Category Archives: geekdom

D&D

Going to try to post daily for the rest of the year, even if it is just a few words and a picture. Today is D&D day. We’ve been playing on an almost weekly basis for about 3 months. It is nice to have a pastime I share with my wife, and also one that doesn’t involve smashing a skateboard into my shins.

Stuff I’m Doing

Besides the skate video filming and usual practicing, and the usual aikido practice (which I have scaled down a bit because I want to have a life outside the dojo), I’ve been working on my Traveller RPG stuff a lot. Trying to spend 30 minutes during my lunch hour at work just expanding the setting with details, adding nonplayer characters of interest, and getting ready for game sessions (like the one this Sunday). Then the first full weekend in September my friend Jeff and I are going to the Lone Star Game Expo, in Grapevine, where I’m running a Traveller session based loosely on the last 3 games I’ve run for my normal group. THEN — my friend Jeremy and I are working on a Traveller “module” based on all this — an adventure that will be available for a fairly low price on DriveThruRPG.com .

The gaming stuff is fun. It allows me get some creativity out there in a different way.

Honestly, I’m kind of looking forward to winter. It’s a good excuse to stay inside and read.

A little D&D

Played a little 5th Edition Dungeons & Dragons yesterday. It was the second time I’ve played. Some of the people I ref a GURPS game for have been playing for a while. I missed a game, but was back yesterday. It was fun. 5th Edition is a bit more “power gamer” of a system. Characters are a lot more powerful, but adversaries are too. It all evens out. There are some things I really like about it. For one thing, there are not limitations on the classes or levels that various characters races can achieve, and no difference between male and female characters. It is a much more inclusive game. There are more character class options too. At this point I prefer to GM in the GURPS system, but playing D&D is great fun. Always has been.

I’ve been skating a lot. Haven’t written much on this blog simply because I’ve not had that much to say. Watching politics in the country right now is mind-boggling, and it seems to be fueling a lot more social conflict. It’s a bummer. I’d rather skate and play games.

More on video games

I feel like I should clear the air about video games.

I don’t really hate them.  I stink at them, but don’t hate them.

When all’s said and done (and other overused sayings), I think people should do what they enjoy as long as it doesn’t harm anyone. So if video games are your thing, than have at it. Good for you. Follow your passion, etc., etc., amen.

And no, I’m not setting the stage to announce that I have a secrete video game addiction problem. Nope. Just feeling generous today.

Here is my video game ownership history, just to prove I have explored this area somewhat…

  • Mattel Electronics Missle Attack handheld video game.
  • Mattel Electronics Sub Attack handheld video game
  • Nintendo Super NES system, on which I played Super Mario World for a couple of years, but really nothing else. Still have it. Still works.
  • Sony Playstation. I played a car racing game and a snowboarding game. Don’t have it anymore.
  • Nintendo Wii — I currently have this, and enjoy playing Rock Band 2 with my wife. Also own Godzilla Unleashed, Wii Fit, Rock Band 3, and Wii Sports. Pretty much just play Rock Band though.

Now my cards are on the table.