Buzzcocks, Refugees and Climate Change, Rune/HeroQuest and Glorantha

[tcpip]

Went to see the Buzzcocks on Saturday night at the Corner Hotel. They played enthusiastically with a good selection of old classics and the crowd (mixed, but leaning heavily towards an older set) responded in kind. The mixing however was quite substandard; I'll readily admit that the Buzzcocks are probably not the easiest band to mix to given their selective use of feedback, others seem to be able to manage. It was a bit weird listening to guys in their fifties singing/playing "Sixteen Again" or telling us that they're an "Orgasm Addict". In the next few weeks will be seeing The Church at the same venue. Must get around to writing these up for Rocknerd.

Wrote an article for the Isocracy Network which has been reprinted on Left Focus Of State Borders, Wars and Refugees. One of the key elements of the article is the argument that significant climate change can lead to climate change refugees, who are not recognised under the Convention or Protocol. Tangentially, the Prime Minister minces no words for his justified contempt of deniers in an address to the Lowy Instutite. The opposition is in complete disarray on the subject, with a split forthcoming. Denial seems more the part of factional quest for power rather than science.

Have been playing a fair bit of a RuneQuest and HeroQuest as both my current campaigns are nearing their end; will be dedicating a fair bit of the next issue of RPG Review to said games and to Glorantha in general. Greg Stafford has agreed to an interview and there will be a range of rules options for RQ such as Divine intervention, character improvement, an extended HeroQuest 2 review (yes, extended from this) and conversion notes between the two systems.

Comments

[damien-wise.livejournal.com]

That sad thing is, what the ALP are proposing go nowhere near what is needed for a sustainable future. I'd be far happier if they gave-up pandering to the coalition and instead tried to reach a compromise with the Greens. Or, do they still not have he numbers in the Senate?
Again, neither party (Greens or ALP) will be entirely happy with the result, but you've gotta admit that a solution halfway between the ALP and Greens is far preferable to the solution that it appears we're headed for -- a messy mashup of "Yeah whatever, one of these days" (seriously, Labor, WTF?) and a quick dip in the tar-pits (glub-glub-glub).

I can only hope that the rest of the world shows us at Copenhagen how things should be done, and there's a massive voter backlash here at the next election.
The sad thing is, with the state of our two-party system and the ideas they're presenting, even choosing the lesser of two evils is little help.

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

The current breakdown in the Senate is:

Greens 5, ALP 32, Independent 1, Liberal 31, Family First 1, Nationals 4, Country Liberal 1

It actually all comes down to Xenophon.. Again!

It was hard enough getting Kyoto ratified - which was only for a 5% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

The rest of the world has signed up... Except the United States.

[silverblue.livejournal.com]

The rest of the world has signed up... Except the United States.

This is me containing my surprise at that.

I did like the PM's speech though. Actually found it rather stirring, to my surprise.

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

Yes, between that and his speech to the 'Forgotten Australians' it was quite a good week for him.

[belegdel.livejournal.com]

even choosing the lesser of two evils is little help.

Indeed. Starved for choice.
I'm more tempted to vote for Darth Vader than ever before.

[damien-wise.livejournal.com]

Vote 1 Cthulhu. Why have a new PM when you can have an Old One?

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

Why settle for the lesser of two evils?

[gillan.livejournal.com]

I have been meaning to buy HQ2. I love the system.

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

It sure has a lot going for it. I quite like how absolutely and solidly it is designed in terms of narrative flow and yes, the system was always begging for a generic perspective. Of course, the old simulationist in me wants more raw detail as well. I actually think that the two creative agendas can be combined with relative difficulty equating with narrative importance.

(Actually the old fashioned idea of the dungeon level becoming tougher as the game advanced was an example of this..)

[trayce.livejournal.com]

Good lord. I last saw the Buzzcocks 20 years ago and *that* was a "reunion show", suprised theyre still pushing that barrow, the aulde sods.

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

I think that was the last time I saw them as well... Or a bit more than 20 years. Steve Diggle seems to have lost no energy.

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

I remember seeing them at the Red Parrot around '91. I think I recall seeing an ad for them between now and then, but not attending.

Although it's many years I don't have great memories of the Globe. I think I saw Perfect Strangers there when I was 17, which really is in the dark ages.

[ehintz.livejournal.com]

Cool... We saw 'em just a week before over here. How big is corner hotel? I was quite surprised at how small the venue was here in WLG, 570 max occupancy (and sold out).

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

The Corner Hotel can probably fit in 1,000 or so by a guess. It's not huge, but big enough.

[ehintz.livejournal.com]

Yeah, that's more along what I would have expected. Was cool to be at such a club type gig though. That said, I was only there for Samantha, they're one of her favs but if it weren't for her I'd not have even heard of 'em. Not terribly well known among metalheads(or the ones I hung out with anyway).

For me the irony moment was back about '89 or so, The Who at LA Coliseum, with My Generation. 60-ish y/o blokes singing "hope I die before I get old". Heh. Fail. :)

[mr-figgy.livejournal.com]

What's this leaked e-mail crap circling the blogosphere? Worth comments?

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

All can be revealed here:

http://community.livejournal.com/talk_politics/304841.html

[mr-figgy.livejournal.com]

Thank you.