayan over to a Celtic/Germanic nature to fit in with pithenge. I'm most likely going to be making casts of pithenge stones and duplicating for many more in the yard in the coming years as a result. There's 2 companion pieces to Trevor planned as well.
The ultimate culmination is a rather bold project I've been flirting with for several years that I'm not ready to divulge, even though none of the other Halloween artists would dare be so bold as it requires a rather bizarre mindset.
Ultimately, the goal is to have this all blend seamlessly with the party, which has become our central focus over the last 5 years. Yes, I've been doing it for 10, but it's become the centerpiece rather than a fun aside.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 01, 2019, 04:41:55 pm
-I've long wanted to see you do something grandly ambitious, Aztec-theme, avec a pretty big pyramid and sacrifices, but that wasn't feasible back when you had a lot more backyard to work with, what with y'all gotta live there the rest of the time and not spend all the money in the world on Halloween...
Post by: Unorthodox on October 02, 2019, 03:26:54 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 02, 2019, 03:37:09 am
Post by: E_T on October 02, 2019, 04:16:17 am
I know what you're really wanting.Dang, she's gotten all grown up. How old is she now?
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/fun-2018/A41A20B6-8D70-4D8C-9012-7E6C0D9BD420.jpeg)
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/fun-2018/A897EE9D-CA62-4D25-BC7E-EF66759EB507.jpeg)
Quote
But, theme this year is really nothing to write home about. I made the decision late during setup last year that I needed to do a 3 year plan for the yard from a strictly yard care point of view. So, I'm planning everything around the project I term "Return of the Living Mounds Bars".Maybe some laser lighting, that is if you can find it cheep enough
This is really designed to repair the damage to the lawn over time more than it is about the Halloween aspects.
I wasn't totally satisfied with the mounds of coconut coir for graves last year, though I could have made it work with a little more effort this year, I had set the plan in motion for the return of Trevor already.
I'm going back to the ORIGINAL, ORIGINAL plan on Trevor, which was not a fog machine, but having it surrounded by breathing graves. To my knowledge no one has massed breathing graves in that nature before, and I don't know how it will look exactly. It presents some challenges with lighting.
Quote
The rest of the front is just refurbished 'tombstones' from the last time I had Trevor out with a couple newer ones tossed in to replace damaged ones. This is all planned to move towards the spider woman temple theme, which I'm shifting from Mayan over to a Celtic/Germanic nature to fit in with pithenge. I'm most likely going to be making casts of pithenge stones and duplicating for many more in the yard in the coming years as a result. There's 2 companion pieces to Trevor planned as well.I'm going to try to get a pic taken and post it here, but down the road from me, The owners of a new house (tore down two houses and built new one on the lots) has put in some "Modern Art" on his front lawn. It's a bright red tall, thin, spike that leans at about 20-25 degree from plumb angle out towards the corner. It just begs for a paper mishet(sp) manican(sp) dummy impaled on it, with dyed (Blood Red) cloth streamers come out if the point of impailment. I might try to get one made and put it on it very early Halloween Morning, so that it's visible all day (if they keep it up, that is).
The ultimate culmination is a rather bold project I've been flirting with for several years that I'm not ready to divulge, even though none of the other Halloween artists would dare be so bold as it requires a rather bizarre mindset.
Ultimately, the goal is to have this all blend seamlessly with the party, which has become our central focus over the last 5 years. Yes, I've been doing it for 10, but it's become the centerpiece rather than a fun aside.
Post by: Unorthodox on October 02, 2019, 04:41:21 pm
Lasers aren’t right for the job, though a laser swamp would look fabulous in the future with some standing stones.
Post by: Unorthodox on October 02, 2019, 05:05:41 pm
Coupled with an announcement by sigma cancelling support of k mount.
So. Pentax is officially dying without 3rd party support, and loyalists will scramble for the new shiny, Ill be watching for a K3 price crash.
While Clarence is fabulous as a walk around, the K3 really emphasized hitting people with limited experience being able to just shoot. Plus it’s wifi capable so potentially easier to get images off. Or even a k3 ii for picture blending which would open up a whole WORLD for Halloween photos.
Post by: Unorthodox on October 04, 2019, 01:36:33 am
I don't think I've ever heard him have a conversation where he doesn't start arguing. It doesn't matter the subject, doesn't matter whether it involves him, he knows better.
I mean, he was arguing about growing plants.
I knew this day was coming with October here...
Yeah, he started up an argument about Halloween.
My screensaver and wallpaper are a slideshow of pics. Yeah, this one here can't be real, I stole it off the internet, it's clearly some CG rendering.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/jmyj9CNGEFf0BkIsD7GM1OcthgvjuWucyFO6yRbg9HZthAi-upYvEeAuwkycXw4OWrVE_tYriwRqL1Np4kH_Mg5LV5nV9HwNiJE_j9DxvSyst9FkhrKcSpXf6gL4y-RRYzV81meZxvq6T6nzaWPkr9W5DIjKDF1aG_CuXj2dUa4LNV-xqBzm3WcB43_qGWIXwdJv1NZlXxw1OJhlNFpjblXOB1DrFx-Kj1lTNePalPUTH92bbCrLjBIWZZfoJ8vHScEfuf4E6z0MjoUQJGHvKQDsSaFxuNKk-Px5a8TiCEnoa79SVhzOSS8SZxn0BJVubDnqGxSrtGdUe9XEJ6PTdg7b6sKOKln6u6WgOWau3IqLnHI-SksTszxnT4cyQc_pPJLEnUudxn1kJ83CAhXuOQgSOOfCn3GO5blL92rmMACPaHZr-6RU3bAoUOEeuATpI-mRJEkj3Twl6WuD54iVElUEZWDZifxgDLLI31xBgyeyVZz_lHztaBivbo0sosRmKdv7pukQCOtP3Z7lPPJw2sDvzNPKp9NSmBKshIcqEqY4S5f25CJq5Kc8hf2v7Q-MP-YbWBG5dAEMB5hygdbFVH09CzmYdSn0UqpZtxfYQVrBhxoqLCOczuVQO6kLPVxPLOW95PW-E_3TeNH4hoRWs6LOBVp9J10O9gpymcVJHNeGMzs-sIPQbPU=w800-h534-no)
The fact the creature is on google maps street view of my house doesn't deter his arguing. The lighting is too perfect, and smoke machines don't make smoke like that.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 04, 2019, 01:44:16 am
Post by: E_T on October 04, 2019, 02:46:48 am
Post by: Geo on October 04, 2019, 02:54:36 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on October 06, 2019, 09:49:44 pm
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2019-fun/46C9341F-968D-44B6-B5A9-991A3E9B3C12.jpeg)
Hot chocolate for the party. Candy for Halloween night...
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2019-fun/A4923D2D-C335-4D7E-931C-E7571B08069F.jpeg)
Post by: Unorthodox on October 06, 2019, 09:58:40 pm
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2018-buildup/CEB810DC-07AF-49FB-AFA5-A574E9A41445.jpeg)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 06, 2019, 10:24:16 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on October 07, 2019, 12:14:03 am
So I'll take free. Plus the pallets act as a big shelf for kids to put pumpkins on right now, and that works well for the party.
Post by: Geo on October 07, 2019, 11:04:16 am
Horribly redneck
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2019-fun/46C9341F-968D-44B6-B5A9-991A3E9B3C12.jpeg)
I knew it! ;lol
Post by: E_T on October 07, 2019, 05:37:41 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on October 08, 2019, 02:31:41 am
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2019-buildup-1/E750D101-0175-4F0D-A224-0D693A8B1666.jpeg)
There are plenty more branches. I haven't ruled out Shenzi.
Post by: Unorthodox on October 09, 2019, 01:53:16 am
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2019-buildup-1/EBD38F1E-8342-44B1-96F7-9484C1EDA588.jpeg)
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2019-buildup-1/D6F49432-4733-48D1-A182-E6B9AF8D89D4.jpeg)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 09, 2019, 02:14:10 am
Post by: Unorthodox on October 09, 2019, 02:40:30 am
That's the experiment on this guy, and it'll be a while...
Post by: Unorthodox on October 13, 2019, 03:52:26 am
I'm not much of a convention person to be honest. I don't do the cosplay, and I couldn't give a rodent's rectum about celebrity [nonsense], so the draw for me boils down to the entertainment and potentially the panels.
We went Friday specifically because the freak show was on Friday.
It was a combo of shock magicians and working acts. And while I can admire the working acts skill, I really don't get the same shock that most people do (unless it's something with eyes, because I have an eyeball thing...). There was a very detailed documentary not terribly long ago that showed the science and biology behind all the working acts as well as how they were done. Much like seeing how magic is done, it kinda ruins the mystery a bit. So, I look for quality of the actual performer more than the actual tricks as the tricks are all the same.
Vendors were largely artists. A surprising amount of art, really. Some of it good. Some of it striking. A few great. One piece was quite interesting, and if it wasn't a work in progress, we might have purchased...but it was pretty much a rendering of my bifurcated pumpkins.
Similarly on the prop side of things, someone was selling a rather poor Trevor knockoff. Too small, only a skull on top, but in their favor they had riddled out the collapsible nature and had a brilliant means of snapping it together. They were using a softer foam, like really super thick foam floor tiles that snapped together like puzzle pieces. $800. Didn't appreciate me poking too much.
Other than that, the ubiquitous stiltbeast method of corpsing abounds...I really dislike it. Far too muddy and unrealistic, but cheap and easy, and doable on the pose n stay skellies, so super cheap. I really need to modify the skullnbonez method to work with pose n stay, but I haven't had a need for a corpse in a while.
There's one of the immersion haunts opened up in SLC. I might take the kids to that this year. I'm at least curious in the new style.
There's also a headless horseman haunt a little ways further. I'm a sucker for the headless horseman.
The panels while we were there were proper haunt lighting....
Which, the guy was more trying to sell his controllers and dmx programs than talking about how to actually frame and light a scene.
And projector use...
which the guy had a whole bunch of off the shelf solutions, wasn't selling anything, and was actually talking about how to stage and hide the projector.
"Home haunting on a budget" and "how to make ordinary objects into halloween props" were clearly panels I needed to sit and listen to on the schedule for today.
Post by: Unorthodox on October 16, 2019, 02:13:33 am
Exploring lighting, this is a very basic setup. Trevor's base there just to give me spotters, I'm not putting a lot out till I see the weather report, but I can do most of these behind the scenes things of running wiring, lighting, etc.
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2019-buildup-1/5D12063C-63A6-4750-8A57-B904A1C6516C.jpeg)
So, a lot of the students mention how good it looks...I start pointing out the sidewalk is too dark down to the right. Adding a warm light outside the fenceline will highlight the fence, and thus hide the green lighbulbs. See how it draws your eyes away near the gate.
My solution will be some of my bifurcated pumpkins.
Another standard, good shadows up on the house, more stones will enhance that. Looking good?
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2019-buildup-1/7C538834-5B91-4937-B9AA-DA9C6DC17000.jpeg)
Dark gaping hole to the right of Trevor there is a wasted opportunity. My solution there's going to be an Uno vs pinterest experiment. Yes, I'm going there. I don't have a good shot of it yet...
And I have a slew of problems over by the gate. I used to use my fence as a visual separation of zones, but we haven't rebuilt the fence yet...I'm kind of at a loss here, going to think on it.
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2019-buildup-1/07965614-F2B2-400B-B736-4EE819399933.jpeg)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 16, 2019, 02:39:04 am
Post by: Unorthodox on October 16, 2019, 02:52:32 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 16, 2019, 03:04:17 am
Post by: Unorthodox on October 16, 2019, 12:29:59 pm
No, a lot of us oldtimers were trying to wrestle the corporate juggernaut back into something salvageable. I'm finishing off the season there, but likely not starting next season. I'd done a tutorial on Trevor, lighting, monster mud, chimera build philosophy over there this year, and have just generally been talking through a lot of setups this season, but the corporate keeps interfering and I'm about done.
Post by: E_T on October 16, 2019, 04:25:57 pm
Post by: ColdWizard on October 16, 2019, 05:06:43 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on October 21, 2019, 12:49:07 am
With a solid week of hard freezes on forecast between now and Halloween, there's a chance I won't have pumpkins.
Post by: E_T on October 24, 2019, 04:14:36 pm
by the way, today is my birthday
Post by: Rusty Edge on October 25, 2019, 06:35:31 am
ouch!!
by the way, today is my birthday
Happy Birthday!
Post by: Geo on October 25, 2019, 01:14:00 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on October 26, 2019, 03:03:19 am
ouch!!
by the way, today is my birthday
Always was jealous of the october Bday folk.
We're into day 2 of vacation now.
Return of the living mounds bars has expressed itself as the pathway this year.
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2019-buildup-1/D05EC781-0D8C-46A2-B449-E7FF23EDB351.jpeg)
This is easily the most mainstream setup I've ever done. It'll likely be people's favorite due to that fact.
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2019-buildup-1/2AFB6853-D4CB-4564-9157-935E0C30F19D.jpeg)
Cornfield around the side, if you look close, that's father at the back, and by the children's demand, Cropper has come out of retirement as well.
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2019-buildup-1/431858DB-6A0E-427A-9CCF-894BBEFE2A37.jpeg)
Currently debating whether to pull the pathway lights or not around back.
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2019-buildup-1/3183DA14-A167-4A2F-9C4D-7FBAE3E4322B.jpeg)
Oh, and Talia on the way to the dance in a little thing I've been working on.
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2019-buildup-1/F66BC776-E28A-41FE-84F9-7C8CC5DC1379.jpeg)
Post by: Unorthodox on October 29, 2019, 09:08:15 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on October 30, 2019, 03:05:27 pm
But the sun is out, so there's that...
Party temps are supposed to start at about 30 degrees, and end around 22. I don't know how many will come out in this cold to be honest, but that might not be a terrible thing either.
The amusement park shut down for the season early due to the temps and snow, and several other events have just cancelled.
On my end, the breathing graves don't work in freezing temps, so I scrapped them, and the coconut pathway might cause some problems tonight, but will be ready for tomorrow.
I'm off to fuel up all flame sources. I pulled out a couple of the old torches, we have 3 fire pits, and a handful of ye olde kerosene lanterns. The pumpkin lights, I'm a little concerned about battery life in these temps, but it is what it is at this point. I believe I have enough tea light candles to light most if it really comes down to that, the wind is supposed to be non-existent.
Post by: E_T on October 30, 2019, 05:26:13 pm
Post by: Geo on October 30, 2019, 09:01:17 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on October 31, 2019, 06:26:38 pm
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/halloween-party-2019/674741C7-0AE2-4CA7-A1EF-85D1A9B879C5.jpeg)
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/halloween-party-2019/5876A250-6DDC-46D9-B7EC-807B1B3B46C0.jpeg)
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/halloween-party-2019/AA5DE449-AC69-4D12-A02F-4CA633822E30.jpeg)
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/halloween-party-2019/0F7520B1-7473-4DAE-97F5-89E4352736A1.jpeg)
This is what happens when I actually put a little effort into carving, one of our giant pumpkins. Not a lot, mind you, just more than my normal bifurcate and call it good. I've actually designed some of the pumpkin master carving templates in the past.
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/halloween-party-2019/56793CA2-ED0F-492C-8177-84F75F8A3B5C.jpeg)
Post by: Unorthodox on October 31, 2019, 06:33:17 pm
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/halloween-party-2019/413A8E1E-FE16-4BA4-9C64-5DDA436898AF.jpeg)
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/halloween-party-2019/97C8A1EA-B3AD-4784-9F20-F46E0F1997B1.jpeg)
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/halloween-party-2019/C1383E2B-5EC3-4AF1-8F14-81C59DD167C2.jpeg)
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/halloween-party-2019/BD9B99E6-3548-4F83-A65D-C0B1E318DA9D.jpeg)
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/halloween-party-2019/448514C5-C5B3-4758-A4BD-E2A6EEE650D8.jpeg)
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/halloween-party-2019/F7044274-17BF-4826-8BCB-FBD646831E96.jpeg)
Cropper, by the kid's demands...
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/halloween-party-2019/B17D3700-EBCC-42B0-826A-51417168022E.jpeg)
Post by: Unorthodox on October 31, 2019, 06:44:47 pm
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/halloween-party-2019/D2874F0A-95F5-4539-BEDD-0ED5AF071F84.jpeg)
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/halloween-party-2019/C31BDDF5-B1C5-4116-ABA3-AEEDCEBA3095.jpeg)
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/halloween-party-2019/C200D5F2-5118-4414-B3CB-A0E6EC1CCDEA.jpeg)
Mystery doing the rounds
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/halloween-party-2019/9A969B40-7704-4733-A09E-7B3229444664.jpeg)
Post by: E_T on October 31, 2019, 08:22:51 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on November 01, 2019, 12:54:31 pm
https://kutv.com/news/local/budweiser-clydesdales-coming-to-utah-to-hold-halloween-funeral-for-32-beer?fbclid=IwAR3yveG7108g11Otl1zT6cCZstpb-NlVLqespbaEdGH6Jm22Qql0ikk6UDg
Edit, now with video goodness.
Post by: E_T on November 01, 2019, 02:07:58 pm
[EDIT]highlighting and right clicking got me to link
Post by: Unorthodox on November 01, 2019, 05:18:22 pm
Post by: Geo on November 02, 2019, 05:21:59 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on November 02, 2019, 07:09:03 pm
Post by: E_T on November 02, 2019, 08:11:29 pm
Post by: E_T on November 07, 2019, 05:20:20 am
Post by: Unorthodox on November 09, 2019, 06:04:42 pm
Post by: E_T on November 10, 2019, 02:16:26 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on November 12, 2019, 02:38:47 am
Clarence struggled mightily. Mostly with the lighting, but I won't rule out weather as partial blame. He had to up the ISO to even get it to shoot. And then it made it look like sunset when it did shoot.
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/halloween-party-2019/Halloween201923.jpg)
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/halloween-party-2019/Halloween201921.jpg)
So, Halloween night, I pulled out Vera.
However, Vera struggled with the cold in my preferred shooting method of using very high F stops and super long exposures for halloween. It would just plain quit shooting after a few seconds trying to expose. I've confirmed it still works fine, just the cold was either killing battery or messing with the remote sensor.
So, I did something I've actually never done on Vera and let her shoot in semi-auto.
So, fun thing on this shot. The largest pumpkin was carved day OF Halloween. The other three large ones here were left out all night. All have real candles, just note how the freezing of the smaller ones overnight has changed how they light up.
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/halloween-party-2019/Halloween201926.jpg)
2.0
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/halloween-party-2019/Halloween201934.jpg)
This is a concept I think I need to look more into. Last minute for giggles thing. Uno vs Pinterest.
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/halloween-party-2019/Halloween201935.jpg)
The ancient path of death. I really rather liked the corn field off to the left. The separation of lighting from the green out front to the torches on the side worked really well. I really wish we had more traditional lighting of the pumpkin, but this side sees NO sun this time of year, and they were basically ice blocks.
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/halloween-party-2019/Halloween201938.jpg)
Father/Cropper.
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/halloween-party-2019/Halloween201940.jpg)
Another shot of how weird the ice pumpkins light.
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/halloween-party-2019/Halloween201941.jpg)
I really don't know why my kids love cropper so much...but I've got some ideas from this...
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/halloween-party-2019/Halloween201944.jpg)
Post by: Unorthodox on November 12, 2019, 02:48:37 am
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/halloween-party-2019/Halloween201946.jpg)
Maybe not the Mike Wasowski (sp) pumpkin, but the general idea.
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/halloween-party-2019/Halloween201947.jpg)
Unfortunately the lens on Vera was too tight to get a shot of pithenge.
Here's the cell phone.
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/halloween-party-2019/8AB0481D-0D36-4CE5-83B7-5929E2BC448F.jpeg)
I've also purchased a good 80% of the supplies for next year as well. That's the base to 2.0 on top, and his 6' tall standing up to the left. A good 10'x6' solid wall of foam panels.
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/halloween-party-2019/64C7A423-C2AC-4B23-AAF7-88F965E46B73.jpeg)
Post by: E_T on November 13, 2019, 05:06:15 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on November 20, 2019, 02:46:02 am
Post by: Unorthodox on December 01, 2019, 04:47:38 am
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2019-buildup-1/B20A8248-F21F-4A91-94FC-FA9B42E595CD.jpeg)
Bonzai decked out for the season...
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/chritsmas/7B2D1347-5AC9-4937-9CDC-1BC2C19B1383.jpeg)
The three wise T-Rex, and a neighbor donated a tree to the cause. Guess they found a black christmas tree in a closet when they moved in and figured I could make use of it.
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/chritsmas/A6232FEE-BD19-4B6F-A5C0-7C66DAA00887.jpeg)
How else does one decorate a dino tree?
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/chritsmas/60F2274D-F5C7-4D46-B9EC-0F896502820D.jpeg)
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/chritsmas/0550CCA1-EF8F-4B79-BC33-5D4361D5B525.jpeg)
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/chritsmas/79C29771-8711-4D4B-8E09-3FEB1D67947B.jpeg)
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/chritsmas/9CB95847-B010-4825-BDD9-56863E47D5DE.jpeg)
I had MANY people stop their cars and comment on the tree as we were putting it up.
We've had ~30" of snow since the pics though. At one point, Bonzai looked like he was slowly emerging from a glacier as he's right in the shovel throw path and we buried him.
Post by: E_T on December 01, 2019, 08:08:21 pm
Post by: E_T on December 01, 2019, 08:08:50 pm
Post by: E_T on December 02, 2019, 02:39:19 pm
Quote
Nope, @SpacedC0wb0y lost, which makes me about 99% certain that he and @alek122 are out of the playoffs, and @Spacy Cadette and UnO are in. I believe UnO will be facing Dork next week, with GK facing the Cheesebreads...excuse me...con.
Even if GK manages to score 75+ points tomorrow and beat Dork I believe the opponents will remain the same (unless GK's remaining three dudes combine for about 150 points which would put him ahead of Dork in the tiebreaker and mean that UnO would face GK and Dork and Con would square off.
I find that to be a highly unlikely outcome though.
QUESTION FROM ME: No Wildcard slot?
There are 4 Wildcard slots. Dork, Con, Gk and UnO got them. My grandmother and I are the conference champs with the two best records so we get the two byes next week.
Sounds like interesting times...
Post by: Unorthodox on March 18, 2020, 07:32:46 pm
Did not realize earthquakes came in such flavors though. We’ve had jolting bounces, slow rolls, and long rumbles, all measuring around the same magnitude.
Post by: Unorthodox on March 19, 2020, 12:24:11 am
Earthquake ~7 AM. It's early, most people not in yet, however, I am sitting in an area with the company's safety manager, the Legal manager, and the COO.
Between some finance folks who really should be working from home SCREAMING and spouting to hide in doorways and the safety manager going into a straight up panic attack, I start barking orders in my dad voice. My kids know my dad voice doesn't mean I'm pissed off, but I know I sound unusually gruff at the same time.
Rattling stops, Safety manager is still under his desk mumbling what do we do? COO is asking the same but more manic, and I start giving these two flat out orders in dad voice, and initiate the disaster plan my own damn self, telling them both to work the list, I'll go clear the building.
With the work from home edicts, our management structure is thin as most the peons don't have telecommute capability so most leadership is gone. I round up and start ordering everyone to the muster points. We ended up having a few lights that had fallen and resulting breakers that had blown, so I mark the areas and attempt to report to the COO to return the workforce except for the indicated areas, as those will need some cleanup and an electrician. Neither COO nor Safety manager are anywhere to be found.
So I go all barker and order everyone back in except for the impacted areas. Them, I order to our shelter in place location until we get it the damage cleaned up. If they need to get home, I authorize buddy system to get their personal effects to get outta dodge.
COO and Safety were seen entering our sister building (also my company's) but have not exited. Violating disaster protocol as that building had assigned sweepers who actually did their jobs, but we can't clear it till everyone's accounted for, so I head in.
They are running through a number of what if's on the second floor. I express my concerns it's raining and cold and you have 200 people waiting for us to clear this, we can have the what ifs on aftershock scenarios later, take them out, and order everyone back to work with the same if you need to get home, your free to get your personal effects and leave. This latter got me a bit of a stink eye from the COO.
Aftershock at 7:45 institutes a brief repeat at the sister building evacuating and returning. It wasn't big enough to evacuate in the first place.
Safety manager nopes right out of the place.
COO promotes me to lead on the disaster as "I'm impressed with how you took charge"
8:00, gas leak reported at sister building. Running outside to check, I'm immediately slapped with the smell on exiting my building. It's not gas. I theorize it's a Utah phenomenon known as Lake Stink. On occasion the GSL gets stirred up and the smell drifts in when the wind is in the right direction. Wind coming off the lake, I figured the earthquake stirred up the lake and presto. (later learned this was actually a hydrochloric acid leak at Kennecott mine, very similar smell)
4 locations in Utah reporting to me now. Various concerns that are frankly insane. What if the building collapses. What if a fire breaks out. What if a gas line breaks. Follow the freaking manual idiots!
~9:30, 2 more shocks have happened, but most everyone is now home checking on things. Someone. SOMEWHERE posts on facebook that insert authoritative agency here is expecting a 9.0 quake in the next 30 minutes. This gets picked up by a morning DJ, goes viral, and people fly into an ABSOLUTE PANIC.
Screaming, at least one case of someone being shoved down stairs.
I actually have to break into the PA system and put this down. (you can't predict earthquakes first of all, and our fault maxes out at 7.4ish second of all)
1:20 a 4.8 aftershock sends the last remaining die hards home as it seemed to last a lot longer despite being 'gentle'.
oi.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 19, 2020, 12:35:38 am
Post by: Unorthodox on March 19, 2020, 03:33:08 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 19, 2020, 03:40:03 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 19, 2020, 04:06:40 pm
I somewhat noticed, but in no way appreciated the severity of, kinda poor morale. The owner's wife was the Entertainment Director, and it weren't her first rodeo either, but I'm not sure she'd ever worked the show end of renfairs at all. Honestly, she appeared to suffer from a pretty bad case of being lazy, too, which was not a great look combined with being in over her head doing the show part of the show and being a terrible manager of people drama.
The owner, now, the main difference between him and The Pig is that he was a lot younger and better-looking.
-Most all of this is hindsight; I didn't even suspect I'd walked into a hopeless rolling disaster until the morning of opening day, though I'd certainly noticed a lot of problems...
---
My mommie's calling. More after lunch.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 19, 2020, 06:08:25 pm
Mind you, this was all for a strictly imaginary crowd, it being a small show with a storied history, and it being a before opening pre-show. -Y'know, but the kids needed the dress rehearsal, and I needed any run-through practice I could get, notwithstanding confidence about working live on the fly - and it's a showbiz work ethic thing, too.
There was something about the director staying up late to sew stuff for a faire wedding -I will not digress into what I think of people getting married at a renfair, but it's not real nice- and was AWOL, as was the owner and a couple other people who were Supposed to be Officially Managers. (The list suggests, in retrospect, an unfortunately-timed late-night orgy, I kid you not; these people were really Something Else.)
So while we were waiting for time to start, it registered on me that the entire street cast standing inside the gate -an arch with no actual gates to close- in plain sight of the (imaginary) audience was bad practice, and I raised my voice to express that opinion.
And I'm telling this story in a way that you won't expect it, but I was genuinely shocked when the whole group immediately moved off to the left, out of sight of the parking lot.
-I've told a lot that makes it clear that all the novices naturally saw me as senior and manage-y, I'd participated with confidence/authority/experience in their late training, but I didn't realize all that on the spot.
The gate show went --- okay, we'd not have been embarrassed if there'd have been an audience to see, and I got surrounded, as soon as I came off with a lot of "what do now?" questions, and said The Show Must Go On for the first and definitely not last time that day and it was mostly knucklehead stuff easy to resolve.
Pretty soon, and THIS felt weird, I had the other stage acts coming up to ask the Only Person Onsite Acting In Charge what to do about having no stage-show schedules -after opening time we actually had a few customers wander in- and I'd go "Well, the show must go on" and then tell them to look both ways before jumping on a empty stage, but grab it if it's free, especially if people were sitting waiting for a show. Danged if I know a better answer all these years later. It felt strange because bossing around the street locals who didn't know what they were doing was completely different than I, who had not set foot as a stage act yet, telling a bunch of veterans -most all were- to go wing it until someone handed them a schedule. I also said "Use your good judgement" constantly to them and the street people alike. It did seem to work out, though the street gang kept me busy putting out fires all weekend and I never got to start my glorious career as a stage act until the second weekend.
The owner did turn up in the middle of the day, and did grant me official status as management.
-And that's my Brush With Bossiness story. There's more later about my tenure at the Four Winds Renaissance Fair, but it's all one of those Why I Don't Renfair Anymore stories that I still don't talk about. No Good Dead Goes Unpunished, is all...
Post by: Spacy on March 19, 2020, 06:54:48 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on March 20, 2020, 03:36:06 pm
I was thinking on this, and I honestly think my reactions can all be traced to swimming lessons.
I know this sounds weird but it was one of the few things my mom absolutely insisted on and always found a way to fund. From age 3 I was in swimming lessons every year.
As I grew older, I was even assisting with the TEACHING as typically my two brothers and I would all have different times, so we'd help with the younger classes when we weren't in lessons. Anyway, annually, they would do the same lesson every year, no matter the age group. First class of the year was about pool safety, how to handle an emergency. The teacher would wander off while everyone was supposed to wait for her to return, and they'd have a shill 'fall in' the deep end and start thrashing about 'drowning'. kids supposed to react as they'd been taught (go get help, don't try to rescue for young kids, legitimate lifesaving at advance classes) Every year ended with ice cream around the pool, and the teachers would wander off, and again a shill would fall in seeing who had forgotten the first lessons.
So, at 6, walking home with my best friend and him discovering his parents murder/suicide, I didn't even think about it, I just 'go get helped' right to the phone.
At 18, when the shift manager at Burger King went into diabetic shock, I didn't even think. I got had people call for an ambulance, took care of her, called the store manager. What shocked the store manager was that I also kept the store running, giving the needed breaks to employees, comping meals for patrons that were inconvenienced during the situation, and sent people home when the numbers said to. I was instantly put into the management program.
At 20, I was promoted to first responder at a manufacturing plant with a horrible safety record and dealt with several life threatening situations from chemical spills to heart attacks to impalements and amputations.
While I let the EMT training lapse with Boeing, I was first responder there for a broken bone and a stroke. I had very serious disagreements with their safety manager at the time as I did not follow company protocol for the latter.
The employee just didn't feel right, and I asked him some questions and just got the sense he shouldn't drive himself home, so talked him into letting me have him go checked out. I was supposed to check with safety and get approval, checking which hospital and etc to use for our insurance, but we were at a remote site without cell service and didn't have time for that [poop]. Got him into the ER, called his wife, then reported to safety. I was written up on the spot my manager notified and actually had to use vacation as they wouldn't comp my time for going outside the protocol. Diagnosis come back the next day of stroke, fortunately caught very early, having the actual stroke while in the hospital, saving the guy from complications, if not saving his life all together. The safety manager and I did NOT get along much after that, him always trying to find ways to get me fired.
TASC > BAE, and I'm not even officially a responder anymore. But I'll be damned if [poop]'s going to hell around me with no one else stepping up.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 20, 2020, 03:44:31 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 20, 2020, 04:19:02 pm
Now, the whole time out there, I never made a show of my concern for her broken brain and the connected problems; she pretty much had worry about all that stuff covered, a bit obsessively from my viewpoint. No, I called her seizures "faking" and a lot of other horrible, very wrong, jokes - it was informed by respective senses of humor and life-long relationship and probably not how I'd have done with anyone else but her - except our Uncle Tony, who just had a weakness for jokes in poor taste. Point being, all I was there for was really metaphorical -and literal- hand-holding; she almost always took care of herself by herself, but just did better, day to day, with someone there to talk to, who visibly cared - but, and this is key, calmly.
So I'd walk up beside her, calmly, and ask her if she wanted a popsicle. If she said yes, and she always did - which also told me she was recovering and understood me and could talk and didn't need something else even more - and I'd go get two out of the freezer and sit beside her until she was ready to get back up.
Mind, the first time it happened I asked a lot more questions and ascertained that she'd basically sat before she fell, and I'm really just describing the considerable repeat business, but I did keep it low key. Still, so simple to know what to do that I can describe it to make me sound like I'd reasoned it all out when I was really just following instincts in the moment. Again, emergencies are easy; it's regular days I suck at...
Post by: Unorthodox on March 31, 2020, 01:54:32 am
Post by: Unorthodox on April 01, 2020, 02:21:04 pm
Hobbitville is now going to be come a city park.
https://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2020/03/31/salt-lake-city-under/
This is an urban legend location that really began to heat up when I was in high school. A private bird refuge, housing exotic birds in cages, and some really bizarre statuary, but had little houses added to help pay for funding the park, with eccentric residents who were typically not too happy to have people in their neighborhood. Legends of creatures living there coming to get you after dark ran rampant.
Good article with pics from 2013:
http://utahspresenthistory.blogspot.com/2013/02/urban-myth-salt-lake-citys-hobbitville.html
Here's hoping it gets renovated and preserved.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 01, 2020, 07:20:20 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on April 01, 2020, 09:12:03 pm
Saw this and thought of you...
That poor dog.
I mean the damn hear opposable thumb is kinda cool, but the extra bones from the 'elbow' down even on the opposable limb are kinda horrifying. And that other limb is all kinds of fubar. I'm assuming those are the rear quarters X-rays, not the ones we can see in the pics as well. Looks like there might be something funky with the ribs too. hard to tell with given info.
Post by: Unorthodox on April 05, 2020, 03:57:15 am
I've 200 eggs here, and have ordered such fillers as toy zombies, bug larvae candy, candy ghosts, and pumpkin toys. To anonymously egg our neighbors Easter morn.
For good measure I happened to see a stuffed jesus in an egg and unicorns as well. Just to throw even more confusion into the mix.
Post by: Unorthodox on April 10, 2020, 02:22:00 pm
041AD3A1 50D6 4192 95C8 41205AD6DB06 |
Because zombies are an essential part of the Easter story.
Post by: Unorthodox on April 11, 2020, 02:13:55 am
Post by: Geo on April 11, 2020, 03:51:49 am
Ok. ~300 eggs made and sorted. Ready to put in neighbor’s yards.
Erm... isn't that breaking Corona regulations?
Post by: Unorthodox on April 13, 2020, 01:27:53 pm
Ok. ~300 eggs made and sorted. Ready to put in neighbor’s yards.
Erm... isn't that breaking Corona regulations?
How would leaving eggs that were prepared well before the hard surface survival rate of the virus on people's lawns in the middle of the night be breaking social distancing exactly?
Post by: Geo on April 13, 2020, 02:51:09 pm
The night part changes alot of course.
Post by: E_T on April 13, 2020, 05:47:57 pm
Pumpkin Man looks up towards the Neighbor
Neighbor sees the Pumpkin Man, "Urrr... Ummm.... Oh, carry on..." and surries back inside.
Pumpkin Man smiles and continues on...
Post by: Unorthodox on April 14, 2020, 04:59:44 am
Everyone ignores the whole zombie horde part of the Easter story.
Post by: Geo on April 16, 2020, 04:44:39 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on June 02, 2020, 03:26:28 pm
The original plan was a vegas trip. That swiftly cancelled itself, but with hEt and Kyle already having their vacation requests in and approved, it was time for plan B.
Most of this was side trips I'd had penciled in for other vacations.
First up was devil's playground.
https://geology.utah.gov/map-pub/survey-notes/geosights/devils-playground/
This is out of the way, relatively little known I'd initially planned as a side trip for a southern Idaho vacation. But, it was within reason to hit from our house for a day trip.
It was memorial day weekend, and it was certainly not completely EMPTY, but we also had no trouble staying away from people. Probably more suited to ATV exploration than our big SUV, but we managed just fine.
Really funky weathering on the rocks out here make little caves all over.
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2020-fun/vacation412.jpg)
So we spent a day climbing up and in and around the formations.
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2020-fun/vacation415.jpg)
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2020-fun/vacation426.jpg)
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2020-fun/vacation439.jpg)
Found an old gold mine with lots of quartz based off a mineral survey map I managed to find as well.
The next stop was perhaps even lesser known, planned as a side trip to dinosaur national monument. It's been rather high on my list for years to visit, but we're so rarely in the area. The ORIGINAL idea was to spend a couple days there, let the kids swim, and head to our next stop from this area...but that all pretty much went to hell.
https://geology.utah.gov/map-pub/survey-notes/geosights/fantasy-canyon/
Fantasy canyon itself has had a lot of it's formations toppled recently as well. Sixes whether this is natural or people being idiots with the recent events in Goblin Valley relatively close making it a 'thing' to topple rock formations.
Even so I wouldn't say it was disappointing.
(social distancing enough?)
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2020-fun/vacation163.jpg)
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2020-fun/vacation172.jpg)
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2020-fun/vacation198.jpg)
On the way out, we even found a most magnificent item I'm very excited to work with soon...more later on that.
Post by: Geo on June 02, 2020, 07:34:39 pm
Now, on the fourth pic, at first glance I couldn't tell if was a UnO-daughter moment, or a hEt-UnO moment.
The outfit looks similar, but on second look, the pants look a shade lighter, so hEt-UnO?
Post by: E_T on June 02, 2020, 09:29:47 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on June 02, 2020, 10:23:28 pm
Looks like you had a nice trip.
Now, on the fourth pic, at first glance I couldn't tell if was a UnO-daughter moment, or a hEt-UnO moment.
The outfit looks similar, but on second look, the pants look a shade lighter, so hEt-UnO?
That's Het. One of the first of the 'there is no way in hell I could have managed to climb this a year ago' moments as I managed to get into that cave.
Part of our initial planned trip to Vegas was a visit to St George. Since we were renting a house anyway, and it's covid levels werent any worse than homes, and I could just cook down there to avoid public, we just kept it on the schedule.
What we weren't planning on was freakishly record heat for end of May. 110 degrees. So, snow canyon didn't get quite as much time as we'd have necessarily liked with the heat. Definitely the most famous and crowded location, we still only ran into about 3 families on the trails.
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2020-fun/vacation12.jpg)
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2020-fun/vacation13.jpg)
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2020-fun/vacation77.jpg)
For reference, we hiked down this hill over near those cliffs, to the right where it starts to turn white, and back up.
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2020-fun/vacation300.jpg)
If you can't tell by my eyes, something here REALLY set off my allergies too.
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2020-fun/vacation336.jpg)
And finally, something I'd really been pushing for, was originally planned to hit it out of Vegas, but it wasn't a terrible drive from St George. Ended up being the highlight. If you're EVER in the area, I strongly recommend Cathedral Gorge State Park of Nevada. We essentially had the place to ourselves, though a few people started pulling in around the time we started heading out.
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2020-fun/vacation379.jpg)
The climb to the top of this overlook being another one of the I couldn't have done this a year ago moments.
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2020-fun/vacation382.jpg)
We did that hike first figuring on exploring the canyon as we went back...
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2020-fun/vacation387.jpg)
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2020-fun/vacation396.jpg)
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2020-fun/vacation33.jpg)
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2020-fun/vacation63.jpg)
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2020-fun/vacation72.jpg)
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2020-fun/vacation243.jpg)
Post by: Unorthodox on June 02, 2020, 10:29:27 pm
What am I going to do with a completely intact ribcage? (think it's an Antelope) Because OF COURSE we brought it home. Think we go anywhere without bone collecting supplies?
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2020-fun/vacation277.jpg)
Post by: Geo on June 03, 2020, 02:26:24 am
(the outdoor landscapes, not the ribcage ;) )
Post by: E_T on June 03, 2020, 02:52:48 am
Post by: E_T on June 03, 2020, 02:53:46 am
Post by: Unorthodox on June 12, 2020, 09:46:54 pm
To add to the fun I get mandatory covid test and quarantine from time of test to surgery.
Anyhow, I don't know that I mentioned the ER visit in Novemberish. They confirmed gall stones at that time, told me I needed surgery consult, but we kinda figured it could wait til me normal checkup to talk to my doctor about it with the holidays, and it being more than a year since the previous attack.
Then covid hit, so avoid hospital.
Anyhow, Mothers day, I wind up with another attack. Worse. Different. They load me up with super pain meds and some other meds both of which alter my consciousness alone, together I didn't have much of a chance, and I went in for a test a few days later. Need to see my doctor to get results. Go to schedule to find my Dr has moved on. So, we schedule with random guy. Never really disliked a doctor more. Pretty much just wanted to get me out of his hair.
Met with the surgeon this week, and the test showed my gallbladder is working at a whopping 0% efficacy. Hence heading for surgery.
Post by: E_T on June 13, 2020, 09:48:07 am
Good Luck dude!
Post by: Spacy on June 13, 2020, 03:43:17 pm
Post by: Bearu on June 13, 2020, 06:02:08 pm
Post by: conmcb25 on June 14, 2020, 11:53:09 pm
I love wandering the desert. I do that any time I get a chance.
Post by: Geo on June 15, 2020, 04:57:36 pm
It was in the southeastern Sinai peninsula. All those wrecks were remnants of the series of Arab-Israeli wars, up until the Egyptian-Israeli peace treaty.
After all that time, the locals wouldn't touch anything that had to do with the Israeli. Not even structures build during their occupation of the peninsula.
Post by: Unorthodox on June 16, 2020, 01:37:03 am
Good luck with surgery.
I love wandering the desert. I do that any time I get a chance.
Just for you, from the mine we found at Devil's Playground.
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2020-fun/vacation124.jpg)
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2020-fun/vacation127.jpg)
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2020-fun/vacation128.jpg)
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2020-fun/vacation131.jpg)
Post by: Spacy on June 16, 2020, 02:12:58 pm
Post by: conmcb25 on June 16, 2020, 03:40:57 pm
Good luck with surgery.
I love wandering the desert. I do that any time I get a chance.
Just for you, from the mine we found at Devil's Playground.
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2020-fun/vacation124.jpg)
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2020-fun/vacation127.jpg)
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2020-fun/vacation128.jpg)
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2020-fun/vacation131.jpg)
That might be quartz with some jasper mixed in. When you rub it with your finger, are there some sections that feel smooth and a little bit oily? If so that's classic silicon dioxide. Quartz/ Agate/ Jasper/ Chalcedony, etc.
The middle of that top picture looks like a classic vein of quartz and something. If its opaque - the darker stuff - its probably jasper.
I haven't done much prospecting in Utah, but I have in Wyoming and Nevada. Both states I have found quartz mixed mixed with agate/ jasper or Jasper/ agate mixes. Utah cant be that much different.
Post by: conmcb25 on June 16, 2020, 04:28:39 pm
Here are some flints I found in Wyoming. First picture is right out of the ground, with some mud stone still attached. Ill chip them and clean them and use them for yard art. Second picture is my desk, a couple of the nicer ones I found.
Let me know if you can see the link. Have not used google pictures much.
And for UnO, I might be in SW Wyoming sometime in July. Ill probably need to do a supply run down to Salt Lake. If so, as promised, we should do a meet and greet.
Post by: E_T on June 16, 2020, 04:42:37 pm
Post by: E_T on June 16, 2020, 04:43:36 pm
https://photos.google.com/album/AF1QipN6gKNpn-IYRSTqk_MVB06WLoHBQmp8ICkdxHv_ (https://photos.google.com/album/AF1QipN6gKNpn-IYRSTqk_MVB06WLoHBQmp8ICkdxHv_)Post some pics when you do!!
Here are some flints I found in Wyoming. First picture is right out of the ground, with some mud stone still attached. Ill chip them and clean them and use them for yard art. Second picture is my desk, a couple of the nicer ones I found.
Let me know if you can see the link. Have not used google pictures much.
And for UnO, I might be in SW Wyoming sometime in July. Ill probably need to do a supply run down to Salt Lake. If so, as promised, we should do a meet and greet.
Post by: Unorthodox on June 16, 2020, 08:35:29 pm
That might be quartz with some jasper mixed in. When you rub it with your finger, are there some sections that feel smooth and a little bit oily? If so that's classic silicon dioxide. Quartz/ Agate/ Jasper/ Chalcedony, etc.
The middle of that top picture looks like a classic vein of quartz and something. If its opaque - the darker stuff - its probably jasper.
I haven't done much prospecting in Utah, but I have in Wyoming and Nevada. Both states I have found quartz mixed mixed with agate/ jasper or Jasper/ agate mixes. Utah cant be that much different.
It's definitely quartz, but I'm not enough of a rockhound to know what it's mixed with. I just have seen enough of your stuff on facebook to know you'd find it interesting.
I got one half decent smokey quartz crystal I've been meaning to break open the piece. We did bring home a few pieces, I should get you pics.
the survey for the mine we found, based on a really old (20's) survey
Mineral List:
Anglesite
Epidote
'Garnet'
'Limonite'
Powellite
Quartz
Scheelite
Commodities (Major) - Zinc, Lead, Silver; (Trace) - Zinc, Lead, Tungsten, Silver
Post by: Unorthodox on June 16, 2020, 08:47:10 pm
https://photos.google.com/album/AF1QipN6gKNpn-IYRSTqk_MVB06WLoHBQmp8ICkdxHv_
Here are some flints I found in Wyoming. First picture is right out of the ground, with some mud stone still attached. Ill chip them and clean them and use them for yard art. Second picture is my desk, a couple of the nicer ones I found.
Let me know if you can see the link. Have not used google pictures much.
And for UnO, I might be in SW Wyoming sometime in July. Ill probably need to do a supply run down to Salt Lake. If so, as promised, we should do a meet and greet.
Frankly, I'd avoid SLC right about now if I were you. They are getting a little on the scary side with the virus. Turn north at Echo and come into Ogden instead.
Post by: conmcb25 on June 16, 2020, 09:56:57 pm
https://photos.google.com/album/AF1QipN6gKNpn-IYRSTqk_MVB06WLoHBQmp8ICkdxHv_
Here are some flints I found in Wyoming. First picture is right out of the ground, with some mud stone still attached. Ill chip them and clean them and use them for yard art. Second picture is my desk, a couple of the nicer ones I found.
Let me know if you can see the link. Have not used google pictures much.
And for UnO, I might be in SW Wyoming sometime in July. Ill probably need to do a supply run down to Salt Lake. If so, as promised, we should do a meet and greet.
Frankly, I'd avoid SLC right about now if I were you. They are getting a little on the scary side with the virus. Turn north at Echo and come into Ogden instead.
Without eye balling it, I would say quartz and jasper. Lots of jasper out in the desert. Usually easier to find than agates.
and Yep on Covid and SLC.
I meant the metro area in general. Not sure exactly where you are but if I wasn't stopping to say high, I would make a beeline in to whatever was the nearest on the outskirts, do what I need to do and GTFO. :)
I don't love going to Wyoming for the large metro areas. :) I can get that crap at home. :)
But ya well aware of the Covid situation in SLC. This would be mid to late July so situation could be different. Cases are spiking in Uinta County, Wyoming. First stop in Wyoming from Utah on I-80. My son goes to Evanston for occasional resupply, so he and I have already had this discussion. Its easy to get complacent in Kemmerrer, small town, no Covid to speak of. So ya. I hear ya. I bet the reason for the spike in Uinta is because of the bleed over from SLC.
Post by: Unorthodox on June 17, 2020, 03:33:32 am
Evanston is about an hour from here, and wouldn't be out of the question for me. I don't know if Coalville would be big enough for what you're needing, I've never stopped there. Morgan has a decent supermarket, but that's about it. Otherwise, South Ogden/Riverdale is your best bet.
https://coronavirus.utah.gov/case-counts/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIifrZx-WH6gIVBL7ACh2tpA5tEAAYASAAEgJgDvD_BwE
Post by: conmcb25 on June 20, 2020, 02:10:18 am
I'm essentially at the I 84/highway 89 interchange in south weber/south ogden.
Evanston is about an hour from here, and wouldn't be out of the question for me. I don't know if Coalville would be big enough for what you're needing, I've never stopped there. Morgan has a decent supermarket, but that's about it. Otherwise, South Ogden/Riverdale is your best bet.
https://coronavirus.utah.gov/case-counts/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIifrZx-WH6gIVBL7ACh2tpA5tEAAYASAAEgJgDvD_BwE
Got it. I am trying to figure out exactly when I can visit my kid constrained by various work commitments, all of course muddied by the WuFlu. :)
Post by: E_T on June 20, 2020, 06:49:39 am
Post by: conmcb25 on June 20, 2020, 02:27:13 pm
Just don't attend a [Sleezebag] Rally...
d00d - we do have a politics thread :)
Post by: E_T on June 21, 2020, 02:15:15 am
Post by: Unorthodox on June 25, 2020, 01:16:40 am
Mostly better than expected.
Post by: E_T on June 25, 2020, 02:55:43 pm
Post by: conmcb25 on June 25, 2020, 05:02:47 pm
Post by: Geo on June 25, 2020, 07:18:47 pm
Just don't attend a [Sleezebag] Rally...
But what about the people who don't have a choice? I read an article claiming dozens of Secret Service members go in quarantaine after two of them were infected after Tulsa.
Post by: E_T on June 26, 2020, 03:17:38 am
Post by: Unorthodox on July 19, 2020, 11:23:29 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on July 21, 2020, 07:25:57 pm
Post by: E_T on July 21, 2020, 07:58:22 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 22, 2020, 04:13:02 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on July 22, 2020, 09:33:35 pm
We're into phase 2 of TEH PLAN. (I've purposely moved to phases instead of years, as I don't think I'll finish on year three any longer)
Trevor 2.0 was phase 1 of a total yard redesign.
The arch is the first part of Phase 2, and there's some disagreement on the rest of phase 2. But, the arch is going to be a right and proper ENTRANCE, which we really haven't had.
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/buildup-2020/41F340D3-A298-4A68-9E3A-55F1C7284F42.jpeg)
As with Trevor, this is purposely made to be marketable when I'm done with it. The rest of phase 2 is supposed to be a fence to go with the arch, and there's where the argument begins.
The MARKETABLE thing to do is to do the standard halloween fence: http://www.stolloween.com/?page_id=6308
But then, I've already screwed up going pure marketable with the arch. The standard thing to do would have been two pillars as the entrance. But, the more I tried to make it feel like it belonged with the path and the circle, the more the arch really seemed to fit better.
And the more I worked on the arch, the more the standard fence really seems to not feel right, and the more I've been leaning towards ruined rock wall, which presents numberous opportunities for phase 3...which I won't be sharing concept art of just yet, only the immediate family has seen pieces of that.
I will say the arch was up for all of 30 minutes or so, but it was getting a big reaction from those that saw it. Progress pics on more Halloween oriented locations got some expected reactions: A mix of those who are REALLY bothered that the arch is not perfect, and those that really love how the imperfection seems to give it an age.
And overall, I find this boring, so it's slow going. Though Talia and I stumbled on a way to speed it up, I think.
Post by: Rusty Edge on July 26, 2020, 06:49:46 pm
Although...there is a part of me that would like to see a pair of pillars with Uno monsters perched on them just because I like to see Uno monsters.
Post by: E_T on July 27, 2020, 06:55:18 am
Post by: E_T on July 27, 2020, 06:55:47 am
Post by: Unorthodox on July 28, 2020, 01:36:10 am
A local professional haunt, knowing my penchant for this, has already offered to buy the arch after I'm done with it. I have not agreed yet, as I'm seriously debating making it all a 'set' with the intention of making a really big score in a couple years to move on to the 'retirement' plan.
Post by: Unorthodox on July 28, 2020, 03:57:56 pm
Ohhh, do tell...It's supposed to go official on August 1st, and until I see the actual cost and dimensions I cannot be sure, but there appears to be a house sized skeleton (~10'-12' by the preview pics) available. If it actually is, I'm seeing it as a base for a new cropper/mother hybrid.
Post by: E_T on July 29, 2020, 05:24:21 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on July 30, 2020, 02:51:49 pm
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Home-Accents-Holiday-12-ft-Giant-Sized-Skeleton-with-LifeEyes-5124738/312513260
Post by: Unorthodox on July 30, 2020, 03:17:19 pm
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Home-Accents-Holiday-Grave-and-Bone-Crypt-Ruin-Tomb-and-Lid-Only-5124739/312613273?irgwc=1&cm_mmc=afl-ir-10078-456723-halloweenforum.com&clickid=Tq0Ux4VWIxyOU7OwUx0Mo3b2UkiWtW1el2zs2s0
I mean, after I posted detailed plans how to make it collapsible for storage (or shipment) last year, it was a matter of time.
I was meaning to make 2 more ruined tombs for phase three with the cracked lids...this is reasonably close to that idea. I can see people putting lifters and sliders on that lid with ease (and that being marketed in future years)
Post by: Unorthodox on August 17, 2020, 02:56:31 pm
Big bob arrived, he's pretty darn sturdy, though I wouldn't trust it for any heavy weather. Took me an hour to assemble on my own, 10 minutes to tear down with help. I'm not sure the frame will quite handle a Mother modification, but maybe something closer to Father or cropper. Might come up with a way for LIGHTER pumpkins for Mother as well. Maybe even going back to Jack Jackula...
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/buildup-2020/6B3FC9A6-65E9-4C8F-9864-CDC2BFDE9F54.jpeg)
Post by: Geo on August 17, 2020, 03:26:48 pm
(Almost rhimes with 'rig)
Post by: E_T on August 18, 2020, 12:32:56 am
Post by: Unorthodox on August 19, 2020, 03:26:07 pm
Perhaps his size does denote a new model name...it's just "Bob" has meant clean skeleton for so long...
Post by: Unorthodox on August 21, 2020, 02:31:28 pm
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/buildup-2020/A8744DCC-C90E-4E10-A456-AC7BAF7044A9.jpeg)
Post by: Unorthodox on September 03, 2020, 08:12:19 pm
I'm leaning more and more towards cancelling the party and the full walkthrough and just decorating the front and figuring out how to hand out candy safely on the drive way.
Post by: Geo on September 05, 2020, 07:40:37 am
...and figuring out how to hand out candy safely on the drive way.
Brooms come to mind... you can hang ribboned candy on them on the twigs. And 'safety lines' drawn on the drive way so each kid in a party doesn't come too close to the other when collecting.
And of course an extra wide-angled lens for your camera in case you're in the habit of photographing interesting costumes. ;)
Post by: Unorthodox on September 06, 2020, 02:21:30 am
Post by: Unorthodox on September 18, 2020, 04:30:15 pm
Images from the party. Temps were cold enough the pumpkin pieces were freezing almost as soon as they were pulled out of the pumpkins (pumpkins kept in the garage to keep from freezing prior)
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/halloween-party-2019/674741C7-0AE2-4CA7-A1EF-85D1A9B879C5.jpeg)
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/halloween-party-2019/5876A250-6DDC-46D9-B7EC-807B1B3B46C0.jpeg)
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/halloween-party-2019/AA5DE449-AC69-4D12-A02F-4CA633822E30.jpeg)
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/halloween-party-2019/0F7520B1-7473-4DAE-97F5-89E4352736A1.jpeg)
This is what happens when I actually put a little effort into carving, one of our giant pumpkins. Not a lot, mind you, just more than my normal bifurcate and call it good. I've actually designed some of the pumpkin master carving templates in the past.
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/halloween-party-2019/56793CA2-ED0F-492C-8177-84F75F8A3B5C.jpeg)
We've officially cancelled this for the year....:/
Post by: Geo on September 19, 2020, 08:51:27 am
But of course health goes first.
By the way, looking at the back of that first picture, did that neighbour ever clean up the pile of junk at his side of the fence?
Post by: Unorthodox on September 21, 2020, 06:32:08 pm
By the way, looking at the back of that first picture, did that neighbour ever clean up the pile of junk at his side of the fence?
Um..before the storm it was still there. I've been to busy to notice if it got cleaned up as part of the storm cleanup or not...
Post by: Geo on September 22, 2020, 10:02:25 am
Post by: Unorthodox on September 22, 2020, 01:25:13 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 22, 2020, 01:46:05 pm
Post by: E_T on September 22, 2020, 06:55:04 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 22, 2020, 07:22:01 pm
I don't know much about motorcycles, and am not sure why they asked me over here, but I know that despite not being on rails, motorcycles still have DoT rules they'd need to follow.
Post by: E_T on September 23, 2020, 02:13:47 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 23, 2020, 07:30:26 pm
That was kind of drilled into me from working on the farm, if you wouldn't want to eat it, don't sell it. Even if you knew it was perfectly fine, but just LOOKED wrong, you don't put it out there or it taints your reputation as a quality farm.
I've kinda carried that with me throughout my career, from making whoppers at BK, to inspecting filters for Fram, to my area now. I get someone else wrote the playbook for the bicycles, but if you wanted someone to just sign off because you're telling them it's good, you picked the wrong person, we're going to go over this step by step until I get my questions answered.
Response to my attitude on this is always mixed. I get equally accused of making things more difficult than they need to be and praised for saving various [poop] shows. One thing that hasn't happened yet, however, is my programs ever being found at fault. I've more investigations against my programs than anyone else in the train business for a reason. 0 findings against me. Those with findings don't stick around long.
"Big Jule : Well, I used to be bad when I was a kid, but ever since then I've gone straight, as has been proved by my record: Thirty-three arrests and no convictions!" - guys and dolls
Post by: E_T on September 24, 2020, 11:50:35 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on October 05, 2020, 04:16:18 am
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2020-fun/IMGP9643020.jpg)
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2020-fun/IMGP9643101.jpg)
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2020-fun/IMGP9644021.jpg)
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2020-fun/IMGP9644102.jpg)
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2020-fun/IMGP9645022.jpg)
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2020-fun/IMGP9645103.jpg)
Post by: Unorthodox on October 05, 2020, 04:24:10 am
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2020-fun/IMGP9643201.jpg)
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2020-fun/IMGP9644202.jpg)
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2020-fun/IMGP9645203.jpg)
Post by: Rusty Edge on October 14, 2020, 11:58:05 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on October 15, 2020, 12:49:13 am
Post by: E_T on October 16, 2020, 01:19:14 am
Post by: Rusty Edge on October 16, 2020, 10:53:34 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on October 17, 2020, 04:24:33 am
Post by: Unorthodox on October 21, 2020, 06:11:10 pm
Sharing here requires more effort with the whole loading to a host thing.
We're into phase 2 of TEH PLAN. (I've purposely moved to phases instead of years, as I don't think I'll finish on year three any longer)
Trevor 2.0 was phase 1 of a total yard redesign.
The arch is the first part of Phase 2, and there's some disagreement on the rest of phase 2. But, the arch is going to be a right and proper ENTRANCE, which we really haven't had.
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/buildup-2020/41F340D3-A298-4A68-9E3A-55F1C7284F42.jpeg)
As with Trevor, this is purposely made to be marketable when I'm done with it. The rest of phase 2 is supposed to be a fence to go with the arch, and there's where the argument begins.
The MARKETABLE thing to do is to do the standard halloween fence: http://www.stolloween.com/?page_id=6308
But then, I've already screwed up going pure marketable with the arch. The standard thing to do would have been two pillars as the entrance. But, the more I tried to make it feel like it belonged with the path and the circle, the more the arch really seemed to fit better.
And the more I worked on the arch, the more the standard fence really seems to not feel right, and the more I've been leaning towards ruined rock wall, which presents numberous opportunities for phase 3...which I won't be sharing concept art of just yet, only the immediate family has seen pieces of that.
I will say the arch was up for all of 30 minutes or so, but it was getting a big reaction from those that saw it. Progress pics on more Halloween oriented locations got some expected reactions: A mix of those who are REALLY bothered that the arch is not perfect, and those that really love how the imperfection seems to give it an age.
And overall, I find this boring, so it's slow going. Though Talia and I stumbled on a way to speed it up, I think.
Well, I more or less got discouraged about finishing the wall when we decided to cancel the party, and was at something of a loss for what we were doing for the yard.
Anyhow, cheap paper tablecloth, and projector test, it somehow worked out the arch is perfect size for projecting in profile. As in, it almost looks like I planned it for this. From entrance to great backdrop and accent.
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/buildup-2020/12A8EF1E-30C4-4601-A90A-D12CE7C14586.jpeg)
Army getting ready to get set up. Waiting to see wind forecasts for the storm coming Saturday.
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/buildup-2020/E07475F3-A164-493F-B9AA-83C5B1A2A8ED.jpeg)
And really low effort tombstone for 2020.
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/buildup-2020/76EF8C0D-8CC3-48C6-8315-FF19CDC83D85.jpeg)
Cool. I agree with the concept.
Although...there is a part of me that would like to see a pair of pillars with Uno monsters perched on them just because I like to see Uno monsters.
I don't draw well, but concept art with ruined wall concept
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/buildup-2020/F6BDFE27-1495-438B-B452-2919A41B7179.jpeg)
Post by: E_T on October 21, 2020, 10:07:47 pm
Post by: Elok on October 22, 2020, 12:00:26 am
Saw and thought of you.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 22, 2020, 01:32:30 am
(https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/121813450_10222300650198944_8357292003076743883_n.jpg?_nc_cat=1&ccb=2&_nc_sid=8bfeb9&_nc_ohc=80sZZU2IYAIAX8VJgMX&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=21f4500e24ebd4e8e9064d0ffcd58b55&oe=5FB5FD90)
(https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/122135245_10222300650478951_3313355395062286854_n.jpg?_nc_cat=1&ccb=2&_nc_sid=8bfeb9&_nc_ohc=FMz_6DJOvsoAX8RZeP4&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=ac4fb21efb5738345cfd7ad844491089&oe=5FB4E952)
(https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/122119419_10222300651118967_1978422961939472228_n.jpg?_nc_cat=1&ccb=2&_nc_sid=8bfeb9&_nc_ohc=1cqn3udLb_MAX9pz0-5&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=7002cb2f5a61e85ad7776d29e12b9afe&oe=5FB46B43)
(https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/122135010_10222300651438975_7340205555038991037_n.jpg?_nc_cat=1&ccb=2&_nc_sid=8bfeb9&_nc_ohc=Dyi7lGURGnwAX-JTmc6&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=153a49e150c6b6e1a54f6e3097225dbe&oe=5FB59326)
Post by: Geo on October 22, 2020, 09:17:01 am
Post by: Unorthodox on October 22, 2020, 03:00:58 pm
THAT is the most perfectly Uno thing I've seen in quite a while. ;b;
(https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/121813450_10222300650198944_8357292003076743883_n.jpg?_nc_cat=1&ccb=2&_nc_sid=8bfeb9&_nc_ohc=80sZZU2IYAIAX8VJgMX&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=21f4500e24ebd4e8e9064d0ffcd58b55&oe=5FB5FD90)
(https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/122135245_10222300650478951_3313355395062286854_n.jpg?_nc_cat=1&ccb=2&_nc_sid=8bfeb9&_nc_ohc=FMz_6DJOvsoAX8RZeP4&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=ac4fb21efb5738345cfd7ad844491089&oe=5FB4E952)
(https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/122119419_10222300651118967_1978422961939472228_n.jpg?_nc_cat=1&ccb=2&_nc_sid=8bfeb9&_nc_ohc=1cqn3udLb_MAX9pz0-5&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=7002cb2f5a61e85ad7776d29e12b9afe&oe=5FB46B43)
(https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/122135010_10222300651438975_7340205555038991037_n.jpg?_nc_cat=1&ccb=2&_nc_sid=8bfeb9&_nc_ohc=Dyi7lGURGnwAX-JTmc6&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=153a49e150c6b6e1a54f6e3097225dbe&oe=5FB59326)
Very nice...let's break it down...
Oriental trading alien as the child, oriental trading ~2015 raking.
Costco pose N stay ~2014 riding lawn mower and being run over.
Bag O bones littered on the ground...looks like the Michaels version.
2 models I can't identify running. Judging by the apparent repairs to the necks, going to guess walgreens or more oriental trading.
Rather creative use of stakes to make the poses.
Appears to be lit with solar spots...that would be the area I'd suggest improvement next...
Post by: Geo on October 23, 2020, 09:16:53 am
Post by: Unorthodox on October 26, 2020, 07:50:29 pm
Btw, is that a gray skeleton sweeping up behind the mower (the little one)?
Alien, yes.
As mentioned, we're going a lot more light hearted than normal and just the front.
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/buildup-2020/A5167A17-B4C2-4CB0-90E1-8FCCC2A8C64B.jpeg)
These guys will be carving pumpkins...
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/buildup-2020/FC3D52B4-DDE9-4879-9793-B6A323A93D3D.jpeg)
Call it a commentary, or a photo op.
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/buildup-2020/FAE57EF9-7069-4155-94BF-15C15855A90D.jpeg)
Cornhole.
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/buildup-2020/28666DDD-7DA8-42A7-8D26-3202EAC3042F.jpeg)
Talia's idea, he's taking a pic of the big guy.
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/buildup-2020/4590C370-E217-4FB2-9B9B-52B306B0A714.jpeg)
Had to dismantle the big guy and the arch for a wind storm overnight, though.
Post by: Geo on October 27, 2020, 03:49:07 pm
As mentioned, we're going a lot more light hearted than normal and just the front.
These guys will be carving pumpkins...
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/buildup-2020/FC3D52B4-DDE9-4879-9793-B6A323A93D3D.jpeg)
For an obituary: "Carved to Death"! ;lol
Post by: E_T on October 27, 2020, 04:38:26 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on October 28, 2020, 07:58:12 am
Have another Skeleton bringing the carvers an uncarved oneyeah, we have a couple cleaning pumpkins, they're sitting on the grass.
And the one near the tree is putting one up in the tree.
Post by: Unorthodox on October 28, 2020, 08:13:45 am
So...
Twilight Zone:
Episode 1: The Comedian.
I guess interesting ish concept? But I didn't totally dig the performance and it was SUPER predictable for me as a horror buff who adores be careful what you wish for stories.
Episode 2: Terror at 30000 ft.
I was semi expecting yet another remake on the classic, but it was completely re-imagined, and I really liked this one. Adam Scott really nails the performance which is ever more restrained than either Shatner or Lithgow, and works well with the re-imagining.
Episode 3: Rewind
...Ok, this episode was very uncomfortable to watch but it was supposed to be. It follows a mom and son being pestered by a racist cop, and just keeps ramping up the racism at every turn no matter what they do to the point of softcore horror levels, and is FANTASTIC in its uncomfortableness up to a point...but it stumbles in the third act with some weird ass [poop] about 'the old country' and magic supposedly brought from Africa, but that just becomes lip service and we then go on an underground railroad analog before going back into racist cops...and an all black university for some reason?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 04, 2020, 11:17:17 pm
Post by: Vidsek on November 05, 2020, 11:17:21 am
Post by: Unorthodox on November 05, 2020, 01:55:23 pm
Uno, Mylochka's curious if you're familiar with Matthew Hopkins, the witch finder.
Sort of. Didn't he write one of the witch manuals? like specifically I seem to recall he's responsible for the tie em up and toss em in the river where they either drown a good christian death or are witches to be burned and the witches marks, but I think he stole that part from earlier books. But other than the book's role in the colonies, my knowledge of england during the time is a bizarre gap in my study.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 05, 2020, 03:09:59 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on November 05, 2020, 11:49:48 pm
@Talia (via Unorthodox if necessary): I've been wallowing in Anime for a few years now (mostly on Crunchyroll, but also Funimation and elsewhere). If interested, I'd be delighted to share my informal list of what I've found to be good or bad and to hear your suggestions and opinions. There are a lot of hidden gems that can be difficult to discover among the huge mass of junk so I'm always eager to have some help with that.
Just going to say...Last time I let Talia loose on a forum, the account ended up in the hands of the FBI as el creepoids come out of the ether.
She's presently SUPER into Haikyuu (spelling)
Others she's currently going through include Fruit baskets (I think that may be spelled differently though) and HunterxHunter.
Past favorites are too many to make a complete list, but she mentions Vampire Knight (night?), Magi, and Assassination classroom.
As with all my kids, she was raised on Miyazaki right alongside Disney. Her favorite was Kiki's...until Ponyo come out....SOOOO MUCH PONYO....which is the first Miyazaki film I've officially grown sick of as a result.
Post by: Vidsek on November 06, 2020, 08:20:06 am
Post by: Unorthodox on November 06, 2020, 01:08:15 pm
Extra super bonus points if there's any in Mandarin you know of on there. (i know that's not technically anime, but neither is a few other things on there, and I know enough to know it exists)
Alec is a little less enthusiastic about the anime right now but still watches some as well.
Post by: Unorthodox on November 09, 2020, 10:36:44 pm
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/halloween-2020/D798ACBF-29BB-4DB2-946C-7620050A09FF.jpeg)
The modest (by our standards) display:
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/halloween-2020/A9AD9F66-6E4C-450A-AF3B-27F46BB2886A.jpeg)
Since I haven't posted the full altar of greed since 2005...(note social distance markers on the driveway)
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/halloween-2020/34D25DE7-FBAA-4019-89F6-21AECF80F12E.jpeg)
Yes, them be individually packaged doughnuts. The local grocer always makes us doughnuts, they were kind enough to include individual packs for us this year. (and gave me a discount to our agreed upon price even)
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/halloween-2020/5FA81A3B-BB45-4048-881D-1E8C80851ADB.jpeg)
Lake Tahoe jacket is Kyle's +1. That's relatively new, but we like her so far.
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/halloween-2020/5DE6EC6D-4CB0-4AAD-96F2-465A54902511.jpeg)
Post by: Unorthodox on November 11, 2020, 07:45:18 pm
2nd, MAYBE 3rd time I've ever seen that .
Post by: Rusty Edge on November 11, 2020, 08:43:38 pm
It never happened to me in PA, but it's common enough in WI that I don't remember how many times it's happened. Sort of like hail.
Post by: Unorthodox on December 13, 2020, 04:18:41 am
This has the Uno seal of approval.
Post by: Unorthodox on December 14, 2020, 09:28:21 pm
What would be a reasonable price/contract?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on December 14, 2020, 09:38:41 pm
It's a negotiating position. Your IP is valuable - be bold, not least because I figure you could use the money, but don't want it all that bad...
Post by: Unorthodox on December 15, 2020, 04:36:03 pm
I'm severely tempted to do a Trevor 3.0 with a mind specifically for it to make a mold and crank out much better home market items. You'd need them profitable at ~$150 price point to the customer to blow the current options out of the water, but it would be a BIG seller.
Post by: E_T on December 15, 2020, 05:33:21 pm
Post by: Rusty Edge on December 22, 2020, 02:19:19 am
There's already to cheap knockoffs on the market I'm aware of, both aimed at the home market. I'm sure these folks are aiming for the professional haunt market.
I'm severely tempted to do a Trevor 3.0 with a mind specifically for it to make a mold and crank out much better home market items. You'd need them profitable at ~$150 price point to the customer to blow the current options out of the water, but it would be a BIG seller.
Interesting.
Very Interesting. I really admire Trevor ( although I'm a bigger fan of Unorthodox Monsters ). My wife would probably accept a Trevor, but not a creepy monster as a yard decoration based upon her reactions to the Uno photos I show her. My consideration would be does it break down easily for storage in a pair of plastic leaf bags? Does he fit inside his sarcophagus or something so as not to use so much space inside my home in the off season? Besides, having a Trevor sounds like a justification for a fog and snow making machine.
Regardless, if you do decide to go Trevor 3.0 commercial, tell me how and and I'll pre-order.
Post by: Unorthodox on December 22, 2020, 02:21:58 am
Kick-starter Candidate?
eh...probably. I'm not really looking to make a job of things, and I'm uncomfortable on one side of the kickstarter equation, I'd be a wreck on the other side.
Post by: Unorthodox on December 22, 2020, 02:28:33 am
There's already to cheap knockoffs on the market I'm aware of, both aimed at the home market. I'm sure these folks are aiming for the professional haunt market.
I'm severely tempted to do a Trevor 3.0 with a mind specifically for it to make a mold and crank out much better home market items. You'd need them profitable at ~$150 price point to the customer to blow the current options out of the water, but it would be a BIG seller.
Interesting.
Very Interesting. I really admire Trevor ( although I'm a bigger fan of Unorthodox Monsters ). My wife would probably accept a Trevor, but not a creepy monster as a yard decoration based upon her reactions to the Uno photos I show her. My consideration would be does it break down easily for storage in a pair of plastic leaf bags? Does he fit inside his sarcophagus or something so as not to use so much space inside my home in the off season? Besides, having a Trevor sounds like a justification for a fog and snow making machine.
Regardless, if you do decide to go Trevor 3.0 commercial, tell me how and and I'll pre-order.
I really need a pic of 2.0's storage system. A theoretical 3.0 commercial variant would likely be a 5x3x3 box, I would think, and would present a big challenge for shipping. I'm opposed to the idea of breaking the lid down to smaller than a 5' height, though. Theoretically, the walls could be built to nest inside each other and potentially the lid, though.
Looking at the home depot tomb, a split lid is possible, but I'd want to design that as a feather rather than an unintended consequence of shipping.
Post by: Rusty Edge on December 22, 2020, 11:51:28 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on December 24, 2020, 06:57:41 pm
Fiberglass would be doable in house, but is likely to blow the $150 price point you're shooting for.
Theoretically, they could make a vacuform machine big enough to make copies that way, no molds needed. I don't know if there's a vacuform company around or if they make it thick enough to be useful here...though this COULD make a super cheap and easy mold for other materials to cast.
In house, I could fairly easily do an absorption mold, which means a latex skin backed with foam as construction. I'd estimate about $60 in materials to make a copy there and if you count painting, probably about 2 hours of labor per copy. This would mean no nesting though.
Post by: E_T on December 25, 2020, 02:40:22 am
Post by: Unorthodox on December 29, 2020, 01:13:20 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on January 04, 2021, 11:05:43 pm
Post by: E_T on January 04, 2021, 11:49:31 pm
Post by: Geo on January 05, 2021, 03:06:31 pm
Year is off to a rousing start with the car needing a new starter motor.
While you're at it, change it to an electromotor. ;-)
Post by: Unorthodox on January 05, 2021, 04:30:08 pm
Post by: E_T on January 05, 2021, 04:34:30 pm
:fishslap:Year is off to a rousing start with the car needing a new starter motor.
While you're at it, change it to an electromotor. ;-)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on January 14, 2021, 09:18:14 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on January 14, 2021, 11:47:10 pm
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/vIU2UI-o84e22pzlInJ6h3JEaiQe54anj9nYPfiTapNmb54VallRzeZCgB91ESz36VDOEOWvmhsJ63T_-5UkVF7AKIJSxOvSA44x8EYmtFI4LrIV9EX5Av22_5HiKFp7Su1p1K1_R4MbSbgonkAsWuWAL3QOEjQcol659OuKRDwoSkrgc8FntemVSJmF3eigBhe9sWx8UHOoJj-8W2PCKOPjVM_kxqJrem-c_JHMjOv_W_Rx9Oo1WtGw4_OUHqcyAOByKc-a5UGqfSBymc5OrfVVaAf2dGjZ_OcCPnp9bhhWg_gcuh2LGSQdEG6uinWXyTBCQY1wqxRHJX_B5wwTuHLOX24tUEbREWTZaLnN-uv-V__VDLJCRnAs0rA_TRpXgjJyrPjYN6wr8RG6E0J_1CT7j9oCZc8sycLamjlfK97Dc6NDVM4yVkaDUfFjt9gVcYDYaLX5N-tkYrXjYqPbPD1M1FMgzpTx1X4LPV2rGPog4K6iw68C_Q8Q-nC4e2MDjUloY-oRezqWufX8lLBbNZvu5eDy15U6WMp9d2wtmzDTMLuE7SP2ZlhBGMp8qz2bzFYhbRmROUTnY4S95J6pTWL2gSN9H_k6woU2BjrvUZ3YXj2jDgR16hthJT7sI7xVpYbgz-arSbh9Tqbvp8AcE8ewtKd1qn-FAbQ2tiBmbz1sm29Nsm8LWWGQOQ0nf2A=w640-h426-no?authuser=0)
Actually it was kinda cool to see them commercially available. NO ONE has created them before I started that in 2005, or since I stopped in 2009.
Post by: Unorthodox on January 19, 2021, 08:12:12 pm
If anyone is looking to get into foam carving, this thing is great and loads cheaper than competitive products.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07JBQ58L2/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s02?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Post by: Buster's Uncle on January 19, 2021, 09:46:24 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on January 19, 2021, 10:19:42 pm
Wet sand casting is surprisingly effective with great stuff foam.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on January 19, 2021, 11:43:33 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on January 21, 2021, 07:17:00 pm
So, we recently dropped netflix in favor of CBS and crunchyroll (Talia is big into Anime right now). Figure we'll rotate some services to catch up on series that interest us.
So...
Twilight Zone:
Episode 1: The Comedian.
I guess interesting ish concept? But I didn't totally dig the performance and it was SUPER predictable for me as a horror buff who adores be careful what you wish for stories.
Episode 2: Terror at 30000 ft.
I was semi expecting yet another remake on the classic, but it was completely re-imagined, and I really liked this one. Adam Scott really nails the performance which is ever more restrained than either Shatner or Lithgow, and works well with the re-imagining.
Episode 3: Rewind
...Ok, this episode was very uncomfortable to watch but it was supposed to be. It follows a mom and son being pestered by a racist cop, and just keeps ramping up the racism at every turn no matter what they do to the point of softcore horror levels, and is FANTASTIC in its uncomfortableness up to a point...but it stumbles in the third act with some weird ass [poop] about 'the old country' and magic supposedly brought from Africa, but that just becomes lip service and we then go on an underground railroad analog before going back into racist cops...and an all black university for some reason?
So...the series has run into major issues for my enjoyment.
It doesn't happen on other services, and I'm not really watching other series on CBS, but each new episode defaults to audio description...which really messes with binging as I have to get into the menu to adjust it every freaking time.
It's otherwise been very uneven with a lot of duds.
One shout out to a Season 2 episode titled "8".
This was a bad horror movie episode and it was HILARIOUS.
I SWEAR I've seen this before, but it's so basic and memetastic as it could just be a fill in the blank script.
Setup: Sub/research vessel under the ice caps studying how the melting and increased sunlight is causing a shift in deep sea predators revealing new species never documented before.
Killer hyper intelligent octopus. Worth every second, and some fairly gruesome kills (but not overly gory) for such a series.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on January 21, 2021, 07:22:06 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on January 21, 2021, 09:06:38 pm
It was like part starship troopers, part life, and part cloverfield wrapped into a schlock film budget but with everyone clearly enjoying it and doing their best kind of 'so bad it's funny/good'.
Which are the episodes of Twilight Zone I like best.
Forget the famous ones like Eye of the Beholder, and give me Mr Garrity and the Graves any day of the week.
Part of the reason I so liked the 80s run.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on January 21, 2021, 09:38:18 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on January 22, 2021, 06:51:30 pm
Where are you on Talking Tina
I'll be honest, it wasn't until I really got to see it through Talia's eyes that I began to really understand and appreciate doll horror. It was a find episode for what it was, but not my thing, and felt a little redundant with the ventriloquist dummy horror they'd done already. I should really re-watch this now, though.
Quote
and Telly Savalis?
Kojak? He's kinda like James Spader is today for me. Just give him lines and let him talk. He makes anything better.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on January 22, 2021, 07:16:35 pm
The 90's Zone WAS okay/fairly quality. Spader, too.
Post by: Unorthodox on January 22, 2021, 07:42:22 pm
Or the 80s run that had the likes of shadow people, giant rats in the basement, and vampires living next door?
Curiously, I only caught an episode or two of the 2000 run.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on January 22, 2021, 07:50:40 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on January 23, 2021, 02:41:40 am
I also liked the outer limits revival, but it was FAR more uneven. I especially liked that the special effects never looked beyond anything I could do at home.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on January 23, 2021, 02:46:01 am
OG Limits was monster of the week -right lame, that- though the 1st season closing music, and credits over astronomy photos, that STILL gets to me.
Post by: Unorthodox on January 24, 2021, 04:50:20 am
But the new one that come out Mystery at Blind Frog Ranch is based in Utah and mostly implying that they are looking for the Rhodes mines.
I was willing to look past the blatantly planted 'finds'.
I was willing to look past the constant suggestion of Alien activity because the folks in that town legitimately believe that.
I was willing to look past the vastly over-dramatized moments of 'danger'.
BUT I ABSOLUTELY DRAW THE LINE WHEN THEY GET A FREAKING "EXPERT" TO TELL LIES ABOUT HORSE FLY LARVA.
Post by: Unorthodox on January 25, 2021, 06:00:49 pm
...But there's no reason any version of Kong we've ever seen has any business being on the battlefield with Godzilla.
That said, if this is still around in theaters whenever covid ends, I would totally go to it.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on January 31, 2021, 04:53:01 am
Wait for it...
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 01, 2021, 04:20:04 pm
---
Have we ever talked about The Yankee On The Stairs as a sort of horror?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 01, 2021, 04:24:45 pm
I see my imagination and 53 years has altered some details (I'd have sworn that beard was black and she gut-shot him and he didn't die quick, but slow and ugly) but this.
(The movie in my head, it all went on longer, and I still see him w/ black beard, but a bit thicker/bristly-er, and his back, rollling on the floor dying gut-shot... Not a quick moment -real menace- I was three.)
Post by: Unorthodox on February 01, 2021, 04:37:39 pm
You've been mighty quiet for about a week.
Emergency response mode part of the time and dealing with a bit of malaise/depression.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 01, 2021, 06:07:29 pm
Here. I'm reviewing my reign as Sherrif of Smilietown, and I just stumbled over my first try at the Pum'kin smilie about a year before. It has some merit, even compared to the final eight or so tries later.
...If I set you up with ALL the tries, or even jiggered some to look lit differently on purpose, you might could do some subtle effect w/ a row of not-quite-the same ones. Different carvings in the mix might not burn off months of my life, either...
Post by: Geo on February 01, 2021, 06:09:08 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 01, 2021, 06:27:26 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 01, 2021, 06:30:53 pm
(https://alphacentauri2.info/Themes/default/images/Uno5d.gif) (https://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=1295.0;attach=21800;image) (https://alphacentauri2.info/Themes/default/images/shopimg/item_images/Halloween2.gif) (https://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=1295.0;attach=21799;image) (https://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=1295.0;attach=21802;image)
-Did a quick timing jigger of an intermediate try...
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 01, 2021, 06:46:51 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 01, 2021, 07:51:42 pm
I was working up to do something else, and this sinister accident happened. SUBtle.
(https://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=1295.0;attach=21803;image)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 01, 2021, 11:35:36 pm
(https://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=1295.0;attach=21811;image)
Post by: Unorthodox on February 02, 2021, 06:09:47 pm
Ooh-ooh-OOH!
I was working up to do something else, and this sinister accident happened. SUBtle.
(https://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=1295.0;attach=21803;image)
I like that one but it seems to be bugged on some things as some of my access points won't show it.
....would there be a way to put that in the O on halloween?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 02, 2021, 06:26:47 pm
-I think your display issue is something complex to do with size displayed. I bet if you look at 100% -the in-post displays embiggen from 900 w to full 960- it will work.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 02, 2021, 06:38:55 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 02, 2021, 07:35:33 pm
(https://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=1295.0;attach=21820;image)
(https://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=1295.0;attach=21818;image)
I took the flicker smile out of the latter, 5, since it's rendered redundant and that way I can crop the frames WAY smaller - and you're going to want the former, 4, so not worth the extra work. The latter was a simple background image change and the cropping.
Once again, they embiggen a little clicked, and might work in the other access points at full size.
Huh. I missed a frame in the first. Bet I can fix and re-upload under the edit notice limit... Done.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 02, 2021, 07:53:51 pm
(https://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=1295.0;attach=21822;image)
Also did a punkin variation of in the O. Changes to the background image tend to be a lot less work than moving the animation frames…
(https://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=1295.0;attach=21824;image)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 02, 2021, 08:29:48 pm
(https://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=1295.0;attach=21826;image)
Post by: Unorthodox on February 03, 2021, 05:59:39 am
Does make me want to get off me arse and spruce up that joint a bit. I don't even think I've loaded 2020's photos...
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 03, 2021, 12:10:17 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 03, 2021, 01:10:47 pm
I COULD do a version with a fade. Trouble is, the 18 frames cycle around in about two seconds and the flicker effect doesn't work w/o quick switching... I could, hmm, freeze on some of the brighter frames whole seconds and dupe it up to forty frames w/o it taking a huge filesize hit.
Crap. Now I have to try...
Post by: Unorthodox on February 03, 2021, 05:53:45 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on February 03, 2021, 05:58:55 pm
She's in 3D art class this semester, and was talking with me about being excited to try her hand at throwing clay for pottery.
As I told her, if there was anything that would EASILY AND SWIFTLY overtake my Halloween as a hobby, it would be buying (less likely building) a kiln and the ability to make my own pottery. I so absolutely loved that. The one thing I liked more than sculpting.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 03, 2021, 06:15:26 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 03, 2021, 06:16:18 pm
Boss says 6.Boss will say 8 soon enough...
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 04, 2021, 12:01:04 am
(https://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=1295.0;attach=21833;image)
That's a roughly 11 second cycle of 35 frames. The fade may be too subtle or not subtle enough, I dunno.
It didn't take this long; I just been distracted.
Post by: Rusty Edge on February 06, 2021, 06:05:48 am
It IS sculpting. Think of all the clay creepy you could (hell)fire...
YES! Ceramic perma-pumpkins and Unorthodox Monsters!
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 09, 2021, 04:10:19 am
Post by: Unorthodox on February 09, 2021, 05:07:48 am
You ever have one of those days? ;evil <-Enjoy.
Yeah, the last week or so.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 09, 2021, 05:48:57 am
Post by: Unorthodox on February 09, 2021, 09:37:52 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 09, 2021, 10:42:01 pm
In case you haven't looked around, that smilie is installed. It's in the zoo. Code is evil prefaced with a semi. Made it for you, with love.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 10, 2021, 07:41:47 pm
Like this, see.Does Boss still say 6?
(https://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=1295.0;attach=21833;image)
That's a roughly 11 second cycle of 35 frames. The fade may be too subtle or not subtle enough, I dunno.
It didn't take this long; I just been distracted.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 10, 2021, 10:00:13 pm
(https://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=1295.0;attach=21842;image)
(https://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=1295.0;attach=21843;image)
(https://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=1295.0;attach=21844;image)
(https://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=1295.0;attach=21845;image)
(https://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=1295.0;attach=21846;image)
(https://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=1295.0;attach=21843;image)
(https://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=1295.0;attach=21844;image)
(https://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=1295.0;attach=21845;image)
(https://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=1295.0;attach=21846;image)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 11, 2021, 12:44:38 am
(https://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=1295.0;attach=21847;image)
(https://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=1295.0;attach=21848;image)
(https://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=1295.0;attach=21849;image)
(https://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=1295.0;attach=21848;image)
(https://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=1295.0;attach=21849;image)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 11, 2021, 02:11:51 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 11, 2021, 11:23:31 am
Post by: Unorthodox on February 11, 2021, 04:29:42 pm
blah blah, gabby gabby, half paying attention, oh, they're changing the links, update my links.
in the chatroom, question one...I'm bored, so I answer it.
chatroom erupts with a slew of what about scenarios, and I'm just answering them left and right and explain Uno's 3 step rule to the entire process.
Training ends, open to questions.
Presenters get stumped on Q1 from group. Unmute my mic, answer the question.
Presenters get stumped on Q2 from group. someone else pipes up 'just read the chat and follow Uno's process.'
Presenters unaware there was a chat, start reading the questions therein out loud. 'I'll have to look that situation up...oh, Uno answered that..."x5 into an uncomfortable "if you ever have any other questions feel free to contact us for answers..."
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 11, 2021, 04:33:39 pm
I don't recall. GED?
Post by: Unorthodox on February 11, 2021, 08:47:33 pm
I was quite utterly bored with AP chemistry and Physics (even the experiments quickly grew boring as I'd done 90% of them on my own), to the point I simply calculated I could pull a C and graduate by never going to those classes and simply showing up on Fridays to ace the tests. Meanwhile I was paying more attention to hEt than my AP psych class. The rest of my schedule was various fluff classes I actually use such as photography and sculpting, and only managed to squeak by my 'citizenship' requirements for graduating thanks to becoming a pier counselor more as an excuse to see hEt more, but probably helped a few people at the same time.
So, yes, I graduated.
hEt knew what she wanted to go into at University, so I got a job to support that.
8 years later I needed to move on, and got into this field based purely on the fact that I had 'mowed the lawn' of my parent's neighbor, and she was a manager at Boeing. (Mowed the lawn is my common phrase, it really was another one of my illegal businesses in the sense that I really SHOULD have had a business license, but ages ~12-14, in addition to working the farm, I did 'lawn care', but didn't stop there at one point owning several lawn mowers and other equipment, and organizing kids in the neighborhood to do work. This particular house was empty/up for sale for 2 years, I had been contracted by the owner living out of state to care for the yard, watering and mowing. Over the course of the 2 years, I had negotiated my way into weeding, planting the garden, and re-painting the house by sending pics and proposals back and forth to him through the mail. He was on my contact list for my resumes for a good long time and most people were fairly shocked to hear I was the caretaker of the place. Boeing lady moved in, and was suitably shocked a teen was caretaker, and hired me to continue some aspects)
Anyway, she explained there'd always be work in this field, so I started and decided to cross train whenever an opportunity presented itself.
As a result, I'm usually the person in the room with the best grasp of the big picture and how things all fit together, but everyone else will smoke me on their particular specialty. Add to that my job title REALLY doesn't reflect that I should know ANYTHING about ANY of it, and it does cause hilarity at times.
This particular training, however, is a side shoot to my title, which I more or less can do in my sleep these days, and have experienced such a vast range of scenarios that there's very few situations I haven't seen. Thus answering the questions.
Post by: Unorthodox on February 18, 2021, 06:52:09 pm
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/buildup-2020/6DA93C53-ED5E-483D-9667-6851D87EBA07.jpeg)
Post by: Geo on February 18, 2021, 09:21:49 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on February 18, 2021, 09:34:54 pm
But, a skeleton...that's actually a really good cost-weight to launch...it would be the space more than the weight that would make it problematic.
Post by: hEtErOdOx on February 19, 2021, 05:22:21 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 19, 2021, 05:44:37 am
(https://alphacentauri2.info/MGalleryItem.php?id=7880)
(https://alphacentauri2.info/MGalleryItem.php?id=7878)
(https://alphacentauri2.info/MGalleryItem.php?id=7879)
(https://alphacentauri2.info/MGalleryItem.php?id=7878)
(https://alphacentauri2.info/MGalleryItem.php?id=7879)
Post by: Geo on February 19, 2021, 06:57:46 am
Dear God, give me patience....Did I start something? Apologies if so.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 19, 2021, 05:32:56 pm
(https://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=1295.0;attach=21893;image) -Any desirable variations I've missed? (https://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=1295.0;attach=21894;image)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 22, 2021, 01:25:19 am
Post by: Unorthodox on February 22, 2021, 01:30:29 am
I'm a little worried on the big one's flash, where I'm fairly well known as the weird epilepsy safe guy to begin with.
The darker small one is nice.
Post by: Unorthodox on February 22, 2021, 02:14:16 am
Broke everything.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 22, 2021, 02:15:09 am
Post by: Unorthodox on February 22, 2021, 03:49:12 am
But this temporarily prevented me from accessing the control panel on the back end. So I was uninstalling/reinstalling things one at a time via FTP to find out which got broke.
The pics are safe on the server, but trying to find a new gallery plugin that works and is easy.
Moving a bunch of [poop] via FTP right now, going to be a slog.
Post by: Unorthodox on February 22, 2021, 03:58:30 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 22, 2021, 04:08:51 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 22, 2021, 09:37:24 pm
>>> (https://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=1295.0;attach=21907;image) ;nod
Post by: Unorthodox on February 23, 2021, 02:57:18 am
I gotta double check, I think I can get most of them back without to much effort.
Post by: Unorthodox on February 23, 2021, 03:02:26 am
Post by: Unorthodox on February 23, 2021, 03:04:44 am
Post by: hEtErOdOx on February 23, 2021, 05:10:00 am
Post by: Unorthodox on February 23, 2021, 05:19:37 pm
Do it.
I really need to see if there's a trial, and probably alter some security stuff. It essentially would tie my website to my instagram...which I never use for anything non-halloween anyway, so I'm not opposed to the idea, but there's some security things I'd need to look into. My patience for this back end [poop] only lasts so long.
Theoretically automatically uploading all instagram photos to my website's media library would be super handy going forward once my phone camera was better as the only time I'd NOT use the phone at that point would during the party...
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 24, 2021, 03:19:51 am
Post by: Geo on February 24, 2021, 10:16:56 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 24, 2021, 12:20:16 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 24, 2021, 03:31:49 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 25, 2021, 04:06:27 pm
I believe she's saying that your time and happiness have considerable value. Indulge yourself - and I say that as a sympathetic miser.Do it.I really need to see if there's a trial, and probably alter some security stuff. It essentially would tie my website to my instagram...which I never use for anything non-halloween anyway, so I'm not opposed to the idea, but there's some security things I'd need to look into. My patience for this back end [poop] only lasts so long.
Theoretically automatically uploading all instagram photos to my website's media library would be super handy going forward once my phone camera was better as the only time I'd NOT use the phone at that point would during the party...
Post by: Unorthodox on February 25, 2021, 08:12:53 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on February 25, 2021, 08:14:29 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 25, 2021, 08:32:18 pm
She loves the new avatar you made I've just not had time to alter it (and can't from certain locations)What alteration does it need?
I'd love to ditch the hat and run up the width...
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 25, 2021, 08:34:39 pm
I think banner...6? is on the site. I think if I was being picky, I'd like banner with clear backgound and ;darkuno in the O.Easy.
Time me.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 25, 2021, 09:01:33 pm
(https://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=1295.0;attach=21913;image)
I checked in several dark themes, and it looks good.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 28, 2021, 01:47:14 am
Post by: Unorthodox on March 01, 2021, 03:55:08 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 01, 2021, 04:14:19 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on March 01, 2021, 05:08:05 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on March 01, 2021, 05:16:44 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 01, 2021, 05:41:56 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on March 02, 2021, 08:22:36 pm
Under consideration for this year's Project Caerbannog are these sweet temp tattoos.
(https://s7.orientaltrading.com/is/image/OrientalTrading/PDP_VIEWER_IMAGE/little-boolievers-temporary-tattoos~13706685)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 02, 2021, 09:00:16 pm
Cuthulu loves Jesus.
;cthulu
;cthulu
(-Thinks he's delicious.)
Post by: Unorthodox on March 02, 2021, 10:37:59 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 02, 2021, 11:05:22 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on March 07, 2021, 04:07:22 am
Post by: Unorthodox on March 08, 2021, 03:42:39 pm
I'm getting the usual mix of amused or annoyed glances as people walk by.
Voice from behind me.
"Alright, so what are you working on?"
(I don't recognize the person, but that doesn't mean a whole lot) "Halloween, actually."
"oh....." a dawning realization flickers in her eyes "OH! You must be the DOX's! I've HEARD about you. That explains the bones then." (The dino tree's bones are still littered in the yard)
Post by: Geo on March 09, 2021, 09:34:52 am
Post by: Rusty Edge on March 09, 2021, 10:14:35 pm
What's DOX stands for?
unorthoDOX.
We gamers know him as Uno, Halloween enthusiasts know him as 'Dox.
Post by: Unorthodox on March 10, 2021, 01:40:30 am
I never really understood why the ‘dOx abbreviation stuck on Halloween sites.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 10, 2021, 02:22:20 am
Post by: Geo on March 10, 2021, 03:43:28 am
Post by: hEtErOdOx on March 10, 2021, 10:17:09 pm
het·er·o·dox
/ˈhedərəˌdäks/
Learn to pronounce
adjective
not conforming with accepted or orthodox standards or beliefs.
When I first got on forums years ago, Uno was already UnOrthOdOx...and since our very equal relationship/partnership is fairly uncommon where we live but well known through his forum posts, I felt like ithe screen name hEtErOdOxwas an awesome way to represent both my individuality as well as my absolute partnership with UnO. We’ve been best friends/partners/soulmates since we were 17 years old...and as I’m constantly reminded by our adult children living their lives, we’re old now, but even more connected than we were at 17.
Not everyone is lucky enough to find their person at 17... and not every woman is lucky enough to find a life partner who was both able and willing to pick up the pieces when I lost my parents, and pretty much fell apart. He did. 💜
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 13, 2021, 06:27:13 pm
Something odd going on - the background is not black, and the logo -still not the transparent one- is cut off to read "An Unorthodox Hall".
-I suppose that's where you live. ;nod
Post by: Unorthodox on March 15, 2021, 06:05:07 pm
I just barely got the home computer back a bit ago and have been trying to piece IT back together, which I have a limited patience for.
Post by: Unorthodox on March 16, 2021, 01:13:28 am
Essentially I used to have 2 drives but one of them was going bad and the other had errors on it but was still working. Well, instead of listening to me properly and just fixing the bad one (that only had windows) they transferred both drives to a new solid state drive and it's really fubarred everything.
Cracking the damn thing open myself tells me they really had no choice as the new drive would only fit where my old mechanical drive used to be, but with only one drive now, while they saved all the data off my old D drive, all my file paths are still pointing to a non-existant D drive. I'm able to fix this by manually remapping it looks like, but it's a one at a time nightmare. (I'm sure you could write something automagic but I'm not that good a programmer)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 16, 2021, 01:21:46 am
Post by: Unorthodox on March 17, 2021, 03:20:21 am
They don’t fit in the skull eggs...but they do in the stuffed jeebus eggs. So is it offensive to open an egg with jeebus surrounded by zombies? And does it get more or less offensive if I print Matthew 27:53 and put in with them?
Post by: Rusty Edge on March 22, 2021, 02:24:46 am
Post by: Unorthodox on March 22, 2021, 03:34:00 am
Got the header updated.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 22, 2021, 04:55:07 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on March 28, 2021, 12:37:38 am
Post by: Rusty Edge on March 28, 2021, 12:58:32 am
Post by: Unorthodox on March 28, 2021, 02:04:27 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 28, 2021, 02:16:03 am
Post by: Rusty Edge on March 28, 2021, 02:18:27 am
I make good stick figures?
You make great stick monsters. Literally.
Post by: Unorthodox on March 28, 2021, 02:45:46 am
I'd draw her a picture on my way to work, and she'd erase it and re-create it for me when I got home.
I faked it for her for quite a while, and even improved my own drawing as a result, as we'd occasionally have 'competitions' where we'd both draw something, last one earlier this year.
About the only thing I can give her a run for her money on anymore is drawing a skull.
I never mastered the whole framing thing like she's showing there. Though I kinda work that way when sculpting. Starting from a skeleton (almost always literally).
Post by: Rusty Edge on March 30, 2021, 03:56:03 am
One of them went on to art school and a career in advertising.
I did draw a bit to get across concepts while tutoring people in English as a second language.
Post by: Unorthodox on April 02, 2021, 08:02:57 pm
I never post anything, just watch.
Well...it's since merged a couple times and has picked up a bunch of "ghost hunters" and 'Urban Explorers" recently.
Generally these new folks are less than respectful of the places they're going. Trespassing is not called out in the least, and they are all TRUE BELIEVERS to where anything is evidence of a haunting no matter how photoshopped.
Anyhow...so I see a post asking if anyone knows about this building in Ogden that's supposedly the most haunted place in Utah....and posts a picture of a former bank.
And this group of idiots start going on saying it's the Ben Lomond hotel, and insert the ghost stories of the mother who died in an accident and son later committing suicide in the same room to join her.
Now, this building STILL HAS WELLS FARGO BANK ON THE ROOF, but has been abandoned for some time. And these investigators are breaking into this building and going to THE ROOM where this supposedly happened and here's video and picture evidence of the ghosts...all the while the actual hotel they think they're investigating is in the picture, out the window across the street...
The levels of stupidity are almost too much to believe.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 02, 2021, 08:14:22 pm
Post by: Rusty Edge on April 02, 2021, 10:05:44 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on April 03, 2021, 01:09:46 am
Next 2 really. I've just been less than motivated the last few years.
I've probably even spoke about them.
#1 is a pond down at the base of the hill I'm at. Fairly lightly traveled trail around it. I want to make a creature far enough off trail to not be obvious, peaking out from behind a tree.
#2 they built a tunnel under the 6 lane not technically freeway near our house. It's long and dark (unless they installed lights since I was there). I want to make a little troll to sit in the middle of it.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 03, 2021, 01:14:27 am
It'll last a lot longer that way for both reasons.
Post by: Unorthodox on April 03, 2021, 01:39:16 am
Post by: Rusty Edge on April 03, 2021, 04:01:15 am
I'm torn between making it a concrete troll, or trying to capitalize on the popularity of the stupid painted rocks thing in the area and trying to make it light and easily movable with instructions to hide it somewhere else, and post pics to a site to track it's progress.
Oooh! I love the Freemont Troll. I'd consider donating to the cause.
https://seattle.curbed.com/2019/6/4/18650083/fremont-bridge-troll-history-location
Post by: Unorthodox on April 05, 2021, 02:05:56 pm
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/FNRai-4fnHTHn3C92EbiduFxsiN_WbPSfq0r3xsYny32qMjJml6qrvXUEv6m5k0mE63trjU6T32pK0bkcytt4ZVo2ZChQEN9VWAvHxVeSH-8VAXd2RtA-0LrCmY002PXr1pqBDgBvloDBbuAE5LuIoPSVJH7rfrUJolsKkslnZWBQg1GxKhIdN31_errbH2NoTJLisupssq31S2hj93ALulK5dzLCCCs77mVjLGJMimGVpj1mISAN8x4v2ENYvFlQSXnTUnMPY_hmYsKH9x4DL0RKPVdzq4-c6fgdPVy4GHIcHJcr7AC3mp2wNNXGv7IV1CWYKhSVTWI1HNXwx-XLGrzxkVCCgDgyI7pMXRfTVO62IPlw4XF-oQPtDnO0CWZejIjGn3qg-cD2gOGaczw12b5jUwKpbauGH7GA-QvlZrShV2Hg4OaVDuyeOSsW-xdoMoo5P1oBgyjYOKLlyG_m-5y-Toiz2DB0U9ioyMuZUKdESdmJpY9swMTxTpv4mP91ngUTw27LMZy_c5QGHhgSQRN_Zfkl-zFiBZend4Ojavi6gWmLnNavP05i5m9vVJzOFg4KnLk8f88C1UGrHC45YuiQqUdSskBhv20Rik3M2KNKfE_JA=w673-h897-no)
Now, there are a lot of things I really, really hate about cropper, but a couple things I love...
So, looking at Villein, I've come to a crossroads in 2 areas...
As he stands:
Question 1 is more minor: Do modify/sculpt the face?
Not really visible in the video, but the face area is thin enough the light inside makes it glow. But, I had to cover a seam already and the back isn't so thin. Sculpting would hide that since it's uneven. Filling in the eye sockets a bit could be a plus. And I don't love the teeth...but then I prefer my creatures sans-mandible to begin with...which I actually COULD make happen...but I'm not sure is a smart move on this particular creature at this juncture.
Question 2 is the big one...and boss, you too. I know you lurk.
I either need to cover the seam in the breastplate as it shows with the light inside and will bug me...or...cut the damn breastplate out and open the chest up. I know this is almost sacrilege for one of these 12 ft skeletons to start hacking it apart...but welcome to my brain. Expose that heart more (which now is getting vines added to it btw) Look back at cropper's open chest though. Not that an enclosed chest doesn't offer other advantages.
Post by: Rusty Edge on April 07, 2021, 12:48:51 am
Did the vines bind him, blindfold him, strangle him, or impale him? Did he explode because he swallowed a pumpkin seed that grew inside him? Did he become a plant/human hybrid with vines for tongue and fingers?
Well, I'm probably always going to say make a monster vs. make a skeleton (But Trevor was ultra awesome!). Looking back on The Twilight Zone, the most horrifying episodes to me were the ones that blurred the lines between humans/dolls/mannequins - where they could become people, and people could be trapped as one of them. So there's a fear factor in a hybrid.
Although really maybe it comes down to Sculpting vs. Lighting. Which are you in the mood for?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 07, 2021, 01:10:51 am
Post by: Unorthodox on April 07, 2021, 02:55:49 pm
My two cents says if this skeleton is getting vine treatments anyway, why don't you contemplate different ways of doing that to hide the things that bug you and provide more opportunities for shadow and light and running wires?
Did the vines bind him, blindfold him, strangle him, or impale him? Did he explode because he swallowed a pumpkin seed that grew inside him? Did he become a plant/human hybrid with vines for tongue and fingers?
Well, I'm probably always going to say make a monster vs. make a skeleton (But Trevor was ultra awesome!). Looking back on The Twilight Zone, the most horrifying episodes to me were the ones that blurred the lines between humans/dolls/mannequins - where they could become people, and people could be trapped as one of them. So there's a fear factor in a hybrid.
Although really maybe it comes down to Sculpting vs. Lighting. Which are you in the mood for?
Sometimes I forget the narrative that's in my head isn't just known to everybody.
So, to be clear, back in 2011, I decided all future creatures were going to be Chimera. Now, I have a massive post on what that means to me over yonder if you care to look. https://www.halloweenforum.com/threads/monster-mudding-with-unorthodox-the-chimera-tutorial.125072/
(funnily enough, if you google "unorthodox chimera" I now dominate the first page of results (granted, mostly pinterest pins, but still) and a good chunk of the image search)
So, Villein is a Chimera first. To boil it down to the very basics, he's centered around a particular feature and being designed specifically FOR the lighting. All Chimera are also constructed beings of various parts...Normally this is a mixture of bone and wood...though weight restrictions on Villein are going to eliminate wood as a possibility.
A long time ago, I decided the Bone Mother (who's coming) was the one animating all these creatures, with the vines pulling bits from the earth.
Both Cropper and Villein are being built around the heart. (which if it goes well, just might become a thing with me to be honest. It's violating one of my rules in the thread above...but with PURPOSE...) Though I should note their backstories are SLIGHTLY different. (yes, they ALL have had backstories)
Cropper:
Cropper.
1. a person or thing that crops.
2. a person who raises a crop.
3. a person who cultivates land for its owner in return for part of the crop; sharecropper.
4. a plant that furnishes a crop.
5. a cloth-shearing machine.
Idioms
6. come a cropper, Informal.
a.to fail; be struck by some misfortune:
The production name for Cropper was Mr Potato Heart. It was always meant to be my take on a zombie...so it was a person who crops made from a plant that furnishes the crop struck by the misfortune of running into the Bone Mother.
Villein...is only slightly different.
As part of the contract with their landlord, they were expected to use some of their time to farm the lord's demesne or provide other services, possibly in addition to a rent of money or goods. Villeins were tied to the land and could not move away without their lord's consent.
There's no reason the contract with the Bone Mother would end at death that I can see.
Anyhow...As someone elsewhere puts it "Adding the traditional Unorthodox Vineyness" to my heart.
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/6D128A76-8E97-4C46-A467-0BB416284755.jpeg)
So back to the other points...The glowy skull is rather pronounced in the dark...IT MIGHT be able to be covered up with just a fresh paint coat. It's a neat effect on it's own, and if it had been even front and back fo the skull I'd have not worried about it at all. It's one of those who's going to notice but me things.
The chest seam can EASILY be covered by the vines...and it's more of a cosmetic thing for me as a skeleton...one of the first things it would lose is the breast plate...and without lungs the vines certainly don't NEED it.... Yes, it's stupid, but my mind is going to the reality of their being a breastplate on this 12 ft tall zombie animated by imaginary vines... Opening the chest also highlights the heart more...but leaving it is certainly a more mainstream approach for people viewing and if I ever decided to sell.
Post by: Unorthodox on April 08, 2021, 03:47:05 am
Post by: Unorthodox on April 14, 2021, 07:24:04 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 14, 2021, 10:32:57 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 21, 2021, 03:57:33 am
>>> (https://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=1295.0;attach=21907;image) ;nod
She loves the new avatar you made I've just not had time to alter it (and can't from certain locations)?
-You feelin' any better lately, BTW?
Post by: Unorthodox on April 23, 2021, 03:42:41 am
Post by: Geo on April 23, 2021, 09:25:56 am
Post by: Unorthodox on April 23, 2021, 06:54:14 pm
The website is being a complete pain and I don't have the gumption to fix it at the moment. Working on Villein helps. Work sucks royally, but I just finished my worst stretch for a bit.
Post by: Unorthodox on April 28, 2021, 03:10:13 am
Oh this is DELIGHTFULLY BAD.
It KNOWS its a low budge B movie crapfest and just ROLLS WITH IT.
THUS far it is nearly if not entirely practical effects too.
I'm a little baffled by the fact they went to the trouble of making an old school host reminiscent of the crypt keeper but keep him utterly silent.
Post by: Unorthodox on April 30, 2021, 02:59:00 am
I finally riddled out a php upgrade on the website but had to go back to a default theme. Will have to go digging for a suitable replacement.
Got the arms largely done on villein. Hoping to get a simple test done tomorrow.
Post by: Unorthodox on May 03, 2021, 07:44:11 pm
Think I'm going to have to do a rear lobotomy to fix the glowing head thing. Even Talia mentioned how much it sucks...
Post by: Unorthodox on May 20, 2021, 06:30:42 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on June 09, 2021, 02:25:28 pm
Utah is suffering from the worst drought on record, water restrictions are going in place, I'm hoping to keep the pumpkins alive, and have already resigned to sacrifice our easement grass with no good way to water it anyway. Probably going to tear it out and xeriscape that.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 09, 2021, 05:16:39 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on June 09, 2021, 10:14:38 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 11, 2021, 08:27:51 pm
-If so, it would probably look better w/ just the flickering facial features in the O, and w/o the EOL face too small to make out without astronaut eyes.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 11, 2021, 08:36:57 pm
(https://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=1295.0;attach=21820;image)
Be happy, m'man; people love you.
Post by: Unorthodox on June 12, 2021, 04:48:24 am
Do you mean to have the logo that small on the blog?
-If so, it would probably look better w/ just the flickering facial features in the O, and w/o the EOL face too small to make out without astronaut eyes.
No, its kind of a compromise at present since my keyboard is still broken and I had to go to the most basic themes to make the website work at all. Havent spent the time to find one I particularly like.
edit That works
Post by: Unorthodox on July 27, 2021, 03:11:54 am
You work with silicone at all?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 27, 2021, 03:37:06 am
Post by: Unorthodox on July 27, 2021, 01:23:13 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 27, 2021, 03:27:25 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on July 27, 2021, 03:53:45 pm
Unless theres a latex that is less flesh colored and more clear...
Post by: Unorthodox on July 27, 2021, 03:59:41 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 27, 2021, 05:55:24 pm
All the latex I've worked with comes out yellowish if it's much thickness to speak of, though I usually add a little color somewhere in there.
Post by: Unorthodox on July 27, 2021, 07:58:28 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on July 27, 2021, 08:14:43 pm
When were laser finger beams a fad?
Post by: Unorthodox on July 27, 2021, 08:27:09 pm
This is exactly what I want to do....
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/lCXIrpusbrwvLauCMHRjzeGQKsruYLohnFyYMlgyGe1lxNEz4_0Ln-Z97O6nH7_1OIbmg1HlfNnfO2pu2A=w640-h480-rw-no)
But that damn skull was a build your own kit they don't make any more, and I sure as hell don't want the seam where they cut the top off. It was made from a funky plastic.
I gotta see if propskull1 model does the same thing, but I don't think it will.
A thin, 3d printed one would but I don't think they'll let me borrow the printer here for as much as I'm wanting to make.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 27, 2021, 10:39:52 pm
Post by: hEtErOdOx on July 28, 2021, 10:16:07 am
Post by: Unorthodox on July 28, 2021, 01:58:07 pm
But yeah similar mods needed to the boat. Mostly NEXT year/beyond.
Post by: Unorthodox on July 28, 2021, 02:26:15 pm
Essentially I'm looking at an upgrade/update of THIS thing that only sorta kinda almost worked. I still love the concept so have kept it filed back of my brain.
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2019-buildup-1/9D7BBAA6-501F-4796-8952-7DC8E5021613.jpeg)
Now, I originally had pictured just the glowy skull up there with silicone supports making it rise...but lets REALLY push it. Enter the exploded skull mount...
(https://museummodelmaking.files.wordpress.com/2018/02/exploded-skull-ii.jpeg)
I'd only have it wide enough to let light through the gaps, sealing the thing with silicone to diffuse the light through the gaps.
Oh, and someone's made a didactic skull 3d printer file? Noice. Now to get some quotes.
Alternately a voronoi skull will look fabulous as well if the above proves cost prohibitive.
(https://cdn.thingiverse.com/renders/e6/79/d3/d4/0a/201410skull01a_preview_featured.jpg)
Post by: Unorthodox on July 28, 2021, 02:33:48 pm
Post by: Rusty Edge on July 28, 2021, 09:43:45 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on July 28, 2021, 09:57:41 pm
My first thought was if there has to be a seam, why not part skull, part jack-o-lantern? But it does look cool.
Mostly because I'm not overly fond of that. Even my 2 pumpkinmen costumes were begrudging. (and one of them is up there tied in reactions from people being scared of it)
I recognize people go for that idea however. I might even make ghost pumpkins at some point. Those would be super simple with the funkins available everywhere.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 31, 2021, 07:18:14 pm
I couldn't find the end sequence with the skull, which is why I thought of this to show you.
Post by: Unorthodox on August 02, 2021, 06:11:51 pm
I always meant to go back and watch his videos to see just how he was doing it and lead to Kyle's original Darth Maul hat. I remember q tips of various sizes and plenty of soapy water, but alas he got cancer and is long gone.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 02, 2021, 06:56:08 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 03, 2021, 04:58:47 pm
I have a line on people with 3d printers and a file for full size versions, the model is to help me figure out which bones I DON'T want printed for my projects...but looking at it I might try to paper mache one together instead.
Post by: Unorthodox on August 06, 2021, 05:15:43 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 06, 2021, 06:06:25 pm
Post by: Geo on August 07, 2021, 11:01:57 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 16, 2021, 02:54:47 am
Vacation.
Post by: Geo on August 16, 2021, 03:18:01 pm
Valves?
Vacation.
The latest Boeing debâcle?
Stuck valves on Boeing's Starliner keep critical space station test flight on hold | Space (https://www.space.com/boeing-starliner-launch-delay-stuck-valves)
Post by: Unorthodox on August 16, 2021, 05:59:24 pm
2009? I don't know somewhere in there.
Post by: Unorthodox on August 18, 2021, 01:45:06 pm
Post by: Geo on August 18, 2021, 06:06:31 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 18, 2021, 10:34:37 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 18, 2021, 10:38:20 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 19, 2021, 12:38:34 am
Post by: hEtErOdOx on August 23, 2021, 08:50:10 am
(https://alphacentauri2.info/MGalleryItem.php?id=939)The dancing Earth-o-lantern is awesome.
Post by: Geo on August 23, 2021, 11:00:37 am
Post by: Unorthodox on September 09, 2021, 09:53:29 pm
Keep the eyeballs or axe them?
Overall look so far with no lighting backup.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 09, 2021, 10:36:04 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 21, 2021, 04:43:32 pm
Dunno - it looks okay in the long shot.
Hey, for a couple post it notes cut up and stuffed in there...
I definitely need bigger pupils if I do the eyeballs. The camera is liking to glare the eyes too much in the long shot.
Post by: Unorthodox on October 26, 2021, 04:22:02 pm
Flood advisory
Snow
Hard freeze
It's sure as hell not making it easy to set up this year.
Supposed to start getting better after today.
Post by: Geo on October 27, 2021, 07:55:19 pm
About 60F
Post by: Unorthodox on October 29, 2021, 02:44:42 pm
After over 3" of rain for the month. (about 3 months worth of spring or fall rain, record breaking rain for the month.)
Post by: Unorthodox on November 01, 2021, 03:50:32 am
Trevor is freaking awesome lit by nothing but candles.
The lazy I give up just throw a movie screen on it solution is a home run with ages ~3-6. Have to find a permanent home for that.
We need dog biscuits.
People are going to suck.
Many people miss the pumpkin party and full walkthrough.
This years preference: doughnut>pixie sticks>chocolate>soda>chips
Really weird on the pixie sticks popularity.
Post by: Geo on November 01, 2021, 02:31:54 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on November 04, 2021, 03:18:57 pm
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/4B95DFF5-59D6-45A0-ACFC-69CC563E415B-scaled.jpeg)
2/3 of my kids questioned me for backlighting the corn. It goes against the general rules I lay down for the yard, but in this case, it was specifically to hide the projector behind the arch as your eye catches the green wall rather than the projector glow behind. So effective I had many adults asking how we were doing the arch movie as they couldn't tell it was a projector...which should have been obvious.
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/429F07CB-7D34-4031-B6D6-8F5165FDB775-scaled.jpeg)
The wing walls are new to the arch this year, and it will make a fabulous entrance eventually, but it also makes a great stage.
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/1255AB5D-40D6-4EA9-881A-E25383AEBE05-scaled.jpeg)
Trevor lit by nothing but candles.
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/8B32C7B9-C5F2-46F2-B0D3-ACBDF8AD2FF9-scaled.jpeg)
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/D40200F2-614A-4CC3-960F-742E8BF9D844-scaled.jpeg)
And, yeah...There was something about the silly movie that absolutely transfixed kids about 3-7 years old. There's singing and dancing skeletons, and they'd dance along and cry if their parents tried to make them move on.
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/5608E0D5-9A2B-493F-B115-AF35A88C90F0-scaled.jpeg)
Post by: Unorthodox on November 04, 2021, 03:19:42 pm
Post by: Geo on November 05, 2021, 08:49:12 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on November 06, 2021, 06:29:09 pm
?
They posted as full size pics at first. like 4000px wide.
Post by: Unorthodox on November 10, 2021, 03:51:38 pm
Someone made a campy indy remake of the movie that inspired me to get into Halloween as a child! Actively looking for where to view it. (the original so bad 8 year old me thought I could do just as good)
Post by: Unorthodox on November 18, 2021, 04:02:24 pm
(https://www.halloweenforum.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,onerror=redirect,width=1920,height=1920,fit=scale-down/https://www.halloweenforum.com/attachments/20211031_092900-jpg.757144/)
Impressive on it's own, the use of it as essentially a cornice bracket is quite ingenious. My house doesn't really fit that style, but would love to see someone make a bunch of these.
Post by: Geo on November 18, 2021, 05:30:11 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on November 22, 2021, 05:57:51 pm
I bet your friend was inspired by West European medieval ornamentation (sculptures on public and religious buildings).
Actually, quite specifically this piece by Guidi Domenico in the tomb of Louis Phelypeaux
(https://www.halloweenforum.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,onerror=redirect,width=1920,height=1920,fit=scale-down/https://www.halloweenforum.com/attachments/d%C3%A9tail-du-tombeau-de-louis-ph%C3%A9lypeaux-1598-1681-eglise-de-ch%C3%A2teauneuf-sur-loire-jpeg.757566/)
Post by: Geo on November 22, 2021, 08:04:29 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on February 02, 2022, 10:28:27 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on February 08, 2022, 03:40:59 pm
Hopefully first real project starts this weekend.
Post by: Unorthodox on June 06, 2022, 01:54:03 pm
New head cast:
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/74306D60-B5B6-4499-8B11-53DB3509D1E2.jpeg)
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/8700004A-4247-479D-AA03-A6CBE64EA5E1.jpeg)
custom sized resin base unit:
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/E476DBF8-EA03-4509-9D89-A8B07C3E85EF.jpeg)
Modified sculpt in progress:
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/895767B4-BAF4-45CF-8FDB-1D86A4A35DFA.jpeg)
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/E211BC81-DFDF-4BA6-9901-A36D124A4E37.jpeg)
Post by: Elok on June 07, 2022, 10:48:53 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on June 08, 2022, 02:20:44 am
All the Monsterverse movies are in a kinda weird spot for me. It's kind of like the Ring movies, there's something that straight up does not translate to Hollywood with these Japanese properties, but the American versions are enjoyable in their own right once you get past that, coupled with the lack of bad dubbing or subtitles almost makes them equal but not quite.
I think the sequel to this one is the strongest amongst the Monsterverse films, and felt the most 'godzilla', but it's been a long time since I watched them so I may have them flipped.
It's worth it to build up to Godzilla vs Kong for a big dumb kaiju fight film presuming one enjoys such things.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 08, 2022, 05:35:40 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on June 08, 2022, 10:46:02 pm
Either Frankenstein Conquers the World or Frankenstein Monsters (insert name vs insert name)
Post by: Unorthodox on June 08, 2022, 10:50:30 pm
Kaiju Frankenstein is what I think of with 'no lips' anyway.
More "Frankenstein" from the sequel where they make a 'good' frankenstein to stop the 'bad'.
(https://img.mandarake.co.jp/webshopimg/03/00/629/0300352629/030035262914.jpg)
Post by: Elok on June 08, 2022, 11:07:56 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on June 09, 2022, 02:50:45 am
Language is playground level swears. No sex/maybe some kissing. No drugs.
And, no, I wouldn't rate anything on there FRIGHTENING. Especially to that age group. More cool monsters fight yay! I believe you end up rooting for Godzilla in that one (most of them, really).
THAT SAID, they do wax on with the fake science jargon for stretches in these films, there's some family drama that might be sensitive to certain kids, and the kid might get bored since it really tries to be serious. Again, depends on the kid there too much.
I know it's stupid, but my litmus test for kids that age is Little Shop of Horrors. It's bright, it's catchy music, and the second that thing snaps at Seymore's hands, they either get hooked are lose interest because it's scary. I've yet had a kid get nightmares over it, but a fair few learn to like horror as a result.
Post by: Elok on June 10, 2022, 04:40:24 am
Post by: Unorthodox on June 10, 2022, 02:32:58 pm
Coraline. You should try Coraline with them. Nice horror cartoon. See if that gives them nightmares.
A lot of people will recommend Gremlins to which I like to warn parents be advised it drops the Santa secret in a horrific way.
Jaws is classic PG horror.
The 80's (late 70s?) version of Invasion of the Body Snatchers is a great PG introduction to horror, for when they're ready to start dealing with some nightmare fuel instead of just avoiding.
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/E3BDEFC2-C39D-43C5-AA82-D640753C52AF-scaled.jpeg)
Post by: Elok on June 10, 2022, 09:00:53 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on June 15, 2022, 02:35:51 pm
TIL: the frankenstein 'Gaira' went on to quite the career. https://wikizilla.org/wiki/Gaira
Post by: Elok on July 03, 2022, 07:40:44 pm
Verdict: monster movie needed more monsters, and visible. Still so much better than the Matthew Broderick version.
Post by: Unorthodox on July 06, 2022, 02:32:13 pm
Verdict: monster movie needed more monsters, and visible. Still so much better than the Matthew Broderick version.
Kinda curious when this come out in relation to Cloverfield now. Cloverfield got some praise for being the monster movie that doesn't show the monster...
Godzilla gets more screen time in the sequels.
Post by: Unorthodox on July 06, 2022, 02:38:10 pm
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/E05D467E-1EE7-4285-B321-9ADA33966143-scaled.jpeg)
Post by: Unorthodox on July 11, 2022, 07:04:51 pm
Phone a nurse process. "nurse not available paging one of the doctors" Oh good I think, a lot easier for me.
I'm experiencing pain in 2 places. there's a constant pain under the cuboid and 5th metatarsal area, and a pain behind the bottom of the fibula when I walk that reaches from the calcaneous up to my middle calf.
Dr _______: "the cuboid and the Metatarsal are nowhere near each other. The cuboid is in the ankle and the metatarsal is in the foot. So, which is it?"
;wince
TIL ankle and foot are nowhere near each other.
(https://static.wixstatic.com/media/6cdbc0_e4502b2cf447455bab262654ffb719a2~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_460,h_350,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/foot%20bones%202.jpg)
Post by: Rusty Edge on July 12, 2022, 11:17:23 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on July 13, 2022, 03:21:28 pm
Like, behold there's literally 2 tendons that connect the exact areas I was describing, but no, two totally separate things according to phone-a-doc.
(https://www.physio-pedia.com/images/thumb/c/c2/Peroneus_Brevis_Tendon.jpg/500px-Peroneus_Brevis_Tendon.jpg)
Typical rest/ice/aleve approach.
2 days on now it's kind of annoying but tolerable. The foot part doesn't hurt so much anymore but behind the fibula is still swollen and hurts to pressure or moving, but is also itchy which is a good sign. I've been wrapping with an ace bandage, need to look into finding my old braces or getting a new one. also been wearing my boots for added ankle support.
Pain history:
immediately following: Oh, that's not good, but it doesn't hurt too much to walk. Better report just in case.
~12 hours after: Oh, uh, that's not good, I can hardly put weight on it, I might need to see someone.
24 hours: eh, I've had worse.
slowly improving through the day. Emergency response requiring me doing some stair flights later: I need drugs.
Today: Eh, it sucks but it'll be ok.
Post by: Rusty Edge on July 15, 2022, 01:56:09 am
Post by: Unorthodox on July 15, 2022, 01:21:34 pm
I cannot even possibly imagine a worse trailer that the new Munsters trailer. I’d link but I’m afraid it’s against some kind of law to spread things that are THAT bad.
Holy hell.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 15, 2022, 06:05:43 pm
Post by: Elok on July 15, 2022, 10:52:51 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on July 16, 2022, 08:34:36 am
Just like technobabble is basically a requirement of Star Trek.
Post by: Unorthodox on July 16, 2022, 08:36:42 am
...Dunno; from what I've read about it, it's awkward, dorky and stupid, which strikes me as appropriate...
Yes. But this looked like they PURPOSELY told Lily and Herman to overact as much as they possibly could. It looked almost more parody than remake.
Ironically gramps came off fairly spot on.
Post by: Unorthodox on August 22, 2022, 01:46:21 pm
Being offered a career path change, and I honestly don't know whether I'm going to accept or not at this point.
On one hand, it would be LOADS less stressful. Absolutely night and day.
At the same time, my departure from this position would need to be handled very delicately at this juncture. I kinda built this thing and I'm very much a see things through to the end sort of person. Then there's another career path change on the horizon I've had my eye on when a certain someone retires...but this one has most the same advantages...
Post by: Geo on August 22, 2022, 04:52:57 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 06, 2022, 09:42:01 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 06, 2022, 09:54:35 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 26, 2022, 11:42:57 pm
Boy do they need some talking heads up in here, these guys pretty much suck.
-30 minutes to impact.
Post by: Unorthodox on September 26, 2022, 11:51:50 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 27, 2022, 12:17:39 am
Be interesting to see results in a few weeks.
Post by: Geo on September 27, 2022, 07:08:50 am
Be interesting to see results in a few weeks.
A full inch a second squared? ;cute
Post by: Unorthodox on October 14, 2022, 10:09:54 pm
In January, I (perhaps foolishly) spoke up made the statement in the open that I bet we wouldn't know til after October 2022 and everyone needs to calm down. This was swiftly mocked.
In July there was an announcement, and I was brutally mocked for a day as the place broke into celebration over the decision. The decision was challenged the next day. Review by a third party, which brought us to today...The challenge was officially upheld, the decision is kicked back for re-evaluation. Minimum 30 days, more likely next year at this point.
Now I'm some kind of Nostradamus around here with half the folks going full panic mode at what this means now.
I put the next over-under as July 2023, caveat that I'm really not sure if midterms and budget 'discussions' can impact it at this point. If they can...2024.
Post by: Geo on October 15, 2022, 12:27:41 pm
I put the next over-under as July 2023, caveat that I'm really not sure if midterms and budget 'discussions' can impact it at this point. If they can...2024.
You're betting after the next presidential election? :P
Post by: Unorthodox on October 18, 2022, 09:57:43 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on October 21, 2022, 11:55:38 pm
Still only about half-capacity on the yard though since With Kyle moved out, Alec working, and Talia busy teenage partying, I can only keep an eye on so much sq footage at a time.
Day 1 of vacation has mostly been inventory and shopping.
Pumpkins ordered, pumpkin light checked out, batteries on order, most if not all the building supplies now on site.
Rain tomorrow, snow wed/Thursday good weather for the party Sunday. Crap weather Halloween.
Post by: Rusty Edge on November 03, 2022, 05:48:32 am
Post by: Unorthodox on November 07, 2022, 06:50:31 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on November 07, 2022, 06:51:34 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on November 07, 2022, 10:24:23 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on November 15, 2022, 05:51:48 pm
https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/?p=5215
I'll try to split some off for the forum here later but that's getting complicate for really stupid reasons.
Post by: Unorthodox on November 15, 2022, 06:06:36 pm
She's NOT a costume person, and this was quite extreme for her. I was able to arrange a coordinating outfit to make us, not match, but seem of the same source in a way.
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/9EE05BEB-F7CF-48FE-829F-0FA11F535850-scaled.jpeg)
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/45F36B71-6B90-4870-8F56-CF872894974F-scaled.jpeg)
we went extremely simple this year, but were able to bring back the pumpkin party, so lots of good from that.
My older brother helped out, donating corn stalks and pumpkins. (which was complicated but at least having some interaction with him) So, all three of us brothers got together for the first time since Covid. Parents weren't interested.
Friend had a wedding and borrowed Trevor which was kinda fun.
Trying to get a feel for how hEt and I can run things sans kids in the future. We might scale back to just this front yard, or I might invest in security cameras out front and stay in the back with hEt, but I'm no longer comfortable with totally walking away from the candy drop because people seem to be becoming more and more assholery. People who should act better.
Post by: Geo on November 15, 2022, 06:49:37 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on November 15, 2022, 07:32:08 pm
They contacted me about making them some stuff for their US tour this year, but it wasn't working with my schedule
Post by: hEtErOdOx on November 16, 2022, 03:37:09 am
Plus, this guy 😍😍😍
Post by: Geo on November 16, 2022, 10:19:57 am
Post by: Unorthodox on November 16, 2022, 03:34:55 pm
HeT in a fan vid of Anoana. :o
hEt, he's asking for you starring in a fan video for this. If we had better sight lines, the circle would make a fantastic set piece for it.
Post by: Unorthodox on November 16, 2022, 03:46:09 pm
And "similar" artists (I know there's not any) are typically so far below their level it makes it hard. But really wanting to get back to that tribal feel in the music we used to do. Might peruse taiko and djembe drums again.
Post by: hEtErOdOx on November 20, 2022, 04:38:50 am
Post by: Rusty Edge on November 22, 2022, 06:39:31 am
https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/?p=5215
I'll try to split some off for the forum here later but that's getting complicate for really stupid reasons.
Still really cool, even without the monsters. Did you put up all of that fodder the week before Halloween, or didn't you have a windstorm this year?
Post by: Unorthodox on November 22, 2022, 06:14:40 pm
In fact, I had to invent some new construction methods on the fly that weren't impacted by things like wet wood and freezing temperatures as even the screws weren't working to get the frames up ahead of time. It might just become my go to for temp structures.
Post by: Rusty Edge on November 22, 2022, 09:44:10 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on November 23, 2022, 03:31:47 pm
Clip these to the soffit and hang the lights from the hooks. (most soffits have little valleys these can clip into easy)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09DXVC415?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details
Post by: Unorthodox on November 23, 2022, 03:42:54 pm
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/C6E1E067-D152-4CF8-8AE5-077190EA4940-scaled.jpeg)
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/15599738-5124-4FCF-9C08-7DBB8FC71FCE-scaled.jpeg)
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/8271AE1D-9374-4631-88E7-445A18EC9CC3-scaled.jpeg)
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/DD3BEC30-B007-442F-A2A6-FFC9851271C7-scaled.jpeg)
Post by: Rusty Edge on November 28, 2022, 03:18:39 am
Ooo, xmas lights. I was trying to do some temp clips for my halloween stage, using binder clips, and come up with this idea for xmas lights, works wonders
Clip these to the soffit and hang the lights from the hooks. (most soffits have little valleys these can clip into easy)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09DXVC415?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details
Thanks, I have plastic clips, but they get brittle and break. These have potential. Bookmarked.
Post by: Unorthodox on December 06, 2022, 04:42:41 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on December 09, 2022, 09:48:19 pm
(https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/pVbVRUVtCsMOkbPmUtxC7Q--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTU0MDtjZj13ZWJw/https://media.zenfs.com/en/fox_news_text_979/cf0ad30f817112507151318a30493566) (https://www.yahoo.com/news/parents-swept-controversy-over-school-070032404.html)
Post by: Unorthodox on December 12, 2022, 03:52:04 am
Post by: Unorthodox on December 12, 2022, 12:00:07 pm
That’s the neighbor kids.
Post by: Unorthodox on January 17, 2023, 10:02:28 pm
It would have been a video I posted. I would have seen it at transworld reports so probably late April-early June. Probably pre-Covid, but maybe as late as 21 but I think 2020 or earlier. DEFINITELY post-chimera tutorial in 2013. I think post Father in 2015.
Video is of an animated deer skull headed figure. Chest glows (which didn't become a commercially available thing til my chimera tutorial). I think I commented along the lines "most Uno prop for sale ever"
I comment in a few later posts what I would alter....
Looking to see if that company is still in business, and see if I can't find some customers that can show the linkages cause I have a moose ribcage, a spare motor, and some desire to get moving on a project.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on January 17, 2023, 11:09:29 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on January 18, 2023, 09:33:36 pm
Hard to believe this wasn't based off Cropper...
Post by: Geo on January 19, 2023, 10:25:46 am
Post by: Unorthodox on January 19, 2023, 03:04:54 pm
The vine whipping, the 'floating' mechanism I'm interested in, and a static version. I'm 90% sure the floating mechanism is just a higher quality of the one I made here.
That got abandoned as that motor was too weak and the random junk used to make the linkages wouldn't hold up, but reasonably confident I can get that to work for this project if I put the budget into it.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on January 19, 2023, 03:43:56 pm
Found it. Beastcraft Props.I'm sure there's a good workaround for the sound it makes - hissing is fine for a weird monster - but it does sound like exactly what it is.
Hard to believe this wasn't based off Cropper...
Probably, one would at least turn the air pressure way down. Movement of the tentacles is what's desired, not necessarily whipping around energetically.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on January 19, 2023, 03:52:35 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on January 19, 2023, 05:39:21 pm
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/uScSXnKh12f-_f1_Prqktcrt4y8fMfqoz1Smm9PRt2Cu20thQKlTqvWCZtcNPmvJUiQmjSFYTxjocm8p_HaC3MA2ekKUoMovBJsYqOBp5P52pfyDs-_PRKVmQ2MKhlstuzXMUdbQzdg-RaOF0tYksAjF6laPLElfwi3GJNoN7U6Rd9PxTcTPYi6MvIMMgKfDroSB0-MQ7k8kOiN6gXFNy-O9yHh2-wEpvG3ISpKaefcdJAmeVyNXOBhwZWn7-mkctpZWRn-ffDXOi-C-M-G14rgaAW5Jj0m7csQAVEamYto6QzfT7NFYpzUaGhFYptyV9un8-O2GtQsrNON-tTQfVpJSPoSGbmdYoiKC_PaqKzypiSsWzCiA0ZZf-fopuHAxYSQmGoWydrWrzo8guKAbUiRKLmiQCIdrRU-xx3ucWq6eRa8ukZwPZ7Vz8H5a0_UBHsk5-5DpOXWcWRohAeZDT0uWhjlzqtQuYwNvXTo70c9WprJcXD4L2dZf2MKnx2G60C5yESRS-3jFvRkCO7sUL0ChUYcPfcNoEJ9h1n4sZZlLnml_jcciVdzmkezzh51HCkNaHLzZxvix3MzkkHTtMYBkKtP65qxuEPsvxH7P8sth2kOMLQ=w705-h940-no)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/IAWxuPhlFqcTWVhRTmRXL1IL3FtOFlCaJra3feCncTGJg31aIdaseIDa3fQjUbn4dTRlnate6MbR1QKir8YIs-ih1CX-x3r5WerJZLjf8bT2k2ThLVeiVFmMS6B72jACMUNVsxB4iHwt3czeiCuR9hxGNsf-uDA_8013eXdGFR2dG8rqB2_1TexdSEOCINeBawwrE-oz0tTbAzzF5-fIg-Hziz31rtVxjc8ejwTTTllyO7ECajxPG_W5AnWzRUshcNY4ovcWSIKPkzb5ZNcupF8Z4NXDy7PtSW-0fqwNUglaOQgw9bGus6JMrrTxLBznaVpSfk9LE78QQ4iyv4O6-2N5J7B7hVPuW3G3PgkzstBTkMhCY1_8mi_P9nIxDCTKV_g8-Z5At49DJ_hZwnQXUDYh7n-Yu9ADDH0T_E6Fp-tQ2-k5hMchkKndVkjKYeQ8R9WulRGKQOCZz515-QWhaatoBEUof8P3yquft-h8pX2nzN4-5L0yxNV935VwSBUClBxFc2wx_C3YRrtrzv6S76bLVmHVxuM7fm16mBpqzkehOTXh8I2zr_G95YF7iDOZkVV0fWzlWC0WfYXYXGLdCa9oispedrS_V-uYJXB0l_UBZkh0XA=s872-no)
Post by: Unorthodox on January 24, 2023, 10:59:09 pm
(http://www.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov/ftpref/gis/images/ut_swepctnormal_update.png)
Post by: Unorthodox on February 20, 2023, 09:02:31 pm
Duschesne (Do Shane) and NE Uintahs feed Flaming Gorge. Everything south of that feeds Lake Powell.
They be predicting (insert booming sound effect) EPIC STORM to hit beginning tonight. As in ~2/3-3/4 an entire annual average worth of snow between now and Thursday. IF the Bear River area can get up into the 180-200% off this storm, it will go a long way to saving the GSL for a few more years.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 20, 2023, 09:58:01 pm
We'd need something like 5 years of this straight if I remember the last study I read correctly.When was that that you last read a study correctly?
Post by: Unorthodox on February 20, 2023, 11:26:53 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on February 20, 2023, 11:52:13 pm
The great salt lake contributes 5-10% of the snow in the mountains. Lowered lake volume = less snow = lowered lake volume.
Last year the lake hit a record low. I was alive and actually witnessed first hand since my dad was working on the causeway (railroad track across the lake) at the time of the record high in 1986. It's been kind of crazy to witness the wild change in the lake first hand.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 21, 2023, 12:06:20 am
I've read that the southwest was going through something like a 10,000 year high on moisture about the time US-people settlement got into high gear. God was merciful, in a way, sustaining it so long if so, but if it was that extreme an outlier, wow, bad news for everyone.
Post by: Geo on February 21, 2023, 10:01:26 am
Looks like there's a great variance in the salt percentage over time. UnO, do you remember, back in the eighties, if you could float on the lake without sinking? I imagine if the lake's at it greatest extend/maximum volume, it has the lowest salt percentage, and 5% salinity doesn't sound enough to float on the surface like in de Dead Sea.
Post by: Unorthodox on February 21, 2023, 09:33:12 pm
Just read up a bit on GSL.
Looks like there's a great variance in the salt percentage over time. UnO, do you remember, back in the eighties, if you could float on the lake without sinking? I imagine if the lake's at it greatest extend/maximum volume, it has the lowest salt percentage, and 5% salinity doesn't sound enough to float on the surface like in de Dead Sea.
I didn't try. The GSL isn't exactly a recreation hotspot. Famously they would do that at Salt Aire on the southern arm of the GSL back in black and white film days. It burned down before I was born, and the rebuilt version isn't exactly known for swimming, more of a concert venue. In the 80s, my time was spent at Lakeside (a railroad company town, might even be a ghost town by now) on the west end. I loved crawling the shore for salt crystal formations. When we went to the spiral jetty (north arm of the GSL) a few years ago, those were entirely lacking. The causeway flooded in 84, and part of the rebuild was adding some passages to stabilize both the water levels and salt levels between the two halves of the lake. That said, there's a mineral harvesting plant at the northeast end that's probably responsible for some salinity loss as well.
https://www.google.com/maps/@41.2226781,-112.323935,55633m/data=!3m1!1e3
That's not farms, that's mineral harvesting off the GSL, and those be evaporation pools.
Post by: Unorthodox on February 22, 2023, 03:19:04 pm
The ski resort up the hill from my front door is reporting 18" so a decent idea how much was rain before it turned to snow at my place.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 22, 2023, 03:29:18 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on February 22, 2023, 03:33:26 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on February 22, 2023, 03:38:08 pm
There was a spot the plows had left a line that was up over my bumper you just had to barrel through with enough momentum to see the other side...
6 slide offs passed on my way and one stuck crossover type.
Post by: Unorthodox on February 22, 2023, 03:45:51 pm
hEt's car has similar features that annoy me as well, though it's less noticeable by engaging 4wd in the snow. It will still do some things that IMO make things WORSE in certain scenarios. I also don't know where the manual override is or if it exists to do much comparison.
Alec's is old school manual transmission no smarts nowhere.
Kyle's is AWD with no smarts.
Post by: Unorthodox on February 22, 2023, 03:48:01 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 22, 2023, 03:49:58 pm
Jeeze man, do be safe and lucky, please.
Post by: Unorthodox on February 22, 2023, 03:55:33 pm
I cannot imaging the whole automatic breaking systems, lane assist systems taking over stearing, or the Tesla autodriver [poop] being able to process anything with snow well. Overall, they likely do present a net positive for reducing crashes, but I don't see them being good in snow because I've felt them all before and don't think it's set of inputs would work well in snow. The lane assist was having trouble with construction zones, what will it do when the lane is whatever people has decided it is in the snow.
The storm will be largely wound down by the time I need to move again.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 23, 2023, 01:51:07 am
Post by: Unorthodox on February 23, 2023, 01:56:53 am
Early reports are it wasn’t terribly wet snow so only an increase of ~5-10% water wise.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 23, 2023, 02:18:23 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 23, 2023, 02:19:22 am
Post by: Geo on February 23, 2023, 08:17:25 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 23, 2023, 12:07:51 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on February 23, 2023, 05:07:44 pm
Interesting chart to compare the snow to past years. Plotting against '84 and '86, two notorious flood years shows we're right in between them for this time of year, though the flooding part has a lot more to do with how fast it warms in the spring than how much snow you had in the winter.
Post by: Unorthodox on February 27, 2023, 05:14:55 pm
Interestingly, we're just barely keeping on pace to have 130ish percent of normal with these storms. Snowpack typically peaks in April when we start the melt off cycle normally. Looking at the charts for the last decade or so it's an earlier and more rapid melt more than snowfall totals that seem to have been causing the bigger problem, coupled with continued diverting of inlets to the lake.
My older brother's newer construction has been forbidden from putting in a lawn for a few years now due to the drought, and I hear the woes of how bad it's been since he's just left it as a dirt pile for the most part (other than the ill conceived garden in the back yard).
Meanwhile I'm over here xeriscaping as fast as I can afford to and looking to get rid of my lawn all together/switch over to a thyme lawn.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 27, 2023, 06:27:17 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on February 27, 2023, 08:59:07 pm
Edit: other than the pumpkins and tomatoes and such.
Post by: Unorthodox on February 27, 2023, 09:01:48 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 03, 2023, 01:38:22 am
Post by: Unorthodox on March 13, 2023, 09:42:41 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 13, 2023, 09:57:41 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on March 13, 2023, 10:23:00 pm
With a fast runoff, the ground water levels don't have time to absorb properly and thus you really don't help the drought. The reservoirs also need to send it downstream with a fast thaw rather than being able to retain max levels as we get into the heat.
So, despite it being a solid snow year, if we melt swiftly it was mostly not productive.
Work went from a foot of snow on the lawn to nothing in a week. Looks like mid 40s and rain through end of the month. Our house might be high enough up the hill to get some snow mixed in.
Post by: Unorthodox on March 13, 2023, 10:29:30 pm
Post by: Geo on March 14, 2023, 07:47:58 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on March 14, 2023, 09:21:09 pm
Post by: Geo on March 14, 2023, 09:52:54 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 14, 2023, 10:25:24 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on March 15, 2023, 03:21:41 pm
3' of snow a week ago in my front lawn is gone now. SERIOUS rain last night.
Post by: Unorthodox on March 15, 2023, 03:26:51 pm
Post by: Geo on March 15, 2023, 06:48:55 pm
Ogden/South Ogden? Lord only place I've really seen that mentioned is when Superman visited back in his grounded storyline.
;cheerlead
One of the characters :bike: through in I believe the second novel of his WorldWar series.
Post by: Rusty Edge on March 17, 2023, 02:59:34 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on March 17, 2023, 03:28:06 pm
2016 remodel house
2018 a large part of the yard put together.
Among the goals of 2018 was a covered patio, and it's time to make a much more permanent solution to that after the current gazebo collapsed this winter. We've often had a gazebo like you see in stores and they usually last a few years. This one had been damaged in a wind storm, replaced the roof, and slowly come damaged in other storms til it finally collapsed this winter. Though, that collapse is largely due to kids not going out to shovel the roof when told to....
All that said, we're looking for a much more solid solution this time with a hurricane winds and 30" snow load steel roof monstrousity that will anchor permanently to the patio as the primary project/budget piece this year.
https://www.backyarddiscovery.com/collections/gazebos/products/16x12-barrington-gazebo?variant=39873267728519
It's going to literally require a barn raising party to build.
Then we still have about 1/4 of the easement xeriscaping to finish. We have a good chunk of the material purchased, and while I was waiting for snow to melt, it is now waiting for a good weekend to work it.
From THERE, it's time to start planning the permanent xeriscape/landscaping of the front lawn/yard.
Features of the front plan:
Another stone circle
sacrificial altar in the center. Or stone table. Depends on your point of view.
Finish permanent path from side yard all the way around the yard.
After lots of thought on design and how it relates, have realized we can't give up the negative space a lawn allots for Halloween purposes, so looking at a thyme lawn.
Ideally burning bush accents if I can transplant the 2 burning bushes that have never been watered in the time we've lived here from the side of the garage.
Saving the milkweed corner if possible.
automated sprinkler system.
Redoing the back yard path after some downsides to that stonework have become apparent.
repurposing path stone into an arch and possibly fence.
cleanup and finish building of raised beds in the garden.
possible creation of greenhouse.
This is likely a multi-year project.
Post by: Rusty Edge on March 17, 2023, 05:49:23 pm
The stone altar made me laugh.
Post by: Unorthodox on March 24, 2023, 11:03:36 am
Weekend. If we repeat the rapid warm in April of 84, there’s going to be huge flooding.
My basement will be tested. But I think our issues have all been plumbing related.
Kyle should be ok, but there’s a chance they screwed up his water table with construction in that area
Post by: Unorthodox on March 27, 2023, 02:32:28 pm
50s and rain by Wednesday.
More on the basement, we had water issues during construction. I THINK that was largely because though we were dried in, the rain gutters were not installed yet, and thus the water wasn't being carried away from the back of the house properly.
However, we had carpenter ant issues last year, which tends to indicate water sources in the desert here, so something I'm mildly wary of. I haven't noticed anything yet but want to watch into the rainy weather if the ground is getting saturated.
Post by: Unorthodox on March 31, 2023, 08:24:51 pm
It's weird, I vividly recall the 'terrible' snow years of 83 and 84. This year is by the numbers breaking the record for those years. But it's not the same.
83/84 we had absolutely MASSIVE snowfall, but it was more all at once. I recall roofs collapsing on the news. People needing to shovel roofs. PRODUCTS being invented to shovel roofs easily and commercials for them (essentially a slip and slide between two telescoping poles). I also recall shoveling our own roof and WALKING OFF OF IT onto the bank when we did. Digging tunnels for the dogs to do their business. Snow banks well over my head.
THIS year...it's just been a CONSISTENT snow. we've had 2-3' in the yard consistently. It'll melt down a little and we get more snow, it will melt a little, more snow.
Post by: Geo on April 01, 2023, 07:27:54 am
Post by: Unorthodox on April 01, 2023, 07:30:49 pm
The ski resort, however, (top of the mountain out my front door) is at 549" on the year with 225" base right now. Both are records.
For perspective, 285" is the average annual snowfall up there.
Post by: Geo on April 02, 2023, 10:10:05 am
Post by: Unorthodox on April 03, 2023, 02:29:10 pm
I tend to prefer the back side of the mountain overlooking more or less wilderness to the views from the front side overlooking the city.
Post by: Unorthodox on April 05, 2023, 12:50:34 am
I have many caveats about that graph. I’ve played around on the data page it’s from. Statewide average, when we didn’t have any measuring stations til 1980 and only a handful through the 90s probably doesn’t give a great data set til early 2000s.
Post by: Unorthodox on April 05, 2023, 08:19:32 pm
Looking at the long range forecasts I use for Halloween, it's looking like an average but dry April followed by a warm dry May and cool wet early June.
Snow stopping now and the rest of April looks pretty dry with just 2 minor rain storms forecast the rest the month.
Post by: Unorthodox on April 13, 2023, 06:54:55 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on April 28, 2023, 07:46:00 pm
If I have time might go get pictures.
Post by: Unorthodox on May 01, 2023, 03:09:05 pm
Interesting you got the expected sandbags to control flooding in areas, but what looks like a giant tarp and truckloads of dirt in other places. Haven't seen that before.
What I don't understand is the reservoir up river is at 20% capacity and still DRAINING more than it's receiving so far. I don't know why they wouldn't close it up some more and let it start filling as it's contributing to this flooding downstream at the moment by letting out more outflow than inflow.
Record snowfall followed by record high temps early May...
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 02, 2023, 01:54:40 am
Post by: Unorthodox on May 03, 2023, 07:53:17 pm
Near 90s this week, rain coming the weekend.
Post by: Geo on May 04, 2023, 10:30:57 am
Post by: Unorthodox on May 09, 2023, 05:19:20 pm
There's a reservoir well upstream that's about to spill over on that one, but the next closest control reservoir is looking like it will hold.
Another river flooded onto the canyon road in another canyon. It was cleared as it was caused by debris clogging the normal route.
While the water is great for the great salt lake, we're still below the lake's level at this time last year, showing just how easy it would be to lose all this water with a hot dry summer.
Post by: Geo on May 10, 2023, 12:13:21 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on May 12, 2023, 12:32:45 am
we’ll that didn’t last long. The Ogden river undercut that highway and its collapsing. Ogden canyon closed. Not a terrible loss logistically but there’s a few homes along there.
Another river flooded onto the canyon road in another canyon. It was cleared as it was caused by debris clogging the normal route.
Post by: Unorthodox on May 15, 2023, 03:31:51 pm
River up to a few feet from the freeway though doubtful it can cause any damage as that section is basically a field so it's spread out after spilling over the banks.
Little bit of a story time why this is so fascinating to me.
83 or 84, the previous record years, I fell into the Ogden river and was washed downstream to be fished out by a fisherman. Had a life vest on, and we were camping along that river at the time. We always went camping mid June. In my memory, I recall thinking the dang life vest was preventing me from getting my feet under me more than it was helping in my mind.
As I've grown older, this never really made sense to me as these local rivers just weren't close to deep enough to match that memory. Until now.
Post by: Geo on May 15, 2023, 07:02:21 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on May 25, 2023, 06:06:40 pm
they've progressively made things more and more difficult since Covid began, and are still in complete lockdown mode. Won't engage with anything. A look back on this thread shows it's always been a difficult situation with my parents, but it's becoming absolutely unbearable to the point I'm about ready to stop trying at all.
Nephew is getting married, parents not attending, refused to meet the bride, and are ignoring any texts about it. I'm at a complete loss. Nephew is rightfully taking it personally.
Post by: Unorthodox on June 03, 2023, 04:44:01 am
We've had them come do it a couple years. Someone come and stole all of them in the neighborhood this year.
Well, fine. Muck with the guy that goes overboard on decorating every year. I'm building a display tomorrow. Display big enough to hit the felony mark if they screw with it, and making sure security cams ill catch it.
Post by: Geo on June 03, 2023, 04:31:12 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on June 04, 2023, 03:33:48 am
Post by: Unorthodox on June 06, 2023, 04:14:11 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 15, 2023, 03:19:45 am
Test
Post by: Unorthodox on August 15, 2023, 03:31:19 am
Back in 2011, I started with this unconventional internal lighting, which has since been duplicated. In 2014, I made Mother, the monster “pregnant” with mini pumpkin monsters. This, too, has seen a commercial product. Trevor in 2012 and 2.0 in 2018 has seen multiple commercial knockoffs. I started playing with the idea of a visible heart in 2017 with Cropper, improved on it in 2020 with my modification of the giant skelly. Now light up hearts are being made.
If the whole lighting scheme comes together as it looks in my head, this will take that concept to another level.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 15, 2023, 03:49:16 am
Post by: Unorthodox on August 15, 2023, 04:01:19 am
Post by: Unorthodox on August 18, 2023, 01:18:27 am
BU. Ever heard of this stuff?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 18, 2023, 01:56:40 am
Post by: Unorthodox on August 18, 2023, 12:28:27 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 21, 2023, 01:38:21 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 21, 2023, 01:45:06 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 01, 2023, 04:09:20 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 01, 2023, 04:15:16 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on September 04, 2023, 03:20:13 am
Post by: Unorthodox on September 04, 2023, 03:57:23 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on July 15, 2025, 12:30:50 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 15, 2025, 12:39:04 am
Post by: Unorthodox on July 15, 2025, 05:29:23 am
https://us.paltiya.com/
BU. Ever heard of this stuff?
So. I did a thing. https://youtube.com/shorts/yDZFIwJFpzk?feature=shared
I forget how to embed if it’s not automatic.
Best I can tell it’s a mortar mix reinforced with fiberglass fibers. It’s designed for much higher humidity than I live in which puts optimal conditions for me to work with it limited to either indoors or a select few springtime weeks.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 15, 2025, 07:13:26 am
-Also, I've been skimming through the thread backwards for several hours, and there's a lot of linkrot in random sets of your pics -mostly in the last six years- hosted on the blog?
Post by: Unorthodox on July 15, 2025, 02:23:44 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on July 15, 2025, 02:24:28 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on July 15, 2025, 05:29:56 pm
Tell us about your gardening/yard this summer. That's Uno art, too. ;nod
Now that, well, there’s some background needed.
2010ish. Working in Arizona. Mostly got involved with a church renovation in my down time, molding and casting gargoyles, because how often does one get to work on actual gargoyles.
But also asked about, was invited to watch a study by NAU on adapting watering techniques, soil composition, and plantings to maintain green spaces in the desert. I filed a lot of that aside for later, and critically, began working some of the results into my lawn at the time. I couldn’t afford the full bore modification but could hopefully get there with patience.
Also began the pumpkin party that has now basically become THE uno thing for Halloween.
2016. House expansion destroyed side and back yards. Also co worker was hired. We’re gonna call them Bill.
Now, they offered me Bill’s job as a sideways move before hiring. I DID NOT WANT. I liked my area of expertise.
2018: It became clear I’m racing against the clock with the kids growing and less slave labor at home I need to simplify/make a permanent setup to keep doing Halloween at the yard. I envisioned immediately a fire pit area, gazebo/covered patio, and permanent path around the house. We set our sights on 1/2, fixing the back and side yards.
Unfortunately there was family starting a landscaping business and this was going to be one of those things you could put as a portfolio showpiece. They blew the budget horrendously bad, we ended up finishing things ourselves.
Meanwhile Bill had the first…event. As the paramedics wheeled him out he was referencing me as being Abraham Lincoln. Not a joke. Literally thought I was Lincoln. This started a spiral of me starting to take more of Bills work.
2020 original planned start to finish the path around the front of the house. Little distraction that year delayed start. Original gazebo in back damaged. Noted increased wind issues all round. Bill a big no masker is one of first infected before vaccines.
2022 start conceptualizing a second circle for the front yard, not just a path. Begin testing lawn alternatives and other plants for not just a path but to landscape the front specifically for the Halloween walkthrough. Budget issues due to insert house disaster delay.
Bill delays retirement with me taking more of the work.
2023: work delayed again for budget, don’t recall details. Focus on side garden beds instead. More testing of future plants.
2024: spring water heater dies. There goes budget. Bill forced to retire. Uno gets Promotion to take that roll (yes, capitalized). Takes 3 months to backfill old roll.
Summer, decide it’s 2025 or bust., begin final phase of soil prep by mulching the entire lawn. Multiple wind challenges with THAT much sheet compost resulted in a super mega tarp of impossible size to cover the entire yard being required.
Spring 2025: remove tarps, and bear witness to the results.
Find farmer with a tractor to come till the yard. Farmer asks what on earth I’ve done to the soil. It’s softer and healthier than most farms, but also clearly nutrient dense and evened moisture content he’s not seen before. 15 years of slowly adding the coconut and worm casings has indeed yielded the same results as the bulk distribution used at NAU.
Post by: Unorthodox on July 15, 2025, 06:34:48 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on July 15, 2025, 06:42:37 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on July 15, 2025, 06:43:00 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 15, 2025, 06:47:48 pm
This pretty much sums up our Halloween perfectly:
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/halloween-2020/D798ACBF-29BB-4DB2-946C-7620050A09FF.jpeg)
The modest (by our standards) display:
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/halloween-2020/A9AD9F66-6E4C-450A-AF3B-27F46BB2886A.jpeg)
Since I haven't posted the full altar of greed since 2005...(note social distance markers on the driveway)
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/halloween-2020/34D25DE7-FBAA-4019-89F6-21AECF80F12E.jpeg)
Yes, them be individually packaged doughnuts. The local grocer always makes us doughnuts, they were kind enough to include individual packs for us this year. (and gave me a discount to our agreed upon price even)
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/halloween-2020/5FA81A3B-BB45-4048-881D-1E8C80851ADB.jpeg)
Lake Tahoe jacket is Kyle's +1. That's relatively new, but we like her so far.
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/halloween-2020/5DE6EC6D-4CB0-4AAD-96F2-465A54902511.jpeg)
Post by: Unorthodox on July 15, 2025, 09:26:40 pm
that didn't even try...
Post by: Unorthodox on July 15, 2025, 09:38:29 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on July 15, 2025, 09:38:50 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on July 15, 2025, 09:39:29 pm
This is the first thing I find in a quick skim back that is not linkrot of someone else's pics... There's a lot of this in recent years of Uno's own photos...This pretty much sums up our Halloween perfectly:
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/D798ACBF-29BB-4DB2-946C-7620050A09FF.jpeg)
The modest (by our standards) display:
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/A9AD9F66-6E4C-450A-AF3B-27F46BB2886A.jpeg)
Since I haven't posted the full altar of greed since 2005...(note social distance markers on the driveway)
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/34D25DE7-FBAA-4019-89F6-21AECF80F12E.jpeg)
Yes, them be individually packaged doughnuts. The local grocer always makes us doughnuts, they were kind enough to include individual packs for us this year. (and gave me a discount to our agreed upon price even)
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/5FA81A3B-BB45-4048-881D-1E8C80851ADB.jpeg)
Lake Tahoe jacket is Kyle's +1. That's relatively new, but we like her so far.
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/5DE6EC6D-4CB0-4AAD-96F2-465A54902511.jpeg)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 15, 2025, 09:44:21 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on July 15, 2025, 09:50:17 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on July 15, 2025, 09:52:16 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on July 15, 2025, 10:00:23 pm
Not especially. Going to be another year focused on non-halloween projects.
2016 remodel house
2018 a large part of the yard put together.
Among the goals of 2018 was a covered patio, and it's time to make a much more permanent solution to that after the current gazebo collapsed this winter. We've often had a gazebo like you see in stores and they usually last a few years. This one had been damaged in a wind storm, replaced the roof, and slowly come damaged in other storms til it finally collapsed this winter. Though, that collapse is largely due to kids not going out to shovel the roof when told to....
All that said, we're looking for a much more solid solution this time with a hurricane winds and 30" snow load steel roof monstrousity that will anchor permanently to the patio as the primary project/budget piece this year.
https://www.backyarddiscovery.com/collections/gazebos/products/16x12-barrington-gazebo?variant=39873267728519
It's going to literally require a barn raising party to build.
Then we still have about 1/4 of the easement xeriscaping to finish. We have a good chunk of the material purchased, and while I was waiting for snow to melt, it is now waiting for a good weekend to work it.
From THERE, it's time to start planning the permanent xeriscape/landscaping of the front lawn/yard.
Features of the front plan:
Another stone circle
sacrificial altar in the center. Or stone table. Depends on your point of view.
Finish permanent path from side yard all the way around the yard.
After lots of thought on design and how it relates, have realized we can't give up the negative space a lawn allots for Halloween purposes, so looking at a thyme lawn.
Ideally burning bush accents if I can transplant the 2 burning bushes that have never been watered in the time we've lived here from the side of the garage.
Saving the milkweed corner if possible.
automated sprinkler system.
Redoing the back yard path after some downsides to that stonework have become apparent.
repurposing path stone into an arch and possibly fence.
cleanup and finish building of raised beds in the garden.
possible creation of greenhouse.
This is likely a multi-year project.
Post by: Unorthodox on July 15, 2025, 10:10:17 pm
nope don't see option to embed uploads?
edit:
(https://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=1295.0;attach=24223;image)
Post by: Unorthodox on July 15, 2025, 10:15:24 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 15, 2025, 10:47:08 pm
I should make you a SINISTER thread icon, shouldn't I? Not a big huge job...
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 16, 2025, 04:19:11 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 16, 2025, 04:27:04 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on July 16, 2025, 07:37:19 pm
Dunno if I ever said, but Paul Sorvino always struck me as a -dumb- self-righteous douchbag in interviews - casting him as God in Devil's Carnival2 strikes me as sorta brilliant...
Unfortunately won’t be a 3.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 16, 2025, 07:41:53 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on July 16, 2025, 08:00:08 pm
So what's this I see headlines for about a year or more that Oak Island is solved?
I haven't seen any non click bait [nonsense]. And "Headlines" today = someone posted it on twitter somewhere.
Post by: Unorthodox on July 16, 2025, 08:01:23 pm
Not my bag, the themes, but all the clips you posted over the years featured melodic songs, well-sung and some good dancing...
God vs Satan is not a good theme?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 16, 2025, 08:03:46 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 16, 2025, 09:59:05 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on July 16, 2025, 10:32:05 pm
and the ?people? too.
whatyoutalkinbout?
DC 2 they all very literally were just cast out of heaven and are wounded. Satan organizes them and teaches them their still beautiful despite their sins, and that they don't have to conform to Heaven's caste system. They all bear the scars of those wounds later, but are not DIRTY.
Post by: Unorthodox on July 16, 2025, 10:33:52 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 16, 2025, 11:23:36 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 16, 2025, 11:45:09 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on July 17, 2025, 01:26:42 am
Post by: Unorthodox on July 17, 2025, 01:27:28 am
Post by: Unorthodox on July 17, 2025, 01:34:13 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 17, 2025, 01:56:24 am
Post by: Unorthodox on July 17, 2025, 02:54:44 am
Post by: Unorthodox on July 17, 2025, 03:01:58 am
Kyle got married.
They asked me to officiate.
The problem being at the time of their asking, Utah required one be an ordained minister to get a license to perform the ceremony....so I had to join a church....
Now there were many online "churches" available. Pastafarian was tempting. So was the good ole church of satan. But if I was going to join a sham religion, it was going to be one I could at least feel good about, so I'm a Universal Life Church minister now.
Respect their approach and message.
https://www.themonastery.org/aboutUs
Anyway, tiny wedding, in our stone circle. Did a hand fasting ceremony. My parents refused to attend both that and the reception, it's great. Somehow his wife's family is possibly even more messed up than mine.
This did put me on a registered list of officiates with the city, and I flagged willing to do lgbtwhatever. I've had 2 couples reach out, but both were weekends I was unavailable.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 17, 2025, 04:08:42 pm
I wouldn't expect much developments on that last, but your friends here, I daresay, would like a high-level vague overview of what we've missed 23 to the present...
Post by: Geo on July 17, 2025, 05:18:38 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 17, 2025, 07:54:50 pm
Oh, and an idea IRT edge-mowing. I'll bet pretty much everyone has seen a spill with a bag of chemical fertilizer and noticed what it did to the spill spot for several years to follow. You get a dead spot for as much as five years, with a zone of unusually healthy grass surrounding. I ain't never tried it or know of anyone who did, but I imagine it would be cheaper and take less time to pour enough fertilizer along the edge of the walks every other year (where you don't want to plant something that will out-compete the grass) than to fuel a weed-eater and cut the darn edge grass several times a growing season. Ought to be a feasible way to avoid the weed-eating and fertilize at least some of the grass you want, depending on what they charge for fertilizer these days and if it don't take so much the FBI notices...Uno, did you ever try this?
I'm pretty sure it would work, but would love to get a report on a field-test...
Post by: Unorthodox on July 17, 2025, 08:27:16 pm
Oh, and an idea IRT edge-mowing. I'll bet pretty much everyone has seen a spill with a bag of chemical fertilizer and noticed what it did to the spill spot for several years to follow. You get a dead spot for as much as five years, with a zone of unusually healthy grass surrounding. I ain't never tried it or know of anyone who did, but I imagine it would be cheaper and take less time to pour enough fertilizer along the edge of the walks every other year (where you don't want to plant something that will out-compete the grass) than to fuel a weed-eater and cut the darn edge grass several times a growing season. Ought to be a feasible way to avoid the weed-eating and fertilize at least some of the grass you want, depending on what they charge for fertilizer these days and if it don't take so much the FBI notices...Uno, did you ever try this?
I'm pretty sure it would work, but would love to get a report on a field-test...
No but my fenceline is a really good candidate to try next year
Post by: Unorthodox on July 17, 2025, 08:51:53 pm
Lessee - as your personal random thread, this one is about Halloween arting, family, both immediate and extended, work and the frustrating Dilbertness of, Uno himself, and Utah, weather and culture and those ugly big impressive mountains.
I wouldn't expect much developments on that last, but your friends here, I daresay, would like a high-level vague overview of what we've missed 23 to the present...
Lets see:
Kyle married, moved out, etc.
Alec is now Alena and transitioning.
Talia got a wild hair, joined the wrestling team, kicked some ass, learned to lose and get back up, and deal with assholes. Seriously good experience for her. She's graduated and in a welding program at the tech school.
I treat all the kids like adults which seems to shock people still, even though they're all grown.
hEt still at the hospital but looking for change.
I'm no longer in my field of expertise, and they're threatening me with becoming a desk jockey people manager. (yes, I see it as a threat)
Weird medical mumbo jumbo going on. "There's a lack of study" on why. Side effect of last drug was swollen tendons...enough to pop my shoulder out of socket. Fun. Hence the super slow progress on the stones.
30 year anniversary in a couple weeks.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 17, 2025, 08:56:16 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on July 17, 2025, 09:03:42 pm
Post by: Geo on July 18, 2025, 02:40:19 pm
Respect their approach and message.
https://www.themonastery.org/aboutUs
Did the community bureaucracy needed a "letter of good standing" from you?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 18, 2025, 02:44:08 pm
Wait - I misunderstood the question. NM Did they?
Post by: Geo on July 18, 2025, 02:47:07 pm
Naw, Church of Universal Light is pretty much a scam to sell ordinations, I always understood - didn't want to whiz on Uno's thing saying so, and I could have been misinformed and/or something's changed in 40 years...
Yeah, I realized that already.
I meant the city bureaucracy asking for a letter of good standing from a newly ordained 'priest', not the CUL requiring a letter of good standing from whomever before they allow UnO become a member of their club.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 18, 2025, 02:48:13 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on July 18, 2025, 06:06:39 pm
The online ordination, yes, gave me a minister card id, and certificate and letter, but actual useful things I WANTED: pre-printed copies of the marriage license to file with the county. Fancy marriage license with gold seals and whatnot in a diploma holder booklet thing. I considered those worth the fee, and more than other sham ordinations were offering.
Now, since they didn't get married til February, Utah and/or the county changed the laws (I'm a little confused where that's controlled, since i'd have to register in whatever county a marriage takes place in), and if I'd have waited til January to get registered, I wouldn't have needed anything to register for just doing my son's wedding. Only need the other stuff if you plan on doing more than one now. My SIL did my nephew's wedding in march/aprilish that year and only had to go register as the one time use only registration, not get added to the county list of officiates, then had a print shop do the certificates.
edit: if it is county controlled, I'd guess happy valley would still require ordination.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 18, 2025, 06:15:09 pm
Feedback before I install something? Don't be afraid of big asks. Looking at them attached, I think 3.
Post by: Geo on July 19, 2025, 08:05:09 am
I could do something more decorative -this ain't a big job- but my own druthers/instinct is legible über allies.
Feedback before I install something? Don't be afraid of big asks. Looking at them attached, I think 3.
The top one in winter, the second one during Halloween season, the full green on during Summer, and the green outlined one during Spring.
Case closed! NEXT!! ;cute
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 19, 2025, 02:53:28 pm
I checked in a couple dark themes and found all way more legible against a dark background. 3 is actually the worst for that, and about the lower limit for legibility in the default theme -the one used the most by a lot- but closest to the style of the blog/website, which matters...
Post by: Unorthodox on July 20, 2025, 04:44:02 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 20, 2025, 04:08:23 pm
---
One imagines an Uno-hosted/officiated wedding not, decidedly, being a one-buttock-applied affair by any means. Perhaps you'd like to tell that story...
Post by: Metaliturtle on July 20, 2025, 08:28:14 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 20, 2025, 08:33:08 pm
Post by: Metaliturtle on July 20, 2025, 09:09:27 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 20, 2025, 10:19:44 pm
Post by: Metaliturtle on July 21, 2025, 12:59:56 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 21, 2025, 01:05:36 am
No - seriously.
Post by: Metaliturtle on July 21, 2025, 01:06:52 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 21, 2025, 01:08:57 am
Post by: Metaliturtle on July 21, 2025, 01:13:59 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 21, 2025, 03:44:50 am
Spam is more like no-effort fun...
Post by: Metaliturtle on July 21, 2025, 03:54:23 am
Post by: Unorthodox on July 21, 2025, 11:37:06 am
In this thread? Probably a lot of a middle-aged white guy doing yardwork coming.
No - seriously.
I mean even my Halloween can be boiled down to yard work mostly. Maybe some cooking and bugs. Because my cooking definitely don’t fit the lazy moniker anymore.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on July 31, 2025, 03:37:25 pm
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/9/9d/Sinestro_%2Acirca_1963.png)
-a Green Lantern nemesis for longer than we've been alive. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sinestro
He ain't no joke, and they still use him these days.
Post by: Unorthodox on August 01, 2025, 05:56:14 pm
Lantern is ESPECIALLY not in my interest with DC. More than most.
(maybe my first moment of sitting all week)
Guy Gardner steals every scene he's in in superman btw.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 01, 2025, 05:59:29 pm
There's the name, and also a superficial resemblance to Mr. Sinister, also not the most masculine villain ever, and Megamind w/ the headshape, see also previous remark.
You can hardly access the quality of ANY character from Superfriends.
Post by: Unorthodox on August 01, 2025, 06:06:12 pm
I'm curious if they thought it through far enough to have sinestro use his left hand consistently though.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 01, 2025, 06:11:18 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 01, 2025, 06:12:00 pm
Mormon phenomenon, given to children on/around the time of their baptism, always reminded me of green lantern rings.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 01, 2025, 06:14:21 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 01, 2025, 06:18:57 pm
One of the lessons that got me kicked out of sunday school was related.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 01, 2025, 06:19:42 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 01, 2025, 06:42:42 pm
Send one kid to the hall, the other kids rearrange the chairs to a maze. Blindfold hall kid and he has to ask guidance of one of two sources, one playing Jesus, and one playing Satan to make it through the maze. Satan's job is obviously to make him trip on the chairs, and he figures out which is which through trial and error. Jesus leads him through the maze to put a mark inside a circle on the chalk board to indicate he made it to heaven.
~8 year old me thought this was dumb. My turn to be Satan guided the kid straight through the maze (to the confusion of the other kids and teacher) and marked as far from heaven as possible on the board. There were tears and banishment ensued.
Fast forward many years to when they asked me to TEACH the kids. I modified this lesson. ALL the kids were providing directions at once guiding the blindfolded participant in all directions. They had to listen for the gentle guiding voice which is what they teach 'the holy spirit' is. To my mild disappointment non of the multitude thought to remain quiet and lead them well astray.
Post by: Unorthodox on August 01, 2025, 06:43:19 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 01, 2025, 06:53:55 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 02, 2025, 03:48:26 am
hET? What's he suck at? There have to be some things...
Post by: Unorthodox on August 02, 2025, 02:12:20 pm
I had a last supper lesson, for instance. Well, I showed up a good 20 minutes early, reserved a larger room, and started setting up tables and unpacking my car. Word got around Uno was up to something, so I was stopped and asked by some high priests (ugh...um, difficult to explain mormon heirarchy. They've held important official roles but aren't necessarily still holding them. Essentially theyve had a peak under the hood as much as allowed beyond just temple ordnances, and are sworn to secrecy.) I explain, simply I was teaching the last supper, but you can't understand the last supper until you understand the passover as it WAS a passover meal (according to 3/4 gospels, John can F off).
Well, they've never heard anything like that and this is highly irregular. So, instead of my 14 kids (largest class, and I didn't even have backup at this point) I ended up with the entire high priests group including one member of the bishopric sitting in to observe. So, I got more tables and chairs and made them participate to.
See, the authors of the bible just assume the reader knows what a passover meal entails, and none of these experts had ever BEEN to one before. In my opinion, this is critical context to understanding what Jesus changed during the last supper. One of the attendees is/was a professor at BYU, specifically for religious studies and admitted he'd never even thought about that aspect before. The High priests were rather impressed.
Anyhow, kids went home with QUESTIONS, which was always my goal. This upset some parents, and that lesson got complaints. But I was not removed.
Post by: Unorthodox on August 02, 2025, 02:18:12 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 02, 2025, 02:30:25 pm
-This means it can get complicated about SOMEbody still has to run things at temple, and in the congregation/local community, they still have pastors or something in charge, and definitely bishops responsible for whatever level that is.
I don't see the problem w/ teaching traditional Passover as context. We're not talking about a flexible-minded culture, LDS, but I'm sure their problem/discomfort wasn't based in THAT, exactly, or I'd at least hope they aren't quite that rigid.
Post by: Unorthodox on August 02, 2025, 05:21:30 pm
For those playing by the book, you do the church thing Sunday. This is the 1 hour sacrament meeting core of the religion and 1 hour (2 when I was teaching) of schooling broken by age up til adults. Adults are broken into the relief society for women, the elders quorum for the run of the mill men in charge of day to day operations like BU mentions, and the High Priests, who have held actual church power. Bishops, temple workers, etc.
After church Sunday there are often other duties.
Monday is Family home evening. Where the parents are expected to both be home and have a structured fun along with a lesson. Typically the same theme as was taught that week in church. I believe the crux of the issue is my kids often had questions and perspectives the parents weren’t prepared to address here that would result in the knee jerk what the hell is he teaching reactions. It was always the very by the book ones to complain.
Tuesday Wednesday and Thursday are typically children activities for grade school ages, teen boys, teen girls and occasionally a mix of boys/girls. There used to be Boy Scouts mixed in here but they no longer associate.
Thus the church inserts itself to become your whole social structure as long as you’re popping out kids like you should. Which makes this kind of preachings from the church leadership so insidious.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 02, 2025, 06:25:23 pm
SO - I've just kept my ears and eyes open about LDS, not just believed what my own native culture said about them -that Mormons is of teh Devil- and I still have to ask: there's definitely sermons, right? There's definitely a spiritual leader -you mentioned former High Priests- at the local temple level who does more than his share of them, right? Is he the same as the one running the details of having the church run, or is that more of a Head Deacon sort of office? Which wins when they disagree, IF that's separate jobs?
I'm not asking about the whole LDS hierarchy; just how the local temple runs...
Post by: Unorthodox on August 03, 2025, 12:43:47 am
Or you might say, the church is VERY organized, in theory and often in pragmatic practice, and there's inevitable groupthink as a result. Not an ideal environment for a rugged individualist to swim in, nor for his kids.
SO - I've just kept my ears and eyes open about LDS, not just believed what my own native culture said about them -that Mormons is of teh Devil- and I still have to ask: there's definitely sermons, right? There's definitely a spiritual leader -you mentioned former High Priests- at the local temple level who does more than his share of them, right? Is he the same as the one running the details of having the church run, or is that more of a Head Deacon sort of office? Which wins when they disagree, IF that's separate jobs?
I'm not asking about the whole LDS hierarchy; just how the local temple runs...
Hard to do without getting into the basics.
The President and his 2 councelors preside over the quorum of the 12. These are considered the prophets and have been blessed with the ability to receive god's word for the world as a whole.
Below them is the quorum of the 70. Who each have been blessed with a more regional ability. They again have a president and 2 councelors.
I get a little murky in the middle here, but the themes remain. 1 leader, 2 councelors. There's 1 or 2 more levels before the local I just don't recall the names.
At the local level, you have the Stake presidency. Again, president and 2 councelors, who oversee a group of Wards.
At the Ward level, which is where you would meet every sunday, you have the Bishop, and his 2 councelors. Given the blessing to guide everyone in the ward. It should be noted NONE of these have formal training, and individual bishops have relatively great leeway in how they run minutia. Bishoprics change every few years typically, which is why we have high priests running around that were former bishops.
As for the typical sunday service: Usually you'll have the typical hymns, an opening prayer given by a random member of the ward, a sacrement blessed and administered by teen boys as kind of training in their preisthood roles. Typically following that you will get 2-3 talks and maybe a special musical number, usually all by random members of the ward. If he feels the need, the bishop will make some comments here or there between talks. So, no, it really is all hands on deck for the typical sunday service.
Now, if you're talking the local TEMPLE, that's a little different to mormons, as those are extra special highly structured religious rights. The infamous baptisims for the dead, endowment ceremonies, and wedding ceremonies. Details are not to be talked about. The people who run that are called from the local stakes specifically to do the temple jobs. It's a special blessing to have that authority as well, but limited to the temple work.
I will say, Satan has a role in the endowment ceremonies, and at the SLC temple specifically, it is a live in person role. I always wanted THAT job.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 03, 2025, 01:19:09 am
Followup question:
How/when were you a -and I'll just say it in Baptist, not knowing the LDS terminology- Sunday School teacher? You sound way more than 14 in your story.
Post by: Unorthodox on August 03, 2025, 06:00:38 am
Excommunication is infinitely easier for people to understand than what really happened as a child.
There are some teachings of Brigham Young that are so problematic they are actively being erased. But, with the broad leeway previously explained, and the right bishop in the 80s who believed those teachings prior to the active erasure, and I was declared a cursed child. To be stricken from the eternal records unless I was removed from the earth, preferably violently. My mom’s woes were all my cursed fault, and there was a simple way out. Remove the curse under the direction of the bishop.
Evidence of my cursed nature was a nicely sized birthmark on my back. Over the left shoulder. My left handedness. And the facts my best friends dad had done a little murder suicide to his mom the day after a sleepover for us to find on the way home from school and I’d found my grandpa dead.
This doesn’t tend to sit well with active members and usually leads to arguments, so it’s always just been easier to deal with the online folks I encounter by saying I was excommunicated. Virtually the only times I get into that discussion is with active members online.
Post by: Unorthodox on August 03, 2025, 11:59:58 am
While they obviously didn't follow through, it was probably something in the back of their heads any time things got difficult.
This Bishop also wanted dad to quit his job as it made him work Sunday. My parents didn't go back to church after that. They officially believe in the church still, just that individuals in it can be [messed up - or loved very much] up. Again, the no formal training and great leeway aspect.
The funny thing is about 20 years ago I ran into bishop duckface in a professional capacity. I HAD to ask him wtf, mind you. He believes he was 100% correct, and my situation showed him 'the fullness of the law' (mormon phrasing you get used to). He fully believes I was cursed and the only way to remove the curse was ritually shedding my blood. Just he now understands murder wasn't the only way and the surgery that removed my birth mark, and blessing received going into surgery was enough. He thinks the world just isn't ready to live that law and it will be accepted and taught later.
So yeah, basically I'm a witch.
Post by: Unorthodox on August 03, 2025, 12:01:11 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 03, 2025, 02:07:02 pm
Post by: Geo on August 03, 2025, 02:30:45 pm
So yeah, basically I'm a witch.
Full Luna is a comin'!
Seriously though, that story sounds even worse then some hardcore cults would do.
Post by: Unorthodox on August 03, 2025, 05:38:57 pm
It's not uncommon to hear about sexual or other abuse at the hands of a bishop. Unfortunately the church appears more interested in protecting it's image that dealing with these things outright.
I've got questions I never understood enough to ask about the birthmark now.
I know it was weird as in an OMG what is that reaction to anyone's first time seeing it. And I know it started to CHANGE, so they removed it. I also know it was NOT cancer. What I don't know is what it actually was. It was growing FUR and lumps and shooting tendrils DOWN in.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 03, 2025, 06:26:35 pm
It is unchristian on a fundamental level to lay that old testament crap on an innocent.
It is also straight-up stupid to do that to a child and then point at the damage done as proof of the curse. Can I get an amen, hEt?
Post by: Unorthodox on August 03, 2025, 11:57:56 pm
See mom had episodes, and it was always the bad episodes the "I should have killed you" would come out.
I had also been stricken with a wtf is that disease. As in an it was on House wtf disease. I was one of the first reported cures of the particular complication. Henoch-schonlein purpura which attacked my heart. I think I'm the '85-'86ish published case study if you can find it. I looked it up once upon a time.
The Bishop claims it was not a murder me so much as to make sure they spill my blood when I die so I could go to heaven.
However, Mom always relayed it to me as shoulda murdered me, which means she was thinking it.
Though resent interactions reveal that may have just been a controlling narrative from mom too. She's a piece of work.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 04, 2025, 12:12:50 am
I guess I should point out that I have a mild case -mild compared to what you've described- of the same thing, and assure you that she's not having a good time...
Post by: hEtErOdOx on August 04, 2025, 03:58:17 am
hET? What's he suck at? There have to be some things...
Honestly, the only things I can think of that he isn’t great at is taking downtime for himself, and sleeping. He sucks at sleeping for sure.
Let’s say I’d do anything for hEt. For some time that included church.
Excommunication
Truth.
Post by: Unorthodox on August 04, 2025, 11:32:58 am
Post by: Unorthodox on August 04, 2025, 03:50:10 pm
The process here really started years ago with the coconut in the lawn, but we composted the lawn starting last July, and it had a tarp through the winter (water could get in). This here is just after hiring a farmer to come till it with his tractor and me marking out the plan.
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/IMG_7053.jpeg)
This is the things that were PLANNED. Catmint along the edges as a border I've been breeding for 3 years, splitting and making more. Here just after splitting and looking like hell.
The raven grass I've been breeding for 15 years, and it will serve as the main backdrop for Halloween, so more along the circle and feathered into the background to make a 'field' appearance. There's also ice plant that will work as a lawn alternative to fill in the gaps and I'll mix in other things under and between it as well go, but this was the budget this year plant wise. This is all once a week watering in the future.
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/IMG_7143.jpeg)
Thrown in to all the dirt in the unplanned space was every unused seed I had that I hadn't used over the years (pumpkins, poppies, beans, and sunflowers), a wildflower seed bag, and I let ALL the pumpkin volunteers have at it.
Here we are at more or less present with the stones. I'm off next week to finish/mostly finish.
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/IMG_7698.jpeg)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 04, 2025, 07:44:34 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 04, 2025, 08:19:43 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 04, 2025, 09:01:24 pm
I've alerted Mylochka. You'll recall from the ivy gate project -that I hardly did w/o her consent- that her landscaping tastes are not entirely conventional. You two will have plenty to discuss, she having done some things on similar lines here in America, especially in the back yard I've never pictured...
That pallet structure in the back is an attempt at a gourd arch. I'm happy to say I've produced a few gourds for the first time in like 10 attempts, but it's not filled in like I hoped with the 10 mini gourds I planted around it, only 4 are vining up it like I hoped.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 04, 2025, 09:37:27 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 04, 2025, 09:50:39 pm
(https://i.pinimg.com/474x/78/50/25/7850252befcafcef76012b408ad051f8.jpg)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 04, 2025, 09:52:16 pm
Post by: Geo on August 04, 2025, 10:31:31 pm
Post by: Trenacker on August 05, 2025, 02:37:58 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 05, 2025, 03:01:47 am
This is such a profound and fitting insight that it just clamped hEt to a table and - let us draw the curtain on this wholesome family scene of none-of-our-business, shall we?
Post by: Unorthodox on August 05, 2025, 12:11:09 pm
THAT is pretty teh awesome, at least at that angle for that week.
Well, I have plans for the timing issue. The idea is generally to let nature pick the structure and follow it up with my artificial vines I've been working on the last few years. These WILL be getting stolen and mass marketed, mark my words. I don't have a video of last year's upgrade posted, these are 2023.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/kJpsQwKsYUA?feature=share
Post by: Geo on August 05, 2025, 05:34:14 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 05, 2025, 06:11:42 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 05, 2025, 07:25:47 pm
Imagine that: whole manufacturing sites waiting for the latest UnO Idea release, ready to beat the competition to a pulp.
We have direct evidence of it on several occasions.
Giant skeleton fad during covid. I buy one to make a vine version with a heart in the chest. Following year they release a vines version with a light in the chest. The following year they sold heart add ons.
The vines SHOULD be economical enough to do.
Cerement is a good candidate as well for a ~$300 price point knockoff.
I just barely uploaded those two to more public areas. Give it 2 years.
Post by: Geo on August 05, 2025, 10:48:04 pm
Imagine that: whole manufacturing sites waiting for the latest UnO Idea release, ready to beat the competition to a pulp.
We have direct evidence of it on several occasions.
Giant skeleton fad during covid. I buy one to make a vine version with a heart in the chest. Following year they release a vines version with a light in the chest. The following year they sold heart add ons.
The vines SHOULD be economical enough to do.
Cerement is a good candidate as well for a ~$300 price point knockoff.
I just barely uploaded those two to more public areas. Give it 2 years.
Do you have any idea how popular (sales numbers wise, or profit wise) those ripoffs are with the general public?
I do kind of feel honored, posting with a trendsetter. ;nod
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 06, 2025, 06:12:18 pm
I wonder how the Baroness would work as a redhead?
Post by: Unorthodox on August 06, 2025, 10:22:00 pm
Do you have any idea how popular (sales numbers wise, or profit wise) those ripoffs are with the general public?
I do kind of feel honored, posting with a trendsetter. ;nod
Google albums appears to be reminding me why I went to self hosting so I can't post side by side pics.
Not hard numbers but years of availability kinda tell you that story.
Skulls on bamboo, Uno 2007, Spirit started selling in 2018-2022. Most their props are 2 years average so pretty good.
Father, 2014. Spirit "headless Jack" in 2021. Tekky mass sold to just about all the stores 2022 to present. Yes, I'm extremely confident I popularized the half a pumpkin head with guts hanging look on scarecrows.
Trevor cadaver tomb 2018. MULTIPLE bad attempts at copies. None are selling well. I think combo of bad design and high price. I would have bought the home depot one if it wasn't for like a 4' tall person, for instance.
Home Depot 10' skeleton mods:
Heart: Uno 2020 Home Depot 2022-present
Vines: Uno 2020 Home Depot 2021-present
Neither are breaking records but they keep offering so okish.
Cerement is RIPE for mass market...if someone works the kinks out. It was EXTREMELY frustrating and I'm not happy and had to walk away and rethink. I'll be getting back to it. It's "just" a skeleton wrapped in a thin diffusing material so internal lights show the bone shadows through. You could sell it as skin and light kits for any of the skeletons on the market. My struggles were twofold: Making it look good in the day, and getting the lighting to work right as I wanted the heartbeat motion.
Post by: Unorthodox on August 07, 2025, 12:14:12 am
Post by: Unorthodox on August 07, 2025, 12:16:12 am
Got an inspiration. With the background should resize and work anywhere as-is...
I wonder how the Baroness would work as a redhead?
you think i'm switching away from perfection?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 07, 2025, 12:23:36 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 07, 2025, 01:12:52 am
Post by: hEtErOdOx on August 07, 2025, 01:21:49 am
Uno as Bond villain.
This is such a profound and fitting insight that it just clamped hEt to a table and - let us draw the curtain on this wholesome family scene of none-of-our-business, shall we?
I’m not opposed to the visual.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 07, 2025, 01:50:59 am
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 09, 2025, 07:39:08 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 09, 2025, 09:17:58 pm
(https://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?action=dlattach;attach=22078;type=avatar) (https://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=1295.0;attach=24268)
Post by: Rusty Edge on August 10, 2025, 06:56:46 am
I colorized a Mesoamerican carving the other day...
I really like this.
I have been to Cozumel more times than I ever intended (4?). It happens because we make plans to go on a cruise, and the new people usually want to see the Western Carribean. Cozumel, Jamaica, The Caymans, etc. Then something happens and people change their mind about going or can't make the payments or get sick and they drop out. The awesome part about cruising is that it is basically traveling with your hotel room so that you can visit multiple destinations without packing and unpacking.
But the end result is that we keep going to been there, done that destinations. The excursion tour that includes the stingless bees( they look like flying ants, but they make honey and they bite like ants) has Mayan artists making jewelry and things like obsidian knives. The trouble is that as awesome as a carving of the rainbow god might appear, as a Christian I don't feel right about wearing a pagan deity around my neck, and I don't want to disrespect the culture of the artists who take it seriously. So I just admire the art while I'm there buying honey and propolis products. something about the unique style appeals to me.
Post by: Geo on August 10, 2025, 07:18:27 am
But the end result is that we keep going to been there, done that destinations. The excursion tour that includes the stingless bees( they look like flying ants, but they make honey and they bite like ants) has Mayan artists making jewelry and things like obsidian knives. The trouble is that as awesome as a carving of the rainbow god might appear, as a Christian I don't feel right about wearing a pagan deity around my neck, and I don't want to disrespect the culture of the artists who take it seriously. So I just admire the art while I'm there buying honey and propolis products. something about the unique style appeals to me.
Hey Rusty,
Long time no see. Glad to hear you're still enjoying life.
Regarding Mayan trinkets, it must be your inner pagan speaking. ;cute
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 10, 2025, 02:56:12 pm
Post by: Geo on August 10, 2025, 06:03:48 pm
...Side by side for comparison...
(https://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?action=dlattach;attach=22078;type=avatar)
Is that... an Scottish Hallowiener? ;cute
Post by: Rusty Edge on August 14, 2025, 06:00:55 am
Hey Rusty,
Long time no see. Glad to hear you're still enjoying life.
Regarding Mayan trinkets, it must be your inner pagan speaking. ;cute
I'm a little more indulgent on Celtic knotwork art/trinkets. Good to see you, too. I'll admit that the trip was worth it just for the Jamaican single malt rum that isn't available here.
Post by: Geo on August 14, 2025, 10:05:38 am
Hey Rusty,
Long time no see. Glad to hear you're still enjoying life.
Regarding Mayan trinkets, it must be your inner pagan speaking. ;cute
I'm a little more indulgent on Celtic knotwork art/trinkets. Good to see you, too. I'll admit that the trip was worth it just for the Jamaican single malt rum that isn't available here.
Ah... Celts... I as yet have still to visit their hearthlands on the West-European coast.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 15, 2025, 02:02:59 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 15, 2025, 03:07:15 pm
You can see the plan coming to unfold. The path is 90%. We still need to get the rails on, joint sand, and get the plate compactor to even them out a tad. The raven grass is a little sparse with the moving shock, but it will be a practical wall around "the circle' in future years.
I'd point out those pumpkins peaking out to the left. Those are 60-100 lb size. They're likely staying right there to be carved in place. That pumpkin foliage is above my knee and they're poking out over it.
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/IMG_7848.jpeg)
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/IMG_7846.jpeg)
The easement, my 4 oclocks have finally taken off. 3 years of fighting to get them established. Those pots have not been watered since the 4th of July. The yard, you can see the plan, if the weeds took advantage of my inability to go hoe for a month there, the plan is apparent. The ice plant is filling in nicely. Focus next hear will be on filling it's gaps in.
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/IMG_7849.jpeg)
The sunflower field has been fun, and I gotta look up what variety these were. Perfect height for what I wanted plus multiple heads. letting them go to seed here, but I want to expand the coverage.
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/IMG_7850.jpeg)
The transition from front to back paths is better than I had feared. We ended up extending the back out to meet the front at the corner. The boss counts 48 pumpkins of carvable size in the yard. I can guess at varieties for most of them, but there's a few mysteries.
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/IMG_7853.jpeg)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 15, 2025, 03:10:08 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 15, 2025, 03:11:05 pm
...Side by side for comparison...
(https://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?action=dlattach;attach=22078;type=avatar) (https://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=1295.0;attach=24268)
Or....
(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/IMG_7843.jpeg)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 15, 2025, 03:13:00 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 15, 2025, 03:15:42 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 15, 2025, 03:16:16 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 15, 2025, 03:20:19 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 15, 2025, 03:28:03 pm
The neighbors must love you more than ever, I bet.
The across the street guys made some snide comments when I started. People have been stopping and rolling down windows to tell me how much they like it, however. The neighborhood in general has at least a dozen yards moving to the xeriscaping. Mines one of a handful attempting an actual garden instead of rock, and of those...Not to be boastful, but mine is easily the most thought-out. Not yet the most complete, but the difference between years of planning and either googling or trusting the nursery for what will do well is apparent in plant selection. Then, accounting for sizes, and planning for negative space are not exactly things people keep top of mind, especially if you've never done it.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 15, 2025, 03:35:53 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 15, 2025, 03:46:02 pm
The pumpkins and gourd arch are not going to be a permanent thing. straight up, I just didn't have the budget to plant the entire space. When the wildflower seeds I had sown and was planning for all that space didn't germinate, I let the volunteer pumpkins grow and tossed out the years old seeds I had in the cupboard specifically to act as ground cover this year.
The sides near the arch were planned to be burning bushes, which get 8' here. I killed the ones I tried to move, and they store ones come so root bound they die off after a year or two. ( I'm seeing that with a LOT of nursery plants lately) I was going to shape them into a good entrance, and the bright red leaves for Halloween would have been marvelous. I'll come up with a plan B eventually.
The other failed plan was my butterfly bushes meant to go along the fence and form a living fence. They did not transplant well this time after splitting and transplanting fine the first. One may have survived. Plan B there is actually ROSES. The neighbors have a climing rose on the fence. I'm going to take cuttings and try to propogate next spring.
Most the rest where the pumpkins are will be getting the iceplant. Again, negative space. This gives me room for props on halloween.
I am planning to plant Tulips and grape hiacinth (spelling) under the ice plant as bulbs can go under it and grow up through, so we'll have fields of flowers in the spring that die off to reveal the ice plant mat/lawn under. The final form is years down the road.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 16, 2025, 01:30:09 pm
(https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/sVtrkmIPRmZQ7vTZFqG56g--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTI0MDA7aD0xMzUwO2NmPXdlYnA-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/live_science_953/2e2229a388c06bf08b6f8ddbad6e5b9c)
Reconstructions of the skulls of several human relatives (S. tchadensis, A. afarensis, H. ergaster and Neanderthal) show cranial variation over time. | Credit: Jose A. Bernat Bacete via Getty Images
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 16, 2025, 02:49:45 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 16, 2025, 02:55:28 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 16, 2025, 03:34:08 pm
Post by: Geo on August 16, 2025, 03:36:05 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 16, 2025, 03:38:58 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 16, 2025, 04:30:17 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 16, 2025, 04:33:27 pm
Post by: Metaliturtle on August 16, 2025, 04:40:26 pm
A little different proportions.
Is this how the Mormon Soak works?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 16, 2025, 04:48:37 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 16, 2025, 08:05:18 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 16, 2025, 08:08:49 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 18, 2025, 12:00:20 am
Post by: Unorthodox on August 23, 2025, 05:50:00 am
You know it’s bad when the person SUPPOSED to be the expert asks you to explain where to even look up the manual. And that was for a job I’m not even supposed to be doing anymore. I mean I was happy to leave because of this kind of buffoonery, but it follows me.
My present job sucked too, as it is want to do at times, but generally less absolute brazen ineptitude and more just the general moronic actions I’ve decided are endemic to the general public.
Post by: Unorthodox on August 27, 2025, 08:25:56 pm
I need to post pics of my easement. It was extremely difficult to get the plants there established but they are exploding this year. They are the backup plan for ground cover in case the iceplant doesn't work. But, I last watered them July 4. In fact, too much water will kill them. Which is becoming true of a lot of my plantings, and causing a problem with overspray from the neighbor. I've got to build a living screen across the fence.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 27, 2025, 11:53:59 pm
Wait - shadows for dimensionality. ;nod(https://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=1295.0;attach=24296)?
Post by: Unorthodox on August 28, 2025, 09:50:52 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 28, 2025, 09:51:44 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 28, 2025, 09:56:02 pm
winter theme might look awful...
Post by: Unorthodox on August 28, 2025, 09:58:36 pm
Post by: Unorthodox on August 28, 2025, 10:01:43 pm
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 29, 2025, 01:58:54 am
Post by: Unorthodox on August 29, 2025, 02:27:00 am