Get on board with Hulks & Horrors while there's still time!
Indegogo campaign
Don't just take my word for it, read a compelling pitch here.
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Monday, August 13, 2012
Zombie Dice: Review
Zombie dice. I was a little skeptical, but the online reviews said it's good. I'm here to add my voice to that chorus. Zombie dice is fun and I think you'll like it.
What makes it fun is you actually make decisions, so while its a dice rolling game, it's not JUST the roll of the dice; you make decisions that determine your success or failure, and you can play conservatively or take more risk.
Set up: The players are all Zombies trying to eat Braaaainssss... the first to get to 13 Braaaains wins. The dice represent human victims. The dice have 3 symbols: Braaaaaaiinnnnns, Shotgun blasts, and feets.
Gameplay: shake the cup and draw out three dice without looking. Roll them. If you get Braaaainnnns, you keep them (yummy). If you get shot gun blasts you keep those: accumulate three or roll three at once and your turn is over (I'll return to feets in a second). You can score your Braaaaains and end your turn if you're not blasted to pieces (that is, have three shotgun blasts) or push your luck and press on.
To press on, you keep any dice with feets on them, and draw from the cup 1-3 more dice without looking at them, to make a hand of three dice (You always roll three dice). Once you draw from the cup, you MUST roll the dice.
If you get three blasts your turn ends, but otherwise you can stop or continue after each roll and rack up your brrraaaaaaiinnnnsssss. Once one player gets to 13 braaaaaaaaains, everyone else gets last licks.
So that's the rules, but besides the braaaainnnns thing, the game play is fun. It just is fun. Even my wife who was like, "what the hell is wrong with you?" enjoyed playing it. The probability and the gambling-like rolling of dice... well, I don't have to explain why that's fun to you. :-)
Something that adds depth is the color of the dice. Green ones are easy targets (3 braaaaains, 2 feets, 1 shotgun). Yellow are average folk (2 each of blasts, feets, braaaains), and red dice are bad ass (3 blasts, 2 feets, 1 braaaain). So you can guess your odds as you play and make informed decisions about your odds. That said, it's wonderful to watch someone else get three shotgun blasts with three green dice. HA!
At $13.13 with a very sturdy cup (that also fits 1 set of Chuthulu dice) and 13 custom made dice (yes 13 is a running joke/design element as well as the braaaainnnns thing) I think it's a good value. It's re-playable and just plain fun. I should add it's a quick game, maybe 10-15 mins with a crowded table, or as few as five if it's just two playing.
If you're going to Gencon there will probably be a sale there too (my guess, sorry if not).
Here's a great review and example of play from Wil Wheaton's TableTop.
SJ Games link: http://www.sjgames.com/dice/zombiedice/
What makes it fun is you actually make decisions, so while its a dice rolling game, it's not JUST the roll of the dice; you make decisions that determine your success or failure, and you can play conservatively or take more risk.
Set up: The players are all Zombies trying to eat Braaaainssss... the first to get to 13 Braaaains wins. The dice represent human victims. The dice have 3 symbols: Braaaaaaiinnnnns, Shotgun blasts, and feets.
Gameplay: shake the cup and draw out three dice without looking. Roll them. If you get Braaaainnnns, you keep them (yummy). If you get shot gun blasts you keep those: accumulate three or roll three at once and your turn is over (I'll return to feets in a second). You can score your Braaaaains and end your turn if you're not blasted to pieces (that is, have three shotgun blasts) or push your luck and press on.
To press on, you keep any dice with feets on them, and draw from the cup 1-3 more dice without looking at them, to make a hand of three dice (You always roll three dice). Once you draw from the cup, you MUST roll the dice.
If you get three blasts your turn ends, but otherwise you can stop or continue after each roll and rack up your brrraaaaaaiinnnnsssss. Once one player gets to 13 braaaaaaaaains, everyone else gets last licks.
So that's the rules, but besides the braaaainnnns thing, the game play is fun. It just is fun. Even my wife who was like, "what the hell is wrong with you?" enjoyed playing it. The probability and the gambling-like rolling of dice... well, I don't have to explain why that's fun to you. :-)
Something that adds depth is the color of the dice. Green ones are easy targets (3 braaaaains, 2 feets, 1 shotgun). Yellow are average folk (2 each of blasts, feets, braaaains), and red dice are bad ass (3 blasts, 2 feets, 1 braaaain). So you can guess your odds as you play and make informed decisions about your odds. That said, it's wonderful to watch someone else get three shotgun blasts with three green dice. HA!
At $13.13 with a very sturdy cup (that also fits 1 set of Chuthulu dice) and 13 custom made dice (yes 13 is a running joke/design element as well as the braaaainnnns thing) I think it's a good value. It's re-playable and just plain fun. I should add it's a quick game, maybe 10-15 mins with a crowded table, or as few as five if it's just two playing.
If you're going to Gencon there will probably be a sale there too (my guess, sorry if not).
Here's a great review and example of play from Wil Wheaton's TableTop.
SJ Games link: http://www.sjgames.com/dice/zombiedice/
Friday, August 10, 2012
S-Corp Announces its New Line of Space X-ploration Robots!
SanSteuben Robotics Corporation (S-Corp) proudly announces the release of its new Independent AutomatoN (SCorpIAN) line of planetary exploration and utility robots!
The “Scorpion” robots are all designed from a
common hemispherical hull with an octagonal ring onto which any
“limbs” and “tails” are fitted. The common body design
and interchangeable parts make customization and field repairs on remote worlds
a breeze. Multiple configurations are available to suit your specific needs at
a fraction of the cost of typical custom manufactured robots.
Our most popular configurations are shown here:
the Utility Bot and Scientific Bots
 |
| Utility Bot with Mining Drills |
 | |
| "Stubby" Science Probe Bot |
 |
| Advanced Scientific Survey Bot |
SCorpIAN "ComBot"
The SCorpIAN hull can be outfitted with remote controls and laser
weapons for combat use. Scorpion ComBots are not autonomous AI robots. To ensure
compliance with the First Directive, they are drone robots
operated by X-plorers by remote control.
Currently two models are available:
D) SCorpIAN Light ComBot
The Light ComBot is outfitted with a belly-mounted short range infantry stunner
and a standard long range laser gun. Cost 8000cr.
 |
| Light ComBots |
 |
| Heavy ComBot |
For heavy combat needs, the Heavy ComBot scorpion is outfitted with armor plating, a long range laser cannon and close range anti-infantry pincers, which can double as jaws of life in an emergency. Cost 15,000cr
Public Service Reminder: Hacking robot AI or deleting a robot's First Directive is dangerous and illegal! Report any suspicious robotic behavior to S-Corp and the UCNP immediately!
At S-Corp, we specialize in customization. Contact us today for a free quote!
Our robotics experts are waiting to hear from you!
 |
| SCorpIAN custom built for the Tanaka Research Rental Corporation (TRRC) |
Astro-phone: 1-E-2543-518-445-4223 ssww.SCorp.biz3 inquiries@scorp.biz3*earth
AC 10 Hp 12 ST 14+ MV 6
Programs: Mechanic, Computers. Upgrade to add Translation (+500Cr), and/or Advanced processor to increase skills to 12+ (+1000Cr).
B) SCorpIAN Scientific Probe Bot
AC 10 Hp 10 ST 14+ MV 3 – over any terrain, unless totally impassable at Referee’s discretion (e.g. quicksand). (MV 2 with four legs)
Programs: Science (duh), Data, Translation. Upgrade to add Security (+1000Cr), and/or Advanced processor to increase skills to 12+ (+1000Cr).
C) SCorpIAN Advanced Scientific Survey Bot
AC 11 Hp 20 ST 8+ (Science only) 10+ (all others) MV 4 (1 in difficult terrain. Being somewhat top-heavy despite its wide leg base, the PhD has to move slowly over difficult terrain and may topple if the terrain is too rough (at the Referee’s discretion).
Programs: Science, Data,
Translation, Sociology, Medicine, choose two more.
D) SCorpIAN Light ComBot
AC 14 HP 30 ST na/16+ MV 6 Weapons: Laser 1-5d6, Range 100; Stunner, Range 20, Ammo = 2 EU per shot. Bot upgraded with Armor Plating and Damage Resisters.
Humans hit by the stunner ray must succeed a PHYS ST or are rendered unable to move for 1d3 rounds (they can still speak). The Light ComBot fits up to four 100-charge EU clips. See Operating ComBots, below.
E) SCorpIAN Heavy ComBot
AC 16 HP 40 ST na/14+ MV 6 Weapons: Heavy Laser 2-8d6, Range 120; Claws, Range 1 or melee, 2d6 each. Bot upgraded with Armor Plating and Damage Resisters. The Heavy ComBot fits up to four 100-charge EU clips. See Operating ComBots, below.
Operating ComBots
Remote control of a ComBot is done much like space ship combat. Ideally, one X-plorer will navigate the bot while another will operate the bot's weapons. Anyone with the Computers skill (the Referee may allow Pilot skill also) can make a Computers SC to operate the bot. X-ploers who don't have the Computers skill can make an INT Saving Throw.Generally, only one check is required at the beginning of combat unless the operator attempts a difficult maneuver, or the bot is moving over difficult terrain or is reduced to 6 or fewer HP. If the first SC or ST is failed, the bot doesn't move, but the gunner can still use the weapons. Any other character can operate the Bot's weapons, adding their own THB to all attack rolls (a Soldier is the obvious choice).
If one character tries to operate the bot and use its weapons at once, they must roll both a Computers SC (or INT ST) and an attack roll each round, both at -2. The penalty is -4 if attempting a difficult maneuver, running over rough terrain, or the bot has 6 or fewer HP.
After the initial SC to get the bot moving, the results of a failed SC later in combat are up to the Referee. The bot may continue on its present course, or stop, or move randomly (which ever is worst would usually be best, if you catch my meaning). :-)
S-Corp's dirty secret: The company has been mass producing the scorpion robot bodies in their automated factory for months before the introduction of the ComBot model. Using the existing stock, it's easier and cheaper for them to disable the AI native to the robot "brain" circuit board than to manufacture "brainless" motherboards. The original designers weren't privy to management's plans to introduce the ComBot as Phase Two of the product roll out. We all know no one, no one would attempt to make a Robotics SC to hack the bot brain and create rogue killer robots, right?
A Robotics Skill check will allow a Tech to reactivate the bot's native AI. Once reactivated, the AI has the same Programs as the Utility Bot: Mechanic and Computers, but its First Directive will be active. For the Bot to fight, it must be remote controlled or the First Directive must be disabled, with all related risks and side-effects. Remote-Controlling a ComBot with active AI and intact First Directive is difficult, as the bot will resist attempts to make it harm any humans, and a protracted struggle of this nature may break its AI and make it... unpredictable....
How's this for an Awesome coincidence? On the day I post this, I discover the Kickstarter for Stompy, the giant six-legged robot you can ride!
Thursday, August 2, 2012
Follow up to 7/3 post...
More Hours Lost...
I've joined the Lego Speeder Bike group on Flickr and posted a few pics. I see I need a better camera phone, LOL.
Friday, July 13, 2012
2012 status report (in which I write the most boring post title ever [except maybe for the parentetical part]) {no, that sucked too}
(Updated and re-posted version of 1/29/12 post. Edited and expanded to reflect the current situation).
Now that the X-plorers rule book is in distribution, we can (I will at least) look forward to the adventure modules! To my knowledge, the first three that Brave Halfling is planning on right now are ones that I've written, and I'm PUMPED to see them nearing publication (Cleopatra Station by the game's creator, Dave Bezio, is already available for free at DriveThruRPG). I've used the 'default' setting from the rulebook in all three missions, but of course they are simple to convert to any home-grown setting. For all of them, I've made an effort to write in lots of story options so you can run them several ways and have ideas for sequels. They will not be railroad plots.
To my knowledge, The Deadly Dawn (you've seen a mock up of the cover), will be the first released, detailing a rescue mission where several interesting secrets may be discovered, a significant nemesis or ally is introduced, and some really far-out (it's a 70's-esque game, right?) Sci-Fi madness and adventure can be enjoyed by all. The scenario can end a few different ways and possible hooks for sequels of the Referee's design are suggested.
Another module I wrote, Wreck Tech, set in the Reaches and involving lots of corporate backstabbing and, well, exploration, is written and mapped, and is really just ready to get art and maps and layout and stuff, so that will probably be next(ish). This was the first one I wrote after getting excited about X-plorers while proofing the White Box limited edition version. My AD&D background shows, as Wreck Tech is much like a Dungeon Crawl (in a good way, I hope!) but the overarching plot presents the players with some interesting choices that really affect the endgame of the mission... if your team survives!
The third module called Letter of Marque is 95% done. It is more of a sandbox adventure kit than a plotted story-type module, and it really grew larger than I planned, but that's good. It's got several neat-o options and optional rules for new stuff, and I dare say it will be fun and useful. What's cool about Letter of Marque, is that it could serve as a good background for the other two modules and give a Referee lots of seeds to plant their own story ideas and go nuts. So it's sort of a shame I thought of it last since it would make a great starting point, but it will certainly work at any point in a campaign.
The last 5%? I came to find the mapping of the various things that need mapping to be a challenge, and felt that all the maps were starting to look too similar. It was writers/mappers block and earlier in the year I sent out a distress call to the rest of the team to see if anyone wanted a crack at designing some of the maps. I felt like a bit of a wimp. I have some free time this week, it turns out, so I may assess the situation and bang out whatever needs doing.
Not that you asked, but for mapping, what's worked for us in the past is I draw the map(s) to go with the adventure on graph paper and scan it. Then I clean it up a tad if needed with Print Shop Pro (I'm that out of date), and email the image to John who finds a real map maker (usually Pat at Arcana Creations, to my knowledge) to make it presentable for publication (one exception is the hand drawn ink map I did of the cavern in The Secret of Ronan Skerry). I've also sketched maps using Paint (yes the lame little windows app) so you can imagine how awesome those look before Pat fixes them. :-D I digress; the point is, by January I had gotten Letter of Marque to a point where it was quote unquote finished, submitted it to John, and I haven't touched it since then. But now I'd like to make it better, and will take a stab this weekend. I think it's going to be a while before Brave Halfling will be able to attack it anyway, since John has his hands full with fulfillment of Brave Halfling's amazingly successful Kickstarter and the new Dagger RPG for kids.
So I'm totally pumped that these three adventures of mine will be published and help X-plorers grow!
There's also a Quickstart version of X-p that I -- what's the word; "condensed" or "edited"? -- with a short adventure in the back that I wrote (again with crude hand sketched map that must be re-done professionally*). It's a good intro to the full X-p experience, I think. I'm happy with how it turned out and I hope it gets more people interested in X-p if we can use it at some point. It was going to be for FreeRPG day, but since the printing of the full rules wasn't done on time for June, the decision was made to hold off on the FreeRPG day version since there's no game book in stores for it to support.
As it stands now, the QuickStart has info for character levels 1-3, a shortened section on robots, simplified equipment purchasing and no spaceship combat rules.
I wonder if changing it to 2nd level characters only and adding single ship combat would be better? (I figure 2nd level characters because the Soldier doesn't enjoy Weapon Specialization until 2nd level, and I don't want any newcomers to see the Quickstart and think Soldiers don't match up with the other classes).
There are also projects I've submitted to Arcana Creations (partners of Brave Halfling) for the Castles & Crusades game. The module Hide in Plain Sight that Pat has been blogging about is one of mine, and it's looking good for late 2012 (I have a sequel written and notes for three or four more if it sells. They'd make a complete series or campaign or handsome boxed set (why not dream big?)).
I've also written an accessory for C&C that I think Pat is keeping close to the vest at this point. With feedback and editing from him and John at BHP and several readers and brain-stormers (primarily you, Keith H), I've turned an old thing from my high school AD&D days into a good solid game accessory I'm proud to share with the world, and I'm grateful for the help. If the plans haven't changed, there will be a big part written by Pat to serve as a second half to it, so the book will be a real value and a great tool.
I'm continuing work on Castles & Crusades Oriental Adventures, to be published by Troll Lord Games itself. I hope to have a manuscript completed by this time next year, but honestly, since this is my largest writing project to date and I work full time and have a kid, I remain cautious against making predictions. The book is outlined, I have the classes and races nearly complete and am working on monsters and will address the magic spell lists next (unless something else piques my interest first). I keep adding notes to whatever section if inspiration hits (oh, that would be a neat magic item (scribbles on post it)... hey, a new shinobi spell (scribble)...). I have the martial arts section sort of blocked out, though far from finalized.... so I'd say the first draft is about 1/3 done so far.
For the monsters, I'm trying to draw inspiration from various Asian mythologies (or the Wikipedia articles about the mythologies, though I've been busy at the library too) rather than SRD stuff (of course several would be sorely missed if absent, so I'm converting them to C&C stats). Two reasons: 1) TLG had some headaches with Classic Monsters related to the SRD/OGL and 2) to seize the opportunity to make it my own, and give players a fresh gaming experience, where I can. This could be (will probably be) my only publication from a major publisher, so why play it safe? I want to make my mark and I don't want anyone to read the monsters and feel like, "whatever. I could have converted that from my old books on the fly." (of course, the beauty of it is, you still could, and totally surprise your players!)
Naturally, I'm adding new monsters of my own creation for the same reason, as well as monsters from Chinese and other non-Japanese Asian cultures since that's always been a common complaint that the OA books, that they focus too tightly on Japanese culture and mythology.
One more thing: I'm writing it with both "foreign" AND "English" names for (nearly) everything; so you could have your Ashigaru wear a haramaki with his kote and sune-ate, fight with a yari or an eku and defeat a vile Jikiniki... (head spinning yet?)
... or ...
Your Footman can wear a belly shield with his armored sleeves and shin guards, fight with a spear or a fighting oar and defeat a vile Fear-Drinker (a type of Hungry Ghost).
I think however, that "ninja" and "samurai" and even "ronin" are ok untranslated since everyone knows what they are. Yamabushi or Xia on the other hand... I don't want people to have to open the book and look up what every piece of armor is just to try to have a conversation in character, you know what I mean?
This will not be a historically accurate book: it will be a mish-mash of fun drawn from many sources (Samurai lore and Ninja Legends to Kung Fu movies, research into many other Asain cultures) to make a flavorful fantasy game. For me, historical accuracy has always been a non-issue in my FRPGs. Of course a game tailored to be more historically accurate has it's merits and is fun for those who like it. But I'm not concerned about it for C&COA because, I mean, really, how historically accurate is C&C or D&D? Using the equipment tables, an ostensibly medieval knight of vaguely European bent, who is half elven, may wear armor from the 12th century and fight with a weapon from the 14th, facing a cyclops (ancient Greece) or a kobold (Germany) or a rust monster (made up from a silly little 1970's Japanese toy) or an illithid (Cthulhu much?) or even something really frickin' weird like a beholder (what an imagination!). Oh, and there's magic.
I've always felt it's stronger for it.
* see two of my bad maps in the One page Dungeon Contest entries
2012: Goblin Well (frankly, not my best effort; I almost missed the deadline and basically pulled an all-nighter)
2011: The Mad Arcitect's Tomb (This one I actually like a lot, though one secret underground passage doesn't look like it lines up right)
[panic] Please note: Both of these SUCK compared to the real modules I wrote for C&C and X-plorers! [/panic]
Finally, Apropos of Nothing, I must say, THIS IS AWESOME!
Now that the X-plorers rule book is in distribution, we can (I will at least) look forward to the adventure modules! To my knowledge, the first three that Brave Halfling is planning on right now are ones that I've written, and I'm PUMPED to see them nearing publication (Cleopatra Station by the game's creator, Dave Bezio, is already available for free at DriveThruRPG). I've used the 'default' setting from the rulebook in all three missions, but of course they are simple to convert to any home-grown setting. For all of them, I've made an effort to write in lots of story options so you can run them several ways and have ideas for sequels. They will not be railroad plots.
To my knowledge, The Deadly Dawn (you've seen a mock up of the cover), will be the first released, detailing a rescue mission where several interesting secrets may be discovered, a significant nemesis or ally is introduced, and some really far-out (it's a 70's-esque game, right?) Sci-Fi madness and adventure can be enjoyed by all. The scenario can end a few different ways and possible hooks for sequels of the Referee's design are suggested.
Another module I wrote, Wreck Tech, set in the Reaches and involving lots of corporate backstabbing and, well, exploration, is written and mapped, and is really just ready to get art and maps and layout and stuff, so that will probably be next(ish). This was the first one I wrote after getting excited about X-plorers while proofing the White Box limited edition version. My AD&D background shows, as Wreck Tech is much like a Dungeon Crawl (in a good way, I hope!) but the overarching plot presents the players with some interesting choices that really affect the endgame of the mission... if your team survives!
The third module called Letter of Marque is 95% done. It is more of a sandbox adventure kit than a plotted story-type module, and it really grew larger than I planned, but that's good. It's got several neat-o options and optional rules for new stuff, and I dare say it will be fun and useful. What's cool about Letter of Marque, is that it could serve as a good background for the other two modules and give a Referee lots of seeds to plant their own story ideas and go nuts. So it's sort of a shame I thought of it last since it would make a great starting point, but it will certainly work at any point in a campaign.
The last 5%? I came to find the mapping of the various things that need mapping to be a challenge, and felt that all the maps were starting to look too similar. It was writers/mappers block and earlier in the year I sent out a distress call to the rest of the team to see if anyone wanted a crack at designing some of the maps. I felt like a bit of a wimp. I have some free time this week, it turns out, so I may assess the situation and bang out whatever needs doing.
Not that you asked, but for mapping, what's worked for us in the past is I draw the map(s) to go with the adventure on graph paper and scan it. Then I clean it up a tad if needed with Print Shop Pro (I'm that out of date), and email the image to John who finds a real map maker (usually Pat at Arcana Creations, to my knowledge) to make it presentable for publication (one exception is the hand drawn ink map I did of the cavern in The Secret of Ronan Skerry). I've also sketched maps using Paint (yes the lame little windows app) so you can imagine how awesome those look before Pat fixes them. :-D I digress; the point is, by January I had gotten Letter of Marque to a point where it was quote unquote finished, submitted it to John, and I haven't touched it since then. But now I'd like to make it better, and will take a stab this weekend. I think it's going to be a while before Brave Halfling will be able to attack it anyway, since John has his hands full with fulfillment of Brave Halfling's amazingly successful Kickstarter and the new Dagger RPG for kids.
So I'm totally pumped that these three adventures of mine will be published and help X-plorers grow!
There's also a Quickstart version of X-p that I -- what's the word; "condensed" or "edited"? -- with a short adventure in the back that I wrote (again with crude hand sketched map that must be re-done professionally*). It's a good intro to the full X-p experience, I think. I'm happy with how it turned out and I hope it gets more people interested in X-p if we can use it at some point. It was going to be for FreeRPG day, but since the printing of the full rules wasn't done on time for June, the decision was made to hold off on the FreeRPG day version since there's no game book in stores for it to support.
As it stands now, the QuickStart has info for character levels 1-3, a shortened section on robots, simplified equipment purchasing and no spaceship combat rules.
I wonder if changing it to 2nd level characters only and adding single ship combat would be better? (I figure 2nd level characters because the Soldier doesn't enjoy Weapon Specialization until 2nd level, and I don't want any newcomers to see the Quickstart and think Soldiers don't match up with the other classes).
There are also projects I've submitted to Arcana Creations (partners of Brave Halfling) for the Castles & Crusades game. The module Hide in Plain Sight that Pat has been blogging about is one of mine, and it's looking good for late 2012 (I have a sequel written and notes for three or four more if it sells. They'd make a complete series or campaign or handsome boxed set (why not dream big?)).
I've also written an accessory for C&C that I think Pat is keeping close to the vest at this point. With feedback and editing from him and John at BHP and several readers and brain-stormers (primarily you, Keith H), I've turned an old thing from my high school AD&D days into a good solid game accessory I'm proud to share with the world, and I'm grateful for the help. If the plans haven't changed, there will be a big part written by Pat to serve as a second half to it, so the book will be a real value and a great tool.
I'm continuing work on Castles & Crusades Oriental Adventures, to be published by Troll Lord Games itself. I hope to have a manuscript completed by this time next year, but honestly, since this is my largest writing project to date and I work full time and have a kid, I remain cautious against making predictions. The book is outlined, I have the classes and races nearly complete and am working on monsters and will address the magic spell lists next (unless something else piques my interest first). I keep adding notes to whatever section if inspiration hits (oh, that would be a neat magic item (scribbles on post it)... hey, a new shinobi spell (scribble)...). I have the martial arts section sort of blocked out, though far from finalized.... so I'd say the first draft is about 1/3 done so far.
For the monsters, I'm trying to draw inspiration from various Asian mythologies (or the Wikipedia articles about the mythologies, though I've been busy at the library too) rather than SRD stuff (of course several would be sorely missed if absent, so I'm converting them to C&C stats). Two reasons: 1) TLG had some headaches with Classic Monsters related to the SRD/OGL and 2) to seize the opportunity to make it my own, and give players a fresh gaming experience, where I can. This could be (will probably be) my only publication from a major publisher, so why play it safe? I want to make my mark and I don't want anyone to read the monsters and feel like, "whatever. I could have converted that from my old books on the fly." (of course, the beauty of it is, you still could, and totally surprise your players!)
Naturally, I'm adding new monsters of my own creation for the same reason, as well as monsters from Chinese and other non-Japanese Asian cultures since that's always been a common complaint that the OA books, that they focus too tightly on Japanese culture and mythology.
One more thing: I'm writing it with both "foreign" AND "English" names for (nearly) everything; so you could have your Ashigaru wear a haramaki with his kote and sune-ate, fight with a yari or an eku and defeat a vile Jikiniki... (head spinning yet?)
... or ...
Your Footman can wear a belly shield with his armored sleeves and shin guards, fight with a spear or a fighting oar and defeat a vile Fear-Drinker (a type of Hungry Ghost).
I think however, that "ninja" and "samurai" and even "ronin" are ok untranslated since everyone knows what they are. Yamabushi or Xia on the other hand... I don't want people to have to open the book and look up what every piece of armor is just to try to have a conversation in character, you know what I mean?
This will not be a historically accurate book: it will be a mish-mash of fun drawn from many sources (Samurai lore and Ninja Legends to Kung Fu movies, research into many other Asain cultures) to make a flavorful fantasy game. For me, historical accuracy has always been a non-issue in my FRPGs. Of course a game tailored to be more historically accurate has it's merits and is fun for those who like it. But I'm not concerned about it for C&COA because, I mean, really, how historically accurate is C&C or D&D? Using the equipment tables, an ostensibly medieval knight of vaguely European bent, who is half elven, may wear armor from the 12th century and fight with a weapon from the 14th, facing a cyclops (ancient Greece) or a kobold (Germany) or a rust monster (made up from a silly little 1970's Japanese toy) or an illithid (Cthulhu much?) or even something really frickin' weird like a beholder (what an imagination!). Oh, and there's magic.
I've always felt it's stronger for it.
* see two of my bad maps in the One page Dungeon Contest entries
2012: Goblin Well (frankly, not my best effort; I almost missed the deadline and basically pulled an all-nighter)
2011: The Mad Arcitect's Tomb (This one I actually like a lot, though one secret underground passage doesn't look like it lines up right)
[panic] Please note: Both of these SUCK compared to the real modules I wrote for C&C and X-plorers! [/panic]
Finally, Apropos of Nothing, I must say, THIS IS AWESOME!
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Hours. Lost.
This has been by internet grazing for like, 3 days straight... productivity = zero. This is worse than when I first discovered Angry Birds! :D
LSB: Lego Speeder Bikes Flickr . . .
Some of these are SO FRICKIN' COOL!
Cyborg Space Marine From Neo Classic Space (Thanks for the link, Jay!)
Some of the things on Neo Classic Space are so amazing, they are as intimidating as they are inspiring! AMAZING STUFF!
If you're a Lego hobbyist, these are worth checking out just to get ideas of the amazingly creative ways people connect things and use parts to create the illusion of other things. If you're looking to get into Lego modeling and love Star Wars, dig this book that comes with parts and instructions for eight different models. All the Brickmaster books are like that.
Or you could simply get your MBA in space ship design...
Don't let the "Ages 6-14" on the boxes bother you. But if they do, here's a list of Best Lego sets for Adults.
And I'd be remiss if I didn't point out this gem of a book.
LSB: Lego Speeder Bikes Flickr . . .
Some of these are SO FRICKIN' COOL!
Cyborg Space Marine From Neo Classic Space (Thanks for the link, Jay!)
Some of the things on Neo Classic Space are so amazing, they are as intimidating as they are inspiring! AMAZING STUFF!
If you're a Lego hobbyist, these are worth checking out just to get ideas of the amazingly creative ways people connect things and use parts to create the illusion of other things. If you're looking to get into Lego modeling and love Star Wars, dig this book that comes with parts and instructions for eight different models. All the Brickmaster books are like that.
Or you could simply get your MBA in space ship design...
Don't let the "Ages 6-14" on the boxes bother you. But if they do, here's a list of Best Lego sets for Adults.
And I'd be remiss if I didn't point out this gem of a book.
Monday, July 2, 2012
Just for you, Jay!
I won't spoil the surprise, just click the link...
Thanks for the link in your comment!
Here's some Fan-made Star Wars goodness:
Exterminate! Exterminate! Exterminate!
Thanks for the link in your comment!
Here's some Fan-made Star Wars goodness:
Exterminate! Exterminate! Exterminate!
Sunday, July 1, 2012
It's just like a good segue
With the recent announcement that the X-plorers RPG rule book will be hitting brick-and-mortar stores this month, I thought some recent silly little Lego space ships I made might make a fun post.
(or embarrass me publicly, LOL)
I CARE NOT! These laid out on the X-p combat strip would be more fun than the simple cardboard circles (nothing wrong with those, of course).
I made all the black, gray and blue ones from this pretty cool little TIE Fighter Kit:
The formatting looked much better in the composition than the published version. I dunno. :-(
(or embarrass me publicly, LOL)
I CARE NOT! These laid out on the X-p combat strip would be more fun than the simple cardboard circles (nothing wrong with those, of course).
 |
| Pirate vessel, Class 3: Frigate |
 |
| UCNP Patrol ship, Class 4: Cruiser |
 |
| Class 1: Fighter (but which was is fore and which is aft?) |
 |
| Class 2: Scout |
 |
| Battleship |
 |
| Scout Ship (perhaps wings allow atmospheric flight?) |
 |
| Battleship |
 |
| Destroyer |
 |
| Captions are starting to bore me... |
 |
| Racing ship, perhaps? |
 |
| Destroyer |
 |
| "Matilde" |
|
| "The Black Swine" |
The formatting looked much better in the composition than the published version. I dunno. :-(
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
The Joy of Legos
My four-year-old is now old enough to play with "real" Legos, not just Duplos, so the last time I was at my dad's house, I picked up my old tub of Legos and took it home withe me. I had left it there when I moved out years ago since I wasn't using them and it gave the house some resident toys for my nieces and nephews when they visited, but now they think they're too old and my daughter is the perfect age to begin (the nephews will learn better in a decade or so).
So you can see where this is going... my love of Legos has totally, unapologetic reignited. I've even bought new sets: The Alien invasion Tripod and the Alien Abduction flying saucer (I used a gift card, so it's not total lunacy).
Quick reviews: These are cool! I love the bubble domes and flying saucer motifs, and the sets are well designed, giving a lot of fun pieces for new things to build with them. One gripe, I'd like to get all the Alien stuff without the human/ADU stuff. Whatever.
One fun kit I've spent too much time with this is Mini TIE-Fighter, (meaning it's fun). For it's scale, it's a great model of the vehicle and nice and cheap. Two gripes that make this a 4 star instead of 5 star product, what's up with the blue parts? And the the windshield looks awful unless you swap it with the one from the TIE-Interceptor from kit 9676.
That said, the blue parts make it more useful to rebuild as other stuff. Buy five or six and hang them on your Christmas tree as ornaments!
Aside: How sweet is this?
So you can see where this is going... my love of Legos has totally, unapologetic reignited. I've even bought new sets: The Alien invasion Tripod and the Alien Abduction flying saucer (I used a gift card, so it's not total lunacy).
Quick reviews: These are cool! I love the bubble domes and flying saucer motifs, and the sets are well designed, giving a lot of fun pieces for new things to build with them. One gripe, I'd like to get all the Alien stuff without the human/ADU stuff. Whatever.
One fun kit I've spent too much time with this is Mini TIE-Fighter, (meaning it's fun). For it's scale, it's a great model of the vehicle and nice and cheap. Two gripes that make this a 4 star instead of 5 star product, what's up with the blue parts? And the the windshield looks awful unless you swap it with the one from the TIE-Interceptor from kit 9676.
That said, the blue parts make it more useful to rebuild as other stuff. Buy five or six and hang them on your Christmas tree as ornaments!
Aside: How sweet is this?
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Review: Crypts & Things
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Why not post it here too? X-plorers plans, 2012
(Updated and re-posted version of 1/29/12 post. Edited and expanded to reflect the current situation).
redacted
see July 13, 2012, which is an updated version of this post
(I write this as if anyone reads my blog, LOL)
http://willyoueatthemeatloaf.blogspot.com/2012/07/2012-status-report-in-which-i-write.html
redacted
see July 13, 2012, which is an updated version of this post
(I write this as if anyone reads my blog, LOL)
http://willyoueatthemeatloaf.blogspot.com/2012/07/2012-status-report-in-which-i-write.html
Monday, January 23, 2012
GO GIANTS!!!!!
What a game! What an intense game last week! WOW!
The Pats in the Superbowl are always a tough match, so that should be intense too. OMG!
The Pats in the Superbowl are always a tough match, so that should be intense too. OMG!
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
WOW!
You can't make this up! The Muppets' most beloved song ever comes from Italian Porn!
Also, you CAN NOT read this without getting the tune stuck in your head.
Also, you CAN NOT read this without getting the tune stuck in your head.
Friday, October 28, 2011
The Statue of Liberty is 125 (ish) today
By ish, I mean it was dedicated in New York City on this date in 1886, 125 years ago.
The wikipedia article is really very interesting.
The wikipedia article is really very interesting.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
File this under "duh"
Amy Winehouse died after drinking too much alcohol
In other news, water is wet, and Gravity pulls things down.
In other news, water is wet, and Gravity pulls things down.
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Monday, October 24, 2011
Worth Reading
for better or worse, I guess I'm going political in my silly little blog.
My goal in posting this, is to highlight some non-mainstream media coverage of the Occupy movement. I'm not taking sides publically, but pointing out that the mainstream media really have brushed this aside and misrepresented the entire thing. This movement really is a big deal, as far as I can tell, a real unifying force for millions of Americans, and perhaps the start of something huge in the history of our young nation (the brewery that makes Guiness is older than the USA, let's keep some perspective).
Occupying Democracy
Everything The Media Told You About Occupy Wall Street Is Wrong
My goal in posting this, is to highlight some non-mainstream media coverage of the Occupy movement. I'm not taking sides publically, but pointing out that the mainstream media really have brushed this aside and misrepresented the entire thing. This movement really is a big deal, as far as I can tell, a real unifying force for millions of Americans, and perhaps the start of something huge in the history of our young nation (the brewery that makes Guiness is older than the USA, let's keep some perspective).
Occupying Democracy
Everything The Media Told You About Occupy Wall Street Is Wrong
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
APPLE SEASON!
(wabbit season!)
((ahem))
What better way to celebrate the Apple Harvest in full swing now, than to bake apple cake?
AUNT VICTORIA’S APPLE CAKE
4 cups sliced, peeled apples (4 or 5 baking apples)
1 ½ to 2 cups sugar (can substitute up to ¾ cup light brown sugar)
2 ½ tablespoons cinnamon, ground
½ to 1 teaspoon nutmeg, ground
1 cup raisins (optional)
Mix the above in a non-reactive bowl to evenly coat apples. Macerate one hour, stirring bottom-to-top every 15 minutes. This gets syrupy as the sugar draws out the apple juice.
Prepare two 8 x 8 or 9 x 9 pans by greasing bottoms and sides and dusting lightly with flour. Preheat oven to 375˚F.
Dry ingredients
3 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
¾ to 1 teaspoon salt
Wet ingredients
1 cup vegetable oil
2 eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
Sift or whisk together the dry ingredients. Mix very well.
Whisk together the wet ingredients.
After the apples macerate one hour, mix the wet ingredients with the apples, mix evenly.
Fold in the dry ingredients and mix just until there are no dry spots. Don’t forget the bottom of the bowl.
Divide the batter into the pans and bake for 40 – 50 minutes. Rotate pans after 15 minutes so they bake evenly.
Experts say to use a glass pan, reduce the baking temperature by 25 degrees F.
I haven’t tried this, but I think one 13 x 9 pan should work also. Check out this informative web page for pan size conversion help
http://whatscookingamerica.net/Q-A/bakingdish.htm
((ahem))
What better way to celebrate the Apple Harvest in full swing now, than to bake apple cake?
AUNT VICTORIA’S APPLE CAKE
4 cups sliced, peeled apples (4 or 5 baking apples)
1 ½ to 2 cups sugar (can substitute up to ¾ cup light brown sugar)
2 ½ tablespoons cinnamon, ground
½ to 1 teaspoon nutmeg, ground
1 cup raisins (optional)
Mix the above in a non-reactive bowl to evenly coat apples. Macerate one hour, stirring bottom-to-top every 15 minutes. This gets syrupy as the sugar draws out the apple juice.
Prepare two 8 x 8 or 9 x 9 pans by greasing bottoms and sides and dusting lightly with flour. Preheat oven to 375˚F.
Dry ingredients
3 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
¾ to 1 teaspoon salt
Wet ingredients
1 cup vegetable oil
2 eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
Sift or whisk together the dry ingredients. Mix very well.
Whisk together the wet ingredients.
After the apples macerate one hour, mix the wet ingredients with the apples, mix evenly.
Fold in the dry ingredients and mix just until there are no dry spots. Don’t forget the bottom of the bowl.
Divide the batter into the pans and bake for 40 – 50 minutes. Rotate pans after 15 minutes so they bake evenly.
Experts say to use a glass pan, reduce the baking temperature by 25 degrees F.
I haven’t tried this, but I think one 13 x 9 pan should work also. Check out this informative web page for pan size conversion help
http://whatscookingamerica.net/Q-A/bakingdish.htm
Thursday, October 13, 2011
The Avengers Trailer totally ROCKS!
So I finally watched the Avengers Trailer this morning, about a dozen times, and I’m totally frickin’ pumped for this movie now! I haven’t been this excited for a movie in a long time; I feel like a kid again. And just a little childish talking about how psyched I am at the office.
But whatever. Isn’t this what (summer/popcorn) movies and comics are all about? Losing yourself in some fun and feeling like a kid again?
This trailer is sweet! I hope the movie is as good. When I first heard of the Avengers movie, I figured it would be awful or totally awesome. This trailer makes it look awesome. The other Marvel movies have a good track record so far, so I’m optimistic.
Loki seems to have arrived on earth in a SHIELD made space bridge thingy (Another Transformers reference!) . My thinking is that the little scene at the end of Thor, shows some kind of diminished, invisible Loki either literally whispering to scientist guy or maybe possessing him. So Loki tricks the guy into building the space conduit so Loki can fully materialize on Earth and live out his daddy issues.
I’m totally psyched about the Nine Inch Nails music, and hope they use more NIN or original Trent Reznor compositions for the entire soundtrack. NIN is one of my favorite bands ever and Reznor never ceases to grow and amaze as a musician. If you haven’t seen The Social Network, it’s worth it for the soundtrack alone (the movie is outstanding, actually).
Which brings me to the most exciting music news I’ve heard in a while: NIN is covering U2’s Zoo Station for a tribute album in honor of the 20th anniversary of Achtung Baby. U2 is also one of my favorite bands, so this is like music geekgasm for me. Also on the tribute album are Depeche Mode (another favorite), Garbage (who doesn’t love Garbage?), Jack White and others are each covering tracks for this.
HOW COOL IS THAT?! Check it out HERE
The downside is that it’s only available as a freebie with English magazine Q. So far, it seems it’s only available in the UK, so that’s quite disappointing. I’m sure it will turn up though, as someone stands to make money selling it.
But whatever. Isn’t this what (summer/popcorn) movies and comics are all about? Losing yourself in some fun and feeling like a kid again?
This trailer is sweet! I hope the movie is as good. When I first heard of the Avengers movie, I figured it would be awful or totally awesome. This trailer makes it look awesome. The other Marvel movies have a good track record so far, so I’m optimistic.
Loki seems to have arrived on earth in a SHIELD made space bridge thingy (Another Transformers reference!) . My thinking is that the little scene at the end of Thor, shows some kind of diminished, invisible Loki either literally whispering to scientist guy or maybe possessing him. So Loki tricks the guy into building the space conduit so Loki can fully materialize on Earth and live out his daddy issues.
I’m totally psyched about the Nine Inch Nails music, and hope they use more NIN or original Trent Reznor compositions for the entire soundtrack. NIN is one of my favorite bands ever and Reznor never ceases to grow and amaze as a musician. If you haven’t seen The Social Network, it’s worth it for the soundtrack alone (the movie is outstanding, actually).
Which brings me to the most exciting music news I’ve heard in a while: NIN is covering U2’s Zoo Station for a tribute album in honor of the 20th anniversary of Achtung Baby. U2 is also one of my favorite bands, so this is like music geekgasm for me. Also on the tribute album are Depeche Mode (another favorite), Garbage (who doesn’t love Garbage?), Jack White and others are each covering tracks for this.
HOW COOL IS THAT?! Check it out HERE
The downside is that it’s only available as a freebie with English magazine Q. So far, it seems it’s only available in the UK, so that’s quite disappointing. I’m sure it will turn up though, as someone stands to make money selling it.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
The first manuscript is away!
I’m happy to announce I’ve submitted the first of three manuscripts for X-plorers missions to John at Brave Halfling Publishing, complete with my crude hand drawn maps and sketches that talented illustrators such as Steve Zieser will translate into usable and handsome line and cover art!
I am chuffed to bits, and can’t wait to see John and the others hammer this into a real RPG product, which will literally be the culmination of a year’s old dream come true (what gamer doesn't dream of publishing an adventure they wrote?).
Also, the module will be digest-sized so it will fit into your X-p limited edition Boxed set. Sweet!
It is called The Deadly Dawn and while it's basically a rescue mission, there's a lot of wiggle room for subplots and it is Sandboxy enough for an Old Skool player to run it as they please and damn the plot if they choose. The villain has the potential (I hope) to be a recurring doozy of a nemesis too, which excites me (everyone loves a good villain). I think it should play nicely in isolation from the other two modules we're publishing, but the three should work as a series also. I'm thrilled and terrified all at once. We will keep you posted.
I am chuffed to bits, and can’t wait to see John and the others hammer this into a real RPG product, which will literally be the culmination of a year’s old dream come true (what gamer doesn't dream of publishing an adventure they wrote?).
Also, the module will be digest-sized so it will fit into your X-p limited edition Boxed set. Sweet!
It is called The Deadly Dawn and while it's basically a rescue mission, there's a lot of wiggle room for subplots and it is Sandboxy enough for an Old Skool player to run it as they please and damn the plot if they choose. The villain has the potential (I hope) to be a recurring doozy of a nemesis too, which excites me (everyone loves a good villain). I think it should play nicely in isolation from the other two modules we're publishing, but the three should work as a series also. I'm thrilled and terrified all at once. We will keep you posted.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Friday, September 2, 2011
X-plorers now on sale!!!
You may already know, but the new printing of Dave Bezio's X-plorers is now available!
Brave Halfling Video about new X-plorers book!
Pick it up HERE while low sale prices remain!
Psst: You'll need X-ploers to play the adventures I've written that BHP is publishing this year. :D
Why play X-plorers?
Character generation is quick and easy so you can get to gallivanting around the galaxy.
I challenge you NOT to LOVE the innovative, simple yet robust and FUN "Ship and Strip" space combat system!
Shoutout to BlUsKrEEm for coining the term "Ship and Strip"
(aside: I find you can use it for air and land vehicles also)
Choose from four character types with a simplified four-attribute skill system. Then outfit your team and prepare to make planetfall!
Game Masters: Create a cosmic sandbox using basic rules.
PDF included with purchase of hard copy book, which inlcudes bookmarks to all major sections.
Brave Halfling Video about new X-plorers book!
Pick it up HERE while low sale prices remain!
Psst: You'll need X-ploers to play the adventures I've written that BHP is publishing this year. :D
Why play X-plorers?
Character generation is quick and easy so you can get to gallivanting around the galaxy.
I challenge you NOT to LOVE the innovative, simple yet robust and FUN "Ship and Strip" space combat system!
Shoutout to BlUsKrEEm for coining the term "Ship and Strip"
(aside: I find you can use it for air and land vehicles also)
Choose from four character types with a simplified four-attribute skill system. Then outfit your team and prepare to make planetfall!
Game Masters: Create a cosmic sandbox using basic rules.
PDF included with purchase of hard copy book, which inlcudes bookmarks to all major sections.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
FOOD GEEK!
Been a while since I blogged about food or cooking, so I thought I’d do so.
Summer is a great time for fresh foods and grilling, and I’ve been enjoying both. I grew a small garden of herbs and tomatoes this year, and am overjoyed to report the tomatoes are delicious. It’s almost an accident as I usually have a “black thumb” but this garden did well. Only recently, we’ve learned that rodents like tomatoes. I can’t tell if it’s the chipmunks or maybe rabbits, but I’ve lost three good red tomatoes this week. It seemed to happen all at once and I am not a happy camper. Believing it to be the chipmunks, I moved the tomato plant (it’s in a pot, not the ground) to be further from the stoop so the little effers have nothing to leap off of to reach the tomatoes. If it’s rabbits, it will be harder to stop them. I guess I could but the pot on a lawn chair high above the ground. Whatever.
Been brewing sun tea, which is a real treat when it’s hot out. It’s as simple as it sounds:
Sun Tea
4-8 tea bags, or 4-8 teaspoons of loose tea
2-3 quarts of water
Sweetener
ice
Put the tea in the water in a clean glass jar or somesuch. Cover it, and leave it outside in direct sunlight for about 4 hours. It is that simple.
I like to use a wide flat casserole so more water surface area is heated by the sun, and to amp up the heat by placing the dark lid of the casserole under it all, covering the thing with plastic wrap. I think experts recommend you only try this if it’s 90 degree F or hotter. Because no boiling water is used, bacterial contamination is a concern, so sun tea should be enjoyed within 48 hours after brewing (some say as soon as 24 hours) but don’t worry, it’s so tasty it won’t last that long. If you find stringy goopy stuff, that’s bacteria poop, and you should throw out the tea and run the container through your dishwasher.
So why bother? It really is much tastier. The slow, low temp brewing teases out more subtle flavors from the tea, and if you use good tea leaves, it really is great. Add some sugar and pour it over ice and boom! Done.
What else?
Oh, I made some Spiced Pork Nuggets that I liked a lot, but my wife found to be “too Mediterranean” for her taste. These end up tasting like a meat falafel, and can be served the same way. They also make a convenient snack.
Spiced Pork Nuggets
1 lb Ground Pork
½ of a finely chopped onion (a sweet one like a Vidalia or red onion works well)
1-3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 T ground cumin
1 T ground coriander
1 t. ground cinnamon
1 t. ground black pepper
½ t. ground nutmeg
Ground Cayenne pepper or chili powder to taste, about ½ t to 2 t
1 egg, beaten
½ to 1 t salt (no you can’t leave it out!)
Mix it all together and make meatballs. You can mix the spices into the egg first to ensure everything is evenly distributed, but I didn’t bother and it was fine. To be extra precise, you can divide the pile of raw meat into equal pieces before you begin. Flatten into football shapes or nuggets and grill over medium heat, turning once. Grill about 3-5 minutes per side, depending on the thickness. Test one with a meat thermometer to make sure they’re at 165 degrees F inside. Any hotter and they may be dry.
Consider adding ¼ lb ground bacon or finely chopped, lightly cooked bacon to the mix for added porky goodness. This is tweaked from a recipe my wife found in Better Homes and Gardens.
But back to the tomatoes, here's a Before and After show-off of my homemade gravy... the only things that didn't come from my garden were the olive oil and half an onion.
So that's three tomatoes, 2 cloves of garlic, a handfull of chopped onion, basil, thyme and oregano, all sauteed in a nice generous dash of good extra virgin olive oil. Toss in cooked, sliced sausage and pasta and ba-da-bing... a nice summery plate of de-frickin-licious if I do say so myself.
Summer is a great time for fresh foods and grilling, and I’ve been enjoying both. I grew a small garden of herbs and tomatoes this year, and am overjoyed to report the tomatoes are delicious. It’s almost an accident as I usually have a “black thumb” but this garden did well. Only recently, we’ve learned that rodents like tomatoes. I can’t tell if it’s the chipmunks or maybe rabbits, but I’ve lost three good red tomatoes this week. It seemed to happen all at once and I am not a happy camper. Believing it to be the chipmunks, I moved the tomato plant (it’s in a pot, not the ground) to be further from the stoop so the little effers have nothing to leap off of to reach the tomatoes. If it’s rabbits, it will be harder to stop them. I guess I could but the pot on a lawn chair high above the ground. Whatever.
Been brewing sun tea, which is a real treat when it’s hot out. It’s as simple as it sounds:
Sun Tea
4-8 tea bags, or 4-8 teaspoons of loose tea
2-3 quarts of water
Sweetener
ice
Put the tea in the water in a clean glass jar or somesuch. Cover it, and leave it outside in direct sunlight for about 4 hours. It is that simple.
I like to use a wide flat casserole so more water surface area is heated by the sun, and to amp up the heat by placing the dark lid of the casserole under it all, covering the thing with plastic wrap. I think experts recommend you only try this if it’s 90 degree F or hotter. Because no boiling water is used, bacterial contamination is a concern, so sun tea should be enjoyed within 48 hours after brewing (some say as soon as 24 hours) but don’t worry, it’s so tasty it won’t last that long. If you find stringy goopy stuff, that’s bacteria poop, and you should throw out the tea and run the container through your dishwasher.
So why bother? It really is much tastier. The slow, low temp brewing teases out more subtle flavors from the tea, and if you use good tea leaves, it really is great. Add some sugar and pour it over ice and boom! Done.
What else?
Oh, I made some Spiced Pork Nuggets that I liked a lot, but my wife found to be “too Mediterranean” for her taste. These end up tasting like a meat falafel, and can be served the same way. They also make a convenient snack.
Spiced Pork Nuggets
1 lb Ground Pork
½ of a finely chopped onion (a sweet one like a Vidalia or red onion works well)
1-3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 T ground cumin
1 T ground coriander
1 t. ground cinnamon
1 t. ground black pepper
½ t. ground nutmeg
Ground Cayenne pepper or chili powder to taste, about ½ t to 2 t
1 egg, beaten
½ to 1 t salt (no you can’t leave it out!)
Mix it all together and make meatballs. You can mix the spices into the egg first to ensure everything is evenly distributed, but I didn’t bother and it was fine. To be extra precise, you can divide the pile of raw meat into equal pieces before you begin. Flatten into football shapes or nuggets and grill over medium heat, turning once. Grill about 3-5 minutes per side, depending on the thickness. Test one with a meat thermometer to make sure they’re at 165 degrees F inside. Any hotter and they may be dry.
Consider adding ¼ lb ground bacon or finely chopped, lightly cooked bacon to the mix for added porky goodness. This is tweaked from a recipe my wife found in Better Homes and Gardens.
But back to the tomatoes, here's a Before and After show-off of my homemade gravy... the only things that didn't come from my garden were the olive oil and half an onion.
So that's three tomatoes, 2 cloves of garlic, a handfull of chopped onion, basil, thyme and oregano, all sauteed in a nice generous dash of good extra virgin olive oil. Toss in cooked, sliced sausage and pasta and ba-da-bing... a nice summery plate of de-frickin-licious if I do say so myself.
Monday, July 25, 2011
X-plorers Quick Start in the works!
I’m happy to say we’re hip-deep in making an X-plorers Quick Start document to distribute for Free RPG Day in 2012! As the deadline for publishers is in February 2012, I’d say we have a good head start.
I’m lucky enough to be spear heading this effort and writing a short adventure for it, so while that’s exciting, it’s also my ass if it flounders, LOL. But with several rounds of proofreading and editing to rely on, I’m sure we can make it a strong offering.
The goal is to make it as simple to pick up and play for total newbs as possible, so that the X-plorers brand can grow by attracting new people (which is always the goal, really).
So I turn to you, good reader and X-P fan! What would you like to see in a Quick Start for X-P? The game is already lean (in a good way, I mean) so there’s not any fat to trim, so to speak. What do you think would be ONE THING that it HAS TO HAVE to get new players hooked?
Thanks for your help!
I’m lucky enough to be spear heading this effort and writing a short adventure for it, so while that’s exciting, it’s also my ass if it flounders, LOL. But with several rounds of proofreading and editing to rely on, I’m sure we can make it a strong offering.
The goal is to make it as simple to pick up and play for total newbs as possible, so that the X-plorers brand can grow by attracting new people (which is always the goal, really).
So I turn to you, good reader and X-P fan! What would you like to see in a Quick Start for X-P? The game is already lean (in a good way, I mean) so there’s not any fat to trim, so to speak. What do you think would be ONE THING that it HAS TO HAVE to get new players hooked?
Thanks for your help!
Friday, July 15, 2011
Monday, July 4, 2011
Thursday, June 16, 2011
X-Plorers Boxed Set, limited Edition, for sale!
Order now while you still can!
Sorry I'm a few days behind on this "announcement" I put that in quotes because it's not really news anymore, but hey. I also phoned it in by basically copying Jay's announcement from his BLOG. LOL
http://bravehalfling.com/?p=676
Just look at that beautiful black and white box set cover!
X-plorers, the retro, science-fiction RPG crafted by Dave Bezio has been given the royal treatment--a box set! I believe that this is the first sci-fi game in the OSR family to have that distinction. John Adams at Brave Halfling has put together a really beautiful package. You can order now, but there's a limited number.
Here's the box contents from the head space cadet himself:
6″ x 9″ Game Box (This is an actual game box manufactured for just this purpose and both the top and the bottom are tight-wrapped) hand numbered from 1-200 by the head halfling himself!
2 Rule Booklets (Player’s Guide and Referee’s Guide)
Cleopatra Station Free Adventure
3 six-sided and 1 twenty-sided dice
2 Ship Deck plans of the Serrona Class Scout and the Mastodon Class Freighter
ONLY 200 WILL BE MADE! HAND NUMBERED BY HEAD HALFLING JOHN ADAMS!
ORDER NOW
Sorry I'm a few days behind on this "announcement" I put that in quotes because it's not really news anymore, but hey. I also phoned it in by basically copying Jay's announcement from his BLOG. LOL
http://bravehalfling.com/?p=676
Just look at that beautiful black and white box set cover!
X-plorers, the retro, science-fiction RPG crafted by Dave Bezio has been given the royal treatment--a box set! I believe that this is the first sci-fi game in the OSR family to have that distinction. John Adams at Brave Halfling has put together a really beautiful package. You can order now, but there's a limited number.
Here's the box contents from the head space cadet himself:
6″ x 9″ Game Box (This is an actual game box manufactured for just this purpose and both the top and the bottom are tight-wrapped) hand numbered from 1-200 by the head halfling himself!
2 Rule Booklets (Player’s Guide and Referee’s Guide)
Cleopatra Station Free Adventure
3 six-sided and 1 twenty-sided dice
2 Ship Deck plans of the Serrona Class Scout and the Mastodon Class Freighter
ONLY 200 WILL BE MADE! HAND NUMBERED BY HEAD HALFLING JOHN ADAMS!
ORDER NOW
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
I have seen the Future…
…and it looks GREAT.
By “the Future” I’m referring of course, to the cover for the forthcoming X-Plorers limited edition Boxes set.* My friends, this cover is gorgeous. It’s a stellar (pun intended) drawing by Steve Z that really captures the feeling of adventure, mystery and fun that is X-P.
Look forward to the official announcement by John at www.bravehalfling.com in the upcoming days!
* Yes, true believers, only 200 boxed sets will be made, each hand numbered by the Brave Halfling himself, John Adams! A collector’s item if ever there was one!
John may be announcing the official release schedule for the rest of 2011 in the near future as well. Suffice it to say, I am quite excited and I hope you are too.
By “the Future” I’m referring of course, to the cover for the forthcoming X-Plorers limited edition Boxes set.* My friends, this cover is gorgeous. It’s a stellar (pun intended) drawing by Steve Z that really captures the feeling of adventure, mystery and fun that is X-P.
Look forward to the official announcement by John at www.bravehalfling.com in the upcoming days!
* Yes, true believers, only 200 boxed sets will be made, each hand numbered by the Brave Halfling himself, John Adams! A collector’s item if ever there was one!
John may be announcing the official release schedule for the rest of 2011 in the near future as well. Suffice it to say, I am quite excited and I hope you are too.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
4th post of 2011, in which I reveal my bromance with The Destroyer
So with this, the forth 'real' post of 2011, I have exceeded my post count for 2010, and met that goal. Ah, better living through lower standards…. LOL. (the previous post giving a shout out to my new followers, while a crucial and heartfelt gesture of gratitude, is pretty short, so I feel cheap counting it).
So anyway, I’ve come to the conclusion that I have a total man-crush on The Destroyer. I’ve made it my desktop wallpaper so I can gaze upon it all day (I’m even starting to scare myself).
I know in the comic it’s a suit of armor and not an automaton, but I think the movie version is totally perfect. I love the look of it; I’d love to have traps, delts and pecs like that (have you ever tried to work out enough to look like that? I admire the dedication it takes for anyone to pull it off). The dark, harsh-looking iron bands that make up its body, the way the whole thing swells with barely contained flames as it powers up its breath weapon and that its entire [i]face[/i] opens up to let loose the blast. How... eldritch is that? The wonky Jack Kirby flat head thingy and spikes – I’m so glad they kept those details.
A photo was leaked on the internet, that had what looked like pallets and cinder blocks holding its feet in place, so I think there was a real statue built, and I’m not sure how much was practical photography and how much CGI, but it all looks very real to me, and that is really cool too. Compare and contrast with the finale of the Spawn movie where the SFX went all crappy all at once, a sad mess. (in all fairness, that was like, 15 years ago).
At least in the theater where I saw Thor, the sound of the Destroyer’s breath weapon was just a little too loud and had a sort of harsh ugly sound to it, which is perfect for a nigh-indestructible, ultimate weapon, armor-robot, monster thing.
Yes, yes, I know, in the comic, it’s “totally indestructible” but I figure if anything can smash an invincible object (like the Destroyer or the Bifrost) it’s Mjolnir, right? So that works for me too. I take comfort remembering that these movies are reinterpretations of the comix stories, not direct translations. Besides, in a sequel, Odin can just repair the Destroyer or remake a stronger one; he’s [i]Odin[/i], dammit!
BTW: They make a point of showing that Sif is a total badass warrior, as she’s the only one (besides the restored Thor) who can even wound it. GRRRRL POWER!
So in conclusion, I officially declare the Destroyer to be Totally Frickin’ Sweet.
‘nuff said.
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Thursday, May 26, 2011
More X-Plorers blogging from yours truly
I immediately fell in love with X-P on my first reading, so I feel quite lucky to be involved in its future and responsible to help create something that is a strong product – both well liked, and FUN. Here are some of my thoughts for the 2nd edition, and your chance to help save it from me with your comments.
What I loved about X-P right away was that the elegant simplicity lends itself to easy house-ruling. It is a toolbox that says, ‘make it your own’ instead of ‘this is the only way’. Any number of skill rules, like the suggestions on the Exonauts blog, will work well, but by default, there are simple rules for newbs or those who favor it fast and loose.
At this point in my life, I favor the simple approach, though back in high school I was running a couple 2nd edition AD&D campaigns with scads of rules from about a dozen optional books. I appreciate that a ‘crunchy’ approach is fun for many and a lighter approach is fun for others. I say there is no wrong way to have fun, so I’d love to accommodate both in the newer version if it all fits.
So what does that mean for X-P? I favor interpreting the skills as broadly as possible, like in Star Trek or Star Wars. “Scientist” knows chemistry, nuclear physics, and can even breed mutants. “Pilot” can fly a car, operate a crane or an alien warship. Realistic? Maybe it’s a stretch, but I think everyone has more fun when the default answer is “yes” instead of “you don’t have that skill/feat/power/or whatever. YMMV. I drive well, but I wouldn’t want to race in the Indy 500 anytime soon, or haul cargo down the ice road. But Luke Skywalker can hop into any flying vehicle and off he goes like he was born in that cockpit. The suspension of disbelief makes it more fun, IMO.
Therefore, while I favor keeping the skills broad and the skill rules simple, I like it to be clear that anyone can do whatever they want also. Maybe some space in the rulebooks can list two or three examples of optional skill systems. I hesitate to codify one system, because the reader, especially a new gamer, may think they cannot do it differently at all.
While it’s always true that the GM can rework any rules in any game to their whim, doing so makes it more difficult to run the game “out of the box” which I think is how we want X-P to be: grab the box, roll up characters, (which should take 10 minutes tops IMO), and GO. Hopefully we can put dice in the box too.
There’s the simple, but here’s an idea I had for character creation and skills that I think is strong: each class would still have 4 skills by default, but a list of 6 to 8 skills from which to choose. This way, they are still archetypical, but not cookie-cutter identical. What do you all think of this?
I think a new Mystic/Psionicist/Jedi-type class is (pretty much) required, even if optional, but are there other classes you’d like to see? Jay and I have had some preliminary discussions about a post on Grognardia about Scifi archetypes, but I’d appreciate more opinions. Jay’s Space Pioneer is more of a profession than a class, so that’s another way to go; sort of layering these benes and drawbacks over the existing classes, similar to Savage Worlds.
(BTW: I haven’t played it, but Savage Worlds looks pretty cool, check it out.)
Does anyone like a class-less character creation system? Maybe a list of 20ish skills and you pick 4 or 5 to create a character? 4-skill characters would need fewer Experience Points to advance in level than the 5 skill characters.
Do you think any skills are “missing” from the rules now? “Tinker” comes to mind, the ability to build gizmos that do wondrous things. But going broad as I mentioned above, this might fit under the Technician’s mechanic skill, and arguably under the Scientist’s science skill (we’ve seen Spock modify photon torpedoes and stuff like that, though he’s usually helping Scotty do it). I’d say no to the science one, though because it’s already too broad.
So there is this balance to maintain… what’s needed, and realistic enough to allow suspension of disbelief without limiting the other characters? Where do we draw the lines? Why is Robotics separate from Mechanics? Is there an artistic alchemy of computers and mechanics that makes Robotics a separate skill? Or simply game balance? At some point, it get to, OK there’s ONE SKILL! You can do ANYTHING! Yeah, no.
What I loved about X-P right away was that the elegant simplicity lends itself to easy house-ruling. It is a toolbox that says, ‘make it your own’ instead of ‘this is the only way’. Any number of skill rules, like the suggestions on the Exonauts blog, will work well, but by default, there are simple rules for newbs or those who favor it fast and loose.
At this point in my life, I favor the simple approach, though back in high school I was running a couple 2nd edition AD&D campaigns with scads of rules from about a dozen optional books. I appreciate that a ‘crunchy’ approach is fun for many and a lighter approach is fun for others. I say there is no wrong way to have fun, so I’d love to accommodate both in the newer version if it all fits.
So what does that mean for X-P? I favor interpreting the skills as broadly as possible, like in Star Trek or Star Wars. “Scientist” knows chemistry, nuclear physics, and can even breed mutants. “Pilot” can fly a car, operate a crane or an alien warship. Realistic? Maybe it’s a stretch, but I think everyone has more fun when the default answer is “yes” instead of “you don’t have that skill/feat/power/or whatever. YMMV. I drive well, but I wouldn’t want to race in the Indy 500 anytime soon, or haul cargo down the ice road. But Luke Skywalker can hop into any flying vehicle and off he goes like he was born in that cockpit. The suspension of disbelief makes it more fun, IMO.
Therefore, while I favor keeping the skills broad and the skill rules simple, I like it to be clear that anyone can do whatever they want also. Maybe some space in the rulebooks can list two or three examples of optional skill systems. I hesitate to codify one system, because the reader, especially a new gamer, may think they cannot do it differently at all.
While it’s always true that the GM can rework any rules in any game to their whim, doing so makes it more difficult to run the game “out of the box” which I think is how we want X-P to be: grab the box, roll up characters, (which should take 10 minutes tops IMO), and GO. Hopefully we can put dice in the box too.
There’s the simple, but here’s an idea I had for character creation and skills that I think is strong: each class would still have 4 skills by default, but a list of 6 to 8 skills from which to choose. This way, they are still archetypical, but not cookie-cutter identical. What do you all think of this?
I think a new Mystic/Psionicist/Jedi-type class is (pretty much) required, even if optional, but are there other classes you’d like to see? Jay and I have had some preliminary discussions about a post on Grognardia about Scifi archetypes, but I’d appreciate more opinions. Jay’s Space Pioneer is more of a profession than a class, so that’s another way to go; sort of layering these benes and drawbacks over the existing classes, similar to Savage Worlds.
(BTW: I haven’t played it, but Savage Worlds looks pretty cool, check it out.)
Does anyone like a class-less character creation system? Maybe a list of 20ish skills and you pick 4 or 5 to create a character? 4-skill characters would need fewer Experience Points to advance in level than the 5 skill characters.
Do you think any skills are “missing” from the rules now? “Tinker” comes to mind, the ability to build gizmos that do wondrous things. But going broad as I mentioned above, this might fit under the Technician’s mechanic skill, and arguably under the Scientist’s science skill (we’ve seen Spock modify photon torpedoes and stuff like that, though he’s usually helping Scotty do it). I’d say no to the science one, though because it’s already too broad.
So there is this balance to maintain… what’s needed, and realistic enough to allow suspension of disbelief without limiting the other characters? Where do we draw the lines? Why is Robotics separate from Mechanics? Is there an artistic alchemy of computers and mechanics that makes Robotics a separate skill? Or simply game balance? At some point, it get to, OK there’s ONE SKILL! You can do ANYTHING! Yeah, no.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
To Build a better geek....
Since people are supposed to blog about the professional or private projects they’re working on, I’m going to make an effort to do this in my silly little blog here. I’m going to make it link-tastic as well to help pimp everything to my one reader (thanks dude!).
{re: last post… look how much progress already! Yippee!}
Aside: Goal two: get to 5 followers by year’s end…. That way I’m not like THIS. Not 100% like it, at least.
So here we go:
I’m involved in the re-launch of Dave Bezio’s X-Plorers, a sweet little SciFi RPG that has been re-formatted and made glorious by Brave Halfling Publishing. The re-launched version will be published soon. If you like RPGs, sci-fi, and/or fun, you should totally get X-Plorers. Here’s a review from Grognardia.
For the Brave Halfling re-launch of the original X-P, I helped proof read, is about all. But what really has me jazzed is that I’ve written two adventure modules for the game, which could see the light of day by year’s end (guessing), maybe sooner. When these are published, it will be literally a dream come true! I’ve dreamed of publishing RPG stuff since my high school days of running and playing in multiple AD&D games (the nightmare begins afterwards with the flaming reviews, LOL).
What also has me pumped is that I’m involved with shaping the 2nd edition of X-Plorers, a next generation, if you will. We’re not sure what we’re calling it yet. “X-P 2.0” seems to be a popular working title. By “popular” I mean, none of the other Halflings have yelled at me for calling it that yet (there’s no guarantee they won’t in the near future). Jay of Exonauts is taking the lead on the editing and steering the 2nd edition of X-P, while John at Brave Halfling does the layout. There is awesome art for the BHP Version of X-P that really knocks it out of the park. HERE is a good update from Jay’s Blog about the progress on X-P.
I’m also psyched about this: Arcana Creations, a subsidiary or subdivision of Brave Halfling Publishing, has accepted the manuscript of an adventure module I’ve written for the Castles and Crusades Fantasy RPG, which will make it to publication in some form. I’ve already written a sequel, and have an outline for several more. My ultimate delusion of grandeur goal is to have a usable campaign or adventure path from these adventures. Something like A Hero’s Tale for 2nd edition AD&D. (A Hero’s Tale was totally sweet, grab a copy if you can).
Our robust economy (irony) has put the kybosh on the print publication of my module, Hide in Plain Sight (the original idea was to get Hide in Plain Sight in stores and ready for direct sales like The Secret of Ronan Skerry and A Trick on the Tain). Pat is good people and the goodies I’ve created will be used at some point, perhaps in Arcana Creations’ publication, Ballista.
There’s also an Accessory for C&C about which I’m very excited. It should be easy to port to other games (or we might re-design it slightly with this in mind) to broaden its appeal. I feel comfortable saying it’s a solid product, biased as I am, because it’s been enhanced by the great brainstorming and brilliant ideas and suggestions of Pat and Keith and others at BHP and AC, and not just my own mess of a mind. This one, I am proud of and eager to have it hit the public.
So we’ll see (isn’t that always true?). These things for C&C may end up in print on their own or in the newsletter Ballista, but in any event, I’m psyched to have these opportunities. Between the X-P material I’m working on, and the C&C material we’ll be revisiting soon, I’m very excited to be involved with Arcana Creations and Brave Halfling, and I hope everything is well received. Nothing would be more gratifying than to hear that people have enjoyed one or more of my products and that I’ve had some part in enhancing their RPG fun.
{re: last post… look how much progress already! Yippee!}
Aside: Goal two: get to 5 followers by year’s end…. That way I’m not like THIS. Not 100% like it, at least.
So here we go:
I’m involved in the re-launch of Dave Bezio’s X-Plorers, a sweet little SciFi RPG that has been re-formatted and made glorious by Brave Halfling Publishing. The re-launched version will be published soon. If you like RPGs, sci-fi, and/or fun, you should totally get X-Plorers. Here’s a review from Grognardia.
For the Brave Halfling re-launch of the original X-P, I helped proof read, is about all. But what really has me jazzed is that I’ve written two adventure modules for the game, which could see the light of day by year’s end (guessing), maybe sooner. When these are published, it will be literally a dream come true! I’ve dreamed of publishing RPG stuff since my high school days of running and playing in multiple AD&D games (the nightmare begins afterwards with the flaming reviews, LOL).
What also has me pumped is that I’m involved with shaping the 2nd edition of X-Plorers, a next generation, if you will. We’re not sure what we’re calling it yet. “X-P 2.0” seems to be a popular working title. By “popular” I mean, none of the other Halflings have yelled at me for calling it that yet (there’s no guarantee they won’t in the near future). Jay of Exonauts is taking the lead on the editing and steering the 2nd edition of X-P, while John at Brave Halfling does the layout. There is awesome art for the BHP Version of X-P that really knocks it out of the park. HERE is a good update from Jay’s Blog about the progress on X-P.
I’m also psyched about this: Arcana Creations, a subsidiary or subdivision of Brave Halfling Publishing, has accepted the manuscript of an adventure module I’ve written for the Castles and Crusades Fantasy RPG, which will make it to publication in some form. I’ve already written a sequel, and have an outline for several more. My ultimate delusion of grandeur goal is to have a usable campaign or adventure path from these adventures. Something like A Hero’s Tale for 2nd edition AD&D. (A Hero’s Tale was totally sweet, grab a copy if you can).
Our robust economy (irony) has put the kybosh on the print publication of my module, Hide in Plain Sight (the original idea was to get Hide in Plain Sight in stores and ready for direct sales like The Secret of Ronan Skerry and A Trick on the Tain). Pat is good people and the goodies I’ve created will be used at some point, perhaps in Arcana Creations’ publication, Ballista.
There’s also an Accessory for C&C about which I’m very excited. It should be easy to port to other games (or we might re-design it slightly with this in mind) to broaden its appeal. I feel comfortable saying it’s a solid product, biased as I am, because it’s been enhanced by the great brainstorming and brilliant ideas and suggestions of Pat and Keith and others at BHP and AC, and not just my own mess of a mind. This one, I am proud of and eager to have it hit the public.
So we’ll see (isn’t that always true?). These things for C&C may end up in print on their own or in the newsletter Ballista, but in any event, I’m psyched to have these opportunities. Between the X-P material I’m working on, and the C&C material we’ll be revisiting soon, I’m very excited to be involved with Arcana Creations and Brave Halfling, and I hope everything is well received. Nothing would be more gratifying than to hear that people have enjoyed one or more of my products and that I’ve had some part in enhancing their RPG fun.
Monday, May 16, 2011
> 3
It may be already halfway thru May, but by gosh, I'm going to beat last year's post count... a whopping 3 in 2010.
I think I can do it.
I'm 25% of the way there already!
I think I can do it.
I'm 25% of the way there already!
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
John Lennon
Today is the 30th anniversary of John Lennon’s death. While I was only four at the time, I’ve come to believe over the years that the world lost someone valuable that day. So in John’s honor, I’d like to post the following, his song “Happy Christmas (War is over) which is both mournful and hopeful, which perhaps makes it a perfect tribute. It’s also one of my favorite Christmas-time songs
HAPPY CHRISTMAS
By John Lennon
So this is Christmas
And what have you done
Another year over
A new one just begun
And so this is Christmas
I hope you have fun
The near and the dear ones
The old and the young
A very merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear
And so this is Christmas (War is Over, if you want it, war is over now)repeat with verse
For weak and for strong
The rich and the poor ones
The road is so long
So happy Christmas
For black and for white
For yellow and red ones
Let's stop all the fight
A very merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear
And so this is Christmas (War is over, if you want it, war is over now) repeat with verse
And what have we done
Another year over
And a new one just begun
And so this is Christmas
And we hope you have fun
The near and the dear ones
The old and the young
A very merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear
War is over, if you want it
War is over now
Merry Christmas
HAPPY CHRISTMAS
By John Lennon
So this is Christmas
And what have you done
Another year over
A new one just begun
And so this is Christmas
I hope you have fun
The near and the dear ones
The old and the young
A very merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear
And so this is Christmas (War is Over, if you want it, war is over now)repeat with verse
For weak and for strong
The rich and the poor ones
The road is so long
So happy Christmas
For black and for white
For yellow and red ones
Let's stop all the fight
A very merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear
And so this is Christmas (War is over, if you want it, war is over now) repeat with verse
And what have we done
Another year over
And a new one just begun
And so this is Christmas
And we hope you have fun
The near and the dear ones
The old and the young
A very merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear
War is over, if you want it
War is over now
Merry Christmas
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Top 10 Rejected Candle Scents
10: Leonard Maltin
9: Pickle
8: Wet Dog
7: Feta
6: Onion
5: Stale Beer
4: Boiled Cabbage
3: Choad
2: Hippee
1: Old Lady
9: Pickle
8: Wet Dog
7: Feta
6: Onion
5: Stale Beer
4: Boiled Cabbage
3: Choad
2: Hippee
1: Old Lady
Thursday, June 18, 2009
STAR TREK
So I finally saw Star Trek last night, and I'm quite pleased with it.
P.S. Re: last post -- Like it matters. who reads this anyway?
It's funny and fun, engaging and never boring. It might be a little too kinetic and light, but if this doesn't jump-start a fun new franchise, nothing will.
I felt while the whole thing has it's shiny new look and feel, it's still SO Star Trek. I imagine Gene Roddenberry himself would like it.
I can' t wait to see it again. is there better praise for a movie?
P.S. Re: last post -- Like it matters. who reads this anyway?
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Quote for the day:
"In life, it is we who select what we will become by the actions we perform."
Deng Ming-Dao
Deng Ming-Dao
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Recipe: Wingburger
I can't be the first person to think of this, but here I present, the WINGBURGER! Enjoy the awesome flavor of Buffalo wings with greatly reduced fat and cholesterol, and the mess-free convenience of a hamburger bun!
Ingredients:
Ground Chicken, or pre-made ground chicken patties
Franks Red Hot Sauce (or other wing sauce)
Hamburger buns
Bleu cheese dressing, the chunkier the better
Celery and Carrot sticks for side dish.
Form the chicken into patties, or use premade patties.
Pan sear or grill the chicken patties until well done, but still juicy, about 4 mins per side for 1/4 lb patties over high heat.
Dip the patties in Frank's Redhot or use less, to taste. Apply some to the buns also for more intense flavor, add cayanne pepper powder for more heat, or cut the Hot sauce with Ketchup for a milder flavor.
Place the sauced patties on the buns and top with blue cheese.
Enjoy with a cold lager!
Ingredients:
Ground Chicken, or pre-made ground chicken patties
Franks Red Hot Sauce (or other wing sauce)
Hamburger buns
Bleu cheese dressing, the chunkier the better
Celery and Carrot sticks for side dish.
Form the chicken into patties, or use premade patties.
Pan sear or grill the chicken patties until well done, but still juicy, about 4 mins per side for 1/4 lb patties over high heat.
Dip the patties in Frank's Redhot or use less, to taste. Apply some to the buns also for more intense flavor, add cayanne pepper powder for more heat, or cut the Hot sauce with Ketchup for a milder flavor.
Place the sauced patties on the buns and top with blue cheese.
Enjoy with a cold lager!
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Dave Arneson has Passed.
After some conflicting reports about Dave's health and death, now it has truly come to pass.
I dare say it is a sad day for everyone in the RPG hobby and industry, and I feel it's appropos to reiterate my thoughts from the anniversary of Gary Gygax's death that I posted in March.
Like Gary's passing, even though I never met Dave in real life, his work has touched my life in significant ways, and I will always be grateful.Sorry to see you go, Dave.
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