I watch the ripples change their size
But never leave the stream
Of warm impermanence
And so the days float through my eyes
But still the days seem the same
And these children that you spit on
As they try to change their worlds
Are immune to your consultations
They're quite aware of what they're goin' through

Monday, January 9, 2012

Linkee-poo is still tied to that kitchen chair

Jim Hines wins for the best "vote for" Hugo/Nebula blog post. With attendant link to Mary Robinette Kowal's post on self-promotion and award season.

Fellow VPer Kay Hankinson has a new blog. Good luck, Kat.

Tor.com has an excerpt of Ashes of Candesce by Karl Schroeder. I had a chance, several years ago, to hear Karl read from his Virga Series (I left late from a con to attend which made me late for other appointments, it was worth it). This is one series that I've been wanting to read for some time now.

Vince shares a cover of "Hallelujah". I think this is the song I've heard the most covers of, and it's a damn good song (that it survives such a wide range of artists doing their take on it is testament to the song's strength). Although, I'm not quite sure it's a true "Christian" song (sort of like singing "Mrs. Robinson" at church camp because it has the line "Jesus loves you more than you can know"). Although, it is a great song about the creative process and sorrow in love.

The "best" of the climate deniers of 2011. With ample (and easy) counter evidence to show them to be wrong, politically and financial motivated, and just trying to screw us all over so they can make an extra buck. (Grokked from Jay Lake)

It's a dog pile on Santorum. Okay, just reread that and "ew." A lest we forget the elephant in the room, the excised GW Bush. Hey, you know all those things the current crop of GOP hopefuls like to spout at the guidable conservative voters? Yeah, tried them. This sucky economy is the result (lower taxes, less regulation, aggressive foreign policy, denial of rights for women and minorities). Been there, done that. Can't even afford the t-shirt. (Grokked from Jay Lake)

Paul Krugman with a little sunshine on conservative economic intentional lying falsehoods. Oh, and how are those European economies that voluntarily embraced "austerity" measures (England, Germany, Spain) doing these days? (Grokked from Tobias Buckell, I think)

Wizards of the Coast are soliciting fan feedback for the 5th Edition of D&D. COnsidering I haven't played since the 3rd edition, I'm not sure I'm good for this. But you may be. Hey, look, a company that's listening (hopefully). (Grokked from Tor.com)

4 comments:

Eric said...

Based on what I've been able to make out about Fourth Edition without actually playing it, I think my Fifth Edition feedback for WOTC would consist of two words, the first of which will get you an "R" from the MPAA. 3.x was a damn good gaming system that solidly built upon the foundations of earlier editions. Maybe not the best system, and it certainly had its bugs (and some unwieldiness thanks to expansions), but very playable and reasonably intuitive (especially when compared to 1E, which I loved--I skipped 2E altogether--but, bless its heart, that was one cobbled-together and jury-rigged system even without house rules).

I hear really good things about Pathfinder, which seems to be the "real" 4.0 (or I think it's been dubbed "3.75" in some quarters, which is still a fine compliment).

Steve Buchheit said...

Eric, I'll have to take your word for it. Some times I miss a good paper and dice RPG, but then I realize that I don't have the time to fully devote to it. And finding a good group is necessary.

My last experience wasn't so good. There was too much, "we need to contemplate this, if I use this angle and lean over this way can I see…" Me: "Is his head within sword reach? Good, I chop it off."

Although I've really wanted to try some of the electronic versions. I hear Neverwinter Nights is a good approximation. I just haven't had the money or the time, yet.

Rick said...

Man, you're always so busy! But maybe I'll finally catch up with you at Confusion.

Steve Buchheit said...

Rick, hope to see you there!