Adventure Time Card Wars

On Saturday morning (when I was meant to be studying) I downloaded Adventure Time Card Wars from the iTunes store.  What followed was a day spent justifying study breaks every 5 minutes and running my phone battery flat at least twice!!  I read about Card Wars about a week and a half ago and didn't realistically expect to find it in the SA iTunes store so fast.  We're usually pretty behind in these things.

If you remember the episode where Jake and Finn play card wars then you already know more or less what this game is going to be about.  Basically, you have a deck of card that you start with containing creatures, spells and buildings.  Like most other card games, you deal your cards to a certain points value and then see how you far up against your opponent.  As you progress you can win, buy or craft new cards to improve your deck.  The game also allows you to customise two different decks that you can switch between when facing opponents.  You start as Jake and eventually unlock Finn.  So far I have battled Finn, BMO, Marceline and Princess Bubblegum.    Here's a few pics from the game play so you can get an idea of what I'm talking about:

Each game you play earns you experience points which allows you to level up as you go.  You also get a specific set of landscape cards which you deal before the game starts. Different creatures work on different landscape cards so you definitely need to give this some thought.

Once you've dealt your initial hand, you defend, attack and keep dealing until you have a winner.  Or, in this case, a loser.

The game costs R32.99 but it's worth every cent I spent on it.  There are a few in-app purchases available but so far, I haven't felt the need to use any of them.  And finally, for those of you who have no idea what I am talking about, here is a clip from the episode in question.  Enjoy!

Oh!  And before I forget, there is a real, physical version of this game being released tomorrow!  There are two box containing Jake's Corn Deck, Finn's Blue Plains Deck, BMO's Useless Swamp Deck and Lady Rainicorn's Sandy Fields Deck.  Who wants to buy me a very, very early birthday present???

Bee and Puppycat Paper Toys

What do you get when you combine Bee and Puppycat and Paper Toys?  Bee and Puppycat Paper Toys!  Okay that was a little lame but I wasn't really sure how else to start a post that is literally only about the Bee and Puppycat paper toy patterns I found online the other day:

They are Cubecraft patterns and they don't require any glue.  The printout recommends that you use thicker paper and I agree.  I just used normal printer paper and they are super flimsy.  Bee would've been much easier to put together if I had used something thicker.  Puppycat on the other hand took a whole 3 minutes to make:

They are the perfect way to get your Bee and Puppycat fix while we wait patiently for new episodes.  You can download them both here.

Bout Night Awesomeness

Okay, so I finally have some photos from bout night to share...Yay!  For those of you who don't know, I skated in my very first roller derby bout on the 16th of November and it was amazing.  It also happened to be Durban's very first bout which made it a doubly special event to be a part of.

The Pink Ladies before the bout

If you had told me at my first fresh meat practice that I'd be competing seven months later, I would've laughed in your face and then fallen flat on my ass (because that's how unstable I was)!  At that point, I wasn't even sure if roller derby was something I wanted to be a part of yet.  Fast forward to the end of September and my first bootcamp.  I knew that they were picking eight girls to skate in the bout but I was pretty sure I wouldn't be one of them.  I did my best but in the back of my mind I kept thinking "it's okay not to be picked, it's okay not to be picked." Confident right?  You can imagine my surprise when I saw my name on the list the next day!
From the beginning of October, we started skating with the open level girls and we doubled our practice time to make sure we were up to scratch.  The fact we could all skate out there and hold our own with more experienced skaters is the result of tons of hard work and sweat and I am so, so proud!

We didn't win but I think my facial expression in the photo below sums up how I felt about the night in general: 

There is another fresh meat intake in January and, if you are even remotely curious, come and check it out.  You won't regret it!  For more info, give Durban Derby a like on Facebook.

All the photos in this post are courtesy of Jethro Snyders and Almost Famous Photography.  I highly recommend checking out his Facebook page and his full album of derby pics. 

Not My Circus, Not My Monkeys

Some excellent advice from a Polish proverb!!  I saw this on a friend's Facebook the other day and I just had to share it....

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This particular print is available from wnbyc on Etsy...definitely going on to my wishlist!

Frankenweenie Unleashed

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Last Friday I finally got a chance to watch Frankenweenie and it was every bit as quirky and cool as I was hoping.  For those of you who don't know, Frankenweenie is a stop motion, full lenght remake of a short film Tim Burton made in 1984.  It's the story of Victor and his dog Sparky and the lengths Victor goes to after Sparky dies.  It's sad and charming and bought a tear to my eye more than once.  Needless to say, it's also got tons of Frankenstein references.

One of my favourite parts of the movie (aside from Sparky) was the Karen O song in the credits.  Its called Strange Love and it's just the perfect ending for a movie like this.  A little investigation (aka googling) revealed that it's part of Frankenweenie Unleashed:  Music Inspired by the Motion Picture.  As the name suggests, it features various different artists (Robert Smith, Frank Iero and The Ramones to name a few) and songs inspired by the movie.  It's got a great track listing and it's definitely on my wish list.  In the meantime, I'll just keep playing Strange Love over in my head:

Have you seen the movie?  What did you think?

Young and Beautiful

The Great Gatsby opens in Durban on Friday the 17th of May.  I honestly can't wait.  I have been watching trailers, previews and absorbing as much information as I can about the movie.  It all points towards an awesome retelling of the story and I really hope I'm not disappointed.  The soundtrack is getting a lot of attention at the moment and so far my favourite is this one by Lana Del Rey:

I just can't get it out of my head.  Are any of you guys as excited for this movie?  

Star Wars Official Collectors Edition

So, during the move, my mom and dad unearthed all sorts of awesomeness that had been packed away or thought lost.  Imagine my surprise/joy/excitement when my dad gave me this:

It's an official Star Wars Collectors Edition magazine from 1977.  It was published by Marvel Comics and it tells the "incredible behind the scenes story of the most extraordinary motion picture of our time."  It starts by looking at George Lucas' inspiration for various aspects of the story and then provides us with a super handy Star Wars glossary.  I think it's my favourite part of the whole magazine.

From there we move on to a blow by blow of the first movie.

And lastly, a look at some of the artists and composers involved in the movie and the creation of the universe:

My second favourite part?  This page:

"Will there be a sequel to Star Wars? Absolutely!  Already there are three or four more full-length feature films scheduled, the first one due in fall of 1978.  At least four rough Star Wars screenplays exist.  Lucas has indicated that he will only serve as executive producer.  Still, a whole slew of questions are left up in the air:  Will his hero marry the strong-willed Princess Leia?  Or, will he have to challenge Han Solo to a duel for Leia's hand?"

Can you imagine watching the movies without knowing the answers to these questions?  I still remember the first time my brother and I saw the original trilogy.  We were staying at my Grandmere and Grandpere for Christmas and the weather was awful.  My mom and dad sat us down on their huge brown couches and we watched all three movies in a row.  It was awesome!!  I am so glad to have this little piece of Star Wars history in my collection and I am equally glad to have Star Wars nerds for parents!  Thanks guys!!

Beware the Normans!!

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Last week Friday night,  Jason and I decided to get cultured and go to the theatre.  We saw The Rise of the Insanity League and I cannot recommend it more.  Staring Aaron McIlroy, Ben Voss and John Van De Ruit, the show is a hilarious collection of comedic sketches that detail the workings and members of the Insanity League.  Here is the write up from Computicket:

“A comedy movement, comprising comic actors Aaron McIlroy, Ben Voss and - in a welcome return to the stage after an absence of a decade - John van de Ruit. The trio have teamed up to deliver a sketch comedy show which pokes, provokes and tickles in all the right places on a nationwide tour.

The Insanity League was conceived early in 2012 after too much caffeine and not enough fresh air. An inspired conversation led to the frantic scribbling-down of comedy sketch ideas and a plan for nationwide domination was hatched. Now, in 2013, The Insanity League will bring their more than slightly left-field ideas to theatres. The show promises to be more than just a random selection of sketches - the team is preparing a comic study on insanity unlike anything ever seen on the stage in South Africa before. An inspired set is taking shape around their manic ramblings, with Director Greig Coetzee carefully crafting the trio`s comic performances.”

For me the highlights were Brian’s Brain, the Under the Sea skit and the skit with the SAPS.  If you can, go and see it.  You’ll leave with your jaw and stomach muscles sore from laughter and who couldn’t do with more laughter in their life?  Tickets are available from Computicket for R160 a person.

Things I Love #30

Wow, I have been a terrible blogger this week.  After we got home from Splashy last weekend, I spent so much time fussing and procrastinating over my essay that I totally forgot to blog!!  Anyway, I am back, my essay is almost finished and I have the 30th edition of things I love ready for your consumption.  Enjoy:)

Does Pop Culture Have a Responsibility to Educate?  An interesting read from xojane.  What do you think?

Here is a much better Rise Against Interview from MK Ondergrond:

Check out this amazing paper art by industrial designer Irving Harper.  I like the owl the best.

So, as you know, My Chemical Romance have broken up:(  Gerard Way and Frank Iero have both released letters with their take on things. You can find Gerard's here and Frank's here.

I love this Afro Lion series by Japanese artist Mountstar.  Some of them look so distinguished!

In a delayed celebration of Easter, here are 10 creepy pop culture bunnies.  Some of them are very disturbing!!

On a related note, how creepy are these real life Easter bunny photos?  I shudder...

Here's an interesting Salon article about naming your novel.  Or rather what happens when you have to change the name of your novel.

And, on the subject of book names, here's a list of rejected titles for classic novels.  I am so glad F. Scott Fitzgerald came to his senses and went with The Great Gatsby!!

This collection of awful library books makes me wonder.  How did these guys get a publisher??

The Dog Booth app lets you have your very own puppy face.  Cute!

Oh my gosh!  There is such a thing as chocolate wine!!  I can't think of anything more perfect.

I just love these pop culture mice sculptures by Quernus Crafts.  The little Harry Potter ones are adorable!!

Look at these magical floating faucet fountains.  I think this is an awesome idea.

And lastly, here is the video for the new Alkaline Trio single I Wanna Be A Warhol:

Found anything you love this week?  Let me know in the comments.

How We Survive is What Makes Us Who We Are

From the official Rise Against Instagram

That is a line from one of my favourite Rise Against songs.  One of the songs that I was lucky enough to see live last week Friday night at RAMfest.   Can I just jump the gun here and say what a totally awesome show it was?  All the bands were outstanding, the turnout was great and the vibe was awesome.  RAMfest, you HAVE to come back to Durban next year.  And please bring someone equally awesome!

Anyway, moving along.  We missed most of Lowprofile's set because we got there just a little bit late.  They were still playing when we arrived but between standing in the queue, greeting friends and getting drinks, they kind of got lost in the noise.  Speaking of friends, Collette and her new husband made Durban RAMfest the end of their honeymoon which made the whole evening even more awesome.  I don't get to go to many concerts with Colli anymore because she lives so far away so it was super cool to have them both there.

Pestroy was the next band up and even though I don't know them that well, they were incredibly good.  Apparently they have been around for 15 years now and their experience and confidence showed. The performance was tight and you could see they were feeding off the enthusiasm of the crowd.  I forgot my proper camera at home but here is a blurry iPhone photo of Pestroy in action:

Next up was Bring Me The Horizon.  Again, I was sure what to expect from these guys but they are so, so good!  I had been listening to them on SoundCloud occasionally to try and acquaint myself with there stuff before the show but it didn't prepare my for how they sound live.  They are very heavy and honestly, I think they sound better live.  Oli Sykes also has some AMAZING tattoos.  Seriously.  Alas I was too far away to get a proper look at them.  Random aside about BMTH?  They are named after the last line in Pirates of the Caribbean where Captain Jack Sparrow says "Now, bring me that horizon."

The Bring Me The Horizon set list was:

Shadow Moses
Chelsea Smile
Alligator Blood
Fuck
It Never Ends
The Sadness Will Never End
Diamonds Aren't Forever
Blessed with a Curse
Antivist

There was about an hours wait between BMTH and Rise Against and we used that time to try and get as close to the stage as possible.  One of the hazards of being short is that no matter how close you manage to get to the stage, there is still someone taller in front of you!  I was determined to at least stay in the front for one song to experience the atmosphere which was growing by the minute.  When Rise Against eventually came on, I had a perfect view of Tim McIlrath from between two shoulders.  Here is photographic proof:

The crowd went off for that first song and the mosh pit was absolutely insane.  I had to move further back after the first song because it was just too much and I wasn't wearing the right shoes to tangle with the bigger guys.  Note to self:  never, ever wear flats to a punk show ever again...what were you thinking???  Anyway, once we moved further back, I had an excellent view of the stage and could enjoy the show without fear of mangled feet.

I don't have an exact set list for Rise Against but here is what I think I remember hearing:

Chamber the Cartridge
Life Less Frightening 
Collapse (Post-Amerika)
Re-Education (Through Labor)
The Dirt Whispered
Help Is on the Way
The Good Left Undone
Long Forgotten Sons
Prayer of the Refugee
Survive
Satellite

Ready to Fall 

Acoustic:
Hero of War 
Swing Life Away

Encore:
Make It Stop (September’s Children)
Give It All
Savior

There are so may of my favourite songs in this setlist it's unbelievable!!  I couldn't have asked for better!  I spent the whole night, shouting their lyrics back at them, jumping around like a mad person and just generally loving life.  I also managed to get an awesome video of Swing Life away which I unfortunately couldn't upload here.   

For more photos, you can check out the Durban RAMfest event page on Facebook.  There are some really great pictures.  Where any of you there or at any of the other shows?  Let me know what you thought.

It's Here! It's Rise Against Day!!

I can't even begin to describe my level of excitement right now.  Rise Against is one of those bands that  I never, NEVER imagined I'd be able to see in Durban.  They defined my life at one point and to see them live is pretty freakin' awesome!  Anyway, Rolling Stone South Africa managed to get an interview with Tim McIlrath at RAMfest Cape Town last weekend and I thought I'd share it here:

As you can see, the guy conducting the interview got removed from the video.  Apparently he was drunk/unprofessional or something along those lines.  

Are any of you guys going tonight?  I'll be the one practically peeing myself with excitement:)

Things To Look Forward To In 2013

There is a whole lot happening this year that I am really, really excited about so I thought I would let you in on a few:

Studying:  In October last year I applied to do my Honours in English part-time.  There has been a bit of a bugger up with my application so I am really hoping this is still an option for me this year.  Please keep your fingers crossed!

New Biffy Clyro:  If you haven't heard Biffy Clyro yet, you need to go and listen to them immediately!  I recommend starting with The Captain off of Only Revolutions.  They have a new album called Opposites due out this month and I am really looking forward to hearing it!  Here's the first single, Black Chandelier:

Colli's Wedding:  One of my bestest bests is getting married in March to an awesome guy and I get to be her Maid of Honour.  I am so excited to be able to share in their happiness and to catch up with old friends.

Rise Against and RAMfest:  You guys must be so tired of hearing me go on about this but I couldn't be more excited about the fact that Rise Against are actually playing in my city and we already have tickets for it!  Just thinking about it makes me want to play every album I own and jump around our flat!!

Adventure Time Funko Pop Vinyl:  I have mentioned these before but I am still desperately awaiting a release date or an option to pre-order the awesome Funko Pop Adventure Time figurines.  I neeeeeeed Marceline in my life.

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The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys:  My Chemical Romance is my favourite band of all time.  Really, all the rest are a distant second to these guys.  Anyway, in 2010 they released an album called Danger Days:  The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys.  The comic book tie-in for this album is a collaboration between Gerard Way, Shaun Simon and Becky Cloonan and it's finally being released in June this year!  Seriously, if anyone can get me a copy of the preview that will be released on Free Comic Book day, I would be the happiest person ever!  Check out this interview with Gerard Way to get a sneak peak at the artwork.  Also awesome?  The fact that he is currently writing the third Umbrella Academy installment.  Happy days!!

Turning 30:  This is a weird one because I always thought I would have major issues with turing 30 but as it stands right now, I am kind of looking forward to it.  Time will tell whether it becomes an issue closer to the time but I really hope it doesn't.  Everyone says that when you turn 30 you care less about the little stuff, you become more comfortable with yourself etcetera, etcetera.  While I don't assume these things just happen magically over night, anything that makes me less anxious about everything is a good thing!

What are you looking forward to this year?

Things I Love #16

So, I am typing this edition of Things I Love from a desk!!!!  Usually, I update this blog from the couch, with my laptop awkwardly balanced on my knees or a cushion, while crossing my fingers that I don't accidently dump it on the floor.  Anyway, yesterday we got a desk and a chair!  After rearranging our teeny, tiny lounge we have an awesome new space to work in.  It may seem like a silly thing to get excited about but when I look at how far Jason and I have come (no fridge and only cushions to sit on ) to today (nice flat full of things we couldn't dream of affording before), I can't help but be pleased.  Moving along, here are somethings I loved over the last two weeks:

My squishy-face dog obsession has reached a new high! I found these two awesome bulldog tumblrs during the week; one for French bulldogs and another for English bulldogs.  I swear if we don't get a puppy soon, I might just explode!

Everyone needs an anthem.  This is a pretty awesome article about how powerful music can be.  It got me thinking about what my own anthem might be.  I'll let you know when I decide..

This awesome picture of my very young parents and my grandparents in Paris.  Out of all the sidewalk cafe's they chose the one with English writing!

Stellar Four have created 12 awesome fictional fantastic birthstones.  My traditional birthstone is an Opal which I have always liked but my fictional one is Unobtanium from Avatar which is pretty awesome too!

Tim Tadder makes wigs out of water.  Don't believe me?  Click the link and check them out.  The best part is the first guys facial expression!

These ceramic toy sculptures by Rhonda Gushee are super creepy...in a broken down neglected sort of way.

Check out this tattoo flash with a South African twist by Ninjabreadboy.

And on the subject of tattoos, Contrariwise is a collection of tattoos inspired by literature.

The Phraseology Project is one of the coolest ideas I have seen in awhile.  You submit a word or phrase and they will create it using some pretty amazing typography.

I know this is kind of old news now but here is a great article about why the band Pussy Riot matters.  They may have been sentenced and the news may have moved on but I doubt that is the end of this story.   On a related note, this article about Making Punk a Threat Again is also worth reading.

Pop-up aquariums are a pretty awesome idea if you ask me.  These ones hold up to 5 000 goldfish and were created by Hidetomo Kimura.

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I love fireworks.  I also love these long exposure pictures of fireworks by David Johnson.

A little while ago I mentioned the prawn sushi salad I had for lunch.  This afternoon I cam across this recipe for a sushi bowl.  Definitely something I would like to try out!

I really like these life-like fashion illustrations by Jorge Roa.

I love this list of literature's greatest closing paragraphs.  The final paragraph of The Great Gatsby has always stood out for me and I am glad it's included here.

The Goths in Graveyards tumblr is pretty cool.  I really enjoy the imagery.

The writer of this article believes that W.H. Auden was the worst famous poet of the 20th century.  I am not sure I agree but it's an interesting read none-the-less.

And finally, I came across David Foster Wallace's commencement speech the other day.  I don't know much about him and I haven't read any of his books but I still found it very inspiring and very relevant. The things he says are definitely things that I need to learn to keep in mind.  

And that's it.  Have you found anything cool you'd like to add?