Just Tripping Along The Freakazoid

All good stories often change and grow as you go along - my World of Depleted story(ies) are an example of this - I am changing up a couple things Starting with Jo - she is now Josephine Baynham :) other changes will come as is the nature of the universe. For now, one little step at a time - ok going to go and edit the actual story entry

Ok - started watching this show and mannnnn bummer it only went 12 episodes (13 if you count the comic book continuation). I really like this show, I am a sucker for pop culture references (I am continually laughing my arse off plus trying to catch many - I have to rewatch these episodes twice :p, The sarcastic wit banter rocks, enjoying the outrageous comic book type plots and the lead actress is nice too ; ) Why are these shows that I like always barely lasting a season - sigh.... now I know why I am cheering for webseries so much... hehe Ok back to the episodes - anyone else out there like this show? I could only hope I could write soem of the references found in this show.

Well, ok, so, this is kinda weird. I like to write fanfiction and have written a few stories here and there and posted them on my story site. I am not a writer or any way associated with media/writing (thus you will see grammar boo-boos, trite use of language, I tell instead of showing, adverbs are my friend, POV switches many times, cliché’s out the wazhoo and all the other rulers writers have I tend to break), I just like fanfiction and RPing and writing. So, this is not a stellar story, it’s just, something I wanted to jot down. Now, the story is based in the storyworld of World of Depleted ( http://worldofdepleted.com ), which has not had any of the movies or such released yet, just a journal from one of the characters, a few ARG movies and some trailers and discussion of upcoming films. The site did release a basic overview of the world to encourage others to create, well, I was inspired and thus begins the story of Josephine and Minako. Check here for the Living in th...

If you have not already seen this awesome webseries - go, now! (watch it here - www.westernxtheshow.com/ ----------------- copy of email from from the creator of Western X, Michael Flores ------ It's been just about one week since episodes 1-3 have been released and the general feedback has been great and very encouraging. To end the first week with a huge bang I'm asking all fans of the show to please post the series on your social sites and share it with as many people as possible. Simply forwarding this email to others would be a huge help. Strong word of mouth will keep this series alive. The first week has been great but I want to show KoldCast TV ( www.koldcast.tv/video/western_x_introduction_eps_1_3 ) and others the power of Western X. Thanks to everyone that has helped push the show this past week, this is only the beginning and each episode gets bigger and better as the series progresses. Lets end the week big!

Doing some digging Ok – so have a few free moments in-between grading final exams and trying to catch up on World of Depleted and WOWZERS – there is a lot to explore (and I think I wasted time clicking through some directories and trying to clear up the sound in the WoD trailer – I wanna know what Gavin is saying) but ah well, I do tend to follow dead-ends a lot ;). First I was digging around the WoD site and was looking at all the images in the directories associated with Gavin’s journal (not sure if allowed or supposed or if anything there, but I clicked on all the images – there are a few I, erm, borrowed because I like them – some are around on parts of the WoD main site and some, hmm not sure :p So Gavin’s most recent entries are tying some pieces together (like the earlier “hidden” video) and other links. When Zazzle was first intro’d as the gear site and with a throw away mention that there might be secrets there – I went over all of the Merch and such – nothing seemed to pin (I...

I really like this - and what a fun game to play - what other similar things could you create? mashable.com/2010/12/05/united-states-google-autocomplete/

This is just too fun and considering my recent interest in QR codes... hehe mashable.com/2010/12/03/qrapping-paper/

Checkout this teaser - more coming the first of the year

from deaddrops.com Well the plot is growing thick (and so is my head unfortunately) –received two awesome codes each with a leaning that more was coming – well – I am now collecting ideas and trying to make links (been kept away from fun and such due to work and other responsibilities – but the Thanksgiving holiday is coming and I may actually get to play a little and then even more by the Winter holiday) –Anyhoos, any ideas are always welcome – so what do I have so far, not much and half baked, but it is time for bed (which is also why this post is so much more stream of consciousness and thus making prolly little sense– tomorrow I shall look at it and cringe I am sure) On a side note – one code came via one method (Dropbox) and the other came via email- hmmmmm is there a reason for the different methods or, is it just keeping the messages spread out so harder to track and fine and connect which then wraps back into, who and what is on which side… Also – curious there ...

Alright - so, it seems the plot is thickening and there are things hidden everywhere and I am going what the foogey foo does it mean. Ok so During Nov. 4th there was an opportunity to find another QR code - here is a quote from the WoD Facebook page - World of Depleted - November 4th. The day that folks will be trying to hunt down Sheri Candler and take her photo. (And no, not because she's dressed up like Tina Turner from Mad Max, although that picture IS out there.) Instead, the lucky fortunate who get a picture of the QR code on the back of her shirt will be able to find secret information related to the World of Depleted! Since it was at an event I could not be at, I was hoping someone snapped a picture. Talking to another fan of the show on Facebook, F.K. - found out someone sent F.K. a picture and it seemed to be of the shirt (image below) Well people decode the QR and go and watch and listen and go WhatTheFooge... there seems to be a lot going on in the hidden video...

So using the upcoming webseries Cowgirl Up tellofilms.com/content/project-description/cowgirl to learn how to use wikia and program/code/create a wiki and wiki pages - still confused some and trying to learn how to work with Wiki language and such... it is a good skill though and I like Cowgirl Up so the content makes it easier to focus. If anyone is interested in Cowgirl Up and wants to help with the Wiki cowgirlup.wikia.com - there is a lot to do, but that is the fun behind a fan wiki site for a show, finding others who like it and talking about cool stuff like media and technology and such... Two great things for the price of one - Yee-haw

Pulled this from a tweet shared by @GaryPHayes Very interesting and bringing the use of QR codes to even more www.arvertising.com/news/2010/11/uqr-me-launches-the-first-free-qr-social-utility/

Today I have increased my tech skill and knowledge thanks to a "game" - I am becoming immersed, of sorts, in the universe loosely know as "World of Depleted" worldofdepleted.com/about . Today I received a message and was invited to create a Dropbox account and begin sharing files. I have never used dropbox or similar (although I do use Google Docs and cloud share files that way). This is one reason why I like ARGs and similar transmedia properties and why I think they have a great place in our culture - they are a way to teach and demonstrate "practical" use of technology and skills in a compelling way. I not only use my Barcapture to read the QR code left for me, but I also created a code, and, hopefully, shared it using dropbox (we'll see if that part worked). Here is the code, as it does pertain to the game and the odd symbols, which I am following.

Trying to figure out what this image means - anyone seen it or something similar or have ideas (and not sure if there is something hidden in it somehow, still trying to figure out and find time on how to check images for hidden stuff)

Fanfic writers should read RT @soduhAlex this is what happens when you write something OCC and everyone else follows, http://bit.ly/bsyqPU

So first - I found out what a thrill it is as a simple fan of an entertainment/story project to have that story/world give you a nod - so I thank the writers/creators/and everyone else at World of Depleted and still looking for more clues, hints, signs and learning a lot as I research - which is why I like things like WoD and the interactive/participatory pieces - I explore topics and resources I probably never would otherwise.... another reason I want to include game mechanics and transmedia concepts in my class room Also - as I continue to see QR codes everywhere now (thanks Gavin and WoD :) I found this interesting article http://mashable.com/2010/10/13/bit-ly-qr-codes/ - everything is going to visual and codes and such. I plan on giving out a couple homework assignments via a QR code and seeing how students react to this concept and technology. PS - so via Gavin's journal - it seems there may be more Dark Dreamers out there - if you are one - give me a holler!!!!!!!! http...

researching for a story, found this PBS site - got distracted playing - http://to.pbs.org/9jW8LU I really do let myself get too pulled into exploring and learning something new

So - found this site - www.zazzle.com/muzzle_blast_tshirt-235697434247807090 and there is a QR code on the back of the shirt. The program I am using is having a hard time capturing the QR code - so not sure if it is the same - but I'll find a way ;) On the flip side - if you want a cool Tshirt : )

Read over this interesting post on transmedia and the classroom transmythology.com/2010/10/05/the-transmedia-classroom-of-tomorrow Left a comment (posted here too) MY comment very nice post on a topic I am very interested in - I am teaching for the first time this year a curriculum I wrote for Juniors and Seniors in high school generically labeled Environmental Literacy and Transmedia education - yes I snuck in a course in my school that uses transmedia and other concepts and actually lists those in the curriculum content ;) I teach environmental awareness AND transmedia concepts (aka how to navigate content across platforms and to build understand and story as you go, yes I see education as nothing more than many stories to be told and learned ;-) Your post, IMO, is only the tippy, tippy top of a very exciting and dangerous iceberg (Titanic analogies inserted here). Game Mechanics in education has actually been around for a bit, but as with other industries, is just now gaining a l...

ok so apparently I missed the hidden QR code for a hidden trailer - it was not in the video trailer but hidden on the WoD website - which means - when I get back from camping I will look over the web site :p drat... on a side note, the swirled QR code is kinda psychedelic - lol www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/photo.php?pid=579139&fbid=164849483525183&id=114025395274259 ://

Ok so I posted about World of Depleted QR codes yesterday and then today this comes out from Google and it has been discovered there is a QR Easter egg code associated with it... Wow - weird convergences are always freak-a-leeky Blog on the new service googlesocialweb.blogspot.com/2010/09/google-url-shortener-gets-website.html Tweet about the easter egg from @mattcutts - Secret goo.gl easter egg: take a link like http://goo.gl/LFwS and add ".qr" to get a QR code! See http://goo.gl/LFwS.qr

Ok so I am collecting QR Codes associated with World of Depleted - what do they mean and has anyone else found any or have ideas on their meaning? 1 - This half was revealed at Gavin's journal - worldofdepleted.com/Gavin/ 2 - Through an email contact with Gavin around the 17th, this QR code brought up a question - who are the neo-palidins (or is it paladins) - I thought it was the complete part of the half code, but the blocking seems different - so perhaps Gavin's journal code is not yet revealed 3 - I replied to the email and a few days later, Gavin sent another email with only a QR code - 4. The new teaser trailer for World of Depleted: Day 419 www.youtube.com/user/WorldofDepleted had a QR code (a little tilted as I captured it from the movie) - it seems to be the same that was sent to me by Gavin.... 5. I received this badge and also have the file to make it a t-shirt transfer today (anyone want a copy? Make a cool t shirt and embrace the secret code of well whatever th...

OK so got an awesome email that included this nifty badge (I am attempting to put it on my blog and everywhere else too) :P as well as some neat transfers that I hope to put to good use as soon as I get a few free minutes. I am still trying to find the little Easter Eggs left hiding in the words and pictures and videos, and I am learning a lot as I research topics I never would have otherwise - GAH there is a lot out there - sooo much to explore, so little time to journey

So watching the teaser trailer for World of Depleted: Day 419 - www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjonIswzO44 around 20 seconds in a symbol flashes on the screen In trying to figure out if this has anything to do with the message in the QR code shown in the trailer and the Neo-Palidins (or is it a paladin... :) I am currently favoring that perhaps there is a link to the following (image from http://rediscoveringthebible.com/ ) This is the Chi-Ro cross and has many possible connections and ideas. In Gavin's journal there are some musings on the Knight Templars and such... so, this could be an interesting link But still looking for a good link or image with the cross in a circle - thoughts? lastly - just for fun, wouldn't it be a hoot if that symbol was related to the anarchy one hehe

The new school year is about to begin (next week) and the class I wrote combining the concepts of Environmental Science with transmedia will be offered. I want to document, as best as possible, how things go with the course as well as work on ideas associated with the overall concept. In addition, I hope to collect resources and ideas as I go along. That said, I welcome any and all ieas and comments - I'll probably move the longer, more detailed blogs to the transmedia in education blog, but keep notifications here. As a reminder - here is the curriculum - issuu.com/docwho2100/docs/environ_lite_and_transmedia_edu and here is the other blog - transmediaeducation.blogspot.com/

Just found this project - take a look and help spread the word FROM THE PROJECT SITE - Calling all Cowgirls!! Wanna see funny and hot girls riding horses, shooting guns and playing cowgirl? Hell Yeah! Then here's your chance to help produce an all girl western webseries! From the writers and producers who brought you 3Way, LadyCops, South of Nowhere and Wave Babes, comes an all girl comedy western webseries "Cowgirl Up." www.tellofilms.com/content/project-description/cowgirl

so my writing friend and I have come up with a new villain "The Tea Sipper" - guard your tea - the Tea Sipper may slurp when least expected - and of course the bad puns are continuing as we "milk" this idea to death - how did it start? I am contemplating giving up my ice teas I get while out so I can support this neat webseries (more to come on that in another post) but I made a bad goof about saying I don't purchase all my tea and so I am a secret tea sipper going through places to sneak a slurp from other's teas and on other topic I like many of the thoughts the author brings up - maybe we all should think about how culture is changing - http://bit.ly/d9v7wF

Whew - numbers are always out there and have interesting patterns and swirls I passed 100,000 miles this week My websites all passed "numbers" in terms of viewers I am almost 40 and well I could go on - what numbers are important to you and why?

very awesome project and really uses videos/map/photos and interaction well, the story is right there for you to touch http://projects.usatoday.com/news/katrina/#/prologue/epigraph/a-perfect-hurricane

history repeats? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:US_miscegenation.svg

YAY I got my moving papers for TilttheTown! http://tiltthemovie.wordpress.com/tilt-the-town/ I am a full fledged resident now ;) I am red 42 on the map - backer 142 (give me a holler @geologylady on twitter anytime and come "visit" me). Where is this town and what does that mean? Wellllll - there was this Kickstarter Project (see here www.kickstarter.com/projects/PhilHolbrook/tilt-an-independent-thriller-from-brainerd-mn ) to fund this movie called TILT. Reading through the description and watching the little video gave me a heads up this looked to be a very cool movie. They just needed some crowdfunding help - ala Kickstarter. Now these are not just people begging for money and holding out hats (well maybe they do that too, I am not sure what they do when not insanely busy getting ready for the movie and creating a whole world ala TILTtheTown and not sure I would want to know what they do :-P anyhoos.... One of the beauties of Kickstarter is you get something for helpi...

Check out this awesome new "contest" from the Tilt movie people - tiltthemovie.wordpress.com/2010/08/09/tilts-indie-movie-cameo-contest/ A little glimpse from the site - " Y’all ready for this? The TILT team is happy to announce…a new contest! Within our indie thriller TILT, we’ve included a few scenes where characters watch movies. What does this mean for you if you’re an indie film maker? It means we want to showcase YOUR movie in OUR movie." Check out the link for more specifics - this is yet another cool way to bring people "into" the movie - nice!!!!!

so thinking about my upcoming birthday trip and also found this tool: zoom.it/pages/about/ It creates quick link to photos and such you can zoom in and out. For example - zoom.it/yygR Also - the example photo I used came from this neat site www.virtualtourist.com/ (here is specific photo link - members.virtualtourist.com/m/p/m/a7614/

One of the people I am writing with brought up a song by which got me listening to her for tonight. Wanted to share a couple of her songs. First up - Invincible, take a moment and listen to the lyrics of this song - if you have someone to sing it to - go and do it, if not, may you find someone someday you can : ) www.youtube.com/watch?v=DmAc-ET8J_E&feature=related And there is www.youtube.com/watch?v=oX98DqGd2fY&feature=channel - the video is cool - it shows people stuck in ruts - repeating the same actions - and the opening line - When at a fork in the road... words I've been thinking about a lot but the chorus is advice for anyone, sometimes all you can do is give a shoulder.... but anyhoos - go give a listen, go outside, look at the clouds or stars and just, listen ;)

Phew - finished training staff for the summer bridging program - showed them the Drive animated video features Dan Pink's talk on motivation (I highly recommend that video) - the training seemed to go well. The third unit is forensics so I will have another neat crossover between work and the writing and other fun stuff I love to do. Summoned for Jury duty for sept 27 - I served not too long ago and that I during school so seeing if it can be deferred. Trying to get the online Oceanography course set - we switched to a new learning management system called Desire 2 Learn and have to do a complete conversion. I use wikis and blogs heavily in my course and they are having major issues with that. The moodle server at my high school I having issues so we have to reset and redo And need to start creating the Blackboard course for my Earth science and GIS classes at the one community college and the physical science and environmental class at the other community college. I will be usi...

I am asking everybody I know to go check out this project - www.kickstarter.com/projects/PhilHolbrook/tilt-an-independent-thriller-from-brainerd-mn It has a great transmedia/crowdfunding/just awesome piece to it in the concept of TILT Town and being able to become "part" of the story The idea of having a "character" in TILT Town is awesome along with the concept of the story - They have to meet their goal by August 6th or else everything is refunded (That is the way Kickstarter works). So hurry and go and support - then we all can "live" in Tilt Town : ) Check this link for more - tiltthemovie.wordpress.com/tilt-the-town/ I'll copy a bit from the website's summary - "all started with a nightmare - my nightmare. And now I'm turning it into a feature length thriller that explores the question: WHAT WOULD YOU DO FOR YOUR FAMILY? THE STORY: Paul hasn't connected with his daughter for over 10 years, but when their world is turned u...

I watched something very interesting yesterday. Something I have seen in a few other places and disguises; something I wonder if I shall see more of. I jumped in on the Flynn Lives – Tron legacy ARG yesterday as a page on the Flynn Lives site was counting down to zero. I was sooooo excited and in high anticipation. When it reached zero – a couple of things happened – an "access'"gate appeared (not what I want to talk about) and the twitter stream/facebook wall for the operationtron – Flynn Lives ARG began transmitting. I was like ohhhh cool – this is real time interaction. That right there was the first rub – what about all the people sleeping, or working, or not at a digital device? Eh, ah well, their loss, right? On facebook, people were starting to comment and get excited. Then, as the event unfolded, the mood of the group changed. It turns out instructions were tweeted for people to go to certain locations in San Diego and photograph themselves with different ...