Monday, January 30, 2006

Jonathon "The Impaler" Sharkey for Governor of Minnesota - 2006

Um, yeah. Good luck with that.

Jonathon "The Impaler" Sharkey for Governor of Minnesota - 2006

"Honesty is very seldom heard nowadays, especially from a politician. So, I am going to break from political tradition. My name is Jonathon “The Impaler” Sharkey, Ph.D., L.D.D.D. I am a Satanic Dark Priest, Sanguinarian Vampyre and a Hecate Witch. My Magikal Path name is: Lord Ares.

"I despise and hate the Christian God the Father. He is my enemy.

"However, it doesn't mean that I hate all his followers. This Country was founded on religious rights and freedoms. This is guaranteed under the 1st Amendment of our great constitution. This right allows me to worship Lucifer and the Goddess
Hecate, just as it allows you to worship the Goddess/God of your choice.

"It is a common misconception that Satanic people are evil. This is a gross misunderstanding. On a whole those who worship Lucifer, are no more evil
than those who worship other Gods."

Wednesday, January 25, 2006

Boing Boing: BBC report on UK gamers from 6-65

While the study is geared towards computer/online gamers, I would imagine that there is some information in this that could be of use for tabletop gamers.

Boing Boing: BBC report on UK gamers from 6-65

"BBC Creative Research and Development have just released a stellar research report on gamers' habits in the UK -- how people from six to 65 play, what they play, why they play, and how they got to playing. It's a real eye-opener -- and chock full of stats-candy in sweet charts."

Tuesday, January 24, 2006

With Apologies to Mr. Edwards - RPGnet Forums

I don't often link to threads on RPGnet, but I think that this is a good one. Hopefully it will be one that won't end up going down in flames. From interplays on the RPGnet forums, I like what Levi has to say. Not all of it is useful to everyone (heck, a lot of it isn't useful to my gaming situations) but unlike some others who are groping at RPG Theories, I don't find his thoughts to be as detrimental as those of some others seem to be.

These ideas don't scorn or look down upon other styles of gamers, and they certainly don't use loaded or biased language to describe the game play of others. I recommend checking out this thread, and hope that it doesn't end in flames.

With Apologies to Mr. Edwards - RPGnet Forums

Like I've said, I don't really think that jargon does a lot of good in respect to discussing and working out concepts and/or problems with game play. But I'm not really sure if what Levi is proposing is really jargon either.

I guess we will see how it plays out.

Monday, January 23, 2006

Time Machine Cuba by William Gibson

How an important person from modern Science Fiction discovered Science Fiction. From the Infinite Matrix website.

Time Machine Cuba by William Gibson

"I learned of science fiction and history in a single season.

"History I found in the basement of an old brick house I happened to pass each day, on my way to elementary school, in a small town in Virginia.

"This house stood vacant, but was in too conspicuous a state of repair to seem haunted, and had never interested me. One afternoon, though, I noted that workmen had arrived, and that some sort of renovation was being prepared for. Squeezing in past a sheet of plywood, I explored a series of cold, empty rooms. One of these (my heart beat faster) contained a damp old trunk. Having worked up the nerve to open it, I found only a few faded lithographs (as I now imagine they were) of airplanes. But these were airplanes unlike any I had seen, and they held my attention in a peculiar way. They were old, clearly of some other era, but exciting, and somehow frightening as well. Squatting there, staring at them, I felt as though some enormous wedge of information was being driven into my head. Various bits and pieces of half-knowledge were coming together, forming some new and utterly unexpected whole. I already knew, as if by osmosis, that there had been a war, though I didn't know when, or with whom. I had been raised, so far, by adults who sometimes spoke of 'the war' as some previous time or era or world, but I had somehow never associated that with other, more vague ideas of some past and general conflict. I had read comic books about war, and played with military toys, but had never considered how those might fit into some way the world had actually been."

Monday, January 16, 2006

A Blogger Is Just A Writer With A Cooler Name

My name is Chris and I am a Blogger. I think that its funny that the media thinks that there isn't a difference between journalists and bloggers...well until there is one.

A Blogger Is Just A Writer With A Cooler Name

"I’ve been thinking of what I am -- about what any media person in the digital age is -- since having coffee last week with a 30-something newspaper editor who bemoaned the fact that newspapers keep on setting up blogs as these separate, exotic add-ons to their Web sites, instead of integrating blogging into their usual newsgathering operations. There’s simply no good reason to segregate the functions, he insisted.

"And it occurred to me that there is no such thing as blogging. There is no such thing as a blogger. Blogging is just writing -- writing using a particularly efficient type of publishing technology. Even though I tend to first use Microsoft Word on the way to being published, I am not, say, a Worder or Wordder.

"It’s just software, people! The underlying creative/media function remains exactly the same."

Hooked On A Feeling

Nothing further is needed except for these two words: David Hasselhoff. Enjoy.





Warning though, don't click "Play" if you are at work and don't want to explain to others why you are watching a video of David Hasselhoff singing "Hooked On A Feeling."

Saturday, January 14, 2006

Green Eggs and Ham Recipe

Green Eggs and Ham Recipe

"If your kids love the Dr. Suess book featuring the Cat in the Hat and his misadventures with the children, then they will get a kick out of this version of green eggs and ham. They might even start liking green foods! Adults will adore it, of course."

Thursday, January 12, 2006

Henan Man Impossible to Photograph

Perhaps he was a vampire of some sort...

Henan Man Impossible to Photograph

"On January 6, 2006, Henan Province's Dahe Daily newspaper reported that the local police department was unable to take an ID photo of Ye Xiangting from Yelou Village in the Yangzhuang Township of Wugang City, Henan Province. No image of Ye Xiangting showed up in the computer photos, and there is still no clear explanation for the result.

Ye Xiangting told the reporter about his recent visit to the Yangzhuang police station to get a photo taken for a new ID card. He sat in front of the camera, but no image of him would show up in the photo. The staff checked the camera very carefully, but found no problems. He retook photos of Ye Xiangting, but no photos of Ye Xiangting was found on the computer images.

"

Not a Hoax, One-Eyed Kitten Had Bizarre Condition

Not a Hoax, One-Eyed Kitten Had Bizarre Condition

"A photo of a one-eyed kitten named Cy drew more than a little skepticism when it turned up on various Web sites, but medical authorities have a name for the bizarre condition.

"'Holoprosencephaly' causes facial deformities, according to the National Institute for Neurological Disorders and Stroke, part of the National Institutes of Health. In the worst cases, a single eye is located where the nose should be, according to the institute's Web site.

"Traci Allen says the kitten she named Cy, short for Cyclops, was born the night of Dec. 28 with the single eye and no nose.

"'You don't expect to see something like that,' the 35-year-old Allen said by telephone from her home in Redmond in central Oregon."

Wednesday, January 11, 2006

The Town That Hated Heroes

In the real world, we hate our heroes sometimes.

The Town That Hated Heroes

"A miserable little version of Gotham City, the Michigan town of Jackson has turned on its only superhero."

A Quick Word About Verification

Hi folks.

I know that there aren't a lot of people who comment on Dorkland! but I thought that I would stop to mention the fact that I have set the comments to a moderated status. This means that I have to approve each comment before it gets posted to the blog. I just want to let people know that this is because of the fact that Spamming Comments on blogs is running rampant, and it has become almost as bad as email spam. It is because of these spammers that I had to do this moderation.

A few bad apples always spoil things for the rest. I just wanted to let people know why I made the choices that I made.

Thanks.

Tuesday, January 10, 2006

Garfield Randomizer

Make your own surreal masterpieces with random panels of Garfield strips. Have fun.

Garfield Randomizer

[via Boing Boing]

Monday, January 09, 2006

OEMED! – Warren Ellis

Artist Michael Avon Oeming interviews Warren Ellis to start off a new online column of comic industry interviews.

This is a really good interview, whether you are a fan of Ellis' work or not. If you aren't now, you might be when you've finished the interview. Enjoy.

OEMED! – Warren Ellis

"Michael Avon Oeming takes on Warren Ellis

"Welcome to OEMED!, a series of monthly interviews with various creators, both writers and artists, mayhaps even an editor or two. If you’re not familiar with my work, look me up on Google, I have enough to type already.

"These interviews should be fun and informative; from the POV of one artist/writer getting into the mind of another creator, helping readers get into our mindset. I won’t be asking about specific projects, but about the process behind those projects. I will try and be as honest as possible about myself, and with whom I am interviewing, and I won’t pull any punches if I have them, while at the same time, remaining respectful.

"The first interview I have for you is with Warren Ellis. You know his work from TRANSMETROPOLITAN, PLANETARY, AUTHORITY, GLOBAL FREQUENCY, STORMWATCH, ULTIMATE FANTASTIC FOUR, DOWN, DESOLATION JONES, FELL and many other comics and original graphic novels." [via Bad Signal]

20-sided Fuzzy Dice Danglers

20-sided Fuzzy Dice Danglers

"True, 6-sided fuzzy dice hanging from the rear view mirror may be overdone and cliche, but 20-sided dice, that is a different story. Time to replace that ratty, dangling high school tassel with something more fitting of a geek. Think of these fuzzy icosahedrons (that's a 20-sided polyhedron for the math-impaired) as a fantasy muse, inspiring you as you drive, conjuring images of dungeon crawling, orc whacking, and critical hitting."

Wednesday, January 04, 2006

Nasa team sees explosion on Moon

Or, could it be because of something more sinister. This event could be a useful seed to jumpstart a super-hero or SF game of some sort or another.

Nasa team sees explosion on Moon

"Nasa scientists have witnessed a rare explosion on the Moon, caused by a meteoroid slamming into it.

"The blast was equal in energy to about 70kg of TNT and was seen near the edge of Mare Imbrium (the Sea of Rains).

"The object that hit the Moon was probably part of a shower of 'taurids' which peppered Earth in late October and early November."

Tuesday, January 03, 2006

The Coolest Rooms on the Planet

Now we know where the money from the comics are going...

The Coolest Rooms on the Planet

"Fit for a superhero, Joe Quesada's Manhattan flat accommodates technology without sacrificing clean design. As editor in chief of Marvel Comics, Quesada can watch Spider-Man save the Big Apple from anywhere in his 4,800-square-foot loft. Six rooms, including the bath, feature flat-panel screens, but the real highlight is a theater that opens into a music room."

Sunday, January 01, 2006

Dick Clark Returns to TV to Mark New Year

It was a mixed bit of sorrow and happiness seeing him on TV last night. It really isn't New Year's Eve without Dick Clark, but I guess that he isn't immortal after all and one year he won't be there any more. Just as long as Ryan Seacrest doesn't take over. Blech.

Dick Clark Returns to TV to Mark New Year

"There was more to celebrate than the ball dropping in Times Square for Dick Clark — the personality who's been ringing in the New Year for decades made his first television appearance since a stroke in late 2004.

"Clark, sitting behind a desk with the street scene in the background, sounded hoarse and occasionally was hard to understand, but he said, 'I wouldn't have missed this for the world.'

"'Last year I had a stroke,' he explained. 'It left me in bad shape. I had to teach myself how to walk and talk again. It's been a long, hard fight. My speech is not perfect but I'm getting there.'"

The Lion, The Witch and The World Trade talks

The Lion, The Witch and The World Trade talks

"The fantasy land of Narnia, the subject of C. S. Lewis' stories and a just-released film, impinged on last week's World Trade Organisation talks.

"A story issued by financial news agency AFX on Sunday, picked up by several other outlets, has left a series of red faces by faithfully reporting a press release from 'the independent state of Narnia'. The story claimed Narnia had walked out of the World Trade Organisation talks in Hong Kong because it was fed up with being bullied by the US and Europe. It claimed the major powers were attempting to enforce liberalisation of its clothing sector.

"It quoted Narnia spokeswoman Susan Aslan (Aslan is the name of the Christ-like lion featured in the film, and book, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe). Narnia's delegates 'were tired of bullying by EU and US delegations and would be returning immediately to their state capital at Cair Parvel,' Ms Aslan was reported as saying. 'If this brings the Hong Kong talks to the knees we will be delighted,' it went on. The story was picked up by top business websites, including Forbes.com."

Devo whips up classic tracks for kids

Here's one for Daiv:

Devo whips up classic tracks for kids

"A new generation of music fans will get hip to one of new wave's most iconic acts through Devo 2.0.

"For the project, all five members of Devo regrouped to re-record some of its best known songs, including the 1980 hit 'Whip It!' with vocals provided by a quintet of kids. Also included will be 'Cyclops' and 'The Winner,' the first new studio tracks from Devo in nearly two decades.

"The 'Devo 2.0' CD is due March 17 via Disney Sound, a family-oriented division of Walt Disney Records. A companion DVD will feature animated and live-action videos for each of the tracks directed by Devo bassist Gerry Casale.

"Disney Sound was inaugurated with the January release of Grammy-winning alt-rock duo They Might Be Giants' 'Here Come the ABCs' on CD and DVD, which have sold more than 100,000 combined in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan."

Wil McCarthy's Hacking Matter

Download a PDF copy of Wil McCarthy's science book Hacking Matter. There is sure to be something of interest for those of you who want a little bleeding edge ultratech in your games.

Wil McCarthy's Hacking Matter

"The Flick of a switch: A wall becomes a window becomes a hologram generator. Any chair becomes a hypercomputer, any rooftop a power or waste treatment plant.

"Programmable matter is probably not the next technological revolution, nor even perhaps the one after that. But it's coming, and when it does, it will change our lives as much as any invention ever has. Imagine being able to program matter itself--to change it, with the click of a cursor, from hard to soft, from paper to stone, from fluorescent to super-reflective to invisible. Supported by companies ranging from Levi Strauss to IBM and the Defense Department, solid-state physicists in laboratories at MIT, Harvard, Sun Microsystems, and elsewhere are currently creating arrays of microscopic devices called "quantum dots" that are capable of acting like programmable atoms. They can be configured electronically to replicate the properties of any known atom and then can be changed, as fast as an electrical signal can travel, to have the properties of a different atom. Soon it will be possible not only to engineer into solid matter such unnatural properties as variable magnetism, programmable flavors, or exotic chemical bonds, but also to change these properties at will.

"Wil McCarthy visits the laboratories and talks with the researchers who are developing this extraordinary technology; describes how they are learning to control its electronic, optical, thermal, magnetic, and mechanical properties; and tells us where all this will lead. The possibilities are truly magical.

"Wil McCarthy is a novelist, the science columnist for the SciFi channel, and the Chief Technology Officer for Galileo Shipyards, an aerospace research corporation."