Buildin'

One of the joys of gaming happens to be the building that comes along with it. In many games, you can create your own content, and add a bit of your own flavour to the world you play a game in. One such game is Neverwinter Nights from Bioware. Based on the pen and paper game, Dungeons and Dragons, Neverwinter Nights is set in a fantasy world. There is a single player campaign, plus you can go online to find what are called persistent worlds. These are servers that are constantly up, and constantly maintained. I currently play on one called Legacy of the North. It's a nice server with a decent population of players.

And I am on the building team.

I take a bit of pride in the things I build. Each thing that is added to the server is seen by the players, and I can sit back and say "hey, I made that, and people really like it." So it is true with the current area I finished. I like making social areas where players can gather to just talk. And I've currently finished a halfling village. Think of the Shire from Lord of the Rings. Filled with little people, it's a fun little place to go and have fun.

For me, building happens to be a relaxing past time, and an enjoyable hobby. It's a digital way of making model railroads and villages.

Until I find the one ring...

...keep 'em flyin'.

2-0

The defending Grey Cup Champions are perfect to start off the 2008 season. But it didn't come without some loss. Marcus Crandell went down with a hamstring injury, DJ Flick was carted off with a broken ankle, and defensive back Leron Mitchell was also carted off.

Third string quarterback Darian Durant stepped into the role of ground general and utilizing running back Wes Cates, pulled a victory out of the jaws of defeat. The B.C. Lions could have easily rolled over on the Riders, but the Rider defense stiffen at the right time, and the Rider offense stepped up and managed to capture a 26 to 16 victory.

Two things are important.

Saskatchewan is 2 and 0 to begin the season. British Columbia is now 0 and 2. Both teams are very good, and on paper, from last year's stats, B.C. is the better team. What kind of analasys is Wally Buono is going have to do to improve? On the other side, Saskatchewan also has to take a close look at itself. With the extent of injuries, are they going to be able to handle the Hamilton Tiger-Cats next week? Especially after Hamilton came off an impressive win over the Toronto Argos.

Until next week...

...keep 'em flyin'!

Farmer's Market

Summer is always great. There's the lake, the parks, warm weather (sometimes unbearable and hot) and even the summer thunderstorms can be great. Even if they do wake me up in the middle of the night. But one of the things I look forward to are the Farmer's Markets.

The farmer's market in Outlook in open, every Friday, and runs until September. And, oh there are so many things which you can buy. Farmer's markets are great. There's food, crafts and so much more. I even managed to pick up some items while there on Friday. Some incredible pasta and focaccia bread. That was supper for me.

Just take a look at the picture. I could describe it, but looking at it is so much better.

Until the next farmer's market...

...keep 'em flyin'!

Back in the saddle

It's been over a month since I posted anything, but what a better way to come back than with this.

The 2008 Canadian Football Season is underway, and the Saskatchewan Roughriders are large and in charge. There were a lot of questions about this team in the offseason. Trading Fred Perry, the teams leader on defense, to Edmonton. Trading Kerry Joseph, the CFL MVP and the number one quarterback to the Toronto Argonauts. The release of versitile player Corey Holmes. And, of course, the departure of Kent Austin, winner of a Grey Cup in his rookie season as head coach.

All of that was answered last night with the Riders' home opener against division rivals the Edmonton Eskimos. All eyes were on Marcus Crandell. Could he be the pivot to lead the Riders? Would he be able to step up and answer the critics? Well, it's only one game, but he did enough last night to at least silence the critics for a while.

The game started close, with the Riders and Eskimos exchanging the lead until the last quarter. Crandell tossed some excellent passes to Rider veteran DJ Flick, and Grey Cup MVP James Johnson picked up right where he left off in 2007, picking off Edmonton pivot Ricky Ray once.

At the half, the score was a close 9 to 7 affair with the edge going to the Riders. Second half, the Riders blew open the doors. With strikes to Wes Cates, who had 85 yards rushing, Andy Fantuz and a touchdown strike to Rider rookie Adarius Bowman, the final ended up much more convincing than the game showed. The Riders won 34-13.

Here's hoping that the other 17 games go just as well for the Riders as they are one step on the road to defending the 2007 Grey Cup.

Until next time...

...keep 'em flyin'.

I scream, you scream...

So far my vacation has dealt with a wedding, food, pimpin' my laptop, food, buying a few new clothes and ... well ... food.

And the food isn't done as I discovered something from Homestead Ice Cream here in Saskatoon. Ice Cream in a bucket. Yes, in a bucket. I had to get one as soon as I saw it. And I couldn't finish it in just one sitting. I may have to take it back to Outlook with me, but it will be more than worth it.

Describing it does not do it justice. The picture will have to suffice.

Until I get a brain freeze...

...keep 'em flyin'.

Pimp My Laptop

Okay, I'm on vacation. But I'm on vacation in Saskatoon. Which means a little quality time for me and my stuff. I have my camera, my laptop, and recently acquired some new stuff on Friday when I came into town. Let's face it, I needed a new pair of shoes and I found a stylish pair that works for casual wear or even formal wear.

Next, time to pimp my laptop.

My first goal was to actually go out and pick up a book to put my music CD's into. Which I did find. One that holds 320 CDs. Yes, I have more than that, but I digress. While shopping for such a find, I also remembered I needed a laptop cooling base. I managed to find one at OTV, called the Notepal by Cool Master. Comes with dual fans and USB connection. My laptop will now be much cooler.

And, cooler still with the gelpic I managed to find.

Made by 3M, this easy adhesive picture adds an amount of flare and style to said laptop. Yes, I like my tech-geek stuff, and I like it to stand out a bit. In Outlook, this will definitely stand out. There are other gelmats, so as time goes on, I may change things up a bit. We'll have to see.

Until next time...

Keep 'em flyin'.

The Food of the Wedding

On Saturday, May 24th, 2008 the wedding of Gene and Val took place. A wonderful affair that will be described in a future (tomorrow) blog entry.

But today, there is the food.

With every gala affair, there must be the food. And the food began on Friday. Upon arriving in Saskatoon, I went about seeking out my partner in crime, Pike. My first stop was to meeting up with him at a local restaurant, Tony Tomas. There, I had a selection of pasta. But the next day had to be one of the best. Both Pike and I had the Jack Daniel's Six Ounce Sirloin. The steak was tender, yet flavour filled, and juicy. The evening continued, and we went to the Cluricaune's Irish Pub. And here we had an ale along with a shot of Glenfiddich. And from there, the decision for ice cream was made. Which slowly became small appetizers. And then, a full platter of food.

After recovering from all the food, the next day brought.... you guessed it, more food. A breakfast brunch with everything you can imagine. Including a chocolate fountain. However, I went with something much more traditional. Waffles, with whip cream and a bowl of Saskatoon berries. This may sound incredibly dull, but please, look at photos from the brunch alone.


As easy as it would be to describe these, nothing can say more than an image alone.

'Til the waiter brings the cheque...

Keep 'em flyin'.