Random updates 4/2/13

On 04/02/2013 at 08:37 PM by Ranger1

Ranger stuff: As of today, I am once again gainfully employed in my chosen profession. My boss is overjoyed to have me back on from seasonal layoff, I'm overjoyed to be back. Highlights of the first day back: getting one of the projects Andy (my boss) has been feverishly working on (and stressing out over) typed up and ready for him to send out tomorrow AM (thus removing the stress), seeing the male osprey on the nest and having him do a low fly-by about 15 feet away from me, getting the back room at HQ organized and stuff separated out that needs to be gotten rid of. A project that has been on my last for a year now. A not so wonderful thing was having to scrub poo off the outhouse toilet seat. We have no running water in the park until the danger of a hard freeze is completely over and it is a major pain in the ass to clean messes like that up. Andy had gotten the worst of it off, but he ran out of water in his bucket before he could finish. Other than that, it was a good first day back.

Gaming: I've been playing Enslaved in small doses. I like it, still haven't gotten very far, though. I also downloaded Red Johnson's Chronicles off PSN for $4. It's OK. I'm glad I didn't spend more than that on it, though. It's a point-and-click adventure title featuring Red Johnson as a PI who has to solve a murder case. The puzzles are a little on the "WTF are the rules?!" side, the story is cliched, but I like the art style - it reminds me a bit of Hotel Dusk. It's not a bad game, just not worth spending a whole lot on when there are other games in this genre that are much better.

I seem to have also gotten Jason hooked on pinball. I think it started out with curiosity about the Star Wars tables on Pinball FX2, and led to Medieval Madness on Pinball Arcade. Then last week, he had to check out the Star Trek: The Next Generation table (which we both agree we don't like very much) and a bunch of the other tables on the PS3 version of Pinball Arcade. He didn't realize that the PS3 has way more table than the 360 version. Finally something we can play together!!!

Watching: Been catching up on my TV shows on Hulu Plus. Hell's Kitchen has to be one of my favorite guilty pleasures. Also really happy to see Revolution back. Really, really happy to see that both Revolution and Arrow, my other favorite new show this season, have both been renewed for next season. I've been watching some so-so movies lately, too. Dawn of the Dragon Slayer and Post Impact are both overwhelming in their mediocrity. Why'd I watch them? My sleep schedule's been out of whack and I hoped that by putting on something not very good that I'd just fall asleep. Apparently that only happens when I'm watching something I really want to see. Or a movie has lots of explosions, gunfire, and car chases. Hey, what can I say, my father was an artillery man.

Listening: Jed Marum's new CD The South Wind, early Battlefield Band, Anna Coogan's The Wasted Ocean, and Elizabeth LaPrelle's Rain and Snow. And lots of Saw Doctors.

I'm now going to go eat that frozen mini pizza that's been heating up in my toaster oven and then crash (or try to). I am giving my friend Michael a ride to the bus station at some ungodly hour so he can start his trip without having to spend the night at the airport in Boston. Luckily, I'll be back home with enough time to go back to sleep before I have to get up and start my day for real .

BrokenH

04/02/2013 at 09:12 PM

I imagine it's not too difficult to hook a guy on pinball. I personally prefer it over bowling though bowling sometimes is still fun! Glad you and Jason found something else to do together & have fun with,Tami!

Ranger1

04/03/2013 at 07:07 AM

It's video pinball, so it happens at my place. And I was pretty surprised, because he's usually not all that into gaming.

jgusw

04/02/2013 at 09:18 PM

On of these days, I give Enslaved (360) another go. I tried playing it before and couldn't get into it. I'm currently wrapping up Fallout 3 (360) and I'm hoping to start up something on the PS3 next. I may start up Yakuza 3. Or start Ni no Kuni. Or I could play Heavenly Sword. I hear it's not a long game. I hadn't decided yet. I really want to start up with Mass Effect again, but I'm trying not to. It just keeps calling me.

04/03/2013 at 07:08 AM

Well, what ever you pick, have fun with it.

Super Step Contributing Writer

04/02/2013 at 09:59 PM

Pinball is addictive. You've sucked him into the trap! lol

I can't watch Hell's Kitchen; as a waiter for three years, the screaming and stress in kitchens doesn't bring back great memories.

Glad your work has started back up, and you're enjoying it, minus the poo. Now I need mine to give me way more calls or for mandy.com and StaffMeUp jobs to bite.

04/03/2013 at 07:10 AM

I was kitchen help, which is a step below waitstaff, so I derive amusement from it. Plus, these people chose to put themselves into that environment, knowing what Gordon Ramsey is like.

Chunopo

04/02/2013 at 10:03 PM

Really happy for you Tami, you're a 'bird that needs to fly' (no pun intended) so it's good to hear your back in the big outdoors! If you get any pics of that Osprey I'd love to see them! (heres a little fan appreciateion just for you)

Oh and watch out for those pinball games, they'll get you hooked alright, my 3DS is already housing two FX games!

04/03/2013 at 07:14 AM

Adam, did you draw that? That's way cool! I'll do my best to get some good pics for you. It'll be easier once the female is back and sitting on eggs.

I have Pinball FX2 on my 360, with all the tables, as well as Zen on my PS3, with all the tables, most of which are the same as the ones on the 360. I also have PInball Arcade on both systems. Yes, they are addictive, lol!

04/03/2013 at 08:36 AM

I did draw that Tami, though it was over ten years ago now, it was based on a series of photographs that I had seen! I have to admit to being a bit of a fan of the Osprey, they are so majestic when they hunt!

Matt Snee Staff Writer

04/02/2013 at 10:13 PM

I'm glad you're happy to be back to work! Looking forward to ranger stories that don't involve poo or sticking your bare hand into urinal drains. Osprey are totally cool.

Enslaved is pretty chill. I got tired of it eventually though with my infant's attention span.

I'll do my best, Matt.

Coolsetzer

04/03/2013 at 12:35 AM

Being a park ranger seems pretty cool. I love being outdoors doing stuff. How do you get into something like that?

04/03/2013 at 07:16 AM

I happened to be in the right place at the right time. Basically, in the state of Maine, you just have to be 18 and have a valid Maine driver's license. Other states and the federal government have different requirements.

04/03/2013 at 11:54 AM

Yeah, I had considered it as a career opportunity before. I have a military background, but got out last year. When I looked, they wanted a bachelor's in natural sciences. I want to know how viable is really is to get into it.

Surfcaster

04/03/2013 at 08:44 AM

The weather is really looking up! I'm already seeing weeds growing near my lawn, haha. I'm going to have to start work on that soon, but it also means that I can spend some time outdoors soon!

Glad to hear you're back to work and enjoying it.

04/03/2013 at 08:17 PM

I have what is either a very brave or very stupid dwarf iris blooming just outside the cottage. Other than that, still waiting for the red maples to blossom out, as far as I'm concerned, they're the first true sign of spring around here.

smartcelt

04/03/2013 at 06:53 PM

Next time I get a Microsoft points card that pinball game is the first puchase I'm making. That sounds pretty cool. Glad you are back at work and enjoying it. I hope the whole sequester thing does not impact your park. I heard in the news folks are angry about some services and entire parks being affected by the cutbacks that happened. I love that show Arrow,my wife got me into that one. Didn't think I would like it at first. But the story is addictive.

04/03/2013 at 08:15 PM

I work for the state of Maine, so the only thing that might be affected are our Americorps programs, we get a week of trail work and an environmental education intern for the season that are partially funded by Federal funds.

As for Pinball FX2, the app itself is free, you just have to pay for the tables that you want. Same deal with Pinball Arcade. If you get Pinball Arcade, I'd recommend that you get it for the PS3, there are many, many more tables on there than have made it to the 360. Something to do with licensing issues, i think.

04/04/2013 at 02:46 PM

I downloaded the app last night. Tried out one of the Star Wars tables. So much fun! I loved it. Have a feeling I will purchase many of those tables they offer.

PixlBit

Random updates 4/2/13

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