Gizmo's Tree House

I mentioned in my New Gizmonia post that I decided to abandon that world and create a new one. The reason for that was the addition of Xbox achievements to the game. For some reason I was not unlocking any of them in that world, and in fact they seemed to be disabled.

A brief flexing of my Google Fu revealed my problem. Any world that is switched from survival to creative mode is locked out of achievements, even after switching back to survival. I had made the switch to creative at one point so I could use the flying ability, handy when building a house in the air.

But I wanted those achievements. They would be reflected on my Xbox profile and help my score there (I certainly haven't been spending any time on my Xbox to do that). Also, spawning was rather messed up, as no hostile mobs would spawn on the island my house floated over.

So a new world was in order. I spawned next to an ocean with a cave system nearby. A river splits the land creating a massive peninsula across the way. And not too far was a beautiful forest filled with mighty Spruce trees. My path was clear, it was time to build a tree house!

I ended up with a three story contemporary structure with a penthouse bedroom. The second floor is my storage and smelting area, and the first floor provides stairway access and will serve as my terrarium.



Stairway to the first floor



Vines provide access to the upper levels



Storage area, somewhat organized



My penthouse bedroom



View from the bedroom of my farm,
still a work in process



That flat hill is just begging for
a castle, fort, or some such thing...

Unboxing My RAVPower RP-PB41 Battery Pack

I got a new piece of tech in the mail today, a new external battery pack. I decided to do my first unboxing video to show off my new purchase.

Minecraft: Gizmonia

A couple of years ago I had been searching for a new game to play, and my thoughts kept returning to Minecraft. I played the web browser demo which was limited by playing time. I also played the free demo on Xbox 360 for a while. Then I downloaded the Minecraft Pocket Edition (MCPE) demo. I liked this version because I could play on my phone where ever I was. Since the wife was obsessively playing a puzzle game, this gave me something I could play without having to be tied to my PC or console.

So I bought the full version of MCPE. I soon found that it was a subset of the full PC game as far as the capabilities, mobs, and crafting. The world was limited in size, keeping my domain to a relatively small space. There was no redstone or blocks such as andesite, duorite, or granite. Mobs such as Endermen, squids, wolves, and ocelots also did not exist in this version.

It was with this basic program that I created my first Minecraft world: Gizmonia. (I was totally ripping off the name "Trumania" from The Truman Show.) I began building a house on a small island that eventually became my lighthouse. Later I moved onto shore and build a complex complete that included a bedroom with a view, a grand dining room, and access to my first mine. I added a greenhouse and a rail system that went underwater (and was that a pain to do!) to give me easy access to the lighthouse and my main strip mine.

They have added all the things I've mentioned above in the intervening years. Early on they added a basic powered rail for use with a mine cart, and I used it extensively. On some of the pictures you will see these rails are dark red, indicating they are unpowered. Initially these rails were self-powered, but now they need to be powered externally.

Eventually they added the ability to have infinite worlds, but these older locations could not be expanded. It was at that time I abandoned this world to create New Gizmonia, as described in a separate blog post. I like to think I have learned a bit about building since Gizmonia was created, but I still enjoyed this trip down memory lane and I hope you will, too.

Crafting station. The block to the left of the furnace is a Stone Cutter, once an MCPE exclusive.  They later moved it's function into the crafting table to align with the other versions of the program so it is no longer an active block.

Greenhouse

The grand dining room

My bedroom

Entrance to my first mine

My home from outside. Below the greenhouse you can see my archery spots where I shoot hostile mobs during the night.
To the right is the mine cart station.

Lighthouse on the left, strip mine on the right.

"For the world is hollow, and I have touched the sky!"
The edge of this old-timey MCPE world.

A bit of the underground mine cart track. Notice the dull red of the unpowered rails.
I would have to add redstone power all along this track to use it now.

My strip mine, down to bedrock. Notice the ladders on every other block.
Older versions of the game would allow you to climb back up with only this amount of ladders.
The current version will no longer do this, which made this visit back to the mine interesting.

An area when my mining extended beyond the central pit.
A lone zombie awaits my return.

Part of the map that I explored but never developed. At one time I had plans to go all
along the border of the world with a mine cart track. 

The view from the balcony outside my bedroom.

Ramblings Episode 607: One Flew Over the Comments’ Nest

A couple items of feedback, then I’m outta here!


Run time: 5:04

Press Play on the player above or download the episode here by right clicking and selecting "Save target as..."

Or check out the video version:

Ramblings Episode 606: Looking Forward to SiglerFest

This time next week I’m on my way to Vegas, baby!


Run time: 10:21

Press Play on the player above or download the episode here by right clicking and selecting "Save target as..."

Or check out the video version:

Ramblings Episode 605: Balance & Cell 13

Two more Android games for your playing pleasure.


Run time: 10:59

Press Play on the player above or download the episode here by right clicking and selecting "Save target as..."

Or check out the video version:

Ramblings Episode 604: California News

Wildfires and birthdays are topics of interest.


Run time: 8:11

Press Play on the player above or download the episode here by right clicking and selecting "Save target as..."

Or check out the video version:

Ramblings Episode 603: Rework

I’ve work to prepare for NaNo, and I’ve started re-editing Ness Relevant #1.


Run time: 9:09

Press Play on the player above or download the episode here by right clicking and selecting "Save target as..."

Or check out the video version:

The Ramblings Podcast is Moving!

Effective October 1st the posts for the Ramblings of an Undisciplined Mind podcast will not longer be posted on this blog. Instead, those episodes will be posted exclusively on www.Penslinger.com as part of my podcast offerings on that site.

If you want to keep seeing these posts you can subscribe to the Penslinger blog. If you are getting these episodes via email from Ramblings of an Undisciplined Mind, then you will want to subscribe to the Penslinger email subscription list. It works the same way, and you can subscribe to this by using the form at the bottom of this post or from the Penslinger website.

If you are subscribed to the Undisciplined Mind RSS feed, you can either subscribe to the blog or to the Penslinger Meta Feed, which is the easiest way to receive all content I produce. You can see the full list of RSS links on http://www.penslinger.com/p/podcasts.html

Lastly, if you use Blogger's "follow" feature to follow the Undisciplined Mind blog I recommend you switch to one of the two methods above. While you could "follow" the Penslinger blog, I will be switching it to WordPress in the very near future and than that functionality will no longer be available.

I highly encourage you to remain subscribed to the Undisciplined Mind blog as I have plans for more content including more about my worlds in Minecraft, Krazy Karaoke, and much more. I highly appreciate your digital patronage and hope you'll stick around for what comes next.

- K

Penslinger Email Subscription

Enter your email address:

Ramblings Episode 602: The Comments Man

While I don’t have 76 pieces of feedback to parade, I do have a few.


Run time: 4:57

Press Play on the player above or download the episode here by right clicking and selecting "Save target as..."

Or check out the video version:

Ramblings Episode 601: Milk Run

Nathan Lowell’s latest installment in his Solar Clipper universe.


Run time: 12:05

Press Play on the player above or download the episode here by right clicking and selecting "Save target as..."

Or check out the video version:

Ramblings Episode 600: Two Year Anniversary

Celebrating the milestone. Also, I’m splitting the blogs.


Run time: 13:29

Press Play on the player above or download the episode here by right clicking and selecting "Save target as..."

Or check out the video version:

Ramblings Episode 599: Gizmo’s Tree House

I’ve started fresh on a new Minecraft world.


Run time: 13:54

Press Play on the player above or download the episode here by right clicking and selecting "Save target as..."

Or check out the video version:

Minecraft: New Gizmonia

I have spent a lot of time in my first infinite Minecraft PE world, called New Gizmonia. Yes, there was originally a Gizmonia, but it was one of the old limited worlds, so I abandoned it to have more to explore. But my first experience on this world was not the greatest, as I was dropped on an island without much else nearby. So I swam across the ocean, crossed several islands, and eventually came to a land mass that I thought was big enough to settle on. Unfortunately I completely lost my way back to spawn, and so I could not make use of a compass to get back to my new home.

This place had a lot of caves and I spent a bunch of time caving, gather resources. I built a small hut to hold my bed and supplies. I found a village nearby, and tried to decide what major project I should attempt. Eventually I settled on building a house in the sky that would provide protection from hostile mobs and also scenic views. Working in Survival mode, I built upwards and started on the first part of the house, a floating pool encased in glass.

Not being a total idiot I built this over water, so that when I fell (and I did...lots) it would not be fatal. I put together this entire pool area in this way, including carting up the water bucketfuls at a time. Then it was time to move on to the attached house.

About that time I discovered a launcher app that not only optimized my system, but also did things like allowing me to add blocks to my inventory, fly, and switch between Survival and Creative modes. I used this to get the rare resources I would need, as I decided to build my new house out of gold blocks. A lot of gold blocks.

I built the 2-story house you see above, complete with a farm and a landing pad for the mine cart track that launches me onto the property. My old hut now serves as the start of the mine cart track.

This is the only major build I've done on this world. I done a lot of mining and adventuring. I once ventured too far and couldn't find my way back. After building yet another base, this one subterranean, I returned when I died trying to find my way back. Of course i had found a rich area with tons of scarce resources, so I lost of of that. Le sigh.

In just the last week I have abandoned this world for a new one, but the reasons I did that are another blog post. More pictures of New Gizmonia follow. Enjoy!

My 2nd floor bedroom

More of the bedroom

The first floor. Kitchen to the right. Stairs lead to landing pad.

The rest of first floor. Stairs up to pool, down to observation deck. Doors lead to farm.

My cows in the farm. I also have pens for pigs, sheep, and chickens.

Crops, part 1

Crops, part 2

A drop to a safe pool make for a convenient return to ground level.

Mine cart landing pad. The lights in the floor flash on and off via redstone controls

The view from the balcony.

My God, It's full of stars!

I've done a little mining. Yes, that is bedrock at the bottom.

Ramblings Episode 598: Post-Fact Society

I riff on a topic that Nathan Lowell (@NLowell) recently discussed on TOMMW.


Run time: 11:24

Press Play on the player above or download the episode here by right clicking and selecting "Save target as..."

Or check out the video version:

Ramblings Episode 597: Continued Progress

I’m almost done with the website, and am closer to my appearance on the Roundtable Podcast. <br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="30" mozallowfullscreen="true" src="https://archive.org/embed/RamblingsEp597" webkitallowfullscreen="true" width="500"></iframe>

<br />
<span style="font-size: 85%;">Run time: 6:09</span><br />
<br />
Press Play on the player above or <a href="http://archive.org/download/RamblingsEp597/Ramblings-Ep597.mp3">download</a> the episode here by right clicking and selecting "Save target as..."<br />
<br />
Or check out the video version:
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/T8BHwI1Eoek" width="560"></iframe>

Ramblings Episode 596: Found

Sierra Shields is no longer missing, but the news isn’t good.


Run time: 7:26

Press Play on the player above or download the episode here by right clicking and selecting "Save target as..."

Or check out the video version:

Ramblings Episode 595: Alexander Hamilton

I finally finished the massive biography by Ron Chernow.


Run time: 14:06

Press Play on the player above or download the episode here by right clicking and selecting "Save target as..."

Or check out the video version:

Ramblings Episode 594: Singing in a Choir

One of the activities I wanted to get back to now I’m done with college.


Run time: 7:28

Press Play on the player above or download the episode here by right clicking and selecting "Save target as..."

Or check out the video version:

Ramblings Episode 593: Infinity Loop

An Android puzzle game with a light and dark side. I know the power…


Run time: 8:03

Press Play on the player above or download the episode here by right clicking and selecting "Save target as..."

Or check out the video version:

Ramblings Episode 592: Star Trek Turns Fifty

Thoughts on the franchise that introduced me to science fiction. #RoaUMP


Run time: 10:33

Press Play on the player above or download the episode here by right clicking and selecting "Save target as..."

Or check out the video version:

Ramblings Episode 591: Climbing the Learning Tree

I’m starting to get the hang of WordPress. #RoaUMP


Run time: 8:13

Press Play on the player above or download the episode here by right clicking and selecting "Save target as..."

Or check out the video version:

Ramblings Episode 590: A Podcast Comment in King Author’s Court

Another set of feedback, this time a day early! #RoaUMP


Run time: 5:59

Press Play on the player above or download the episode here by right clicking and selecting "Save target as..."

Or check out the video version:

Ramblings Episode 589: Photography

I realized I am not as into taking pictures as I used to be. #RoaUMP


Run time: 10:49

Press Play on the player above or download the episode here by right clicking and selecting "Save target as..."

Or check out the video version:

Ramblings Episode 588: The Witness

A beautiful PC/PS4 puzzle game that will soon be on Xbox One. #RoaUMP


Run time: 10:23

Press Play on the player above or download the episode here by right clicking and selecting "Save target as..."

Or check out the video version:

Ramblings Episode 587: Finally Finished

I am finally ready with my pitch for the Roundtable Podcast. #RoaUMP


Run time: 8:17

Press Play on the player above or download the episode here by right clicking and selecting "Save target as..."

Or check out the video version:

Ramblings Episode 586: Inculcating a Love of Books

A letter from 85 years ago reminds me of something from high school. #RoaUMP


Run time: 9:32

Press Play on the player above or download the episode here by right clicking and selecting "Save target as..."

Or check out the video version:

Ramblings Episode 585: Radiolab

A review of a professional podcast telling fascinating stories. #RoaUMP


Run time: 16:32

Press Play on the player above or download the episode here by right clicking and selecting "Save target as..."

Or check out the video version:

Ramblings Episode 584: Time Off & Small Digits

I’m ready for a break and my fingers are too big for Android. #RoaUMP


Run time: 7:40

Press Play on the player above or download the episode here by right clicking and selecting "Save target as..."

Or check out the video version:

Ramblings Episode 583: Smash Hit & That Level Again

Break glass and experience lots of déjà vu in these Android games. #RoaUMP


Run time: 8:49

Press Play on the player above or download the episode here by right clicking and selecting "Save target as..."

Or check out the video version:

Ramblings Episode 582: Sad, Stupid, and Silly News

A trio of current stories that elicited different reactions. #RoaUMP


Run time: 9:12

Press Play on the player above or download the episode here by right clicking and selecting "Save target as..."

Or check out the video version:

Ramblings Episode 581: Squeezing All The Prose Out Of It

Still struggling to get this pitch done for the Roundtable Podcast. #RoaUMP


Run time: 8:40

Press Play on the player above or download the episode here by right clicking and selecting "Save target as..."

Or check out the video version:

Ramblings Episode 580: The Comments and I

Another Saturday, another batch of feedback, etcetera, etcetera... #RoaUMP


Run time: 12:03

Press Play on the player above or download the episode here by right clicking and selecting "Save target as..."

Or check out the video version:

Ramblings Episode 579: Book Vs. Movie Podcast

A new (to me) show that compares film and print versions of a story. #RoaUMP


Run time: 11:36


Press Play on the player above or download the episode here by right clicking and selecting "Save target as..."

Or check out the video version:

Ramblings Episode 578: Phyllis Triumphs and Wired Fails

Christiana Ellis finishes her serial story and some incomplete journalism. #RoaUMP



Run time: 8:04


Press Play on the player above or download the episode here by right clicking and selecting "Save target as..."

Or check out the video version:

Ramblings Episode 577: Android Game Review: Survive

An interesting survival game with impressive audio feedback. #RoaUMP



Run time: 16:23


Press Play on the player above or download the episode here by right clicking and selecting "Save target as..."

Or check out the video version:

Ramblings Episode 576: Nice Gals Finish First

A pair of caring Olympians receive a special award from the IOC. #RoaUMP



Run time: 6:43


Press Play on the player above or download the episode here by right clicking and selecting "Save target as..."

Or check out the video version:

Ramblings Episode 575: Act III in Progress

I’m making good headway on the Roundtable pitch. Also, focusing my online efforts. #RoaUMP



Run time: 6:54


Press Play on the player above or download the episode here by right clicking and selecting "Save target as..."

Or check out the video version here.

Ramblings Episode 574: The Comments Strike Back!

Another Saturday, moar feedback! #RoaUMP
Internet Archive



Run time: 7:01


Press Play on the player above or download the episode here by right clicking and selecting "Save target as..."

Or check out the video version here.

Ramblings Episode 572: The Hamiltome

I revisit the book all about the creation of this hit musical. #RoaUMP



Run time: 11:01


Press Play on the player above or download the episode here by right clicking and selecting "Save target as..."

Or check out the video version here.

Ramblings Episode 572: The Joy of Fixin’ Stuff

A homeowner’s work is never done. #RoaUMP



Run time: 8:30


Press Play on the player above or download the episode here by right clicking and selecting "Save target as..."

Or check out the video version here.

Ramblings Episode 571: No Man’s Sky

A mysterious video game from my past, and a new one that reminds me of it. #RoaUMP



Run time: 8:55


Press Play on the player above or download the episode here by right clicking and selecting "Save target as..."

Or check out the video version here.

Ramblings Episode 570: Gender Swapping Movies

Some sound good and some do not, but is this true change or a fad? #RoaUMP



Run time: 12:11


Press Play on the player above or download the episode here by right clicking and selecting "Save target as..."

Or check out the video version here.

Ramblings Episode 569: WordPress, ho!

Progress was made, but creating a synopsis is hard. #RoaUMP



Run time: 8:35


Press Play on the player above or download the episode here by right clicking and selecting "Save target as..."

Or check out the video version here.

Ramblings Episode 568: Comments 7

The first weekly batch of feedback. #RoaUMP



Run time: 9:45


Press Play on the player above or download the episode here by right clicking and selecting "Save target as..."

Or check out the video version here.

Ramblings Episode 567: Girl Genius

An awesome steampunk web comic with adventure, romance, and mad science! #RoaUMP



Run time: 9:06


Press Play on the player above or download the episode here by right clicking and selecting "Save target as..."

Or check out the video version here.

Ramblings Episode 566: Eat ALL the Things!

Today’s topics include my diet, the Olympics, and other random stuff. #RoaUMP



Run time: 6:52


Press Play on the player above or download the episode here by right clicking and selecting "Save target as..."

Or check out the video version here.

Ramblings Episode 565: Awesome Minecraft Building

I talk about the amazing design style of JackFrostMiner. #RoaUMP



Run time: 12:09


Press Play on the player above or download the episode here by right clicking and selecting "Save target as..."

Or check out the video version here.

Ramblings Episode 564: RSS for Newbs

A not-so-tricky concept that pretty much everyone has used. #RoaUMP



Run time: 11:05


Press Play on the player above or download the episode here by right clicking and selecting "Save target as..."

Or check out the video version here.