John Neptune and the Zombies From Planet X

This is the first episode of The Galactic Adventures of John Neptune, created by Ian Pugh. When Planet X, a secret research facility, goes silent Private John Neptune is dispatched with Princess Sunflare to investigate.

My Son is Wonderfully Made

Evan is my second born. He is different. Here is another example of my mother's photography. I fixed it a little so you can see what's going on. And what is going on? My son is enjoying a gift from my parents. Eventually he did play with it out of the box but it wasn't necessary. That's how he rolls.

First Born Daughter

I am not a first born. This little girl is. She is my first born and she was a joy as a little girl. People would stop us just to look at her. She had the bluest blue eyes for the longest time and dark curly hair. Her little brother was had the blue eyes too but you can't see him but his feet because my mother was an awful photographer. I hope to share a few here.

Candy Crush Saga, I Wish I Could Quit You

My goodness has Candy Crush Saga taken off in popularity. I remember going to Free Comic Book Day at my local comic book store and there was the owner's wife sitting in the corner with her tablet playing this game. Not that I could see what she was doing. I sadly knew by just the music and sound effects. I played the stinking game non-stop. I hoped sometimes just to run out of lives so that I could have a break.

It wasn't until I reached level 65 did I come to my senses. It was a level that I could not beat. Hours turned to days and days turned to weeks and I was dumbfounded. I couldn't beat the game anymore. I was shocked and saddened but also relieved. I came to my senses and saw what had happened to me. I became addicted to a Facebook game once again. I need to start my own 12 step program.
It has happened to me before in the past. Games you might have once played yourself. It doesn't matter what they were. They are all the same. They make you think you are in control but you are not. They lead you down a path that is filled with little planned rewards but very little resolution. It's just enough to make you believe you can beat it and be its master. But you can't, you are not the master but a slave. The big pay off for the game companies is if you pay to be the slave to the game. Then they really have their hooks in you. I have always been lucky to avoid this trap. There was one time when I was playing a collector card game that I nearly bought a Facebook card at Target to buy better cards but then too, I came to my senses.
I am glad I got stuck on Candy Crush Saga. I hear Papa Pear Saga is fun.

Smells like Heaven; Cleans like Hell

My loving wife bought me my favorite soap at Target today. I told her we had to because it's the only thing that makes me happy. It's Softsoap Coconut and Warming Ginger. I love this hand soap. It smells like heaven and it cleans like hell. I purposefully got my hands dirty so I could wash my hands. I won't share what I did to dirty myself, I can say it's illegal is some states.
I'd like to mention that I haven't experienced the warming ginger of the soap. I'm am sure it's in there somewhere but the smell of coconut is divine. I love the smell and taste of coconut. I love it so much I dated a coconut once but it didn't work out because it turned out to be a dude. The nut in coconut should have been a hint.

Watermelon Time and the Living is Easy

Watermelons. They are everywhere in Visalia. Tasty too. I was told once to look for black goop coming out of it's ridges to tell if it is ripe or not. He said it was sugar seeping out. Rarely has this tactic let me down. Here is some more fun facts about watermelon I dug up from the Internet:

1. Not only does it quench your thirst, it can also quench inflammation that contributes to conditions like asthma, atherosclerosis, diabetes, colon cancer, and arthritis.
2. Over 1,200 varieties of watermelon are grown worldwide.
3. Watermelon is an ideal health food because it doesn’t contain any fat or cholesterol, is high in fiber and vitamins A & C and is a good source of potassium.
4. Pink watermelon is also a source of the potent carotenoid antioxidant, lycopene. These powerful antioxidants travel through the body neutralizing free radicals.
5. Watermelon is a vegetable! It is related to cucumbers, pumpkins and squash.
6. Early explorers used watermelons as canteens.
7. Watermelon is grown in over 96 countries worldwide.
8. In China and Japan watermelon is a popular gift to bring a host.
9. In Israel and Egypt, the sweet taste of watermelon is often paired with the salty taste of feta cheese.
10. Every part of a watermelon is edible, even the seeds and rinds.
11. The first recorded watermelon harvest occurred nearly 5,000 years ago in Egypt.
12. The first cookbook published in the U.S. in 1776 contained a recipe for watermelon rind pickles.
13. According to Guinness World Records, the world's heaviest watermelon was grown by Lloyd Bright of Arkadelphia, Arkansas in 2005, weighing in at 268.8 lbs (121.93 kg). Lloyd grew and weighed in for the Annual Hope, Arkansas Big Watermelon Contest on September 3, 2005
14. By weight, watermelon is the most-consumed melon in the U.S., followed by cantaloupe and honeydew.

Main Street Altar Art

We had an adult couple night with some great friends of ours. We ate and had some wonderful beers and a good time was had by all. At the end of our time together we saw a baby shoe on the sidewalk. We decided to create an impromptu altar to the baby shoe. It is awesome and I wish we brought a candle to complete the piece. Maybe next time.
It is a blessing to have them in our lives. Great folks and fun to create art on the run with.