Horoscopes: 06.24.13

Aries: March 21 - April 20

A brave new future stands in front of you. It is time for rebirth and rejuvenation. It is the year of jubilee. Take out the champagne, and drink to your closest friends... or off of them. Whatever floats your boat.

Taurus: April 21 - May 21

The past has been overshadowed with regret. Make amends. Apologies are a great way to start anew.

Gemini: May 22 - June 21

Don't allow your past mistakes to cloud your future glories. Let go of your fear and take the leap off that ledge. It's time to spread your wings and fly... Just be sure to have some life insurance first.

Cancer: June 22 - July 22

Glory follows the foolish. Stop analyzing every little thing you do or every little thing that others do. Let go.

Leo: July 23 - August 22

Hope is the greatest shield in times of difficulty - so is a shot of vodka.

Virgo: August 23 - September 22

Virgo, in the past weeks, I have said some truly vicious things to you... I'm sorry. Go out there... let the world know that you ARE a unique and beautiful snowflake. Tramp.

Libra: September 23 - October 23

You have always trusted your better judgment to get you through the difficult moments. I say... trust the difficult moments to help you evolve beyond your better judgment.

Scorpio: October 24 - November 22

Stress is an easy excuse to let foul things fly from your mouth. However, resentment makes a far worse bedfellow than stress.

Sagittarius: November 23 - December 21

Pick a target and shoot for it, fellow archers. The world is waiting for you to do something spectacular. Don't disappoint.

Capricorn: December 22 - January 20

The road to success has a toll booth, and it's exact change only, honey.

Aquarius: January 21 - February 19

Your shrink is right, your mother IS a bitch, but apples don't fall far from the tree.

Pisces: February 20 - March 20

Old habits are easy to make new again. It takes an incredible strength and stamina to fight for what keeps you sane.

Toto, We're Not in Azeroth Anymore...

I spent five years entrenched in the majesty that is/was World of Warcraft, and though it has been just over two years since I have wrenched myself free from the seductive iron grips of Azeroth, I have to admit that coming across some old screenshots while cleaning up my computer has made me more than just a bit nostalgic...

Papito, the Latin Gnome Rogue from Tinker-Town

Riversong, Night Elf Druid

Riversong, Night Elf Druid

Jhade, Draenei Mage

Eternity, Undead Priestess

Mhalice, Blood Elf Warlock

Get Your Gay On

Even though June is "Gay Pride Month" and the Supreme Court's rulings on Prop. 8 and the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) could literally come at any moment, I hate to admit that I have been neglectfully lazy about any gay pride postings here on my new blog. My father's passing last month has made this June more than a bit tumultuous for me, so I am going to keep this little Gay Pride post quick, light and airy...

Over the Rainbow, Under it, & Through it...
The Rainbow Flag, sometimes called the LGBT Pride Flag or the Gay Pride Flag, is a symbol of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) pride and the LGBT social movements since the 1970s. The colors are meant to reflect the diversity of the LGBT community, and although it originated in California, the Rainbow Flag is now a worldwide symbol of gay pride.

When San Francisco artist, Gilbert Baker first raised his Rainbow Flag at the San Francisco Pride March on June 25, 1978, it had eight colors, each with a unique symbolic meaning:

• Hot Pink: Sexuality
• Red: Life
• Orange: Healing
• Yellow: Sunlight
• Green: Nature
• Turquoise: Magic / Art
• Blue: Serenity / Harmony
• Violet: Spirit.

As of 1979, the most common variant of the Rainbow Flag now consists of six stripes, with the colors red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet. The flag is commonly flown horizontally, with the red stripe on top, as it would be in a natural rainbow.

GLBT vs. LGBT? So... which is it?

Which do you use? Personally speaking, I have always used GLBT, and for the most part I pretty much still do. Though I feel that the two are interchangeable, there are some people who take the specific order of those letters very personally. When the notorious "Q" was added to the end of it by certain groups, making it either GLBTQ or LGBTQ the meaning behind that little new letter turned into a very heated debate for some. Did it mean "questioning" or did it mean "queer"? Does it really matter? Can't it mean both, or is the truth behind this entire debate really just another thinly veiled struggle in that seemingly endless war for a sense of self and community? Does another person truly have the power to grant that or withhold it from you? Should another's definition of you be able to carry that much weight? Who are you? Who am I? Like you, I'm just someone who wants to be seen, recognized, accepted and loved for all the beautiful colors I carry within.



Get your pride on over at my CafePress Shop!

Peace. Love. Hope. and Pride.

There's An App For That: Spirits

Helping to get the little leaf-spirits back into the happy-swirling-vortex-place at the top of each maze level isn't exactly as easy as it sounds. As you can probably tell from most of my previous app reviews, I'm more the RPG-gamer, city-builder, hack and slasher type. I'm not really into the hidden object games, or the puzzle-solver ones, but Spirts has such an absolutely addictive sense of tranquilty in its gameplay. You can't help but instantly love it. Even when the little leaf-spirits pop and die... they do so in such a calming and peaceful fashion.

A black, orange and white color scheme is beautifully simple
and utterly fantastic all at once!

There's An App For That: Battleheart

Battleheart will always have a special little place in mine. When Hurricane Sandy knocked out all the lights, heat and power in the area, this adorable little hack and slasher kept me from completely loosing my mind, that is... until my iPad ran out of power too. Cute graphics, and while not overly complex in its gaming structure, each character has their own unique set of powers and abilities making Battleheart's replability very high. Yes, "replability" is a word.

I simply adore the little purple witch, but Edwardo, the bard, is a charmer.

There's An App For That: Skylanders

What is Skylanders?
In a nutshell, Skylanders is both a video game and a toy line. You can buy the video game and then buy additional toys for the game so you can get more play value out of it. Each Skylander toy is playable and goes onto a peripheral called the "Portal of Power" which comes with the Starter Pack version of the video game. Once the toy is on the Portal, the game can be played with that character. Personally, I think Activision brilliantly hit the nail on the head with this one. The game can be "customized" to a player's particular taste and gaming style depending on what character (toy / figure) they choose to buy and play with. The line is also appealing to those collectors whose OCD will not let them rest until they own every single Skylander figure and their variants.

While I have not actually played the original video game (because I don't own a gaming console), I have tried out their apps...

Skylanders Battlegrounds
Skylanders Battlegrounds is a very straightforward hack and slasher with absolutely beautiful graphics! The fun factor is instant and very high! You can control a team of up to two Skylanders, and move from hex to hex battling whatever is thrown your way. A mobile Bluetooth "Portal of Power" is available, but not required to play the game.

My team of choice? Hex and Terrafin 

Skylanders Lost Islands
Lost Islands is Skylander-themed city-builder game with lots of wonderful little extras. Again, the graphics are absolutely beautiful and feel almost seamless across all their games. The houses, buildings and organic decorations in Lost Islands are very charming. The trees will actually subtly sway, and other floating islands will cast shadows across your village from time to time. Aside from building an expanding town on any (or all) of the nine floating islands, you can also shear sheep, imprison trolls, plant crops, or play with totem poles and a wishing well!

Skylanders Toy Line
You'll find everything from Genies, Elves and Dragons to Treants, Goblins and the Undead among the Skylander Toy Line. My personal favorite? Hex, of course. In fact, the one pictured in the middle graces a special little niche on my desk. (Update 7.11.13: I now own the first two of the adorable little Hexed trio pictured below. Witches tend to work better in threes, so I'm keeping my eyes open for the last one!)

Horoscopes: 06.17.13

Aries: March 21 - April 20

You should only feel guilty about casual sex if it was bad. If it was good... change the sheets, turn the page and have a drink.

Taurus: April 21 - May 21

You'll never win the lottery, if you don't buy a ticket. The same advice applies to your lovelife.

Gemini: May 22 - June 21

You've spent all your money on drinks and whores. Ask a Leo how he got rid of that itch, cause you are going to need the info.

Cancer: June 22 - July 22

Your fifteen minutes of fame felt more like 3 seconds. You have to learn how to praise your own accomplishments, without making others think you're full of yourself. Get yourself a new watch and start over.

Leo: July 23 - August 22

You should do something nice for yourself today. Spend an hour or two at a spa. Go to museum. What makes you happy? What gives you peace of mind? Figure that out, and go do it.

Virgo: August 23 - September 22

Again, I apologize, poor Virgo. You have been sulking, emotionally battered by the horrible and malicious"misfortunes" I have been telling you. You are beautiful. You are sweet and caring. You are a cheap, butt-fucking, back-stabbing crack whore... oops. Damn.

Libra: September 23 - October 23

Voyeurism turns you on. So? Don't feel cheapened. People pay money for a good show. Grab some popcorn, unzip, sit back and enjoy the show.

Scorpio: October 24 - November 22

Sometimes more can be said by keeping your mouth shut. Acquire that skill.

Sagittarius: November 23 - December 21

You are feeling overworked, stressed out and edgy. Take your own advice and step down for awhile. You've set your own hours, and agendas... rework the schedule, so you don't feel so drained. Even God took a day off.

Capricorn: December 22 - January 20

You've been enjoying the company of someone else lately. This good be the start of something truly beautiful. Take your time. Enjoy the details.

Aquarius: January 21 - February 19

Spiritual issues are slowly materializing in the background. You may have some unresolved issues that have been putting heavy guilt on you. Deal with them.

Pisces: February 20 - March 20

Sometimes a nice walk in the park, can clear up a clouded mind... unless it's raining of course.

Horoscopes: 06.10.13

Aries: March 21 - April 20

Why are you sitting at home, eating popcorn, and watching re-runs of a show you never watched when it originally aired? Your life is on hold, and by your own choice. It is not going to miraculously start up again. People are drawn to you for a reason. Go out and be social.

Taurus: April 21 - May 21

Feeling the fangs of age on the back of your neck? Back hurts in the morning? Legs feeling stiff? Age spots? Tsk. Tsk. Tsk. Life sucks, Taurus, but was it at least a beautiful ride?

Gemini: May 22 - June 21

You overwork yourself. You keep saying you'll take some time off, but you never do. I've said it before. I will say it again. Take some time off! You are not the endless source of energy you think you are.

Cancer: June 22 - July 22

At long last your fifteen minutes of fame are here. Don't fuck this up! You can redefine your life this week, for better or for worse. Listen closely to a potential new job proposal. It may be worth it.

Leo: July 23 - August 22

I hope you got that itch taken care of by now, because I see an upcoming trip for you. It's not going to be glamorous, but it will be fruitful. Stay away from Virgo.

Virgo: August 23 - September 22

Poor Virgo. Instead of focusing in on your wonderful traits - your confidence, your cheery disposition, and good humor, I've once again been mercilessly bashing you. Then again, if you weren't such an absolute bitch, I'd have nicer things to say to you.

Libra: September 23 - October 23

The scale is tipping. Your attention is being pulled in far too many directions. Focus your energies! You won't get anything worthwhile done, otherwise. You can only walk down one road at a time and actually get anywhere.

Scorpio: October 24 - November 22

Family issues are in the forefront this week, Scorpio. Keep your mouth shut for awhile, and tend to your own house.

Sagittarius: November 23 - December 21

There is nothing wrong with having a strong sexual appetite. The key word here is "moderation". You have been feeling "taken for granted" lately, haven't you? Well, how much thought goes into turning the doorknob when entering a room... get the connection?

Capricorn: December 22 - January 20

You have finally met someone who is worth the effort - chocolate and roses are not going to be enough. Give it the effort. Give it sincerity, and be original.

Aquarius: January 21 - February 19

Dreams are gateways for inspiration. Listen to what your subconscious has been trying to tell you, and follow the path it leads you down.

Pisces: February 20 - March 20

Domestic issues need attending this week. Spring cleaning should come a little earlier for you this year. Maybe you'll finally get that strange smell of dead fish out of your apartment.

YouTube Treasures: Pandora Boxx

Pandora Boxx in "Lick This Box" at the Laurie Beechman Theater in NYC.
May 24, 2013

The appletinis I had that night were so good, they apparently effected my boyfriend's photography skills! >cough< Thanks to those appletinis, the above picture is the only really clear one we have, but it goes without saying that we had an amazing time! Pandora was absolutely hysterical! I am so grateful that we had the opportunity to see her perform live... even if I did leave my cell phone there and had to go back to pick it up the next day after work. Damn martinis.

Since, I don't have any more pictures, I will leave you with a few Pandora Boxx YouTube Treasures:

Her Jan Brady impersonation just kills me.