Saturday, June 19, 2004

old bad religion is so good. i'm listening to some of their old jams that u can download from amazon- weird, heh. good shit. second best saturday night ever. :(
bannner day for me!

I won at Gang of Fours tonight versus Leslie, Eric, and my imaginary girlfriend Jennifer. You see, you have to deal four hands, and the fourth hand goes to my immaginary girlfriend, Jennifer! :(

I also set a new reocrd for the penguin game with a whopping 1176.7! This is the best Saturday night evar! :(
finished a storm of swords - it was good. no more reading, ever. i'm glad the new one doesn't come out for like a week or so - that gives me some time to do music, etc. when all these guys come down next weekend, are u guys having a game day or something at erics? id like to play that game yer all raving about. not that penguins shit - thats cool, but i didn't get that into it. i think the best i ever did was like high 700s.

Yes Aaron, thank you for pointing out the fantastic news that there is a patch available for the PC which cannot be run on my Xbox version. :)

Kind of crappy actually. There's a bug in the release version of Thief III which basically means that you can't play the game in Expert mode. You can set it to Expert, but the AI will always run at normal settings.

That sucks because my usual M.O. with these games is to play through them once in Normal and then go through them in Expert--where the guards are much smarter, you have to find more loot, etc.. To me, the experiences are different enough to be two different games.

Most people aren't really going to notice because Normal is still a pretty challenging game and it's fair to say most people doesn't obsessively replay games the way I do. The bug really only pisses off the Thief-o-philes, and it's the Xbox owners who really get the shaft here because there's no easy way to patch the game (Microsoft wants to get away from that "PC in a console" rep--so they usually only let people "sneak in" patches with content updates; Eidos didn't allow for a way to update the Xbox version anyway).

There's some talk that they'll rerelease the Xbox version with the patch. Hopefully owners of the broken version will be able to trade it in.

I'm pretty bitter at Eidos QA, but even if Xbox players are just totally hosed, I think it's still worth the fifty bones for normal mode.

Bah! Back to hitting sleestaks on the back of the head. Shows you for giving me nightmares twenty years ago!
Morning dingbats

The right combo of blood, yeti, penguins, spikyclub, and mines. The best I have been able to get is 1066.7.

Jon, I ran across this today: "A patch for the PC version of Thief: Deadly Shadows is now available. The patch fixes the AI skill level being reset whenever a level is reloaded, the major bug previously reported in a post at Slashdot Games."

Bortz
849.6 or something or other... That little game just sucks up time, must stop.

I concur with Jon. I just got Front Mission 4. Tactical giant robot game. Did I mention I love games with giant robots? It just needs elf pilots. Also got Runebound. Elfs! And also got meself a GBA. Final Fantasy Tactics, more crack!

I'm fairly certain I can make it to the con with my sucky first level bard... yay
Memoir '44 is simply the most enjoyable game I have ever played.

Eric, Leslie and I played Gang (Game) of Four tonight. Eric made a homemade version with regular playing cards. I got smoked and Leslie was the victor. Suck, but I still had so much fun!!!

Then, Eric and I played his new English version of Memoir '44. It was like the fifth time we played it today, and about the tenth time we played this week. I got smoked again, but man was it fun. I love that game, I think I am even going to buy it. I love it more than I love Battle Cry. What is happening to me? I feel... like... a geek!

Friday, June 18, 2004

My game life is good right now.

Exhibit A: Thief III. Ah, precious Thief. Hiding, sneaking, stealing, and blackjacking. In this iteration, you can make puddles of oil causing people to fall down stairs! And guards will relight torches! And... and... you can still throw bodies on top of each other to make it look like they're totally gay!
Exhibit B: Ticket to Ride. I've gotten almost everybody I know to play this game by now. It isch guten.
Exhibit C: Memoir '44. Picked it up today, excited to play it. Eric?

My best score was 870 or so. Normally I'd continue playing until 2:30 AM or so, but tonight, there's thieving to be done!!!
I just bought Battle Ball by Parker brothers

It's kinda of a crazy impulse buy but I finally went to Toys r us after months of wanting to peruse their board game section. It looked like a psuedo Blood bowl with 22 cool looking miniatures that I couldn't pass up. I'm playing it by myself right now. Kinda interesting... very simple game, could be fun.

check it out

www.playbattleball.com

AMENDED 8:53 pm thur
Ok... once again, Parker brothers has created a game for IDIOTS! I understand the need to make a game simple for ages 8 and up, but god forbid, let's treat these kids like their dumbasses..

Parker brother game designer: "lets build a game for kids!"
Game designer 2: "okay!"
Game designer 1: "Kids just want to eat little toy soldiers, so lets forget making rules!"
Game designer 2: "you deserve a raise!" (eyes fill up with tears) Let's make sure that we put the Ages 8+ sign on the box to denote that we created this game for Idio.. uh I mean kids.

Ok.. another 19 dollars down the tube. But the good part is, I can make some house rules for the cool looking playing pieces and board.
I just got 1159.8, assholes! Beat that!
1046.9 biatch!!!

Who's the fucking boredest of them all??? I had two screens going at once.!!!!

948... Dirty!

The double mine explosion at once rules!

Ooof
I got 942.

That is one nasty game. Hooray for bordem

Bortz
Play This Game

http://www.albinoblacksheep.com/flash/pingu2.php

Ryan and I's high score so far is 895.3
Im with you too..

I will be attending the GenCon SoCal convention! Rock on. Yeah Johnny, you need to score us some cheapy room action jackson. I am assuming you are in for the SoCal fun. Granted it is some 6 months away, but hey one can never be too excited about Cunvhenshun Thyme. Throw down suckas!

Elrock: I heard this from Johnny maybe, I could have heard it some where else... Anyway, I have been not been able to confirm nor deny this on the web, but I heard they are not planning on running True Dungeon at SoCal this year. There seems to be a darth of info about True Dungeon beyond GenCon Indy.

As a side note: Kubla 2003 had an attendance of 1948 people. Pretty good. This year seemed even more populous than the last. You know where you can file that.

Bortz
Gen Con SoCal

Dec. 2 - 5, 2004

We are all going, right? Mike, are you going to be in the states? Can Johnny get the kick ass room again for dirt cheap? Can we go to the strip club again, I mean, just for old times sake? Pre-reg is open, and I think one thing is clear as vodka: we need to do the True Dungeon again! I need me Fighter to advance to 3rd level! Go check out True Dungeon if you have not already to see the new module, which is a Return to Hommlet- an homage to old school D&D, there is even going to be a pub!

So, we all know where I stand, I'm in! Let's all go again, it will officially be the second half of our bi-annual convention gang experience!

I'm excited 6 months early!

Mike, remember to bring all the dungeon tokens we left with you!

Thursday, June 17, 2004

Check Ch CheckCheckCheck it Checkitout

Interesting column about waterpolo for Ryan to print out and give to his players maybe? I didn't even look at the date or anything, just a good read for those in the inside.

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=degree/neel/040505

Wednesday, June 16, 2004

no more haterade for you guys

i liked the lakers - remember my first game I went to with my dad when i was a kid and whenever michael cooper would make a basket the crowd would go "COOOOOOOOP" - i thought they were booing him. good times. end of the most recent dynasty. but just like king robert got lazy with his wine and hunting (spolier: BOAR!), the lakes stopped being hungry - thats why they lost. oh well - don't hate.

gaimsday!

Great, I'm down. for it, that is. for some game lovin. I'll check up the times on their website. then we can go directly to buccas I guess.

I'll also be down in LA from the 25th to 29th...!!! part ee
La Losers

In a world where everyone kisses your ass and tells you from day one that you are the only reason that something happens, you begin to believe it. I am sure everyone arond both Kobe and Shaq whisper into their ears constantly that they are the sun and the moon. I for one am glad they blew up. Maybe they will learn something from it.

If you are tired of more Reagan rancid meat covered with honey, check this article out.

In other much better and more exciting news... I will be in LA again. I am coming down the 25th in the eve and I will be returning to SF on the 2nd of July. The 25th, 26, and 27th I will probably be with Aimey the whole time, but outside of that weekend I will be about during the eves throughout the weekdays. I am also going to try and hook up with Art during the week. He is supposedly going to be down that week. I will keep all those interested posted. I have to talk with Art again.

Johnny: I have yet to talk to the Missus, but I would like to go to The Gamesday this weekend. Saturday I believe. You interested. I will post the times and stuff later.

Bortz
Oh and this shit really bothers me

Teh media keepz saying "Shaq or Kobes" team. WTF?? Doesn't shaq realize by now, he has never won anything by himself? He's a failure by himself. From Orlando to the Lakers. Its ridiculous. Whatever happened to the team mentality?

owell
I would have liked to see the Lakers play better.

Lakers are lame because of their off court dramas and egos. But i'm for competition. It's such a waste to see a good team play so horrible. But its interesting how the lakers lineup self destructed and unraveled this year.

It started with the lakers drafting "marquis" players, Malone and Payton, at the sacrifice of good support players getting rid of the likes of Mark madsen, Brian shaw, samaki walker. They also lost ron harper, and isaiah the year before. Consolidating All star players made the lakers look invinceble but it's a double edged sword.

Then it happened,

Payton sucked. Played worse than tyronne lue.

Malone got hurt.

Horace Grant didnt play.

Almost immediately without the two marquis players and with a bench full of rookies and low-calibre support players, the Lakers squad resembled the squad prior to the championship years, before they started winning championships. People forget, that it wasn't just shaq and kobe.

Did I really expect them to win without malone, payton and horace? I didn't.

Bottom line - I don't think Shaq-Kobe-Phil should be that disturbed by this performance. With a healthy malone next year, trade payton for some good support players and the lakers will be back in the finals again. But without Jerry west, I don't think the drama will keep the team together.

Tuesday, June 15, 2004

Lakarz Looz!

Hooray for Ryan and I!

When asked about next season, the Lakers resident intellectual and dynamic speaker, Shaq O'Neal responded with:

"This summer is going to be a different summer for a lot of people," he said. "Everyone is going to take care of their own business and everyone is going to do what's best for them, including me."

He didn't elaborate, but said he wanted to speak with general manager Mitch Kupchak and "see where they want to go with things.

"Like I said, we are all going to do what's best for each other," O'Neal said.



Ah yes, my documentary

For some reason I have seen the murder Brother Simon list somewhere before, I think you have already had one of these guilt-alleviator posts before....

Memoir '44 arrived, and it is in Francais. Boo. It arrived last week on Friday, and I am one of the lucky 6 people who had the wrong language sent to them. The night I returned from a visit with my aunt in SB, I opened the package from my doorstep, crapped my pants at the language, and then immediately hopped online to do some card effect translations (The rules without scenarios are available online). I finished the translations, printed my results, and then promptly translated the first scenario. So far through playing with Ryan we have translated 4 scenarios, though now it is easy because most of the text is familiar, so I should have little problem figuring out the rest of the scenarios.

And yes, I have already finished the magnet version. This version features photoshopped units and individual magnetic hex tiles as well as sandbags, wire, bunkers, bridges, etc. Nerd.

And also yes, they are going to remedy the language problem. Initially, they wanted to send me a replacement copy, and also a UPS pre-paid return package for the Frenchie Pete version. Then I said I opened, punched and played quite a few games already and all I needed was the rules and cards, and since they don't have spare rules or cards, I may get a whole set and keep the on I have, which means we can play the Overlord scenarios (which requires both boards and both sets of miniatures)! They have been very pleasant to deal with and have been apologetic and attentive-good company.

Good times.

Why did I make a magnet version?

And it is a TERRIFIC game!

Ancient DM bias revealed!!!

In the process of cleaning my room, I found the following piece of paper. I feel pretty bad about this blatant plotting and scheming, so I'm posting it publicly in repentance!


Ideas: Killing off Brother Simon (Mike)

1. Secretly offer bounties to other players (Rudy?) (real money?)
2. Holy symbol explodes (don't explain)
3. Create weapon that does 5x damage vs. clerics
4. Everyone has to make Cha checks or die
(make rolls secretly)
(only roll for Simon)
5. B.S. & Felix have to wrestle for fun on the ship, Felix accidentally breaks his neck
6. Tell everyone a wizard has made it so saying a certain word will kill you, then it's the first word Mike says, even if other players have said it

- character sheet
1. Burn?
2. Tear?
3. Feed to dogs

Monday, June 14, 2004

address is

two oh oh oh Walnut ave, apt H two oh five.

Fremont, California nine four five three eight.

Thanks bud,
J.

P.S I've been trying to recreate "baby got back" and "it's hot in herre (nellie)" and i think i did a pretty good job. The thing is I can't get the sounds to be exactly right or the beats exactly lined up. There's also variations to the beat through the course of the songs which makes it tuff to figure out exactly. U have the same problem?
email me your mailing address johnny and ill send u the check. thx
Rooders...

Don't forget to send me a check fer' 65 (room + cleaning lady tip). Jon, you paid me at the con right?

Sat, I went to the livermore Rodeo! Fun.. horses, bulls, cowgirls (shwing), and lots and lots and lots of booze, namely budweiser and of course good ol Jack Daniels. Now, some of these cowgirls were very very very healthy and most of the time I couldn't help stare at the jugs, but there were plenty. Is that wrong? Then there was this drunk guy that was heckling the crowd, kinda like the town drunk. Everyone just ignored him.

Sunday, June 13, 2004

Eric, check your email.

I've sent a couple o' things to your 10d6 account. It's something I think everyone would like, especially the "miniatures," but I don't know how to post things publicly. :(
brotherfucker brotherfucker brotherfucker!

Just finished a clash of kings. it was good. what a fucking tease though - every fucking chapter is a little cliff hanger, and both of these books have totally ended with non-endings. like a g-d'n soap opera. i definately enjoy the books, but its tuff - so many fuckin pages, and it SO far from over.

funny - i d/l'd it as a ms word doc - i think someone used some kind of text scanning software, because 1. it has all kinds of weird misspellings - ie, Twiynn becomes !7winn. And Bronon? I don't even remember how to spell the names correcty, but ya - his name is always gettin all fucked up. Pretty funny. Ya, and 2. - there is NO indention for new paragraphs (or even a space.) So, ya, i'm a crackhead for reading the book like that - my eyes, bitch!

-Hot Pie