Darth [Baby] Vader, Japanese Mario; I Saved The Worst For Last

Hey…it’s been a while, I know. I’m in the process of packing up stuff, painting a new apartment, and preparing to move and start a new job. So, please…bare with me.

Anyways…here’s a tidbit. I stumbled upon this picture and it struck me as ironic…who’d have thought that Darth Vader started out so…innocent? Not sure who the artist is…but nice job. It makes my art look pathetic.

I also came upon another picture that I thought was pretty sweet…it’s a depiction of Mario fighting Bowser in the style of traditional Japanese artwork. Also, note the Vader helmet in the corner…hmm.

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So, while stumbling on Firefox, tonight, I came upon the most sickening website for a church I’ve ever seen. The church’s name is Westboro Baptist Church. Located in Topeka, KS, they feel that the best way to spread the word of God and news of God is by…well…hating. The website alone is called Godhatesfags.com and it is the most revolting thing I think I’ve ever seen “preached” by any religious group…but it especially bugs me because I am a Christian. They claim in a long, drawn-out writing that God does not love everyone, but rather hates a large majority of mankind. It just goes against everything that the Bible teaches…especially when it says, “38This is the first and greatest commandment. 39And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ -Matthew 22:38-39. I’ve always remembered that verse when it came to my feelings about others. Also, the Bible is clear that we should not judge others… “1“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. 3“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?” -Matthew 7:1-3.

I’m not wanting to sit here and preach, but it is sickening. This church preaches hate, they put out horrible press releases…they’re everything that turns people away from God. I just don’t know who they think they are and what they think they’re accomplishing…but I do know that they should be stood up to or shut down. Freedom of religion should not extend into areas of slander and persecution. They picket at funerals of people that they oppose. Can you imagine…? It’s horrible. They’re not worth the price of the dirt it would take to bury them. I can just imagine that they will be first in line come judgment day and I do not think God will find favor with them.

I don’t know how to speak out against this group and others like it…but I do think it should be done. If anyone has info on standing up to these types of groups, let me know.  And if you’re still not convinced that they’re screwed up, then check out their picket signs.

Married Life…

Well, as you all can see from my last post, Kristen and I decided to go ahead and tie the knot.  Now, I know a lot of people are probably assuming that we went and got married because Kristen got “knocked up.”  Well…that’s not true.  To be perfectly honest, the two of us had been discussing marriage plans for a long time now…but we were really saving so we could have a wedding where we wanted, when we wanted, and how we wanted.  After finding out that we had an little one on the way, we decided that rather than waiting and trying to have a dream wedding, we’d just go ahead and do it in a smaller way.  Honestly…what does it matter where you get married as long as your heart is in the right place?  I don’t think it does…it’s all vanity and greed, really.  So, rather than spend all the money on ourselves and taking some dream Bahamian cruise, we’re going to save up for our little one.  I think we made the mature and right choice.

SO…how is married life?  This is a question I had often wondered to myself in the past.  I always wondered if it would feel different.  Would you wake up and feel like a different person…like a whole new area of your life has begun?  Well, let me answer by saying that in some ways it’s a completely different experience while in other ways it feels exactly the same as before.  Let me explain.  Kristen and I had lived together for approximately nine months before we took the next step and got married…so in a lot of ways, it’s like we just signed a government document and had a ceremony to signify that what we had was official.  It’s sort of like driving with a permit rather than a full fledged driver’s license…it’s legal, you’re going through the same motions, but you just don’t have that government nod to acknowledge it.  So, in a lot of ways, things have been exactly the same with us.  Then, other times, we look at each other and we realize that we’ve taken our love and devotion for one another to a whole new level.  We’re married.  We’re in this together, forever…and we’ve got a child on the way.  It’s like the difference between being an intern and having a career…when you’re an intern, things are still new and confusing.  When you’re in your career…well, you’ve got your feet planted, you’ve got your head in the game, and you’re on your way up the ladder.

So, yeah, we’re glad that we decided to go ahead and tie the knot.  The pregnancy, while not the main reason for our marriage, is definitely part of why we decided to go ahead and move it forward.  We didn’t do it because of what other people would think…but, when we put the options out in front of us, we decided it was what we wanted and what felt right to us.  So, there you go.

Now…oh boy, the pregnancy.  I always had heard that pregnancy was miserable for women…but nobody told me that it could also be a nightmare for men.  Don’t get me wrong…it’s not that bad.  It could always, ALWAYS, be so much worse…but when Kristen is sick, I’m right there trying to hold up her end of things.  When she’s feeling grumpy, then I end up feeling sad or grumpy.  When she’s tired, then I’m twice as busy.  And…honestly, I’ll admit it…I’m a lazy bum.  I liked it when we both had separate responsibilities (like house cleaning or whatever).  But when she’s down and out, then it all tends to pile up on me…and, of course, I complain.  But, really, I’m lucky to be the one who only has to be doing extra dishes or cleaning the bathroom…because the alternative isn’t so beautiful.  She’s had awful morning sickness for the past few weeks…in fact, she’s basically missed around two weeks of work because of it.  It’s horrible.  And the worst part isn’t even that we’re stretched for money, but rather than she’s feeling horrible and if she gets sick enough it could effect the baby.  SO we’re going to keep trying different things for the morning sickness and maybe once she hits that second trimester things will begin to look up.

In other less family oriented news…I’ve begun playing World of Warcraft, again.  Yes…it’s sad, I know.  Actually, it’s not that bad…I’ve only played it for a while the past two nights at work to make the time pass by.  I’m playing on some free servers hosted by wowscape.net.  They’re different from the original World of Warcraft servers in that they are free and that they’re easier on the player.  For example, one of the servers is called “Wowscape (Funserver).”  This server allows you to level up faster by increasing the amount of experience you gain and by increasing the amount/types of loot you find on corpses.  So, you could look at it one of two ways:  You could say it’s a wuss server for people who can’t handle the real game…or you could say it’s a pretty freaking awesome server that allows you to play for free and not have to waste time grinding for hours on end.  Either way, it’s pretty sweet to be able to play World of Warcraft, again, and not have to pay a single penny for the experience.  I suggest you WoW fans who are looking to save a buck (or fifteen bucks) check it out… http://www.wowscape.net.  All you have to do is install World of Warcraft on your computer, sign up for an account at wowscape, download their server launcher, and then open WOW with the server launcher.  If you do sign up and get on Wowscape (Funserver), look for me…I’m a level 20 Troll Hunter named Hammarot.

Well…that’s about all I can muster up to write this morning.  I’m on my second 12-hour midnight shift in a row and I’m feeling the effects, this morning, so I’m going to work my last hour, go home, and get some well-deserved shut-eye.  Peace!

Sorry, Ladies…it’s official now: He’s off the market!!!

That’s right…yesterday, Kristen and I tied the knot!  We’re hitched!!!  WEWT!

Sorry For The Silence…

Hey everyone,

Well, it has been a while since I’ve posted anything on here, so I thought I would take just a second to update.

First of all, I went through all of my old games for my xbox, my xbox 360, and my wii (adding to that about 20 dvds I didn’t want anymore), packed them all into a bag, and went to Electronic Boutique and turned them all in for store credit. I ended up having enough credit to buy Grand Theft Auto IV for the Xbox 360, Super Smash Bros. Brawl for the Wii, and Mario Kart Wii for the Wii…not to mention having $40 left after that to put on my EDGE card! I couldn’t believe what a deal I got for the crap I turned in. I’m definitely a fan of EB over Gamestop…Gamestop (at least our Gamestop) doesn’t take in used DVDs anymore, but EB does…which probably accounted for half the store credit I got.

I am so excited to have new games to play! The only bad news is that I’ve been sort of busy this week going out of town on errands and stuff, so I’ve only had a chance to play GTA IV and Mario Kart Wii. That’s right…I’ve had Super Smash Bros. Brawl since Tuesday and haven’t even played it yet!!! AUGH!!! But, in all fairness, I’ve played GTA IV a TON!!! And it is just as awesome as all the hype…if you don’t have it and have been considering getting it, I’d recommend it. It’s everything that GTA: San Andreas was plus so much more. In fact, I think you could probably play the game for a few months solid (for people with a real life including work, dating, sleeping, etc.) before you even came close to doing everything in the game. It’s awesome!

Now…Mario Kart Wii is pretty awesome, too. It keeps it real with the original Mario Kart standards…racing, battle, vs, time trials…all that jazz. But they’ve added Wi-Fi capability allowing you to play with people from all around the world in races or battles…and let me just say this now: FUN!!! I was going to try to go through all of the races, but I ended up having more fun just getting on the Wi-Fi and battling it out with 4 to 12 people total in either the “balloon burst” battle or the “coin collector” battle. You can play again and again and it keeps a record of your Battle Points (your online standing as compared to everybody else who is playing online) and will show you where you are on the roster. Personally, I think this is a H-U-G-E step in the right direction for Nintendo. We’ve needed online capability for games for Nintendo for so long and I’m so glad they’ve finally gotten serious about it.

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Now, in other news…Kristen and I are tying the knot this Monday (May 5th, 2008). If you want to send me a gift, just ask and I’ll give you my address!!! ^_^ We are majorly excited, though.

We’re going to have a small, civil ceremony at the courthouse in Murray and then we’re going to go with a few friends out to Patti’s Resturant for some good food and cake. Then it’s off to home for our first night as an old married couple…

It’s so weird…growing up feels crazy! But deep down, I’m happy and honored to have such a great girl as Kristen by my side. Sure, we’re both sort of grumpy and we butt heads a lot, but we’ve always been able to be there for one another when all the cards are on the table. We will make this work…and we’re going to have a beautiful child together. *cheers* Here’s to the future!

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So, more other news…I got a call from my good friend (we’ll call him Bob) the other day and he proceeded to inform me that my other good friend (we’ll call him Jimbo), the one who is going to stand next to me at my wedding, has been spending the past few months talking smack behind my back. And it wasn’t just talking smack about me, but it was about my girl and my unborn child!!! So, I called Jimbo, today, and we talked about it.

Long story short, Jimbo denies everything.

So…who the heck do I believe? Bob has stretched the truth in the past, before, about some things…let’s say he likes to exaggerate things, sometimes. But a lot of things add up to what he is saying about Jimbo being true.

Do I believe Bob? Do I believe Jimbo? Do I let Jimbo still stand next to me on my wedding day?

I mean…Jimbo…this guy, we’ve been close a long time. I even asked him to be the godfather to my unborn child!!! So, to think that he could be standing behind my back and stabbing me hurts to no end.

I just don’t know what to do or who to believe…we all need to sit down, all three of us, and hash this out…but when…? I’ve got to work/sleep all weekend until Sunday…so I guess we could do it Sunday, but it is still pushing it close to my wedding day.

I just hope and pray to God that I won’t have a traiter standing next to me on my wedding day as my support system…

One phrase comes to mind right now:

“Et tu, Brute?”

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Well, I guess that is all for right now. There will be more comics coming sometime in the future…not too far away. Just give me some time. I’m in the process of trying to find some full time work to help save up some money for this child…and as a result, we’re looking for a new house to rent. It looks like we’ll probably be moving up toward Calvert City or Paducah. And, personally, after all the drama I’ve experienced in this town…I won’t miss it.

Wish me luck on Monday!

It Brought A Tear To My Eyes…

So, yesterday, Kristen and I had to go to the doctor for her appointment.  It was the first time we were going to get to see an ultrasound done…and it turns out that we’re 7 weeks and 3 days along.  The due date is approximately December 09, 2008.  I know it didn’t really have any exact human shape or anything, but getting to see the heartbeat of my baby beating away (150 bpm…so it is healthy) made my eyes tear up.  Here are some pics:

Here, the baby is in the very center where the vertical dotted line is.  The bottom half shows the heartrate going across the screen…150!! 

Yes…that strangle little blotch in the center of the picture (in the middle of the black area) is my little one…

In this one, the dotted line with the “CRL” at one end is measuring across the baby.  Right now, the little girl or guy (haven’t found out yet) is only a whopping little 1.19 cm!  How insane is that…it’s tiny!  But you know what, it’s mine…and it’s going to be so wonderful. 

Life With Hammy - 032 - “Help Wanted…CLICK!”

So, I’ve been on the job search, lately, since I’m about to get married and have a child on the way.  We decided that working part time, despite the excellent pay for the amount of hours, just isn’t going to be enough.  So I read an ad in the newspaper, today, that says this:

“Are computers your passion? Put your talents to work in an entry level position and enjoy the opportunity to grow with us. We need someone full time who can do web design, help talk people through software installs and learn new programs quickly. Please call Lorraine at (270)436-2793 from 9:00-5:00.”

So, I called them probably three times, today, total.  The first two times I got an answering machine…I only left a message the first time.  The third time, however, somebody did answer.  They said, “Hello?”  And I answered, “Hey, I’m Eric Hamilton and I was…”  That was all I was about to say before they mumbled something that I couldn’t make out and hung up on me.

Long story short…I knew that job sounded too good to be true.

Oh well…there’s always tomorrow, right?

Dark Messiah Of Might & Magic: Elements - Xbox 360 - Review

Well, I’m not in the mood to do a comic, today, so instead I’m doing a small review of a game I just finished playing for the Xbox 360: Dark Messiah Of Might & Magic: Elements. Just FYI - there may be some spoilers ahead if you’re wanting to play the game or playing through it.

Let me start by saying this is the first RPG-type of game that I’ve ever played as a FPS. I rather liked the feeling of being behind the sword as it was swinging…in fact, it made me think of how amazing a game like this would be to play on the Wii. Just imagine…swing the Wiimote and you swing your sword. Hold up the Wii Joystick and you hold up your shield. It could all work out wonderfully…just a thought.

Anyways, I started playing through the game and I found it to be really interesting. The levels were well put together and had plenty of hidden surprises to keep your eyes and ears open. I’ll never forget getting trapped in the small corridor and having the walls slowly close in and smash me as I frantically tried to find a button to stop it. Ah…good times, good times. And who can be upset when fighting little goblins as they say, “Ugly human! Fly like goblin, sting like bee! No kill me!” Honestly, they created a great illusion.

I chose to follow the path of true evil and stay true to my sexy succubus Xana. She was a guide who even sacrificed herself to bring me back to life at a certain point in the game. I found that to be a good enough reason to stick with her, you know? The game has some fun challenges. I don’t think it ever gets old figuring out special ways to kill Cyclops and Paokai. Usually in the big boss fights, there are environmental allies such a swinging traps or places to hide and poke your sword at your enemy.

All in all, the story was interesting. The levels were fun. And it felt good to stick it to my dad (the ultimate evil Dark Messiah) by becoming even more strong and evil than he was. There are several different endings to choose as well as four different playable options (Warrior, Mage, Archer, or Rogue). I chose Warrior for my first run and I’m considering doing a second run as Rogue…it just feels so good to stab people in the back. Am I wrong?

I did have a few problems with the game, however. Glitches. They didn’t happen often, but when they did…I got pissed. There were a few times I got stuck and couldn’t get unstuck…mostly environmental issues. But there was a time when I got stuck in a Cyclop’s hand that was infuriating. I had to die and try the level over again. I was pleased with the ability to save anywhere and quit playing (considering I never know when I’ll need to go run an errand or something like that). It makes it easy to not have to start too far back if a glitch does happen. Now, my Xbox 360 froze several times while I was playing the game, too. I’d say it happened a total of four or five times. And considering that my Xbox 360 has never done that with any other game before, I’m going to have to go and blame the game. It is such a shame that they didn’t take the little extra time to fix these small glitches and problems…if they had, this game would be up there with the best of them in my opinion.

As a closing statement, I will say that the glitches, while frustrating at times, weren’t enough to keep me from truly enjoying the game. It is worth playing…especially if you’re a fan of the RPG/LOTR type of element. I hope to see a sequel in the future…I just hope that the game creators take the time in QA to send out a complete, bug free game next time. Peace!

I Want To Live, Clarence…

Sometimes, you have to take a step back and really look at yourself.  You have to say to yourself,

“This is me…this is where I am…and this is where I’m going with my life.”

After saying these things and studying them, then you have to ask yourself these three questions:

1. “Do I like who I am?”

2. “Do I like where I am?”

3. “Do I like where my life is going?”

If you can answer yes to all three of those questions, then bravo, my friend.  I wish I could say the same.  Recently, I took a step back and looked at myself and I wasn’t so happy with who I am, where I am, and where I’m going in my life.  I know we should love ourselves, but I’ve just never really understood how to do that.  I guess in my childhood and early adulthood I’ve spent so much time weighing decisions and caring about what people around me think that I’ve forgotten what really matters…my own happiness, my own health, and my own future.  And now…now I’ve backed myself into a corner, so to speak.

It’s too bad that college doesn’t teach a class specifically on how to like yourself.  I believe it would be full every semester.  The thing is…we live in troubling times.  Yes, I know times have always been bad…but things feel especially bad right now to me.  We live in an apathetic world (myself included).  We live in a society that is built on selfish desires and that is completely dog eat dog.  Sometimes, I wonder if the term “humanity” even should exist with the same meaning anymore.  According to Dictionary.com, Humanity means:

“the quality of being humane; kindness; benevolence.”

At least, that’s the definition that best fits the type of humanity that I am describing.  The other two definitions basically say the word defines being a human being and being of human nature.  But when we speak of humanity, we speak of the idea that, even if we are an evolved animal at the top of the food chain, with our advanced reasoning and cognitive abilities, human beings have the understanding to be kind and work together with one another, with nature, and with society.  But can we really say that humanity exists or has ever really existed?  I mean, sure…sometimes, after a horrible act of inhumanity, people will pull together and remind each other of how we are humane and can work through anything.  But look at society…look at the judgments we put on one another…and then ask yourself:  Am I humane?  Am I a true member of humanity?

I don’t believe anybody can honestly answer yes to that question.  If you can, then I’d be pleased to meet you and have you teach me the way to be humane at all times.

And I do try.  I believe I do.  Unfortunately, my fears most commonly cause me to act inhumanely.

I don’t have much else to say on the subject, today.  Needless to say, I’m feeling depressed…my heart feels like there is a weight pulling it down into my stomach…and I feel alone.

Life With Hammy - 031 - Love

This is just a little poem I wrote for my beloved Kristen, today.  She was pretty down so I took it upon myself to deliver her some flowers and write her a poem…it’d been a while since I’d written.  I think it is therapeutic and also a good way of showing others how you feel.  She’s my world…my everything…the love of my life.  I wouldn’t trade what I have with her for all the money in the world.  I love you, Kristen.

Life With Hammy - 030 - “Special Children At Play”

So, yeah…we went to the doctor, yesterday.  We found out Kristen is 100% for sure pregnant and we’ll go for our first ultrasound later on this month to find out if it’s healthy and whatnot.  We’re both nervous and excited, but mostly excited.  We’re going to go ahead and get married earlier than we had previously planned (May 5th, 2008).  We’re just going to have a civil ceremony and then maybe have something fancier later on.  Right now, we’re keeping things simple and sweet.

Anyways, I was inspired to draw this comic after talking to one of my best friends, John Galloway, about the wedding and the baby.  He was definitely surprised.  We’ve always joked that my offspring would be special…because, well, I’m just such a colorful person, I suppose.  Anyways, that’s what this is all about.  He’s going to be my best man/witness at my wedding and he’s going to be the Godfather of my child.  YAY!

About the comic…I definitely need to work on my alignment.  If anyone has any advice as far as doing this in photoshop, let me know.  Thanks!  (Comment PLZ!)