#quest of casey tailor

[delphina2k]

No! I am not done recommending webcomics!

Webcomic Title: The Stoop-Gallants by @snartha Status: Finished Genre: Fantasy/comedy/ensemble-cast adventure

A farmboy drunkenly summons an amorous zombie and can't get rid of it the next morning, so his bookish bestie and flirtatious squire friend set out from their remote village to find answers. Their road leads them to new friends and lovers, wacky magical hijinx, a political battle for the crown, and discovery that who society says you are isn't always the be-all-end-all answer. They're trying to print the second (and last) book in the series soon, so if you love it, get yourself a copy!

Webcomic Title: What it Takes by @kezhound Status: Finished Genre: Post-apocalypse/action

A rough jaded survivor of the post-apocalypse navigates a bloody path of broken alliances to find her way back to her boyfriend, uncovering a secret sect of survivors trying to rebuild things... but their motives and origins may be less than pure.

Webcomic Title: Clover and Cutlass by @pied-piper-pluto Status: Ongoing Genre: Fantasy/romance

Her mother is an orcish warlord, her father is a wizard cultist, but Maggie doesn't really feel she fits in until she meets the beautiful Jolene... the priest who's trying to stop Maggie's parents from enacting a villainous plan to take over the land!

Webcomic Title: The Quest of Casey Tailor by @dontbesuchascaredykai Status: Ongoing Genre: Fun Fantasy Quest

Casey's sister is kidnapped by a mysterious fairy. He runs off on a journey to get her back safe and sound, but along the way he meets new friends and foes and is forced to face some hidden truths.

Webcomic Title: Tuppence for Stardust by @anje-satvrnalis Status: Hiatus Genre: Gothy Fantasy

The year is 1987, and Amenytha Synnendor has just woken up on a desolate moor on the sleepy English island of Hollersey. Lost, far from home, and with only a strange shapeshifting fox to help her, Amy has to deal with both the island's strange magic, the perils of making friends, and her capricious new mentor's whims as she fights for the answers that could lead her home. But something darker lurks there, in the dream-corners and between-places of her story. Something much, much darker.

Welcome to the (un)official Webcomic Master rec list! I want to encourage folks to share webcomics they love to read, create, support, and more to spread the love! Feel free to add to this post the webcomics you want to share (with the format above for easy browsing) ⭐️So let's get reading, and add to your hearts content! ⭐️ Note: (the link to the 'webcomic title' can also be a mention to read it on a platform if it is hosted there also!)

[bakertoons]

Seek and Ye Shall Find

We all seek something... and in our attempt we often find, but not always what it was at the outset.

The Quest of Casey Tailor - The Quest of Casey Tailor is about a kid trying to save his baby sister who was kidnapped by a fairy, he has no idea why though and when he runs into problems at the royal palace seemingly there are more questions then answers.

Clover and Cutlass - The daughter of an orc warlord falls for a girl her family wants dead. If they can't stop her parents from ending the world, how's she ever gonna ask her out?

Prophet of the Sun - Prophet of the Sun is about a selfish loser trying to dodge the consequences of making a deal with the devil.

[thewebcomicsreview]

In Their Shoes...

Would you do the same? Sometimes circumstances push people to do things they never considered before.

Of Conquests and Consequences - A coming of age comic where a teenage aristocrat from the North finds himself a prisoner of war and is assigned as a servant to the young heiress of one of the clans from across the desert. His captor will take him far away from his homeland and further still from his comfort zones. How will he adapt to the new culture?

Runaway Drakaina - Two best friends,Ellie & Jane, run away together after Jane can't stand to see Ellie hiding her draconic secret alone anymore.

The Quest of Casey Tailor - A kid's baby sister is taken by a fairy. On the word of a mysterious girl, he must get to the royal palace to save her; luckily he's not the only one going that way.

[readwebcomicsgdi]

"The Quest of Casey Tailor is a fantasy adventure comic about fae folk, kidnapping, princes, changelings, and family. Casey lives an idyllic life, he loves his family, they are well off. Unfortunately, it doesn't last when his sister is kidnapped by a mysterious fairy. Casey runs off on a journey to get her back safe and sound, along the way he meets new friends and foes and is forced to face some hidden truths.

Warning for slight blood and fantasy violence."

http://www.questofcaseytailor.com/

Kaija can be found here on tumblr at @dontbesuchascaredykai !

Special shoutout to this website because I happened to notice it has an archive WITH the images, that's SUCH a pain in the ass to maintain but a functional archive is a really important thing most people usually phone in. I see you man keep up the good work!

[swagalpacaobservation]

The Inspiring Journey of Casey Graham and The Rocket Company

Casey Graham: The Visionary Behind Gravy

In the realm of entrepreneurship, Casey Graham stands out as a beacon of innovation and leadership. His journey from a budding entrepreneur with a vision to the founder of Gravy—a company that has transformed payment recovery—speaks volumes about his commitment to solving real-world problems. But what truly sets him apart is not just his business acumen but also his unwavering dedication to empowering other entrepreneurs.

Graham's venture into the world of business began with a simple yet profound realization: many recurring revenue businesses were struggling with payment recovery. This was especially pertinent for service-based companies that relied heavily on subscriptions and ongoing payments. Instead of viewing this challenge as an https://issuu.com/caseygraham1 insurmountable obstacle, Casey saw an opportunity to innovate and create solutions that would not only help businesses thrive but also enhance customer relationships.

Through Gravy, he developed strategies that focused on understanding the customer rather than merely chasing overdue payments. This approach revolutionized how businesses interact with their customers, turning potential conflicts into opportunities for engagement and loyalty.

LSI Keywords: Visionary leadership, entrepreneurial insights, innovative solutions

How Casey Graham Revolutionized Payment Recovery

Payment recovery has long been viewed as a necessary evil by many businesses. Traditionally, it involved aggressive tactics that often alienated customers. However, Graham's philosophy flipped this script entirely. He believed in a more empathetic approach—one that prioritized maintaining customer relationships over simply recovering funds.

By leveraging technology and data analytics, Casey was able to create processes that identified at-risk payments before they became overdue. This proactive strategy allowed businesses to reach out to their customers early on, addressing issues like credit card expiration or changes in billing information before they escalated into major problems.

Moreover, Gravy introduced personalized communication methods tailored to individual customer preferences. Whether through email, phone calls, or texts, these touchpoints are designed not just for collections but also for fostering lasting relationships. This evolution in payment recovery has led to higher retention rates and increased customer satisfaction across various industries.

LSI Keywords: Payment recovery innovation, customer relationships, proactive communication

The Success Story of Casey Graham and The Rocket Company

Before establishing himself in the payment recovery industry with Gravy, Casey Graham had already made significant strides as an entrepreneur with The Rocket Company. Founded during his quest for financial independence and entrepreneurial fulfillment, The Rocket Company aimed at providing invaluable resources for churches and nonprofits.

At its core, The Rocket Company emphasized helping organizations maximize their fundraising potential while streamlining their operational processes. Under Casey's leadership, the company flourished—delivering tools and strategies that empowered nonprofit leaders to achieve their missions effectively.

The experience gained at The Rocket Company was instrumental in shaping Graham's f

[madhukumarc]

What are suggestions for gifts that build loyalty and strengthen client relationships?

The quest for the perfect gift to build loyalty and strengthen client relationships is actually a challenge that many businesses face, but fear not.

Here are the top 6 effective suggestions shared that will likely impress your clients and keep them coming back for more.

1. Personalized Gifts:

There's something incredibly special about receiving a gift that is tailored specifically to you.

Consider personalized items such as engraved pens, custom-made stationery, or even monogrammed accessories.

These thoughtful touches show your clients that you truly value their individuality.

Expert insight -“Taking a portion of your advertising budget and reinvesting that money into custom gifts for your most loyal customers. In return, you’ll earn a few ambassadors, and you might be amazed about the demand it can drum up or new business it creates” – Casey Hill’s LinkedIn Post

2. Experiential Gifts:

Sometimes, the best way to strengthen a relationship is through shared experiences.

Think about offering your clients tickets to a sporting event, a concert, or even a weekend getaway.

This not only creates lasting memories but also provides an opportunity to connect on a more personal level.

3. Subscription Boxes:

Everyone loves surprises, and subscription boxes are all the rage these days.

Choose a subscription service that aligns with your client's interests or industry.

Whether it's a monthly book club, a gourmet food box, or a curated selection of skincare products, this gift will keep on giving and remind your clients of your thoughtful gesture each time they receive their box.

4. Tech Gadgets:

In today's digital age, tech gadgets are always a hit. Consider gifting your clients with the latest gadgets like smart home devices, wireless headphones, or portable chargers.

Not only are these practical gifts, but they also show that you're up-to-date with the latest trends and technology.

5. Handwritten Notes:

In this age of emails and text messages, a handwritten note can go a long way toward making a lasting impression.

Take the time to write a heartfelt thank-you note expressing your appreciation for their business and support.

This personal touch shows that you value the relationship and are willing to go the extra mile.

6. Charitable Donations:

Another great way to build loyalty is by giving back to the community together.

Consider making a donation to a cause that aligns with your client's values and interests.

Not only does this show your commitment to making a difference, but it also creates an opportunity for your clients to get involved and feel good about supporting a cause they care about.

Pro-Tip: Adopt a loyalty program to extend benefits and create a win-win situation.

Image Source - The State of Customer Experience by XD [experience dynamic]

Remember, the key to choosing the right gift is knowing your clients well. Take the time to understand their preferences, interests, and values.

By selecting gifts that resonate with them on a personal level, you'll be sure to strengthen your client relationships and foster long-term loyalty.

Here's related information that you may find helpful – What drives Brand Loyalty? [Know these 7 most important factors]

[spiderforestcomics]

We’re are at almost halfway!! Thank you everyone for all your support! It’s down to the wire with our last week and we’re hoping to pick up some momentum~  Here's another lovely review:

Living forever's the theme of the new anthology from the Spiderforest webcomic’s collective “Threads-Immortal”. Each story includes an immortal character or an encounter with one , but unique and varied themes, lengths and styles  offer something for everyone. Standouts include the anarchic , punchy and energetic “He Got better” by Jacki Crabbing . This two page story is swiftly followed by the beautifully drawn tearjerker “Good Luck Cat” by Kaija Harrison of the delightful webcomic The Quest of Casey Tailor.  Those backing this project won’t be disappointed in this epic journey through some really eternal tales! 

- Caroline Hughes (creator of “Sunbird”)

And we also have a special goal for $500 past funding… Stickers! Art is already finalized, and we can’t wait for these spider friends to spread the fun of immortal powers in your sticker book, on your notebooks, walls - wherever you see fit!

Full campaign update: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/spiderforest/threads-immortal/posts/4101522

Signal boosts appreciated!

“From tragically heartfelt to absurdly funny, this comic anthology featuring many talented creators from the Spider Forest Webcomic Collective thoroughly explores the concept of immortality from many perspectives. What emerges is a compelling argument that the beauty of a well-lived life, regardless of its length, is that we all have and witness each other. If you enjoy great, thematically poignant stories, do yourself a kindness and get Threads: Immortal!”

—- Brandon Hankins (creator of Autumn Wing) 

We're at over 80 backers so far! Thank you all for your support! We've also added more rewards - including limited custom art commissions from some of our fantastic comic creators! More info on the campaign page. Please help us spread the word so that we can share these fantastic stories!

A compilation of some recent behind-the-scenes creator commentary and teaser previews:

Morgan's thoughts on materials and process for Death to the Door 

Excerpts from She Waits Without Rancor by Anje (Also found here!) 

A preview of Archivist of Souls by LegolianM 

Kaija's sneak peek at Good Luck Cat 

A teaser of He Got Better by Jacki 

Character design thoughts from Toby about Little Light 

A sneak peek at The Gorgon Sisters’ Life-like Statues and Lightly Used Weapons Emporium by Andy 

[endymionreads]

So I've never done the Magical Readathon before, but it happened to cross my tl this afternoon on twitter, and I figured, since I'm trying to get back into reading, why not? It was the perfect opportunity!

I will be attempting all of the exams, and whatever I pass will be the N.E.W.T.S. I take if I do that in August! I don’t really know what I want to choose for a career yet, both irl and for the Readathon, so I’ll just be taking the exams and seeing where I end up!

You can view my TBR under the cut!

Ancient Runes → Read a book with a heart on the cover or in the title.

Bring Me Their Hearts by Sara Wolf

Zera is a Heartless – the immortal, unageing soldier of a witch. Bound to the witch Nightsinger ever since she saved her from the bandits who murdered her family, Zera longs for freedom from the woods they hide in. With her heart in a jar under Nightsinger’s control, she serves the witch unquestioningly. Until Nightsinger asks Zera for a Prince’s heart in exchange for her own, with one addendum; if she’s discovered infiltrating the court, Nightsinger will destroy her heart rather than see her tortured by the witch-hating nobles. Crown Prince Lucien d’Malvane hates the royal court as much as it loves him – every tutor too afraid to correct him and every girl jockeying for a place at his darkly handsome side. No one can challenge him – until the arrival of Lady Zera. She’s inelegant, smart-mouthed, carefree, and out for his blood. The Prince’s honor has him quickly aiming for her throat. So begins a game of cat and mouse between a girl with nothing to lose and a boy who has it all. Winner takes the loser’s heart. Literally.

Arithmancy → Read a book outside your favorite genre.

Red, White, & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston

What happens when America's First Son falls in love with the Prince of Wales? When his mother became President of the United States, Alex Claremont-Diaz was promptly cast as the American equivalent of a young royal. Handsome, charismatic, genius—his image is pure millennial-marketing gold for the White House. There's only one problem: Alex has a beef with an actual prince, Henry, across the pond. And when the tabloids get hold of a photo involving an Alex/Henry altercation, U.S./British relations take a turn for the worse. Heads of the family and state and other handlers devise a plan for damage control: Stage a truce between the two rivals. What at first begins as a fake, Instagrammable friendship grows deeper, and more dangerous, than either Alex or Henry could have imagined. Soon Alex finds himself hurtling into a secret romance with a surprisingly unstuffy Henry that could derail the presidential campaign and upend two nations. It raises the question: Can love save the world after all? Where do we find the courage, and the power, to be the people we are meant to ben? And how can we learn to let our true colors shine through? , how will history remember you?

Astronomy → Read the majority of the book at night.

We Rule the Night by Claire Eliza Bertlett

Seventeen-year-old Revna is a factory worker, manufacturing war machines for the Union of the North. When she's caught using illegal magic, she fears being branded a traitor and imprisoned.

Meanwhile, on the front lines, Linne defied her father, a Union general, and disguised herself as a boy to join the army. They're both offered a reprieve from punishment if they use their magic in a special women's military flight unit and undertake terrifying, deadly missions under cover of darkness.

Revna and Linne can hardly stand to be in the same cockpit, but if they can't fly together, and if they can't find a way to fly well, the enemy's superior firepower will destroy them--if they don't destroy each other first.We Rule the Night is a powerful story about sacrifice, complicated friendships, and survival despite impossible odds

Care of Magical Creatures → Read a book with a creature with a beak on the cover.

Spin the Dawn by Elizabeth Lim

Maia Tamarin dreams of becoming the greatest tailor in the land, but as a girl, the best she can hope for is to marry well. When a royal messenger summons her ailing father, once a tailor of renown, to court, Maia poses as a boy and takes his place. She knows her life is forfeit if her secret is discovered, but she'll take that risk to achieve her dream and save her family from ruin. There's just one catch: Maia is one of twelve tailors vying for the job. Backstabbing and lies run rampant as the tailors compete in challenges to prove their artistry and skill. Maia's task is further complicated when she draws the attention of the court magician, Edan, whose piercing eyes seem to see straight through her disguise. And nothing could have prepared her for the final challenge: to sew three magic gowns for the emperor's reluctant bride-to-be, from the laughter of the sun, the tears of the moon, and the blood of stars. With this impossible task before her, she embarks on a journey to the far reaches of the kingdom, seeking the sun, the moon, and the stars, and finding more than she ever could have imagined.

Charms → Read a book that has a white cover.

The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater

It is freezing in the churchyard, even before the dead arrive. Every year, Blue Sargent stands next to her clairvoyant mother as the soon-to-be dead walk past. Blue herself never sees them—not until this year, when a boy emerges from the dark and speaks directly to her. His name is Gansey, and Blue soon discovers that he is a rich student at Aglionby, the local private school. Blue has a policy of staying away from Aglionby boys. Known as Raven Boys, they can only mean trouble. But Blue is drawn to Gansey, in a way she can’t entirely explain. He has it all—family money, good looks, devoted friends—but he’s looking for much more than that. He is on a quest that has encompassed three other Raven Boys: Adam, the scholarship student who resents all the privilege around him; Ronan, the fierce soul who ranges from anger to despair; and Noah, the taciturn watcher of the four, who notices many things but says very little. For as long as she can remember, Blue has been warned that she will cause her true love to die. She never thought this would be a problem. But now, as her life becomes caught up in the strange and sinister world of the Raven Boys, she’s not so sure anymore.

Defense Against the Dark Arts → Read a book set at the sea or on the coast.

Seafire by Natalie C. Parker

After her family is killed by corrupt warlord Aric Athair and his bloodthirsty army of Bullets, Caledonia Styx is left to chart her own course on the dangerous and deadly seas. She captains her ship, the Mors Navis, with a crew of girls and women just like her, who have lost their families and homes because of Aric and his men. The crew has one mission: stay alive, and take down Aric's armed and armored fleet. But when Caledonia's best friend and second-in-command barely survives an attack thanks to help from a Bullet looking to defect, Caledonia finds herself questioning whether to let him join their crew. Is this boy the key to taking down Aric Athair once and for all . . . or will he threaten everything the women of the Mors Navis have worked for?

Divination → Assign numbers to your TBR List, and use a generator to pick the book.

All the Stars and Teeth by Adalyn Grace

Set in a kingdom where danger lurks beneath the sea, mermaids seek vengeance with song, and magic is a choice. She will reign. As princess of the island kingdom Visidia, Amora Montara has spent her entire life training to be High Animancer—the master of souls. The rest of the realm can choose their magic, but for Amora, it’s never been a choice. To secure her place as heir to the throne, she must prove her mastery of the monarchy’s dangerous soul magic. When her demonstration goes awry, Amora is forced to flee. She strikes a deal with Bastian, a mysterious pirate: he’ll help her prove she’s fit to rule, if she’ll help him reclaim his stolen magic. But sailing the kingdom holds more wonder—and more peril—than Amora anticipated. A destructive new magic is on the rise, and if Amora is to conquer it, she’ll need to face legendary monsters, cross paths with vengeful mermaids, and deal with a stow-away she never expected… or risk the fate of Visidia and lose the crown forever. I am the right choice. The only choice. And I will protect my kingdom.

Herbology → Read a book where title starts with an m.

Mirage by Somaiya Daud

In a star system dominated by the brutal Vathek empire, eighteen-year-old Amani is a dreamer. She dreams of what life was like before the occupation; she dreams of writing poetry like the old-world poems she adores; she dreams of receiving a sign from Dihya that one day, she, too, will have adventure, and travel beyond her isolated moon. But when adventure comes for Amani, it is not what she expects: she is kidnapped by the regime and taken in secret to the royal palace, where she discovers that she is nearly identical to the cruel half-Vathek Princess Maram. The princess is so hated by her conquered people that she requires a body double, someone to appear in public as Maram, ready to die in her place. As Amani is forced into her new role, she can’t help but enjoy the palace’s beauty—and her time with the princess’ fiancé, Idris. But the glitter of the royal court belies a world of violence and fear. If Amani ever wishes to see her family again, she must play the princess to perfection...because one wrong move could lead to her death.

History of Magic → Read a book featuring witches and/or wizards

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by JK Rowling

Harry Potter's life is miserable. His parents are dead and he's stuck with his heartless relatives, who force him to live in a tiny closet under the stairs. But his fortune changes when he receives a letter that tells him the truth about himself: he's a wizard. A mysterious visitor rescues him from his relatives and takes him to his new home, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. After a lifetime of bottling up his magical powers, Harry finally feels like a normal kid. But even within the Wizarding community, he is special. He is the boy who lived: the only person to have ever survived a killing curse inflicted by the evil Lord Voldemort, who launched a brutal takeover of the Wizarding world, only to vanish after failing to kill Harry. Though Harry's first year at Hogwarts is the best of his life, not everything is perfect. There is a dangerous secret object hidden within the castle walls, and Harry believes it's his responsibility to prevent it from falling into evil hands. But doing so will bring him into contact with forces more terrifying than he ever could have imagined. Full of sympathetic characters, wildly imaginative situations, and countless exciting details, the first installment in the series assembles an unforgettable magical world and sets the stage for many high-stakes adventures to come.

Muggle Studies → Read a contemporary book.

Of Curses and Kisses by Sandhya Menon

Will the princess save the beast? For Princess Jaya Rao, nothing is more important than family. When the loathsome Emerson clan steps up their centuries-old feud to target Jaya’s little sister, nothing will keep Jaya from exacting her revenge. Then Jaya finds out she’ll be attending the same elite boarding school as Grey Emerson, and it feels like the opportunity of a lifetime. She knows what she must do: Make Grey fall in love with her and break his heart. But much to Jaya’s annoyance, Grey’s brooding demeanor and lupine blue eyes have drawn her in. There’s simply no way she and her sworn enemy could find their fairy-tale ending…right? His Lordship Grey Emerson is a misanthrope. Thanks to an ancient curse by a Rao matriarch, Grey knows he’s doomed once he turns eighteen. Sequestered away in the mountains at St. Rosetta’s International Academy, he’s lived an isolated existence—until Jaya Rao bursts into his life, but he can't shake the feeling that she’s hiding something. Something that might just have to do with the rose-shaped ruby pendant around her neck… As the stars conspire to keep them apart, Jaya and Grey grapple with questions of love, loyalty, and whether it’s possible to write your own happy ending.

Potions → Read a  book under 150 pages

Red As Blood And White As Bone by Theodora Goss

Red as Blood and White as Bone by Theodora Goss is a dark fantasy about a kitchen girl obsessed with fairy tales, who upon discovering a ragged woman outside the castle during a storm, takes her in--certain she’s a princess in disguise.

Transfiguration → Read a book or series that includes shapeshifting

Wild Magic by Tamora Pierce

Young Daine's knack with horses gets her a job helping the royal horsemistress drive a herd of ponies to Tortall. Soon it becomes clear that Daine's talent, as much as she struggles to hide it, is downright magical. Horses and other animals not only obey, but listen to her words. Daine, though, will have to learn to trust humans before she can come to terms with her powers, her past, and herself.

Like what I post? Follow me on: twitter | curiouscat | wordpress | goodreads

[liberty1776]

“Most economists are political apologists masquerading as economists,” wrote investor and author Doug Casey in an online article entitled “How Economic Witch Doctors Convince Everyone They’re Really Neurosurgeons.”  They “tailor theories to help politicians demonstrate the [alleged] virtue and necessity of their quest for more power” — so much so that economics has become “the handmaiden of government.”  Evidence of Casey’s contention abounds, and is a major theme of my new book, The Politically Incorrect Guide to Economics. New York Times columnist Paul Krugman has been teaching economics for decades, during which time a recession was defined in all the … Continue reading →

[thomasroach]

The Haunted Island, a Frog Detective Game Review

There’s something spooky afoot in Grace Bruxner and Thomas Bowker’s new title The Haunted Island, a Frog Detective Game. Featuring a motley crew of misfits, should you set a course to this mysterious land?

The Haunted Island, a Frog Detective Game Review

Known as the detective, the amphibian fellow players take control of has got a new case on his hands from the Supervisor. The sloth Martin heard the sounds of a ghost on his remote island, and none of the ghost scientists sent out to the area have any idea what the source of all of this horror is. Traveling out to the island in question with his trusty magnifying glass, it’s up to players to solve this mystery once and for all.

It’s certainly a carefree tale – the bright pastel colors, rounded edges, and goofy animals that make up the island are more tailored for the younger crowd. Lobsters, koalas, sheep, and more have set up shop, and each can be interrogated for some pieces of information. Though the focus of this game is primarily on the dialog, conversations are to the point and rarely outstay their welcome.

The game prides itself on its humor, but more often than not the jokes miss the mark. Randomness plays a big part in its worldbuilding – the search for toothpaste, wool, gold, and pasta to make an explosive certainly makes for a unique quest, but it comes across as a mishmash of strange concepts lacking a punchline. Some may like the quirkiness of a monkey that likes to breakdance or a sheep wearing a wool shirt, but the majority of these jokes did not appeal to us.

The Haunted Island has a colorful cast of characters that can all aid the player on their quest. In the hunt for the four items mentioned above, players must do a good amount of bartering with the island’s inhabitants. The trick is to find who wants what – the entirety of the game boils down to one giant fetch quest. The island itself is pretty small, and it can be pretty easy to figure out what needs to be exchanged with who, so this is not a terrible task burdened onto players. Just be warned that this style of play is not for everyone.

Those that successfully solve this mystery will be able to see a neatly wrapped up conclusion in around 45 minutes. Though there is a small choice at the end, the game lacks replayability. A second episode title is teased, so players will have to pay up for more detective work once it is released.

The Haunted Island, a Frog Detective Game is certainly a unique title, but its quirky humor will only appeal to a select few. Fans of adventure titles best approach this fetch quest with caution.

This review of The Haunted Island, a Frog Detective Game was done on the PC. The game was purchased digitally.

Game Reviews

Posted 1 hour ago by Casey Scheld in Casey Scheld Reviews, Game Reviews, PC Reviews

The Haunted Island, a Frog Detective Game Review

There’s something spooky afoot in Grace Bruxner and Thomas Bowker’s new title The Haunted Island, a Frog Detective Game. Featuring a motley crew of misfits, should you set a course to this mysterious

Posted December 28, 2018 by Casey Scheld in Casey Scheld Reviews, Game Reviews, PC Reviews

Timber Tennis: Versus Review

People normally do not associate lumberjacks, chefs, and aliens with the game of tennis, but these characters all come together in Digital Melody and Crunching Koalas’ new game Timber Tennis: Versus

Posted December 27, 2018 by Casey Scheld in Casey Scheld Reviews, Game Reviews, PC Reviews

Golf Peaks Review

Afterburn trades out golf clubs for cards in their new puzzle game Golf Peaks. Players might not require much knowledge of the sport to succeed, but does this title tax player’s minds rather than

Posted December 20, 2018 by Casey Scheld in Casey Scheld Reviews, Game Reviews, PC Reviews

The Great Voyage Review

Inspired by the text-based PC-98 adventures of old, Ladybug Games and Black Poodle Entertainment’s The Great Voyage tells of a crew in a dire situation. Its setting and style are not often seen in

The post The Haunted Island, a Frog Detective Game Review appeared first on GamersHeroes.

The Haunted Island, a Frog Detective Game Review published first on https://juanaframi.tumblr.com/

[dragnews]

Key U.S. House battleground forged in Pennsylvania

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Democrats’ quest to take control of the U.S. House of Representatives and stymie President Donald Trump’s agenda began in earnest on Tuesday after voters in Pennsylvania chose a slate of nominees to compete in a pivotal battleground state.

Democrats must wrest 23 seats nationwide from Republicans to take over the House, and analysts say the party could gain as many as five seats in Pennsylvania alone in the general congressional election in November.

The most closely watched race was in the district around Allentown, Pennsylvania, where a bevy of Democrats battled to replace incumbent U.S. Representative Charlie Dent, one of the few remaining moderate Republicans in the House.

The Democratic field in that contest was viewed as a conflict between the progressive and centrist wings of a party still trying to find its footing in the Trump Era.

As it turned out, the most traditional Democrat in the race, Susan Wild, who was endorsed by the influential advocacy group Emily’s List, won the nomination, narrowly edging moderate John Morganelli, who opposes abortion rights.

The liberal political-action group NextGen America, backed by activist Tom Steyer, worked to defeat Morganelli and said in a statement that Wild’s victory showed Democrats that “to win elections, we don’t need to moderate our vision or accept compromise on our fundamental values”.

Scott Wallace won the nomination in another district northeast of Philadelphia that Democrats hope to turn. Wallace will face vulnerable Republican incumbent Representative Brian Fitzpatrick.

FILE PHOTO: (L-R) U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders and Democrat Greg Edwards, Pennsylvania’s 7th District Congressional candidate, wave to supporters during a rally in Allentown, Pennsylvania, U.S. May 5, 2018. REUTERS/Mark Makela

Beyond those two races, Democrats are expected to win three contests in districts in suburban Philadelphia that have been redrawn to favor them.

Madeleine Dean, a state representative, Air Force veteran Chrissy Houlahan and lawyer Mary Gay Scanlon won the nomination in their respective districts. Currently, there are no women representing Pennsylvania in the House.

Pennsylvania’s politics were thrown into turmoil earlier this year when the state Supreme Court found that its congressional districts had been unconstitutionally tailored to favor Republicans. The redrawn map has made some districts more competitive.

In addition, six incumbent House Republicans are not running for re-election, further scrambling the races and requiring voters to become familiar with a raft of first-time candidates.

As for the Senate, U.S. Representative Lou Barletta won the Republican nomination to battle incumbent Democrat Bob Casey in the fall. Barletta was an early supporter of Trump’s presidential bid and has fervently embraced the president’s policies.

Slideshow (5 Images)

Democrats must hold Casey’s Senate seat and those of other incumbents and pick up two currently held by Republicans to seize control of that chamber.

Reporting by James Oliphant; Additional reporting by Caren Bohan in Allentown, Pa; Editing by Peter Cooney and Darren Schuettler

The post Key U.S. House battleground forged in Pennsylvania appeared first on World The News.

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[cleopatrarps]

Key U.S. House battleground forged in Pennsylvania

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Democrats’ quest to take control of the U.S. House of Representatives and stymie President Donald Trump’s agenda began in earnest on Tuesday after voters in Pennsylvania chose a slate of nominees to compete in a pivotal battleground state.

Democrats must wrest 23 seats nationwide from Republicans to take over the House, and analysts say the party could gain as many as five seats in Pennsylvania alone in the general congressional election in November.

The most closely watched race was in the district around Allentown, Pennsylvania, where a bevy of Democrats battled to replace incumbent U.S. Representative Charlie Dent, one of the few remaining moderate Republicans in the House.

The Democratic field in that contest was viewed as a conflict between the progressive and centrist wings of a party still trying to find its footing in the Trump Era.

As it turned out, the most traditional Democrat in the race, Susan Wild, who was endorsed by the influential advocacy group Emily’s List, won the nomination, narrowly edging moderate John Morganelli, who opposes abortion rights.

The liberal political-action group NextGen America, backed by activist Tom Steyer, worked to defeat Morganelli and said in a statement that Wild’s victory showed Democrats that “to win elections, we don’t need to moderate our vision or accept compromise on our fundamental values”.

Scott Wallace won the nomination in another district northeast of Philadelphia that Democrats hope to turn. Wallace will face vulnerable Republican incumbent Representative Brian Fitzpatrick.

FILE PHOTO: (L-R) U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders and Democrat Greg Edwards, Pennsylvania’s 7th District Congressional candidate, wave to supporters during a rally in Allentown, Pennsylvania, U.S. May 5, 2018. REUTERS/Mark Makela

Beyond those two races, Democrats are expected to win three contests in districts in suburban Philadelphia that have been redrawn to favor them.

Madeleine Dean, a state representative, Air Force veteran Chrissy Houlahan and lawyer Mary Gay Scanlon won the nomination in their respective districts. Currently, there are no women representing Pennsylvania in the House.

Pennsylvania’s politics were thrown into turmoil earlier this year when the state Supreme Court found that its congressional districts had been unconstitutionally tailored to favor Republicans. The redrawn map has made some districts more competitive.

In addition, six incumbent House Republicans are not running for re-election, further scrambling the races and requiring voters to become familiar with a raft of first-time candidates.

As for the Senate, U.S. Representative Lou Barletta won the Republican nomination to battle incumbent Democrat Bob Casey in the fall. Barletta was an early supporter of Trump’s presidential bid and has fervently embraced the president’s policies.

Slideshow (5 Images)

Democrats must hold Casey’s Senate seat and those of other incumbents and pick up two currently held by Republicans to seize control of that chamber.

Reporting by James Oliphant; Additional reporting by Caren Bohan in Allentown, Pa; Editing by Peter Cooney and Darren Schuettler

The post Key U.S. House battleground forged in Pennsylvania appeared first on World The News.

from World The News https://ift.tt/2IjJdqx via News of World

[dani-qrt]

Key U.S. House battleground forged in Pennsylvania

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Democrats’ quest to take control of the U.S. House of Representatives and stymie President Donald Trump’s agenda began in earnest on Tuesday after voters in Pennsylvania chose a slate of nominees to compete in a pivotal battleground state.

Democrats must wrest 23 seats nationwide from Republicans to take over the House, and analysts say the party could gain as many as five seats in Pennsylvania alone in the general congressional election in November.

The most closely watched race was in the district around Allentown, Pennsylvania, where a bevy of Democrats battled to replace incumbent U.S. Representative Charlie Dent, one of the few remaining moderate Republicans in the House.

The Democratic field in that contest was viewed as a conflict between the progressive and centrist wings of a party still trying to find its footing in the Trump Era.

As it turned out, the most traditional Democrat in the race, Susan Wild, who was endorsed by the influential advocacy group Emily’s List, won the nomination, narrowly edging moderate John Morganelli, who opposes abortion rights.

The liberal political-action group NextGen America, backed by activist Tom Steyer, worked to defeat Morganelli and said in a statement that Wild’s victory showed Democrats that “to win elections, we don’t need to moderate our vision or accept compromise on our fundamental values”.

Scott Wallace won the nomination in another district northeast of Philadelphia that Democrats hope to turn. Wallace will face vulnerable Republican incumbent Representative Brian Fitzpatrick.

FILE PHOTO: (L-R) U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders and Democrat Greg Edwards, Pennsylvania’s 7th District Congressional candidate, wave to supporters during a rally in Allentown, Pennsylvania, U.S. May 5, 2018. REUTERS/Mark Makela

Beyond those two races, Democrats are expected to win three contests in districts in suburban Philadelphia that have been redrawn to favor them.

Madeleine Dean, a state representative, Air Force veteran Chrissy Houlahan and lawyer Mary Gay Scanlon won the nomination in their respective districts. Currently, there are no women representing Pennsylvania in the House.

Pennsylvania’s politics were thrown into turmoil earlier this year when the state Supreme Court found that its congressional districts had been unconstitutionally tailored to favor Republicans. The redrawn map has made some districts more competitive.

In addition, six incumbent House Republicans are not running for re-election, further scrambling the races and requiring voters to become familiar with a raft of first-time candidates.

As for the Senate, U.S. Representative Lou Barletta won the Republican nomination to battle incumbent Democrat Bob Casey in the fall. Barletta was an early supporter of Trump’s presidential bid and has fervently embraced the president’s policies.

Slideshow (5 Images)

Democrats must hold Casey’s Senate seat and those of other incumbents and pick up two currently held by Republicans to seize control of that chamber.

Reporting by James Oliphant; Additional reporting by Caren Bohan in Allentown, Pa; Editing by Peter Cooney and Darren Schuettler

The post Key U.S. House battleground forged in Pennsylvania appeared first on World The News.

from World The News https://ift.tt/2IjJdqx via Online News

[nofomoartworld]

Hyperallergic: A Film About Falling in Love and Geeking Out About Modernism

Still from Columbus (all images courtesy Columbus)

Ten years ago, I helped organize a panel in conjunction with the Asian American International Film Festival called “On Asian/American Aesthetics.” The featured speakers included playwright David Henry Hwang, fashion designer Mary Ping, architect Billie Tsien, and filmmaker Wayne Wang. The prompt—“What are Asian or Asian American aesthetics?”—provided an interesting entry point for a discussion about art, as well as identity and race. But in many ways, the question also felt impossible to answer and seemed almost facetiously posed, because first one had to unpack what is considered Asian and what is considered Asian American. And were we primarily talking about an East Asian aesthetic, as reflected by the ethnicities of the panelists?

Video essayist turned narrative filmmaker Kogonada offers a surprisingly elegant response to this question in his debut feature. Visually arresting and replete with contemplative moments, Columbus spotlights the eponymous Indiana town, notable for being the birthplace of Mike Pence and an unexpected haven for modernist architecture. Deborah Berke, I.M. Pei, and Eero Saarinen have all left their mark there. The Korean-born and Midwest-grown director uses this spectacular backdrop to cultivate the fateful friendship forged by circumstance and isolation between a small-town girl and a transient outsider that’s at the heart of the movie.

Still from Columbus

Aesthetics play a central role in their relationship, as the younger Casey (Haley Lu Richardson) and the older Jin (John Cho) initially bond over a fascination with the town’s unique landscape. Having foregone college, Casey doesn’t yet have the formal knowledge to fully express the reason why certain buildings affect her. When Jin asks why she likes Saarinen’s all-glass-façade bank, she repeats the same diligently memorized facts that we overheard a tour guide say earlier in the film. Jin, on the other hand, is the son of a famous architectural scholar, who was due to give a lecture before suddenly falling ill, thereby providing the impetus for Jin’s visit. Father and son’s estrangement has consequently left Jin feeling cold about his father’s work. Gazing upon the hospital walkway, which is built over a stream shaded by plants and trees, Jin easily summarizes the philosophy of James Stewart Polshek: that architecture can “heal,” but he admits that he doesn’t know whether he personally believes in it. He possesses the ability to intellectualize his father’s passion, but unlike Casey, he is not moved emotionally by it.

All this geeking out about a topic like modernism could be potentially distancing for viewers if it wasn’t for Casey’s earnestness. By embodying that youthful spirit of first love—whether it’s a love of art or literature or music—her character allows non–architecture nerds to be able to relate. For Kogonada, a grad school dropout who made the switch from academic criticism to creating film, which is the thing that he clearly loves, his intention isn’t necessarily to teach but to help us appreciate the world through Casey’s eyes. Painter Paul Klee said, “Art does not reproduce the visible but makes visible.” Exquisitely rendered by cinematographer Elisha Christian, the otherwise quotidian structures of banks, libraries, and hospitals all become seen.

Still from Columbus

Still from Columbus

One of Kogonada’s video essays, which preceded the screening, provides an additional primer for how the audience should watch Columbus. Splicing together shots from early-20th-century Japanese filmmaker Yasujiro Ozu’s many works, the short highlights patterns and tropes, beginning with domestic scenes of food being prepared in the home. We later see these tableaux echoed in Kogonada’s feature, such as when Casey sits or stands in her kitchen chopping and peeling vegetables. (There’s another perfectly Ozu-esque moment at the end of the film that I won’t spoil, but you’ll know it when you see it.) Kogonada continues to pay homage to Ozu’s techniques through his frequent use of “pillow shots,” which were favored by his predecessor as a way to gently bring viewers into a new setting.

The film also plays with visibility when it comes to presenting people. The first time we see Jin’s father, his back is turned to the camera. Similarly, we’re introduced to Jin the way Casey first sees him: in the dead of night, from a distance, his face partially obscured. Even as we follow Jin from the hospital to his father’s room at the local inn where he’s staying, his figure remains shrouded in shadow. In the daylight, he frequently throws on sunglasses while sporting a dark tailored suit. I couldn’t help but interpret his inscrutability as an inherently Asian quality, or rather as something projected onto Asian people by Westerners, who often stereotype us as enigmatic and strange. Jin doesn’t necessarily struggle with his hybrid identity, but he does bristle at the external pressures (namely overworking and overly dramatic grieving) placed on him by his Korean culture. At the same time, as an Asian American character working abroad in Seoul, Jin remains very much a foreigner in the mostly white suburb. Indeed, a shopkeeper’s eyes linger just a little bit too long on this unfamiliar man wandering into his store.

Still from Columbus

Still from Columbus

Yet Jin’s aloofness has implications on a psychological level, as well. Perhaps others find him difficult to read precisely because he has deliberately blocked off a part of himself. It isn’t until Casey presses him about his father that he begins to emote, and suddenly that pain of opening up becomes achingly perceptible on his face. This disconnect between surface appearances and what lies beneath speaks to a larger question about aesthetics and humanity. For architects chasing the concept of modernity, many sought to find “modernism with a soul,” as Jin puts it. In an interview with IndieWire, Kogonada notes how modernist architecture, with its boxy shapes and empty spaces, “can feel very alienating and very cold.” In this respect, Jin’s journey to emotionally connect with Casey, and with his father, comes to represent the quest of modernism itself. Like those space-age façades that can seem out of place in the suburban sprawl of Columbus, Jin cuts a similarly peculiar yet striking figure in the town.

While not overtly acknowledged in the film, Western modernism does borrow heavily from Asian culture, which Kogonada has also previously discussed. Under his direction, this intermingling of ideas and styles coalesces in Columbus. At one point in the movie, Casey describes her cooking as “subtle,” and says that by using less salt, one can better taste the food. Such restraint can also be used to explain Kogonada’s work. While he may not have set out to define an Asian American aesthetic, his synthesis of art criticism, filmmaking, and storytelling presents us with one of the clearest examples I’ve seen to date.

Still from Columbus

Columbus is playing at IFC Center (323 Sixth Avenue, Greenwich Village, Manhattan) and other theaters nationwide.

The post A Film About Falling in Love and Geeking Out About Modernism appeared first on Hyperallergic.

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[nofomoartworld]

Hyperallergic: The Fulfillment of Crafting a Home Like Art

Linda and Andy Weintraub’s house in Rhinebeck, New York (all photos by the author for Hyperallergic)

RHINEBECK, NY — Growing up in a cramped, rent-controlled apartment, I had one primary fixation: drawing floor plans for where I wished I lived instead. I studied photographs in library books of homes built into hillsides and cliffs, then combined their best features in my sketches: nearly invisible skylights tucked into grassy knolls and furniture carved into stone interior walls. Now, as an adult residing in an urban center, I’ve once again ended up with living space that’s off-white and rectilinear. I’ve somehow come to accept it as something over which I have little control.

An unexpected visit to Linda Weintraub’s homestead in Rhinebeck, New York, jogs my memory of those earlier visions of what home could mean: curving, textured walls punctuated by bursts of organic material; wholly original landscape features; and a soft blurring of the boundaries between domestic space and the natural world. The value of my childhood wish for home to mean not only earthy womb or cozy cave but also, more importantly, a space tailored to the individual and context, became obvious when I stood in her living room for the first time.

“My creative urges have always extended beyond my art studio and office,” Weintraub tells me. “It never occurred to me that I would not design my own living space.”

The living room

An artist, educator, curator, and consummate writer about art (especially the intersection of contemporary art and ecology), Weintraub is a serial (and possibly congenital) homesteader.

Her homesteading — or “crafting a lifestyle,” to use her words — grew out of a questioning of accepted wisdom about child rearing and nutrition. As a parent making choices about how to best nourish and care for a family, she found that, “in each instance, ‘good’ was never good enough if it required accommodating to conditions that were pre-fabricated or objects that were mass-produced. Gradually, this pattern of interrogating cultural norms evolved into homesteading.”

Weintraub also describes being lured in by the “elation [of] crafting a living environment that is as personalized as a painting or a poem.” Over time, her homesteading became deeply interwoven with her interest in contemporary art. “What began as a personal lack of confidence in the status quo has become a crucial component of my professional activities,” she explains.

Linda Weintraub in her kitchen

Linda and her husband, Andy Weintraub, have built eight homes together so far, all in upstate New York or Pennsylvania. Each move was meant to accommodate a new phase in the family’s development.

Their current home, of the last two decades, is an 11-acre property in the Hudson Valley. The compound consists of three ultra-efficient galvalume (steel coated in zinc and aluminum) structures surrounded by a meadow, an orchard, multiple gardens, and a pasture, all ringed by forest.

Less visible during my wintery visit are a stream and waterfalls, and though the Weintraubs keep beehives and animals ranging from fowl and rabbits to sheep and pigs, at this time of year, only ducks, geese, and chickens are in evidence.

The Weintraubs’ birds

This homestead is the culmination of everything the Weintraubs have learned through previous projects — including the confidence to try out their own ideas — and has been guided in equal parts by economy and aesthetic pleasure.

“[I am] intent on disproving that satisfying one’s needs by personally crafting them is outmoded or obsolete, that physical labor is demeaning drudgery,” Weintraub explains. “Domestic routines are incalculably enhanced when they are, literally, framed by the occupants’ tastes and skills.”

Linda Weintraub with a cold frame

In milder weather, those domestic routines include caring for vegetable gardens, fruit trees and bushes, and all of the animals — as well as foraging for mushrooms, other wild foods, and wood (fuel). In the winter, she slaughters and freezes meat and cans, pickles, and ferments excess produce. The coldest months are quieter and sometimes sadder, with less sun, garden activity, and animal companions. But nourishing foodstuffs and cozy spaces stocked with artifacts from the landscape around her make for rich reflection.

It’s unquestionably hard work, but, Weintraub assures, not alienating. “I offer personal testimony regarding how deeply gratifying it is to nourish your own body and soul, instead of purchasing consumer products.”

Stored foodstuffs

Weintraub says that, through the process of living this way, the rhythms of her daily life have become her own, and her relationship to the societal infrastructure that we all share has shifted. “I have gradually reduced the disempowerment and anonymity that accompanies global, industrial, and corporate dependencies by generating my own sources of sustenance.”

But “going back to the land,” as people say, and finding deep satisfaction in that are not unique. Once I get beyond the pleasure of just being in the environment Weintraub has envisioned and formed, I find it’s the connection of her choices to her professional endeavors that I’m most curious about. I see her variety of homesteading as the application of conclusions arrived at through a deep knowledge of art making.

For example, in conversation, Weintraub’s feminism and eco-centricity emerge repeatedly as the deepest reasons for the choices she has made. But questions about how and where the choices interconnect always bring her back to what amounts to a politicized discussion of materials. She describes her landscaping skills as arising out of an “increasing need for a growing medium,” which led her “to master terracing with the abundance of stone and the shortage of fertile soil.” When queried about the beliefs underlying her aesthetic choices, Weintraub expresses “an abiding conviction that shape, color, texture, and their arrangements carry cultural significance despite the medium, subject, or context to which they are attached.” She sums up years of “comparing the fluid aesthetics of ecosystems and the rigid aesthetics of engineered environments,” both through research and personal experience, with this simple (but chilling, if you think about it hard enough) thought: “aesthetic ingredients embody social values and worldviews.”

Galvalum at the Weintraubs’ house

In her home, this awareness is demonstrated in the way she’s used the built environment to highlight the natural one. Nothing feels predetermined; everything is fluid and irregular, keeping your eyes in motion and your ears perked. Birds call out, a dog rustles, quiet splashes in a small indoor pool alert you that fish are navigating the same space that you are. The overall impact is one of liveliness. Each element that your eyes or mind encounter is calming, but your mind is never allowed to fall into the habit of predicting what will happen next and then tuning out. The patterns and surfaces keep you present in a way that blank white walls never could. You don’t shut down. When the walls, floors, stairs, handrails, doorbell cover, and living creatures all call for your presence, staying present begins to feel much more important than it does when you see a prompt on a coffee mug.

The main house entry, with a view of the aviary

The fish pond

With her artwork, which is crafted from materials like sap, feathers, moss, acorn caps, and soil, Weintraub has a precise and timely agenda: “As an eco artist, I rely upon aesthetics to convey the patterns that foster stewardship of our planet.” This means a commitment to working with objects that decay and shift shape and color over time in response to the conditions around them. The materials decorating her home are chosen for the same reasons: a resistance to the illusion of permanence and to “the on/off abruptness of technologies.” At its core, this philosophy “rejects the authority of top-down hierarchies and replaces them with bottom-up, generative processes.”

Weintraub — whose knowledge of art history and comprehensive grasp of what makes for an art vanguard is singular — says she’s certain that the “movement that will be featured in future art histories are not the artists who augment the allures contrived by programmers and engineers,” but “those who reject it.” She comes down hard on the side of “neo-materialism” — an alliance with matter over the dematerialized or the digital. “Our reinstatement of substance, density, temperature, moisture, and so forth entails a radical revision of contemporary norms,” she explains. “Neo-materialist art is not ‘realistic’; it is real.”

And so, what began for me as a retreat to the hideaway-in-a-hillside of my childhood fantasies became instead a rabbit hole of consciousness about how I move through the world. And though I don’t feel quite able to contend yet with the implications of a full awareness of what’s encoded in my choices, I do find Weintraub’s advice to potential homesteaders a reasonable place to begin: “Be patient. Proceed by increments. Gain experience by taking small risks. Join a community of like-minded seekers. Embrace the process.” Then she promises, and I want to believe her: “The quest is as invigorating as its fulfillment, and the fulfillment is well worth the effort.”

The studio

A set of stairs

The Weintraubs’ house

Casey the dog

Linda Weintraub walking to her studio

Linda Weintraub is presenting her work tonight, February 24, from 6 to 8pm, at Central Booking (21 Ludlow Street, Lower East Side, Manhattan), in conjunction with the exhibition Icons in Ash, Death in Art.

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