thegeekmates

The PVP Podcast Episode 10 – MMOre Please

CeraTopz — Mon, 13 May 2013 13:02:54 +0000

Dave and I have created some magic this week. While he is exploring in Scotland today, he is also here to record a podcast! (Just kidding – we recorded this super early). This week we talk about MMO’s and why we love them, and the crazy amazing time we had at Sci Fi On The Rock! We also made some cool dudes who also podcast here on the island, and you can here me cackling in the background on the live podcast they did at the convention! Links to all these goodies below!

Nathan Drake and Princess Bubblegum having a drinkiepoo

Please like and subscribe to the PVP Podcast on iTunes, and follow our brand new Twitter! Also, these friends:

Console Culture

Route 21

The Whostorian

Until next time!

CeraTopz (@Cerajoy)

The PVP Podcast Episode 9 – Moanless

CeraTopz — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 13:03:57 +0000

This episode we talk about Nintendo’s recent decisions on E3, Microsoft excitement, Archer, new books, TNG, and how stoked we are on the upcoming Sci-Fi on the Rock convention (which was actually last weekend and was AMAZING!) We met some amazing other local podcasts, authors, and artists, did some interviews with some budding new game developers, and dressed up as Princess Bubblegum and Nathan Drake! Also, our new podcast art is officially EVERYWHERE!

we are super neat!

Podcast and links after the jump!

Please like and subscribe to the PVP Podcast on iTunes, and follow our brand new Twitter!

Also please check out our new local podcast friends:

Until next time!

CeraTopz (@Cerajoy)

Dealing With the Busy-ness Blues

CeraTopz — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 17:29:06 +0000

Right now I am busy. And not the kind of casual “oh I’m so busy” talk that most people have because we are all, on some level, busy. I am talking extreme busy. To the -nth degree, to the absolute maximum, to the point where I think to myself “why did I say yes to everything?!!?!??!!?!1″ *pulls out hair* *cries*

This is why there hasn’t been much posted on the site lately. BUT this is not about pity or sympathy or any of that nonsense! This post is about how I’m managing to stay sane through all of this!

a fact I am very much aware of these past months

Mostly I miss being able to relax with some No no Kuni, watch a movie with Tony or just read a book for fun. So I’ve thought of some ways I can indulge myself in fun things while still saying focused on the ever looming thesis deadline.

1. geeky accessories

Studying is boring, so I like to surround myself with things that will brighten up my day and make it a little bit more fun to work. I have superhero stickers I got from the dollar store to spruce up my notes, and sometimes I like to bring in my fat Finn and Jake plushies to keep me company in the office. My most recent addition, however, comes from my amazing bestie Becki Peckham. For my birthday, she got me a Mimobot data stick – of Data! He makes me happy, and I look forward to transferring data around in his ample brain space.

If you surround yourself with little things that keep your spirits up and the office from looking drab and lonely it can help keep you from going insane – or at least delay the inevitable.

2. video game/movie soundtracks

I like to have background music/sound while I’m working, but usually music with words ends up distracting me more than it helps me focus. Video game music, on the other hand, is relatively lyric-free, and as most of it is meant to be background music anyway, it really doesn’t distract you. I have found this to be particularly helpful he last month or so, as there is some serious construction going on outside our building. Personal favorites: Lord of the Rings, Ni No Kuni, Chrono Trigger, and Final Fantasy. I found some websites that allow free downloads as well! Check out The Bit Whisperer and Chrono Jigga, two faves of mine!

3. watch/ rewatch a show

This only works for a few people, and I happen to be one of them – watching TV shows while working. I’m doing it now! However, I can’t just watch anything – there are rules.

a) It has to be reality TV, a comedy, or a cartoon. I can’t watch anything that requires any brain function at all, or it will distract me (which defeats the purpose).

b) It can be a little action-y, but if that’s the case then it has to be something I’ve seen before. For example, I rewatched Star Trek TNG while thesising recently because I’ve seen 85% of them before and I just wanted to see them in order.

my favorite study aid

This is a great way to catch up on shows or cut down on your Netflix instant queue – if you can. If you need more focus than this provides however, stick to lyric-less tunes or silence , otherwise you will be super distracted.

4. reward yourself with breaks

This might be the most important thing I can suggest for those stressed and busy with a lot of school, work, or a giant looming deadline. TAKE A BREAK! You’ll burn yourself out so quickly if you don’t think about something else for at least 30 minutes every now and then. I like to reward myself for progress with some levelling up in Ni No Kuni (almost platinumed!), a trade paperback of Walking Dead or Fables, or an episode of Archer or Star Trek Voyager on Netflix.

Find something that you both love and have been neglecting due to your busy schedule, and reward yourself with that. Turn your brain off. Have fun! We both know you haven’t been having that much fun lately. You deserve it.

What do you do to deal with business? Let me know in the comments below!

Until next time!

CeraTopz (@Cerajoy)

The PVP Podcast Episode 8 – Deal With It

CeraTopz — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 16:45:53 +0000

This week I am incredibly busy, but Dave is finished for the semester, so the fun is decidedly one sided. We talk Mass Effect, Bioshock Infinite, fat Adventure Time plushies, inappropriately timed moaning, and Adam Orth on Twitter. Also we will soon be revealing our new PVP Podcast logo! You’ll love it!

Podcast after the jump!

adorable Finn and fatso Jake

Please subscribe to the podcast on iTunes and follow Dave and I on Twitter!

Until next time!

CeraTopz (@Cerajoy)

Geekmates Cheapskates: Streaming services

CeraTopz — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 17:14:09 +0000

I love a healthy dose of television: reality TV, dramas, comedies, fantasies, sci-fi – you name it, and I’ll find a series to enjoy. I’m the type of person that watches TV while I’m working on schoolwork (I’m watching Arrow right now) and falls asleep to an old Simpsons or Adventure Time episode at night. Unfortunately, cable services can be really expensive, and trying to add on all the bundles to cover every aspect of your TV interests is too much for me. So today, I’m going to share with you my favorite Cheapskate ways to save money on vegging out!

and can I do it on this couch please? YES!

Streaming Services

A great alternative for an expensive cable package are streaming services. For a monthly fee, you can have access to a set list of TV series and movies that are streamable on pretty much any device you own. Bandwidth usage aside, these are great services for watching TV and movies on a budget. Right now I only have Netflix, and for 8 bucks a month I have access to more movies and TV shows than I can watch. There are other options outside of Netflix: you can also check out (in the USA anyway) things like Hulu Plus and Amazon Instant. For the specialty viewer, places like Crunchyroll (for Anime) and Drama Fever (for Korean Dramas) offer a more focused service.

I have to mention, if you live in the USA or have American Netflix you NEED to check out the 2 Broke Geeks Youtube channel – they cover all the newest and best releases on Netlifx instant watch, and are adorable in doing it!

Internet Streaming

There are two options for this: honest and dishonest. In terms of honest, some channels have full episodes of some shows available on their websites. You can stream them live from there, like MTV and A&E, and both have pretty decent backlogs of seasons to choose from.

Then there are the generic streaming websites. This is the least honest of all the options, but you can consider it a free rental if you want because you don’t own the media, you just watch it through your computer. I am putting it out there so you know, although for the more obscure shows I enjoy, it’s my only option. However, if you don’t mind looking over your shoulder while you are watching your favorite TV shows, there are some great sites that have everything you could want. My favorite by far is Project Free TV, which has several choices for each episode.

be prepared to deal with this, though

Renting

The tired and true method to getting shows and movies on the cheap is renting them, however you don’t need to leave your house to do it anymore! So many places allow you to order rentals from home so the are delivered straight to your door (well, not here in Canada yet, but hopefully soon!) Big ones include Blockbuster and Redbox. There is also the potential to rent from your consoles – Playstation allows you to download and watch a movie or show episode with a 24-hour time limit for a buck or two, perfect for shows you just can’t wait for! (ahem Game of Thrones)

Whichever way you approach it, there are much cheaper alternatives than an expensive subscription though a local provider. Personally, we gave cable up almost a year ago, and I have yet to miss it. Now I am commercial free, and can watch whatever I want at any time!

Let me know in the comments below how you save money watching TV and movies at home!

Until next time!

CeraTopz (@Cerajoy)