Memorial Day Gaming

This little blog has been neglected as of late. My energies have been directed towards writing for CROM!, which is something I enjoy. This blog was originally supposed to be about my role playing games, particularly those in an old-school vein; however, I just have not had the time for role playing as of late, and do not see myself being able to alleviate that anytime soon.

I am gaming, but my gaming energies have been directed towards board games. Tonight being no exception. I just returned from a camping trip, and am hosting an after Memorial Day BBQ with a romping game of Smallworld.

I had intentions of reviewing those board games I do play, but keeping track of "hits" on my posts, and a lack of comments, it seems my few readers who do frequent this blog take no interest in that and that is fine. I can place those elsewhere.

In the mean time, I am going to find the energy to do some actual gaming related posts, role playing that is. I don't feel I have much to offer the old-school community; there are others who do a wonderful job at that.  I am going to gear up my energies to produce gaming aids that are universal towards game systems.

Bygone Golden Days of Gaming

I miss running a regular game. I've enjoyed the board gaming I've done lately, and if I never am able to run a regular game again, I would be okay as long as I could at least occasionally play a good geeky fun board game such as Arkham Horror, any of the Catan games, the occasional game of Zombies! and have the ability to try out new games every now and then.

However, I will always have the longing to run a good, long roleplaying game.

The problem is, whenever I start one and get into it, and when I am into it, I am REALLY into it (I have taken sick time from work before, just because I had a good idea I wanted to prepare for that night's game). The problem is my career is demanding, and by demanding I mean I travel lots.

I have looked into other options, Google+, Fantasy Grounds, Skype and such, and those are options, but the problem is I travel in Alaska, and take it from me, the Internet coverage in AK is spotty at best.

The same thing always happens, I get a good game going and going strong for a month, maybe two, playing once a week. Then, I have to travel. First, my group and I will miss one session, which becomes three, then a month, then several months. Whenever I try going back to that game that was so strong when I left it, it just isn't on fire in my head anymore. I think the same is true for my players.

There is no point or moral to this post, and I've made other posts like it before. Sometimes, I just need to vent. I miss my golden days of gaming.

Still Alive

I've had a long absence due to life from the blogosphere, but, I'm still here and alive. More to come, later versus sooner.

Long Break, but I'm back

Not only have I not been blogging, I have even slipped from reading blogs. It's odd how a few days break turns into months.

Now I hear rumblings of a D&D 5 that is a possible return to old-school. Very interesting. I am in anticipation of what WotC will bring out this time.

In the mean time, I am slowly getting back to this blog, but first I need to catch up on the blogosphere and I look forward to doing so.

I am happy to say that I am gaming again. I've been doing numerous board games (Mrs. Santa was very generous this year); and as of yesterday, I have joined a Legends game (Runequest II). I have never played Runequest before, so this will be entertaining for me.

Confession of a Closet Gamer

I am a closet gamer. I'm ashamed to admit it, but I am. My professional career would consist of me being teased and tormented, if I were to admit openly that I like to get together with friends, make up some non-existent personae, roll-some dice, eat some snacks and have a few brews.

It's odd and sad when it is put into perspective. After all, I also like to get together with friends and watch football or hockey. In both cases, snacks and beer are involved. It is the non-existent personae and dice rolling that hangs people up.

I'm just curious, are there other closet gamers out there, like myself, that must keep one of their cherished past times a secret to avoid ridicule?

Trying to Claw My Way Back from the Dead

It has been a hellishly busy summer that has left me no time for gaming or blogging. Things are starting to slow down for me, and with more free time, I'm going to blog more. I wish I would be gaming more, but that is still not in the cards for me.

To all of those that read this blog during my absence and made comments, thank you so very much. I appreciate the support.

My Ignored Blog

Work has been hellishly busy for me the past few months, hence my silence on this blog. On a sadder note, I've finally admitted to myself that my work schedule just does not jive with being able to participate in a face-to-face group. I really dig the people in my group and hope to do the occasional board game with them; however, running or even taking part in a regular game just is not in the cards for me. I'm hoping for a career change in three years, but that is a ways away.

I am currently trying to put together an online game. I play in a Tunnels and Trolls play-by-post and enjoy it, but it is slow and I don't mean that as a criticism of the game, it is just the nature of play-by-post.

I'm not sure if I will run a play-by-post or not. I can't guarantee any regular posting. I would much rather try running something using Skype and/or Fantasy Grounds II. Until I get something going, my gaming is done for now. I will continue posting. I actually have some changes for this blog that I am anxious to get under way. More to come on that, hopefully soon.

Game On!

There has been a long silence on the gaming front for me, at least as far as my face to face group goes. I've been away from home for two weeks, but tonight is the night. It is time for some more Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay.

Gaming has continued for me. I've done a bit of solo delving into Tunnels and Trolls: City of Terror, which I need to do an update post or two for. More exciting then that is I have joined an play by post game, and more to come on that as well.

Come to think of it, I have lots of posting to do. So little time, so many dice.

Groo versus Conan, Thomas Yeats, New ERB Book

Yes. It is true. A Groo/Conan comic is in the mix. I read about this news on one of my favorite Conan related blogs Crom! here. I direct you there for more information, not to mention, if you dig Conan, like I dig Conan, you will enjoy the blog.

I would also direct you to Thomas Yeat's website here. While Sergio Aragones is drawing Groo, Yeats is drawing Conan. At his site, link above, sample pages can be found.

When visiting Yeat's site, I would direct your attention to the fact that he has advertised there an upcoming project that Edgar Rice Burrough's fans will find exciting: an adaption of The Outlaw of Torn titled The Outlaw Prince. More details found here.

This puts me in a good mood, a new Conan comic featuring my favorite Conan parody in Groo, plus a new ERB project.

Lack of time for Geekdom, Harry Potter and Border's Bad Business Practices

I haven't had much time for blogging as of late. I tried to make up for that today. I still have part two of my Lin Carter series to finish up, plus a couple planned posts exploring Gilgamesh, Beowolf, The Odyssey and The Iliad as precursors to the genre of fantasy. I also have a few reviews of Phoenix Barony products to post, along with updates to my reading lists.

While I've had time to read the subjects at hand, home repairs/remodels and family business have ate into much of my time. I've been concentrating my "geek time" on preparations for my WFRP "The Enemy Within Campaign". On a side note, I've become once again engrossed with jig-saw puzzles. A good jig-saw puzzle to me is just as engaging as a great book. Both keep me up at night. I have also been rejuvenating my interest in painting miniatures as well and hope to post more on that soon (with pictures).

On the TV/Movies angle of my geekdom, I've been slogging though Conan: The Adventurer and I've been watching Spartacus: Blood and Sand. I didn't expect to enjoy Spartacus as much as I have, but have found it enjoyable. At this point, only three episodes in, I would describe it as 300 on Viagra with an unhealthy mix of steroids. On the movie scene, due to the looming tax season and having to watch every penny so I can pay my taxes, I haven't enjoyed as many trips to the theater as I would like. I did manage yesterday to make a rare family trip to one of my favorite second-run theaters, a lovely place called the Bear Tooth that features gourmet pizza and micro-brewed beer (consequently, two of my favorite things in life) to see Harry Potter: The Deathly Hallows Part I. I had not paid any attention to the Harry Potter movies until lately. I viewed them as something I wouldn't enjoy, and consequently have not read any of the novels either. After seeing the trailers for Deathly Hallows, I was intrigued enough to Netflix the prequels and watch them in succession. Both of my children have enjoyed the Potter movies, and books in my son's case, in the past. They are older now, and to find a movie they are willing to watch with me is a serious family treat. All four of us went. My wife, who is decidedly not a geek and has not seen a single Potter movie, even enjoyed it. Aside from a brief altercation with a rude gentleman behind me that felt it his responsibility to give a running commentary throughout the entire flick, we enjoyed it greatly.

On a side note, my wife, daughter and I visited our local Border's Book Store. After reading last week's announcement that they would be closing some 200 of their super stores, I was convinced that ours would be one of those closing. I was right. This gives me mixed feelings. On the one hand, I do not often frequent Borders, or their competitor Barnes & Nobles. On a political level, I am anti-big-box stores. I prefer smaller "mom and pops" stores. My ultimate preference is for used book stores run by a few people that love books, and perhaps has a lazy cat sunning itself in a front window.

However, the prospect of up to 60% off was enough to lure us there to see what we could snag; unfortunately, by the time we got there, the vultures had picked over much of what was left. I had designs upon picking up a copy of Pathfinder (core rulebook), but while there was a copy left, two things kept me from picking it up. One, they were only offering 20% off - I can get a military discount of 15% off at a local hobby store that I like to haunt - and two, judging the size of the line, we were looking at a minimum of a one hour wait to purchase whatever we wanted. If my daughter or wife had found anything they wanted to make our wait in line worth it, I would have sucked it up and bought; however, the vultures had all ready picked over what they wanted. The wait just wasn't worth it.

Like I stated, I am not a Border's person. I don't appreciate their business practices, and prefer to frequent smaller local businesses; in addition, Borders is on the wrong side of town for me. If I choose to patron a big box store, Barnes & Nobles is much closer for me. I am sad though, as my community of Anchorage AK is small enough that the closing of a retail store such as Borders is a real kick in the family jewels. So while I will not personally miss Borders, I mourn for those that are now out of a job.

Game on!

Good Mood, Good Blogs, Frank Cho Art

I'm in a great mood today, and great moods put me in the mood to seek and share great art. I've mentioned my liking of Frank Cho's art before. I came across this gem at a blog that I enjoy called Shanna the She-Devil, which pointed me in the direction of Cavegirls in Fur Bikinis! Check out both of these blogs, if you - like me- enjoy jungle adventure tales featuring scantily clad women.

This particular Cho piece is an obvious homage to the old Coppertone Sun tan lotion baby adds.

In short, it is a delicious piece of Cho good-girl art. Enjoy, I hope your day goes as well as mine.

Game on!

Steelers BABY!

I had big plans of getting at least three blog posts up this weekend, the second in my series on Lin Carter and a couple of reviews; however, the playoffs ate up most of my time, alongside unexpected house repairs. I have been re-reading much Warhammer material, I'm sure there will be something on that soon, as session one will be this Tuesday.

Game on, and GO STEELERS! BREAK THE JETS ALL THE WAY TO THE SUPERBOWL BABY!

Heading North

I'm heading home from Juneau to Anchorage this evening. I've been pecking away at Part 2 of my series of posts about Lin Carter . It has grown too large. One of my goals for this year is to become a better blogger. I'm aiming for short posts that the reader would want to take the time to read. Myself, as a regular blog reader, I have a tendency to at best skim the larger posts rather then reading them. I prefer short posts that inform me and/or get me thinking. A post that makes me smile isn't turned down either.

Therefore, I'll be re-thinking and re-writing my second post in the series, so it may be some time before it appears here.

Happy Gaming.