Writing and Gaming Update, Industrial (etc) Music, Work Stuff

[tcpip]

Well, I've finished my three chapters for the new edition of Campaign Law. Specifically they are concerned with using the literary model (narrative, characterisation, setting, theme/motif and style) in roleplaying games, generation of cosmology and 'realistic' physical worlds and the same for societies and cultures. I am very pleased with the work I've done not only in the scope (as it crosses social, physical and aesthetic pragmatics), the quality of the content, but also the blunt, formal yet highly readable writing style. Damn it's going to good when that book comes out. In other gaming news, finally got around to running a session of Swordbearer on Friday which was a real blast, especially when it was based in The Hidden Shrine of Tamochan. On Sunday converted all the characters in the fantasy Japan/Ainu game to far more sensible Bushido which, despite obviously coming from the day clear writing in system rules, is far more evocative and substantial. Lastly, on Saturday the AD&D1e Norman Britain game came to an end after almost 15 months with a victory for the noble venturers over Arachne's plans to unravel the threads of space and time. Thus ends (AD&D speak here) UAGDQ...

For fans of industrial music squidb0i reports an amazing new Skinny Puppy song. Heh. Catchy isn't it? A week ago I didn't even know who Rick Astley was. Now I'm engaging in the Internet meme of Rickrolling. There's a certain amount of coolness in the old guy yet, eh?. In other music-related news, I snapped up a copy of the 25th anniversary edition of The Chameleons' Scipt of the Bridge. Go on, tell me another CD which receives 5/5 from 43 reviews and sells for a minimum of $52USD? Yes, The Chameleons and Script of the Bridge in particular are that good. Naturally enough I picked up a t-shirt to go with the re-issue as well. Go get some. Thanks to hbdeath, I've also been alerted that John Foxx, the original lyricist and singer from Ultravox! is touring Australia with music and a new movie. I am so there.

Many of my friends get annoyed at the workplace, by bosses, cow-orkers and so forth including my dear caseopaya. She's changing jobs at the moment and is being struck by a rather immature workplace that feels that she's deserting them for a better place. Whilst that aspect is true, it doesn't excuse their childish and snide attitude. But such behaviour does occur in so many workplaces, and often in business that are about to go down the tubes. So to all my friends who experience this sort of thing - and it happens with alarming regularity - follow the tcpip law of work which states: "It is never important enough to let them upset you". In other words, take a seriously phlegmatic approach. Meanwhile at my work, apart from a praised scripting hack, I have also taken on the role of being OHS officer for the floor and completed First Aid training. OK, so it's pretty minor but as a kid I wanted to be a doctor (no, not of philosophy). This is probably as close as I'll get.

Comments

[greylock.livejournal.com]

A week ago I didn't even know who Rick Astley was.

Jezus. What kind of heavy drugs were you doing in 1987?
I thought you were all up with the SAW revolution.
I mean, I can understanding you know knowing (um...) Sonia, but Mr Astley? He's even referenced in 'Born To Be Mild'.

For fans of industrial music squidb0i reports an amazing new Skinny Puppy song
I was wondering if that was the crumping Skuppy video. Glad to know it isn't.

I want a Chameleons T-shirt damn it... but to replace my vinyl. I can't do it.

/Of course John Foxx skips Perth.... I am more annoyed about Stiff Little Fingers doing the same, but it gets old.

[amarafox.livejournal.com]

I should have not stayed in a crappy job until I got laid off, it wrecked me. I'm better now, but man, that sucks. Working for 4o year olds that act like highschoolers is not fun.

[lardarsegreg.livejournal.com]

Good. Looks like someone else explained it to you...

Small history lesson (quoting from the Encyclopedia Dramatica article):

Rickrolling began on 4chan's /v/ imageboard on the day of Grand Theft Auto 4's official website premier. However, due to heavy traffic on the website, it was impossible to watch the trailer for quite some time, so Anonymous took it upon himself to link everyone to a supposedly leaked trailer hosted on YouTube:

[mr-figgy.livejournal.com]

Friend of mine (mildred_strange) considers Rickrolling the best prank ever as she was already a fan of Rick in the first place. I think the LA Times interviewed him about it recently...?

Was listening to a DJ Somnambulist broadcast where he put Skinny Puppy's latest in his top ten releases of 2007 because, even though half the album is apparently unlistenable garbage, the other half is excellent stuff. I haven't heard it all to make a judgment about that but the one song I did hear was good, gory sample ending and all.

[tempusfrangit.livejournal.com]

I will never be able to leave a comment worthy of your entries. :(

[jonathankorman.livejournal.com]

I read the Swordbearer rules years ago, but never managed to get a game together. Was the magic system as satisfying in gameplay as I have always imagined?