| I Love Garfield Minus Garfield

I've posted the link before, I think, but... so funny.

I'm not that excited about 4th edition either. The new stuff doesn't bug me, I'm interested in checking it out (although not subscribing or anything like that, I spend enough time on the internet as is), it's more that it just doesn't grab me. Why do I need a new edition of D&D at this point in my life? I do not.

I suppose I'm veering into grognard territory.

It would be nice to roleplay more often. But honestly I'd rather play Savage Worlds or something else when we do.

In the meantime, Descent in campaign mode is scratching the RPG itch relatively well. 'Tis fun!

| Dungeons & Douchebagery

In some ways the gaming industry was better off as a bunch of rag-tag misfits interested in the gaming for gaming sake with no large corporations to answer to. If what you say is true Pump, WotC has apparently seen the light of the subscription based customer-milking model. I grow tired of subscriptions, in case you have not noticed.

Chopper... suck balls!

Sorry to hear about the car Rudy. Hit and run is the worst, you can't even vent your rage on someone. I was actually thinking about getting a Smartcar as well. It's between that and a Miata. Provided I save up enough money first.

About the con, Peter and I booked a flight on Southwest. We fly into SFO on thursday night. And there is indeed free shuttle service to and from the hotel. Airfare was about $170 (we booked through the Southwest website).

Loremaster Bob Gopher Slayer (and anyone else interested) - I heard 4th ed D&D is going to be released with online support (DM/player tools, online game sessions with voice chat, etc.). And the killer is that they plan to charge a subscription fee. Their rules are moving more towards miniature mechanics. More structured, less imagination on the players part (like video games). On top of that they are jumping on the WoW business model. I refuse to pay to download a patch or expansion for the book I bought. I say boo.

Top Gear my friend. A brilliant show mind you. That crash was pretty funny. Perhaps the most brilliant is this video:

Most rediculous tiny car being driven around town... AND into the BBC office. great stuff.

D>M>

they might total my car. they're gonna tell me in a couple of days. GOD! So what new car should I get if they total this one?

I was looking up those SMART cars and ran across this video of a smart car getting crash tested on that famous british car show (forget the name, 5th gear or test drive?) God, that's an epic crash:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ju6t-yyoU8s

| Un-Confirmation

To my knowledge, Peter and Denis made their flight reservations last week, for what it's worth.

I went to the dentist for the first time in 12 years last week and was pleasantly surprised. I have 2 cavities, but they are minor enough that the DDS wants to drill em without any anesthesia because they have not reached any nerves. Only some minor gum damage that if I start taking care of my gums, will reverse itself.

I am so relieved to have finally done it. Now I know that when there is a pain in one of my teeth, that it is no big deal because I just went to the dentist and he would have told me if it was some huge problem. I don't fear my tooth chips anymore because he said they were nothing to worry about.

Good stuff.

| Airports

If you fly into SJO, Eric may be able to pick you up since it is in his neck of the woods. If you fly into to SFO, the hotel room will be available on Thursday eve for check in. I will be down there Thursday eve and I think Pump and Peter will be as well, although I have not received a confirmation on this yet. Last I heard they had not booked yet.

Virgin is pretty sweet. Aimey and I have flown with Virgin America a few times and I like it fairly well. The TV/video game console is pretty fun, although the keyboard is a bit rough to get used to. All in all it is a pretty fun deal.

D>M>

Ok cool! I thought Eric said something about the San Jose airport but SFO works too. When are you checking into the hotel? Thursday or Friday? I wanna try that new airline Virgin America. It's a short flight but I guess it's supposed to be a cool airline.

Ahh boo... No more Elz R. R. Martin avatar. The little tyke is getting pretty big. That is teh sweet photo.

Rood-e-rod: SFO is the way to go AND the hotels have a free shuttle from the airport to the hotel. I believe vice versa as well.

D>M>

Aww I was just thinking about your kid and how old he must be. Dang man, already 2! It's gonna friggen ZOOM by man. SHEESH!

No news on my car, they're still "investigating" - fuckin'-A. I might have to fly. What airport did you say was cool for that? It'd prolly be cheaper than driving anyways but then puts you out to pick me up (or I come and hitch a ride to the convention side.) How's dennis and peter getting up there? flying?

Burnout Paradise is amazingly fun as a multiplayer game. Seriously. Such a blast. Especially with people you know/decent people. There's a ton of challenges depending on how many ppl you have in the game. Like 125 challenges per grouping, so stuff like "one person jumps over 7 people." or if it's two people "collide mid air over X bridge." It's just fun in a weird team/competitive way. Solo, it's not as fun. When my gold account ran out I pretty much stopped playing the game. The "road rage" missions are still fun but I don't like regular races or really any of the other game modes. If you figure out how to filter and read the horrible map, it's easy to quickly find an event to do.
EDIT: Oh yeah the other cool thing about it multiplayer wise is that if you have that xbox webcam it will take a picture of you and show the other player when you take them out (or get taken out.) So you see some funny/weird shit. People hamming it up, fat slugs looking half-dead reclined on couches, or cocks and balls.

| 2 Years Young

- So Wylie is two and we just had his BDay party this Saturday. When they tell you it goes by so fast, they are not kidding. For some perspective, I looked at his one year photos on Snapfish tonight, and wow, what a difference a year makes. Those of you with kids, well Art anyway, know what I am talking about, those that don't have kits (YET, I hope) THEY ARE NOT KIDDING!!!! In the blink of an eye they are two. Savor it, people.

- D00d, R00d, what is the diagnosis/prognosis on your coche? Are you bussing it to work? Did they find the guy and are you suing for emotional distress and whiplash? Most importantly, will the insurance folks be fixing your car by Kublacon? It took FOREVER for my truck to get fixed....

- Burnout: Paradise City Review: At first, I was annoyed as it took my beloved series and changed it around by allowing total freedom to drive anywhere throughout the city you wanted. Then I was further annoyed by the lack of structure and the necessity of me exploring the city to find events to participate in. Then more annoyance as I thought about what it would take for me to really get into this game. Then when I woke up I thought maybe I was wrong and suddenly was excited to try it again. It was not as bad as last night, but the thought of what kind of commitment is is necessary to really get any value out of this game is just too much for me. Will be hitting the post office tomorrow.

- Stampy brought in a live gopher today. Torn off tail, bloody patches of fur, and still trying to escape. After separating the two of them, I took the gopher outside and put him in a gopher hole I found, covered the hole with wire mesh and laid a rock on it to keep the cat out. The gopher later expired from what I can only assume was massive trauma and a heart attack. Leslie saw this and filled to hole with mulch and covered it with a flagstone. I realized at that moment that I have never killed anything intentionally in my life. Ants and termites excluded, but I do capture and release spiders into the wild when they are in the house. But that doesn't mean you can fuck with me, cause I will totally go 187 on yo azzes if need be.

- I finished Professor Layton and had another revelation that I have not finished a video game in a REALLY LONG TIME. It was strangely fulfilling.

- The Action Team is just the next phase of that email list we started in 1996 or so called Guy Talk. Anyone remember that? Boy, we were awesome.

- When I was on Prodigy in high school, I posted on the message boards under the name "Loremaster Bob" and said I could answer any D&D related question anyone would ask me. I was hoping to use my vast collection of D&D goodies collected over the years and put them to good use, but mostly I just had assholes make fun of me and say I was retarded.

- I finally got Leslie watching Buffy. I really, really like that show. If you a) have not ever seen it because you think it is stupid, or b) have seen a few episodes and think it is stupid so you stopped, you need to rent it and give it a try again. It is a great show because it doesn't take itself too seriously, has good writing, good characters, some good stories, and is fun. Just skip the first season.

- I can't sleep, so you get to enjoy the fruits of my non-sleeping labor and read the longest blog post evar.