Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween everyone! I hope everyone has a fun and safe holiday!

Cameron and I will be staying home tonight since we both need to be up by 5am tomorrow. I still hold on to the small hope that I will have Trick or Treaters come to my door. I grew up out in the country and no one would come to our door. We would have to migrate to town just to Trick or Treat ourselves. Now that Cameron and I live in town there's a chance someone will show up...maybe!

Above is my pumpkin, whom we've nicknamed Walter. He reminds us of Walter from the new Muppet Movie, when he is having a screaming fit. He was super easy to carve. I used eyes from the dollar store and carved three holes. Two just big enough to pop the eyes in and one in the shape of a screaming mouth.

Okami HD

Guys! Guys! Okami (my favorite video game) re-releases today via the PlayStation Network with a full HD makeover. I am beyond ecstatic!

One of the most beautiful and creative games of all time, the addition of HD promises to make Okami all the more stunning. In addition, Capcom has added a full suite of PlayStation trophies as well as optional Move support.

Originally released on the PlayStation 2, followed by the Nintendo Wii, Okami sees players in the role of Amaterasu, the Japanese sun goddess in the form of a white wolf. Using celestial brush techniques acquired from various celestial gods, the player harnesses the power of nature to perform miracles, defeat enemies and solve puzzles.

I’ve played many different games and although I’ve loved and appreciated them all, Okami is my favorite game of all time. I immediately fell in love with the unique protagonist, characters, visuals and mechanics. The music, sounds and colors inspire warm feelings and generally leave the players on a positive note.

Roasted pumpkin seeds

• 2 Cups Pumpkin Seeds
• 1 Quart Water
• 2 Tablespoons salt
• 1 Tablespoon Melted Butter or Vegetable Oil

1. Preheat the oven to 250 degrees.
2. Bring water and salt to a boil. Add the seeds and boil for 8 to 10 minutes
3. Drain the seeds in a colander and spread them on a paper towel to dry.
4. Melt the butter. Put the dry seeds and butter in a large bowl and toss until the seeds are evenly coated.
5. Spread the seeds in a single layer on a cookie sheet (feel free to add more salt if needed).
6. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes until they reach a light, golden brown color. Stir seeds every 10 minutes during cooking.
7. Cool the seeds completely before eating.

You can remove the hulls from the seeds after roasting or eat the seeds hull and all. Keep roasted seeds in airtight containers.

Friday feature - Auto Club Revolution

Financially, whether times are tough or not, it’s always exciting and rewarding to find excellent online games that are available as free to play. I would like to begin recommending these games to you, in addition to the ones we pay for, so that we may all benefit by playing more games without breaking the bank.

Today I would like to bring your attention to Auto Club Revolution, a great game for car enthusiasts.

Auto Club Revolution is a free to play online racing game and car community featuring real cars, real tracks and real upgrades. It contains officially licensed cars from over thirty of the world’s leading motor manufacturers and eighty upgrade manufacturers integrated into a console-quality racing experience.



ACR is a free-to-play game with optional in-game items available to purchase for real money. This means you can play Auto Club Revolution for free for as long as you want. Players who wish to do so can choose to pay for additional items, however this is entirely optional.

Registered members can create a collection of officially licensed cars, customize them, upgrade them and take them on the track to race. Chat hangouts are also available for registered members to converse, socialize and invite others to race. While the game’s car and social features are entirely based in your web browser, the racing itself takes place in a downloaded application (The ACR Racing App), which is free to download and which powers the ACR racing experience.

To view the currentminimum and recommended system requirements to race in Auto Club Revolution youcan visit their website. While Mac users are able to register, login and use the website as normal, they are currently unable to race in Auto Club Revolution.

Are there any free to play games you enjoy playing?

Elder Scrolls V Skyrim: Perks explained

In Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim the player's style and choices within the game will reflect their own custom class.

Previous Elder Scrolls games allowed the player to choose a preset group of skills that combined to make a predesigned or customized class. Leveling these skills leveled your character, which in turn allowed you to level your attributes (strength, endurance, etc.).

In Skyrim the player can utilize and improve upon 18 skills that are divided into three core groups: The Warrior, The Mage, and The Thief. Each skill has a series of perks (bonus abilities) that the player can choose from as he or she levels.

Let's break it down as I understand it…Using a skill, betters that skill as well as contributes to leveling your character. When your Character levels up you may choose from the perks that your levels in that skill allow. For example, if you happen to use Archery often, you will better that skill. When your character levels up you may then pick from perks such as your bow doing 20% more damage, zooming in, and so on. One perk is awarded per level and the standard level cap is 50 so you will have a limit of about 50 perks. It is possible to level higher than 50, but much more effort will be required to reach each level.


Personally, I find this system refreshing. Now every skill you level will contribute to you leveling as a character, instead of the core group you picked in Oblivion. Though looking at how many perks are available (280), I know it will be hard to fit the amount of perks I want into the level cap.

Below are links to Skyrim perks as per the Elder Scrolls Wiki. Follow each link to see the breakdown of each skill and the perks involved.

The Mage

Alteration
Conjuration
Destruction
Illusion
Restoration
Enchanting

The Thief

Alchemy
Light Armor
Lockpicking
Pickpocket
Sneak
Speech

The Warrior

Archery
Block
Heavy Armor
One-Handed
Two-Handed
Smithing

Meet Rainer

Meet Rainer!

Rainer is my new Nord in Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. I normally play as a Dunmer (dark elf) or Bosmer (wood elf), but I put it up to a vote and my viewers on YouTube decided which race I should play next. I attempted to get her to resemble me at least a little. I downloaded a few mods to help with her appearance, one of the most notable is Apachii Sky Hair, which adds several new and more realistic hairstyles to character creation.

True to form I will make her a member of the Dark Brotherhood and Thieves Guild, but since I've featured this in previous walkthroughs, I will be starting at the Companions Guild first.

You can view my playthrough featuring Rainer on my YouTube channel.

Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim - Which race should you play?

Having trouble deciding what race to play in Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim?

Completely understandable with a roster of 10 different races to choose from, each with their own stat bonuses and racial abilities. To help you with your decision, I’ve compiled a list of the playable races in Skyrim with their corresponding racial abilities, starting stats and starting spells. Keep in mind that although I’ve suggested what each race is best suited for, Skyrim was meant to be customizable. You can have a Breton warrior or a Nord mage; it is completely dependent on your play style.

Each race starts off with different stats. Unimproved skills begin at 15. A net of 35 points is added from the base skills of 15 for each race. Also, every character starts with these two spells:
Flames: A gout of fire that does 8 points per second. Targets on fire take extra damage.
Healing: Heals the caster 10 points per second.

All screenshots are of the female of each race, there are also males available and each character (male or female) have customizable looks.

Altmer (High Elf)
Best suited for – Mage

Start with 25 in Illusion, 20 in Alteration, Conjuration, Destruction, Enchanting, and Restoration.

Racial Abilities:

Highborn : Regenerate magicka faster for 60 seconds.
Highborn : High Elves are born with 50 extra magicka.
Fury: Creatures and people up to level 6 will attack anything nearby for 30 seconds.


Argonian
Best Suited for – Thief

Start with 25 in Lockpicking, 20 in Alteration, Light Armor, Pickpocket, Restoration, and Sneak.

Racial Abilities:

Histskin : Invoke the power of the Hist to recover health ten times faster for 60 seconds.
Resist Disease : Your Argonian blood is 50% resistant to disease.
Water Breathing : Your Argonian Lungs can breath underwater.

(It is also rumored that Argonians can swim faster than the other races)


Bosmer (Wood Elf)
Best Suited for – Thief

Start with 25 in Archery, 20 in Alchemy, Light Armor, Lockpicking, Pickpocket, and Sneak.

Racial Abilities:

Command Animal : Make an animal an ally for 60 seconds.
Resist Disease and Poison : Your Bosmer blood gives you 50% resistance to poison and disease.


Breton
Best Suited for – Mage

Start with 25 in Conjuration, 20 in Alchemy, Alteration, Illusion, Restoration, and Speech.

Racial Abilities:

Dragonskin : Absorb 50% of magicka from hostile spells for 60 seconds.
Magic Resistance : Breton blood grants a 25% resistance to magic.
Conjure Familiar: Summons a Familiar for 60 seconds wherever the caster is pointing (this can be learned by other races).


Dunmer (Dark Elf)
Best Suited for – Mage, Thief

Start with 25 in Destruction, 20 in Alchemy, Alteration, Illusion, Light Armor, and Sneak.

Racial Abilities:

Ancestor’s Wrath : For 60 seconds, opponents that get too close take 8 points per second of fire damage.
Resist Fire : Your Dunmer blood gives you 50% resistance to fire.
Sparks: Lightning that does 8 points of shock damage to health and magicka per second (this can be learned by other races).


Imperial
Best Suited for – Warrior

Start with 25 in Restoration, 20 in Block, Destruction, Enchanting, Heavy Armor, and One-handed.

Racial Abilities:
Voice of the Emperor : Calms nearby people for 60 seconds.
Imperial Luck : Anywhere gold coins might be found, Imperials always seem to find a few more.


Khajiit
Best Suited for – Thief

Start with 25 in Sneak, 20 in Alchemy, Archery, Lockpicking, Pickpocket, and One-handed.

Racial Abilites:
Night Eye :Improved night vision for 60 seconds.
Claws : Khajiit claws do 15 points of damage.


Nord
Best Suited for – Warrior

Start with 25 in Two-handed, 20 in Block, Light Armor, One-handed, Smithing, and Speech.

Racial Abilities:
Battle Cry : Target flees for 30 seconds.
Resist Frost : Your Nord blood gives you 50% resistance to frost.


Orsimer (Orc)
Best Suited for – Warrior

Start with 25 in Heavy Armor, 20 in Block, Enchanting, One-handed, Smithing, and Two-handed.

Racial Ability:

Berserker Rage : You take half damage and do double damage for 60 seconds.


Redguard
Best Suited for – Warrior

Start with 25 in One-handed, 20 in Alteration, Archery, Block, Destruction, and Smithing.

Racial Abilities:
Adrenaline Rush : Stamina regenerates 10x faster for 60 seconds.
Resist Poison : Your Redguard blood gives you 50% resistance to poison.

Friday feature - Grainger Games

I’ve never really considered how gamers in other countries obtain their video games. I know they have them, I know they play them, I’ve just never thought about where they buy them.

I’ve been purchasing newer games digitally, but whenever possible, I do like to have a physical copy in my hand. When I go to a store to buy games, I purchase from GameStop, Best Buy or a local trade in shop called Cheap Thrills. It has never even occurred to me that other countries have different stores or methods of getting games, I just assumed GameStop and Best Buy were international (and they are to a point).

Recently I've discovered a company located in the UK named Grainger Games. Grainger Games began as a small stall in the Grainger Arcade. They specialized in buying and selling pre-owned games and soon expanded as demand grew. Today they have over fifty stores spread throughout the UK as well as a very polished website where you can purchase new or pre-owned video games.



If I have any international readers out there, what are your favorite places to shop for games? Do you know of other stores like Grainger Games? Or have you personally shopped at Grainger Games? If/when I travel internationally I would love to visit game shops, even if it’s just to browse.

Managing stress

Managing stress is tough. Between situations at work and trying to consistently update this blog and my YouTube channel; I am teetering on the edge of my stress limit right now and it’s not a good feeling.

Excess stress can manifest itself in a variety of emotional, behavioral, and even physical symptoms. Common physical symptoms include sleep disturbances, muscle tension, muscle aches, headache, gastrointestinal disturbances, and fatigue. Emotional and behavioral symptoms that can accompany excess stress include nervousness, anxiety, changes in eating habits including overeating, loss of enthusiasm or energy, and mood changes, like irritability and depression. I personally have experienced each one of these symptoms from stress at different times.

Beyond a take-charge approach and a positive attitude, you can reduce stress in your life by nurturing yourself. If you regularly make time for fun and relaxation, you’ll be in a better place to handle life’s stressors when they inevitably come along. Below is a list of activities you can do to release stress.

• Go for a walk.
• Spend time in nature.
• Call a good friend.
• Sweat out tension with a good workout.
• Play video games.
• Write in your journal.
• Take a long bath.
• Light scented candles.
• Savor a warm cup of coffee or tea.
• Play with a pet.
• Work in your garden.
• Get a massage.
• Curl up with a good book.
• Listen to music.
• Watch a comedy

Normally playing video games is my number one stress release activity and I highly recommend it to anyone who can prioritize their time. When I can take a portion of my day, preferably before I go to bed, to play a video game it calms me down and relaxes me, even if it’s a tense game. It’s not only taking time for yourself, it’s absorbing yourself in a plot and setting that are disconnected and separate from your everyday life.

How do you relieve stress?

Halloween plans

In an effort to save money this year I will be returning as Harry Potter, or Harriet Potter as I like to call myself. I bought the skimpy little thing a couple years ago for about $60 and I’ve only worn it once. Not to mention, Cameron gets a kick out of it. Sadly my hair is no longer brown so I will not be completely authentic, but hey, the authentic Harry Potter doesn’t have boobs either.

So far our plans consist of attending a party at a friend’s local bar the weekend before Halloween. I’ve never attended a Halloween party at a business before so this should be a new experience. As for the actual night of Halloween, both Cameron and I have to get up at 5am the next day. So we’ll probably stay at home and watch scary movies. I will buy candy, because I always hope there will be some little trick-or-treaters at my door *fingers crossed*

What will you be for Halloween? What are your plans?

World of Warcraft - elemental shaman leveling rotation 31-60

Welcome fledgling shamans!

If you are a fan of visual guides then you’ve come to the right place. Here you will find visual aids of elemental rotations by level using the current icons for those abilities. Whether you are aiming to raid or prefer to experience all PvE content has to offer (this is not a guide for PvP), it’s best to start good habits early!

Keep in mind there may be some abilities not shown here that are circumstantial, but important. Spells like these are not used in an average rotation so we will cover them at a later time. In the meantime, read the description of each new spell you receive and apply it when needed. If you have any specific elemental questions let me know! I am here to help!

Elemental Shaman rotations levels 31 through 60 (See bottom of the post for other levels).


At level 31 your rotation should be as follows: Buff yourself with Lightning Shield and Flametongue Weapon. After checking your buffs, place Searing Totem, Flame Shock, and spam Lightning Bolt. Earth Shock when there are 7 charges on Lightning Shield.


Circumstantial! At level 32 you receive Reincarnation. This is a passive ability that allows you revive yourself after death every 30 minutes.


At level 34 you receive Lava Burst and Astral Recall. Alter your rotation. After checking that your buffs are in effect, place Searing Totem, Flame Shock then Lava Burst whenever it is available. When it isn’t, spam Lightning Bolt. Earth Shock when there are 7 charges on Lightning Shield.


Circumstantial! Astral Recall can be used as a second hearthstone. Porting you to the location your hearthstone is set to once every 15 minutes. Less if you have Glyph of Astral Recall.


At level 36 you receive the Magma Totem. This will be used in your multi-target rotation. For multiple targets: place the Magma Totem and spam Chain Lightning. If you have the Glyph of Thunderstorm you can also put Thunderstorm into your multi-target rotation without knocking the targets away from your Magma Totem or Chain Lightning.


At level 50 you receive the passive spell, Lava Surge. This allows for the damage done by your Flame Shock ability to periodically reset the cooldown on your Lava Burst ability, also making it instant cast. You’ll know when it activates by the fiery bars that illuminate the screen on either side of your character. Use this as often as possible.


At level 58 you receive the Earth Elemental Totem. Keep in mind only one totem of each element can be active at a time. For longer fights cast your Earth Elemental Totem. You can either cast it before pulling or once you have. I suggest waiting until you’ve pulled to release him as there are rude people in this world that may steal the mob from you or until the tank has aggro in an instance.


At level 60 you receive Earthquake. Alter your multi-target rotation. Magma Totem, cast Earthquake and spam Chain Lightning. Thunderstorm to add extra damage and regenerate mana if you are starting to slip. Keep in mind you must be within the group of enemies for Thunderstorm to work.

Click here to view the Level 1-30 Elemental Shaman Rotation Guide.
Click here to view the Level 61-90 Elemental Shaman Rotation Guide.

Healthy snack suggestions

Here are some natural low calorie snacks for you to munch on between meals. Remember that fruits and vegetables trump processed foods any day, but I will post some processed snacks as well as tutorials in the near future. These are the basic items you can use to make healthy snacks, they are best used in their natural form, but you are welcome to add a little peanut butter here or a dash of low-fat dressing there.

Don’t drown your food!


Dairy

Cottage Cheese
Yogurt

Fruits

Apple
Apricot
Banana
Blackberries
Blueberries
Cantaloupe
Cherries
Cranberries
Grapes
Honeydew
Kiwi
Olives
Orange
Peach
Pear
Pineapple
Plum
Raisins
Raspberries
Strawberries
Tangerine
Tomatoes

Meats & Poultry

Chicken Meat
Hardboiled Egg
Prosciutto
Turkey Jerky
Turkey Meat
Tuna Jerky

Nuts & Seeds

Almonds
Brazil Nuts
Cashews
Macadamias
Peanuts
Pecans
Pistachios
Pumpkin Seeds
Sunflower Seeds
Walnuts

Vegetables

Bell Peppers
Broccoli
Cauliflower
Carrots
Celery
Edamame
Green Beans

I am always looking for new snacks to enjoy that won’t take up too many calories in my day, so feel free to make suggestions!

Decisions

Decisions; some are easy some are hard.

I am a planner. I like to plan and prepare for the future. I am happily married and content in that area of my life. But I am thinking about buying a house, having children and being financially stable. Right now, I have none of those three things.

I am on a mission to become more successful. While I dream that someday this blog and my YouTube will be successful enough to live off of, I need to find something more substantial in the meantime.

I am considering training in massage therapy.

Now before you doubt, hear me out. Massages not only feel amazing they are also beneficial to our health. I love getting them and I know for a fact that people would love receiving them. I would be helping others, both physically and mentally.

I’ve found a school nearby and have been researching their program. The 200-250 hour program (which is what you need to be certified and start your business) is available for a reasonable fee (but high enough to make me take this decision seriously). Night time and weekend classes are available so I would be able to work while learning. Class would begin next January (or at a later time if I need to wait) and each session is three months long.

Once graduated, it’s up to me to find a job and make a living at this career. I believe I can do this. Every time I've checked the local Craigslist in the last year the two top jobs consistently available are for massage therapists and hair stylists. If for some reason a position isn't available somewhere I will do mobile massages until I can find a Spa. Like with this blog, I will make it happen. I will research what needs to be done and do it.

Thoughts?

9 of the scariest video games I will (most likely) never play

I’m completely serious. I’m a hardcore coward when it comes to playing the survival horror genre of video games. Horror movies? No problem! I am a spectator witnessing events as they unfold and I have no effect on how the characters in the film progress the story. But horror video games? I just can’t cope. Instead of being a spectator I am actively involved in progressing the story and therefore much more attuned to the situation. When I inexplicably find myself playing these games my heart beats fast and I startle often, uttering small shrieks and/or obscenities (sorry mom).

I’ve gathered a list of the nine scariest games I am reluctant to play based on fear issues. Sequels will not be mentioned, but let us assume they are just as scary as the originals shall we? I have witnessed most of these games being played by other people (determining that they are scary from a spectator’s position). I’ve also formed a general consensus from my family, friends and subscribers. All are well made in their own right and I highly recommend them to you, if you are braver than I (which isn’t difficult).


Amnesia: The Dark Descent – In the year 1839, a young man named Daniel awakens in the halls of a castle with little to no memory about himself or his past. All he can remember is his name and that something is hunting him. Shortly after awakening Daniel discovers a note written by himself, from it he learns that he has deliberately erased his own memory, and that he needs to descend into the Inner Sanctum of the castle to kill the Baron, Alexander.

The player must navigate Daniel through the castle, avoiding monsters and preserving his sanity. Daniel’s sanity is dependent on how long he is exposed to darkness and if he looks directly at a monster for too long. There are a limited number of tinder boxes available (which can be used to light your lantern or candles) so you must be careful and choose the right moments to use light. In regards to the monsters, there are no weapons and no means to fight back, the only way to escape is to run away and hide…Good luck!



Bioshock – Set in 1960, a passenger plane goes down in the Atlantic Ocean, leaving the player-character Jack as the only survivor. Jack makes his way to a nearby lighthouse that houses a bathyscaphe terminal that transports him to the underwater city of Rapture. Rapture is an art deco themed city that was planned and constructed in the 1940s by objectivist business magnate Andrew Ryan who wanted to create a utopia for society's elite to flourish outside of government control. Scientific progress greatly expanded within the city, including the discovery of the plasmid ADAM. ADAM allowed the citizens of Rapture to alter their DNA, granting them super-human powers like telekinesis, pyro kinesis and more. But the price of such powers has cost many of its users their sanity and humanity. When Jack arrives in Rapture it is evident that he will have to fight his way out of the now twisted city. With the help of a man named Atlas, the player must navigate Jack to safety and away from the violent and twisted citizens of Rapture, known as Splicers. Atlas requests Jack's help in stopping Ryan, whom he believes has started all of the madness within Rapture.

Essential to the story are the Little Sisters and their protectors the Big Daddies. Little Sisters are small girls that have been symbiotically linked to the sources of ADAM, sea slugs native to the ocean floor. When Jack encounters a wandering Little Sister and its Big Daddy, Atlas urges Jack to kill the Big Daddy and kill the Little Sister to harvest her ADAM for himself; Dr. Tenenbaum overhears this and intercepts Jack before he harms the Little Sister, urging him to spare the child, providing him with a plasmid that would force the sea slug out of her body. How you treat each Little Sister decides the ending of your story, but before you can do anything you must defeat her Big Daddy.



Dead Space – When interstellar mining ship, the USG Ishimura, sends out a distress signal during an operation on the planet Aegis VII, the Concordance Extraction Corporation (CEC) dispatches the USG Kellion to investigate. After a guidance system malfunction crashes the Kellion into the Ishimura dock, the crew tries to seek another means of transport. As they explore what appears to be an abandoned ship, a group grotesque monsters attack the crew, killing off all but ship system engineer (and player-character) Isaac Clarke, commander Zach Hammond, and computer specialist Kendra Daniels. Hammond notices that many of the ship's systems are failing; he and Kendra direct and assist Isaac in fixing them, so as to keep them all alive for rescue. With the help of Hammond and Kendra, Isaac must fight his way through the ship infested with mutilated, reanimated human corpses.



Doom - The player assumes the role of an unnamed space marine who has been posted on Mars after assaulting his commanding officer (who ordered his unit to fire upon civilians, I might add). The Martian space marine base acts as security for the Union Aerospace Corporation, which is performing secret teleportation experiments by creating gateways between the two moons of Mars; Phobos and Deimos. Inevitably computer systems on Phobos malfunction, Deimos disappears entirely, and evil begins pouring out of the gateway, killing or possessing all UAC personnel.

Responding to a frantic distress call from the overrun scientists, the Martian marine unit is quickly sent to Phobos to investigate, where the player character is left to guard the hangar with only a pistol while the rest of the group proceeds inside. Over the course of the next couple of hours, the marine hears assorted garbled radio messages, gunfire, and screams, followed by silence. As the last man standing, the player character's mission is to fight through the entire onslaught of demonic enemies by himself in order to keep them from attacking Earth. In order for the game to be completed, the marine must fight through Phobos, Deimos, and then Hell itself, each presented as an episode containing eight distinct levels, along with an optional ninth hidden level for each one.

The footage below is from DOOM 3 as I haven't been able to find footage of the original DOOM.



Fatal Frame – Fatal Frame revolves around the female protagonist, Miku Hinasaki and her progression through four chapters (or "Nights") within a haunted residence. Miku must explore the entire mansion and its grounds, and must obtain certain objects and solve puzzles in order to progress through the chapters of the game. During this time, Miku will encounter different types of spirits, either random or mandatory. Some spirits are friendly and will not attack Miku, but most are hostile.

Miku's only weapon is the Camera Obscura, an antique camera passed down from her mother, which has the ability to damage and capture spirits. However, the camera also relies on "ammunition" - films, which prepare a certain amount of shots for the character. There are different types of films scattered throughout the mansion, and each type of film possesses a different strength. The camera also contains several special abilities, which must be unlocked using spirit points, which can be gained by capturing ghosts. These abilities, such as Paralyze and See, can aid Miku in fighting spirits that have different attacking patterns to the standard ghosts.



Fear – When the game begins, the player witnesses a man, Paxton Fettel, taking command of a battalion of telepathically controlled clone super soldiers, seizing control of Armacham Technology Corporation (ATC) headquarters, and killing all its occupants. F.E.A.R. (an acronym for First Encounter Assault Recon)—a fictional Special Forces team—is called to contain the problem. The player assumes the role of F.E.A.R.'s Point Man, who possesses superhuman reflexes, and must uncover the secrets of a paranormal menace in the form of psychic cannibal Paxton Fettel and a mysterious little girl.



Resident Evil - The original Resident Evil begins around a series of cannibalistic homicides that occur in a region north of the fictional Raccoon City in 1998. The local police's Special Tactics And Rescue Service (S.T.A.R.S.) are commissioned to investigate the sources of these murders. When S.T.A.R.S. Bravo Team, the initial team deployed to the area, fails to report back, S.T.A.R.S. Alpha Team is sent on a rescue mission to find them. The Alpha team is led to what appears to be an abandoned mansion, where the player, who can choose to play as either Jill Valentine or Chris Redfield, encounters Zombies and other creatures, leading them to discover the remains of most of their comrades in the house. The objective of the game is to uncover the mystery of the mansion and ultimately escape alive.



Silent Hill – Silent Hill is set in a multiverse consisting of reality and an alternate dimension whose form is based on the series' eponymous fictitious American town. The series is heavily influenced by the literary genre of psychological horror, with its player characters, being mostly "everymen", in contrast to action-oriented survival horror video game series featuring combat-trained player characters, such as Resident Evil, which is widely regarded as Silent Hill's strongest "rival”.

The original Silent Hill follows Harry Mason, as he searches for his missing adopted daughter in series’ multiverse. He stumbles upon a cult conducting a ritual to revive a deity they worship and discovers his daughter’s true identity.



The Suffering – The player controls Torque, a man convicted and sentenced to death for murdering his ex-wife and two children (although he claims to have blacked out and cannot remember what happened). a man who has been sent to Abbott State Penitentiary on Carnate Island, Maryland. The night Torque arrives at the Abbot State Penitentiary on Carnate Island in Maryland, there is a powerful earthquake, which releases an army of monsters upon the facility. Torque's cell door breaks and he is freed from captivity. Starting from his cell, Torque traverses the prison in an attempt to escape Carnate Island alive.

During the journey, Torque finds that the monsters set loose personify the many forms of execution the island has played host to. In addition, he also runs into a few ghosts of the penitentiary’s most famous residents. The player is presented with several opportunities to test their morality, usually in the form of a person who is trying to survive the horrors of the island. In most cases the player is presented with three options: help the person (good), harm them (bad) or remain indifferent (neutral). The ending of the game is dependent on the morality level of Torgue at the end of the game. I watched my friend play this when I was in college and it scared me so bad (just watching) that I had to turn on every light in the house when I got home.

Portion control

www.infinitelifefitness.com

As we sail into the season of giving, let’s face it; it’s also the season of eating. Feasting on large portions of food and snacking on sweet treats will really get to you if you don’t know how to control your portions. This is something that will sneak up on you if you don’t pay attention.

The basic items to compare your portions to are:

• A deck of playing cards = one serving (three or four ounces) of meat, poultry, or fish.
• Half to a whole baseball = one serving of fruit, vegetables, pasta, or rice.
• One domino = one serving (one ounce) of cheese.
• One tennis ball = one serving (one cup) of yogurt or chopped fresh greens.
• One golf ball = one serving (2 tbsp.) peanut butter, jam or salad dressing.
• One die = one serving (one tsp.) of butter.

Some helpful tips on keeping your portions relatively small:

• Eat breakfast every day.
• Eat three smaller meals with two light snacks between meals.
• Pay attention to what you are eating and fully enjoy the smell and taste of your foods.
• Eat slowly so your brain can get the message that your stomach is full.
• Take seconds of vegetables or salads instead of higher-fat, higher-calorie parts of a meal such as meats or desserts.
• Avoid eating in front of the TV or while busy with other activities like gaming. It’s easy to get distracted and lose track of how much you’ve eaten.
• If you eat out get a doggie bag for half of your meal.
• Or, if you eat out split a meal or dessert with a friend.
• Ask for salad dressing, butter, and sauces on the side so you can control how much you use.
• Break down leftovers.

Friday feature - Wizards & Warriors

Wizards and Warriors is a 1987 Nintendo game developed by the UK-based company Rare and one of my first and favorite games I’ve ever played. Being raised by parents who love fantasy, this game appealed/appeals to me so much. I have been anxiously waiting for it to be released to the Wii’s virtual console; I will snatch it up immediately!

In Wizards and Warriors the player controls Kuros, the “Knight Warrior of the Books of Excalibur”, as he sets out in the Kingdom of Elrond to defeat the evil wizard Malkil, who holds the princess captive in the Castle IronSpire. Players make their way through forests, tunnels and caves, battling hoards of enemies, rescuing damsels in distress and collecting treasure, magical items and additional weaponry to get past the obstacles in their path. Chests are color-coded and require a key of that matching color to open the chest; the same color-coded keys are used to open doors of matching colors. Some weapons and magic items are replaced once the player collects a new item, but others remain throughout the course of the game. Other valuable treasures increase the player's score and include coins, orbs, chalices, and entire hoards of treasure.

I really miss playing Wizards and Warriors. It was the first game I really got excited about when I was a kid. Sure I played Super Mario Bros. and such, but this was my favorite. I can't wait for it to become part of the Virtual Wii, if it ever does *crosses fingers*

Here is a video featuring some of the music and the games main bosses.

The bat colony

I feel the need to decorate Cameron and I’s first place festively according to what season it is. Not only do I love autumn, I love showing my appreciation and passion for the different holidays. It also gives someone who is artistically inclined a creative outlet for their talents.

Today we’re making felt bats for the Halloween décor. I originally found this idea on Pinterest, but the bat pattern is from Country Living.

Visit Country Living and print out the bat pattern.
Purchase stiffened felt or black card stock. I am using stiffened felt that I bought at Michael’s Craft Store. They only had two 8 X10 sheets of solid black left so I mixed it up a bit and bought a black felt with glitter in it.


Cut out the pattern. First test the size against your felt/cardstock. Fold the material in half and old it in front of the bat pattern. If you notice the wingtip poking out above the material, take a pencil and draw a line where the material ends. Trace a smaller outline within the original, with the wingtip ending where you drew the pencil line. And cut it out. Trace the pattern one more time on another sheet of plain white paper and cut them out. You should now have a total of two patterns.

Fold a sheet of felt in half and pin the three patterns to it. Cut out each bat. Unpin the pattern and unfold the bat. Repeat this as many times as you like.


Attach the bats to your wall. You can use an adhesive of your choice to attach the bats to the wall.