Yesterday I feel hard. I was riding home from work, and I had an unfortunate tumble. In an attempt to avoid an oncoming rider in a rather perplexing turn, I rode into a shadow hidden mass of bird excrement. Perfectly concealed beneath the skytrain overpass!

Now, this is not my first fall on my bike, but it is certainly the worst.

I used to fall far more when I skateboarded more regularly, but it is not nearly as common anymore.

My front tire slid out, and I scraped my arm and bruised my leg. Definitely not fun.

And then I realized I had forgotten my keys at work and had to return, while bleeding, for my keys and then complete the full journey home again.

Alas, below is my battle damage. Hopefully it heals quickly and there won't be any further need to whine!

-SDP

I am happy to introduce a project that has been in the works for some time now. Ideas have formulated, and action is being taken. Along with the coordination with my wonderful girlfriend, we have started something that will hopefully be successful and fun!

Stuff in Envelopes, or SIE, puts the focus back on receiving hard copy letters. We want to send letters, and we want everyone to enjoy receiving letters on a variety of topics. Combining witty banter, informative gossip and spectacular facts, SIE wants to remind everyone that there is more to correspondence than rapid emails.

This week marked the launch of our website, facebook page, and twitter account.

Our first mailout is planned for May 1st, so please stay tuned!

Any feed back or support is much appreciated!

Stay pencily,

-SDP

By speed I do not mean drugs.

I literally mean speed. As in going fast. Going down hills extremely fast with no regard for my own safety.

Yesterday, I picked up my bike from the bike shop. I have been riding a nice and fun Norco racing bike that I purchased off a friend last summer. He was moving to the other side of the country, and I was in need of a new ride. The last bike I owned got stolen, and that was when I was 13. Since then I have shunned the 2 wheeled life and took up skateboarding. I ride a shortboard with nice big soft wheels. However, this is not the ideal method of transportation in the rain. And It rains a lot a lot a lot in Vancouver.

So my best friend moved away and I got his bike. He gave me a good deal, and I have been using it every day. My brakes were failing, and my gears were iffy, and It was in definite need of love. I had been planning on taking it in for a big tune up, but that process was accelerated by a punctured tire!

Yes, it was a terrible event, and I had to walk my bike home from across the city.

Fast-forward through the weekend! I am now $200 poorer, but I possess a bike that is far safer to ride. New brakes, new tires and a whole tune up gets me ready for a summer of cruising.

Next order of business: Establishing an awesome bike gang to rule the summer! I only hope it can be as awesome as the one pictured below!

-SDP

This is something that has been on my mind for months now. Essentially, it comes down to the argument of PC gaming vs console gaming. I am a PS3 gamer predominantly, but as I have been doing more and more work lately on my PC I have been considering throwing some cash into it and be able to play PC games again.

However, I am not sure which is more of a power drain. While I'm sure neither is exorbitant, there must certainly be a difference. So, Gaming rig with 2 monitors and a healthy sound system, or a PS3 and a big 44in Panasonic TV?

While in all honesty I will likely continue to use both, I like to think of the environment. I don't have a car and I bike everywhere. Right there, my carbon footprint is going to be significantly less than many. However my obsession with technology certainly raises that level. I am sure there are studies that investigate such things, and maybe I will have to go in search of them!

What are other ways to be an environmentally conscious gamer?

My PC is close to 6 years old, and surely not the most energy efficient. Are newer rigs considerably more green?

-SDP

I have recently been on a library based graphic novel reading binge. There have been a few titles (Primarily in the New 52 line, but DC) that I have been interested in, though I find it quite hard to justify hardcover graphic novel purchases. Especially if I am unsure of whether or not I will enjoy it. The risk is simply too great, and therefore, the library has proved itself worthy of my friendship. Once again. After years of working in a bookstore, I can now realize that I DO NOT need to purchase everything I want to read!

That being said, I recently borrowed Aquaman: The Trench by Geoff Johns, Action Comics Volume 1 by Grant Morrison and American Vampire Volume 1 by Scott Snyder.

First Off, Aquaman!

Like most, I have never been particularly interested in this oceanic based super hero. Right off the bat, that is a fact that becomes a theme in the book. Aquaman is not anyones favourite hero. Most don't even like him, and the basis of this character re-introduction revolves around our protagonist living with this fact. The 'former' king of Atlantis now lives on land. He does not talk directly with fish, and he is shunned. Now inhabiting a lighthouse, Geoff Johns has realized a character that is real, environmentally conscious and one that deserves attention. Paired with perfectly complimentary art, this title should put Aquaman a little higher on the ladder of relatable heros. Hopefully this series continues along the same path.

Secondly, Action Comics!

I used to have a professed hatred for Superman. Likely based off my obsession with Batman, I could never find myself drawn to The Man of Steel. In recent years, however, I have given him a chance and my dislike has abated. More often than not I have been entertained, and reading more by Grant Morrison is always a lure. Again, this series restart deserves attention. Mostly, it can be considered an origin. A young Clark Kent is new to the big city, and this volume primarily deals with him in his early superman career. Like many other New 52 stories, it serves as a nice jumping on point. While the story is can be a little janky at times, it remains cohesive. Many characters are thrown at the reader, but the focus is strongly held to Superman and his path to a great Hero. Definitely not Morrisons best work, but entertaining action and great art will always bring me in!

The Third is American Vampire.

Vampire media is extremely hit or miss. It can be great, or it can be terrible and cliched. With Scott Snyder now writing Batman and Swampthing, I was interested in taking a look into his back catalogue. Overall, I finished this title satisfied. I found the story flow imperfect, but the setting, characters and art made for an exciting read. Vampires are not new to The Americas, but there has been an evolution. Skinner Sweet is an American Vampire, and he is superior to old world Vampires. Originally an outlaw in the wild west days, this volume revolves around Sweet and his influence. I will certainly be reading more in this series!

I also just finished another novel. The final Volume in the Border Trilogy by Cormac McCarthy. It was called Cities of the Plain.

I had attempted this one a few months ago, but didn't get far. Not for lack of quality, I simply was not in the mood. That happens, and I have learned not to force it. I have enjoyed all of McCarthys books, and the first two in this trilogy were fantastic. It definitely started slow, but once I was invested, I was enthralled. McCarthy has a definite talent for describing the mundane and terrible in wonderful methods. Broken right now, It is a love story. It also adds themes of race, power and economics. Bringing the two protagonists from the first two together, this final volume chronicles their friendship, trust and shared tragedies. Both heartbreaking and uplifting, this deserves a read. It is not as dark as others by him, and it perfectly concludes a trilogy of modern American classics.

Four Quick reviews! There we go! It has been a successful reading week!

-SDP