Preface: 2017 was a shitshow.

Preface: 2017 was a shitshow. Fascism is on the rise, the world is on fire, and we may remember it was the year the world ended.

But, for me? It was pretty great. Here's my 2017:
-- Marches, petitioning my government for a redress of grievances, and helping to enable others to do the same.
-- Gave away more money than ever before
-- Work has gone fantastically well
-- Went to four cons. Two local, plus Dreamation and Epiphany
-- Played life-changing games
-- A couple of fantastic vacations
-- Saw Hamilton
-- Met people I treasure

For 2018, I hope to:
-- Help elect more democrats
-- Give away money. The ACLU, Give Directly, and a few individuals. No, not you.
-- Mentor and build out the nascent BI group
-- Save for retirement, build my EF, pay down debt.
-- Play more games
-- Watch less TV
-- Run Camp Nerdly
-- Be a better friend
-- Have a memorable vacation

To reiterate: 2017 may have ended liberal democracies on earth. This post isn't about that. This post is about my own 2017.

How was yours?

This is my Star Wars thread. Spoilers in comments.

There is no RPG industry. Industries can pay living wages.

There is no RPG industry. Industries can pay living wages.
There is no RPG market. Markets have supply and demand.

There's folk, telling stories and rolling dice with each other.
There's folk, having conversations with each other.

There's folk who are the absolute best to have these conversations with.
There's folk who alter and change the conversation the rest of us have.
There's folk who give a space for us to tell our games together.
There's folk who make it easier to send money to help support other folk.

Ain't nobody making real money. There's no salary that a hundred grand, and more than a few operate on a let's-pay-for-expenses-only model. There's no lobbying of congress,

That's not an industry. That's a hobby.

There's no real supply and demand, either. Or, given that the prices are too low to support capital investment, it's collapsed -- the supply continues to exist, even though there's essentially no demand.

To address the 10,000 pound elephant, dungeons and dragons?
That has little enough to do with table RPGs. Hasbro knows that the brand is worth more than what they make from selling RPG books, and does what they need to do maintain that brand. That's not about roleplaying games, that's about leveraging into real industries.

This is not a bad thing! This is a great thing! It means:
-- Ignore anyone who says you need fancy-fucking computers to make an RPG. You need paper and dice, maybe access to Google's office products. The public library is your friend.
-- Ignore anyone who claims to represent Indie RPGs as a whole. No they don't.
-- Make the games you want!
-- Have the conversations you want!
-- Pay attention to the game designers that speak to you!
-- If you want to pay for something, do so!
-- If you want to release your game for free, do so!
-- You can know that you aren't going to make real money off this, so don't let anyone tell you you must make a certain product for the industry. That's bogus junk!
-- Go to whatever conventions you can, knowing full well that it's just folk. Some with status, sure, but what you are doing is as interesting and novel to them as what they are doing is to you!

It's the time of year when I do my yearly budgeting.

It's the time of year when I do my yearly budgeting.

Which is real hard as the tax situation is ALL FUCKED UP. Because the vichi republicans decided to change how we do taxes -- pretty fucking massively -- at exactly the end of the year.

So, I'm guessing. I do not like guessing with money. I'm guessing that the tax thing won't change things in a major way for me. Who the fuck knows. It'll likely be THOUSANDS of dollars one way or the other, and I am not smart enough to figure it out.

I also realize I am privileged to have a good guess as to my next year's income. I get that. This isn't the place to tell me that. This is the place to complain about REPUBLICANS who are BAD.

If you're reading this, even if we barely talk, comment on a memory you have of us.

If you're reading this, even if we barely talk, comment on a memory you have of us. Should you desire after you're done, post this yourself. You'd be surprised what people remember about you!

PSA: I see Star Wars movies with family in Oklahoma. We're going shortly after Christmas.

PSA: I see Star Wars movies with family in Oklahoma. We're going shortly after Christmas.

If you tell me spoilers, I will be mad at you.
If you post pictures on G+, I will be sad.

I've already more than I really want. I know who liked it and who disliked it. I know some comparisons, and some characters. I wish I knew less, as now my brain will try to figure out more.

So, please help me. Until the end of the year, let's keep the spoilers to a minimum, ok?

Cons in 2017:

Cons in 2017:
-- Dreamation
-- Camp Nerdly
-- Washingcon
-- Quarterly Larp Day (not really a con, started after Washingcon)
-- Epiphany

Expected cons, 2018:
-- Dreamation
-- Camp Nerdly, which I have the honor of running this year
-- WashingCon
-- Quarterly Larping

Games that affected me personally in 2017:
-- Shoutdown to Launch, which readied me for a promotion.
-- Dream Askew, which always reminds me of what is possible
-- Bedlam Beautiful, which scared me
-- Strange Gravity, which taught me I can be a Captain
-- Epiphany, but ask me in a month.

Games played in 2017, for more than a few sessions:
-- Urban Shadows
-- Stranger Gravity
-- SpaceWyrm versus Moonicurn
-- Apocalypse World

Pretty sure this is concrud. Yuck.

Epiphany larp was amazing. Ask me anything.

I am Toby, and I am a mage.

I am Toby, and I am a mage.

At least, I think that's the best descriptor. A few years back, I became aware of something -- the multiverse I have drawn and written about since I was seven isn't just in my mind. It's real.

In college, I figured out how to go there -- and how to take other people with me. The Caralleen multiverse, I always called it. And the first person to show me there was more in the world? That there is more than this crude matter? Caralee

Now, I can -- with some difficulty and danger -- take myself and others to these worlds when we play games. When we play Carcassone especially, we wind up in France or the a city of the Caralleen multiverse. There are many -- some fantastical, some almost like our world, some futuristic -- and I love them all. I know them all.

Admittedly, there are other powers besides travel. I can sense the underlying magical power of a place, sometimes can even distort it. Time bends to my will, and I can open into other people's minds.

But, games? Games are the binding agent. It is through games and games alone that I can open and understand the multiverse.

I've been sojourning for the better part of a year, searching. Both for Caralee, who lost herself in a midevil town somewhence, and simply because travel is the greatest journey.

Now, I'm heading back to your world -- to texas -- to join other mages. There's a group of seekers, who are almost ready to awaken. I know many of those journeying forth, but not all. I hope to learn and help -- of course! -- but also, a Node like that may be powerful enough to finally find Caralee.

Wish me luck.

is this politician liberal or conservative?

is this politician liberal or conservative?
- Favors increased defense spending
- against government waste and corruption
- federal prosecutor best known for anti-terrorism work
- favors reduced government spending on prisons
- references The Lord (Jesus, presumably) in reference to his formative years

So, whatcha think? Also, can you identify the politician?

Dear Friends

Dear Friends,

In Alabama, the percent of write-in votes is bigger than the margin.

Voting matters, and voting for someone who can win matters.

When you enter the Dungeon from The Village, roll + Stat.

When you enter the Dungeon from The Village, roll + Stat.

On a 10+, choose up to 3. On a 7-9, choose up to 2. On a 6-, you choose 1 and the MC chooses 1. You won't like it:
-- You find a loose silver piece.
-- Your journey is hard on you, but you gain a handful of silver. Mark one Stress.
-- You witness a scene of victimization, and a purse of silver after running off the shtheads and helping the victims. Mark one Witness.
-- You defeat a gang of dungeon creatures (orcs?), and a full backpack of silver. Mark one Harm.
-- You defeat a monster boss, their minions, and free those they imprisoned. You find a trunk of silver. Mark Harm, Witness, and Stress.

When you return from The Village, you can spend that silver! You can also spend smaller amounts, but at somewhat of a loss. There's not enough silver in the economy, and trying to move it around may seize up the economy.

Between delves, when you have silver in the Village, roll + amount spent (1 for piece, 2 for handful, 3 for purse, etc). On a 10+, choose 3. On a 7-9, choose 2. On a 6-, choose 1 and expect the worst:
-- You get communal food and lodging with others for a week.
-- You get fancy lodging in quiet for a night or two. Erase one Stress.
-- You get time to discuss your problems with a listener. Erase one Witness.
-- You get inexpert medical attention, mostly bandages and sutures. Erase one harm.

As your elves continue, the MC may add the following options:
-- You may taxes honestly, and do not attracted unwanted attention from the authorities.
-- You have caused inflation, and must always choose this option first.
-- You help the Village grow into a town.

Other Moves and stats:
Keep Your Cool: Roll +Cool. On a 10+, you do it. On a 7-9, you hestitate or flinch; the MC will offer you a hard bargain or ugly choice.

Bargain Wealth: Roll +Shrewd. On a 10+, you convert a level of wealth to 3 times as many at the lower level. On a 7-9, just two. On a 6-, you get robbed, taxed, or harmed. The MC will tell you more.

I'm not sure what other moves I want. I do, for sure, want this to be about a boomtown and the harms that come from, essentially, mining next to a tiny village. I also expect other dungeon moves to humanize what you are finding, as they mount defenses against this group of crazy-powerful people raiding their homes.

To those whom I back on Patreon:

To those whom I back on Patreon:

I love you.

I've received worried emails from several of you due to the fee change structure. I agree, it is stupid. Especially as it affects $1 donations. Those're damn near 40% up, and that's stupid.

That being said: I haven't thought about what to do about it as the amount of money I put through Patreon (~20 / month?) is sufficiently low that I've got other things to worry about.

Which is to say: I'm not going anywhere. That'd take more work than sticking around and I treat this with some benign neglect.

I know not everyone is in the same place, money wise. That sucks, too. I wish everybody had money! I don't know how to solve this problem, and this post is not the place to try!

As for me, I'm not going anywhere and I will be fine with business as usual. Please, borrow no anxiety on my behalf!

Have I mentioned lately how much I love SQL?

Have I mentioned lately how much I love SQL?

And indexes?
And well-built date warehouses?
And BI tools?

This is on real clear, which is the only thing that surprises me.

This is on real clear, which is the only thing that surprises me.

https://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2017/12/04/how_trump_lost_his_cover_135681.html
https://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2017/12/04/how_trump_lost_his_cover_135681.html

There are a few items in the Constitution that were created for the preservation of slavery, and the supremacy of...

There are a few items in the Constitution that were created for the preservation of slavery, and the supremacy of Virginia.

Those are:
-- the three fifth compromise
-- the electoral college
-- the second amendment.

We get rid of the first. It is well past time we get rid of the other two.

The Orville is more star trek than, say, Enterprise ever was.

The Orville is more star trek than, say, Enterprise ever was.

Discuss.

Liberated from a private share. Be like Danica. Resist.

Liberated from a private share. Be like Danica. Resist.

https://twitter.com/pwcdanica/status/936865161012379648?s=17
https://twitter.com/pwcdanica/status/936865161012379648?s=17

I have a new job title: Business Intelligence Lead

I have a new job title: Business Intelligence Lead

I have a first assignment: Clean up the garbage fire left behind by my predecessor. Who hired me almost three years ago, and who was doing a lot of work in undocumented excel sheets. Like, figuring out how to do a million dollars in payments in Excel.

We don't have user stories. We don't have requirements. We don't have documentation. We don't have a transition plan. The tasks don't have identified clients. The folks who we think are the clients don't have time to meet with us.

In addition, any reporting that was out of Excel was done in a BI tool that no one still at the company is particularly skilled at. The two people who know it well left at the same time. It's not so much a garbage fire, but is smoldering and could erupt at any time.

What we do have: Essentially as many south american DBAs as we need, a VP who'll act as management and project management cover, a CIO who knows his stuff and has the ability to hire and shift people around, and a brand-new BI Lead who thinks scrum is a really neat idea.

Are we doooomed?

Does this make any sense?

Does this make any sense?

Rabbit Stoddard, Mo Jave maybe have insight. Implementing scrum or something like it. It is likely we'll have this discussion with the cruise end of the business next week.

This group has always provided analytical services for the company at large. With the departure of , we have the opportunity and need to pivot. We're at a saddle point, and pivoting will let us increase what we deliver while honoring current commitments.

Starting next week, we are moving to a 2-week release cycle for each of our major components. Each client -- briefly, air, hotel, and cruise -- will have a specific primary point of contact who is responsible for prioritizing work. We'll have standing every two week meetings to show what we've done.

Our goal is to automate our current work, freeing us up to do higher value work -- and then automate that. The center piece of this for each client is the business data architect. Ad Hoc work and work we haven't yet automated rests wth the architect. I'll act as lead architect, and the champion of this methodology.

Doing the automation are our DBAs. The business data architect will help the DBAs understand the business and develop products that solve problems for our clients. The DBAs will be in South America, and their work will be directed by the product owner and Architect.

This is where we're starting. If we need to make changes, we will. If we need to put more resources towards a specific client or product area, we will.

I want to talk about the calendar. Again.

I want to talk about the calendar. Again.

As is: we have 12 months, with days varying between 28 and 31. Holidays occur at essentially random, though preset, intervals.

Let's do this, which Kodak used for decades:
-- 13 months, each 28 days long. A single day -- a holiday -- outside the week at the end of the year.
-- Put Holidays on the first of the month. So, every first Monday is a holiday.

Let's do it.

Friends

Friends,

Please help me with something. I get into my head.

If I seem to be in my head, please -- please -- tell me to go workout.

Self-care: It is important.

Is "sweet" the proper word for me here?

Is "sweet" the proper word for me here?

Con Runner: Cons are expensive to run. We may run into problems.
Me: If so, let me know. I um... can maybe help?

What am I being here?

Perspective is everything!

Perspective is everything!

I'm going to a con next month. Currently, plan is to sleep alone, in a heated barn, in my sleeping bag. I'll need to transport it, and that's kinda annoying.

Due to changes in whatever, the con runner offered me a slot in a bed. A shared bed. With a dude.

Realization: feeling of dread. Dudes are gross.

Is this what every woman feels all the fucking time? Jeez.

Wanted: a mwans of playing video games such that:

Wanted: a mwans of playing video games such that:
-- Games can be played by two people in the same place
-- Games have simple controls, like Tetris or the original Doom
-- Games more as social activity than as soul burning need
-- Preferably, at least one building game like SimCity. But not that, we've played it.

Your crew is returning from the dungeon. You are exhausted, injured, and your soul feels dirty.

Your crew is returning from the dungeon. You are exhausted, injured, and your soul feels dirty.

Each of you has picked up a purse of silver and a backpack of silver, and a handful of gold.

The only inn in the village is the only commercial location to eat, drink, or take a bath.

Who are you, and what do you do?

My god, an asshole on the radio suggested Roy Moore should step aside for the good of the reputation of evangelicals.

My god, an asshole on the radio suggested Roy Moore should step aside for the good of the reputation of evangelicals.

No.

Roy Moore should step aside because he is a child molester. He won't, because he sees nothing wrong with molesting children.

The people of Alabama should vote for someone else, because he is a child molester. They probably won't, because he is a Republican and claims the tribe evangelical. Somehow, that is more powerful that being a child molester

What comments can go here: Saying bad things about Roy Moore. Suggesting the good people of Alabama will vote against that asshole. I'll even allow a debate on the good versus bad qualities of evangelics. Perhaps even their reputation, but, here's the thing: if you are an evangelical, you do not get to say what the reputation of evangelicals is.

To be clear: Defenses of roy moore do not go here. Like, I will auto delete and a second offense I'll just ban hammer.

Dear friends

Dear friends,

What have you done to make the world safer for your neighbors?

As a followup, what have you done to stop the child molester roy moore from joining the senate?

What else can we do to stop him?

The primary coin of The Village is the copper piece.

The primary coin of The Village is the copper piece. Silver pieces are treated with respect, and there's simply not enough liquid capital for gold pieces to flow well. Platinum is right out. A copper piece might buy a meal, or a night's stay in a barn alongside the animals.

Before inflation, a single silver, or a handful of copper, might buy:
-- cheap communal room and board. You won't starve.
-- a chat with the barkeep about what you've seen. Lose 1 Witness.
-- A night alone, with or without strong drink. Lose 1 Exhaustion.
-- Bandages, applied inexpertly. Lose 1 Harm.

Before inflation, a purseful of copper, a handful of silver, or a single gold, might buy:
-- Everything on the smallest list
-- bronze sword. Use up to give 1 more attempt in a dungeon
-- Leather jerkin. Use up to ignore 1 harm
-- Cheap, wooden holy symbol. Use up to ignore 1 Witness
-- Skin of water. Use up (by drinking) to ignore 1 exhaustion

If you've got a handful of gold, you can probably buy all these things.

After you've spent about a purse worth of silver, expect the local polity to want their fare share. Taxes, in other words.

If you manage to spend a backpack worth of silver, The Village has enough wealth to have inflation. All prices increase; what used to cost one now costs a handful; handful to purse; purse to backpack; backpack to trunk.

At this rate, it won't be long until you spend a trunk full of silver, at which point the Village has attracted enough people pursuing wealth to become a Town.

The primary coin of The Town is the silver piece. Gold pieces are treated with respect, and there's simply not enough liquid capital for platinum pieces to flow well. Astral Diamonds are right out. A silver piece might buy a meal, or a night's stay in poor accommodations.

* But, William, how much is a backpack of silver or whatever worth?

Here's the breakdown.
The sizes increase one, handful, purse, backpack, trunk.
Copper values: 1, 5, 25, 100, 500. That is, a trunk of copper is value 500.
Silver values: 5, 25, 100, 500, 2,500. That is, a trunk of silver s value 2,500
Gold values: 25, 100, 500, 2,500, 10,000. That is, a trunk of gold is value 10,000.
Platinum: 100, 500, 2,500, 10,000, 50,000. That is, a trunk of platinum is value 50,000. But, let's max that out at 10,000 because omg these numbers are too large.

But, William, those don't increase in step! It's inconsistent!
Yep, and a smart bookie could probably take all my money. Except there's not a lot of money changers in this, and the player characters are essentially mining, and using the money to buy better equipment.

Wait, is this fun?
I dunno yet. I think it might be.

When you make a character

When you make a character

So, the stats, see, are maybe:
Hard, Cool, Hot, Sharp, Weird

You get access to the basic moves as you gain those stats. If you don't have a stat, then you fall back on Do Something Under Fire, based on cool. That's the primary move. And everybody has a cool score.

So, at chargen, choose a primary stat. Put it at 2. It can be cool, but if ti is then put another stat at 0. Everybody else has cool 0.

So now everybody has two stats, and can access a few moves. Cool.

Now, we go do adventuring. You're gonna go down into the Dungeon, see.

Why? Figure out a motive. Hint: It's probably money. Don't spend too much time on this.

For each stat you've got, you can raid the Dungeon.

When you raid the dungeon from the Village, roll with stat On a 10+, choose 1 or more. On a 7-9, choose 2 or more. On a 6-, choose 1 and the MC will mark another badness:
--- You journey to a floor cleared of monsters and recover a silver.
-- You find a handful of silver, but it is hard. Mark exhaustion.
-- You save victims of the monsters, and take some loot. Mark Witness and recover a purse of silver.
-- You defeat a boss monster! Mark harm, and recover a backpack of silver.

~5 coins to a handful, ~5 handfuls to a purse, ~5 purses to a backpack. There's also a trunk. It's ~5 backpacks to a purse. I say ~5 as it goes 5-5-4, so it comes out to an even 100. There's a table.

Consequences:
Exhaustion: If you mark Exhaustion three times, you drop everything as you return to town.
Witness: If you mark Witness three times, you lose control. You become a monster, and resurface covered in the blood of your enemies. You slink back to town, and need to seek help before you can go back to the dungeon.
Harm: If you mark Harm three times, you are dead. Make a new character.

In The City

In The City

If you go far enough into the Dungeon and spend enough money in The Settlement, it may grow into The City.

The City attracts all sorts! The City is focused on the wealth coming up from The Dungeon, including any service profession the PCs may ask for.

Before Inflation, the basic unit of currency is one platinum piece. After inflation, this increases to a handful of platinum.

Purchaseable in The City, for the standard unit:
-- Fancy room and board for a couple of days. This is individual, with servers at your table.
-- A forgiveness ceremony by the Bishop. Lose 3 witness.
-- A night in medication, with 20-year old single malt whiskey, or delightful compansionship. Lose 3 Exhaustion.
-- The care of a doctor. Lose 3 harm.

Next Largest:
-- Everything on the smallest list
-- A week's fancy room and board, for yourself or another
-- Magic sword. Use up to give 1 more attempt in a dungeon, at +2
-- Full Plate. Use up to ignore 3 harm.
-- Holy Symbol, prayed over by a the bishop. Use up to ignore 3 Witness
-- Sudafed. Use up to ignore 3 Exhaustion

Even larger:
-- Everything on the previous list
-- A business manager, capable of returning you your money after going to the Dungeon
-- A Butler, who will maintain a residence until you return.
-- one-hour of labor requiring special labor skills
-- a horse
-- a feast for everyone in the city.
-- clothing for a king
-- A secret message, sent instantly to anyone in the City with magic
-- Nearly anything else.

To make a new character:

To make a new character:
-- Choose a stat from Sharp / Cool / Hot / Weird. This is at 2.
-- Put your Hard to 1. Everybody who goes into a dungeon is tough.
-- Choose a name. Choose a peasant name.
-- Choose one person from the group who you know best. You may, once per dungeon delve, negate something bad from happening to them.

You level when all your stats have been used in a delve. When you level up, choose one and mark it off:
[ ] Stat at +1
[ ] Stat at 0
[ ] Stat at minus 1
[ ] Describe why you know someone else well. Now you can negative a badness for them, too.

When you've done all these things, you get a playbook. More on those later, but, recommended:
If you start with Sharp 2, become a thief
If you start with Cool 2, become a battlebabe. (Fighters are stupid, battlebabes are great.)
If you start with Hot 2, become a Bard
If you start with Weird 2, become a wizard.

What Money Gets You
Village
smallest piece still accepted:
-- cheap communal room and board. You don't starve.
-- a chat with the barkeep about what you've seen. Lose 1 Witness.
-- A night alone, with or without strong drink. Lose 1 Exhaustion.
-- Bandages, applied inexpertly. Lose 1 Harm.

Next Largest:
-- Everything on the smallest list
-- Rusted sword. Use up to give 1 more attempt in a dungeon
-- Leather jerkin. Use up to ignore 1 harm
-- Cheap, wooden holy symbol. Use up to ignore 1 Witness
-- Skin of water. Use up (by drinking) to ignore 1 exhaustion

If you've got something larger, you can get multiple of these for it. Maybe all of them.

Town
smallest piece still accepted:
-- Inexpensive room and board, with few others. You don't starve.
-- A chat with a priest about what you've seen. Lose 2 Witness
-- A night alone with your thoughts, whiskey, or companionship. Lose 2 Exhaustion
-- one-hour of easy labor, such as waiting in a line
-- Bandages and ointments, applied with care. Lost 2 Harm

Next Largest:
-- Everything on the smallest list
-- A week's room and board, for yourself or another
-- one-hour of semi-skilled labor not requiring dangers or intimacy
-- Steel sword. Use up to give 1 more attempt in a dungeon, at +1
-- Scale plate armor. Use up to ignore 1 harm.
-- Crafted holy symbol. Use up to ignore 1 Witness
-- Canteen of water. Use up to ignore 1 Exhaustion

Even larger:
-- Everything on the previous list
-- A bank, who will keep it for you until next time.
-- A manger, who will ensure you have the necessaries when you return.
-- A rented room that will remain empty while you are in the dungeon
-- one-hour of service requiring dangers or intimacy, such as sex work
-- A donkey
-- A poor feast for all and sundry
-- Clothing fit for a travelling merchant
-- A secret message, sent quickly to anyone in The Town
-- Many other things.

If you've got something larger, you can get multiple of these for it. Maybe all of them.

I've got this nutty idea for an RPG. Bear with me, this is all a cluster.

I've got this nutty idea for an RPG. Bear with me, this is all a cluster.

This is one part press your luck, one part inflation.

Press your luck Dungeon move:
When you delve into the dungeon, roll 2d6 + unmarked stat. On a 10+, choose 1 or more. On a 7-9, choose 2 or more. On a 6-, choose 1 and the MC will mark a track for you.
-- You journey to a floor cleared of monsters and recover the smallest unit of coin not marked off.
-- You journey to a deeper floor. Mark Exhaustion, and recover coin at the next level.
-- You save victims of the monsters, and kill some monsters. Mark Witness and recover coin two steps up.
-- You defeat a boss monster of a floor. Mark harm, and recover coin three steps up.

Mark the stat you role. You cannot use it again until you recuperate.

Tracks:
Exhaustion: If you mark Exhaustion three times, you drop everything as you return to town.
Witness: If you mark Witness three times, you lose control. You become a monster, and resurface covered in the blood of your enemies. You slink back to town.
Harm: If you mark Harm three times, you are dead.

When you spend a type or amount of coin in The Village for the first time, mark the type or amount. Choose 1:
-- You can buy anything for sale, or an item or two that are not.
-- You can buy weeks worth of fancy room and board.
-- You gain hangers on, while the cash holds out.

When you spend a type or amount of coin in The Village that is marked, scratch it out and you can buy a few days fancy lodging.

When you spend a type or amount of coin in The Village that is scratched out, no one cares, and you can get a day or two of poor room and board.

Spending in The Village:
-- The best The Village can offer is a room with hay mattresses, but at least alone. there is ale and easy food on hand for purchase, and the minimal weapons necessary to delve into The Dungeon.
-- The Village has shit for adventurer-oriented R&R. You can buy 1 lower Exhaustion, talk to a priest for 1 lower Witness, or see a medic for 1 lower Harm. Only 1 per adventure.
-- When you have spent the equivalent of a trunk of silver, The Village becomes the Town.

Spending in The Town:
-- The best The Town can offer is a single room with feather mattresses. There is ale, wine, fancy cheese and crackers on hand for purchases.
-- Weapons become available for purchase. When you use a weapon, mark it off and gain a +1 to the Dungeon roll it affects.
-- Services become available. You can buy poor services at the MC's discretion.
-- The Town has reasonable adventurer-oriented R&R. You can lower exhaustion by 2, Witness by 2, or see a medic to lwoer Harm by 2. You may do this twice per adventure.
-- Training becomes available. You can train a stat once at the MC's discretion.
-- Real Estate becomes available. You can buy poor locations at the MC's discretion.

As you spend wealth, the Town grows:
-- When you spend equivalent to a trunk worth of silver, the Town grows into a City.

Then more rules for The City, where you can buy just about anything as it grows.

Watching Star Trek: The Next Generation after reading a bunch of Culture novels is an odd experience.

Watching Star Trek: The Next Generation after reading a bunch of Culture novels is an odd experience.

Season 2, Episode 9: Measure Of a Man
Central Question: Do non-biological lifeforms have rights?
Federation: Err, maybe. Let's ponder this. We'll have to have a hearing and our initial judgement is totally wrong and it's only because Picard and Guinan are so awesome that we don't recreate slavery.
The Culture: Are you idiots?

Season 3, Episode 11: The Hunter
Central Question: Do we interfere when a civilization is treating its soldiers poorly?
Federation: Err, maybe. It'll take us a long time to figure out that's what's going on, then we'll make some speeches and then let them figure it out.
The Culture: Here's a SC operative and a drone. In a month, this society doesn't violate the liberties of sentients.

When you spend a type or amount of coin in The Village for the first time:

When you spend a type or amount of coin in The Village for the first time:
-- You can buy anything for sale, or an item or two that are not.
-- You can buy weeks worth of fancy room and board.
-- You cause inflation
-- You gain hangers on, while the cash holds out.

When you spend a type or amount of coin in The Village for the second time:
-- You can buy a few days fancy lodging

When you spend a type or amount of coin in The Village for the third time:
-- No one cares, and you can get a day or two of poor room and board.

When you come back from an adventure, roll 2d6. On a 10+, choose all. On a 7-9, choose 2. On a 6-, choose 1:

When you come back from an adventure, roll 2d6. On a 10+, choose all. On a 7-9, choose 2. On a 6-, choose 1:
-- You brought back 20 silver pieces
-- You are exhausted and brought back a rusty sword
-- You are stressed the fuck out and gained xp.
-- You have seen some shit and brought back a magic item.
-- You are broken and in utter pain, and brought back 100 silver.

I'm up for more negatives, and for other positives. Gimme.

Last night, we had a delightful couple over who we're getting to know. Adult dinner party, hooray.

Last night, we had a delightful couple over who we're getting to know. Adult dinner party, hooray.

Sitting around after dinner:
Her: Have you guys ever heard about dungeons and dragons?
My wife: Yeah, we played a Fourth edition game for years...
Him: Huh. We really want to try a roleplaying game!
Me: Do you remember .... Night Court?

And then Ghost Court happened!

Followup: What one piece of future tech from any science fiction franchise would most positively affect the world?

Followup: What one piece of future tech from any science fiction franchise would most positively affect the world?

Constraints:
1. R2D2 size or smaller.
2. Not R2D2, but other are ok.
3. While offensive weaponry and replicators are obvious, try to find a more creative solution.

Uh.... uncanny coincidence?

Uh.... uncanny coincidence?

Me, last night: We should put up pictures from our Hawaii trip.
Google, this morning: Your Hawaii trip was two years ago today! Here are some pictures.

If you could have one piece of future tech from any science fiction franchise what would it be?

If you could have one piece of future tech from any science fiction franchise what would it be?

Constraints:
1. R2D2 size or smaller.
2. Not R2D2, but other are ok.
3. While offensive weaponry and replicators are obvious, try to find a more creative solution.

GO.

I am sometimes shocked by things that people don't know.

I am sometimes shocked by things that people don't know.

Tell me something awesome that you think I should know! Maybe I won't know it!

Examples: Mentos and pepsi. xkcd. The trig to prove the world is round.

If I didn't know these things I'd be like ::mind blown:: Show me some stuff that'd blow my mind if I didn't know it!

Think about your favorite game. Or system of games, whatever word you think expresses the concept.

Think about your favorite game. Or system of games, whatever word you think expresses the concept.

Maybe that's D&D 5e. Maybe that's some Fate stuff. Maybe that's Carcassone. It's probably something pbta, but maybe it's Stranger Gravity by Jay Treat. Maybe it's something osr.

Now ask yourself: How is power and leadership handled in this game? Is one person in charge, or distributed? Are there specific roles that the game gives out? How are these enforced?

Pause for a second. Think about if that affects your enjoyment.

Now, think about how your workplace distributes power and leadership.

how do you feel about the differences?

*Please Share* I'm a queer feminist creating diverse games.

Originally shared by Kira Magrann

*Please Share* I'm a queer feminist creating diverse games. Writing at home recently has been so healing for my chronic nerve pain & I'd love to continue. If I can hit 1500 a month on my new Patreon, I can begin to support myself with ttrpg game writing! https://www.patreon.com/kiramagrann
https://www.patreon.com/kiramagrann

I was misinformed regarding the Virginia race.

I was misinformed regarding the Virginia race.

The base of the democratic party remains black women.

https://twitter.com/nealcarter/status/928131070209462272
https://twitter.com/nealcarter/status/928131070209462272

What factors influence rent?

What factors influence rent?

Here are a few categories:
Location (for ex, what town or city)
Proximity to stuff (for ex, is it close to mass transit?)
Size (for ex, number of bedrooms/bathrooms)
Amenities (for ex, washer & dryer in unit / floor / building / not at all)
Perceived Safety (for ex, eyes on the street)
General Niceness (for ex, granite counter-tops are totally a thing)

Are there other categories?

Jesse Cox asks:

Jesse Cox asks:
1) How did this system start? Was it a clear twist on a pre-existing set of cultural practices? The pet project of some necrologist that became the basis of everything during some crisis? Something else?

2) Can you name three major events that have shaped how the Convocation of Malquort works now, such that it would be very different today if any hadn’t happened? We’re these obvious crisis points at the time?

At some point, I had exemplified an originating Prophet, but at this point this is revised to a set of people who came together in discussion. I like that.

Each had a different issue they wanted to solve, these necromancers. They divided these into four broad categories: Disease, War, Famine, and Death itself.

The Necromancer of Disease took the name Nayor The Eradicator. Before Nayor, the dead would accidentally come to life, wander a while, then fall apart. Often as they stumbled into a well. She learned the early secrets to eradicating disease through safe water, baths, and controlling wild undead. Nayor was the first to control the wild undead.

Widhos Carnage looked into warfare. Like Nayor, he first used the wild undead, using the dead of other kingdoms as emergency troops to fight defensive warfare. In a break of offenses from their neighbors, Widhos developed a means of modifying Nayor's lifeless to take a hit and carry a spear.

Akrelekai The Harvester was concerned with famine. Unable to reduce how much food people need to survive (though she tried), Akrelekai instead found ways to get food from where it was plentiful to where it was not. Later, she took the spear-wielding proto Lifeless, and extended their ability to use tools, as well as their ability to walk long distance.

Greqir The Haggard looked at what Nayor, Widhos, and Akrelekai had done. His followers pledged themselves to eradicating unintentional, wasteful death as far as they could. Gregir learned to make the Lifeless more potent as people prayed, thus making the Lifeless last longer and able to do more laborous chores.

It was Gregir who built the first tenements for the Faithful, bringing together the fresh water, defenses, food, and shelter the Lifeless could build.

Death became something those who asked for it could have, rather than something that came like a thief in the night. Accidental death still occurred, but with illness, shelter, and food.

As the number of Lifeless grew, the backbreaking labor required of it's people diminished.

Signal booster.

Signal booster.

Originally shared by Misha B

Signal boost!
https://blackgirlnerds.com/calling-women-color-need/

This is the post where I go crazy on my happness of my state's govenor's race.

This is the post where I go crazy on my happness of my state's govenor's race.

Some moments from the advertising campaign for the VA elections. Paraphrased, of course.

During the primary.
Northram: I'm a doctor. Donald Trump is a narcissistic madman.
Every other democrat: Uhhh... You go right ahead. We'll sit this one out.

Gilespe, the R who was running for the governors house: Abortion should be banned.
Dr. Ralph Northram: Uh... Did I mention I am literally an OBGYN? Abortions should be safe and available for everyone.

There was this fantastic attack ad from Northram. Went about like this:
Gillespe: Abortion should be banned.
Woman: If Ed Gillespe wants abortion banned..
other woman: then I want...
other woman: then I want..
other woman: then I want..
last woman: For Gillespe to never be govenor.

Not following through with the "Be banned"? I thought it was weak sauce, but it keeps things nice.

Gilespe: The military is great!
Northram: Son, did I mention I am a veteran of the army? Sit down.

Gilespe: Immigrants are bad!
Northram: Immigrants: They get the job done.

Gilespe: Statues of traitors need to be maintained.
Northram: Let's take them down.

Republican party: Let's call poorer democrats in northern Virgina to tell them their poll places moved. It'll be funny.
Democratic party: Let's go knock on doors and remind poorer democrats where they vote! Hit every door four times!

80% of my county of Arlington County has gone for the democrat.

80% of my county of Arlington County has gone for the democrat.

80%.

That's huge. I love this county.

On the benefits of scrum: Avoiding Chaos

On the benefits of scrum: Avoiding Chaos

Does this sound familiar?
VP of sales: Can I get ?
Tech lead: Sure! We'll get right on that.
Tech lead, to worker bees: Do that thing!
Worker bees, drop everything, does the thing: Here's the thing.
Tech lead, to VP: Here's the thing!

--- a day later ---
Worker bee: where was I with the long term project I was working on? Huh, guess I'll start over.
Tech Lead: Why are we behind?!?

In my experience, that is both altogether common and complete chaos. The big items don't get done, because we understate the cost of task switching.

Within Scrum, this might look like:
VP of sales: Can I get ?
Any member of the dev team: That sounds really important. I'll have a talk with the product owner. We'll scope it out, and see if we can do it in this sprint, or if it'll need to wait.

Scrum Scenario 1
Product Owner to VP: is going to take about a day, and will cause us to be in jeopardy of not completing the sprint. You are the client. Is more important than ?
VP: No. No way. I need .
Product Owner: Cool. Then we'll do it next sprint. It sounds real important, so I'll put it top of the list. For now, let's scope it out more....
Worker: work work work. I know what I'm doing. Each day, I have a brief chat and know what to take on.

Scrum Scenario 2
Product Owner to VP: is going to take about a day, and will cause us to be in jeopardy of not completing the sprint. You are the client. Is more important than ?
VP: Yes. I need this within 2 days. Nothing in the sprint is as important as this. Product Owner: well dyamn. Abnormal sprint termination it is.
Tech lead, to worker bees: Do that thing!
Worker bees, drop everything, does the thing: Here's the thing.
Tech lead, to VP: Here's the thing!

I think this is right. I think it suggests a much lower level of chaos, where technical workers can continue to, ya know, focus on the hard technical problems.

Did I get this wrong? Does one seem better or worse to you?

Does mass transit cost $500/month?

Does mass transit cost $500/month?

Where by "mass transit", I mean:
1. Actual cost spent on metro / subway / BART / whatever.
2. Difference in rent to be close enough to use mass transit.
3. That may be it.

$500 is the number we go to in discussing car-ownership, and is total cost of ownership in the DC area from someone who rarely takes mass transit, ie drives to work. And doesn't have any kids.

For me:
(1) I spend very little per month, thanks to a subsidy from work. I spend maybe 20-40/month on metro. And I metro everyday.
(2) This is the kicker. Rents near to metro for a one-bed are easily $1,500. Rents out in the sticks are what, $1,200?

That's 350. If that is close to true across the board, then metro is cheaper than car ownership.

Easy ways to prove this is false:
A. I've got a fairly sweet deal, I admit.
B. I could be massively wrong about the cost of apartments out in the sticks. Do tell!

Probably some other things! But, it looks at first blush that not owning a car and living closer in due to it is cheaper than living further out and owning a car.

Virginias: Have you voted?

Virginias: Have you voted?

If not, do you need help voting?

Dianne Harris asks: Why are Culture Orbital's circles and not mobius strips?

Dianne Harris asks: Why are Culture Orbital's circles and not mobius strips?

I have no idea! Would this be awesome?

Alternatively, would everyone die?

Tony Lower-Basch asks: So what happens to the bodies of those who aren't becoming Lifeless?

Tony Lower-Basch asks: So what happens to the bodies of those who aren't becoming Lifeless?

Is there some sort of standard (quick-and-dirty) purification or incineration that needs to be done in order to keep them from catching free-floating necromantic energy and becoming weird critters the way you can (if you're patient or lucky) make sour-dough bread with wild-caught yeast just out of the air?

The world the Convocation is within have a large amount of magical background radiation. There are adventurers that can't fireballs, heal the sick, seemingly disappear and backstab, and who can take a dozen stab wounds and continue to fight.

So, short answer is: Yes.

The long answer is: Yes, absolutely. Before the convocation, the dead would rise and need to be dealt with. The Convocation reduced the number of dangerous undead dramatically. The adventurers and others could then focus on other work than dealing with these dead.

Exactly what to do to prevent the rise of the dead changes almost as a matter of fashion; burning and burial, praying and embalming have all worked at different times.

There's that magical energy laying around, and it's got to go somewhere. It is undirected and untrappable, like entropic energy.

Where's it go?

Does a car cost ~1,000/month?

Does a car cost ~1,000/month?

Where by "car" i mean:
1. Payment or annualized cost. That is, if the car cost $36,000 and I'd keep it for ten years, then that $3,600/year or $300/month. Similarly, if the payment $300/month on a loan, then that goes here. So, this is either upfront payment or monthly payment over the life of the car.
2. Gas
3. Insurance
4. Parking
5. Tickets
6. Maintenance and upkeep.
7. Taxes and other routine fees.

My guess is this is close to right, but I'm not sure. I don't have first-hand experience, as we've been a car-free household for eight years.

Is this anywhere close to right? If not, what am I missing?

On Games As Cultural Activity

On Games As Cultural Activity

Preface: I've got some fantastic gamers. Like, if they filled a table at dreamation it'd be a pretty dang good table fantastic gamers. So, take what I'm about to say knowing that.

Often, when I've picked up a new game and tried to run it -- even after reading it! -- there's something missing. Something crucial that the design knows to bring to the table, but that isn't translated in the text. This has happened with games from big awesome designers, and isn't meant to say their games are bad. Quite the opposite. I'm going to call out a couple, both by people who can take it.

Instead, the knowledge of how to play a game -- especially an RPG -- is transferred culturally by play.

I've heard of people who play Fiasco as a by the numbers enterprise in about 20 minutes, and are totally bored and don't get the point. The first time I played Ghost Court, it was meh. I did an entire run of Apocalypse World still thinking of it as mostly trad, and it was kinda lame. There was even a quest giver, though I kept hoping they'd shoot him.

This relates to kickstarter, of course. I don't need an autographed leather bound copy of a book. I need a paperback I can use and destroy, some pdfs, and a con slot. The games I know best I played at cons, or at least hung with the designer and talked about the game. Those are the ones I feel comfortable running, and where I am pretty sure I'm getting the most out of the design that I can.

Am I the only one?

I'm basically discovering amazonbasics / amazon essentials.

I'm basically discovering amazonbasics / amazon essentials.

These are at once amazing and kind of terrible. I got a laptop bag, and it's great and super cheap and really only good at carrying a laptop.

The USB cabes, for sure. That was the first item.
I just bought amazon essentials undies. They are ... fine. And about a quarter of the price.

What are some of your favorite amazon essentials / basics items?

Josh Mannon asks about the necromancers of Malqort:

Josh Mannon asks about the necromancers of Malqort:

Does debt play into one’s future as a lifeless or is becoming a lifeless seen as a patriotic/religious duty? Is the truth somewhere between?

This is a society where everyone's basic needs are met, thanks to the Lifeless farmers/builders/defenders, controlled by the priest caste.

Becoming a Lifeless is the last sacrament in the life of a Faithful. The best Lifeless require an act of will from the believer, and a priest present.

That being said, of course there are different types of undead in Malqort. The Lifeless are the overhwelming majority (maybe 95%?).

Some others:
Ghosts. The ghosts have a mind and their soul intact, so they have free will. They can move around -- though, some bind themselves to specification locations. Many priests wind up as ghosts, with power over Lifeless.

Objects. There are many objects of power in Malqort. There's even a transmission system between skulls, allowing for communication at a distance. A warrior may embody their favorite weapon with their essence upon death, a craftsman may choose to embody their tools.

Vampires. Undead with free will and bodies and the ability to move around are forbidden. These are anathema. Which is to say, it happens all the time. Some ruiniously powerful wizards / priests / others decide not to become a Lifeless or a ghost, and to build their own little empire in the afterlife. They are dealt with -- what good would necromancer priests be if they allowed the undead to take over?

So, debt qua debt doesn't play into it, though for sure class can.

In the Convocation of Malquort, known to its' neighbors as the Necromancer Kingdom, and to legend as the Caliphate...

In the Convocation of Malquort, known to its' neighbors as the Necromancer Kingdom, and to legend as the Caliphate of Azithan ...

The one percent own and control and primary means of production, namely the Lifeless. They build and maintain cities, grow crops, and fight. Multi-use public architecture, fields with three crops that work well together, and the dead do not feel pain when they fight.

This leaves the Citizens free to live lives where such necessities as housing, food, and defense are taken care of; by any modern standard, this is a post scarcity life.

What do they do, then?

Some run shops and businesses, participating in an economic system beyond mere survival. Some are doctors, others join guilds to learn crafts.

Some run schools. The priests run schools that act as a funnel into the priesthood, of course, and also to educate the population in the basics of the church. Guilds run their own schools, but the priests ensure some baseline of education is available to everyone.

Some make art; games, music, sculpture. There's a thriving art scene using found materials from the after sites of Lifeless construction, music both refined and street music. Games are a source of some magic.

Some retreat from the cities, taking to land for a family. Many of these still use the crops made by the Lifeless, though they have to go to Church to get it. Others retreat entirely from the Lifeless-fueled civilization, accepting only the benefits of the defenses.

The majority of priests take some time as missionaries; two years where they either bring the Faith to other lands, or work as researchers for the benefit of the Church itself. After this time, priests are able to work on their own, independently of other priests.

Throughout all of these, the Citizens are engaged in an ongoing discussion on the nature of their society, and much of their leisure activities are affected by the presence of Lifeless. This affects nearly every aspect of the society, in one way of another.

What do you want to know more about?

Can we focus on removing the traitor sitting in the Oval?

Can we focus on removing the traitor sitting in the Oval?

Originally shared by Conover Kennard

Whoops!

http://deepstatenation.com/primary-error-donna-brazile-mixed-up-two-different-clinton-dnc-agreements/

Pro tip: a spoonful of sugar can instantly stop hiccups. Depending on the type of hiccup.

Pro tip: a spoonful of sugar can instantly stop hiccups. Depending on the type of hiccup.

Hold it in your mouth. The sugar makes the misfiring saliva glands restart, and one type of hiccup starts with saliva glands messing up.

Weird. Also, gross. Also, effective.

I am pretty sure my taxes should be higher.

I am pretty sure my taxes should be higher.

I am also pretty sure we don't need the maintain a military capable of fighting two wars on opposite sides of the world.

I'd like more, not less, of my tax dollars to go to the needy. Let's write more checks and hand 'em out.

I'd like my tax dollars to go to building public options in a variety of domains. This would save us all money.

For example:
-- Let's allow anybody to get into medicaid. While we're at it, let's pay for all preventive healthcare.
-- Let's allow companies to use TSP rather than getting ripped off by 401(k) providers.
-- public utility broadband and phone service.
-- Roads are expensive, planes are treacherous. Let's build more trains.
-- monthly checks to anybody who, last year, qualified for the earned income tax credit, rather they filled out the earned income tax credit or not? Let's do that.
-- public option bank account. We'll put the checks there, not through a middleman.
-- public option car insurance
-- public option housing. Not "the projects", but units in buildings that are subsidized / buildings in fancy places that are subsidized / etc. I want the people who work in my apartment building to be able to live there. (And, sure, the folks who actually work for the mega corp get nice housing vouchers and can, but there's a whole slew of subcontractors who don't and can't)
-- public option student loans, cutting out the bank middlemen.

See, the thing is? These'll all have upfront costs. And then they'll all pay huge dividends. So, I have entirely selfish and economic reasons for wanting them, over and above them being the obviously right moral option.

These are the ones that seem pretty clear cut to me. Do you disagree? What else do we need?

Self-care Advice for cons, based on limited personal experience.

Self-care Advice for cons, based on limited personal experience.

Remember to bring:
-- your pills
-- a water bottle
-- snacks you trust
-- games or whatever, i guess.

My first Dreamation, I brought ibuprofen, apples, snack bars, a water bottle.

I had so much ibuprofen and so many apples I started giving them away. This scene played out multiple times:
Person: I am in pain. I wish I had some pain medicine.
Me: Here are 4 ibuprofen. Take as many as you want, and I will take the others.
Person: ... ::takes three, watches me::
Me, swallows the other one. "Now you know they are really ibuprofen."
person, swallows.

Also, this scene happened once:
Person: I am hungry. I don't want bar food. I could really go for an apple.
Me, sneakily puts an apple where they'll see it: Oh hey, there's an apple.
Person, dumbfounded: WHERE DID THIS COME FROM. I WILL EAT IT IF THATS OK

First, take care of yourself. If you are lucky enough to be able to offer help to others, do so with respect for their ability to say no. Don't let the helping others ruin your own self-care.

Cons are great. And its real easy not to realize how hard we're pushing ourselves.

Dear Netflix

Dear Netflix,

Good job on firing a child molester. You did that quickly, without any obvious fuss or derailment. You've used your power and influence to reduce the capability of someone to actively do harm in the world. While you assuredly did it for financial reasons (namely, not wanting to be associated with a criminal), I applaud the speed and -- heck -- that you're already working on spinoffs without the criminal, thus mitigating the impact to costars.

Much love,
Me

My tax plan

My tax plan


Overriding: Simplicity.

Graduated tax percents, as per usual

No deductions. All income is income. Deferrals, like 401(k), sure, but no deductions. Including my student loans and your house. Kids are no longer a deduction. Churches are treated like regular nonprofits, so have to show their paperwork.

Income up to the poverty line is untaxed. That's 12k per adult. Kids don't count.

So, 0% between 0 dollars and 12.5k. This is $0k.

Then, 10% between 12.5k and 25k. This is $1.25k.

Then, 20% between 25k and 50k. This is $5k.

Then, 30% between 50k and 100k. This is $15k.

Then, 40% between 100k and 200k. This is $40k

Then, 50% between 200k and 500k. This is $150k.

Then, 60% between 500k and a million. This is 300k.

Then, 70% between a million and two million dollars. This is 700k.

Then, 80% on everything over two million.

Boom, tax reform without giving a tax break to millionaires. I've pissed off everyone and H&R Block will smear me to death. 

What do you hate about this?

Edit: Clarity and a typo. Stupid typos.

Anybody have:

Anybody have:
-- a modernistic card deck?
-- a historical card deck?
-- a fantasy card deck?
-- a future card deck?

Here's my hope: Make a deck with a bunch of art in it representing different time periods.

I need game cards or tiles with specific type of evocative art: city scenes, both fantastical and realistic.

I need game cards or tiles with specific type of evocative art: city scenes, both fantastical and realistic.

So, like, maybe it's really a deck of 52 and the hearts are all fantasy scenes, the clubs are all something out of Germany in the 15th century, the diamonds are all African cities, and the clubs are all spaces scenes involving space ships and asteroid belts.

I've not run into a lot, and I've already spent some time and energy thinking about this. So, ideas are very much welcome.

Do you know of any gaming conventions at which men are not allowed?

Do you know of any gaming conventions at which men are not allowed?
Have you been to one?
Was it completely awesome?

Some quick googling only reveals events canceled for the predictable reasons.

Help me with some math. It'll be fun.

Help me with some math. It'll be fun.

I want a society on a planet or planet-like object that has multiple modes of mass transit.

T1: Something like buses -- the local. Max distance: 5 kilometers.
T2: Something like subway/metro -- the within a city. Max distance: 50 kilometers.
T3: Something like Amtrak -- go from city to city. Max distance: 500 kilometers.
T4: Something like planes -- go from one side of a continent to the other. Max distance: 5,000 kilometers.
T5: Something like intercontinental planes -- go from one side of a planet to another. Max distance: 50,000 kilometers (goes around the world)

Assumptions:
A1: For 1-5, the max time from end to another is an hour.
A2: For 1-3, assume lots of stops. Feel free to assume stops for 4-5, but explain how.
A3: For the sake of the math, assume constant acceleration or say why it is bogus.

Question: What acceleration do you need to get this to work? What amount of energy do you need to expend? What information do you need or need to make up to answer those questions? Can they all be on the ground, or is there a point at which you must fly?

is there a different shape to the world that makes this easier? Harder?

This post is mostly for the men.

This post is mostly for the men. If you're unsure if that applies to you, use your own judgement -- I ain't the gender police.

These are some dos and don't. I am up for answering questions on these. I'll moderate if necessary.

Some things that might just happen to you -- yes, you!
1. You witness sexual harassment.
DONT: Ignore it.

Instead, Say: “We don’t do that here.” or “Not cool, dude.”

This does a couple of things:
-- Jerks know not to do it in front of you, and that you are not with them!
-- Victims know that you are on their side. And have their back. DOUBLE WIN.

Do not expect a cookie for this. It is literally the least thing you can do in the situation. You witnessed a human being being victimized and opened your mouth from a position where you cannot be harmed.

Want a cookie? don't ask the victim. Ask me. I will send you a cookie.

2. You screwed up.
Do NOT SAY: I am sorry you were offended.

This is bullshit. Do not ever do it. I cannot stress this enough. Do not do that thing.

Instead, say: I am sorry I did . I fucked up. I have learned , and will strive not to fuck up this way again. I have done to try to rectify it. Thank you for telling me that I fucked up. I appreciate your candor.

Oh, and? Do not expect whoever you fucked over to accept your apology or be your friend. Turns out, they probably don't need your friendship, especially if it is contingent on doing emotional labor for you.

If you want to brag about doing this? Tell me. I'll even give you a cookie.

3. Something bad happened to someone, and they told you about it.
DO NOT: Get angry on their behalf.

DO: Believe them! Then, ask what you can do. See, instead of, for example, beating someone up? Ask the person harmed what you can do.

Try this: Wow, that makes me really angry, but I’m going to try to keep my cool, and not do anything that makes you uncomfortable. How can I help?

If you want to brag about doing this? Tell me. I'll even give you a cookie.

4. You think are are being hit on, and are not interested!
Step 1: Be flattered!
DO NOT SAY: You are sooo pretty. If I were unmarried/30 years younger/not your boss/etc.

OMG, don't ever say that last one. I puked a little in my mouth writing it.

Instead, drop into conversation: "My wife ... ", or "My monogamous partner", or even, "I don't enjoy intimacy/sex/boning", depending on the situation.

If that doesn't work: scratch your nose with your wedding ring.
If that doesn't work, SAY THIS: I am monogamous and married. I'm flattered. Thank you. No.

Don't wear a wedding ring, and this happens a lot? Do what waitresses have done for decades to avoid you: wear a ring. I don't care if you are married or not, you have my permission to wear a wedding ring to make it more obvious that you are not available.

They statements will almost always be taken as a polite statement of "I am not interested in pursuing sex"

Also, guess what? This might happen 3 times in your life. It'll happen to every women you know three times every day. You get no cookies for this.

5. And that's bring us to: You like someone and want to see them naked/have sex!
Neat! That's a fun feeling!

Have they mentioned a partner? Are they wearing a wedding ring? Did they scratch their nose with their wedding ring? Are you in a position of power over them? Have they said they are not interested in sex?

If yes, DO NOT TRY TO FUCK THEM.

Yes, sometimes wedding rings do not indicate a monogamous lifestyle. But, a wedding ring probably indicates not wanting to be hit on -- and that is sufficient.

If you want a cookie for not hitting on someone who is clearly uninterested? I am not offering those.

6. You think you are being hit on, and want to see the other person naked/have sex with them. You're not sure if you are being hit on, though. You are not in a position of power over them, and they are not forced to be around you.

DONT: Grab them. Holy fuck don't ever do that.

Instead, try your words, maybe: "I think you are pretty great. I think you feel the same way. Wanna make out, or have I read this wrong?"

And guess what? If the answer is anything other than a resounding 'HELL YES", then the answer is "No!!!!" and you should give the person some space. Like, book the fuck out. Go to another room. Leave the party. Assume they do not want to talk to you.

If you voluntarily leave a party after asking someone to be romantic with you, and tell me? I will give you a cookie.

Some of this borrowed from Mickey Schulz:
https://geekgirlsrule.net/2017/10/24/geek-girls-rule-314-again-really/

Other parts from my brain.
https://geekgirlsrule.net/2017/10/24/geek-girls-rule-314-again-really/

There's a thing in Jay Treat's larp Strange Gravity, which is essentially Star Trek: The larp that I want to steal...

There's a thing in Jay Treat's larp Strange Gravity, which is essentially Star Trek: The larp that I want to steal and normalize and use forever in every game.

Playshops.

In Strange Gravity, first we make characters. There's some good tech there, but not what I want to focus on.

Then, we go around and do character introductions. When you introduce, you say what sort of interaction you want. Anyone at the table can then pop into a small scene -- setup as no more than 5 to 15 seconds, but usually more like 30 -- to show that type of interaction.

These playshops are used as a sort of penumbra for the game. They aren't canon per say, but are used to inform play.

Like trailers before a pilot, or most pilot episodes.

I want to bring this into my pbta games. Instead of just doing Hx, really talk that up into a short scene that tells us how the characters interact.

Whatcha think? Sounds neat, or sound like a bad mixture?

Scrum is the art of, every day, asking the same three questions and expecting a different result.

Scrum is the art of, every day, asking the same three questions and expecting a different result.

Namely, for those just tuning in:
-- What did you do yesterday?
-- What will you do today?
-- What is blocking your progress?

These questions ensure the dev team know what everyone else is working on, and that slips in progress only last a day before they are reported.

So, if I say: I'll take items A and B today, then tomorrow if I say "I got done item A, but not B. The block is I need access to the database, and the DBAs aren't giving it to me" -- then the team already knows that we're a little behind on B, and the problem. Most likely, the scrum master than takes it as a to do to go fix it.

How well this works depends on how much the team trusts each other. And some other stuff, but trust is hugely important.

I've been work travelling a lot.

I've been work travelling a lot.

I am seeking other ideas and impressions on if this makes sense. This is a whole new thing for me.

I just got:
-- 4 amazon basics packing cubes. These are new to me.
-- a replacement bag: a relatively large shoulder messenger bag
-- a new laptop carrying bag, also messenger style.

Goal 1: When travelling, get the laptop and packing cubes into the new bag.
Goal 2: Be able to pack for trips in the normal course of doing laundry, such that for a trip all I do is grab packing cubes and go.

I will probably not take the laptop carrying bag when travelling, but if it fits together, then all the better.

I'm thinking to keep the packing cubes filled, such like:
First night cube: 2 undies, 1 under shirt, 1 overshirt, socks.
Second night cube: Jeans, 2 undies, 1 under shirt, 1 overshirt, socks
Second night cube: jamjams & exercise gear, including shoes for the purpose.
Fourth cube, for third nights: same as the first cube.

My over-shirts are all LL Bean shirts; I'm essentially in tech, and can get away without wearing oxfords. (hooray).

That gets me through three night excursions without thinking too hard about it.

Does this make sense?

Last night, in Apocalypse world.

Last night, in Apocalypse world.

We do pickup games, with a lot of one shots. This may be one such. We had three players:

Me as Maestro D. I was running a classy establishment, with meat on sticks, booze, and art on the walls.

Kat, as Savi the savvyhead: She fixed my AC. I have an AC? SWEET.

Chuck, as the landfall marine: I saved the best for last. We got to see the ridiculous landfall marine rules. Btw: 6-harm ap area messy far? That takes out buildings. He made promises.

Sweet, lying promises.

This week has been a mess. Here's some things I've been thinking about:

This week has been a mess. Here's some things I've been thinking about:

On Creeps
The way that creepy adult dudes act is not the same as the way socially awkward adult dudes act. I really wish people would stop perpetuating this myth.

If you start with "Don't worry, I'm safe/ not a creep/ old/ anything really", it's a red flag. It means you know you're being weird. Socially awkward people don't do that. Creeps do.

Socially awkward people don't isolate you from others before they weird all over you. Creeps do.

Socially awkward people don't engineer situations so it's down to he said/she said. Creeps do.

Creeps know the line they can walk so that other dudes will chalk up their behavior to them being socially awkward. Believe women when they've worked up the courage to complain about a friend of yours, when they've gone over the interaction in their minds a million times, when they've second and third and 400th guessed themselves and told you about it anyway. Don't ask if they're sure he's not just socially awkward.

Yeah, I'm mostly using creep as shorthand here. They are manipulative and know exactly how to appear "harmless" to other dudes and anyone who isn't their target.

On Believing Women
Men, when a woman tells you about a man who used his power to discredit her, throw her under the bus, or otherwise silence her, that is an expression of trust. DO. NOT. Defend that man to her. That is a violation of trust and a clear signal that you do not have her back.

I can guarantee you that woman will quietly tell other women about you not having her back, and that when women end up not trusting you it will be your fault.

On harassing within the community
So, like, seriously? Has anyone else noticed that the serial harassers and bullies seem to congregate in one specific RPG community?

Like, I know there are people who find good, safe spaces there. But for me? I've seen nothing but toxicity.

Help me out, folks. What's redeemable over there?

Cause I just had a dude go from circled to blocked and reported in under 10 minutes.

On Cookies
International Men's Day is November 19th.

If you are wondering when and where you get recognized for not being part of "all men," that's when. That's the day you get your ally cookies.

Caveat : if some asshole murders a bunch of women the day before, we're gonna have to wait a week.

On Geek feminism
Geek feminism suffers from the fact that so many women think of themselves, or have, as "exceptional girls," "not like those other girls," "guys respect me...." Right up until they don't.

The above were all written by women, and used with permission.
Namely: Misha B, Anna Kreider, Stephanie Bryant, Mickey Schulz

Because what we don't need is another cis white dude explaining that this shit is not OK.

When you read these were all written by women, did your views change? Tell me how.

I'll be around to discuss, but warning: I will moderate hard. Things I write in the comments will be my own words.

My life is getting weird. Yesterday, I assigned action items to execs at United Airlines. What in the world.

My life is getting weird. Yesterday, I assigned action items to execs at United Airlines. What in the world.

Am I tall and action oriented?

I am so excited about the mage: the ascension larp.

I am so excited about the mage: the ascension larp.

I wanna talk about it ALL THE TIME.

I just learned about the Mage: The ascension larp.

I just learned about the Mage: The ascension larp.

I am more excited about it than I ever have been about any larp, maybe ever. I am late, and hope they have available space.

Excited. hopeful. Anxious they don't have space.

I'm sorry.

Individuals and Interactions more than processes and tools

Individuals and Interactions more than processes and tools
Working games more than comprehensive documentation
Player Collaboration more than contract negotiation
Responding to Change more than following a plan

Does this sound familiar to anyone?

Be pleased: I am now a certified scrum master. AMA.

After Excession by Mr Ian Banks, I am skipping Inversion and going to Look To Windward.

After Excession by Mr Ian Banks, I am skipping Inversion and going to Look To Windward.

Happy to talk about why and crap.

I'm looking to dedicate a bag to overnight work trips.

I'm looking to dedicate a bag to overnight work trips. A change of clothes, room for work laptop. Potentially a second change of clothes.

Anyone have a favorite bag to recommend?

Bags bags bags Rob Donoghue loves bags bags bags.

Capitalism: tool of the patriarchy?

Capitalism: tool of the patriarchy?

Why or why not, please.

Finished Gilmore Girls: A Year In the Life last night. Help me process?

Finished Gilmore Girls: A Year In the Life last night. Help me process?

Assuredly spoilers galore in the comments.

#WorldMentalHealthDay

#WorldMentalHealthDay

I've seen a shrink twice; both times, I would have benefited from starting sessions earlier, and both times I did not start sessions earlier in part because of the stigma.

The first time was during a bad romantic relationship. The second was during a bad professional relationship. In both instances, it was pretty clear to the shrink what I needed to do, and our time together was essentially him convincing me of that.

I get anxiety. I've had a few panic attacks -- the first when in an underground dungeon with no light. In Germany. Yikes. I've had a few others; I am what may be called sensitive.

Feel free to ask questions.

Any suggestions for how to fix this?

Any suggestions for how to fix this?

Rob Donoghue​, George Austin​

Occasional reminder: There are shitbags on the internet, and the best thing to do is to uncircle and block.

Occasional reminder: There are shitbags on the internet, and the best thing to do is to uncircle and block. Do not engage.

I think I lost my ID at the airport. On the way out of town.

I think I lost my ID at the airport. On the way out of town.

I've ordered a new one, so I'll be fine.

The problem is getting home. Anyone have personal experience with flying without an ID?

Project Falcon.

Project Falcon.

Too dudebro?

If you haven't, check out Everyday Miracles on netflix.

If you haven't, check out Everyday Miracles on netflix.

Because reasons, paging Tony Lower-Basch whose love of materials science says he may enjoy it. And paging Jason Morningstar, whose broad based interest in the world says he may already know what's in it.

I want to be able to focus on longer-term larger-scale problems at the company.

I want to be able to focus on longer-term larger-scale problems at the company.

Am I the only one?

Perhaps of interest to Jon Cole and originally brought to my attention by Jason Morningstar.

Perhaps of interest to Jon Cole and originally brought to my attention by Jason Morningstar.

So, there's this larping group in Palenstine that uses nordic larp techniques as an "effective tool to promote dialogue and participatory art."

The group is here: http://www.baitbyout.org/

That is, they are using larp to help children become more awesome.

I reached out, asking how I could throw money their way. We settled on an amazon wish list.

If you are interested, the list is here:
http://a.co/7HVTkIG

If I've done this right, you should be able to see it and maybe things you send will go to them. If I wind up with a bunch of animal masks, it'll be weird.
http://www.baitbyout.org/

I've got an amazon wish list for Palastenian dancing larp. Who wants in?

Here's a question: Does this sound like a good working environment?

Here's a question: Does this sound like a good working environment?

Within the office I work at, there's a large office that is currently filled with four cubicals. I want it, and here's what I want to do with it.

I want to tear down cubical walls, throw away the phones. Toss the filing cabinets, and the rest of the stodgy furniture while we're at it.

Bring in long tables, with more chairs than people. Encourage us to look at and work with each other. I want bar-height table against one wall, and a centralized coat rack for all the distracting shit we bring on commutes. I want the window shared by everyone. I want the lights on, bright and welcoming.

I want the longest wall covered in whiteboard, with post it notes and markers everywhere. I want burn down charts and scrum boards. I want successes and failures to be visible and shared. I want to shut the door,

Outside this large office, there are some private cubbies no one ever uses. I want this team empowered to go to there when they need to get away from the chaotic wonderful mess. I want to ensure everyone feels empowered to use it. I want that space to have cell coverage.

I want to say no to firedrills, for everyone on the team to know to direct these special weird requests back to a single point of contact who will refuse. I want to toss outlook calendar reminders into the trashbin of history.

This space is far from the kitchen, so I want a a mini kitchen: food bars, bottled water and coffee. A mini fridge. I want a single trash can and recycle for the place. Whatever beverage or food item people most need, I want to supply. I don't know if I want this at the door, or the opposite end at the window.

I want information and skills shared, for everyone growing and learning from each other. I want to keep this team functioning. I want everyone to work in the way that makes them the best.

I want me plus three working in this office, probably new hires. I don't want to be their boss. I don't want them to have a boss. I want to solve their blocks and keep them happy. I want a mathematician, a BI experts, probably a tester/UX person, and a highly technical DBA. The DBA's we've got internal, and I can nab one from a satellite office five thousand miles away. I want not a one of them to be a straight white dude -- I need the diversity of thought.

I want a slack channel up with our product owner, who travels. I want that visible to all of us. I want to have weekly sprints (probably), showing off the cool maths we've done every friday afternoon. I want to be proud of our accomplishments. We can do those in the same room, and invite everyone.

For those product demos and whatever else, I want a large shared monitor. I want it to have a chromecast or something else just as easy. I want anyone to be able to toss what they are working on to that monitor to discuss it with everyone.

I want a unix command prompt. I want PowerPoint to cry itself to sleep from loneliness. I want a daily standup, and to know we're all working on the most important items.

Something I notice more because of Jason Morningstar.

Something I notice more because of Jason Morningstar.

Can you identity the genders?
Boss: What is the difference in table1 and table2----
Owner of Table1: There is none.
Owner of table2: Except for the columns
T1: well of course except for the columns, but the same rows.
T2: Oh, obviously.
Boss: Great. So what is the difference in the timing of updating table 1 and table 2?

Any guesses?

So, I hit under 210 pounds!

So, I hit under 210 pounds!

I want to talk a bit about this; why it is important to me, and maybe even a little philosophy. This is going to be a nasal gazing post.

I've never had the weight that I want; I enjoy eating too much, and there's this constant struggle. Sound familiar? Right.

So.

A year and a half ago, I entered into a bet with our friendly neighborhood economist. He'd hold onto a check, and if I hit the goal weight by a certain date, he'd destroy it. Otherwise, he'd send it to an organization that I personally find reprehensible. Every single time we've done this, I have won the bet. Usually with weeks to spare.

That is; I went from nothing work to something that works. After Nov 9, when doing this I started giving the money away. I figured if I had the money to possibly spare, then I could go ahead and spare it. This was to causes that I care about; ie, the most recent went to Safety Pin Box -- so money directly in the hands of black women.

Granted, during the winter months I don't do the incentive mechanism and tend to gain back a bunch. I think that's OK for now, and doesn't disprove the overall point. I don't do it during Winter because it is cold and I hate it.

Philosophically, I came around to American pragmatism and it's historical antecedent found in Hume. And this is where my notion of free will has always resided: compatibalism. That is, it can both be the case that our actions are caused by outside events, and that we can be said to have free will.

That I can enter into a contract that so alters my behaviors such that I exercise more and eat less confounds me. My will was free to enter into the bet, and then the bet affected my free will. I do not even feel free when I am doing the incentive mechanism -- I feel the philosophical chains.

Which is odd. I normally do not feel such chains. That is, I normally feel as if my decisions are mine to make for whatever that means. Could it be it is an illusion, and that even the Hume sense of free will is nonsensical?

I'm not sure. I am sure that I'm not pretty like Matt Damon. I am, though, adorkable, which is probably a good thing.

I'm planning to in-person pitch a thing at work in the next couple of days.

I'm planning to in-person pitch a thing at work in the next couple of days. Who'd be up for reading and helping me revise?

Can smart people tell me how GMing skills translate to, say, Scrum?

Can smart people tell me how GMing skills translate to, say, Scrum?

Rob Donoghue, Tony Lower-Basch for starters?

Who is our most hip hop founding father?

Who is our most hip hop founding father?

Related: Guess what musical I saw yesterday?

Joshua A.C. Newman​ bags bags bags!

Joshua A.C. Newman​ bags bags bags!

I've got the messenger bag: https://walterandray.com

And because it is about bags, Rob Donoghue​
https://walterandray.com

Realization: The most engaging part of my job is linear algebra.

What is money?

Do you like apocalypse world, but think the apocalypse itself is overblown?

Do you like apocalypse world, but think the apocalypse itself is overblown?
Do you think the apocalypse is likely tom come in waves?
Will the apocalypse be queer?
Does distributed MC powers and diceless mechanics make you go "neat!" ?

Then ... have you read Dream Askew by Avery Adler?

Because you should! You can find it here:
https://buriedwithoutceremony.com/dream-askew/


https://buriedwithoutceremony.com/dream-askew/

I'm reading matter, a culture novel by Ian banks.

I'm reading matter, a culture novel by Ian banks.

Our protagonist just armed her provincial prince brother and his servant with special circumstances weapons to go deal with people who think steam power is really neat.

Whatever happens next will be hilarious.

I am so proud of this weekend. Like, omg.

I am so proud of this weekend. Like, omg.

Not only did we attend a super-fun local board game con, but:
... we also won games worth the entrance fee.
... and, with some organizational structure from Megan Knouff, delightful insistence by Ariana Tobias, invented a larp track
... with Jason Morningstar playing and debriefing us through Shoutdown To Launch
... with a perspective-altering game of So, Mom I Made A Porno
... with a couple dozen people joining for Ghost Court (actually factually scheduled and ably run by Jason)
... and, the hardest and best game, Jay Treat's Strange Gravity, which we managed to keep mostly dramatic.

How fantastic.

I'm at 211.1

I'm at 211.1

Yesterday, I was at 213.2 -- though at first my scale claimed I was at 208, which scared the crap outa me.

I feel fine. I am hopeful to be below 210 by Friday.

Whatcha think?

Ok, do you know why it's shitty to show the towers?

Ok, do you know why it's shitty to show the towers?

Because it is lived history. Because we remember. Because I'm feeling a sense of helplessness and panic at the site. Do not do that.

Breathe.

I am attempting an experiment.

I am attempting an experiment. I have permission and buy-in from the person most affected, who is colluding with me. Let's see how it turns out!

[ Edit: Measurement error is a real thing, and it can have real effects. ]

[ Edit: Measurement error is a real thing, and it can have real effects. ]

I lost six pounds overnight.

Am I going to die?

I'm traveling and can't really talk, but wanted to add this to the conversation: not having papers is a civil...

I'm traveling and can't really talk, but wanted to add this to the conversation: not having papers is a civil offense.

Being transported across the border without your consent isn't a crime of any kind.

Those protected by daca have committed no criminal offense, and are certainly not illegal.

One thing I enjoyed about the first culture novel -- Consider Phlebas -- is that The Culture goes to war not because...

One thing I enjoyed about the first culture novel -- Consider Phlebas -- is that The Culture goes to war not because it is in their interest to do so (along any understandable length time span, it most definitely is not), but because the Idrianas are shitty.

That is, The Culture had a moral reason to go to war. They do something similar -- and with significantly reduced loss of life -- in Player of Games.

I think the same thing is happening in Matter. After reading Use of Weapons, I still have no idea what it was about.

Point is, I really like that Banks found good reasons for socially conscious society to go to war.

TFW you realize you increased your retirement contribution by 3% automatically and didn't even notice.

TFW you realize you increased your retirement contribution by 3% automatically and didn't even notice.

Good job brain, you set me up for future success.

Office Space, but instead of being useless, Jennifer Aniston plays a software tester who quit the corporate world.

Office Space, but instead of being useless, Jennifer Aniston plays a software tester who quit the corporate world. She QA's Michael's code before they push it live so it works right, and has an idea: the code exploits reliance on illegal accounting, and our quartet develop it into a worm that is dormant until it discovers illegal accounting tricks.

Our quartet go to Tahiti.

Q: How do you know when it's time to interview and get out?

Q: How do you know when it's time to interview and get out?
A: The first time you wake from sleep with a panic attack.

It's happened. Time to get out before I do something regretful at the office.

Bret Gillan

Bret Gillan

Some video games I enjoy:
-- Endless Sky, a free (!), open source space trading and combat game.
-- Master of Orion 2: A redonkulously old 4x game that I adore to this day.
-- Carcassone on my phone: To make the AI challenging, I misplace my first meeple.
-- Rebuild 3: An after the zombies game of rebuilding cities.

These are the sorts of video game I play! I'm thinking about getting into the vault game becauwe I do adore the fallout.

OK. So, tell me I'm witty and clever.

I'm looking for ... suggestions? advice?

I'm looking for ... suggestions? advice?

Something like that.

Here's a scenario.
Analyst: With data set 1, I can accomplish task A. Data set 1 is free, or, rather, we already have a subscription so I can piggy back. With data set 2, I can accomplish task B & C. With both, I can accomplish task D. The data costs around 200k/year to get everything you need.
VP: You get data set 1, and no budget for data.
Analyst: ok, here's task A.
VP: I wanted you to do D. Where is it?
Analyst: ... please see prior documentation. This is impossible without data set 2.
SVP: I NEED D WHERE IS IT!
VP: Analyst hasn't done it.
Analyst: ...

What goes into those dots?

My new hobby: Reporting awful posts as hatespeech and blocking the user. Recommended!

My dear internet

My dear internet,

How do we uncouple your ability to consumer from your position in a hierarchy?

[ Please note: It seems fairly obvious that capitalism is hierarchical, and the wealth we extract from it has to do with our place in that feudal state, and not with any economic output. ]

"Bro, do you even lift?"

"Bro, do you even lift?"

Which is to say: My dear internet, do you do upper body exercises? If so, what are they?

For a while, my running was a near full bodied exercise and included core muscles and abs, and arms to pump. That was great. The indoor bike I've been using for the past few months has very little, if anything, to do with anything above the waist.

So: What's a boy to do? Start running again, so I can do the annual 5k this year?

I believe in incentives.

I believe in incentives.

For the past couple of months, I've had an incentive mechanism going. These work whereby if I don't lose weight, an evil economist (a friend who happens to be an economist), will cash a check to an evil organization.

This time around, I went with an organization that I viewed as a lot less evil, and gave myself a lot more time. Those were both relatively bad ideas, as for the first month or so, I gained weight.

A week ago, I started taking my current bet seriously. I decided I wanted to win by mid-September, and I made a strong mental connection between the organization (the washington area football team) and white supremacy.

In the last week, I'm down 4.1 pounds. I've got 3.7 pounds to go. Well, a tenth more to be under the target number. If I stay at this pace, I'll be done by September 3rd. That's 12 days before the mid-september goal.

I cannot recommend this diet highly enough.

Feel free to ask questions.

Did you know my friend Keith Stetson has an awesome kickstarter up?

Did you know my friend Keith Stetson has an awesome kickstarter up?

I'd somehow missed it. Because Keith is invisible, and I only see posts from Patty Kirsch.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1839070638/seco-creek-vigilance-committee
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1839070638/seco-creek-vigilance-committee

Casual reminder: Warbirds is some of the best games around. Especially good to remind you why to fight nazis.

Casual reminder: Warbirds is some of the best games around. Especially good to remind you why to fight nazis.

http://www.unrulydesigns.com/


http://www.unrulydesigns.com/

Space ships!

Space ships!

Spaceship RPG, but with a twist. Instead of a spaceship, you're running a lighthouse in space. It's also a refuel / reupply depot, so there's plenty of reason for people to stop for a chat.

Something smaller than DS9, but bigger than a lighthouse.

I ask, gentle reader: What happened to us to make us believe that needing fewer jobs is a bad thing?

I ask, gentle reader: What happened to us to make us believe that needing fewer jobs is a bad thing?

[ Hint: it's probably capitalism. ]

I'm hungry. I just ate and I'm hungry.

I'm hungry. I just ate and I'm hungry.

I hate dieting. Or, no, that's not quite right. I loath the subjective experience of dieting while I am doing it, and quite enjoy the results.

RPGaDAY2017 - Day 25

RPGaDAY2017 - Day 25

"What is the best way to thank you GM?"

Engage. Be present. Bring something for the group. From time to time, host. If it sounds like fun, offer to run the next game.

You know, be a contributing member to the community.

The world I envision: Amazon WholeFoods (AMF).

The world I envision: Amazon WholeFoods (AMF).

AMF will kill the supermarket. Let's be very clear about that. The supermarket as we know it is dead.

That's the obvious. That happens in the next five years. Walmart teams up with Google, TJ's either finds its own internet star or goes alone. Who knows.

I live four blocks from a WFM. It's an easy walk. I figure within 6 months, I'll be able to get whole foods products delivered on a particular day, and extra for within-the-hour delivery. A variety of amazon products will be deliverable this way, and all WF products will be purchaseable on Amazon.

The variety of foods in the store will shrink, as Amazon will target only the most profitable. Prices will go down by 10-20% within the first few months.

Whole Foods typically have a restaurant sort of thing. This will expand, largely as other things disappear from the shelves. If you want something not on the shelf, there will be kiosks to order it.

With WF products available on Amazon, the notion of a food desert must change to one where Amazon cannot deliver.

Within ten years (dang it, this is taking too long), the delivery will be by self-driving car.

That's about as far as I can see. What can you see that I miss?

#rpgaday2017

#rpgaday2017

24. Share a PWYW publisher who should be charging more.

Preface: I spend money on RPGs, and on content creators on patreon. I back kickstarters.

I don't really understand the RPG industry as an industry. There are a few megastars (D&D) that can generate an income for a few professionals and represent a rounding error of the company (Hasbro) it is owned by. But, the indie stuff --- the vast majority of what I play -- I do not understanding generating a sufficient per hourly revenue stream to justify itself.

I'm looking at Fiasco / AW / Fate / OSR stuff. The economics have never really made sense, and maybe someone can explain it. I reckon to do something for economic reasons, it needs to be what, $30 an hour pose expenses?

Maybe that sounds high, but I figure: taxes are higher, insecurity is pretty high, and the requisite skills are pretty high. By definition, we're talking about people who have office skills -- as in, can write, maybe draw, have a creative vision.

I've no idea how long it takes someone proficient to crank out a cool-ass game. I reckon creating the game is only the first step, as there's playtesting, con going, maybe social media, etc. Even if these are free, they are all time.

The upside is made even harder by the same problem any professionalization of a hobby as -- amateurs. Why spend hundreds of dollars for D&D (or even, Traveller Mongoose books) when I can spend $10 on an OSR hack? Why spend $10 on a fate hack (or a pbta hack) when the community is small enough that I have friends who will write them for me?

And, sure, sure, there's quality and time issues -- but I am exactly the target demographic to spend more money to better enjoy my game time. And while I'll support content being created by people who I dig, it's at least partially to magnify those voices.

tl;dr - I don't believe in the RPG "industry".

#RPGADay #RPGaDay2017 #Hashtag #Feminism

#RPGADay #RPGaDay2017 #Hashtag #Feminism

Which RPG has the most jaw-dropping layout?

#Feminism

They rate games on tears., give all the required supplies up front and visible, as well as the number of players. While a lot of this is standard form for board games (2-5, 12+, 45-60 minutes), this user-friendly design is altogether too often ignored in RPGs.

It's a game designed to be played, not just read. And it's gorgeous.

What to do once we win the 700+ million dollar powerball jackpot?

#RPGaday2017 day 22

#RPGaday2017 day 22
What RPG is easiest for you to run?

Fiasco is super easy to facilitate. And to facilitate well.

Due to practice, pbta is pretty easy for me. Not sure if I do it well, but I do it.

These are very different, so lemme explain.

Fiaso is all collaboration and building off each other's answers. It's figuring out that there's a live triangle at the table, by way of romance: weird family relationship and romance: fuckbuddies. It's knowing that there's a half a million dollars in a grocery bag, or just that you need to get revenge. It's figuring these things out together, then scenes developing on each. There's equality and sameness across the players, in a meaningful sense.

pbta is different but totally the same. It's all collaboration and building off the answers. It's following them around and seeing what happens, and the MC having a really weird role. There's no such thing as balance, and every playbook (save one) is a goddamn trap designed for certain sorts of players.

And I love both.

The totality was much more impressive that I expected. Ama.

Printing character sheets, especially for Apocalypse World.

Printing character sheets, especially for Apocalypse World.

I print double sided, at the office. I'll budget a couple of minutes to find and print out sheets.

Currently, if I print out the AW 2nd edition sheets naively (here: http://apocalypse-world.com/AW2ndEdPlaybooksPreview.pdf), then I wind up with the back half of the angel on the front half of the battlebabe, etc.

That is, I get useless sheets. The last four come out fine, as there's an odd number of MC pages between the two sets of character sheets.

The new Dungeon World playbooks do this too, but it is easier to fix: just don't print the first page.

But, for the AW2nd edition sheets, I either print the first dozen playbooks wrong, or I print the last four wrong.

I'm open to ideas and suggestions.
http://apocalypse-world.com/AW2ndEdPlaybooksPreview.pdf