Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Fanboy/Fangirl Quiz

[Awhile back, when we were just getting started, I posted a fan quiz. I think maybe a couple people took it. I'd like to hear from a few more of you this time around. This one is actually a more general sci-fi/geek quiz I created for my myspace page years back. I'll start it off with my answers and then you can cut and paste your own. If a certain section or question doesn't pertain to your likes, skip it, that's why it's not numbered. Enjoy!]

What is your favorite science-fiction novel? End of Eternity by Isaac Asimov

What is your favorite horror/fantasy novel? A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin

What is your favorite sci-fi/horror/fantasy genre tv show? Doctor Who, but the first couple seasons of Battlestar Galactica re-imagined have been the best sci-fi I've ever seen ever.

What is your favorite genre film? Blade Runner/Ladyhawke/Star Wars

Who is your favorite vampire? Lestat, as played by Stuart Townsend in Queen of the Damned

What is your favorite genre magazine? DreamWatch. It's pricey, but it's goood.

Who is your favorite genre actress? Amy Acker (Fred/Illyria on Angel) She went from geek to goddess and I believed it!

Who is your favorite robot? It's a three way tie between Star Trek: TNG's Data, Futurama's Bender and Daneel R. Olivaw from Asimov's robot novels!

Who is your favorite scream queen? Kari Wuhrer

Who is your favorite genre actor? Harrison Ford, Lance Henriksen, Rutger Haur, Doug Bradley, James Marsters...the list is long and distinguished

What genre actor/actress do you wonder what became of most? Gil Gerard. Tarantino should bring that guy back like he did with Travolta and Pam Grier.

What is your favorite comic book? X-Factor by Peter David

Who is your favorite comic book hero? Spider-Man

Who is your favorite comic book supporting character (sidekick, girlfriend, boss, etc.) and why? Mary Jane Watson. She's the life of the party and has always been there for Pete.

Who is your favorite comic book villain? Doctor Victor Von Doom: Genius, a master of technology and sorcery!

Who is your favorite comic book writer? Chris Claremont & Peter David.

Who is your favorite comic book artist? Alex Ross, Mike Choi, Greg Land, Jim Lee, Art Adams, John Romita Jr. and Sr. are all tops in my book!

What is your favorite comic book company? Marvel

Put together your dream team (7) of either the X-Men, or Justice League or Avengers. X-Men Dream Team: Professor X, Cyclops, Storm, Nightcrawler, Shadowcat, Colossus, Wolverine.

What is your favorite roleplaying game? Vampire: The Masquerade I loved the atmosphere and the system (at least at the beginning).

What is your favorite rpg character class? Usually someone with a lot of skills or knowledge, like a thief or wizard or scientist. But God love a troll
fighter!

What is your favorite rpg setting/time period? Science-Fiction/Future

What is your favorite rpg weapon or power? Telekinesis

What is your favorite rpg spell or skill? Dream Control. Okay, I made it up!

Recall a cherished rpg memory/moment, in-game or otherwise. Roleplaying until sunrise an X-Files/Heroes game I cobbled together with my buddies Sean, Brian and Kevin. It played like the pilot to a sci-fi teevee show I would have loved to watch. Good times!

Recall an embarrassing moment where your love of genre created an awkward situation: Those age recommendations on the rp boxes are there for a reason. I once scared the bajeezus out of a cousin I was watching over while running him through an Aliens inspired rp, bringing him to tears. I never
watched over the kids again. (jk)

Favorite halloween costume (yours)? Okay, okay, I dressed up as a Klingon once. It's true. And I totally looked the part! A few years later, James T. Kirk.

What is your most prized genre prop that you own. If you don't own any, which would you like to own? I've never been one for props, but I've would love to own the Angel puppet...

What is your most prized collectible that you own? It's probably not worth much, but I am pretty happy that I found an action figure of Illyria from Angel! Of course, there's also my expansive comic book collection, including a signed X-Factor #1 by Peter David and editor Andy Schmidt!

Favorite old school video game? Asteroids, natch!

Current favorite video game? Well, I've got too many hobbies to afford an xbox or ps2, but if I had one I'd probably be all over that Mass Effect!

Favorite video game franchise? Mebbe Tekken.

Favorite video game song? The Tron theme song.

Favorite online games or links? http://roblopez.comicgenesis.com and http://forsakenstars.com!

Favorite social media (myspace, facebook, twitter, etc.)? Twitter's been a bit of a revelation to me!

Favorite tech toy? I don't know where I'd be without my Bamboo pen and Manga Studio Debut software.

Friday, August 6, 2010

Artist Unique Art Show and Demo

Fresno artists Augustine and Rita Vargas, known collectively as Artist Unique, are holding an art show and demonstration at Allard’s Art and Frame Supplies on Saturday, August 14, 2010 from 11AM to 2PM. They are abstract impressionist artists and work with oils on canvas.


The pair married in 1980. Augustine Vargas has been painting for 30 years, developing a stream-of-consciousness style of painting characterized by blended colors and textures that are reminiscent of mist, light, energy, and familiar shapes such as windows, doorways, caverns, figures, planets and more.

Rita Vargas’s hobbies include sketching and photography. Two years ago she became Augustine's apprentice, learning his oil painting techniques, working more from references than stream-of-consciousness to create luminous interpretations of people, nature and celestial images.

Allard’s Art Supplies, Framing and Fine Pens, located at 5350 N Blackstone Ave, Fresno, CA 93710, has been serving the community of Fresno for approximately 35 years. Allard’s provides art products for nearly every medium, has an in-house custom frame shop and serves as a gallery for local artists. It has been a welcome venue for experienced and budding artists alike.

“One reason I like to do the show is that Allard’s encourages artists to participate and it’s the truest way to connect with people and teach them about what you do through your art,” Augustine Vargas said.

This will be his fourth showing at the gallery. He kicks off each show with a demonstration of his creative process. Rita Vargas has assisted with every art demo prior, but this will be her first year showing her own work and holding her own demonstration. She expressed her excitement about the upcoming show and Allard’s participation in the art community.

“It’s a great way to reach people and promote the arts,” Rita Vargas said. “Art is so important and deserves to be in the spotlight.”

You can catch Artist Unique online at www.myspace.com/artist_unique and http://www.youtube.com/user/abstractunique.