miniaturepeddler's page

Thanks kids!!! As one of the original 13 VC, Much time was spend mentoring and helping others reach the coveted milestone of multi-stars. I am glad to join their lofty ranks, and cannot thank our player base enough for all the fun games!!

Had a great time at the NEA LGBTQ conference at Vegas this last weekend. Over 185 educators from around the nation, as far as Alaska and American Educators from Germany and the UK attended.
Photo of attendees

Got to interact with Debi Jackson Photo of Debi with me. She is such an amazing advocate for her TG daughter and for TG rights and care. I love her strength!!

Madam,

Despite appearances to the contrary vis a vis the current government’s craven position, the United Kingdom is most assuredly NOT part of the Colonies, nor shall it ever be while I draw breath.

The letter to the Times (of London, madam!) I shall be writing over this shall be most serious. Most serious, indeed.

Hope you have a good conference

Funny: The educator who is coming in from the UK is an American Educator who teachers kids at the US Bases there (ie US schools based out of the various Military installations throughout the world to service the US Dependents of servicemen and women who take their families with them to assignments).

Though this does remind me of a funny post I saw running around:

To the citizens of the United States of America from Her Sovereign Majesty Queen... Elizabeth II:

( Not meant for those lacking a sense of humor, and or those that refuse to read a note in its entirety before making a comment)

In light of your immediate failure to financially manage yourselves and also in recent years your tendency to elect incompetent Presidents of the USA and therefore not able to govern yourselves, we hereby give notice of the revocation of your independence, effective immediately. (You should look up 'revocation' in the Oxford English Dictionary.)

Her Sovereign Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will resume monarchical duties over all states, commonwealths, and territories (except Kansas , which she does not fancy).

Your new Prime Minister, David Cameron, will appoint a Governor for America without the need for further elections.

Congress and the Senate will be disbanded. A questionnaire may be circulated sometime next year to determine whether any of you noticed.

To aid in the transition to a British Crown dependency, the following rules are introduced with immediate effect:

1. The letter 'U' will be reinstated in words such as 'colour,' 'favour,' 'labour' and 'neighbour.' Likewise, you will learn to spell 'doughnut' without skipping half the letters, and the suffix '-ize' will be replaced by the suffix '-ise.'Generally, you will be expected to raise your vocabulary to acceptable levels. (look up 'vocabulary'). (I love that one)

Using the same twenty-seven words interspersed with filler noises such as ''like' and 'you know' is an unacceptable and inefficient form of communication. There is no such thing as U.S. English. We will let Microsoft know on your behalf. The Microsoft spell-checker will be adjusted to take into account the reinstated letter 'u'' and the elimination of '-ize.' ' (I love that one too)

3. July 4th will no longer be celebrated as a holiday.

4. You will learn to resolve personal issues without using guns, lawyers, or therapists. The fact that you need so many lawyers and therapists shows that you're not quite ready to be independent. Guns should only be used for shooting grouse. If you can't sort things out without suing someone or speaking to a therapist, then you're not ready to shoot grouse.

5. Therefore, you will no longer be allowed to own or carry anything more dangerous than a vegetable peeler. Although a permit will be required if you wish to carry a vegetable peeler in public.

6. All intersections will be replaced with roundabouts, and you will start driving on the left side with immediate effect. At the same time, you will go metric with immediate effect and without the benefit of conversion tables. Both roundabouts and metrication will help you understand the British sense of humour.

7. The former USA will adopt UK prices on petrol (which you have been calling gasoline) of roughly $10/US gallon. Get used to it.)

8.You will learn to make real chips. Those things you call French fries are not real chips, and those things you insist on calling potato chips are properly called crisps. Real chips are thick cut, fried in animal fat, and dressed not with catsup but with vinegar.

9. The cold, tasteless stuff you insist on calling beer is not actually beer at all. Henceforth, only proper British Bitter will be referred to as beer, and European brews of known and accepted provenance will be referred to as Lager. New Zealand beer is also acceptable, as New Zealand is pound for pound the greatest sporting nation on earth and it can only be due to the beer. They are also part of the British Commonwealth - see what it did for them. American brands will be referred to as Near-Frozen Gnat's Urine, so that all can be sold without risk of further confusion.

10. Hollywood will be required occasionally to cast English actors as good guys. Hollywood will also be required to cast English actors to play English characters. Watching Andie Macdowell attempt English dialogue in Four Weddings and a Funeral was an experience akin to having one's ears removed with a cheese grater.

11. You will cease playing American football. There are only two kinds of proper football; one you call soccer, and rugby (dominated by the New Zealanders). Those of you brave enough will, in time, be allowed to play rugby (which has some similarities to American football, but does not involve stopping for a rest every twenty seconds or wearing full kevlar body armour like a bunch of nancies).

12. Further, you will stop playing baseball. It is not reasonable to host an event called the World Series for a game which is not played outside of America . Since only 2.1% of you are aware there is a world beyond your borders, your error is understandable. You will learn cricket, and we will let you face the Australians (World dominators) first to take the sting out of their deliveries.

13. You must tell us who killed JFK. It's been driving us mad.

14. An internal revenue agent (i.e. tax collector) from Her Majesty's Government will be with you shortly to ensure the acquisition of all monies due (backdated to 1776).

15. Daily Tea Time begins promptly at 4 p.m. with proper cups, with saucers, and never mugs, with high quality biscuits (cookies) and cakes; plus strawberries (with cream) when in season.

God Save the Queen!

Really looking forward to the glbt/NEA conference this weekend in vegas. Sad that I will not be seeing any of y'all there, but we do have over 180 educators from throughout the US (as far as Alaska and the UK) coming in. So it should be a very informative and engaging time.

Also I was elected to attend the National NEA Rep Assembly this summer in Minneapolis. Again if anyone else might be headed there and wanted to connect up over the Fourth of July Week, it would be fun!!

It might be fun to schedule a game Friday or Sat night of the Conference, if anyone else was there.

Hey are there any other LGBT+ educators in the group (besides me?). The NEA GLBT Caucus is hosting a national conference in May in Vegas (May 18th) NEA GLBT Issues Conf and I was wondering if I might see any of you there?

Registration closes the end of the month.

Just in case there are any LGBTQ+ Educators in the forum:

https://www.facebook.com/events/2073486626229040/

The National Education Association Gay Lesbian Bisexual, Transgender Caucus (NEA-GLBT) would like to formally invite you to attend our inaugural LGBTQ+ Educational Issues Conference, focusing on the intersectionality of race, gender and sexual orientation, being held May 18-20, 2018, at the Rio Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, NV. Our goal is for participants to recognize our interconnectedness, acknowledge and explore the intersectionality of institutional racism and institutional homophobia so we can stand together against societal injustices. it is important that we recognize how different identities intersect and affect an individual's reality in lived experiences, shaping their perspectives, worldview, and relationships with others. Register at www.nea-glbtc.org.

Hope to see a few of you there.

:)

Just had a wonderful weekend with 250 LGBTQ+ educators and allies in San Jose., CA. I am so proud and excited that in spite of all the turmoil regarding community rights and procedures, I have to say that California is doing it right. The rules and regulations to support and protect our LGBTQ+ students and staff are firmly embedded in State law, and the support mechanisms are being built and enforced throughout districts in the state. Even in rural conservative areas of the state, the CTA (California Teachers Union)is strongly working to ensure that they are implemented, supporting our fellow teachers, staff and students who are coming out and/or going through transitions.
This is such a change from 30 years ago when I went through my own transition, and I wondered if I would ever work again in a technical field or be able to rent or own a home, or have a spouse.
My students know are so blaze about so many of the issues that I was scared to death about.
I am glad that many of these support structures are in place for our new generation, and I believe that in spite of the attack from the Federal Executive level of government, I believe that we shall stand and overcome.
Part of why, maybe I am optimistic today was to see that even in as conservative state as Alabama, where I went to Jr High and much of High School, that change can happen, and we can resist and overcome.

What I want for Christmas is one of the Paizo Goblins with a rainbow beanie!!!

How can we make it happen?

I got to go to my first GLBT+ advisory committee meeting on Friday for the State Union.
We were going over agenda items of things we would like to see talked by the state union BOD, and I added an item to have our state union start to develop a more detailed plan of action and guidelines on how to help our members who are anticipating or going through transition on the job at our various school districts.
I enforced that I have always been disappointed that it seems that each person who goes through transition or comes out at a job within the state always seems to have to re-invent the wheel and always feels alone.
I was informed that we offer many legal and other support services for our members, and if they are put in contact with our state diversity team, they are able to get guidance.
I pushed back that this is rather reactive, and that many members and chapters never know about this and am asking for better publication and centralization of resources that our Union offers to our members regarding this issue.
I understand that this is an evolving target each year, but that is what we pay our dues for, and it happens too often to remain reactive.
I was successful in adding it to the list. Now to see how far I can drive it forward.

So I got some good news: I received an appointment to the CTA LGBTQ annual conference steering committee (this is an annual appointment).
Met with the committee for the first time at the CTA Rep Council in LA this past weekend.

One of orders of agenda was/is selecting an appropriate LGBTQ movie for the conference. I was able to steer them away from inappropriate Trans representing movies that had made the cut prior to my joining the committee.

It will be a lot of work, but glad to help further the community and the movement and help educators learn about our community in an appropriate fashion. Too many issues and things going on effecting LGBTQ educators and students throughout California.

Very disappointed, but not surprised to see the DOJ under Sessions retreat from the protection of LGBTQ youth in our schools: http://www.lgbtqnation.com/2017/02/day-one-jeff-sessions-doj-withdraws-appe al-anti-transgender-ruling/

Three steps forward, 12 steps back. :(

Happy holidays: Hanuka, Winter Solstice, Christmas, New Years!!

Tara and I shall be making a trip to Vegas to watch the New Year's Fireworks and will be making side trips to the various Tourista spots (Grand Canyon, Red Rock Canyon, Valley of the Fire and Hoover Dam).

If we don't get it all done, oh well, it's a vacation after all.

First year in a few years we will not be mingling with one or the other of the in-laws (mine or her's). This is due to our pilgrimages to the families over Thanksgiving.

This will seem to be a mild holiday.

If anyone ends up in Sin City the first week of the New Year and want to get together for a lunch or brunch, give a shout out!

Otherwise: Happy holidays, my brothers and sisters from different mothers!! :)

These are great! Super useful and really well done. Players are just starting RotR, (some have done it before, but whatever) and session 0 went swimmingly.

Hey, If i wanted to print these maps, (particularly the GlassWorks one) how big would I need to make the paper to get the 1-inch-square grid that the players could put their pawns on?

Also, to contriboot, I always thought that Nualia would have been better as an Anti-Pali, so I stat'd her as one.

** spoiler omitted **...

Posterazor is my goto printing program to use my standard 8.5x11 printer and print out any map I want:

http://posterazor.sourceforge.net/

And it is FREE!!

As the top decision-making body for the 3 million-member NEA, the RA responded by approving a new business item, calling on the Association to join a national effort to prevent acts of violence targeted at LGBTQ individuals and to protect their civil rights. The NBI calls on a multi-pronged approach in the courts and legislatures.

RA 2016 Educators stand behind LGBTQ community

It was a very exciting event to participate in, being one of the longest running and largest democratic assemblies in existence in the US.

Recently attended the NEA (National Education Association) Representative Assembly in Washington DC.
This was a very active year regarding TG and LGTBQ rights in schools and the workplace. A number of new Business Items were passed during the assembly:

New Business Item 54
Action:
Adopted As Modified

NEA will encourage all state and local affiliates to use existing means of communication to promote developmentally appropriate resources that help all educators support gender equality and safety in our schools such as, but not limited to, “Building a Gender Friendly School Environment: A Toolkit for Educators and Their Union,” from Education International.This resource can be found at https://download.ei-ie.org/docs/IRIS Documents/EI%20Campaigns/EFAIDS%20Programme/2007-00169-01-E.pdf.
Rationale/Background

Students learn much about their gender identity in our schools and the issue of gender identity is closely connected to gender equality and safety. All educators need a toolkit of resources to build an overall gender-friendly school environment.

New Business Item 57
Action:

NEA will encourage all state and local affiliates to use valid and existing resources to provide transgender and gender nonconforming awareness training for faculty, staff, and administrators such as, but not limited to, “The Teaching Transgender Toolkit: A Facilitator’s Guide to Increasing Knowledge, Decreasing Prejudice & Building Skills.” This resource can be found at http://www.teachingtransgender.org.
Rationale/Background

Most educators do not receive training or support in transgender awareness and it is not fair to assume that they will arrive at their schools with the skills they need to work effectively with youth from these communities.

New Business Item 60
Action:
Adopted As Modified

NEA will provide all state and local affiliates with existing model language developed jointly by Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) and the National Center for Transgender Equity focused on district policy on transgender and gender nonconforming students that our school boards can adopt. This resource can be found at: http://www.glsen.org/sites/default/files/GLSEN%20Trans%20Model%20Policy%201 6_0.pdf.
Rationale/Background

State and local affiliates need policy language that reduces the stigmatization of and improves the educational integration of transgender and gender nonconforming students to further the successful educational development and well-being of every student.

So out of 125 new business items presented to the assembly, three were directly related to our community, and passed overwhelmingly in the Representative Assembly of Teachers and Educations from throughout the US.

I was very proud to represent California in this assembly and see the progress we are making and hope to see these issues percolate throughout the US, and hopefully become standard throughout our schools and educational establishments throughout the US.

JERRY WAYNE 333 wrote:

Kevin Willis wrote:

JERRY WAYNE 333 wrote:

So how does the four-volunteer-GMs-to-a-room at the Westin work? Do they roll in a couple of sleeping cots or do you have to cozy up in one of the double beds with one of your just-met-five-minutes-ago roommates? Do I need to bring a sleeping bag?

You share a bed.

Cuddling optional.

I've been doing this for years and never had a problem with a roommate hogging too much of the bed. Of course for me it's usually walk in, brush teeth, and *whoomph* straight to sleep from exhaustion.

I don't know how my wife is going to feel about me farting in bed with another while alseep, I think that was even in our wedding vows.

If you're wierded out at the thought of sharing; then bring a sleeping bag or air mattress. One can request a cot; but with the number of people they may or may not have enough to accommodate everyone and you may be left in the lurch if you don't plan ahead.

In general though; by the time everyone gets to the room to crash for the night -- doing anything funny isn't even a thought as you are exhausted and just want to get your 3 hours of sleep before you get up to hit it for another day

Camping Cots are your friend. They are small enough to throw into the back of your car, or as your second check in baggage if you are flying. But it might not be worth the extra baggage fee if you are flying ($25 each way).

What I don't understand is why the issue; that it was explicitly a Latina night has hardly made the news.
Surprised that the race ticket isn't being broadcast on the issue more.

Last years annual NEA teacher's convention was in Orlando and a number of GLBTQ delegates had gone to that club on a couple of nights. It is fairly well known in the area.

Why did this guy travel 120 miles to goto this location? There is a strong and visible GLBTQ community closer in Miami, near where he lived. Is it also the Disney connection?

Was John Oliver right John Oliver's Last Week tonite comments was it an attack on what is truly the basis of America: Sexual and Gender Freedom/disney culture?

Also did anyone see the news about the US attorney general's action against NC?

Attorney General Brings Suit

In a moving statement given just moments ago, Attorney General Loretta Lynch announced that the Department of Justice (DOJ) is filing a lawsuit against the state of North Carolina over HB2, which it describes as “state-sponsored discrimination against transgender individuals.”

Huzzah for the AG and the Obama administration!

Winter Solstice is tomorrow!! I hope everyone has a good day and some great holiday celebrations!!

Glad you had a good get together Mandy.
It was 5 years before I returned home after my transition, and it was slow going to start with.
My mom still makes mistakes when she is talking about me to friends, but it is neither malicious or intentional.
Though she makes the same mistake when talking about my partner also, and my sister had to get on her case about this "Mom you never knew her before, why do you say him?"
I have not had the same issues with the younger generation (the Millennials).
We have made so many strides over the years, but like many Minorities, there is still so far to go.

This has been a weird and overall bad week. I have had a number of friends who have been harassed, stalked, blackmailed and attacked this past week. Issues have involved dead names, former family, political activism, coming out about current and former mental conditions and seeking treatments, and attempts to help out and educate about much of the hate and discrimination that occurs on a daily basis in many minority or under represented groups out in society.
Non of my friends are hateful people, people who use violence to promote agendas, nor place their past into people faces, but instead are quiet advocates who while not in the closet, do not evangelize, rather performing quiet and helpful mentoring, and sharing of their own past to those who ask in order to help and guide the next generation and promote positive understanding of what they went through and to hopefully minimize the trauma of those who are still going through or facing those issues.

I know I am being cryptic, but the issues they share about are so diverse: Cancer, depression, gender dysphoria, transexualism, homosexuality, women's issues, etc.

This is part of what saddens me, the general attitude of the privileged majority that think it is ok to treat people like dirt, making snide comments in response to their posts, and their activities. They cry out that 'you should just stay in the closet', 'how dare you flaunt who you are', 'be a good little drone and stay out of my sight', 'your existence harshes my buzz', 'how dare you...' and the list goes on.

What right does anyone have to say that you shouldn't exist? And that their way is the only right and normal way to exist?

I could list all these friends names now, but the list would be long, but know that every one of you going through this garbage, that I feel blessed to have you as a friend, and that I and Tara love and support you against all the asshats of the world. You can count on us to believe in you and support you, now and in the future!

Sincerely

Hm, exciting school year for me. I was elected to a leadership position in our local Teacher's Union. In Exec committee they were looking for a Human Rights Chapter contact, and with no one else stepping forward, I volunteered.

Suddenly I am awash in Human Rights/LGBTQ/Womens/Minority rights/issues, scheduled for monthly meetings with other state and regional representatives, and training. What did I get myself into?

My political activism was decades ago, and it is strange to jump back into this water.

So if any of the rest of you happen to be attending Teacher LGBTQ or Human rights conferences here in California, look me up!! I will be there.

Kinda exciting and kinda scary at the same time. My how times have changed!

A college mate of mine's child just transitioned at college: She talked to the housing departement, and the solution for everyone was that the housing department actually found a single for her to make the transition in. Unfortunately this meant that she had to delay the transition for a semester (Winter instead of fall), mostly because the school actually had to empty and renovate an old single from a storage closet back to a dorm room.
It was good for everyone as roommates were not freaked out, and she has been making a successful transition since then (and this is at a small private college in Ohio even).
This also allowed her to solidify her support groups (on campus LBGTQ groups, etc).
I realize I am an old fart (30 year post transition), but planning and communication with those you will be interacting with and seeking support from is key to a successful transition.

Robyn

I didn't see any details of anyone wanting to get together for Gencon.
I would love to organize a breakfast club for family members (all of you).

If you are interested, and are an early bird, I plan on hitting Steak and Shake for breakfast several mornings.

I have to be at PFS HQ at 7:30, so this would mean a 6:00 am breakfast at Steak and Shake on Thurs/Friday/Sat/Sun.

I plan on being on a bus on Monday to leave Indi, but can also do breakfast that day also, but I can actually sleep in a little, but must make the greyhound bus station at 10:00am.

Who might be up to join me any of those days?

John Oliver dedicated almost an entire episode regarding Transgender rights.

The man is brilliant, and did such a great job regarding transgender issues and rights and the current state of them (or lack of them).

If you haven't seen the video (its only 18 minutes long) then watch it, and pass it on.

Thank you John!!

JJ,
I was fortunate that insurance paid for my primary surgery back in the 80s. Having an insurance company was a crap shoot back then, and often times, required massive correspondence and negotiations
I believe that many instances back then depended on a combination of which insurance company you had, and the company you worked for.
I had many delays and scary moments when I did not believe that the insurance company would ever approve, but I actually had a very good agent at the company office who sheparded it through some of the tight spots, and I had great guidance from several sisters at the time, who were going through the process at the same time.
Sister Mary Elizabeth out of Southern California was a major advocate at the time, and her research and guidance helped many a time.
At the time many Transwomen needed from around $15,000 to cover surgeries without insurance. This was 1985 dollars, so I know those costs have only risen since then.
This did not cover peoples usual living expenses and continuing medical costs that women go through.
Side procedures are seldom covered by any insurance, even today. Look at what Jenner has decided to go through: Electrolysis, adams apple shaving, moving of her hairline, and facial reconstruction. Most women, I don't care who or what your background is, can afford all of these procedures.
Many of these procedures can be avoided if a woman begins her transition earlier in life. It is good to not have to reverse the poisoning effects on Testosterone on you body if you can.
But for many to do that at that age would require the consent and support of parents or guardians, something few are willing to do.

For many of us, we are told what we should be doing, and who we are, whether that is "Your gay", "Your a Transvestite", "Your just going through a phase"

There are many sacrifices that we all go through. And not all are willing or able to make those sacrifices. Some wait till they have and raise children, some wait till a significant person in their life is gone, some wait till they achieve financial security. The desperation of the individual and the internal dysphoria drives you to the point where you can no longer wait. The individual has to make that choice of how much they must suffer before they must make changes.

I have had friends who sacrificed more than I did, and I have had friends who have sacrificed less. No ones can say that their sacrifice was harder or easier than another, but none of them have left themselves unmarked.

It always break my heart when the pain of an individual becomes more than they can bear, and they make a choice that ends their life, life the young girl in Cincinnati. Ohio is a hard state, but it saddens me that she wasn't able to find support, when I know personally of several support groups in that area, and even in that city. No one should ever be pushed so hard that they believe their only choice is to remove their own life.

anyways, off the soapbox.

Thanks for taking the time to reply Lissa.

I can't recall who made the comments I was referring to. They were all long ago. I have heard contradictory things through the media presented as fact. And I have heard one transwoman interviewed who regarded the surgery she had undergone as not needed. But one person's views don't tell you anything about a population.

Even if the Swiss study is right about the suicide rate in post operative trans women, it may well be lower than the rate in pre-operative trans women.

Good luck with the insurance company.

All this publicity about Jenner is interesting. My sister talked to me about it, and we shared our thoughts on all of this talk going around, and the level of support that Jenner is receiving from the general public is amazing.
Back in the day when I went through transition, things weren't so accepting. I moved across country to avoid my own family. My brothers both spoke about tracking me down, and kidnapping me, and beating sense into me. If they had done so, I doubt that many in the Midwest community would have felt sorry for me and would have had empathy for my brothers instead.
When I had come out to one of my brothers (the one I believed was more liberal), he threatened to kill me, stating that the shame of killing a 'brother' would be less than I would be putting my family through.
It took 5 years after my transition before I felt safe enough to visit my family in the midwest. It has been slow, but my own successful transition was what probably made my family become accepting of who I am, without much help from my family.
Finding a partner in life is what helped me get through my transition.
30 years of life after trump 25 years of pain.
I am always proud to see little brothers and sisters achieve their potential, and hope that the path that I and others travelled before have made their lot in life easier.
We are all not there yet, but it is better than it ever was before. I hope for success and peace to Caitlyn, and to all you youngsters.
This is what those of us who marched on Washington in the 80s, and all the street parades throughout the US and the world always hoped for.
My partner and I had our 27th anniversary this year. I hope the same happiness for all of you.

Good artcle in the Guardian: When you're trans, every choice to be more feminine could mean life or death by Jetta Rae

48. Quicky mart that sells sparklers, those rats on the rotating spit (beside the register) and behind the counter smoke sticks.
In front of the quicky mart is are a set of metal animals (one a pig, the other a goblin dog), that if you hand the beggar (who is standing beside it) a copper he will kick and rock the animal for one minute while you ride it (pay an extra copper and he will make squealing and barking noises while doing this).

Here is a photo of Tara and I visiting Texas (in fact the USS Texas in Houston).

But we are a couple of old farts, not like you bunch of young kins! :)

Having been together since Feb of 1988. A lot of what many of you are going through is old school for the two of us, though we have been around long enough to have participated in Various Pride Parades, Marches on Washington, going through Civil Union, when it became legal, then running to the courthouse and being officially married when that became available in 2008, to this years milestone of filing our first fully Joint Tax return on both the state and the Federal level, without having to mark special boxes.

Life has been hard at times, but it definitely makes it better when you can do it with the one you love.

My partner and I got married at the Orange County Courthouse:
Courthouse image
Old OC Courthouse
Its was lovely and while we couldn't have many guests (6 was a crowd) it was a beautiful venue.

It is with sad feelings that I submit my resignation as Venture Captain of the LA Grand Lodge. What a weird, strange trip it has been and what a great ride!! As part of the original 13 VC crew appointed by Paizo in September of 2010, we all had large geographic areas and large expectations. Here in Los Angeles, we jumped into our local gaming conventions of ORCCON/GATEWAY/GAMEX and we squeezed out two tables from the Organized play area of the convention. Over the years we have added, and carved out our own dedicated area, with over 85 PFS tables each convention, making for 3 weekends of four days of non-stop PFS gaming throughout the year. We have had a number of stores joining us with regular gamedays: Game Ogre, The Warhouse, Comic Quest, Game Empire, The Realm, Socal Games and Comics, Seth’s Gaming Stores in Ventura, Thou Shalt Game in Temecula, Pathfinder Online Gaming Collective, Aerohobbies, Brookhurst Hobbies, Dicehouse Games, Emerald Knights, GMI Games and Collecibles, Knight Ware Inc, Pair A Dice Games & Commics, the Last Genadier, Third Planet, and a number of other current and past stores throughout Orange County, Riverside County, San Bernardino County, Los Angeles County and Ventura County. We were a huge region covering many players and many stores.
Our Volunteer crew grew and I received excellent support from my Venture Lt crew: Brian Darnell, Preston Poulter, Jon-Enee Merriex, Mark Dorrough, Nicholas Milasich, Frank Perkins and Ron Feldman. The Store Owners, GMs, store Coordinators and Volunteers made my job a joy: Don Collins, Eric Collins, Bruce Higa, Grant Gaines, and so many others, that I know I could not and have not listed them all, have made this a dynamic and growing region and just because I did not list your name, does not mean that your help was unappreciated nor overlooked. I could not have built this region without each and every one of you.
So what does this mean for the future of the LA Grand Lodge? Due to the growth of the region, and the number of stores and an expanding number of conventions, and events; the region shall be splitting into two new regions: Jon-Enee Merriex the current VL of Long Beach shall be stepping up and coordinating the region of Los Angeles County and coordinating with the Los Angeles Gaming Conventions to continue their run of games, reformulating the Grand Lodge throughout the area. Ron Feldman, VL of Orange County shall be stepping up and taking charge of a new Grand Lodge of Orange County and the Inland Empire, helping the expanding number of stores and conventions that are happening in Anaheim and the Greater Inland Empire (Riverside and San Bernardino Counties). I know they will be stepping up and introducing themselves and their new staff (Venture Lts and Store Coordinators).
Both Ron and Jon-Enee shall be appointing new Venture Lts to help them in their expanded roles and to continue to provide coverage for the play base here in Southern California. And I know that the surrounding Grand Lodges of Northern California and San Diego will continue to support them in their efforts to service the player base of California and the Western United States. I always felt blessed by the support of the surrounding Grand Lodges and Venture Officers who would often join us in the area, coming down to both play and GM in the local events, and I know that the close relationship between the entire PFS community in Southern California shall continue.
Let it be known that I will miss serving with and coordinating events with all of you, and while I will be taking a break, I am not leaving the community and look forward to playing at many of your tables, and continuing to GM a few tables in the future. I love the Southern California gaming community and want to see what is best for the community, while I continue to take care of personal matters and spend more time with my family.

I liked Obama's State the Union Address:

There’s one last pillar to our leadership — and that’s the example of our values.

As Americans, we respect human dignity, even when we’re threatened, which is why I’ve prohibited torture, and worked to make sure our use of new technology like drones is properly constrained. It’s why we speak out against the deplorable anti-Semitism that has resurfaced in certain parts of the world. It’s why we continue to reject offensive stereotypes of Muslims — the vast majority of whom share our commitment to peace. That’s why we defend free speech, and advocate for political prisoners, and condemn the persecution of women, or religious minorities, or people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender. We do these things not only because they’re right, but because they make us safer.

This is the first time I have ever heard a sitting president talk about the basic human rights of the LGBTQ community by name!!

Thank you Mr President.

17 month wait? Wow.
I realize I was in the dark ages of the 80s, but my initial wait was 8 months or wrangling with the insurance company to pre-authorize. This was after the intitial 12 month RLT period required at the time. Lots of back and forth paperwork between me, my care givers and the insurance company. Then there was a 2 months of insecurity, as the company I was working for went out of business, and I went onto COBRA coverage, and in the end I had a great case manager who pushed the paperwork through.

I know you have patience Lissa, and I know you will get through this trial also.

I wanted to wish everyone a progressive and happy new year. I hope that every makes progress toward goals in their lives, and that each and every one of you achieve your happyness!
I know it can be done and wish you the support and love that is needed to reach yours.

Ok, starting book three.
The first encounter with the Ogrekin has one of them hunting a cat.

It says that he/it is singing a kitten song as it is fighting the cat.

Did anyone else come up with some lyrics or a song for the encounter?

I was thinking something along the line of this:

(song to the tune of 'Oh so pretty")

Oh the Kitty!
Oh so Pretty!
Will be my lunch tonite!

Oh the Kitty
Smells so pretty!
Crunchy will be my meal tonite!

Oh the kitty!
Come on Kitty!
Your eyes will be my treat tonite!

Silly kitty!
Stupid Kitty!
Don’t know when your done, that’s right

I would like to announce the appointment of a new Venture Lt in the LA Grand Lodge: Frank Perkins!
Those of you who have attended Orccon/Gamex/Gateway and played at the various Card games at the convention should recognize Frank as a consistent volunteer and game organizer from those convention. Frank has been involved in the gaming community for a number of years throughout the Southern California region.
He shall be responsible for helping stores and event organizers with the new Adventure Card Game Organized play throughout the region!!
He shall be contacting stores and event organizers to help them get the Pathfinder Organized Card game off the ground at their local venues.
People who are also interested in working with Frank in organizing their local venues are welcome to contact Frank.

Please welcome Frank to the Venture Officer crew for the LA Grand Lodge!

Jon Stewart/Samantha Bee and the shape of florida!!

:)

The first 30 seconds.

I am pleased to announce the newest of the growing ranks of 5 Star GMs within the Los Angeles CA Grand Lodge: Art Severance.

Art is an outstanding example of the fun, competent and outstanding GMs that exist in the Los Angeles and Southern California Community.

Please join me in congratulating Art in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the gaming community and the Pathfinder Society.

We look forward to Art's continuing support of excellence in Gaming in the region and the LA region!!

Thanks Art!!

Robyn Nixon
LA Grand Lodge
Venture Captain.

Four Days of Gaming and PFS play!!

One of the oldest gaming convention is being held again in Southern California over Labor day weekend (August 29 to Sep 1st)

The Warhorn site and the Convention site are both set up and accepting registration for the event:

Scenario Registration

Convention Registration

Mark this down on your calendar, register for your hotel room and make your transportation arrangements.

The Warhorn site will be up and running by the end of the month to schedule your scenarios, but go ahead and register your account now to ensure that you receive all the announcements from the PFS group.

The Convention registration is open for general registration, and will open up August 9th for pre-registration of non-pfs events at the convention.

Friday August 15th, the hotel shuts off registration for hotel lodging using the convention discount.

So come on down to Southern California. Bring your family, make an extended vacation out it (Visit the original Disneyland, Knotts berry farm, Huntington Beach Pier, Hollywood, and more)

Make this your gaming destination and your family vacation. We have over 450 events at the convention, with over 80 tables of PFS. We are very Adult, Family and Kid friendly!!

Hope to see you there.

Robyn
Los Angeles Venture Captain