Kjeldorn's page

Well. That was fun. Just got carjacked at gunpoint in a public place.

I hate Memphis.

Glad your allright Syrus (minus the wrap across the knuckles), and hope you either get your car back ,if its in a drivable condition, or find a replacement quickly (and cheaply).

Has it been 18 years already! Wow, that went by quick!

*Waddles by Cap's place to drop off a belated 'congratulations'*

Mom called crying - the kitty old cat that adopted my parents not long after I returned from UK died today :(

He was a sweet, friendly (if clearly old) grey fellow which was often welcoming me when I was going out to work or returning from work, as he was living in a box in the front of the house then.

*Sends hugs to Drejk's mother (and Drejk)*

…

*Also sends his regards and thoughts to anyone he might have missed or have troubles of their own here on FaWtL*

Thanks well-wishes everyone.
Your thoughts, hugs and encouragements are appreciated.

*Sends a 'thank you' back-pat to NH & co. before returning John's man-hug and sharing a couple of glasses of that premium whiskey with him*

Oh, and a belated happy b-day to you Vany (and everyone else who I've forgotten about, as I haven't really been keeping up with the goings on here).

Been gone a while...Mostly cause s#~#, life and bad luck happens.
So I'm not really going to try to keep up with all that's happened around here as well it really seems a hassle for me in a period where my mental resources, health and mood isn't really in any kind of top form.

In stead of boring and bumming you out with the how's and why's of my current condition. I'm wanna say I'm sorry - especially to NH and family - That I can't be around here or meet and greet you guys'n'gals in Copenhagen.
I just can't, as I would feel more like a burden by trying to tag along while I'm hobbling around as badly as I am currently, not to get in to the exhausted, moody and depressed mindscape I'm in. If I'm going to show up to meet any FaWtLer's I want to be at least presentable, open and somewhat cheery (with the last part being particularly difficult as I'm likely to spout of fairly controversial, inappropriate or heterodox opinions or positions when discussing weighty or sensitive topics - ie politics, religion or social issues*).

*Despite drawing ever closer to 40, I'm still as of much an contrarian, anti authoritarian 'edgy boy' as I was 10-15 years ago.

Woran wrote:

Cover Turtle wrote:

Woran wrote:

Braaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaains

*Offers up his turtle-head for Woran to nipple on*

*munch munch munch*

I'm normally not one to go English teacher on people for whom English is not their first language.

I just have to say that the word you're looking for is "nibble". "Nipple" is completely different.

*Puts on glasses and squints at his screen*

Hi, Kjel!

*Waves "Hello" belatedly late to John*

About to clock out. Good night, everyone.

Nighty-Night John.

...For the 2018 tax year, including the massive tax increase Californians suffered, my net tax rates were 17.95% of my gross income (and that's an increase of almost 5% over the prior year). <Expletives about the current administration deleted>

I just cashed out some stock options, and they withheld at the "full rate" (what I'd pay without deductions, exemptions, or the like): 41.94%. Ouch!...

So...

Seriously though, I don't really mind paying that much. All the things. healthcare, education and so on, we have offered up here either free or government-subsidized are well worth it.
Unfortunately with them comes quite complex and expensive bureaucratic systems (especially when you consider we're only around 5.75 mil. ppl. up here), that need near constant trimming, evaluation and restructuring (which again cost more money) to function at an adequate degree of efficiency.

Oh, quick question for the European FaWtLers: Is tipping officially dead in Europe?

That's the travel advice we 'Merikuns are given, so I don't plan on tipping anyone, but are there still areas where you're expected to tip?

(Personally, I'd love to see tipping abolished worldwide, so Europe's lead makes me happy, but I figure I'd better double-check with people who actually, y'know, live there instead of relying on advice from the interwebs.)

Up here in fairy-tale Denmark tipping is mostly considered dead.

Drejk wrote:

lisamarlene wrote:

When it dropped from upper 90s to upper 80s here yesterday, it felt almost cool. I made borscht.

Beetroot one? Or white?

Beet. They looked so good at the market, I couldn't resist.

*Makes a blegh-face, and scuttles off*

lisamarlene wrote:

Drejk wrote:

lisamarlene wrote:

When it dropped from upper 90s to upper 80s here yesterday, it felt almost cool. I made borscht.

Beetroot one? Or white?

Beet. They looked so good at the market, I couldn't resist.

Marry me

*Sniffles and sheds a tear, due to not being able to marry either Woran or LM*

*…*

*Secretly shoves turtle-adoption forms into both LM and Worans mailboxes*

Heading out at stupid o'clock on Tuesday morning for the drive down to Texas for the funeral. Piling me, mom, sister, BIL, and all four dogs into the parents' RV.

*Gives Orthos a back-pat and wishes him as nice a trip as sone such as this, under these circumstances, can be.*

I have that with asparagus. Just the smell of the stuff cooking makes me nauseous.

*Nods rigorously*

Warning: rather bad language. That said, this is so daggum true about things like PF and SF.

*Gives turtle seal of approval*

Humanity at its finest :P

Grr... It's hard to describe just how frustrating it is to actually encounter an "old age" thing.

So on Wednesday I cleared the storage facility and closed it out, and when I woke up Thursday morning the right side of my back was sore. It didn't matter; there was work to do, so I ibuprofened my way through it on Thursday and Friday.

Well, I didn't do *anything* physical on Saturday or Sunday (other than fairly typical walking and stretching) and the right side of my back is still sore.

So yep, pulled/strained a muscle and it'll probably take weeks to heal, putting me as "annoyingly sore" going into the Europe trip.

Impus Major will never learn of this. He would be insufferably smug.

EDIT: According to Google, I've strained my Latissimus dorsi m., which helps my understanding not at all.

*Waddles by NH's house to gift him a brand new cane, blanket and a rocking chair. Then proceeds to waddle around in one of his flowerbeds, so NH can train his Oldman yelling and cane shaking*

Oh update btw. I am having my gall bladder cut out next Thursday (not tomorrow but the next one.) Said it was minimal risk and recovery time would be short. So that's good anyways.

*Pats Vids stomach and gives his best hopes and encouragements for when you get under the knife*

So, since I'm waiting for a meeting and tomorrow will likely be extraordinarily busy for me,

** spoiler omitted **...

*Gives NH a shoulder pat*

Might give my own two cents on this subject later this week, if I can find the energy, will-power and cleared headedness.
Never the less, You have found your way out of your dependency, so whatever social-foibles other have about not drink seems of minor importance, if still an annoyance.

Kinda overdid it today. But (some) things got (mostly) done, kinda! So....that's.....something..... *sigh* Adulting is hard. :P

Anyhow, thanks for looking out for me, LM. Yesterday was rough and a PTSD episode would not have helped. <3

*Waddles by Lyn's place to offer her a small piece of othello cake, a cup of coffee and some snuggles + reassuring pats on her forearm*

Without getting into the nitty-gritty...

Until the [redacted for lengthy and descriptive creative swearing] insurance company authorizes the MRI, we won't know what has actually happened with her knee. Could just need ice and elevation and compression, or she could need surgery.

Healthcare in the US at its finest.

** spoiler omitted **

*Offers up a reassuring pat for Aiymi, an extra ice-pack for her knee and hisses in frustration at her insurance provider*

Long story short, friend had a suspicious lump found during a check up. Lots of fretting and an MRI later, it turns out to be a cyst. Not fun, but a gazillion times better then cancer.

Huge relief.

*Claps turtle-feet together in relief*

I want to know why a self-respecting, able-bodied teenager isn't able to pop out a screen, jimmy a window, and shinny themself in. That's what I would have done at his age.

*Looks quite guilty*

I might have done a bit of jimmy-ing open windows in my youth…
…
And a few times those window weren't on the house were I lived…So yea, lets just say that, when I was younger I didn't have a very well developed sense of boundaries, both material and personal.
(In fact still struggling with the personal aspect, but that's for another time).

Also,

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, NOBODY!

Happy b-day NH.

The only thing that sucks more than the bad news is the waiting.

*Waddles by Ortho's place to give his condolences and offers a hug and a back-pat*

There is a FAWTL steam group. Everyone interested feel free to join.

*Notes down*

Might hopefully turn up here...if I can get my act together ^^'

This story's for Freehold. Maybe.

So yesterday on the way to Mrs Sunrise's birthday escape room event, she wanted coffee. So when we saw a sign for "Bikini Beans Coffee," she said "Oh good, let's stop there." The sign should have been a clue, but neither of us thought anything of it. We pull up to the beachcomber style coffee stand, and out walks a 120-pounds-soaking-wet 20-something in a bikini to take our order.

Mrs Sunrise's comment to me: I guess it's your birthday too!

Belated happy b-day to Mrs Sunrise!

Also, f&@* cancer.

*Waddles by Worna's house with a bundle tied to his shell and knocks on her door*

*Offers up bundle content - an orthello cake, a snifter of nice rum and some liquorice*

*Also snuggles up besides Woran, giving her a sympathetic look while listening to her intently and offering her hugs or reassuring pats on her forearm*

Still around.
Not much have happened up here North, other then the parliamentary (general) election yesterday…turned out alright, if with the usual Danish contrarianism in copious amounts.
Otherwise…
Well I'm still not really on top emotionally, but I'm waddling along as best I can. Also there's the heat and my allergies, but that's in the small frys department.
…
So in general I'm mostly sigh-ish I guess...

Oh and congrats with the anniversary LM + a happy b-day to Zelda!

WW and I took the kids fishing all afternoon and now I'm cooking Thai red curry chicken over the camp stove.

*Mopes and grumbles*

Missing out on those nice things…
Camping.
Fishing.
Curry chicken.
LM's company… :p

I am fierce tired today.

** spoiler omitted **

Hope the little guy gets his rest/relaxation system cleared up soon.

LordSynos wrote:

Woran wrote:

I hope he adjust quickly LordSynos

Thanks Woran. :) Me too. :D

I hope you're keeping well, and having a good one so far. :) Any strange?

Still a bit emotional. I had a serious cry during the weekend, but sometimes you just need a good cry.

EDIT: After googling what 'strange' means in slang, no, no strange :P

*Bundles up some of his favorite 'Weeping music', a comfy blanket, some tissues and a buttload of booze so its ready for transport/usage*

As a fellow weeper and emotional wreck I would gladly keep you company for another emotional roller-coaster...

*Send nuzzles and hugs*

Cancer f~~@ing sucks.

*Waddles by Orthos' place, looks in on him and offers up a hug and a back pat*

Hi, everyone. Well, today was interesting. Wednesday's storms knocked sticks from a nearby dead tree onto an access road that I sometimes walk on. Knees, meet broken asphalt pavement. I got moderate scrapes on both knees, and I hurt my right index finger. But I don't think it's broken.

*Heads North to look in on John too, dragging along an ice-pack and some Scotch to dull the pain*

My skeleton is fully intact as well. Bravo gentlemen.

This turtle has been rather unlucky in that department…

Urgh…

Still alive (somewhat at least).
Also still not quite on the up and up yet. It's the same depressive junk that's haunting me still, so I don't wanna stir around in it any more, as you guy know the drill by now...I'm just tired and sick of it all.
Everything said though I still got my ass dragged down to do my civic duty today, and cast my vote for the European parliament election(s).

...

Unfortunately, the game system and its various iterations are INCREDIBLY difficult to learn…

...as the game systems for each class were very far removed from each other...

...Also as time went on, starting money became increasingly important in game, to the point that people would ignore stats to buy things...

I love Shadowrun, but I wholeheartedly agree with these assessments.

Also, some social justice issues rising in the game resulted in some problems at some tables, primarily with ghouls being considered a sentient race, and orcs(and occasionally trolls) becoming the black people of the game via their struggle for equal rights, and orcsploitation films entering prominence(which is weird to me, considering Neil The Orc Barbarian was a LONG RUNNING(30 years old at this point!) joke, and the idea of Elf/Orc/Troll Poser as a background for characters(at least late 4th/5th ed pointed out you are going to likely get your ass kicked by the respective races in game, similar to white kids trying to act hood and getting openly mocked by people from the hood irl)...

Not good at discussing these things, but even I could see the parallels between meta-human/human racism, cultural issues and expressions in Shadowrun and, well, the historical/modern US...

(Though I started playing in 4th/5th ed. so I can't really speak to the portrayal in the editions before that, i'm afraid to say.)

6th ed is running on/selling simplicity as its main draw, which has me very interested in it...

I guess we will see what happens....

Probably a smart idea…as it could do with being a bit more learning/teaching friendly.

Well, GothBard put it really well: In Strange Aeons it's not being Lawful that's the problem. You're traveling down a river and you develop a relationship with the captain and her crew. Then you're asked, "Do you want to attack this government official carrying out his or her officially-sanctioned duty?"

And for players who actually think about the consequences of their actions, they say, "Heck, no! We could easily win this fight this time, but the next time our captain comes down this river she's going to be hosed if we do that."

My players actually think like that. "If we do this, how will it negatively impact the NPCs with whom we're traveling?"

I love them for it, but man, does it mess up this AP...

I vote for trashing Alignment in favour for instructing players in a form of 'in-world consequentialism'...

*Kicks the 'Alignment' dead horse*

So this is fun:

Yesterday, WW and I met with the director of my school (my boss, but also Teensy Valeros's principal) to discuss his transition to first grade next year. She dropped a bomb on us: we can only re-enroll him if we get him on ADHD medication over the summer.
The only problem being, the kids and I were supposed to leave Dallas on June 19th, and not be back until a week before school starts.
Now I have no idea how in the world I am going to find a new pediatrician, get him on medication, and still take the children to visit my family this summer. Because, no, it doesn't make sense to get a pediatrician in Oregon, and no, not going to Oregon is not an option. And no, taking him out of the school is not an option, either.
F**k.

*Waddles in and huggles LM*

Hope you find a workable solution LM...

ADHD meds can be both a blessing and a curse.

Ive had friends quit them, because they didnt feel like themselves anymore.
Ive had friends in tear, being so happy, since they finally had some peace and quiet in their heads after years.

Too true Woran…

Where is h*** exactly?

On the Moon...

that's what we are here for. I hope things turn around for you. It's not long ago I was where you are now.

+

It's good to say that you're not doing well when you aren't. It's not a competition for who has it worst. You're feeling not so great and those feelings are real and valid and you don't have to apologize for having them. Sometimes the brain weasels get out of hand and you need a little help remembering that you're not bad and everything else won't be bad forever even if it's bad right now. *hugs*

I'm not very good at talking about these things, nor at I good at finding the right word to show appreciation. So I'm afraid that this is about the best I can do, without spending days trying to wrapping my head around how to make things sound all good and proper... ^^'

Thank you very much to both of you Freehold and Lyn.

*Sends hugs'n'thank-you's*

I am 40 today, a nice round number, and also the only age I'm likely to reach which rhymes with the word 'snorty'

Happy 4th decade Limey.

Kjeldorn wrote:

I'm hesitant to say I'm doing 'really badly' as there are people here who are having a rawer deal currently…and I don't want to overshadow that in any way.
But No, I'm don't doing so well currently. It's a bit of everything, mentally and emotionally I'm spent and raw, been feeling lonely and missing companionship and life/work has been letting me down lately.

*lots of hugs*

*Returns many hugs to Woran and sends added thanks and wellwishes*

Forbidden Lands Review

Thanks for the review Drejk. Might take a look at it next time I've got money to burn.

RIP Jack. You were a good boy, a good cat, and a good friend. I will miss my foot cat.

Poor kitty…

*Sends backpats'n'hugs*

It must have been either a Golden Delicious or a Granny Smith apple.

Hi, Kjel. You doing okay?

I'm hesitant to say I'm doing 'really badly' as there are people here who are having a rawer deal currently…and I don't want to overshadow that in any way.

Cover Turtle wrote:

Blegh…

Hugs for turtle

*Returns hugs and adds nuzzles*

Cover Turtle wrote:

Blegh'n'stuff...

Damn, why didn't they send the nuns instead?

I am no AP critic since I don't even write myself, so I would have no idea on how to critique an AP.

Nuns huh…

As for being a critic...Sure you are! You've pointed out stuff in AP's that you're critical of before, so you're kind of already a 'critic' ^^

Cover Turtle wrote:

... I've found other products, by other companies, that cater better to my particular twisted tastes and likes...

Out of curiosity, since Scint and I are looking to get into the adventure-writing business, what are those products and companies?

Sure.

Fria Ligan (Free League) - Symbaroum

Chaosium Inc. - RuneQuest Glorantha

Cubicle Seven - Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 4th ed (and the previous 2nd ed by Black Library/Fantasy Flight Games)

Schwalb Entertainment - Shadow of the Demon Lord

Modiphius Entertainment - Conan: Adenventures in an Age undreamed of

Honourable mentions goes to: Catalyst Game Labs - Shadowrun 5th ed

If you would want to know, I could also try and explain what it was that caught my eye to these particular products if you want to / think it could be helpful to your future endeavours Orthos?.

Blegh…

I know I haven't been around here much lately and the reason are myriad and many, though it has at least some to do with me feeling really moody, wretched and sickly as of late. Also been having bouts of loneliness and been thirsting for intimacy...which isn't easily curable when you just mostly want to withdraw into your shell at the same time. But its is what it is I guess.
Sigh...
So I'm sorry for what I've missed...birthdays, long awaited returns (Yay! Lyn!) and a bunch of other stuff.

The other reasons include a waning interest(and growing disappointment) in Paizo's stuff* - both in general and in particular - as I've found other products, by other companies, that cater better to my particular twisted tastes and likes...and while it hard to articulate properly - the why's and how's - I just don't find the stuff put out by Paizo that fun anymore. It feels somehow bereft of some of the experimentation, 'edge' and 'wonder' from the first many years worth of products have slowly bleed away for a more streamline, tight and 'mechanically good' formula.
(Yes, I know this is opinion/taste territory...and for all I know maybe that 'wonder' is still there, just in the Starfinder line of stuff…that's just not my ballpark...yet at least)

* Some of it has also been brought up here in this thread before…stuff like printing quality.

Not much have happened up here North.
Mostly been working my butt off, when I'm not down in the dumps.
Its election time up here, so that's the talk of the country, and its bringing all the usual kooky characters out of the woodworks from your run-of-the-mill dirty hippie lefties to your nutty book-burning far right-wing populists.

Hmmm can't come up with a creature with that exact ability, though it might be out there as my knowledge of creatures isn't that good…

Though I'll drop a few fiends that might have 'themes' that are peripherally related to what your looking for:

Demons -> Vilsteth (probably the closest match to what your looking for), Lilitu

Devils -> Apostate Devil (Deimavigga), Nemesis Devil (Advodaza)

Asura -> Nikaramsa, Japalisura

Hush. Its impolite to speak with your mouth full. Looks like I have to teach you some manners.

*Translated from gag-speak*

Yes Mistress! Sorry Mistress!

- Seriously though Woran, you're such a good sport for playing along...I'm kind of envious of Mr. T ^^' -

Freehold DM wrote:

Just a Mort wrote:

Woran wrote:

Kjeldorn wrote:

Woran wrote:

Kjeldorn wrote:

Woran wrote:

Used tie rips to tie my collegue to his chair.

Because he said I wouldnt do it.

Huh...

So...

*Digs through his stuff for 'bondage 101', some rope, a gag-ball and some lube*

"You clearly wouldn't dare…"

Sit down. I promise this wont hurt.

*Translated from gag-speak*

"Can I do you (bondage-wise) afterwards Mistress Woran?..."

*Gives Woran big wet puppy-eyes*

Hush. Its impolite to speak with your mouth full. Looks like I have to teach you some manners.

*Does not know to laugh or to cry*

I enjoy having a front row seat to the corruption of mort.

Sad to say the dark side won... So...

*passes Woran a whip*

*Translated from gag-speak*

Maybe Mistress could take on Mort kitty as an apprentice?
Show her the ropes so to speak...

Hi, everyone!

*Waves to John*

I would like to just say I think broccoli is delicious.

Meh…

Y'all remember a couple of months ago when Whingey Wizzard had three levels of interviews for a job with a company that he really wanted to work for, and they told him at the final interview that they really wanted him, and then they picked someone else for the job?

About a week and a half ago, they called him and said, "Yeah, so we're sorry about that, but we have this OTHER position open up, and we'd like you to resubmit your materials for this one. Oh, and btw, it's director-level."

So the interview is this morning at 9:00.

If it goes well, second-round interviews will be Monday, and whoever they pick will start May 1st.

Part of me is pissed off because I'm just assuming he won't get it and they're just d**king us around again.

But the job really is kinda right for him.

I don't want to get my hopes up again. But, geez, this would change EVERYTHING.

*Crosses fingers and toes for WW*

Let hope for the best LM, though I can understand your reluctance to doing so.

*Sends LM a hug and a back-pat*

For COMPANIONSHIP. The horses were just for companionship. Sheesh.

And good companionship they usually give...I do love my horsey nuzzles and kisses.

Kjeldorn wrote:

Woran wrote:

Used tie rips to tie my collegue to his chair.

Because he said I wouldnt do it.

Huh...

So...

*Digs through his stuff for 'bondage 101', some rope, a gag-ball and some lube*

"You clearly wouldn't dare…"

Sit down. I promise this wont hurt.

*Translated from gag-speak*

"Can I do you (bondage-wise) afterwards Mistress Woran?..."

*Gives Woran big wet puppy-eyes*

Just a Mort wrote:

Woran wrote:

Kjeldorn wrote:

Woran wrote:

Used tie rips to tie my collegue to his chair.

Because he said I wouldnt do it.

Huh...

So...

*Digs through his stuff for 'bondage 101', some rope, a gag-ball and some lube*

"You clearly wouldn't dare…"

Sit dont. I promise this wont hurt.

It wouldn't hurt Woran =P

Kjeldorn...I'm not so sure ^^

I think he'd be disappointed if it didnt...

I kind of have a fairly low pain-threshold, even given the fact that I have a rather rough and tumble job were bruises and scrapes are a daily occurrence.

If my recording is correct, today is day 666 of my sobriety.

Seems like an appropriate day to fall to temptation if there ever was one! :-P

Congratulation!

Aren't the Hounds of Tindalos the ones that police time? I may be misremembering.

Yea, I remember something about them being attracted to (or rather hunting) people who have crossed or peered into time...

Well, Mom's surgery has been postponed at least a week. Her platelet count was too low. It was 72k and they want it over 100k.

Damn…

Mom will be going in for her surgery on Wednesday of next week. I am taking all of next week off and I might have to take off some of the week after. I will be trying to get her affairs in order just in case the worse happens, but I don't think it will come to that. I will probably not be on the boards much next week, but I will make sure to keep you all informed as to what goes on with her.

*Crosses finger and toe, while sending well wishes*

I hope your mother once again proves to be one tough cookie and comes out on top again.

I love naps. I wish I could take a power nap at work.
And you can have all the digital cake I can send you. I doubt it will be tasty after I have send it trough the mail.

I'm something of a nap-ster too.

Used tie rips to tie my collegue to his chair.

Because he said I wouldnt do it.

Huh...

*Digs through his stuff for 'bondage 101', some rope, a gag-ball and some lube*

"You clearly wouldn't dare…"

Lisamarlene's dream car:

...
And a Gilera Saturno, any model year from the mid-50's to mid 60's.
...

A woman of refinement and taste I see.

I would love to get my hands on an old 40's or early 50's military motorcycle, something like a Zündapp KS 750 with no sidecar or maybe a Indian 841...
But the chances of one of those in a working condition, outside of private collections or museums, within anything near affordability is slim to none.

...I think they should be the story of the good guys reforming the Empire back to a representative democracy and all the trials that will entail.

'Cause clearly Luke and Leaia failed that task royally, else episodes VII to IX would be very different. My friend thinks the Empire just has too many governor Tarquins and whatever, and I think that defeating them -- by politics or by war -- would make a good gritty story.

"I always believed that if we could just free people from the iron boots of the Sith, people would welcome the Republic back with open arms...but this "Make the Galaxy Great Again" campaign and its popularity has me doubting the very foundation of democracy and the Jedi Order."

Could be a fine story, though as in most stories (and settings) its about the nitty-gritty details of 'how, where and when'. It could be done potentially in both a boring and an interesting manner depending mostly on, well, your particular taste in plots.

Republics have a terrible track record in the Star wars universe.
A hell of lot of stories in that universe so far seems to be about how 'republics' in various forms (Old Republic, the Galactic Republic, The New Republic and so on) buckle under for corruption from both within and without (oh and gets beaten in various wars), to be replaced by various types of authoritarian rule.

So seeing it the other way around could, for once, very well be interesting.

Me up the wall!

Wall in perspective

*Puts his hand over his eyes*

Urhhh!!!
That sure is up high!

*Peeks through his hands*

That cat-butt though...

Breast stroke.... giggity.

Tsks...

You don't stroke breasts.
Its more of a soft kneading-like movement ^^'

...The UK fantasy roleplaying scene had an interesting grunge/punk/HM edge to its aesthetic which I don't think you had in the US (though I may be wrong about that), as well as lots of crappy childish humour, which is something I enjoy very much.

Someone (I can't remember who) described British RPGs as being 'simultaneously more whimsical and grittier' than US ones, and I kind of agree with that - that's certainly the impression I get when looking at these mags, and at systems like WFRP.

Interesting Limey.

Since you're a bit of a fan of the genre, have you had a look at the 2d20 John Carter of Mars RPG (released through Modiphius I think) yet?

Hi, everyone! This year's Tekko has been memorable. I received a 5-year volunteer plaque in appreciation for all the hard work I've done. And I was voted the MVP for the Manga Library. Photos of both will be posted soon.

Great to hear John, I'm glad that the convention turned out much better then you first feared. You clearly deserve to be recognized and appreciated, which I'm glad to see have happened, at least somewhat.

*Sends a man-hug and a glass of Dalwhinnie 15 YO*

OK, this test is all kinds of fun.

Hmmmmm…

*Takes the test*

My score: 14.58% light
- Around 64% Faith in humanity (Probably about right)
- Around 61% Humanism (Slightly low-ish)
- Around 76% Kantianism (Blegh...this should be lower simply because Kants in the name)
- Around 42% Narcissism (I'm a confirmed egocentric so that seems about right)
- Around 91% Psychopathy (That's...a bit high)
- Around 24% Machiavellianism (That's maybe a bit low?)

Can't help but wonder if there's a combination of answers that would level out all the categories in around the 60's range...
Eh, don't put too much stock in tests like this.
Though will say that most of my gaming buddies or friends tend to describe me (affectionately) as a 'Cynical and conniving a!%+~#+' but they still let me babysit (or pet-sit) so it can't be that bad ^^

Also, I apologize if I've been unpleasant, been going through a lot of rough stuff recently.

Eh, there's nothing to excuse for.

I want a nap

*Sends Woran his pillow*

Had one today…
Was supposed to be and hour...turn into almost three.

MrT celebrated his 12,5 anniversary at his place of work. He got thorougly roasted, and we now have a giant amount of leftover cake in the fridge.

My bowels will protest, but I think the cramp will be worth it because its from the best bakery in the city.

*Sends Woran huggles, a heating-blanket and some tummy-rubs*

So...
…
…
Now that I've been all fuzzy and nice…
Maybe I could get a piece of cake…

*Gives big wet puppy-eyes*

Hi, everyone. Well, this sucks. It looks like I'll be pulling another double shift tomorrow. The morning guard will have to attend his actual trial in Traffic Court, and I don't think that there's a replacement for the guard that lost his car. Thing is, when I'm here in the morning, I have to wake up at two. And, when I leave here, I get home at one. So, that means that there's no point in going home for just an hour. So, I have to stay here, overnight, trying to get some sleep in this office chair. And trying hard to avoid saying all the foul words I know in a constant stream. Lucky me.

Well crap.

*Sends man-hugs and back pats*

In other (Work) related news:

I've been hired on by the riding-school where I've been temp-ing for at least the next 9 months (on a renewable contract), which is why I've been around here much less lately.
Most of the time have been spend on introductions, making schedules, meeting the new colleagues, learning the new work routines and of course meeting and nuzzling the new horses I'm working with.
I'll be working more hours then I'm used too, so I'll probably not be around here as much, but I'll try too stay connected as much as I can.

Hope I get the time to write more tomorrow, as I kind off have more I would like to float here for more personal reasons…but as usual I'm a both short on time...and well, trigger shy ^^'

As promised, me in sleeveless and

All dressed up!

Rawr!

*Waggles eyebrows*

Looking good Mort!

Hi, everyone! Drowning my Convention disappointment for this year in a tub of ice cream.

*Sends back pats and man hugs*

Mrs Sunrise is home and recovering!

Yayy!!!

*Sends Mrs Sunrise positive thoughts and hopes she heals up quickly*

Of course...

** spoiler omitted **

Like I said, sorry for the whining.

You're not whining Sharoth.

*Sends burly man hugs and vigorous back pats*

We here to listen Sharoth, and if we're able, to send a helping hand. So please, "whine" away.

Kjeldorn wrote:

Yuugasa wrote:

Orthos wrote:

I don't think anyone's objecting to them being there, I think the objection is the lack of playable dudes for them and the lack of playable girls for the other race I don't remember the name of.

Even than I'm not sure why it's that big a deal, they introduced one female beast race and one male, so....

Edit: I'm still waiting for a 40k mmorpg, though I suppose people will be outraged that Space Marines are only male, sigh.

Yea, I've got mixed feelings about gender sex-locking races in most media. I guess I'm both fore and against depending on how and why it's done...

A fellow 40ker I see…
So no female space marines for you then? ^^

Go back far enough and female Space Marines are canonical but I don't mind the current boys only Astartes club. Mostly they're about martial honor and expressing different shades of anger while lacking certain fundamental human traits like fear and sexuality. The Emperor designed them to be disposable shock troops that he was gonna destroy Ala the Thunder Warriors after conquering the galaxy.

So, post-humans evolved beyond humanity yet lesser for it as well who live a life of nonstop violence without the solace of family or basic humanity? I'm fine with that being an all boys club, they can keep it. =)

Funnily that pretty much my take on it too.

Kjeldorn wrote:

Woran wrote:

LordSynos wrote:

Morning Every-FaWtL! Hope everyone is well today, and has a good day ahead of them. :) I also hope everyone had great weekend, managed to recharge the batteries for the week ahead. :)

Thank you :)

I am feeling a lot better.
Sadly, MrT is very ill at the moment. He has a recurring infection, that even though treatable with antibiotics, just comes back in a while. Its one of the risks/added burdens of Diabeties. I hope he perks up in a few days.

*Sends hugs and back pats to Mr. T and Woran, and hope the infection clear up soon, so he can get back on his feet*

Thank you

*Blushes and sends a 'you are welcome' right back*

Hi, everyone.

Well, I've got some bad news. I'm not running my sessions in the RPG department at Tekko, this year. It seems that I've been shanghaied from the RPG department to work Bag Check. A department for which I have had no training and absolutely no interest in. This year may very well be the last year that I volunteer for the convention. ;_;

Urgh, that's quite a downer John. Probably makes you feel rather unappreciated.

*Sends back pats, encouragements and a glass of scotch*

Orthos wrote:

I don't think anyone's objecting to them being there, I think the objection is the lack of playable dudes for them and the lack of playable girls for the other race I don't remember the name of.

Even than I'm not sure why it's that big a deal, they introduced one female beast race and one male, so....

Edit: I'm still waiting for a 40k mmorpg, though I suppose people will be outraged that Space Marines are only male, sigh.

Yea, I've got mixed feelings about gender sex-locking races in most media. I guess I'm both fore and against depending on how and why it's done...

A fellow 40ker I see…
So no female space marines for you then? ^^

Tacticslion wrote:

Tacticslion wrote:

So, Adam Ruins Everything is really interesting, but he often makes argumentation based off of poor conceits.

Like, "hey, false problem is <this> and <this other thing> is kind of similar, so it's not that bad!"

Or, "hey, actual problem is <this> and <this other thing> is bad, so it's gotta be terrible!"

It's frustrating because it only weakens his actual arguments.

But there are cool things, too.

Tequila Sunrise wrote:

Hm, can you point to an example of this?

Sure. The herpes episode solidly implies that all "little red bumps" on human bodies are the same: he doesn't say that, but it's in the exact same tactic that he criticizes in the episode (using empty equivalence). It doesn't negate his point, but it does undermine his apparent-credibility.

Tequila Sunrise wrote:

We love ARE, tho I have a totally different critique.

I have lots of critiques. This was just one.

I still like the show.

what's weird is that I WANT to like the show, but his approach is so laughably farcical that when he does get serious I have to go back and mentally scan to see if he is being serious or still joking. Moreover his points are so bullet point-y they are easy to refute or at least being up a counterpoint to.

Hadn't seen the show.

Whelp, after losing half of Tuesday night to pain and then ultimately ending up in the ER last night, we discovered that Mrs Sunrise has multiple huge gallstones and is having her gallbladder removed today.

Yesterday was crazy and awful for her, but hopefully she'll be home later today...

*Send back pats, well-wishes and hopes Mrs Sunrise gets better soon!*

Also, cancer sucks.

*Nods and sends back pats + a glass of scotch*

My family isn't a fan of cream based sauces and honestly, neither am I.

*Grabs (imposter) Mort, places her on a bar stool and shines a lamp in her face*

Where have you taken Mort, imposter! Everyone knows no cat would ever say no to any kind of dairy product!

(I kid, I kid ^^)

Kebab pizza is so popular here you can just order it from the big franses. Garlic sauce and all.

Yup, Kebab pizza is pretty standard fare up here too.

LordSynos wrote:

Morning Every-FaWtL! Hope everyone is well today, and has a good day ahead of them. :) I also hope everyone had great weekend, managed to recharge the batteries for the week ahead. :)

Thank you :)

I am feeling a lot better.
Sadly, MrT is very ill at the moment. He has a recurring infection, that even though treatable with antibiotics, just comes back in a while. Its one of the risks/added burdens of Diabeties. I hope he perks up in a few days.

*Sends hugs and back pats to Mr. T and Woran, and hope the infection clear up soon, so he can get back on his feet*

Sorry guys for if sometimes I add a dark, disruptive tone to this thread, I'm not doing it on purpose just talking about my life or whatever.

It's like you're trying to enjoy Chuck E. Cheeses and one of your friends starts talking about the holocaust, like dude, what are you doing?

Apparently that's what passes for day to day small talk in my world, sorry =(

I don't really think you have to apologize Yuu...

*Sends back pats*

There is nothing, NOTHING like spending an hour and a half after work making a 10x13 pan of enchiladas and having your son cry, actually sob and wail like his dog just died, because it's "disgusting" and he's so hungry.

So I gave him the last of the leftover udon from last Wednesday, and that's disgusting as well, and then I cleaned the kitchen and I'm sulking in my room.
For the record, they were really darned good. So was the udon. Val is a booger and he deserves Chuck-e-Cheese. He'd probably like it. I swear, I am THIS CLOSE to buying some old MRE's on ebay so the next time he whines about the food being disgusting, I can take it away and give him an MRE instead. or C-Rations.

*Sends hug'n'back pats tp LM and a bag of the saltiest, bitterest, chewiest and stickiest liquorice for the next time Val gets uppity about his mom's cooking (and yes its either mom's cooking or the entire bag of liquorice!)*

In other news:

Sorry for not being around much but new temp job is taking up a lot of my energy, both mentally and physically, so I'm kind of flat and tired most of the time...
Though as of Thursday of this week I might (hopefully) have more news job-wise, but I don't want to jinx it.

Glad that you gals and guy are (mostly) doing okay though...its nice to have a FaWtL (bomb)shelter to come back too once in a while.

Yuugasa wrote:

Yeah the only Episode of Love, Death, and Robots I didn't like was the Hitler one, it was just kinda boring to me.

I really want to talk about a bunch of the episodes and how awesome they are but I don't want to spoil them for those whom have not watched.

Kjeldorn wrote:

Watched it too…

Best episodes* (in no particular order): Sonnies revenge (reminds me of Eclipse Phase), Beyond the Aquila Rift, Shapeshifters (reminds me of WoD Werewolf), The Secret War (reminds me a bit of CoC set in WWII).
Honorable mentions: Fish Night and Zima Blue (for aesthetics) + Three Robots (for twist ending and the potential effects it has on the story).

Dishonorable mentions: Alternative Histories (for most wasted potential)

*Judged by the goose-bump factor.

Funny fact though, I love it for the exact reasons its been criticized, namely the excessive violence and gratuitous nudity/sexuality. It even shows...gasp!...Pubic hair!!!

*Looks around and shakes head at fainted critics, while rubbing the bridge of his nose*

Spoilered for spoilers, though I'm leaving everything vague for folks who haven't watched yet but want to join our conversation:

** spoiler omitted **

Yea...

Yuugasa wrote:

LordSynos wrote:

Yuugasa wrote:

There is kinda an interesting question in that show though, if you were transported to a fantasy world and had basically the power of a god and no real pressing business what would you do with it?

Might be a fun premise for an adventure sometime.

There are so many anime with that story these days, you can see a lot of different takes on it. Overlord is the only one I can think of going the evil route, which is kind of refreshing, but it's starting to wear on me a bit.

I'm actually playing in a similarly themed homebrew RPG atm. We weren't godlike, but the tech we brought with our characters is far beyond that of the world we arrived in, so we're pretty high up there as long as the batteries last. :P

Oh yeah? Not super familiar with anime, though I like it alot, are there some of the other 'go to fantasy world, be godlike' animes you would recommend?

If you're specifically looking for the 'go to fantasy world, be godlike' ones, going from highest recommendation to lowest:

** spoiler omitted **...

*Adds The rising of the shield hero (Tate no Yuusha no Nariagari) to the list*

The Hero's not quite God-tier (quite the opposite in some respects) but I think it still might count.
It's got a bit of an jarring and edgy* start to it like Goblin Slayer, but quickly becomes more of a standard fantasy romp.

(Wouldn't recommend if you find the subjects of rape/rape accusations and slavery to be no-go subjects).

Tequila Sunrise wrote:

Yuugasa wrote:

Dude, just got done watching Triple Frontier on Netflix, great movie. Has a moral lesson on the nature of greed as well without ever getting preachy about it. Two thumbs up.

I did not expect Triple Frontier to be as good as it was, nor for Affleck's character to precipitate things the way he did! Recommendation seconded, and another score for Netflix.

Glad you're digging Love, Death & Robots btw, I hope there's more to come. :)

Yeah, good stuff.

Love, Death, and Robots is great. The first episode had me feeling a little ho hum until the double twists, talk about empowered women!

Watched it too…

Honorable mentions: Fish Night and Zima Blue (for aesthetics) + Three Robots (for twist ending and the potential effects it has on the story).

Dishonorable mentions: Alternative Histories (for most wasted potential)

*Judged by the goose-bump factor.

Funny fact though, I love it for the exact reasons its been criticized, namely the excessive violence and gratuitous nudity/sexuality. It even shows...gasp!...Pubic hair!!!

*Looks around and shakes head at fainted critics, while rubbing the bridge of his nose*

I know why I find it funny too, it's just that racism is so utterly ridiculous that if it weren't for its destructive and vile history it would be the most ludicrous thing in the world.

Even when I was being "racist" the second two things I said about white people is that they had giant dicks and loved fried chicken, two racist ideas traditionally slung against blacks but they make as much sense applied to white people.

I'll be more careful from now on because I caused upset feelings but yeah...

I agree with very much of what you're saying here, and while there are this I might add (things that might get me in hot water), I'll just keep it here to you got the right attitude (and intent) in the way you're going about it.

Ive also managed to catch something flu-ish. Bleh.

and

*puts bucket under nose*

*Sends Woran some hot chicken soup, a woolen blanket, some tissues, a hipflask with some rum + back pats and snuggles*

Just a Mort wrote:

** spoiler for Freehold **

Well, don't do anything you don't want to do Mort.

*Nods vigorously*

You should only do so if you yourself is comfortable with it Mort. If you really have no interest in sex, then be up front to your bf about it and discus between you two, what to do if he still has urges that needs satisfying.

Thank you for the neck. But I made plans with my coworker to visit this one a-hole at his office. I'll hold him, and my co worker who is build like a bear, will punch him.
Makes me feel better thinking about it.

Okay...

Eh, I can be violent. Ive punched people before. But people like this jerk really get my blood boiling. He is deliberately mean, especially to some of the interns. Because he can. And people who just s!#* on someone vulnerable I just want to punch in the face.

Sounds like a real scumbag...

You all just strengthen me in my believe the Netherlands is the best country ever.

Ahhh Europe.

Yeah, I just do what the doctors tell me. Are they perfect? No, but they are a great deal more educated than me at being doctors. Trying to be my own doctor seems like a bad idea.

Severe chronic pain is a difficult thing though and I understand why sufferers often try anything to escape it.

Didn't mean anything negative or accusatory about it, just that I hope you were taking good care of yourself, and by the sound of it you clear are.

Actually I have never punched anyone in RL before. Just elbowed them in the ribs for leaning on my shoulder one too many times(believe me, they were warned first).

First time I give you the benefit of the doubt and warn you. Second time I place my elbow against your ribs. Third...

So...

Did not have a good day. See above complaints. And now I'm going to be late for my workout session after I promised I'd help them get set up thanks to people asking me at the last minute for stuff.

*Looks worried*

*But risks an elbow to the gut, by hugging and nuzzling Mort in hopes of comforting her*

When I get bitten by cats.
I have the following symptoms:

Heart arrhythmia.
Tunnel vision.
Brain fog (like when you're hypothermic).

All of which I also get on energy drinks.

But with cat bites, also add:
Hallucinations.
You remember "Who Framed Roger Rabbit" and "Cool World"? Animation layered over live-action film? It's like that. The real world stays the same, but there's this whole other layer of hallucinated characters and set designed on top of it that no one but me can see. Really freaky. I hate it a lot. This is why I will not pet a cat. Because cats are evil m************rs who are all sweetness and fluff until they capriciously sink the fangs in, much...

Wow…

I did it!

For those of you who have forgotten Calvin's alter ego from Calvin and Hobbes, Here is a selection of panels...

and, with the caveat that the four-color boxes of premade fondant have a much darker blue than Spiff's suit, here is what I made for the top of the cake.

That looks really good LM!

Not LM, but my two cents on the matter: One is made of pure evil, and the other is made of true good. :P

More seriously, fondant is sugar, water and corn syrup. It's just sweet and delicious.

Marzipan is sugar and almond meal, and tastes like sadness. Many cakes are ruined by its presence.

*Makes a yuck-face at the mentioning of marzipan*

(Not that I like fondant much better… ^^')

Hi, everyone!

*Waves to John*

Ah, I'm fairly open to comments. I did post it on a public internet forum after all. :) I only really put it in spoilers to give people the option to skip over me whinging. :P

P.S. Didn't you used to be a boat?

Well a turtle with a shell of bedcovers…

Cannabis is funny to me, in that it doesn't really cure my pain, it just makes it so I don't really care if I'm in pain. Pretty sure Opium is illegal in the states but Oxycodone isn't and I've been medicated on that for years.

It kills appetites real good in addition to pain management with the only slight side effect of basically being legal heroin and all the dangers that entails.

I've got multiple sources of chronic pain, mostly relating to a beating I took years ago, but I don't like talking about that much anymore.

Sorry to hear about your chronic pain issues Yuugasa, though I'm glad that you find some relief in your pain medication. Just promise me that you'll keep an eye out for alternatives if you start suffering to heavily from adverse (and side) effects okay?

I have a father who suffers from chronic pain too, due to multiple lower spinal injuries, and lets just say his time on pain meds have been very rocky, both the detriment of his own (and others) mental and physical health.

Thank you. I had a headache the whole time yesterday. Behind my left eye. It left me exhausted.

You are welcome ^^

Working in IT is going to end in death.

Either mine as I pop a blood vessel. Or someone elses as I loose it and strangle them with a cord.

*Presents neck for strangling, so Woran doesn't get into too much trouble with her co-workers*

Yes, and I planted one beside the Jameson Fountain in my garden.

A whiskey fountain…

I have a MacAllan Pool. And an Aukentoshan Fountain. And a Bunnahabhain Slide...and a Belvanie Wading Pool...and...and...

*Jaw drops*

So-So...your backyard is scotch heaven?!
…
Can I come visit...like camping out in your backyard?

*Gives big wet saucer eyes*

Hi, everyone!

*Waves to John*

Ooh I didn't know you could do this, and this may be really handy for me as I will not be smoking due to asthma.

Asthma buddies!

Yea, a childhood heaving and coughing for air has left me with less then stellar lung capacity, so no smoking things for me either.

...

I watched some Claymore but too many gaps in episodes for me to form an opinion about it.
...

Been some time since I saw Claymore, but I seem to remember liking it...

Bleh, starting to feel under the weather :(

*Sends blankets, back pats 'n' rubs and hot tea with a liberal sprinkling of Rum*

I worked my tail off all weekend so the first *real* day of Spring Break (i.e. the first day I should technically be at work) could be fun.

The dinner party with the father-in-law and his wife went very well. He loves my food, he wasn't a grumpy asshat for a change, all was good.

Saturday, my mother-in-law let me off the hook for working in her attic because she was too tired and wanted to lie on her couch with a mug of tea and a murder mystery novel instead. (Actually, what she said was "I have too much work to do", but after 25 years, I understand her code.)

So I scrubbed all the tile floors on my hands and knees with a scrub brush to really get them clean, mopped, vacuumed, and gave the whole house a good cleaning. Which inspired the kids to VOLUNTARILY clean their room, which was nice.

And yesterday after church the mother-in-law came over for Sunday dinner, and she was actually complimentary instead of backhanded.

So this morning, I'm making cinnamon rolls and we're going for a playdate at a park on the other side of town with some friends.

*Sends the same package deal as sent to Woran…

And, if you want to continue with the whole alcohol vs Superman discussion then FaWtL is no place for me.

Kind of wanted to give my two cents...

The dogs made me slip on the ice, hard on my upper back and left elbow (also known as the good elbow) so that's fun.

Ouch! Happen to me a couple of years ago, walking my parents fricking dog made me slip and twist both my ankle and my knee.

*Bits back chewing out the dogs for pulling Cap off balance*

Just a Mort wrote:

LordSynos wrote:

** spoiler omitted **

** spoiler omitted **

** spoiler omitted **...

That's a tough one Synos…

I know I'm vacillating...I just don't like to give an opinion, with no warning, that might be upsetting to anyone.

...

The first episode was designed to upset, appall, and generate all kinds of buzz.

The rest of the series is MUCH lighter. There are still lots of allusions to rape, and the violence is still bloody, but none of it holds a candle to the first episode...

While you are somewhat right, I'm not sure as to the intent of the first episode. Especially, as you've pointed out yourself, with the returning allusions and the way victims of the not so tender ministrations of the goblins are brought up and portrayed later on.

That said, it does feel a bit gratuitous and over the top compared to the rest of the series...to the point of where you can legitimately ask as to why including the initial episodes rape scene.
My personal best guess is that ultimately, showing beats explaining. If you talk about something like this, its harder not to somehow intellectualize it, compartmentalize and make it a subject of academic study and research.
Showing it makes that harder due to the sheer viseral nature of what being shown...its so much harder to distance yourself (intellectually and physically) from what's going on if your senses are being bombarded by the sicking sounds and the horribly sights of it all.

But then again that's just my two cents.

...

No getting me nekkid isn't a feat.

*gets dressed as she glares at the thread*

*Whistles innocently, as he pretends to look the other way*

I do it even more hardcore. Face hunter = win by turn 7 or go home lol. And face hunter is my default form these days after Baku paladins were nerfed due to level up being changed to 6 cost.

Good luck with the temp job, and if you need a listening ear, we have lots of ears available, Kjeldorn.
...

Thanks Mort!

*Gives Mort scratchies and nuzzles*

OMG balaclavas are so cool! I wanna wear a black one then go around in head to toe black! Then I'll look like a ninja!

Not really a balaclava person...though I have one for when it gets really s~!%ty cold up here.

This morning, I did my run in 25-degree weather in a balaclava.

Then I got scared that one of my neighbors would get freaked that someone was running through the neighborhood in a balaclava before dawn and call the cops. Which would have been so awkward. No one did. It was probably because you don't look very scary in a Winnie-the-Pooh sweatshirt no matter what's on your head.

Yea…

^^'

SUCCESS! I finally registered for the Fort Worth Zoo run (the race just happens to be the exact same day as the last day of my training program, so it counts as my "final"), posted it on FB just to give myself no-backing-out-now accountability, and within half an hour, three girlfriends all said they wanted to sign up and run it with me!

I HAVE FRIENDS! Not just internet friends, but DOING THINGS TOGETHER FRIENDS! It only took eight months!

*Gives LM a big thumbs up*

In Hearthstone news, I'm finding myself wishing for a format comparable to Magic's modern format -- everything allowed except the Hall of Famers.

Yes, there's nothing quite so irritating as whittling an opponent down to single digits using careful tactics, only to have them bounce back to 30 using Reno.

Another reason why I'm currently favouring MTG arena over Hearthstone currently…
It caters a bit better to my craving for quick and dirt play...

...After googling the Hall of Fame, why is Reno not in it?! He is obnoxious.

I'm an aggro player through and through. If I can't see the end of a game by "turn" 10 to 12 (be it hearthstone, magic or other "card game") then either I've miss-read/played the game, been out played or been royally screwed over by RNG.

I'm superstitious about this sort of thing, so I'm a bit hesitant to say this, but I can't focus on anything else for being on the edge of my seat:

I've been in hospital with a lung infection for the past two weeks, and today my lung numbers are very improved so I fully expect to be discharged today. *Knocks hard on wood* I'm just waiting for a doctor to give the official go-ahead, and they are taking their sweet-ass time about it...

Anyway, it's been a rough two weeks. I've been hospitalized for longer stretches (one month is my record), but due to really wanting to get home and my pulmonary doctor being on a totally different page than I, I was really gray and despondent for a few days last week. It was really great to know that FAWTL was here to provide a little distraction and interaction.

So thanks, all. :)

Just try focus on recouping and try to keep your chin up TS!

Nope, I don't have any super powers that I know off...except the one that lets me eat almost anything edible known to mankind.

And they call her...the Cat with the Iron Stomach!

:p

I'm a lazy bugger. I dont work out at all.

*Nods*

Me too ^^'

Zelda's vehicle only has to last one more drive...

The engine has a hole in it that I can see through.

She just replaced a wheel bearing.

The driver's side window won't roll up/down. It will fall down quite nicely, so there's a lot of tape holding it up. Replacing the actuator might take care of it, but we did that on the passenger side and it's such a pain. And it still doesn't work *well*.

The suspension is shot. Seriously shot - it just hasn't collapsed yet. I fully expect the next pothole to be the killing blow.

Replaced the thermostat.

Need to replace a sensor on the rear passenger door - the car thinks the rear door is open, randomly. When the vehicle is off it turns on the car alarm. The car alarm has since been removed.

The entire brake system is needing to be replaced.

When she took her dear vehicle to get the wheel bearing replaced she was told "Ok, so you want the price on just replacing the bearing, or to make the truck actually safe to drive?"

This is all just in the last year.

So on Saturday we went out armed with her tax return to look at decent used vehicles. She picks up her new used vehicle (in remarkably good shape, honestly) tonight.

She's very excited, but sad to see her old beast go. Even in as bad of shape as it's in, it still has not stranded her anywhere. Somehow.

I'm excited because now I won't be concerned for her safety when she drives to her mom's or even with her 35 mile work commute.

Probably for the best that Zeldas beast gets sent to the scrap yard...

While all our scheduled events aren't lined up, we at least know which cities we'll be in on which dates, in case any of the Western European FaWtLers want to meet up with us for an afternoon of tourism or dinner or some such. (And yes, Lord Synos gets the biggest gripe because we're in the U.K. for 9 days and don't make it to Ireland, and Drejk can go ahead and grouch that we don't even make eastern Germany, much less Poland):

** spoiler omitted **

As I said before, I'm trying to work out a way of being there…

Also…
In other news...
Its an exciting time for me, as I'm starting on the temp job.
Unfortunately, when I get excited...I'm emotionally unstable. I'm feeling, well touchy.
And...
Around the same time last year, some really personal and emotionally charged stuff happened, and I'm feeling the returning echoes somewhat easily, for some reason, currently.
I guess, I'm saying that if I suddenly start pouring my heart out in some long winded post...please don't be too surprised.
I'll try and put up spoilers out of respect for those involved, as I really don't want to call out anyone (other then myself) for anything...its just I'm not good at this kind of stuff, and well, I don't want to purposefully hurt or inconvenience anyone past or present.
…
Sorry I'm rambling ^^'

Kjel, I'm so sorry, but... in all honesty, after the number of times you've shared stories about doing much more than your share of the load because your coworkers couldn't be bothered and knew that you would pick up the slack, well, perhaps a change might be a good thing?

Sorry if I'm being dense.
(pause)
Here! Have a cookie!

*Munches on cookie*

There is some truth to that LM.
In many ways I do need some new pastures to waddle about in as the job at the horsebreeder was getting to me. My coworker weren't all bad, but most of them were unfortunately rather uncooperative and unwilling to work on a efficient and organized distribution of the required daily routines and assignments (aka "It ain't my job" or "can't you do it instead").
So in essence I became that grumpy guy who wanted to put everyone to work (so we can get done earlier) which wasn't that appreciated. I'm by no-ways a happy or eager worker (In fact I'll grumble al the way to and from work), but once I'm there I do like getting s&%@ done and over with.

So Yea it might be for the best that my contract wasn't renewed. The only down side with the new temp job at the riding-school/riding sport club is that I'll be working Saturdays (only a short roughly 4 hour shift though). To compensate though I'll be Mondays off, so I still have a "two day weekend".
…
I'm actually looking forward to getting started come Thursday…

So sorry to hear that, Kjel. *Offers a glass of Jack Daniels Whiskey*

Kiel, I'm sorry man.

Oh dear Kjeldorn. Hope your temp job in 4 days will work out well.

*Thanks everyone! Offers hugs to everyone*

Kjeldorn wrote:

Tequila Sunrise wrote:

There is always some arm-twisting getting me to see a CGI film.

Yea…

I'm kind of like that too. While these movies are great for kids (and I'll watch em with kids), they often don't really capture me that well. I don't go that often to the movies, so if I'm going it for something I really, really, really want to see.
All that said, recently it will require even more arm-twisting to get me to see a Marvel/DC movie, as I'm suffering from sever super hero fatigue.

Ugh, I know what you mean. I'm still a sucker for the supers genre, but after seeing X-Men Apocalypse and Justice League I've begun approaching the whole genre with extreme trepidation.

(It's not just those two movies that did it, they just really highlighted the supers-ism of "Aim our one unstoppable godlike super at the otherwise invincible bad guy, win." Doesn't work in TTRPGs, doesn't work in team movies.)

Yea, that's kind of another gripe with them...

Also I've figured what to wear for my BFs bro's wedding.

This should do the trick

Pardon my fur, I just woke up.

Wished it came in another colour(I'm constantly complaining on how I don't pull yellow well), but I think it's still OK.

The dress looks alright to me…the fur too ^^'

Home all day with Val, he's sick again. He's watching Ghostbusters in bed and eating ice cream, and I'm sitting on the floor reading cookbooks.

Hope little Val get back on his feet again quickly.

*Send hugs and back pats*

lisamarlene wrote:

Okay, I know that no one on FAWTL gives a darn, but the trailer for the new Fosse/Verdon series was just released, and I've been waiting for this show since it was announced last summer, and OMFG.

Well, I'll be seeing it opening day. Does that count?

I pretty much loathe all biographies, because telling the true story of an amazing person isn't enough for Hollywood, and they have to turn it into something twisted, convoluted, and unrecognizable.

I successfully sat through Bohemian Rhapsody. I'll give it that much.

But GothBard desperately wants to see it, very likely for the same reasons you do, and I honestly hope that it manages to live up to your expectations.

I am, er, less optimistic.

Yea, must say I'm not really that into "biographical movies" either for precisely the same reasons you've mentioned. Now if they label it a "fiction based on true events" well...at least I can then turn a bit more of my brain off (Which is what I view most of the biographical or historical work that come out of Hollywood to be).

Haven't actually seen Bohemian Rhapsody as I'm not really that interested in it...then again I'm of the somewhat blasphemous opinion that Queen really wasn't all that great either (Alright, just not phenomenal).

Panic attack again. But the preschool understands and agreed to let me stay on as a sub for those days they don't overcome me and keep me from working. So that's nice. My boss was very understanding.

It's nice to hear that you've seemed to have found a workplace where their willing to listen and reach out to you about your difficulties and problems. That's incredibly valuable for people like us who have mental issues.

I do hope you get atop of your panic attacks VE...stay safe alright.

*Offers man-hug*

Hi, everyone! Wish I was feeling better today. Last night's Chicken Ramen dinner gave me indigestion, that has lasted through now. So, it's relatively bland/mild stuff today for me. *sigh* Growing old really does suck.

*Offers back pats and a glass of scotch*

In other news.
I'm out of the job, as of yesterday...so bye bye horse-breeder and horsies.
The good news however is that I start temping at a Riding School next Thursday, So I'll be unemployed for a whole 4 days.

Actually dressing is also a bit of a science. You won't look good in everything. Some things will just look better on you then others. Like I don't pull off the colour yellow well, but I look good in dark colours such as dark blue, dark green, magenta, black, because of my fair(relatively) complexion. I'll note that I look better in dark green then dark blue, because some shades of navy can end up with me looking a little faded.

Body shape is also the same. Different styles emphasize different parts of your body - tubes emphasize every curve you have, so if you have any unsightly curves, it'll show up. Also, sometimes the blocky, muscular look for girls isn't so desirable, not that I'm there yet, but there are some leanings in that direction.

And Kjeldorn...I'm always hungry lol =P Om Nom Nom Nom Nom.

*Scratches head*

Yea I know I'm no dressing expert for sure, though since I'm a standard 'pale as a ghost' white guy I do tend to avoid amplifying it with light/pale colors and stay with deep and dark blues, greens and the like.
As for body shape…
Well since I'm rather girthy, with a sizable behind, I've found that baggy or stretchy clothes serves me best, as it conceals said girthiness.
(Yea its a lot of beating around the bush, probably should just flat out say I'm overweight, with quite the beer-belly) .

There is always some arm-twisting getting me to see a CGI film.

Yea…

Kjeldorn wrote:

Woran wrote:

Jet lag has gotten me good. I feel real crap. I should get back to my play by posts, but reading more then 10 sentences and trying to be coherent is quite challenging.

*Sends nuzzles and pats to Woran too*

I hope you get over the laggy-ness quickly! Though I think your pbp peep could probably spare you for a couple of days, so waiting until you feel like you're back on your feet might be the best idea.

Jet lag is weird. Its a bit like having the flue. You feel tired and weak and you dont know if you're hungry or not.

I've actually never really suffered from jet lag (that I've recognized as such at least), but I do suffer a lot ear pressure pains when flying.

Still I hope you shake off the remaining laggy-ness quickly Woran.

*Sends back pats*

Its practically spring here in the netherlands.

Up here too.

Freehold DM wrote:

NobodysHome wrote:

So, I'm quickly learning to simply NOT use my antique iPhone for pictures, but here's a blurry picture of Impus Major in his new "look".

Yeah, it's the camera. I'll have to get a better shot some other time.

EDIT: For the fashion-conscious, the hat is the stupid-expensive one from the Dickens Faire (thoroughly cleaned), the leather jacket he found lying on the ground on Albany Hill, and the boots were an order GothBard made that didn't fit her at all, and he loves them...

he looks like it's not a good day to be a bad guy.

LOL. I think the opposite, and I'm just glad "A Clockwork Orange" is so far back in history that none of his peers have even heard of it...

Yea, I can kind of see the reference to AOC...

W0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000t!

Whingey wizzard has his third interview for The Job this coming Tuesday morning at 11:00. With the entire Executive Team of the organization (previous interview was with the HR director).

I don't want to get my hopes up or count my chickens or any of that crap, so I'm trying not to think about it much.

*Crosses finger and toe for WW*

My BFs bro is having his wedding and asked my BF and I for help at the reception table. Now I need to find a dress to wear!

*Imagines Mort in a tight tube dress, with reddening cheeks and a cautious look of contentment om his face*

Not me...most creatures flee from me hissing, howling, screeching, squeaking, squealing, squawking, yowling...

I'm sure there's some kind of misunderstanding involved on the animals part...

Just came back from kranji countryside, happily eating everything.

I had wheatgrass ice cream, aloe vera and rosella jelly, deep fried frog legs,fried frog skin, deep fried crocodile nuggets, drank goats milk...

And watched little kids try to catch frogs. When the frogs hopped in their direction, they ran away screaming. Lol.

*purrs contentedly*

The crocodile nuggets were surprisingly good. I don't think deep fried is the best way to serve frog, frog is better off stir fried with oyster sauce, spring onion and ginger.

Deep fried crocodile nuggets however, taste like deep fried pork chop.

Also the dog at the frog farm was nudging my aunt for treats but never approached me. Get what I mean by animals see me and run off?

Sounds like a fun trip!

Drejk wrote:

Freehold DM wrote:

captain yesterday wrote:

Why yes, yes we're getting a s#$# load of ice, and a little snow, so guess who gets to go to work.

It sure was nice I had two consecutive days off, for the first time this year.

On the plus side, in one month of near constant snow I've made more than I did in any of the five years I worked at Toys R Us.

HATE.

YOU.

SO.

MUUUUUUCH.

Getting paid for dealing with snow?

I think that the purely carnal excitement that would cause in you, would make it illegal in most of the states for you...

I would indeed melt the snow in small, rhythmic amounts.

So...

Oh, and apropos of nothing:

The Fluffernutter: She's a ragamuffin/Siberian mix, which makes her an amazing fighting cat with the personality of a dog. So other cats run up, attack her, she says, "Oh, are we playing now?", beats them senseless, and watches confused as they run away hissing.
She's not a dumb cat; she's an optimistic cat. "Yes, I see, hear, and smell the rain, but until I feel it I prefer to believe that it doesn't exist." And OMG is she LOUD. At 6:30 am sharp when I start work, she wanders the house, yowling, until I let her out on her harness.

The Calico, aka "Little Miss Hates the World": Our calico is a rescue cat. When we chose her, she was hopped up on pregnancy hormones. Once those wore off, we realized what a monster we'd adopted. She hates people. She hates dogs. She hates other cats. She is afraid of nothing. Yet she's an absolutely useless fighter so she's spent her 11 years with us getting beaten up by a running series of other cats.
The *only* creatures she tolerates are kids under 4. We have no idea why, but she goes up to them, purrs, lets them poke her in the face or pull on her tail, and is infinitely gentle with them. If you're 5 or older and you pet her more than twice, you will bleed!

"Little Miss" sounds like just the cat for me.

Good News:

Tala's mom is ambulatory for moments, and working up. She even got to the car on her own the other day.

Bad News:

Tala herself and I are in the hospital right now, as she's getting uncontrollable tremors and tics.

Good to hear Tala's mother is feeling better.

For Aiymi...

She was eating steamed corn. One kernel ended up going down the wrong pipe. She started choking on it, then coughed. Rather than expelling into her mouth, it went straight up into the sinus passages. She couldn't get it out on her own after about 36 hours (including using sinus rinses), so she went to the ER. They did a CT scan to find the corn kernel in her sinuses. They were able to remove it with non-invasive methods. All clear.

But...

Last July when she was in the hospital for her mini-stroke they did a CT and found a cyst in one of her sinus cavities. They figured like any cyst it would eventually re-absorb and be fine. Unfortunately the current CT scan shows the cyst has enlarged. So she needs an ENT doc to take a look at this.

Kind of lucky that:

Still ER visits can scare the s~&+ out of you…(and in the case of you guys/American FaWtLers - the s~&$ out of you wallets I guess).

*Sends hugs and back pats to Aiymi and Vany*

Good morning, everyone. I'll bet that everyone is asking "why is John here this early on a Tuesday?" That's an excellent question. The answer to which is "the morning guard couldn't get his car started, and, since I'm the 'go-to guy', I get called in." BOOGERS!

*Sends back pats and a large glass of Port wine...it was mostly used for cooking earlier today okay!...*slurp**

Somehow, Current Events class started talking about names. I mentioned that "Mackenzie" and "Kaitlyn" were the names I saw the most variation on when subbing.

My board is now filled with as many variant spellings on the two as they can devise. Exchange student is just boggled.

I've gotten so used to people spelling my name wrong, that I kind of just let it slide now…

Just a Mort wrote:

And I hate being called to do something else when I'm in the middle of doing something.

I've recently realized this about myself as well.

Sometimes there's no help for it, but "Good at focusing on a single task until convenient milestone" and "Doesn't like switching tasks on momentary notice" are going to make an appearance in future interviews.

*Nods vigorously*

Yup don't like it, as it messes with my ability to focus, which I have precious little of already...
Furthermore having a mile wide ADD streak means, that not finishing something or not having a clear "mile stone" for what I'm doing, will mean that I forget about what I was doing when I'm called away to do something else.

One thing I really like about 4e is classes that are expected to heal get a minor-action heal feature, so they can heal a couple times while bringing the pain. Players who want to go the healbot route can take further healing powers, especially divine classes.

I kind of like the way Shadow of the Demonlord does it. Everyone get a combined buff/small heal ability, that's usable a couple of times between rests.

...But I've got nothing good to say about D&D's arcane/divine divide -- I think it's a weird relic of real-world religion -- so healing spells are open to any caster class. Not necessarily every caster, in fact if you're a priest of anything but a god of healing you probably have zero healing power at all. But if you're a wizard for example, you can totally study up on the healing arts as well as you can the blaster arts.

I can get onboard with this. As long as a brief explanation is given for the lack of the divide (All magic is from the same source, its the casters beliefs that shape the "nature" of magic or whatever) then its fine by me.

I think I'm more of a details kind of cat. Positive, yes, light hearted, not really. Some say I have no sense of humor.

*Tilts turtle head*

*Waddles by Mort's basket, hides a whoopee cushion between her basket sheets, and then he hides nearby to observe her reaction to the "whoopee"*

Whingey Wizzard has a job interview today at 9:30.

It's his second interview this week with a local company that places extracurricular specialist teachers in local schools, the position is a management position that oversees and coordinates programs.

For once, his rather eccentric resume and provable skill set are a pretty good fit. His first interview earlier this week was with someone who was junior to the position but with whom he would be working with a lot; today's interview is with the HR director.

And then he has a lunch meeting today with the pastor at our church about bringing an early morning Aikido class into the church two days a week. We already have another church member doing a yoga twice a week, so there is precedent, and the pastor wants to do more to make the church a place where folks in the community come during the week other than for the grocery bag distribution. The yoga guy does a free class but has a donation box, so basically the same structure as WW's "free dojo" back in California. It would do him a LOT of good to be teaching again. And a 7:00 class is something he could do and still work a 9-5.

So... fingers firmly crossed. This could be a good day.

*Crosses turtle feet and attempts to send positive vibes*

Hi, everyone.

*Attempts to wave to John, but is having a bit of a difficult time due to crossed turtle feet*

Today I went to the Pitt-Rivers Collection, which is a vast hall crammed with interesting stuff hoovered up from all over the world, including everything you might think of - musical instruments, creepy masks, religious bits & bobs, tools, clothes,weaponry (yippee!) and hugely disturbing headhunters' trophies from the India/Burma border (ram's horns tied into a very small human skull - no thank you)…

*Looks slightly envious*

kind of been wanting to visit the place if I ever got the chance...sounds interesting.

Also, Oxford is the home of the practically transparent yoga pant wearer.

SPLENDIDO.

Shush!!! You wanna get invaded all over again!

A pretty face launched a thousand ships, what the heck do you think transparent yoga pants will do?!

And it's done. My friend passed away at 11:56 pm last night, 14 days short of his 54th birthday.

** spoiler omitted **

*Sends man-hug and back pats*

Condolences NH.

Just a Mort wrote:

** spoiler omitted **

** spoiler omitted **

*Looks sad*

Very disheartening…
Too callous a system.

No, I haven’t been sucked into a void of anime, Star Trek, and RPGs, and, frankly, I find such accusations ridiculous!

Also, happy Valentine’s Day, everyone, and I love you all!

*Waves with one foot to TL*

Hi, everyone.

*Waves with the other to John*

That is my way of saying that I'm still backed up, months later, and though enjoying new salads, also getting grumpier about my overall situation.

*Offer back pats an tries to squeeze some dried prunes through his to TS*

Hmmm…

*Scratches turtle beard*

Maybe I could give the same treatment as we give the horses...
Small tube down the nose w. lubing and numbing agent (you're used to it by now ^^') to poke hole in any gas/air blockages…
No gas? Then is a slightly bigger hose and attempt to pump a olie'n'fluid mixture through your intestines (just mixed in a bucket and used with a fancy hand-pump)...
But I'm kind of guessing we're passed that simple a procedure and looking at more "invasive" measures?

Too much undead and incorporeals sort of neuters a lot of PC abilities(like witches would cry). And rogues can't sneak attack. And I read from you talking about it that Shiro has a rather devious streak to him.

*Nods*

Immunities like can really suck for some characters…the good old "immune to mind affecting" seem to crop up more then anything else, which can be frustrating fro casty types.
Aren't most corporal undead still subject to precision (and critical) damage though?...or is it one on those "per individual monster description" things?

Speaking of the trip, we had our first, "OMG! Do we really want to do that?!?!" moment, as Copenhagen is the home of the "best restaurant in the world", Noma, and so of course we had to eat there. And of course, being the best restaurant in the world, it's equivalent to 3 Rivolis, one Alexander's Steakhouse, or 80% of a French Laundry (the best restaurant in the West, unless some L.A. feeb argues that there's something better down there, thought I doubt it).

I figure I'm willing to skip Rivoli for a while to give it a shot. GothBard's a little more leery, but considering that the French Laundry remains one of the most memorable dining experiences of my life, I see no reason not to cut back a bit now and see what Noma is like...

First off let me preface this by saying that I'm not (as of yet) paid to rag on Noma...this is just from a cursory review of the places web page.

But I'll give a couple of clarification about the place.

First off, it's a concept restaurant.
Generally, the place rotates between 3 culinary themes a year, that forms the basis of the "menu" your buying.
This year, its Seafood Season (January – June), Vegetable Season -> Offers both a "vegetarian menu and a vegan menu" (June – September) and Game & Forest Season (October – December).

The whole usage of the term "menu" has me a bit confused…I can't really find how many courses a "menu" consists of or how many different "menus" are offered...can't really figure out if drink are included or not, so I'll guess that it isn't??

Reservation is required (at least 1 day ahead of time...I think?), for between 2 to 8 people, and the meals pre-paid together with the reservation...though again the system is a bit arcane and obtuse.

Every "menu" is priced the same 2500 Dkk (or around 380 $) per person. With a "drinks menu" running from 950 Dkk (around 143 $) - a "juice pairing?!" - to 1350 Dkk (around 204 $) - "wine pairing" - per person.

(CT's personal opinion: So...a minimum of 3450 Dkk (around 522 $) for a "multiple course vegan/vegetarian inspired meal" with juice?!
*Heads towards the nearest hot dog stand*).

Limeylongears wrote:

NobodysHome wrote:

Oh, I'm pretty sure you would have pinged me by now, but does anyone else on FaWtL play FFXIV?

We're having a wedding tomorrow at 11:00 am PST (er, a "ceremony of eternal bonding") and I figure I should make sure anyone here who plays gets an invite.

I had a ceremony of eternal bonding once with an ex-partner when we mistook a tube of superglue for intimate lubricant.

Oh no! How did you get out of that sticky mess?

*Put on a pair of goggles, snaps on a pair of rubber gloves and brings up the cotton swabs and acetone*

"I'm going in..."

Pfffffff, going on a vacation is a lot of work.

*Nods sagely*

Today is the annual church chili cook-off.

After much back-and-forth over whether it was a good idea, I finally decided to go ahead and make an organic-vegan-lentil-quinoa-Berkeley-hippie-"chili". Made by a Yankee.
The joke's on them, though, because it is definitely a true chili in every aspect except for the protein source. It packs a bit of a wallop.
Oh, and there's no "beans". Just lentils.
Black beans and kidney beans are Phaseolus. Lentils are Lens. So, even though they're both Fabaceae, I can technically say, "no beans in this chili". Which is important in Texas.

*Looks (and sniffs) sceptically at the stewing pot of hippy-chili, eyes LM quickly, before tentatively sampling it*

...

I'm sure there'll be a big discussion at the cookoff as to which bathroom has the most sandpaper-y toilet paper, and how manly all the men are for using it in the harshest manner possible...

*Looks and winces at the grey toilet(sand)paper…reminds himself always to bring along a roll of his preferred 4-layer "silky butt" paper*

So.

I am in the hospital.

I FINALLY went to the doctor for my cough today, as it has been hanging around for a month and has lessened but it keeps me from laying flat to sleep and has me bringing up multicolored phlegm. The doctor pokes and prods and feels me up and swears my lungs are clear but with an astonishingly high blood pressure demands I go to the er. They take me and do more poking and prodding and say that my blood pressure is so high it is affecting my kidneys and heart and will not let me leave until it and another thing they are looking at in my blood work have gone down.

I am not in any pain, nor am I laboring to live, but I did have an issue with breathing at work this morning that I blamed on the cough but could be due to this blood pressure issue. We will see. For now I am taking the meds they give me and am going to get some rest.

And...

I am alive.

Released from the hospital in the wee hours of the morning. I now officially have benign essential hypertension and need blood pressure meds.

In other words, I am old.

And...

Hooboy.

** spoiler omitted **

*Gives many man-hugs, back pats and encouragements*

Take what ever time you feel you need Freehold.

;_;

I'm very sad today. The source of many of my best childhood memories is gone. The Century III mall, Pittsburgh's largest indoor mall, is closed. The Borough of West Mifflin has condemned the property for being unsafe. The burst water sprinkler pipes, and the injury they caused, might have had something to do with it. The property manager has filed bankruptcy on the mall, so I guess that there wasn't any point in fixing the many problems.

Now that it's gone, I thought that I might share some of my memories of the place. When I was a Teenager in the 1980's, the entire family would spend a Saturday there. We'd blow our allowances on candy, comic books, video games in the Arcade. Even after I returned home from the Army, it was still a favorite spot.

There was a small pet store, on the stairs between the first and second floors by the JC Penny's. They used to sell birds, kittens, and puppies. Right across the landing was a Radio Shack. There was a National Record Mart. When they went out of business, a F.Y.E. took its place. I bought many of my non-Tekko-purchased anime DVDs from there. F.Y.E. moved out of the mall last year. There was a New Dimensions Comics store. They sold RPG books in addition to comics.

On the first floor, there was a Walden Books. For an introverted kid who loved to read books like me, the place was like Heaven. On the third floor, right across from the National Guard recruiting office, was the Arcade. They had Pinball Machines, Skee ball machines, Air Hockey, and Coin-op Video Games. In the food court, there was a burger place that would put cheese with bacon, or gravy on the fries. There was a large open area where Holiday events, mainly Christmas and Easter, would be held.

;_; Good bye, Century III. I'll miss you.

*Offers man hug and back pats*

Sic transit gloria mundi...

Pepsi is evil. So is coke. You're just drinking empty calories...

The best kind of calories :P

Its always sad to see part of your childhood go.

*Nods sagely*

Vanykrye wrote:

Zelda: God it sucks getting old.

Me: Yeah. Yeah, I'm sure it does.

(She turns 40 this summer.)

I agree completely with her.

I turn 39 later this month.

*Feels a tiny bit younger ^^'*

I guess my BF put it correctly that I was always being held back and told what to do, and not allowed to be me. My life would have probably been happier if I learnt to stand up for myself and tell people, ”No. It’s my life and I’ll live it the way I want to.” Instead of trying to make people happy.

But I had all this self esteem issues(because I wanted to fit in and be “normal”) and basically I valued my worth on if I was making people happy by doing the things they wanted me to do.

Ok, that is really getting depressing.

*Gives Mort pats'n'nuzzles*

Comfortable, Independent and Self-caring Kitty is best Kitty!

Horrors in parenting: When your 17-year-old son comes into the living room and starts dancing the Macarena (bad enough already) to this.

*Rolls his eye and lets his mash-up snobbery show*

Hi, Kjel! Third day of relatively warm temperatures. Tomorrow's supposed to be warm, too.

*Smiles and waves to John*

Hi, everyone. I was busy earlier, and I've got a little bit of time for posting before I make dinner.

*Nods in understanding*

Thank you Turtle

*Blushes lightly and gives Woran another hug'n'pat*

...

But what I feel needs to be said, and you can take it or leave it or tell me to shut my face: don't compare your body to others, because you will never be happy. There will always be someone fitter/more toned/thinner/whatever than you. Don't torture yourself. Get yourself to a spot that you're happy with yourself and maintain that.

(Disclaimer - This advice does not apply in cases of mental or eating disorders. Seek professional help.)

*Nods very very vigorously in agreement*

Drejk wrote:

And today's Legend Of Five Rings session canceled... :/

I blame the scorpion.

*Feigns surprise, lets out a offended 'harumph' and waddles away with his turtle nose held high*

Val seems to be almost entirely better. He's back to 3/4 energy (more than enough for a normal human), mostly normal appetite, and normal conversation/sense of humor.

*Smiles and claps his turtle feet together happily*

Cover Turtle! Go get some drowsy cold medicine! At least that type seems more effective. And sleeping is probably how you should spend your time while you're sick.

Basically what I've been doing this weekend.

Also I used Cover Turtle's whip on my BF. He ran (if slowly) the 2.4 km, but bit me after. I'll take the bites.

*Wiggles eyebrow and shakes his turtle butt at Mort*

Me rock climbing!

That was the easiest lane but I couldn't get to the top.

How high the lane is for perspective

Uhhh!

- Chefwear mushroom pants

Those are some hideously mesmerizing pants...

Whole wheat spaghetti does taste a bit odd. Just different I suppose.

Yup! Blegh! It tastes kind of...stale or flat?

Anyone else ever work with someone then they find out you play D&D and they invite themselves to your game? (He's totally not joining my game btw.)

Yup I did. Invited him into one of the gaming groups I participated in...didn't work out for several different reasons, mostly differing gaming styles and expectations.

Why Reddit must be approached with extreme caution:

Random Redditor: "...Then we'd have a choice between Klansmen and SJWs, and that's when everyone loses..."

*Fails Will save*

Me: "Did you for real just draw a moral equivalence between people who violently hate other people and people who care about other people..."

As an outsider, with an imperfect grasp of American politics, I see several problems

-> The equation of an actual ("historical") extremist group(s) with fairly established view on several reactionary (political) positions...with well more of a bunch of generalized, though at times annoyingly vague, idea(s) that seem to touch upon such things as socially progressive political positions, activism and political correctness.

-> The need for an actual political position besides the current perceived left><Right positions given above.

-> That the general tone (and amount of hyperbole) makes even the basest of communication between people on each side of the divide incredibly difficult.
If a situation can only be put forth in the most extreme, black'n'white, "with us or against us" or confrontational way as possible, it doesn't exactly engender understanding or willingness to compromise in whoever you're trying to sway…

I'll add that such attempt at such verbal browbeating will at best entrench people in their existing preconceptions and at worst it'll leave them feeling ostracized (and consequently fleeing) from your particular brand of politics.

I found my midlife crisis!

I am utterly sick to death of material possessions. I don't want any more.

*Looks at his bookshelves, which is suffering under the crushing weight of far to many Rpg books*

Nope, must say I'm not suffering from that particular crisis…
In fact I might need some kind of intervention, as I have so many Rpg books that I (almost) can't fit them into shelves.
Is there such a thing as Rpgers anonymous?
…
Anyone want to buy any books? ^^'

*fondles Cover Turtle's horse whip*

Send me a PM with an address, PO box or what not and I'll send you one ^^

So now we know which one of the seven dwarfs VE would be lets see who else we can dwarfify.

Gran is dopey!
I call sleepy. today anyways.
Mort you want bashful or sneezy?
lets see who else is usually on this late.

Probably should let the turtle be bashful. he hides in his shell that seems pretty fitting. Mort your sneezy then.

I kind of like it...but I'm definitely not a 'bashful' dwarf.

Gotta say, though there's a fair response to killing your crew as "that's not acceptable," the crew of the Enterprise are kind of being super-jerks, all things considered.

SV: "Look, all I want is salt. Please. I'm literally starving to death. If not that, please leave us alone."

EC: "No, you can't have it. Also, we're going to poke you with stuff."

SV: "Okay, well, if you're not going to give us salt-"

EC: "We definitely aren't!"

SV: "... right, well, if you're not doing that, please leave us alone and leave, quickly."

EC: "No, I think we'll hang out here for an extended period of time!"

SV: "I really think you should leave."

EC: "No-no. Definitely not."

*SV, literally starving, eats the only available salt; happens to be from a person*

EC: "Welp! Looks like you're an irredeemable monster!"

SV: "But... what if you literally just gave me salt so I wouldn't starve to death. From all the salt you've got."

EC: "No-no, we gotta kill it, dead!"

And then they do.

I mean, yeah, it killed people. And, yes, it was proooooooobably evil. But people kept actively withheld the literal thing that it needed to live. And then actively trying to trap it and kill it.

Kiiiiiiiiiiiinda jerks about the whole thing, guys.

Yea, most 'supposed heros' in a clash of cultures/species/etc can quite often be a bunch of scumbags purely based on, from which PoW the observer/viewer/reader is presented the situation in question.

Feds -> We're here on important business, and nothing will deter us! *Glomp! Redshirt disappears* OMG! a hostile species! Kill it!

SV -> I'm staring g$# d@&nit! and you, a living snack, keep prancing around me like you own the place?! F+@# it! *Glomp!*

Geez, I hate door-to-door whatevers...

Solicitors, yes.

In other news.

Still somewhat annoyed, knackered and depressed.
And as the cheery on top, I've gotten a terrible cold. Mucus everywhere. Should probably walk around with a bucket around my neck as its currently that bad. *Grumbles and coughs*

Also I've gotten glasses...which was needed as I've been losing eyesight on my right eye at an accelerated pace for a few years now…(and yes I'm going to a specialist to have it looked at, no worries)
I'm also dealing with 'adjustment' headaches and dizziness from my new glasses, so its probably gonna be quite the weekend.

Hope everyone is having better luck, where-ever they are.

*Waves with a turtle foot, before gingerly wobbling back to his hidy-hole, while swaying slightly from side to side*

*Man hugs Kjel*

*Returns Man hug*

Question for all FAWTLies of a certain age range:

What did you do when your midlife crisis hit? And how did you get over it?

...Asking for a friend.

Don't think I'm there yet…

…

Damn.

*Resets his blackboard count of "Days without succumbing to cynicism/ being a nihilistic prick" to 0*

I think Cover Turtle's mood may be linked to the gloomy weather in Europe because its winter.

It could be winter blues!

Actually I think Cover Turtle might need a vacation in somewhere sunny but temperate. If he came to Asia, he might melt.

*sticks a warm glowing sun under Cover Turtle's blanket*

*Scratches turtle nose*

Its partially correct. My depression are always worse during the dark, wintery times.

But thanks for the sun! there few things I love more then snuggling around in a really warm bed ^^'

As much as I hate being somewhere were the sun beats down relentlessly on me, I think that a really long vacation, far away from home, would do me some good.
If I had the time, money and opportunity I would love nothing more then going on a months long trip to Southeast Asia, where I'd most probably drown myself in my own brand of snobbery and encultured debauchery…hopefully with an added dash of wilderness exploration.

…I'm already going on for far too long, spending far too much time on this… (which is another point, I hate using hours to hammer out a proper post which lives up to my exacting standarts).

So I might rant tomorrow...then again I might not depending on how I'm feeling…

As I said, there are more I could (and would like to) rant about…

*Peeks out from his shell*

Thanks everyone.
I'll probably rant on later today, or maybe not...
depends on how much energy I have left.
But again thanks for the positive vibes and comments.

*Goes back into hiding*

*Peeks out from under his cover shell*

Been hiding a lot lately, as I've been feeling...well pretty s+~*ty frankly.
It's mostly been personal and family related, though it's still left me tired, depressed, lonely, and feeling very inadequate/alienated for my fellow human beings. It's basically a lot of things.
It's stuff here too. Lots of good comments, interesting questions and various fact-laden statements...all stuff I really want to comment on, or heck even at times challenge them!, as I'm always curious (and a avid contrarian). But I'm increasingly finding my self stumped to how, and even if, I should comment on all of this stuff…but at the same time I wanna be thorough - giving proper answers, contexts and PoWs _ but these things get me spiraling into further and further minutia of very damn single subject or thing I damn well comment on!
Besides that my ADD doesn't allow me keep any grip on any line of though for very long. Seriously, It was one of the hardest thing for me to swallow, that my g+%@@+n inability to keep on topic for more then a few hours at a time (if that even) - especially when writing! - was a major player in scuttling my hopes for an academic career.
Now talking my ass off is something I'm actually skilled at. It just tends to become a stream of consciousness which wobbles through several aspects - often tangentially related - of a central topic, but its something which has servered me quite well (or at least for my scholarly pursuits).

*Breaths in*

See I'm doing it right now…
I guess I'm saying, that I'm not really feeling I'm participating on a satisfactory level. I'm just trying to find the proper way to explain why, and that's its been kind of gnawing at me a bit...
And please don't mistake thing.
I'm happy to have a place where I can feel just a bit at home and I can rant and rave.
I'm just not satisfied with myself, what I am and what I'm offering to others as I truly believe I can do better.

*Sighs*

I'm already going on for far too long, spending far too much time on this… (which is another point, I hate using hours to hammer out a proper post which lives up to my exacting standarts).
So I might rant tomorrow...then again I might not depending on how I'm feeling.

Nighty night folks

*Retreats back into his cover shell*