Leave it to WETA!!!

For those of you familiar with the video game HALO, but haven't seen the XBOX magazine article, then get ready to wet your pants! There is a real Warthog on the roads! (New Zealand roads, but who cares...) Apparently it was made by WETA, the special effects production company that soared to fame with the Lord of the Rings movies. The Warthog is a real running vehicle that is made to be completely off road and totally able to do some of the things the warthogs of the video game does. It can even do a crab crawl... driving sideways! Every detail is there, even the fact that you can barely see through the front windshield. XBOX magazine has a great write up about it, but I can't find the article online. Maybe a more intense search will turn something up. Speaking as a fanboy like me, there is now one more thing in the world to wish for...

Mortality

Recently, I have attended a number of funeral in the last few months. All this got me to thinking about those things that people say or write about the person that has passed away. Some of the stuff is just perfect for the person, and some of the stuff is maybe a bit contrived. Every once in a while I think about my own mortality and then stop by self by saying, "Hey! I like life! I know there are better places for me on the other part of my journey, but I like where I am right now!" And I really do. I have no plans on checking out. If it comes, it will be a surprise. I fully expect to live to be well over 100 years old. Well over 100... But just in case I don't get to have a say, I was thinking about two things what have really appealed to my beliefs and understanding of life and death. And call me a geek but they both come from the Lord of the Rings movie, The Return of the King.
The first part if right before battle at the wall of Minas Tirith and the exchange between Pippin and Gandalf. Pippin is very shaken and scared about the upcoming battle, which looks like it will not go well for them.

“PIPPIN: I didn't think it would end this way.

GANDALF: End? No, the journey doesn't end here. Death is just another path, one that we all must take. The grey rain-curtain of this world rolls back, and all turns to silver glass, and then you see it.

PIPPIN: What? Gandalf? See what?

GANDALF: White shores, and beyond, a far green country under a swift sunrise.

PIPPIN: Well, that isn't so bad.

GANDALF: No. No, it isn't.”

And also from this movie, there is the final credits song, "Into the West" sung by Annie Lennox. This song is a song of ending, of passing on, but of starting over in a better place. This is one of my favorite songs and I certainly would not mind if this was playing a my memorial. (again, which I intend to avoid at all costs)

Lay down
Your sweet and weary head
Night is falling
You have come to journey's end
Sleep now
And dream of the ones who came before
They are calling
From across a distant shore

Why do you weep?
What are these tears upon your face?
Soon you will see
All of your fears will pass away
Safe in my arms
You're only sleeping

What can you see
On the horizon?
Why do the white gulls call?
Across the sea
A pale moon rises
The ships have come to carry you home

And all will turn
To silver glass
A light on the water
All Souls pass

Hope fades
Into the world of night
Through shadows falling
Out of memory and time
Don't say
We have come now to the end
White shores are calling
You and I will meet again
And you'll be here in my arms
Just sleeping

Chorus

And all will turn
To silver glass
A light on the water
Grey ships pass
Into the West

For thos who have not heard this, here is a YouTube video of the song.

Into The West

Just remember, I am planning on sticking around for a very, very long time! You won't be rid of me!

History of the Krampus... no, it is not a punk band.

As a follow up to fellow blogger's post, I give you the history of the Krampus. Fun stuff! Be sure to follow the link on the above posting to the photo gallery on The Local homepage.

St. Nicholas Eve - Krampus Day

December 5th, Saint Nicholas Eve is known as Krampus Day in some parts of Austria and the run of the Krampuses (fertility devils) is preserved both in the Tarvisio area, in Italy near the Austrian border, and in Südtirol/Alto Adige. Krampus is an evil fertility demon that has a long tail, fur, rattling chain, birch branch, and big black bag. Children and adults go to the village square and throw snowballs to scare him off. Some people dress up as Krampus. A speculatius cookie is baked for the day. Bread baked in the shape of Saint Nicholas or Krampus is for sale. On Saint Nicholas Eve children place their shoes on the window sill or outside their bedroom door to be filled with fruits, nuts, and sweets. See also: Gruppo Krampus, Travisio Centrale:.

The many legends and traditions surrounding the saintly Nikolaus' often wild companions are more diverse than those of the saint. The pagan origin of all of these figures is evident although difficult to trace. The best known companion is Knecht Ruprecht, "Knecht" meaning servant. Historically, Ruprecht was a dark and sinister figure clad in a tattered robe with a big sack on his back in which, legend has it, he will place all naughty children. However, Knecht Ruprecht also became the servant and companion of the Christchild. In this role Ruprecht became the patron saint of Christmas and was called "Weihnachtsmann," Father Christmas or Santa Claus.

This is quite in contrast to Bavaria, where St. Nikolaus may be followed by the hideous Klaubauf, a shaggy monster with horns. In Austria the saint is followed by a similar horned creature, called Krampus, covered with bells and dragging chains.


Lovely old Krampus card, titled "Greetings from Krampus", signed with initials A.G. Old artist postcard (not a reproduction), standard size 5-1/2 in. x 3-1/2 in. Published in Zagreb, Croatia circa 1920.

Who is Krampus?

The Krampus is a sort of devil who accompanies St. Nikolaus on the eve of December 6, in Styria this attendant is named Bartel. He accompanies St. Nicholas, who visits every home during the night and leaves small gifts in the shoes of children who have been good during the past year. Those who have misbehaved, however, may get punished by his helper. He might take back the gifts that St. Nicholas left for them, and leave them a lump of coal instead. He might give them a birching with the switch he carries with him. Really bad children might even get carried off in his sack and taken along, or even put into an ink-well by St. Nick himself, as told in the Struwwelpeter: "Da kam der grosse Nikolas Mit seinem grossen Tintenfass.... Er tunkt sie in die Tinte tief, Wie auch der Kaspar "Feuer" rief. Bis "bern Kopf ins Tintenfass Tunkt sie der grosse Nikolas."

Krampus is also known in Austria as Kneckt Ruprecht and Black Peter. In Germany he may be called Pelzebock, Pelznickel (or Belznickel), Hans Muff, Bartel, Gumphinkel, Stoppklos, Black Pit, or Knecht Ruprecht. To this day, the Running of the Krampus (Krampuslauf) happens during the first week of December. In Salzburg, young men put on dark animal-skin suits, red carved masks with horns or antlers, and mismatched shoes. They stomp down the Getreidegasse, the main shopping street, ringing cowbells, pretending to snatch little children, and hitting people on the leg with the switches they use for tails. St. Nicholas follows behind, handing out candies.

Krampus Runs (Krampus Lauf)

The run of the Krampuses (fertility diables) is preserved both in the Tarvisio area, in Italy near the Austrian border, and in Südtirol/Alto Adige. Children and adults go to the village square and throw snowballs to scare him off. Some people dress up as Krampus. A speculatius cookie is baked for the day. Bread baked in the shape of Saint Nicholas or Krampus is for sale. On Saint Nicholas Eve children place their shoes on the window sill or outside their bedroom door to be filled with fruits, nuts, and sweets.

All around Salzburg there are Krampus runs around December 5th, preceding the festival of St. Nikolaus. The tradition in the National Park region is that St. Nikolaus comes with not just a single Krampus but with a group of up to ten of these devil figures. They are frightening (especially for children) with their horns and terrible masked faces. The Krampus masks (known as Larven) show the artistic dexterity of the hand carving in the Tauern region. A proper Krampus Larve must of course have large horns. The carver usually uses the horns of a goat, Ibex or Chamois.

There are two possibilities to get a glimpse of Nikolaus and his Krampuses in the Salzburg region. The first possibility is if you have children, then you can invite Nikolaus into your home. The second possibility is to visit one of the street runs or parades. This custom has nothing to do with spirits or driving out winter; rather it deals primarily with good upbringing and conduct. Well-behaved children are rewarded and naughty ones punished.

There is also another closely related custom, the Perchten run. This custom is carried out with the same masks, but only in the wild nights around the sixth of January. This custom is concerned with driving out evil spirits, that is, winter.

The Feast of Saint Nicholas

There is no reliable information about the historical Nicholas. It is thought that he was Bishop of Myra in the first half of the 4th century, that he participated in the Council of Nicaea and pursued charitable works. In the Eastern Church he is regarded as the greatest saint after the Mother of God. The transfer of his remains from Myra to Bari (1087) led to him being venerated also in the Occident. Nicholas is regarded as a helper of the needy. His function as a bringer of gifts derives from the numerous legends concerning this charitable saint.

The customs that have grown up around the Feast of St. Nicholas go back to a very old tradition, originally celebrated on 28th December, the feast of the Holy Innocents. It was later moved to 5-6th December and become a saint's day for St. Nicholas, who pronounced judgement on the children, tested them on their catechism and rewarded their performance either with a gift or with punishment from his lackey, Krampus. To counter superstition, Martin Luther forbade these Nicholas customs in the Lutheran area. Instead, the "Holy Christ", the "Christ Child" himself was to be the bringer of gifts.

Today it is customary that on the Eve of St. Nicholas (5th December, Krampus Eve) "Nicolo", as he is popularly known, personally gives the children little presents, or puts gifts in their own or little hand-made shoes. In contradiction to earlier days there should be no frightening or threatening, no putting of moral pressure on the children, especially when St. Nicholas is involved, who always interceded for the suffering and needy.

Enjoy!

Denim Jeans and Playboy Magazines

Many years ago, I heard a comedian say that his plan for solving alot of the problems in the Middle East, or at least in those countries led by hard line Islamic religious leaders, was to supply the women with demin jeans and the men with Playboy magazines. (Personally, I think Maxim magazine would be a better option.)

Now today, I read in Yahoo news, this article, which give some credence to this comedians theory. Could he be on to something?

TEHRAN (Reuters) – Police have arrested 49 people this week in a northern Iranian city during a crackdown on "satanic" clothes, IRNA news agency reported Thursday.

The measures are the latest in a country-wide campaign against Western cultural influence in the Islamic Republic, where strict dress codes are enforced.

"Police confronted rascals and thugs who appeared in public wearing satanic fashions and unsuitable clothing," Qaemshahr city police commander Mahmoud Rahmani told IRNA.

Rahmani also said that five barber shops were shut and 20 more warned for "promoting Western hairstyles."

In the past, such crackdowns have lasted a few weeks or months, but the current campaign was launched in 2007 and has not let up.

It includes measures against men sporting spiky "Western" hairstyles or women wearing tight trousers and high boots.

Women are supposed to wear clothing that covers their hair and disguises the shape of their bodies. But some, particularly in cities, wear headscarves pushed back well beyond their hairlines and sport tight-fitting outfits.

Some analysts say the authorities fear such open acts of defiance against the Islamic Republic's values could escalate if they go unchecked. This worries them when Iran is under pressure from the West over its disputed nuclear work, they say.

"Some individuals, not knowing what culture they are imitating, put on clothing that was designed by the enemies of this country," Rahmani said.

"The enemies of this country are trying to divert our youth and breed them the way they want and deprive them of a healthy life," he added.

Rahmani did not say how the offenders would be punished. Usual penalties are a warning or a fine.

Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has in the past suggested Iran's enemies may try to stage a "soft" or "velvet" revolution by infiltrating corrupt culture or ideas.

(Reporting by Hashem Kalantari, Writing by Edmund Blair; Editing by Catherine Bosley and Kevin Liffey)

Nothing to blog about...

Wow. Talk about writer's block. I have had nothing really interesting to blog about lately. I blame some of that on the fact that I have not really done much of anything exciting lately. The Wine Making is on hold for a while until some time presents itself for starting a new batch. I should mention that come this new year, the Cabernet and Riesling I bottled in June will be ready for drinking, and the port bottled in September is now being used by my church for communion purposes. (Something I am quite proud of) My son was recently confirmed in the church and his first communion was with the wine that he, my pastor and I made. I think that is pretty neat and so did he.

Thanksgiving break was very nice in the fact that aside from preparing the meal for my family (about 24 in all) it was a quiet, relaxing time. No work for 4 days, and nothing really planned. I did paint the floors and walls in one basement room, but for the most part, a very slow weekend. Perfect for rejuvenating!

First deer season was a bust, but we are trying our luck and skill again on second season. I really don't care if I harvest a deer, but I really, really want to see my son get one. He really wants to get one so he can be part of the "deer killer" crowd in his school. Talk about a clique crowd... there is one you don't hear much about in most schools!

Things I am looking forward to... the daddy/daughter dance hosted by the girl scouts, celebrating my anniversary, (my wife and I always have a good time celebrating this event in our lives) and the two weeks off for Christmas and New Years. The economy sucks, but my wife and I are trying our best to make sure Christmas is good for the kids. I know it is not about giving and getting presents, but I love to see the look on their faces and joy they get when receiving something that is of value to them. And I am hoping to present my friends with a new sparkling wine for the New Years celebration instead of the usual crappy "champagne" most of us drink. Maybe even a real Champagne!

I am hoping to do some gaming, visiting, catching up on my Military History reading,and getting through some more BattleStar Galactica over the break.

Well, look at that. I wrote something. Maybe something more interesting will pop up on my radar that I can write about. Check back later!

Star Trek meets Spamalot.

I found this on Wil Wheaton's website and just laughed my ass off! I had to share it! Share this with your friends! Get ready to laugh!

Monty Python vs Star Trek

Star Trek... Lives?

Ok... I have to admit, I have not been keeping up on the new Star Trek film like most of you would normally think I would. I attribute that to a number of things. Busier days at work, a new high school student in my family, taking on heading up a youth organization at church, and generally just living la vida loca. But I think the number one reason why is that I have utterly and completely embraced, fell in love with, and can't get enough of Battlestar Galactica. It absolutely rocks and is the best thing on television. Hands down. Chuck, Boston Legal, and Nip Tuck are close, but they are not quite as good as BSG.

But enough of that for now. I saw the new Star Trek trailer, and it looks pretty good! I am still leary of a set of new actors for old familiar characters, but I am optomistic that it will work. I have been watching the Star Trek: New Voyages which is a low budget production company that is producing new "original" episodes of Star Trek, using our beloved characters but with different actors. They even have some of the original Star Trek production crew and writers working for them. Check them out. They have made 3 new episodes of about 1.5 hours each and they are fun to watch. Truly made in the spirit of the original episodes.

Ok, here is the trailer... And I hesitate to call it that, because it was recorded via a hand held from the movie screen. It is not official, but the site has a good critique of the trailer (which I agree with strongly) and veiwer expectations for a new Trek movie.

Enjoy!

STAR TREK TRAILER

In Honor of Veteran's Day

They are still among us... but not for long. The Vets of WWI. A they are some of the oldest living humans and they all had a part in the Great War. It is as though being in the war gave them the right to live to be older than a century. But all things fade and even these heros will fade into the past. Here is the Yahoo News story about their annual celebration of the end of the war. My greatest appreciation and respect to all vets who have served their country.

DOUAUMONT, France (AFP) – Europe on Tuesday marked the 90th anniversary of the end of World War I, with the handful of surviving veterans at the vanguard of commemorations for the fallen of the "War to End All Wars".

Leaders from the powers that fought the war, now allies, gathered at the site of the 1916 Battle of Verdun, where 300,000 men were slaughtered over 11 months of bloody trench warfare while ceremonies were also held in Britain.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy, speaking at the ossuary in the village of Douaumont which contains the remains of thousands killed in Verdun, spoke of the need to "honour all the dead, without exception."

He also said that many of the hundreds of French soldiers executed for desertion or mutiny during the war "had not dishonoured themselves, were not cowards, but had simply been pushed to the extreme limit."

Britain's Prince Charles, the speaker of the German parliament Peter Muller and Australia's Governor General Quentin Bryce also attended the ceremony at Fort Douaumont, the epicentre of the Battle of Verdun.

Smaller memorials were held in towns and villages across Britain, France and the other countries that took part in the disaster.

Far from being "The War to End All Wars", the so-called Great War merely set the tone for the 20th century's litany of brutality, although in terms of sheer mass killing on the battlefield it has rarely been equalled since.

Many conflicts followed but November 11 -- the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, when the World War I armistice was signed -- has become the moment when the world remembers the dead from all of them.

In London, Britain's acts of remembrance was led by three of the country's last four surviving veterans of World War I, and attended by Prime Minister Gordon Brown and other ministers.

At exactly 11:00am (1100 GMT), Henry Allingham, 112, Harry Patch, 110, and Bill Stone, 108, led a two-minute silence at The Cenotaph national war memorial, where Queen Elizabeth II had led national tributes on Sunday.

The medal-bedecked veterans -- among the five million men and women who served in British forces during the war -- were pushed in their wheelchairs to lay wreaths at the memorial in central London.

They represented the armed service they belonged to -- the Royal Air Force, the Army and the Royal Navy respectively.

Patch, a machine-gunner who fought during the Battle of Passchendaele in Ypres, said before the ceremony that he was "very happy" to be here.

"It is not just an honour for me but for an entire generation. It is important to remember the dead from both sides of the conflict. Irrespective of the uniforms we wore, we were all victims," he said.

Erich Kastner, the last of the German troops, died on January 1 this year, aged 107. The last French veteran, Italian-born legionnaire Lazare Ponticelli, survived him by only two months, dying on March 12 aged 110.

Tuesday's ceremonies placed a firm emphasis on reconcilation with France, Britain and Germany now firm allies within the European Union.

In 1917, after three years of bloody conflict in Flanders and on the Somme, the United States intervened on behalf of Britain and France, and brought with them ambulance driver Frank Buckles, now 107 and living in West Virginia.

Between 1914 and 1918, among the major belligerents, Germany lost 1.9 million troops, Russia 1.7 million, France 1.4 million, the Austro-Hungarian empire a million and Britain 760,000.

The Rainbow Bridge

Yesterday I went to the visitation of a beloved veterinarian from my hometown. This man was a wonderful person to meet and to have as a vet. He truly cared about the animals and the people he served. He helped me put to sleep two of my beloved dogs when the time came to do so. I struggled at the idea but he helped me to see that my love of the dogs was selfish and only prolonged agony for them. He did this with a compassion for both myself and my dogs that I will always remember. And I am sure he did this for every client that was faced with the same decision. Our town vet was active in the community and a huge supporter of our school system, especially the local FFA chapter.

He was only 58 years old. He had survived brain cancer years ago and returned to work as if nothing happened. He was a good man.

Yesterday while walking to the visitation, my wife and I were stopped in our tracks by an absolutely beautiful sunset which was accented by a huge, bright, completely full, 180 degree rainbow. It looked as though it were spanning the entire east end of our town. After admiring this beautiful site, my wife and I went into the funeral home for the visitation and to pay our respects. We moved along the line to the casket and family, but when we got there the family was not present. Apparently they too had been told of the rainbow and went outside to see it. I thought it a nice thing for the family to see on a day that was for them, very depressing. They returned with huge smiles and it was then that we were told of the poem that was in the memorial card printed up for the visitation. In it was this:

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...


Pretty neat huh?

I don't know what you might think of it, but I am pretty sure that there are alot of happy pets greeting Doc right now.

Later!

Connectedness...

I recently signed on to Facebook and like many thing on the internet it is a way to waste some down time when there is nothing else to do. But one of the neatest things about it is the way you can reconnect with people you have lost track of, and while not meeting face to face you can still keep up to date and stay connected. That recently happened with a friend of mine who I found on Facebook. Years ago, this friend and I were fencing partners. We fenced so much we got to the point we could not beat one another in a sparing match. It was a alot of fun and along with the fencing we had a number of common friends and generally had a great time hanging out with everyone. And as life will have it, he moved on, moved out of the area and kind of disappeared off of my radar screen for a number of years. Well, we found each other again via Facebook and while reading his info I found that he has become a therapist and he put a little bit of his philosophy into his bio. Here it is:

Inspired by a day spent with Patch Adams at the 2005 Evolution of Psychotherapy conference in Anaheim, I have come to the conclusion that mental health boils down to connectedness: the health and strength of our relationship, not just with others -- but our internal selves as well.

I could not agree with him more. Having good, solid relationships with family, spouses, friends, and like he says, our internal selves, is absolutely key in finding happiness and stability. Both outwardly and inwardly. I have been lucky enough, blessed if you will, to have an enourmous amount of friends. And I am also lucky to say that I have a large number of close friends and my close relationship with my family is something that many would say is out of the ordinary. I try hard to cultivate these relationships and with it, I think it helps me as a person who feels good about himself. I can only hope that the reverse is true for my family and friends.

To have friends, you must be a friend. To be a friend to someone, you have to like and be comfortable with youself.

Thanks to my family and friends for keeping me happy and healthy!

What happens now?

Obama is now the president elect of the United States. In many ways, which I won't get into, this scares me. I do not think that he will be the healing leader that all his fans say he is. I hope I am wrong, but I don't think so. I personally think he is someone who will Europeanize the United States and bring us closer to socialism. We have been sliding that way for the last 20 years, and the momentum will only increase under Obama and a Democratic led Congress. And now that we do have a Dem President and Congress, at least I and the rest of America will know where to point the finger of blame when things go bad. But will they go bad? I hope not. I really really want America to be the best country in the world. I want it to be the leader in all things. I want the rest of the world to respect us, to fear us, and to need us. But here in America we have become so divided into an us and them, red and blue mentality (I blame the media for this brainwashing) that I feel we are sometimes on the edge of a new Civil War. And as Lincoln said, a divided house cannot stand. (oh, for a new Lincoln...) Government is going to grow under Obama. Welfare will expand. Taxes are going to go up. And most likely, the Democrats will self destruct like they always do when they have the top of the hill all to themselves.

What will I do for the next two years is do what I have always done. I will work to make my family safe, comfortable, and happy. I will not ask for handouts. I will go to work, put in a full days work and be happy about it. I will do all the things that I have always done to make my life worthwhile. I will continue to support things like my church, politicians who fight for smaller government and less welfare, the NRA, the Boy Scouts, and all those things that I think made America a great country. I think we will have a weaker country for the next few years and will be more of a follower instead of a leader. I will work for change if change is needed.

I will wait and see.

Good news in the neighbor hood.

I am happy. My neighbors moved away yesterday, and without a nod goodbye! Normally that sort of thing might make one a bit sad, but not this time! My neighbors were not bad people, just bad neighbors. As some of you might know, I like to have things looking a certain way, and I also believe that when you join a neighborhood, you have a duty to fit into that neighborhood and make it a better place. Well, these neighbors were literal hermits in our neighborhood for the last 12 years. They did no maintenence to their home, mowed their yard only when a hay bayler was required, never participated in the Halloween night giveaways, (or any activities for that matter) and they let their dogs crap all over the place and never cleaned it up. Literally to the point that the smell was ever-present, and they left junk all over the place in their yard. The thing is, they lived in a fairly decent place and the neighborhood we live in is not a trailer park. But they sure lived like it! All they were missing was the mobile home! I hated looking over at their yard. Now that they have moved and the house is for sale, (which I am thinking of finding a way to buy) the yard has never looked so good! They were told by the real estate agent to clean it up. There is still stuff laying around that they left, but I am sure that late night gnomes will clean that up at some point!

I hardly ever talked to them and do not miss them. I am glad they are gone. If I can't buy this place and fix it myself and guarantee the quality of my neighbors myself, I hope that whoever does buy it is better than they were. The couldn't be much worse!

If you are reading this, and are part of a neighborhood, do me a favor. Look around your place. Does it need a bit of sprucing up? If so, take a weekend and do it. I guarantee that you will like the looks of it better and so will your neighborhood.

My neighbors are gone, and I am happy!

Later!

Sing Non Nobis...

Tomorrow is St. Crispin's Day. Very few know who St. Crispin and his brother Crispinian are. Saints Crispin and Crispinian are the Christian patron saints of cobblers, tanners, and leather workers. Born to a noble Roman family in the 3rd century AD, Saints Crispin and Crispinian, twin brothers, fled persecution for their faith, winding up in Soissons, where they preached Christianity to the Gauls and made shoes by night. Their success attracted the ire of Rictus Varus, the governor of Belgic Gaul, who had them tortured and beheaded c. 286. Probably the best known reference to St. Crispin is the speech given by Henry V in Shakespeare's play of the same name.

This play was made into a movie by Ken Branagh, who both acted and directed it, and gave what is in my opinion the best rendition of this speech. And also in this same movie is the a great scene of "celebrating" the victory at the battle of Agincourt in 1415.

I present to you these speeches to you for your entertainment. First is the speech and the second is the singing of the chant, "Non Nobis."

I think I might even add future blogs with inspiring speeches. who knows...

Later!

Return to Las Vegas

My wife and I have returned to Las Vegas so that she can attend a Web Conference at the Mirage. This is our second time in Vegas and rather than rehash our time here, as we will probably repeat a bunch of what we did about two years ago, I will give you an little insight into what we have learned on our repeat.
Here Goes:
The Mirage Hotel is nice, but is nothing compared to Caesar's Palace. Compared to it, the Mirage is a Days Inn. The rooms look like the Trading Spaces crew remodeled it.
The more you pay for a hotel room, the fewer amenities you will receive. Go cheap and get more! Go pricey and you will pay for more.
The Bellagio still has the best place to get great desserts and such. Jean Phillipe's Patisserie. Damn is it good.
No matter where you go, McDonald's still cost the same... thank goodness.
The Palazzo must be the most attractively decorated and designed hotel on the strip. Too bad the air freshening system smells like an old woman's talcum powder.
When in Las Vegas, you must do two things... go to the Gun Store and shoot machine guns, and go to the Pinball Museum and play pinball games from the 30's to the 90's. Two fun things that if you average the cost laid out for both, is actually pretty cheap! (and they are pretty much right next to each other!)
Each part of the strip, depending on what hotel is along it, has it's own soundtrack playing at all hours. The best are Caesar's, Bellagio, and Planet Hollywood hotel.
Watching the dancing fountains at the Bellagio never gets old. (Even if it is set to a Celine Dion song)
You can go to Las Vegas and not spend a single cent on gambling, and still have a good time. The shows are great here. Make sure to do at least one show while in town.
I think that Nine Fine Irishmen is probably one of the few "real" bars or pubs on the strip. It actually has regulars that frequent the pub. Smack in the middle of New York, New York Casino and Hotel, this pub feels like it could be in any small town in America.
Never forget where you are from while here. It is very easy to think that you are not up to snuff here in this town. But remember that back home you are just fine!

Fear of Girls....

While looking through old emails and looking for a way to relieve a bit of stress from work related activities, I found this fun little video! If you know a gamer, especially a D&D gamer, show them this. Enjoy!


Later!

More Music that I think is cool...

From Henry V... one of the coolest religious chants from one of the coolest movies ever. Non Nobis Domine (Now if I could just get my archer buddies to sing like this!!)

From Last of the Mohicans: The opening titles and score If this site doesn't work, try this - Promentory

From Gladiator: Now We Are Free

A real for what it is worth...

I was recently listening to some soundtrack music by Basil Poledouris and thought, you know what? More people should know about this guy. So here is my primer to the composer Basil Poledouris. Even though Basil Poledouris has been gone for over 2 years, I think that he is still the best movie soundtrack composer ever. I present here, a few examples of his work.

From Starship Troopers

From The Hunt for Red October

From Lonesome Dove

and of course, from one of my favorite movies, Conan the Barbarian

He has been part of some of the coolest movies ever made, and each time, his soundtracks have added so much to those movies that the scores become as much a part of the movie as the actors themselves.

Anyway, for what it's worth. Thanks Basil!

The Election, Politics, Tolkien, and D&D all in one article. Wow. What more could you want?!

I was directed to this article by Bill Whittle from the Rachel Lucas blog. Normally I do not go to other links to read full articles, but this once, I did. Boy am I glad I did! And I suggest that you go to the full article too. The link is at National Review site


Take a bit of time and read it and think about it. I have never read Whittle's stuff before, but if he writes like this, I will make sure to read more of him.

Another thing I got from this, is I am REALLY glad I live where I do. I would be silly crazy if I lived in his part of the country. How does he keep sane?

Later!

So what makes Obama more qualified?

In a string of hypocritical comments by someone I was talking to yesterday, I realized that everything negative this person was saying about Sarah Palin, could be turned around and said of Barack Obama.

First, Palin has had very little time as a politican, with only time as a mayor and two years as a Governor. Well, guess what. Obama is only a freshman senator from Illinois (where most of us in Illinois had never heard of him!) and most of that time has been spent campaigning instead of working on behalf of Illinois citizens in Congress!

Next, Palin has no foreign policy experience. Well, I don't think good old Barack has any more experience. As a matter of fact, I would think he has less! At least as a governor, you are making deals and working with foreign leaders for business matters and the like. I would count that as having some experience.

It was also said, that Palin is popular because she is just like the majority of Americans. Trouble at home, busy schedules with school, work and kids, and other things that plague normal American families. It was said, that the American people should not vote for someone that is just like them or reminds them of their neighbor, but vote for the smartest person or the person that is part of the political machine because they are better suited for it. Well, as far as I can tell, it has been the "smart politicians" who have failed us and maybe we do need a regular old neighbor like person in the White House. Maybe balancing a checkbook will not be so unfamiliar to them that something like a balanced budget is not a unknown concept to them!

And what really struck me was that this person was comparing Obama to Palin. Like Obama was running against Palin. Excuse me, but isn't Obama running again McCain? Looks like this person, and the media for that matter, are more afraid of Palin than McCain. Either way, I think that having Palin on the Republican ticket, has made people look more closely at Obama and they are coming to realize that maybe, he is not the messiah that they thought he was.

I don't like to talk politics but I was just floored by the fact that everything that was spewed to me, could have been completely reversed and applied to Obama, but it never occurred to the person to do so. Talk about single mindedness.

For what it's worth...

Later

How's this for an ego booster?

Recently, while substitute teaching at my local school, I was treated to a wonderful ego booster from one of the 5th graders I know. I will call him Eleven, as his volume goes that far. I have know Eleven for a number of years now and he has always seemed to take a shine to me. I was his Cub Master and he is in the same grade as my daughter. Anyway, I was in the classroom I was a substitute for and Eleven comes in and sees me there and immediately begins to act like an announcement was made that pop tarts, candy and pop will be served for lunch. Anyway, I manage to get him under control for the class. But then, out of nowhere, during a lull in the class, he blurts out, "Deane, you are just too awesome for this school!"

Daaaannnng! What a compliment and one coming from a 5th grader at that! I guess I passed some test of his at some point and became one of the cool guys in his life. I also assume I made his day by being a substitute teacher, but I know he made MY day with his comment!

So just in case you ever wonder or in doubt, I am "too awesome" for school!

Later!

My very own Motivational Posters! Ain't I just cool as all getout...

What my birhtday means.... according to Facebook

Oddly, alot of this is spot on right about me. Fun little application!


October 8, (year deleted)

Lucky Color: Amber
Personality Strengths: Compassion, Drive
Personality Weakness(es): Impatience
Successful Career Path: Fashion
Sense of Humor Style: Quick-witted
Adjectives to Describe You: courageous, enterprising

Description:
Driven and focused - you know what you want from life and importantly you know how to get it. You have always been hard-working and a perfectionist, you understand that there is no substitute to hard work in life.

And you thought American Animal Righters were loopy!!!

Here is a short blurb from the my local paper. I will reprint in it's entirety. It is part of the Earth Week: Diary of the Planet articles that appear in many newpapers and is distributed by Universal Press Syndicate.

Here goes... you won't believe this.

Swiss Animal Rights.

Strict new laws that went into effect across Switzerland on Sept. 1 have some wondering if legislators have overreached in efforts to safeguard the animal kingdom. It is now illegal to flush live goldfish down the toilet. The law stipulates that they must first be knocked out and killed before being disposed of. Fishermen may no longer practice catch and release fishing, and the use of live bait is prohibited. Pets such as parrots and hamsters may no longer be kept by themselves, and livestock such as sheep and goats must have at least "a visual contact with their fellows," under the new law. Dog owners are now required to take classes to learn how to keep their pets from biting. Even with regulations saying that pigs have a legal right (my emphasis)to shower and freshen up after roling in the mud, the country's leading animal rights group, STS, says the new law doesn't go far enough.

Holy Crap. Not far enough? Legal rights to shower for pigs? I think that too many centuries of neutrality has rotted the brains of Swiss legislators. I really don't know what to say of this. Apparently, some law makers in Switzerland are taking big bankrolls from the animal rights group, otherwise I cannot imagine anyone in their right minds coming up with laws like this. I believe in the ethical treatment of animals, but not to the point where you elevate them to human status! Oh I am so disappointed in the Swiss.

Later!

BattleStar Galactica/Presidential election. Compare and Contrast!

For those familiar with BattleStar Galactica, this will mean alot to you! For those unfamiliar with it, you poor, poor bastards. It is the best sci-fi show, possibly the best all-around show, there is on TV. Watch it Damn It! And for those who are familiar with the Rachel Lucas Blog,(www.rachellucas.com) then you might be familiar with this posting. If you are not familiar with her blog, you should be. Anyway, you should definately check this out! It is bang spot on with the current selection of candidates. If you have to ask, who is who in the photos, then you need to watch BSG! Just take it that the the lower two are Cylons... (bad guys!)

http://rachellucas.com/index.php/2008/09/03/so-say-we-all/

Get with the PLAN!

Time to stop letting third world countries lead us around by the short and curlies! The Plan makes sense! Check it out!

My Johari Window

While going back through old favorite bookmarks on my computer, I found this. I thought it worth posting to the blog. Granted only 5 people participated in the window experiment, but at least those five people thought well of me! Whew! If you want to contribute to it, there is a link for that too!

Arena (known to self and others) adaptable, energetic, friendly, organised, trustworthy	Blind Spot (known only to others) clever, confident, dependable, extroverted, helpful, intelligent, knowledgeable, mature, patient, reflective, religious, responsive, sensible
Façade (known only to self) proud	Unknown (known to nobody) able, accepting, bold, brave, calm, caring, cheerful, complex, dignified, giving, happy, idealistic, independent, ingenious, introverted, kind, logical, loving, modest, nervous, observant, powerful, quiet, relaxed, searching, self-assertive, self-conscious, sentimental, shy, silly, spontaneous, sympathetic, tense, warm, wise, witty

Dominant Traits

80% of people think that Longbowman is dependable
60% of people agree that Longbowman is energetic
80% of people agree that Longbowman is trustworthy

All Percentages

able (0%) accepting (0%) adaptable (20%) bold (0%) brave (0%) calm (0%) caring (0%) cheerful (0%) clever (20%) complex (0%) confident (40%) dependable (80%) dignified (0%) energetic (60%) extroverted (20%) friendly (40%) giving (0%) happy (0%) helpful (20%) idealistic (0%) independent (0%) ingenious (0%) intelligent (20%) introverted (0%) kind (0%) knowledgeable (40%) logical (0%) loving (0%) mature (20%) modest (0%) nervous (0%) observant (0%) organised (20%) patient (20%) powerful (0%) proud (0%) quiet (0%) reflective (20%) relaxed (0%) religious (40%) responsive (20%) searching (0%) self-assertive (0%) self-conscious (0%) sensible (20%) sentimental (0%) shy (0%) silly (0%) spontaneous (0%) sympathetic (0%) tense (0%) trustworthy (80%) warm (0%) wise (0%) witty (0%)

Created by the Interactive Johari Window on 2.9.2008, using data from 5 respondents.
You can make your own Johari Window, or view Longbowman's full data.

Guns and girls

Hey! Labor Day has come and gone. And with it another Firepower Weekend. A weekend filled with Guns, Grilling, Explosives, and generally good times. This year however was a muted affair, seeing that good friends of ours were getting married and so we decided to go to the wedding rather than camping out. Now isn't that good of us?

Anyway, we still got all the weaponry out and had a great time, if only for one day. But this time I got to enjoy watching my wife and some of my female friends do some shooting. I found this very rewarding. To be able to shoot and handle a gun with some proficiency is normally thought to be a manly ability, but to see women work their way around a gun is something I find to be really cool.

And before you get you mind in the gutter, this is not a comment on jiggly girls in bikinis with machine guns. Although that has a certain appeal to it too.

My wife only really tried her hand at shooting at clay skeet targets about a year or so ago when I bought for my son a youth sized gun. She found that she could actually handle it and after getting comfortable with it, found she could hit with it! This weekend she was doing really well, hitting about 6 out of 10 and even knocking a few high speed sideways moving targets. It was really impressive to see and made me pretty proud!

And then there were some of the other gals who had never shot before, or had only limited experience. Two young ladies got to try shooting for the very first time. Whether they will ever try to shoot again, I cannot say, but I think that they at least enjoyed the experience and might not be afraid to try it again if the opportunity arises for them.

One of my good friends is just now discovering the fun that shooting can be. She has even recently obtained her Firearms Owners ID card. Big step. She is even considering buying a gun! The more guns in legal hands the better! I think that she always had an affinity for guns, but never had the exposure or opportunity to try them out. As of right now, she is well on her way to becoming part of the gun culture in the USA! And I would like to think I had something to do with that.

I have at least one more girl that I need to turn on to guns. That is my daughter. She does have her own BB gun, (pink and everything!) but she is reluctant to shoot a big gun. I think she is intimidated but she will get over that. I refuse to have a child of mine not be comfortable around guns and not know how to handle them. Whether or not she takes to them is up to her, but at least she will know how to use them properly and safely.

So conclude this little posting, if you have a gun, take your daughters, girlfriends, neighborhood girls, wives, moms and grandmas out shooting. I don't think you will regret it and I am pretty sure they will enjoy it!

Later!

Middle Eastern Rednecks...

This will be a rant.

In today's newspaper, I read this story about a couple of mentally disabled people, a brother and sister, were found hidden for the LAST 40 YEARS, in a concrete bedroom that stank of sweat and urine in the town or Beit Awwa, West Bank. Why, you might ask? Good question! It was because the Palestinian "family" of these two unfortunate and totally innocent people were afraid that the brother and sister would bring shame on their family! But here is the real kicker that makes me wonder if this family, or the society that they come from has any right to continue on... According to the article, the siblings are a result of a common acceptance and practice in Palestinian society of allowing the marriage and procreation of FIRST COUSINS!! Come on!! Here in the good ol' USA (land of the devil to islamofascists) we ridicule the idea of marrying first cousins. It is a common joke that only rednecks and backwater types do this sort of thing. Maybe it does happen here, but we have laws against it and certainly don't make it part of our accepted societal norms!

The father Ibrahim Musalmeh,(otherwise known at Billy Joe Ibrahim Bob) married his first cousin, and had eight children, five of whom were born with disabilities. Fortunately, I suppose, for those five, they died in childhood. Most likely from poor nurturing and care. These two survived with another apparently "normal" son, who most likely gets to have a normal life. The two disabled people, now adults were returned to the family, because they has no where to go. When checked in on again, the two were at least bathed and dressed, but still in the same room they have lived in for the last 40 years. Lucky them...

Apparently in Palestinian society, people born with disabilities are are considered a shame to the family, and are shunned accordingly. And due to this rather barbaric attitude, they don't bother with establishing care centers or institutions to help those unfortunate enough to be born into a family where they are screwing their cousins!

Who should be ashamed here? The family for thinking that shame has come down on them in the form of a disabled child because they were diving into the apparently very shallow gene pool, or the society that promotes this sort of behavior. Apparently this practice of marrying your toothless cousin is a way to keep inheritances in the family and it is not considered incest. Come On! Wake up People! Read your histories of instances of people dipping their stick into the same honey jar that they share with their brother! Take a look at the Hapsburg's for goodness sakes.

I don't know what the Israelis are so worried about from the Palestinians. Just let them keep this up and maybe they will breed themselves out of history.

This steams me so much because I know a bunch of kids and adults that have disabilities and they are filled with so much joy, love, and energy that there is no way they can bring shame to a family. I also hold to a Native American belief that those with these types of disabilities are considered to be touched and favored by the Great Spirit and are treated with respect and care.

Man... this world is whacked. No wonder there are wars. Sometimes, some people just need to die.

I hope I offend no one with this, but if I did, then maybe you need to look a little closer as what you consider acceptable behavior in a society.

Holy Crap... I am gonna be a Sunday School Teacher!

Yep, that is right! Earlier this year, the husband and wife team that were the adult leader/sponsors ask me and my wife to take over the Lutheran Youth Organization at our church, and we accepted. (With some trepidation, I think.) Along with the responsibilities of getting the kids involved in church and community activities, and raising money to go to the Lutheran Youth Gathering in New Orleans next year, it was also assumed that I would lead and or teach the High School Sunday School class. Yikes! Yes, as a good Lutheran, I attended Sunday School almost every Sunday and like most good Lutheran kids, pretty much disliked (not hated) going to Sunday School. Lets' face it! Sunday School was pretty dry for me. I did enjoy the stories and actually did learn something, but I think that my time would have been better spent doing it on my own. Who am I kidding? I would not have studied bible lessons. I just did not like Sunday School. I did enjoy attending church and liked confirmation class, except for the public questioning at the end. But enough of me.

I am now in charge of making Sunday School classes for TEENAGERS fun and interesting enough to come back to week after week. (I did not go to high school level Sunday School!) I know a number of the kids in the class, but some I do not. I do know that I get along well with kids and teenagers, and have scads of experience leading and being involved in kid activities. But never one that involves developing their faith and belief in God. Heck, and am still working on my own development! How am I gonna be able to help them!? My wife is part of this too and I have full confidence on her ability to help me, but she has even less experience at this sort of thing than I do! This will be as much a learning experience for her as it will be for the kids.

I have received a bunch of stuff from the previous adult leader, and it will help. I have also been combing the web for resources and have found some things that I can use. The advise the former leader told me was to not preach at the kids. Let the class kind of take it's own path. Be open to the kids, respect what they have to say, keep their confidences, and be willing to talk. I think I can do that, but there is still that level of fear that everyone has when charged with a new responsibility. I dare not let them know I am a bit nervous! Teenagers can smell fear like sharks smell blood in the water! That much I have learned in all my time dealing with kids.

I am sure that things will be okay. As I have thought on this subject for a long while, I keep coming back to a poster I was given for a birthday long ago by a member of the head of the Schmidt family.(get that, I even remember who gave it to me!) I had it on my bedroom wall when I lived with my folks. It was a picture of the Grand Canyon, but it was not the photo that I remember. It was the words printed on it. It said, "I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me."

I guess in this case, that is all I need. I will let you know how things turn out.

Later!

Little bastards!

Com'on, com'on! Lemme at 'em! Lemme at 'em!


28

Created by OnePlusYou - Free Dating Site

Thanks to Chuck for this link!

I tried, I really tried!!

But I just couldn't do it!

Do what?!

Finish a book! Ack! I have not done that in a LOOOOOONNNG time!

Try as I might, I could not finish the book,"Christ the Lord: Out of Cana" by Anne Rice. This is the second in her new series. Rice, as you know is famed for her Vampire series but recently has turned to her refound faith.

I got the book as a freebie and decided to get the first book before reading this one. Well, the first one was not very good, and very dry to read. I was hoping this would be a better book and unfortunately, it was not. It is not that it is a bad book but it is just plain boring. If she is trying to retell the life of Christ and go into details that are not normally included in the Bible, then she failed. Yeah, she tells stories that come from biblical and unpublished texts on the life of Christ, but I think that having those simply translated would be a better read! I was really having a hard time reading this so I decided to quit. I just could not finish it! I did page ahead and read of Jesus' meeting with the devil in the desert and Rice's writing style that most people are used to came back for that chapter. That was a good chapter. I think that if Rice had attempted to write it in the style she is famed for, it would be a great read, but instead she took the simpler more restrained style and it did not work for me. I was disappointed.

But on a good note, the book I was reading before this one, "The Blade Itself" by Joe Abercrombie, is a rip roaring good yarn that only begins the series and I will definately be buying the sequels. The characters are well developed, the action intense, the plot very sophisticated and writing is fun to read. Best book I have read in a long time. Highly recommended!

Well that is all for now.

Later!

Oh Happy Day!

Just look what I found out! The Hobbit will be in good hands! For those who could never seem to get into the Hobbit (I am not one of them...) you will finally see that it is indeed a great book! Oh, and if you have not seen delToro's "Pan's Labyrinth", then rent it now and you will see why Jackson picked him to direct the Hobbit. And mark this! They mention sequels! I think that sequels drawn from the histories of the Lord of the Rings would make great film!

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080820/film_nm/hobbit_dc_1

Jackson and del Toro to pen "Hobbit" screenplays.
Wed Aug 20, 4:53 AM ET

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Peter Jackson and Guillermo del Toro's search for writers for "The Hobbit" and its companion film has ended, with the filmmakers deciding that no one is better suited for the task than they are.

Del Toro ("Hellboy," "Pan's Labyrinth"), who is directing the movies, will team with the "Lord of the Rings" filmmaker and "Hobbit" executive producer Jackson to adapt the J.R.R. Tolkien book and write its follow-up. Also joining them in the writers' room are Frank Walsh and Philippa Boyens, both of whom collaborated with Jackson on the "Rings" trilogy.

The news caps an eight-month search for a scribe to adapt the literary classic to the big screen.

"Hobbit," written by Tolkien for his children years before the "Rings" trilogy, follows a young Bilbo Baggins, who finds his comfortable life turned upside down when the wizard Gandalf takes him on a journey for a hoard of treasure that involves trolls, humans, Gollum and his ring of invisibility and a dragon named Smaug.

After Jackson and New Line resolved their differences over profit participation in the "Rings" films, Jackson said he would not write the scripts for the "Hobbit" movies because of other commitments. But in his role as executive producer, he does have approval over creative elements of the productions.

After del Toro came aboard the project, the two began a search for writers. Three factors came into play:

* The filmmakers saw their schedules open up.

* During the general discussions about the films, they realized how much affection they had for the material.

* They also realized that in order to make the targeted release dates, the process required people intimate with Tolkien's world of Middle Earth.

Considering all this, they chose to handle the writing honors themselves, along with Walsh and Boyens.

"Hobbit" and its sequel are being co-produced, co-financed and co-distributed by New Line and MGM, with New Line managing production and handling domestic distribution through Warner Bros., and MGM distributing internationally.

The films will be shot simultaneously, with principal photography tentatively set for a late-2009 start. New Line and MGM hope to release "Hobbit" in 2011 and its sequel the following year.

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter

Reflections on Gen Con 2008

This is only my third year to GenCon, but it seems to be more fun every year. I learn more about what there is to do, more about the games available, and more about the way things work. Maybe after a few more years, I will know it all. This years Gen Con seemed to me to be slightly smaller in the sense that there were fewer vendors and maybe fewer attendees. It probably had something to do with the fact that Gen Con is spreading out around the Indianapolis Convention Center into the hotels and such that surround it. It is the biggest convention that Indy has and it is hard to believe that gamers are the ones that make it that big. The weekend was alot of fun and I will try to give you a little insight to the fun.

The Guys, The Girls, The Games, The Gear.

The Guys: The guys, well, were the guys. They are pretty much what you would expect from a bunch of gamer guys. There were the true gamer geeks that look like they have not had an ounce of exercise in years, no exposure to the sun, and poor grooming habits. But there were just as many guys who if you were to pass them on the street, you could not tell that they have role played for years, or that their favorite game is about killer zombies. I now longer associate the term gamer geek with my former description of a gamer. Because for every greasy haired, smelly, anti-social, flabby gamer, there is a well groomed, well dressed, in a relationship (possibly a father!)guy that probably is a CEO of a company. One thing they all have in common, is that they all love gaming, and they were all a bunch of fun to be around. Some of the guys at GenCon looked like real fools, dressed in funny costumes emulating heros that they could never physically be like, but it was Gen Con! Where else can you dress up like that if not at Gen Con!? They were probably in the costume contest and proud of their efforts. Heck, there was another gamer convention going on across the street at the football stadium at the same time, and those attendees were also dressed up like their heros that they could never be like, but for some reason, no one ever laughed at them on the street. (Indiana Colts Football Fans) Same love of gaming, just a different mindset in society toward them. I met some real gamer nerds, one of which really ruined the opportunity to enjoy a new game, but they were all good guys, something I could not say for the Colt fans I met on the street. We did a haunted historical walking tour, which was for the most part, more walking tour than it was haunted or historical, but along the way, we were interupted a number of times by drunk Colt fans who tried to make fun of some of the costumes worn, or simply because we were going on the same path as they were. No big deal, but annoying. Anyway, this is not a comment on the Colt fans, but on the gamer guys. They are a amazingly different group of guys that were a bunch of fun to hang out with and be associated with.

The Girls:
What can I say about the girls? Gamer girls are cool. Just like the guys, they come in all shapes and sizes, and all kinds of differnet models. Kids, high schoolers, college students, moms, and I am sure, grandmas. They are all cool. Some may be true nerds, but I like seeing gamer girls, just like I like to see girls who shoot and hunt. I just think it is cool. Now, if I was a teenage boy, (like my son) then Gen Con is a place of dreams! There are a large number of gals dressed up in fantasy type costumes that are just down right HOT! And those girls that are dressed up like Japanese Anime school girls are definately making some young boys dreams come true!! As my buddy Dave said, he doesn't know who created that look, but he wants to thank them! And corsets... Corsets were big this year, and well, I just really like what corsets do to the look of a woman's body. I did not get to game with any girls other than my own two, but I have in the past and I find it refreshing. It is one thing to game with a bunch of guys, but to game with a couple of gals brings a new level to the game. Women think differently than guys while gaming, and depending on the game, are often more of a challenge to play against than a guy. I like that my wife and daughter enjoy Gen Con. It makes it more fun for me, and it can be a fun family event for us all! They are gamer girls and that is ok with me!!

The Games:
I signed up for a couple of games, some of which I dropped or skipped, but the ones I did play were fun. I really enjoyed my game of Memior '44 which I got to play with my son, and my gaming buddies, Dave and Henry. We were playing the game as a team and on a game that was scheduled for 3 hours, we blew them away in less than 1.5!! We rocked and had a great time! It was not that the other team was bad, it was that we were pretty good and had some luck on our side. I think that to their disadvantage, was that they might have underestimated my son's ability to play this game and he kind of rocked them back on their heels when he started hitting them hard on his side of the board. WE even got to play with the creator of the game as our judge! Cool guy that Richard Borg. I got his autograph, being the gamer geek that I am. I also got to play Tide of Iron, a WWII simulation game that is a simpler version of the original version of the game Squad Leader. (Advanced Squad Leader now requires you give up your day job to learn it..) I was really looking forward to learning this game and I did enjoy playing it, but I was partnered up with a guy that tried way to hard to make it more like Squad Leader. Don't get me wrong, Squad Leader is a great game, but I did not have 6 hours to play this game and it was not supposed to be so complicated! It is an abstract game, but he tried really hard to make it something else. It kind of took the fun out of it for me. At least I got to play it and can play it when it avaialble, but I won't be buying it. The rest of my family was off to play Settlers of Catan, which my wife won. (yay for gamer girl!) Apparently they had a good time too. We also spent some time in the Training Grounds with the kids learning a new game or two and we demoed some games in the Expo Center. (BattleStar Galactica is the game of the convention this year. I would have had a copy if it had not sold out in the first day) If you come to Gen Con and don't play games, then why the hell are you there? One thing I did not do was any D&D. I felt kind of like a traitor to the game, but I had other things to do and so I quashed my guilty feelings on good food, drink, friends, and buying a few new games.

The Gear:
How many games do you know of? How many do you play? Well, there are so many games at Gen Con, it boggles the mind and intimidates the weak by walking through the Expo Center to look at them all. Never mind the t-shirts, the artists, the video games, the furries accessories, or the leather and swords. There are games frickin everywhere. And they are all for sale! Some cheap, some very expensive. It all depends on what you want. But the one thing that was the best thing of them all was not a game, but a gaming table by the Geek Chic company. (see photo below) For a mere $10,000 you can have a solid walnut, twelve person table, complete with writing pullouts, dice holders, cup holders, pen/pencil holders, dry erase top, velvet card top, book racks, walnut table top for eating on (if you were to use it as such) and complete shipping and set up. Oh my gosh was this cool. Words are not enough. Suffice it to say that this company is living up to it's motto and promise to gamers... "Come out of the basement!" This game table is a centerpeice. It was pretty neat and made many a gamer drool.

So that is about it for my reflections on Gen Con. It was a great time. You should go if you are a gamer, regardless of your intensity of gaming. It is way cool. I got to be a out and out geek for a weekend, and nobody cared. It did do one really cool thing for me... it really recharged my desire to game some more.. even RPG's which took a hit over the last year... Go get your gaming hat on!
Later!



This is my son's effort at the Miniature Painting Contest for ages 14 and under. It is WWII M-4 Hellcat coming out of cover of a forest. He worked really hard on this painting and diorama for the Gen Con contest.



Here is some of the competition that my son was up against. I know it is kind of hard to see, but the other two figures, which took first and second, do not look like a kid worked on them, unless the kids were painting savants! Either way we were proud of him. Oh, and the diarama base had to be removed because unbeknownst to us, it could only be a single figure for the 14 and under category. That was disappointing.



My absolute favorite miniature painting of the show. The reflection of the light through the stained glass window is painted on the floor and on the leg of the Lady Knight's armor. It was just the best painting I have seen in a while. The photo does not do it justice.



OOHH... the Geek Chic gamer table... if only I had the money. It was THE item of reknown at the con. I don't think they sold many though. If I were a rich man...



Here we are at the Memoir' 44 game. My son on the left and Henry on the right. The Panzer Lehr division mopped up at the Hedgerow Hell game! We were not supposed to win, especially since the game was balanced more to the Allied side in terms of numbers and such. But, sometimes, skill... and luck, win out over superior numbers!

More photos from Gen Con 2008

Some of the examples from the Spam Carving Contest that is an annual event at Gen Con. There were some fantastic carvings and a good use for Spam! Everything at Gen Con is a contest!

Cardhalla, the free to build card city! There are some really great works of construction here! It is free to build but at the end of the convention, you can help tear it down by tossing coins at the buildings, which after it is all down, are gathered and donated to charities. This year it is the Fisher House, a organization that give housing to wounded soldiers and their families during their recovery periods.

A view of Gen Con Expo Center. Literally millions of dollars worth of merchandise and hundreds of visitors. Some one heard on the radio that there were 70,000 visitors. I doubt that. Normal turn out is 30,000, but regardless, the place was packed, as you can see.


My kids spent some time in the training center, which is a free for all sort of room. Kids can hang out there, play games, work on crafts, wack each other with boffer weapons, or even play video games. It is a nice place and a good place to send the kids when the rest of the convention gets too much.

A busy but fun weekend ahead!

As soon as I get out of work today, the weekend begins! Tonight I am headed back to my childhood home for the Old Settlers Reunion, a small town celebration that I have not missed since I was born. It is a perfect picture of the type of celebration that you would expect from a town of 850 people. A midway for the kids, bingo, food, entertainment,and giveways for everyone, A huge beer tent for adults, teen dance, and lots of people coming back for a visit. Usually there are close to 15,000 people who come through this little town for the weekend. Often there is a high school reunion planned at the same time to make it even more fun. (My 25th is this weekend, but I only got notice of it 2 weeks ago...) It even has the traditional parade on Saturday, but this is one that does not feature a G.L.A.A.D. float, no anti war protestors, no politicians, well, okay, no Democratic Party politicians, and only good wholesome types of floats and participants. Lots of kids on bikes, horses or in costume. Lots of church floats, and floats dedicated to Veterans and active soldiers alike. This Old Settlers Reunion celebration has been going on for 121 years and is one of the oldest small town celebration in the State of Illinois and the nation. I will be taking the kids tonight to let them run free while I help out at the Bingo stand and legally take money from those who care to try their hand at the game.

On Friday, I hope to get the family up early and off we go to Indianapolis for GenCon Indy. The biggest and best four days of gaming. 30,000 gamers converge on Indy for gaming 24 hours a day. It is really amazing to see and visit. We are signed up to play a few games with people from around the country, my son is entering into a youth miniature painting contest, and we are hoping to have a bit of fun in downtown Indianapolis in the evening. I will post photos and updates on the weekend later.

So, if you read this blog and try to contact me in anyway electronically, chances are that you will not be able to. I will be either up to my eyeballs in bingo cards, or delirious from the gaming ecstacy that is GenCon.

L8r!

Arrrr... I's a pirate.

AYE MATEY!!! I got's me inventoried as a pirate. Take the test fur yerself if youse think you can handle the truth! My pirate evaluation sounds too much like me arch nemesis Chuck. (www.mirisdad.blogspot.com) There can only be one CEO of the Seven Seas, and it won't be him! Prepare to have yer vessel burnt to the waterline ya scurvy dog of a dog!

You are The Cap'n!

Some men and women are born great, some achieve greatness and some slit the throats of any scalawag who stands between them and unlimited power. You never met a man - or woman - you couldn't eviscerate. You are the definitive Man of Action, the CEO of the Seven Seas, Lee Iacocca in a blousy shirt and drawstring-fly pants. You're mission-oriented, and if anyone gets in the way, that's his problem, now isn't? Your buckle was swashed long ago and you have never been so sure of anything as your ability to bend everyone to your will. You will call anyone out and cut off his head if he shows any sign of taking you on or backing down. If one of your lieutenants shows an overly developed sense of ambition he may find more suitable accommodations in Davy Jones' locker. That is, of course, IF you notice him. You tend to be self absorbed - a weakness that may keep you from seeing enemies where they are and imagining them where they are not.




What's Yer Inner Pirate?
brought to you by The Official Talk Like A Pirate Web Site. Arrrrr!

The Geek chart

A friend of mine had this on her blog and I had to have it on mine! I am not sure where I fall on this chart. Certainly right there with the Trekkies and video game players, and role play gamers. I don't really fit into the SCA or Ren fair folk, because I actually know my history and I get paid to do it!

Things you come to expect in a small town...

Recently I was hit on the head by the realization that I am lucky to be living in a small town. It was when, early in the morning, I was playing with Gunnar, and along comes the older couple on their morning walk, right on time, with a hand full of MilkBone dog biscuits. This couple travels the street of my town and hands out dog treats to the dogs they meet along their walk, making friends with not only the dogs, but the owners. Gunnar has been the recipient of these treats now for the last few months, and like clock work, he (and I) expect them every morning at the same time. But it is not just them. Recently, my town lost one of those people you always expect to meet. I will call him Bicycle Ed. Ed rode all over town, collecting cans, picking up trash, commenting on current events, and generally being a good neighbor. You could always see him riding around, his bike basket filled with his latest findings, his cigarette dangling from his mouth as he rode, and a ready wave hello to anyone he passed. I think everyone in my town knew him. He died recently and I think the town is poorer for it. Come to find out, he was a WWII vet who was involved in the Normandy invasion. Never would have guessed it. I miss seeing him around. There are a number of these people you come to expect to meet on a regular basis in my town.

Other things I have come to expect; leaving your back door open and unlocked so that you neighbors can get in to borrow something, do a favor for you, or simply let the dog out. Having your yard mown while you are gone on vacation. Having the mayor call you by your first name. Being able to get behind the bar at your local restaurant to make a specialty drink. Knowing that for the most part, there is someone on your block at almost anytime, you can call on for help. The list goes on.

I moved out of a big town about 15 years ago and have never regetted it. Maybe you can find places that have these similar characters and expectations, but I doubt many of them are larger than 8,000 people in size.

I don't know why I am writing this other than I thought it needed mentioning. After all, the blog is FOR WHAT IT"S WORTH.

later!

I have a face on Facebook!

Check it out! I am on Facebook. Alot like MySpace but not as busy.

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1400529011

I find it a nice way to waste some time when work is slow.

Later!

back packing with the scouts...

Last weekend I took four boys from the Scout Troop I belong to and went on a weekend backpack/pack-in camping trip. If you want to read about it in detail go to http://wwww.paxtontroop32.blogspot.com for the whole story! If not, here are a few photos from the weekend. It was hot, cold, humid, and buggy for the weekend but we had a great time doing some problem solving senarios that tested the scouts on their ability to think and work together to succeed. It really was a great time!

Later!

A new "FIVE YEAR PLAN" for Germany

Here is something my wife sent me recently... read carefully!

Simplfying the King's English!

The European Commission has just announced an agreement whereby English will be the official language of the European Union rather than German, which was the other possibility.

As part of the negotiations, the British Government conceded that English spelling had some room for improvement and has accepted a 5- year phase-in plan that would become known as "Euro-English".

In the first year, "s" will replace the soft "c". Sertainly, this will make the sivil servants jump with joy.

The hard "c" will be dropped in favour of "k". This should klear up konfusion, and keyboards kan have one less letter.

There will be growing publik enthusiasm in the sekond year when the troublesome "ph" will be replaced with "f". This will make words like fotograf 20% shorter.

In the 3rd year, publik akseptanse of the new spelling kan be expekted to reach the stage where more komplikated changes are possible.

Governments will enkourage the removal of double letters which have always ben a deterent to akurate speling.

Also, al wil agre that the horibl mes of the silent "e" in the languag is disgrasful and it should go away.

By the 4th yer people wil be reseptiv to steps such as replasing "th" with "z" and "w"with "v".

During ze fifz yer, ze unesesary "o" kan be dropd from vords kontaining "ou" and after ziz fifz yer, ve vil hav a reil sensibl riten styl.

Zer vil be no mor trubl or difikultis and evrivun vil find it ezi tu understand ech oza. Ze drem of a united urop vil finali kum tru.

Und efter ze fifz yer, ve vil al be speking German like zey vunted in ze forst plas.