Until further notice, there will be no further notice.

Digital Death Knell

Mon, 31 Aug 2009 14:39:56 GMT

It seems that my Lappy's heart gave out last night. Booting up emits a *twong* sound over and over from somewhere in the vicinity of the hard drive. The little guy would have been starting first grade this September. There's probably not too much important data loss though. I'm relatively between projects at the moment, so it's not like I'll have to rewrite a book or anything. So it goes.

Out Of The Frying Pan

Sat, 29 Aug 2009 22:23:26 GMT

Amy and I put up a card game, Out Of The Frying Pan, for sale on thegamecrafter.com.
You should all check it out, at least to see the silly restaurant names!
Also, tell everyone you know.

#3. What should it be?

Sun, 10 May 2009 07:38:23 GMT

Larp. Zam! Pretty smooth night. And I'm not totally exhausted.

Now I have to write another book in the next six weeks. Time to put the knuckle down!

So the name of the third book was going to be American Grit, but my editor would now like to call the trilogy's setting American Grit. This means I need a new name for the third book. The first two books are Northern Steel and Southern Gothic. The third takes place in Washington DC, 1936.

What should the third book be called? Capital... something? Who will win this book-naming contest? It could be you!

The ZSG - more of a splurge than a post, but you might enjoy it anyway

Fri, 24 Apr 2009 06:34:38 GMT

Amy any I ran another play test of the Zombie Survival Game this evening. It was a slightly more comedy-oriented tone than most, which was cool. We had a good crowd for it, Scott, Margot, Esom, and Boris.

Our survivors fought their way through a resort space station. A meteor struck the station and drove the survivors to the lower decks. They tried to barricade themselves in 'little Venice,' the source of the zombie outbreak. But hundreds died when the zombies made a surprise attack from the canals. They holed up in the replica of San Marco's cathedral for a while. Then they found an escape pod and jettisoned all but five of the survivors, a Mila Jovavich look-alike, Captain Dashell "Dash" LeRon, and three others. Finally, they were driven from their refuge, and made a last stand in the green house, where Captain Dash went mad, killed the others, and let the zombies eat him.

There were other narrative details, but Amy and I also learned more about how to improve the mechanics of the game. We'll ditch the dice pool idea, since it didn't make much difference, and simply give 2 story dice for the reaction proposal, and 1 die for the result proposal. Voting should be done in secret, to avoid all the wacky influence that knowing who's in the lead has. We need a better end-game mechanic; something that the players agree on when choosing the setting. This may involve a 'game over' clause in the result proposal, and a final resolution proposal phase that only happens once per game at the very end. And we're thinking of ways to clarify what needs to be in a reaction proposal; specifically, players could be required to end their reaction proposals with a question, which can be answered in the result proposal phase.

Finally, we need better terms for just about everything in the game. Tragic Fate Bonus Dice... seriously?

I'll buy some shoe polish tomorrow. Anyway, thank you, play testers!

Poooooooooh

Fri, 10 Apr 2009 18:45:08 GMT

Today, I finished writing the second adventure toolkit, Southern Gothic. Now I am busy with larp and a field of countless dandelions. What kind of dandelions, you ask? Dandelions of opportunity and responsibility. They are hard to tell apart.

Sat, 04 Apr 2009 19:45:14 GMT

I have reason to believe we all will be received by Rosie, the queen of corona.

Frickin' ear worms.

I'm a spawn

Sun, 14 Dec 2008 20:51:24 GMT

Which creature of the night are you? Your Result: Cthulu Spawn You are really an alien thing, aren't you? I can't describe you because you are beyond. We say "left field" and you say "Krn Grth Thchrang." You are the wild card of the bunch, the unknown quantity
Sorceror
Ghost
Vampire
Demon
Incubus/Succubus
Werewolf
Which creature of the night are you? Quiz Created on GoToQuiz

I've got the gils to pay the bills.

Sun, 16 Nov 2008 23:12:06 GMT

Gils for kills, Titus. Gils for kills.

It started off well...

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 17:25:57 GMT

1. WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (mother's & father's middle names)
Caulley Roger

2. NASCAR NAME: (first name of your mother's dad, father's dad)
John William

3. STAR WARS NAME: (the first 2 letters of your last name, first 4 letters of your first name)
Gostua

4.DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite color, favorite animal)
Pumpkin Chocobo

5. SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, city where you live)
William Minneapolis

6. SUPERHERO NAME: (2nd favorite color, favorite alcoholic drink, optionally add "THE" to the beginning)
The Roan Old Beer Plank

7. FLY NAME: (first 2 letters of 1st name, last 2 letters of your last name)
Stan

8. GANGSTA NAME: (favorite ice cream flavor, favorite cookie):
Cookie Dough Raisin Oatmeal

9. ROCK STAR NAME: (current pet's name, current street name)
Kitchen Mouse South 9th Street

10. PORN NAME: (1st pet, street you grew up on)
Zaphod 24th Avenue South

This Just In

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 04:05:44 GMT

Far and wide, all should rejoice! A very snazzy RPG is available for free: Suzerain. It's a very sleek universal system for anyone looking to expand their horizons. Give it a gander. It'll cook your goose!

How'd I miss this one?

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 13:03:35 GMT

Okay, cool new word: Cowpuncher -- cowboy or cowgirl

I don't know how this one was able to fly under my radar for so long, but now I know it, and my life is that much more awesome for it.

Invitation or ill will?

Sat, 31 May 2008 02:21:02 GMT

Arson

Mon, 05 May 2008 05:07:50 GMT

Check out my new game:

Out Of The Frying Pan

The download option is down the page on the right, assuming you don't want to use yoyogames' stupid instant play thing. Also, if you are going to play it, click the 'how to play' button for the tutorial before you play a game.

Mon, 12 Dec 2005 22:46:34 GMT

I'm lame and have no friends!

And my fiancee is hot!

Empty

Sun, 20 Nov 2005 01:38:09 GMT

My friends page hasn't changed in over 24 hours. Weird. Such a syzygy of silence.

So, tell me what's new.

Takin' a Break

Fri, 11 Nov 2005 03:16:25 GMT

I'm pausing for a moment to regain a little direction. My main characters have just taken up temporary residence in a green VW van in the parking lot outside a Grateful Dead reunion concert (Henry Rollins is filling in for Jerry Garcia). The owner of the van is presumed to have passed out somewhere else, on whatever drugs those people at Grateful Dead concerts take. I'm planning a short narrative history of the van, and I'm trying to decide whether it's a ghost van that follows their concerts ever since its devoutly Dead-Headed owner died in an absurd tie dying accident, or if the van is more like Kit from Nightrider with an artificial intelligence that just happens to be infatuated with Phil Lesh. I'm leaning toward the latter, since the last chapter was about escaping from a haunted circus. Maybe there have been enough ghosts already. Only time will tell.

Yeah, ok... Here's mine.

Sun, 06 Nov 2005 02:37:56 GMT

Peer deeper into the depths of Stuart

Sun, 09 Oct 2005 02:26:45 GMT

1. First grade teacher's name: Mrs. Beal

2. Last words you said: "By the time my next turn loads, the zombie will have logged in and wandered off."

3. Last song you sang : Katamari Damacy

4. Last person you hugged: Amy

5. Last thing you laughed at: Urban Dead

6. Last time you said I dont remember: Earlier

7. Last time you cried: This spring probably

8. Last time you were on vacation: Heh... a couple weeks ago to Washington State

9. What color socks are you wearing: White with grey toes.

10. What's under your bed? A rug

11. What time did you wake up today: 7pm

12. Current taste: coffee

13. Current hair: slowly out-growing mowhawk

15. Current annoyance: Slow loading urban dead

16. Current longing: To kill both zombies in the square with me

17. Current desktop background: BRURS!!!!!!!!!!! fuck.

18. Current worry: That One Shot Willy will turn into a zombie

19. Current hate: not really, no

20. Current favorite article of clothing: Boots

21. Favorite Stores: I don't like buying things

22. Last CD that you listened to: No idea

23. Favorite place to be: Toilet

24. Least favorite place: torture chamber

25. Time you wake up in the morning: morning?

26. If you could play an instrument: I'd be a better human being

27. Favorite color: uhhh, blue-ish?

28. Do you believe in an afterlife? no

29. How tall are you: 5 11

31. Favorite book: too many?

32. Favorite season: Fall

33. One person from your past you could go back to talk to? What?

34. What is your worst fear? Lameness

35. What makes you mad? not much

36. What is your career going to be like: tasty

37. How many kids do you want: A couple?

39. Said "I love you" and meant it: yes

40. Ever gotten in a fight with an animal? what?

41. Been to New York: yes

42. Been to Florida: yes

43. Been to California: yes

44. Been to Hawaii: no

45. Been to Mexico: yes

46. Been to Japan: yes

48. Dreamed something really crazy and then it happened? no

49. Do you have a crush on someone? no

50. Do they know? ... null set

51. Do they like you? Who doesn't!?

52. Do you wish you could be together? ... null set

53. What books are u reading at the moment? a few

54. Whats the worst feeling in the world: I'm sure I've never had it.

55. What is the first thing you think when you wake in the morning? SWEET! I didn't die in my sleep!

56. How many rings before u answer the phone? as few as possible

57. Future daughter's name: Attricia... or Madeline or Lydia or Anabel Rose or Eleanor or whatever...

58. Future son's name: yep, he'll have a name

59. Wish you were here: what?

62. Tattoos: nope

63. Piercings: nope

EXTRA STUFF* [yer kidding?]
64. Do you do drugs: not really

65. Do you drink: nope

67. What kind of Shampoo and Conditioner do you use? dr brawner's

68. What are you most scared of: no idea

69. What clothes do you sleep in: varies. how cold is it?

70. Who is the last person that called you: Will

71. Where do you want to get married? wherever

72. If you could change anything about yourself what would that be: no need to sleep, eat, drink, breathe, go to the bathroom, I'd have a gizzard, super powers, etc, etc!

73. Who do you really hate: The MILK-MAN!!! AR!!!

74. Been In Love: yep

75. Are you timely or always late: Timely

76. Do you have a job: no (read: loser)

77. Do you like being around people: most of the time

78. Best feeling in the world: again, I've probably never had it.

80. Are you a health freak: freak, maybe

81. Do you have a "Type" of person you always go after: breathing?

82. Do you want someone you don't have? um, no?

83. Are you lonely right now: am I lonely tonight? no, elvis, I'm not.

84. Ever afraid you'll never get married: no

85. Do you want to get married: yes

86. Do you want kids? wasn't this covered in the the "how many kids do you want" question?

*IN THE LAST 48 HOURS, HAVE YOU...* [fuckin' a...]
87. Cried: no

88. Bought Something: yep

89. Gotten Sick: hope not

90. Sang: katamari damacy

91. Said I Love You: yep, more of a whisper though

92. Wanted To Tell Someone You Loved them: yes, and I did...

93. Met Someone new: yes

94. Moved On: uh... no?

95. Talked To Someone: yes

96. Had A Serious Talk: heh, me?

97. Missed Someone: they were ducking and dodging... no sight... blah blah. Yeah, I missed. So what?

98. Hugged Someone: Only if strangling counts.

99. Yelled at Someone: no

100. Dreamed About Someone You Can't Be With: no

First Lines Meme

Mon, 03 Oct 2005 22:10:45 GMT

That band wagon doesn't seem to have a flautist yet...

Arimaspea

Upon my death I traveled north in raven shape,
Accompanied by sun-struck Phoebus God of light.
We rode his heaven's chariot with him at reigns,
And I atop his shoulder, cawing to the wind.

Kester the Hylopath

In a way, he lied copiously. Not all the time, and not necessarily to excess, but most of the time. It had become habit, due to his gift.

Serity and Menny (working title)

Serity was born on drugs, but then so are most people.

Donovan's Best

He was a hellish font of brute and marrow. Despicable phrases erupted from his throat and teeth, bent into awful sounds by his tongue.

Wed, 28 Sep 2005 00:26:47 GMT

Peer into the depths of Stuart:

1. Initials:
SWG... guess I'm destined to be an alcoholic

2. name someone with the same birthday as you:
Tom, a guy in my 6th grade class.

3. where was your first real kiss?
On the edge of a field at summer camp.

4. for or against same sex marriages?
Go for it.

5. are you homophobic?
Nope

6. are you bisexual?
Nopers

7. do you believe in God?
Negarino

8. how many US states have you been to?
Most... 40ish

9. how many of the US states have you lived in?
2

10. have you ever lived outside the US?
Germany, and South Korea.

11. name something you like physically about yourself.
Quick reflexes

12. name something non physical you like about yourself:
Sociable

13. what is the current rumor traveling around about someone?
Um, how should I know?

14. what is your dream car?
A-Team Van

15. if you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?
Only one place? Shit. Sweden? Egypt?

16. have you ever had someone of the opposite sex over at your house?
wtf? Of course.

17. how many concerts have you gone to?
Not very many. They're too loud and I'm 85 at heart.

18. do you download music?
Sure, I'm evil.

19. how many illegal things have you done?
A dozen or so.

20. where would you want to go on a first date?
Pediatric oncology ward.

21. Would you date the person who posted this before you?
Heh, no, and I suspect he wouldn't be offended.

22. has anyone ever sang or played for you personally?
Yeah, lots of people.

23. ever been kissed under fireworks?
I don't think so.

24. Do you like President Bush?
I suspect he would be the life of a party.

25. have you ever bungee jumped?
Nah.

26. have you ever white-water rafted?
Yes, at a family reunion. Gramma didn't come along.

27. have you ever crashed a car?
The boolean value of the variable “I_crashed_a_car” = 0

28. has anyone more than 10 years older than you hit on you?
Yes

29. have you met a real redneck?
I live in America; what do you think?

30. are you interested in anyone right now?
Yes

31. are you in love right now?
Yes

32. what song are you listening to right now?
Something at the KCK

33. what is your current favorite song?
Psshhh... rez/cowgirl?

34. what was the last movie you watched?
Dawn of the Dead, the remake

35. who was the last person you said i love you to?
My fiancée

36. Where was the last place you went besides your house?
The Kitty Cat Klub

37. the latest you have ever stayed up?
5 days

wtf? where did questions 38-65 go????????

66. have you ever thought that you were honestly going to die?
Hah, never! I'm going to die dishonestly.

67. were you ever rushed by an ambulance into the emergency room?
No.

68. have you ever been dared to do something you didn't want to do?
Yeah. I've also been dared to do something that I quickly realized I wanted to do.

69. What do you think of the person who posted this before you?
He's a cool cat.

Oh Yeah!

Tue, 27 Sep 2005 23:45:50 GMT

<td align="center">

Take this quiz at QuizGalaxy.com</td>

Fri, 23 Sep 2005 09:27:22 GMT

Crampons! Good word, or no?

20 random facts. There were stipulations, but I never saw 'em

Thu, 15 Sep 2005 01:15:21 GMT

1. I lie. A lot. But pretty much only for
entertainment purposes, and I should hope people
around me are very aware of the lack of truth in my
outrageous proclamations.

2. I'm not a plant person. I like 'em just fine, but
I don't think I'd ever get into the habit of
watering/caring for them.

3. I'm pretty lazy about eating. Ignoring hunger
takes a lot less energy than preparing something.
Yeah, I've been called skinny now and then.

4. I secretly believe there is no God, but please
don't tell anyone about this. I don't like getting
burnt at the stake.

5. Zombies are just about the coolest thing.

6. If I were a pirate, my name would be Cap'n Stu. I
know, it's not especially creative, but seriously,
I'd be a cap'n.

7. I hammered the screws into the sand table that I
built when I was 15, because the drill wasn't working
very well. Battletech was awesome.

8. I have no tattoos or piercings.

9. I like the smell of vanilla.

10. Dog tastes pretty much as good as cow.

11. My finest hour involved a plastic straw and a
dare.

12. I tried believing in ghosts and psychic powers
when I was little, but it didn't really work out,
since it's all fake.

13. One of my greatest life goals is to become the
king of Liechtenstein.

14. I'd love to meet doctor who. I think he'd let me
be one of his companions.

15. I'm really not that impressed with Google Earth.
Blurry, blurry.

16. Narcissism is the spice of LJ

17. If I could choose one animal organ to be
implanted into my body (and not be genetically
rejected, etc.) I'd get a prosthetic gizzard.

18. Seeing an empty stairwell through a window from
the outside of a building creeps me out.

19. I generally have good luck on your average Friday
the 13th.

20. If I had to choose one and only one kind of
clothing to wear for the rest of my life, I'd take
footwear. Nothin' like a solid pair of boots.

Damn

Wed, 14 Sep 2005 22:41:18 GMT

I got an invitation to a reception for the Consul General of Italy in Chicago (the reception is in the cities; he's based in Chicago). But my flight back from Washington arrives just three hours after the reception. LAME!

Ack!

Thu, 08 Sep 2005 03:24:50 GMT

I'm antsy! What should I do!?