Monday, December 30, 2013

Designs for a friend...

When you don't know what you want, you turn to the talents of friends and family for ideas and inspiration. Well here is my contribution to the direction that a friend may take with a side project or job as it may seem fit. He loved them but it wasn't what he needed at the moment. More work to be done but here is the visuals to date with a mock up too.


Saturday, December 28, 2013

Painting magic...land that is...

I've taken the time to revisit my traditional art skills this holiday season. I've manage to get a selection of land cards painted for the card game magic the gathering. These have been super fun to create.
Any body want me to paint on a filler card, I'd gladly do so. Here are the ones I've done so far. You take one of the ad-cards found in the pack and slap on some color.


~ Enjoy!


Thursday, December 26, 2013

As true as any canadian can be....

That is how I would spend my days off... Enjoying what the world has to offer for as little cost as the time I choose to offer it. That is a huge expense to some. For me, the nurturing of my children is a priceless thing.

Tuesday, December 24, 2013

publications can be found at...

Yes I am published... several time over in several different places to boot.
You can find my work at...www.lulu.com/rgrzela

Short tales and illustration books that I create for the sake of being creative... That is what I do best and most.

Saturday, December 21, 2013

Death of Manufacturing...

It is official, the world of printing has destroyed a huge industrial sector. 3D printing now allows anyone to produce things that use to be done by hordes of people. Now, one person could produce any product imaginable, and in some cases design and print it pre-built.

This tech reduces the man power of most jobs down from 100 to about 3... A company owner, a designer/creator and a marketer... Maybe one extra person for the sick days... maybe... if automation is not in place.

Sorry folks... We are to smart and putting ourselves out of work.

Now we need to find new ways to make a living... Slavery seems to be a trend that might be coming back.
In a much larger view... Sweat equity might be the bigger item of value then capital... we all need to eat and a place to sleep... not sure what the trade off will be but it is certainly not a good thing to see so many people soon to be placed out of work.

Food for thought.

~ Enjoy

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Last night...

Yesterday I had to deal with a challenging situation... My perception and personal risk is always at the forefront of my choice. I had to deal with many people and 3 companies... Needless to say things did work out. However at the time I was feeling pretty threatened and uncertain about how things rolled out. I then started to look online for cartoons and humor to lift my spirits today.

As luck would have it I found one!

You had to be there to get the whole story and feelings straight. This little beauty was done by http://skottieyoung.com/ - The link will open to a new page.

But here is the cartoon that really put a good spin on the situation and how I was feeling about the situation at the time.
Thank goodness every day is a new day!

~ Enjoy!

Saturday, December 14, 2013

A really great person is moving on...

Yup, she is moving on... Bye Shai...
Good Luck!
I totally took your email and contact number so I could stalk you in the future. Thanks for being honest, doing your job and having my back when you could.

In such a short time you have always been fantastic.

~ Enjoy!

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

A Year of battles...

Yup the count down begins and All I can think f is all the battles I've endured just for the smallest advances... I can't wait to get to the next level of my life. I know what I wont be doing... Now I just need another person to see what I do bring to the table... Just to get in the door is hard enough... I've never disappointed.... I just need that big break, enough of these little piddly asses improvements... I really need to see a leap in the next year.

Sooner rather than later.

~ Enjoy~

Thursday, December 05, 2013

A slow day on the keyboard...

Typing Test
Visit the Typing Test and try!

~ Enjoy

Wednesday, December 04, 2013

illustration...

Need to get the bugs out before tackling the bigger deals again...
~ Enjoy!

Monday, December 02, 2013

Baby it's cold outside!

Had to dig out 3 times... 3 times... 3 times... then saved my wife from being stranded by digging for 25 minutes in the -26 weather.
I have to say that was not my favorite moment this year... But I've been outside in -60 windchill so this was just another day of snow, cold and no go weather.

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Inspiration Life, Stress, TV-Whoa!

Thinking of a title for this post was far harder then just posting. Needles to say, the work speaks for it self as I cope with Life, Stress and the wiles of television. I'll let you figure out what is what,
 
and if you can't, just sit back and enjoy the luminance of color as it radiates from your screen onto your eyeballs.

Friday, November 15, 2013

Sharing mood...

Here is a piece from a project I started 2 weeks ago. It is slow going but the story is coming together. Normally I'm struggling far more then I am. I wish I had more time just to knock this out but the slow and steady flow of the story is working really well. I might have a book done by the new year...I know about time.

~ Enjoy

Thursday, November 14, 2013

knock on the sky....

may be this time folks will listen.

Monday, November 11, 2013

My version...

I stumbled upon the wolf hands comic online. Here is my version of the villain which does get skewered.


Wednesday, November 06, 2013

Something is brewing...

Hummmnn Green Jasmine tea.
Lovely.
~ ENJOY!

Monday, November 04, 2013

Inspired idea....

From time to time I get this idea of greatness from others. I tend to be a bit more empathetic when a major holiday passes and I see an great image. This is what I see... you should too... It said a lot to me when I first spied this... Congrats to the artist who envisioned this moving piece.

Saturday, November 02, 2013

Old Hollows Eve....

This spooky week has kept me pretty darn busy.
I've never been one to turn away from the reality of hard work and life balance so I still managed to get a piece of work done to display to you all.

~ Enjoy!

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Blog keeps on growing...

I can't explain why this blog is growing... it seems to finally be holding attention like never before. I wish I knew why... Goes to show you what 10+ years of rambling with life experience will get you.... Oh yhea, nothing.
~ Enjoy.

Thursday, October 24, 2013

America, I solved your cash problem again...

First you go here!









Then you take a ride on this thing. You all where to find it.









Eventually you will end up here!
As you can see people are already flocking to the cash by the boat loads... Better get there before this pile gets picked dry.

Monday, October 14, 2013

Thanks Giving... Maybe time to take time.

There is too much to list so I created this illustration to help me describe my life and how I'd like to start giving thanks...
~ Enjoy!

Monday, October 07, 2013

paintings in the planning stages...

Everyone should own at least one piece of original art before they hit the age of 40. Yet many folks don't... I hope to do more painting to help people out with that issue. Not sure they will all love my work, but at least the option is out there.

Friday, October 04, 2013

Lots on the brain... Lots on the go...

I continue to push hard to get things done... Thing is I'm spinning my wheels. I need to connect the dots a bit better, though there is a very interesting sequence of events taking place on many fronts. I sure hope the really issues are dealt with soon too.

Friday, September 27, 2013

Sumi or rather don't


I tried to create an interesting visual of ink by using the Japanese version of creating imagery in the simplest form. If you can't tell what it is, it is a horse... Brilliant I know! Though I fill sketch books quite voraciously I also tend to lean toward pure creative energy from time to time. Currently I'm using time to make a small sized art series for a mini office gallery show... A place where folks can come in and say... wow nice stuff and not have the work take over a huge space.

Monday, September 16, 2013

playing-dreaming-fun...

just working out ideas....
the profile picture is a must...not!

Saturday, September 14, 2013

Dream of Oilers and Flames game...

Well my children really want to go to a live hockey game featuring Alberta's two power house hockey teams. I'm not sure how to make this happen... Win the lottery... Win tickets... the generosity of strangers... generosity of family??? Whatever it takes, this is a goal that the children have set for us.

Now I'm really concerned with the real issue of cost and time and how to pull this off as games like this tend to dominate the weekend. If anyone can offer a suggestion on the subject I'd like to hear from you. Little dreams make great futures.

~ Enjoy!

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Creature Concept - What!


Today I wanted to create another subterranean creature thing. I always loved traditional media too. Then when the ideas started to flow I thought that Photoshop might be the way to go when looking to add depth and color to make a variety of looks. After some playing about... Well this is what you get... Two pieces the traditional without the digital painting... and the digital painted item with some effects for flare...

You have to love the natural imperfections that sneak into the work too. It offers a very organic appeal.

Friday, September 06, 2013

pimple weaseal--- Ha!

To funny! Every once in a while a crazy idea leaps from my mind and onto the page. My youngest child and I gathered our thoughts and started plotting out monsters... You can see some of the youngsters work on the page too.

I'm not sure what I was going for though some subterranean weasel thing did seem very interesting at the time.

~ Enjoy!

Wednesday, September 04, 2013

doodle away...

I need to keep on keeping on with the sketch process. If for no other reason then to stay out of trouble. I'll tell you people are getting pretty bold as time goes on. I sense a level of desperation creeping in on the world again. My doodles give me the distraction I need to focus on something positive for me... I'll share stuff soon. Right now we are doing everything we can to stay focused on the bigger task at hand.

Things are slowly coming together too. I just need to keep on plugging away.

Saturday, August 31, 2013

Month End Post

 I had the opportunity to work hard and very late and leave early and exhausted... If you have no more to give... You just have to quit before some one gets hurt. I will say it has been a true test of human strength and endurance.

In the end we have had the chance to bond a little and tease each other too. Needless to say I have noticed a real interesting character trait in folks who work late into the night. They all need a sense of humor. So in an effort to shake things up a little, we need to tease everyone just a little... I think t is an opportunity to be creative as well. We will see how it all goes.

~ Enjoy!

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

sketch mess

Some time I put visual ideas to a page and think... Maybe there is something more here to explore. Well of course there is! Unfortunately no body is going to pay for it. Then I think... Perhaps it is worth sharing with the world just in case they want to offer some kind of opinion or purchase more of the same... I quickly discover this is false too!

Still I can't turn down the opportunity to share. I hope you find a glimmer of loveliness in this shell of a sketch page as I did.



Thursday, August 22, 2013

Hairless Brush....

Today I discovered that one of my oldest and most favorite brushes was plucked clean bald.
Normally as a creative type I would have been up in arms. But this  hair loss is common with old brushes... and men. I suspect my children played a role but I honestly can't point the finger there as I have done much to salvage this brush. I glued it, taped it, both tapped and glued and washed, and clean and loved the brush to the point where natural wear and tear was going to finally take its toll. 10 years later I simply found a new use for the nubby piece of wood. so I created a sketch with the damaged brush and admired the unique marks. . . . sad to be so committed to one single brush.... I can't explain it either. But here is the brush now and the sketch page I used it on.... I think I'm finally reaching closure on the brush. Time to spend another $40 for another... I need a real job. This stuff is far to expensive to continue doing.


Saturday, August 17, 2013

sketch page...armed

Hey - This is a bad picture but I love the look of the arm.

Friday, August 16, 2013

Everyday...

I take a lot of pride in doing the best I can with what I have.
Nothing brings me more joy then seeing a the smile and successes of my children.

Every day I live a simple - Productive life.

~ Enjoy!

Thursday, August 15, 2013

In progress piece...

I can't tell you what this is for, other than joy. I know the concept came from an old comic book piece done by sam Kith or Simon Bisley... I don't remember who. I took the idea from memory and redesigned it to a more desert type character with the interesting mounts to boot.

I want to do more but wont... I just don't have time. It is quite large at 11x17 inches. It was great playing with the visual though... And as I suggested I would do ... here it is.

_ Enjoy. {;}


Tuesday, August 13, 2013

I promise to post...

I've needed to recover from a few duties of late. The wife wanted much done...Much, but not all was done. Work has had much demands... Much was done, much more needs to be done.
My children need more things done... I'm spent physically,  but I did get an evening of ball hockey with my oldest to give the child perspective on life and encouraged my youngest to reattempt his homework to completion. Some times there is not enough of me to go around, But I did make it happen... Just not all in one day... Please give me a few day to fit it all in.

Now I need to do something for the rest of you. That is to post more paper work...art...doodles...sketches...
Please be patience with me. It will happen. I just need to recover from my real world responsibilities.

~ Enjoy...

Monday, August 05, 2013

Noodle Doodle...

Crazy busy weekend.
I have been plugging away at a first aid course trying to determine if this is what I want to do for a potential future career again. I did fairly well. I'm thinking that perhaps that I could do a little more along those rescue lines after all.

Right now I have a wonderful purge of sketches to offer from the weekend as well.


Friday, August 02, 2013

Concept art....Post apocaliptical...Guanno

 Just wanted to see what I might come up with if angels and demons switched roles in a post-apocalyptic setting... These are prelims. Need to put more thought into these. I like the way the angel is going...distorted anatomy lends to a hint of evil manipulation too... The demon more subtle ... need to think on that more, Demons being pure are a bit of a challenge to my mind. I need more, lightness.

Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Crazy stream of Consciousness

What a whirl wind of information. Being creative and looking at things that way I do, I find the perspective of others to be pretty off kilter or skewed in the strangest ways. I'm clearly the one who is not a base line normal as far as thought processes go. I look at things from a very different realm that is not always connected to the reality of others. I see the world in more of a future "space" as opposed to my one point perspective looking out. Admittedly a strange concept and sensation when I pull back to my ground zero.

You might notice that as I write, I played with text to influence your thoughts too... I wont tell you what I did but you might find out by the time I'm done this entry.

All in all I have been going through yet another transition, with life, change is a constant thing. Having my perspective leaves me seeking an alternative while living the current. It has been a good experience. It has been information overload. It has been a battle of wills, styles and of course good humor and resolution. My journey continues and I can't help but imagine that more challenges and change is on the way.

For now the weather is nice and I'm adjusting well...

~ Enjoy!

Friday, July 26, 2013

Sacrifice

Sacrifice is a thing you do to make everything better in your world. Today I had the opportunity to reflect on a great many things. My temporary worries were greatly relieved when my biggest supports, my children - my family cheered for the very small step I made to ensure that things will continue to improve for a great many people, including ourselves.

I constantly put my family first to best position us all for a better future. The school of hard knocks is not the class I recommend, but it is the school that teaches you hard lessons that you need to remember. Important lessons.

I was greatly renewed with vision and idea's after today. Ideals that people without families tend to forget. Sacrifice is needed. But no one needs to suffer. You need to be your best every day. Something I pride myself on trying to do and be.

I think I have the right items in place for now. Next is the greater good. I know I can effectively influence change from the place I'm at right now. Perhaps in 12 to 24 months that will change. I have grand visions that might better elevate this guy... as lowly as he may be... Me... TIme will tell how this will all work out for me.

I look forward to some even greater improvements soon.

- Enjoy

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Inspired by scale.

I'm thinking about a composition that is on a large scale... Well larger then I usually do work on.
I might even photograph steps as I take them... but that might slow things down to much... Since I'm in the thought process.... I still haven't decided on the any real subject. Sci-Fi is what is kind of tickling my fancy.

Wonder what else might come for me this week... I'm getting busy as it is.

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

art done today...

needed to purge ideas in a visual way...


Monday, July 22, 2013

Olympic Hockey Gold...

This is a tough one for me. Canada displayed the invitational roster for the Olympic team. They had one practice and I have to say it is too early to tell. From what I spotted, my rough picks are as follows in order of player line too.

Goalie
Carey Price
Braden Holtby
Roberto Luongo

This is a personal preference for me. I want to see a great Canadian anchor the team. Price is the man for the finals and the opening game. Luongo and Holtby... both solid, but I want Holtby as my number 2. I'm never leaving Luongo out. I want the secret weapon on the rink if things go really bad. He can turn a game around with 40 or more saves. Lets not waste our best game saver... The lest amount of time the opposition get to see him in play, the better the chance of recovering in those critical crisis modes.

Defense
Dan Boyle -1
Drew Doughty -1
Dan Hamhuis -2
Kris Letang - 2
Dion Phaneuf -3
Brent Seabrook - 3
Marc Staal - 4
 Shea Weber - 4

People might scream for this choice but consider the following,  Phaneuf and Staal really are great special teams power houses. If you want to over load the power play on a big rink. These two need the gas and the legs to make a mad scramble back to defense position if a play breaks down. Keep these two fresh for all games. Hammer the goalie and let forwards scoop the re-bounds. Shea Weber is a great work horse. On forth or first, he is going to be the go to guy when the others can't find a hit or an opening. This 4rth line D-man will hammer the opposition or throw a hard long pass to the right guy.

Forward
Patrice Bergeron -1
Jeff Carter -1
Jordan Eberle -1

Just wait and see what I mean. This line can click and make a mockery of the opposition. Only the Russian team will be a real threat to this line up. Skill and grace and speed, only the gritty players will be able to shake these three. If they can keep up.

Sidney Crosby - 2
Ryan Getzlaf -2
Claude Giroux - 2

With two bigger guys to side Crosby, the goals are going to happen. Keep the Pittsburgh Defender loaded for this line for fast break outs and shorter time it would take for the team to gain chemistry. Only the Americans can match this line with size, power and maybe speed.

Chris Kunitz -3
Milan Lucic - 3
Corey Perry -3

This is a my important line. I don't want checking from these guys. I want them to break plays, make opportunities for each other. They are a group of guys that can provide goals and shake down the opposition in a tight playing game. They can skate with the best and move to the net with stellar passing.

Mike Richards - 4
Eric Staal - 4
Jordan Staal - 4

Why all the Staal...Hockey history, and this would make for a great family story. Not since the Hulls and Orrs would we have seen such a great tale of hockey glory. These guys know each other and on special teams for Penalty kills or a power play change up. These are the guys on the ice for me. Mike Richards is a solid guy that will keep the other two focused on the ice by his play. He leads by example. The Stall boys will have to keep up and watch for him on the ice surface.


Steven Stamkos

for sure is in the line up. He is going to alternate between the first and second line to boost production for Patrice Bergeron -1 and Sidney Crosby - 2, Ryan Getzlaf -2. By switching the other three out for Steven Stamkos, you get the harder punch on the offense. Any of these guys can score You want to see chemistry, to have a guy be there when you shoot or make a hard pass at the net. You want the goals when you need them. He is the clutch guy.

Patrick Sharp

Certainly a consideration. He tends to be a strong personality. Can he play with the same guys that he abuses during the season... I like his abilities but his personality is a real question mark for my choice. I have to keep him as a selection on talent alone. I can't see him being on the regular ice time much. He will be the special teams power play guy at best. If there is an injury he is in. But he needs to play nice. He's not the biggest guy on the ice.

Those are my picks.

~ Enjoy!

Saturday, July 20, 2013

Roses are red...Some times....

They say that roses can't be grown in Alberta.
I have proved them wrong for over 8 years. Here is the proof. In my front lawn to boot.
We do after all have the wild rose that blooms in wild fields too. So this was not a real stretch. I just thought that it was interesting to see how it would work out. Last year we let the Roses grow long and this year longer. Even if we cut them back, they grow out even more. I suspect that we are doing some thing really well. Might just be the beetles and the worms. Some of these blooms are prefect. Anyone need wedding flowers in ALBERTA... I might be able to part with a few of these.





Thursday, July 18, 2013

Adventure Wrap up...

After several game sessions with the children, the game session is about to wrap up. I find that I spend more time managing emotions and expectations then running the game right now. It has been a real challenge, but the players are children, are learning more about coping with challenges and issues. They are sensing the importance of team work, calculating the treasure find and simply the importance of hanging out together to enjoy the game...even if the dice don't roll the way we want.

The game session should end soon. The treasure count really starts to rise now. Can't wait for the surprise I have in store for them.... It gets really interesting soon.

-Enjoy your week end.

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Evolution of paper mini models...

Here is a selection of paper models I've been using for table top gaming. It has been a real neat experience to game with my children






. Role playing games now offer so much more but I wanted to share just what we use. These paper model flats can be made or found online. The key is to keep them 1 inch high or about 25mm. Any art works with design that you feel best represents your character or NPC.... with out further ado... here you will see ours and the evolution of what we have done.

You will notice the zombie horde attacking a dinosaur... Yes nothing in our games is off limits. Just your imagination is a bit twisted if you don't think this could happen.

More good news...NOT!

SUN Media has decided to crater again...
Good news for me...Not!
I've been in the print, design business for a long time. Now I just watch as many folks in a similar area get pulverized by the lack of jobs and opportunities. Nice to see I'm going no where fast any time soon. I need to find a way to reinvent my self... Just can't seem to find the best way to do that. Yet I see that some opportunities are creeping up. I just need to have them materialize.

Thanks SUN media for putting more creative folks out of work. It would not be fair if you were the only one to try and employ those of us that chose a liberal arts education of any kind.
I sympathize with those suffering the loss...I've been there too. I still am. Now what do we all want to be when we grow up?

Your guess is as good as mine.

~ Enjoy.

Sunday, July 14, 2013

Mad Magic Gathering...

I'm thinking that this is one of the best weekends I've had in some time. Two Sessions of a pre-release. Met a some great people including a charming young man of 15 years of age who offered to help my 10 year old learn the ropes of Yu-gi-oh... ( think that is how it is spelled).

I did exceptionally well on the opening night. Not surprisingly did far worse on the second day... Still, I doubled my take on the first night and felt that a second visit would be needed to off set the cost. I still did fairly well. I know it is crazy... But I now have my one son lined up to play and learn Yu-gi-oh, my other son is now looking forward to a magic session... all in all. Great fun was had and surprise extra cards were appreciated.

Now I have a hard choice to make... Do I keep playing or do I wait for the next set. I really hope the next set is as good as I think it will be. I truly enjoyed one particular mechanic because of the unpredictably of it during game play.

At any rate... 10 of sleep in 48 hours is rough, add a Saturday ball hockey game and my regular dad duties... I think the next week will be a welcomed resting period.

I hope your weekend was just as good.

- Enjoy!

Thursday, July 11, 2013

Being a father-keeping busy...

I never really get a break... not since my career cratered and the job opportunities seem to have faded. I simply just stay at home and father. A great thing to do, but it makes money a thing of dreams... I find my self often saying, "What is the money of which you speak?"

It no longer has meaning. I simply don't have the drive to attain it so long as there is food on the table and a warm place to sleep and clothing on my back... I have all I need. It has taken 2 years to come to that conclusion. I also find that my time is gaining more value. I don't want to work unless the price is right for me.

That might seem strange to some folks, but it is my new perspective. My family has moved up the chain of command. After 2 years with no full time job/career... I simply could care less about the needs of others. I've become so separated from the rest of the world that only a select few people ever get my time and effort. Even that is fleeing and temporary at best. My family - My immediate family is getting all I have to offer. That of course has no monetary value, but the time I share with them seems to be extremely cherished.

Who knew that simply being there was the best course of action... it only took two years for me to figure that out. So I think I'll continue to be selfish and make sure my time is mine, and valued by those who really care for it.

At lease until after October... then a part time job might be nice to ease the Christmas Pressures... maybe.

-Enjoy.

Tuesday, July 09, 2013

Looking for change...

Nothing really changing but it is good to try.
.
.
.
.
.
No clear path... or options. Its still good to try...
.
.
.
.
Looking for change.

- Enjoy!

Friday, July 05, 2013

Calgary Stampede Parade ...

Too earily... Needed to pack more food and drink. Need to get more rest.
It was a smaller parade, it was a well done parade... oh the floats that did arrive were very well made too!

I think we do this every two years almost every year... Some times you just need a break. Now the nap was a good thing, but I think Childern need to be a little older to fully appreciate the event.

Lots of officers in dress and plain clothed to watch for the threats... Thankfully no threat was present. We found a great spot to sit, but the folks that would likely look like terrorist only brought flags and good humor. Nothing - Thankfully to worry about.

Yes I might be paranoid, but a quick and reasonable retreat is now part of my set up plan for public events. IT is only a matter of time before Canada is a target. I have seen a huge growth in the Muslim community in the city over the last 5 years. I can tell you many don't or can't pay their bills and they tend to collect 5 families (extended) in a single home. I'm sure this has to do with immigration. This can be seen in the N.E. of Calgary more so then other areas.

The City has had a huge support from political leaders, celebrities and the T.S.X. was opened from fort Calgary this year. The first time ever it was launched out side the Exchange ever. This is a huge boost of support for the city of Calgary and the Stampede.

All in all - It was very Clean. Remember two weeks ago, it was flooded out. 10 feet under water. I think this is a piece of history that no Calgary resident will ever forget.

- Enjoy !

Thursday, July 04, 2013

Another RPG...what...

My game group has become pretty rabid consumers of the game I'm running. They contribute a ton. They consume a ton. They are already closing in on 4rth  level as of this writing in just 5 game sessions totallying 8 hours.

Social skills and co-operation is improving, the math skills are improving and most important of all, they rug rats that they are ... Each and every one is having a ton of fun letting their imagination fly free.

The important things in our game is fun... Ignore Alignment limitations, Never say no - we say roll the dice. Then we play a very open cross genre game that impulses things like super heroes, knights, dragons, robots supernatural, ninjas, super tanks and space ships and more!

It has been a fun experience to bond with people in this way.

- Enjoy!

Tuesday, July 02, 2013

cRAZY hOT

This is one of those days where it si going to feel like 40 centigrade...
Humidity playing a major roll due to the flooding issues we are almost done dealing with.

I love hat weather as long as the bugs vanish. Love nice weather - Hate bugs. That is the one good thing about autumn and early spring, no bugs.

- Enjoy!

Sunday, June 30, 2013

East Indian Ball Hockey...

Well I have to say these folks are quickly gaining the know how of the game we love. In two hours I was the only Canadian on a court of 8 east Indians playing the ball hockey game... They did a good job of shutting me down. I still managed to gain 5 goals and 5 assists in 2 hours... COnsidering how much I was glowing on the court It was easy for them to contain me.

I put the call out for more Native to pull the old rubber clubs out of storage for a rousing game. I suspect with more comrades on my level we can really blow them out of the rink with a shut out or two.

I found that they have surpurb batting skills. If I put the ball in play at a cricket pitch height, they hit the ball 90% of the time right out of the air and into the net. A skill not normally seen in the Canadain game, yet the cricket pitch skills are impressive when the height is right for a ball hockey game.

I now know what it is like for a hockey player from another country to play our game. They spoke little of the english language.

Still it was a fun scrimmage.

I was good enough ;)  that they invited me back for another game. May be some fellow Canadians will join me in the fray.

- Enjoy!

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Summer begins - - -

The floods have taken a toll on us everyone. It has been a good rest, a good recovery, a good reminder that we need to reconnect with the real world issues. Now we are all getting back to business.

My cold has subsided enough to allow me to feel more like myself. I hope to be getting more art posted again... Some colds leave you pretty wiped out. This was one of those. I just have to get focused again. I had a story in the works and it has not really been addressed since the floods.... I've lost over a week of activity on that front too.

It will all come together soon... I can sense the universal correction coming together for a definitive end.

- Enjoy - the nice hot weather!

Monday, June 24, 2013

Getting back to normal....

Well the floods did hit us hard... Emergency and city crews have been operating 24 hours a day since Friday. The city is crawling back up to speed. It is amazing what can be done with a cash injection into the city and services to get things done. Still no real growth in job oppertunities though.

I expected many more jobs to spring up in all the chaos. It never happened.

My cold is fading - We are still dry... There are a ton of bugs in the city now!
There is an odd smell in the city as well... Less smog and a fresh - Odd smell that you never expected from a city that is growing as fast as ours is.

I think this flood will make our city a little more shiny too.
I told the wife, this is the first year that a tax rate is finally justified as the cost of clean up is going to be fully accounted for... Can't hide an money in private coffers... citizens are locked out of the down town core... money now has to be placed into the city to fix it all..... That is the one huge plus to all the flooding.

- Enjoy

Saturday, June 22, 2013

Floods- sick- news-hunger...

All the news around the floods is making me a bit tired and run down...
I'm strangely craving, a roast beef... Pretzels, beer and mixed nuts.....


I think I need to get on a vegetarian binge...

No I just need a real job.

I wonder if there will be more work opportunities with all the flooding in the city.

Friday, June 21, 2013

Floods...

We are good for now... Crazy how 24 hours can change your life.
Many people evacuated and it is the strangest flood ever to hit Alberta... The entire south of the province is overflowing.... I've never seen such chaos... Even the down town core is underwater.

Everyone is staying put for now.
I can see a major need for food creeping up on the population as a whole.

Thursday, June 20, 2013

Creeating more material....

Crank it out... Working on more game material for ... you guessed it... gaming ... Anyone want to role play?

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

G8 - surprise...

I'm sure all the crack downs on the wealthy is only going to create a private market in currency hording in an all new fashion... I suspect that gold will become very popular once again.

Sunday, June 16, 2013

Difference of Palladium Books system and D20 systems

There are many difference but some one posted this great reference that I agree with and might add to in the future...

1) D20 has a unified die mechanic; with the exception of damage, d20 makes use of a d20 to resolve all conflicts/encounters in the game. PFRPG uses a d20 to resolve combat, and d100 to resolve skill checks (both use various other die types for damage).

2) D20 is an interative level system, PFRPG a suceessive level system. D20 characters can completely change archetype everytime they level, where as PFRPG improve within their set archetype. This vastly changes the complexity of "building characters"; after you build a PFRPG character at 1st-level, with the exception of improving some bonuses, they are a fairly static character. Since D20 has interative levels, you don't stop "building" your character, from 1st to 20th level (or beyond).

TL:DR version: PFRPG characters are more static, but less complex to build after 1st-level.

3) PFRPG let's you play as one of the "monster races", without having to buy a separate supplemental book.

4) PFRPG makes use of archetypical OCC's (or RCC's), rather than the more general "Fighter" or "Cleric" builds. You can start as a Knight at 1st-level in PFRPG.
(this offsets the "well, I can play an Elven Fighter/Mage in D&D, starting at second level...", with "Well, I can play an Elf who can swing a sword and cast magic at 1st-level, in PFRPG.")

5) D20 makes use of "Feats" to add customization of characters in the game; while this adds diversity amongst the characters, it also adds complexity to the game. And many combat options freely available in PFRPG (disarm, trip, flip) are only optimally usable in d20 with the investment of multiple feats (i.e. feat trees).

6) Defenses in PFRPG are active, rather than passive. This is a huge one, and a major selling point for me. In PFRPG, I get Parries and Dodges to avoid getting hit, rather than a static Armor Class. Personal skill (and good die rolls!) mean more to my defense, than what armor I'm wearing or what magic rings I have on. That's huge for me.

7) Armor in PFRPG is ablative, not deflective. Armor in PFRPG soaks damage. Armor in D20 keeps you from getting hit.

8 ) Magic in PFRPG works off of PPE, which is like a mana pool, with magic-users able to make use of any and all spells they know, so long as they have sufficient PPE. Magic in D20 is Vancian "fire-and-forget".

9) Combat in D20 is automatically assumed to take place on a tactical grid. PFRPG can be played on a grid, but it is not the automatic assumption.

10) PFRPG does not have the added complexity of Prestige Classes, when leveling your character.

 My additions....

11) Palladium books is a game that encourages role playing over hack and slash.

12) You can choose to choreograph every single combat motion in Palladium system, or role play you way out of challenging battles - D20 is a roll of dice succeed or fail then move on in the game - D20 is a faster paced focus on  the game, while Palladium system is a character interaction focused game.

13) Palladium books has a number of fans who have strong opinions that do not always clearly point out source material for reference. D20 tend to have more friendly supportive fans of the game. So the message boards you hang out at might sway you in one direction or another. I don't mind challenging people so long as they know what they are talking about.

14) Palladium is a game that spans many genre's and characters can be easily integrated into all of them with minor changes. D20 games requires whole new books most of the time to enjoy a game in a different genre, often making you re-role a new character or switch game systems altogether to enjoy full. Palladium has managed to keep one system pretty well through all genre... It truly is a great system - You just need to understand the subtle differences in rules between books / genre your playing in with Palladium's system.

Like I said I may add more in the future to this.

Saturday, June 15, 2013

Free RPG Day!

Just finished a Rousing Game of evading and dodging Zombies!
You all need to try playing an RPG when it is free to do so. I can be hired to GM/Judge a few games if needed at a location near you too.

Get out an game today!

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

RPG Publication --- Avalible...

I just finished the first of many more Role Playing publications for the group I game with.  It is called

FLY GM

They love it so far. It is a supplemental log to our on going game sessions where all the players get to contribute and grow the game world. This e-mag publication allows people to jump in and get a good feel of what has happened and what others have done. It keeps our gamers in the loop of events when they miss out on a game session. Right now it is early stages but the reviews are really good.

If you want to try using our adventure log and supplemental information for your games, feel free to purchase your copy here...


It is a really great resource for our gamers.

Thursday, June 06, 2013

I'm a fan too...

Man - If you haven't heard of Taylor Hicks, man your missing out.
ever since season 5 American Idol... I haven't been able to watch again. Once you've had the best, no one else compares.
He has so many styles but he is at his best when he kick up the blues or Jazz.... Check this out...

http://taylorhicks.com/video/taylor-hicks-performing-at-bally-s-las-vegas

This video of Hicks kicking it - Man we need more authentic entertainers like him out there in the world... this guy is just the real deal. Pure music, pure talent... Uncut... unedited... awesome!

Wednesday, June 05, 2013

2 new game groups and counting...

A service I offer to players who want to have an experience with Role playing games. I enjoy offering the game sessions to groups of new players. I even produce a digital magazine for purchase of recent events of the games session I've had with my game groups.

The magazine has a bunch of great idea's exploring our players games, content and the ever expanding world we delve into.

Sunday, May 26, 2013

Things are a little quite... Job hunting...

It should be no surprise that I'm Job hunting.
I really want a career - That just is not happening. So what is left???
Keep looking. I'm not sure what else I have to do. But I'll keep trying. Finding a place that understands work and life balance is the real challenge. Man oh man, then I hear that Canadians have the worst paid and unpaid vacations in the world... No wonder life is so challenging. Due to inflexible employers we also have the worst productivity. Maybe we need to charge more for our time as individuals.

Food for thought.

~ Enjoy!

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Castle in the Rockies....Banff

5 star wonder!
We try to get out to the mountains at least once per year. This time we made our way out to the Castle...Now it is a hotel...Banff Springs Hotel. An amazing wonder in scale in the most beautiful place in all of Canada. You might not be able to visit here so let me tease you with a little photo or two from our experience.




These just give you a little idea of the scale. Fortunately the ball room is just one of the few in the facility... you would love the bathrooms too! Very
impressive, but they still smell like any bathroom would.