Over at a RPG Board I frequent (RPGnet) a discussion about traditional GM sytles (GM creates the world, players play) vs the new Nar/Indie approach (GM and Players share creative control of the world, down to plots and stories) has been going on.
Now I tend the traditionalist view, and in response to comments about GMs abusing their power (which does happen, I will admit) the following was posted (reposted by permission):
To use a gastronomic analogy: to some people, GMing a game is like cooking somebody a meal. They get to choose how they eat it, whether they skip a course or have an extra helping of dessert, but ultimately it's the GM's creation.
To take this analogy further: if you cook a meal for somebody, and they don't like it, that isn't really your fault. Even if you cook a meal for somebody and it's really cruddy, that's just a question of your skill as a cook, nobody is going to complain about the fact that you did the cooking.
To these people, the idea of a GM "abusing" his power is nonsensical (as nonsensical, indeed, as the idea of a chef abusing his power by making you a starter you don't like). The GM is empowered to do whatever it takes to create a good game, if the GM makes a bad call, well that's the metaphorical equivalent of letting the cupcakes go flat.
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Friday, May 25, 2007
Friday Memeage
The Feast
Appetizer
Name a sound you like to hear.
Rainfall - whether the pitter of a small shower, or the thunder of a major storm, I love it all.
Soup
What is your favorite kind of cheese?
Mild Chedder. Aside from Motza on Pizza or American on Cheeseburgers it's the only kind I eat.
Salad
Do you sleep late on Saturday mornings? Why or why not?
Nope. I like to get up early and do fun stuff. Plus, when I try my body wakes me up and my normal wakup time anyway.
Main Course
When was the last time you forgot something? What was it, and how long did it take to remember it?
A few weeks ago gaming, I completely forgot about one of my character's abilities. I remembered the next day.
Dessert
Fill in the blank: I notice ____________ when _____________.
how my mood changes ... it gets dark.
The Music Memiors
Top 5 bands or albums that "I" should really listen to more.
Ring of Fire - this band is amazing, and while it is always in my mixes, I just don't sit down and listen to them enough. Notably their most recent CD - Lapse of Reality:
Cowboy Troy - Loco Motive. His new CD comes out in a few week, so I should be listening to this one more, just to get into the mood.
Rush - Snakes and Arrows. I've got it in my Rush mixes, but I haven't just sit down and listened to this one.
Jack Blads - Jack Blades: I enjoy Night Ranger, I like Damn Yankees, and the Shaw/Blades album My Hallucination is one of my absolute favorite. This solo album (his first) is good, but I haven't given it the attention it deserves. And while getting the image, I found out that Shaw & Blades released a second album together WoooHOOO! I'll buy buying that tonight.
k d lang - Shadowland. The best country album ever recorded and an old favorite, but I haven't listened to it in a while. Need to fix that.
Appetizer
Name a sound you like to hear.
Rainfall - whether the pitter of a small shower, or the thunder of a major storm, I love it all.
Soup
What is your favorite kind of cheese?
Mild Chedder. Aside from Motza on Pizza or American on Cheeseburgers it's the only kind I eat.
Salad
Do you sleep late on Saturday mornings? Why or why not?
Nope. I like to get up early and do fun stuff. Plus, when I try my body wakes me up and my normal wakup time anyway.
Main Course
When was the last time you forgot something? What was it, and how long did it take to remember it?
A few weeks ago gaming, I completely forgot about one of my character's abilities. I remembered the next day.
Dessert
Fill in the blank: I notice ____________ when _____________.
how my mood changes ... it gets dark.
The Music Memiors
Top 5 bands or albums that "I" should really listen to more.
Ring of Fire - this band is amazing, and while it is always in my mixes, I just don't sit down and listen to them enough. Notably their most recent CD - Lapse of Reality:
Cowboy Troy - Loco Motive. His new CD comes out in a few week, so I should be listening to this one more, just to get into the mood.
Rush - Snakes and Arrows. I've got it in my Rush mixes, but I haven't just sit down and listened to this one.
Jack Blads - Jack Blades: I enjoy Night Ranger, I like Damn Yankees, and the Shaw/Blades album My Hallucination is one of my absolute favorite. This solo album (his first) is good, but I haven't given it the attention it deserves. And while getting the image, I found out that Shaw & Blades released a second album together WoooHOOO! I'll buy buying that tonight.
k d lang - Shadowland. The best country album ever recorded and an old favorite, but I haven't listened to it in a while. Need to fix that.
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
A better way to look at things.
I always got annoyed when the press would make a big deal that a criminal was LDS. This is a much better way to look at it.
From the July 1990 Ensign - Gordon B. Hinkley
"Sometimes we take offense when one who is a member of the Church is involved in a crime and the public press is quick to say that he is a Mormon. We comment among ourselves that if he had been a member of any other church, no mention would have been made of it.
"Yet, is not this very practice an indirect compliment to our people? The world expects something better of us, and when one of our number falters, the press is quick to note it. We have, indeed, become as a city upon a hill for the world to see. "
From the July 1990 Ensign - Gordon B. Hinkley
"Sometimes we take offense when one who is a member of the Church is involved in a crime and the public press is quick to say that he is a Mormon. We comment among ourselves that if he had been a member of any other church, no mention would have been made of it.
"Yet, is not this very practice an indirect compliment to our people? The world expects something better of us, and when one of our number falters, the press is quick to note it. We have, indeed, become as a city upon a hill for the world to see. "
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Heroes in HERO system.
I posted this to some messageboards, but had to share here. :)
It is the fight from the season finale of Heroes as if it were a champions game.
Phase 12 -
Okay - DL's out fo the fight, so I'm going to let his player run Sylar.
Syler: I TK punch Bennet. I hit, and pretty decent knockback.
GM: Bennet hits the wall and drops his gun.
Post 12 recoveries
Phase 2:
Syler: I use base TK I have outside the multipower and the NND attack in the multipower as a grab and attack - it's the choke NND. I hit. Reads off damage.
Peter: Crap I'm stunned, I can't get out.
Phase 3:
Matt: I run out and shoot Syler.
Syler: I abort to my missle Reflection with that cool Neo stop and shot back SFX.
GM roll both of you.
Matt: I hit.
Syler: So did I - Matt you take all 5 shots.
Matt: Crap, I don't have any resistant defenses.
GM: You are stunned and out, and took a lot of body.
Phase 4:
Peter: I finally recover from being stunned.
Phase 6:
Syler: I'm going to rip up that parking meter with my TK and grab it, and Hit Peter.
Peter: That is what I get for being the one to take on the final badguy. *sigh*
Niki: I'll half move over and disarm Syler.
Phase 8:
Nikki: I hit syler.
Syler: I abort the rest of my action to get my invisible TK forcefield up.
Nikk: I critted. Max damage.
GM: Syler- You are stunned, but not out. Good thing you put up your field.
Peter: I switch my pool to mimic Nikki's superstregth. And say some speech about going to be with her family. Then, because Syler is stunned and his DCV sucks, I sweep, hit him 3 times - so a -6 OCV, 1/2 DCV. I hit. Crappy damage rolls though.
Phase 10:
Peter: Now let me roll for my side effects when I get a new power... oh crap they went off, and badly. I'm gonna blow up.
Syler: I recover from being stunned.
Hiro: I port in and charge Sylar:
Syler: I abort to...
GM: You can't you acted this phase, recovering.
Syler: Crap.
Hiro: I hit.
Syler: Crap again, and I was stunned to my shield went down.
GM: Yep.
Hiro: Ohh good roll.
GM: Sylar, you are stunned and unconcious, but just barely.
Phase 12:
Peter: Oh crap, oh crap
Hiro: I just stand there, being impressed that I finally got to use my sword.
GM: Syler- you recover from being stunned. Post Twelves everone. Syler you wave up and have 2 stun and 2 end.
Sylar: I Tk that guy that hit me with the sword.
That takes a lot of end, so you use your end, and take some stun from the End loss, and it knocks you out again.
Hiro: Crap I teleport, and my side effects went off. I don't know where I'm gonna land.....
It is the fight from the season finale of Heroes as if it were a champions game.
Phase 12 -
Okay - DL's out fo the fight, so I'm going to let his player run Sylar.
Syler: I TK punch Bennet. I hit, and pretty decent knockback.
GM: Bennet hits the wall and drops his gun.
Post 12 recoveries
Phase 2:
Syler: I use base TK I have outside the multipower and the NND attack in the multipower as a grab and attack - it's the choke NND. I hit. Reads off damage.
Peter: Crap I'm stunned, I can't get out.
Phase 3:
Matt: I run out and shoot Syler.
Syler: I abort to my missle Reflection with that cool Neo stop and shot back SFX.
GM roll both of you.
Matt: I hit.
Syler: So did I - Matt you take all 5 shots.
Matt: Crap, I don't have any resistant defenses.
GM: You are stunned and out, and took a lot of body.
Phase 4:
Peter: I finally recover from being stunned.
Phase 6:
Syler: I'm going to rip up that parking meter with my TK and grab it, and Hit Peter.
Peter: That is what I get for being the one to take on the final badguy. *sigh*
Niki: I'll half move over and disarm Syler.
Phase 8:
Nikki: I hit syler.
Syler: I abort the rest of my action to get my invisible TK forcefield up.
Nikk: I critted. Max damage.
GM: Syler- You are stunned, but not out. Good thing you put up your field.
Peter: I switch my pool to mimic Nikki's superstregth. And say some speech about going to be with her family. Then, because Syler is stunned and his DCV sucks, I sweep, hit him 3 times - so a -6 OCV, 1/2 DCV. I hit. Crappy damage rolls though.
Phase 10:
Peter: Now let me roll for my side effects when I get a new power... oh crap they went off, and badly. I'm gonna blow up.
Syler: I recover from being stunned.
Hiro: I port in and charge Sylar:
Syler: I abort to...
GM: You can't you acted this phase, recovering.
Syler: Crap.
Hiro: I hit.
Syler: Crap again, and I was stunned to my shield went down.
GM: Yep.
Hiro: Ohh good roll.
GM: Sylar, you are stunned and unconcious, but just barely.
Phase 12:
Peter: Oh crap, oh crap
Hiro: I just stand there, being impressed that I finally got to use my sword.
GM: Syler- you recover from being stunned. Post Twelves everone. Syler you wave up and have 2 stun and 2 end.
Sylar: I Tk that guy that hit me with the sword.
That takes a lot of end, so you use your end, and take some stun from the End loss, and it knocks you out again.
Hiro: Crap I teleport, and my side effects went off. I don't know where I'm gonna land.....
Friday, May 18, 2007
Firday Meme things
Top Five Songs you love from artists you hate
Emotional Rescue by the Rolling Stones
God Save the Queen by the Sex Pisols
Should I Stay or Should I Go by the Clash
Rock and Roll High School by the Ramones
Kill the Poor by the Dead Kennedys.
Yeah I don't care for Punk at all. And I have always hated the Stones.
The Feast
Appetizer
List 3 emotions you experienced this week.
Frustration (not being to help the Wife when she was having a bad week.
Happiness (Getting the new Champions book)
Relief (getting done teaching the lesson in Sunday school).
Soup
Name a car you’d love to have.
Anything that works. :)
If I could have any car - pratical I'd go for a Saturn, for fun - an 80's Trans Am or a late 70's Vette.
Salad
Describe your typical morning routine.
Get up, stumble to the computer, read my email and newsgroups, hit the two messageboards I frequent. Snack on some small food (I can't eat anything untill hours after I get up), and start on work. I work from home. :)
Main Course
Have you ever emailed someone famous? If so, who, and what did you say to them? Did they reply?
Not really. Just some political stuff to my congressmen. Did get responces.
Dessert
Do you listen to podcasts? If so, which ones?
No.
Emotional Rescue by the Rolling Stones
God Save the Queen by the Sex Pisols
Should I Stay or Should I Go by the Clash
Rock and Roll High School by the Ramones
Kill the Poor by the Dead Kennedys.
Yeah I don't care for Punk at all. And I have always hated the Stones.
The Feast
Appetizer
List 3 emotions you experienced this week.
Frustration (not being to help the Wife when she was having a bad week.
Happiness (Getting the new Champions book)
Relief (getting done teaching the lesson in Sunday school).
Soup
Name a car you’d love to have.
Anything that works. :)
If I could have any car - pratical I'd go for a Saturn, for fun - an 80's Trans Am or a late 70's Vette.
Salad
Describe your typical morning routine.
Get up, stumble to the computer, read my email and newsgroups, hit the two messageboards I frequent. Snack on some small food (I can't eat anything untill hours after I get up), and start on work. I work from home. :)
Main Course
Have you ever emailed someone famous? If so, who, and what did you say to them? Did they reply?
Not really. Just some political stuff to my congressmen. Did get responces.
Dessert
Do you listen to podcasts? If so, which ones?
No.
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
New Tuesday meme
This one from the Tuesday Twosome
1. Internet service, how do you react and what is the first thing you do?
React: AARRGH. First thing I do is check to make sure the cable modem is working. I do most of my job from home through the internet, so it isn't just a fun thing - I needs my internets my precious.
2. Electricity, how do you react and what is the first thing you do?
React - Sigh. First thing, take a look down the street to see if we are the only one out, and if not, call the power company.
3. Cell Phone or home phone service, how do you react and what is the first thing you do? Freak out a bit, and get irritated. If it the cell phone, I call the boss (as it is a free service line because I work for a cell phone dealer). If it is the home phone, I take a classic wired phone and plug it into the box outside to make sure there is an actual outage, then call the company.
4. Cable/Dish TV, how do you react and what is the first thing you do?
Act normally. First thing I do, is what I normally do - I'd freak if we got signal. We don't get TV reception very well where we are, and there isn't enough on TV that makes us want to pay for cable or sat... we'd rather buy a couple of DVDs for the price each month.
5. Air Conditioning/Heat, how do you react and what is the first thing you do?
"Oh Bother" to quote Pooh. Heat out, figure out why, and load up on the blankets.
We don't have AC, just fans.
1. Internet service, how do you react and what is the first thing you do?
React: AARRGH. First thing I do is check to make sure the cable modem is working. I do most of my job from home through the internet, so it isn't just a fun thing - I needs my internets my precious.
2. Electricity, how do you react and what is the first thing you do?
React - Sigh. First thing, take a look down the street to see if we are the only one out, and if not, call the power company.
3. Cell Phone or home phone service, how do you react and what is the first thing you do? Freak out a bit, and get irritated. If it the cell phone, I call the boss (as it is a free service line because I work for a cell phone dealer). If it is the home phone, I take a classic wired phone and plug it into the box outside to make sure there is an actual outage, then call the company.
4. Cable/Dish TV, how do you react and what is the first thing you do?
Act normally. First thing I do, is what I normally do - I'd freak if we got signal. We don't get TV reception very well where we are, and there isn't enough on TV that makes us want to pay for cable or sat... we'd rather buy a couple of DVDs for the price each month.
5. Air Conditioning/Heat, how do you react and what is the first thing you do?
"Oh Bother" to quote Pooh. Heat out, figure out why, and load up on the blankets.
We don't have AC, just fans.
Take me back - media typology
What musical formats do you remember (CD, Cassette, LP etc)?
Vinyl (45 and LP), 8 track (I had an 8-track recorder), cassette, DAT, CD, DVD Audio, MP3 (and other digital formats).
What was your favorite format 5 years ago? 10? What is it now?
Now - MP3
5 years - MP3 CD
10 years - CD
before that was Vinyl - I never bough a storebought cassette, I jumped from record to CD.
What was your first portable music player? What is your current portable music player?
My first was a little boombox with a cassette, then a walkman, then a portable CD player, then an MP3 cd player.
Now I have a Sansa 2 gig player with a MicroSD card slot (and working where I do I get those kinds of cards at cost, so a 2 GB micro only costs me about 15 bucks).
Vinyl (45 and LP), 8 track (I had an 8-track recorder), cassette, DAT, CD, DVD Audio, MP3 (and other digital formats).
What was your favorite format 5 years ago? 10? What is it now?
Now - MP3
5 years - MP3 CD
10 years - CD
before that was Vinyl - I never bough a storebought cassette, I jumped from record to CD.
What was your first portable music player? What is your current portable music player?
My first was a little boombox with a cassette, then a walkman, then a portable CD player, then an MP3 cd player.
Now I have a Sansa 2 gig player with a MicroSD card slot (and working where I do I get those kinds of cards at cost, so a 2 GB micro only costs me about 15 bucks).
Saturday, May 12, 2007
I hate mothers day
The last post made me think about things, and I just have to comment about this.
My mother died just a few years ago, recent enough that when I think of her I feel the pang of loss more than the happy memories.
The wife and I have no kids. We want them. We are getting to the edge of age where having a kid is possible. The fear is we will never have any.
So with my mom gone, and the possibility that the wife won't be.... I really hate this holiday.
I feel pretty much the same way about fathers day. I hated my father, and I have no kids.
Ba Humbug (as it were)
My mother died just a few years ago, recent enough that when I think of her I feel the pang of loss more than the happy memories.
The wife and I have no kids. We want them. We are getting to the edge of age where having a kid is possible. The fear is we will never have any.
So with my mom gone, and the possibility that the wife won't be.... I really hate this holiday.
I feel pretty much the same way about fathers day. I hated my father, and I have no kids.
Ba Humbug (as it were)
Friday, May 11, 2007
Top 5
Top 5 "Mom" songs (songs about mothers, or by mothers or that make you think of your mom..or you can take the "mom" theme and run with it)
1) One hundred and 10 in the shade - John Fogerty. I could go with just about any CCR/Fogerty, her favorite singer, but this one was my favorite of the album that she made a point of getting me to listen too.
2) Counterclockwise - Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers. When Fogerty played here a number of years ago, mom bought tickets and we went. Roger Clyne opened, and became one of my favorite bands. I wasn't really into going to see Fogerty, but I did for mom. If I hadn't done this, I never would have discovered Clyne.
3) Had a Dream - Roger Hodgson. When I was a teen, I got this album, and mom loved it, so she got a copy.
4) Two out of three ain't bad - Meat Loaf. I was 10 when this came out. Mom bought it (on 8 track no less), and I fell in love with it.]
5) Heaven's on Fire - Kiss. I bought this album, and mom borrowed it. I was a teenager, and you parent's aren't supposed to like the music you buy to annoy them. Became something of running gag over the years.
Mom passed away a couple of years ago, after living with us for nearly 3 years. Nice walk down memory lane.
1) One hundred and 10 in the shade - John Fogerty. I could go with just about any CCR/Fogerty, her favorite singer, but this one was my favorite of the album that she made a point of getting me to listen too.
2) Counterclockwise - Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers. When Fogerty played here a number of years ago, mom bought tickets and we went. Roger Clyne opened, and became one of my favorite bands. I wasn't really into going to see Fogerty, but I did for mom. If I hadn't done this, I never would have discovered Clyne.
3) Had a Dream - Roger Hodgson. When I was a teen, I got this album, and mom loved it, so she got a copy.
4) Two out of three ain't bad - Meat Loaf. I was 10 when this came out. Mom bought it (on 8 track no less), and I fell in love with it.]
5) Heaven's on Fire - Kiss. I bought this album, and mom borrowed it. I was a teenager, and you parent's aren't supposed to like the music you buy to annoy them. Became something of running gag over the years.
Mom passed away a couple of years ago, after living with us for nearly 3 years. Nice walk down memory lane.
Tuesday, May 8, 2007
Take Me Back Tuesdays - on sharing music
What is your favorite way to share music with your friends?
I'll burn a mix CD, or some MP3s.
What song or album do you feel the need to share with anyone who will listen?
A number of them - Americano by Roger Clyne, and a collection of Rocket Scientists and Lana Lane songs as a mix. Bands that I like, that don't have much promotion.
Do you ever lend your CDs/tapes/etc to friends or family?
Sure. These days, as my music is all mp3s, I just burn one as a loaner.
Did you ever discover a musical love because someone shared something with you? (mp3? Mix CD or tape)
Yeah. I really got into yes, because of Mike getting me hooked on them. I knew the radio stuff, but not much else. Same thing, same source, for classical - he really helped me appreciate it. Same Source, Cross Canadian Ragweed, and a number of other alt country bands. He and I have really shared a lot of music with each other over the years.
I'll burn a mix CD, or some MP3s.
What song or album do you feel the need to share with anyone who will listen?
A number of them - Americano by Roger Clyne, and a collection of Rocket Scientists and Lana Lane songs as a mix. Bands that I like, that don't have much promotion.
Do you ever lend your CDs/tapes/etc to friends or family?
Sure. These days, as my music is all mp3s, I just burn one as a loaner.
Did you ever discover a musical love because someone shared something with you? (mp3? Mix CD or tape)
Yeah. I really got into yes, because of Mike getting me hooked on them. I knew the radio stuff, but not much else. Same thing, same source, for classical - he really helped me appreciate it. Same Source, Cross Canadian Ragweed, and a number of other alt country bands. He and I have really shared a lot of music with each other over the years.
A lesson on service from Babylon 5
If I ever give a lesson on service, I am going to quote a Babylon 5 episode:
Before we got married, Emily would come by sometimes and help me clean out my apartment.
I asked her "Why are you so eager to clean up my place when your place is just as bad?"
She said "Cleaning up your place helps me to forget what a mess I made of mine. And, when I sweep my floor, I just sweep my floor, but when I help you clean your place, I am helping you."
I can't think of better example of what service is all about. Forgetting your own troubles, and helping other people.
Before we got married, Emily would come by sometimes and help me clean out my apartment.
I asked her "Why are you so eager to clean up my place when your place is just as bad?"
She said "Cleaning up your place helps me to forget what a mess I made of mine. And, when I sweep my floor, I just sweep my floor, but when I help you clean your place, I am helping you."
I can't think of better example of what service is all about. Forgetting your own troubles, and helping other people.
Friday, May 4, 2007
Poll Happy
The page that held the Stargate quiz below had others. Here they are:
Your results:
You are Superman
You are mild-mannered, good,
strong and you love to help others.
Your results:
You are R2-D2
What you lack in height
and communication skills,
you make up for in industriousness,
technical know-how and being there
when others need you most.
Your results:
You are Mr. Sulu
You are able to master many
skills such as swords,
plants and martial arts.
Your results:
You are Superman
You are mild-mannered, good,
strong and you love to help others.
Your results:
You are R2-D2
What you lack in height
and communication skills,
you make up for in industriousness,
technical know-how and being there
when others need you most.
Your results:
You are Mr. Sulu
You are able to master many
skills such as swords,
plants and martial arts.
Indeed.
I took this test. I got this result. I changed 2 borderline questions and I ended up like Mike - Daniel Jackson
Your results:
You are Teal'c
Click here to take the "Which Stargate SG-1 character are you?" quiz...
Your results:
You are Teal'c
| You are the strong silent type and you think things through thoroughly before acting. You loyally stick by people you care about.  |
Click here to take the "Which Stargate SG-1 character are you?" quiz...
Meme thigns
The Feast:
Appetizer
Name something you would not want to own.
Pickup/SUV. I don't like big vehicles.
Soup
Describe your hair (texture, color, length, etc.).
Short, dark brown, thin, and thinning. :)
Salad
Finish this sentence: I’ll never forget ___________.
"The day I bashed in his head. You should have seen the look on his face" Too much Weird Al.
Main Course
Which famous person would you like to be for one day? Why?
I can't think of anyone. I've never been into the whole "I wish I could be ...."- Bill Gates maybe, just so I could give a lot of money to myself to have when the day is over.
Dessert
Write one sentence about yourself that includes one thing that is true and another thing that is not.
I Always lie. Just kidding.
I am a smart, and very socially adjusted person.
Top 5 On Fridays:
Top 5 Beatles songs not sung by John or Paul
Toughie, as I don't know the Beatles well enough to know who sang which songs. Had to do a little digging.
While my Guitar Gently Weeps
Taxman
I need you
Here Comes the Sun
With a little help from my friends.
B5 Redux
I've been watching Bablyon 5 these last few days (getting ready for the new DVD).
I am constantly impressed with how JMS works in all the groundwork of the world, and foreshadows stuff, and does it in such a way that you don't see it all.
Case in point: The Quality of Mercy.
Big plot point - Alien Healing device, used later for 2 major events. Strong introduction.
Big plot point - Death of Personality; a big deal in a later issue.
Minor plot point - Lennier lies to protect Londo - sets up a number of times where the Minbari do things they don't normally do for honor, or for someone else - and the lying to protect someone else and for honor is a big point when Sheridan is framed for murder.
Minor plot point that is huge foreshadowing - Janice, in speaking of her mother not being a doctor anymore "She wanted to help everyone, and it was too much for her, and she started taking stims, and then she made a mistake. It cost a patient his life, and she lost her license" Hmm... do we see that later?
Just amazed at how packed first season was in setting all the groundwork to make everything else be as wonderful as it is. I mean ties to at least 4 specific episodes are set up here.
I am constantly impressed with how JMS works in all the groundwork of the world, and foreshadows stuff, and does it in such a way that you don't see it all.
Case in point: The Quality of Mercy.
Big plot point - Alien Healing device, used later for 2 major events. Strong introduction.
Big plot point - Death of Personality; a big deal in a later issue.
Minor plot point - Lennier lies to protect Londo - sets up a number of times where the Minbari do things they don't normally do for honor, or for someone else - and the lying to protect someone else and for honor is a big point when Sheridan is framed for murder.
Minor plot point that is huge foreshadowing - Janice, in speaking of her mother not being a doctor anymore "She wanted to help everyone, and it was too much for her, and she started taking stims, and then she made a mistake. It cost a patient his life, and she lost her license" Hmm... do we see that later?
Just amazed at how packed first season was in setting all the groundwork to make everything else be as wonderful as it is. I mean ties to at least 4 specific episodes are set up here.
Wednesday, May 2, 2007
Concerts
I'm going to a big deal concert for me this summer - Rush!
I'm going to a couple other where my wife works; she works for a nonprofits arts orginization as the box office manager. I get to come volunteer help with ticket sales, and can hang around the venue (an ampitheater) and watch the show.
I'm not much of a concert-goer; but here is a short list of all the concerts I've seen. Primary/Opening acts listed.
Kingston Trio
Styx
Rat/Fastway
Judas Priest
Eurythmics/Howard Jones
Billy Joel
Meat Loaf/Cheap Trick
John Fogerty/Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers
Foreigner
Ryan Shupe and the Rubberband
And that is it. About half in concert halls, about half in ampitheaters.
I'm going to a couple other where my wife works; she works for a nonprofits arts orginization as the box office manager. I get to come volunteer help with ticket sales, and can hang around the venue (an ampitheater) and watch the show.
I'm not much of a concert-goer; but here is a short list of all the concerts I've seen. Primary/Opening acts listed.
Kingston Trio
Styx
Rat/Fastway
Judas Priest
Eurythmics/Howard Jones
Billy Joel
Meat Loaf/Cheap Trick
John Fogerty/Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers
Foreigner
Ryan Shupe and the Rubberband
And that is it. About half in concert halls, about half in ampitheaters.
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
Take me back
Take me back tuesday - from the Music Memoirs
What is your favorite record/CD shop? Is it still in existence?
Toad Tape - and no. It was a record shop that didn't make the transition to CD. I had one birthday that I got 100 bucks (I think I was 13 or 14). I blew it all at Toad Tape, and I asked beforehand, and got a 10% discount (that I just bought a couple more records with). I ended up leaving with 20 albums. Woohoo.
The had a great selection in a wide range of music. That is why I loved them.
Currently I like Syn-Phonic Music he specializes in international progressive rock. Great stuff.
Do you still buy most of your CDs in stores or do you purchase music online?
Online. I get into progressive rock, and Euro power metal (Ayreon, Rhapsody ect). No one locally carries any of it, so I get it online.
What music store do you consider the world's best kept secret. (Meaning you can find anything there)?
Not anything, but anything in that genre - see Syn-Phonic Above
What was one "hidden treasure" you found while shopping for music?
When I found Jeff Wayne's War of the World, while I was attentending the University of Oregon. Eugene had (maybe even still has) a wonderful used record store. I found it there, in near mind condition. Still is one of my favorite albums to this day.
What is your favorite record/CD shop? Is it still in existence?
Toad Tape - and no. It was a record shop that didn't make the transition to CD. I had one birthday that I got 100 bucks (I think I was 13 or 14). I blew it all at Toad Tape, and I asked beforehand, and got a 10% discount (that I just bought a couple more records with). I ended up leaving with 20 albums. Woohoo.
The had a great selection in a wide range of music. That is why I loved them.
Currently I like Syn-Phonic Music he specializes in international progressive rock. Great stuff.
Do you still buy most of your CDs in stores or do you purchase music online?
Online. I get into progressive rock, and Euro power metal (Ayreon, Rhapsody ect). No one locally carries any of it, so I get it online.
What music store do you consider the world's best kept secret. (Meaning you can find anything there)?
Not anything, but anything in that genre - see Syn-Phonic Above
What was one "hidden treasure" you found while shopping for music?
When I found Jeff Wayne's War of the World, while I was attentending the University of Oregon. Eugene had (maybe even still has) a wonderful used record store. I found it there, in near mind condition. Still is one of my favorite albums to this day.