Tuesday, January 31, 2012

3rd 4 t3h Nrrd: Jan '12

Deathstar! A cool crew from the "Emerald City Empire" part of some of the "newer" Neredcore crop, they have a solid production and setup with nerdtastic content left and right fused with other topics that re-affirm they're not just a niche group nor is the genre.
C0splay, MC-3PO & Bill Beats
Like many other Artists I was introduced to them by Nerdcore Now 1. If you want follow along with the rest of the Death*Starmy, try the TWITTAR or the Book-in-you-Face. And to get straight to procuring those sweet tunes, the CAMPFORBANDS.

Still not convinced? stick this in your eyes-&-ear-holes while I break it down a bit more . . .


The two vocal cats, C0splay & MC-3PO, have voices that don't grate on the ears or make me zone out, they can keep a consistent flow, even at live shows, even if they get winded. They stay within their ranges, not attempting any crazy vocal tricks that might fall flat. And Bill Beats has a solid hand at the turntables. The mixes and beats always have me banging my neck. They're also good about titles and flows. I haven't noticed TOO many constant gags, so it doesn't get tiresome. Their collabs are hot too. I love how so many artists in the Nerdcore scene are totally up for working with other artists and how the web makes it accessible, these guys are no different.

To keep you titillated, here's another track, probably familiar if you read this blog consistently . . or ride with me . . . or drive anywhere I have since Nerdcore Now 1 came out, because this track is MY JAM!



Friday, January 27, 2012

Memorable: Flight for Memeself

A while back my buddy Brad_Again showed my this video and I've always found it very beautiful. Many of his online handles incorporated some variation of "Commander Kiwi" and apparently, this is why. I believe he relates to the kiwi, and to be honest, shouldn't we all?


Tuesday, January 24, 2012

GM Questionnaire

I think some of you may already be familiar with D&D With Porn Stars, either because you now read it, saw "I Hit it With My Axe," or I've mentioned it before. Mr. Sabbath has once more inadvertently assisted me in my endeavors to throw my mind thinkings into the void that is the interwebs with this cool RPG questionnaire. Let us jump right in . . . 

Pathfinder Part 2: the Beginner Box! @ S.G.I.S.Con 6

GM Questionnaire

Repost and answer. Or, if you don't have a blog, answer in the comments. Or be a big rebel and do neither.


1. If you had to pick a single invention in a game you were most proud of what would it be?
I can't think of any one thing I am super proud of. Mostly little things like magical items for my own characters or for the players, well laid out zones (cities/dungeons/castles). I guess it's the little things.

2. When was the last time you GMed?
Sunday night the 15th.

3. When was the last time you played?
Saturday night the 14th kinda. Sunday the 8th a full game.

4. Give us a one-sentence pitch for an adventure you haven't run but would like to.
The blood bags believe its over before 2013, you've begun to suspect your elders don't disagree, ready to travel south of the border to find the truth?

5. What do you do while you wait for players to do things?
Look up creature < double check creature < come up with encounter < double check encounter < Listen to the players complain/gripe/plot/give me ideas for what terrible things could be around that corner/in that hole/the npc could do to them.

6. What, if anything, do you eat while you play?
chips, candy, pizza, burgers, burrito's, pesto on non bread, anything & everything.

7. Do you find GMing physically exhausting? 
I didn't used to, but now that I put much more work into pre-planning, somehow, yes. But of course, as soon as everyone leaves, I am wired and cant go to bed till an hour or more later.

8. What was the last interesting (to you, anyway) thing you remember a PC you were running doing?
As another player's Eidelon(perma-summoned familiar/combat pet) I was a dub-step sparkle bear who spoke all the same languages the summoner did. When asked what my deal was we would say "waiting for the drop."
More seriously, my Shadow-spec Sorcerer developed a spell based off Peter Pan losing his shadow. "peter's Foley" separates the shadow from the target and they take Perma-Con damage until the shadow is re-attached, can only be done with a needle & thread or soap. Shadow attempts to get to the Shadow plan by any means.
9. Do your players take your serious setting and make it unserious? Vice versa? Neither?
Both, we are often very self aware of the ridiculousness of the worlds and it's usually a sign of accomplishment, as in a dedication to the story, when we are not cracking jokes or keeping it light.

10. What do you do with goblins?
play, slay, lay, punch, befriend, get healed by them. It all depends on the situation, game, diplomacy.

11. What was the last non-RPG thing you saw that you converted into game material (background, setting, trap, etc.)?
Dubstep as a cultural starting point? Peter Pan for sinister shadow spells? The 2012 apocalypse as an entire campaign arc? Everything is fair game. 

12. What's the funniest table moment you can remember right now?
My cousin Steve and his friend Mike were hanging out and Mike was watching some documentary on Discovery about Wolves. Steve was Dming a game later that night, Mike was one of the players that evening, he was a Dwarven Warrior with a hatred of Trolls. The party was high level and rolling through every combat Steve through at them, so He threw an army of trolls at them which surrounded the party. The lead troll stepped up and said, "I am Krukta, chief. What you do here?" Steve then asked, "what do you do?" Mike, "I fuck him." Steve, "what?!?" Mike, "well, the manual says trolls have similar tribal structure as wolf packs, and we were watching Discovery and THEY said, if you can fuck the leader and get away with it, you become the new leader . . . so, I fuck the leader." "Fine," says Steve, "roll to grapple." Mike crits his grapple check, then "controls the pin" and Steve is so amused at this point says, "5% chance you create a new race of 'drolls' " then rolls a 97. So the rest of trolls are very confused about this dwarf having his way with their chieftain and all they can muster is "do we help? maybe it Krukta new friend? He like?" But, its not all droll secret service and an army of trolls at your command. Krukta then followed the party as a cohort/nag board for Mike's dwarf for a few months straight.

13. What was the last game book you looked at--aside from things you referenced in a game--why were you looking at it?
Pathfinder Inner Sea World Guide & Pathfinder Tales Novels. I am a sucker for getting immersed in settings and lore. 

14. Who's your idea of the perfect RPG illustrator?
I want all styles as different flavors add different flair and tones to settings/sessions/worlds. It would be like saying I have a favorite type of music, it really is variable.

15. Does your game ever make your players genuinely afraid?
I don't think I've ever made my players spooked scared(in a horror sense) and I'm not sure I've ever made them fear for their characters lives, but I do know that they know, I will not hesitate to throw something on them that will drop their characters.

16. What was the best time you ever had running an adventure you didn't write? (If ever)
I have a good time running most modules. I have not done it much, but have enjoyed the handful I've actually thrown at my players. I've run them multiple times for different groups as well. 

17. What would be the ideal physical set up to run a game in?
That's a tough one because I'm theatre person and would LOVE to have a location for each game that fit the setting, with lighting and sound effects, anything and everything to immerse the players. That said, all I really need is a group, wherever, whenever, lets roll.

18. If you had to think of the two most disparate games or game products that you like what would they be?
I would say I'm kind of bland on this question but, White Wolf: World of Darkness and Paizo's Pathfinder

19. If you had to think of the most disparate influences overall on your game, what would they be?
Shameless internet Meme references, deep literary inspirations, and even cultural influences from arabia to zanzabar, the long way around.

20. As a GM, what kind of player do you want at your table?
One's that show up and will fight for the spotlight for an equal amount of time proportionate to how many participants there are. 4 players, one GM? A fifth of the time, whether it be deep RP, skill check silliness, or just rolling through creeps in a combat.

21. What's a real life experience you've translated into game terms?
All sorts of goofy little things. One of the biggest though is an additional rank of non-magical high quality items to simulate truly exceptional craftsmen. Beyond Masterwork are, in ascending order, Masrtercraft & Masterpeice. Somewhat to denote exceptional forges or even artists of crafts, such as the mythical western smiths or the revered blade artists of the east.

22. Is there an RPG product that you wish existed but doesn't?
Not really, there are so many products out that I still haven't dug my teeth into and want to, that adding more would only frustrate me.

23. Is there anyone you know who you talk about RPGs with who doesn't play? How do those conversations go?
Not on a regular basis as my S.O. plays and most of the people I talk to about it DO play. But even some of them who don't are geeks in other ways (gamers, anime kids, fantasy enthusiasts) so they usually understand everything I'm talking about. I'm not sure if this is entirely a blessing as I would like some fresh perspective sometimes, but then again, when I talk to my father-in-law about it, it becomes stilted and I have to use obtuse examples using mainstream games such as Monopoly and  blockbuster movies like LOTR, to explain what I'm going on about.

Saturday, January 21, 2012

Busy H47

As opposed to my normal excuses as to why I have not kept my vaguely normal schedule, this time it is because I have been busy (normal excuse, I know) running around doing errands, getting Fight directing gigs lined up, and moving stuff back and forth around my room because we will have to pull all our stuff out of our room to get the carpets redone from the busted water heater.

I honestly have several posts lined up, ready to be rumbled, and hopefully, I can take Monday night to crack a few out and schedule them for you.

Some thoughts, lots of vids, WoW blathering, and some nerdy music, thanks for sticking with me.

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

"Arrested"

I have no doubt that if SOPA or PIPA were to be implemented my entire presence on the internet would be deemed in violation of federal law and would make a criminal on a national government level. Most likely all of my favorite sites and dear friends would also be deemed unlawful elements on the world wide web.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/technology/2012/01/sopa-blackout-sopa-and-pipa-lose-three-co-sponsors-in-congress.html

http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/news/2012/01/under-voter-pressure-members-of-congress-backpedal-on-sopa.ars

http://gizmodo.com/5877000/what-is-sopa

Contact your congressperson, talk about it, spread the word. Do more than go camping in a public park, and as always, vote!

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Shopping & Some Guidelines

MRE's!! "Meals Rejected by Ethiopians?" Yup. "But why, h47, why? Didn't you get a ton of fast food gift cards for Christmas? Don't you have a job so you can buy food?" Supposedly, but I was gonna be in SoCal, and as it so happened, getting thrashed about for 8 hours plus everyday, as well as starting at the grossly (to me) early hour of 8:30 AM can really restrict your ability to pop out and grab a bite when you have NO IDEA whats around and are tired enough to go to bed at 8 pm.
So! In my planning, I had no idea how much spare cash I would have, nor what food options there would be, and I have been brainstorming new ideas for Con foodstuffs as well and came back to all my old scout/JROTC/camp days and remembered these meals in bags that "don't go bad." Shortly thereafter, my research began!

I highly recommend MRE Depot (as of this posting, the site seems to be down but it's often one of the first hits on Google, even on multiple test searches from other boxes) as a resource as well as the wiki. And, if you don't have a friend in the military who's willing to buy a bunch at their commissary/PX/BX/NEX/whateva it's called, or if you don't wish to brave the questionably legal and safe Ebay auctions, there are many civilian options that are almost exactly identical. I was lucky enough to catch a Knapp on his way home and he supplied me with a batch, BUT if your in SJ and need some E-prep meals, there is a couple resources.

Steven's Creek Surplus $104 (taxes?) No shipping. local business, please buy there as they have a bunch of stuff I'm not entirely sure where else to get them for less than "custom" prices. Specifically, good boots, dickies gear AND . . . . . HATS! That's right, fuckin "mad hatter" style top hats for like, 30-60 bucks, I almost bought one then and there, but I'm waiting till the end of Jan for my B-day to go by in case I get some extra cash.

In semi-related "grr, me man, me like smash & survival" news, I also want a Strider knife. Specifically an XL AND a PT. An XL (which are "custom only" effectively) because I have an obsession with HUGE blades, I mean, have you read this post?

I want the PT  . . .
For more pics clicky!
 so I know I have a knife that's okay anywhere and everywhere no matter what I'm doing.*

*Reference: I am NOT a lawyer nor do I pretend to give advice when it comes to legal matters, but what I HAVE FOUND, FOR MYSELF, in my own research into knife laws & regulations is that there is no length limit in California for fixed blades or folders, BUT many counties, and sometimes cities, have specific situational limits, and most of them seem to bottom out at the 3inch length limit for folders. Hence, my desire for a small pocket knife that I KNOW I can brutalize that is still very awesome.
If you think this information is incorrect, I don't care, write about it on your blog, I don't want this to be a debate about blade regulations, I'm simply laying out these guidelines that I follow and that give me an excuse to buy more knives, heh.

Saturday, January 7, 2012

S.G.I.S. 6 REG!

It's ON!

Hatein on Paypal because of the Regetsy thing? GOOD! Gimme the money in person, mail me a check, take it to my folks. NO EXCUSES!

I watched CAMP("sequel" to fame), Camp Nowhere, Meatballs, and Addams Family Values(due to thanksgiving, love the turkey day scene). And it doesn't stop there! No horror movies for me, but you can enjoy them if you like. And also, got me some musical inspiration from Mr. Gambino's latest album
and tour.

As of Today I have 8 people total payed up, and I'm confident 3 more after tonight, thats almost half the spots available and I have almost half a dozen more who have said "they're coming" but just need to get me the cash, so get on it.

As I may have mentioned elsewhere,  although I may not get my fancy campfire sing-a-longs, arts & crafts, or and end of camp -athalon, what I DO want is to play some Pathfinder Society, so if anyone feels like stepping up and running an adventure path, a module, or even a Beginner Box Bash, please let me know, because if I don't hear from anyone about it, I will set one up myself. No pressure, I would love to set it up and run it myself, just letting you know.

Also, I have been working on changing up the menu for this year, and yes, I am aware we have certain dietary requests so I will try to bring along substitutions or alternatives, Please let me know ASAP if you have issue with the proposed NEW menu as it is flexible and not yet set.
B-fast: cereal, pancakes, egg, bacon, sausage (usual)
Lunch: (usual) sandwich stuffs, ham, turkey, cheese, PB&J, chips
Dinners: STEW! (potentially soups as well & bread bowls, funds permitting, def w/bread if not & salad)
Potato Boats! DIY with sour cream, chili (vegitarian and "con carne"), cheese, chives, butter, etc. again with the salad!
HOT DOGS!! (soy & hebrew national if I get my way) again with fixin's similar to the potato boats

So, ONE WEEK!!! GIMME YO MONEY!! We're going to CAMP!

Where U at, h47?

And what's with all the "urban" style post titles? Well, they're quick and I feel they accurately portray the hectic lifestyle I have come across the last three weeks. Worry not H47ites, I am working on a fore-log of my usual droll and drivel to keep this site chok full of the usual vitriol and fan-fawning we've come accustomed to.
Now, why have my post suddenly gone more erratic than usual and not even weekly as has been in the past? well, I will tell you.

After working retail during holidays, which is a pain, anyone who's done it can tell you, I spent a week in So-Cal getting schooled in the myriad of ways of simulated violence for stage & screen, as my previous post informed.
Then, when I got home, I was greeted by a disgruntled cat who had apparently grown rather fond of me and acted out in protest to my absence by peeing everywhere. In between returning to work and a trip to the vet, several cleaning bouts were needed immediately.
With no rest for the wicked, last night, AFTER Theatreg33k/t1nk's callback for Sylvia,

we drove over the hill to a Lords of Ancient Sin meet up hosted by my "brother from another mother" Moose, which included a lovely dinner and blatant sexual advances from and to anyone and everyone who wished to utter "your mom."

I am currently suffereing from D&D withdrawals but I should be able to remedy that tonight as my regularly scheduled table top gaming should resume this week. As should our normal schedule of posts beginning next Tues, as well as a 3rd 4 t3h Nrrd for Jan. and I will do my best to include something else Nerdy & musical to make up for a lack of Nerdcore from last month. I have plenty stewing in my drafts, I merely need to distill them for presentation. I hope you can contain yourselves until then. Thank you all again for your patience and understanding . . . and if not, well, go away then.