Saturn 3 Vs. Yor, the Hunter from the Future

* = Thanks to Kedrin for the meme. The thing is I agree. I just wish I was far better at it. I’m good in a work setting where I’ve trained my mind to work in an extremely objective and analytical fashion, but outside the confines of the place that pays me I’m terrible. I wear my heart on my sleeve, I’m passionate, I’m opinionated, I FEEL so strongly about so many things. However, I’m trying. I’m trying to let those two sides mix a bit more effectively and be a bit better at showing the place that takes 40 hours a week from me my passion, while at the same time being far more practical and pragmatic at home.

Some weeks it is easier to blog than others. I think it is a matter of focus for me. I am generally all over the place mentally running from thinking about things that I can’t write about here or anywhere else, to all my myriad plans for the different D&D groups, to comic books ideas, to just bizarre flights of fancy. My mind is in perpetual motion. It is churning and burning at an alarming rate. Even when I lay my giant ginger melon down for sleep I’m always thinking, spinning mentally, or ranging across strange vistas of my imagination.

My brain never stops running. I’m not sure if that is a good thing or a bad one anymore. So rather than try force something out of nothing today here is some…

RANDOM CRAP!

- Great loss is never easy. Know that it’ll get better and that your friends are there for you.

- So I’m a cryptic bastard, so what? Something’s aren’t for everyone, but need to be acknowledged. Let me reiterate something that is a main theme in my blog and my existence; I love my friends. All of ‘em. I seriously do. I care about them greatly. So if we are pals (hell even if we just were 'pals') know I’m here for you, I care about you, I cheer for you when you aren’t watching, and I’ll do whatever I can for you. When a friend hurts all I want to do is help, even when I can’t.

- Enough of that for today.

- El Bobert-O loaned me the Tiny Yeti’s copies of the first two volumes of SAGA (Infinite *’s out of 5).

I don’t generally get blown away by comics anymore, but his knocked my socks off. I’ve always liked Brian K. Vaughan’s writing, but here he just shines and the art, WHEW, it is beautiful. Fiona Staples is outstanding. There is a dreamy feel to it, but it has enough of an edge to remind you that there are consequences and they are brutal. The story seems like a riff on Romeo & Juliet on the surface but it is SO much more. It is a political statement on a number of subjects, it has a lot of the same philosophical beats as ‘Y: The Last Man’ when it comes to personal sacrifice, the nature of family, and where your responsibilities lie. It is unlike any other book out there on the stands right now. I cannot recommend the first two trades enough, GO READ THIS!

- I’m reasonably certain I give amazing hugs. Reasonably sure…

- I had a series of seizures over the last like four days and it has officially whupped my Ginger ass. I am still sore, worn out, and feeling it in some of my joints. I know that stress brought this on, and I know I’m going to make some adjustments in my coping skills. I most likely will be adding some additional supplements to my regime, and when and if I get my head above fiscal water I’m going to take Fraser Fraser’s advice and see her chiropractor/pain management guy. I can’t do another run like that, my body can’t. Worse than that I can’t let Cassandra go through that, so it is time to go back into ‘the lab’ and fix the formula.

- Sometimes we have to disappoint others, it sucks. It sucks badly, but it is a necessary evil.

- The Baconacolypse is UPON US! Saturday we crown our 3rd Annual Drive Way Food War CHAMPION! Tonight Cassandra and I are doing the dry run for our entries. I’m going with jowl bacon that I’m going to render down slowly in the oven until it gets crisp, THEN I’m going to dip it into a maple syrup/balsamic/hot sauce reduction. I gave it a shot last night, and it was good. However, it needs some work. I need to change my cut; I’m going to go with larger cubes. I need to cut down on the seasoning. The meat is tasty enough and salty enough that it doesn’t need a lot of additional spice. I need to cook it a little less, like maybe twenty minutes. The sauce is amazing though. I might need to make more though. Overall I’m VERY excited and think I have another winner on my hands!

- Tuesday night we sat down and digested the first episode of Marvel’s Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D. (**** ½ out of 5).

I was really skeptical going in. How would they handle the Coulson thing, how are they going to meet the budget restraints of television, and why should I as a comic book geek be interested in characters who don’t exist in the source material? Damn you Whedon, DAMN YOU! The show was just fun. It drew me in by being firmly rooted in the cinematic Marvel Universe they are building and it was simply a good time. There were enough twists and turns, enough build up towards what is going to happen, and the characters were just so damn Whedon-esque that I almost couldn’t help myself. My objectivity melted away almost immediately and I was just giddy. It was as if Whedon took his best Buffy vibe and transplanted it into a somewhat familiar environment of the Marvel Universe. And best of all it works, it really works. My only complaint was I really wanted the Mike character to be Luke Cage, like REALLY wanted that to happen. If that is the worst I have to say then you know it was pretty good. I’m VERY intrigued to see where they talk this show.

- When gas prices hit this price point it makes me wonder why we were paying almost $4 a gallon mere months ago…Greedy Bastards!

- Friday night SMACKDOWN was a blast last week. We didn’t have the full complement of our normal players as Mighty Mike and The C-Fish both had to back out.

We did have ‘Mean’ Gene join us though. He does a HI-larious Alberto Del Rio impersonation that really needs to be a gif. It was a crazy night that had a TON of good matches, but nothing came close to El Generico denying physics themselves with a DDT onto a chair on the floor. Then of course he followed it up with a top rope BRAINBUuuuuuuuSTA! I don’t even remember who he was wrestling, but it was incredible. In fact I think overall the matches that night were the BEST we’ve had yet. For some reason the competitive juices were flowing for everyone and the matches were solid. The tag matches especially where fantastic. Also for the record Sabu is an interfering bastard! I look forward to our next meeting in October almost as much as I’m looking forward to WWE 2K14’s release!

- My head isn’t as unbreakable as I once thought.

- The accumulation of Halloween décor has begun, and it is going to be amazing.

AND my mask finally came. As you can see I really think I’m going to look friggin’ amazing as Bane! I’m making it my personal mission in life to Break The Bat. I’m excited to see what everyone else has decided to come as. The idea of having a party with kids is a tad scary and daunting, BUT at the same time if we can pull it off we can make a memory. And there are fewer things in life cooler than an amazing memory. We have high hopes that this will be the best Halloween party we’ve had yet!

- By Saturday we should have a street! I know!

- The Podcast is on the way. A few bumps in the road have slowed its start, BUT when it does get going it is going to roar into the world! So I’m putting it out there now if anyone desperately wants to be the first guests on the new Podcast, which I’m still struggling to name (although I’m starting to lean towards ‘The Insecurity Blanket Podcast’, people seem to dig it), get ahold of me. I have the format done and ready and I’m very excited to get it rolling. I’m equally pumped to get the L.E.W.G.I. Podcast, Heel Turn Radio, going as I want to sit at a table with those guys talking wrestling. James and his beard, Dave, Gene, and a few others of the guys have helped me put together a format list that just seems to click. If you dig wrestling or grown men geeking out over it and being inappropriate then you’ll dig this. There might even be a third Podcast that wouldn’t be hosted by me, but rather I’d play the sidekick. James & his magical beard are contemplating a ‘MUDDcast’, I have NO idea what it would be about, but I’d dig being on it. The reality is anything the Fightin’ Wheeler Boyz are involved in I’m happy to be a part of.

- My mouth spews out a lot of complaints, but really I have it pretty good. Just sayin’.

- I think I’m taking D&D 3rd Group in a new direction once this current ‘module’ is over. There was ‘push back’ on the high action quotient of the current events. I’d like to get back to some intrigue, some more Role Playing, and continue to forward the God Void meta-plot. So I think I’m going to move things to a city in the Shadowfell, Ebonbones. I’ll be intrigued to see how the group reacts to King Kroant of the Blackened Court as well as “She Who Eats The Young’ mistress of the city’s most reputable bordello’s. I figure a city will offer them the opportunity to further their religious plans, perhaps explore some past events, deal with some cults, and continue to establish a power base. Oh of course do some killing.

- I’m fiending for meatloaf and I don’t know why.

- It was another week so Paizo and Wizkids hit us with another preview; however this time they gave us our first look at the Red Dragon Evolution product. I wasn’t a big fan of the White Dragon Evolution product that they released first. The sculpts just didn’t do a lot for me, I don’t have a lot of use for that particular monster, and the price point was a tad rich for my blood. So I went into looking at these with a similar feeling, let’s see if they changed my mind.

First up is the Medium Red Dragon which is a re-paint and re-base from an earlier set. I have to admit I really like this. First off the sculpt was already pretty good, although the head doesn’t seem to fit the body language but that might just be me being crazy nitpicky. The new paint job is fantastic, and I think much brighter and better than the original. The real big selling point for me is the new base. They took the Rise Of The Runelords Large and made it a Medium. Now the miniature looks FAR more imposing as it literally spills off the base. It just feels so much more natural and looks far more impressive. I generally don’t like re-paints but this one is a MUST BUY for me.

Next up is Large Red Dragon. Here is where they lose me a bit. I already have a DDM Huge Red Dragon with almost the EXACT same static sculpt. Does it look majestic and intimidating, yes! Does it also look like a dog getting ready to take a dump on your lawn, YES! If I’m going to throw a bunch of money at you and your product I want the most bang for my buck, here I don’t feel like I’m getting it. I want motion, dread, and inspiration when I look at a big baddie like this, and this leaves me absolutely cold. The paint job is fantastic though and I have to admit I LOVE the Paizo design take on this iconic beast. However that pose just leaves me completely and utterly cold. For me this is a PASS.

Last, but not least is the Huge Red Dragon! IF there is an overwhelming selling point in this box set it is this miniature. First off it looks great; the pose is the more action orientated version of the Large miniature’s pose. Maybe it is just the roaring maw, or the crouched for action legs, it doesn’t matter what it is, IT WORKS. Like I said before the Paizo design on this dragon is just a fantastic blend of the old with a new school feel. The paint job is also very good, and I especially love the black spines that ring the wings, they are a great touch. This is a MUST BUY. The thing is this product of three miniatures is like $30, granted one of them is a HUGE! It just seems a bit steep to me. Couple that with the release of the Undead Horde ‘Gravity Feed’ (small release) this week AND the next few months’ additional release, Legends Of Golarion, and you have a saturated market. The Pathfinder miniatures were already on the high end price wise, but now you are just bludgeoning us over the head with product, which isn’t a terrible thing but it is devastating to our wallets. I want to support Paizo & Wizkids and their awesome product, but I just don’t have the funds. I hope this is a hiccup in their master plan and not the norm, because if it is then I’m afraid I’ll be all but out.

I’m sure I have a lot more I could babble on and on and on about, but I’m just too busy, tired, and disinterested today…

“Dig A Slow Hole To China
Blacker Than A Miner
No Turn Un-Stoned I Trample
Hold My Candle's Handle

Mama Always Said

"You Better Come Home"

Stuck In The Mud
Dug A Slow Hole

My Blue Cow
Gotta Get Her Back Here Somehow
My Brown Bag
Never Gonna Guess What I Have

Mama Always Said
"You Better Come Home"
Stuck In The Mud
Dug A Slow Hole

If It's Too Shallow Then Dig It More Deep
If It's Too Narrow Then Dig It More Wide
If You See A Point Of Light
Shake Hands With The Other Side
If It's Too Shallow Then Dig It More Deep
If It's Too Narrow Then Dig It More Wide

If You See The Point Of Light

Shake Hands With The Other Side

A Lighthouse In Kentucky
Oh I Should Be So Lucky
Sell Fill Dirt To The Groundlings
And Water To The Drowning

Mama Always Said
"You Better Come Home"
Stuck In The Mud

Dug A Slow Hole”

* = Cassandra? 

Wangmagwi Vs. Yongary, Monster from the Deep

I am not afraid of much. I know that sounds like a humble brag of some type, and it could be considered that, but it isn’t. I’m just not. Fear doesn’t hold sway over me. Snakes don’t bother me, neither do moths nor butterflies, I don’t like heights but I’m not scared, and death is simply another part of the journey. See I’ve almost had my ticket punched twice; I’ve got to see amazing things, experience horrible tragedy, and live moments of bliss that I still cannot entirely comprehend. I’ve lived, I’ve laughed, I’ve cried, and I’ve loved. So when I think about my mortality or being hurt I don’t really fear it.

It doesn’t mean I don’t have fears though I am afraid of failure. I loathe it, and it haunts me. I fear potential. I don’t like the idea of becoming something beyond my control. But more than that, more than anything else in this world or any other I fear guilt. I can be crippled by guilt, both real and imagined. I feel a responsibility to for so many things, and when I perceive that I have not done ‘right’ by someone or something, or not ‘helped’ someone, or missed an opportunity, or even just desperately wanted a different outcome from what happened my stupid brain spins into overdrive.

I have used the fear of failure as a fuel to do things I couldn’t or shouldn’t have been able to accomplish, I think mainly as a big F’ OFF to the world. It has steeled me while keeping me humble. It is something I understand and have come to terms with. The fear of potential pushes me to not give into the easy paths of selfishness or despair. I try desperately to be something I never thought capable of and I work just as hard to keep those periodic bouts of melancholy to simple bumps in the road rather than the road itself.

The guilt though, the guilt serves NO purpose. It is a superfluous feeling of weakness and powerlessness. It is simply feeding the beast, and it vexes me horribly. I know better. I know there are things I can’t change, there are events I cannot and could not affect, and I completely comprehend that sometimes the events of life our beyond our ability to control. And yet, and yet I can’t shake this albatross that I somehow have chosen to wear firmly around my thick neck.

That is the most horrible thing, the self-awareness. If I was ignorant to the inner machinations of my brain and just felt it would be SO much easier. I wouldn’t care, I would just feel. There is something honest in that. I truly think that ignorance is bliss. I don’t have that bliss, I just don’t. Instead I am fully aware. I get that it is an unhealthy and avoidable pattern of thought, and yet I continue to do it. I carry it around like a badge of courage, like some crown on a furrowed brow symbolizing my desire to be more than I really am. I mourn decisions I never made, because they weren’t mine. It is the stupidest and most frustrating thing in the history of the G.D. world. And I know it; I know it in every ounce of my being. That is the thing that makes it truly horrific, and hence something I fear.

I fear it because it can hold sway and court over my life. It can make me emotional, it can rob me of my rational thought, and it can affect my sleep. I’ve had a run of terrible dreams of late. Last night was the worst. I dreamed that I was surrounded by friends and family at some important place. For some reason I was determined to watch this place. People came and went from that place as the people slowly dwindled I realized that I was becoming a statue, rooted to that place in silent vigilance. In the very end I was completely alone, a stone guardian to nothing, completely and utterly alone. Just the idea of it sucks the wind from my lungs, and leaves a pit in my stomach.

The reality is just writing this out gives me more perspective, and sort of pulls a bit of the weight off of my shoulders. I have a significant difficulty putting my thoughts and emotions into meaningful conversation a lot of time, but writing them out is simple. It takes piss and vinegar out of it all. It takes the subjective, emotional turmoil and gives it form. It is like putting a tiger back in its cage, form to chaos, direction and purpose to energy, or resealing the Djinn into its bottle. I bleed these out into the typed word where they do little harm to anyone and give me the ability to examine and re-examine the flaw in the hopes of finding a better way of being.

And in the end that is all I can do, continue to try and find the correct formula for the passion that the fear gives me. I’ll I can do is do what I do best; Try.

Well that was cathartic, how about some…

RANDOM CRAP!

- The L.E.W.G.I. PPV viewing party of Night Of Champions was last Sunday. What a mediocre PPV, it was like paying for RAW. However the viewing was outstanding.

Gene couldn’t make it, but sent one of the funniest pictures I’d seen in a while as a response. Plus we got the above picture, which is sweet. I got to finally meet ‘YO Randy!’ in person which was a treat. Couple that with the fact the brought boxes, yes plural, of pure wrestling swag to give away and you have someone who I can completely forgive for being a Broncos fan. The thing was that the early part of the card was so mediocre, so bland that we all were stunned. Things did pick up with the CM Punk match, which we knew they would. The thing was we all knew this was more of a continuation of storyline rather than a completion. So it wasn’t a big surprise when Ryback showed up and did his shtick. The only real big surprise of the night was the finish to the Main Event. Almost all of us figured that there would be full blown shenanigans denying our Internet Darling his run with the belt that night. Instead we received another clean win with the real swerve waiting till Monday night. It was nice to leave the PPV with a smile even if it was just temporary. I think the real key is watching wrestling with the L.E.W.G.I. makes even mediocre wrestling fantastic. It was a great night because of the people, not so much the product.

- Discussing Planescape with Zack last night was pure bliss.

- D&D tonight, coming hot on the heels of 2nd Group last Saturday. I tried something a bit different on Saturday. I went more 2nd Edition style, well for me at least, and winged it.

I had an idea on how the session would begin how I wanted it to end, but everything in the middle was completely done on the fly. It cut down on my prep time and it allowed me to be a bit more flexible in thought. I was able to crank up the tension by using the Zack tactic of multiple encounters with no rest. Every time things started to slow I just used the environment and some low end baddies to keep the threat level high. It gave me time to figure out exactly how I wanted the cliffhanger to come into play, which actually was pretty funny since El Bobert-O’s smart playing was almost made me through the whole thing out. In the end though I felt it played out well and I thought it was a solid session. Tonight I’m going to try the same technique. I have an idea of how the session will begin and I a decent feeling about how I want it to end. The middle however is up in the air, although I have a reasonable idea on some of the ‘scenes’. I want to really crank up the ‘Horror’ vibe, and tonight I’m contemplating going full Cronenberg on it! In the end I can only hope that I can make it run quickly, efficiently, and more than anything make it fun!

- I sometimes wonder if I am just a terrible judge of character.

- There is a lot of stuff on the horizon and it all looks fantastic; Friday Night SMACKDOWN, Baconacolypse, a possible 2nd Annual Trivia Death Match, more D&D, potential Movie-A-Thons, and then next month Halloween. I like being busy. I like having a home where we host groups of people and treat them like family. At the same time I am beginning to appreciate more and more the time I get with Cassandra and Cassandra alone. Just the simple moments where we can be together laughing, or cuddling, or just discussing the weird stuff we talk about. She keeps me grounded, motivated, and sane. Having all these people in my life who are amazing has been a real godsend, but having Cassandra as my Best Friend, the love of my life, and my wife is beyond words.

- I want Meatloaf and I have no Earthly idea why.

- The CHIKARA mega story is continuing forward. In fact I read that the Gekido returned, still sporting their Quackenbush sustained injuries, and tore apart the ‘Wrestling Is…Intense’ promotion.

For those that don’t know, the ‘Wrestling Is…’ Family of promotions are the satellites of CHIKARA. The Gekido was the Bizzaro evil version of Mike Quackenbush, Jigsaw, and the Colony. Jigsaw embraced his ‘Evil’ counterpart The Shard and they formed a Rudo (that means bad guys) team of Pieces Of Hate. The ‘Evil’ Colony, The Swarm, was shattered by Quackenbush destroying CombatANT and the machinations of the devious Director Of Fun, Wink Vavasseur’s ‘Chikarametrics’ where he mixed and matched teams. He intermingled the Swarm & The Colony to disastrous effect. Then you have Quack’s doppelganger, 17, whose hand he broke. As you can see CombatANT and 17 are back, and with a vengeance! Between that and the release of the next ‘Ashes’ chapter showing Icarus going to a Dragongate U.S.A. show to cheer on his F.I.S.T. teammate the AMAZING ‘Sexy Chucky T’ Chuck Taylor you have this giant, sprawling mega-story speeding forward. Perhaps we’ll get a conclusion of some type at King Of Trios 13, which currently doesn’t exist. Whatever happens next I am thoroughly enthralled.

- It saddens me that I am not enjoying football as much as I used to.

- I am completely stumped when it comes to naming the new Podcast. There have been a lot of great suggestions thrown out, I’ve put out at least 50 ideas, and yet nothing has hit me like Careers In Evil or Heel Turn Radio did. Those names just clicked with me and I feel good about them. Nothing of late has had that same feel. Heel Turn Radio is going to be flipping ridiculous once we get going! The L.E.W.G.I. crew is too damn fun for it not to be a blast. It is the other one, the spiritual successor to what we were doing with Careers In Evil that I can’t seem to get my head wrapped around. There was so much good stuff Dave and I were able to do, but I want a lot of that to be what it was. At the same time I put a lot of love and work into that, and want to carry on the parts that gave me intense joy. I’m going to have to think long and hard about what I end up going with. You see I don’t want it to be good; I NEED it to be good. I’m not sure why, but I need it to be as good as what we used to hammer out. I love the formats I roughly have in place, and I am beyond excited to get going and have people on, but the name, the name is going to be the damn death of me.

- Thunderstorms are one of my favorite things in the history of…well things…

- So just found out I have to drop $700 plus on car repairs. $700 that I don’t really have. $700 that was there to go and knock out some the remaining bills we have.

Every time we get our fiscal plan right where we want it something comes along and takes a steaming poo on our collective faces. Just when we start planning about finishing the basement, possibly getting a new car, etc. some unforeseen expense comes in and smashes us. And it isn’t ever anything small, it’s like a $4,000 dollar post Poo Tornado repair, or a $5,000 new street, or some other crazy ass thing that touches us up for more than we are willing to part with in one shot. I knew what sort of financial life I was going to have doing what I have chosen to do for a living, but damn if I wouldn’t like to catch a break of some type. I loathe discussing, thinking about, or even bitching about money, but I figured doing it here is better than throwing a chair.

- I think I’ll be DMing with a beverage in hand tonight, lord knows I feel like I deserve it…

That’s all I really got, and it is most likely far more than you care to hear…

“No Horizon Is Obscured By The Clouds. Settlements Make Nary A Sound.

And There Were Black Birds Singing And Fish Floating On The Sea.

While The Bells Of The Buoys All Rang In Harmony.

Bury Your Treasure, Burn Your Crops,
Black Water Rising And It Ain't Gonna Stop.

The Governor He Been Long Gone, Anchor Dropped On His Front Lawn.
Build A Keep And Dig A Moat, The Return Of The Swollen Goat.
Can You Hear The Fife And Drums, Barnacles Barking At The Sun.

Ain't No Chance, So Don't You Try, Now Everybody Got To Die.

Bury Your Treasure, Burn Your Crops,

Black Water Rising And It Ain't Gonna Stop.

We Do Not Desire Tributes.

We Desire Information.

We Seek The Worm Drink Who Has Lately Betrayed His Nation

Albatross On Your Neck And A Hooker On The Shore,

Dog-Men To The Deck, There's A Hooker On The

In The Wake Of The Swollen Goat

Bury Your Treasure, Burn Your Crops,

Black Water Rising And It Ain't Gonna Stop.”

* = Believe it or not I wore that costume as a child.  I'm not sure whether I did the 'Come At Me Bro' thing, but I like to think I did...

Stalker Vs. Escape To Witch Mountain

* = Indeed Spidey....


I’m not sure where to even start this week.  There is a lot going on, but nothing so large that I can buckle down and focus.  Things have been crazy busy at the place that floats me a meager paycheck, our social calendar has been packed to the gills, and even our downtime has been productive and yet relaxing.  So rather than try to formulate a central theme, I’m just going to smash you in your face with some…

RANDOM CRAP!

- I finally got off my ass and read the Dynamic Dave Gross’ new Radovan & The Count book, ‘The Chaos King’ (***** out of 5).

Damn you Dave Gross!  DAMN YOU for being amazing.  Every time I think he can’t possibly pull me back into the dynamic world of Count Jeggare & Radovan as they journey across the Pathfinder world of Golarion he smacks me in the mouth with something awesome.  This time the Count & his bodyguard are making their way to the Worldwound.  For those that don’t know this is a place in the Pathfinder world where the Abyss has ruptured into the Prime Material Plane spewing forth a font of demons bent on devastation.  This isn’t the same type of small venture they can march into themselves so they put together a group to assist their infiltration of this horrid place in order to find the tomes that helped create this monstrosity.  Along the way we are re-introduced to their former Paladin ally the driven Oparal.  We also get a lot better look at and loathing for one of Jeggare’s most fierce rivals the Osirian Prince turned Vampire, Prince Kasiya.  Rarely ever have I been so engaged in rooting against such an arrogant dullard of an antagonist.  As usually Mr. Gross gives us the shifting perspective per chapter between the main three characters which I think only adds to the overall feel of the novel.  There are some minor betrayals, call backs to the earlier novels, some resolution to Radovan’s ‘Devil Issues’, a great but not unexpected twist on Jeggare’s use of magic, and an ending that only serves to make me want MORE!  These two characters have found their way next to Fafhred and the Gray Mouser on my bookshelves, and deservedly so.  I can’t wait for Cassandra to devour this book!  If you are looking for a fantastic series that NEVER disappoints with two characters you will come to adore then look NO FURTHER!  Thank you Mr. Gross I anxiously look forward to what you give us next.

- Just for you L.C. I will let ‘Tipsy Ben’ out of his cage tonight, prepare thyself!  Addendum, 'Tipsy Ben' met 'Post-Coital Stupor' Ben in a swirl of insanity.  Fun night.  Happy Birthday L.C.!

- Apparently I’m going to be running a fourth D&D group.  I KNOW!  So it is a bit more kid orientated, and it’s going to take place in the same shared Homebrew setting.  This time I’m going to try a more Oriental Adventures type setting.

 I’m excited to try something completely different in style and really in intensity.  I’m going to try and play it up with a bit of the same feel as Avatar: The Last Airbender, the cartoon not that abomination of a film, with the tone of maybe Adventure Time.  I still want it to be D&D, but I want that sense of fun, wonder, and exploration.  Thus far I know I have one Wilden Druid and two Monk brothers.  I’m not sure what my other two players or going to do, but I’m intrigued.  I’m thinking I’ll be able to tap Mick’s 3rd Group characters family background, sprinkle in some Oni, a plethora of catwomen, perhaps a very dangerous sorcerer and it’s Displacer Beast pet, a bunch of ninja’s, a Dragon’s crumbling empire, and maybe some island hopping ship sailing!  I think that gives me something to work with when coupled with a world cast into a 2nd Great Darkness and the casting out of the Gods.  My main goal is to craft something that a ten year old will go wild for.  


- If you are looking for some excellent new music over at Bandcamp dot com there is some new Waves Of Mercury & Fairly Secret Army stuff.  GO and give it a listen I COMMAND YOU!

- All the Podcast equipment is IN!

First off let me again thank a few folks in Scott from the Delicate Sauce Podcast for steering me in the right direction, Magic Mike for, well for everything there is no Podcast without you, and to Karl & Kedrin who are teaching me their Tech Fu as well as convincing me to get off my ass and do this.  But no one deserves as much thanks as Cassandra.  Thank you all.  So the board is in, the mics (four of ‘em), stands, headphones, cords, and a podcasting computer are all there.  Now I just need to get it set up, and we are off and running.  I’m humbled by the generosity everyone showed with their funds, time, and energy.  I’m hoping this will be at least as fun as Careers In Evil was.

- I have been convinced to give Hockey another go and Women’s Division I Hockey no less.  I am in your hands Kedders be gentle…Or don’t!

- Due to some focus I was able to also read Ed Greenwood’s first foray into the Pathfinder Tales novels, ‘The Wizard’s Mask’ (**** out of 5).

This tale of an unconventional friendship, convoluted curses, and border wars is damn entertaining.  The Masked is a great character, and has a very iconic look.  He’s part magical Batman, part dashing swashbuckler, and part heartbreaking wronged man out of revenger or at least closure.  His new found ally, partner, friend, and eventual love interest Tantaerra the Halfling is perhaps my favorite Halfling character in any novel.  She is feisty, determined, haughty, and dangerous.  They are a fun pair that makes you want to read more of their trials and tribulations.  That being said the story doesn’t give me what I wanted for these two characters.  I feel like it moves at such a break neck pace that the intricacies of the situation never really develop.  The thing reads like a serial on fast forward.  I imagine if I had to read this a few chapters at a time, or in maybe a comic book format, then I would be chomping at the bit for each new development.  However in the novel style it just felt rushed to me.  I also felt like the constant twist of bad luck and the duo’s blundering into the two sides of the border war got repetitive.  Don’t let my harping on these minor points overshadow the overall reality, this is a fun book.  The two main characters are fantastic, and I really hope that I get to read more of their adventures.  I just wanted this book to be a bit more than what it was.

- D&D 2nd Group gets back together Sat. night!  I’m excited and hope I can pull all the threads together to give them something memorable, but more importantly FUN!

- Sunday is the L.E.W.G.I.’s 2nd PPV viewing event as we assemble to partake of WWE’s Night Of Champions.

If the last turnout is any inkling this one should be rowdy.  A lot of the undercard isn’t exciting me that much, and I’m beginning to feel like this is a ‘storytelling’ PPV rather than one where we’ll get resolution.  In fact I’m calling it here, Alberto Del Rio & Randy Orton will retain.  I can’t see WWE ending the Orton/Corporation V2.0 Vs. Daniel Brian this early.  There will be a swerve as Orton retains through underhanded tactics.  As for Del Rio, I can’t see him dropping the belt to RVD, it just doesn’t make any sense.  The other big match is CM Punk getting a handicap elimination tag match between himself and Curtis Axel and his most hated enemy Paul Heyman.  Everyone, me included, is DYING to see Punk hit Heyman with the G.T.S.  However it ain’t happening here.  This is a revenge story told in three acts, and I don’t think we are even through act two yet.  Punk will beat Axel, but I really think we will see at LEAST one new ‘Heyman Guy’ show up and intercede.  Could it be ‘Bork Lazer’, who knows?  But I’d love to see Heyman put a few more obstacles in front of Punk before he finally gets his comeuppance.  Also we have to keep the table set for Lesnar Vs. Punk II, which will be amazing.

- Monthly sushi was a blast last night.  It was even better though to watch my lovely and hilarious wife cut loose on the car ride home.

- I finished a third book this week as well.  Paul Kidd’s novelization of White Plume Mountain (*** ½ out of 5) had been in my reading queue for some time.

It got bumped up after Zack ran us through that particular module using D&D NEXT for his birthday weekend.  I wasn’t really sure how I felt about this book early on.  It has a ‘fun’ vibe that seems slightly goofy compared to the high adventure I generally enjoy in my fantasy tales.  However the long you spend reading about the ever grim Justicar, his sentient Hellhound pelt, Escalla the fairy with a penchant for theft, and their annoyingly positive teamster Polk you can’t help but falling in love with the characters, goofiness and all.  The characters feel like parodies at points, but become something far more as the story goes.  Having just run through the module the story didn’t do a whole lot for me, as it read like a dungeon crawl, a fun and goofy one, but one nonetheless.  I also felt the ending was a tad rushed.  It is a strange and fun jaunt through a very fun module.  So if you are looking for something a bit different than your standard fantasy novel then it is worth your time.





- I loathe the NY Jet, utterly and completely.

- DDP Yoga is going well, but there are nights where honestly it kicks my ass.

My shoulder hasn’t been back in the socket right since a week ago.  My right knee, or Ric Flair knee dropping the driveway fame, has got a bit of its old painful hitch back.  All that being said I feel like I can already see some of the weight coming off.  I’m feeling spry.  My joints by and large have hurt less.  I have more energy and feel better about my health.  This is a marathon not a sprint.  I have no weight loss goal in mind, I just want to lose.  I have no flexibility goal in mind, I just don’t want to wake up and feel miserable every single moment of every single day.  This is kicking my ass, but in a good way.  I needed this and I’m going to keep doing it to the best of my ability most likely for the rest of my days.


- This weather is glorious.

- It was another week and this time we received some Pathfinder Legends Of Golarion previews we previously had not seen!

First up is the Reefclaw, which is a Small Common.  Perhaps it is the picture or maybe it is just the fact that I don’t play Pathfinder, but I just don’t find much that I like about this miniature.  The color in the pictures seems pretty flat, two colors it looks like.  The size really makes seeing any detail very difficult.  Having looked up the concept art I do like the idea of the monster, however I ‘m just not seeing it in translation.  The pose is dynamic, so you know I like that.  Perhaps this is one of those miniatures where I’ll need to see it up close and in hand before I really decide what I think, but currently this one is a PASS for me.

Next up we have The Beatific One which is a Medium Rare.  I think this miniature is going to be really difficult to pull off in comparison to the artwork.  The three separate faces are hard enough, but that pose is slightly awkward.  I love the idea of this Indian influenced monster, and the concept art is wonderful, that being said is it just me or does it just seems to fall flat?  This is the first time that I look at a Pathfinder miniature and think, “Man this looks like it was from the first few steps of Mage Knight…”  And that is not a good thing.  I want to like the miniature; I could find SO many uses for this bad boy.  It is just the paint does very little for me, the tusks are out of proportion, and the top hands look like un-sculpted mittens.  Couple all that with at paint job that looks completely uninspired for a Rare and I am afraid this one is going to have to be a PASS.

We’re following that up with another Pathfinder-centric monster the Tatzlwyrm, an Uncommon, but one’s whose side I am not sure on.  This guy is an interesting bugger.  I love the flow of the sculpt form the hands to the lower tail region and the way it feels as if it is rising up in a surprise to strike you down.  At the same time he feels small, and because of that I don’t feel like I can get a good look at the most interesting part of this miniature and that is its face.  I like the bright coloration quite a bit, and the orange really pops on this guy.  I’m just not sure how I’d use him.  Not to mention it’s an Uncommon and I really don’t want to invest in a monster I may or may not use.  Throw all that together and you’ve got a PASS for me.

Last, but not least is the Moon Beast, which is a Large Uncommon.  Well hello there darlin’!  This is a Lovecraft beastie being given the Pathfinder treatment, and they have SO done it justice.  The nubs on the face tentacles, the almost canine stance, and that wonderful color palate all make this thing look amazing!  It doesn’t hurt that this looks like something Mignola or Guy Davis drew.  It just has that otherworldly and somewhat nasty color, coupled with a sculpt that makes you feel like it is either pursuing or getting ready to pounce!  Oh and those tiny almost hand like ‘feet’ are just creepy.  I love this miniature, LOVE it!  It is a MUST BUY for me.  This is the first time in a long time that the vast majority of the previews have left me cold.  While that’s bad for my enjoyment, it is most likely pretty good for my wallet.

- I need to sleep, for like a week.

- Well hell, since I didn't get this done yesterday Paizo gave us another round of previously unseen previews!  Let's take a gander.

First up is the Marid, a Large Rare.  Paizo and Wizkids KILL it in the fact that they give us a great selection of female miniatures and this is simply a fantastic example of it.  This is just a beautiful miniature.  There is a serene and gorgeous flow to the sculpt.  The paint job gives you that feeling of her being underwater.  The highlighting and shading are tremendous.  THIS is what I want out of a Rare level miniature.  This looks like it would be the money you'd drop on it.  I really like the color of the clothes in contrast to her skin color it really makes her skin pop.  I adore this miniature and it is a MUST BUY for me.

Next up is the Shaitan who is the Earth equivalent to the Marid.  Again she is a Large Rare.  On top of that this is just another glorious female miniature.  The flow of the hair coupled with the stance and the way the swords are back give it a great sense of motion.  I'm not sold on the skin color, BUT the armor color is fantastic.  I'm a huge mark for a good black and gold color scheme.  I like how she isn't uber skinny, but muscular.  I dig this miniature a lot, but I'm not sure where I would use it.  If I can find it cheap I'll buy it, because I'm weird that way, but otherwise it is a PASS for me which is a damn shame.

They follow up these two masterpieces with the Janni, which is a Rare Medium.  This is apparently the Pathfinder version of the Genasi without all the extra visual flourishes.  A humanoid with elemental blood.  I love the look of this miniature, it has a great open stance, it has no weapon in hand so it could be used as a NPC, and that paint scheme is so good I'm going to have to steal it.  This would be a GREAT monk, or even a great Thieves Guild leader.  The stance is slightly odd, but doesn't really bother me that much.  Unfortunately this is again a Rare, so unless I can find it on the cheap it is going to be a PASS for me.

Here we have the Young Black Dragon, which is a Medium Rare.  I'm really up in the air on this one.  The pose is fantastic.  There is a sense of motion and menace here that really gives this miniature life.  The paint job looks pretty decent, which I think is sort of difficult with a chromatic dragon, but it has depth to it.  At the same time the head looks slightly odd.  It looks a bit dumpy in it's stance, and the reality is I have a Medium Young Black Dragon whose pose I love.  So it wouldn't really serve much of a purpose.  This is a like not love miniature for me.  I think if I didn't own a similar piece I'd probably be FAR more pumped for this mini.  So for me this one is a PASS.

Last but not least this week is the Hodag!  The Hodag is an Uncommon Large.  Apparently this monster is based on an urban legend in Wisconsin which alone makes it pretty friggin' sweet.  I really like the paint job on this bad boy.  This would be a PERFECT mount for Lizardfolk tribes.  It has enough of a dinosaur look and yet has some odd and interesting features that make it something else entirely.  I really dig this miniature, from the squatted stance that looks like a dog or a mount awaiting its rider, to the head which is mid-snarl, and all those great spines which give this thing TONS of character.  I really dig this miniature and could see grabbing a handful.  This one is a MUST BUY!

Sorry it took so long to get this week's blog up, there has just been so much nuts stuff going on.  I'll try and get back on track next week and hopefully, HOPEFULLY, the Podcast will be happening sooner rather than later now that the equipment is in the basement!

“Company, always on the run
Destiny is the rising sun
Oh, I was born six-gun in my hand
Behind a gun I'll make my final stand
That's why they call me

Bad company
And I can't deny
Bad company
Till the day I die
Oh, till the day I die
Till the day I die

Rebel souls, deserters we are called
Chose a gun and threw away the sun
Now these towns, they all know our name
Six-gun sound is our claim to fame
I can hear them say

Bad company
And I won't deny
Bad, bad company
Till the day I die, oo yeah
Till the day I die, oo

Hey
Bad company
And I can't deny
Bad company
Till the day I die

And I say it's
Bad company, oh yeah yeah
Bad company
Till the day I die, oh yeah

Tell me that you are not a thief
Oh but I am bad company
It's the way I play dirty for dirty
Oh, somebody double-crossed me
Double-cross, double-cross

Yeah, we're bad company”   

* = That's for you and your Birthday Christy!  THANKS!

Heaven Can Wait Vs. The Parallax View

* = Just an inkling of today's subject matter...










I had been debating in my head how I wanted to write this blog. Sometimes it’s hard to remember that once you say or do something that it no longer belongs to you, for better or worse, it belongs to all who perceive your actions or words. If I say or type something the intent can be lost very quickly in the thought process, perception, and emotions of the person who gets that information from me. So I am trying to be better about seeing that, remembering that, and planning for it. Operative word is ‘try’.

Today will not be one of those days. Today’s blog will be one where I’m just going to say what I want to say, mean it, and let people take it anyway they want.

I am not speaking in hyperbole when I say HOLY S*$T have we got to know some amazing people lately; just crazy nice, friendly, outgoing, and incredible people. I have to give a lot of credit to Mick who introduced us to some new people, most of which are in the 3rd D&D Group. A few of them are people we met through the place that graces us with a paycheck every two weeks. Another group has been through the creation of the League Of Extraordinary Wrestling Gentlemen, Inc., an organization that I was lucky enough to be part of at its advent.

Oh and on a side note, this isn’t meant as a slight to like Mighty Mike, the C-Fish, or the King Ghidorah Of Friendship that is the Tiny Yeti, Lady Christy, or El Bobert-O. Those folks are still amazing, but I really felt like I needed to point out some things that meant a lot to me on a personal level of late. You know beyond the fact that most of these folks seem to be able to tolerate my Ginger Rage.

At work we’ve gotten to know Kyle, who will be on the new Podcast(s) soon more on that later, Julie, & the Uncanny Lo-Ro. I have had a personal rule that I don’t make friends at work, Joe was the exception and only because he went on internship. I mainly did this because at my last place of work I was friends with a LOT of people, but once I left I sort of was no longer in the loop. It was no one’s fault, but it happened. Those people were/are great and when they weren’t as active in my life anymore it hurt. So I made a commitment to not have that happen anymore. Julie is extremely friendly and openly Nerdy so we hit it off quickly and somehow, some way she got me to run 2nd Group D&D. I still think she has magic powers that she used to bewitch me. Through her I met Edgar & Tiffany who fall into that above category of ‘You are so cool I don’t know why you’d even want to hang out with me’.

Friendly, humble, compassionate, and considerate so all the things I struggle with. That and they gave us a Puerto Rican Feast that blew my tiny mind. Kyle and I share a similar philosophy on what we do, interests, and much like Joe and I, we love to debate things. And much like Joe, Kyle is WAY smarter than I’ll ever be. He is an amoeba of information absorbing anything and everything that crosses his path. The guy challenges me to think, and I like that. This brings us to the Uncanny Lo-Ro, she who shares the office wall with as well as complete and utter love of The Venture Brothers. Once I started to talk to her I was like, “WHY THE HELL HAVE WE NOT BEEN HANGIN’ OUT!?” When you meet someone who quotes Augustus St. Cloud to you on a daily basis you don’t keep that person on the outside of the friend sphere, you drag them kicking and screaming into your inner sanctum. She sort of convinced me, along with Cassandra, to try DDP Yoga, more on that later, and has a massive interest in cartoons. She’s just a cool cat. I am breaking my personal rules by inviting these people into my life outside of the confines of where I collect a paycheck, and I think it is worth the risk.

The League Of Extraordinary Wrestling Gentlemen, Inc. originally comprised of Diamond Dave, James & his beard, Mighty Mike, the C-Fish, El Bobert-O, ‘Yo Randy’, and I has now morphed into a veritable army. I’m getting to know a great deal of very cool people through hosting PPV’s, through our super-secret webpage, and just through the shining light that is James’ beard.

The thing is for some strange reason Dave and I hit it off, especially considering that he is crazy nice and beyond creative, so I was a little worried that my surly gingerness would sour any additional folks in the room, but damn all his friends and family are cut from the same cloth. I could sit around and play video games with Bob, Cordell, James, Mike, & Dave forever, like Forever Hooligans, and NEVER get tired of it. In fact I play less because it isn’t as fun without them. One of the two new Podcasts I’ll be doing will be L.E.W.G.I.-centric. The tentative name is ‘Heel Turn Radio’. I’m thinking a roundtable of us just talking about wrestling past, present, future with a lot of craziness and laughs. It’ll be worth it just to listen to Bob and James do dueling Jim Rosses.

This brings me all the way back to D&D 3rd Group folks. Holy crap. I haven’t met a group of people that friendly in some time. It is a strange thing when you realize that they play in an Evil campaign, and are constantly talking about committing heinous acts in game. The reality is Mick has sort of assembled a super group of people who are a joy to spend time with. I’m just getting to know Spence, Jason, & Peter but all three are friendly and smart two things that I hold in high esteem. Mike, forever now known in my blog as Magic Mike (not after the movie to my knowledge), is one of those folks you meet very rarely. I have yet to hear him say anything negative about anyone. He walks into the room and just radiates positivity.

He has a wickedly creative mind and a sharp sense of humor. Top that off with the fact that he always gives more than he needs to and you have someone anyone would feel lucky to hang out with. The other two folks we’ve spent more time with lately are Karl & Kedrin. Karl might be the single most helpful person I’ve ever met. If that guy sees a problem he just ATTACKS it! You need something he just does it. He seems two steps ahead of everything around him, and as my brother used to say, “…he’s people that KNOWS people…” He’s a hell of a D&D player and has fantastic creative mind for it. I’d love to be a fly on the wall for his home game. He has helped us out with computer issues a few times now just because he’s Karl and that’s what he does. It is strange to look at Cassandra every time he or Magic Mike leaves my house and say, “How friggin’ Awesome is that guy?” His girlfriend Kedrin is a perfect compliment. She’s whip smart, has a wicked sense of humor, and has taken to D&D like a fish to water. She also has similar interests in mental health and the like as I do. I enjoy picking her brain and exchanging information on subjects of that ilk as her perspective helps me refine my own. We also found out they enjoy a good Movie-A-Thon like no one’s business. I haven’t laughed that hard, and drank that much in a LONG time. They are just a blast to hang out with.

Here is the other thing about everyone I’ve mentioned, they are givers. I used to be an awful taker. For years I just took, and took, and took. I hit a point in life where I decided I was going to try and be better and give at every opportunity. I think I’ve tried to do that. Sometimes I’ve done it easily, sometimes through gritted teeth, but I’ve gotten much better at it. These folks seem to do it effortlessly and with a grace I lack. When people just show up and hand you things, or ask you if you want something, or simply are interested because they are interested it baffles me. I have to work at being a better person every day. It is NOT my default setting. I do ok most of the time, sometimes I fail, but I work at. They seem to just be good people. I’ve realized I can’t have enough good people in my life.

And that brings me to lessons learned from the past. I’m not going to do the things that I’ve done to relationships in the past. I am going to repeat the mantra of ‘no pedestals and no pressure’. I know in the paragraphs above I’ve exalted the virtues of all these folks, but at the same time they are just human beings, they have faults and foibles and I am going to be understanding of them. None of them are the be all and end all of the human beings. In the past I’ve put people up on those precarious pedestals and then been irate when they’ve fallen. I am a realist about life, a pessimist about myself, and an eternal optimist about people who I like. I’m trying to change that and just be a realist about all three. Pressure wise I’m beginning to finally get it through my head that everyone has challenges, responsibilities, and lives that do not involve me and my completely egocentric worldview. In the past if folks didn’t make it to things or had to last minute cancel I’d be all Sad Panda Face. Now it just is what it is. In fact I’m going to use Mighty Mike as the example here, when he cancels or has a tough schedule to work with because he is THE MAN at Hot Comics New Hope & Richfield locations (SHILL!), and wants to spend his quality time with his lovely lady Emily, and their tiny joy machine Matilda I admire that. In fact I’m sort of jealous of it. That is a guy who has all his ducks in a row, his life priorities straight, and handles his business in a way I have yet to figure out let alone master.

I’m a kid in a grown up body. I always will be. I can be a gigantic pain in the keister. I can be a ‘yippy dog’ when I’m excited. I can be a surly ginger bastard. What I am trying to do though is look at this group of incredible people who have somehow come into my existence and learn from them, to see how they seem to live their lives with poise, joy, and grace and to learn from that. As I’ve stated off and on in this very blog I am a lot of things, many of them negative, but the one thing I am is someone who tries. So I’m going to try and be worthy of all this friendship that has been given to me. And hopefully in the process prove to be worthy of it.

I’m not sure if that came off sappy or not. I hope it didn’t, because it wasn’t easy to express, and especially not in my ‘one take’ stream of consciousness style of writing. Anywho I think I’ve stroked enough ego’s today let’s move onto some miniature reviews. I know I showed all those Legends Of Golarion miniatures from GenCon, but the Paizo website gave us a few close ups of some of the miniatures I felt like we didn’t get a good look at so I’d like to give them a proper once over.

Let’s start with the Hellknight Scourge. I believe he is a Medium Uncommon. I’m not a huge fan of the Uncommon rarity level if that is correct. I felt like in the previous picture that the paint job made it look to ‘samey’. Getting a better look at it in this picture hasn’t changed my feelings on the paint job, but what it did do was show me the INSANE amount of detail in the sculpt. Even the details have details. I’d dig having three of these guys and their nasty flails. I think they’d possibly be perfect Clerical servitors for my Torog contingent in D&D Group 3. These have become a MUST BUY for me.

Next up is the Hellknight Signifier. This one is a Medium Uncommon as well, I think. Much like the Scourge this miniature has that three color paint job that seems sort of blah, but when you finally get a look at the details in the sculpt, especially the flow of that lower robe type piece you can’t help but love the level of work that went in. If they can get an adequate wash in those folds and creases that is going to really pop. I don’t think I need more than one of these bad boys, but I will want one, if for no other reason than to go with their Scourge brethren. I also really like that half-helm piece; it has a great sense of menace to it. This one has become a MUST BUY as well.

The last of the Legends Of Golarion previews this time is the Thrune Agent, who I think follows his Chelaxian brethren as an Uncommon Medium miniature. I like this miniature less with this shot because I don’t think it allows you to see it from an angle that shows off the great paint job it has. However it DOES allow you to see the great work that has been put in to give that armor a certain worn quality that I love. A lot of miniatures I paint sometimes feel too clean, or too ‘four color’ until I give them the DIP and then they sometimes just look ‘dirty’. This has the worn without looking ‘dirty’ look I need to find a way to replicate. I love that stance, the mace, and that almost disdainful stare the miniature is giving you. This is one of my favorites of the whole set, and is a MUST BUY!

The interesting thing we got last week was a first shot at one of the miniatures from the next set Wrath Of The Righteous. It is the Demon Lord Baphomet! The thing is they went with the Wayne Reynolds version that is more a take on the old school version rather than the hulking Minotaur more modern version. This version has an extremely creepy vibe which I for one am digging. Sometimes I forget that Baphomet isn’t supposed to be some hulking beast that destroys like an engine of destruction, which is Demogorgon’s gig. He’s a nasty planner, a builder, and a bizarre demonic surgeon grafting together horrible monstrosities to unleash upon the world. A puzzle builder and solver. This sculpt gives me that feeling. This version visually is creepy. There is a leer in that sculpt that is fantastically strange and off putting. As if he’s laughing at your expense as he sizes you up for the first incision.

When you take a look at the full sculpt size comparison you start to realize just how gigantic this thing is. The Gug and the Troll Champion, two of my favorite miniatures, are MASSIVE. He has their height, and even their bulk, but with that sort of potbellied sculpt he has a lithe look that makes him even stranger and nastier to behold. The arms are skinny, and with those wings behind him they make them look that much sicklier. This is just a great miniature that has its own feel and inspires me to want to bring Baphomet into my current games. This is a MUST BUY for me when it comes out and an enticing first look at December/January’s set.

Alright let’s hit up some…

RANDOM CRAP!

- We started DDP Yoga yesterday. I was scared out of my mind it was going to leave me a quivering pool of what used to be a human being. I was wrong. I liked it. Granted not all of it, because some of it did sort of kick my out of shape ass, but I did enjoy even that. I felt it working, it was work but not impossible, and I can see myself doing it at least 5 days a week. Granted we are just in the learning mode right now, but even if we don’t ever move on to the more intense stuff I think I can get healthier just doing this and that is the real goal.

- I learned Saturday that Kaiju movies are good, but Kaiju moves with lots of alcohol, great food, better company, and riotous humor is the BEST.

- As I stated above I am getting back on the Podcast horse. I’ll be ordering the equipment on Friday, and hope to have it in the next few weeks. There have been a LOT of supportive people encouraging me to do this and honestly without them I most likely would have just given up on it. However their interest and cajoling has given me some focus and helped me decide to get back to it. Actually there will be TWO Podcasts. I know. Crazy. First off will be ‘Heel Turn Radio’ where the L.E.W.G.I. crew will get together to talk wrestling in all its wonderful forms. I want to talk about how we would book things, the magic of e-feds, ask questions, maybe have us watch a match beforehand and then review it, and just other general fun. I’m thinking I want it to be at least once a month for around an hour. I am really excited to see how it is going to turn out, but at the same time I am sure it’ll turn out in some way shape or form. The 2nd Podcast will be my spiritual successor to Careers In Evil. We poured a lot of heart and soul into that endeavor and I’d like to take some of the things we did there and continue them. At the same time I’ll be operating more without my previous ‘creative safety net’. It is slightly daunting not to have that person to bounce ideas off of. Especially when you knew that person SO well and were able to basically finish each other’s sentences. So instead I think I’m going to try and tailor every episode to who comes on. If Kyle comes on we’ll talk music, mainly Hardcore, tattoos, and psychology. If I can get Joe, the Koala, on we’ll talk D&D, parenthood, and Football. If it’s Woody then we have to talk Comics, games, and Lead miniatures. When Kedrin comes on it’ll be all about Pixies and why Mothra needs to get off its high horse. I’m getting three mics to start, although I’m contemplating getting a few more so we should be able to have a guest host constantly. I know Diamond Dave had shown interest, Mighty Mike is friggin’ amazing on any Podcast, I know I can count on Cassandra to bring the ‘Thunda’, and I’d be intrigued to have someone like Magic Mike or Mick be in that co-host chair as well. Overall I’m just excited about the prospect of jumping back into something that I truly did love doing. It is the natural extension of this horrible rambling monstrosity of my brain throwing up all over the Interwebs. It’s just that with the Podcast you have the genius of others to temper my madness.

- We grilled Monday and it was glorious. I’m so glad this heat wave is over and we can back to some fall type temps.

- Friday night is a Painting and Wrestling night. I finished two of my ‘Marines’ last weekend and have another four almost done. I’m going to easily knock them out. After that I think I need to get to painting some things for 3rd Group. I’m hoping some of the folks from that group make it and they can dig through find something’s they are interested in and I can find ways to fold that into their games. I always feel like that makes things FAR more fun. I figure three or so hours painting, watching some wrestling, and laughing then possibly a fire pit to end the night. Lately I have found painting to be a wonderful and relaxing mental space. I’m hoping to share that with some friends, learn a bit from the more talented people I know, and give some people who are just trying it out a ‘blank canvas’ on which to find some fun in this hobby like I have.

- I really need to get those Bones bent soon; they can’t stay in dining room forever.

- It sounds like at the end of this month we’ll be doing our 3rd Annual Driveway Food War! This year it’ll be BACON! So you can make any dish it JUST has to have bacon in it. I am currently contemplating trying to get some either thick cut bacon or maybe even a bit of pork belly and cooking it REALLY slow. Then I’ll glaze that, put it on a kebab with some dried apricots that I’m thinking rehydrating in some wine, and some heavily seasoned chicken. I’d probably finish it with a chiffonade of fresh basil and maybe a balsamic reduction. That sounds fancy pants, don’t it? Well I have a title to defend and since I haven’t won Trivia Death Match, YET(!), I have to get my pride where I can.

- I know I say it aloud a lot, and even spout off about it here, but it’s true and I never get tired of shouting it from the mountain top. I married the greatest woman who has ever traipsed the multiverse. She is simply amazing and my Best Friend. I love you Cassandra.

I think I’m rambled enough today…

“With your long blonde hair
and your eyes of blue
The only thing I ever got from you
was sorrow
Sorrow

You acted funny trying

to spend my money

You're out there playing your high class games of sorrow
Sorrow

You never do what you know you oughta
Something tells me
you're a Devil's daughter
Sorrow, sorrow
Ahhhh, ah, ahhhh

I tried to find her
'Cause I can't resist her
(I tried to find her)

I never knew just how much I missed her

Sorrow
Sorrow

With your long blonde hair and your eyes of blue
The only thing I ever got from you was sorrow

Sorrow

Oh-oh-oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh

With your long blonde hair

I couldn't sleep last night

With your long blonde hair”

* = I need to try this out...