Update; just talking music and games, same as I always have. Nothing new here.
It's hard to feel motivated to stop and update your blog when you've got a lot going on, just like it's hard to feel motivated to update it when you've got nothing going on. Catch 22. But I finally have a day off where I don't have to be anywhere, (except play rehearsal tonight,) so I thought I'd make a go of it.
Part of what has kept me busy in my off hours is that after years away from tabletop gaming in general, I have finally started GMing again. It's a Pathfinder game, (a.k.a. 3.5 edition Dungeons & Dragons under a new name and publisher,) and it's been an incredible amount of fun so far. Maybe the long break as what I needed because this is the most fun I've had running a game since high school and I think my players are having a good time too. I've got a couple of seasoned veterans but the rest have either neither played a pen-and-paper RPG before, or at least have never played this system. Throw in a GM who is way out of practice and what you get is actually a very fun, laid back group that's really getting into creating a good story together. In the past when I've GM'd games I've always ended up getting burnt out and/or developing writer's block by about the third session but that hasn't happened here. It's a novel feeling and probably the most fun I've had running a game since I was in high school.
Speaking of games I ran in high school, I'd like to publicly talk about how wonderful my wife is. Back in the day, instead of writing my own modules I would use published ones out of Dungeon magazine. One of my favorite ones was from an issue I borrowed from a friend and it was the most innovative scenario I had ever seen at the time. I ran the game, gave the magazine back, and went on with life, but always regretted not having a copy of my own for further use.
A few days ago I casually mentioned this to M. Based on the sparse information I gave her, she went and tracked down a mint condition, unopened copy of said magazine online and bought it for me. So I came home from work the other night to find a copy of that adventure laying open on my desk, ready to find. I was so happy! So now this adventure will be a set-piece in my campaign. I can't say more about it in case my players see this, but it's going to be really cool. Even if we never make it that far I'm thrilled just having it in my possession. So props to my awesome wife for really getting me good with an amazing surprise.
Next weekend we have some friends coming into town to stay with us for a few days. I've taken vacation time so we can enjoy their visit. Don't know what all we do, but so far we're planning a party. The night before they arrive two of my favorite bands, Fear Factory and Hate Eternal, are playing a show together so that's something to look forward to. Another band I admire, Suffocation, are playing the night following our friends' departure so I may try to make that happen too.
Music really picks up during the summer time, though. Heart are playing at the Starlight theatre on August 18th and that's one M. and I want to make it to together. A few days before that Amon Amarth and Children of Bodom will also be in town but... they're playing in support of Rob Zombie. I know this probably makes me a terrible metalhead but I have a terrible secret to confess: I think Rob Zombie is just okay. I mean, he's a brilliant man, a clever filmmaker, and can write a good song, but I've never once felt like I just HAD to see him live. Plus, as rabidly as I love Amon Amarth and CoB, I'm not sure I love them enough to pay Rob Zombie ticket prices in order to see them. Does that make me a bad fan?
But what I really have to make happen, no matter how bad it hurts, is the Iron Maiden concert in September. They are most definitely a Bucket List experience for me and I know it's going to be madly expensive, but I have to see them no matter what.
I have lots of other things to look forward to, and lots of other things to be happy and grateful about, but that's enough for one entry, I think.
Part of what has kept me busy in my off hours is that after years away from tabletop gaming in general, I have finally started GMing again. It's a Pathfinder game, (a.k.a. 3.5 edition Dungeons & Dragons under a new name and publisher,) and it's been an incredible amount of fun so far. Maybe the long break as what I needed because this is the most fun I've had running a game since high school and I think my players are having a good time too. I've got a couple of seasoned veterans but the rest have either neither played a pen-and-paper RPG before, or at least have never played this system. Throw in a GM who is way out of practice and what you get is actually a very fun, laid back group that's really getting into creating a good story together. In the past when I've GM'd games I've always ended up getting burnt out and/or developing writer's block by about the third session but that hasn't happened here. It's a novel feeling and probably the most fun I've had running a game since I was in high school.
Speaking of games I ran in high school, I'd like to publicly talk about how wonderful my wife is. Back in the day, instead of writing my own modules I would use published ones out of Dungeon magazine. One of my favorite ones was from an issue I borrowed from a friend and it was the most innovative scenario I had ever seen at the time. I ran the game, gave the magazine back, and went on with life, but always regretted not having a copy of my own for further use.
A few days ago I casually mentioned this to M. Based on the sparse information I gave her, she went and tracked down a mint condition, unopened copy of said magazine online and bought it for me. So I came home from work the other night to find a copy of that adventure laying open on my desk, ready to find. I was so happy! So now this adventure will be a set-piece in my campaign. I can't say more about it in case my players see this, but it's going to be really cool. Even if we never make it that far I'm thrilled just having it in my possession. So props to my awesome wife for really getting me good with an amazing surprise.
Next weekend we have some friends coming into town to stay with us for a few days. I've taken vacation time so we can enjoy their visit. Don't know what all we do, but so far we're planning a party. The night before they arrive two of my favorite bands, Fear Factory and Hate Eternal, are playing a show together so that's something to look forward to. Another band I admire, Suffocation, are playing the night following our friends' departure so I may try to make that happen too.
Music really picks up during the summer time, though. Heart are playing at the Starlight theatre on August 18th and that's one M. and I want to make it to together. A few days before that Amon Amarth and Children of Bodom will also be in town but... they're playing in support of Rob Zombie. I know this probably makes me a terrible metalhead but I have a terrible secret to confess: I think Rob Zombie is just okay. I mean, he's a brilliant man, a clever filmmaker, and can write a good song, but I've never once felt like I just HAD to see him live. Plus, as rabidly as I love Amon Amarth and CoB, I'm not sure I love them enough to pay Rob Zombie ticket prices in order to see them. Does that make me a bad fan?
But what I really have to make happen, no matter how bad it hurts, is the Iron Maiden concert in September. They are most definitely a Bucket List experience for me and I know it's going to be madly expensive, but I have to see them no matter what.
I have lots of other things to look forward to, and lots of other things to be happy and grateful about, but that's enough for one entry, I think.