THIS IS SPLATTERHOOOOOUSE!!

Now THIS is a remake I can get behind. It has blood. It has violence. It has nudity and tons of gore. It has GRATUITOUS blood and violence. It has Lovecraftian story lines. And did I mention the BLOOD?! Seriously, the brain trusts at Namco must be really ballsy and/or really angry with Hillary Clinton. They have succeeded in making a game that has everything she detests and opposes about video games. Everything we LOVE.

According to some, 8-bit will never die and the original side scroller released in 1988 was none too shabby as games of the time went. Your main character wore a very Jason-esque mask and liked to brutally kill things with both weapons and bare hands. In aspects like shear brutality and amount of gore, the 2010 remake stayed fairly true to the original. Throughout the game, you are able to find various weapons with which to pummel your enemies to their bloody demise, including the use of your own arm as a "fleshy weapon".

As you slaughter your enemies, blood coats the walls, the floor, Rick and even the screen as you kill your way through the West Mansion and other exceedingly creepy maps. One of the more interesting details was the shiny often reflective nature to the blood and the physics (and sounds) of sliding across it as you run. But, really, it wouldn't be "Splatterhouse" without copious amounts of grue and gore.

Speaking of visual enhancements, the "Terror Mask" no longer reminds me of a machete wielding psychopath running around a deserted summer camp. Designers found a new mask design that says "Hi, I am demon possessed and like long walks on the beach, beating things to death, and using blood to heal myself".

Game play has found new depths of depravity, as well. Deaths are not restricted to the standard blunt force trauma, stabbing or shooting variety. Oh no. The special kills achieved through mini games were....disturbing and gross. And they didn't get any less gross no matter how many times you saw them. -SHUDDER- Some things should never be seen outside a body.

The greatest advancement to the 2010 rendition of Splatterhouse was the story. What was once fairly loose and vague, is now a very rich and inspired tapestry. You learn more about Dr. West (and if you have ever met Herbert, you know that whole family is seriously jacked), what he was up to in that big scary house of his, and the town of Arkham as seen through the veil of Lovecraftian Mythos. Rick isn't just a parapsychology student, he is a Miskatonic University student. And Dr. West likes having students from Miskatonic visit. Jenny is still the girlfriend and the entire driving force behind the game, but she apparently likes to carry around half nude pictures of herself at all times. -SHRUG- Even the most passing fan of H.P. Lovecraft will find a lot to appreciate in the story of the new Splatterhouse.

My personal favorite revamping of this entire thing is the MASK! Once upon a time, the voice of an over inflated tutorial mode. Now, a filthy mouthed, provoking, and invasive presence through the entire game. The Terror Mask is voiced by Jim Cummings which makes it all the more surreal and hilarious. If you aren't privy, Jim Cummings was the voice of Winney the Pooh, Tigger and dozens of other childrens' cartoon personalities. So, hearing language that would make an angry drunken sailor blush with shame and KNOWING that it is Winney the Pooh kept me giggling the whole time.

Stay with me here.

Winney the Pooh telling you to rip a demon's head off and "squeeze out the jelly"?! Come on!! But more than all that, the mask is integral to the story as it unfolds and learning about what is happening to you throughout the game. No more sitting on the sidelines for the Mayan Terror Mask this time around!

Now, as much as we enjoyed this game, and we enjoyed it A LOT, we can't really suggest BUYING it. Not at full price at least. It took us about 18 hours to really wrap it up and that was with the two to three hours of arena endurance challenges for bonuses. There are collections for the OCD minded (phonographs and picture pieces) but these are easily achieved through a standard run of game play. It is 100% worth playing, but save some money, rent it on a Friday, and spend a free weekend grossing yourself out with it. You can get the full effect of the game that way without spending an excess of money.

Strip: Duck Duck....Goose?

Etsy of the Week: Rustic Goth

Rustic Goth is this week's Etsy shop. This wonderful little shop is home to "Whimsical Dark Art Paintings, Prints and Wearable Art".   This charming little shop can also be followed on their Facebook page. This shop owner is also a member of the Etsy Dark Side Team which and the EBSQ-Etsy Street Team. Such an active member of the creative community more than deserves to be showcased and, as a lover of her artwork, I am pleased to be in a position to do just that!

A word from the shop owner says it best: "These are the creations and characters that have helped me get through the darkest time in my life, losing my husband and best friend in the whole world. Thus many of my 'melancholy girls' are usually dressed in black and my 'creepers' often have their 'hearts' on their sleeves or in their hands. Creating art is what I do...it is how I live... how I connect with the world that exists outside of my studio...how I connect with my own feelings. It is my hope that each work of art that I create, invoke a reaction, of some kind, in the viewer....and a special connection with it's owner."

Now, the description of paintings and prints is far from all encompassing when it comes to what the shop has to offer. Aside from beautiful paintings and prints, Rustic Goth offers bookmarks, art covers, mini prints, wearable art in the form of pendants and bracelets, calendars and Christmas ornaments.

In the spirit of the season, Rustic Goth will be having a Black Friday through Cyber Monday sale! Go over and have a look around! You never know what you find. Share the page with your friends, too. Let's keep spreading the joy that is independent artists and artisans.

Strip: Survival of the Fittest

Thanksgiving Traveling Trials and Tribulations

The Thanksgiving holiday is upon us. Some people will be off work/school tomorrow. Some Thursday through the weekend. Some might even be off all week. A lot of people are packing and preparing for trips across the state or across the country despite the cost or the chance of the unsolicited advances of TSA officers. For the Nerdy Goth household, this means that the children are already visiting the grandparents and we (HM and myself) will be driving down tomorrow to join them. It is a 4 and a half hour drive over the river and through the woods (literally) to my parents' home.

Now everyone has their travel game plan that they employ when going out of town. And each game plan has modifications ready to go depending on the circumstances of the trip; destination, length of stay, time of year, etc. etc. Not wanting to spend several days away from home unprepared, I have spent the last few days thinking of what to pack. And, I mean, I have lost sleep trying to cover all my bases. When I pack for any trip more than a night, I don't just plan clothes and toiletries either. I have OCD and like to be prepared for all possibilities.

Certain questions have to be answered before packing can really commence, too. How nice do I want to dress for the actual Turkey Gathering? How cold is it going to be in the newly refurbished camper the parental units set up for us? Are we going to leave the house for any reasons or just stay home the whole time? For example, on this particulare trip we may or may not go out with my sister for drinks one night. THAT means at least one outfit has to be planned that will work at a redneck bar as opposed to everyday gear. Gotta remember to take my own pillow. THAT is essential! The pillow in a foreign bed is NEVER as good as your own. Hanging out at Mom's might get dull so we are going to toss the Xbox in the suitcase (BIG suitcase). Since work never really cease, I have to make sure all inked sketches are scanned into the computer and ready to be put together in final form. And since we are talking about electronics, must make sure to remember all the necessary cords and cables to make sure things stay charged and operational. The list really does go on and on.

As you can tell, traveling with me is very much akin to packing up a circus. Traveling with me AND the midgets is about 20 times worse! That being said, we won't be unprepared or bored while we are away from the safety and security of our domicile. The food is sure to be tasty and fulling. There are the visits with friends to look forward to, as well. Overall, regardless of what might or might not get forgotten, it promises to be a great holiday weekend. The strip will still go up tomorrow so be on the look out for it!

Now I am curious. How do YOU plan on spending the holidays? And what is your take on the choice between being with loved ones and staying home to avoid the cost of traveling? Well, however you decide to celebrate Thanksgiving, remember to be safe, be thankful, and we here at Nerdy Goth Says What? hope you all have a great holiday weekend!

Happiness is a Successful Assassination PART 2

As promised, an addendum to my previous post about ACB now that we have finished the game.  I will do my very best not to accidentally let any spoilers slip.  Aside from what we previously talked about, there were even MORE fantastic additions to the game play. Now, think back to the trailers.  The trailers for this game left you with the impression that you will have more assassins to have your back at some point during the game.  One of the most fun additions to the game is the challenge of rebuilding the brotherhood of assassins (thus the name). You recruit them, send them out on missions throughout Europe, and level them up to the final height of Assassino.  Then they perform their very own "Leap of Faith" and become full fledged members of the brotherhood.  Throughout their training and after, Ezio is able to call upon his recruits for assistance if things get too heavy or if anonymity is essential. 

This new addition is not only tied to the console game, by the way.  Remember I mentioned Ubisoft's new doodad of uPlay?  Well, you can attach your Facebook page to your uPlay account and level your recruits through a Facebook application!  Power leveling takes a whole new spin with this application. 

Another value enhancing aspect of this new game is the "full synchronization" challenges.  Every memory sequence has a little challenge that will allow you to get 100% synchronization; including timed challenges and detection challenges. If you are the perfectionist type, the ability to go back and replay a certain memory in order to finally put down the game knowing that you got 100% synchronization on all your memories adds even more value to purchasing this game. 

Take all these new aspects that Ubisoft has added to an already successful game franchise and what you get is a game that is more than worth paying the money to purchase rather than rent it.  It has taken us nearly a week of long game play days to finish the game and we did that without 100% synchronization.  The online multi player mode, the animus training challenges, the collection challenges, and the full sync challenges make the replay value and purchase value well worth the cost.

Strip: Fable 3: Art Imitates Life

Game Review: Fable 3

We recently tried our hand at the new Fable 3. There are several things that were added or improved to make this new game not necessarily BETTER than its predecessors. The visual aspect of this new game was satisfying and the game creators have progressed Albion in time and consequently Albion has hit an Industrial Revolution. This means there were some significant additions to the game play factor, including a broader use of guns and fast travel. Another new aspect would be the change from being a silent main character to one that interacts freely with the NPCs. One amusing aside that was added to the game was the collection challenge of finding evil mouthy garden gnomes and "returning" them to their rightful place; by which I mean shooting the trash talking ceramic bastards in the face.

Ahem...sorry...Moving on.

In this new edition of fable, you are attempting to overthrow your brother, the D-bag king, and take his place on the thrown. This time around, creators have added the ability to travel into the broarder world beyond Albion's shores. As you play, you will be visiting what is essentially the Middle East. Here, you will face the possible future of Albion as Aurora has already been destroyed by the same evil that now threatens Albion.

The morality system we have become accustomed to in the Fable games has changed slightly in the way it manifests, but is still present and an integral part of how the game progresses.
As the future ruler of Albion, the decisions you make effect a much wider swath of people. Beyond that, the decisions you make regarding the kingdom once you HAVE taken the thrown will determine how the game will ultimately end for you and the kingdom of Albion. So, there are many more repercussions to the things that you decide to do or don't do.

The major flaw that stems from the additions and improvements would be the dramtically shortened length of game play. One thing we have come to expect from Fable games is a fairly lengthy amount of time devoted to the character and story. The quality of character and story in the newest edition is not in question here. Now, the story presented is a very rich and compelling one regardless of which way you choose to swing your moral compass. Sadly though, the length of game play was only about 36 hours. Now this isn't too shabby compared to other recent disappointments *cough cough forceunleashed2 cough cough* but it is a fairly dramatic loss of game time compared to the earlier two games and makes the question of paying $60 for it a rather important one. While we generally pray for games that take at least 30 hours to complete, we have come to expect more from the Fable franchise. Three days is plenty of time to rent it and enjoy it in its totality.

Etsy of the Week: Pocket Full of Posiez

 There are a lot of wonderful artist out there that use Etsy to showcase and sell their wares. Alas, this means that there are also a LOT of things on Etsy that I swoon over and cannot afford right now. This weekly blog post is dedicated to those artists that I have taken a fancy to despite an inability to purchase anything from them just yet.

This week is all about Queenie's Deadly Cute Pocket Full of Posiez! Based out of En Cino, California, Queenie's shop is full of decorative doodads including pins, purses, jewelry, decals, paintings, and MORE. All the items in her shop are original artwork and many of those items are decorated with the creepy but delightfully charming characters Queenie has created.


One of her many talents is that of a doll maker and Queenie has had her dolls featured in the February 2010 issue of DOLLS MAGAZINE and in an issue of Gothic Beauty Magazine as well. Her characters are whimsical Gothic doll girls ranging in personality from Panzy the Pirate to Frankendolly and even a Robotic version of one of her girls for those with a more Steampunk or Sci-fi inclination. Among all the adorably creepy characters you can find in her shop, my personal favorite is Delphinia (pictured in the painting to the right).

Right now in the shop you will have the pleasure of seeing the line of Holiday items available. There is a wide selection of ornaments and pins to celebrate the holidays in true Posiez style! I have a distinct love for the Ginger Bread Man pins and the Skull with Candy Cane crossbones pin. There are ornaments featuring each of the Posiez characters to decorate your tree with as well.

I think one of my favorite sections of the shop is the "Design Your Own Tote" section. Here, a customer can select the type of fabric and the cameo picture they want their tote to be made from. One day, I will be the proud owner of a Delhpinia tote. Until that day, I will continue to window shop and rack up the "Wish List". For the rest of you out there reading this, please go by. Have a look and find the little darling that makes you go "Awwww!" I am quite sure that there is one in there for everyone!

Strip: A cure?

Happiness is a Successful Assassination

As a history buff, the factual representations of locations in the Assassin's Creed games has always been a point of joy for me. Seeing Renaissance Italy recreated is pleasing to the eye. The ability to wander the streets (and rooftops) of places like Rome and Venice is nearly as good as visiting them in person for someone who likely will never be able to. The vastness of Rome and its architecture required that some minor statuary and things to be cut for the sole reason of memory restrictions on the game. Aside from this, the attention to detail is much appreciated for those buildings and landmarks included (of which there are MANY). Being able to walk into the Pantheon as it looked in the early 16th century is stunning. The visual component of the Assassin's Creed games has never been a let down and continues to impress.

The same historical value applies to the characters of this franchise. The fictional characters in these games are intertwined with real historical figures such as the Borgias and Da Vinci to name only a few. Ezio Auditore and his family are constructed in such a way as to blend in seamlessly with their real historical counterparts. There was extensive research done by the script writer, Corey May, with the assistance of a Renaissance scholar and author to make sure that historical accuracy was maintained as well as possible. Historical events ,such as the Pazzi Conspiracy depicted in the second game, are a standard of excellence by which the third game is already meeting. Even the historical quality of the language spoken in the game was addressed by creators. All this attention to detail has presented a beautiful and compelling game.

After the recent disappointment in Force Unleashed 2, it is a relief to be playing a sequel that holds up to the game play of its predecessors. While the game still has the collection missions, the addition of the "animus virtual training" modules adds much to value of purchasing the game. These modules allow the player to practice combat for in game use AND achieve ranks and earn uPlay points. That being said, renting this game for a week is fun, but buying it will allow you to complete all the little things AND you will still have the challenge of bettering your own scores in the "animus virtual training".

Another new aspect that raises the value of purchasing vs. renting Assassin's Creed Brotherhood is the new online multi player mode. It is set up as an 8 player free for all where the goal is to eliminate the other players and any Templar Knights that have the ill fortune to cross your path. It adds a level of difficulty that you will not find in the standard game play and, with the ever changing levels of ability you might encounter, it maintains a freshness to it. Also, there are four different TYPES of online multi player. One more bonus to the online game play is that you are not restricted to appearing as Ezio. There are around a dozen avatars to choose from including female assassins. I can't say more about the "why" of online multi player without revealing some potential spoilers. Suffice to say, no one is safe and friends are non existent in this online mode.

Since we have only been playing for about 8 hours total, this is only our initial assessment of the game. However, so far this new installment has done nothing but impress with its continuity, quality, and extensiveness. I will be sure to post an addendum once we have actually finished the game.

Strip: ZOMBIES! Wait....nevermind.

Ninja Monkey Powers Activate!

This gray dreary Saturday morning began with the affirmation that I did, in fact, give birth to a ninja monkey. The younger child managed to sneak downstairs and help himself to apple sauce, chocolate from HM's desk, and toys from last night's birthday party. There seems to also have been an investigation of the mechanical pencils on HM's desk as well. We haven't yet discovered what else, if anything, the ninja monkey has appropriated as his own. Or what traps may have been set in super secret ninja monkey style (my keys were left on a dish a la Raiders of the Lost Ark pressure plate).

This situation begs the question, which is the better method of protecting oneself and one's child once they are mobile and moderately independent? Do you attempt to keep every and all manner of things hidden away from them and HOPE that they don't merely search deeper for whatever it is they want? Or do you employ the use of tools like a Baby Gate, drawer locks, door latches on cabinets, and so on and so on. We want our children safe AND we want our personal spaces respected. But, do safety precautions invite greater curiosity and, in turn, promote more elaborate attempts at discovery?

Well, we have used, and apparently will be using once again, a baby gate on the weekends in order to maintain a controlled environment.  Saturday and Sunday being the two days of the week where we can "sleep in".  For us, "sleeping in" consisting of sleeping until 7AM or maybe even 7:30 AM as opposed to 6AM.  "Sleeping in" is a foreign concept to our children as they are still young enough to think school is cool and exciting rather than a pain in the rear and dull as dirt.  We do not have to fight our monkeys to get up and get ready for school as they are generally up around the time my alarm goes off.  Sometimes they are kindly enough to BE my alarm by leaving the bathroom light on. 

One day, they will figure out that the baby gate we employ is only precariously latched and if they lift it slightly it will disengage. Hopefully, by the time that day arrives, we will have honed our anti ninja monkey senses to a fine point and will be able to defend ourselves against their ninja monkey skills. Or they will have enough sense to ASK before raiding someone's desk and their own freakin' candy to hide/horde/eat. Either way, we will all have to ban together to thwart the true evil mastermind of the house. Lexi the Cat.

Have a great weekend and check tomorrow for a new strip! I am off to enjoy my coffee and start practicing my anti ninja moves.

Etsy of the Week: Captain Benjamina's Savlage Emporium

This week's Etsy of the Week is Captain Benjamina's Salvage Emporium! Specializing in "Handcrafted Jewelry • Unique Accessories • Steampunk Munitions Salvage & Curiosities Galore", Captain Benjamina's is manned by Arkansas residents, Stephanie Weston, Master Gunnery Sgt. and Katrina Herbert, Master Supply Sgt. These two singular women are responsible for the many fantastic accessories, guns, and odds and ends that are displayed on the Etsy page. Below is one of the many beautiful pieces of hand crafted jewelry available from the Salvage Emporium.

Aside from the hand crafted and originally designed jewelry, the shop also offers the finest in handcrafted Steampunk munitions (i.e. ray guns). These are the ideal weapons for the discerning Air Pirate or Neo Victorian Rapscallion. What better way to gain the advantage over one's enemies or save the damsel in distress?

Some of the Emporium's most popular items are the goggles. Only one pair of goggles are currently on display in the Shop; a pair of Cyber Punk goggles shown below. This current lack of displayed items is because their goggles are highly sought after and each pair is individually crafted. It would be unfair to potential customers to keep out of stock items on display and these ladies are paragons of business virtue.

Last but certainly not LEAST on the list of things available at the Emporium are the aforementioned "odds and ends". There are purses, picture frames, jewelry boxes, and more available from Captain Benjamina's. Each of these, like every thing else sold in the shop, is handcrafted and one of a kind. Pictured below is a Neo Victorian picture frame.

Whether you possess either a passing inclination or a deeply held love of all things Steampunk, this shop has something for everyone. The jewelry is of exquisite quality and would be a stunning addition to any jewelry box. As a side note, the creative minds and hands of the Emporium are open to and available for custom work. They were the source of the custom jewelry I received as a college graduation gift; a necklace, bracelet, and earrings set. They can be found and fanned at their Facebook Page as well. I hope that you will find something whimsical and elegant to take home with you from the shelves of Captain Benjamina's Salvage Emporium!

Strip: Facepalm!

Weird Weather?

Quite some time ago I gave up watching news shows; local or otherwise. I stopped reading newspapers (unless it was the classifieds or the funnies). I just couldn't handle the overwhelming negativity that came off the pages or screen. Murder and robbery and destruction and human atrocities that served no other purpose but to depress me. I understood that it meant living under a proverbial rock. I was okay with that.

Over the last year or so I found a new means of connecting with the wider world. The Weather Channel was my constant companion in my last year of college. I had opted to finish up via online classes and thusly spent all day at home plugged into my computer or text books. I didn't want to sit in silence or become distracted by something too entertaining. My options became limited and I found the weather channel. Chatty and informative, but no engrossing storyline to draw the mind away from important tasks at hand.

It started innocently enough. Turn it on in the morning to find out what I needed to wear or dress the children in. Very quickly, this evolved into leaving the television on that channel for the entirety of the morning. I realized through a bit of osmosis that there were actual news stories being aired on the station. Things about the president or business news or some interesting current affairs stuff as well as feel good stories from around the world. THIS was news I could handle. THIS was news that didn't make me want to cut myself or something equally as Emo.

So, now it is the only channel that I get my news from.

Aside from the news, I do, in fact, keep a close eye on the weather. It has become a wee bit of an obsession thanks to more than a year of faithful watching. And that brings me back to what I intended to write about this morning. It IS November isn't it? I didn't miss a memo somewhere? So, why is it going to be 70 degrees today? Should I not be wearing a jacket everyday by now? Maybe....maybe even my winter coat?! Seems that Mother Nature is having some sort of menopausal warm snap. Unfortunately, it is reeking habit on the health of my entire household. Allergies are flaring and kleenexes are flying like confetti. Fall needs to get its act together because Winter is waiting in the wings. None too patiently either. We already have snow spattering around various parts of the country!

So, where do you get your news from? Is it depressing to anyone else? And what is the weather like wherever you are on the brink of Thanksgiving?

AMC's The Walking Dead Renewed for Second Season!!

As a HUGE fan of the comics and graphic novels that this show is based on, I am thrilled to see this! So far the creators have done great justice to the fantastic work of Robert Kirkman and Tony Moore. Here is a brief note for those that might not be aware of the content. "The Walking Dead" is based in a world where the dreaded zombie apocalypse has come to pass. Instead of recounting the harrowing events just after the outbreak or things like that, this set of books follows the lives of the survivors months after the out break. How do you begin to rebuild/survive/LIVE in this new world? Everyday things are still being addressed. Relationships are built, children are born and still need to be raised, and "home" is still where the heart is. The show is now striving to deliver 2D imagery to a television format and so far so good!

Congrats to the show for a grand beginning and here's to more seasons to come!!

Twice as Nice; Half as Worth It

This review will be much like the game.  Eloquent, but brief…very very brief.  The Force Unleashed 2 was a very pretty piece of fan service with emphasis on the “very pretty”. Starkiller returned in The Force Unleashed 2 to continue being a huge pain in Vader’s backside. The mysterious Starkiller is granted some very nice pumped up Force powers and wields two, count ‘em TWO, lightsabers. Of all the new tricks her learned, watching a Storm Trooper turn on his comrades is one of the funniest. The graphics were just as lovely, if not more so, than the first game (a hard trick to manage). And the continuation on storyline was smooth as glass. For all these strong pros, there is the one serious con to the game. It was extremely short in the terms of game play. We played and finished the game in just under five hours from the time it was rented. From a game that was hyped so much by the creators, we expected something with a little more meat on its bones. Five hours of game play simply does not justify a purchasing price tag of nearly $60. For such a short amount of game play, one thinks DLC available on Xbox Live for maybe $15. Our advice to potential players is to split the cost of renting this game with a friend. You play it one day and let them play it the second day.  Who knows, you might even get an early return bonus if you do it just right.

Strip: Baby Bat

New and Improved...mostly just new

Last night I started sketching out some doodles. Those doodles grew into a full fledged creative idea. Kind of lofty for me, but I still want to try my hand. So, I spent a chunk of last night and most of today drawing out the main characters for a comic strip for the blog. I tinkered around with the editor on my computer and finally saw the fruits of my labors brought to life on the screen. Now this is just an Introduction of sorts but I already have material in mind for the strip itself.

So without further ado!

Snakes and snails and puppy dog tails....

Boys....they are dirty and rowdy and rambunctious.

Well....I know MINE are at the very least! I have never figured out HOW IN THE WORLD Niko comes home so frickin' filthy every day from kindergarten or how Aaron can get food into some of the farther quadrants of his face. I only know that they somehow do. And I wouldn't have them any other way.

We were in Dallas, TX, having some special tests run and I remember shedding a few tears that day. There, in Baylor University Medical Center, we found out that Aaron (my younger son) was going to be a boy rather than a girl. Since I already had a boy and I knew that Aaron would be my last child, I had kind of wanted a girl to round out the set, so to speak. So yes, I got a little misty eyed.

Then, I remembered some key points.

1) BABY girls turn into TEENAGE girls.

2) I have SEVEN nephews and two nieces....I was in no way prepared for a daughter.

3) If it is true that you get back 3x as bad as you gave, well then I was BONED if I had a daughter!

I am not too proud to admit that I was, in fact, a tiny little terror as a child...and as a preteen....and a good chunk of my teens. Admitting ones shortcomings is important to personal progress. Besides, I have already apologized on more than one occasion to my my mother. Several several times.

That being said, there are some distinct advantages to having boy children. From the Nerdy Goth perspective that is. When the Zombie Apocalypse finally comes to pass, they are less likely to be "defenseless" and are already being groomed to carry their own bug out bags.

Boy children are far more likely to do yard work for (or without) incentive as they get older. They spend less time, in general, getting groomed for the day. Their toys are cooler. I can share my video games and comics with them. And its highly unlikely they will ever be raiding my closet and stealing my clothes or shoes. Their Cosplay options won't ever come off as slutty and I don't have to worry as much about unhealthy stalkers at cons.

My favorite part about having boy children is that I can pick them up and toss them around like sacks of potatoes. There comes a point when you can't really do that with most girls so much....if ever depending on the girl child. Not boys. Boys are always down to play in the dirt and rough house. My chore now is to get the little one to stop crying every time he takes a bump just to get his brother in trouble! *shakes head*

So, yeah, as a nerdy tomboy goth, I will take being mom to two boys over girls any day. I have plenty of "nieces" that I can get my "girly fixes" on should I require them!

Belated Halloween Tidings

The mother-in-law just called and began grilling poor HM about his profile pic on FB.(SEEN TO THE RIGHT)  He went dressed as Ellis from Left 4 Dead 2 this Halloween and asked me to do his makeup.  Now, as a "badass zombie killing machine" Ellis take a lot of hits. The makeup was done from a High Res Rendered pic of the character. Well, seems that they have been calling the last few days (and we have always been in the middle of something and not been able to answer) because the makeup was just a little TOO GOOD. Mom thought that HM had picked a fight or gotten in the middle of something and promptly been beat the FRAK up. I am going to call this a makeup WIN. /FLEX

Patchwork Person

I was recently reminded of an off the cuff insult aimed at me by HM's ex. She had called me a "Scene Girl" because I like a lot of different things at the same time. I was amused and confused more than I was offended but it made me think.

So, I used the vast powers of the internet and looked it up. According to the Urban Dictionary, "a 'scene kid' is a person who conforms to the current trends promoted by the punk/goth/emo/hardcore music genres in order to appear cool". A "Scene Girl", huh? Because I have a wide spectrum of interests? Because I like Goth and Steampunk and Ska and Metal and a LOT of other things? Alright...



Yes, I call myself a Goth. Deep in my heart I love the dark and creepy and spooky. But that doesn't mean it is all that I am. I have made my home a mix between Halloween every day and Alice in Wonderland. There are skulls and a dragon (holding a red devil duckie) and a Lament Configuration (with Captain America standing on it)on my mantle. There is a Japanese sword standing next to my television. On the wall, there is a poster sized print of a mausoleum I shot above the T-Rex I built for my boys. Eclectic at the very least.

I never considered that my varied interests would or could be found offensive to someone who considered themselves part of a certain subculture. I consider myself a Goth Girl and have since my early teenage years. I can't find it in me to be offended by the "normal" person who decides they want to dress up and come to an event. On the same turn, I can't afford to dress in full on Goth gear every day of the year because there are still many stigmas against the culture and I do have a family to support. Does that make me any less Goth? No. I like to think it makes me a reasonable and well balanced adult.

It seems to me that calling someone a "scene kid" because they have a wide array of interests is akin to belittling a college athlete's devotion to their team because they also have a high GPA. Raised in an era bent on demolishing the abhorrent practice of racism and sexism and bigotry in general, any kind of hate fueled judgmental behavior is truly sad.

There are a lot of things that make up who I am as a person. My experiences, my likes, my dislikes, my observations, etc. etc. The same is true for everyone. It is unfair to lump any person into a static box with a label on it and say "THIS is what you have to be from now on." As a parent, I try to raise my children to not look at skin color or clothes, to not allow anyone to limit their dreams, and to encourage them to be themselves while also being respectful to one another and others. I HOPE that my boys will fall into this person's category of "scene kid". Especially if it means that they have pursued every avenue of interest and led completely fulfilling lives. I hope they will not allow the limited views of others to limit their lives through fear or intimidation.

I HOPE they can be a Patchwork Person. Full of color and life and stories. Lessons and adventures and knowledge. Hope for the future makes any false starts along the way worth the trip.

Etsy of the Week: Custom Cranium

Custom Cranium is the Etsy store of my beautiful friend, Darien, and home to her adorable stuffed animal line known as Snuff Stuffies. Now, as blog title suggests, I am both a nerd AND a Goth. So, Darien's creative creations using animal bones and stuffed animals speak volumes to the little girl goth skipping around inside me. Located in Oklahoma, Darien is a frequent vendor at various conventions and events. She gets her organic materials from donations, in the wild, and from the euthanized remains of forgotten shelter animals. Animals that had no forever home in their living days are able to find one through Darien's heartfelt creations. Every Snuff Stuffie has its own story and personality making them even more lovable and endearing. Below is a picture of Morridwyn,a messenger/hip/side bag, with a fully adjustable strap. According to her creator, "Morridwyn is very protective of your belongings and will guard them diligently. She also expands to three times her empty size, there's plenty of room in her pouch."



A Note from the creator: "ALL of my products are made artfully and carefully. The stuffed animals are dry-cleaned before use, and untagged/unknown stuffing is replaced with hypoallergenic stuffing. Everything remade is hand-stitched with nylon ripstop military-grade thread, and the skulls are anchored on the body by stitches before they are finally bonded to the bodies. There are no glue lines or sloppy seams. These are meant to last."

Snuff Stuffies aren't the only beautiful things that Darien makes and sells through her shop and vendor tables. She recently started a line of "Murder Weapon" jewelery. These pieces are all hand forged from sterling silver with bone handles. Tiny little blades available in a style of your choosing with many many styles to choose from.



Not currently displayed in the Etsy store are some of Darien's other creative endeavors. I personally own several handcrafted silver and stone jewelry pieces. She also crafts miniature coffins for storage and pin cushions as well as other handcrafted creations available at her vendor table. You can follow her on Facebook at Custom Cranium which also has a link to the Etsy store.

I hope everyone with a sense of humor and a love of whimsy will go visit Custom Cranium and show support for a wonderfully talented individual!

Oh I hope this works!

Techie Test Run

Just gonna do a quick test run of this mobile blogging business. Its times like these that I really wish I had an iPhone or an Android. Aside from having to do this the rudimentary way, I can't seem to get my phone and my blog synced up so no mobile picture posting for me.

I hope to figure out some url via facebook or email magic in order to make it somewhat mobile functioning as far as pics are concerned. See the thing is most nerdy stuff is seen and/or experienced on the fly. With the wonderful exception of HM's play by plays during video games....like now as he pleads with Gabriel Belmont not to taunt the big nasty monster. LMAO

Anyway, I plan on playing with this somd more and seeing what spiffy stuff I can make it do. At least my current phone supports the page and has a QWERTY setup. As a tech dork, I don't think I could ever go back! Wish me luck.

Castlevania: Lords of Shadow

*HM found the old Castlevania music and it is playing in the background as I type*

We all remember Alucard, the most transparent pseudonym EVER. We all remember the creepy music. The map that slowly but surely revealed itself with every newly discovered inch of territory. Those were things of beauty from a bygone era. With that in mind, don’t go walking into this thinking that it is just a new installment of the old series. It isn’t. It is hugely different from the 2D, side scrolling, maze-like house you are accustomed to wandering through. Whereas combat used to be almost optional, it is now essential. Puzzles that mostly consisted of figuring out how to get into and out of rooms are replaced by more complicated brain teasers.

Let me start out by saying this about the graphics on this newest incarnation of a classic video game: OMGWTFPHENOMENAL! I mean, this thing is f-ing PRETTY! The attention to detail on both scenery and characters (monsters and non monsters alike) was exquisite and when necessary horrifying. As a goth girl, I want to live in the castle. Giant columns and statues, Byzantine tile work, arches and stained glass windows all over this vast structure set, of course, on top of a remote mountain. And, while you might assume that there would be an over abundance of dreary colors, you would be wrong. The first few chapters of the game take place in a lush forest. The artists responsible for this game were not afraid of the color wheel and wielded it like a master swordsman would a blade. There are an abundance of Steampunk aspects (two words…Clockwork Tower) that will appeal to the lovers of that style as well as monsters, blood and gore for the horror fans. Like I said, this game is f-ing pretty.

There is a judicious helping of magic use on both the light and dark sides of the scale, but no morality system to distract you from the game play itself. The only real drawback that we could find was the lag time involved in blocking. Now, you won’t die repeatedly if you cannot manage to block (dodging saves your sorry hide just as well), but if you can’t master the block it does removes some pretty sweet looking combo moves from your repertoire.

For the puzzle lovers, this game has a plethora of them. Mirror puzzles, order puzzles, trick door puzzles, portal puzzles, and on and on and on. Being a puzzle junkie, this made me VERY HAPPY. But not everyone is puzzle inclined. Well, Kojima thought about that crowd, too. On the bodies of fallen knights, you will find “hint scrolls” and you have the option (if you just aren’t interested or get so frustrated you want to smash things) of solving the puzzle. The only thing you lose is some bonus XP.

This is a two disc game and we are a little more than halfway through. The storyline is compelling enough that I was hooked in the first few levels and am anxious to find out what the FRAK is going on. A lot of the extra story aspects are found on the bodies of dead knights littering the landscape everywhere you go. If you buy the game, there is plenty of content to get your money’s worth with the trials and difficulty levels. If you rent it, there are enough collectibles to be enjoyable for those with OCD (Obsessive Completion Disorder) but not so many as to be more pain in the a$$ than they are worth.

So, overall, we are extremely pleased with the new Castlevania: LoS. It is visually stunning, mentally captivating, and challenging in its game play. If you liked the old games and are prepared for a revamping (pun completely intended there) of an old classic, find time to rent this at the very least.

Inaugural Post (or Look! I know big words!!)

Inaugural post...wow that sounds pretentious, doesn't it? And this whole blog things is meant to be anything BUT pretentious. How can anything I type right now be pretentious when I am accompanied by Penn and Teller on the television and the cat bathing her back foot next to me?  I am not shooting for acclaim or even respectability by spending my time typing out a blog.  Nope, for me it's simply a form of relief from monotony and boredom.

That being said, I will most likely use this rent free interweb space to pour out my thoughts, opinions, etc etc about movies, video games, TV shows, and whatever else strikes my fancy.  HM (for the uninitiated HM stands for House Monkey) and I spend a lot of time playing video games, watching films, reading, etc. And in those times we share our thoughts, opinions, criticisms, and flat out mockery of the aforementioned entertainment.  I have often wanted to share our conversations and now, by the magic of blogging, I can and will.  I know I know I am late on the band wagon, but I really don't care.  Too much free time makes for too much miscellaneous crap in my brain pan and now I will share it with all who care to read it.

MWAHAAHAHAHAHA!!!

Sorry.  My inner megalomaniac came creeping out there for a minute.  Anywho, now that we have all been introduced so to speak, keep an eye out for a blog about the new Castlevania game real soon!