Silverfyre Musings

New Blog Address!

2006-07-12T19:39:00.000-05:00

Here is the new blog address!

New Silverfyre Musings!

Please update your links accordingly.

Moving from Blogger!

2006-07-12T19:03:00.000-05:00

Well, because this crappy blog service swallowed up my template (which mind you, was custom and took a lot of coding!), I'll be moving this blog to LiveJournal. I'll hopefully have that done by the time we get back from vacation in three weeks.

Til then, take care!

The Rage, Oh The Rage!

2006-07-06T19:57:00.000-05:00

My f-ing car just cost me almost a thousand dollars to fix. The transmission, tires, wiper motor, AND A/C all went at once. All at once, just like that.

We searched for a cheap car to buy but it was actually better just to drop the money on the car. So, we went from debtfree to debtfull.

Life sucks sometimes.

I'm up to my ass in paper work, with scholarship letters to write and work needing to be done. Races hasn't even been opened in two weeks and I want to get back to working on Spellburn. Where is the time?!

Oh! Scholarships!

2006-06-30T15:55:00.000-05:00

Well, it's been a rough day but there is a ray of sunshine at the end of the tunnel...on my mailbox.

I just got a letter from the MCC Foundation letting me know that I am being awarded a scholarship! The amount will cover everything for the next year, including books and the like. This is wonderful news as I was beginning to worry how I was going to pay for college next year...

Much thanks go out to my benefactor, Ms. Debra Jacobs. She is a saint in my eyes and my new favorite person.

Heroes On NBC

2006-06-28T20:53:00.000-05:00

Has anyone else seen the previews for this?

Just...wow. Check out the four minute trailer and tell me that this is not something worth waiting to see. It's a show called "Heroes" and it follows the tale of a group of people who discover that they have extradionary talents after witnessing some sort of eclipse. The details are a bit vague but damn, this looks incredible.

Purple, Drunken Haze

2006-06-25T11:40:00.000-05:00

He called it "Mage's Fire". Try it, it's interesting.

Bah, never listen to a pirate who offers you something in a mason's jar that glows (yes, glows!) with a soft, purple light...

It only starts to glow after you drink it, too.

I think a more appropriate term for the drink is "moonshine". Yup, just as good for drinkin' as it is for cleaning out your septic tank and removing rust stains from your driveway.

No bowel jokes there, folks.

Needless to say, last night's "Pretend We Are Gaming and Just Get Drunk" fest was a success. I have seen "Boondock Saints" and life is now complete. This movie is just as good as "Fight Club" if you're Irish. Hell, if you just love "righteous" vigilantes, this movie is worth watching and commiting to memory.

Yeah, and the "King Arthur" movie, even the uncut version, does suck. It's entertaining but why call it King Arthur when it has nothing to do with the mythos, save for the names?

Bah, anywho, breakfast was awesome and it's good to be around those LARPers again. I missed you guys.

Until next time, eh?

Cat Tricks

2006-06-22T20:59:00.000-05:00

Apparently, my cat has decided to fall in love with a little game him and I play.

He has this little mouse toy that is fuzzy and full of catnip. He will bring it to me and throw it at my feet and then start to meow. He's letting me know it's play time. At first, I'd throw it once or twice and he'd be content to roll it around and bat it around the house for the next hour. Well, the last two days have been interesting.

I decided to teach him how to fetch...and it actually worked. I have a good friend, Mark, who taught all his cats to fetch paper balls and I used his method with Julian and the cat toy. First, he'd bring it to me and I'd throw it. He'd grab it in his mouth and wait for me to call him back. I'd call his name and make "mouse noises". He comes running back with the toy in his mouth and drops it. Throw, call, repeat.

This has been going on whenever I come into the room where he is at. Every time. He loves this little game and has gotten quite good at it.

I can't believe I taught my cat to fetch. It's awesome. Definitely an icebreaker for social gatherings!

A VERY Interesting Meme Thingy

2006-06-21T20:04:00.000-05:00

Found this on innocent_water's blog:

List 10 things you want to say to people but know you never will.
* Don't say who they are.
* Disable comments.
* Never discuss it again.

Hmmm, lemme see what I can do. I can't disable comments but honestly, people can say what they wish since what I will say has nothing to do with any of those who read this blog. Or does it? THE ENIGMA OF IT ALL! ~Gasp of Shock!~

Heh, anywho...this could be fun...

1. If you don't want to suffer for what you have done, then stop doing it! Get off your ass and start working for what you want. No one is going to just hand life and success to you. Get off your lazy ass and start making your own way in life, damn it.

2. You may think you have everything you wanted in life but look again. It's a hollow, empty shell and it's only a matter of time until you realize just how much you lost when you gave her up.

3. You have to solve your own problems. We've given you so many chances and you keep screwing up. How is the world going to change for you who doesn't want to change with it? Keep out of my life and let us move on. Gods know I'm done with you and your petty bullshit.

4. You may not think so but I respect you so much. We are friends, yes, but I look up to you. I guess I'm just too prideful to really say anything. Frightening, isn't it?

5. Don't preach to me about values you don't even practice or believe you in, you bloody hypocrite! Crawl back into the sheltered life you have lived since day one and stay the hell out of my life. You don't even know where to begin with yourself so stop trying to convert others!

6. Why do you always have to change something that works so perfectly well? I mean, come on, with all of the effort you have put into it, just leave the damned thing alone! Everyone will work out in the end, just give it time!

7. You may seem to be everyone's best friend, but I can see right through you. You love what the world has just given to you and you use this bullshit cover of friendship to press your boasting on everyone around you. For the love of all that is sacred, shut the hell up and let us live our lives.

8. Why is it that the ones who deserve love the most don't find it? You are such a loving, caring soul and you will find that in which you are seeking. But, don't wait for it to come to you...seek it out and claim it for your own. Gods know I've learned that lesson well.

9. Don't give up on life because it throws you a hardball every once and while. You will get through it and it's all petty in the end anyways. Keep your chin up and fight it. What's the old cliche? Never surrender, never give up? Maybe it's a cliche because it actually has meaning.

10. I love you as my brother more so than my actual one. Is that terrible or what?

Well, that was...insightful. Now, what's on T.V.?

The Adventure Begins...Literally!

2006-06-20T15:01:00.000-05:00

I just got my copy of Goodman Games' The Adventure Begins and it is very impressive. I mean, even more so than the quality that Goodman Games usually puts out. The DM was hurting for something to run our lower level PCs through and there are never enough 1st level (fully adjustable mind you!) modules on our shelf. Well, now we have this. My DM is already drooling in anticipation and we are scheduled to take Harley's latest for a spin later tonight.

Again, awesome work by Goodman and I definitely recommend it. This lil' baby will be getting a lot of use...

Getting Back In Order

2006-06-18T16:48:00.000-05:00

Life is finally settling down again for the both of us. It's time to go into that so-called "summer routine" and just find that familiar "work, school, sleep, game" pattern again. It will be nice to get back into the swing of normal life without flying half way across the country to go to a court hearing or trying to make life changing decisions in the spur of a moment.

I think I'll spend the day watching "Gone with the Wind" with the wife. Sounds like a nice, normal plan to me.

Hope everyone else's lives are keeping them happy. Thanks again for everyone's support in our little dark times, as one may call them.

Insert Scream Of Frustration And Rage Here

2006-06-16T08:57:00.000-05:00

If one more thing goes wrong in my family's life, I'm going to be known as "The Wall-Destroyer".

Things are just getting progressively worse for my parents and my brother. He got sentenced yesterday and has to do more jail time than we thought and has to stay in Texas. The only good thing coming out of that is he is going to get the drug treatment he needs. But, still, that another decade before I can even see him again.

On the other hand, you do the crime...well, you know the rest. I just hate that it is happening to someone who I know could have done so much better...

My mother was in the midst of adopting a child from my rather f'ed up cousin (another drug case who shouldn't be allowed to have children, let alone leech off of the Canadian government) and she was promised this child since my cousin knew she was pregnant. My mother can't have children due to cancer and she wants another child so desperately. Well, my stepfather and her have been waiting and waiting for this day and when the child is born, my cousin turned the child over to the authorities instead of my mother. My parents are devastated. I mean beyond all reproach. They were going to have a child, the one they have been waiting almost a year for, and now this. How coldhearted can one person be? See, if she hadn't have made all these promises, then fine. But otherwise? I'm done with that one. Period.

My mother also lost her job and got into a car accident...all in the same day. It all just comes crashing down, doesn't it?

We all had a terrible day as well, though it certainly pales in comparison to my poor mother's. We had to give up Lucian, since our landlord decided to change her mind and only allows us one kitten. We found a really good home for him but still, losing him has pretty much made us some very upset people. Chrissy got her offical rejection letter from the school and it's just been one crappy week.

We need a vacation or something. I think I'll just go out and borrow Mister "Rebar" from James. Sounds good about now...

Just...Damn...

2006-06-14T11:25:00.000-05:00

My father just called to let me know that they were going to be putting down Freckles, the family dog. She's been around since she was a puppy and now she is fifteen and has so many health problems, they feel it's best to just let her go peacefully. Now, you have to understand why I'm so completely upset right now. One, I'm an animal lover through and through. Two, I've been around this dog for a long, long time and she took to me from day one. Even after I stopped going to my father's and returned after nine years, she recognized me immediately and she doens't just take to anyone. She was born with a deformed lower jaw but she got through it and was one of the most loveable animals we've ever had. Putting her down may be the best thing for the old girl but dammit, I really hate to see her go. I can only keep thinking that this is probably the best thing for her but anyone with a heart hates to see a beloved pet go.

This is no exception. I'm going to miss her something fierce.

~Sigh~

Overclocking Noob

2006-06-14T09:52:00.000-05:00

With that open box special I picked up at Circuit City, I got a Visiontek (ATI) Radeon X1300 512 MB PCI-Express video card. Well, I installed it and after much frustration with ATI's Catalyst drivers, I went online and found some third party drivers called Omega. Now, I've used these in the past for the other computer and they work awesome. This version I am looking at on the new computer has an overclocking feature. Well, my question is this:

How in the hell do I use this? And should I even bother as I've heard some horror stories involving the overclocking process.

The computer has some good fan control (one large processor fan, a case cooling fan, and the card has this extra large cooler on it as well) so I think it can handle a little boost. But, anyone have any idea just how to do this safely? I'm relying on you all before the tech forums as they can't even use proper English...

Orpheus

2006-06-11T15:23:00.000-05:00

For those of you who are not familiar with this game, it is basically the one that White Wolf put out to help stir up interest in the old Wraith tabletop role playing game...and much more.

Orpheus melds the physical world with the world of the dead and the players play either ghosts or humans capable of "projecting" or venturing into the ghostly side of existence. It provides the rock solid d10 "Storytelling" system White Wolf used for the Vampire the Masquerade and Werewolf and it works very well.

If you are into ghost stories or are familiar with Wraith, I'd definitely recommend picking up this series. It was a limited story arc that was only six books long but all of them are packed full of everything you need to run one campaign or indefinite play.

We are looking forward to starting our first Orpheus game this week. Definitely worth looking over if you just want a change from DnD or if you love the paranormal.

Tropical Storms Already?!

2006-06-11T10:40:00.000-05:00

That was fast. Only eleven days into the hurricane season and WHAM! We are getting drenched here and the winds are a little frightening. Not as bad as what we got last year but this is enough to make me hate living in Florida.

Oh well, back to "hunkering down".

Networking Issues

2006-06-10T01:02:00.000-05:00

Well, just got a brand new gaming rig today but I can't hook the damned thing up to the internet. I've got the two computers each hooked up to the router, which shows activity on both lines, and they are both running the same edition of XP. I can get online with the older computer but not the newer one. All the hardware checks out and I've switched cables a million times. I can ping the computers using the "ipconfig" command but the newer computer can't get on the internet and they don't see each other through the network, despite having made sure that everything was shared, the workgroup names where the same, etc, etc.

I haven't any idea where to go from here. Any thoughts from you computer gurus out there? Both computers are HPs and they both have different IP addresses.

d20 Project Ahoy!

2006-06-07T23:12:00.000-05:00

Well, we haven't completely given up on writing, not just yet.

We got the nod from a few publishers who have an interest in a little project the wife and I have been cooking up for the past few months. It's a races supplement for d20 DnD and is entitled "Races of Consequences". It's looking to be about 100 pages of brand new ECL +0 character races, racial prestige classes, feats, and even some variant rules and fiction.

It's still got a few more months of development to go but we at least have something in the works. Time to prove we are not just one-write wonders!

Kitten Update And Other News

2006-06-07T23:00:00.000-05:00

Well, thanks to all the helpful suggestions, everything is looking good for the boys. Mucho thanks to all of you who provided suggestions and took the time to drop me some words of wisdom. And also, thanks for the moral support I've been getting lately from all of you. It means the world to me.

Take it easy and I'm hoping to have some good news soon enough. Oh, and unfortunately, Chrissy didn't get the job at the middle school. Apparently, when Florida has a "Teacher shortage", they just mean they don't have enough jobs for all the teachers. It's complete utter bullshit, but that's bureacracy and politics. It's everywhere, folks. I guess it's nothing lost, nothing gained with this, though. Chrissy loves subbing but damn, it would be nice for a school to realize just how good she really is.

And I'm not just saying that because she is my wife either. The end of the summer will make them a bit more desperate and she should get in then. Or she gets another year's experience subbing. Guess we will just have to wait and see.

Down With The Sickness

2006-06-05T20:10:00.000-05:00

Need some advice, stat: (Warning: This has to do with kitty digestive problems!)

Julian has been having loose stools lately. The squirts, too. And he just threw up a few times. The only changes have been the addition of a can of wet food into his diet and we switched them to a new brand of kitten food. I'm thinking he can't handle the wet food since this is what he is throwing up. Lucian is also having some wet poops but I attribute this to the wet food. Do you think that this might be the cause? I did give them some white rice mixed in with the wet food but this just seemed to contribute to the problem. Should I just take him to the vet's or is there something else that can be done?

Any help is appreciated.

SNAFU

2006-06-05T17:39:00.000-05:00

Family troubles have been rumbling for the last week and it's just getting worse. I just wanted to poke my head in and tell you that I am still kicking. Just been very busy with some family issues (not with the wife but my brother). It hasn't been pretty.

Anyways, I'll check in later this week. Hopefully.

Ever Find That One Song?

2006-05-29T22:31:00.000-05:00

Any of you writers, gamers, etc. ever find or hear that one song that just fits a character like a glove? It just leaps out there and defines everything they are?

Chrissy stumbled across one for one of her characters on the car ride up to Orlando this weekend and it's sticking in my head, since it's so damned perfect for this character.

It's by Nickelback called "Savin' Me", by the way. I think it's the only song of theirs I actually like.

But, anywho, just had to ask.

Weekend Update With Silvy

2006-05-29T21:43:00.000-05:00

It was a pretty killer weekend. My sister is dating a guy who is as much of a gamer as we are. So, it all worked out very well.

Random Thoughts:

Islands of Adventure is one hell of a theme park, even when you are wearing sandals that end up giving you six blisters.

Karma has a funny way of sneaking up on you. We were given two express passes (those mythical "skip the lines") by two complete strangers since they were leaving the park. Out of all the people, we get them. And we only ended up using them on one ride. So, we did the best thing to do: Pass on the good karma. We gave the passes to a mother and her young daughter in the Seuss part of the park. Made her day. Made ours as well.

Been able to spend an equal amount of time between both sides of the family is really, really awesome.

Coming home with more money than you brought with you and not spending much of it on the trip home. A plus to my budget!

Finding a black fedora for a good price. I got the fashion sense now.

Learning that motion sickness medicine and drinking DO NOT mix very well. The poor wife...

Eating gluten free all weekend and actually spending a day without hunting down every bathroom in the park.

Finding out that you have a pretty kick-ass family. I love it.

A great weekend. Now, a great ending...I'm going to bed to recover for the next, oh say, two days...

Puttin' The Eggs All In One Basket

2006-05-24T22:22:00.000-05:00

The wife found a summer job so we will be survivin' financial this summer.

It is with the same company we are renting from.

They just lost their receptionist and when I went in to pay the rent, I heard the brokers talking about the loss of the person who had been with the company for the last five years. I casually threw out Chrissy's name for a potential temporary replacement and the broker, who knows us rather well, jumped on it and hired her on the spot.

Imagine both of our surprises!

So, it's an interesting situation. Working for the people you rent from is not a bad thing...just one of them "all those eggs in one basket" sort of situations.

We'll see how it turns out!

Now, if only the damned school system would call her for some interviews...

Remember The Weekend!

2006-05-22T19:53:00.000-05:00

Err, Memorial Day weekend is going to be special. We are heading up to Orlando, as is most of my family on both sides and parts of Chrissy's as well, and we are having what has become a rather impromptu family reunion.

It was completely by accident as well. As in, everyone said "let's go to Orlando for the weekend" and did it without knowning that everyone else was going too!

So, we are off on Saturday morning! It should be an interesting trip...

I Want To Graduate...

2006-05-19T23:33:00.000-05:00

We just got back from Claire's graduation and it was something else. New College of Sarasota is definitely the most unique school I've ever been too. Some people were dressed in body paint, others in monk robes, even one stunning woman was dressed as Cinderella. It was interesting.

We went out for sushi afterwards and we all got to talking about my own graduation. It seems so far off...

Oh well, grin and bear it, I suppose. I just can't wait 'til I get my sheepskin.

P.S: Nascar and rednecks are the lowest form of life on this planet. Look at the President for evidence of this.

More information if prompted.

And I think I'm onto something with the "Four F"s, James. Blame the Viking in me.

2006-05-18T17:15:00.000-05:00

Here It Is! ...Yup...

The Chuggin' Chubamobile

2006-05-18T12:42:00.000-05:00

It's offical.

I've gone insane about Chuba.

Crazy enough to break down and get my license plate personalized with his name on it.

That's right, if you see a beat up, bumper stickered, golden Eagle Premier cruising down the freeway with a "Chuba" license plate, then you know who it is.

And who threw the chamber pot out the window at your car.

Being a fanboy of your characters is awesome.

Ambition?

2006-05-17T22:20:00.000-05:00

Well, what ambition I had to do Goblin Tails 2 is quickly waning. I had received a few positive inquiries about the anthology from a few publishers and well, opening my inbox today was like walking into a Beshebite temple.

Nothing but bad luck.

It seems they are pulling back their requests for more information at the moment since "working with unsolicated anthologies is an extremely tough business" and "the interest just isn't there at the moment".

And self publication is out of the budget right now. So, until further notice, it seems GT2 is on the back burner. At least until I find a publisher who is interested or win the lottery to open my own publishing company.

H-man, how do you do it? It really never ceases to amaze me that the first GT exists. It's like Serenity: It shouldn't but despite all odds, it does.

I'm going back to throwing myself into game design. Spellburn needs some help, it's about time I give some more to that project.

Goblin Tails 2 Information

2006-05-16T13:01:00.000-05:00

Now, mind you, this is going to take a good amount of time and people to get going but I honestly think it can be done.

The first anthology, Goblin Tails, is a good outline for how I would like to format the second anthology. All writers will contain their own rights to the material, must feature Chuba the goblin as the main character, and stay true to the nature of the stories. By this, I mean staying true to the genre of fantasy/comedy that Chuba exists in. And this is our own little world to play with, so please, no shared fiction. This is our own project that we create: Don't need to get sued over it.

For those of you who were along for the ride the first time around: The payment schedule will vary as it is based on the publisher. But, I guarantee you a fair and equal share of all profits. I'd love to get in touch with the people who did the art for the first GT but let's get the basis and the stories first.

I know a few of you who are interested have not been a part of this type of project before or might not even be familiar with Chuba himself. I strongly recommend you go to my writing portfolio (the link is on the links section of this blog) and read up on some of the stuff. Also, there is a good writing sample of the original GT on rpgnow.com. Just type in Goblin Tails and it will come up.

So, if possible, will all those who are interested please make a formal post here or even send me an email (silverfyre@writing.com) and let's see how far we can get with this!

Whispers From A Goblin

2006-05-15T22:05:00.000-05:00

I'm really considering putting out an open call for Goblin Tails 2. I would handle the submissions and then, once we all sit down and hash it up, we could jointly submit it and get another anthology under our belts. I've got plenty of Chuba stories floating around here and the newest one I just nailed out, where Chuba is confronted by a kobold thief. Much entertainment abound.

So, anyone interested?

You Know You're Getting Old...

2006-05-13T09:30:00.000-05:00

...when you have to cancel plans to go to a child's dance recital and you end up being really excited about it.

I mean, it's important to them, the parents, and their siblings (being us). It was a very cute program. Delaney did awesome and she has another one on June the 2nd. I can already see my future daughter doing the same thing...

Scary thought, eh?

A Day With Immigrants

2006-05-10T22:17:00.000-05:00

After nearly a year of waiting, I finally got the chance to get down to the "local" (as in one hundred miles away!) immigration office to get my resident alien card renewed. The reason for the renewal is the fact that I still have the same card I've had since I came to the U.S. back in '88. So, I filed to do this last year, around October, and just received an appointment today. An interesting view into the U.S. Immigration system nevertheless and it really shows one of two things:

A. A lot of people want to live in this country.

Or

B. The people handling immigration are just plain lazy bastards.

Fortunately, from my own experiences, it is the first rather than the latter. It was actually easy to find the immigration office, despite being all the way in downtown Tampa and I HATE city driving. I'm a terrible driver, plain and simple, since I have very little patience with others on the road. I'll admit it: I'm an impatient bastard who yells at everyone who is driving too fast, too slow, or is just simply there at the moment. At least I can admit it!

Anyways, I digress. The office was filled with people of all different nationalities. I had the pleasure of being seated next to a woman from Ireland named (yup, this is her actual name!) Minerva Dunieve. She was what most would think of when they think of an Irish woman: Red hair, green eyes, and a shining personality. She had to have been in her late 40s but she was extremely beautiful and her accent charmed almost everyone around her. Anywho...we had a pleasant conversation while we were both waiting for our turn in the photographer's office. She showed me her passport and it was rather beautiful itself: Red leather with a golden harp on the front. Canadian passports are pretty plain matters compared to that!

I got to have a nice chat with a woman from Argentina as well and she weaved a rather tragic tale about her children being left in the country while she had to flee the government due to her now-dead husband being a leader of some revolutionary group. It was rather saddening to hear but it really gave a window into the so-called "immigration experience". People come to this country for so many different reasons and it really opened my eyes to their plight.

In a way, I am a lot like them. I may have not been fleeing for my life but all of us who come to America from foreign lands, "legally" and not, are seeking out a new life and having an immigrant experience. It's truly hard to pin down what that means since each person's is different. It truly is an intriguing story that these people have to tell.

Call it a wake-up call but it really just makes one think about the current situation with all of these "illegal immigrants" in this country. Are they not just like all of us, trying to make a better life for themselves?

I just hope they can find what they are looking for. Now, in a perfect world, they would all be a part of the system and working through it legally. But, that will never happen. Makes me hope we do find a good solution before the problem just gets worse...

Regardless, it was a truly interesting experience I thought I would pass along. Hell, the girl who was doing my fingerprinting was a woman from Mexico who thought I was "a cutie" and asked if I was free tonight. Nope, sorry my dear, but I am happily married. She laughed when I told her that and just winked at me.

Guess that's just part of the immigrant experience as well, eh?

Still Recoverin'

2006-05-08T21:15:00.001-05:00

As you can see below, last Saturday was a very drunken gaming session that literally put tassels on our nipples.

At least on James's.

Man, I swear I still have a hang over. We drank almost every drop of alcohol that they brought with them and whatever I could find in our apartment. I think we went through more rum than the Baron on a good night.

It was a blast and I can't wait to repeat, sans nipple tassels of course.

I started my new job as a Student Assistant over at MCC today and it's going to be a good one. I enjoyed it and it leaves me with plenty of time to do my class work (they encourage it!) and maintain a good relationship with the money I so desperately need.

We also picked up the PHB II today. Wow, you talk about character options! This is one killer supplement from Wizards and definitely worth the time, money, and consideration if you are looking for a book filled with ways to expand upon your characters in all sorts of ways!

2006-05-08T21:15:00.000-05:00

And Jenna, who doesn't seem to get drunk no matter what she drinks. A very odd combination...

2006-05-08T21:14:00.001-05:00

Claire et Alcohol

2006-05-08T21:14:00.000-05:00

And here is said "Little Tea Pot". This is the reason you don't consume your weight in alcohol, find nipple tassels, and take pictures. Seriously, this is just wrong.

2006-05-08T21:13:00.000-05:00

Chrissy laughing her ass off at James and "I'm a little tea pot".

2006-05-08T21:12:00.000-05:00

Laura cookin' up something good!

2006-05-08T21:11:00.000-05:00

Julian and Lucian on DnD Late Night, last Saturday.

Life, She is Good!

2006-05-06T16:12:00.000-05:00

Well, our lives have been getting progressively better with each passing day.

Speaking of passing, I aced all my courses this semester, as in all "A"s. Wootage and stuffage.

Our regular DnD group cancelled for the evening but we managed to wing up a session at our apartment with some of our former LARP (yet still current) friends. They should be here later and I honestly love being the host for once.

It's been a good week for us, which is a nice change. The kittens are all "normal" now with the declaw, litter, et al so life is settling back into a nice routine. I love routines sometimes and this is one of them.

Summer does approach though and with it comes Chrissy being out of work for a while and the heat. I hate this hot weather but that's what AC is for. Gods bless AC! (Dndwise and other)

Employment Reset

2006-05-03T14:27:00.000-05:00

Today was beginning like any other normal work day. I got up at 6 in the morning, got ready for work, and drove the half an hour it takes me to get to work at the car wash. I clock in, mutter a greeting to the staff, and get to work. Well, nine rolled around and I started to feel sick. I mean, stomach clutching sick and had to spend the next ten minutes in the restroom, praying to the gods that no customers would come in while I was away from my desk. Well, I got lucky...at least in that regard. After two hours of this and repeated trips to the restroom, I finally caved and asked my manager to let me head home. It was one of those celiac fits that I just couldn't control so I had to ask her to go home. She got ripping pissed at me. I was honestly surprised as my general manager is usually very mild mannered and friendly. Well, she just gave me the third degree over something I couldn't control.

So, I gathered up my belongings and headed home.

Now, I didn't quit immediately. And sending me home wasn't the end of the world since we had two extra people on hand and one of them was the other cashier. So, in all honesty, she had no reason to get in my face about my health issue, let alone one she knew about when she hired me.

Here I am driving home and then, my phone rings. It's my college calling, asking if I was still interested in working for them as a student assistant. I had put in my application a few weeks back when I was looking for work and hadn't heard a thing...until now. I thought it over and told them I was interested and would be right down.

Well, needless to say, I was very interested in working with the Facilities department on campus and found out that this job not only pays the same and offers a VERY flexible schedule, but it also helps cover my tuition costs, lets me set my own schedule, and my boss is a really awesome person who I have had courses with before.

I took the job at the college, told my former manager at the car wash that I was leaving, and drove home with a victory smile on my face.

I got a great job that not only encourages me to continue getting my education but also helps pay for it as well.

Life has some weird twists of fate, doesn't it?

Self Esteem Booster For Gamers

2006-05-02T21:47:00.000-05:00

You know you are an above-average, Charisma-gifted gamer when you look on the gaming forums and realize that you at least have a somewhat less cheesy screen name than "Damien the Bloodfeaster".

Cats...

2006-05-02T21:45:00.000-05:00

ATTENTION ALL CAT OWNERS!

What is a good litter to use, as the daily, almost hourly, ritual of cleaning up cat crap is getting old and my house doesn't need to smell like cat ass any longer!

Any help would surely be appreciated!

Earnin' My Wings

2006-04-30T22:00:00.000-05:00

Namco released Ace Combat Zero, the prequel to Ace Combat 5, just a few days ago and I was lucky (extremely so) to nab it brand new for ten bucks.

Nice to have friends with connections, eh?

Call it fate or what have you but, I seem born to fly.

At least on the PS2.

I finished what I had to do today around 5ish, loaded up the game, and blasted my way through eighteen missions of flak, flying, and fun. I beat it in record time and man, what an excellent game. The story, with the addition of live action scenes, was incredible and the addition of an "ace gauge" that rates your style of play and affects the storyline is a very nice touch to an almost flawless gaming system.

I have no complains save that it was too short. As in, I wish Namco came out with a new Ace Combat every month.

I'm addicted to this series. If any of you have a love of flight/dogfighting games, rent it or buy it but please, just try it. You'll love it.

True Names

2006-04-29T14:01:00.000-05:00

After a successful casting of Naming, we found out the cats are indeed not suited for the names "Critical" and "Botch". Nope, not even "Ninja" and "Pirate" works.

Their True Names are Julian and Lucian.

They are named after our first "in-game" children, who are ironically, twin boys. And Danon Emeraldstar and Lanka Holloway are the parents of those much loved, now-PCs. So, those are the kittens' names.

And we are sure this time!

Drunken Pirate DnD

2006-04-28T23:40:00.000-05:00

We just had one hell of a night. We managed to get back together with our LARP friends and settle down for a good old game of DnD. Our characters are a motley crew, literally, as we are all pirates. We were given the task of taking down a half fiend green dragon and we did. But, my oh my, were there some moments!

-X, the pixie sorcerer, caused the dragon to fall under the effects of "Otto's Irresisible (I can't spell...) Dance" and basically rave while the rest of us stuck swords in unmentionable places.

-Said pixie was also the one who brought the dragon low...with a magic missile spell.

-Never has there been so many "pirate booty" jokes made at a table.

-A group sing along to Tenacious D songs is also a favorite pasttime now.

-Passion Fruit Rum is also the drink of choice and between the eight of us, we damn near finished off the entire bottle.

Good times, my friends, good times. And we made it home safe even though a drunk knocked on our car window on the way out of Sarasota and started yelling obscenities at us. Of course, slamming on the gas and gunning it through a red light was not the wisest decision but hey, it was the safest.

P.S: Good semaritian moment of the week. We were getting gas before heading over when this older lady pulls up next to us and asks me what one of the lights on her dash meant. I shrugged, headed over, and found she was low on coolant and her car, a PT cruiser, was running really hot. I had her pop the hood while I grabbed the spare coolant I keep in my trunk at all times. I put most of it in her car and then crank it up and VOILA! Problem solved! The poor woman had been in a fender bender a few moments ago, her husband was sick with the flu, and she had just got done doing volunteer work at her son's middle school. Needless to say, her nerves were frayed. But wait, there's more! Here I am, happy to be of service, and I go to close her hood. I slam it down...and fail to realize that the support bar was still up. Wham, right through the hood of her car. She looks at me, I look at the rod piercing her hood, and I just about died. We were able to get everything fixed up but it was just the end of a rather bad attempt at being a hero. But, still, I was just glad to be of service to the poor woman. Pity I had to nearly destroy her car in the process...

The Unveiling

2006-04-27T21:09:00.000-05:00

We have finally decided on kitten names!

Behold!

They shall be known as: Critical and Botch!

Dice rolls to the extreme, one end of the spectrum and the next. So, they shall be named accordingly!

Alphabet Trouble, Part Two

2006-04-27T13:28:00.000-05:00

Well, since I have three letters to play with, I may as well get to it.

The Letter "K":

Kindred: The term used for vampires in the old school classic role playing game, "Vampire the Masquerade". Vampire is my first White Wolf love and will always have a place of honor on my book shelf. Kindred is also a wonderful novel by Octavia Butler.

Kinky: This the way love should be made. Throw a little kinkyness into your relationship and open up to creativity. Love makin' never felt so good.

Kerrick: A gentleman, scholar, and good friend. You are missed, so get your ass back down to Florida and visit.

Kilt: It takes a special kind of man to wear a skirt and feel proud. A Scotsman. I am that man.

Kithain: Ahh, the faeries of White Wolf. The only light in an otherwise dark world...but they also bring their own form of darkness. I absolutely love Changeling and miss your last LARP troupe quite a bit. Fond memories, my friends, fond memories.

Kobolds: The ultimate trap setters and my favorite DnD race, next to goblins of course. These little guys can be harder to kill than right wing fundamentalists and fighting on their home turf marks the end of many adventuring parties. Kobolds aren't just 1st level PC fodder, they can be the toughest SOBs your PCs have ever faced! Not to mention they are a draconic race...

Kittens: I am a cat person, through and through. Soon, we shall have twin kittens and the world shall be right. (BTW, we have decided on names.)

King: I am the King of my own little world. King of my apartment, King of my life, and King of my love. A King who is, of course, subservant to his Queen, as all Kings should be.

Kelemvor: The greatest God of Death since the Baron himself. Kelemvor is by far my favorite "male deity" in Forgotten Realms. Any guy who beats the piss out of Bane, Cyric, and any one else gunnin' for his portfolio is an A grade badass in my book.

Kevlar: Always good to have around in case of a gun fight. And it's just a fun word to say...kevlar....kevlar...woooooo....

The Letter "G":

Gaming: You knew this one was coming, didn't you? I am a gamer. I live, breath, and occasionally crap gaming material (the crap ends up getting published of course.) Gaming is not just a hobby, it's a lifestyle. One I happily embrace.

Goats: My wife's personal totem, saytr's got legs like 'em, and they are nature's natural recycling plants since they will eat anything. So, what's to not like about goats?

Goblins: Ahh, goblins. I love goblins. Chuba, my first literary character, is a goblin with a love of donuts and a passion for getting into sticky situations, both pastry and unpastry related. Goblins are my favorite DnD monster as well, since they are what give your characters those much needed levels and they are just downright cool. Much love for the Green Men.

Galvanized: The best type of steel for a sword, in my opinion. You can't go wrong with a good galvanized blade.

Green: The beautiful color of nature and all things leafy and planty. It's also the color of the Irish. And St. Patrick's Day is associated with the Irish and the color green. Anything associated with St. Patty's Day is worth worshipping in my book.

God/Goddess: Whatever you wish to call the Almighty, it's all gravy. Remember, all for the love of God.

Gravity: I love keeping my feet on the ground and not floating off into space. Thank you, Gravity.

Gargoyles: The best show ever put forth by Disney. G is also good for the main character, Goliath. If you are a fantasy lover, then give me a ring and I'll send some Gargoyles goodness your way.

Garters: What good red-blooded Canadian male doesn't love a woman in garters and stockings? They're multi-purpose too!

Gandhi: One of the few men to ever do it the right way, the peaceful way. You talk about a true humanitarian and spiritualist, Gandhi is definitely an inspiration.

The Letter "Q":

Quack: The sound a duck makes. The sound I make when I realize we are out of bread. Which reminds me, quack.

Quiz: The dreaded quiz, the "short test" that pops up unexpectedly when you don't think your academic life could get any worse. Fear the Quiz, for it is stalking you in your scholastic nightmares!

Quiet: Something I love having now that we are in our nice, new apartment. Quiet is a beautiful thing sometimes...Nice, quiet, sleep....ahhhh....zzzzz.....

Qwerty: The word you create when you type the first six letters on your keyboard in a row. I believe it is also so form of Russian currency and the sound a constipated duck makes.

Queer: We all need to be a little queer in life. Support whatever is queer in life and tell homophobes, close minded idiots, and all other social jerkoffs to go to Hell.

Quicky: Sometimes all you have is five minutes. And sometimes five minutes is all you need for a little lovin'. Here's to the Minute Man!

Quilt: Have you ever just wrapped yourself in a nice, thick quilt on a cold night and snuggled up inside it with the person(s) you love? It's one of the most incredible feelings in the world. Now, if only we got cold weather in Florida...

Quintessence: The best of everything. Perfection. Heaven on Earth. A Mage Gaming Term. And an all around fun word to say!

Quixotic: Where are the knights of yesteryear? Everyone needs to have a quixotic moment and challenge the status-quo, question reality, and immerse themselves in the fantasies of their dreams. To Hell with the normalcy of everyday life! Challenge the boundaries of your reality and seek adventure in the face of adversity! (Sounds like a DnD ad...)

Question: What we should all be asking. The more questions you have about life and the world around you, the harder you will look for the answer. Question it all, kids, as there are only a few true universal truths. It's all about perceptive.

Admired? Me?

2006-04-27T13:16:00.000-05:00

I had one of the most intriguing conversations today.

I was outside, getting ready to attend my "The Novel" Literature course when a young woman who was in my class approached me.

I recognized her because she always brought up some interesting concepts in class and was quite intelligent and insightful. I had actually been meaning to ask her about one of her thoughts on the current novel we were reading but I, in my lazyness, never got around to it.

Well, she comes up to me and tells me that she had been meaning to talk to me for a while. Here I am thinking I had done something wrong (usually the typical response a male will give when an intellectual peer comes forward and says "I've been meaning to speak with you.") but she then tells me that she looks up to me.

I was seriously taken aback. I just blinked for a moment before stuttering out, "Uh, thank you?"

I had mentioned in class before that I was something of an aspiring writer and had some minor publications under my belt. Well, it seems Christy (as the young woman's name turned out to be, what's it with me and women named Chris? Long story...) is also an aspiring writer, let alone gamer, and wanted to get some advice. Well, needless to say, I gave her all that I could think of and I really hope she is successful. She is a very friendly, intelligent woman and her writing really does have some very original merit to it.

We are even talking about her joining our gaming group. It would be nice to get some new player(s).

I really look forward to helping her with her writings, if I can. I'm no Harley with his motivational speaking and optimism or Wallace with his mechanical, almost godlike ability to churn forward with any project. But, I think I can offer some tidbits of advice and wish her luck on her path to become a writer and game designer.

Man, it sure is a nice feeling when someone asks you for advice on something you yourself love so much. You see that familiar look in their eyes and you say to yourself, "Yup, I know that look. I know just how you feel." And you really do.

What a great day.

Alphabet Trouble

2006-04-26T21:27:00.000-05:00

This is how it works: Comment on this entry and I will give you a letter. Write ten words beginning with that letter in your journal, including an explanation what the word means to you and why, and then pass out letters to those who want to play along.

Sounds easy enough? Well, been reading through some friends' blogs and I had to join in. So, throw me a letter and I'll give you the same.

The Fight You Just Can't Win

2006-04-25T19:52:00.000-05:00

Ever have one of those?

My own is with my celiac's disease, since it can only be mildly appeased on a gluten-free diet and it is so hard to maintain one of those.

But my grandfather is now fighting a battle that makes mine look like nothing.

And comparatively, it is.

He has skin cancer and has been fighting it with skin grafts for the last year. Well, it keeps coming back. I just wish there was something that could be done to help control it.

My aunt, his daughter, died from the same type of cancer and now it is driving him to his knees. His will is strong (you wonder where I get it?) but his body is failing at the age of 77.

I'm so afraid of losing the man who basically helped raise me when my father wasn't around. That's one of the many things Chrissy and I have in common: We were raised by our grandparents.

God help me when I lose him. It's inevitable, I know it, but I'm going to enjoy what time I have with him while I can.

Do You Remember?

2006-04-23T13:33:00.000-05:00

You gamers out there all remember your first character right? I remember mine perfectly and still play him, Gaeleon Silverfyre, to this day. Your first character is always special, no matter how terrible their stats were or how unoriginal the concept may be. (I'm a human fighter!)

But, do you remember your first set of actual gaming dice?

Mine were recently unearthed in a box and they are just as I remember them. Hand-em downs, of all different colors and they look like they were made before the invention of plastic. But, they were (and in some cases, still are) your first set of dice. They were perfect. It's amazing really but it seems to be that every gamer I have ever meet had the same first set of dice: given to them by some other gamer, of all different colors and made of some sort of hardened hobbit snot. Is it a common theme or is it just a sort of "coming to age" ritual amongst gamers when a newcomer joins the ranks of the role player?

Regardless, I'm going to put these dice away in their ratty dice bag and give them to my kid once they become a gamer.

Willingly or otherwise.

Pass along the gift of gaming to someone you know, is the basic message of this post. It's a beautiful, creative hobby and if more people discovered the joy of gaming...

...the more open calls for game designers there will be!

Heheheh...

Oh, and something about sense of community, making friends, and the like...

Pick A Name...

2006-04-22T22:38:00.000-05:00

Here is the list we have so far...

Boromir/Faramir
Gondor/Rohan
Titus/Andronicus
Theodan/Aragorn
Gladius/Flail
Legionnaire/Centurion
Critical/Botch
Kobold/Goblin
Ninja/Pirate
Ding! Fries are done/Would you like an apple pie with that? Or Ninja Fries and Pirate Pies...

Any thoughts?

A Quick Note

2006-04-21T20:17:00.000-05:00

In regards to the post below, would you believe I had no idea it was Earth Day tomorrow?

Wow, double holiday! Earth subtype oozes for all in celebration!

Remember....

2006-04-21T17:49:00.000-05:00

Tomorrow is the Day of Slime!

So, celebrate April 22nd in memory and love of all things oozy, slimy, and gelaty! (Gelaty shall hereby be a new word meaning "one that is gelatinous and awesome" i.e Peter Jackson)

Happy Slime Day tomorrow, everyone!

Name The Twins! (This has nothing to do with boobs...)

2006-04-20T21:53:00.000-05:00

We decided on our kittens tonight. We found a pair of orange/tiger kittens, both male and they are almost identical. They are only 6 months old and the only difference is that one has fiery orange eyes and the other one has deep green eyes. We are stuck on one thing.

Names.

Any ideas? We'd love to do something fantasy related (Realms if possible!) but have given them each a middle name. Pirate and Ninja. The age old debate...

Hehehe...any ideas would be appreciated!

Round and Round We Go

2006-04-20T14:32:00.000-05:00

It's been a very intriguing day.

I have to let go of the Dungeon Dive gig. Something has come up that will possibly change my entire career as a writer and I need to devote some time to this. It's a big opportunity so I will let you all know more once I get some more news myself. I don't like to announce things of this nature until I know they are concrete.

Also, I went down to the rental company and managed to haggle with the wonderful, wonderful landlady we now have and we can have pets! Two kitties are on the way! Thank the gods, I missed having cats. Again, more as this story develops!

When The Hammer Falls

2006-04-19T19:13:00.000-05:00

Chrissy was let go from her job today as a writing teacher at the local middle school. It's because her position is no longer going to exist due to county cutbacks and the like. There is more to it, we both know, but there isn't a damned thing we can do about it. May is just around the corner and there will be plenty of job openings for next year. She will get something, I know it. She will find her niche because my wife, my wonderfully brilliant wife, belongs and deserve a job as a teacher. She will find her way.

It's just a matter of time.

We all just have to work that little bit harder til then. Not a problem. We will make it.

I promise.

Designer For Hire: Have Idea, Will Sell It!

2006-04-18T22:03:00.000-05:00

I was interested in the product line my good friend, Mike "Wallabeacrazyman" Wallace, had been working with lately and I decided to see if the boys over at Amalara Games needed another writer. Or two, in my and my wife's case.

And Dave, the head man over there, more than willingly agreed. He is very interested in what the two of us can put together.

So, we have a writing gig. A real, pay-to-do-work d20 game design gig. Not too shabby. It's a small op but hey, it's a good start and I really like this company's products.

So, thanks go out to Wallace for the hook-up. Besides Spellburn, this will be my first real d20 design job. Awesomeness!

Back In The Saddle, Two Guns Ablazin'

2006-04-17T17:42:00.000-05:00

Sorry about the title, I got too much Firefly flowin' through my veins along with a good dose of voodoo lovin'.

Guess I should go by the name Voodoo Space Cowboy from now on, eh?

Anywho, life is grand. Life is good. All for the love of God and those crazy loas. Life has been wonderful the last week or so. We have gotten everything we could have hoped for and I even got a refund check from the DMV for that little accident that cost me a week's paycheck last year. Got that paycheck back finally and now I can spend some money on things we be wantin' instead of needin'.

It's a wonderful feeling to have money in the pocket, love in your heart, and faith in your soul.

Rock on, my friends.

Silver's back and he's crazier than ever.

Happy Easter!

2006-04-15T18:00:00.000-05:00

Happy Easter to all you Christian folks out there!

And Happy Undead Consumer Bunny Horror Day to the rest of my friends!

If It Ain't One Thing...

2006-04-12T17:57:00.000-05:00

...it's ten others.

Finals' crunch time has just arrived for me and the wife. I have four classes while she has two. Needless to say, it's back to being crazy-ass busy for a while. I'm hoping that by the end of the month I can finally call it "take it easy time!" and get back into the groove of things.

Bear with me, folks. You'll hear or see me soon enough.

Dead or alive is another matter all together.

P.S: Voodoo is one of the most intriguing religions of all time. Me and Da Baron have connections, yo.

Twilight Musings

2006-04-10T23:50:00.000-05:00

I just got my copy of "Twilight Musings", which published a poem of mine. And would you know it? My poem is the first one in the book, front page and all! I asked a few of the other contributors and their copies are the same, with my poem in the front. I wanted to make sure that wasn't just something the publishing company did with everyone else's copies, since each one was supposed to be personalized for the writer's copies.

Anywho, it's nice to have another book on my shelf with my name in it. Much wootage for published writers!

Still Kickin'

2006-04-10T17:48:00.000-05:00

We are almost done unpacking. This place is really beautiful.

And I hurt in ways I have never hurt in.

I ended up dropping a 200 pound entertainment unit on my foot. And breaking it.

So, as you can imagine, limping around unpacking with my poor, sick wife has been an "interesting" experience. Anywho, doctor says it will have be wrapped for a while so guess I can kick back (literally) for a while.

I'm just happy to be done with the beach apartment and in this place. Chrissy actually said she loved this place. She rarely says she loves something, unless it really does means something to her. Like me. Hehehe...

Anyways, the worst thing I have had to deal with is some older people giving me that "I hate you youngsters!" look but I don't have to deal with them. Period. They left for up north again. I look forward to a nice, lazy summer without old people and school. (Summer courses are really, really messed up and there is nothing that really fits into my work schedule. Suckage...well, at least I have Fall courses!)

I hope to get back into the swing of things soon enough and I can't wait to get back to gaming.

P.S: Cable internet access is the schizzle! It beats DSL any day!

Moving, Moving, Moving!

2006-04-07T13:15:00.000-05:00

I wish I had an army of midgets to help me pack.

Or at least one wife.

But, she's working so it's totally understood.

Anywho, we are alive and well. Just packin'! I will post once we get into the new place. Gods, we look forward to it!

When Bad Goes Terrible...

2006-04-06T15:25:00.000-05:00

My brother, who is only 20, has been in a world of trouble for the last year.

Well, it all caught up to him today. He has violated his probation and is being sent back to Canada.

He got in trouble with the law a few years back and was caught trying to rob a liquor store. He went to prison in Texas for 11 months and came back with tattoos, a racist worldview, and a host of problems.

He has bipolar disorder and he is schizophrenic.

That's not all.

He recently started hitting heroin and has become an addict.

Today, I got word that he has been diagnosed with H.I.V. Yup, he got it from drugs, gave it to his girlfriend, and has been sleeping around with other people.

What the hell can be said about this? What the hell can be done? I honestly am at a loss for words. He's my brother...

I really don't know what to say or do. What can I do? I mean, he's in Canada now, infected, and there is nothing we (as in my family) can do.

I just wish things were different...oh so different.

The Order of the Stick

2006-04-06T07:22:00.000-05:00

The Order of the Stick is a stick figure web cartoon that makes fun of DnD. But, today it had a brief intermission cartoon that I just had to share with everyone, including those that don't play DnD.

Laura will definitely love this one...

It's Almost Over With...

2006-04-04T21:16:00.000-05:00

...and we can get back to our normal lives.

I took Chrissy down to the new apartment today while the rental agency's people were cleaning it out and getting everything ready for our weekend move-in. The apartment is still not in the best of condition due to the last tenant but it will shine up nicely once everything is settled and fixed. We took a walk of the entire complex and visited the community pools, library (yes, it has its own library!), and other facilities. It's so nice and quiet, a real beauty. It's going to be a wonderful place to live. Oh, we don't share a wall with anyone except next to the kitchen. So, no loud neighbors! The unit next to us is seasonal only anyways and the owners are older folk. Perfect...

Chrissy is extremely happy to be out of here and to have this apartment. She likes apartment living better anyway. She picked this place out, too. And she found it. The funny thing is is that I have been looking all month and she just casually found it on a website and bingo! It's an instant winner! The woman has incredible luck with finding things...

Happy Happy Happy!

2006-04-03T17:57:00.000-05:00

We got the apartment!

Woot! Happy Dance!

No more loud, redneck neighbors! No more leaky toilets! No more fighting for parking! No more beach bullshit!

Woo hoo!

...Now, I'll truly celebrate once we sign the lease. Stay tuned for more celebration related posts and semi-nude pictures of a monkey.

Rennie Fun

2006-04-02T18:54:00.000-05:00

This weekend was one of the best weekends we have ever had.

I got to take three young children, expose them to the grandeous life of being a Rennie, and let them loose inside the Medieval Faire. It was a wonderful experience, creating a whole new generation of McCoy Ren Rats. The kids, who included my two cousins Mitchell and Allie and my sister Delaney, got costumes and that was just the beginning. It was just awesome. The kids really loved the Ren Faire and they can't wait til next year.

My father, step mother, and aunt loved it too. My father was the one who used to take us to Ren Faires when we were kids and it's because of him that we were exposed to them. So, I returned the favor and there were many laughs and great times.

Good times, good times.

Now, back to your regularly scheduled life:

We may have gotten an apartment that is within our price range and rather nice. It's a nice complex that I actually used to live in as a kid and I loved this place back then. It's still beautiful. We should know tomorrow as the realtor who is handling this is actually the ex-boss of the woman we are renting from now and hates her (and her asshole grandkids!) with a passion. She loves us because of it! Hehe...well, we shall see!

So, Hmmm...

2006-03-29T22:42:00.000-05:00

Our apartment (the Beach Apartment from the Abyss!) is currently listed in the rentals as "Charming". Charming?! Since when is a closet sized apartment with neighbors from Hell a charming? Man, talk about spin, eh?

Well, we have found two places that will do. They sure as hell aren't as good as that place on Drysdale that we were looking at. But, they are both affordable and nice. One is actually a doublewide/converted house and is quirky as all hell. It is just...weird. Good weird. Lots of space for gaming and the like. I really hope we get this one. If not, there is another property that is a nice little 2/1 in an area I grew up in. One is through a private owner (the one we really want) and we have a better chance of getting that.

So, we just wait and see now...

Again...

Argh...me not patient!

Cashdom

2006-03-28T11:45:00.000-05:00

Johnny Cash: "Walk the Line"

I keep a Close Watch on This Heart Of Mine
I Keep my Eyes wide open all The Time
I Keep The Ends Out for The Tie That Binds
Because your Mine I Walk The Line

I Find It Very Very Easy To Be True
I Find Myself Alone When The Day Is Through
Yes, I'll Admit That I'm A fool For You
Because Your Mine I walk The Line

As Sure as Night Is Dark And Day Is Light
I Keep You On My Mind Both Day And Night
And Happiness I've Known Proves That It's Right
Because Your Mine I Walk The Line

You've Got A Way To Keep Me On your Side
You Give Me Cause For Love That I Can't Hide
For You I Know I'd Even Try To Turn The Tide
Because Your Mine I Walk The Line

I Keep A Close Watch On This Heart Of Mine
I Keep My Eyes Wide Open All The Time
I Keep The Ends Out For The Tie That Binds
Because Your Mine I Walk The Line

Weekend Announcement: Medieval Bound!

2006-03-27T21:35:00.000-05:00

My father has decided to introduce my little five year old sister to the joys of the Ren Faire! (With much prompting from the two of us, of course!) We will be going to the Tampa Bay Renaissance Faire this weekend on Saturday AND Sunday. We're staying somewhere in the Tampa area overnight on Saturday so expect to see us both days, if any of you guys can make it. We'd love to see ya!

This is the kind of break we both need. My brain is fried from my new job, the house search, and just general stress. I really look forward to further corrupting...err, educating...my little sister. Oh, and my other sister, Shawna, is also visiting from South Carolina. This weekend just got a whole lot better...

....

2006-03-27T19:50:00.000-05:00

...We didn't get the house. My credit made sure of that.

So, we are back to the drawing board. I'm crushed we didn't get that place as we loved it.

Well, I'm scheduled to see a lot of places tomorrow and I'll keep you all informed.

A Promise To Old Friends

2006-03-26T18:14:00.000-05:00

To All Sarasota Friends, Gamers, and Pirates,

I make this promise to you. Once we have gotten into our new house and have finally settled into some sort of normalcy, we will return to Sarasota and join you in gaming fun. We will make the effort to be up there at least twice a month to join in the DnD action that is happening on Friday nights. We miss you all.

To this I pledge and upon my kilt, it shall be so!

Oh, And...

2006-03-24T22:11:00.000-05:00

We didn't hear from the rental agency today so we have to wait til Monday to see if we have the house of our dreams or not.

Rumors abound on whether the owners want to do a lease to own kind of thing too! ~Joy!~

Work, Life, and Death

2006-03-24T18:45:00.000-05:00

Work: I like my new job. It's definitely a nice change of pace and I get to deal with the public, which are alright sometimes. Here's to being one of the working public again!

Life: The wife made a gluten free version of Hamburger Helper's Cheeseburger Mac. Well, we ran out of milk and had to substitute a cup of it with a vanilla creamer mixed with water. Well, it made the meal actually better, with a slight sweet taste. Pretty bad ass what you can do when you are poor.

Death: I wanted the American Government to stop saying what people can or can't do with their bodies. Check out what they are doing with abortions. The states are the ones doing it but guess what? It's a national driven agenda. We need a new revolution in this country. It's two hundred years overdue.

Me So Happy!

2006-03-23T18:26:00.000-05:00

We found a place that has everything we could ever dream for.

It's beautiful, done in "coral" colors with a washer/dryer, two car garage, screened in porch (new Patio for the Knights of the Patio), huge bedrooms, two bathrooms (!), a work bench, and tons and tons of extras!

It's in a great neighborhood that is central to all of the places we go so it's a perfect location.

We put in the application and should know if we qualify by tomorrow or Monday. It's rather steep, money wise, to move in but we will make it. This place is worth every penny.

Now, I have to mow the lawn and upkeep the grounds but I enjoy that stuff.

For more info and some pictures, check out the house's listing on Coldwell's website. Just click on the 13351 Drysdale Avenue house in Port Charlotte.

Finally, Some Progress!

2006-03-23T13:45:00.000-05:00

Would you believe the landlord let us out of our lease, no problem?

Well, she did. And she is going to show the apartment since she said she will have no problem getting someone in here. This is awesome. We will finally be out of here and into a real house.

There are two properties we are definitely interested in and will be seeing them tonight. If we can get in by the 15th of April, everything will be shiny. Chrissy is off work on the 10th-15th so we have a perfect move in window.

Let's hope everything works out smoothly!

Really, It's For Real This Time!

2006-03-23T12:07:00.000-05:00

After yet another night of neighborly retardation, I've had it.

No, I'm for real this time.

When someone knocks on your window at 1 in the morning, yells "@$#% You, I'm going to kill you if you think of bitching about us again!", and then solicits me to buy drugs again in the morning, it's time to move on and finish this bullshit once and for all.

I reported the drug dealer (remember Keith?) to both the police and to the landlord and told her that we are leaving. She has been given our 30 days notice and that's that. We are looking at some properties tonight (one I am really, really excited about, as it is a beautiful 2/2 with red marble countertops! Sune house!) and I explained to the rental agencies our situation and they understand completely.

It seems our current landlady is going to let us out of the lease early and refund our April's rent check. I will keep you all informed at the end of the night.

Are You Still Here?

2006-03-22T16:08:00.000-05:00

I seem to be updating this blog less and less these days but I must keep my fans appeased!

The Silven Trumpeter is now available at RPGnow.com and the first part of "Regretless Lovers" is published within. It really is one of my better pieces and it's nice to be back in the published writers part of society.

I start my new job on Friday and I'm looking forward to it. It will be nice to get some more money coming into the house.

My mother came down from South Carolina today and we spent most of the afternoon together. It just reminds me of how much I miss my parents. It was nice to see her and spending even just a few hours with her was awesome. Man, I'd love to get up to South Carolina and just spend a couple of days up there. Maybe in the summer...

I got word that my brother has gone back into the darker side of life with drugs and not reporting to his probation officer. What more can be done about this? My parents have put him in rehab and the whole works but he just keeps screwing up. I just hope he gets some help but you really need to find out where to draw the line, right?

Anywho, it's been a very emotional week with everything going on and the neighbors still being jerkwads. Meh, at least work will keep my mind off things...

Ideas Are Bulletproof

2006-03-19T19:31:00.000-05:00

"V for Vendetta" is one of those movies that brings forth some very intriguing symbolism. It is also one of the best movies I have seen in a long time.

It has a terrific plot and you can see the echoes of our own society in it. I highly recommend the film for anyone who likes "1984".

The Ultimate Dragonslayer, DnD Style

2006-03-18T00:22:00.000-05:00

According to the recent issue of Dragon Magazine, any creature that has been swallowed whole catches the creature that ate it flat-footed.

This means any rogue that gets eaten suddenly has sneak attack damage galore!

So, you take halfling rogue/assasin/dragonstalker, pile on some acid immunity, get that sneak attack up (you do these through these class levels, the "Extra sneak attack" feat, and various magic items), and get yourself a scroll of stoneskin.

Use the scroll, get yourself eaten somehow by the dragon, and WHAM! You sneak attack or death attack (you get your sneak attack damage even if the death attack fails so not all is lost) the dragon to death and voila! Instant, awesome, dragonkilling halfling!

Now, getting into the dragon requires a bit of creativity. You could cast gaseous form and get breathed by the dragon. You could lower the dragon's spell resistance and suggestion it to eat you. You could Diplomacy it into accepting you as a "sacrifice". You could even cram yourself into a dead cow (being Small size has its advantages) and just wait in plain sight of the dragon's cave! It just takes a little imagination and faster than you can saw "Trojan Cow!", you got your little dragonslaying halfling inside that dragon and ready to carve himself out!

Man, don't you love gamer, sleep deprived and drunken creativity?!

"Either way, you're working at a sexual innuendo!"

2006-03-17T14:47:00.000-05:00

That was the response my two job opportunities got from my wife.

I went to two interviews yesterday and walked away with both companies wanting to hire me.

One job is as a furniture salesman for Badcock Furniture.

The other is helping manage a chain of car washes in the local area known as the Eager Beaver car wash.

So, see the reason my wife gave me that remark?

I ended up taking the car wash management position since it pays more and gives me better hours (no weekends, save the occasional Saturday!). I start next Friday so it should be interesting.

Heh, Eager Beaver...

Da Drama!

2006-03-16T14:48:00.000-05:00

Our DnD group tends to love drama. Not just any type of drama, but Realms-shaking, PC killing, mind twisting drama.

I've delivered that package twice now, with the "Besheba incident" and Danon Emeraldstar.

Well, it's time to put Malar into the circle.

I love the Beast Lord, Malar. Hunt or be hunted. Survival of the fittest. He is also the one who unleashed the "Elfeater" upon the Realms and decimated Evermeet and other elven realms. (See EC's fantastic novel, Evermeet, for more info and just about anything elf related.) So, what happens if the high druids of Malar summon forth a horde of beasts of Malar, bring together an army of lycanthropes, and call forth the "Elfeater" once again?

Well, we will find out on Saturday.

The Waiting Game, Part Two!

2006-03-15T14:09:00.000-05:00

I'm looking for a new job and have put out twenty (!) applications in the last two days.

Now, I sit and wait to hear something!

...I hate waiting...

The Waiting Game

2006-03-13T17:32:00.000-05:00

Well, Chrissy got informed that she needs to apply for her permanent teaching position at the middle school some time in May. We will not know if she has the job or not until the end of June.

Why can't they just come out and say whether she can expect to come back next year or not? So much depends on that!

Anyways, I guess we can only wait. Besides, all hope is not lost if she does not get this position. She will have her completed teacher's certification and will probably get a job a lot easier than last year.

The Daily Report

2006-03-10T23:11:00.000-05:00

Well, the houses and apartments I looked at today weren't really good. There was one house that I really fell in love with but the lady who was renting it informed me that she is raising the rent quite a bit than what was listed. Whatever.

We will look again in June. May as well wait the lease out since we could really use a good rental reference.

Besides, I sent a letter to the landlady saying that if she did not take care of the noisy neighbors, that we would leave and break the lease early if needed. Now that I had flashed dollar signs in front of her eyes, she seems to be willing to actually do something. Only time will tell. I mean, come on, we pay our rent early each month and I know those morons above us don't work, so what does that say for them?

Oh, and see the movie "Walk the Line". Now.

If you even remotely like drama or are a huge Cash fan like myself, you will love this film.

Breakin' Lease!

2006-03-09T22:30:00.000-05:00

We've been looking at apartments lately and we think we found two that might tempt us to move early. One is practically two miles from where Chrissy is working and is in a large condo complex and it is loads cheaper than the rent we are paying now. It's a nice little place too with a screened in lanai and the like. The other is a quaint little 2/1 house in North Port. I am scheduled to go see it tomorrow afternoon so I hope it works out 'cause that will only give me more of a reason to call it quits here and move!

I hope this works out since we are in a position to just pay off the last bit of the rent we owe here and leave. That would make things a lot easier if we didn't have to worry about loud neighbors and no parking spaces.

Insomnia

2006-03-09T18:10:00.000-05:00

I can't sleep.

No matter what I do, I can't get to sleep at night. It doesn't help that the neighbors are loud as hell but it isn't just them.

I become a very light sleeper during my open heart surgery years, for I was in the hospital for weeks on end and they would constantly be waking me up for testing, medicine, etc. I trained myself to wake up at the slightest noise...

Well, guess what? I want to go to sleep regardless of the noise now! I want to unlearn this but can't. Man, it's killing me!

What does a person have to do for a good night's sleep?!

Great, More Bushit!

2006-03-08T00:00:00.000-05:00

Congress passes the renewal of the Patriot Act, Bush celebrates by eating baby.

Hello 1984!

That's One Big Helpin'!

2006-03-07T22:51:00.000-05:00

Man, I just realized how swamped I am with work at the moment and it's driving me nuts.

It doesn't help that my neighbors are parking in my space again.

Anyways, I'm in the middle of switching jobs, writing a piece for a e-zine, and keeping up with an ever increasing school work load. I just have no free time anymore.

Crunch time, eh?

Well, back to the trenchs! If you don't hear from me in a couple of days, look for my corpse under the avalanche of term papers and whiskey bottles.

Major Switcheroo

2006-03-07T08:37:00.000-05:00

Would you believe that one college course has the power to change my entire academic career choice?

I am honestly thinking of switching from a history major to a literature major.

Believe me, I'm as surprised as some of you are going to be. I love history. I love the past. I love learning about the past and finding its traces in the present and projecting their impact on the future.

But, I've found that same love for literature as well. I love reading something and discussing the different themes and other literary elements that make up the piece we are reading. I love being exposed to different types of literature. All because of Dr. Ford.

Would you believe that I love African American cultural novels or that I have a thing for Cuban literature?

It's amazing how one course, one teacher, can change your entire outlook on your potential career.

I guess I will take some more literature courses and see just how far I want to go...and if I really do want to take a different path in life.

Happy Birthday, Pirate Lord!

2006-03-05T22:23:00.000-05:00

A quick happy birthday to James Sheridan, my good friend, adoptive brother, and self styled "King of the Pirates".

May you have much mead, women, and pillaging on this day of days!

Necronomicon Rooms, Part Two

2006-03-05T01:31:00.000-05:00

I spoke with the coordinator over at the convention and learned that we are indeed getting a special rate on the rooms this year. It isn't going to be much more than last year (about 140 a night or so) and enough rooms will be set aside this year for all of the convention go-ers.

So, EC, we hope to see you there!

Loose Lips Keith

2006-03-03T18:18:00.000-05:00

Yeah, yeah, yeah, the title is highly suggestive and is not what you think.

Well, anyways, I just had a very interesting conversation with Keith, one of the guys who is living upstairs.

He is a piece of work. He has been through various stages of drug addiction and was recently in a high speed car crash. Keith decided he wanted to try and sell me pain reliever pills. He went on to tell me just about everything I needed to know to get these people evicted.

You see, Keith is running prescription drugs out of the apartment upstairs and he is paying for the couple's rent, since they are both out of work AND the girl is underage. He proceeds to tell me that he is also living with these people illegally (since you are only allowed to have people living in the apartments who are on the lease and guess what? He ain't.) and that, if I could, keep it under wraps.

He then tells me that he will cut me a deal on those drugs if I wanted since I was "a nice guy who listens". I told him "no thanks, I'm not into that shit" and walked away from this slobbering retard of a drug peddler.

So, now the question remains, what the hell do I do? Call the police? It's my word versus his AND his roomates so that won't get me anywhere. The cops are useless around here. Do I inform the landlady? Don't know about that one since this is her grandson we are talking about.

Or do I just let them do themselves in? You know it will happen sooner or later.

How Much Do You Think You Are Charging Us?!

2006-03-03T15:43:00.000-05:00

Are you guys aware that the hotel rooms for Necronomicon this year have almost tripled in price?!

They are charging 289.00 dollars a night for just a regular double room! We paid 128.00 last year and even that was a little steep!

I sure as hell hope Ann is going to get them to give us a deal or Necronomicon is going to be off for a lot of people, including us!

Some More Good News

2006-03-03T14:52:00.000-05:00

I just got a message from my mother letting me know that my grandfather is indeed cancer free! He just got the results back this morning after some extensive testing.

Now that's the best news I could have hoped for. Now, if the neighbors would just move away...

What The...?

2006-03-03T14:41:00.000-05:00

This has been one of the strangest days I have had in a long time.

I decided to go rummaging (hitting Goodwill and garage sales and the like) in Venice this morning, after having a really bad night sleeping. Not just because of the neighbors but because my celiac disease decided to act up. I don't remember eating anything with wheat in it but, boy, did it feel like I had!

Anyways, I came to the first garage sale and found out that I had missed out on grabbing some World War II gear they had been advertising in the paper. I was a little upset about that being the amateur historian I am but the lady made it up to me. She showed me the only piece that hadn't sold: A 1920 Mauser "Broomhandle" 9mm pistol. This was the real deal. It was the Germany made variety that came with the detachable stock that also doubled as the holster and even had an original box of ammunition, stamped "Germany 1938", with it. This was not the Chinese or Russian remake, this was an original in perfect condition! It was way out of my price range (2 grand!) but she let me draw it out and look it over for a good twenty minutes. That's a piece of history any buff like me wants to have in their collection!

Afterwards, I headed down to Goodwill and found a very interesting wall hanging. It is made of stamped metal and is a shield that has five difference weapons coming out of the ends. It has a picture of Perseus (I hope I'm getting that right) chopping off the head of the Medusa. It's very elaborate and is now hanging on my living room wall. It looks pretty bad ass. I'll post a picture later. And I got it for only ten bucks!

You guys remember my troubles last year with my license being suspended? Well, I had to pay 300 bucks into a security deposit to get the matter resolved and have been hounded by Allstate since then. Well, I got a notice from the DMV in the mail today. Imagine the dread when I picked that letter up! I was expecting my license to be suspended again but I got quite the opposite. The DMV has closed the case and is sending me my 300 dollar deposit back! I don't know why but they are! I don't care...that's 300 bucks I never thought I'd see again!

And I got invited to join my college's International Honor Society. It's about time since my GPA overall is a 3.86. It's been an oddly good day.

About damned time!

Interesting Meme, Part Two

2006-03-01T20:19:00.000-05:00

The Five Love Languages

My primary love language is probably
Quality Time
with a secondary love language being
Words of Affirmation.

Complete set of results

Quality Time:		9
Words of Affirmation:		8
Acts of Service:		6
Physical Touch:		6
Receiving Gifts:		1

Information

Unhappiness in relationships, according to Dr. Gary Chapman, is often due to the fact that we speak different love languages. Sometimes we don't understand our partner's requirements, or even our own. We all have a "love tank" that needs to be filled in order for us to express love to others, but there are different means by which our tank can be filled, and there are different ways that we can express love to others.

Take the quiz