tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77457893331509292702022-09-29T00:57:46.904-07:00DeRamos.org: It's a Blog.Part of the DeRamos Media NetworkRyan DeRamoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02162906248552028769noreply@blogger.comBlogger1107125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7745789333150929270.post-73557250212267236852016-12-24T22:55:00.001-08:002016-12-24T22:55:25.611-08:00Annual Holiday Track: Angels We Have Heard On High<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GObcJL6W_34/WF9oJtHZ8SI/AAAAAAAAE9Y/Drc8wKS4vO4OeRzOlij4QMDZnTU6NOvvgCLcB/s1600/angelswehaveheardonhigh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GObcJL6W_34/WF9oJtHZ8SI/AAAAAAAAE9Y/Drc8wKS4vO4OeRzOlij4QMDZnTU6NOvvgCLcB/s200/angelswehaveheardonhigh.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Merry Christmas! I am a bit late to post my annual "holiday single." This year, I decided to record all parts simultaneously, in one take. I am playing the Ebow guitar and A Little Thunder bass parts at the same time, and my lead vocal has a harmony vocal because I used a harmonizer pedal. This is actually the ninth and final take of the recording session.<br /><br />You can download "Angels We Have Heard On High" (in stereo) <a href="https://archive.org/download/deramosmusic/01angelswehaveheardonhigh.mp3" target="_blank">HERE</a>. You can download the LibriVox version (in mono) with other fine holiday performances <a href="https://librivox.org/christmas-carol-collection-2016-by-various/" target="_blank">HERE</a>.<br /><br />A funny (kinda infuriating) thing happened when I was posting my past holiday recordings on Instagram. I received a "copyright" notice for the rendition of "O Christmas Tree" that I recorded in 2010. Here's all evidence laid forth in a neat-looking collage:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f9YqchNTcto/WF9puNMHgdI/AAAAAAAAE9k/pUFyclZvbKke8i6hOgCoacnfLKcJiLwegCLcB/s1600/tumblr_oipdyyfGnh1qh2zb1o1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f9YqchNTcto/WF9puNMHgdI/AAAAAAAAE9k/pUFyclZvbKke8i6hOgCoacnfLKcJiLwegCLcB/s1600/tumblr_oipdyyfGnh1qh2zb1o1_500.jpg" /></a></div><br />The mono version of "O Christmas Tree" was released into the public domain through LibriVox as part of its <i>Christmas Carol Collection 2010</i>. In 2014, someone called "Jones Reading Company" uploaded the compilation to various music services so they could make some money from public domain gifts to the world. I can almost guess that the standard copyright-sniffing bot gathers its data from commercial websites, not from public domain/Creative Commons websites.<br /><br />I never released the stereo version of "O Christmas Tree" to the public domain. That is the version I enjoy more, and for all intents and purposes, it belongs to me. While the copyright of the stereo version belongs to me, I make it available to <a href="https://archive.org/download/deramosmusic/01christmastree.mp3" target="_blank">download</a> for free.<br /><br />When I uploaded my <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BOWsfBmgRfd/" target="_blank">video</a>, Instagram almost-instantly took down my video of my music that I performed every note on. Angered and confused, I instantly appealed this "copyright notice." This is my music. The stereo version is mine. The mono version belongs to everyone. No one can claim copyright over what belongs to the public domain.<br /><br />Thankfully, Instagram restored my video. When I uploaded two additional parts of the song, I didn't have any trouble.<br /><br />For now.<br /><br />I am more than happy to escalate any issues that involve copyright trolls and invalid copyright claims. You gotta fight for your right ... to party, of course!<br /><br />Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, happy every other Winter Solstice holidays, Happy New Year, ...<br /><br />... and cheers!Ryan DeRamoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02162906248552028769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7745789333150929270.post-3712275491988514972016-11-30T20:49:00.004-08:002016-11-30T20:49:47.284-08:00Just Checking In<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n2cfVRb9WoU/WD-mkYBeqNI/AAAAAAAAE9I/_qCV56H9dwA5ZNlTRNYuFuvTF0xLbbSYQCLcB/s1600/tumblr_ohcmpzfVvO1qh2zb1o1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n2cfVRb9WoU/WD-mkYBeqNI/AAAAAAAAE9I/_qCV56H9dwA5ZNlTRNYuFuvTF0xLbbSYQCLcB/s320/tumblr_ohcmpzfVvO1qh2zb1o1_500.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>November was a crazy month for sports fans and political sports fans alike. I don't need to repeat what virtually everyone who has Internet access already knows or disputes or whatever. Needless to say, my October rant is still relevant to me.<br /><br />This week on <a href="http://instagram.com/ryan_deramos" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, I have been posting photos that were shot with a 250mm zoom lens, zoomed all the way to 250mm. It's a cool little experiment because I usually default at the 35mm to 55mm range for my LEGO photos.<br /><br />After revealing the winners of the October contest, I stopped posting on my other <a href="http://instagram.com/aterriblerealm" target="_blank">Instagram</a> to focus on writing content on that very same account. <i>A Terrible Realm</i> will finally be a proper story!<br /><br />I've turned my other other <a href="http://instagram.com/featurebait" target="_blank">Instagram</a> account into a (hopefully) fun contest. The purpose of my other other Instagram account is to repost the work of others, as a daily "feature." The first account to have seven different solo features -- one for every day of the week -- will win a small prize in a game called "Feature Bait Bingo"!<br /><br />I believe that's all the time I have to write on this blog. I hope the December holiday season will be good. I probably won't post again until around New Year's Eve, so I will take this opportunity to wish you all a Merry Christmas and all the other holidays that happen around the same time.<br /><br />Cheers!Ryan DeRamoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02162906248552028769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7745789333150929270.post-62088767454632328112016-10-31T20:10:00.000-07:002016-10-31T20:10:24.142-07:00A-hole Culture Is Profitable (and other Quick Blurbs)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MxC_zxsPppw/WBf-CKqbkCI/AAAAAAAAE8w/B2E9pe-s9TgUoVoYwyTfgTbqDz61RUYGQCLcB/s1600/tumblr_ofwmtqqbFW1qh2zb1o1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MxC_zxsPppw/WBf-CKqbkCI/AAAAAAAAE8w/B2E9pe-s9TgUoVoYwyTfgTbqDz61RUYGQCLcB/s320/tumblr_ofwmtqqbFW1qh2zb1o1_500.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>It's Halloween 2016. I haven't posted in this blog in about a month. I will try to keep this post short -- this will be me brainstorming out loud to post in depth later (maybe).<br /><br />A$$hole culture is profitable. Who are the big stars on TV? Music? Who are the nominees to be President of the United States of America?<br /><br />Assholes, that's who. If you want to succeed in modern society, be a total asshole and always undercut and subtly cheat everyone in your interactions.<br /><br />You know it's sad but true.<br /><br />To be civilized is to be superficial. Do you know what the standard of beauty is in this global culture? It's a mashup between Greco-Roman statues and latter-20th century fashion magazines. The sheep of society call this "aesthetics." They think "beauty" is a divinely mandated idea.<br /><br />It's all propaganda.<br /><br />Superficial perception is only good for about two things: To identify health problems in others, and to communicate via body language. All else is vanity, and everything vain plays into the aforementioned asshole culture, that's so very, very profitable.<br /><br />Everyone creates or adopts a complex worldview in order to pat themselves on the back. Think of all the racists and racial supremacists you know. Their worldview is just a way to pat themselves on the back for being who they are -- and they are who they are by no choice of their own. Now think of all the founders of religious orders and denominations.<br /><br />Same deal. To be self-centered is to be a part of asshole culture.<br /><br />The past 10,000 years (or so) of global civilization seems to be reaching a critical mass, where the jokes about mental illness (e.g., kids who meme often "joke" about suicide) and the actual occurrence of mental illness are at incredible levels -- so I've observed.<br /><br />All modes of civilization relies on the pyramid structure. Capitalism? Few on top, many on bottom. Communism? Few on top to make the decisions of "equality," with the masses on the bottom.<br /><br />People who say they're capitalists, but don't own any significant capital are merely fans of capitalism -- sheep for the real capitalists to deceive and devour.<br /><br />The same can be said about communists who are part of the party elite.<br /><br />The same can be said about people who believe in the divine right of kings, but are merely peasants.<br /><br />Most of us are peasants. Virtually all of us are peasants.<br /><br />The second son of a second son of the king is probably a peasant -- okay, a minor noble, at best.<br /><br />It is better to be a "friend" than an "equal." Friends complement each other: One can be strong when others are weak.<br /><br />Ethnic slurs are either pejorative or may be a silly way to express friendship. In a just world, these words would just be a slightly mean way to be friendly.<br /><br />Kindness is not profitable. Asshole culture dictates that kindness is weakness. As long as asshole culture is profitable, few people will dare to be kind.<br /><br />Be kind anyway.<br /><br />That's enough negativity to point out for today -- or for this month. Perhaps after the election, I can try to write some positive solutions ...<br /><br />I doubt it, though.<br /><br />Good luck on the elections, all of us.<br /><br />Cheers.<br />Ryan DeRamoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02162906248552028769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7745789333150929270.post-74380953558465533082016-09-30T03:20:00.000-07:002016-09-30T03:20:17.079-07:00Just Checking In<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UZ2Csy5yfa0/V-46I0TxQLI/AAAAAAAAE8c/KcG11SJOsZgY3-ggmeEASK4sMviT-fETgCLcB/s1600/tumblr_oeb1ysI8xL1qh2zb1o1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UZ2Csy5yfa0/V-46I0TxQLI/AAAAAAAAE8c/KcG11SJOsZgY3-ggmeEASK4sMviT-fETgCLcB/s320/tumblr_oeb1ysI8xL1qh2zb1o1_500.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I really don't have the time to blog. Or journal. Or whatever this medium is called these days.<br /><br />For the sake of writing exercise, I suppose I'll have to write something here for the almost-completed month of September. I've used up most of my creative energy posting on Instagram. For a while, I've been posting daily on four accounts:<br /><br />@ryan_deramos<br />@aterriblerealm<br />@featurebait<br /><strike>@chorddujour</strike><br /><br />Thankfully, I think I've used up all the pre-made chord/mode/scale diagrams for <a href="http://instagram.com/chorddujour" target="_blank">Chord du Jour</a>'s Instagram, so I don't have to post there for a while, just like how I don't post at <a href="http://instagram.com/foodboozetunes" target="_blank">FoodBoozeTunes</a> anymore.<br /><br />So that leaves the three LEGO-oriented profiles. <a href="http://instagram.com/ryan_deramos" target="_blank">One</a> is for my everyday adventures, with my sigfig and Kate's dogfig and a neat purple guitar. The <a href="http://instagram.com/aterriblerealm" target="_blank">second</a> is supposed to be for a webcomic, but I think I want to tell that story in a slightly different way. The <a href="http://instagram.com/featurebait" target="_blank">last</a> is a feature account that is surprisingly getting some community participation.<br /><br />That's all for September. My birthday is in about 10 days. Cheers!Ryan DeRamoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02162906248552028769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7745789333150929270.post-60354191288833276122016-08-31T21:30:00.002-07:002016-08-31T21:30:42.541-07:00Sixty Sundays: #LEGO #GameOfThrones on #Instagram<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XVgrUcjCQxY/V8eqXyyQ37I/AAAAAAAAE7g/_rfQC1rOYewygyn701UtTAjF0BeOycVjgCLcB/s1600/tumblr_oc59ziS1Yv1qh2zb1o1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XVgrUcjCQxY/V8eqXyyQ37I/AAAAAAAAE7g/_rfQC1rOYewygyn701UtTAjF0BeOycVjgCLcB/s320/tumblr_oc59ziS1Yv1qh2zb1o1_500.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Sixty Sundays. I have been posting these <i>Game of Thrones</i> photos for past 60 Sundays on <a href="http://instagram.com/ryan_deramos/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>. Before that first Sunday, I sort of posted a LEGO photo here and there, if I had nothing else to post. I had just found the perfect head for my sigfig, but I didn't even know there was an active community of all kinds of people who take meaningful photos of timeless plastic toys.<br /><br />Fifty-nine Sundays later, I have been interacting with people in the LEGO photography community on a daily basis. The pieces of plastic that I have chosen to represent my dog and myself have traveled the world, and they will continue to do so, if I can find more bubble mailers. Over the course of 60 Sundays, I find myself posting daily on not one, not two, but three LEGO-centric Instagram accounts -- one for often silly <a href="http://instagram.com/ryan_deramos/" target="_blank">personal topics</a>, another for a <a href="http://instagram.com/aterriblerealm/" target="_blank">webcomic / community contests</a>, and a third to try to give back to the <a href="http://instagram.com/featurebait" target="_blank">community</a> that's been so kind to the first two, by encouraging newer accounts to keep shooting, posting, and improving.<br /><br />In any case, here are the final five <i>Game of Thrones</i> spoiler photos, until next summer, at the earliest.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uQoxWUM_biA/V8ersdeuRYI/AAAAAAAAE7s/XDLtmdma_X0YZDuAcWMwaAANqe4b2O-4ACLcB/s1600/tumblr_oahvspEuE01qh2zb1o1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uQoxWUM_biA/V8ersdeuRYI/AAAAAAAAE7s/XDLtmdma_X0YZDuAcWMwaAANqe4b2O-4ACLcB/s400/tumblr_oahvspEuE01qh2zb1o1_500.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />In "Blood of my Blood," Samwell claimed House Tarly's family sword Heartsbane for his own, before running off to Oldtown with Gilly and baby Sam.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OMKyRL5XiVA/V8esROf_8wI/AAAAAAAAE7w/Szn7FSbBdngc7_LhG8QnpbhgshoOQcIrwCLcB/s1600/tumblr_oautdnKQ5Q1qh2zb1o1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OMKyRL5XiVA/V8esROf_8wI/AAAAAAAAE7w/Szn7FSbBdngc7_LhG8QnpbhgshoOQcIrwCLcB/s400/tumblr_oautdnKQ5Q1qh2zb1o1_500.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />In "The Broken Man," we met the real hero of Season Six, Lyanna Mormont, for the first time.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PyK0u1elY3A/V8etDhq94BI/AAAAAAAAE78/dsdz1OYkt_Ix15u7fC72VnI-CXSkVv4zwCLcB/s1600/tumblr_ob7v2smuGi1qh2zb1o1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PyK0u1elY3A/V8etDhq94BI/AAAAAAAAE78/dsdz1OYkt_Ix15u7fC72VnI-CXSkVv4zwCLcB/s400/tumblr_ob7v2smuGi1qh2zb1o1_500.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />In "No One," Arya Stark finally found herself, and she's either a killer ... or Batman.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yU_e-4ZDMNg/V8etVcrKl1I/AAAAAAAAE8A/tqW5Ly__DzgziXtg7kYeXgYizY12n9OyACLcB/s1600/tumblr_obko13H9q11qh2zb1o1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yU_e-4ZDMNg/V8etVcrKl1I/AAAAAAAAE8A/tqW5Ly__DzgziXtg7kYeXgYizY12n9OyACLcB/s400/tumblr_obko13H9q11qh2zb1o1_500.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />"Battle of the Bastards" was the best episode ever, so far.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HJgWr5lcPPE/V8etiKL4eZI/AAAAAAAAE8E/keSZw7H2HM87_Sy7fJ05YwLMy5T-Fzi_ACLcB/s1600/tumblr_obxqltK2cI1qh2zb1o1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HJgWr5lcPPE/V8etiKL4eZI/AAAAAAAAE8E/keSZw7H2HM87_Sy7fJ05YwLMy5T-Fzi_ACLcB/s400/tumblr_obxqltK2cI1qh2zb1o1_500.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />In "The Winds of Winter," Jon Snow was declared the King in the North! (Among other revelations and cliffhangers.)<br /><br />And that's all 60 episodes of <i>Game of Thrones</i>.<br /><br />I want to give a heartfelt thank you to all those who have joined me -- or should I say, who have graciously invited me to join them -- on this journey of smiles and high fives and LEGO. Cheers!<br /><br />I don't know what to write about next month. I'll figure it out, hopefully. Cheers! Ryan DeRamoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02162906248552028769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7745789333150929270.post-16319919091749740742016-07-30T07:34:00.003-07:002016-07-30T07:34:55.694-07:00Penultimate #LEGO #GameOfThrones Post for 2016!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tgLUFjTkv9g/V5y0PjYmIoI/AAAAAAAAE6g/63No1ZauX5sNZ_ZAuqzJYrAD7_bwjA3GACLcB/s1600/tumblr_o9begmCkIe1qh2zb1o1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tgLUFjTkv9g/V5y0PjYmIoI/AAAAAAAAE6g/63No1ZauX5sNZ_ZAuqzJYrAD7_bwjA3GACLcB/s320/tumblr_o9begmCkIe1qh2zb1o1_500.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I started recreating still frames from <i>Game of Thrones</i>, in LEGO, in 2014 -- on Tumblr. Since I didn't feel like part of the community there, in any niche, that experiment lasted for about two posts.<br /><br />I began to post LEGO <i>Game of Thrones</i> photos on Instagram right after the fifth season finale, in 2015. I re-recreated the first two episodes, previously posted on Tumblr, slightly improving the photograph quality. For the Tumblr version, I used an outdated point-and-shoot "superzoom" camera; for Instagram, I used a low-end DSLR.<br /><br />I posted for 50 Sundays in a row, covering all episodes from the first five seasons of the show. I needed to fill the gap between the end of the fifth season and the anticipated beginning of the sixth. In fact, the sixth season was well under way by the time I finished the 50 episode photograph series.<br /><br />I chose not to stop after episode 50. With the sixth season in progress, obviously, there were more episodes to recreate with LEGO photography. Without further ado, here are recreations from the first half of the sixth season of <i>Game of Thrones</i>, as spoilers in LEGO.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oUiN7RA6u98/V5y2traYYAI/AAAAAAAAE6s/31z8Gz2f2skKnNqVRHjUBuE1tzep3NDzQCLcB/s1600/tumblr_o8ngxrEiAQ1qh2zb1o1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oUiN7RA6u98/V5y2traYYAI/AAAAAAAAE6s/31z8Gz2f2skKnNqVRHjUBuE1tzep3NDzQCLcB/s400/tumblr_o8ngxrEiAQ1qh2zb1o1_500.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />In "The Red Woman," the red priestess Melisandre is (1) older than she looks and (2) sleeps in the nude. Someone who uses the phrase "can't unsee this" in regards to physical appearance is almost always a superficial person. Being superficial is a very average thing do be, and I'm beginning to despise average superficial people. (Okay, not "beginning to" ... )<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BMEuXOHSzlQ/V5y3oAP7pKI/AAAAAAAAE6w/oVOg5H6O4MwpJgw8x-jAmEQYXl-JRLNmQCLcB/s1600/tumblr_o90qetV7HF1qh2zb1o1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BMEuXOHSzlQ/V5y3oAP7pKI/AAAAAAAAE6w/oVOg5H6O4MwpJgw8x-jAmEQYXl-JRLNmQCLcB/s400/tumblr_o90qetV7HF1qh2zb1o1_500.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Jon Snow wakes up from his dirt nap in "Home." It's more of a table nap than a dirt nap. In any case, Jon was dead, and Melisandre's prayer/magic spell and ironic lack of faith did the trick. Cue the first lyric from "Days of the Week" by Stone Temple Pilots: "Monday, back from the dead ..."<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yX_H-ewAyh4/V5y38M1xykI/AAAAAAAAE60/Sy6lAHUuVBwbVk7Pqja83hau45rzLV9bwCLcB/s1600/tumblr_o9e7ezzy4V1qh2zb1o1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yX_H-ewAyh4/V5y38M1xykI/AAAAAAAAE60/Sy6lAHUuVBwbVk7Pqja83hau45rzLV9bwCLcB/s400/tumblr_o9e7ezzy4V1qh2zb1o1_500.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />We lost another direwolf in "Oathbreaker": Rickon's Shaggydog.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BhHN9shrsX0/V5y4lCFR91I/AAAAAAAAE68/AIzCEUzQIhQjOa_jZ83b5yri9ughkY0RwCLcB/s1600/tumblr_o9rmkc4bsK1qh2zb1o1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BhHN9shrsX0/V5y4lCFR91I/AAAAAAAAE68/AIzCEUzQIhQjOa_jZ83b5yri9ughkY0RwCLcB/s400/tumblr_o9rmkc4bsK1qh2zb1o1_500.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />In "Book of the Stranger," Jon Snow reunites with Sansa Stark. He also rocks the man-bun.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D5ud_FSYTOw/V5y5BFmCwzI/AAAAAAAAE7E/3gDOqbOD-E8DlwSirR3OtFnPdbr2Nm-DgCLcB/s1600/tumblr_oa4f3eh6GQ1qh2zb1o1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D5ud_FSYTOw/V5y5BFmCwzI/AAAAAAAAE7E/3gDOqbOD-E8DlwSirR3OtFnPdbr2Nm-DgCLcB/s400/tumblr_oa4f3eh6GQ1qh2zb1o1_500.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />In "The Door," a young stable boy named Wylis becomes Hodor, and Hodor dies while holding the door. Bran's direwolf Summer also dies fighting the White Walkers and their wights (zombies). The Three-Eyed Raven also dies, and so do Leaf and the last of the Children of the Forest. This is all Bran's fault.<br /><br />I have three more episodes to recreate and photograph in LEGO, and that's it for LEGO <i>Game of Thrones</i> in 2016! Unless, of course, if George R.R. Martin finishes and publishes <i>The Winds of Winter</i> before the end of the year, I might recreate non-TV scenes from the book in LEGO form.<br /><br />But probably not. I'll blog again sometime in August. Cheers!Ryan DeRamoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02162906248552028769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7745789333150929270.post-72305050218411968082016-06-30T23:59:00.000-07:002016-07-06T14:07:18.146-07:00#GameOfThrones Season 7 Spoilers Are Not Here, Just Spoilers from 5 (and 6) in #LEGO<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cj58MWAoU74/V31tdgqFvuI/AAAAAAAAE5g/u4UItl54e1MWojaQUBgapdfXn0iAz99iACLcB/s1600/tumblr_o8c823STdU1qh2zb1o1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cj58MWAoU74/V31tdgqFvuI/AAAAAAAAE5g/u4UItl54e1MWojaQUBgapdfXn0iAz99iACLcB/s320/tumblr_o8c823STdU1qh2zb1o1_500.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I never got around to blogging in June, but I am considering this my June post. I even fudged with the date and time to make it a June post.<br /><br />It's July 6th at the time of this writing, if you were wondering.<br /><br />In any case -- Season 6 of <i>Game of Thrones</i> was spectacular! I am currently spoiling the sixth season in LEGO on my <a href="http://instagram.com/ryan_deramos">Instagram</a>, one shot from one scene from one episode every Sunday.<br /><br />For this entry, we are in the second half of the fifth season of <i>Game of Thrones</i>. Odd-numbered seasons seem to be downer seasons, in which the intended antagonists have the upper hand. Season 5 is no different. The intended protagonists are mostly down on their luck anyway, but there's something about odd seasons ...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XEg9AH0Ht-s/V31upbvxcdI/AAAAAAAAE5o/-ykRc8Gx-goqEgdHY8t5ZUeNGIj78F9wwCLcB/s1600/tumblr_o6vw68sjvA1qh2zb1o1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XEg9AH0Ht-s/V31upbvxcdI/AAAAAAAAE5o/-ykRc8Gx-goqEgdHY8t5ZUeNGIj78F9wwCLcB/s400/tumblr_o6vw68sjvA1qh2zb1o1_500.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />In "Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken," Ramsay Bolton rapes Sansa Stark on their wedding night, while Reek (Theon Greyjoy) is forced to watch. With LEGO minifigures, you can make caricatured renditions of on-screen characters that more-or-less reflects the personality of the character. In other words, I'm a bit proud of the cobbled-together Ramsay, who is greenish and sunken-eyed and mischievously malevolent-looking. In an earlier photo, I made Ramsay's father Roose with a vampire head. And so are the Boltons, metaphorically sad to say.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ShIUIYPjhpo/V31vl8BeJmI/AAAAAAAAE5w/tJqn6w_n2cQdkYaf3U8CX6Fpn3wa1FgpQCLcB/s1600/tumblr_o796r9Ixw51qh2zb1o1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ShIUIYPjhpo/V31vl8BeJmI/AAAAAAAAE5w/tJqn6w_n2cQdkYaf3U8CX6Fpn3wa1FgpQCLcB/s400/tumblr_o796r9Ixw51qh2zb1o1_500.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />In "The Gift," Samwell Tarly tries to save Gilly from two Night's Watch would-be attackers, but he fails miserably. The direwolf Ghost actually saves the day.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7sKfmxfKIV0/V31wH2Gyi-I/AAAAAAAAE54/F61fJSpVeKQY_v88vfzMcvy_cAiNKcsVQCLcB/s1600/tumblr_o7m8z1Pq3q1qh2zb1o1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7sKfmxfKIV0/V31wH2Gyi-I/AAAAAAAAE54/F61fJSpVeKQY_v88vfzMcvy_cAiNKcsVQCLcB/s400/tumblr_o7m8z1Pq3q1qh2zb1o1_500.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />In "Hardhome," Jon Snow -- the bastard who knows nothing -- finally knows something when he kills a White Walker with his Valyrian Steel sword, Longclaw.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bpNp6s4Xjh4/V31werDxjbI/AAAAAAAAE6A/rnN8aPoVh68UhkvK396skpYcLLFJdp9-wCLcB/s1600/tumblr_o82x3cc27c1qh2zb1o1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bpNp6s4Xjh4/V31werDxjbI/AAAAAAAAE6A/rnN8aPoVh68UhkvK396skpYcLLFJdp9-wCLcB/s400/tumblr_o82x3cc27c1qh2zb1o1_500.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />In "The Dance of Dragons," Daenerys Targaryen rides her dragon Drogon, and ditches her crew in the process -- until sometime in the sixth season. Spoilers, I know.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gixvFl6DM18/V31xbELAf5I/AAAAAAAAE6M/uJTcjcr4gM8UgHrnboHf18y8SQW-_lKQQCLcB/s1600/tumblr_o8biv0szeG1qh2zb1o1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gixvFl6DM18/V31xbELAf5I/AAAAAAAAE6M/uJTcjcr4gM8UgHrnboHf18y8SQW-_lKQQCLcB/s400/tumblr_o8biv0szeG1qh2zb1o1_500.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />In "Mother's Mercy," Jon Snow dies, assassinated by mutinous brothers of the Night's Watch, including Ser Alliser Thorne and Ygritte's killer, Olly. Don't worry; Jon comes back from the dead two episodes later. Unfortunately, in real-life time, the wait was almost a year.<br /><br />I'll spoil the first half of Season 6 -- in LEGO, of course -- as soon as possible.<br /><br />Cheers!Ryan DeRamoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02162906248552028769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7745789333150929270.post-49401898866949455302016-05-31T03:11:00.000-07:002016-05-31T03:11:03.379-07:00#HoldtheDoor! and other #GameOfThrones Spoilers (in #LEGO)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X7TATMtqYPs/V01eITTA6ZI/AAAAAAAAE4c/ud0zLBlRl1MDlokfG33CUBLqA8isJBoBgCLcB/s1600/tumblr_o7vqn31CDs1qh2zb1o1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X7TATMtqYPs/V01eITTA6ZI/AAAAAAAAE4c/ud0zLBlRl1MDlokfG33CUBLqA8isJBoBgCLcB/s320/tumblr_o7vqn31CDs1qh2zb1o1_500.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Spoiler alert! I'm pretty sure this blog entry will spoil not only the first half of <i>Game of Thrones</i> Season Five, but also details from the current season of the show (Season Six). We might as well get most of it out of the way:<br /><br />Jon Snow lives!<br /><br />Hodor held the door.<br /><br />The Children of the Forest created the White Walkers.<br /><br />Bran can time travel.<br /><br />There are only two Stark direwolves (the CGI-enhanced animals) left: Ghost (who's with Jon) and Nymeria (who has been missing in the Riverlands since Season One).<br /><br />RIP Tonks, err, Osha. Not to be confused with Asha, who was renamed Yara. Speaking of renaming characters, Hodor's real name in the show is Wyllis, but in the books, his name is Walder.<br /><br />Daenerys is fireproof. <br /><br />Arya quit the Faceless Men.<br /><br />Uncle Benjen is essentially a White Walker, but he's helping Bran.<br /><br />No one dies in the sixth episode of the sixth season, except perhaps Dany must have fed her horse to Drogon off-screen. <br /><br />Et cetera, et cetera. Let's spoil the first half of the fifth season now.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zBGF-OIXRi8/V01fyeefeKI/AAAAAAAAE4o/RYm-Lt0vdHY1PQSE7Cyfaix7u0jdJ_pgACLcB/s1600/tumblr_o533djQLXA1qh2zb1o1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zBGF-OIXRi8/V01fyeefeKI/AAAAAAAAE4o/RYm-Lt0vdHY1PQSE7Cyfaix7u0jdJ_pgACLcB/s400/tumblr_o533djQLXA1qh2zb1o1_500.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />In "The Wars to Come," Mance Rayder is burned at the stake, but Jon Snow shoots an arrow to ease his suffering.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4GQ75gEX1l4/V01gUkwkPQI/AAAAAAAAE4w/S3hp7ZNgHFMVAEgZyDOYfW-Nq3Bflp--wCLcB/s1600/tumblr_o5g7bzOvHh1qh2zb1o1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4GQ75gEX1l4/V01gUkwkPQI/AAAAAAAAE4w/S3hp7ZNgHFMVAEgZyDOYfW-Nq3Bflp--wCLcB/s400/tumblr_o5g7bzOvHh1qh2zb1o1_500.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>In "The House of Black and White," Jaqen H'ghar returns to the show, and begins Arya's training to become a Faceless (Wo-)Man.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k-azA_jC2dE/V01g40KDWXI/AAAAAAAAE48/5oZs5zOXT0AamOpx9RsW0oYSolXxmtuRQCLcB/s1600/tumblr_o5te4psVnB1qh2zb1o1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k-azA_jC2dE/V01g40KDWXI/AAAAAAAAE48/5oZs5zOXT0AamOpx9RsW0oYSolXxmtuRQCLcB/s400/tumblr_o5te4psVnB1qh2zb1o1_500.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />In "The High Sparrow," Jorah Mormont abducts Tyrion Lannister.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-orgsVQrYc78/V01hF8B5D9I/AAAAAAAAE5A/Y3DREgRku3c7AoyEVnhCsPG5VeafCSFMwCLcB/s1600/tumblr_o65vssTfsd1qh2zb1o1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-orgsVQrYc78/V01hF8B5D9I/AAAAAAAAE5A/Y3DREgRku3c7AoyEVnhCsPG5VeafCSFMwCLcB/s400/tumblr_o65vssTfsd1qh2zb1o1_500.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />It is Ser Barristan Selmy's last stand in the episode "Sons of the Harpy."<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qv0k0k-DMoA/V01haRjhBaI/AAAAAAAAE5E/9WcggCSDhek6nLCLPgX2BLg3Lui34cV0gCLcB/s1600/tumblr_o6ix8aSIaZ1qh2zb1o1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qv0k0k-DMoA/V01haRjhBaI/AAAAAAAAE5E/9WcggCSDhek6nLCLPgX2BLg3Lui34cV0gCLcB/s400/tumblr_o6ix8aSIaZ1qh2zb1o1_500.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />In "Kill the Boy," Viserion and Rhaegal share a Meereenese noble for dinner.<br /><br />That's all the blogging I'll do in the month of May. I'll be sure to blog about the second half of Season Five (in LEGO) in June. I'll probably photograph LEGO scenes for Season Six after that! All this will first be on my <a href="http://instagram.com/ryan_deramos">Instagram</a>, of course.<br /><br />Cheers!Ryan DeRamoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02162906248552028769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7745789333150929270.post-23789197209203485622016-04-30T23:25:00.000-07:002016-04-30T23:25:06.559-07:00#LEGOPhotography of #KateMonth, Days 29 and 30 #KateDog<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EHmQi12eeS0/VyWbYDIaVDI/AAAAAAAAE3s/Ni8G1e2-PSIGg4bsaWFgvPx9tjdjC8QVwCLcB/s1600/Days29and30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EHmQi12eeS0/VyWbYDIaVDI/AAAAAAAAE3s/Ni8G1e2-PSIGg4bsaWFgvPx9tjdjC8QVwCLcB/s200/Days29and30.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>We finish Kate Month with the final two days in April, the 29th and 30th. I must say that it has been an enjoyable experience "documenting" all the adventures -- real and imagined -- of my dog Kate and yours truly (et al.) for an entire month on <a href="http://instagram.com/ryan_deramos">Instagram</a>. With my dog as a character, situations as surreal as my imagination allows, a good amount of LEGO, and a decent camera -- it's virtually impossible to have the photographer's version of writer's block.<br /><br />On the 29th, plastic Kate and my sigfig traveled back to sword and sorcery times, to meet a wizard with a really cool cape. There was a pile of bones. We (they? we?) were on horses. My sigfig had a shield with the <a href="http://www.deramos.org/2015/10/lego-speed-champions-lego-topgear-maybe.html">Mercedes-Benz</a> logo. It was all ... fantastic. The story could go in several directions. I was thinking that the wizard was a necromancer, and the skeletons became animated. Kate and I would then have to battle the skeletons.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wA5Wpcofbl0/VyWd9b8BqeI/AAAAAAAAE34/deH1xKSZT9UVXHihzqq5Sn9fFp3Rx4uhQCLcB/s1600/160429.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wA5Wpcofbl0/VyWd9b8BqeI/AAAAAAAAE34/deH1xKSZT9UVXHihzqq5Sn9fFp3Rx4uhQCLcB/s400/160429.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />On the 30th, we finish the month with a hypercube flashback. I'm not in the flashback photo, but both Kate and my drum machine are. Both my dog and my drum machine are anthropomorphized as LEGO minifigures. The month of April was also "favorite three minifigures" month in some LEGO community circles. It's hard for me to choose my three specific favorites, but I like the characters of my dog, my drum machine, and yours truly in whatever costume.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9I8fVm9uqqg/VyWfAy8YCtI/AAAAAAAAE4A/TcnWnnxzYQgSW740WtCwe_QnuClq91GsgCLcB/s1600/160430.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9I8fVm9uqqg/VyWfAy8YCtI/AAAAAAAAE4A/TcnWnnxzYQgSW740WtCwe_QnuClq91GsgCLcB/s400/160430.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />As a bonus, I posted a similar photo of three minifigures on another Instagram profile, <a href="http://instagram.com/aterriblerealm">A Terrible Realm</a>. I've also named the minifigure characters -- Memo the Drum Machine, Forge the Sigfig, and Katenine "K89" Farluna from the Far Side of the Moon. This particular Instagram will be more story-oriented, as it involves a cast of characters and a strange fantasy world -- A Terrible Realm.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o4ykvcV8T9g/VyWgHeIdEfI/AAAAAAAAE4I/bvMmcit51Z0fnD9-7fpX0mw9TDRHit4HwCLcB/s1600/ATerribleRealm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o4ykvcV8T9g/VyWgHeIdEfI/AAAAAAAAE4I/bvMmcit51Z0fnD9-7fpX0mw9TDRHit4HwCLcB/s400/ATerribleRealm.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />In the above photo, the three minifigures pose as the three archetypal classes in role-playing games: Memo is a shooter of missiles, Forge is a melee fighter, and K89 is a user of magic and/or technology. I don't think the story will keep the characters pigeonholed as such, but we'll see what happens.<br /><br />Tomorrow is the start of May, and at the very least I should have a <i>Game of Thrones</i> blog post sometime in the month. Cheers, and Happy Birthday once again to Kate Dog!Ryan DeRamoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02162906248552028769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7745789333150929270.post-76506041682790547212016-04-29T03:46:00.001-07:002016-04-29T03:46:57.015-07:00#LEGOPhotography of #KateMonth, Week 4 #KateDog<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CmhRY_WnSKw/VyMzu8cAGzI/AAAAAAAAE24/tK3HRr8lEXEI8xpmKPIAZasadplZg97lgCLcB/s1600/Week4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CmhRY_WnSKw/VyMzu8cAGzI/AAAAAAAAE24/tK3HRr8lEXEI8xpmKPIAZasadplZg97lgCLcB/s320/Week4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Last year, I celebrated "Kate Week" on <a href="http://instagram.com/ryan_deramos">Instagram</a> from April 26th to May 2nd, with Kate's birthday on the 28th (her 28th in dog years, coincidentally) somewhere in between.<br /><br />This year, since I decided to celebrate an entire "Kate Month," I also decided to place Kate Week as the fourth week in April, starting on the 22nd and culminating on "Kate Day," the 28th.<br /><br />Kate Day was yesterday, so now I have enough LEGO photos to cover all seven days of Kate Week.<br /><br />The 22nd was Earth Day. It has become a biannual (semiannual) tradition to give Kate a present for her birthday in April and for Christmas in December. Kate likes balls, specifically, the dog toys manufactured by Planet Dog. I'm sure Kate would like any old toy, but Planet Dog balls seem to stand up to Kate's relatively rough playing style. Long story short, this photo was a preview of Kate's birthday present: A Planet Dog Earth ball. Three forms of LEGO Kate Dog are presented in the photo.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qWEd_yRkAQ0/VyM2E86gZZI/AAAAAAAAE3I/7GyeZpgZFa82mj3Iq2e_lg5Rb1u0LZcKwCLcB/s1600/160422.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qWEd_yRkAQ0/VyM2E86gZZI/AAAAAAAAE3I/7GyeZpgZFa82mj3Iq2e_lg5Rb1u0LZcKwCLcB/s400/160422.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />April 23rd was St. George's Day, so we decided to reenact a Knight with a St. George's Cross shield battling a dragon. It's tradition, I think. In any case, I am still on a righteous crusade to make St. George's in April into an inclusive American drinking holiday, like Mardi Gras in February(-ish), St. Paddy's Day in March, and Cinco de Mayo in May. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sN31C6pcZgI/VyM2EsFWk5I/AAAAAAAAE3E/vqkLgt_yGEUlyKpgK4jnwTxBcryc0_IbQCLcB/s1600/160423.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sN31C6pcZgI/VyM2EsFWk5I/AAAAAAAAE3E/vqkLgt_yGEUlyKpgK4jnwTxBcryc0_IbQCLcB/s400/160423.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />I just wanted to make another cutesy hypercube flashback photo for April 24th. This photo also highlights the difference between a rawhide treat for dogs and a candy bar for humans.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x07NvRmLWKQ/VyM2FFEptAI/AAAAAAAAE3M/Fxp1V_UetqwahbPFj1yR1KMYk6DYvMT0gCLcB/s1600/160424.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x07NvRmLWKQ/VyM2FFEptAI/AAAAAAAAE3M/Fxp1V_UetqwahbPFj1yR1KMYk6DYvMT0gCLcB/s400/160424.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />I tried to create a pun-filled photo for April 25th. My anthropomorphic drum machine is dressed similarly to the old <i>Late Night with Conan O'Brien</i> character Pimpbot 5000. In this scenario, he runs an animal shelter full of female dogs, felines, and a hen. He also threatens my signature minifigure with a switchblade, saying, "I'll cut you, fool!"<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O7kaxS4mntM/VyM2FHYy9nI/AAAAAAAAE3Q/ZLMmh9lv-MI67Su7mOwcqtpyiut0qZ7GwCLcB/s1600/160425.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O7kaxS4mntM/VyM2FHYy9nI/AAAAAAAAE3Q/ZLMmh9lv-MI67Su7mOwcqtpyiut0qZ7GwCLcB/s400/160425.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />On April 26th, Kate Dog the Skate Dog hung out with her new punk rock girlfriends -- Wyldstyle from <i>The LEGO Movie</i> and the Skater Girl minifigure who probably influenced the design of Wyldstyle.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MRcoJ1zgxR8/VyM2Ff9mEXI/AAAAAAAAE3U/lUnNzK2xHKkQcPfGwx4ngKtpapeAgG4iACLcB/s1600/160426.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MRcoJ1zgxR8/VyM2Ff9mEXI/AAAAAAAAE3U/lUnNzK2xHKkQcPfGwx4ngKtpapeAgG4iACLcB/s400/160426.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />April 27th was "Where's Ya Wiener? Wednesday." Kate and a bunch of other dogs want some hot dogs ... and perhaps dudes in hot dog suits. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2whol3JLc_E/VyM2Fh0EoAI/AAAAAAAAE3Y/ag8gFvP899YS1GFn4Frp-bD6SqwHceMgACLcB/s1600/160427.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2whol3JLc_E/VyM2Fh0EoAI/AAAAAAAAE3Y/ag8gFvP899YS1GFn4Frp-bD6SqwHceMgACLcB/s400/160427.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />April 28th was Kate Day. She turned 35 dog years yesterday. The LEGO characters in the photo try to emulate the images in the flashback hypercube. Direwolf Kate sniffs a blue sphere, like real Kate sniffing her new Planet Dog Earth ball. <i>Ninjago</i> Kate wears clothes that are similar to real Kate's Kong harness. My sigfig in a denim jacket has an open mouth like yours truly in a denim jacket. My <i>Ninjago</i> sigfig is also ready for the Weekend Whip.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HufzZRg0c6w/VyM2Fg5St9I/AAAAAAAAE3c/1H3VPL5DuCQGI6Ir5cp2tdMZ93_Gmnd_wCLcB/s1600/160428.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HufzZRg0c6w/VyM2Fg5St9I/AAAAAAAAE3c/1H3VPL5DuCQGI6Ir5cp2tdMZ93_Gmnd_wCLcB/s400/160428.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />April 29th and 30th are basically bonus days in the context of Kate Month. I'll post those last two photos for the month on either the 30th or May 1st. I'm certain that Kate had a wonderful 5th birthday, and I hope to celebrate Kate Month / Kate Week / Kate Day again for many years to come.Ryan DeRamoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02162906248552028769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7745789333150929270.post-21593647739861326722016-04-28T23:00:00.002-07:002016-04-28T23:00:29.922-07:00#LEGOPhotography of #KateMonth, Week 3 #KateDog<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uICabEME4BA/VyL2AVRUIeI/AAAAAAAAE2E/2Bqg2c3ZCOQvsvn-xVD3fBeB9jGEZtOHgCLcB/s1600/Week3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uICabEME4BA/VyL2AVRUIeI/AAAAAAAAE2E/2Bqg2c3ZCOQvsvn-xVD3fBeB9jGEZtOHgCLcB/s320/Week3.jpg" width="320" /></a>It's Kate's birthday today. She's 35 dog years, as of today -- 5 Earth years.<br /><br />Anyhow, all April long, I've been posting Kate-related LEGO adventures on my <a href="http://instagram.com/ryan_deramos">Instagram</a>. I call this month, "Kate Month." I've blogged about the first two weeks of the month; now, we're in week number three.<br /><br />April 15th wasn't Tax Day this year -- it was on the 18th. I continued my binge-obsession with <i>Ninjago</i>, with another <i>Mortal Kombat</i> mash-up of sorts. I've been slowly developing how my sigfig (signature minifigure) would look if he were a ninja. He'd wear fancy clothes and wield a <i>Weekend Whip</i>.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qQFVxv8PysA/VyL2baqJW2I/AAAAAAAAE2M/KlkSK5IVV0kz9UGyaN32jTjMNqlcaf5UACLcB/s1600/160415.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qQFVxv8PysA/VyL2baqJW2I/AAAAAAAAE2M/KlkSK5IVV0kz9UGyaN32jTjMNqlcaf5UACLcB/s400/160415.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />My Instagram account hit 500 followers on April 16th. I commemorated that milestone with various iterations of my sigfig, as well as of Kate. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RKiSK2EfcQw/VyL2bnyYCNI/AAAAAAAAE2U/Qa-egwLZvI42WEOsKzCO7KAsUq8754XrgCLcB/s1600/160416.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RKiSK2EfcQw/VyL2bnyYCNI/AAAAAAAAE2U/Qa-egwLZvI42WEOsKzCO7KAsUq8754XrgCLcB/s400/160416.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />I continued the Weekend Whip joke on April 17th, with a commentary on the weekend fun vehicle versus the daily driver.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pv5GeG6CRNo/VyL2bcEvQmI/AAAAAAAAE2Q/gOuwC1JZ7_8T9w9D9bTgZARJD_gdoArfgCLcB/s1600/160417.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pv5GeG6CRNo/VyL2bcEvQmI/AAAAAAAAE2Q/gOuwC1JZ7_8T9w9D9bTgZARJD_gdoArfgCLcB/s400/160417.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />There was more <i>Ninjago</i>-<i>Mortal Kombat</i> on April 18th. Here we have Kai as Liu Kang versus Nya as Kitana or Mileena.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LRIuZSd6JIk/VyL2busSzHI/AAAAAAAAE2Y/9UMRpTePdmIk8sK580puqQ8w2RDiyC3ewCLcB/s1600/160418.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LRIuZSd6JIk/VyL2busSzHI/AAAAAAAAE2Y/9UMRpTePdmIk8sK580puqQ8w2RDiyC3ewCLcB/s400/160418.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />On April 19th, I made another hypercube flashback to Kate's puppy days. Apparently she was obsessed with chewing on my hair back then.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GpT87rMAjqc/VyL2b0ASEKI/AAAAAAAAE2c/HTLPsSdA82EgubMch75CK16lFFLuRf_YgCLcB/s1600/160419.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GpT87rMAjqc/VyL2b0ASEKI/AAAAAAAAE2c/HTLPsSdA82EgubMch75CK16lFFLuRf_YgCLcB/s400/160419.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />In the LEGO community on Instagram, Wednesday is both "LEGO Horror Wednesday" and "Where's Ya Wiener? Wednesday." On April 20th, I tried to do both simultaneously, with a Yakov Smirnoff-attributed "Russian Reversal": In Soviet Russia, hot dog eats you!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fNHySfLEE00/VyL2b1McmjI/AAAAAAAAE2g/njFfMkpOZS00KZuOxJOnB8uGhe1ivdZXgCLcB/s1600/160420.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fNHySfLEE00/VyL2b1McmjI/AAAAAAAAE2g/njFfMkpOZS00KZuOxJOnB8uGhe1ivdZXgCLcB/s400/160420.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Prince died on April 21st.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TpNsqdsm7Iw/VyL2cH-gCOI/AAAAAAAAE2k/Sh_ZFAvU10MSAvWakh2wxhft-9tjP3D8gCLcB/s1600/160421.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TpNsqdsm7Iw/VyL2cH-gCOI/AAAAAAAAE2k/Sh_ZFAvU10MSAvWakh2wxhft-9tjP3D8gCLcB/s400/160421.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Tomorrow, I'll share the photos from Kate Week!Ryan DeRamoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02162906248552028769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7745789333150929270.post-50873901733407129162016-04-27T12:24:00.001-07:002016-04-27T12:24:27.860-07:00#LEGOPhotography of #KateMonth, Week 2 #KateDog<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IxugGOdgjG4/VyEMWfTNQwI/AAAAAAAAE1Q/a1O82LPr1Mcw9TtK5mr_J_C4xSUZiRKCwCLcB/s1600/Week2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IxugGOdgjG4/VyEMWfTNQwI/AAAAAAAAE1Q/a1O82LPr1Mcw9TtK5mr_J_C4xSUZiRKCwCLcB/s320/Week2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Here are the <a href="http://instagram.com/ryan_deramos">Instagram</a> photos from the the second week of April, or what I call "Kate Month."<br /><br />Just to briefly summarize what I'm blogging about: My dog Kate's birthday is on the 28th of April, and I have been photographing a bunch of random adventures of a dog and her human in LEGO form.<br /><br />On April 8th, I bought a dozen (or so) donuts. My favorite donut is the glazed twist. For me, twists taste better when they're about a day old. Freshly-made twists are good, too. I've kept the food-related posts to a relative minimum in the month of April. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rxRFtSbTAsg/VyENPcSyT5I/AAAAAAAAE1Y/CpcQ36kSeNAXW5vwcWx3HlHDVNrfnL9iQCLcB/s1600/160408.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rxRFtSbTAsg/VyENPcSyT5I/AAAAAAAAE1Y/CpcQ36kSeNAXW5vwcWx3HlHDVNrfnL9iQCLcB/s400/160408.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />April 9th further commemorates my binge-watching of <i>Ninjago</i>. It seems that <i>Ninjago</i> is basically <i>Mortal Kombat</i> for the kids of the kids who played the original <i>Mortal Kombat</i> in the arcades. <i>Ninjago</i> is basically the bloodless Super Nintendo version. Here, Kate presides over a death match between Sensei Wu (as Raiden) and the brown ninja Dareth (as Johnny Cage).<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N83LATjRtk8/VyENPonXcjI/AAAAAAAAE1g/E069psMCrtwAlCmK8B0YPplAaXyhRTwHQCLcB/s1600/160409.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N83LATjRtk8/VyENPonXcjI/AAAAAAAAE1g/E069psMCrtwAlCmK8B0YPplAaXyhRTwHQCLcB/s400/160409.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />April 10th was "National Siblings Day," so I photographed minifigures of my brother and me, as well as an extra large direwolf Kate and her litter of Kates. In reality, Kate's spayed. (See what I did there?)<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_KT2vHPyjQg/VyENPl2UKkI/AAAAAAAAE1c/3HEhsIFZZJcnQJkcLHZv3KvUZrtDbDj3ACLcB/s1600/160410.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_KT2vHPyjQg/VyENPl2UKkI/AAAAAAAAE1c/3HEhsIFZZJcnQJkcLHZv3KvUZrtDbDj3ACLcB/s400/160410.jpg" width="332" /></a></div><br />April 11th was "National Pet Day," so I reenacted a photograph of a dog and her human. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GkaJ9Aam7Xg/VyENP2QK4aI/AAAAAAAAE1k/kgweFtTvBms5VpcazrPUNEKyBAfyJSbSQCLcB/s1600/160411.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GkaJ9Aam7Xg/VyENP2QK4aI/AAAAAAAAE1k/kgweFtTvBms5VpcazrPUNEKyBAfyJSbSQCLcB/s400/160411.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />April 12th depicted a skateboard race on a Hot Wheels track between Kate and a mutated fly Bart Simpson.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3mhBFli2mK4/VyENP291qRI/AAAAAAAAE1o/MZ3PDsSkJhc4Ihw8YiNCPV-TDYcEiPQggCLcB/s1600/160412.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3mhBFli2mK4/VyENP291qRI/AAAAAAAAE1o/MZ3PDsSkJhc4Ihw8YiNCPV-TDYcEiPQggCLcB/s400/160412.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />April 13th was Kobe's final game. This photo was taken before the game, where he scored 60 points. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vxlvQbcp5ao/VyENQaRYzpI/AAAAAAAAE1s/hcEWj1zjvTAbEYCxhVq9V3bOr0H4jwcHwCLcB/s1600/160413.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vxlvQbcp5ao/VyENQaRYzpI/AAAAAAAAE1s/hcEWj1zjvTAbEYCxhVq9V3bOr0H4jwcHwCLcB/s400/160413.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />We had pizza on April 14th.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AZo796aYJkY/VyENQbbRbuI/AAAAAAAAE1w/5yB_N4hZP9we11uVSMtQG1f082TQQfDeACLcB/s1600/160414.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AZo796aYJkY/VyENQbbRbuI/AAAAAAAAE1w/5yB_N4hZP9we11uVSMtQG1f082TQQfDeACLcB/s400/160414.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Tomorrow, I'll post photos from the third week of April.Ryan DeRamoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02162906248552028769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7745789333150929270.post-9896225834022032132016-04-26T14:48:00.000-07:002016-04-26T14:50:41.090-07:00#LEGOPhotography of #KateMonth, Week 1 #KateDog<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wHeCWJUqd90/Vx_evuNU45I/AAAAAAAAE0c/G-fjKTu3SfwNi1WdWXN79A-QZ_bj8gB8wCLcB/s1600/Week1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wHeCWJUqd90/Vx_evuNU45I/AAAAAAAAE0c/G-fjKTu3SfwNi1WdWXN79A-QZ_bj8gB8wCLcB/s320/Week1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>The month of April marks my dog Kate's fifth birthday. She was adopted/rescued from the shelter in June 2011, at the estimated age of eight weeks. Therefore, her estimated birthday is in late April.<br /><br />We celebrate Kate's birthday on April 28.<br /><br />All April, I've been photographing various adventures -- real and/or imagined -- of Kate Dog and yours truly in LEGO form, posting them on <a href="http://instagram.com/ryan_deramos">Instagram</a>.<br /><br />On April Fools' Day, yours truly as the fool and an anthropomorphic Kate wizard summoned the hatchling Kate, creating sort of bootstrap paradox. This takes place in a magical hypercube of tablets, with a photo of the real Kate "hatching" from a bunch of old t-shirts on the floor.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UVrAdYwZDQQ/Vx_f7IMi8BI/AAAAAAAAE0k/kf7lB-EYaQAjclQavx2YvnyP-xXmGY-VgCLcB/s1600/160401.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UVrAdYwZDQQ/Vx_f7IMi8BI/AAAAAAAAE0k/kf7lB-EYaQAjclQavx2YvnyP-xXmGY-VgCLcB/s400/160401.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />April 2nd had us fixing a broken TV, by swapping out the main board. I'll have to blog about television repair in a future post.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c1Qn2-V4T3c/Vx_gAAaRVFI/AAAAAAAAE0o/ZmW_aYEgt50iIn7zke57w6zZT5ZWcq-7wCLcB/s1600/160402.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c1Qn2-V4T3c/Vx_gAAaRVFI/AAAAAAAAE0o/ZmW_aYEgt50iIn7zke57w6zZT5ZWcq-7wCLcB/s400/160402.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />April 3rd highlighted my binge-watching of the cartoon <i>Ninjago</i>. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sUD7G56nafI/Vx_gAk7-PkI/AAAAAAAAE0s/7KgrmWA4TzI_7SqFW0FgkDQWBNed_f8DwCLcB/s1600/160403.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sUD7G56nafI/Vx_gAk7-PkI/AAAAAAAAE0s/7KgrmWA4TzI_7SqFW0FgkDQWBNed_f8DwCLcB/s400/160403.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />April 4th was Opening Day for Major League Baseball. Go Dodgers!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C3aNGU3WoAY/Vx_gBigA7rI/AAAAAAAAE0w/7wtesr85qVMMbIKSl2t4BycTz8aqlcy7gCLcB/s1600/160404.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C3aNGU3WoAY/Vx_gBigA7rI/AAAAAAAAE0w/7wtesr85qVMMbIKSl2t4BycTz8aqlcy7gCLcB/s400/160404.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />April 5th was apparently about Internet browsers: Chrome, Firefox, and Safari. Not pictured was Dora the Internet Explorer. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OdNP59TYpEg/Vx_gCmNLG_I/AAAAAAAAE00/hUWpYGrhtIk9EuSoj0_0QELSxGQT0nzAwCLcB/s1600/160405.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OdNP59TYpEg/Vx_gCmNLG_I/AAAAAAAAE00/hUWpYGrhtIk9EuSoj0_0QELSxGQT0nzAwCLcB/s400/160405.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />I finally got to watch <i>Star Wars: The Force Awakens</i>, on or before April 6th. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-acqQtngjqI4/Vx_gEMUPybI/AAAAAAAAE04/HRH1-9qyS4MvmLysQYF80tbtCWRH2NONwCLcB/s1600/160406.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-acqQtngjqI4/Vx_gEMUPybI/AAAAAAAAE04/HRH1-9qyS4MvmLysQYF80tbtCWRH2NONwCLcB/s400/160406.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />It was "National Beer Day" on April 7th. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Kx6frkeKPNY/Vx_gFi7LbbI/AAAAAAAAE08/sFdmkj_uKkMgyF1Z15o8C7XqHeCpmM92wCLcB/s1600/160407.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Kx6frkeKPNY/Vx_gFi7LbbI/AAAAAAAAE08/sFdmkj_uKkMgyF1Z15o8C7XqHeCpmM92wCLcB/s400/160407.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Tomorrow, I'll blog about the second week of Kate Month!Ryan DeRamoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02162906248552028769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7745789333150929270.post-71813249028496728742016-03-31T16:04:00.001-07:002016-03-31T16:04:37.998-07:00Season 6 of #GameOfThrones Is So Close, So Close ... #got<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GocI0vk-kiM/Vv2lIuceWzI/AAAAAAAAEzU/DVvl4tPH9AM16oTQUAD08v8kFUtPpvMIg/s1600/tumblr_o443pcDlDV1qh2zb1o1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GocI0vk-kiM/Vv2lIuceWzI/AAAAAAAAEzU/DVvl4tPH9AM16oTQUAD08v8kFUtPpvMIg/s320/tumblr_o443pcDlDV1qh2zb1o1_500.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>This is the last day of March, so I might as well post something on this blog. Near the end of next month, April, the sixth season of <i>Game of Thrones</i> will premiere! We'll find out then whether -- SPOILER! -- the recently Caesar'd Jon Snow (but not in a good way) has an active role in the season.<br /><br />I'll be posting LEGO re-creations of Season Five shots, as well as some of Season Six shots, while the sixth season is aired on HBO. Until then, here is the rest of the fourth season of <i><a amzn-ps-bm-asin="B00KHWSB5M" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="854bc099040e8cae9dee49a59b70e117" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="game of thrones 4th season" href="http://www.amazon.com/Game-Thrones-Season-4-Various/dp/B00KHWSB5M/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=deramorg-20&linkId=854bc099040e8cae9dee49a59b70e117&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_86502" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Game of Thrones</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_86502" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=deramorg-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=854bc099040e8cae9dee49a59b70e117&_cb=1459465237229" style="border: none !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 0px !important;" width="0" /></i>, depicted in LEGO.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uwYQ_NHsZHk/Vv2nVoZ384I/AAAAAAAAEzg/dkpqwwg58SM56b3GYNYWSKpvuaaSwjoig/s1600/tumblr_o3aqdtXkZ71qh2zb1o1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uwYQ_NHsZHk/Vv2nVoZ384I/AAAAAAAAEzg/dkpqwwg58SM56b3GYNYWSKpvuaaSwjoig/s400/tumblr_o3aqdtXkZ71qh2zb1o1_500.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />In "<a amzn-ps-bm-asin="B00TOACGEK" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="99f0e965b43b89009a598bd17590f00b" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="The Laws of Gods and Men game of thrones" href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Laws-Gods-Men/dp/B00TOACGEK/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=deramorg-20&linkId=99f0e965b43b89009a598bd17590f00b&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_178199" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Laws of Gods and Men</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_178199" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=deramorg-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=99f0e965b43b89009a598bd17590f00b&_cb=1459465282188" style="border: none !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 0px !important;" width="0" />, " Tyrion Lannister demanded a trial by combat. I used a macro lens attachment to blur out the simple background of a wall and some spectators.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XG2bUDPoLmI/Vv2nulhRjQI/AAAAAAAAEzk/k7TZBIzpD4YCiAbU_QvT7nYeJN3HIfGgQ/s1600/tumblr_o3no57AyvM1qh2zb1o1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XG2bUDPoLmI/Vv2nulhRjQI/AAAAAAAAEzk/k7TZBIzpD4YCiAbU_QvT7nYeJN3HIfGgQ/s400/tumblr_o3no57AyvM1qh2zb1o1_500.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />In "<a amzn-ps-bm-asin="B00TOACIH0" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="4b6408393b750c2d7fa88d1e6449a3ae" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="Mockingbird game of thrones season 4" href="http://www.amazon.com/Mockingbird/dp/B00TOACIH0/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=deramorg-20&linkId=4b6408393b750c2d7fa88d1e6449a3ae&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_3598381" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Mockingbird</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_3598381" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=deramorg-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=4b6408393b750c2d7fa88d1e6449a3ae&_cb=1459465321852" style="border: none !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 0px !important;" width="0" />," Oberyn Martell volunteered to be Tyrion's champion for the latter's trial by combat. Again, I used a macro lens attachment to get close to the minifigure subject.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8Up7vo9ue2U/Vv2oF3HZJdI/AAAAAAAAEzs/tiucAzmMSBAt9fXTWKO0At875KSTL_cNg/s1600/tumblr_o4088vc8XW1qh2zb1o1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8Up7vo9ue2U/Vv2oF3HZJdI/AAAAAAAAEzs/tiucAzmMSBAt9fXTWKO0At875KSTL_cNg/s400/tumblr_o4088vc8XW1qh2zb1o1_500.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />In "<a amzn-ps-bm-asin="B00TOASVHG" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="b6110cb83600d50e1282b516045f24f4" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="The Mountain and the Viper game of thrones" href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Mountain-and-the-Viper/dp/B00TOASVHG/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=deramorg-20&linkId=b6110cb83600d50e1282b516045f24f4&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_7940317" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Mountain and the Viper</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_7940317" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=deramorg-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=b6110cb83600d50e1282b516045f24f4&_cb=1459465350316" style="border: none !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 0px !important;" width="0" />," the aforementioned trial by combat happened. I wanted to cobble together the combat arena, but I lacked time. Instead, I just photographed a low angle photo of the Oberyn LEGO minifigure fighting a much larger Gregor Clegane DUPLO-scale figure, against an ersatz sky. I didn't use a macro lens attachment for this photo.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I0QW760el-A/Vv2o9nUTBjI/AAAAAAAAEz8/W8pgu0UwI7QoL0i_vlwgL8ow2hPE9P1tQ/s1600/tumblr_o4dgn6wYP31qh2zb1o1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I0QW760el-A/Vv2o9nUTBjI/AAAAAAAAEz8/W8pgu0UwI7QoL0i_vlwgL8ow2hPE9P1tQ/s400/tumblr_o4dgn6wYP31qh2zb1o1_500.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />In "<a amzn-ps-bm-asin="B00TOC6V12" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="571c5d00240d11f3ccdd836a2f863bef" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="The Watchers on the Wall game of thrones" href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Watchers-on-the-Wall/dp/B00TOC6V12/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=deramorg-20&linkId=571c5d00240d11f3ccdd836a2f863bef&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_9050459" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Watchers on the Wall</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_9050459" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=deramorg-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=571c5d00240d11f3ccdd836a2f863bef&_cb=1459465389741" style="border: none !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 0px !important;" width="0" />," the wildling Ygritte died in Jon Snow's arms, after the orphan Olly shot her with an arrow during the battle. Of course, I used a macro lens attachment for this closeup.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uy8aFmtbmZY/Vv2pk5zmAVI/AAAAAAAAE0A/cSVyxaH69WICqL_JJVe3u7TnQFX1ejYUg/s1600/tumblr_o4qbqiBAIR1qh2zb1o1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uy8aFmtbmZY/Vv2pk5zmAVI/AAAAAAAAE0A/cSVyxaH69WICqL_JJVe3u7TnQFX1ejYUg/s400/tumblr_o4qbqiBAIR1qh2zb1o1_500.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />In "<a amzn-ps-bm-asin="B00TOAEXJQ" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="50c114fe969b2c11408519fd72914d06" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="The Children game of thrones season 4" href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Children/dp/B00TOAEXJQ/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=deramorg-20&linkId=50c114fe969b2c11408519fd72914d06&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_6026696" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Children</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_6026696" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=deramorg-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=50c114fe969b2c11408519fd72914d06&_cb=1459465429160" style="border: none !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 0px !important;" width="0" />," Tyrion Lannister, having been sentenced to death (Oberyn technically lost the duel by dying first), escaped from his prison cell, and murdered his father Tywin with a couple of crossbow bolts to the torso. This isn't an exact angle re-creation from the show; rather, I tried to simulate Tywin's point of view while on the toilet.<br /><br />Since there are four Sundays in April, and I only post my #<a href="https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/legogot/">LEGOGOT</a> creations on Sundays on Instagram, the next time I'll blog about <i>Game of Thrones</i> will probably be in the month of May.<br /><br />If I post something here in April, it'll probably be about my dog <a href="https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/katedog/">Kate</a>'s birthday. Cheers!Ryan DeRamoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02162906248552028769noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7745789333150929270.post-87089720495293977472016-02-29T01:57:00.002-08:002016-02-29T01:57:19.367-08:00Do They Have #LeapDay in #Westeros? #gameofthrones #windsofwinter #leapyear<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FAt7LcXwBcc/VtQPxycMfHI/AAAAAAAAEyM/NcwNmdgOCL8/s1600/tumblr_o1cnpy8ex51qh2zb1o1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="167" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FAt7LcXwBcc/VtQPxycMfHI/AAAAAAAAEyM/NcwNmdgOCL8/s320/tumblr_o1cnpy8ex51qh2zb1o1_500.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I blogged a lot last year, if five times a month counted as "a lot." Now I'm just posting my <a href="https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/legogot/">#LEGOGOT</a> photos from Instagram at the end of the month, in this case, the 29th of February.<br /><br />Where were we? Yes, after the Red Wedding, we are now in pivotal Season Four of spoiling <i>Game of Thrones</i>, in LEGO. The first episode of the fourth season was "Two Swords," a title of which assuredly had multiple meanings: Widow's Wail and the soon-to-be named Oathkeeper (forged from Ned Stark's Ice)? Or Ice itself and Arya Stark's sword Needle? Which two swords?<br /><br />Instead of trying to answer that question in a photo, we have the Hound eating chicken while riding his horse (The Stranger? I believe), with Arya (and Needle!) on her newly-acquired pony.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q9vEraKOIP8/VtQRQRdRbZI/AAAAAAAAEyY/yBlQ5LY27IU/s1600/tumblr_o1hk8gcN461qh2zb1o1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q9vEraKOIP8/VtQRQRdRbZI/AAAAAAAAEyY/yBlQ5LY27IU/s400/tumblr_o1hk8gcN461qh2zb1o1_500.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />The second episode was "The Lion and the Rose," featuring the Purple Wedding. Spoiler alert! Not only was the pie dry, but Joffrey died in this episode. I could have placed Jaime Lannister in the shot, with Cersei and Joffrey, but (1) I forgot and (2) Jaime's not at Joffrey's wedding in <i><a amzn-ps-bm-asin="055357342X" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="71444b5f3b8c2e991efc78badb67ee5f" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="A Storm of Swords" href="http://www.amazon.com/Storm-Swords-Song-Fire-Book/dp/055357342X/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=deramorg-20&linkId=71444b5f3b8c2e991efc78badb67ee5f&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_8730679" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">A Storm of Swords</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_8730679" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=deramorg-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=71444b5f3b8c2e991efc78badb67ee5f&_cb=1456738820024" style="border: none !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 0px !important;" width="0" /></i> (the book).<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tnomxH4MvQc/VtQSGTX1T_I/AAAAAAAAEyg/T75_fRb2d58/s1600/tumblr_o1ue9qVmFI1qh2zb1o1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tnomxH4MvQc/VtQSGTX1T_I/AAAAAAAAEyg/T75_fRb2d58/s400/tumblr_o1ue9qVmFI1qh2zb1o1_500.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />The third episode was "Breaker of Chains." This spoiler photo takes place across the narrow sea, with Daario Naharis challenging the Champion of Meereen, and winning.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GG99y1B_cWU/VtQSxEsxNWI/AAAAAAAAEys/6yzkMKkuWU8/s1600/tumblr_o272p1D13w1qh2zb1o1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GG99y1B_cWU/VtQSxEsxNWI/AAAAAAAAEys/6yzkMKkuWU8/s400/tumblr_o272p1D13w1qh2zb1o1_500.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />The fourth episode of was "Oathkeeper." The making of this shot was personally interesting because I realized that I had forgotten I had a macro lens attachment for my camera lens. With this new-old piece of equipment I could really get in there with my shots. Also, I used my "I'm sick!" sigfig head as the Night's King. I used a <a amzn-ps-bm-asin="B000F487KQ" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="824b741177484469b03455b24686b795" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="Doctor Who Sonic Screwdriver Torch" href="http://www.amazon.com/Doctor-Who-Sonic-Screwdriver-Flashlight/dp/B000F487KQ/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=deramorg-20&linkId=824b741177484469b03455b24686b795&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_1345581" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><i>Doctor Who</i> Sonic Screwdriver Torch</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_1345581" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=deramorg-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=824b741177484469b03455b24686b795&_cb=1456739219856" style="border: none !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 0px !important;" width="0" /> (flashlight) to give the shot a splash of blue.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MT_wdgRjopc/VtQTTARZzYI/AAAAAAAAEyw/eCF2FkYFd3Y/s1600/tumblr_o2ku24mrWe1qh2zb1o1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MT_wdgRjopc/VtQTTARZzYI/AAAAAAAAEyw/eCF2FkYFd3Y/s400/tumblr_o2ku24mrWe1qh2zb1o1_500.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />The fifth episode was "First of His Name," with the coronation of the seemingly normal King Tommen. Again, I used the macro lens attachment for the photo. I also used it for the sixth episode spoiler, which I'll post here next time, so the macro lens attachment might just be a thing for these spoiler photos.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3ByyYsi8Ypo/VtQUHjhGkrI/AAAAAAAAEzA/9xH7YFMJmGE/s1600/tumblr_o2xefztzfu1qh2zb1o1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3ByyYsi8Ypo/VtQUHjhGkrI/AAAAAAAAEzA/9xH7YFMJmGE/s400/tumblr_o2xefztzfu1qh2zb1o1_500.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />That's all for the first half of Season Four. I already photographed and posted on <a href="http://instagram.com/ryan_deramos">Instagram</a> the spoiler for the sixth episode, so in the spirit of spoilers: It's Tyrion, demanding a trial by combat. I'm sure I'll have the Viper fight the Mountain in a future photograph. In any case, enjoy your Leap Day! Happy Birthday to everyone who is four times older than their "age."<br /><br />Cheers!Ryan DeRamoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02162906248552028769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7745789333150929270.post-39279123652707894902016-01-31T20:02:00.001-08:002016-01-31T20:02:25.471-08:00Will #GameOfThrones Season 6 Air Before #TheWindsOfWinter Is Released? The Answer Is Not Here.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QiSA_L84dhI/Vq7P0HF17HI/AAAAAAAAEvg/PW2M_-fR7r8/s1600/tumblr_nzqv6eVpkU1qh2zb1o1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QiSA_L84dhI/Vq7P0HF17HI/AAAAAAAAEvg/PW2M_-fR7r8/s320/tumblr_nzqv6eVpkU1qh2zb1o1_500.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I wanted to write and publish a lot of posts in January, but life got in the way -- and this blog has once again been demoted to the bottom of the proverbial totem pole. I have a backlog of various ideas to type on about, such as local eats, simple chocolate making, and a semi-scientific comparison of smartphone/tablet technology, but all of that will have to wait for February ... or March or April ...<br /><br />Before this month ends for my timezone, I will have to continue my series of LEGO photos, spoiling the ongoing television series <i>Game of Thrones</i>. This blog is now in the second half of the third season. My <a href="http://instagram.com/ryan_deramos">Instagram</a> is a couple episodes into the fourth season because I post a new spoiler photo every Sunday.<br /><br />I don't remember why I chose to depict this shot from "The Climb" with LEGO minifigures representing Samwell Tarly, Craster's daughter-wife Gilly, and her as-yet unnamed baby (Little Sam). Perhaps I was pressed for time that Sunday, and I needed to just assemble a couple of minifigures with a very minimalist background.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZOxXhyJsW-4/Vq7SSzEl8TI/AAAAAAAAEvs/Vj7saEyBTlA/s1600/tumblr_nzokemZlip1qh2zb1o1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZOxXhyJsW-4/Vq7SSzEl8TI/AAAAAAAAEvs/Vj7saEyBTlA/s400/tumblr_nzokemZlip1qh2zb1o1_500.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />For "The Bear and the Maiden Fair," there was only one shot that I wanted to re-create -- a big bear versus Brienne (the maiden fair). Not counting the minifigures, there were basically about a dozen pieces to create the fighting pit. I have neither the time nor the skill to build detailed models in LEGO. I aim for effectiveness in relating the scene, though. Hopefully these photos are effective enough.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TUT0eaDKqHw/Vq7TG1AG-eI/AAAAAAAAEv0/D4JXqFcZbOM/s1600/tumblr_o01ztgSORv1qh2zb1o1_500a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TUT0eaDKqHw/Vq7TG1AG-eI/AAAAAAAAEv0/D4JXqFcZbOM/s400/tumblr_o01ztgSORv1qh2zb1o1_500a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />I guess this scene from "Second Sons" is the payoff from the simple photograph from a couple episodes back. Here, Samwell becomes Sam the Slayer by killing a White Walker to protect Gilly and the still-unnamed Little Sam. (Little Sam officially becomes Little Sam when they reach Castle Black.) A LEGO yeti makes for a decent White Walker, and I used a <i>Doctor Who</i> Sonic Screwdriver to try to back light the scene.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DPoNpEaFpe4/Vq7TzpP3gzI/AAAAAAAAEwA/q86F2d_iI10/s1600/tumblr_o0eho9yYhO1qh2zb1o1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DPoNpEaFpe4/Vq7TzpP3gzI/AAAAAAAAEwA/q86F2d_iI10/s400/tumblr_o0eho9yYhO1qh2zb1o1_500.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Thus far, I have cobbled together minifigures to represent Ned, Catelyn, Sansa, Arya, Bran, and Rickon Stark. And Jon Snow. Even Hodor. I have yet to depict a living Robb Stark, and "The Rains of Castamere" (spoilers!) was last opportunity to do so. I depicted Roose Bolton with a Dracula-esque head to reference the speculation among <i>A Song of Ice and Fire</i> book readers that Roose is the equivalent to a vampire, in George R.R. Martin's fantasy world.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K0vBYmyesDc/Vq7VHia6u7I/AAAAAAAAEwM/9TZ6BXh_cBU/s1600/tumblr_o0rxkmLU0Z1qh2zb1o1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K0vBYmyesDc/Vq7VHia6u7I/AAAAAAAAEwM/9TZ6BXh_cBU/s400/tumblr_o0rxkmLU0Z1qh2zb1o1_500.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />The third season finale, "Mhysa," continues my quest for simple, yet effective <i>Game of Thrones</i> scenes: Two minifigures (Jon Snow and Ygritte), two baseplates, and a horse.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HsM4ojobxck/Vq7WUKAe5pI/AAAAAAAAEwU/w48IIHY1BvY/s1600/tumblr_o14ux2AYsj1qh2zb1o1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HsM4ojobxck/Vq7WUKAe5pI/AAAAAAAAEwU/w48IIHY1BvY/s400/tumblr_o14ux2AYsj1qh2zb1o1_500.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br />Hopefully the writing bug will bite me so strongly in February, that I'll have to blog more often. If not, well, in about three weeks, I should at least have enough fourth season photos to blog more <i>Game of Thrones</i> ...<br /><br />... spoilers.Ryan DeRamoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02162906248552028769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7745789333150929270.post-30662323518873469592015-12-31T04:46:00.001-08:002015-12-31T04:46:53.944-08:00#SBStrong: Blogging About #InlandEmpire Places/Events in 2016?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U1RSAvhovW8/VoUWlE87V5I/AAAAAAAAEuw/3TX1KgKNYKg/s1600/tumblr_nyr694OS4d1qh2zb1o1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U1RSAvhovW8/VoUWlE87V5I/AAAAAAAAEuw/3TX1KgKNYKg/s320/tumblr_nyr694OS4d1qh2zb1o1_500.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>My 2015 blogging experiment -- writing five to seven entries per month -- has been a success, mostly. I want to shift the direction of this blog a little bit in 2016, perhaps on more local matters -- relative to myself.<br /><br />Earlier this month, there was a mass shooting at the San Bernardino County's health department holiday party in the City of San Bernardino. It was a doubly tragic mix of terrorism and workplace violence because one of the terrorists was a co-worker to most of the victims.<br /><br />It was also such an odd target for the terrorists -- an office party that's about an hour away from any of the more "obvious," higher-profile targets for terrorism or any other violent crime. The mass shooting's location was in San Bernardino, the terrorists' home was nearby in Redlands, and the final confrontation between law enforcement and the terrorists happened in between. Geographically, this incident hit close to home.<br /><br />Because of that, I plan to blog more about local matters, to be a small part of the San Bernardino Strong movement! The City of San Bernardino has been hit by hard times, and so has its namesake county. I just want to highlight what's good and positive in the area, including the surrounding communities like Loma Linda and Redlands. Perhaps these "local" posts will be as long as my usual ramblings; maybe they'll be shorter. In any case, here are two short blurbs about what's good in the Inland Empire:<br /><br /><b>LOMA LINDA UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER FAMILY HEALTH FAIR </b><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UoNkjN9Rnd8/VoUajM3LHlI/AAAAAAAAEu8/hBptcj9Jue8/s1600/tumblr_o07dq4O7Fp1qh2zb1o1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UoNkjN9Rnd8/VoUajM3LHlI/AAAAAAAAEu8/hBptcj9Jue8/s320/tumblr_o07dq4O7Fp1qh2zb1o1_500.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>The Loma Linda Family Health Fair usually takes place every year around Halloween, at the Loma Linda University's Drayson Center gym. They remove the gym equipment for the event, with information booths instead. Depending on the companies and sponsors, you might get some free, useless trinkets or useful coupons -- like any other community fair/festival.<br /><br />There are basically four or five main draws to the event:<br /><b><br /></b><b>1. Free lunch, albeit vegan lunch.</b> 2015 had vegan black bean burritos, and 2014 had vegan burgers. I don't think there were free lunches before 2014.<br /><br /><b>2. Free flu shots.</b> In case you don't have a doctor's appointment before flu season, or if the local drug store flu shot doesn't accept your health insurance -- you can get a flu shot at this health fair. Or any other health fair. Or cultural festival with a flu shot booth.<br /><br /><b>3. Free or cheap blood screening/tests.</b> With the passage of the ACA (Obamacare), you'd think low-cost preventative care at health fairs is unnecessary. Then again, there are flaws in any law (i.e., the incompetence of government), and no one should underestimate the greed of health insurance companies.<br /><br /><b>4. Free entry to a raffle for various prizes.</b> The grand prize is usually Disneyland-related. There are usually other prize raffles in various booths. Long ago, there was a raffle booth at the kidney screening booth, with an awesome little kid as the exuberant raffle host. It's too bad he grew up; the kidney screening booth has never been the same since. <br /><br /><b>5. I suppose there are additional fun things for kids</b>, like collecting stamps from booths to get a prize at the end ... or something like that. In any case, the Family Health Fair is a very good event in the Inland Empire.<br /><br /><b>FIREFIGHTER CHRISTMAS PARADE, FEATURING SANTA AND MRS. CLAUS </b><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-54msdbfA9fE/VoUdrTeTGwI/AAAAAAAAEvI/PqZOBTX5t_U/s1600/tumblr_nzwm9pxcWj1qh2zb1o1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-54msdbfA9fE/VoUdrTeTGwI/AAAAAAAAEvI/PqZOBTX5t_U/s320/tumblr_nzwm9pxcWj1qh2zb1o1_500.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>In the month of December, depending on the town in the Inland Empire, local firefighters (and sometimes police) drive through various neighborhoods on various nights, with a couple of firetrucks, one pulling some "reindeer" pulling Santa's sleigh. Mrs. Claus joins her husband, throwing candy canes to people watching the parade. The firetrucks (and sometimes police cars) have their lights and sirens joyously ringing out for the occasion!<br /><br />2015's parade went through various neighborhoods in the cities of Colton and Loma Linda. The parade schedule is a bit complicated, so a resident in the area would have to look up the city's website and/or Facebook page for more information. In other words, check again around November 2016. The local Christmas parade (or Holiday parade, since these routes don't happen on the 24th or 25th) is another very good event in the Inland Empire.<br /><br />We'll see if I'll have more I.E. things to write about in 2016. In the meanwhile, I hope you all have an absolutely fun and relatively safe New Year's Eve ... and a very prosperous New Year 2016 for all! Happy New Year! Cheers!Ryan DeRamoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02162906248552028769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7745789333150929270.post-74747347986302197512015-12-31T03:45:00.000-08:002015-12-31T03:45:04.823-08:00No #HotWater? What to Do When Your #WaterHeater's #PilotLight Goes Out<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Fjmlgb0un84/VoT7qJpOLCI/AAAAAAAAEug/MQuNFIOt1YE/s1600/tumblr_nzsqcnb3dU1qh2zb1o1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Fjmlgb0un84/VoT7qJpOLCI/AAAAAAAAEug/MQuNFIOt1YE/s320/tumblr_nzsqcnb3dU1qh2zb1o1_500.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I should have written this down when the details were fresh in my mind, but Christmas sort of got in the way. In any case, here is some information gained from trial, error, and helpful professionals from variously Googled forums. Hopefully I have paraphrased and synthesized this information as accurately as possible.<br /><br /><b>Spoiler: I fixed a "broken" water heater ... and you can, too!*</b><br /><br />If you no longer have hot water going through your plumbing, one possible cause is that the water heater's pilot light has went out. The pilot light heats up a mostly-copper part called the thermocouple, which "tells" the main gas line into the water heater to provide more gas. When the thermocouple no longer "senses" the pilot light, it basically shuts off the main gas line -- for safety reasons, of course. The solution to this problem can be solved by going through one, two, three, or four steps.<br /><br />You'll need the following tools (and perhaps more items): <a amzn-ps-bm-asin="B000628RIE" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="d07b24dd5941f0be334513fbc7441d4c" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="Adjustable crescent wrench" href="http://www.amazon.com/Stanley-87-473-12-Inch-Adjustable-Wrench/dp/B000628RIE/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=deramorg-20&linkId=d07b24dd5941f0be334513fbc7441d4c&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_2262579" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Adjustable crescent wrench</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_2262579" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=deramorg-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=d07b24dd5941f0be334513fbc7441d4c&_cb=1451557773630" style="border: none !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 0px !important;" width="0" />, <a amzn-ps-bm-asin="B00D4C18CU" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="58a3a2f3f329857ee8d2ced02fbe1579" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="hex keys" href="http://www.amazon.com/Stanley-STHT71839-Folding-Metric-2-Pack/dp/B00D4C18CU/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=deramorg-20&linkId=58a3a2f3f329857ee8d2ced02fbe1579&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_7662782" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">hex keys</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_7662782" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=deramorg-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=58a3a2f3f329857ee8d2ced02fbe1579&_cb=1451557791851" style="border: none !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 0px !important;" width="0" /> (Allen wrenches) of varying size, <a amzn-ps-bm-asin="B00009V431" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="f9b297fccfbe3be0c6d16e89050cd0b5" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="Philips screwdriver" href="http://www.amazon.com/Stanley-68-012-All-in-One-Screwdriver/dp/B00009V431/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=deramorg-20&linkId=f9b297fccfbe3be0c6d16e89050cd0b5&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_8859723" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Phillips screwdriver</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_8859723" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=deramorg-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=f9b297fccfbe3be0c6d16e89050cd0b5&_cb=1451557807649" style="border: none !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 0px !important;" width="0" />, flathead screwdriver, <a amzn-ps-bm-asin="B000MW91RE" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="589b988513b930677e5cd7de42fea2b6" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="2000 sandpaper" href="http://www.amazon.com/3M-03003-Imperial-Automotive-Sandpaper/dp/B000MW91RE/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=deramorg-20&linkId=589b988513b930677e5cd7de42fea2b6&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_5691560" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">fine sandpaper</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_5691560" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=deramorg-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=589b988513b930677e5cd7de42fea2b6&_cb=1451557848230" style="border: none !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 0px !important;" width="0" />, a pin or re-shaped <a amzn-ps-bm-asin="B00006IBK6" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="35d9e552f12be6d7437ad24e0ad42ce6" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="metal paper clips" href="http://www.amazon.com/ACCO-Paper-Economy-Smooth-A7072380/dp/B00006IBK6/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=deramorg-20&linkId=35d9e552f12be6d7437ad24e0ad42ce6&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_875708" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">paper clip</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_875708" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=deramorg-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=35d9e552f12be6d7437ad24e0ad42ce6&_cb=1451557996392" style="border: none !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 0px !important;" width="0" />, a <a class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="af18dfff01e763fb490b0a8581a29d04" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="empty spray bottle" href="http://www.amazon.com/Tolco-Bottle-Frosted-Assorted-Colors/dp/B000H88PCU/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=deramorg-20&linkId=af18dfff01e763fb490b0a8581a29d04&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_6739948" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">spray bottle</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_6739948" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=deramorg-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=af18dfff01e763fb490b0a8581a29d04&_cb=1451558231884" style="border: none !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 0px !important;" width="0" /> filled with soapy water, an <a amzn-ps-bm-asin="B00004Z2UB" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="65ea2de9e70da3ba0b13a4e7210f898f" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="Xacto knife" href="http://www.amazon.com/Xacto-X5282-Basic-Knife-Set/dp/B00004Z2UB/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=deramorg-20&linkId=65ea2de9e70da3ba0b13a4e7210f898f&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_8231982" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Xacto knife</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_8231982" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=deramorg-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=65ea2de9e70da3ba0b13a4e7210f898f&_cb=1451559311870" style="border: none !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 0px !important;" width="0" />, <a amzn-ps-bm-asin="B004C6U60C" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="790f370b2059bda5085a4a7ad107c923" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="HVAC tape" href="http://www.amazon.com/Venture-Tape-1581A-Length-Width/dp/B004C6U60C/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=deramorg-20&linkId=790f370b2059bda5085a4a7ad107c923&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_5383705" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">HVAC tape</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_5383705" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=deramorg-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=790f370b2059bda5085a4a7ad107c923&_cb=1451557871780" style="border: none !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 0px !important;" width="0" />, and whatever else I have neglected to list here but mentioned below.<br /><br />If you're not comfortable with maintaining or repairing a water heater, then please skip all the way to step four, where you pay a licensed professional to essentially try out steps one through three. If your water heater is still under warranty, then perhaps you want to let the manufacturer or seller solve the issue. For the rest of us ... <br /><br /><b>STEP ONE: RE-LIGHT THE PILOT</b><br /><br />To check if the water heater's pilot light is lit, remove the first metal "cover" (or equivalent) to reveal a glass window into the water heater. Get down on your knees, and look into the window, looking up and to the left (usually). If the pilot light is nowhere to be seen, then follow the instructions to reignite the pilot light. Typically, you would have to set a dial and another knob to pilot light mode -- read the water heater's specific instructions. For typical early-21st century water heaters, you have to hold down a button, which temporarily provides a small amount of gas into the pilot light chamber, while pressing an igniter button, which creates a spark in the chamber. The pilot light should then start (keep looking into the window, up and to the left). Hold on to the temporary gas button for about a minute. This should allow the pilot light to heat up the thermocouple enough to tell the main gas line to keep it coming.<br /><br />After about a minute, let go of the temporary gas button. If the pilot light is still on, then set the dials and/or knobs to the mode and temperature level from before. Congratulations, you now have hot water again!<br /><br />If that doesn't work ... <br /><br /><b>STEP TWO: CLEAN THE THERMOCOUPLE AND PILOT </b><br /><br />If the pilot light vanishes, then it might mean that the water heater's thermocouple doesn't sense the pilot light somehow. This might mean that the thermocouple is dirty, the pilot light part is clogged, or one or more parts are damaged/need replacing. Open up your water heater, thus voiding the warranty if that is still relevant, and start cleaning! Well ...<br /><b><br /></b><b>SHUT OFF THE GAS LINE INTO YOUR WATER HEATER FIRST!</b> From the water heater, there should be a gas line that leads to a knob, pointing in a direction. Just turn that knob 90 degrees clockwise to shut off any gas flowing into your water heater. Yes, the thermocouple tells the main gas line to flow or shut, but manually shutting it yourself is a proper safety precaution.<br /><br />You'll need an adjustable crescent wrench to remove the thermocouple, pilot gas line, and main gas line from the control box (on YouTube, you'll probably find the videos that aided me, as well). Typically, you should easily slide off the igniter button assembly from the control box. You'll probably need a hex wrench or driver to remove the hex screws from the second metal cover (with the window).<br /><br />When you pull open the second metal cover -- you might need a flathead or something to help pry -- you should be able to see an assembly with the pilot light, the thermocouple, and the igniter. If the thermocouple looks really sooty, then use sandpaper to clean off all that caked-on ash. Just in case, use a thin piece of metal (like a re-shaped paper clip) to clean the inside of the pilot light part, which might have its fair share of dirt.<br /><br />Close up the second cover (with the window), screw in the screws, and use your wrench to reconnect the main gas line, the pilot light gas line, and the thermocouple. Snap or slide the igniter back into place. Turn on the previously-shut gas line knob (90 degrees counterclockwise this time). Spray the contacts were you reconnected the main gas line and the pilot gas line with soapy water. If it bubbles, then shut off the gas line knob (90 degrees clockwise), tighten the connections with your wrench, and test with soapy water again. Hopefully it doesn't bubble this time. If either gas line continues to bubble, and remains to be a problem after tightening everything, then there's a gas leak -- CALL THE GAS COMPANY NOW!<br /><br />Assuming that your gas connections are once again tight, then try out the repair. The gas line knob should be in the "on" position. Like in step one so many paragraphs ago, reignite the pilot light. If the pilot light remains lit when you let go of the temporary gas button, then proceed to fully turn on your water heater -- you now have hot water! Congratulations! Cleaning the thermocouple and/or unclogging the pilot light part must have done the trick! The pilot heats up the thermocouple, which tells the gas line to keep it coming, and a big fire will soon ignite to heat up your water.<br /><br />If that doesn't work ...<br /><br /><b>STEP THREE: REPLACE THE THERMOCOUPLE</b><br /><br />Sometimes cleaning a thermocouple isn't enough. The thermocouple probably doesn't work anymore. That's probably why the pilot light disappeared in the first place. The thermocouple stopped working, so it could not sense the pilot light, and in turn, informed the main gas line to shut off, which inevitably extinguished the pilot light (no gas, no constant fire) -- in other words, no more hot water.<br /><br />Replacing the <a amzn-ps-bm-asin="B00076VETS" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="d5a1558834a74c8fab603a2562036067" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="thermocouple" href="http://www.amazon.com/White-Rodgers-H06E036S1-36-Inch-Universal-Thermocouple/dp/B00076VETS/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=deramorg-20&linkId=d5a1558834a74c8fab603a2562036067&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_7808236" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">thermocouple</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_7808236" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=deramorg-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=d5a1558834a74c8fab603a2562036067&_cb=1451559400052" style="border: none !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 0px !important;" width="0" /> is fairly straightforward and more importantly, very inexpensive. Depending on the length of copper you need, it'll cost maybe $10 to $18 at a brick and mortar hardware store -- probably cheaper online. Anyhow, I'm getting ahead of myself.<br /><br />Like before, shut off the main gas knob into the water heater. Disconnect the two gas lines, the thermocouple, and the igniter. Unscrew the cover with the window. Remove the cover. Unscrew (with a Phillips screwdriver, usually) the thermocouple-pilot-igniter assembly to remove the thermocouple. Use an Xacto knife to cut the thermocouple from any rubber seal housing; some HVAC tape and pieces of insulation might be necessary to plug in a broken rubber seal.<br /><br />Measure the size of the thermocouple, and buy a replacement thermocouple that is the same size or a bit longer.<br /><br />Reassemble the thermocouple-pilot-igniter assembly -- re-screw and reattach as necessary. Pretty much replace lines and wires as they were before, and use some insulation and HVAC tape to fill in any new gaps you've made in the process. Reinstall the cover with the window. Reconnect the gas lines, thermocouple, and igniter. Reopen the gas line by turning the appropriate knob 90 degrees clockwise. Check for gas leaks with soapy water.<br /><br />Finally, reignite the pilot light. Hopefully it will stay lit, as you set the water heater to fully operational mode. If it works, congratulations! It was the thermocouple all along! Enjoy your hot water! Remember to reinstall the first metal cover, which hides the pilot light window.<br /><br />If that doesn't work ...<br /><br /><b>STEP FOUR: HIRE A PROFESSIONAL</b><br /><br />I'm out of ideas at this point. You've spent about $10 on a thermocouple that didn't do the trick, so expect to pay dozens more, if not hundreds of dollars, in further repairs. Think of it this way: It's better to spend $10 before spending a couple hundred more, than it is to spend a couple hundred on a repair that could have cost only $10. If you are comfortable with do-it-yourself repair, then I would advise that you try to fix it, with simpler solutions, before calling a professional.<br /><br />Before I end this entry, I'd like to thank all the HVAC/plumbing professionals who have basically given away various "trade secrets" relating to water heater repair. They didn't have to, but in the interest of sharing useful information to homeowners, you've saved so much money for so many people. Cheers! This long-winded article is basically written around two useful bits of information:<br /><br /><b>1. Look up and to the left to see the pilot light, and</b><br /><b>2. Replace the thermocouple.</b><br /><br />I hope this information is helpful. If any of this text is confusing, please go to YouTube to see various professionals and D.I.Y.-ers basically do these exact repair solutions I've written. Just search for "water heater" and "thermocouple."<br /><br />In any case, if I don't post again until 2016, I want to wish you a Happy New Year! Cheers!<br /><br /><i>*Since I am not an HVAC professional or a plumber, this blog post is for entertainment purposes only, so if something useful (or disastrous) happens, then it's not my fault, all right?</i>Ryan DeRamoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02162906248552028769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7745789333150929270.post-24855311921303408242015-12-24T10:35:00.000-08:002015-12-24T10:39:29.018-08:00Ghosts of #Christmas Past (and One of Christmas Present) -- #ChristmasMusicThis is basically yesterday's post, in hyperlink-list form, to make the transition from Instagram post to MP3 download simpler. I've included "album cover" art in this blog post, since Archive.org mysteriously removes these images in its servers. Feel free to download these MP3s and JPEGs! <b>Merry Christmas!</b><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uBx4sGE5BvY/Vnw4-gCwuqI/AAAAAAAAEtM/evsT-PIAJpU/s1600/2009cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uBx4sGE5BvY/Vnw4-gCwuqI/AAAAAAAAEtM/evsT-PIAJpU/s200/2009cover.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>1. <a href="https://archive.org/download/deramosmusic/01merrygentlemen.mp3" target="_blank">God Rest You, Merry Gentlemen</a><br />2. <a href="https://archive.org/download/deramosmusic/02holynight.mp3" target="_blank">O Holy Night</a><br />3. <a href="https://archive.org/download/deramosmusic/03midnightclear.mp3" target="_blank">It Came upon the Midnight Clear</a><br />4. <a href="https://archive.org/download/deramosmusic/04jinglebells.mp3" target="_blank">Jingle Bells</a><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VbBIEbdqhis/Vnw5qvmT0rI/AAAAAAAAEtU/O4PrOzPvY_k/s1600/2010cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VbBIEbdqhis/Vnw5qvmT0rI/AAAAAAAAEtU/O4PrOzPvY_k/s200/2010cover.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>5. <a href="https://archive.org/download/deramosmusic/01christmastree.mp3" target="_blank">O Christmas Tree</a><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4vMiURdEz_E/Vnw6BeNiCZI/AAAAAAAAEtc/31fGPZ7ebpM/s1600/2011cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4vMiURdEz_E/Vnw6BeNiCZI/AAAAAAAAEtc/31fGPZ7ebpM/s200/2011cover.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>6. <a href="https://archive.org/download/deramosmusic/01wethreekings.mp3" target="_blank">We Three Kings</a><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zotKpdjks_0/Vnw6IAJzcBI/AAAAAAAAEtk/ntiyMH-reZY/s1600/2012cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zotKpdjks_0/Vnw6IAJzcBI/AAAAAAAAEtk/ntiyMH-reZY/s200/2012cover.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>7. <a href="https://archive.org/download/deramosmusic/01childinthemanger.mp3" target="_blank">Child in the Manger</a><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EktuLKNCPdw/Vnw6PLq1kRI/AAAAAAAAEts/uk3sRnd9fCY/s1600/2013cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EktuLKNCPdw/Vnw6PLq1kRI/AAAAAAAAEts/uk3sRnd9fCY/s200/2013cover.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>8. <a href="https://archive.org/download/deramosmusic/01joytotheworld.mp3" target="_blank">Joy to the World</a><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rjoWbPeQKsY/Vnw6fCZ_l8I/AAAAAAAAEt0/Udhq3s0Hw5w/s1600/2014cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rjoWbPeQKsY/Vnw6fCZ_l8I/AAAAAAAAEt0/Udhq3s0Hw5w/s200/2014cover.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>9. <a href="https://archive.org/download/deramosmusic/01hallelujahchorus.mp3" target="_blank">Hallelujah Chorus</a><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Lw91ZnbDk6k/Vnw6nQs5HUI/AAAAAAAAEt8/8RDoHLNQ2yY/s1600/2015cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Lw91ZnbDk6k/Vnw6nQs5HUI/AAAAAAAAEt8/8RDoHLNQ2yY/s200/2015cover.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>10. <a href="https://archive.org/download/deramosmusic/01indulcijubilo.mp3" target="_blank">In Dulci Jubilo (feat. Kate Dog)</a> Ryan DeRamoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02162906248552028769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7745789333150929270.post-81879120907951712192015-12-23T20:35:00.003-08:002015-12-24T03:14:39.498-08:00#KateDog Sings!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sH0wt0ASWhc/VntvO5wLTJI/AAAAAAAAEsw/cbumr_P1Lxg/s1600/InDulciJubiloCover2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sH0wt0ASWhc/VntvO5wLTJI/AAAAAAAAEsw/cbumr_P1Lxg/s200/InDulciJubiloCover2015.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Every year since 2009, I've recorded a Christmas carol for <a href="https://librivox.org/christmas-carol-collection-2015/" target="_blank">LibriVox</a>, a community of volunteer audiobook narrators. The first year, I recorded four songs, and each subsequent year, I produced just one every time.<br /><br /><b>DOWNLOAD/STREAM <a href="https://archive.org/download/deramosmusic/01indulcijubilo.mp3" target="_blank">"IN DULCI JUBILO" HERE</a>.</b><br /><br />This year's track is a re-imagined "<a href="https://archive.org/download/deramosmusic/01indulcijubilo.mp3" target="_blank">In Dulci Jubilo</a>," with my dog Kate barking out a verse and some bits at the end. I took a solemn, 3/2 hymn and turned it into a swash-buckling 6/8 stomp -- hopefully, at least. The MP3 of the song is in the link above, so click it, or right-click and 'save as' -- whichever you choose. <b>Update, 12/24:</b> I forgot to mention that this was the first Christmas recording using A Little Thunder to record guitar and "bass" simultaneously.<br /><br />Last year's track (2014) was the "<a href="https://archive.org/download/deramosmusic/01hallelujahchorus.mp3" target="_blank">Hallelujah!</a>" chorus, featuring a wire choir and a voice choir. <strike>I'm not feeling it this year, to be honest.</strike> I should've hurt my vocal chords to reach the soprano range via falsetto, but I didn't. I should have held lots of notes longer, as well. <b>Update, 12/24:</b> I kind of like this recording again, and I might use this recording for a Christmas morning Instagram video or something.<br /><br />The year before that (2013) was "<a href="https://archive.org/download/deramosmusic/01joytotheworld.mp3" target="_blank">Joy to the World</a>." <strike>I must have been off that year because I can't bear to listen to it. In other words, I'm not feeling it, either.</strike> <b>Update, 12/24:</b> The Christmas spirit is turning me around to this pseudo-quasi-jazzy-pop (?) arrangement. I just wish I didn't sound so "pained," vocally.<br /><br />Three years ago (2012) was "<a href="https://archive.org/download/deramosmusic/01childinthemanger.mp3" target="_blank">Child in the Manger</a>." <strike>I don't know what I was thinking at the time, but I'm not feeling it right now, as well.</strike> <b>Update, 12/24:</b> OK, I kind of like this recording again. I kind of remember that I wanted to have that "Hallelujah" -- the 20th century pop song -- vibe.<br /><br />Four years ago (2011) was "<a href="https://archive.org/download/deramosmusic/01wethreekings.mp3" target="_blank">We Three Kings</a>." I may be feeling it, a little, right now. <b>Update, 12/24: </b>I'm feeling it, more and more, as we approach Christmas Day. The feels, man, the feels.<br /><br />Five years ago (2010) was "<a href="https://archive.org/download/deramosmusic/01christmastree.mp3" target="_blank">O Christmas Tree</a>." I try not to pat myself on the back often, but I have to pat myself on the back for this one. It's my favorite Brian May-influenced wire choir recording I have ever done.<br /><br />Six years ago (2009) had four songs:<br /><br />"<a href="https://archive.org/download/deramosmusic/01merrygentlemen.mp3" target="_blank">God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen</a>" had a heavily-Autotuned (Melodyned) vocal and a drum machine pattern. I don't know why I produced it like that one Kanye West album. <b>Update, 12/24:</b> I still find the production amusing. All sounds were made by one processed vocal track, a drum pattern sequence that followed the notes in the melody (a new note in the melody would trigger a different pattern), and some random white noise static.<br /><br />I was off vocally with "<a href="https://archive.org/download/deramosmusic/02holynight.mp3" target="_blank">O Holy Night</a>." I still dig the chord progression from an early version of the sheet music, though. <b>Update, 12/24:</b> I still feel that I was quite off vocally. I don't know what I was thinking, pairing a meandering, Thom Yorke-wannabe (but not really), head-voice melody, with a nearly-inaudible octave-lower chest voice melody. I should have just picked a different key than written. The harmony parts during the choruses were all right, I suppose. I can imagine that I was aiming for "epic" in this recording, but I kind of missed the mark. The Christmas spirit is making me like it a little bit, though.<br /><br />"<a href="https://archive.org/download/deramosmusic/03midnightclear.mp3" target="_blank">It Came upon the Midnight Clear</a>" is the only song I recorded for this series that was performed in one take: Vocals and ukulele. I still kind of like this recording. I really want to do another one-take Christmas carol, especially with my current "one man band" setup.<br /><br />I tried to make "<a href="https://archive.org/download/deramosmusic/04jinglebells.mp3" target="_blank">Jingle Bells</a>" some sort of tropical, samba-cool vibe with the original 1800s lyrics. <strike>It was good in theory, but in practice ... meh.</strike> <b>Update, 12/24:</b> I'm kind of feeling this one now. I might make an Instagram video around "Jingle Bells" for tonight or tomorrow.<br /><br />It's a little amazing, for me anyway, that I have recorded ten Christmas songs over the years. It's basically an album of stuff -- a hit-or-miss album, but an album nonetheless. Anyway, I try to limit my usage of the phrase "Merry Christmas" until it's actually Christmas Eve (and Christmas Day), but since it is already Christmas Eve for much of the world --<br /><br /><b>MERRY CHRISTMAS!</b>Ryan DeRamoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02162906248552028769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7745789333150929270.post-70939137077301086392015-12-20T23:57:00.003-08:002015-12-20T23:57:49.185-08:00This Isn't a Review of #StarWars: #TheForceAwakens. #Interstellar #AmazonPrimeVideo<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qPidxAzct3A/VnemjYB5d0I/AAAAAAAAEsQ/4o-9_MlVEis/s1600/tumblr_nzl2y90nKQ1qh2zb1o1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qPidxAzct3A/VnemjYB5d0I/AAAAAAAAEsQ/4o-9_MlVEis/s320/tumblr_nzl2y90nKQ1qh2zb1o1_500.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I haven't seen the latest Disney-Lucasfilm <i>Star Wars</i> movie yet. I'm currently trying to recover from a particularly nasty cough, and being stuck in a crowded movie theater for over two hours doesn't seem like a good call. For anyone involved.<br /><br />The trolls and contrarians of the InterWebs have posted potential spoilers for the film, which I've stumbled upon on a couple of occasions. They all have the tone of "Darth Vader is Princess Leia's father!" with all the smugness that can be transmitted through text. (Sorry for <i>The Empire Strikes Back</i> spoiler.) Fortunately, these would-be spoilers are mostly meaningless to me for one reason along: I have no idea what the plot of <i>The Force Awakens</i> could possibly be. I have very little context for the spoilers, other than some vague, <i>Star Wars</i>-y type plot point. For the original trilogy, the overall plot was fairly straightforward: There's a war ... wait for it ... in space, among the stars: <i>Star Wars</i>. For the prequel trilogy, the overall plot is anticipated -- a kid grows up to become Darth Vader. What wasn't anticipated, however, was the overall quality (or lack thereof) in the prequels' three-movie character arc. For this new trilogy, I don't know what to expect, except for being introduced to new characters as well as some old favorites.<br /><br />I'll see the movie when I see the movie, I suppose.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l71TxtJ5b2w/VnevcZUSyqI/AAAAAAAAEsg/-UrwiDhwN1c/s1600/tumblr_nzir7oL2UZ1qh2zb1o1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l71TxtJ5b2w/VnevcZUSyqI/AAAAAAAAEsg/-UrwiDhwN1c/s320/tumblr_nzir7oL2UZ1qh2zb1o1_500.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>In lieu of the new <i>Star Wars</i> film currently in theaters, I watched <i><a amzn-ps-bm-asin="B00TU9UO1W" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="b0e0aa06345c8d7f1138278f38399138" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="Interstellar" href="http://www.amazon.com/Interstellar-Matthew-McConaughey/dp/B00TU9UO1W/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=deramorg-20&linkId=b0e0aa06345c8d7f1138278f38399138&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_9935535" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Interstellar</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_9935535" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=deramorg-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=b0e0aa06345c8d7f1138278f38399138&_cb=1450683758042" style="border: none !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 0px !important;" width="0" /></i> on Amazon Prime Video, from the comfort of home (and a pause button). I've resigned myself to enjoying most stories on a fairly superficial level; if it's told well, I'll probably enjoy the film, no matter the subtext, themes, propaganda, or moralizing. <i>Interstellar</i> was a story that was told well, through striking visuals and overall story tightness. And acting, I guess. Like many before me, the overall plot totally reminded me of the Queen song "<a amzn-ps-bm-asin="B0052SNOIK" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="f6352c73c5ea3edee16059fd54a4401f" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="a night at the opera" href="http://www.amazon.com/Night-At-The-Opera-Remastered/dp/B0052SNOIK/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=deramorg-20&linkId=f6352c73c5ea3edee16059fd54a4401f&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_6348000" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">'39</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_6348000" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=deramorg-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=f6352c73c5ea3edee16059fd54a4401f&_cb=1450684069874" style="border: none !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 0px !important;" width="0" />," written and sung by now-astrophysicist Brian May. (Freddie Mercury sang the song whenever the band played it live.) The song even goes well with the end credits of the movie.<br /><br />And yes, SPOILER!, I saw the <a href="http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2015-10-10/doctor-who-what-is-the-bootstrap-paradox" target="_blank">bootstrap paradox</a> coming from a mile away, or should I say a light year away. I suppose I've been watching too much <i>Doctor Who</i>, for my own good.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k6s9_zY-YwE/VnecnrWW5eI/AAAAAAAAErw/hdpK4KCar8Y/s1600/tumblr_nz0n4x2bYa1qh2zb1o1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k6s9_zY-YwE/VnecnrWW5eI/AAAAAAAAErw/hdpK4KCar8Y/s400/tumblr_nz0n4x2bYa1qh2zb1o1_500.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br />Speaking of which, err, <i>Who</i>, I can't wait for the <i>Doctor Who</i> Christmas Special on Christmas Day. Well, I'll be watching it the day after Christmas, either on Google Play or Amazon Video.<br /><br />That's enough wibbly-wobbly, timey-wimey -- spacey-wacey? -- for tonight.<br />Ryan DeRamoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02162906248552028769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7745789333150929270.post-12544680533872250892015-12-20T23:06:00.000-08:002015-12-20T23:06:03.224-08:00Five Last-Minute Gift Ideas for Kids ... and Pets. #Christmas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yVwFDSIs67E/VneWgzVLNCI/AAAAAAAAErc/UicmxXqk7Ug/s1600/figrigk8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yVwFDSIs67E/VneWgzVLNCI/AAAAAAAAErc/UicmxXqk7Ug/s320/figrigk8.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Apparently, this year's "must-have" Christmas gift is the non-hovering "<a amzn-ps-bm-asin="B018380FKU" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="54341792b30c55bad9832debdcf350ee" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="Hoverboard" href="http://www.amazon.com/Hover-Balancing-Hoverboard-Balance-Scooter/dp/B018380FKU/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=deramorg-20&linkId=54341792b30c55bad9832debdcf350ee&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_8481052" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Hoverboard</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_8481052" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=deramorg-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=54341792b30c55bad9832debdcf350ee&_cb=1450678066111" style="border: none !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 0px !important;" width="0" />" with the possibly-exploding battery. It's basically <a amzn-ps-bm-asin="B002VNKCMA" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="f11df22ac04d208319489995fbbd87e1" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="Tickle-Me Elmo" href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Original-Tickle-Me-Elmo/dp/B002VNKCMA/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=deramorg-20&linkId=f11df22ac04d208319489995fbbd87e1&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_3500581" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Tickle-Me Elmo</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_3500581" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=deramorg-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=f11df22ac04d208319489995fbbd87e1&_cb=1450678081923" style="border: none !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 0px !important;" width="0" /> ... but <i>less</i> dangerous?<br /><br />Anyhow, here's my public service announcement: Let the parents buy (or not buy) the trendy toys for their kids. Whether it's an <a amzn-ps-bm-asin="B017L1WXD2" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="63b7f88941c6cf4173a98ea385cd9e7e" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="Xbox" href="http://www.amazon.com/Xbox-500GB-Console-Kinect-Headset-Included/dp/B017L1WXD2/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=deramorg-20&linkId=63b7f88941c6cf4173a98ea385cd9e7e&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_661070" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Xbox</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_661070" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=deramorg-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=63b7f88941c6cf4173a98ea385cd9e7e&_cb=1450678251906" style="border: none !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 0px !important;" width="0" />, <a amzn-ps-bm-asin="B01574SORE" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="d327e5d7fd016d59b55a2d1f91513cbb" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="PlayStation" href="http://www.amazon.com/PlayStation-500GB-Console-Battlefront-Bundle-4/dp/B01574SORE/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=deramorg-20&linkId=d327e5d7fd016d59b55a2d1f91513cbb&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_7416600" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">PlayStation</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_7416600" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=deramorg-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=d327e5d7fd016d59b55a2d1f91513cbb&_cb=1450678257911" style="border: none !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 0px !important;" width="0" />, <a amzn-ps-bm-asin="B011XO54MA" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="a182682a23e1d06231a7c2489a2cabba" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="Wii U" href="http://www.amazon.com/Nintendo-32GB-Mario-Pre-Installed-Deluxe-u/dp/B011XO54MA/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=deramorg-20&linkId=a182682a23e1d06231a7c2489a2cabba&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_1946314" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Wii U</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_1946314" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=deramorg-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=a182682a23e1d06231a7c2489a2cabba&_cb=1450678267063" style="border: none !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 0px !important;" width="0" />, <a amzn-ps-bm-asin="B00VHSXBUA" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="33c9c53501a91d130e2836775fe601d1" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="iPhone" href="http://www.amazon.com/Apple-iPhone-Unlocked-Gold-16GB/dp/B00VHSXBUA/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=deramorg-20&linkId=33c9c53501a91d130e2836775fe601d1&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_3999849" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">iPhone</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_3999849" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=deramorg-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=33c9c53501a91d130e2836775fe601d1&_cb=1450678276294" style="border: none !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 0px !important;" width="0" />, <a amzn-ps-bm-asin="B009W8YQ6K" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="6e59e7f4a64721676636c3c51d3e4706" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="iPad" href="http://www.amazon.com/Apple-Retina-Display-MD510LL-Generation/dp/B009W8YQ6K/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=deramorg-20&linkId=6e59e7f4a64721676636c3c51d3e4706&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_6574060" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">iPad</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_6574060" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=deramorg-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=6e59e7f4a64721676636c3c51d3e4706&_cb=1450678322168" style="border: none !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 0px !important;" width="0" />, <a amzn-ps-bm-asin="B00J3LXLNA" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="ec822630e0d5dc015221228cf446ef97" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="Paw Patrol" href="http://www.amazon.com/Nickelodeon-Paw-Patrol-Look-out-Playset/dp/B00J3LXLNA/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=deramorg-20&linkId=ec822630e0d5dc015221228cf446ef97&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_9696163" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Paw Patrol</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_9696163" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=deramorg-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=ec822630e0d5dc015221228cf446ef97&_cb=1450678381693" style="border: none !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 0px !important;" width="0" />, <a amzn-ps-bm-asin="B00WJ0Z10S" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="f211f411ef30b67193286e381de4fb2a" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="Disney Infinity" href="http://www.amazon.com/Disney-Infinity-3-0-Edition-Starter-Pack/dp/B00WJ0Z10S/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=deramorg-20&linkId=f211f411ef30b67193286e381de4fb2a&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_6159856" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Disney Infinity</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_6159856" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=deramorg-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=f211f411ef30b67193286e381de4fb2a&_cb=1450678405346" style="border: none !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 0px !important;" width="0" />, <a amzn-ps-bm-asin="B00VMB5VFK" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="b196c45acac59884f985e6918cae42c2" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="LEGO Dimensions" href="http://www.amazon.com/LEGO-Dimensions-Starter-Pack-Nintendo-u/dp/B00VMB5VFK/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=deramorg-20&linkId=b196c45acac59884f985e6918cae42c2&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_6647521" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">LEGO Dimensions</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_6647521" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=deramorg-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=b196c45acac59884f985e6918cae42c2&_cb=1450678423282" style="border: none !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 0px !important;" width="0" />, <a amzn-ps-bm-asin="B00YI79C6E" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="570a4558e18d7c78dc23bc30e40d60d4" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="Skylanders" href="http://www.amazon.com/Skylanders-SuperChargers-Starter-Pack-Wii-nintendo/dp/B00YI79C6E/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=deramorg-20&linkId=570a4558e18d7c78dc23bc30e40d60d4&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_2060076" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Skylanders</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_2060076" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=deramorg-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=570a4558e18d7c78dc23bc30e40d60d4&_cb=1450678435197" style="border: none !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 0px !important;" width="0" />, <a amzn-ps-bm-asin="B00VXLRONG" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="6f3c40fe7c2e3b060c943665fe60a928" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="Power Wheels" href="http://www.amazon.com/Fisher-Price-Power-Wheels-12-Volt-Battery-Powered/dp/B00VXLRONG/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=deramorg-20&linkId=6f3c40fe7c2e3b060c943665fe60a928&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_5741945" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Power Wheels</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_5741945" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=deramorg-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=6f3c40fe7c2e3b060c943665fe60a928&_cb=1450678518358" style="border: none !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 0px !important;" width="0" />, or whatever is popular at the moment -- it is better that parents buy it for their kids, or at the very least, kids should ask "Santa" for it directly.<br /><br />People who give gift to not-their-kids should try to give something relatively timeless and not trendy. Why exactly would I say that? A very long time ago, a friend of a relative gave my brother and I these action figures -- anthropomorphic insect-men with large insect pets. It was as memorable as it was ... strange. Of course, it is the thought that counts, but the memory remains. To this day, I have no idea what or where these insect-men are from, and I don't feel like Googling for information. I am fairly certain that they must have been popular in certain circles ... somewhere.<br /><br />I suppose if your goal is to create weird memories for kids that are not yours, then by all means, give some weird toy. If you want to ensure that your present will have lots of replay, even though the child will eventually forget the giver of the gift, and perhaps the specific gift itself, then here are some last-minute suggestions:<br /><br /><b>1. Buy an inexpensive <a amzn-ps-bm-asin="B001L11PQ0" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="9713e4f8c85d8394f7a2bacd45b684a6" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="Christmas stocking" href="http://www.amazon.com/Plush-Christmas-Stocking-With-White/dp/B001L11PQ0/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=deramorg-20&linkId=9713e4f8c85d8394f7a2bacd45b684a6&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_6028084" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Christmas stocking</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_6028084" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=deramorg-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=9713e4f8c85d8394f7a2bacd45b684a6&_cb=1450680449100" style="border: none !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 0px !important;" width="0" />, a tangerine, and as many $1 <a amzn-ps-bm-asin="B006EFMSSM" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="393a21fc87e702907be9f03bc6bdb873" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="Hot Wheels" href="http://www.amazon.com/Hot-Wheels-9-Car-Gift-Styles/dp/B006EFMSSM/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=deramorg-20&linkId=393a21fc87e702907be9f03bc6bdb873&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_9340981" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Hot Wheels</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_9340981" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=deramorg-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=393a21fc87e702907be9f03bc6bdb873&_cb=1450680422529" style="border: none !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 0px !important;" width="0" /> or <a amzn-ps-bm-asin="B006UD2RB6" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="1e03cafa76a31b5bfb943492f4f6c921" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="Matchbox" href="http://www.amazon.com/Matchbox-9-Car-Gift-Pack-Styles/dp/B006UD2RB6/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=deramorg-20&linkId=1e03cafa76a31b5bfb943492f4f6c921&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_1531103" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Matchbox</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_1531103" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=deramorg-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=1e03cafa76a31b5bfb943492f4f6c921&_cb=1450680403018" style="border: none !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 0px !important;" width="0" /> cars you can stuff into the stocking.</b> First place the tangerine into the stocking (it's kind of a gag gift at the end of the stuffed stocking). Then stuff the stocking with toys. I have a hypothesis that Hot Wheels aren't meant only for boys, but for both boys and girls. To be sure, try to buy cars that are painted in a kid's favorite color(s). The more cars, the merrier -- there is a lot of replay value in these $1 vehicles.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k6s9_zY-YwE/VnecnrWW5eI/AAAAAAAAErs/4iGfcVaU5CY/s1600/tumblr_nz0n4x2bYa1qh2zb1o1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k6s9_zY-YwE/VnecnrWW5eI/AAAAAAAAErs/4iGfcVaU5CY/s320/tumblr_nz0n4x2bYa1qh2zb1o1_500.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><b>2. LEGO, any LEGO.</b> Like Hot Wheels, LEGO has that timeless quality. You can even buy currently-popular <a amzn-ps-bm-asin="B00WI0QCAM" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="b2b283912afd5f069ab2baf4c1694ac5" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="LEGO Star Wars" href="http://www.amazon.com/LEGO-Star-Speeder-75099-Building/dp/B00WI0QCAM/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=deramorg-20&linkId=b2b283912afd5f069ab2baf4c1694ac5&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_3146825" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">LEGO Star Wars</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_3146825" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=deramorg-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=b2b283912afd5f069ab2baf4c1694ac5&_cb=1450679378314" style="border: none !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 0px !important;" width="0" /> or whatever, to be sort of trendy, but infinitely reusable as whatever they wish. Be sure there are a lot of <a amzn-ps-bm-asin="B00MY4DEDK" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="62344389b02af37904ec3af55093c8a0" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="minifigures" href="http://www.amazon.com/LEGO-Minifigures-Series-12-71007/dp/B00MY4DEDK/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=deramorg-20&linkId=62344389b02af37904ec3af55093c8a0&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_6336189" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">minifigures</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_6336189" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=deramorg-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=62344389b02af37904ec3af55093c8a0&_cb=1450679746314" style="border: none !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 0px !important;" width="0" /><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_8290233" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=deramorg-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=0da774ce84f927ee9a05041757d18107&_cb=1450679730570" style="border: none !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 0px !important;" width="0" /> with the bricks; you'll never know if a kid will latch on to a certain combination of minifigure parts and make it his/her sigfig. LEGO can and should be gender-neutral -- but they sell <a amzn-ps-bm-asin="B00MJ8EX6S" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="6f4556b14ead353f950f70b173819871" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="lego Friends" href="http://www.amazon.com/LEGO-Friends-41093-Heartlake-Salon/dp/B00MJ8EX6S/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=deramorg-20&linkId=6f4556b14ead353f950f70b173819871&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_8579284" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">LEGO Friends</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_8579284" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=deramorg-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=6f4556b14ead353f950f70b173819871&_cb=1450681007607" style="border: none !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 0px !important;" width="0" /> and <a amzn-ps-bm-asin="B00IANUDTM" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="b8889271f131bab9178f541095a4d413" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="lego princess juniors" href="http://www.amazon.com/LEGO-Juniors-10668-Princess-Castle/dp/B00IANUDTM/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=deramorg-20&linkId=b8889271f131bab9178f541095a4d413&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_3470338" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">pink/purple-themed sets</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_3470338" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=deramorg-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=b8889271f131bab9178f541095a4d413&_cb=1450681054867" style="border: none !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 0px !important;" width="0" />, just in case. While usually pricier than Hot Wheels, LEGO probably has more replay value than any other toy, at any age.<br /><br /><b>3. A board game.</b> Then again, maybe not. Don't get them a trendy game like the <a amzn-ps-bm-asin="B00NVCCUVG" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="de19f8cc8befdce33db28870e33a2430" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="pie-in-the-face one" href="http://www.amazon.com/Rocket-Games-Pie-Face-ToyCenter/dp/B00NVCCUVG/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=deramorg-20&linkId=de19f8cc8befdce33db28870e33a2430&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_5033777" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">pie-in-the-face one</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_5033777" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=deramorg-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=de19f8cc8befdce33db28870e33a2430&_cb=1450679846616" style="border: none !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 0px !important;" width="0" />. A kid's parents should be responsible for something like that, if they kid really wants that sort of game. If a household doesn't have basic games like <a amzn-ps-bm-asin="B00CV5PN2W" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="c329c19877ca4ffa5bf07508c117e869" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="Monopoly" href="http://www.amazon.com/Hasbro-00009-482-Monopoly-Board/dp/B00CV5PN2W/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=deramorg-20&linkId=c329c19877ca4ffa5bf07508c117e869&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_1606734" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Monopoly</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_1606734" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=deramorg-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=c329c19877ca4ffa5bf07508c117e869&_cb=1450679957923" style="border: none !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 0px !important;" width="0" />, <a amzn-ps-bm-asin="B00JMCJGZC" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="44717c38eff50b8be9a972500dc26729" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="Scrabble" href="http://www.amazon.com/Hasbro-16807F01-Scrabble-Deluxe-Game/dp/B00JMCJGZC/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=deramorg-20&linkId=44717c38eff50b8be9a972500dc26729&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_6374921" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Scrabble</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_6374921" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=deramorg-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=44717c38eff50b8be9a972500dc26729&_cb=1450679981686" style="border: none !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 0px !important;" width="0" />, or even a <a amzn-ps-bm-asin="B002XO760I" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="6ee81a457e688bc42a79e58fcab8d28c" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="deck of cards" href="http://www.amazon.com/Decks-Wide-Size-Regular-Playing-Brybelly/dp/B002XO760I/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=deramorg-20&linkId=6ee81a457e688bc42a79e58fcab8d28c&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_7302392" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">deck of cards</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_7302392" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=deramorg-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=6ee81a457e688bc42a79e58fcab8d28c&_cb=1450680000299" style="border: none !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 0px !important;" width="0" /> (or the app versions thereof), then it'll probably be a cool gift to give.<br /><br /><b>4. A plush toy or stuffed animal.</b> Depending on the age of the recipient, you can't go wrong with a generic-looking teddy bear. Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse are easy choices. You can get a little hipstery and go for <a amzn-ps-bm-asin="B008RBB1SE" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="4d64e77eb100ffcc5e3e56fb71d13410" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="Oswald the Lucky Rabbit" href="http://www.amazon.com/Oswald-Lucky-Rabbit-Mini-Plush/dp/B008RBB1SE/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=deramorg-20&linkId=4d64e77eb100ffcc5e3e56fb71d13410&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_152884" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Oswald the Lucky Rabbit</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_152884" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=deramorg-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=4d64e77eb100ffcc5e3e56fb71d13410&_cb=1450680242238" style="border: none !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 0px !important;" width="0" />. Just make sure the plushie has an overall friendly face and non-creepy vibe to it; otherwise, that kid might blog about that strange, anthropomorphic, insect plushie that was memorable ... but weird.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3KrLNPJMduU/VnegFZ47QqI/AAAAAAAAEr4/6ff7KZzoG40/s1600/tumblr_nzhn91vjle1qh2zb1o1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3KrLNPJMduU/VnegFZ47QqI/AAAAAAAAEr4/6ff7KZzoG40/s400/tumblr_nzhn91vjle1qh2zb1o1_500.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><b>5. A ball, any ball.</b> A <a amzn-ps-bm-asin="B000OQA3N4" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="b35bee69288ab490ce8359252d404cdd" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="baseball" href="http://www.amazon.com/Rawlings-Baseball-Official-League-Rubber/dp/B000OQA3N4/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=deramorg-20&linkId=b35bee69288ab490ce8359252d404cdd&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_5311473" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">baseball</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_5311473" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=deramorg-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=b35bee69288ab490ce8359252d404cdd&_cb=1450680707514" style="border: none !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 0px !important;" width="0" />. A softball. A <a amzn-ps-bm-asin="B004ZQI4N0" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="9e343cd483072c00a3d734e4e7fee93c" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="Whiffle ball" href="http://www.amazon.com/Baseball-Official-Wiffle-Balls-Polybag/dp/B004ZQI4N0/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=deramorg-20&linkId=9e343cd483072c00a3d734e4e7fee93c&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_7623062" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Wiffle ball</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_7623062" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=deramorg-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=9e343cd483072c00a3d734e4e7fee93c&_cb=1450680696219" style="border: none !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 0px !important;" width="0" />? A <a amzn-ps-bm-asin="B0015GPNL4" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="2b8f1cdde3993ef133ee3f4f4781079d" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="football" href="http://www.amazon.com/Wilson-NFL-Junior-Football-Brown/dp/B0015GPNL4/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=deramorg-20&linkId=2b8f1cdde3993ef133ee3f4f4781079d&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_3858107" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">football</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_3858107" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=deramorg-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=2b8f1cdde3993ef133ee3f4f4781079d&_cb=1450680753934" style="border: none !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 0px !important;" width="0" /> -- American and/or <a amzn-ps-bm-asin="B001C3O8O8" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="c9e04aa7f9732a66f4481ca392ced68f" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="soccer ball" href="http://www.amazon.com/Wilson-Traditional-Soccer-Ball-3/dp/B001C3O8O8/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=deramorg-20&linkId=c9e04aa7f9732a66f4481ca392ced68f&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_4961128" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">soccer</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_4961128" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=deramorg-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=c9e04aa7f9732a66f4481ca392ced68f&_cb=1450680774756" style="border: none !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 0px !important;" width="0" />. A <a amzn-ps-bm-asin="B0009VELG4" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="c0cd486b010b11b9c67e29f47fafa742" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="basketball" href="http://www.amazon.com/Spalding-NBA-Street-Basketball-Official/dp/B0009VELG4/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=deramorg-20&linkId=c0cd486b010b11b9c67e29f47fafa742&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_9432522" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">basketball</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_9432522" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=deramorg-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=c0cd486b010b11b9c67e29f47fafa742&_cb=1450680782966" style="border: none !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 0px !important;" width="0" />. A <a amzn-ps-bm-asin="B000ORSEW0" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="46907fba1156df42cd7dd06a4f6920bb" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="volleyball" href="http://www.amazon.com/Wilson-Outdoor-Soft-Play-Volleyball/dp/B000ORSEW0/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=deramorg-20&linkId=46907fba1156df42cd7dd06a4f6920bb&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_2822239" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">volleyball</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_2822239" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=deramorg-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=46907fba1156df42cd7dd06a4f6920bb&_cb=1450680798435" style="border: none !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 0px !important;" width="0" />. Regulation or smaller. Hard or soft -- a <a amzn-ps-bm-asin="B016CEXS06" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="1184b5f6a50b2e8d7f1a4f5f65b9d1e2" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="plush ball" href="http://www.amazon.com/Mini-Soft-Plush-Sports-Balls/dp/B016CEXS06/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=deramorg-20&linkId=1184b5f6a50b2e8d7f1a4f5f65b9d1e2&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_4931835" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">plush ball</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_4931835" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=deramorg-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=1184b5f6a50b2e8d7f1a4f5f65b9d1e2&_cb=1450680809630" style="border: none !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 0px !important;" width="0" />, perhaps? I take back what I've written earlier: A ball might have more replay value than any LEGO set. In any case, my dog Kate has a Saturn-shaped ball waiting for her after Saturnalia, on Christmas Day.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sgDXOJx4Zho/VnejayPW_YI/AAAAAAAAEsE/6D4UQfleGNc/s1600/tumblr_nzmk2oFZNw1qh2zb1o1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sgDXOJx4Zho/VnejayPW_YI/AAAAAAAAEsE/6D4UQfleGNc/s400/tumblr_nzmk2oFZNw1qh2zb1o1_500.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />I'm either too old for a Christmas present, or I'm an overgrown kid with an Amazon wishlist (I can't say for certain which) ... but I'd be excited to receive a die-cast car, plastic bricks, a deck of cards, a plush friend, and/or a ball for Christmas.Ryan DeRamoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02162906248552028769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7745789333150929270.post-66273781329464129502015-12-13T18:59:00.000-08:002015-12-13T18:59:11.234-08:00This #WindsOfWinter Update Does Not Exist. #LEGO #GoT<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0fRwEAmIC4o/Vm4jfFYke4I/AAAAAAAAEqM/1vDY2SuFmrI/s1600/tumblr_nburqdz4Kd1qh2zb1o1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0fRwEAmIC4o/Vm4jfFYke4I/AAAAAAAAEqM/1vDY2SuFmrI/s200/tumblr_nburqdz4Kd1qh2zb1o1_500.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Winter is coming. Literally. The Winter Solstice happens in about nine days. Christmas happens soon after. Then the new year ...<br /><br />The arrival of the book <i>The Winds of Winter</i>, however, is another story -- pun not intended.<br /><br />In the meanwhile, I continue to post recreations of selected shots from <i>Game of Thrones</i> episodes on my <a href="http://instagram.com/ryan_deramos" target="_blank">Instagram</a>. When we left off, the second season had concluded. We are now in the first half of the third season.<br /><br />"Valar Dohaeris." Beyond the Wall, Lord Commander Jeor Mormont of the Night's Watch sent Samwell Tarly to send messenger ravens to the Wall, to inform them of the current situation with the White Walkers, wights, and Wildlings. Or something like that. In any case, he didn't do it.<br /><br />Mormont basically gave Sam the "You had one job! One!" reprimand.<br /><br />The shot I recreated is actually a composite of various shots: An ax-wielding wight chasing after Sam, Sam panicking, and Ghost saving Sam.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1GP-EEBm-KI/Vm4pSG7GcHI/AAAAAAAAEqg/phaihmkIysU/s1600/tumblr_nxw33hbI6Z1qh2zb1o1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1GP-EEBm-KI/Vm4pSG7GcHI/AAAAAAAAEqg/phaihmkIysU/s400/tumblr_nxw33hbI6Z1qh2zb1o1_500.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />"Dark Wings, Dark Words." In this re-created shot, Jaime Lannister and Brienne of Tarth are in a swordfight. Jaime has the reputation of being one of the best swordsmen in the land, but the show basically has him fight in two no-contest duels so far -- a no-contest vs. Ned Stark, and now a no-contest vs. Brienne.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IWpn2h0TipY/Vm4p-iPwZrI/AAAAAAAAEqk/2u2JJK8htQ4/s1600/tumblr_ny8ztkIj4Z1qh2zb1o1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IWpn2h0TipY/Vm4p-iPwZrI/AAAAAAAAEqk/2u2JJK8htQ4/s400/tumblr_ny8ztkIj4Z1qh2zb1o1_500.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />"Walk of Punishment." Spoiler: Locke (née Vargo "The Goat" Hoat, in the books) chops off Jaime's right hand. Locke's gang is depicted in the back as monochrome minifigures because I didn't feel like figuring out who was who in the scene. I think it worked out, since the focus is on Jaime's lack of hand.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cjzJkWBzvRU/Vm4rKxnKfLI/AAAAAAAAEqw/EVC7QuWlVqs/s1600/tumblr_nylyuj8sfJ1qh2zb1o1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cjzJkWBzvRU/Vm4rKxnKfLI/AAAAAAAAEqw/EVC7QuWlVqs/s400/tumblr_nylyuj8sfJ1qh2zb1o1_500.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />"And Now His Watch Has Ended." Spoiler: Kraznys mo Nakloz sells an army of castrated Unsullied to Daenarys Targaryen for the price of a dragon. Daenerys double-crosses the slave-masters of the city by ordering the Unsullied to kill them all, and ordering her dragon Drogon to breathe fire on Kraznys.<br /><br />For the recreated shot, I cobbled together two official LEGO Ben Kingsley minifigures to create Dan Hildebrand's Kraznys mo Nakloz. Kraznys' head comes from Nizam from <i>Prince of Persia</i>. Kraznys' body comes from The Mandarin from <i>Iron Man 3</i>. I also used a random green cape.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ik3ZDeRWLbY/Vm4tTDiE9gI/AAAAAAAAEq8/8hmOYr2BnDI/s1600/tumblr_nyydv97gJN1qh2zb1o1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ik3ZDeRWLbY/Vm4tTDiE9gI/AAAAAAAAEq8/8hmOYr2BnDI/s400/tumblr_nyydv97gJN1qh2zb1o1_500.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />"Kissed by Fire." Shireen Baratheon visits her friend, the Onion Knight (Ser Davos Seaworth), in the dungeons of Dragonstone. She tries to smuggle in books for him to read, but Davos confesses that he is illiterate.<br /><br />I have a LEGO braided "princess wig," in brown and in bright yellow, which is pretty close to Shireen's hairstyle on the show. A more accurate color for Shireen's actress (Kerry Ingram) would be closer to dark tan, or the color on Jaime's LEGO "hero wig." Since I had to make a choice between brown and bright yellow, I chose brown. It was a dark dungeon anyway, so we needn't notice any blonde highlights.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SLzq4f9TSZc/Vm4u-czNUHI/AAAAAAAAErI/-ubGNd2vt-s/s1600/tumblr_nzboqo20iB1qh2zb1o1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SLzq4f9TSZc/Vm4u-czNUHI/AAAAAAAAErI/-ubGNd2vt-s/s400/tumblr_nzboqo20iB1qh2zb1o1_500.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />And that's the first half of the third season. I have four more opportunities to cobble together a Robb Stark minifigure, to complete house Stark (sans Uncle Benjen) before, well ...<br /><br />... spoilers.Ryan DeRamoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02162906248552028769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7745789333150929270.post-64094968685889059322015-11-30T18:40:00.000-08:002015-11-30T18:40:39.315-08:00#Netflix vs. #AmazonPrime vs. #HBONow (Spoiler: Get All Three)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P3QVY7UFh_s/VlzxhoAgZcI/AAAAAAAAEo4/YpbJGomejPI/s1600/tumblr_ndawr40alv1qh2zb1o1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P3QVY7UFh_s/VlzxhoAgZcI/AAAAAAAAEo4/YpbJGomejPI/s200/tumblr_ndawr40alv1qh2zb1o1_500.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Binge-watching has become a cultural phenomenon. Instead of watching one episode a week, at a set time, a subscriber of a streaming service can watch all 10, 13, 22, 100, etc., episodes of a show in one sitting! No DVR ... or VHS tapes necessary!<br /><br />Streaming subscriptions and pay-as-you-go season passes have, in my estimation, rendered DVDs and Blu-Ray discs obsolete. All you need is a decent TV that can connect a <a amzn-ps-bm-asin="B00INNP5VU" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="14a1e1fd74b64dd6551ef205320bb962" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="Roku" href="http://www.amazon.com/Roku-3500R-Streaming-Stick-HDMI/dp/B00INNP5VU/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=deramorg-20&linkId=14a1e1fd74b64dd6551ef205320bb962&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_7209879" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Roku</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_7209879" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=deramorg-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=14a1e1fd74b64dd6551ef205320bb962&_cb=1448932074367" style="border: none !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 0px !important;" width="0" />, Apple TV, Chromecast, or <a amzn-ps-bm-asin="B00GDQ0RMG" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="aceee9418670ae481352214c2c5d6a11" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="Amazon Fire TV" href="http://www.amazon.com/Amazon-W87CUN-Fire-TV-Stick/dp/B00GDQ0RMG/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=deramorg-20&linkId=aceee9418670ae481352214c2c5d6a11&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_9459014" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Amazon Fire TV</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_9459014" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=deramorg-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=aceee9418670ae481352214c2c5d6a11&_cb=1448932097243" style="border: none !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 0px !important;" width="0" /> -- well, at least two of the above, in order to maximize the amount of viewing options available. I wrote about that <a href="http://www.deramos.org/2015/04/streaming-device-shootout-roku-vs-apple.html" target="_blank">earlier this year</a>. Maybe some of that information is still relevant.<br /><br />I just remembered that a computer, smartphone, or tablet can also stream these services. Silly me.<br /><br />The purpose of this blog post is to compare three subscription streaming services: Netflix, <a amzn-ps-bm-asin="GATEWAY" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="2e755b384ea94652bbe2427dcabe9ca2" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="amazon prime membership" href="http://amazon.com/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=deramorg-20&linkId=2e755b384ea94652bbe2427dcabe9ca2&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_6238891" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Amazon Prime Video</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_6238891" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=deramorg-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=2e755b384ea94652bbe2427dcabe9ca2&_cb=1448932504966" style="border: none !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 0px !important;" width="0" />, and HBO Now. All three services feature content without commercial interruption, unlike Hulu+ or various TV network apps.<br /><br />Which service provides more bang for your buck? (Spoiler: Amazon.) Which services have the content that you want? (Spoiler: You decide.) Let's find out!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dWzahCVfG5k/Vlz3bvtPG_I/AAAAAAAAEpI/WbmFjfXRtrk/s1600/blog_nfx.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dWzahCVfG5k/Vlz3bvtPG_I/AAAAAAAAEpI/WbmFjfXRtrk/s200/blog_nfx.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><b>NETFLIX</b><br /><br />"Netflix and chill" has become shorthand slang for either subtle flirtation (at best) or blatant sexual harassment (at worst). Anyway, for $7.99 a month or $94.88 a year, here's what you'll get from Netflix:<br /><br />- A lot of older movies of varying quality;<br />- Some newer movies that you might have the time to watch;<br />- A lot of older TV show that are complete, like <i>Friends</i>;<br />- A lot of newer TV shows that are one season behind; and<br />- Netflix-produced shows and films that you can binge-watch (e.g., grittier Disney-Marvel superheroes, <i>Master of None</i>, <i>Orange Is the New Black</i>, <i>House of Cards</i>, etc.).<br /><br />That's it. You should definitely join for the binge-watching experience of non-network TV shows. It's also an inexpensive gateway to hardcore Tumblr fandoms; you get to catch up on all the <i>Supernatural</i>, <i>Doctor Who</i>, and <i>Sherlock</i> episodes, before purchasing new episodes on iTunes, Google Play, or Amazon Instant Video. <i>SuperWhoLock</i>, for the win!<br /><br />Netflix is also perfect if you find an old movie on TV, but you don't want to endure commercial breaks and censorship. Over the Thanksgiving extended weekend, the CW broadcast <i>Planes, Trains and Automobiles</i>. Netflix currently also has that movie available. If you wanted to watch that particular movie at the time, would you endure commercial TV, or would you go to Netflix?<br /><br />If anything, a Netflix subscription is great to have, in case you want to -- wait for it -- <i>chill</i>.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Nvipg0OiWPM/Vlz6U0zGmPI/AAAAAAAAEpU/ux2kyfDfkMk/s1600/blog_apv.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Nvipg0OiWPM/Vlz6U0zGmPI/AAAAAAAAEpU/ux2kyfDfkMk/s200/blog_apv.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><b>AMAZON PRIME VIDEO</b><br /><br />My best guess is that most people do not get a $99 per year Amazon Prime membership for the streaming video service. They get the membership for the shipping benefits -- free two-day shipping, free same-day ship for orders over $35, etc. All the downloadable and streaming media are icing on the cake of free shipping.<br /><br />Let's break down what $99 gets you, without the shipping benefits:<br /><br />- Lots of music to stream, not new releases usually, but if you have <a amzn-ps-bm-asin="B00X4WHP5E" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="c442465811d2a5cffce7d7c1b5321976" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="Alexa" href="http://www.amazon.com/Amazon-SK705DI-Echo/dp/B00X4WHP5E/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=deramorg-20&linkId=c442465811d2a5cffce7d7c1b5321976&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_7610265" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Alexa</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_7610265" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=deramorg-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=c442465811d2a5cffce7d7c1b5321976&_cb=1448934266302" style="border: none !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 0px !important;" width="0" />, you can get "her" to play almost whatever for you, whenever you want;<br />- If you have a <a amzn-ps-bm-asin="B00I15SB16" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="783513cf91d368f79f1adb513921157c" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="Kindle" href="http://www.amazon.com/Kindle-Glare-Free-Touchscreen-Display-Wi-Fi/dp/B00I15SB16/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=deramorg-20&linkId=783513cf91d368f79f1adb513921157c&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_108749" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Kindle</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_108749" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=deramorg-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=783513cf91d368f79f1adb513921157c&_cb=1448934300954" style="border: none !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 0px !important;" width="0" />, you can choose one of four (or six) newly-published books to download for free, which is probably about a $72 per year value;<br />- If you have a <a amzn-ps-bm-asin="B00OQVZDJM" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="b33b63b2d492f22e6b7b8a3290bdb9b1" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="Kindle" href="http://www.amazon.com/All-New-Kindle-Paperwhite-High-Resolution-Display/dp/B00OQVZDJM/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=deramorg-20&linkId=b33b63b2d492f22e6b7b8a3290bdb9b1&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_8104610" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Kindle</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_8104610" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=deramorg-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=b33b63b2d492f22e6b7b8a3290bdb9b1&_cb=1448934596883" style="border: none !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 0px !important;" width="0" />, you can borrow one book every calendar month, which might probably save you anywhere between $24 and $120 over the course of a year, assuming that you actually read these books;<br />- Lots of older movies, which might or might not overlap with Netflix;<br />- Some newer movies that even Netflix does not have, such as the third <i>Hunger Games</i> movie, which I recently watched;<br />- Some older TV shows that are complete;<br />- Some TV shows that are one season behind; and<br />- Amazon-produced TV shows and films that you can binge watch.<br /><br />I haven't checked out any Amazon-produced shows yet. The alternate-history Nazi one looks like a thrilling watch, but I am most excited for the new show presented by the former <i>Top Gear</i> hosts.<br /><br />If you shop online, consume a lot of streaming media, and read e-books, then an Amazon Prime membership is a no-brainer. In fact, if I had to choose between Netflix and Amazon Prime, I'd probably pick Amazon. I would suspend and un-suspend my Netflix subscription in order to binge-watch any new Disney-Marvel shows.<br /><br />Speaking of suspending and un-suspending subscription memberships ...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JocyDuAv-mw/Vlz_REchIXI/AAAAAAAAEpk/Wl8diuj9cRw/s1600/blog_hbo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JocyDuAv-mw/Vlz_REchIXI/AAAAAAAAEpk/Wl8diuj9cRw/s200/blog_hbo.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><b>HBO NOW</b><br /><br />The only reason I purchased an Apple TV earlier this year was to try the then-brand new HBO Now streaming service, which was exclusive to Apple TV and Apple iOS devices for the first few months or so. Currently, lots of streaming devices can get HBO Now.<br /><br />I got the first month free, and I kept it going for as long as Season 5 of <i>Game of Thrones</i>, before putting my subscription on hold. HBO Now costs around $15 per month, so I think I only spent $30 or $45 this year. Next year, during <i>Game of Thrones</i>' sixth season, I can expect to pay $45 or $60 for HBO Now, hopefully. Anyway, however long you wish to subscribe to HBO Now, seasonally or annually, you can expect the following:<br /><br />- Virtually every completed and current show produced by HBO;<br />- A fair amount of older movies -- a smaller selection compared to the above two services;<br />- Many newer movies, before they are available to Netflix or Amazon Prime;<br />- Documentaries produced by HBO;<br />- A lot of HBO boxing, with pay-per-view bouts available one week after the event; and<br />- Quasi-pornography produced by HBO, if that is your thing.<br /><br />In the three or four months I had HBO Now, I watched as many movies and boxing as I could. I watched a couple of documentaries as well, such as the Kurt Cobain one and the Scientology one. I watched <i>Game of Thrones</i>, of course, and I caught a couple of episodes of John Oliver's show. There's a lot of brilliant content on HBO Now, but I don't know if I would want to subscribe to this service all year long, since it is twice the price as Netflix, for a relatively smaller streaming library. In fact, I think giving myself a time-limit on HBO gave me the incentive to watch as much as possible during my seasonal subscription.<br /><br />I can't wait for 2016's HBO Now subscription, so I can see their updated selection of movies and sporting events -- and yes, <i>Game of Thrones</i>.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UrRaCVVQ2r4/Vl0D2zp9ZcI/AAAAAAAAEpw/w2xkZLa3GPU/s1600/blog_dcm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UrRaCVVQ2r4/Vl0D2zp9ZcI/AAAAAAAAEpw/w2xkZLa3GPU/s200/blog_dcm.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>In conclusion, if you haven't already subscribed to Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, or HBO Now -- do so, as soon as you can. I recommend getting all three for various reasons, as listed above. Netflix is the prominent streaming innovator, and its original content has kept the service from going stale. Amazon Prime is for free shipping, but the streaming/downloading media benefits are overwhelmingly great bonuses. HBO is worth it during <i>Game of Thrones</i> season, with other HBO shows, HBO sports, and recent movies as wonderful bonuses, for three or four months out of the year.<br /><br />For an estimated $21 per month -- between around $239 to $254 per year -- who needs cable TV, anyway?<br /><br /><i>My little blogging marathon has been completed -- six entries before the end of November! Cheers!</i>Ryan DeRamoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02162906248552028769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7745789333150929270.post-74466369431860377992015-11-29T22:17:00.002-08:002015-11-29T22:24:10.865-08:00#ALittleThunder Has Revolutionized Four-Chord Rock (and Other Genres)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A9x7ROdaJKQ/VluCUsPn9RI/AAAAAAAAEng/OvlxETJ4Urs/s1600/alt5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A9x7ROdaJKQ/VluCUsPn9RI/AAAAAAAAEng/OvlxETJ4Urs/s320/alt5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>After all these years, decades really, I think I've figured out my signature sound.<br /><br />Let's back up a bit.<br /><br />There's a relatively old joke that makes the observation that every new AC/DC album was basically the same as previous albums. Once upon a time, I thought it was a bad thing. It's not. An easily-identifiable signature sound is a hallmark of badassery.<br /><br />Modern-day country music is basically pop songwriting with twangy vocals and miscellaneous fiddles. Once upon a time, I thought it was a bad thing. It's not. Genre conventions are an interesting study in cultural traditions.<br /><br />I've encountered my share of genre snobs, who denigrate one form of music while elevating the one they happen to like the most. Once upon a time, I thought it was a bad thing. Well ... it still <i>is</i> a bad thing to be a genre snob. Even though you might not end up playing a specific style of music ever, it is important to keep an open ear and an open mind when it comes to music. <b>Don't knock it until you understand it.</b><br /><br />Four-chord rock music really caters to two specific musicians: The vocalist and the guitarist(s). It does few favors to bassists and drummers, unless the music gets more complex. Drummers must be slightly masochistic because they basically lug around about five drums, about five cymbals, hardware, a throne, and sticks wherever they go. They set up the drum kit, play for a bit, take down the drum kit, then transport everything again and again.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9iZ1yTW95PY/VlvYxhey1jI/AAAAAAAAEoY/AN_xEv6pdD0/s1600/tumblr_mg2zhw8NP71qh2zb1o1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9iZ1yTW95PY/VlvYxhey1jI/AAAAAAAAEoY/AN_xEv6pdD0/s200/tumblr_mg2zhw8NP71qh2zb1o1_500.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>An electronic drum pad coupled with a couple of foot pedals -- theoretically -- can solve this problem, especially when playing shows wherever. Maybe one day electronic drum pads will be the go-to instrument in four-chord popular music, especially four-chord rock -- maybe four-chord <i>post</i>-rock with the electronics. Then again, maybe most non-famous drummers enjoy being their own drum tech and road crew.<br /><br />I've neglected to define my idea of "four-chord" rock. It's basically sloppy, garage-style, punk-ish rock 'n roll. Guitars are distorted, and vocals are competent enough to stay in key and cut through the band. The meter of a song will either be four-four time or six-eight (three-four) time. Songwriting follows the popular music structure of verse-chorus-verse-chorus-bridge-verse-chorus, and the like. It's as basic as it gets, with some potential for epicness.<br /><br />Bass players in this now-defined four-chord rock genre have the disadvantage whenever they play with heavy guitars or vocalists with lower vocal ranges. Whenever two instruments occupy the same frequencies, the sound gets -- for lack of a better word -- <i>muddy</i>. A heavily-distorted guitar, as opposed to a fuzzy guitar or an overdriven guitar, will encroach on bass guitar territory. A baritone vocalist might not even cut through the band. The overall muddiness of the sound might render fancy walking basslines inaudible. The four-chord structure of songs will just render the bassist to play the root note of each chord as simply as possible.<br /><br />Perhaps the concept of the bass player is better in jazz, funk, or progressive rock music. With a pickup called <b><a href="http://alittlethunder.com/" target="_blank">A Little Thunder</a></b>, the rhythm guitarist can also be the bass player. After all, the rhythm guitarist is usually responsible for much of the tone decisions that muddy up a band's sound.<br /><br />Hopefully more and more four-chord rock bands will embrace the idea of the rhythm guitarist/ALT bassist. (The electronic pad touring drummer is an unlikely pipe dream.) There are bass players who have learned the low-note craft, but they are not given the opportunity to be Flea or Geddy Lee while thumping low end in a four-chord rock band. Let them find other bands and genres that allow such an opportunity. There are guitarists who, by necessity due to genre conventions, play bass but can't hear themselves because the muddy mess of a four-chord rock band. Let them play both with A Little Thunder, and everyone can learn why heavy bands might sound muddy.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nJYjAJ39f5E/VlvgU80a6WI/AAAAAAAAEoo/d08485nRotw/s1600/alt1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nJYjAJ39f5E/VlvgU80a6WI/AAAAAAAAEoo/d08485nRotw/s200/alt1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>As I've written in a few earlier blog posts, I have created a reasonable one-man live band setup for myself. I have a guitar with A Little Thunder, and another guitar with a single-string pickup that I rigged up before I learned about A Little Thunder. I have a drum machine that also triggers a couple of LED light units -- one for low frequencies, and one for high frequencies. I sing through a vocal harmonizer, in order to actually sound decent as a vocalist.<br /><br />Here's the basic recipe for my four-chord rock, one-man live band. The guitar is slightly distorted with an emulator pedal that tries to sound like a Vox AC30, but not too heavy, as to muddy up the bass. The tone of the ALT bass -- same guitar -- is tweaked with a bass overdrive pedal. Basslines, played either on the Low E or A strings of the same guitar, are kept quite simple. I'm either going to play with the kick drum, straight eighth notes, or do a simple groove, whenever possible.<br /><br /><center><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-version="6" style="background: #FFF; border-radius: 3px; border: 0; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 658px; padding: 0; width: -webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width: 99.375%; width: calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding: 8px;"><div style="background: #F8F8F8; line-height: 0; margin-top: 40px; padding: 28.125% 0; text-align: center; width: 100%;"><div style="background: url(data:image/png; display: block; height: 44px; margin: 0 auto -44px; position: relative; top: -22px; width: 44px;"></div></div><div style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/9PMaeXlq1H/" style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">"Four minutes? That's ages. [...] Bring me #knitting!" I wish most smartphones had subwoofers. #doctorwho #cosplaycover #pinkfloyd #anotherbrickinthewall</a></div><div style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A video posted by Ryan DeRamos (@ryan_deramos) on <time datetime="2015-10-24T22:39:09+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Oct 24, 2015 at 3:39pm PDT</time></div></div></blockquote><script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script></center><br />My drum machine is programmed with a bunch of generic patterns, as well as song-specific ones. The generic patterns are usually 4/4 backbeats, 4/4 snare on 3, and 6/8 beats with the snare on 4. I can start and stop a pattern with a foot pedal, and I can tell the pattern to go into a fill and another pattern with that same pedal. I can adjust the beats per minute to however fast or slow I want. The big downside to using a drum machine is that I'm missing cymbal hits and other fancy techniques that only a human drummer can provide. Since I'm using a drum machine, perhaps I should think like an EDM DJ and try to make the patterns dance-friendly.<br /><br /><center><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-version="6" style="background: #FFF; border-radius: 3px; border: 0; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 658px; padding: 0; width: -webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width: 99.375%; width: calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding: 8px;"><div style="background: #F8F8F8; line-height: 0; margin-top: 40px; padding: 28.125% 0; text-align: center; width: 100%;"><div style="background: url(data:image/png; display: block; height: 44px; margin: 0 auto -44px; position: relative; top: -22px; width: 44px;"></div></div><div style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/7cMZyoFqw-/" style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">This is what happens when one plays a guitar riff and a bass line simultaneously on the same instrument. #alittlethunder #silversunpickups #lazyeye #cover #lego</a></div><div style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A video posted by Ryan DeRamos (@ryan_deramos) on <time datetime="2015-09-10T06:46:23+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Sep 9, 2015 at 11:46pm PDT</time></div></div></blockquote><script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script></center><br />I try to sing head voice almost exclusively, so that the vocals can cut through the band. My natural chest voice doesn't cut through the instruments without mixing help. Perhaps a sound engineer could EQ my chest voice to cut through the band, but my goal is for a simple, one-man band setup! I usually get my vocal harmonizer to go a 3rd above the melody, to thicken and sweeten the sound. The <a amzn-ps-bm-asin="B00K5Z56NQ" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="832056c20ce2a4946b4afd8d716fb909" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="Boss VE-2" href="http://www.amazon.com/BOSS-ve-20-Boss-VE-2/dp/B00K5Z56NQ/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=deramorg-20&linkId=832056c20ce2a4946b4afd8d716fb909&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_916246" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Boss VE-2</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_916246" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=deramorg-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=832056c20ce2a4946b4afd8d716fb909&_cb=1448863165580" style="border: none !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 0px !important;" width="0" /> is smart enough most of the time to figure out what key I'm singing in, referencing the chords I play on the guitar.<br /><br /><center><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-version="6" style="background: #FFF; border-radius: 3px; border: 0; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 658px; padding: 0; width: -webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width: 99.375%; width: calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding: 8px;"><div style="background: #F8F8F8; line-height: 0; margin-top: 40px; padding: 28.125% 0; text-align: center; width: 100%;"><div style="background: url(data:image/png; display: block; height: 44px; margin: 0 auto -44px; position: relative; top: -22px; width: 44px;"></div></div><div style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/7j51tolq5t/" style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">At this point, I forgot the words. #cover #radiohead #letdown #alittlethunder #lego</a></div><div style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A video posted by Ryan DeRamos (@ryan_deramos) on <time datetime="2015-09-13T06:38:06+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Sep 12, 2015 at 11:38pm PDT</time></div></div></blockquote><script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script></center><br />I'm also trying to incorporate more <a amzn-ps-bm-asin="B000N5MK8M" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="6e2cbab67b4a0bb895933b20441797d3" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="Ebow" href="http://www.amazon.com/Heet-Sound-PLUSEBOW-E-bow-Guitar/dp/B000N5MK8M/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=deramorg-20&linkId=6e2cbab67b4a0bb895933b20441797d3&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_5950861" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Ebow</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_5950861" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=deramorg-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=6e2cbab67b4a0bb895933b20441797d3&_cb=1448864408903" style="border: none !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 0px !important;" width="0" /> into my music, but it's kind of unwieldy to hold the Ebow while plucking a decent bassline and singing. I'm currently working on a solution!<br /><br /><center><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-version="6" style="background: #FFF; border-radius: 3px; border: 0; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 658px; padding: 0; width: -webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width: 99.375%; width: calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding: 8px;"><div style="background: #F8F8F8; line-height: 0; margin-top: 40px; padding: 28.125% 0; text-align: center; width: 100%;"><div style="background: url(data:image/png; display: block; height: 44px; margin: 0 auto -44px; position: relative; top: -22px; width: 44px;"></div></div><div style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/8sBgHqFq17/" style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">#Ebow + #ALittleThunder = Real-life Sonic Screwdriver. #thecure #lovesong #doctorwho</a></div><div style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A video posted by Ryan DeRamos (@ryan_deramos) on <time datetime="2015-10-11T06:50:23+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Oct 10, 2015 at 11:50pm PDT</time></div></div></blockquote><script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script></center><br />With an electric guitar, simple basslines, a drum machine, and harmonized vocals -- I'm basically playing the one-man version of an '80s new wave band or something!<br /><br /><center><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-version="6" style="background: #FFF; border-radius: 3px; border: 0; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 658px; padding: 0; width: -webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width: 99.375%; width: calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding: 8px;"><div style="background: #F8F8F8; line-height: 0; margin-top: 40px; padding: 28.125% 0; text-align: center; width: 100%;"><div style="background: url(data:image/png; display: block; height: 44px; margin: 0 auto -44px; position: relative; top: -22px; width: 44px;"></div></div><div style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/8C1YQClq_-/" style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">At least this isn't the "Internet guitarist crotch shot." #alittlethunder #ebow #u2 #withorwithoutyou #cover</a></div><div style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A video posted by Ryan DeRamos (@ryan_deramos) on <time datetime="2015-09-25T06:55:35+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Sep 24, 2015 at 11:55pm PDT</time></div></div></blockquote><script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script></center><br />There's always room for an extra musician to play a sweet guitar solo, though.<br /><br /><center><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-version="6" style="background: #FFF; border-radius: 3px; border: 0; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 658px; padding: 0; width: -webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width: 99.375%; width: calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding: 8px;"><div style="background: #F8F8F8; line-height: 0; margin-top: 40px; padding: 28.125% 0; text-align: center; width: 100%;"><div style="background: url(data:image/png; display: block; height: 44px; margin: 0 auto -44px; position: relative; top: -22px; width: 44px;"></div></div><div style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/-VtyPMlq52/" style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">From the makers of the one-man band, here is a -- wait for it -- two-man band. #cover #smashingpumpkins #mayonaise #lego #sigfig</a></div><div style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A video posted by Ryan DeRamos (@ryan_deramos) on <time datetime="2015-11-21T07:57:35+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Nov 20, 2015 at 11:57pm PST</time></div></div></blockquote><script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script></center><br />I usually record all my performances, good and bad, with a <a amzn-ps-bm-asin="B003QKBVYK" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="de9bb8b312a0345ff0dc7366ae4a0165" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="Zoom H1" href="http://www.amazon.com/Zoom-Handy-Portable-Digital-Recorder/dp/B003QKBVYK/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=deramorg-20&linkId=de9bb8b312a0345ff0dc7366ae4a0165&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_7267938" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Zoom H1</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_7267938" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=deramorg-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=de9bb8b312a0345ff0dc7366ae4a0165&_cb=1448864223140" style="border: none !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 0px !important;" width="0" /> audio recorder. While I've figured out my signature sound for now, there's still room for adjustments.<i> </i><br /><br /><i>That's blog post five out of six for the end of November! The marathon writing session is almost over! Cheers!</i>Ryan DeRamoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02162906248552028769noreply@blogger.com0