First of all, yesterday was the Autumnal Equinox...happy Autumn everybody!
Today marks the anniversary of Sigmund Freud's death. With his psychoanalytic theory of the mind, he single-handedly perpetrated the Victorian era image of women as the weaker sex. Ladies, please, keep that uterus on a leash!
And it's the modern disciples of Freudian theories that make people dependent on psycho-analysts for years at a time, rather than applying other forms of psychotherapy that are actually empirically valid AND short in duration, requiring only months rather than years, to complete.
On the upside, Freud contributed greatly to the understanding of the mind and what it means to be human. Luckily, he inspired many OTHER people to test his theories and ultimately come up with their own, many of which actually make sense in terms of human behavior.
Okay, I think my Ego has had its rant now. Time to tend to the needs of my Superego and get some work done. After all, it's Friday and my Id will be pretty thirsty by quitin' time.
Playing on XM: Rodney Crowell
Friday, September 23, 2005
Thursday, September 22, 2005
Roleplaying personas
When creating a new character for D&D, I turn to history or classic literature for ideas. These areas are full of great characters just begging to be brought back to life.
For example, when creating a cleric, I once turned to Sigmund Freud and his 'talking cure' to create that game's first psychotherapist. And he charged for his services too. I recently tried to revisit this idea, but the character quickly diverged from this root and took on a life of its own...and that's how it should be. It's good to have a template for your character's personality, but eventually the PC should grow into its own identity. Afterall, the life it experiences can't mirror the life that shaped the figure who first inspired you. But when it comes to getting started, it's nice to have a springboard to inject some life into the character.
Right now, I'd love to play (or see played) the ever-observant Sherlock Holmes as a rogue. Who better to solve the always-present mysterious plotline or navigate a trap-filled dungeon? A gentleman's rogue if ever there was one!
Some other ideas that came quickly to mind:
Edit: Something I forgot to say the first time through...this idea only really works if you do a little research on the historical/literary figure's personality and personal motivations. The whole point is that you know how the person would act in a given situation. But then, you probably already understood that that was my point.
Playing on XM: The Great Divide
For example, when creating a cleric, I once turned to Sigmund Freud and his 'talking cure' to create that game's first psychotherapist. And he charged for his services too. I recently tried to revisit this idea, but the character quickly diverged from this root and took on a life of its own...and that's how it should be. It's good to have a template for your character's personality, but eventually the PC should grow into its own identity. Afterall, the life it experiences can't mirror the life that shaped the figure who first inspired you. But when it comes to getting started, it's nice to have a springboard to inject some life into the character.
Right now, I'd love to play (or see played) the ever-observant Sherlock Holmes as a rogue. Who better to solve the always-present mysterious plotline or navigate a trap-filled dungeon? A gentleman's rogue if ever there was one!
Some other ideas that came quickly to mind:
- Alexandre Dumas' D'Artagnan as an overzealous, young fighter (actually, all of the musketeers are great characters)
- A ranger, druid, or eco-friendly cleric who plants trees where ever he goes so people will remember his example
- Davey Crocket as a ranger or fighter with a penchant for exploring the wilds
- a gnome mage modeled after one of our country's most brilliant men, Benjamin Franklin
Edit: Something I forgot to say the first time through...this idea only really works if you do a little research on the historical/literary figure's personality and personal motivations. The whole point is that you know how the person would act in a given situation. But then, you probably already understood that that was my point.
Playing on XM: The Great Divide
Wednesday, September 21, 2005
No cover charge for comments
I changed the settings so non-members can leave comments, so have at it.
I'm home from work today with a semi-sick kid. He was sick last night and fine this morning, but in years past, he had a habit of running out of steam an hour or so after going to school, which was signified by vomiting all over the teacher. Since we haven't even finished the first month of the school year, I thought I'd save his teacher from this side of his charming persona.
I'm home from work today with a semi-sick kid. He was sick last night and fine this morning, but in years past, he had a habit of running out of steam an hour or so after going to school, which was signified by vomiting all over the teacher. Since we haven't even finished the first month of the school year, I thought I'd save his teacher from this side of his charming persona.
Monday, September 19, 2005
Frank Miller sucks
Okay, now that I have your attention, let me tell my story. I work at the local comic store on Sundays. Every once in a while, the most Annoying Customer in the world comes in. And yes, yesterday was one of those days. His usual routine is to stand around reading comics for an hour, then try to make annoying conversation with his tiny little brain, and then he leaves without buying anything. Never a single book. You can read all you want, but at least buy a book to pay your share of the rent.
So yesterday, catching up on a few titles, he wanders over to the counter where I'm reading a comic of my own. His attempt at thought-provoking conversation goes something like this:
AC: "Man, comics these days. I don't think the industry can keep it up."
Me (not looking up from my comic): "Hmm?"
AC: "Well, like DC for example. They're trying to re-invent themselves again. And I don't think they can pull it off, do you?"
Me (really not wanting to get into this line of conversation with him because DC is currently doing some very compelling things and industry sales are climbing in part because of them): "Well, they're all always trying something new."
AC: "Yeah, I guess. So, what're you reading?"
Me (holding up the comic): "The new Allstar Batman & Robin."
AC: "Oh yeah. Jim Lee can draw some pretty good characters, but that Frank Miller just can't write worth a damn!"
And he was dead serious in his opinion.
At this point I just stared at him with the blankest of looks I could muster. What I really wanted to do was grab his shirt collar and drag him out into the street. His survival instincts must have kicked in at this point because he mumbled something about the time and soon left the store.
For those who don't know, Frank Miller is probably the most $ucce$$ful comic book writer of the modern day. And there's a reason for it. Two of them, actually. Creativity and Talent.
But everybody has an opinion.
So yesterday, catching up on a few titles, he wanders over to the counter where I'm reading a comic of my own. His attempt at thought-provoking conversation goes something like this:
AC: "Man, comics these days. I don't think the industry can keep it up."
Me (not looking up from my comic): "Hmm?"
AC: "Well, like DC for example. They're trying to re-invent themselves again. And I don't think they can pull it off, do you?"
Me (really not wanting to get into this line of conversation with him because DC is currently doing some very compelling things and industry sales are climbing in part because of them): "Well, they're all always trying something new."
AC: "Yeah, I guess. So, what're you reading?"
Me (holding up the comic): "The new Allstar Batman & Robin."
AC: "Oh yeah. Jim Lee can draw some pretty good characters, but that Frank Miller just can't write worth a damn!"
And he was dead serious in his opinion.
At this point I just stared at him with the blankest of looks I could muster. What I really wanted to do was grab his shirt collar and drag him out into the street. His survival instincts must have kicked in at this point because he mumbled something about the time and soon left the store.
For those who don't know, Frank Miller is probably the most $ucce$$ful comic book writer of the modern day. And there's a reason for it. Two of them, actually. Creativity and Talent.
But everybody has an opinion.
What's in a blog?
So my first real blog entry highlighted the fact that I am easily entertained. oh boy. Here's another example. I read a Batman story recently, written unbelievably enough by comedian Patton Oswalt, where Batman returns to the bat cave after a rough night of getting his butt kicked.
Alfred, his steadfast butler, greets him with a cup of tea and says, "I assumed you would like to make some notes on the night's events, so I booted up your blog."
Batman growls back at him, "It's not a BLOG, Alfred. It's the Bat-log."
(for those who care, the story was one of many gems tucked away in a hefty volume called Bizarro World, which features stories of DC Comics' characters created by artists and writers of alternative and underground comics.)
Alfred, his steadfast butler, greets him with a cup of tea and says, "I assumed you would like to make some notes on the night's events, so I booted up your blog."
Batman growls back at him, "It's not a BLOG, Alfred. It's the Bat-log."
(for those who care, the story was one of many gems tucked away in a hefty volume called Bizarro World, which features stories of DC Comics' characters created by artists and writers of alternative and underground comics.)
Sunday, September 04, 2005
WWBD?
Here's an old piece I've been hanging on to. I wrote this a couple of years ago.
I recently became a die-hard fan of Buffy the Vampire Slayer! FX started re-running the show from Season 1. Charles, my neighbor, was recording them & offered to let me watch them. Being bored that night, I begrudgingly accepted. Four episodes later, I was hooked.
My first impression whilst watching the first episode was, 'This is sort of an occult power rangers!' Here's why:
Make fun of me if you will. My motto is now: WWBD? (What would Buffy do?)
After writing that, I heard the phrase a week or two later as I edged my way into Season 2. Huh. I think they tried to use it as a marketing slogan that didn't really take off. Well, I'm still a big Buffy fanboy. Mostly for the characters and dialogue, but I still crank the theme music when I watch an episode.
Oh, how marvelous it was for Buffy to be a new experience, fresh and unknown. As a TRUE fan of all things horror, I avoided what I was sure must be a trite, niche-targeted, empty TV show. Boy, did have no clue! I don't need to talk about how COMPLETELY wrong I was in my ignorant assumptions.
This post also reveals one of my dark secrets: I love the Power Rangers. Well, the original show that is. I've tried to watch several of the modern incarnations, but none of them have the appeal and character as the original cast, crew, and what served for storylines. And yes, this is coming from the same person who avoided Buffy for so long because I doubted that it had 'soul' or value. Hey, at least I'm willing to admit my quirks.
Buffy may be the loftier, more 'literary' of the two programs, but the original Power Rangers still gets the award for having the best theme music EVER.
You doubt my word?
I recently became a die-hard fan of Buffy the Vampire Slayer! FX started re-running the show from Season 1. Charles, my neighbor, was recording them & offered to let me watch them. Being bored that night, I begrudgingly accepted. Four episodes later, I was hooked.
My first impression whilst watching the first episode was, 'This is sort of an occult power rangers!' Here's why:
- Set in small, suburban Californy town,
- Group of teens repeatedly saving the world,
- General population if oblivious to the goings-on,
- Fresh, teen-centric dialogue,
- Kick ASS theme music!
Make fun of me if you will. My motto is now: WWBD? (What would Buffy do?)
After writing that, I heard the phrase a week or two later as I edged my way into Season 2. Huh. I think they tried to use it as a marketing slogan that didn't really take off. Well, I'm still a big Buffy fanboy. Mostly for the characters and dialogue, but I still crank the theme music when I watch an episode.
Oh, how marvelous it was for Buffy to be a new experience, fresh and unknown. As a TRUE fan of all things horror, I avoided what I was sure must be a trite, niche-targeted, empty TV show. Boy, did have no clue! I don't need to talk about how COMPLETELY wrong I was in my ignorant assumptions.
This post also reveals one of my dark secrets: I love the Power Rangers. Well, the original show that is. I've tried to watch several of the modern incarnations, but none of them have the appeal and character as the original cast, crew, and what served for storylines. And yes, this is coming from the same person who avoided Buffy for so long because I doubted that it had 'soul' or value. Hey, at least I'm willing to admit my quirks.
Buffy may be the loftier, more 'literary' of the two programs, but the original Power Rangers still gets the award for having the best theme music EVER.
You doubt my word?
Mission Statement
All this time, I've been thinking, 'why do I need a blog? what am I going to write there?' Then I looked around at all of my notes and half-written essays and rants... So maybe this is as good a place as any to store and record those things. I'll be posting some old stuff and of course focusing on new thoughts...or what passes for thoughts... in my head. Wow, a forum of my own. Neat.
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