I've not posted in a while, so here's a dose of random for you...

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If you haven't seen them already, linda_a has done a wonderful job with her first foray into miniature work... see some photos here! These really are awesome!

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Helping out with a few things on this project has actually inspired a few of my own. The first being, of course, my own spin on miniatures... a tiki hut, zombie graveyard, or some kind of pimped out vintage camper (which has me drooling at this site). I'm deciding which I want to do most.

I'm also doing some reading up on stop-motion animation and have started the groundwork for two models. If the armature I'm going to make works, I'll do some screen tests and post here for input. The miniature work could very easily tie in here.

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While, I'd have loved to see revenge flick I Spit On Your Grave* redone, knowing that Wes Craven is involved in the remake of Last House On The Left is comforting (yes, I just used "Wes Craven" and "comforting" in the same sentence). If nothing else, Taken By Trees' cover of "Sweet Child O' Mine", used in the current trailer, is deliciously haunting.

*edit: just found that there is indeed some buzz about an '09 version.

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Speaking of movies... Zack and Miri Make a Porno was really not as bad as expected (though, this was perhaps aided by my lower expectations after being disappointed with Pineapple Express). Predictable, yes. Dull, yes. But it had all the expected crude humor and obligatory View Askew casting. It was, basically, a John Hughes movie for people who love dick and fart jokes.

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On the work front, things are going well. Our Utah contract is starting to generate calls and offering some needed feelings of job security. Should be an interesting one and we may actually have reason to temporarily beef up our staff at some point if the expected call volume does indeed live up to those expectations.

At home, things are cozy and comfortable... perhaps too much so. ;P We're doing some diet modification of late and have had fresh greens more in the last week than in the last half of last year. Hoorah for a healthier diet again. Next project is to get some exercise worked into the schedules. While I sincerely lament not being able to do jumping jacks with our low ceilings, it's also hard to avoid trudging through ice and snow for a brisk walk. Perhaps a date with Neena and Veena is in order (note to self: sitting and watching the pretty, as I was previously known to do, does not have the same effect as participating).

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For now, kids, that's all I got. Your word of the day is stratagem, look it up, use it in relevant and contextual conversation today (ie - telling someone "the word of the day is 'stratagem'" does not count) and report back here.