Robot Unicorn Attack! No, seriously.

Late to the scene blogging about this one, but have any of you played [adult swim]'s Robot Unicorn Attack? It is brilliant! I was first made aware of the addiction back in July, yet am only now mentioning it. When I was told about the side-scroller, it was with a mix of gamer enthusiasm and mocking irony. (Why are we Generation Nexters so into being snarky and ironic?) Anyway, the mocking was for the song that plays on a loop throughout the game until you have used up all of your, three lives. Or wishes, as the games calls them. You'll find the song with it's original video below.



Pretty sweet, eh? Now, imagine playing a shiny, colorful, rainbow maned/tailed robot unicorn. You smash through big, crystal stars that fall at random intervals from the sky as you gain speed and momentum; leaping through the air and earning extra points for tagging the creepy, robot faeries at the beginning of every floating, purple-grassed island along the way.

Sounds fun, right? It is! It's a blast! Thing is, I really dig the song. I hid that fact from the guy who told me about the game because he kept going on about how ridiculous, but perfect the song was for the game. I expected something really ludicrous, but what I heard was a song that was perfect for the game, but it wasn't ridiculous. Even now I play the video in the morning before work because I enjoy the bubbly innocence and happy entreaty made by the artist.

Why are wanting to be with someone always and making believe such silly things? Sure, we all have to go through with our daily lives to survive, but isn't having an imagination and sharing creativity and art and love and fantasy important, too? I think having someone to create with in our lives is mandatory! It's in our very instincts! Sure, not everyone will create art, music, literature, etc. But procreation is exactly that. Everyone wants to be with someone and create something. When many couples get married, or even before, they daydream together of the things to come. Creation, in many, many forms is one of the main plans people make. Homes, children, lives; we must all want at least one of these things and pursue it to feel like a complete human being. I think that is why I feel that this song touches me. It sort of makes me feel akin to the human race, when that is often a difficult thing for me to do. Of course, my make believe is very much like the "damsel/knight/monster/faerie land" in the video. But I think we can all attest to it's truth. Don't you?

P.S.: Here's the game. Beware! It is incredibly addictive!

"Dry, dry, DRY!" and "Bad, bad, BAD!" No more!

"Huh?" You ask.
First, the "dry" bit. Can I just express my frustration at the increased dryness of this winter, thus far? Sure! Winter is the driest time of the year. (Which never made much sense to me, as I always seem to enter my house with half damp/wet trouser cuffs.) We've all experienced that winter skin; ash white, paper thin, cracked, sore, sometimes bleeding from dryness. Granted, I work on a farm. My hands are gloved, yet still exposed to the elements, not to mention water from my usual chores. However, I have never, ever in my life had such dry skin! Maybe I'm just shirking my responsibility to myself and haven't been taking the best of care to stay moist?
Maybe.
Or maybe, just maybe this is one of the driest winters since before 1983? I'm not absolving myself from responsibility, mind you. I'm only wondering if the Ol' North Wind is partially at fault here. Anyone else having trouble keeping their skin from looking like you swapped with Granny?

Now, the "bad" bit. I've been bad to my body. Though we've established the superficial above, I'm speaking of a deeper level; a mechanical, need-certain-things-to-survive level. While I realize that the holidays have always been an accepted excuse for people to let loose and imbibe/consume everything in sight, I have been devouring all that is craved, but none that is required for my body to run properly. That upsets me. I give in to my cravings far too easily, then wind up wondering why I feel sluggish, headachey, fussy and slightly as if I'm about to have a panic attack. That's not a nice feeling. Well, none of it is.
While I'm pouring unnatural sugars, bad fats and heavy carbs down my gullet, I'm happy as a pig in slop. Thing is, if I don't stop, that's what I will be.
I don't want that.
This isn't a resolution post. Not in the "New Year" sense. No. This is a wake up call from my body. She's upset because I haven't eaten vegetables in a few months. A few months! This is coming from a "vegetarian." (What does one call oneself when one doesn't eat meat, fish, fruits or veggies? Hmmm...) Bad Renee, BAD!

So, when I went grocery shopping this morning, I bought Jergens "Ultra Healing" lotion (It was on sale for far less than the Aveeno I had my hands on for an hour.), oatmeal and bananas (No more cereal with milk, and no more milk and sugar in the oatmeal. I've done it before. I can do it again.), asparagus (There must be a yummy recipe in one of my many, unused cookbooks.), portabella mushroom caps, and some new, vegetarian yogurt to try. My freezer still has frozen veg and fruits, and my kitchen shelf is lined with jars of grains. No snacks in my grocery bags! I did buy Organic Cow Half & Half for my tea and instant coffee. Once my coffee is gone, that will be the end of that. I can drink my tea without cream. No problem. Those will be my treats. I also have corn chex and "muddy buddies" fixins for a quick, small treat once Auntie and I have recovered from our sugar shock comas and want a little something that can be controlled. To make lunch at work quick, easy and healthier than running to, of all places!, DunkinDonuts, I've got a box of Clif mini energy bars. One of those and some water with lemon everyday will keep my hunger down, protein and energy up, and help me resist the urge to mow down on the first thing I see when I get home from work.

I'm pumped! My body will thank me in a couple of weeks. You know, once she's resigned not to kill me because of the inescapable cravings (even though giving in would only make me feel ill...) Once the snow and ice have melted down a bit, I may even take walks after work? If not, I've always got my yoga and Tae-Bo dvds!

In other news, I've decided to try to find another car, instead of a new engine for the Crap-alier I've got. I have until the end of January, thanks to my inspection sticker. Barring that, I can get her inspected, get rejected, then have until the end of February to finalize a "new" car. (I'm looking to find a used Volvo that will last me.) Fingers crossed, folks!

Also, my Christmas post with pictures will be posted soon. I still need to take the pictures...

I'll Share My Weakness

Maybe, through sharing, it'll make it easier to resist making a mistake.
I have been tempted these past few days to text someone who turned out to not be such a great person to me. At the time, I felt really good about how things were going. Then, it all ended so abruptly. Now, I want to tell him "Happy Belated Birthday and Merry Christmas." But that would be a mistake. I know it would. That's why I'm bringing it out here to you fine people. By making my bad decisions public before committing them, I'm hoping it keeps me strong. No one has to respond to any of this, it more a push for me to resist the silly impulse. So, thanks for letting me share my weakness with you. Thanks for helping me stop myself from making a mistake before it it is done. However, if any of you have any ideas on how to get over someone who I thought I was over and who really shouldn't be on my mind as often as he is for the crappy way he treated me, I'm open to suggestions. *This request is limited to anyone who has been in bad or dramatic relationships before, but has moved on to living fulfilling, meaningful and respectful lives (to themselves and others.) Anyone raised by parents who set horrible relationship examples are also encouraged to respond!

In other news, once I have the battery for my camera, I shall take and post photos of my lovely gifts from my lovely family and friends. Marvelous holiday that was too soon over. More to come, my dearies!

Here are a few select videos of the season. Enjoy!