Prelude to the Crud

Before I start whining about sickness, take a few minutes to read this Salon article, Death to the Minotaur. It's an interesting account of the legends of Wizards of the Coast.

Now that you've returned (or ignored or whatever), looks like I'm not going to just not get sick this time around. I can feel a dryness in my chest and am getting the occasional involuntary cough. Yuck. It ain't bad yet but if it's what everyone else is getting well... gee thanks friends! Feh!

Lots of shake ups in that close knit little business we call the gaming industry. Although the demise of a competitor is often a happy thing (there's a great German word for this type of joy but I don't remember it, maybe someone can clue me in), its really not, especially the way this one went down. I hate to see friends and acquaintences lose jobs. I've been in enough situations where I or my friends get layed off for reasons that quite frankly make about as much sense as sitting on the left side of a couch because some idiot on the other side of the country said that people prefer having room to swing their right arms at random. It's just stupid and not well thought out reasoning.

Here's the thing. Gamers and businessmen, they don't hang out at the same parties. I guess it's sort of like Republicans and Democrats. They'll agree now and then on the principle of a thing, but they never want to accomplish the thing the same way and their end goals are always different so they never end up in the same place at the end. I'm pretty sure Dr. Seuss covers this somewhere but I can't think of the names involved.

In any case, I'm dissapointed that I won't get the chance to pick apart and ridicule the competition's game systems. I was actually looking for to this. Still, I know there will be other jobs (I've already seen a few get approached). Even in the internet shakedown, there's people that need stuff done.

Enough rambling, I gotta research some pancakes. --Jeff
posted by Jeff Gatlin at 3/25/2001 12:07:00 AM

Things That Do and Do Not Suck

The Suck: Getting rear ended on the way home from work.

The Non-Suck: Being in an accident without experiencing great pain, injury and death.

The Suck: The shakes and tension in your body caused by being in an accident.

The Non-Suck: Corn on the cob, because after an accident its nice to eat America's best.

The Suck: Dealing with insurance and car repair and all the hooha that goes with it.

The Suck to come: Knowing you'll be able to scrape up the deductable hopefully before summer.

The Non-Suck: Pleasant highway patrolmen who show up right when your pulling into the driveway after dinner. Good timing and friendly attitude helps sooth the nerves.

I haven't been involved in a car accident since high school and I really cannot recommend them, even the ones that result in no bodily harm. There are much safer ways to get a burst of adrenaline. Air soft for instance or scuba diving. Compared to a car accident, they are both nice safe relaxing sports. I really must revisit Cozumel soon.

Jeff -- (the thankful)

posted by Jeff Gatlin at 3/21/2001 12:23:00 AM

The Art of Tea

Steph gave me a beautiful present in the form of an RPG. She 'ran' me through the defining moments that led my DnD half elf Saris to becoming a cleric of Sehanine Moonbow. I've not the time to detail it here yet but it was just a stunningly beautiful story, navigated by my unskilled RP talents and guided her brilliant narrative abilities. The story touched on issues that stir me more than most, taking a risk to follow your heart even when you are unsure of the outcome.

I was not entirely comfortable with this style of gaming. In most games I have played, your start off immediately with a clear goal and idea of what you can do. Even in the tabletop game we've been playing, there's plenty to focus on and when there isn't there is 9 other people to lean on when I feel insecure. I liken it to the difference between a comedy writer and a comedy improvisationist. I myself fancy myself a fair write with some talent for comedy (no dreams of professional careers there, worry not), However, when put under the spotlight and expected to perform my talent vanishes into little phrases such as "What" and "I don't know" instead of clever banter.

Morning is getting on and I have to remember to get Suz's phone number today. This is supposed to be a simple task. We'll see. -Jeff
posted by Jeff Gatlin at 3/19/2001 10:43:00 AM

The Unintentional Vampire

Sorry to the web searching dark fantasy goth gang, it ain't that kind of V. As I prepare to say goodbye to a friend, I've come across one of those odd phenominons. In this case, my friend is giving away some of her stuff so that she need not take it on her cross country move and thus keep the costs down. She offers that I take this or that, and I slide into that evaluation of a new thing mode then perk up and the thought of acquiring it. Then after smiling a bit I remember why I'm getting it and a frown battles the smile. To battle the frown the mind starts up a 'wonder what else she doesn't want' process and here begins the vampirism. Feeding off the friends remains, in this case the stuff they leave behind.

This really bugs me.

I figure that the reason this occurs is that it is easier to deal with getting new stuff than it is dealing with the leaving of the friend.

That said, and not having a clear way of resolve, I have totally been absorbed into 3rd Edition D&D. Having not ever played a table top RPG before recently I've found it to be quite enjoyable and I look forward to more sessions. We've been playing one every two weeks, and we had to reschedule due to other events and play a week early this weekend. My first thought? Woohoo! Yup I am hooked.

Late for work, next time. -Jeff
posted by Jeff Gatlin at 3/14/2001 10:57:00 AM

Speechless

www.amiallyourbaseornot.com

Do I really need to say more?
posted by Jeff Gatlin at 3/08/2001 12:01:00 PM

Groundhog Day

Once every month or so, it is rumored that the artist formerly known as and actually still known as Jeff Gatlin will pop his head out of the ground to look around and see what is up. If he sees his shadow, he will return to his hole to play games and wait 6 more weeks. If he doesn't see his shadow, he'll walk around in the sun breathing the air for a few minutes, maybe even grab a bite to eat with friends then return to his hole to play games because he's about to make a level.

So that was yesterday, met some of Steph's comrades and had lunch at Magpie's (arguably the best place around for sandwiches and dessert). Bruce would like the beef sandwich there, cause it's that kind of roast beef that is not quite done. It was however, quite tasty.

Speaking of tasty, its morning and I must seek out breakfast. Till the next time I peek my head out of the hole... -Jeff
posted by Jeff Gatlin at 3/05/2001 10:58:00 AM