Last Friday as we were leaving the grocery store the cashier asked if we were watching the launch. We didn't even know about it. Since we can see it from the back patio we the answer is $&(@ YEAH. So about 3 minutes before launch I cleared one of my memory cards off to take some video. Night launches are WIN and cool. Don't worry, I rotate the camera about 20 secs in. GO BABY GO. Oh yeah, I talk a lot. Also there is Peter and my neighbor talking. In other news, my car is pretty much died a slow agonizing death. And ONLY after I just put $800 in new brakes and transmission repairs in her three weeks ago. So I am driving around a rental until I can get up to GA and go car shopping with the rents cause I don't trust myself to do that alone. Damn, $1000 gone for no reason but timing. Sigh....

Now if anyone has been paying attention to those status updates you might know that I am a DMC fan. But as I am sure no one pays attention to those I'll tell you,

I am a Devil May Cry fan.

About 2 months ago I went out and got myself DMC4. Then right before I finished it this happened...
That's right baby, red ring of death


So then I had to wait about 3 weeks while they replaced it.
While I waited Erik lent me his DMC novella which was rather good actually.

Once I got it back I went back through all the levels and then finished it.
I haven't enjoyed a game that much since Metal gear 3.
The voice work was superb, the motion capture glorious to watch, and I think I fell in love with the clothes.

Last night I went back to unlock stuff and I actually got my first S rating. Look at that, demons couldn't frakkin touch me and I took no damage.


Then I accidentally got my 2nd S rating on level 19.


Also, the second ending sequnce was so cheesy I LOVED it. The music was also right up my alley. See some lyrics from the closing song below. I am very much looking forward to DMC 5.

I like to cosplay from things I love this much but there isn't anyone I can look like.  So I might have to get creative. I've very much wanted a long white wig for a some time so I think I have enother excuse to get one.

Now to somehow get Reuben Langdon (Dante's voice and motion capture actor) to a con I am going to.

Whatever derogatory name people call Ikea lovers you may call me now.

This weekend since I was venturing out to meet some folk anyways I left a little early to go take a look at the new local IKEA. Karen and folk had gone and came back with rave reviews. So I wanted to see what all the hubub was about.

PLACE FRIKKEN ROCKS MY KNICKERS OFF.

They have this whole showroom upstairs that details how awesome your place should be.  Plus they have fabric and food.  You can shop around, take a food break 10 steps away, and get back to it. 
So while upstairs viewing the cool, you pick out the cool, and write it down where to find it. Then you go downstairs, locate the cool, and buy the cool.
On the way out you can get a .50 hot dog.

The way they laid out the kitchens, bathrooms, the apartments, the offices, kiddie rooms, bed rooms, living rooms... It made you wonder why isn't this my swinging pad?

I held back till I could think out a couple things but I picked up these.  Giant Poppies!

 

Also: Ikea Hackers. Why follow the instructions when you can make something totally new?

Last year Karen and Erik invited us to something called ICE!
Apparently the Gaylord Palms flies in dozens of Chinese ice sculptors, then cover a 1/4 of their giant parking lot in 9º F weather via tarps and uber air conditioners. The Chinese guys get to work making massive ice scultptures and finally the staff hands you a giant blue parka and it's a winter wonderland time.

This year we urged Peter's parents and his brother's family to join us cause we had such a good time before. The wait was like 40 times longer cause we went the weekend before Christmas. But it was still fun. Our various body parts went numb by the end. Last year we went ice skating (I didn't fall on my butt once!) but the wait tired us out so much we skipped it this year.

Prepare for picspam!
but first...a video.












Here's a couple images from last year:




More pictures are in the Gallery in case you have some weird urge to see more.
And I close with a video of the candy ice house and giant ice cream.


I really urge anyone to go visit. It's a really nice way to get into the holiday spirit. If you are from up north and miss the feeling of a numb nose ICE is a great way to remind yourself of why you moved to FL.

Oh and did I mention the ice slide at the end?

I suggest going the weekend it opens though. Way less people.

Buck and Emily are proud new parents to their new baby girl, Ellie Athena. Buck is a video game addict. They did their baby's room with Mario and Peach on the walls. When I heard Emily was ok with that I thought to myself I have to make them shroom pillows. OMG it would be epic. The red one is to make sure Ellie grows up nice and big. The green one is the extra life I'm sure her parents will need after the lack of sleep. For scale: Top: Making of: Oh noes they've got me.

A few months ago Karen asked if I could throw a Harry Potter party as a fun incentive for people to pre-reg for AFO. It also helped the last book had come out the week prior. I figured I could make a scarf for each house as prizes and buy a few favors. Then I thought I would could pull together things from around the house but I figured I wouldn't have enough.... I was wrong. I didn't think I was that much of a fan. Stop laughing.... games from friends, puppet pals, books, wands I already had. I got a gazing ball, trunks, and candles for the occasion. Also made some scarves. Made cauldron cakes to eat. These are unfrosted. You know they kinda look like some weird mold got hold of them. freaky bright neon icing mixed and added. Bite into them and you get this. No, don't adjust your screens. They were fun to have people bite into. Now if I only took pictures of the whole set up. I was too busy setting up last minute details I had forgotten about. I think the attendees had a great time. I had to kick them out after 12.