Non-existent plushie design challenge

Spartan Race has a very nice logo.  I've been trying to found out who designed it just so that I can put a face beside that helmet.  I really like characters drawn in a cute way.  Some people have termed it Kawaii art.  If you look at my room, you will see a lot of cute looking figures collected from all over the world (an obvious exaggeration).

This morning while enjoying my new book "Spartan UP!", I looked at the front cover and thought I have never seen a Spartan plushie!  I wonder how it would look.  A plushie, obviously, has to be cute.  Unfortunately, my skill level as an artist is only limited to copying so I am unable to sketch out the winning Spartan Plushie to submit to the non-existent Spartan plushie design challenge.

Anyhow, feel free to enjoy my sketch.

Portrait Drawing - Grade 8

I enjoy looking at past projects that I have completed.  In grade 8, I had to choose a famous person that I admired.  Research my chosen famous person and complete a portrait using colour to reflect this person's personality.

In planning the main idea I wish to communicate and the artistic decisions I had made to support my choice of colour, I wrote the following description:

"I did my portrait on Britney Spears.  I made her lips green, because it shows that she is young.  I chose peach skin colour for her skin, because it shows that she is sweet, because when you eat the fruit, peach, it taste sweet.  Her cloth is bright orange, because it shows that she have a bright and happy personality.  Her hair go from yellow to brown, because when she first started her career she isn't really steady, but now she is really steady and she makes a lot of money.  The background is colourful, because she have a colourful personality.  And the flower shows that she is girly."

I made no typos during the re-typing of the above description which was written by yours truly in Grade 8.

I was unable to find my completed colour portrait of Britney Spears so you have to satisfy yourself with my rough sketch of Britney Spears and my completed colour portrait of my mother.

Quebec Spartan Race Recap

I guess I should start my blog post off with a reply to my blog post last Thursday.

As expected, I did arrive at Spartan Race lacking at least one (1) night of good rest and I did complete at least one of the events I signed up for and had about fourteen (14) hours of peaceful slumber after I returned home.

As usual, I completed on-site registration swiftly and smoothly and skipped the bag drop area.  This time, I didn't even have to visit the potty pots.  There was a box drop area for the Ultra-Beast which I did not use because I did not realize I was emailed an Ultra-Beast information package until this morning (btw, I really enjoyed reading it after the race).  I basically carried everything with me (my somewhat waterproof bag, my wind breaker, my peach, tangerine, banana, two (2) small packs of electrolytes, my flip flops and gum and my usual race gear).

You see, before arriving at Quebec Spartan Race, I already had breakfast and pooed in the washroom at Stoneham camping which was only 10 minutes away from the Quebec Spartan Race location.  While looking at the box drop area, I believe I saw the Spartan Ultra-Beast Competitive wave waiting to cross the starting line.  After watching them take off, it was time for the first (1st) heat of Spartan Ultra-Beast Open.

At the waiting area just before the starting line, I shouted with other Spartan Ultra-Beast racers and asked a fellow racer if she had breakfast yet and we were off.  The Spartan Ultra-Beast course was long.  During steep ascends, I wanted to stop and sit many times; however, each time I looked back there were other people still ascending and I had to keep going.  The weather was very nice and the scenery was lovely and I really wanted to finish Spartan Ultra-Beast so all of these things always kept me going.

Unfortunately, at about 4:20 p.m. my attempt to complete Spartan Ultra-Beast came to a halting end.  I was about 5 minutes late from the cut-off time so my race have to end there.  I was sad but at least I tried.  Luckily, I am a Spartan Race season pass holder so I am guaranteed a heat in every regular Spartan Race event for this year so I was allowed to cross the finish line.  I made sure I cross the two obstacles that I did not cross during the Ultra-Beast 1st lap.  In Spartan Ultra-Beast 1st lap, you don't have to climb the stairway to heaven (or whatever that thing is called) or jump over the fire pit.  When they cut me off, I made sure I did those two obstacles before I crossed the finish line.

The best part about 2017 Quebec Spartan Race course was the water parts.  I really enjoyed walking in the clean river especially when I was so exhausted.  I was looking forward to that part in my second lap, unfortunately, they cut me off.

I also really enjoyed my peach during my first lap while other racers only had a camelback with water.  My banana was squashed by the time I was eating it.

Anyhow, this picture is my updated Spectator Pass.  My mother never wore it at any Spartan Race event but I completed the back myself.  The time on this updated Spectator Pass may not match with posted time from Spartan Race.

Quebec Spartan Race Day Information

By the time you are reading this, I am still very far from the 2017 Quebec Spartan Race location.  Ignore a bunch of random information that you may read in this post.

As usual, I will most likely arrive lacking at least one (1) night of good rest.  Provided that I actually complete the event I signed up for, I will have a peaceful slumber (9+ hours minimum) when I get home.

As usual, I know hardly anything about the location I am about to head to.  For example, how many times I have to go up a hill or how many times I have to go down a mountain.

At least it's 30 minutes away from a city which probably has plenty of hospitals.

Anyhow, I will bring fuel to rejuvenate, like banana and oranges, etc.

Preparing your child for Spartan Race Junior the fun or dreamy way

Spartan Junior is pretty doable but if your child does not want to get dirty or jump into small puddles of mud there is always an alternative.

I present to you Wonderland 3K Junior!

Basically, when you attend a Spartan Race event or Tough Mudder or something of that kind of nature, the first thing you have to do is line up at registration or the entrance.  When you visit Wonderland, an amusement park with roller coasters and water park, you also have to first line up at the entrance.  If you are lucky, there will be maps for you to grab or to look at.

As your child is preparing for an important obstacle race event, your child will have to skip the roller coasters and head immediately to the water park.  As of August 18, 2017, the water park inside of Wonderland opens up one hour after the park gate opens.  This will give your child ample of time to change and stuff.  If you have a fully prepared child, your child will be able to change without heading to the change room and proceed to the lockers.

Once the clock strikes 11 am, your child should already be at the first water park attraction that he/she wants to attempt.  Your child will have to walk around the whole water park, carry floatation devices up the stairs, up elevated pathways, etc as he/she goes through the entire waterpark.  Your child will have to meet you at your specified time for lunch.  After which time, you guys will go and now explore the roller coaster portion of the park.  Quick decisions, whether to line up for a ride or not is up for your entire family to decide or taking detour to grab potential prizes, take photos, buy food, etc. on your way to each roller coaster/attraction.  There are also limited live performances that you might want to catch.

Your child will be exhausted but very happy by the end of the visit.  (Unless your child refused to play all day!)

Sidenote:  This author has not truly played at Wonderland again until August 18, 2017.  Prior to that, the last time she visited Wonderland as a guest for an entire day was probably more than a decade ago.  Obviously, she is not a Junior so she did not get a ride from her parents to the park, instead, she bike rode, she got to Wonderland right when the park opened and she was at Wonderland until 8 or 9 p.m.  For a more detailed description of her trip to/at Wonderland on August 18, 2017, please comment below or contact the author.

Locks and Keys

As I'm writing this, I cannot unlock my car.  I think I have really bad luck with keys and locks in general.

The first time I broke a key, it actually got stuck inside of the lock.  Basically the key broke in half while I was trying to open the front door with the right key.

A few years ago, I could not find the lock I left at a bridge for unlocking.  Shortly after that I lost the key to the lock too but if there was nothing to unlock or lock why would I need that key?

I lost a handful of locks this year because I either lock the key into the locker, drop the key or simply cannot remember the lock combination.

Some people use locks to secure their possessions.  For me, its just for identification.  Most locks are pretty wimpy anyways.  If someone really want to take my things it's pretty easy.

The hardest things to unlock does not have a lock on.

How Spartan Race helped me fix my Moto G (1st Gen)

I never used to set a password on my cell phone because I did not have to worry about sneaky family members trying to obtain private information from my cell without my prior knowledge.  Last year, I decided to finally set a password.  Unfortunately, I made it so difficult to remember that I couldn't remember it myself.

After many failed attempts, I finally decided to restore it to factory setting.  After failing that too, I went to my mobile service provider for help.  After three (3) visits, the problem was still unresolved.  Taking the advice of one of the employee, I went to a mobile repair shop and instead of fixing a minor problem, I was sold a refurbished phone that I used for a year.

The refurbished phone was OK but the Moto G was much better.  Last weekend, I broke the unwanted refurbished cell phone during Spartan Race.  I finally decided to give Motorola a call and see if I can have my beloved Moto G back.

After a quick 5 minutes phone call, my Moto G is back!

Now I don't have to worry about shopping for a new cell phone! WOOHOO!!!!!

Why I love Public Transit - Part 5

I used to ride the TTC at around 12:00 a.m. in the evening.  First I would ride the subway and then the bus.  In the evening, there are not many places to stop at for food, pee breaks or drinks.  Near the end of my ride which is very close to the last stop for the driver, the driver would always stop at the stop right before my stop to visit Tim Hortons or may be Wendy's.  Some people on the bus would wonder if something was wrong with the bus and start panicking for a while.  Being a frequent rider, I was used to it.  The bus driver had to wait in line for his/her coffee/tea/food.

If any bus drivers are reading this, it's actually really funny to look at the panicky person because that person is looking at you intensely the whole time you are in Tim Hortons/Wendy's.  Possible questions that person could be asking "Will the bus driver come back? What's going on?".

Anyways, happy Monday!

New Blog! Same Blog as this but in Traditional Chinese and no pictures whatsoever!

Announcement:  I will be translating every blog post I have posted so far.  Please check my new blog:  https://starwberrycheesecake.blogspot.ca/

I might post less here because the more I post the more I have to translate and I am lazy and it's Sunday.  Readers will have to check this blog for pictures.

Sidenote:  I have used google translate to write emails to relatives before.  They didn't know I wrote the letter.  Google translate provides crappy translation I have to re-arrange the words so the sentence make sense.

Spartan Race 2017 Recap

As of August 6, 2017, I have completed eight (8) Spartan Races this year.  I bought the Spartan Race Canada season pass out of a whim and I don't regret buying it for one moment.  In the past, I've purchased entry to Spartan Beast events and never ended up going because I felt like I wasn't ready.  Last year, I finally completed Spartan Beast for the first time and, while it was tough, it was easier than I imagined.

When I first signed up for Spartan Race, I just wanted to do the obstacles.  Now, I want to feel the mountains.  Spartan Race is still fun but in a different way now.  The obstacles I have trouble with, I still have trouble with.  I'm not in the competitive heat or the elite heat so I don't practice any obstacles outside of the race.  My practices are during the race and I only get one attempt!

I like playing video games but it's not the same as doing things in real life.  Seeing what my body can do makes me proud. In summary, Spartan Race sets routes for me that I would otherwise never take myself.

----- end of a good post -- continue reading for ramble.

See a problem with video games is that my racing car spins out of controls or my characters keep jumping off the cliffs or cannot climb up walls.  I always get the timing wrong in video games.  When I do things with my own body, I know what I can and cannot do.

Anyways, the highlight of Spartan Race Ottawa 2017 on Sunday, August 6, 2017.  I have previously successfully completed the Olympus.  On Saturday, August 5, 2017, somebody kept saying "DO NOT USE YOUR FEET".  I got so confused because I have used my feet on the wall before and seen many people do that before so because of that I ended up using my knee and scratching them instead.  I was not happy.  So on Sunday, in another obstacle someone kept shouting "DO NOT TOUCH THE TOP" and I always knew this but it got annoying.  When I got to the Olympus, I decided to use my feet, not only on the wall but on the rocks that you are supposed to grab onto with your hands.  After safely climbing to the first rock, I just glided across the Olympus with my feet (ie. I step on every rock).  I proceeded to shout "DO NOT TOUCH THE TOP" and the guy across the wall fell off.  It felt good.  Shortly after that, I crossed the finish line.

Writing is Fun!

I forgot why I started this blog but I guess I started it because I enjoy writing.  No one is grading me and I always enjoy re-reading my own recreational writing.

There are many things I want to write about but I don't know who is going to read it once it's published so I write a lot of nonsense.  As such, even though this is a public blog, I am my only reader.

I also really love typing. I enjoy both writing with pen and typing but definitely not swiping with auto-correct.

Keeping textiles out of landfills

At the beginning, each pair was brand new, in the box and never been opened.  After spending many hours with me at the gym,  running around with my dogs and, finally, attending a few Spartan Races, I've decided to finally part with them.

Goodbye my unnamed shoes!

I'm not Monster High! I am Bratzillaz!!!

After just a little bit of research,  I've realized that Used Draculaura is really Cloetta Spellata.  DO NOT look up videos,  you've been warned!

I think I like Bratzillaz better than Monster High because of the eyes.   Good for mattel for taking this line down within two years.   These dolls been discontinued since 2013 or 2014.

If I was 7 again...

If I was seven (7) again, as in seven years old.  I would sign up to be the official "child" toy critic.

Yes, I have watched commercial/informercial/"viral" videos of the "child" expert reviewing numerous toys.  Today, I will compare my "Barbie" doll and my "Monster High" doll!

Background: Barbie was purchased when I completed Grade One (1) while the Monster High doll was bought today at my local thrift store.  I have done lots of research on this Monster High doll today but I am unable to identify which character she is, I am assuming she is Draculaura in costume and dyed hair so I will call her Used Draculaura for the remainder of this post.  I would not have bought Used Draculaura if I didn't find her well designed and well made.  Similarly, I would not have bought Barbie if I didn't find her well designed and well made.

Store Display:  Barbie was chosen from a shelve filled with Barbies.  I was looking at a pink wall with lots of pink boxes and "Barbie", the word, was on top of the shelf.  It was the most gigantic and glamorous Barbie shelve I have ever seen.  In fact, it was the first time I have EVER seen a Barbie shelve in my life.  I was in awe.

Used Draculaura was hidden underneath a pile of old toys such as discarded Barbies, board games, a toy tracker and much more.  Underneath the toy rack was clothes.

Box Opening:  It was a lot of fun unboxing Barbie because she was securely fastened to the box with wires.  As a Grade One (1) child, I enjoyed the unboxing experience thoroughly.

Used Draculaura was not in a box.  The previous owner will have to write about the unboxing experience.

Design - Body:  As mentioned previously, both dolls are very well designed.  It was very easy to choose gymnastic Barbie over all the other Barbies on the shelve because she had bendable arms and legs.  She also had flat feet.  Used Draculaura also has bendable arms, legs and hands; however, her feet are not flat.  Barbie are restricted to flat shoes while Used Draculaura are restricted to heels. As Used Draculaura is non-human, her head and eyes are drastically bigger than Barbie's; her waist and legs are also skinnier.  They are not soft nor cuddly; they don't have fake muscles but they are nice and light to hold.

Obviously, the body proportion of Barbie and Used Draculaura are both abnormal but they are dolls so visually they look better than great.

Design - Face:  They both have a pleasant face to look at.  Barbie's makeup is a lot lighter, Used Draculaura has heavy makeup on.  I love Used Draculaura's eyes because they are not painted on.

Design - Clothes:  I will not wear Barbie or Used Draculaura's clothes but they are well designed.  Barbie came with gymnastic unitard, running shoes, a gym bag, and weights.  Her gymnastic unitard, much like most gymnastic clothes, has prints that look like playdoh vomit.  Used Draculaura looks like she is going to a party, I took her cape off but she came with a glittery cape.

Design - Hair:  Barbie's hair used to be shiny but after much braiding and shampooing her hair once, I have ruined her hair.  Now her hair resembles that of a faded blond head.  Used Draculaura's is very colourful and the colours go well together.

Play:  Both dolls are very playable.  Proceed to Learn.

Learn:  Playing, make beliefs, hair styling, hair do not grow back on dolls, clothes buying/making, sharing, doll fighting, toy breaking, crying for help, etc.

Overall:  I am really comparing apples and oranges.  Barbie and Used Draculaura are very different.  Now that I have a Used Draculaura, I can safely say that Barbie is toy-human and Used Draculaura is toy-monster.  I love them both and you won't see them at the junk yard or in Bonnie's room.

BTW Used Draculura has a tattoo!

Spartan Race Past vs. Spartan Race Now

Disclaimer: This author's Spartan experience starts in 2013.  Watching 300 doesn't count and this author doesn't even know if the two are related at all.

Year 1:  One day while browsing the net, the author came across the $40 deal for the type of event she has always wanted to attend which also happened to be somewhat close to home.  Without much thought and research, she registered almost immediately.  As luck would have it, it was Spartan Race and not some crappy obstacle race that did not last. 

Unfortunately, she assumed that none of her close friends would enjoy Spartan Race so she had to be the carpool driver and transport three strangers to Spartan Race.  Everyone in her carpool was excited because no one has ever attended a Spartan Race event.  Everyone also assumed that the carpool driver,  this author,  know how to get to the event location and did not look up directions whatsoever.   Luckily, the carpool driver made it to the event location without much trouble.  She was her own driver and navigator.  

Everyone in her carpool crossed the starting line together.  Some of her carpool had to wait at the finish line to spot the weakest link.   Free beer, volunteers in funky costumes and gladiators were easily identifiable.   First year was a lot of fun because the only expectation was a good obstacle course and Spartan Race rose to the occasion.   The participants definitely added to the experience.

During the drive home,  the carpool driver found out that although everyone had fun and enjoyed the event,  the author was the only one who wanted to participate again.

Year 2: After a little bit of online research,  this author found out about the trifecta and read about ultra-beast.   She signed up to complete  the trifecta but "shoes" happen and never made it to beast.

Sidenote:  In year 2, you had to qualify before they allow you to sign up for ultra-beast.   Now,  it feels like everyone and anyone can sign up.

Year 3:  Absence.  Out of shape.

Year 4:  Still feeling physically and mentally out of shape, the author did not think she would attend Spartan Race at all.  After gym class,  an overly excited gym classmate invited her to complete Spartan Sprint together.  Much like year one, without much thought, she agreed.

After completing the Sprint again and looking at the upcoming Spartan schedule, the author decided to complete the Trifecta!  ("The rest was history" is not something this author would use.)  So, she completed the Super and Beast in one weekend on the same steep hill.  While completing the beast she almost accidentally completed an ultra-beast obstacle.  Instead of carrying a wood log up a long steep climb, you had to carry a log made possibly out of metal instead.   It looked very horrifying.   She was glad she wasn't doing the ultra-beast.

Year 5:  While looking at the Spartan Race page again,  she noticed the season pass was no longer separated by East and West.  She jumped at the opportunity and bought the Spartan season pass.  The only location she missed so far is Red Deer. 

With so much practice in year 5,  she has definitely improved her adaptability, endurance and pace; however, her time is always about the same.

Spartan Race VACATIONS

I have looked at many vacations packages but I often find them too pricey.  Most vacations packages I look at are geared towards families of four.

It's fun looking at vacation packages and its itinerary so if I was to write a Spartan Race VACATIONS itinerary, it will look something like this.   See Jpeg image.  All jokes aside, I am really looking forward to Spartan Race this weekend and visiting Calabogie.

*Author's note:  Technology Tuesday is the author's practice day to write about technology or utilize technology to make "beautiful" things for her nonexistent portfolio.