
Dreamer |

JSL or Dreamer: are you guys going to be in town (Eugene) on the 21st?
Our current timeline has us loading our moving van on the 26th, taking off on the 27th or 28th, and closing on the house on the 31st. Then we get to move all our stuff in. (Wanna help?)
Two weeks to go -- yea! and ack!

Dreamer |

Hopefully the grass is greener up there.
It really is. Literally. :)
Thanks, all, for your well-wishes. I think we're in pretty good shape; there's just a lot to do in the next 2 weeks. It's hard to both be moving and having to continue doing our routine stuff (kids to school, homework, work-work, grocery shopping, sick baby, etc.). And with a toddler who can unpack boxes faster than I can pack them, well...
...Let's just say we've got our work cut out for us! But it's all well and good, and this move will be good for our family. As for me, I'm looking forward to a little bit slower pace of life and being about 500 miles closer to family.
And, Neil, once again, good luck with the Final Round!

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Then we get to move all our stuff in. (Wanna help?)
Do I get to make a saving throw, here? Save vs. Helping Me Move DC = 15, right? I get my Dodge bonus, too!
I'm kidding.
[Many Questions:]Is JSL taking time off after the 31st to get stuff moved in? Do you have a moving day specified for that week? Are you gonna wait until the weekend? [/Many Questions]
I'm happy and willing to help during the week, but I'd need to put it in my calendar ahead of time. Let me know what you're plans are and how many you've got on hand to help.
Good luck with the move! It's such a pain (and it only get worse with each additional time you do it), but it seems like you've got the upside firmly in mind.
Oh, and the weather has been just gorgeous. Brisk (and I mean cold) mornings and lots of sunshine but with rain in the forecast (though, when is rain not in the forecast up here?).

Dreamer |

My parents moved to the Oregon Coast when I was in high school. The kid who showed me around the school assured me it only rains twice a year in Oregon: Once from January to June, and once from July to December!
JSL's our moving coordinator; I'll let him answer the many questions when he gets the chance.
P.S. We'll have other hands helping too; maybe you could roll for a +2 aid another. :)

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On a semi-related note: I started a new google group called EAGL or the Eugene Area Gamers League. Here's the URL:
http://groups.google.com/group/eagamers
JSL and Dreamer, check it out if you get the chance (yeah, right--I know you're both busy). I'm hoping it'll have some utility in getting folks in the area together to play games.

JSL |
On a semi-related note: I started a new google group called EAGL or the Eugene Area Gamers League. Here's the URL:
http://groups.google.com/group/eagamers
JSL and Dreamer, check it out if you get the chance (yeah, right--I know you're both busy). I'm hoping it'll have some utility in getting folks in the area together to play games.
It looks like I'll miss the gameday on the 21st both there and here. But definitely check it out if you can. It might be a good place to recruit.
There is a thriving yahoo group for RPers at the local gamestore here. They also use a tool called warhorn (www.warhorn.net) to handle scheduling and sign-ups for games. I'm going to try to talk to one of the organizers in the next two weeks and get some ideas for running events.
We should have our keys by 5pm on 3/31. The earliest the van could arrive per the movers is 4/1. Assuming they are not delayed, that's when we'll be unloading.
My parents will be down from Washington, but my mom will probably take the kids and my step-dad will be recovering from rotator cuff surgery. My father-in-law, at least one brother-in-law, and two exchange students should be coming from Newport. I'm going to try to get my sister and her husband down from Portland (but if they come, I might put them to work cooking some food for everyone - they are both chefs). Also, there will be one guy from work, some family friends, and possibly help from our church.

Neil Spicer Contributor, RPG Superstar 2009, RPG Superstar Judgernaut |

With the 4e Players Handbook 2 going on sale tuesday, I thought I should pre-order a copy. So I went to Amazon and entered "Players Handbook 2" in the search field and here is what it thought I wanted.
LOL!
Are you sure you didn't type in "Book of Erotic Fantasy" instead?
Heh.
Heheheheheh...
Ahem.
--Neil

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Thanks, guys! I really appreciate it. And especially Dreamer's incredible response in the submission thread. Wow. Thank you.
--Neil
I haven't had the time to read all of the comments in the last few days, but it seems like you're in a two-man sprint to the end with Eric. I'm getting vicarious butterflies!
Even if you don't get the prize (and I'd frankly be shocked at that), it's still superior work. You should be proud of yourself. Indeed, I'm proud of you, and we've never even met except through Zieke and Ceelie!

Neil Spicer Contributor, RPG Superstar 2009, RPG Superstar Judgernaut |

I haven't had the time to read all of the comments in the last few days, but it seems like you're in a two-man sprint to the end with Eric. I'm getting vicarious butterflies!
You think you've got butterflies?!? There's a Mothra-sized one tearing me up right now!
Even if you don't get the prize (and I'd frankly be shocked at that), it's still superior work. You should be proud of yourself. Indeed, I'm proud of you, and we've never even met except through Zieke and Ceelie!
If you'd care to meet, why not venture up for PaizoCon in Seattle? I'm planning to skip GenCon and head out there this year instead. I believe they still have tickets available. And travel/hotel costs couldn't be any cheaper right now. In fact, you could even crash in the room I'm sharing with Eric Tillemens if you'd like. So, c'mon up and we'll game like it's 1999...or, well...you know.
--Neil

JSL |
If you'd care to meet, why not venture up for PaizoCon in Seattle? I'm planning to skip GenCon and head out there this year instead. I believe they still have tickets available. And travel/hotel costs couldn't be any cheaper right now. In fact, you could even crash in the room I'm sharing with Eric Tillemens if you'd like. So, c'mon up and we'll game like it's 1999...or, well...you know.
--Neil
I honestly don't know if I'd care to attend the convention, but it's only a 5-1/2 hour drive from Eugene. I'll at least go up and meet you for lunch. If Santinj@ is able, we can go up together.

Neil Spicer Contributor, RPG Superstar 2009, RPG Superstar Judgernaut |

I honestly don't know if I'd care to attend the convention, but it's only a 5-1/2 hour drive from Eugene. I'll at least go up and meet you for lunch. If Santinj@ is able, we can go up together.
That would be cool as well. Everyone's staying at the Bellevue Coast Hotel...or is it Coastal Bellevue Hotel...something like that. Check the PaizoCon announcement. It's listed there. I have no idea what restaurants are in the area, but we should be able to find something on one of the days I'm up there. I'm flying in on Thursday, June 11 and departing on Monday, June 15th. So Friday, Saturday, or Sunday for lunch would probably make the most sense.
--Neil

JSL |
My grandma lives in Tacoma. I can stay there. Also, I was near that hotel (on the other side of the freeway) a couple of times for work in 2007. We were doing a seismic retrofit of the Key Bank building on 4th and 106th. There is a mall a couple of blocks west and the ususal assortment of lunch-type restaraunts near that.
With regards to the Con, I don't know if I can firmly commit to being there long enough to take advantage of it and I'd hate to tie up a ticket and then not be there for more than 1/2 of one day.
I'll check into some options, though.

Neil Spicer Contributor, RPG Superstar 2009, RPG Superstar Judgernaut |

My grandma lives in Tacoma. I can stay there. Also, I was near that hotel (on the other side of the freeway) a couple of times for work in 2007. We were doing a seismic retrofit of the Key Bank building on 4th and 106th. There is a mall a couple of blocks west and the ususal assortment of lunch-type restaraunts near that.
With regards to the Con, I don't know if I can firmly commit to being there long enough to take advantage of it and I'd hate to tie up a ticket and then not be there for more than 1/2 of one day.
I'll check into some options, though.
Great. It would be fantastic to meet some of you folks. I won't have a rental car (as I'm taking the shuttle to the hotel and back to the airport), but if you drive up and know the area, perhaps you can just pick me up at the hotel and we can go to the mall or some other nearby restaurant for lunch. I hope Santinj can make it, too.
--Neil

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Regarding the convention: I'm having a hard time getting a sense of how many non-Paizo game companies will be represented (if any). I suspect that even if other game companies are there, it'll still be pretty Paizo/3.5-centric. If that's the case, it's less appealing to me to go. My investment in versions has pretty much swung over to 4e.
Having said that, it'd be a kick to meet Neil, and I know I'll be long overdue for a road trip if I don't take vacation between now and then. I'd go with my wife and stay with her aunt and uncle in Seattle, but I think they'll be out of town in June. So, if JSL does go, I'd see about hitching a ride if the dates work out with my family.
Who knows, we might just be eating lunch with the next RPG Superstar! I guess we'll find out . . . let's see <click, click, click> . . . tomorrow at 2pm! Holy cow! Good luck Neil.

JSL |
Great. It would be fantastic to meet some of you folks. I won't have a rental car (as I'm taking the shuttle to the hotel and back to the airport), but if you drive up and know the area, perhaps you can just pick me up at the hotel and we can go to the mall or some other nearby restaurant for lunch. I hope Santinj can make it, too.
--Neil
Superstar buys, right?
Congrats.

Dreamer |

Neil, it looks like you've found your bliss. Well done. You're so blessed to have such a supportive family (sweet note from your mom!). I hope you enjoy the next phase of your pesonal adventure.
Now, instead of dressing up as a silver dragon, you just need a star-studded red cape, and you can go as a Superstar! :)

Dreamer |

And speaking of adventures...
Our moving adventure gets underway tomorrow. I don't know how long we'll be off-line, but I'll let y'all know when we're back.
P.S. I completed my 3000 licensing hours, they've been approved, and I am now eligible to take my exams, which I can do in Oregon. Just have to do some studying first.
You know, I might be off-line for a while...

Ragadolf |

Dreamer/JSL- Gratz! (3000 hours,... SHEESH! )Good luck on YOUR adventure! Please let us all know when you get there, safe and sound (And sane. Sane would be good too,...) :P
Neil-Yes, I think your right. IF I had my choice of problems, Yours is a good one to have! :)
And Dreamer is right, you are so lucky to have such a supportive and understanding family! God has had mercy on your little gaming heart! And that note from your Mom was tops! (My mom would be happy for me if I won, but she's still in the '80's 'D&D is EVIL' mind-set!) :P
Congratz again. And NOW even if I don't get the subscription, I'm gonna have to make sure I order the 'Fellnight" module! Can't wait!
Laters,...

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I won't speak for them, but I can let you all know that JSL, Dreamer, and family arrived last week with a very large truck full of furnishings, household items, personal effects . . . and two very large Rubbermaid bins of minis. Everything is right with the world when you see that many minis.
Example labels seen on moving day: "Fragile, Framed Pictures," "Kitchen," and, "Undead."
Awe. Some.
Welcome to Eugene, indeed!

JSL |
Yes, we have arrived and mostly moved in and unpacked. The rest of the appliances were delivered yesterday, so we can live like civilized people again.
Unfortunately, one unwanted thing that followed us is 6 projects that I was previously working on in CA. The guy who was supposed to take them over gave his notice the day we were pulling out. That brings to 4 the number of underlings who have quit or been fired while working on my jobs.
So I have four new projects here and six old ones. Fun fun fun!

Dreamer |

...so we can live like civilized people again.
When did we ever live like civilized people? :)
I'm still unpacking and I think we've run out of bookcases again.
Now that we have internet access again, I'd better get studying for my exams. Thanks all for your well-wishes (and help, where applicable)! 'Tis much appreciated.

Dreamer |

Well, y'know, got engaged. ;D
Sweet!
I highly recommend getting married. We just celebrated our 10th anniversary Friday and are still living very happily ever after.
Off-topic: Exploring our new town I found what must surely be the fomer site of the Rusty Dragon -- the huge beast is currently guarding storage units across the street from ye olde graveyard. Maybe I can get JSL to post a picture of it one of these days.