Off the Top of My Head #12: Warhammer 40K Orks Dreadtrukk

On May 8, 2013May 7, 2013 By James CastroIn Games, Random Fun5 Comments

If it wasn’t clear from my previous posts, most recently the one about Dreamlike Gaming (congrats on the new store guys!) I’m pretty well into the Warhammer/Warhammer 40k hobby now.

Over the last couple months I’ve built two 40k armies. One went along with the release of the new Dark Angels codex. Dark Angels are troubled and all about smiting chaos (with their own flaws so that makes them interesting) not to mention a super-cool robed look. I love my Dark Angels army and pics of them will be coming soon. However…my favorite 40k army is orks.

Orks are a great horde army. All movement and weight of fire. They have a terrific all-id attitude and slight regard for personal survival; it’s all about the good fight.

One of the tragedies of the orks is their slightly humorous persona. Orks ARE funny and I do love that about them, but their cockney slang accents and brutish attitude usually make them difficult to tell entire stories for. I’d hate to see them lose their sense of humor but I’d like to see some good, long narratives from Black Library about them. Like Rodney Dangerfield….they get no respect. Except Ghazghkull.. If you don’t believe me read Chains of Golgotha and see how menacing this guy is.

My favorite tabletop aspect of orks is their junkyard tech. They can make things work just be believing they work, and can “loot” vehicles from other races, make ’em orky, and use them under the “looted wagon” codex profile (btw orks REALLY need a 6th edition codex…c’mon Games Workshop!)

Keeping this in mind I was able to get my hands on a Chaos Defiler for a discount price and, as I truly despise the traitors, I knew I’d never use it in a chaos army…but I could loot it!

Since it’s half Deff Dread and half Trukk I dubbed it the “Dreadtrukk.” It has parts of a Chaos Defiler, Battlewagon, Trukk, Land Raider Crusader, Wartrakk, Dakkajet, and Warbike to name a few.

Attached are pics of my looted Chaos defiler. It was a challenge to build, but I created it under codex rules and gave it:

DredTrukk	Points	Number Taken	Total
Original Points: 35			35
Skorcha	15	1	15
Big Shoota	5	2	10
Red Paint Job	5	1	5
Stikkbomb Chukka	5	1	5
Armour Plates	10	1	10
Boarding Plank	5	1	5
Wreckin’ Ball	10	1	10
Reinforced Ram	5	1	5
Grabbin’ Klaw	5	1	5

Total			105

The lower “jaw” is obviously the reinforced ram from the battlewagon. Believe it or not it is held in place with the left “arm” weapon of the Chas defiler left in two pieces. It worked remarkably well.

The Skorcha is actually the Flamestorm cannons from a Land Raider Redeemer. I made the Crusader variant but liked the look of the flamer so I was glad to use it. The turret still raises and lowers slightly which means the jaw actually “works.”

Inside the “mouth” is a ram head from a warbike.

The boarding planks I attached to the back of the trukk bed rather than the sides. Since the legs are on the sides it gives a bit more range, plus they can board whatever is “grabbed” by the Grabbin’ Klaw. For the Grabbin Klaw I used the claws that came with the Defiler and laid the trukk bed on top of them.

The “commander” is a nob with a stormboy head in a cupola made of Killa Kan shoulder pads an a vision slit.

The left side gunner is from the old Wartrakk set, I made a skorcha out of that too so I had him left over.

The right gunner is a “big shoota” boy with a nob head (no laughing!) I was very please with his posing, the big shoota held wildly in one hand and the human head held high in the other. I gave him a bloody chain axe just for fun. His “turret” is made of left over parts of the Dakkajet, a bike tire half, and Killa Kan parts.

I admit I like my orks “dirty” and scratched up even when bright and flashy. I had it painted in a nice pristine color scheme but didn’t like it until I scratched it to kingdom come with Necron compound.

I have another looted wagon I actually like better. A typical Leman Russ wth a boom gun. Pics of it and my custom warboss, Grimskragg Defftrigga, coming soon!

Click the picture below for a 360 view!

The death card from the Rider Waite deck

New Hobby: Tarot Card Reading

On May 5, 2013May 4, 2013 By R. PettyIn Art, Random FunLeave a comment

Thanks to TV and movies, I always thought Tarot card reading was a special skill or belief. I assumed it was frowned upon unless you were or wanted to be a psychic or someone else seeking supernatural guidance. It never occurred to me that I could pick up Tarot card reading as a hobby. Until now…

Recently, while reading the Beautiful Creatures quadrilogy (or quadruply as I like to call them), it dawned on me I could order a pack and learn to read. In the series Amma, a Seer, uses cards to see the future outcome of events. This character triggered a curiosity in me that I buried as a child because I thought Tarot cards were wrong in some way.

So, I ordered a pack. My friends and family thought I was a little crazy, but they embraced the idea, and I received a Zombie Tarot pack as well (thanks, James)!

The Cards and What It All Means

Tarot reading does not insinuate worshiping Satan or not believing in God. It’s about symbolism, and as an English major, I was trained to look for symbolism in everything I see and do. It’s all about interpretation. The cards represent human emotions and situations, and although some look into them for prophetic reasons, I am more interested in picking up a new hobby to entertain myself and friends.

There are multiple ways to lay out the cards depending on what you want to know. Each card represents specific emotions and can have different interpretations. For example, the death card does not necessarily mean death – it could mean the end of something or change. The lovers card does not mean sex, it represents youth, innocence, and true love “before it is corrupted by material possessions.”

The Rider Waite pack designed by Pamela Coleman Smith in 1903 is gorgeous; each card is a work of art. They are simple and effective, almost mystifying you as you shuffle them. My Zombie cards are somewhat bizarre and modernized, but they are very fun and zombie-apocalypse specific. I recommend either deck and encourage you to look for ones that may interest you; there are also angel, Steampunk, vampyre, and witch designs, to name a few.

The lovers card from Zombie Tarot — Photo from manplat.wordpress.com

The few readings I’ve done were lots of fun and full of laughs. Finding new hobbies can be a great stress release, rejuvenate you, and teach you something – especially about yourself. Sometimes a new hobby pulls me out of a funk or opens my mind to more possibilities, and often times, my hobbies help me focus more on things work, family, and goals.

Do you have any unusual hobbies you recommend? Feel free to share below!

Off the Charts: Fond Farewell to Futurama

On May 1, 2013May 1, 2013 By James CastroIn Reviews, TV ShowsLeave a comment

In 1999 a terrific show aired its first episode. It was smart, yet low brow; classy, yet crude; and cruel, yet hilarious. I have never before, or since, seen a show that could so span genres and play with emotions, pop culture, and trending topics as well as it did. It could actually make you tear up in the same episode your sides hurt from laughter. One of the best shows, consistently, I’ve ever seen. And now it’s come to an end…….again….

Yes I’m talking about Futurama.

Futurama is a singular show. You care deeply about the characters, their plights, and their relationships, but can still laugh uproariously when they get heads hacked off (only to be put back on again. It’s the future, people!) I started watching Fry, Leela, Bender, Amy, and company from premiere night. I knew it would be my kind of show, and I’ve followed it religiously since.

Fox never knew how to use the smart writing and thought it should play to the same market as The Simpsons. (Ok to get something off my chest…I LOVE(D) The Simpsons. I thought it was one of the best shows ever made…from about 1989-1998… Since then it has become a showcase of Homer’s high-pitched screaming, and nonsensical guest stars…I haven’t watched a new one in years and don’t plan to) Fox put it on adjacent to its venerable yellow-skinned family comedy and hoped to capture the same crowd. Unfortunately, by then, the Simpsons’ comedy had become a little “dumber” while Futurama played to a newer “uber-nerd” crowd and was written by math, physics, and computer science PhDs.

The show was pre-empted by sports, moved to and from various time slots, and delayed (and delayed, and delayed) until it was finally “cancelled” in 2003.

After extended runs on the Cartoon Network, Futurama fan outcry was such they creators made four direct-to-dvd movies and eventually found their way onto Comedy Central where they’ve run the past four years.

It was a strange event to see a show cancelled, brought back on DVD, and then renewed on a whole new network. But I was thrilled to see it back. It was just as funny and insightful as ever, and without the network TV yoke could add a little extra crude humor to the mix.

All of the voices returned, which is essential as the BEST, seriously people, the BEST voice acting possible can be seen in this show. Billy West, John DiMaggio, Katey Sagal, Phil Lamarr, Lauren Tom, Maurice LaMarche, Tress McNeille, Dave Herman, Tom Kenny and the legendary Frank Welker make the finest ensemble cast I’ve ever seen. And they truly make you appreciate good voice acting, especially when compared to the celebrity-voiced cartoon features cranked out by Hollywood nowadays!

Now the show’s third incarnation will sadly come to an end in September. Which means one of the greatest shows to ever air must also have the distinction of being one of the most cancelled programs in TV history.

To me this is one of the reasons TV is in the state that it’s in, and why more and more viewers are turning to fan-supported programs on YouTube and other internet sites. Yes they run on “ratings” too, however with an audience (like me) able to watch and have our ratings count at non-standard times (I’ve found people in my generation may not want to watch the show when the channel airs it, the internet provides us this option!) our views count whether we’re watching on release day or weeks later. Granted for every Geek & Sundry there is Annoying Orange but both can live in harmony on the internet rather than in competition. Unlike TV where great shows like Futurama go up against the likes of Honey Boo Boo and somehow come up short.

Though David X. Cohen, the terrific co-creator of Futurama, has stated the show will never again return like it did before, I’m holding out hopes we’ll see something of the characters again. How about a theater feature, guys? Your fans will come out to support you!

I’ll still relive the show again and again on DVD (and for those who don’t own them, this is a series that is a MUST buy on dvd. Don’t think you get the full enjoyment watching it on Netflix. The audio commentaries for this series are the best ever. Seriously EVER. As good as the show without them.) and hope that Futurama somehow attains more unlikely one-ups than can be found in a 1988 issue of Nintendo Power.

If it doesn’t (which it likely won’t) it will be one show I will truly miss. It represented the best that TV could put together. Well-made, well-written, well-acted programming that made you feel the people behind it truly cared about their show rather than just produced it to make a few extra bucks or pander to the lowest common denominator.

So here’s to Futurama. ::spooky tremolo:: Good bye to the world of tomorrow! (I hope to see you again out there!)

Official Website

Great fan page, Can’t Get Enough Futurama

5 Reasons You Should Subscribe to Entertainment Weekly

On April 28, 2013April 28, 2013 By R. PettyIn Opinions1 Comment

It’s one of my rituals. Every Friday night I sit in my recliner with a bottle of water and my Entertainment Weekly. I hate and love double issues because they postpone the next issue, and it’s the only magazine I have consistently subscribed to. So, why is it so great? In an age where people don’t have time to sit and read, it’s a perfect fit.

It’s pop-culture news. EW is not a gossip magazine. Most times, you won’t see unappealing photos of someone in a bathing suit or read crap about baby daddies. There are real articles, interviews, and info on what happened that week.
Quickly catch up on what you missed. In my work kitchen the news is on all day. I stay current on big events, but I want to know what movies did well and what’s coming up. It’s a fast read. I can read the entire magazine in 20-30 minutes. It’s like a crash course in entertainment.
It’s funny. I love the Bullseye section and the Sound Bites. There are other columns and little boxes that spotlight the week’s funniest or most horrible moments. In some, they poke fun of or praise a celebrity in a tactful, fun way. It’s more than bashing; it’s clever, fun, and witty.
Finding new stuff. I have to thank EW for The Hunger Games trilogy, Bates Motel, and calendars I use to plan by weekend and DVRd movies and shows. Without the magazine, I would have no idea these things existed, and when what was coming out.
Learning things about your favorite people and things. I love reading interviews with my favorite celebs or skimming a review on something I’m uncertain about. The magazine is a great way to decide to purchase or watch.

As with everything, there are a few things they lack. They have failed to mention Psych recently and sometimes focus too heavily on certain subjects. That aside, it’s a wonderful edition to the weekend, and I hope you will find the time to check it out. If you love movies, TV, music, and books, it’s really the only magazine to have in the house.

Off the Edge #3: Random Annoyances

On April 24, 2013April 23, 2013 By James CastroIn Opinions, Random FunLeave a comment

As anyone with the internet, a PC, a car, or a television…I get a little tired of things sometimes. Not just typical annoying things, but other things that might seem harmless, or even wildly popular, but for some reason I just get incredibly weary of some aspects about the culture and just life in general. Just for fun (bring it on internet) I thought I’d do a list of the things that have been especially annoying recently in no particular order:

People: They’re rude, selfish, and needlessly hateful. In fact it’s such a surprise when someone is civil you aren’t quite sure how to take it. When you get the note from the guy who scratched your car or a “thanks for the tip” on a youtube comment it’s stunning.
Reality TV: I used to wonder when this trend would end. I don’t think it will. There are way too many shows with washed-up celebrities and/or “regular people” competing or behaving stupidly on TV. I only turn my television on for 2-3 shows. If I see one more person crying on TV I may just wait til things show up online and give up cable altogether…
Dropping Things: How do they vanish into oblivion? I dropped it straight down. I can understand it might bounce an inch or two but how did it get 12 feet away underneath the aquarium?
Parking: How on earth do people NOT hit the lines? Ok we all can leave a poor attempt at parking on occasion but I’ve noticed a LOT of people park consistently badly and leave it. When you use the same parking lot every day you can see the same white truck or the same blue car crooked over the lines. If they have that much trouble with painted lines while stationary I live in fear of how they deal with them while moving.
Hipsters: What pop-culture crypt spawned these foul creatures? They’re this generation’s beatniks; only instead of being annoying poets they mostly just criticize annoying poets. For not being annoying enough. That’s a double whammy.
Geek Culture: NOT geeks. I have no issue with dorks since I’m a huge dork myself, but it’s more the marketing toward geek culture that drives me insane and how people wear geek culture like a jacket now. It used to be geek culture was driven by the geeks. Now people become geeks the way they become raver-kids or goths, they wear the clothes, watch the TV shows, and learn some lingo. It’s just what is popular right now.
Movies in CGI: Yeah that’s what it is now. No more CGI in movies. It’s more movies that are CGI. They’re all CGI. People don’t build sets anymore just green screens. No one builds props anymore, they’re just rendered. I’d rather see something in front of the camera than see an undulating cartoon character or more pixelated fire. I don’t think I could take seeing another computer-generated army running at another computer-generated army.
Model Glue: Why does it stick my fingers together better than the model parts?
Fanboyism: Sometimes people just can’t see the problems with their own beloved obsessions. Nothing is ALL good and what is good, better, and best is all a matter of personal opinion. So what’s with all the flame wars?
Apple: I know there are scores of Mac lovers but honestly I find Apple’s practices as insidious as anyone’s…probably more-so. The big problem is some publishers ONLY publish their digital material in the iTunes store…to get it you have to have iJunk. So to get a 15 dollar book I need a 300 dollar device…
Traffic: I’ve noticed nearly all traffic problems are caused by selfish and/or over-reactive people. One jackass stops or pulls out in front of everyone and that spot will sometimes create a chain-reaction back-up for hours.
Haters: People who only find the negative in things. “It’s a great ::blank:: but it has this stupid thing.” Or “It would’ve been perfect but ::whatever:: ruined it.” And yes, I see the irony in having haters on a list about things that annoy me!

That’s all I can think of now. Again, this is just me. We’re all allowed our opinions so feel free to disagree!

And as usual, it’s all just good fun 🙂

5 Tips on How to Edit Your Own Writing

On April 21, 2013April 19, 2013 By R. PettyIn Writing for Web and Tips1 Comment

“When you write a book, you spend day after day scanning and identifying the trees. When you’re done, you have to step back and look at the forest.” ― Stephen King, On Writing

How many writers out there think they don’t need an editor? I doubt many, which is why we have jobs. Editing is a special skill that develops with practice and time. But what do you do if you don’t have an editor or are short on time? What about if you’re submitting to an editor and worry they’ll rip it to shreds?

Here are five tips on how to edit your own work. These tips may help develop your editing skills, improve your writing, and win your editor’s heart.

1. Run spell check. There’s this nifty little tool called spell check. Use it, and add words to your dictionary as you go.

2. Read your copy aloud. I don’t mean fly through it like you’re reading something for school or an online article. Enunciate the words, pause at commas and periods – read it like you would to a four-year-old. You will see and hear how it reads, enabling you to make important changes.

3. Find the meaning. Read each paragraph or section and ask yourself, “What did that paragraph/section mean or tell me?” If you can’t answer that in one sentence, consider revising for clarity and focus.

4. Check your transitions. As you read, pay attention to how you change subjects or points. Does it seem natural? Does it bounce around? Each thought should lead into the next, and the entire piece should tie it all together. If you talk about parachuting in paragraph one, it probably won’t make sense to talk about shoes in the next.

5. Step back. Take a break, and when you come back, read it one final time. If it’s an assignment, does it address everything required? Do you enjoy reading it? How does it read as a whole? Make necessary changes, and if they are extensive, read it once more.

There’s no need to memorize grammar and punctuation rules, or agonize over every word. If you want to learn the rules, I encourage it; however, the above steps will help you find misspelled words (such as its and it’s) and hear things (such as missing words) to ensure you submit your best work.

For more writing tips, check out our Writing for Web and Tips section!