The Brooding Lizard

Got this game one weekend ago. Produced by Pendulo Studios, this adventure game is the 3rd installment to the Runaway series. Unfortunately, game reviewers didn’t rate it well but that seems to be the case with a lot of adventure genre games. Most reviewers are more into FPS, RPG, MMORPG and action type games. In other words, they can be quite biased coz they like many others think that adventure games are kiddy.

The story is about proving the innocence of one of the 2 main characters. The main characters, a couple named Brian and Gina, will encounter many scenarios, interact with numerous NPCs and use/collect/combine many items. The best thing is that if you’re stuck, there are hints to help you along the way.

Runaway: A Twist of Fate adventure game took me less than 7 hours to finish. Yes… It is a bit short. That’s the bad thing about it. But the good thing is that, it is an enjoyable game which challenges your problem solving skills and wit. It may just be a 2-D mouse-clicking game but there is a charm about it. The witty jokes and humourous script is another thing I give a big thumbs up and double points to. I found myself clicking again and again on the same object just to see if the character’s will say something different.

I recommend this game for those who love puzzles and a story-line. You don’t have to be a gamer or great hand-eye coordination to play this. Just click away!

2 Comments | In: Hobbies | tags: game, games, pc games, pendulo studios, runaway, runaway: a twist of fate. | #

I used to make and modify things. It is a fun hobby. Hadn’t done anything like it in a long while, so my soldering set has been collecting dust and has suffered much neglect. As some of you know, I watch quite a bit of videos on YouTube. I came across this fella who goes by the name Kipkay. Kipkay does very good instructional videos on how to make/modify things.

I decided to whip out my soldering set and journey down the D-I-Y road again. What am I making? A USB Phone Charger so that I can charge my mobile via any USB port.

I watched this instructional video by Kipkay several times before starting the project. When it comes to electronics or electrical stuff, one can never be too sure so its better to watch the video at least twice. I scavenged as many of the parts in my home but some I had to buy. Here’s the list of ‘ingredients’ and equipment that I used for this mini project

1. Shrink-tube (RM1.70 for 1 meter)
2. USB cable (from my old dead mouse).
3. Nokia phone adapter (had to buy this coz no one would give me an old one ) RM8/set
4. Soldering set
5. Electrical tape.
6. General tools (pliers, wire stripper, scissors)

TIP: If you don’t own a vice or crocodile clips, just use 2 pieces of electrical tape to mount the wires to the the surface so that you can solder easily.

Final product is this! And it works too!

It only took about 10 minutes to do so give it a try yourselves!

———–

Q&A

Q:1 Why not just buy one?

A1: Where’s the fun in that when I am able to make it. Plus it costs less than RM10. The mouse was F-O-C

Q2: Why make it a USB Charger?

A2: I can use it wherever there’s a USB port i.e. laptop/PC, in my car, on planes, etc. Plus its lighter than a proper charger.

Q3: Is it possible to make one for other phone types?

A3: I’m sure its possible.

Q4: Why bother soldering the wires together? Can’t I just twist them together?

A4: It can come undone easily. Soldering ensures the joint remains solid and strong. Solder also helps conductivity.

4 Comments | In: Bizarre tryouts, Hobbies | tags: diy, kipkay, solder, usb phone charger. | #

Some of you may know that I’m a gamer. Few may know that there is a game called Fallout 3 by Bethesda Softworks. Many of you may know that Denzel Washington has a new movie out entitled ‘Book of Eli’. Others may realize that they both share many similarities.

Firstly, here’s the official trailer for The Book Of Eli.

Here is the official trailer for Bethesda’s Fallout 3 that I found on Youtube.

This second Fallout 3 video is made by Arious Vartists and I give them 2 thumbs up for a job well done. You don’t have to watch this one but I just thought to share it. Heh…

They both have plenty of eerily similar aspects. I somehow think that the producers, writers and directors were inspired by Bethesda’s Fallout 3 game which was launched in 2008. Or is it just mere coincidence? I did read that one of the movie’s developers was involved in the gaming industry prior to this. Yet that is not that much of an excuse to make the Movie so similar to the Game. What are main aspects which are similar? Let me fill you in.

1. Evil group of cannibalistic humans called raiders.
2. Both main characters are ‘survivors’.
3. Setting is in a post-apocalyptic environment/wasteland of the future.
4. The wasteland was a result of a war.
5. The environments detail destroyed highways & vehicles, vast deserted areas and destroyed towns.
6. Main character is on a mission (Fallout 3 – search for character’s father; Movie – protecting the Bible).
7. The type of weapons used – grenades, rocket launcher, rifles, pistols, etc.
8. The Movie’s fight styles and the slow-motion in fights is similar to Fallout 3′s fight/VATS system.
9. Having certain character(s) become the main character’s follower.
10. Clothing type i.e. jackets, gas masks, etc.

When I saw the trailer for the Book of Eli, I automatically exclaimed out-loud,”WHOA! A FALLOUT 3 MOVIE! ULTIMATE COOLNESS!!!” Of course it was rude of me to do so since I was in the cinema so I did get a few stares from those sitting around me. I just couldn’t contain my excitement. When the film’s title was shown as ‘The Book of Eli’, I felt so wronged and done in. Next thing that ran through my mind was, “Hollywood is running out of ideas for movies. Making games and comics into movies is their next improviso to keep the movie industry’s clockwork going.” Meh…

Alright… I don’t expect any of my non-gaming readers to understand what I’m rambling on about or know about Fallout 3. I just wanna make a point that movie makers nowadays lack creativity and originality. Since the turn of the century, there are more movie sequels and remakes plus adaptations from comics and games than there were before.

I do think some of you may see the similarities in the trailers or my thoughts  in the paragraph above. What do you think?

p/s – I had planned to post this post some weeks ago but was unable due to many circumstances. Heh…

p/s – Yes… I play violent games. But I am not a violent person… Unless…. Muahahaha

p/s – Almost fully recovered.

6 Comments | In: Hobbies, Videos & what nots | tags: bethesda, book of eli, denzel washington, fallout, fallout 3, game, movie, post-apocalytic, raiders. | #

Alright, this post is a little later than I intended but better late than never. Bosscat and myself went fishing during the weekend and some things did happen.

I realise that that I went fishing (usually alone), other males usually look down upon fisher-gals. This is especially true in regards to Chinese men; Malay men are more respectful and friendly; Indian men hover between the 2 behaviour groups.

On Saturday, we arrived at a fishing spot amongst the rocks. There were a group of Chinese men (2 seniors and 1 young man) who gave us the looks that read “Bah… Girls can’t fish. Will probably catch nothing.” Nevertheless, we set-up to fish and ended up hooking quite a lot of fish. We soon realised change in the weather on our right (South). The forecast had changed from sunny and clear to dark overcast with a chance of storms and southerly winds. For those who don’t get what I mean – that group of Chinese guys were unhappy and it showed on their faces. The Southern weather became  even gloomier when they did not get a single bite whereas we got bites very often.They then graduated to staring dagger eyes at us before leaving.

Then came an annoying Indian man who tried to show he knew more about fishing and if we wanted to go out in a boat with him. We declined after some verbal Tai Chi. He said my knots weren’t good/correct and that the fish will yank  itoff the hook easily. He tied one for us and I looked at it. =.=”  Goodness… He calls his darn Palomar knot (a tie knot type) to be better than my Snell knot? Ceh…I have caught many fish with this knot. Look at the statistics of the Snell knot catch rate.

(Sourced from: Paul’s Fishing Kites)

Yes… I’m being a little egoistic because he insulted me. The dude didn’t even know how to tie a blood knot or uni knot and just tied 2 simple loops instead (to join the dropper line to the main/lead line) . Apa la… Buat kacau saja…

On Sunday, the same Chinese man ego replayed itself. It seemed almost like deja vu. The difference was this time it was a Chinese uncle who kept losing his rigs. He kwa beh hean (meaning look down) on us both. We ended up getting more fish than him also. Damn egoistic uncle… He then moved further down the stretch away from us.

What is wrong with these men? I do not understand why they have to act this way. The Malay men who passed were friendly and did not snicker at us.

We caught lots of these delicious little Gelama. Am unsure of the correct English name which may be either Sand Croaker or Jewfish.

Bosscat got her first double hook-up.

Bosscat also found a new best friend during the weekend. Ideally, she named it “Stupid Fish!”. Hahahaha… Who could’ve thought that she’d get it 3 in a row!

The fishing weekend caused the PinknPurpleLizard became slightly browned on the surface whereas Bosscat got cooked to a medium (steak) doneness. LOL…

5 Comments | In: Fish tails, Hobbies | tags: blood knot, ego, fish, fishing, ikan gelama, palomar knot, sand croaker, snell knot, uni knot. | #

I have been searching for so long. And so I did a search to narrow down the eligible candidates who met my strict criteria. So I lined up the finalists of beauties (wait… my sentence structure sounds wrong… ~.- nvm la). Then I narrowed it down to her. She had that sexy look and met all my criterias.

I thus set out to look for this beauty. Went to many places in search of her but many had not heard of her. She was an undiscovered beauty… No one knew what a gem she was… “Sigh… So tragic.” thought I. How can no one know how awesome this illustrious beauty is.

She was overshadowed by her many famous siblings. She… had yet to find  her deserving fame. But I remained steadfast and continued my search which went on for months. Until one day I saw a fair and wondered if my uncut diamond would be there for me to find.

The place was filled with ppl but I still soldiered on my search. The hustle and bustle of the fair caused me to get a headache. I couldn’t turn back now that my journey has begun. And then, there… amidst the crowds and stalls, I saw a likeness. I made a beeline towards that likeness… It was not her… Whom I saw was her big brother…

I asked her brother’s keeper about her. Mayhap she be lingering in this crowd without my noticing. Alas… I was downhearted when I was informed that she was in the USA. He said that she had no means of coming back as no one would buy a ticket for her to come home.

Yes, I bought that ticket and she came home a little after a fortnight. I picked her up and had many good weeks with her; Until…. One night, she slipped into a coma and could not awaken. I made a few phone calls to the good Doctor who made a house-call the next day.

The diagnosis wasn’t good but I had to be accepting of it. Procedures were carried out so that she may regain consciousness. Sadly, she lost most of her memories. I’d rather have her back without her memories than not have her at all… She still lives and I am glad. Thanks Doctor!

Now I can continue to spend endless hours building new memories with you! Also, I can continue to appreciate your beauty and smoothness; and to molest you… Hehehe….

P/S:

Alright… Before any of you ppl get carried away in imagining nonsense, the ‘she’ I am referring to is my laptop – 16″ of beauty…

Bosscat, thanks for reviving my lappy… Now for that sushi meal that I owe you…

4 Comments | In: Hobbies, Lizzy's life | tags: hdx, hdx16, hdx18, hp, laptop, notebook. | #