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?
Sunday, December 31, 2017
Friday, December 29, 2017
Wednesday, December 27, 2017
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!
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!
Friday, December 22, 2017
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.
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!
Thursday, December 21, 2017
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?
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
-- 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
Wednesday, December 20, 2017
Monday, December 18, 2017
Thursday, December 14, 2017
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.
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.
Wednesday, December 13, 2017
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?
- 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?
Tuesday, December 12, 2017
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.
In Alabama, the percent of write-in votes is bigger than the margin.
Voting matters, and voting for someone who can win matters.
Saturday, December 9, 2017
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.
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.
Thursday, December 7, 2017
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!
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!
Wednesday, December 6, 2017
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?
And indexes?
And well-built date warehouses?
And BI tools?
Monday, December 4, 2017
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
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
Sunday, December 3, 2017
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.
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.
Discuss.
Saturday, December 2, 2017
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
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?
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?
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