Saturday, November 20, 2004

sk8r!

Dudes, I got a friggin skateboard! I'm so stoked. My cousin has this company:

www.performancesk8.com

And I saw him at a party tonight and he gave me a deck! It's rad man. I gotta go with someone who knows skating to buy trucks and wheels, but then i'm good to go (nowhere fast.)

Rad that you moved into a gaming house! They should do a reality-show about it! :) Some quasi-celebrity gamers I just found out about are Chris Hardwick (from Singled-Out and Shipmates fame) and Patton Oswalt (from King of Queens "fame".) I've seen them both do stand-up, and they're really funny! Good shit. After one show, my friend Stan heard them talking out in the parking lot about how they were worried that their Dungeon Master was gonna quit the group. Supposedly he was jobless, and they were talking about how maybe they could PAY him to keep DMing their group. That's too rad. From Chris Hardwick's website:

*I know discrimination. In sixth grade I was the victim of a hate crime. Four white kids attacked me simply for the color of my velvet 100-sided die side-pouch. Using my D&D “Fiend Folio” as a plunging device, they stuffed me into a lunchroom trashcan. Because I am a positive person, I noted that the can was half-full, yet I couldn’t help but feel like a 9th level loser with a +5 sadness.

Gaming is the best!


Well, I'm in for the convention. But if Rudy can go for two nights, that would really help. That would reduce our costs to about $65 a head (assuming the room is $100), which is workable.

We should ask Peter if he wants to go, too. He's seemed interested in conventions lately, and that would bring our costs down as well.

I will be poor and will expect to basically be making myself sandwiches the whole time, but I'll be there.

So let me tell you guys a little about my roommates. When I first checked out the place, there was a Player's Handbook on a shelf in my room, which I made an off-hand comment about; I figured it belonged to the guy who was moving out, or something. But actually, it seems that I have inadvertantly moved into a house full of gamers. I've got three roommates and they all love D&D and Call of Cthulhu from way back.

When I pulled up in my U-Haul, my roommate Scott was around and he helped me moved in. I mentioned to him that the two huge Sterilite containers housed my board game collection. Well, his eyes just lit up. I mean, literally, golden beams shooting out of his eyes. The containers were in the garage for the first five or six days I was here, and every time Scott saw me he said, "You know, I don't want to rush you, but whenever you want to open up those boxes, I'm there."

Scott, Allen, and a couple of their friends used to play tons of Axis & Allies, it seems. Scott even has the new version. (Scott's wife, Heather, is also a D&D player, but as a board-gamer is more the Scrabble type.) So a few days ago Scott and I hauled up the containers and I taught Scott how to play Battle Cry. He really liked it, so last night we taught Allen how to play as well and I ref'd them through the First Bull Run.

Ironically, I think that they would both really like Blood Bowl! It almost makes me want to pick it up at some point. I definitely think they'd like Space Hulk, and for some reason I have a good feeling about Necromunda as well.

So, yeah, that worked out.

(The obvious question is: do they want to go to GenCon? I don't think any of them can afford it--Heather and Scott are a one-income family, and Allen just bought a TV and PS2 so he probably doesn't have much to spare. Oh, well.)

Friday, November 19, 2004

I'm buying a weekend pass for the con, but I'm almost positive I won't sleep over all the nights. If I could just pay for like two nights (friday and saturday night maybe) then I'd sleep over - it'd at least lower the cost a little for the rest of you. What's the exact cost for the rooms btw.

JAEL! We'll miss you dude! That sucks, but it sounds like it's out of your hands. Take care of your business( and cock.) I don't think legalizing prostitution makes things evil. It's going to exist no matter what - at least with legalization (like in nevada - not vegas) certain safety restrictions, regulations and things can be put into place for the betterment of everyone involved. BUT, no matter what, you're always gonna have men paying women for sex. Oldest profession dude!


Suck about Johnny

Too bad you can not make it Ja -El. Ummm So it is Eric, Dennis, Jon, and I. What say you all? What is full retail? 100 per night for three nights? That would be 75 a head plus the 50 con badge. 125 for attendance. Im in if it is the four of us. What is the verdict boys? Jon you were planning on going right? I think under four would be the breaking point. Especially since I wouldnt have a passenger to spread out the cost of Ass for the drive there and back. It's like 90 dollars for the gas now.

D>M>

Ass, ass, or ass. No one rides for free. -BluRst Bumper Sticker EvAr
GenCon

Should we even do it at all this year? Can anyone pay for the rooms? Are Denis Aaron and I the only ones going? Should I cancel the room, cause see the thing is we DID pay full retail and now there are only three of us.

This sucks.
Sorry guys, I can't make it to the convenshun this year around.

Something just came up and I have to fly to Manila phillipines after my trip is done here. So I'm leaving Sing from the 26th and will be spending the good half of Christmas Month until the 6th. There is no earlier flights home, all booked for the winter months, but I have to stay there anyhow for a good week. I'll miss you all. Lucky my special rated didn't apply to the hotel eh? You guys would have to have paid full retail or worse not be able to get a room at all, seeing that when I was booking the rooms, the hotel was packed.

Okay, I'm rambling.

Disturbing thing to note: Prostitution is legal in Singapore (to an open extent). quick fyi, just for those of you who didn't know. It's a regulated commodity. So what i've noticed is that it attracts the "most likeable" breed of business folks and tourists. Uh.. NOT. Jeez, it seems, foreigners and locals alike understand and prey on the concept of profiting or indulging in the services. It's way too routinal in conversation which makes it quite disturbing. Taxi drivers are urban pimps. KTV's are all too common, one can't go anywhere without seeing one. Outside the busy streets of my hotel are strewn with women in scant clothing (not assuming all of them are prostitutes, but common sense says otherwise). I'm pretty sickened by all this really. Never make prostitution legal in a country. It never brings anything but evil. Vegas is pretty bad too I guess.

Jael


Thursday, November 18, 2004

Review: Jon vs. Espresso Maker, round two

Oh man, I created a really fuckin' great triple espresso! I had it two and a half hours ago and I'm still wirred!

FINAL RATING: 10/10
Review: My first attempt at using the espresso maker

Rating: 5/10. Espresso was output, but not before I let it overboil, thus spewing half of my precious essence all over the stovetop. It goes down fine, but is leaving a funny taste in the back of my throat, not so much an aftertaste as a peculiar backtaste.

Tuesday, November 16, 2004

LOL.. check out this song..

It's the first one on the list "talk to me".. click the "listen" icon. Not safe for work.

http://www.whatarerecords.com/artist/stephen_lynch/discography.html



Monday, November 15, 2004

Oh man, most people probably haven't heard about Firefly anyways. It was a tv series from the guy who made Buffy and Angel that was cancelled after less than one season aired. You can buy the series on dvd. It was cancelled because it was basically too good for the fools at Fox - they didn't get it. But ya, the setting in a nutz shell (from the guy who made the mod):

A "space Western" if you will. Western, Asian, and sci-fi themes blend in a convincing mix of what the future may be.

So basically you guys would have a ship and be traders or bounty hunters or whatever fits yer fancy. There's cities, other ships, homesteads, astroids, palaces, and shit like that for locations. And lot's of guns and fisticuffs. I'll prolly run it once and it will be disast0rz, but I wanna at least try.


Erm..

I don't actually know this "Firefly" thing at all..(I'm so embarassed!)

But, it sounds like a cool concept! Space Cowboys, more or less? Kind of like a futuristic-ish Star Wars kind of universe but more Spaghetti-Western than tech oriented?



Space Punk!

First off, have a great trip Jael! He's on his way to Singapore today - good luck on your trip dude!

I've been messing with the toolset for NWN some more, and I'm getting more confident in running a sci-fi western for the group. In the hak-paks/modules you can download for Firefly, the guy does a good job in building the main Firefly ship, BUT it's all disconnected, meaning you walkthru a door and you have to load a new area for a corridor, for example. I think it kinda sucks. Makes the ship seems WAY bigger than it actually is. I think he did that to give the impression of different levels - there's lots of stairs up n down, BUT it can kinda make the ship seem confusing. SO, also in the hak pack, someone made a smaller, one-map ship that's pretty cool. I'm gonna personalize it, then that could be youz guyz's ship.

There's guns in the game - I guess they're just reskinned bows n arrows, BUT they have appropriate fx and look pretty bad-ass. If we do play, I think I'd stress hand-2-hand over shooting anyways. SO, I should get started with it by next weekend!

Here's the file's you'll need - (seems like a lot, but they're not too huge or anything)

Hak 1 38.11 Megz
Hak 2 36.6 Megz
Hax 3 41 Megz omghax!
Update hax0rz! 7.45 baby meg, i luv u!
And FINALLY the module/campaign setting (which has all the cool maps):
Module, Bitches! 3.51 megazordcheapz! (This also has a players-guide pdf, so check it if we play)

There are a couple of music haks too, but I'm not even gonna download them. I love music n all, but I'm not into the game music so much. Sound FX is good enough for me. Maybe I'll add some of my highschool songs to it.

The game uses a D20 Traveller set of rules, where you can get the free Lite version here: Traveller D20 Lite rulez

So, let me finish this whole record deal thing, then I wanna run this disaster!!


Sunday, November 14, 2004

Fellas..

Sorry, but I've got to attend to baby/wife matters tonight and won't be able to make it unfortunately. We'll plan for a big "everyone" week next sunday I guess. Who knows, now that Aaaaaaaron is working days, he might even be able to make it.

Skype

Yo! To confrence call, we need each other's screennames. Mine is rudymannings , jon's is at_ragnar , Jael's is jonnyrockt , don't know what art's is. Anyways, once everyone's got the prgm turned on, search for those names, they come up, add them to your contact list. Then someone (i'll do it) initiates a confrence call, and thats that!

Talked to eric - he's still sans-computer. He'll try for next sunday. Ya mon, I wish I would have got the platinum edition to begin with, BUT I wasn't even sure I'd like the game, so I didn't. Haven't seen a cheap way to get the 2 expansions, so I'll wait a little while and see if something comes up.

KIDS ON COFFEE!!!
Hey guys! I can meet everyone online tonight after dinner. 8:00-8:30? Don't know that I'll have time to prep anything though (I'm cooking dinner). What time are we meeting? I still haven't got a mic either. DOH! I promise I'll get one soon....

After we've got a few more games under our belts we should all get the expansions... opens up a LOT of content.

Anyway, what are we playing? I'll look around the vault... otherwise someone post an idea plz ok thx.

By the way... if we're all one group... I wanna be a monk!

Should we try Diablo tonight? It's just Diablo but on the other hand... Diablo's fun for everybody! Le'z try it. If you haven't already, go to this page and download the first three selections, and also the music pack if you want old-school Diablo music.

Then Johnny, if you can run the game again tonight, it should be pretty much like usual.

I think you get xp for talking to the townspeople, so talk to all of them, even if you just blow through the dialogue.

Anyway, that should be fine. If anyone knows a better mod, that's cool too. See you all tonight!
The Only Crimes

I have heard of Only Crime. I am going to go see them at the Henry Fonda Theatre in December with The Strung Outs. Tickets are $25 online though. Suck.
Digital Camera Question(s)


So, we're getting a family subsidy towards purchase of a nice digital camera so we can take quality shots of Haylee and family-type stuff. Being that I know very little about the hardware (but I'm learning, been reading-up for the last few days something fierce).. I'm wondering if you peeps have experience with any particular models/brands and what your opinion might be of:

FujiFilm S7000
6.3mp
6x Optical Zoom
RAW format

It takes AA batteries.. which some people seem to love, and others seem to not love.

So far, the reviews I've read say that it's a good mix of noobie automation and pro-features for the experienced guy (which ain't me, by any stretch.. yet)

You fellers have opinions or thoughts on cameras?

I can get this model on sale for $449 this week.. and have $400 in family subsidy to blow.. so it will only cost me $50 net. But, I don't want to buy it if it isn't a solid performer.

Late,

~O.

P.S. Aaaaaaaaron.. that sucks man. But, you don't need me to tell you that. Why don't you get hooked up with yahoo or google? Aren't they up your direction? I know they're always looking for computer-tech geniouses and pay out the ass. Of course, you'd probably prefer American Dinars instead of ass-pay.
Good find on the chat proggie..

We'll have to give that a go tonight. As for Tara Reid.. she'd never been real high on my list of attractive people. I've never been a big fan of fake boobies, either. I mean, don't get me wrong.. they're nice to look at in a bikini and all (sometimes), but when it gets down to business.. no fun. You know, it's funny.. I've never really been much of a boob man, but I wound up marrying a double-H sized woman. I actually feel sorry for her, they're just way too big and cause back strain. When we're done with kids, she'll probably go in and get a reduction.

Did you know that breast reductions are the most common plastic surgery procedure in America? I thought that was an interesting trivia bit.

Anyhow.. do we have a module picked out for tonight? I was thinking of the Eye of the Beholder dungeon.. what do you guys think?
You know...

This is ass. Now my sleep schedule is screwed. After four straight late ass nights 2:00am, 2:30am, 4:30am, and 5:30am. I couldnt stay up past 8pm Saturday eve. Now I am wide awake. Great. I have to switch to day shifts on monday. I need a new job.

Man was that "Fuck the South" bit a lot of sour grapes. The worst part is I feel myself agreeing with a lot of the comments. Harsh. You know I think the divide will get more intense in the next few decades. I mean most (Sans California) of the blue states are not growing in population as quickly as the red states. But even california is an issue. I mean most of the growth in the CA is coming in the more republican sururban and rural areas of the state. Counties like San Bern, Kern, and Orange. I donno. I guess the question is will most of the growing middle america cities mature like NY, Chicago, Bawston, SF, LA and gradually become more liberal, or will they pull a Texa$$ on us and remain staunch conseratives even in high density areas?

Okay, I am going to make myself sleep.

D>M>
gross

I just heard about Tara Reid's boob slip the other day, and I went to a site full of pics: http://thatsjustnotright.com/movies/hires/tarareid/ (The site isn't a pron site, so no worries on pop-ups, etc)

Anyways, she's dirty. Look at that nipple - makes my dick soft. Garbage.

Ya mons, me and jael talked it up tonight - shit was sweet. I bet the program is a bandwidth hog, but we ought to give it a shot tomorrow night. I'm down for gaming. Jon, get skype and let's give it a shot. Eric - where u at? Mike - you're almost done dude!