Inside Scoop Into the World I'm Apart pt. 3

Nothing too eventful happened over this past week. So there's not a whole lot to talk about in my introduction. So without further ado, let's move to our "Days till" section:

Days till:

It is: 3 days till Martin Luther King Jr. Day

It is: 17 days till Groundhog's Day
It is: 29 days till St. Valentine's Day

In the Spotlight:

Ok, technically, there is some major Jurassic World news for this week, but I am not going to show or support it on my blog. You see, the news is the leakage of our first image of Indominus rex that occurred yesterday. I am a little disappointed that it leaked, because I wanted to see it for the first time in the movie theater and because director Colin Trevorrow worked so hard to keep its appearance a secret. Now the secret is out because some inconsiderate blockhead decided "Hey, I'm going to leak this and ruin the hopes and dreams of people everywhere until the movie comes out in theaters!" (I'm sure he didn't say that exactly, but my point still remains). While I have promoted relatively minor leaks on this blog in the past, the leakage of Indominus rex is a major leak. The leaks I promoted were things we would have learned when the trailers for the film come out. Indominus rex's full body was likely to never appear in a trailer until after the film premiered, as Trevorrow wanted. Therefore, I encourage others to join us Jurassic Park fans who want to refuse to promote this leakage.

Many fans might feel that the movie will have no surprises now that Indominus rex has been leaked. This is not the case. To date, only pictures have been leaked; we still have so much to learn from Indominus rex and the other dinosaurs we'll see in the movie like how they walk, eat (people), run and roar. I am only getting more and more excited about the release of Jurassic World in 145 days on June 12th!

Topic of the Week by Joy Hammond

This and all the images involving Club Penguin are NOT my own!

Hey guys, it's time to learn some secrets around Club Penguin. Here are the four last places I will talk about. There's actually a few more but, well, I don't want to take all the surprise away from the island. You're just going to have to find out yourself. First off, the Iceberg! The Iceberg is where you can go into the Aqua Grabber (like a submarine) and go on deep sea adventures (above). Rumor has it that if try to drill the Iceberg, it might just tip. Many penguins have tried and given up, but perhaps they're just missing someone like you. 

Second place is the, well it's not really a sewer, it's just the Underground Tunnels. This is where you can ride mine carts, go on puffle rescues, search for gold, go on a quest for the golden puffle, discover the hidden lagoon with a mysterious underwater door, enjoy the pool, or even the boiler room. All these tunnels are connected to the Plaza, the Town, The Mine, and the Forest.

The Underground Tunnels is where you can ride mine carts, go on puffle rescues, search for gold, go on a quest for the golden puffle, discover the hidden lagoon with a mysterious underwater door, enjoy the pool, or even the boiler room.

The Third place is the Dojo. Yes, you hear me right. The Dojo. Here is where you earn you're belts and learn your elements. Learn the ancient moves of Card-jitsu. Card-jitsu is where you match your smarts against another players with types of power cards. The training varies in difficulty levels and the game is like rock-paper-scissors just better. After you've earned your black belt, you should go on to further your study as a ninja. You can study all of the three elements available: fire, snow, and water. Once you've collected the stone pendant than you will be a ninja master. Master Sensei is the one responsible for the Dojo and it's mysterious secrets. He is willing to teach anyone with the motivation to try. The best part would be, challenging Sensei. This is the final test to earning your huge honor or reward.

The Dojo is where you earn you're belts and learn your elements.

The last place has a secret that even I shouldn't tell you. I can't help but spoil somethings. There is a building called the Everyday Phone Facility. Curiously enough, no one on Club Penguin really owns a telephone. The Facility was created after the previous shop, the Sports shop, was apparently destroyed by popcorn - a popcorn bomb. Not every penguin notices what goes on behind the scenes in this mysterious building. It looks ordinary enough but there might be something more going on. Well I'm leaving you suspense. I won't say a single word more. You'll have to find out yourself. Until then Waddle On.
 

The Everyday Phone Facility was created after the previous shop, the Sports shop, was apparently destroyed by popcorn - a popcorn bomb.

Disclaimer: Many (or in some cases all) of the photographs and images above are not mine. If you own one or more of them and would like them to be removed, politely let me know via one or both of the email addresses above.

Inside Scoop Into the World I'm Apart pt. 2

Merry Christmas everyone! This is my last blog post before Christmas, so let's make this post extra special! I hope everyone has been enjoying this Christmas season. I know I have, even though I've yet to set up my Christmas ladder (I do that instead of a Christmas tree because it's less messy), but I hope to do so really soon.


Days till:

It is: 6 days till Christmas

It is: 13 days till New Years Day

In the Spotlight:

For the longest time, one of the dinosaurs I've wanted to see most from Jurassic World is the Velociraptor, my favorite dinosaur of all time. We've really only gotten glimpses of most of the movie's dinosaurs, until a couple of weeks ago when several dinosaurs (T. rex, Apatosaurus and Triceratops) were revealed on the Jurassic World website. Yesterday, we've gotten our first official picture of a Velociraptor with Owen! Check it out:

"Happy holidays from the editing room, don't try this at home" - Colin Trevorrow

This image is from Trevorrow's twitter page. I personally love that raptor! The "clever girl" looks like she's ready to anything. As we already know, in the film, Owen will be doing behavioral studies on raptors. He has a very convoluted relationship with the raptors; they aren't friends, as if you make the wrong move, they'll rip you to shreds (as the director put it). This relationship reminds me of the one that took place between Chito and Pocho the American crocodile (who died in 2011). Pocho was adopted by Chito when he was just a hatchling, and ever since the two became friends. I mean seriously, take a look at the photos below:

While most American crocodiles are voracious carnivores, Pocho was best friends with Chito, a human being.

Now is that amazing or what? For those who think a relationship between man and a dangerous predator is unrealistic for Jurassic World, remember Chito and Pocho!

I regress. Jurassic World comes out on June 12, 2015. That's only 176 days before we get to see more of Owen and his raptors!

Topic of the Week by Joy Hammond

Disclaimer: I do not own this image! Needless to say, all the images regarding Club Penguin are from Club Penguin.

Hey guys, here's the inside scoop into the small island known as Club Penguin. Last time I went over some general information, such as how to register and what things you might expect to find there. Now I'll discuss some of the places you can explore within the island. Where to start? That's a good question. I think I'll start with the Town. The Town is where you have access to three different buildings; the coffee shop, the dance club, and the clothes store. The coffee shop is were penguins just chill out and have a drink of coffee. There are two mini games you can play there as well; Bean Counters and Smoothie Smash. Bean Counters is a game where you are moving bags of beans from a truck to the store, avoiding the anvils and the heavy fish. In Smoothie Smash, you fill smoothing orders for costumers, some important costumers would be: Aunt Arctic, and Herbert. Before I even introduce you to Club Penguin characters, I'm going to tell you more of Club penguin. In the coffee shop, there's a newspaper office upstairs, called Club Penguin Times. The paper is run by Aunt Arctic.

The Town is where you have access to three different buildings; the coffee shop, the dance club, and the clothes store.

Next stop is the Dance Club, this is where you can jam to some tunes or even make music yourself like a DJ. Some mini games (including a small arcade upstairs) include; dance contests, Bits and Bolts, Hit the Target, Thin Ice, and Astro-Barrier. Dance Contests are when you prove your moves and follow the arrows (kind of like Guitar Hero, if you get what I mean). Plus if you are really good, there's a secret hard level by clicking on DJ Cadence, the penguin who gets you started with the contest. Bits and Bolts is a fun mini game where you have to build bots by adding up gears. In Hit the Target, you can verse against fellow players and try to hit as many targets as you can with a snowball. Thin Ice is another game where you try to get the puffle across to the finish through a maze of ice that melts after every step you make.

The Dance Club is where you can jam to some tunes or even make music yourself like a DJ.

The Clothes shop is where you can buy neat clothes and cool accessories, but mostly you have to be a member. Which way should I go next? Up, Down? Left, Right? I think I'll just skip over to the Plaza, which consists of four buildings: The Pet Shop; the Puffle Hotel, the theater, and the Pizza Parlor. In the Puffle shop, this is where you can adopt a puffle of your choice. Later when your a member, you can go in search for the legendary golden puffle. There are also two mini-games in the shop; Puffle Escape and Puffle Launch. Puffle Launch is where you can shoot your puffle out of a cannon and collect o-berries while looking out for evil crabs; yes the crabs are definitely evil. In Puffle Escape, your puffle is stuck in a (hamster ball-like) plastic ball and then has to go through different levels to unlock the door that will eventually make it's escape. At the Puffle Hotel, there are daily activities you can do with your puffles such as exercise, groom, and in general pamper your puffle. If you complete certain activities it may will eventually unlock the cannon at the top of the hotel. From the cannon, you'll be launched into the clouds where the Rainbow puffles live and you can adopt them (members only unfortunately).

The Puffle Shop is where you can adopt a puffle of your choice.

At the theater, you and your fellow penguins can act out an actual play with scripts, a set, and even props, such as costumes. Then at the Pizza Parlor, many penguins hang out and enjoy a little Karaoke or even some pizza making. Some other fun attractions around club penguin are the new skate board rink, the snow forts for snowball fights, the stadium for a little soccer, or maybe you'd rather just enjoy a nice walk in the park. There's a dock, this is where you can go play Hydro Hopper which is basically you hanging onto a life preserver for dear life while you're being pulled by a boat and you have to dodge or steer clear of all the things in your way in the ocean. There's also the lighthouse where you can go and play a musical instrument, look out into a telescope, or play a little Jet Pack adventure. Well Next time, I'll dive into a few more fascinating places you can go to. Some of those places contains, mysteries, secrets, and even more fun. Stay tuned and Waddle On!

At the Pizza Parlor, many penguins hang out and enjoy a little Karaoke or even some pizza making.

Well, like I said before, this is my last blog post till Christmas itself. So how about we go through the last couple of dino-Christmas carols I have prepared:

Deck the Halls with Stegosaurus (sung to the tune of "Deck the Halls")

Deck the Halls with Stegosaurus,
Fa la la la la la la la la.
Jolly dinos never bore us,
Fa la la la la la la la la.
Go put on your tux or ball gown,
Fa la la la la la la la la.
Dance with Steg and rock
the hall down!
Fa la la la la la la la la!

Merry Raptors join the party,
Fa la la la la la la la la.
Appetites are big and hearty,
Fa la la la la la la la la.
Games must end in time for dinner,
Fa la la la la la la la la.
Or the T. Rex will eat the winner!
Fa la la la la la la la la!

Where's desert? The guest are
waiting!
Fa la la la la la la la la.
Eggnog is refrigerating,
Fa la la la la la la la la.
Oh, too bad, the Gobisaurus,
Fa la la la la la la la la.
At the cake - there's no more for us!
Fa la la la la la la la la!

Gather round the Songlingornis,
Fa la la la la la la la la.
Strike a merry dino chorus,
Fa la la la la la la la la.
Sing ye loudly, wake the neighbors!
Fa la la la la la la la la.
Calm them down with party favors,
Fa la la la la la la la la.

Stop the music! Stop the jumping!
Fa la la la la la la la la.
Stop the dino-tails-a-thumping!
Fa la la la la la la la la.
Party's over, dawn is breaking
Fa la la la la la la la la.
Just in time, our heads are aching!
Fa la la la la la la la la!

Lyrics by Anne Muecke

This next song is one that I wrote. I changed it a little from the previous version I wrote a couple of years before. Please enjoy!

Theropods ‘round the Christmas Tree (sung to Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree)

Chorus:

Ther’pods gather ‘round, the Christmas tree

At the Christmas party buffet.

Dinner bells rung everywhere you see

Every raptor tries to stop.

Ther’pods gather ‘round, the Christmas tree

Come hungry this holiday.

Later we’ll have some Tri-cera-tops pie and we’ll do tap some tail-thumping tunes!

Tyrannosaurus will get a hungry, hungry feeling when he hears,

Voices roaring bring out dinner quick,

Before T. rex eats the other party guests!

Ther’pods gather ‘round, the Christmas tree

Come hungry this holiday.

The Oviraptors are dancing merrily

In that old, old, fashioned way!

Tyrannosaurus will get a hungry, hungry feeling when he hears,

Voices roaring bring out dinner quick,

Before T. rex eats the other party guests!

 

Ther’pods gather ‘round, the Christmas tree

Come hungry this holiday.

The Oviraptors are dancing merrily

In that old, old, fashioned way!

 
Lyrics by Christian Ryan

We Wish You A Dino Holiday (sung to the tune of "We Wish You a Merry Christmas")

We Wish You A Dino Holiday;
We Wish You A Dino Holiday;
We Wish You A Dino Holiday;
And a Happy New Year!

Our stockings are hug, our hearts
filled with glee;
We've wrapped up a Raptor for
under the tree.

We Wish You A Dino Christmas;
We Wish You A Dino Christmas;
We Wish You A Dino Christmas;
And a Happy New Year!

Eight candles we'll light this
Hanukkah night,
Dinosaur-a-Menorah will shine
clear and bright!

We Wish You A Dino Hanukkah;
We Wish You A Dino Hanukkah;
We Wish You A Dino Hanukkah;
And a Happy New Year!

Our kinara is lit, our Kuumba's increased;
We're letting the dinosaurs join
in the feast!

We Wish You A Dino Kwanzaa;
We Wish You A Dino Kwanzaa;
We Wish You A Dino Kwanzaa;
And a Happy New Year!

We Wish You A Dino Holiday;
We Wish You A Dino Holiday;
We Wish You A Dino Holiday;
And a Happy New Year!

Lyrics by Anne Muecke

To all people in every nation and town all over the world: MERRY, MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Disclaimer: Many (or in some cases all) of the photographs and images above are not mine. If you own one or more of them and would like them to be removed, politely let me know via one or both of the email addresses above.

Inside Scoop Into the World I'm Apart pt. 1

Happy St. Nicholas Day everybody! (Yes, that's a real date) The Christmas season is a buzz this year and I can tell it's going to go really fast! I just love this time of year. It's just so wonderful for me to think back and remember all those Christmas memories from years ago. I also can't wait to make new Christmas memories.

Days till:

It is: 20 days till Christmas

It is: 28 days till New Years Day

In the Spotlight:

Not any Jurassic World news today, so let's cut right to our next two dinosaur Christmas carols! This next song is my favorite, so I think you'll enjoy it. It is called "Hark! The Pterodactyls Sing":

Hark! The Pterodactyls Sing (to the tune of Hark! The Herald Angels Sing)

Hark! The Pterodactyls Sing
Flying high on reptile wing.
Down below them in a nest
raptor chicks await breakfast.
Rays of sunshine coax rebirth
From the Mesozoic earth.
Tiny bug and giant beast
'Wake to hunt a new 'morn's feast.
Hark! The Pterodactyls sing -
Wondering what the day will bring.

Diplodocids in a band
Stroll across the misty land.
Evergreen and fern so sweet
Fuel a thunderous march of feet.
spindly neck of Seismosaurus
Reach up to the roofs of forests.
Drooping heads of Dryosaurs
Pick new moss from forest floors.
Hark! The Pterodactyls sing -
Wondering what the day will bring.

Rushing through a thicket dense,
A Tyrannosaur, immense
Chases down a hapless prey -
Just in time it gets away!
A voracious appetite
Threatens creatures still in sight.
Silently they crouch and hide
Until T. 'Rex passes by.
Hark! The Pterodactyls sing -
Wondering what the day will bring.

'Deep beneath a rolling sea
'Pliosaurs dive gracefully
Searching for a seafood meal -
Trilobite or paleo-eel.
Far below, a shadow, looming -
Suddenly to surface zooming!
Mouth agape, a Mosasaur
Makes the divers head for shore!
Hark! The Pterodactyls sing -
Wondering what the day will bring.

Mama Raptor has come back
'With a tasty morning snack
Eagerly her hungry brood
Gobble up the baby food.
Far aloft, on graceful wing
'Pterosaurs, still hang-gliding,
Herald that the rising sun
Marks another day begun.
Hark! The Pterodactyls sing -
"'Day has dawned on everything!"

Pterosaurs once roamed across the entire planet; their fossils have even been found in Antarctica.

Lyrics by Anne Muecke

While singing this song, I couldn't help but think about Jurassic World. Anyway, let's move on to our next song: "The Allosaurus Chorus":

The Allosaurus Chorus (Sung to the tune of the "Hallelujah Chorus" from Handel's Messiah)

Allosaurus! Allosaurus!
Allosaurus! Allosaurus! Allosaurus!
Allosaurus! Allosaurus!
Allosaurus! Allosaurus! Allosaurus!

For the great 'Dinosauria reigneth
Barosaurus! Carnotaurus! Hadrosaurus!
Stegosaurus!
For the great 'Dinosauria reigneth
Pachysaurus! Maiasaurus! Fabrosaurus!
Rocasaurus!

For the great 'Dinosauria reigneth
Gasosaurus! Gryposaurus! Gorgosaurus!
Gobisaurus!
Longosaurus! 'Poposaurus! Sellosaurus!
Technosaurus!
Ultrasaurus! Adasaurus! Dryosaurus!
Spinosaurus!
Allosaurus! Allosaurus!

The rulers of the paleo world, is become
A kingdom of creatures both big and
bold - both big and bold,
And they shall roam for all thy years .

Dino kings
For all thy of years - Allosaurus!
No-more-us!
Mighty and strong
For all thy years - Stegosaurus!
No-more-us!

Dino kings
For all thy years - Hadrosaurus!
No-more-us!
Mighty and strong
For all thy years - Maiasaurus!
No-more-us!

Dino kings
For all thy years - Ultrasaurus!
No-more-us!
Mighty and strong - dino kings -
might and strong.

And they shall roam for all thy years.

Dino kings
For all thy years - mighty and strong
Allosaurus! No-more-us!

Their bones preserved for eons and eons and eons.
Fossil kings
For all to see.
Fossil kings
For all to see.
Their bones preserved for eons and eons.
Fossil kings
Preserved in stone.
Pachysaurus! Dryosaurus! Spinosaurus!
Allosaurus! Allosaurus!

Lyrics by Anne Muecke

Topic of the Week by Joy Hammond

Disclaimer: I do not own this image!

In reference to this blog post's title, no I'm not talking about Earth or the Milky Galaxy. I'm talking about a virtual world called Club Penguin. Maybe you've heard of it or maybe you haven't, but I'm a huge fan of it. I've been playing on it for about a year or two now. I'm still not a full member but that's all right. Before I dive into the many main characters, I should probably introduce you to the game of Club Penguin itself.

Club Penguin is a massive multiplayer-type game that has spread to around over fifty countries around the world. It's a safe environment which was supposedly designed for ages six to fourteen, although many users have exceeded that age over time. Child safety was on top priority, there have been two types of chats to help hinder use of bad language and other inappropriate words. In Safe Chat, the user can only use the words that were given from a selection. In the Ultimate Chat, you can type what you want but it is still pretty filtered. If any one is caught saying any inappropriate words or hurting texts, they can get banned from Club Penguin. Then penalty is arranged based on the level of offense. Other users are encouraged to help look out for others that are saying curse words and are able to report the offender as well. There are also no type of ads on the website, that could lead to multiple chains of other websites. The producers' goal was to make it as kid friendly as possible and having ads would end up having young children stumble onto adult websites or such.

Club Penguin is a massive multiplayer-type game that has spread to around over fifty countries around the world.

Now that we've gone through a tiny safety rule, it's time to show you around the world of Club Penguin. There are two types of penguins; the non-members and the members. Both kinds of users still get to enjoy Club Penguin and it's events, even with the member exception. There are only a few small restrictions to non-members though. However, that rarely hinders them from missing out on the fun. You're penguin can arrange from about fifteen different colors, that is the one color for the main thing. Don't worry though, because you can always change your penguin's color. There are roughly seventeen places to hang out with around the island at Club Penguin, this includes: your own igloo, other igloos, the town, the dock, the light house, ski hill, ski village, the snow forts, the stadium, the plaza, the forest, the cove, the mine, the iceberg, the Dojo, the skateboard park, and the puffle park.

In the game, you're penguin can arrange from about fifteen different colors.

Even though there's a lot of places to go and lots of sights to see, I think I should explain what a puffle is. A puffle is a furry little creature that can be your pet. There has been over twenty different kinds, ranging from a regular puffle to a dinosaur puffle, to a cat or dog puffle (and I haven't even told you them all!). Each puffle is a different color as well and has a special ability, from dancing to art to flying or surfing (still many more talents). You can have up to twenty of these furry little fellas, that is if you're a member. As a nonmember, you can only have two with the exception of receiving a code.

In Club Penguin, you can adopt different types of puffles.

If you got to a store, where they've got those little puffle key chains, or maybe a Club Penguin book, or their magazine; there's codes inside which can unlock new items for your penguin to have. When you first start on Club Penguin, you have the choice of choosing a server which means which Club Penguin server you want to start on and you can also change the language so it's in you're own language with users that are also live in you're country or speak you're language. Pretty cool right? I have only just gotten started.

Maybe I should start with the basics. You go to www.clubpenguin.com then you to create a new penguin. This is where, well, you create you're own penguin and name him or her. Then you choose which chat you're penguin will have and then you send in you're email so that your penguin can be confirmed. Once you've verified you're email, you can head on and log onto you're new account. You can pick any server you want. If you want to change the language or go to servers of over countries, just look above the website where it says language and scroll down to your desired language. Next you'll be given a little tour of how Club Penguin works and then you are ready to go! There's so much more exciting things to tell you about the world of Club Penguin but I wouldn't have enough time or space to tell it all in just one article. Next Time, I'll dive into the places you can go in Club Penguin and the games you can play. So stay tuned and Waddle On!

Club Penguin is a lot of fun to play!

Disclaimer: Many (or in some cases all) of the photographs and images above are not mine. If you own one or more of them and would like them to be removed, politely let me know via one or both of the email addresses above.