Come on, you know you want to look.
Sunday, September 24, 2006
Sunday, September 17, 2006
Hail Eris!
All Hail Discordia!
Former ‘10th planet’ officially named Eris
Former ‘10th planet’ officially named Eris
A distant, icy rock whose discovery shook up the solar system and led to Pluto's planetary demise has been given a name: Eris.
The christening of Eris, named after the Greek goddess of chaos and strife, was announced by the International Astronomical Union on Wednesday. Weeks earlier, the professional astronomers' group stripped Pluto of its planethood under new controversial guidelines.
Wednesday, September 13, 2006
Never Forget
We will never forget the day that the moon left its orbit and those astronauts were lost.
Monday, September 11, 2006
Closer To Slash
What happens when you combine Star Trek with Nine Inch Nails' Closer? Click on the video above and find out just how wrong it would be. By the way, this isn't safe for work...just in case I have to explain that to you.
Sunday, September 10, 2006
Superman Is A Dick
Saturday, September 09, 2006
Wikipedia: Lamest edit wars
Once again the Internet comes through with arguments over the dumbest things.
Wikipedia: Lamest edit wars
Wikipedia: Lamest edit wars
Occasionally, Wikipedians lose their minds and get into edit wars over the most petty things. This is to document that phenomenon. This page isn't comprehensive or authoritative, but it is designed to show the 'worst-case' result of people attaching so much importance to some trivial detail that they are willing to engage in the lame pastime of edit warring over an even lamer cause.
ArtHaus Acquires Big Eyes, Small Mouth RPG
I'm not overly surprised by the news, not since I saw that some of the Guardians of Order BESM-related properties had been transferred to Arthaus on the DriveThruRPG.com website. I had hoped that it would be Mongoose who ended up with this, bu it would appear not to be the case.
Regardless, it is good news for BESM fans. I wish that it had been released as a softcover, at least, though. That price is a bit too rich for my tastes.
ArtHaus Acquires Big Eyes, Small Mouth RPG
Regardless, it is good news for BESM fans. I wish that it had been released as a softcover, at least, though. That price is a bit too rich for my tastes.
ArtHaus Acquires Big Eyes, Small Mouth RPG
Fans of Big Eyes, Small Mouth (BESM) will be thrilled to learn that the 3rd Edition of this award winning role playing game will be released by ArtHaus in January 2007.
Previously published by Guardians of Order, BESM is designed to be a multi-genre anime and manga game and can accommodate nearly any setting or time period. The rules are simple to use and thus do not include an overwhelming amount of specific detail, with the task resolution system and combat engine designed to capture the fast-moving nature of anime and manga action. This element is one of the central strengths of the game, making BESM ideal for either the novice or experienced role-player.
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
Fun With Google -- Confidential, Do Not Distribute!
I picked this up from Boing Boing and found it humorous. Is it dorky? I'll leave that one to you.
Apparently there are people in business world who think that marking something as "Confidential" and then putting it out on your website will keep anyone from ever finding it.
Fun With Google -- Confidential, Do Not Distribute!
[via Boing Boing]
Apparently there are people in business world who think that marking something as "Confidential" and then putting it out on your website will keep anyone from ever finding it.
Fun With Google -- Confidential, Do Not Distribute!
[via Boing Boing]
Monday, September 04, 2006
TV star Steve Irwin killed while filming
The Crocodile Hunter hunts no longer.
TV star Steve Irwin killed while filming
TV star Steve Irwin killed while filming
Television star Steve Irwin has been killed while filming an underwater documentary in Queensland.
The 44-year-old, who was dubbed 'The Crocodile Hunter', was killed by a stingray barb through the chest while diving off Port Douglas.
Local diving operator Steve Edmundson said: 'Steve was hit by a stingray in the chest. He probably died from a cardiac arrest from the injury.'
Police confirmed that paramedics were flown to nearby Low Isles, where Irwin was taken to be treated, but he died before they arrived.
Irwin, who runs the world famous Australia Zoo, is survived by his wife Terri and their two young children Bindi Sue and Bob Clarence.
Speaking to Sky Television, Queensland Tourism Minister Margaret Keech said: 'It's a dreadful loss for the tourism industry and for nature conservation.'
'Everybody who met Steve was impressed with his energy and his enthusiasm,' she said.
Irwin made almost 50 'Crocodile Hunter' documentaries, which earned him worldwide acclaim for his dare-devil stunts with animals.
Sunday, August 27, 2006
First Taste Is For Free
If you haven't checked out the comics of Brian Wood, you need to do so right now. I haven't gotten any of his DMZ series yet (but I keep meaning to pick up the first trade) but his Demo, Channel Zero and Couscous Express books have been among some of my favorite comics of the last few years. Plus he did the design work for Warren Ellis' incredible mini-series, Global Frequency.
Now, DC/Vertigo Comics are offering you a free taste of Wood's DMZ comic. The first issue is available from their site as a PDF download. Don't ever believe the hype about anything, and don't just believe what people are saying online. Check it out with your own eyes and figure it out for yourself.
First Taste Is For Free
EDIT: Picked up the first DMZ trade when I went to the comic store for this week's pick-up. Only $9.99 for the first five issues of the book. I have to say, that's pretty impressive and I wish that more publishers would give you the first taste/trade for cheaper to get people involved in picking up the collections. If I had known it would have been this cheap, I would have picked it up sooner. Brian Wood's writing is as strong as it has been in the other books of his that I have read.
If you are a fan of Brian Wood, this book is for you. If you aren't a fan of Brian Wood...why aren't you? If you like non-super hero books with intelligent writing, you should check out this book. If you want a comic book that is different from what all of the other people are doing, this book is for you. Brian Wood writes in a cyberpunk sort of mode, without it actually being cyberpunk. Which means that there isn't any cyber involved. If you have read any of the DryCo books by Jack Womack then you will know exactly what I am talking about. If you haven't, you should probably head out to the library or your nearest used bookstore right now. Don't worry. I'll wait.
Basically, I am saying that this is a comic that you should check out and check out soon.
[via Warren Ellis]
Now, DC/Vertigo Comics are offering you a free taste of Wood's DMZ comic. The first issue is available from their site as a PDF download. Don't ever believe the hype about anything, and don't just believe what people are saying online. Check it out with your own eyes and figure it out for yourself.
First Taste Is For Free
From indie comics icon Brian Wood (Demo, Channel Zero, GLOBAL FREQUENCY) and up-and-coming Italian artist Riccardo Burchielli (John Doe) comes the first volume of DMZ, collecting the first 5 issues of the series about the ultimate embedded war journalist trapped in a most unlikely war zone: the streets of New York City.
In the near future, America's worst nightmare has come true. With military adventurism overseas bogging down the Army and National Guard, the U.S. government mistakenly neglects the very real threat of anti-establishment militias scattered across the 50 states. Like a sleeping giant, Middle America rises up and violently pushes its way to the shining seas, coming to a standstill at the line in the sand — Manhattan or, as the world now knows it, the DMZ.
Matty Roth, a naïve young man and aspiring photojournalist, lands a dream gig following a veteran war journalist into the heart of the DMZ. Things soon go terribly wrong, and Matty finds himself lost and alone in a world he's only seen on television. There, he is faced with a choice: try to find a way off the island, or make his career with an assignment most journalists would kill for. But can he survive in a war zone long enough to report the truth?
EDIT: Picked up the first DMZ trade when I went to the comic store for this week's pick-up. Only $9.99 for the first five issues of the book. I have to say, that's pretty impressive and I wish that more publishers would give you the first taste/trade for cheaper to get people involved in picking up the collections. If I had known it would have been this cheap, I would have picked it up sooner. Brian Wood's writing is as strong as it has been in the other books of his that I have read.
If you are a fan of Brian Wood, this book is for you. If you aren't a fan of Brian Wood...why aren't you? If you like non-super hero books with intelligent writing, you should check out this book. If you want a comic book that is different from what all of the other people are doing, this book is for you. Brian Wood writes in a cyberpunk sort of mode, without it actually being cyberpunk. Which means that there isn't any cyber involved. If you have read any of the DryCo books by Jack Womack then you will know exactly what I am talking about. If you haven't, you should probably head out to the library or your nearest used bookstore right now. Don't worry. I'll wait.
Basically, I am saying that this is a comic that you should check out and check out soon.
[via Warren Ellis]
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
Japanese Powerpuff Girls
Yes, because the original version wasn't anime enough for people apparently. You really do have to see this one to believe it. It isn't my fault though if you spend the next eight minutes in a stupor because you clicked on the link.
You know that you want to click on the link. You know that you do.
Sunday, August 20, 2006
When Memes Attack
Sometimes two memes are so powerful that they cross streams and become something bigger and stronger. Is this a good thing? You be the judge...
Thursday, August 17, 2006
Hybrid mutant beast's body found
The world is a strange place. If you can't get a senario out of this, you're just not trying.
Hybrid mutant beast's body found
Hybrid mutant beast's body found
An animal found dead in the United States may be the mysterious creature that has mauled dogs, frightened residents and been the subject of local legend for half a generation.
The animal was found near power lines along Route 4 near Turner, Maine, on Saturday. It had apparently been struck by a car while chasing a cat.
The carcass was photographed and inspected by several people who live in the area, but nobody is sure exactly what it is.
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
Gen Con Indy: Day Four Report and Wrap-Up
A wrap up of the finale of GenCon from our friends at RPGBlog.
Gen Con Indy: Day Four Report and Wrap-Up
Gen Con Indy: Day Four Report and Wrap-Up
Sorry about my late posting for the final day of Gen Con. Anyone who's gone knows that the post-Gen Con crash can be brutal, and mine was no exception.
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
Summer of Bottled Drinks
Because its just too weird not to share. This, my friends, is the true essence of blogging.
Summer of Bottled Drinks
[Via Warren Ellis]
Summer of Bottled Drinks
Here’s a trivial summer project to keep me and you occupied. Take a picture of bottled beverages, include where I was drinking, and blog them. I like to drink different kinds of drinks, and bottled drinks are usually 100 yen to 170 yen. There are varieties and they’re cheap enough to try all these different varieties. I’ll make a post with five drinks each.
[Via Warren Ellis]
Sunday, August 13, 2006
A closed mind about an open world
Interesting article. Makes me wonder how much of this data could be mapped across to the OGL in the RPG biz.
A closed mind about an open world
[Via Boing Boing]
A closed mind about an open world
Studying intellectual property and the internet has convinced me that we have another cognitive bias. Call it the openness aversion. We are likely to undervalue the importance, viability and productive power of open systems, open networks and non-proprietary production. Test yourself on the following questions. In each case, it is 1991 and I have removed from you all knowledge of the past 15 years.
[Via Boing Boing]
Saturday, August 12, 2006
Gen Con Indy: Day Three Report
And via our friends at RPG Blog, here is a report of Day Three at Gen Con.
Gen Con Indy: Day Three Report
Gen Con Indy: Day Three Report
By the third day of Gen Con, the fatigue is really starting to show for some folks. But for most, it's a happy sort of fatigue, a daze offset by the combined momentum and energy of tens of thousands of other people still meeting, gaming, exploring, and having fun.
I Have RuneQuest
And despite the bitching of grognards around the internet, I think it is pretty cool. The nifty keen copy of Land of Ninja for RQ3 that I got through a trade came in the mail today too. Coincidence?
Watch out d20, there's a new kid on the block...and its the bastard child of the system that kicked D&D's ass before.
Watch out d20, there's a new kid on the block...and its the bastard child of the system that kicked D&D's ass before.
Gen Con Indy: The ENnies and Day Two Report
From the RPG Blog comes a day two report of GenCon, including the winners of the ENnies. Congratulations to everyone who won. Glad to seek AMP getting some deserved acclaim.
Gen Con Indy: The ENnies and Day Two Report
Gen Con Indy: The ENnies and Day Two Report
We’ve got plenty of more coverage from today, but let’s go to the big topic first: without further ado (a phrase I have heard many times in the past few hours), I’ll give you your 2006 ENnie winners.
Friday, August 11, 2006
Wizard World: Oh how lame it was
Jonny's report from Wizard World Chicago.
Wizard World: Oh how lame it was
Wizard World: Oh how lame it was
I know, I know...it's been nearly a week since I said that I would write about my trip to Wizard World Chicago on here. So enough of this waiting around shit...
Gen Con Indy: Day One Report
From the RPG Blog we have an overview of the first day of GenCon.
Gen Con Indy: Day One Report
Gen Con Indy: Day One Report
Well, Day One of Gen Con Indy draws to a close, and what a day it was! We’ve got plenty of pictures (more of which will be added quite soon--don't worry we've got plenty more from today) to share with those of you who couldn’t quite make it (captions to come later), and a nice recap of the day’s events.
Saturday, August 05, 2006
Don't Let Architecture Astronauts Scare You
This is something that I came across while randomly following links across the internet, something that I like to do when I want to find out new things or different angles on old things.
Obviously, I was looking for sites with discussion about gaming and a couple of clicks down the road of a search this article popped up on my browser. I think that it has some interesting parallels for some of the things that are "plaguing" the online RPG community these days. It ties in with the bombast of the community that I brought up in a post from a few days ago.
Here's a great quote that I think really cuts to the chase of what I think about a lot of the "theorizing" that is going on: "Sometimes smart thinkers just don't know when to stop, and they create these absurd, all-encompassing, high-level pictures of the universe that are all good and fine, but don't actually mean anything at all." I think that calling these people Architecture Astronauts is just as applicable to gaming as it is to computer systems.
Don't Let Architecture Astronauts Scare You
Obviously, I was looking for sites with discussion about gaming and a couple of clicks down the road of a search this article popped up on my browser. I think that it has some interesting parallels for some of the things that are "plaguing" the online RPG community these days. It ties in with the bombast of the community that I brought up in a post from a few days ago.
Here's a great quote that I think really cuts to the chase of what I think about a lot of the "theorizing" that is going on: "Sometimes smart thinkers just don't know when to stop, and they create these absurd, all-encompassing, high-level pictures of the universe that are all good and fine, but don't actually mean anything at all." I think that calling these people Architecture Astronauts is just as applicable to gaming as it is to computer systems.
Don't Let Architecture Astronauts Scare You
"When great thinkers think about problems, they start to see patterns. They look at the problem of people sending each other word-processor files, and then they look at the problem of people sending each other spreadsheets, and they realize that there's a general pattern: sending files. That's one level of abstraction already. Then they go up one more level: people send files, but web browsers also 'send' requests for web pages. And when you think about it, calling a method on an object is like sending a message to an object! It's the same thing again! Those are all sending operations, so our clever thinker invents a new, higher, broader abstraction called messaging, but now it's getting really vague and nobody really knows what they're talking about any more. Blah.
[Theory] The "incoherent" debate. - RPGnet Forums
Here' another good debate spawned by Levi Kornelsen on RPGnet. I think that the back and forth between the two "sides" of the discussion shows that there is a lot of inflexible thinking that is going on in these debates, and an unwillingness to deviate from the party line. I hope that something good comes out of this because (although it probably really doesn't matter overly much) I really like Levi's line of thinking and I have since he started along his current path of "theory."
Plus this thread features some of my favorite thinkers from RPGnet (besides Levi): Marco and Balbinus.
[Theory] The "incoherent" debate. - RPGnet Forums
Read and enjoy.
Plus this thread features some of my favorite thinkers from RPGnet (besides Levi): Marco and Balbinus.
[Theory] The "incoherent" debate. - RPGnet Forums
Read and enjoy.
Wednesday, August 02, 2006
Konbini Life
Living in Japanese Convenience Stores is an interesting looking blog that I found through Warren Ellis' website. You can learn a lot about a culture from their convenience stores.
Konbini Life
Here are some samples that I thought were funny:
or
or
There's some pretty cool stuff, if you find something that you particularly enjoy share it with the rest of the world.
Konbini Life
Here are some samples that I thought were funny:
To those not in the know, Onigiri is a rice ball with some sort of goodie bundled up inside (in this case, Tuna Mayo) and then wrapped with a thin sheet of dried seaweed. The packages are cleverly designed so that the seaweed is kept separated from the rice until the red tab at the top is properly pulled down, allowing the seaweed to wrap around the rice ball in a crispy and delicious combination that you couldn’t dream of for less than 105 yen.
or
Pudding Parfait. We all know what pudding is, but do we all know what parfait is? According to wikipedia, there is American Parfait and French Parfait. This being Japan, it’s fair to say that it could have come from either one. But wait! Wikipedia has the answer there too! They say that Japanese parfait is essentially an ice cream sundae. Regardless, this one is just the right mix of sweet n’ smooth, with bits of cookies and cream mixed in, dollops of whipped cream on the top and chocolate swirled throughout, they definitely got it right on this one.
So what if it all goes to my thighs? I NEED IT! ...I can’t be sure but this doesn’t seem so seasonal, so it’s probably available year-round. Those of you who aren’t gonna be able to make your trip out to Japan until autumn or winter probably aren’t gonna be hurting if this one was high on your list of "must trys"
or
This claims to be Heidi of the Alps, but I’m pretty sure that’s Paul Bunyon over there on the left. I don’t really know what Heidi or Paul would have to do with selling drinkable yogurt, but nevertheless, there they are.
There's some pretty cool stuff, if you find something that you particularly enjoy share it with the rest of the world.
Tuesday, August 01, 2006
The Hall of Collections
We return to flickr for campaign and adventure ideas. I am thinking that this might actually become a regular feature of the blog. Let me know what you think of the idea.
Imagine the occult significance of a travelling "hall of collections" that moves around the country, going from county fair to county fair. It is all the easier to hide the artifacts in a place where those who look at them do not realize what they are even looking at.
Does the exhibit move in a pattern across the country that has some esoteric importance?
The next question would be who curates the hall of collections?
Imagine the occult significance of a travelling "hall of collections" that moves around the country, going from county fair to county fair. It is all the easier to hide the artifacts in a place where those who look at them do not realize what they are even looking at.
Does the exhibit move in a pattern across the country that has some esoteric importance?
The next question would be who curates the hall of collections?
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