If I am going to send in 250 words, so should you!

If I am going to send in 250 words, so should you!

http://newagendapublishing.com/2018/06/12/call-for-writers-and-artists-now-live/

Preface: I adore the Expanse books.

Preface: I adore the Expanse books. They are some of the best science fiction currently around, and this is not the place to speak ill of them.

Capiche? Cool.

I really enjoy the Expanse show, but I have no idea how people follow it without already knowing the books. It's complicated and textured and layered and hard.

How do you do it?

Them: How do you feel about data visualization?

Them: How do you feel about data visualization?
Me: It's really important, and other people should do it. I should be mentoring people to be better analysis.
Them: We're interviewing you for the Vis Dev position.
Me: ... I applied for the Analyst Lead role.
Them: ...
Me: ...

They are calling references.

They are calling references.

I've had a day filled with interviews and assessments, and it is nowhere near over.

I want one of these to pop. Today.

A question, internet.

A question, internet.

What sort of laptop do I need to run this:
https://store.steampowered.com/app/208140/Endless_Space__Collection/

What this is: a several year old 4x game.

Why I want it: My favorite 4x game is moo2. It is ... kind of old. Like 20 years old. I've basically stopped playing it.

Why I need a new laptop: Mine won't stay turned on.
https://store.steampowered.com/app/208140/Endless_Space__Collection/

Interview went well.

Interview went well.

Thank you all for your help. More news in, say, 48 hours.

I've an interview in less than 24 hours.

I've an interview in less than 24 hours.

Remind me how to interview successfully?

This is not normal.

This is not normal.

Within three weeks of starting to look, I have three in person interviews lined up.

What has caused that?

Reminder: If 11 good people sit down and have dinner with a known nazi, a dozen nazis have dinner.

Reminder: If 11 good people sit down and have dinner with a known nazi, a dozen nazis have dinner.

Which is to say: Asking a nazi to leave your food establishment is simply not being a nazi.

I'm still working out how to deal with family who would dine with nazis, but do not say nazi things. I do not know how transferable nazi is, basically.

I am open to suggestions on that last. Not so much on the former.

👰Marriages............................1

👰Marriages............................1
💔 Divorces.............................0
💍Proposals............................1
🍼Children..............................0
✒tattoos................................0
👂Piercings.............................0
🔫Shot a Gun..........................yes. Shotguns and air rifles.
✋Quit a job ...........................yes, many times
📺Ever been on TV..................yes, arguing wth a creationist
🚙Hit a deer.............................I refuse to understand this question
❤Fallen in love ........................yes.
😪Watched someone die.........yes, grandfather.
🚑Ridden in an ambulance.......yes. When you can't walk, ambulance is the way to go.
❄Ice skating............................Yes. I do not want to again.
🏄Been surfing.........................Technically? No.
⛵Been on a Cruise..................Several. Royal and Viking. Viking is the best.
🐴Ridden a horse....................yes, once. In a circle.
😲Almost died..........................Of course!
🎤 Sang on karaoke.................I do not enjoy singing it
🏥Stayed in a hospital..............Not overnight
🍓Favorite fruit.........................grapes
🌽Favorite vegetable................apples. Shut up.
🍰Favorite dessert.................... Chocolate malt.
🌓Morning or night................... Due to waking up when there's even a brief amount of light, morning. Against my will and better judgement.
🌈Favorite color.......................Red. I can basically not wear it because maga hats, so green.
📞Last Phonecall.....................Mom

Tell me something nice, please. About anything you find interesting.

We will be in DC for this. Where will you be?

We will be in DC for this. Where will you be?

Originally shared by Jay Treat

Everyone's aware of the nationwide protest this Saturday, right?
https://act.moveon.org/event/families-belong-together/

Spring closet cleaning -- delayed about a season

Spring closet cleaning -- delayed about a season

I've been going through my closet today, finding what I have and what I could use.

This is partially inspired by Jule Ann Wakeman.

Standard clothes:
10 standard overshirts, button up. These are useable in a variety of circumstances, and you've assuredly seen me in them. I wear them to work and in normal life.
14 fandom t-shirts
1 long sleeve t-shirt
3 shorts
2 pairs jeans (maybe 3, we'll see when laundry is finished)
4 belts
microfober cloths, many times many. These clean glasses.
plenty of underthings & socks
plenty of gym things, perhaps too many
4 pairs of jamjams.

Things I have because I work in an office:
6 white undershirts
4 standard work slacks

Fancy:
1 suit, 3 piece
1 Dark blue fancy shirt
1 light blue fancy shirt
1 white french cuff fancy shirt
3 ties

"Fun" clothes:
1 hawaian shirt
1 camping shirt
1 mandarin collar shirt
1 "cute" outfit: Blue pants, nice shirt. I wear this when I want to look pretty.

Could use:
2 pair work slacks
4 more undershirts
1 pair french cuffs

Planning to pack to be ready for a 3-night trip on no notice:
-- enough underthings & under shirts
-- socks
-- 2 standard shirts
-- one pair slacks
-- 1 pair jamjams

I've tossed several things in a bunch of categories. Normal things, fancy things. All sorts of things that either don't get worn or were in bad shape.

So, I work in Alexandria, Virginia.

So, I work in Alexandria, Virginia. On King Street, basically the main commercial road. Maybe two years ago, a white supremacist fuckwad named richard spencer moved into the city.

About half the restaurants have a sign that says: NO ROOM FOR HATE

What these actually mean?
NO RICHARD SPENCER.

Which means: This isn't new.

I may get to choose:

I may get to choose:

1. Long commute + high money + cool math work
2. short commute + fine money + scrum work (scrum is good)
3. commute to the heart of DC + fine money + antiquated technical work
4. variable commute + fine money + scrum work (scrum is good)

Maybe a fifth, but they've gone dark. So who knows.

Whatcha think?

well this is a fun wrinkle.

well this is a fun wrinkle.

Them: Here, take this basic sql test. It's multiple choice, should take under 90 minutes.
Me: Sure. I'll do it from home.

::loads up a chromebook, goes to the webpage::

Webpage: You must be in Windows.
Me: .... But I don't have a windows computer.

I'll figure it out. No worries. Just imagine how hard this'd be if there wasn't a kinkos across the street.

I had an interesting phone screen.

I had an interesting phone screen.

It promised to be interesting work. Big data. Politics. Good money.

Then I heard the catch: Republicans.

You know, fascists who are becoming more and more like nazis.

As my stomach grew ill at the prospect, I turned it down right then with hardly a second thought. It was a third party recruiter, and I was polite. If it wasn't, I might have said something like this:

"You are an agent of evil. If you are personally opposed to fascism, quit. I will help you. If you are a fascist - if you are for human trafficking of children, stealing from the poor to feed the rich, and believe that women are objects to serve the state.... You will lose.

"My grandparents generation defeated you seventy years ago, and we will defeat you here and now. Not with guns or money or violence, but with that best weapon: human decency.

You and yours will not divide us."

But, it was a third party, so I said no and stewed on it for a while. I hope his search takes a long time and racks up a whole lot of billable hours.

Remind me: how do I find a new job?

Who wants stats on my job application process?

Dungeon Move

Dungeon Move

When you lead the party into dungeon, tell everyone to mark off a ration and then you roll +Cunning. On a 12+: You find good treasure; choose someone to roll for treasure and increase by a success tier. On a 10+: They get a treasure roll. On a 7-9, choose someone to search for treasure, but first choose someone to Face A Guardian. On a 6-, you must face a guardian. On a 3-, you must face a guardian alone, without help.

Face a Guardian: When you lead the group in battling a guardian of the dungeon, roll +Brawn. On a 12+, choose 4. On a 10+, choose 3. On a 7-9, choose 2. On a 6-, choose 1.
-- No one has to suffer wounds; otherwise, the MC will choose who must.
-- You gain a roll on the Treasure table; choose who gets it.
-- Choose someone to Carry forward an increase by a success tier to their next roll.
-- You do not have to face another guardian.

When you lead the group in a healing prayer, roll +Faith. On a 12+: If they died recently, they come back, with cuts or smashed bits but nothing is broken. For anyone alive, they are now AOK.
On a 10: Broken bones are turned into merely bad cuts.
On a 7-9: Bad cuts are turned into merely bruises.
On a 6-: Bruises are healed, but you have annoyed your God and cannot do so again until you atone.
On a 3-: You made it worse.

When you lead the party to search for treasure, Roll + Lore
On a 15+: You find a pouch of 10 platinum pieces, or a piece of art.
On a 12:+ You gain a platinum piece, or a pouch of 10 gold.
On a 10+: You gain a Gold piece, or a pouch of 10 silver,.
On a 7-9: You gain a silver piece, or a pouch of 10 copper.
On a 6-: You gain a copper piece, or 10 rations
On a 3-: You find a ration, more or less.

Helping
When you help others with a task in the dungeon, roll +Hx.
On a 12+: They increase by a success tier.
On a 10+: They get a +2.
On a 7-9: They get a +1.
On a 6-: Be prepared for the worst.

When you suffer wounds at the hands of a guardian, roll + Armor.
On a 12+: You are AOK. It'll hurt for a day or so.
On a 10+: It is mostly bruises, you'll be fine. It'll hurt like hell for a week, though. You can not go on in the adventure.
On a 7-9: You are cut or smashed badly. Everyday tasks will be hard for a month, and you cannot adventure for a week.
On a 6-: Broken bones, like an arm or a leg. You'll have mobility issues for a season, and cannot adventure for a month.
On a 1-3: You are dead. The MC may grant you a few final moments.

Advancement:
Whenever you use a stat, mark it. When all stats are marked, erase and take an advancement.

How this is different: It's all group oriented, still with individual decision making. Hx is important, as you can help on almost all the rolls.

There's someone organizing the group, more or less, and they are rewarded for being sneaky by not having to fght. Fighting is the bad thing, because chance of being mauled is pretty reasonable. You'll need someone to heal you if you want to continue on in the dungeon.

You'll also need rations, but those are easy to get.

Finally: There's no XP on a 6- (which I dislike), nor do we need highlighted stats.

You and your gang head into the local dungeon.

You and your gang head into the local dungeon.

You sneak in. Maybe you get into a fight, but you come out OK and with some loot.

You've found:
10 gold - find by the wizard
1 gold - found by the thief.
3 silver - found by the Fighter, cleric, and thief.

How do you divide it up?

Now that there is a Money Changer stall in town, and they take a percentage. There are items you can buy.

The local inn is about a silver a night, including food, a drink or two, and cheap entertainment. A gold would be enough for all of you for a few days.

Ten gold is enough for a hundred nights worth at the local inn, so for the four of you there's almost a month.

There's a fancier inn, of course, for the merchants. It costs like ten times.

There's always clothes and fancy jewelry. Negotiable affection, and what not.

But first: How do you divide it up? Do you divide it up?

Professional services are purchasable with coin.

Professional services are purchasable with coin.

The mainstay of people are silver, and a single silver will get a day's labor from most anyone. But, not in they are a merchant or work for an aristocrat. And, you can pay less for someone in a bad way -- but you probably shouldn't.

Services, for a day or so:
-- Platinum: a member of an aristocrat's household
-- Gold: Professional services of a skilled merchant
-- Silver:Services of someone skilled in real work
-- Copper: Unskilled services of someone improverished
Services, for a week or so: Increase the tier cost above by one.

Some specialized examples of professional services
Cleaning:
-- Platinum: a day in the finest bath house
-- Gold: A private bath, with scented soaps
-- Silver: access to a public bathhouse
-- Copper: a quick wash off used water

Negotiable Affection:
-- Platinum: An escort who can pass as lesser nobility, who will spend a day or so with you.
-- Gold: A skilled artisan, who will come to a safe location.
-- Silver: A night with a skilled professional in a brothel
-- Copper: in the street, quick as you can.

Accounting
-- Platinum: A week's work of a common accountant, or a day's of an accountant who works for lesser nobility.
-- Gold: A day's work of a common accountant
-- Silver: An hour's work of a common accountant
-- Copper: An hour's work of a bad accountant, who will mangle your books and likely sell you out.

I'm considering having a Tin or Iron as lower than copper pieces, but I think this is OK.

Does this make sense?

Doing good work that needs doing.

Doing good work that needs doing.

Originally shared by New Agenda Publishing

Are you into tabletop RPGS?
Have you ever wanted to work on a game?
Are you a member of an underrepresented group in TTRPGs (Person of Color, Woman, Non-binary, Trans, Queer)?
If you answered yes to all three, we’d like to hear from you!* We’re looking for artist and writers to help us finish Orun!




*This does not mean we don’t want to hear from straight white guys, but it does mean you’re a straight white guy and you’re sending in an application, you’re going to have to work twice as hard to impress us half as much.
http://newagendapublishing.com/2018/06/12/call-for-writers-and-artists-now-live/

Just applied to work at NPR.

Just applied to work at NPR.

Wish me luck. It might not be bullshit.

When you come back from the dungeon, where are you and what's cool about this story?

When you come back from the dungeon, where are you and what's cool about this story?

Well, I figure there are a few locations:
-- The Inn / Bar, where it's one silver for food, lodging, and entertainment. Or, you can buy individual items for coppers.

The Inn is run by two people, who are related to the characters. There's a bartender and a cook. The bartender is the fighter's best friend, and the wizard's brother. The Cleric's mother is the cook, who is also the thief's lover.

-- The Keep, where it's a copper for food, lodging, and entertainment. But, if you stay here you are expected to be accessible for defense.

I think I'll setup the Keep so that it is the Fighter's favorite place to crash, where the Thief is running a con. It's where the cleric's lover is enlisted, and the Wizard's father is an officer.

-- The Archmage's Manor, where it's a gold for food, lodging, and entertainment. Or, you can buy indivicual items for silver.

I'll set this up so it is where the Fighter's cousin works in service, and the cleric's lover works here. The thief avoids the place, and it is run by the Wizard's master.

-- The Temple, most related to the cleric.
-- The Market, which sells almost anything and is most related to the Thief.

Basically, this. Everybody is related, and you've just brought in some ridiculous wealth.

I live in Arlington, VA -- just outside DC.

I live in Arlington, VA -- just outside DC.

The streets have gone mad. I can hear the cheering and honking ten floors up. It is loud.

Spectator sports are such a huge part of the culture.

What are adventurers?

What are adventurers?

Thieves, mostly. Trying to get into a highly guarded fortress, get enough valuables to make it worth their while, and get out.

Ideally, there's no fighting, no fireballs, no healing. Ideally, they are never seen.

But, that whole dungeon crawl part I think is the boring part. Instead, I'm interested in what happens when you come back. You're covered in muck and blood, and flush with cash. The local economy will explode.

To get there, I need some mechanisms in place. This is what these are.

In this envisioned system, everybody can sneak, fight, heal, find loot. Different classes are better at different parts than others. But, if you are good at sneaking then you'll rarely need to fight, and maybe can even make sure you get good treasure.

This is step one of this game, basically. Getting together loot. Then you bring it back to town. More on that later, probably much later.

Thoughts and ideas welcome.



When you enter the Dungeon looking for loot, roll + Sneak. On a 12+, make a Treasure roll and increase by a success tier. On a 10+, make a treasure roll. On a 7-9, make a treasure roll but first face a guardian. On a 6-, you must face a guardian. On 3 or less, you face a guardian but must choose 1 less when you do.

Face a guard: Roll + Fighter.
On a 12+, choose 4. On a 10+, choose 3. On a 7-9, choose 2. On a 6-, choose 1:
-- You do not have to roll Wounds
-- You gain a roll on the Treasure table
-- Carry forward an increase by a success tier to your next roll.
-- You do not have to face another guardian.

When you suffer wounds at the hands of a guardian, roll + Armor.
On a 12+: You are AOK. It'll hurt for a day or so.
On a 10+: It is mostly bruises, you'll be fine. It'll hurt like hell for a week, though.
On a 7-9: You are cut or smashed badly. Everyday tasks will be hard for a month.
On a 6-: Broken bones, like an arm or a leg. You'll have mobility issues for a season.
On a 1-3: You are dead. The MC may grant you a few final moments.

When you pray to a god to heal someone, roll + Cleric.
On a 12: If they died recently, they come back, with cuts or smashed bits but nothing is broken. For anyone alive, they are now AOK.
On a 10: Broken bones are turned into merely bad cuts.
On a 7-9: Bad cuts are turned into merely bruises.
On a 6-: Bruises are healed, but you have annoyed your God and cannot do so again until you atone.
On a 1-3: You made it worse.

Treasure table: Roll + Wizard
On a 12: You gain a platinum piece, or 10 gold.
On a 10+: You gain a Gold piece, 10 silver,.
On a 7-9: You gain a silver piece, 10 copper.
On a 6-: You gain a copper piece, 10 rations
On a 1-3: You find a ration, more or less.

The following has decimal currency, so it's 10 copper to 1 silver, 10 silver to a gold, 10 gold to a platinum.

The following has decimal currency, so it's 10 copper to 1 silver, 10 silver to a gold, 10 gold to a platinum.

You gain these in The Dungeon. There's a list of crap you can buy for the dungeon -- armor and weapons and whatever -- and this lets you convert it into other things in town.

What am I missing from this list?


Platinum:
-- The services of an NPC cleric who can mend bone
-- Food, lodging, and entertainment among the aristocracy for a day or so.
-- Introduction to just about anyone

Gold:
-- The services of an NPC cleric who can heal cuts
-- Food, lodging, and entertainment among the merchant class for a day or so.
-- Introduction to anyone of middle class stature.

Silver:
-- The services of an NPC cleric who can heal bruises
-- food, lodgng, and entertainment among the working class for a day or so
-- Introduction to anyone of working class

Copper:
-- Enough bad gin to not notice pains from a bruise.
-- a room in a flop house, and enough to eat and drink to not starve for a day or so.
-- Introduction to anyone impoverished

A novel I have been enjoying immensely: Thessaly.

A novel I have been enjoying immensely: Thessaly.

Basic conceit: The goddess Athena grants the prayers of 300 scholars throughout history, bringing them together to form Plato's Republic. She brings them some advanced technology (robots), and puts them in the shadow of a volcano it is known will soon explode, wiping out anything they try.

First step: They buy 10,000 ten year old slaves throughout history, raising them in the ways of The Republic while deciding you need to be fifty to read The Republic.

Predictably, things go wrong. Especially with the festival of Hera, the kidnapping of Socrates, and that the God Apollo chose to incarnate as one of the ten year olds. He wanted to learn about being mortal.

I am currently enamored with a notion: That just as a society could ascend due to a technological singularity, it...

I am currently enamored with a notion: That just as a society could ascend due to a technological singularity, it could do so through culture.

Maybe others as well: spiritual, economic. Magic, if that exists.

In each of these, the idea is similar: The variable in question grows and expands until it is changing faster than imaginable, taking over the rest of society. That a society then changes until it becomes unrecognizable, perhaps disappearing altogether.

The Ancients in Stargate have essentially a cultural ascension, which is (in my mind) why it is Daniel Jackson who ascends and not Sam.

What do other forms of societal singularity look like?

I am remembering my attempted game about after the dungeon crawl.

I am remembering my attempted game about after the dungeon crawl.

I never quite liked how I handled dungeons - I essentially stole the operators gigs from aw - but this may be what I needed instead.

It'll still be the case that coming back to town costs something. Because you've got to pay rent. This may change how, or what it costs.

Take your hold from here, and use it to to roll on w random table, maybe?
https://plus.google.com/+AviWaksberg/posts/4ref4tkfx7R