Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Off The Shelf: Bad Spirits

You know, I don't think I tell you enough about what I read. You've been getting posts about the movies I've been watching, but nothing about what I've Been reading. Shame on me! Anyways, currently I've been reading various items on my kindle. Yes, I really do love my kindle. There are a lot of things available to read on it.

Bad Spirits
by DV Berkom

If you're looking for a light, slightly bloodthirsty read, this is for you. The short books follow the exploits of Kate, on her adventures while trying to escape Mexico. The writing style is first person, which is rather enjoyable as the story unfolds. The further in you read, the more 'facts' you are told, and the more interesting it gets.

What can you expect though? A lot of running, drug lords, explosions, and a few shoot outs. Oh, and did I mention money? Stolen drug money to be exact. Not too shabby really. But definitely not a romantic story at all. So if you're into more fluffy light romance reads, this isn't going to give you the happy fuzzies you're after.

Readers that I'd recommend this to are ages 15 and up. Mainly due to the rather adult content. It's not sexual. I just don't believe the contend is appropriate or to the taste of children.

Monday, April 28, 2014

Music Monday 15

So this week, we're going to try something a little bit different. Because it doesn't hurt to try and be well rounded. So here we go, getting started right with some music! I hope you have an amazing week and that it's safe.

Billy Idol : Tomorrow People

David Bowie : I'm Deranged

Clock DVA : The Hacker

Front Line Assembly : BioMechanic

Leather Nun : Have Sex With Me

Friday, April 25, 2014

Autism Awareness Month

What is Autism? We hear about it a lot. But what is it really? It's a very complex disorder, which varies from person to person. But it is at it's core a disorder that affects the social behaviors of a person. There are vast differences in how drastic autism can be, so you can't really judge and compare one case with another.

April has been Autism awareness month, and I hope this isn't the first time this month you've seen something about it. You may know someone that has autism, and not even know it.

For further information please see the following:


(( Sorry Esme that this is so late in the month, I thought it had published earlier in the month, but I Clearly have been away from the desktop more than I should be, many apologies Hun.))

Thursday, April 24, 2014

Airlords of Airia


This is a great film short. I hope you enjoy it, it gives you a different storyline to think about for steampunk and it's a bit of fun to watch.

Wednesday, April 23, 2014

Just Visiting : The Mutter Museum

Sometimes there's an oddity you can't explain. But through the years people have learned how to explain them. But that doesn't mean that the morbid curiosity some events and discoveries have created has disappeared now that there is more knowledge. Science has often been used to explain the peculiar, as well as to find solutions to cure oddities. And that's where we find the Mutter Museum.


The Mütter Museum
19 South 22nd Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103

To be quite honest the best way I can explain some of the things that I've seen associated with this museum fall under the category of bizarre and grotesque. That doesn't mean it's a bad thing, I happen to find it intriguing personally. The displays vary as to content, as the museum's collection has been collected over a very long period of time. The museum was originally established as a teaching tool for medicine in 1849. This was before X-rays and antibiotics, so there were a number of maladies that may not have been diagnosed without the knowledge that they existed.


One exhibit in particular that they have is of interest to me. They're calling it "Grimms' Anatomy" but why is it of interest to me? Well it's a study of Grimms' fairy tales and the bodies and instruments presented in the stories. The actual book of fairy tales is very long and full of a wide variety of tales that have become fluffy in our modern times. Some of them are quite gruesome.

But what's fascinating to me is that they're using real world examples alongside the stories to help illustrate what  might be the reasoning for a deformity. Or maybe the result of some of the details in the stories. I'm not entirely certain. All I know is that it's an exhibit that I'd be interested in seeing at some point. I read that it should be there through 2015 sometime. So maybe if I dream really big I'll get a chance to see it. You never know.




Monday, April 21, 2014

Music Monday 14

Alright, it's about time we do another post of steampunk music. I bet a number of you have started to wonder if I've forgotten all about the genre. Well, I haven't. I've just been listening to a wide variety of music, and it doesn't hurt to keep ones mind sharp and open to the different kinds of sound that are available in the world today. We're blessed with the ability to explore the sounds heard around the world, so it's worth it to take the time to enjoy them.

Hope you have an amazing week! Here we go with some fun steampunk music! (not all the bands are classified as steampunk, but the songs have qualities that make them valid additions to the genre.)

KONGOS : I'm Only Joking

Vagabond Opera : Red Balloon

The Scarring Party : No More Room in Hell

Frenchy and The Punk : Steampunk Pixie

Coppelius : I Told You So








Friday, April 18, 2014

Sharing Zen Pencils #149

Zen Pencils - 149. Mother Jones (go check out the other comics too!)

This is one of the few comics that I'm keeping up with on a fairly regular basis, even though am currently mostly offline. Why do I like Zen Pencils? Because each one is different, and a lot of the quotes are ones that everyone can understand, or at least enjoy. This is the one that I got in my email yesterday, and I wanted to share it with you all.

Why? Because it's true. The more you read, and the more you know about, the stronger you are when a challenge comes up that you need to deal with. You learn what is true, what is false, and what can be changed. By understanding you can enjoy life more.

Anyway, am not trying to talk too much. So as you read under neath the comic, go check out Zen Pencils if you haven't yet. You won't be disappointed.

Thursday, April 17, 2014

Bertie The Bat



I thought this was absolutely adorable! I hope that you enjoy it as much as I did. It's always nice to see a cute bat especially an animated one.


Wednesday, April 16, 2014

HQ Sings too y'know!

We get to hear Harley Quinn Sing a few different times in her existence.

I personally prefer one of the first times I did hear her sing almost a full song. It turned into one of my favorite songs.


But then there's this small clip that was included at the end of  the Batman Arkham City video game. It has a much darker feel in the tone than what I'm used to seeing the love dove having. But then again, from what I understand the games aren't all peaches and cream. So hear ya go for comparison.


What do ya think? I kinda like her happier more...character correct toning in the sweethearts song. But maybe there's a reason that it has such a darkly edged tone to it. Who knows.

Monday, April 14, 2014

Music Monday 13

You never know what's going to come up here when it comes to music. I'm sure some of you have been wondering where the steampunk music has gone, am just taking a slight break and spreading out the sound a little bit. Some pop music, and lesser known stuff can be good for you too after all.

The New Lightweights : Long Distance Love

Nina Nesbitt : Hold You

Foxes : Warrior

Cashier No9 : Death of Fun

OTT : Story of Love

Thursday, April 10, 2014

So Pretty - So Dark


I'm actually thrilled by this short horror film. On sooooooo many levels! It's so refreshing to see a vamp that's insulted by the sparkling. As well as see one  that uses the sunrise to his best advantage. (sorry...slight spoiler). But yeah, great short film hope you enjoy it!

Wednesday, April 9, 2014

Special post on Mr. J! Also known as Puddin'


Talk about a dream! I kind of wish they'd have him sing more often. Just wanted to share one of my favorite characters with you. It's always a treat to see him do something artful.


Oh, and just because we all know how much I like my villains. I found this fun video that shows some great funny clips of the Joker from Batman the animated series. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did picking it out. Oh! You even get to hear him sing some Christmas music at the beginning!


Monday, April 7, 2014

Music Monday 12

Mondays are always rolling around. Come on perk up! Time to get a move on it! Spring break should be soon shouldn't it?

The Brilliant Things : Dance

Industry : My Mistake

Bellefire : Say Something Anyway

Barbarellas : Night Mode

Jedward : Everyday Superstar

Thursday, April 3, 2014

Phantom of the Awkward


So, I was scrolling through the internet. You know, the way we do? And I found this ... interesting spoof on the Phantom of the Opera, it is a little painful at times. But it's amusing! Have fun! ANd hope you're weekend rocks!

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

What's on the screen? : Grimm's Snow White

Yeah there's more movies about Snow White out there than most people want to care to count. There's cartoons, and live action, computer animations, all kinds of stuff. But the story is one that people are always going to be fascinated with. Good versus evil, a happy ending...or at times a not so happy one. But in most of them, we always see Snow White get the Prince.


So what made this version something that I was interested in? We see a struggle for freedom, some dragon like beasts, and some variations from the everyday story that make it appealing. The acting is decent, given that it isn't a film with an A list roster, at least as far as I know. The computer graphics aren't bad, they're certainly better than the cheesy mechanical beasts you'd see in a film from the 70's like The Magic Sword. And you come to like the characters.

Unfortunately, Snow White, as usual doesn't get given much depth. But hey, what can you expect from a character who has always been considered a damsel in distress. She's pretty much a  flat character. Even the prince could have done for a bit more character development. The supporting characters, also known as the elves, were far more interesting and seemed more put together. But then again I do tend to cheer for the underdog.

It's not a bad film. It is not the best film. But it isn't a bad one either. It's one that would be fun to watch with a group of people, because you don't need to pay a ton of attention to keep track of the action. Though, you may miss some of the more interesting effects or continuity mistakes if you don't pay attention. Like when the Huntsman takes Snow's ring, when they pan back to her she's still wearing it. Little things like that give you something to notice, but they're not distracting.

Recommendation? Yes, if you have time to kill. Just don't expect a blockbuster.

Tuesday, April 1, 2014

Music Monday 11

Monday! The last Monday in March too! Hurray for small favors! But is the month going out like a lamb or a lion? I wish I could say for sure.

The Vamps : Wild Heart

Neon Jungle : Braveheart

Wilkinson : Afterglow

Arctic Monkeys : Do I Wanna Know?

Capital Cities : Kangaroo Court