I have one of the 3g 16GB iPhones and here are a few of the apps I have found most usefull/fun



Peggle

Heavy Mach - fun side scrolling shooter

Labarynth - tilt the marble around the wooden maze, avoiding the holes and make it into the goal.

Checkbook - manage multiple checkbooks/accounts



if you are stuck in the bed for a while and you like fantasy I would reccomend Assassin's Apprentice by Robin Hobb



This is the first book of a trilogy that I have found intriguing.



Typed on my iPhone :-))

I have been really enjoying the turn-based strategy game Uni-War for the iPhone. Simple enough to pop it open and enjoy a quick game one-on-one with a computer player. Slick graphics, addicting gameplay, and three factions which really are different and nicely power balanced.



You can play multiplayer but I've hit an annoying bug while in that mode.

While my recurring medical condition doesn't require surgery I can almost understand what you are going through. Keep your spirits up and your humor about you and let the rest go where it will.

Please don't worry and just rest up and get better! Your pictures this year have been stunning. Each one is a special treat!



=) Liz

I am sorry to hear that your troubles have returned. I will pray that this time will hopefully be the last time. Take it easy and get well.

Hope you feel better very soon, Ryan.



As for iPhone apps/games, as a few people mentioned, I also recommend Spore.



My other favorites are

Bloom (ambient music generator--very cool, relaxing)

I Can Has Cheezburger (amusing little pics from lolcats, fail blog, etc.)

Pocket God (fun, gets boring after a bit, but it's updated enough to grab your interest again)

Montezuma (a Bejeweled variation, which is also what Puzzle Quest is (I have that on DS already))

Scramble (word making game)

Solebon Solitaire (lots of different solitaire games)

Smule's Leaf Trombone (music making and judging fun ;o) )



Again, feel better!

Please rest and get well, we need your talent.

I'm a new member that signed up when you had that discounted membership special going on. I do really enjoy your work. I usually prefer to keep silent but reading your blog about having surgery again made me feel bad for you. I hope thigns turn out well for you this time and you will be back on your feet soon. I think you have a great talent and look forward to viewing what you create, but please get some rest and don't rush it.



Don

My favorite app is a game called phase 10. It's very addicting and will take up a lot of time. Good luck with your recovery!

Good luck with the surgery.

Have a speedy recovery

So sorry about your surgery, Ryan! I hoped the last bout would be the end of this. I'm sending good thoughts your way and hoping for a speedy recovery. Take good care of yourself -- your fans will be here when you're back at your computer again.

...am just introduced to DB, thanks to the tech who set up for me my new computer. Living with a spinal cord injury since '70 ,and paralysis, I've had plenty of opportunity to experience surgery and recovery...well, not so much experience of the surgery - anesthesia - but lots and lots of recovery. Even developed a 27 year career around the aftermaths of surgery, particularly the pain that isn't corrected by surgeries. The opportunity for drama being as high as it is around these traumas it's a gift from deep within that resurrects the spirit into creative expressions - discoveries and expressions, crucifixions and resurrections - which are pretty easy to let fly and yield short bursts: the ash of what might have been. To use those fires to go for the deep, long burn is nothing less than being real about the humble truths, being willing to be shaped by what one discovers, honestly and generously. There is the life worth having a life for.



Your images - it's recognizable at first glance - come from, or cerainly resonate with, persistent attention to what's so and the ardor of a slow ember digging for the deep heat that one day sets the entire forest ablaze.



At 64 - next month - the question for me is: do I sign up for more recovery? after all, each day can be a stab at recovery for some. For more and more, I'm finding, it's resurrection or nothing. Enough of nothing already. About the other ...thanks for the inspiration, the connection.



DTobias

Hey man stick with it, you'll be good as "new" before you know it~!

Pocket God. Go nuts.



Feel better.

Hopefully this is a fix for good! My iPhone would love some prettiness!!!

Pocket Tanks. Fun game :)



Wishing you a speedy recovery, Ryan. Prayers are with you.

Just take it easy, go slow, and concentrate on getting better.



My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Get well wishes and three quick recommendations: If you like golf: Tiger Woods is an awesome adaptation for the iPhone. If you like the desktop tower defense genre; Field Runners is unparalleled. Finally, if you're into word games, wurdle is like a single player boggle that supports online stats. Praying for a quick recovery for you.

Just a quick note to say get well soon Ryan! Take it easy.

Haha if you want some games, check out Need for Speed, it's fun and has decent lasting appeal. Also Doom Resurrected just came out. But if you're like me and love the classics, download Sonic the Hedgehog.....OORRRRR Jailbreak your iphone, then add a NES, SNES, and Gameboy emulator to play some old school Super Mario Bros and Zelda Roms. That's what I'm all about. PLUS if it's jailbroken you can actually create a whole Digital Blasphemy Theme, which I would be ALL OVER... I've made themes in the past but a digiblas theme like the one I had on my first pocket PC 4 years ago would be rad.



Hope you're better soon!

I was very upset to read your last surgery was not a success, and I am hoping that this one is. Like others have said, while I truly look forward to each new wallpaper, your health is far more important than anything else! I know how well iphone apps can take your mind off of things, so have a good time with that. My only regret is that I have spent so much freaking money in that app store! Just take it easy and get the rest you need!

Try iFighter and Texas Hold 'Em if you're looking for diversions. Asphalt4 is a cool game too, but it's kinda expensive. Shazam is a must-have, and there's an app for Pandora. iZenGarden is pretty awesome too. Friend of mine wrote that, and it turned out to be really popular.

I was worried about you last week since you posted the wallpaper and never gave a written follow up on it so i thought something had happened, it never crossed my mind it was another surgery. Anyway my best wishes for you and a gift. About the iPhone well I can recommend either Pandora or Last.Fm(both free) and Let's Golf! if you are into the golf game thing. cheers!

One word for you man, iDracula. Best gaming app ever.

Get well soon!

hey ryan i hope that you get better soon. i know how it is to have surgery. it sucks really bad.

btw a couple apps that might intrest you if you get bored is the creeps and pocket god. and one that may be kinda helpful to you is called Jaadu VNC, it allows you to controll any one of your computers from anywhere in the world at any givin time. so you can check on renders and such from the middle of BFE.

but like i said. get better ryan... the world just seems dull without your artwork... cause like its said. to stand on the edge of existence, is to have the power to create a new one. and ryan, youve created an amazing new existence for all of us.

Ryan, hope you are feeling better and out of the hospital soon! Happy belated birthday and congratulations on your iPhone! I got a iPhone 3GS and I couldn't be happier.



Some top favorite apps of mine that I recommend to anyone:



- iBluesky (mindmapping)

- Scribble Lite (drawing)

- WB Capture (whiteboard image filter - fantastic, all the blokes at the office are jealous)

- Put Task Off (PTO)

- AP Mobile & USA Today (news, can post to Facebook, etc.)

- Lifehack (good advice for self improvement)

- YPmobile (yellow pages)

- Where to? (Simple GPS assistant for what you want to locate)

- Iconic Notes (Handy visual note organizer)

- 9-Toolbox (9 nifty tools)

- SplashID (store & encrypt personal info of various types, works great for syncing to desktop)

- Pandora (music, enough said)

- Public Radio (the new app that is great for news feeds)

- Remote (iTunes, etc. remote control)

- Shazam (music recognition app)

- Classics and Kindle (reading)

- AllRecipes (great food tool, with randomization.)

- Wordbook (dictionary, thesaurus, etc.)

- iBonsai (creates 3D bonsai art trees you can save screen shots to your camera folder with)

- Brain Challenge (game for refining smarts)

- 3D Logic (puzzle game with 3 dimensions)

- The plateau (Untangle game)

- Myst (yes like the old game - but for the iPhone! great gameplay too)

- Ancient Frog (relaxing great graphics game)

- Crazy Machine (along the same lines as Enigmo but with various physics puzzles)

- Trism (nifty, VERY addictive triangle-puzzle game, one of the greats!)

- geoDefense - (old style 80's arcade graphics tower game, but with some very nice flair)

- Midnight Pool (3D Pool - best one)

- HoldEm (Texas hold `em poker, very interactive characters)

- Sims 3 (addicting, control the life of a sim)

- Spore (control the evolution of a cell, fun game!)



Hope that helps you get started. Welcome to the addiction! ;-)



- Gabe

just a quick message to wish you a speedy recovery from your illness. being in hospital is bad enough, but recovery from surgery sucks. i hope it all goes well from here on.

So sorry to hear that you needed more surgery. My thoughts are with you.

Doom Resurrection for the iPhone. I don't have an iPhone, so I can't tell you what to expect...well, besides blasting large clumps of angry pixels into smaller clumps of less harmful (yet no less angry) pixels.



Get better.

With you all the way Ryan, just concentrate on getting well and recovering!



If work takes your mind off things then go for it, however don't overdo it! Not like we're gona be going anywhere :)

I'll always be a fan. So don't rush back until you are ready Ryan.



Be well. You have many people sending you good energy who love who you are through what you do.

Don't worry about us, your loyal members, we will be here when you get better. Take care of yourself.



I am however envious of your iPhone. I wish I could afford one. Well truth be told I can't afford to leave Sprint until my contract is up.



good luck



robert

don't know if anyone has suggested it by now, but try Galcon. A great game with both single and multi-player capabilities.



Go conquer.



And feel well.

Sorry to hear about your condition. Hope you get well soon!



About the iPhone, it's a wonderful device. :) I recommend searching for "Pinball dreams" (not sure about the title), but it's a conversion of the cult-pinball game released for the Amiga.

Geez, Ryan, you can't seem to win with this thing. Sorry to hear it flared up again. Keep fighting it, though. You'll prevail. In the meantime, don't worry about DB. We'll still be here when you come back. Get well.

I hope your recover soon!

Take your time getting better. Hope you enjoy your iPhone! I just got myself a 3G S and am loving it. Flight Control is awesome!!!

Sorry to hear you are down and out for now... you have my prayers and well wishes for a speedy recovery.



;-)

Have a speedy recovery! I hope you can keep your mind off things, I am sure you cant wait to get outside and breath the fresh air again!

So sorry to hear about your plight.

Hang in there though, we are all behind you 110% for a speedy recovery.

For all the pleasure you've given me with your wonderful images (Thank you!), a wish for a speedy, complete recovery seems woefully inadequate!

Take care and keep positive!

Ryan, I hope all the pain and discomfort from this last round will be the last of your ordeal with this issue.



I've got an iPod Touch and here are some apps I use frequently:



1) Air Sharing — file storage, viewing and sharing. Things like pictures, movies, and PDFs can all be viewed w/o Internet connection.

2) Monster Pinball — just a really really fun multi-table pinball with well crafted graphics and sounds.

3) ereader — a competitor to Amazon Kindle on iPhone but with a much better interface. Custom content is a little difficult to generate on your own but they have a massive library that is now never higher than $9.99 each.

4) Frenzic— a highly addictive game similar to Tetris as far as finding a good place to put the current piece.

5) Kindle for iPhone — I bought A Game of Throne for Kindle based on your recommendation. I got instant gratification by having the digital version of the book!

6) Stickwars— mindless fun on the cheap. Been buggy lately but it is active on updates.



Best wishes on a speedy recovery!

Tapped on my iPod!



Link33

Hi Ryan,



I hope you will feel better soon. I would like to add you to our healing list at Kabbalah4All.com if that is ok with you. May you be healed in renewed in body and spirit.



Light & Peace to you,



David

Sorry to hear you had to have surgery yet again. I pray things work out better this time and its the last time you have to go through this.



I think everyone else nailed most of the ones I already have. The only other one I would suggest is Labyrinth. Lot of fun and the more extreme difficulty levels can get pretty crazy.

...if I'm counting correctly, this is the fourth time you've had to go in for surgery. That really sucks...I definitely hope this is the last time (and I'm sure your insurance does as well!), as even minor surgery can be rough.



Regarding the iPhone, congrats, I just upgraded my iPod touch to the new iPhone 3G S (so it is my first iPhone as well). Of all the apps in the app store, I think I'm going to have to second Robin's recommendation of the Galcon app. It isn't anything extraordinarily flashy or out-of-the-box. Instead, it is most closely likened to an extremely solid space-based realtime game of Risk. What makes the game, however, is the multiplayer. I have logged more hours playing the Galcon online on my iPod touch and new iPhone over the past six months or so than my time on all other games together. Try it online and you will be addicted!



Anyways, the new images look great!

Best wishes with your procedure and recovery!

highly recommend Puzzle Quest: Chapters 1 and 2; at $8, it's $30 less than the original Nintendo DS version, and has twice the content. Probably the best handheld game I've ever played; it's like bejeweled on steroids, plus an RPG. Can be done in small chunks or for hours on end - very addictive.

Hi Ryan



Just take care of yourself. We wish you a speedy return to good health

I LOVE enshrouded and use it as my springboard background. The only app I must recommend to you is Redsn0w. Jailbreak that thing so you can use winterboard, and get theming! I can only imagine the awesome themes you could come up with.



www.redsnow.com <-- for jailbreak



www.thebigboss.org for all the info on the subject of iphone that you would wanna know.



welcome to the club!

I wish I had great words of wisdom and encouragement that I could offer... Just take care of yourself and don't worry. We'll be here when you get back.

I forgot to add: I look forward to seeing the new render of "Enshrouded" and also anything you wish to add to the Pickle Jar :D

I am sorry to hear you are suffering health woes again :( I can relate somewhat in that I have some ongoing health issues myself (though not bowel-related) and being ill is truly sucky. I hope you will soon feel better (I have added you to my prayers)!

As a Physical Therapist working Inpatient, I get to see people after all sorts of surgeries, injuries, and everything in between. Do what they tell you too and I can promise that it will speed up your recovery whatever it might be. Rest, but keep your body moving, it'll make for a quicker recovery.

Wishing you a speedy recovery.



Try Paper Toss, Blocked and Solitaire City for the iPhone.

Get well soon. My heart goes out to you.

I wish you a speedy recovery, and best of health!

I also think you should check out my own app on the AppStore: myGovernment (reference section).



"Enshrouded" has become my favorite piece to date - the realism is excellent (I've already had several co-workers ask me where I took the photo), and the artistry is superb!



Best wishes!

Heal well and quickly - we will all be here "patiently" waiting on your genius!

Take care and all the best.

I will add two words to the fire (at least one of which is a repeat):



Peggle and Bejeweled

I recommend Centipede. I've spent HOURS of my life with that. So much fun and there's the nostalgia thing. Play with headphones and it sounds pretty cool.

Like the rest have said. Relax and get better. I never mind waiting for your masterpieces and consider each one a joy to view.



All the best.

Bel

I have one word for you:



Peggle.

First off, I hope you feel better soon.



Second, one of the most fun iPhone games I know of is Galcon. There's a Lite version so you can try it out, then the full version costs $2.99 and includes multiplayer.



The only bad thing I have to say about it is that the AI is a bit straightforward in its approach, so you can figure out an almost-guaranteed-to-win strategy. And yet I still have fun with it. Plus, a single game of Galcon takes 1-2 minutes max, so you don't *have* to play for hours. (But you probably will...)



It's in the App Store; just search for "Galcon" and you'll find it.

Ryan:



I am so terribly sorry to hear about your surgery; I believe you said you have crohns/colitis? I have not personally experienced this, but through direct relations, I have much experience.



Ryan, I have no spiritual format in my life, but I hope to the cosmos that you heal and thrive for decades to come.



Best,

Maryann

Take it easy and get well soon. I hope this surgery works so you don't have to go through this pain again.

I feel for you on the bedridden thing. I had hernia surgery last week and was bedridden and still have to "try" to sleep on my back (which means I barely sleep each night). Hopefully you can be up and around soon.

Best wishes for a full and speedy recovery.

I'm recuperating from a septoplasty done yesterday myself... I hope you feel better soon. I'm curious what kind of iPhone stuff you might be thinking about, though :)

Just relax, chill and stay away from your computers for a bit. Doctor prescribes: Family, TV and doing *nothing*. Best wishes.

and a good and quick recovery.



Jens

Ryan, please take it easy and get well! Thanks for all you do!

Get well soon Ryan!

While your work is fantastic, it is *your* work and without the *you* part we have no fantastic work! So get better first :) We are all here waiting for you! All the best for a complete, speedy recovery!

I hope your recovery is speedy and without issue.

Forget the wallpaper. Get better first....THEN worry about wallpaper. 'course if your like me, sitting around lasts about 10 seconds and drives me crazy.

Hope you have a successful recovery. Our thoughts are with you Ryan.

Hope you feel better soon. It sucks when you're sick.

I wish you the best and speedy healing Ry.

I hope this time it was successful and that you feel better soon!