David Duchovny, of X-Files fame, has a blog promoting his new film House of D, which he directed and stars in. It appears to be a coming-of-age/mid-life-crisis sort of indie movie (and thus, no grey aliens doing unnatural things to his nasal cavities).
I haven't read much of it yet, but I will say this: David, you really, really need to add some paragraphs to your posts. The Block-o-Text approach is just way too hard on the eyes.
Tuesday, March 29, 2005
Sunday, March 27, 2005
The Fires of Heaven
This is going to be a most excellent commuting week. My Jeep Wrangler, which got rear-ended a few weeks ago, is back in commission and ready to be driven. That's good news, but it's made even better by the fact that I just snagged Robert Jordan's Fires of Heaven as one of my download picks for March. That means I've now got 36 hours of fantasy goodness sitting on my iPod, just waiting to be listened to.
Coupled with a few of my favorite podcasts (Geek News Central, The Dragon Page, Driving Decompressions) downloaded over the weekend, and I've got one great week of audio lined up.
Coupled with a few of my favorite podcasts (Geek News Central, The Dragon Page, Driving Decompressions) downloaded over the weekend, and I've got one great week of audio lined up.
Friday, March 25, 2005
"She's Gone From Suck to Blow!"
I received the following feedback from a disgrunted Nuketown reader today:
Naturally this person was so proud of this witty little e-mail that he didn't include a valid response e-mail address (instead using the highly entertaining and oh-so-inspired false address "screwu@hotmail.com").
Since my own response can not reach this presumed champion of the downtrodden and herald of the masses, I'll post it here instead.
Actually, I'm not kidding about that last bit. I enjoy provoking responses like this with my writing, although I really wish I knew what post got this guy's panties in a bunch.
Subject: You suck
Message: Did Ayn Rand blow you, or what?
Naturally this person was so proud of this witty little e-mail that he didn't include a valid response e-mail address (instead using the highly entertaining and oh-so-inspired false address "screwu@hotmail.com").
Since my own response can not reach this presumed champion of the downtrodden and herald of the masses, I'll post it here instead.
To: screwu@hotmail.com
Message: Thank you for the enlightened commentary. I'm glad you took the time to submit such a thoughtful--and entertaining-- rebuttal to whatever it was you didn't like about Nuketown. It's feedback like this that really makes it all worthwhile.
Actually, I'm not kidding about that last bit. I enjoy provoking responses like this with my writing, although I really wish I knew what post got this guy's panties in a bunch.
Thursday, March 24, 2005
Cold Front
Sue's is getting over her virus, but is still quarantined on the sofa bed. Both Sue and Jordan have pink eye, which is also in retreat.
Me? I'm gulping vitamin C and drinking lots of orange juice, which probably won't do a damned thing to help, but which makes a nice post-modern ward against viral evil. I thought about smearing garlic paste around the door jams, but it's such a bitch to get out of the molding.
Me? I'm gulping vitamin C and drinking lots of orange juice, which probably won't do a damned thing to help, but which makes a nice post-modern ward against viral evil. I thought about smearing garlic paste around the door jams, but it's such a bitch to get out of the molding.
Wednesday, March 23, 2005
Spycraft 2.0?
GamingReport.com has a blurb about Alderac's new lineup, including a mention of Spycraft 2.0:
Now you'll note that this mentions the "Spycraft CCG"; I'm assuming that's a typo, given the context of the rest of the paragraph (and that the paragraph after it specifically discusses the collectible card game).
The forums have a discussion of what this means, and no, Alderac isn't dumping d20 entirely. The game's going "open gaming license" instead, which basically means that a) they can include all the rules for leveling up a character in the game and b) as a result, they can no longer display the d20 logo.
I think this makes a lot of sense; both Spycraft and Stargate suffered from relying on the D&D Player's Handbook for advancement. Heck, I'm an experienced player and I still got confused by their cryptic references to what was needed from the PHB.
That said, I'm taking a wait-and-see attitude with Spycraft 2.0. If it does what I want to it to do (overhaul the mastermind system based on the Fixer/Pointman splatbook, incorporate NPC classes, pull together the myriad backgrounds and feats from the assorted source books) then I'll consider converting. Otherwise, I'm content to stick with the hodgepodge I know, rather than the one I don't.
"The Spycraft RPG has been a staple in the RPG industry now since it was released in 2002...three years later, we bring you Spycraft RPG 2.0! Updated and re-tooled for better gaming on your players part! A brand new, more focused skill system, as well as a chase/dramatic situations system that will blow your socks off! The Spycraft CCG is no longer carrying the D20 logo, as it has grown into its own and differs from the way that system works. This new system is definitely what you and your customers need for expert espionage roleplaying! Releasing in July, 2005."
Now you'll note that this mentions the "Spycraft CCG"; I'm assuming that's a typo, given the context of the rest of the paragraph (and that the paragraph after it specifically discusses the collectible card game).
The forums have a discussion of what this means, and no, Alderac isn't dumping d20 entirely. The game's going "open gaming license" instead, which basically means that a) they can include all the rules for leveling up a character in the game and b) as a result, they can no longer display the d20 logo.
I think this makes a lot of sense; both Spycraft and Stargate suffered from relying on the D&D Player's Handbook for advancement. Heck, I'm an experienced player and I still got confused by their cryptic references to what was needed from the PHB.
That said, I'm taking a wait-and-see attitude with Spycraft 2.0. If it does what I want to it to do (overhaul the mastermind system based on the Fixer/Pointman splatbook, incorporate NPC classes, pull together the myriad backgrounds and feats from the assorted source books) then I'll consider converting. Otherwise, I'm content to stick with the hodgepodge I know, rather than the one I don't.
Which Fantasy/SciFi Character Are You?
Berin asked, so I figured I'd answer.
Sayeth the machine: "An accomplished diplomat who can virtually do no wrong, you sometimes know it is best to rely on the council of others while holding the reins."
Oh well, win some, lose some...
Sayeth the machine: "An accomplished diplomat who can virtually do no wrong, you sometimes know it is best to rely on the council of others while holding the reins."
Oh well, win some, lose some...
Tuesday, March 22, 2005
Ursinoid
Ursinioid, the personal blog of UncleBear.com's Berin Kinsman, is back online. Go there. Be amused. Be enlightened. Repeat as necessary.
My Mac Guys Podcast
I just found a new podcast to listen to, thanks to Podcast Shuffle. The My Mac Guys podcast features two guys, well, talking about their Macs.
I've only listened to one so far--which talked about kids and Macs--but I liked what I heard. They've got the friendly banter thing down, and I like the combination of opinion and practical tips.
I've only listened to one so far--which talked about kids and Macs--but I liked what I heard. They've got the friendly banter thing down, and I like the combination of opinion and practical tips.
Plague Ward, Day 3
Sue continues to camp on the sofa bed downstairs as she battles what the doctor described as "a nasty virus that we really can't do anything about." Jordan's feeling better, but still grumpy, and still on a wacky sleep schedule. She's going to the pediatrician today to figure out if the pinkness in her eyes is really pink eye, or something else entirely.
Me? I continue to tend to the sick, making sure Sue has what she needs and taking care of Jordan, at least until around 11 p.m., when I have to go to sleep. Then Sue and Jordan hang out on the sofa until the little one finally dozes off. My goal is to keep them comfortable while still getting enough sleep to avoid getting sick. Oh, and to drink as much orange juice as is humanly possible...
Me? I continue to tend to the sick, making sure Sue has what she needs and taking care of Jordan, at least until around 11 p.m., when I have to go to sleep. Then Sue and Jordan hang out on the sofa until the little one finally dozes off. My goal is to keep them comfortable while still getting enough sleep to avoid getting sick. Oh, and to drink as much orange juice as is humanly possible...
Monday, March 21, 2005
Radio Active Traffic
I haven't gotten a lot of feedback on Nuketown Radio Active yet, but I am starting to see some traffic to the XML feed; according to my tracker, it's seen 171 accesses. That doesn't mean it has 171 listeners, just that some how, some way, it was loaded 171 times.
Of those, about 21 visits were sent our way by iPodder.org's "All Things Sci-Fi" index, which is certainly a good thing.
I've registered the feed with Podcast Alley (though it hasn't shown up there just yet) and I'm looking for other places to list it. If anyone has any suggestions on that front, please leave a commment or e-mail me.
Of those, about 21 visits were sent our way by iPodder.org's "All Things Sci-Fi" index, which is certainly a good thing.
I've registered the feed with Podcast Alley (though it hasn't shown up there just yet) and I'm looking for other places to list it. If anyone has any suggestions on that front, please leave a commment or e-mail me.
Plague of Doom
Ok, not quite that bad, but Jordan's got something resembling pink eye, combined with some sort of weird head/throat/chest cold. That hit on Saturday, which sent our sleep cycle into a tailspin as she had trouble sleeping through the night.
On Sunday, the illness hit Sue hard, and hit again harder later in the day after she got done teaching a wilderness tracking program in New Jersey. By the time she got home, she was a wreck: chilled to the bone, achy all over, etc. So any and all plans yesterday were torpedoed in favor of sick duty, though thankfully (for all of us) I've been able to dodge the bug.
Sue's feeling better, at least well enough to watch Jordan today (which is important, as I have only so many vacation days available, and we're planning a big trip this summer). The big question now is how Jordan's doing; if her eye continues to get pinker, she's going to the doctor.
On Sunday, the illness hit Sue hard, and hit again harder later in the day after she got done teaching a wilderness tracking program in New Jersey. By the time she got home, she was a wreck: chilled to the bone, achy all over, etc. So any and all plans yesterday were torpedoed in favor of sick duty, though thankfully (for all of us) I've been able to dodge the bug.
Sue's feeling better, at least well enough to watch Jordan today (which is important, as I have only so many vacation days available, and we're planning a big trip this summer). The big question now is how Jordan's doing; if her eye continues to get pinker, she's going to the doctor.
Getting Paranoid
My long-awaited, long-lusted for copy of Paranoia XP arrived yesterday via Amazon.com, and I spent a good chunk of this weekend (at least those chunks not spent taking care of Sue and Jordan) reading it and laughing manically to myself.
It's a special kind of GM paradise, where arguing about rules is forbidden and in which knowledge of certain rules is outright treasonous. It's a game that opens with the following disclaimer about genders:
It's also a kind of player paradise, because you don't even have to pretend to try and get along with your fellow Troubleshooters, and instead, are actively encouraged to scheme, betray and otherwise mess with your friends.
I can't wait to run this thing.
It's a special kind of GM paradise, where arguing about rules is forbidden and in which knowledge of certain rules is outright treasonous. It's a game that opens with the following disclaimer about genders:
Note on pronoun usage: The Computer suggests any citizen concerned about this games usage of 'he' for the generic third person pronoun, instead of 'he or she', should attend to more important matters, such as serving The Computer with fervent loyalty
It's also a kind of player paradise, because you don't even have to pretend to try and get along with your fellow Troubleshooters, and instead, are actively encouraged to scheme, betray and otherwise mess with your friends.
I can't wait to run this thing.
Sunday, March 20, 2005
Nuketown Radio Active #2
The 3/18 edition of the Nuketown Radio Active podcast is available for download. Full details are up on Nuketown.
I think #2 sounds a lot better than #1 did, which is to be expected given that I now have double the audio-recording experience. I'm also getting more comfortable with recording my audio, though I think I'm relying too heavily on my show notes (and the show notes themselves are overly-detailed).
In other podcast news, I was just about to add myself to the "All Things Science Fiction" cateogry over on iPodder.org when I discovered that I was already listed!
Many thanks to node editor Evo Terra of The Dragon Page for being so on the ball. If you haven't done so already, check out the Dragon Page Wingin' It podcast. For more of my thoughts on their show, check out my "Podcatching" column for March 2005.
I think #2 sounds a lot better than #1 did, which is to be expected given that I now have double the audio-recording experience. I'm also getting more comfortable with recording my audio, though I think I'm relying too heavily on my show notes (and the show notes themselves are overly-detailed).
In other podcast news, I was just about to add myself to the "All Things Science Fiction" cateogry over on iPodder.org when I discovered that I was already listed!
Many thanks to node editor Evo Terra of The Dragon Page for being so on the ball. If you haven't done so already, check out the Dragon Page Wingin' It podcast. For more of my thoughts on their show, check out my "Podcatching" column for March 2005.
Friday, March 18, 2005
How to Blog
While I'm a little past the "how to" stage, if you're interested in learning how to blog, particularly if you're stuck on which software to use, then stop by Emily Robbins's blog, How to Blog. She compares different blogging solutions, talks about add-ons you can use, and other assorted blog-related topics.
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