I used to think I was chaotic good, a DND alignment. I thought that I was unpredictable and liked that. Nope. At least, not completely. I like routine and so I like knowing when things will happen. Within them, I like surprises. That's a simplification but as a general statement it works. It's interesting to see it.
I cooked us breakfast! Pancakes but I found the stove has hot spots, so it was tough to make it come out exactly as I wanted.
Then we got the shopping done. We spent a lot and got a lot! It's amazing how little we had.
Oh, yeah. I let it get so low because our freezer has been forming ice and not in a good way. I figured there was something plugged with ice that I couldn't see. Well, since I was home most of Friday (kidney stones), I defrosted it and got rid of the ice and that solved the issue with the freezer. So, we moved everything back into here and went shopping and filled it and our cabinets.
Then I watched White Collar until it was time to meet our friends. I was having some pains but took my (last) pain pill for it. Still hurts a bit now and then but not bad.
We met some friends at a bowling alley. Wow, I suck. But it was fun! I have good form, mostly, but not much control with the bowl. Amazing how bowling alleys have changed! You just throw the ball! The computer figures everything else out! If not for the actual ball and pins, it's like the Wii!
I did have a few beers while there, which may have hurt the second game but it's tough, and probably unfair, to say that. It's not like I am a great bowler. I thought it might help with the stones but I probably would need to drink a lot more than I did for that to happen.
Then we shot some pool. Guys against girls and the girls trounced us! Again, though, it was fun to hang out.
Came home and read the trade paperback She Hulk #4. *sigh* I do like comics but it gets old when they can't contain a story into it. There are obvious cross overs and we aren't getting everything but enough for this story. I get it but it would be nice if a particular comic title didn't do cross overs. Of course, I keep flip flopping on this. I used to hate cross overs, then I didn't mind them if they made sense (like Batman/Detective Comics/Dark Knight cross overs but not Spider Man and Doom Patrol) but now, only reading trades, I don't like them. I want the full story, not hints at other things, especially when it will be a small part of that other comic. In any event, they also didn't finish the story, so I am not happy about that either.
Started Haunted Lands #3, Unholy. Not sure what I expected from this series but not what they did. I am glad they set one story during the Spellplague as it has been interesting to read. Now, they moved it to the "current" 4E timeline. Again, it started out well.
Playing a game called Torchlight. Honestly, it's just an updated Diablo. Not II, the original. You have a town above and are going into deep levels beneath it. It's fun but I am surprised they aren't in trouble for remaking Diablo.
Played a Star Trek game as well, Star Trek DAC. Not sure what the DAC means. The single player is okay but the online game is fun.
There is part of me that would love a new computer but not sure I should do that.
It's finally bed time. Short work week coming up.
We got a new rat but I will write on that later.
edg
Reading book two of the Haunted Lands. It's a DND novel set in FR, specifically in Thay. It's been good so far. I am surprised when it was set and am now really curious about book three.
Speaking of DND novels, I have to admit that the last Erevis Cale books disappointed me. I guess I had expectations about where the story would go and that's not what happened. So, the last trilogy was just "eh" for me. I read his LJ and apparently he and WotC have split ways. So, there won't be anymore. That's fine with me given how I didn't like this last set.
I am excited about the prospect of some new Dark Sun novels! I hope that happens and soon but it will probably be after the campaign, unless they got the authors started on it last year or early this year, it will be a while.
It's game night tonight! I will be using the new version of Masterplan which will show hit point bars to the players! I do like that. I think there were other updates and additions but none that affected me. I think he updated the wiki like capabilities of it but until he links things to combat or has true rich text formatting, I still use paper to flow my ideas. I find masterplan lacking in that sense but it's probably me. I do use some of it but not all.
The gaming wiki has been updated and has a lot of stories as well this week, for any who read it.
I keep meaning to connect my iPod to my computer to charge it and make some playlists. Do I remember? No.
No more kidney stone pains. So, that's good. No idea if I have passed them or if they are just waiting for later.
Downloaded and am trying Torchlight. It's a fun little game and probably worth the $20 after the two hour demo expires.
I also did buy a Star Trek game that was demoed on the DVDs. It looks to be a fun game and for $10 seemed a bargain! I got it installed but haven't played it yet.
Oh, yeah. Star Trek arrived yesterday from Amazon! So, that was fun to have but we didn't watch it. I don't know why but I don't like to watch movies during the work days as then the night seem to go by too fast. But, if we watch TV, that's fine and it works for me. In fact, last night, we watched Castle, BBT and Lie To Me, all good. I don't know why. Maybe it's because watching more seems like I did more, even if I didn't?
I am worn out on the FB games. They had long devolved to click fests but now I don't pay attention to them. So, I might not be doing those as much. It's my thought, anyway. Who knows if it's the case.
edg
Yesterday, spent a large portion of it with my cousin who lives in town. LOTS OF FUN! Her kids were gone and her husband was out for the first part of it. So, we talked and it was great. Then, we ended up going out to eat at a local place I hadn't been to before and it was good. (Chicken Alfredo and cheesecake for dessert!)
After that we went to 2012. It was about what I expected from the director and while a few scenes did take me out of the moment, the drama was quite good. There was only one thing I wanted them to show definitely, not in a gory way, but I think it would have made a better impact if they had.
(During some of this, my wife and her grandfather went to visit a relative in another town. In case my kidney stone acted up, I didn't want to travel. And my cousin, who works at the hospital, lives even closer. So, my wife told her she had to babysit me!)
It was a good day spent with them. I also played some cribbage with grandpa and ate the soup he prepared for lunch. We even made my wife eat the potatoes and turnips and she found she didn't mind them! Ha!
We are probably heading back after lunch.
edg
I am back in college and at the fraternity. I am miserable. I am not even sure why I went back to the fraternity as no one wants me there and they are happy to give me crap. I have no one on my side, either.
I remember trying to go to class. Getting ready is tough as everyone is harassing me. In fact, apparently me bringing things to the house meant that others could claim it. I had to fight to get clothes and books back. I remember trying to get my books and they have been hidden so I have to find them. Then I have to make sure they don't take them again but I am not sure what I do for that.
Getting around the fraternity was also a problem. They had made changes to the floorplans which made no sense to me. Now it was a long way around to get to the mail room. And stair ways would have contraptions blocking them such that I had to ask how to move them out of my way.
I tried going to class but that was a disaster as well. I wasn't prepared for the class and then the professor was dodging my questions. I remember trying to speak to him after and he turned into a monster. Didn't chase me, I just left, but still very strange.
Strange stuff. You'd think I would get over it some day.
edg
I think for myself I have had to teach myself to have a heart of stone. It's too easy for me to put my heart out there and have it hurt. After doing that for years, I am finally not doing it. I may have swung too far the other way, though, and now don't have it out there enough. I don't know.
My subject line is about being ignorant about the bad things of the world. It's not good. I know. We have to be active. We have to watch the government, and how we treat children and animals, and stand up for what we believe. It's obviously easier if we are ignorant but then it's also easier for people to abuse the systems and make things worse.
So, I don't see myself volunteering for the ARL because it would hurt too much when an animal wasn't rescued. I understand her wanting to rescue them rather than them being killed, er, euthanized. For me, I see her pictures of Corky, the rat, and I would feel bad if he wasn't adopted.
At the same time, in this instance, I am not the best pet person. I don't know why and don't feel like getting into it now but don't want another rat. After four years of having them, and loving them all. And having a broken heart after any one of them died, I am ready for a break from that.
As for ignorance about other things. I know I don't do enough but I usually don't think I can make a change to the system. All I have seen is government telling me what it will do, not asking me. So, I vote and that seems to be all I can do. But, again, perhaps I am staying willfully ignorant.
edg
• I'll respond by asking you five questions so I can satisfy my curiosity.
• Update your journal with the answers to the questions.
• Include this explanation in the post and offer to ask other people questions.
From
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dorei:1) what's your favorite RPG platform?
DND 4E.
It's been an evolution for me. If Alternity had been more heroic, I might have gone with it but being OOP is tough. I do like World of Darkness stuff but need to play under one game to really learn it. (We mixed Scion/Werewolf/Vampire and Hunter in the last game and while it was fun, and I did learn a lot, I would love to see a single campaign.) I did like Exalted but 2E combat is fracking slow and tough to learn or teach.
What it comes down to is that I used to find myself saying, "I wish DND did this . . ." and now I find myself looking at systems and saying, "4E handles this well with that . . ." So, yeah, definitely back to DND.
2) If you could choose a single social networking site to have never existed, which one would it be?
I say Dreamwidth only because I don't use it. I wasn't using Facebook very much but now am, and connected with a friend for lunch today through FB. While I like the games and the brevity of FB, I still prefer LJ and using a lot of words. Further, most days, these are the most socializing I get! So, I am fine with what I use, duh, and don't care about those I don't, double duh.
I guess I could go with MySpace as I do have an account there but haven't checked it in a year.
3) How old were you when you stopped believing in the Tooth Fairy?
I don't remember. I have two older siblings, a sister and
bodine who are six and five years older respectively. Whether they intended it or not, I think by age five or six, I knew there was no tooth fairy, Santa Claus, etc. If I believed in them beyond that, I don't remember it. 4) Will you have the steak, or the fish?
Steak. I have never preferred fish and now don't like the smell of seafood. (My wife is allergic to most seafood so I haven't even been around seafood in a decade.)
5) What's your favorite defense mechanism when you argue with your wife?
"Your hair looks great today, honey."
While I will say that, I tend to apologize quickly, probably to the point of "I'm sorry" not meaning much coming from me anymore. To me, it's a way to say, "I surrender, let's move on" in a way that, I hope, diffuses the situation. I am learning it doesn't always work.
[Asked my wife] She said tangents. We have a very different style of communicating. She wants to talk about a specific incident and why she is mad. I want to point out that there are many examples of her doing that to me and I ignore it, so why can't she ignore it when I do it?
Slept in to get rest. I don't seem to get the "good rest" until late in the cycle. So, I don't like to sleep longer but with nothing huge to do, I guess no big deal.
Worked on some campaign stuff. I got a lot more done on the weekend than I thought, as I didn't have tons to do. That's okay. However, I keep thinking of tons more to do, so it balances out. Assuming I remember the new stuff!
Watched a lot of Sarah Jane Adventures. It's getting better but is still a children's program. That's too bad as Dr who started out that way but I think as many adults as children liked it. Of course, I read that it's doing well over there, so it might just be me.
Watched V last night. Quite good! Really did well with the paranoia!
Almost done with Haunted Lands book one (it's a re-read as I got it before I decided to wait until I had all book sin the trilogy to read it) and then to book two. I am also re-reading the She Hulk trades I have as a new one came out and so am re-reading the previous ones before the new one. It's still quite funny!
Meeting a friend for lunch. In fact, I need to get ready for that at some point.
edg
I did watch some Sarah Jane adventures over the weekend. Better but still a bit "childish." I don't understand why a show that's for kids is written differently. I also watched some Poker as well as SG:U and our other shows. We had to watch Bones and Fringe via the web because our TiVo didn't get them for some reason. Baseball? I don't know but am glad for the web!
New BBT and Lie to Me tonight. Yay. Probably Castle as well?
I think we are switching game night to Thursday this week. We might not have everyone but we are missing half if we try and play Tuesday. At least Thursday, we might only be down one.
Re-reading book one of the Haunted Lands trilogy, Unclean. Then the other two in the trilogy. I have six or so stand alone books and a few more series that I have collected to read all at once ready for me.
edg
So, yesterday, I came downstairs to work on the campaign. Of course, I knew I would play Titan Quest some. And I did. I am enjoying it a lot. In fact, with one of the cheat programs, I was able to do some really cool "development" in that after completing the main quest, I now am saying that my character was messed up due to going to olympus and changed her abilities. Again, the cheat allowed me to do that. So, it's like playing a new, level equivalent character at the later stages of the game, which is really fun!
Anyway, then I did some other things. I am still looking at the Titan Quest mod creation tool to see if I can create "scenes" to show the players. I am still looking at this. It might work and well but it gets specific, so I have to be good at making scenes, so I don't feel like I have wasted time making something for one use when I could have been doing something else.
Finally, I started working on naming some files, and I still need to move things around and get better organized, when my wife called down and wanted to do something! I hadn't been working on it more than a half hour but it was still funny to me that I was just getting into it and then this happened.
Today, I started a bit earlier on that stuff and after only a few hours, I got a LOT of what I wanted done. So, I am quite happy with that. I have several things ready for next time but still have more to do for next time as well.
It's been a good weekend. Nice and relaxing. Got the Halloween stuff put away. Got most chores done. A few things that could be done here and there but not tons.
Weird work week in that there is a holiday on Wednesday. That seems strange. It will be nice as then I can stay up after gaming. But I think a longer weekend, on either side, would have been better. Having said that, a divided work week might be nice.
I am getting into some FB applications but only in that they help me procrastinate at times. A few are fun but most new games to me are. It's the staying power that really matters.
edg
Then, it's as if we went somewhere but it is still our new place. A couple has shown up and they ready a mini gun. They are going to shoot up our place for some reason! I ask them to stop but am intimidated by the big gun they have so don't push it. Eventually, they use it to cut the second floor, which is where our stuff is and what I am worried about, nearly off. It also goes through the house and into neighboring houses. Then the wife comes, packs up the gun and they lave.
Now, we are inside a house, don't know if it is ours or not, and watching some pets they have. There was a cat who could stretch so much with his neck that the neck was less than a half inch across! Then a slug is going across the floor but I bug dies near and the slug somehow raises itself up, hopes over and drops on the bug to eat it. There are dogs and they are kept in a kind of kennel and even I don't think it's good for them. I am trying to play with all of the animals but there are too many of them and I am weirded out by some of them, such as stretchy cat.
This was such a weird juxtaposition of things that I have done but changing the surroundings. It's a bit weird when I first wake up.
edg
I did a lot of prep work this week, in terms of getting things ready, but still need to remember them at the table. I had switched around the tools I was using, such as TableSmith, but went back to EBoN for names. I think it does a much better job with names. In fact, I am so excited about this little detail that I almost want to retcon names to make them follow this pattern.
In fact, I realized that I got lazy and stopped doing prep work, such as the boring data entry, and so scrambled a bit to catch up. If I would remember to do a dozen monsters a week and get them into Masterplan, it wouldn't be bad. It also helped that I got a clear picture of what I wanted to do this week. That helps brings things together. Now I have to do that every week!
Haven't watched V yet. Hope to tonight. We did watch BBT and Castle on Monday. Good stuff!
Eastwick has been good as well. I am hoping that sticks around.
I have liked Stargate:Universe but that was when I had four to watch. Now that I am back on a weekly schedule, I am tempted to build up some to watch all at once. I think that helped it. It helps most dramas to see things at once instead of having to wait a week.
Not reading a book. Finished Rise and Fall of a Dragon King and I liked it. Probably the best, helped by the other two, even though I found it tough to read the others by the same author. I liked the history stuff in this, even if I won't use it for my own campaign but it has generated some good ideas for me. I do need to pick out the next book.
Still playing Titan Quest. Closer to the end of the main game! Been a while since I finished a game. As much as I love computer games, FPS games are the ones I finish the most. Even then, though, I don't finish them all. I still don't understand why Deus Ex is lauded as I found it a poor game. I load it up every couple of years and try again and still don't finish it. By comparison, I have finished Max Payne, and Max Payne 2, probably three times each. Of course, I also didn't finish Baldur's Gate 1 or 2 nor any of the 3E DND computer RPGs. They start well with a story but by chapter two I am usually so bogged down with sub quests that I forget what the heck I am actually working toward!
Digressing back to gaming, I have tried to take that to heart with my own campaigns. I used to have a lot of wondering around as well but then went for story and had everything relate to the story. Now, that I have done both extremes, I am trying to find that balance of randomness in the story but still having a story. The problem is that I am approaching RPGs as entertainment and to that end, they have to make sense! So, I don't think I can have tons of things that don't relate to the story but I can have a few random things now and then.
edg
Kaylee Frye: That's good right?
Zoë Washburne: It's possible you're not recalling some of the cap'n's previous plans.
Been playing a lot of poker on the computer against the computer. If I calm down, pay attention and play well, I do well. It's a duh but I am playing the WSOP '08 Main Event and so it takes a long time to simulate the game. I have to beat out over sixty five hundred opponents! So, it takes time, patience and discipline. Not that I think I will play in the Main Event ever in my life but it's been fun to learn good poker or at least what I call good poker. The poker program I am using simulates the time as well, unlike the other poker program I use. I tell it how many hands are played per hour and it uses that, instead of being by hand or time. Otherwise, it would actually take me days to play it and I am not looking for that at this point.
V premieres tomorrow! And we saw part of the old series on SciFi (I refuse the other name) which was their point, I am sure.
Worked on ideas for the campaign and got some good ones. Some details to figure out but nothing terrible.
Talking to the home game DND group to see if we are going to play one more time this year or early next.
I don't do the writing in November but good writing to those on my list that do!
edg
Today was good. Played a LOT of Titan Quest, which has been nice. Might finish it this time! I then started playing with the editor to see if I could use the Egypt stuff to create scenes for my Dark Sun game. I don't know. Maybe. I don't see any way to do a screen grab, but maybe I can create something and then do so in game? But I don't want a character in the shot. And is it worth it? Can I create a video?
Then I wonder if I would be better off making some things in SketchUp. But the problem is that my gaming laptop isn't powerful in terms of graphics or the graphic card. It can only play basic games, like my poker games, nothing with any sort of game graphics. So, should I push it? Is it worth it?
I don't have a good answer. It's also a matter of what I can do in the time I have and if I can re-use it and get more shots from it. Still playing around. I think I gave myself a deadline of Tuesday but maybe I have to push it back a week, or more, and play around more.
I do need to firm up some ideas with the campaign. I have some ideas but need to write them up. I was starting to force myself to conform to Masterplan but as a tool, it needs to do what I need it to do, not me conforming to it. So, I need to think about that. I do need to enter more monsters into it as they have advanced now. Further, I need to get picture in there as they do look much better on the combat maps.
What I really need is a way to "ad lib" since that's my style. I have asked for updates to the map but the creator doesn't give a timeline or tell what he is working on within it. He certainly doesn't owe me that but it would be nice. He has said a new update, going to a new version, will be up in November. So that might be interesting.
We watched some of our TV but not all. They were good. Supernatural is doing some good writing. I assume they aren't doing the main storyline as they are building up to it. It's fun stuff.
Well, I don't know if I will lay down yet but I should go soon.
edg
Probably explains my dream that my wife brought home five or six really tiny ratties and now we had more. They were cute but I was still not happy as it's so tough when they die.
I have been sleeping okay but waking up at a "bad" time in the middle of the night such that when my alarm goes off, I am dreaming and it's tough to get up. It takes a snooze for me to do it and then I feel like I am late. I'm not, or no more than a few minutes, but it feels worse.
Watched Castle's Halloween episode. Great opener and ending scenes!
Watched Lie To Me and that was good as well. I think that's a great show. Tim Roth does a great job and is a lot of fun to watch.
Then went to bed a bit early as I was tired.
No real order to the above. Just as I thought of it.
edg
I haven't done this for a while and I wonder if I missed it? I mean, it was an easy routine to fall back into, just playing a game. And it was Titan Quest, so it's real easy to say "I will stop at X point. Well, Y point. Z point? Damn, HOW much time has passed?" I am really enjoying it this time around. In fact, I was playing Diablo II but switched to this because the things I was complaining about in Diablo II are in Titan Quest, more because it's newer than anything else.
It's too bad that reviewers don't like clones. While it's very tough to deny TQ is not a clone of DII, the improvements and differences in it make it a different game. There are a LOT more choices in TQ and the interface is MUCH better! And those make a difference in the game play, imo, that DII doesn't have.
What I also like about these games is that I am just playing along and ding! I level up! I am not looking for it and it happens! So, that's fun.
Now if they would make a DND game like this. As good as the NWN series is, and it probably has more "role playing" than most cRPGs out there, what I love about this game is how it transitions from map to map seamlessly. That's very cool and I would love a persistent map like that for a DND game, specifically FR or Dark Sun! I doubt that will happen but I would like to play a DND game with that style of map instead of load times.
After playing, I surfed a bit then went to bed. And I slept well even though my wife's alarm went off at five am. I didn't think I would get back to sleep but I did. And I am feeling pretty refreshed.
So, here's the thought I had. I have been trying to change the variables in what I do at night to help myself sleep. I eat nothing after eight. I try some protein after nine. I don't drink after seven. I drink something at nine. I take my meds at seven, eight, nine, when I go to bed. Nothing seems to be consistent with what helps. Last night, after playing a computer game, I slept pretty darn well. Better than I have in a while. Is that it? Did playing a game for that long help? Was it a fluke? It's an interesting theory to test and see if it holds.
We didn't get to our normal shows last night (Lie to Me, Castle, BBT) but did watch the premiere of White Collar. I liked it! A good show! USA network really has some outstanding shows!
Gaming tonight. Been thinking about it a lot and working with people on some character stuff. A few things to do before tonight. Hopefully I have time when I get home.
edg
I was worried about what we would do for jobs there. I want to say that either I didn't have one or had interviews or something. I am surprised at how calm I was about all of the change but since it was a dream, maybe I shouldn't be too surprised.
I don't think I have dreamed this before. We thought about it a lot, especially when we were first in DM, but wouldn't have been able to move. As much as we loved CR there aren't a lot of jobs for us there, as we found out.
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Not sleeping the best but will be going back on sleep aid medicine and seeing how that will help. I think getting back to regular doses of allergy meds will help me as well.
Gaming this week looked to be weird but I think it's going to be Tuesday. Either way, we are going to be down a person and so I think it's better to stick to the routine. I want to get the routine changed to Thursday but I don't think that will happen soon.
I had more to say but lost it.
edg
Friends were over and that went well.
Starting playing Diablo 2 again. Just dinking around. Also playing my FB games.
Got the write up for the game wiki done. Hopefully it makes sense for any who read it.
More prep work is needed for the game. As usual. I think they might be advancing a bit quick but hopefully it will average out in the end. I think we are playing on Wednesday again due to scheduling. I would like to play on Thursdays, myself. I don't care if I am tired on Friday! And am less likely to be sick when people know it's my gaming night, as I don't want people to think I had a game but then didn't go into work the next day. I wonder if we could switch to Wednesday without losing anyone or even Thursday? I just like Thursday as the game night.
1E/2E DND were definitely wargaming with role playing as an add on. 3E I am torn about. Maybe a 'tweener in those terms, with aspects of both. The problem is that it plays very differently depending on the levels chosen. 4E is definitely role playing. Or, more than previous editions. This isn't an attack on any of them! For any who are playing, I hope they enjoy what they are doing. I like 4E as I think DND has finally gotten rules to support better role playing while still having fun, over the top, combat.
As I looked through the 1E DMG or read about old school modules, there is a distinct difference between modules and games today than thirty years ago. Duh, I know, but it's not always obvious when you have things memorized and it's all you know. It takes that new perspective to see what something else was doing.
Haven't been to the Y or exercised. I have been a bit more active and doing things but not exercise.
Finished Lost Symbol by Dan Brown. It's tough to say I didn't like it when I did finish it and wanted to read what was next. At the same time, though, it has his hallmark misdirections and chapter switchings that are annoying. There are some other things I could nitpick but I guess I would rate it 3/5.
Not sure what to read next. I think my brother would have me read Roma. I am leaning toward some DND novels.
Tired. Not sure why as I got decent sleep last night. Well, mostly decent for me. Weird dreams but I don't remember them now.
Behind on our TV. Lots to watch.
Watched a you tube video of an alternate Doctor Who set in the Star Wars Universe. But, it didn't do much in part one, so other than saying I will be watching it as the new parts come out, I can't say much else about it.
Just a lot of little things of my life.
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We have friends over this weekend.
Finished up Lost Symbol. eh. Maybe eh+. I had a problem in it because once again he asserts all of the science and background stuff is true. But, once that was wrong from my understanding, several things he was building were strange to read. Then, he did his typical writing style, while good, gets old quick. The lead up to a big reveal but then it doesn't happen for another chapter or two. blah. I could see me not reading him anymore, or only reading his older ones that we have in illustrated form, because of it.
Not sure what to read next. Got a lot of Dr Who magazines and am looking at them. Well, trying. Still have one more Dark Sun book to read. Lots of gaming books and novels to read, including Salvatore's Transition series. Many more series, gaming and other that we got while my wife was still in PBS.
Watched two Dirty Jobs. He was a window washer on a 40 story building. NO way! It's a good show. Lots of Mythbusters to watch and Modern Marvels, of course.
We did watch Lie to Me and Bones but then stopped as our friends were going to arrive. I liked them!
Been doing the games in FB a lot. I really like Mobsters 2. Lots more choices and it flows better, although there are still some "traps" it does that don't make sense. Pirates was good as I finally managed to finished a low level tier. Happy about that. So, yeah, they are still pulling me into them. I would love an offline version of something like that but it would have to be redesigned as some elements are time based, which probably shouldn't be done offline.
Well, off to give blood and then maybe get a haircut if I can.
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I had this good idea and I think it went well, for the most part. The group was wanting a reason to be good, instead of just out for themselves, so I had them go to these doors from a previous adventure. When they opened them, they woke up in a ruined house and find out it's six months later. They are feared in their old area, having killed and taken over for the previous boss.
People owe them money and want their children or other loved ones back. They are begged not to sell them into slavery until they get a chance to free them. They beat up and put people into slavery. They are real bastards. (At one point, they are able to talk to themselves but I forgot to put the goatee on them so they know they aren't nice anymore! :)
All of that worked well but then as I left it a bit open ended, they did a few things to take me off guard and I had to improvise. Now, normally, that's not an issue at all. However, with a remote player and wanting to show him what's going on, and we don't use minis anymore, it's a little bit more difficult to improvise things. I think I did well with it and am happy how it all turned out.
I haven't updated the wiki yet. I will need to work on that.
We did have one issue with the internet but it was at 10:30, yep we were still going then!, so it was late enough that it didn't hurt us that much.
All of this was very new to me. Or, if I have done it before, it wasn't as successful as this was. I think it helps to have great players who are willing to go along with it. And it was fun to watch them realize how bad they are, either for real or by reputation, and be repulsed by it.
Then, I got to bed way too late and am sure I will be tired today.
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We set up an area for his computer. We get the programs installed. We get some games we play installed. (That did happen at one job.) Then we build the loft beds. (?) About this time, the boss comes around and makes sure things are going well. I return some books I borrowed from her and some other things.
At the end of the dream, we are trying to go to something but I have to shut down my computer and it keeps doing some game demos. So, I keep trying to shut those down before leaving but it isn't happening. I don't finish that before I wake up.
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magependragon!!!Sorry I am late! I hope it's been a good birthday month for you!
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We watched BBT and it was good.
Then we watched Castle. It's amusing! I think it's because of Nathan Fillion. He does a GREAT job.
We had more to watch but decided to "read." I put it that way as I didn't read but played on FB, either Mobsters 2 or other games. That's okay. I do like the interface of Mobsters 2. It's like it took the best of the previous FB games and put them in there. And the gameplay is pretty good as well, for this type of game.
I did watch some more Psych episodes. Again, it's amusing. However, watching a lot in a row doesn't seem to work for this show. Leverage, I can watch them back to back and did. This show? Not so much. It's not bad but there is something about it that stops me from doing that.
Cleaned out the TiVo of shows and season passes. Some were easy, some were not. Getting rid of the Modern Marvels was tough. I kept the ones that might be related to gaming but even then, I know that I don't use much, if anything, from it. Gaming, like other forms of entertainment, ignores reality for the drama, as it should. And knowing more about a subject isn't always good as then it's too easy to get bogged down into details that aren't needed while gaming. Also got rid of Cities of the Underground and some old season passes of shows that I don't need as season passes or that were canceled.
I am on day six of no meds. It's weird. My head sometimes feels . . . detached? I am not sure how to describe it. It's as if there is a delay as I move my body for my head to catch up. Not literally but it is weird. I am sleeping worse. I am waking up more and not getting to sleep as easy. My thought with this "detox" was to clean things out so when it started up again, I would sleep well. I will see if that works.
Reading Dan Brown's Lost Symbol. Eh. His basis is again on things that don't exist the way he explains them and once again he claims they are all real. Um, no. In this one, the main science is wrong. I will grant him that his other Langdon novels may have had shreds of truth but this one is off. Or maybe I am in a different place since reading the other books and am more critical. If you are going to use a "science" as the basis of the novel and the "science" is wrong, it's tough to give the rest of it credit. When I read all four of his previous books in a three week period, I got sick of them at the end and I could tell what was going to happen, at least from a trope perspective. I feel like I am at that point already with this book. Having said all of that, I will finish it.
Not sure what I will read after that. I picked up some Dr Who magazines and might read those. I am wondering if I should get a subscription of it?
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In any case, came up with what I hope are some good, workable ideas for the campaign. We don't play tonight, it's a special Wednesday session as one of the remote guys is in town. I still need to work the details but I am excited about the new ideas I have.
I ran out of my meds. Pretty much all of them. (I take a sleep aid and Lexapro for anxiety.) I can now feel my body coming down from them. At least, I hope that's what is happening or my body is really acting weird right now! My head feels like it's floating at times as the medicine leaves my system. I don't have an appointment until next week and haven't checked to see if the doctor renewed the prescription.
Weird topics to put together but it's what I thought about at the moment.
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Dollhouse: This was a very rough episode. It jumped into the action but not in the best point. The whole show seemed quite . . . off. While I like the show overall, I think it was developed too quickly. I think Joss and company could have used another six months or a year to get things "just right." That's probably not fair, as I am not an expert, just my opinion.
(As I said on Facebook, "Opinions are easy. Ideas are hard.")
Eastwick: I don't like the actor playing Darryl Van Horne. I think that makes it tough to watch. However, this past episode didn't have him in it much and I liked it better. I don't remember the movie, so I don't know if they came into the powers quickly there, but I do like them easing into learning their powers, with one's being obvious and the others trying to figure out theirs.
I watched a few episodes of Psych. I like that it's not serious. Mostly. However, they are making the main cop almost too comical such that he is starting to look incompetent. I think they need to dial that back a bit. However, the main story is done well and I like the show.
We didn't get to BBT or any of the other Monday shows as we went to bed early. Also, still haven't seen last week's flashForward and Fringe. Just means more to watch when we do!
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I guess I missed the snow in my town. Darn.
Reading Armstrong's latest.
Watched History channel on guns and ammo with R Lee Ermy. Interesting stuff but would like more info in a show instead of it being so spread out. *sigh* That's typical, unfortunately.
Slept eh.
Forgot all of my meds. And I ran out of my happy meds and the doctor didn't renew it before I left so next week could be blah.
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We didn't watch any TV last night. My wife went to the ARL for the cat class and had fun playing with the cats. Her LJ entry talks about it all but I don't have a link for it.
I finished the Alpha and Omega book by Patricia Briggs and am not onto Kelley Armstrong's latest book. After that, perhaps back to Dark Sun and then DND novels.
I should probably read some DND rule books. It's though, though, because now there is tons of information for the players but not as much for DMs. Should make it easier for me to read what I need as a DM and I am trying. However, playing Dark Sun, there is also a lot that isn't as relevant. The standard planes don't apply. Several power sources have to be changed. etc. I don't know if I am being lazy or not. I will say that DND books have never been fun to read, compared to White Wolf which is more about the fluff, in general, than rules.
Heading up to see my parents this weekend. I should be back Sunday sometime.
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Masterplan worked well but with room for improvement. It would have been tough to track hit points by hand but figures would have been easier and quicker to move around, rather than one token at a time. So, a mix but overall still better. It was tempting to break out the Dark Sun minis, though. And, I wonder if they will come out with world specific minis next year once Dark Sun hits?
In fact, I wonder what they will do with Dark Sun character in the character creator in general? Will there be an option for specific settings in the character creator to signal it's for Dark Sun and set or allow certain options that aren't available elsewhere? They have said they are going to change the rules a bit to have 4E better fit Dark Sun, so I am assuming that means the choices for Dark Sun won't fit everywhere else. In any case, I want it now! And it will be interesting.
We did get some role playing done but it took the back seat to the two long combats we had. I wouldn't have done this if one player, who doesn't like combat, had been there but figured it would work for the players who would be there. (Four couldn't make it, so it was two players but it worked well.)
Got to bed late because of it and then woke up early and couldn't get back to sleep. This day has been going slow because of it.
Haven't been to the Y in a while. *sigh* I had great intentions but it hasn't happened as well as I would have liked. I am hopeful about going tonight but if I am tired, it might not happen.
It was my father's birthday yesterday. I called him a couple of times to see how his day went. I will be going up this weekend to see them and celebrate in person.
I left a bit later for work because I finally created some play lists on my iPod. I also renamed some albums so it was more useful to me. I had several named "greatest hits" for example with no idea who it was! Yes, not tough to find out but this made it easier. So, right now I am listening to a Cranberries playlist. I only got their first three albums, I think. Anyone know if they have more? Are they good?
Watched another episode of Leverage. Good show! Fun to watch!
Watched a bit of poker as well.
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That's funny! I would like to be able to do that to them!
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I think I will go backward, chronologically speaking.
Had weird dreams last night. Being out in space and involved in some mission but having problems and trying to work past them. (That was vague. I remember walking around in a space station, going to various modules for food, sleeping, etc. At one point, either I was sealed in something or someone else was and I was helping or watching. The case was covered in ice and cold to the touch. The problems were personnel related, trying to help people get along. Then, at the end, wandering in some of the modules or buildings and meeting people I know but they are acting weird. It was like small insights into each person but they are so quick, I can't remember most of them. Darn it.)
Started and watched three episodes of Carnivale. It has started well and we are interested. We stayed up a bit late to watch one more episode.
We put up Halloween decorations! I will have to take pictures and post them as I am quite pleased with them!
We went out to eat with a friend. That was cool!
Watched more Leverage. I like it! And it's one of the few shows where keeping most of them mysterious and not delving into the backgrounds works. Sure, we get a few things here and there but they usually focus on the case, and it works for me.
Did not watch Dollhouse yet. Still have some Psych to watch. Amazon on Demand is bad. Actually, what's bad is the limited downloads we seem to get. I don't like that as it means less space. Have to figure that out.
I did get some stuff done for the campaign and some good ideas. Found out about Masterplan and why the maps were looking bad. Had to rework a few but no big deal. It was quick and they look much better for it.
My wife and I have been watching flashForward which is about everyone in the world is out for 137 seconds and they have visions of the future. Of course, in the show, it's quite dramatic about what they are doing. My wife and I agree that our flash forward would be the same thing. Us sitting on the couch watching TV! It would probably ruin a show by seeing close to the end. :) yeah, we are so exciting! But, we like our lives just fine!
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Day two of the anniversary weekend. We were lazy yesterday and there doesn't seem to be any end of that in sight at the moment. I did walk down for milk but that was about it.
Watched a clip of the upcoming 2012 movie. Hmm. As someone else said, it's not the end of the world on the Mayan calendar but the end of an age. Big difference. But, as others are saying, it's good, mindless end of the world eye candy SFX.
Still reading the Cinnabar Shadows. I am finding it a tough read to get into. It's not a page turner but it's good. I like its focus on Urik and its leader. It has had some good ideas for my own Dark Sun game, which is nice. It's just not a page turner. I have the final DS book that I am going to read after this. (I skipped the Simon Hawke one as I didn't like his Tribe of One books.)
Playing the old '93 Dark Sun game. The graphics aren't great, of course, but that's more of it's age than the work done. It's a fun game so far. It's weird playing 2E rules. Multi class Fighter/Psionicist! Preserver/Cleric! Psionics are also very strange.
Watching a lot of Leverage. I like it! Reminds me of Hustle! We have a few things to watch as well. I have heard eh about the new Stargate show.
Max let my wife pet him for almost an hour! It sure is a change from us being "scared" of him and not wanting to get bit!
Watched a bit of poker as well. It's still entertaining. Not sure if I will call up the old poker group or not.
New cell phone is okay. The few times it has rang, I haven't had it one me! Doh.
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In fact, it's interesting because as I think of it, I can be sarcastic but long ago found that it caused more problems than it solved, even when used in jest. And maybe that's the point. So, i don't use it. I do know some people who can use sarcasm very well and make some very funny, biting remarks but then aren't held accountable for it because "it's who they are." Sadly, I am not one of them.
I think it's the same as wisdom in comedians, when they mock politicians or ask good questions but these questions aren't repeated in a serious way, which is too bad. Because it is coming from a comedian, it is not treated with the same respect as if from a reporter, as if any reporter would dare ask a tough question.
I've painted myself into this corner, so to speak, and could break out of it if I wanted. I just don't know that's is worth the effort to do so.
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While I liked the idea, the idea of it being a laser in a fantasy game bugs me. I was thinking of criticizing the design for this. It is my understanding of lasers that the leading end has a "punch" to it, an initial hit of energy, which could shatter, or otherwise ruin, a mirror, or other polished surface. (It's this punch that was supposed to bring down a missile, for example, in the old Star Wars system proposed back in the 80s.) We don't see that as consumers because all we have are the milli-watt lasers and their punch is negligible.
(Okay, I wanted to verify this and I think it is true from what I read. Certainly, since a laser can be used to cut metals, over time the surface would get worse and would eventually be destroyed.)
As I thought about doing it, though, I wondered if people would come to the defense of it because it was "cool" and that's all that mattered. Or I wondered if they would fall back on "it's magic" for the defense and leave it at that. It is cool. I can't argue that. But how did a low tech, high magic society, think of creating a "laser".
Okay, this sat for a while and I think I answered my own question.
For myself, I don't mind criticism but I want constructive criticism. And how I am defining that is pointing out what is wrong AND giving me an option on how to fix it. Anyone can say they don't like something and there is nothing to argue. But, having a well thought out reason for it, which is presumably also what the criticizer doesn't like about the creative work, gives it more credit, imo, as it then offers that solution.
So, going back to the above example, I would either have to say it's just sunlight, and use magic where needed for light to open the door or make the creature vulnerable, or make the beam magic, maybe even special magic, to achieve the same effect.
And again, answering another question, it could be said that the point is the person should be ready to back up their criticism if called upon. Think about the answer.
Where this really started was my thinking about how politicians deflected questions by making it appear as if the question was un-American. That we shouldn't question the President, for example, when that is *exactly* what we are *supposed* to do! I do think that even in those cases, having thought about it, instead of a knee jerk reaction, and thinking about alternatives would be good. The problem being that each (political) side doesn't want to help the other, so all they do is criticize and they had to come up with a good way to make empty criticism valid.
*sigh*
Working that out, while probably easy and obvious to some, just makes me sick of politics, politicians and others that do that type of deflection. No one likes to be criticized, and I am not different, but I would hate to think that I don't listen to valid, constructive criticism.
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One of the things I am noticing between men and women when it comes to role playing is that the women like the character interaction and men like the combat. Now, this is a generalization and can cause problems, certainly. And I only have anecdotal evidence at best but I have seen this with my wife and the few other women that I have DMed.
Further, regardless of the system, combat slows the game down. It can take *hours* to run a few minutes, or less, in game time because of how the game simulates combat. Even "only" requiring one roll to hit and damage, as in the new WoD game, it can still take an hour to run combat. In a four hour session, that's a lot!
Here's the thing. For me, it's still fun because I can find as much character definition in combat as I can in non combat. In fact, back in college, I had a creative writing class and while I don't think I changed anyone's mind, I argued this same point back then. To me, there is a difference in how they approach combat that can help define a character as much as interaction with an NPC. How a character attacks is very telling. Do they enjoy combat? Do they like inflicting pain or seeing pain in others? Or do they only do what they have to do? Do they try and minimize suffering? Or do they maximize suffering?
Now, it's possible that some of you do this already. I have tried to do it with varying amounts of success with my groups over the years. As this happens during combat, it draws combat out even longer, which can then backfire in what I am trying to do. But I do think there is character development. Maybe the issue is that most of the time, it's internal as each player thinks about it and what I am hoping is to bring that out and make it something to be shared.
So, for me, even though I don't like all of the nitpicky little details that can happen in combat, I do think it's a place for character development. And therefore, I can still enjoy combat as part of a role playing game.
I hope that makes sense.
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I added vibrate to the incoming calls so that it will alert me. Of course, years ago when I had that, it usually made me jump. Didn't help that most of the time on that job, I was dealing with panels and equipment that could shock me, which is usually what I thought had happened!
So, yeah. Getting used to it.
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I did manage to make it to the Y for a bit. Unfortunately, they closed an hour earlier than I was hoping, so I didn't get my full forty minutes, but did get twenty five minutes. I am hoping to make it tonight.
We watched a lot o' TV. Watched the two episodes of Dollhouse on the DVDs. One was said to air but I am getting conflicting reports about that. And there are some interesting things in it but I suppose nothing that's crucial for the show. I did think that the opener of Dollhouse had a LOT going in it. Maybe too much for a new viewer? It was good but very busy.
I didn't fall asleep very fast. I was too warm or something as I couldn't get comfortable. But, it wasn't as bad as it could have been, so that's nice.
I did get some stuff for the campaign done but still feel like there is always more to do! It's tough as well. I have some cool tools to make up random things. However, I am left wondering how much should be random or if it should be about the story? Of course, that's a big question of style! Do random things happen? Or are they all connected to a storyline? I do think I need a few random elements but am not sure how much.
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Last night was a dream with the ST:TNG cast. It's like I was filming an episode and had to get things right. A few scenes were underwater and those were tough to shoot. I didn't have equipment, so had to hold my breath and it felt tough.
Unfortunately, that's all I remember.
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I still think phones are overpriced, in terms of the "retail" amount they claim. I think they upped the prices, so they could immediately drop them when you get a phone, to make it look like you save money. Yeah, right. Technology keeps getting cheaper but they expect us to believe that these new phones are 200% more expensive than phones from three years ago? Riiiiiight. However, the person helping us was nice and seemed more "real" than a saleswoman as she did fumble with the demos on a couple of phones. And she didn't try to cover it up. Just said that she wasn't used to them. I was impressed by her.
Of course, I also didn't realize it would take two hours to get the phones. And that's from the point we decided on them! Then you have to go through accessories, extras, calling plans, transfer of data, and everything else. It wasn't bad but it took time!
After that, I went to play some poker. This is the same group I played poker with back in January. I didn't think much of it then but was craving some poker. Yeah. *sigh* I am probably a poker snob but listening to them talk, it's obvious they don't have the basics about poker down, other than hands and what wins. They are ATC ("any two cards") players and chase things far longer than they should. At the same time that I complain, it was live poker again, and that part wasn't bad. Most of them are typical guys, or not geeks, and so were talking sports and paying attention to a game on TV as we played. So, it's really two strikes against them, in terms of playing with them, but until I see if my old group is still playing, it's all I got. Probably unfair to complain about them but eh.
I got back and did some setup with my phone. Then went to bed.
Watched some more Clone Wars this morning. I should go to the Y but I ate so will only be burning that. *sigh* At least I had the thought. It's not completely gone from me. I hope. But, if I don't do well in going next month, there's no reason to keep the membership, even though the facility is quite nice.
We might hit a movie later. Or just hang out here.
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Regardless, I am finding myself filled with ennui. I don't know why but this has been happening in the past five years at times. I just don't want to do much. Maybe watch TV. A few times, sit and stare but that's been rare. Not sure why. I really wanted to do some campaign stuff, even little stuff but had no motivation.
Part of this might be solved by a monitor my wife might be getting for me from work. The problem is that except for game night, I don't come downstairs, where my desktop computer is. And my laptop is locked into a low, now, resolution. However, if I plug a monitor into it, the monitor can have a higher resolution than the laptop's screen. I am liking the desktop area since I am usually referencing so many things at once. So, having that upstairs I might do more, since I end up taking my laptop upstairs.
I haven't even been playing PC games! I don't spend time downstairs with the desktop. I think I feel guilty if I am not upstairs with my wife or Max. And I got some new games, well new to me, recently and enjoy them but don't play as much as I would like. Instead, I waste time upstairs on FB apps or Bejeweled 2. It's fun but I like playing PC games as they usually give me ideas for the game. So, it's like prep work. I don't see a lot of ideas from Bejeweled 2!
We have been giving Max a lot of cuddles! He loves to be petted right when he comes out of the cage and is a bit sleepy yet. So, we do!
Even now, as I sat down to do stuff, I read LJ and now am posting. Am I procrastinating? I like being caught up with LJ friends and posting, so it's kinda not, but it still feels as if I am not doing what I meant to do.
A quick look at TV, new and old.
Fringe: Quite good! This last episode felt very X-Files, which was fine as Fringe is the only worth successor to X-Files that I have found.
Bones: Good as usual.
Eastwick: An interesting start. I don't know how they can keep the idea going for a season, so hopefully they switch things up a bit. Or prove me wrong.
flashforward: Very good! Enjoyed this a lot! Looking forward to more.
Big Bang Theory: I though the first one was great! An excellent start!
Mentalist: Seemed off. A few forced things and Jayne acting weird but maybe it was me.
Supernatural: WOW! Continues to amaze me with how good it is! They have done well!
Clone Wars: Finally sitting down and watching these. I was not impressed by the cartoon years ago, and I think that turned me off. I haven't seen the movie. However, these have been quite good! The format allows for stories centering on certain characters over three or more episodes, and you don't have to worry about the talent not getting time on screen as it's voice actors, who probably do several voices. In any case, it's good.
I can't think of any other shows.
A friend started dating another friend in town. That's great! He is in town more often . . . but not for us. A bit of jealousy there but we are happy for them.
Watching poker. Playing in a home game tonight. It will be interesting. I hope.
Might go see Surrogates this afternoon. Not sure yet.
Well, off to do campaign stuff before the movie. Hopefully. At least, think about the campaign. The vignettes from Tuesday worked but we are probably back on track this week.
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I don't get it. I just don't get what causes this in me. I try to vary things and test things to see if I can figure it out but if there is a pattern, I don't see it.
blah.
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We went into a new area of gaming from the Dungeon Master's Guide 2 (DMG2) by doing vignettes that showed aspects of the world or the characters. It was a lot of fun! It wasn't smooth but it was pretty good for the first time doing them. Further, one guy had written his up, so we had a script of sorts but it went well, I think.
What I really liked about it was that I think it was more memorable than reading about it for the players. I think it will be easier to remember what happened with the characters now that they have played a part in it!
We quit early because of it, and I had internet problems that I wasn't happy about. And nothing they will do anything about.
Because we quit early, my wife and I decided to watch Castle. It was good! Funny and well done as usual. Lots of good dialog!
This does mean that I ended up going to bed late. Slept mostly okay. I am still undecided about the extra padding we put on the bed. I don't think I am used to it yet.
I am sure I am going to be tired today. Joy.
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WOW!
HOLY FRACKING WOW!
This is a great book for any gamemaster out there. The ideas in the first couple of chapters alone are worth the price of the book. I don't know if I live in a cave or not, in terms of role playing, but I have not seen some of these ideas before. And they are really good ideas! Further, they have some very good "behind the scenes" posts to show what they meant and how it could work in a session. *Practical* advice is always good because a LOT of role playing is very, very subjective!
It has some great ideas that I am going to use tonight! It will help with a lot of things. I have always struggled with the "show vs tell" aspect of story telling, whether in a book, or writing something, and a campaign. And this book has some great ideas on how to do it!
I can't recommend it enough.
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We watched Tribal Circus perform and my friend and I got pulled up because we were heckling them. Well I was. A lot. Lots of comments from the peanut gallery. So, when I went up there and they asked my name, I said "heckle" and my friend caught on and said "jeckle." :D He ended up winning but second place was to sit with the wife while he helped the husband onto the slack rope for walking. I think I got the better deal.
We walked around more and then saw their second show which was more about fire. Got an okay picture of them spitting fire but a good shot of her throwing water on him! Again, need to post them. It was a lot of fun!
The final show we saw was with Prince Charming and his friend Charles Dashing. They pulled up my friend to make him the new squire/apprentice Strapping! Oh, it was hilarious! My friend sang with them and kept up and got Dashing so flustered, he forgot his lines! Charming picked up the slack, though with no problem. It was also a good show.
We then chilled for a bit at a friend's place until it was time for the play. We went to see a local play, called The Amazing adventures of Nigel and Bridgette written and performed by local people. LOTS of fun! It started slow but picked up and the final parodies were funny. Lots of geek references!
After that, I actually had more energy and could have done more but my wife was a poop and sunburnt and was tired. Wah. So, we came home. Just as well, as we let Max out for a few hours before going to bed.
Actually slept well, only getting up once that I remember.
I did manage to make it to the Y yesterday before we started the events. Then, this morning, I walked up to the corner drugstore and got some milk and a few other things. Then had breakfast and am chilling a bit with the computer.
I do need to do some campaign stuff. Something. Not in the mood, it seems, as I can't get motivated for it.
The plan is to go see the movie 9 with the same friends today. Not sure if it will happen or not. Otherwise, just chill at home.
So, a good weekend. Busy but it helps to come home at night!
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Multiple parts to it. I am watching most of the action. A group of humans, after humanity has colonized the galaxy, is responding a distress call. A group is being attacked and for some reason this threatens most humans. So, a group readies a transport to go after something needed to stop the Aliens. There is a scene of having to leave some behind and making them comfortable as possible.
The second scene is watching the marines, or otherwise trained group more like a stargate team, infiltrate and find the information needed. The aliens start attacking and they have to fight them. Soon, the Aliens are joined by replicators, who make replicator Aliens to attack. There is also some confusion as some may be taken over, so they have to be careful. About then, I was in the action but I was me. No gun, not a hero. I am walking through the corridor and we get the thing we need. We are trying to activate the ship, thinking it's over, when an alien comes through a door. I run to the door up to the bridge and go through, yelling about the alien. There is fighting and as I get to the bridge door, the alien appears at the door below. I run in, yelling about it and trying to get things ready.
I don't have a space suit on but think one appears as the bridge crew starts to fight the alien. I am given the information and told to protect it. Yeah, right. I run up and out and the ship starts making something to help me. However, at the same time, the replicators start building something around what the ship is creating. I keep moving to avoid everything I can. Then, the ship tricks the replicators. It built away from the important thing and built a transporter to zip me over to the galaxy transporter and then sent me back to the home base. I think the Aliens and replicators cry out in rage and frustration.
I am back on the original ship, trying to revive the crew. They were where we left them, some in some bad shape. I do what I can but also wake others to help the crew who are really bad. Then, we put the information into something and broadcast it out. About then I woke up.
Very Serenity like dream.
Had several sub dreams. One, I am back working my high school job at the TV station, trying to train someone on the audio board. Of course, everything is wired wrong and strange but I do what I can.
The corridors of the ships were all white with very cube like appearance. Modular in design. Lots of behind the wall indirect lighting. Sometimes, the lighting would go dark but it never really got creepy.
There was a sub dream of Superman being there to help seal up a ship, even though we are using velcro it's supposed to be a spaceship. He holds off a horde of people, maybe a treacherous second crew, from getting on board as we ready, and make, the ship. I was in this part as well but then was watching after it was done.
There was a lot of the layout of the ships and wandering around in them. I was trying to figure out where people were and how to get things going. Or watching the action. It varied.
I think there was more but it's gone already.
edg
We have a busy weekend planned! DM Ren Faire tomorrow morning to afternoon. Then a play that night. Then possibly a party after that! And there is talk of going to see 9 on Sunday. So, busy but fun!
We watched a Warehouse 13 and it's fun! Good show! We didn't get to Fringe or Supernatural. D'oh.
I finished my Dark Sun book, Darkness Before the Dawn. I liked it. I thought it was good. It was set before the Prism Pentad. It wasn't a World Shattering Event book, but focused on two characters and their journey. I thought it was well done and enjoyed it. A lot of good details for me, especially since I am now running Dark Sun in a campaign.
One of the things that was very interesting about the book was the hint at technology, or tinkercraft as they called it, in the past. In a very nice twist, they said that magic and psionics were easier, so were used more than tinkercraft. Of course, early technology would be clumsy compared to magic or psionics! It also added to the post apocalyptic feel of the world, which I liked as well. I don't know how to work it into my campaign but it was a good ideas.
I am hesitant to read the Simon Hawke book as I couldn't even finish his Tribe of One books. blah. I might skip it and go onto the next one. I am also happy they are going to be having more novels next year! Very cool! I will also have to read the short stories in the game products. Some good stories there as well.
I didn't make it to the Y yesterday. I am hoping to go tonight.
I picked up a cheap game for the Wii. Foosball! It's a four player game or I wouldn't have bothered but I think it would be fun with four people! I like the Sports Resort as well but am doing more with other things than the Wii.
I am reading a lot about desert areas, for the Dark Sun campaign. More about the ecology of a desert, possible foods and drinks and other things. I won't lecture the group with this information but it's nice to have as a background for me.
Now, for the work day to be over!
edg
Even though I was tired yesterday, I did manage to go to the Y and exercise. Yay. It was okay. Watching season one of Supernatural as I exercise. Good and bad. I don't remember all of the details but, of course, I know the big picture. So, usually it helps the exercising go fast but not all of the time. It gets me through, though, which is the point. No, still don't get an "exercise high." Like those magic eye 3d pictures, I assume that doesn't exist either.
We watched the finale of True Blood. I am not sure what I think of it yet. As I don't know the books as well as my wife, I might have to read them again, then watch the series again and see what I think.
Played some computer poker. Loaded an older game and like it for many reasons. I have two good ones but they still aren't like a live game. But, it's good.
Watched some poker as well. I think when it was Greg Raymer and Jason Alexander, it was fun for the poker and they were fun to watch. They were "playful" is the only way I can think to describe it and it was cool. I can watch the serious poker, which is what last night's was like, but the fun poker is better.
Oooo. Fringe tonight! And Supernatural! BBT on Monday? I am really curious about V.
Got an Amazon order yesterday. That's fun! (RPG books - DMG2, Giant adventure, SWS book)
So, it's life. Can't complain.
edg
I am exercising. I am eating a bit less. I didn't have any snacks last night. I took my meds for this. I have varied the variables as much as I can to see what will help me sleep and there doesn't seem to be a pattern than I can replicate. It sucks. Not much I can do, though, except keep trying. Not like I can avoid sleep!
Gaming was mostly good. The wiki is updated for any who are interested. We did have some technical difficulties and the audio wasn't the best but it was manageable. Getting past those, it was fun. A few small missteps on my part, in playing a PC as an NPC, but the rest of it was fun. I am really enjoying being back to DND and doing Dark Sun as well. The official rules for Dark Sun can't get here fast enough, nor can PH3 with some things that will fit DS, but I am having fun with the fan stuff I have found.
I did grab Max and hold him afterward but he wasn't happy with how long I was trying to hold him, so I had to put him down before I wanted to do so. I did pet him for a while as my wife finished up her game before we went to bed.
I have had a lot of work meetings the past two days and now there is nothing on my schedule. It's not a bad thing, though. Now to see if I can get some other things done.
I am happy the fall season is starting! I am still a TV junkie, although I like to claim I am only watching the best shows out there as there is so much to do with other things. I do like seeing what new shows there are and where old shows are upon their return.
Of course, I also like to read, watch movies, plan for the campaign, play computer games and other things, so I feel really busy now, even if most of it is "fun" stuff. That's fine with me!
edg
Black Stump Bordeaux is rightly praised as a peppermint flavoured Burgundy, whilst a good Sydney Syrup can rank with any of the world's best sugary wines.
Château Blue, too, has won many prizes; not least for its taste, and its lingering afterburn.
Old Smokey 1968 has been compared favourably to a Welsh claret, whilst the Australian Wino Society thoroughly recommends a 1970 Coq du Rod Laver, which, believe me, has a kick on it like a mule: eight bottles of this and you're really finished. At the opening of the Sydney Bridge Club, they were fishing them out of the main sewers every half an hour.
Of the sparkling wines, the most famous is Perth Pink. This is a bottle with a message in, and the message is 'beware'. This is not a wine for drinking, this is a wine for laying down and avoiding.
Another good fighting wine is Melbourne Old-and-Yellow, which is particularly heavy and should be used only for hand-to-hand combat.
Quite the reverse is true of Château Chunder, which is an appellation contrôlée, specially grown for those keen on regurgitation; a fine wine which really opens up the sluices at both ends.
Real emetic fans will also go for a Hobart Muddy, and a prize winning Cuivre Reserve Château Bottled Nuit San Wogga Wogga, which has a bouquet like an aborigine's armpit.
Another LJ friend is reviewing wines and I couldn't help but think of this.
edg
Something happens. I don't remember what it is but it makes me mad. I suppose I need to explain that my dreams shift rapidly. It's rare for me to have more than a "scene" or two in a row of the same topic. Then, the dream shifts and I am off on something else. So, in this dream, I am mad at each group but I don't remember why. That's one of the few common threads throughout the dream. I am mad enough that I am looking to get petty revenge against whoever slighted me. But, as things keep changing around me, I am unable to do that, which only frustrated me more.
At one point, I was trying to game but I had gotten X mad at me and now the others were mad at me. Or I was trying to talk to Y and see what the issue was but they weren't talking to me and that only made me more mad.
Strange stuff.
I really don't know where it's coming from, to analyze it a bit. There are aspects here and there in life that are frustrating but not to the extent that I had in my dreams. Ah, well. A dream is just a dream.
