M'iko

Fri, 04 Sep 2009 15:42:54 GMT

Can't keep up with the sites I've already got, but nonetheless:

http://community.wizards.com/wotc_miko

the f-bombs flowed like water

Mon, 01 Jun 2009 16:11:08 GMT

Pretty good weekend, all told.

Saturday was D&D day, Jeremy Crawford's ongoing campaign. The 4th-edition bard: best character class or bestest character class ever designed? Amazingly fun to play, flexible, versatile, fantastic synergy with all other classes.

Saturday night Bill and I saw a talk/Q&A with chefs Anthony Bourdain and Mario Batali, where the aforementioned f-bombs did indeed flow freely. Great fun. They're pretty much exactly as you see them on tv, affable and profane and thoroughly in love with food and all things related to food. Enjoyable all around.

Sunday we got out to see Up, which was astonishing. Sad and funny and surprisingly bittersweet. Pixar just keeps getting better. Don't miss it.

ECCC

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 15:47:06 GMT

Emerald City is turning into a perfectly respectable comic con. Still not quite enough for a two-day pass unless you're really into panels and standing on lines for celebrity signings, but good for a solid day of comic geekery. Of course I have no sales resistance for comics, and therefore acquired:

* a handful of backissue comics
* the latest PS238 and Courtney Crumrin trades
* the Mouse Guard RPG, because David Petersen was so nice
* a Serenity t-shirt
* two statues because BUY ONE GET ONE FREE is like shiny crack: the Bowen Black Panther bust that's been impossible to find for years, and a Mouse Guard statue because mice with swords, 'nuff said.

As usual had much less time than desired talking with comics folks. Still, good times ahead: Between Greg Rucka's upcoming run on Detective and Eric Trautmann's JSA vs. Kobra, the monthly pile of DC comics is going to be a whole lot more appealing.

change of plans

Fri, 03 Apr 2009 15:34:56 GMT

Emerald City just on Sunday, looks like--going with a bunch of other WotC folks. We'll be easy to spot, traveling in a pack.

Works out, 'cause that gives me time on Saturday to sort comics (the neverending task) and make a wishlist. Sort of hoping there's no half-price trades booth, my downfall....

no foolin'

Wed, 01 Apr 2009 22:21:36 GMT

Wait, Emerald City is *this* weekend? Year, you go too fast.

Thinking of going both days this time. I don't think there's really enough con for a two-day attendance, but maybe I can sit in on a few more panels. And it's mostly a chance to walk around with congenial folks, anyway.

See you there?

Tue, 17 Mar 2009 15:47:29 GMT

I loved the hell out of Watchmen.

That is all.

Wed, 11 Mar 2009 23:05:04 GMT

Been awhile for this. (Last June? Really? Apologies, neglected journal!)

Comics what is still good:

1. Fables
2. Secret Six (*flaily hands!* !!. !!!!)
3. Captain America
4. Immortal Iron Fist
5. Incredible Hercules
6. Thor
7. Thunderbolts
8. Nova
9. Guardians of the Galaxy
10. Stephen King translation/expansion books (Dark Tower, The Stand)

All-Star Superman is over. X-Men First Class is over. Nightwing and Robin are over. Stop ending the good books, dammit.

Take a look at that list. ONE (superhero) DC property; Final Crisis was not kind. Oh, sure, I'm buying a lot more than the above. And very much looking forward to things like, say, Greg Rucka's run on Action. Still good: Dini's Detective issues when it's not a crossover; Gail Simone's Wonder Woman; Brave and the Bold sometimes; Jack of Fables and Ex Machina are still worthy. But as a DC fan, I'm more than a little disenchanted at the moment.

Also note that all of the good Marvel books have nothing at all to do with Secret Invasion Reigns.

Burned out on events much? Yep.

More fun: Got tickets to see Bourdain and Batali at the Paramount. Food nerdity ftw!

Fri, 30 Jan 2009 21:20:43 GMT

Got to play with my respec'ed wizard last night, having reconfigured her using options from the forthcoming Arcane Power. (Ahhh, early-use perqs.) I'm *extremely* happy with how she turned out. The [REDACTED] feat and the [REDACTED] feat give her an enormous amount of battlefield control, and the 5th-level [REDACTED] spell might be the best thing in control magic ever. But since AP isn't out I can't go into details.

Instead, my 11th-level eladrin warlord from Chris Perkins' Iomandra campaign:

====== Created Using Wizards of the Coast D&DI Character Builder ======
Andraste, level 11
Eladrin, Warlord, Spiral Tactician
Commanding Presence: Tactical Presence

FINAL ABILITY SCORES
Str 19, Con 13, Dex 13, Int 18, Wis 12, Cha 15.

Starting Ability Scores
Str 16, Con 12, Dex 10, Int 14, Wis 11, Cha 13.

AC: 24 Fort: 22 Reflex: 21 Will: 21
HP: 75 Surges: 8 Surge Value: 19

TRAINED SKILLS
Intimidate, History, Heal, Diplomacy, Athletics, Arcana.

FEATS
1: Jack of All Trades (retrained to Fey Step Trailblazer at Level 11)
2: Eladrin Soldier
4: Tactical Inspiration
6: Linguist
8: Lend Might (retrained to Acolyte Power at Level 10)
10: Arcane Initiate
11: Fey Tactics

POWERS
1, At-Will: Wolf Pack Tactics
1, At-Will: Opening Shove
1, Encounter: Warlord's Favor
1, Daily: Bastion of Defense
2, Utility: Shake It Off
3, Encounter: Follow Me In
5, Daily: Stand the Fallen
6, Utility: Tactical Supervision (retrained to Shield at Acolyte Power)
7, Encounter: Surprise Attack
9, Daily: Warlord's Recovery
10, Encounter: Illusory Ambush (Arcane Initiate)
10, Utility: Defensive Rally

ITEMS
Eladrin Finemail +2, Sacrificial Greatspear +3, Flameburst Javelin +1, Bracers of Escape (heroic tier), Cloak of the Walking Wounded +2, Belt of Vigor (heroic tier), Potion of Healing (heroic tier) (2)
====== Created Using Wizards of the Coast D&DI Character Builder ======

Completely worth it to multi into wizard for the shield spell; it's a fantastic option for a low-AC melee combatant. Big focus on teleporting, with the TWO feats that let me take someone with her when she teleports (plus the action point-regains-fey-step of the paragon path) and the bracers. All that teleporting lets me put our slow-moving fighter up front where he should be and get more fragile characters out of harm's way when necessary.

Plus she's actually hitting things now, as opposed to the last ten levels. But that could have just been the dice.

Paragon level. FEELS GREAT.

as if there were any doubt

Fri, 30 Jan 2009 20:24:59 GMT

balance...

Wed, 21 Jan 2009 16:47:19 GMT

...not all it's cracked up to be.

Yesterday we inaugurated a new president, one that I can contemplate without fear and loathing. It’s a nice change. He has a long hard road ahead of him, as do we all, but the fact that he inspires hope and optimism goes a long, long way toward making that journey easier.

Yesterday I also got some news about an acquaintance of mine*, a friend of a friend. I’ve met T-- briefly in passing; she’s a lovely young woman who has a valuable service career, a loving husband, a beautiful young son, and a brain tumor.

It would be hypocritical to ask for prayers, since I don’t pray. But good thoughts never go amiss, and if you’re wafting good vibrations toward our new president, spare one for a stranger as well.

* No, no one from Wizards, or even in this state. As terrifying and improbable as it sounds, I do know one or two people outside of work.

and to all, a better year

Tue, 06 Jan 2009 17:56:00 GMT

Back at work and already a little overwhelmed with the volume. You'd think the Snowpocalypse (and being trapped in the house for a week and a half before the official vacation) would have been enough, but on Sunday night when a few flakes came down I admit to a small fleeting wish for One More Day Off. Apparently I haven't quite killed my hands enough with Warcraft yet, although I worked hard at it. But there's far too much on my desk and really, none of us can afford any more time off, official or otherwise.

Things What I Read, 2008 Edition
(reread)

Torchwood: Border Princes, Dan Abnett
Grant Morrison: The Early Years, Timothy Callahan
No Reservations, Anthony Bourdain
Heroes: Saving Charlie, Aury Wallington
Queen and Country: Operation Red Panda, Greg Rucka
Daredevil: Hell to Pay, Ed Brubaker
League of Extraordinary Gentlemen: The Black Dossier, Alan Moore
(The New Frontier Absolute Edition), Darwyn Cooke (worth it for the additional material and annotations)
Torchwood: Another Life, Peter Anghelides
Sandman Mystery Theatre v5: Dr. Death and The Night of the Butcher, Matt Wagner
Torchwood: Slow Decay, Andy Lane
Grendel: Past Prime, Greg Rucka
Heroes v.1, collected webcomics, various
Pandora, a Death Jr. manga, Hai!
Scardown, Elizabeth Bear
The Question: Zen and Violence, Denny O'Neil
Criminal v1: Coward, Ed Brubaker
Small Favor, Jim Butcher
New X-Men Omnibus, Grant Morrison
Furies of Calderon, Jim Butcher
Academ's Fury, Jim Butcher
Cursor's Fury, Jim Butcher
Worldwired, Elizabeth Bear
Iron Man novelization, Peter David
Captain's Fury, Jim Butcher
Indiana Jones and the Temple of the Crystal Skull, James Rollins
Batman Unauthorized, edited by Denny o'Neil
Dork Decade, John Kovalic
World War Hulk, Greg Pak
Incredible Hulk novelization, Peter David
(Empire of Ivory), Naomi Novik
Haunted Knight collection, Jeph Loeb
Gotham Knight novelization, Louise Simonson
Victory of Eagles, Naomi Novik
New Amsterdam, Elizabeth Bear
Adam Ant: Stand and Deliver, the Autobiography, Adam Ant
Little Brother, Cory Doctorow
(Watchmen), Alan Moore
(The Long Halloween), Jeph Loeb
Sandman Mystery Theatre v6: Hourman and The Python, Matt Wagner
Dark Knight novelization, Denny O'Neil
The Question v. 2: Poisoned Ground, Denny O'Neil
Quantico, Greg Bear
Umbrella Academy: The Apocalypse Suite, Gerard Way
The Sinestro Corps War vol. 1, Geoff Johns
The Sinestro Corps War vol. 2, Geoff Johns
Torchwood, The Twilight Streets
Dead Man's Boots, Mike Carey
Legion of Super-Heroes Archives vol. 1
Legion of Super-Heroes Archives vol. 2
The Legion Companion
Legion of Super-Heroes Archives vol. 3
Legion of Super-Heroes Archives vol. 4
Teenagers from the Future, edited by Timothy Callahan
Dust, Elizabeth Bear
Nobody Gets the Girl, James Maxey
PS 238: Extraterrestrial Credit, Aaron Williams
The Middleman: The Collected Series Indispensibility, Javier Grillo-Marxuach
Best of the Legion Outpost
The Graveyard Book, Neil Gaiman
Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom, Cory Doctorow
Interworld, Neil Gaiman and Michael Reaves
The Dresden Files: Welcome to the Jungle, Jim Butcher
Feasting on Asphalt: The River Run, Alton Brown
Torchwood: Something in the Water, Trevor Baxendale
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, illustrated, Fitzgerald adapted by DePhillipis and Weir
The Last Days of Krypton, Kevin J. Anderson

Fell in love with Elizabeth Bear wholesale, and I have the rest of her books on the shelf waiting their turns. Otherwise a lot of the usual: comics-related, media-related, Authors I Love.

First book read of 2009: His Majesty's Elephant, Judith Tarr. I've collected all of Tarr's books since being entranced with her The Hound and the Falcon trilogy back in college. This is one from her back catalog--I finally got a copy, and fell right back into the very familiar cadence and comfortable storytelling style. YA book, short read, recommended.

Currently reading: another Torchwood novel; Teen Titans Showcase vol 2 (oh, the crack, Bob Haney); and I really want to take a run at Chabon's Policeman's Union and those Bear books soon.

yes, we did

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 21:03:15 GMT

I walked around in such a haze of depression after the last election that I couldn't talk about this one until it was over. The fact that this one was over so swiftly--and so decisively--was as much a relief as anything.

Two (or more) steps forward: President Obama. Gregoire retains the governor's mansion. Anti-abortion measures defeated elsewhere. And here in Washington, it's lethal drugs for everyone! Hurrah! and also? PRESIDENT OBAMA. I'm almost more pleased/astonished/overwhelmed about what that says to the rest of the world as what it means to us.

One step back: aka "well, the black guy's okay, but we still hate the gays." California, Arizona, Florida, Arkansas: You're on notice. What a fucking disgrace. This is our next big battle, and when it comes to Washington, I'll be out on the street corners following Stan!'s good example.

But in the meantime: wow, yeah. Pretty damn historic, and not just for the obvious reason. It's like being given leave to have hope again. I'm gonna take a few days to roll around in that before reality sets in again.

NOW I AM GOING TO TELL YOU ABOUT MY CHARACTER.

Fri, 26 Sep 2008 18:24:57 GMT

Or one of them, at least. Because it's Friday, and I've been working on Player's Handbook 2 nonstop, and my brain has melted.

For Bill Slavicsek's Thursday night game: Kathra, the 8th-level dwarf wizard/cleric.

Parameters: Wanted to try out a different race, since I'd played mostly humans throughout 3rd Edition's lifespan. Wanted to play a wizard. Wanted to take advantage of that high Wis and really liked the idea of a scholarly wizard/cleric. As currently configured, using only PH powers and feats; I had been delving into PH 2 and Arcane Power preliminary options, but since those books aren't finished yet it was fairer to take her back to baseline.

Observations: This is the first dwarf I've ever played, because I hated how slow they were in previous editions and wearing heavy armor on top of that just sucked. This dwarf moves fast enough--the 5 speed isn't really a factor when you've got ranged powers--and second wind is a minor action really is that good. And the wizard rocks.

Kathra, 8th level wizard/cleric of Ioun
Str 8 Dex 14 Wis 18
Con 14 Int 18 Cha 11

Orb of Imposition class feature
Feats: [1st] Initiate of the Faith (Ioun); [2nd] Armor Training (Leather); [4th] Novice Power; [6th] Skill Training (Heal); [8th] Defensive Mobility
Trained Skills: Arcana, Dungeoneering, History, Insight, Religion (Initiate feat), Heal (Training feat)
Rituals: Comprehend Language, Gentle Repose, Tenser's Floating Disc, Enchant Magic Item, Arcane Lock, one or two others in found books she hasn't had time to master

At-Will Powers: thunderwave, cloud of daggers
Encounter Powers: divine glow (Novice Power swap), fire shroud, lightning bolt
Daily Powers: sleep, web; healing word (Initiate feat)
Utility Powers: shield, dimension door

Equipment: orb of insurrmountable force +2*; symbol of hope +1; repulsion armor +1*
*Adventurer's Vault. It's out, so those are legal too now.

How It All Goes Together:
As the character developed, a couple of things started to shape power and other choices. Kathra is very much an in-your-face battle mage; standing at the back of the party with point-and-shoot powers wasn't going to fly. She's usually in the second rank of characters in formations and is perfectly happy to provide flanking for melee; between her leather armor and shield, her AC is her best defense. Pretty early on I determined that she was allergic to single-target spells, so she's got as many area and close powers as possible. (Even cloud of daggers is an area spell.)

Thunderwave and cloud of daggers have become signature powers, and effective ones; with a +4 Wisdom modifier, that's a huge push/auto damage advantage. Thunderwave has become the "if there's a fire, something's going in it" spell, or--as last night--"if there's a ledge, something's going over it." Cloud of daggers is really just excellent auto damage, and even better when there's a swarm in it. No counting the number of times when an enemy's turn has come up, it takes 4 points of damage right off, and falls over before it can act. Love that.

Push effects are a signature, too: thunderwave, orb of insurrmountable force +2; repulsion armor +1. I like building characters around a theme.

Orb of Imposition: Take -4 on the saving throw against fire shroud's ongoing damage and burninate.

Went heavy on the control for daily powers. Sleep is very, very swingy; some days I love it, some days it's useless. Jury is still out. Web can be a clutch power in the right circumstance; in one battle it held a bar-lgura for nearly the entire time while we mopped up the rest of the (very enemy-heavy) room. Keeping it out of the fight made a significant difference.

The cleric multiclassing isn't a throwaway detail. Divine glow gives her a radiant attack and a solid party-boost spell. Healing word is nearly always reserved to save James Wyatt's paladin's bacon, because Kathra is fond of him (he worships Erathis, who is almost as good as Ioun; can't have libraries without civilization!). And in nearly every other battle, she uses Heal to help another character trigger second wind. This is not a wasted action, since it frees up the heavy damage-dealers to use their actions actually, well, attacking.

As for the infamous Biggie Smalls, as played by Steve Winter: Let's just say Kathra avoids having to touch him if at all possible.

For the future: Lots of really tasty feat and power options in PH 2 and Arcane Power. In particular I'd like a better 7th-level encounter power; lightning bolt is okay, but it's "just damage" without a control element. I'll probably throw a point into Charisma after 11th level to qualify for Spell Focus; she's already greedily eyeing Arcane Reach as the 11th-level feat of choice. (Thunderwave from behind the paladin? aw yeah.) And there are definitely other cleric powers worth dipping into.

She's a fun character: brash, always in the middle of the battle, and not in the least bit fragile. It's refreshing to play a mage who isn't afraid to take a hit. And she doesn't even own a crossbow. :D

If you want to see what she looks like, see page 165 of the Player's Handbook. I have been lobbying to have that figure made into a miniature for some time now. ;)

O HAI

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 21:14:31 GMT

(Meant to post this Friday. oops!)

Comics what is still good:

1. All-Star Superman (on months that it's out, and when it ends, I will cry)
1. Fables
2. Detective (Dini's issues)
3. Captain America
4. Wonder Woman
5. Immortal Iron Fist
6. Brave and the Bold
7. Thunderbolts
8. Trinity
9. X-Men First Class
10. Thor

(+ Daredevil, in trades. But like Captain America and Immortal Iron Fist, it's full of Brubaker goodness.)

Changes since last time: Loved Cooke's The Spirit, but Aragones's hasn't hit the right spot. And Checkmate is over. Ellis's Thunderbolts should have been on the list all along; no one else could have made me enjoy reading about psychopaths quite as much. Trinity replaces Superman, one Busiek book for another. And slow pace or not, Thor wins a spot for the heavy mythological take.

Other Marvel yay: Nova and Guardians of the Galaxy are ridiculously good. Abnett and Lanning, keep doing that. The Dark Tower translation/expansion is tremendous. Ms. Marvel is still reaching for greatness and not quite getting there. The Twelve remains worthwhile, though if you haven't started, wait for the trade. Still love Runaways, even on an inconstant schedule. Incredible Hercules has been a surprise standout.

Other DC yay: Tiny Titans AW YEAH!!!! (And Titans Year One, too.) Morrison's Batman has moments and, like most Morrison, will read better in retrospect. Final Crisis ditto. Nightwing is still good! Tomasi isn't doing hugely innovative work, but Nightwing is competent again, and that's long overdue. Dixon's Robin has been quite enjoyable, so naturally that means he's out on his ass. (I don't agree with Dixon on all things--on a lot of things, really--but his Tim Drake has always been the best.) Shooter's Legion of Super-Heroes is giving me double vision, but it's swell. Manhunter is back! It's never been the *best* book, but its interestingly flawed hero is compelling.

***

We has new kittehs! (Oh, relax, I'm not going to subject anyone to endless cat pictures. Even if they are the cutest kittens in the world, omg.) We adopted two kittens a couple of weeks ago; older cat Pooh is still dubious, but they all seem to be getting along okay. Little black cat with a white bib Neo (wears black, thinks the world revolves around him) and little gray tabby Mouse (gray, likes to hide; also, Harry Dresden's dog and, coincidentially, another Matrix reference) are ruling the house, disturbing our sleep, and inflicting kitten scratches of love all over. Just as it should be.

***

Huh. Well, I meant to Tell You About My 4th Edition Character(s), like every nerd on the internet, but the week got away from me. As it does.

Next time! Do not hold breath.

Mon, 14 Apr 2008 16:09:11 GMT

Read the new Dresden book, Small Favor, over the weekend. I liked it better than the last one--and, as always, Harry is an utter dork. *heart!*

Bit that left me terribly, nay, even violently amused: When Harry (to his surprise, granted) conjures up a Bigby's hand spell and beats an enemy into the ground with it. Should I ever be at a con with Jim Butcher, I owe him a large drink.

Also, Murphy finally gets the sword offer, which I've been anticipating for a couple of books now; but her best moment was facing down the (billy goat) gruff and insisting on her authority as Chicago's lawkeeper. Loved her there.

And after all of Harry's dealing with evil entities, the Other Side finally takes notice of him. This might not, in fact, be a "good" thing.

But perhaps most surprising: Harry gets some, FINALLY. About damn time.

In conclusion: Yay Harry Dresden!

Wed, 05 Mar 2008 23:06:52 GMT

I just spent some hours going through the last galleys of the 4th Edition Player's Handbook. They bit me and I bled. Fitting, that.

It looks fantastic. I'm biased, granted. But. I have a proudness.

And though everyone else said it faster and better, nevertheless: Thanks, Gary. I wouldn't have had a career--much less one this satisfying and enjoyable--without you. Wouldn't have had a *life* this satisfying and enjoyable, for that matter.

Not "just a game." Ever. Thank you.

palate cleanser

Wed, 20 Feb 2008 23:45:35 GMT

Lists are therapeutic. The hot comics list this month:

1. All-Star Superman (on months that it's out)
1. Fables
2. Detective (Dini's issues)
3. Wonder Woman (Simone FTW)
4. Checkmate (....*sniff*)
5. Captain America
6. Immortal Iron Fist
7. Superman
8. Brave and the Bold
9. Flash
10. X-Men First Class (so. CUTE)

(+ Daredevil, which I buy in trades. But like Captain America and Immortal Iron Fist, it's full of Brubaker goodness.)

Changes since last time: Loved Cooke's The Spirit, but can subsequent authors sustain it? It's off the list until I know for sure. And Welcome to Tranquility is over. Sigh.

Other Marvel yay: Nova is ridiculously good. Who knew? I like The Order, but that's cancelled too, go figure. The Dark Tower translation is tremendous. Ms. Marvel is still reaching for greatness and not quite getting there. Ellis makes me enjoy psychopathic Thunderbolts. First two issues of The Twelve intrigued. And slow pace or not, I still like Thor.

Other DC yay: Tiny Titans AW YEAH!!!! (And Titans Year One, too.) Salvation Run is wrongfully entertaining. Morrison's Batman has moments. Nightwing is good again! I sort of can't believe it and I'm afraid to jinx it by saying so. Shooter's Legion of Super-Heroes is giving me double vision, but it's swell. Lots of other stuff that falls in the "okay, not GREAT" category, but I have to get back to work now.

skip this post

Wed, 20 Feb 2008 22:44:45 GMT

As with all things of this kind, it's not for you. It's for me.

Tigger, engaging in a very common activity in our house

We lost him about a month ago, now. Didn't know he was sick, and then he was, and then he was gone. You don't share space with a living creature for ten years--human, feline, or otherwise--without becoming, you know, *attached.*

I've more or less come to terms that we couldn't have done anything, even if we'd known he was sick earlier--he really was acting normally, right up to the night before. It's harder to accept that it was probably *better* that way; knowing he was sick would have stressed us out, would have stressed him out, and we probably would have lost him sooner. Tigger spent his last night sleeping sprawled on top of us, where he belonged.

Like I said to some friends: He had a good life and we loved him and he loved us, and that's about as much as anyone gets.

For equal time: our other cat, Pooh, who is still wondering where his friend went.

I still wasn't really ready to write this post. Is anyone, ever?

Fri, 15 Feb 2008 23:34:27 GMT

Oh. Hi, neglected journal.

Update: another time.

Instead: a list.

A librarian friend of mine keeps showing off her list of current books read. I thought that was a cool idea, so I kept track last year.

2007 books
Really a very short list. I blame Warcraft. And 4th Edition. OTOH, a number of long plane rides and enforced periods without internets made up for some of the pixel-addiction. In retrospect it seems ridiculous to list graphic novel trades and not the thousands (yes) of individual issue comics read over the year, but there you go.

(Reread) I reread things a lot, especially when I want to refresh my memory before a sequel or media adaptation.

The Best of the Spirit, Will Eisner
Sandman Mystery Theater v4: The Scorpion, Matt Wagner
PS 238 v3: No Child Left Behind, Aaron Williams
Catwoman: The Life and Times of a Feline Fatale, Suzan Colon
(Perfect Dark: Initial Vector), Greg Rucka
Perfect Dark: Second Front, Greg Rucka
(My Enemy, My Ally), Diane Duane
(The Romulan Way), Diane Duane
(Swordhunt), Diane Duane
The Empty Chair, Diane Duane
The Devil You Know, Mike Carey
Vicious Circle, Mike Carey
The Good Fairies of New York, Martin Millar
(Proven Guilty), Jim Butcher
The Man Who Ate Everything, Jeffery Steingarten
White Night, Jim Butcher
(Blood Price), Tanya Huff
Ysabel, Guy Gavriel Kay
(Blood Hunt), Tanya Huff
Daredevil: The Devil, Inside and Out, Ed Brubaker
Wonder Woman: The Greatest Stories Ever Told, Marston et al
Huntress: Dark Knight Daughter, Paul Levitz
Gloomcookie, Serena Valentino and Ted Naifeh
It Must Have Been Something I Ate, Jeffery Steingarten
Mouse Guard: Fall 1152, David Petersen
Rats Saw God, Rob Thomas
(Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, JK Rowling) [skim-reread]
Neptune Noir: Unauthorized Investigations into Veronica Mars (Smart Pop series), Rob Thomas et al
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, JK Rowling
Helltown [DC Universe], Denny O'Neil
Soon I Will Be Invincible, Austin Grossman
Jack Kirby's Fourth World Omnibus, Vol. 1, Jack Kirby
(Stardust), Neil Gaiman
(Keeper), Greg Rucka
(Finder), Greg Rucka
(Smoker), Greg Rucka
(The Golden Compass), Phillip Pullman [audio book]
Devil's Cape, Rob Rogers [ARC]
(Shooting at Midnight), Greg Rucka
(Critical Space), Greg Rucka
Daredevil: The Devil, Inside and Out v2, Ed Brubaker
Grimm Fairy Tales, Ralph Tedesco [not recommended]
Television Without Pity: 752 Things We Love to Hate (and Hate to Love) About TV, Tara Ariano and Sarah D. Bunting
Patriot Acts, Greg Rucka
Spin, Robert Charles Wilson
Greywalker, Kat Richardson
Blood and Iron, Elizabeth Bear
Whiskey and Water, Elizabeth Bear
PS238 v4: Not Another Learning Experience!
(His Majesty's Dragon), Naomi Novik
(Throne of Jade), Naomi Novik
(Black Powder War), Naomi Novik
Empire of Ivory, Naomi Novik
(The Subtle Knife), Phillip Pullman [audio book]
Hammered, Elizabeth Bear

2008
4th Edition still devouring all reading time, so a pathetic list to date:

Torchwood: Border Princes, Dan Abnett
Grant Morrison: The Early Years, Timothy Callahan
No Reservations, Anthony Bourdain
Heroes: Saving Charlie, Aury Wallington

Currently flipping between: Scardown, Elizabeth Bear; Heroes, collected webcomics; Torchwood: Another Life

On top of towering pile: last Daredevil trade; League of Extraordinary Gentlemen: The Black Dossier; Queen and Country: Operation Red Panda

In conclusion: if it's comics or superhero-related, I read it. Not much room in brain for other material, barring work from the couple of authors I follow obsessively. I would make a resolution to elevate my material, but you know what? My free time, my melted brain. The underwear perverts* make me happy. So there.

*[tm Warren Ellis]

Friday, why aren't you over yet?

Fri, 21 Dec 2007 23:22:00 GMT

uh!

hello!

I've been a little busy.

*lapses into hysterical giggling*

ahem. The Player's Handbook just went into Kim Mohan's (the managing editor) most capable hands. That doesn't mean I'm done working on it, not by a long shot. I'm going to be reviewing every inch of it over our winter "break," and diving into the Dungeon Master's Guide as well.

I'll sleep in...March. Let's say March. March sounds good.

(I'm a little. manic. maybe a lot.)

I've very, very proud of the work that my fellow editor Jeremy Crawford and I have done on the PH. It's a great system, a great book, and I can't wait until everyone else gets to experience the D&D we've been playing for a few months now. It's ALL NEW! And ALL DIFFERENT! And yet, as the French guy says, Ze game remainz the zame.

I owe some of you communications! And possibly hugs and kittens. And possibly I should stop typing now, because seriously, incoherence is close.

woot!

Fri, 26 Oct 2007 22:34:49 GMT

If you can brave the Gleemax boards (I know, I know), I posted about getting my name on a cover for the first time HERE.

(See? SEE?)

It's pretty awesome, I must admit. :)

oy, I say

Wed, 17 Oct 2007 15:29:53 GMT

Can't even keep up with one blog, and I'm supposed to maintain another over at Gleemax as well. I hadn't started it yet because, well, repeated "Player's Handbook not on my desk yet. Not on desk yet. Not on desk yet. Still not king*" would have gotten old fast.

Now the Player's Handbook IS on my desk, and there's no time. Ironical!

But as usual when I have a big project, the need to blather about non-work things becomes stronger than ever, and I mean to start writing an updated comics round-up over lunchtimes. That'll probably take a few days, give or take a month. :p

Oh, and Pushing Daisies? INSANE. In the best, most twisted way. Someone called it "Lemony Snicket for adults" and that's just about it: morbid, funny, dark, technicolor, Tim Burton on crack fun.

Big, belated *hugs* and love to Stan!, just because.

More later. (And by "later" I mean...yep.)

ETA: oh, wait! I haven't done a comics top-ten in awhile, that's fast and easy.

Top 10 Comics (subject to change on the moment):

1. All-Star Superman (on months that it's out)
1. Fables
2.The Spirit
3. Detective (Dini's issues)
4. Checkmate
5. Superman
6. Captain America
7. Brave and the Bold
8. Flash
9. Immortal Iron Fist
10. Welcome to Tranquility

Birds of Prey is temporarily off the list because I'm waiting to see what McKeever does with it; I have high hopes. Ditto for him on for Teen Titans, which needs...help. So does Nightwing, but my hopes have been dashed so often with that book that it's difficult to keep faith. Peter Tomasi says the right things in interviews, but so have others. VERY excited for Gail Simone on Wonder Woman.

Also of note: Batman, JLA, JSA, Legion of Super-Heroes on odd months, Manhunter, Suicide Squad, Jack of Fables, Y: The Last Man, Ex Machina, Daredevil, Ms. Marvel, Runaways, She-Hulk, Thor, Thunderbolts, Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

* 2 internets geek points for the reference.

Tue, 04 Sep 2007 04:46:43 GMT

Before the Crazy starts up tomorrow morning:

Checkmate 17: Really nice character (obscure! bonus points!) spotlight, and yeah, it answered a pretty vital question about Checkmate's security. LOVE the callback to last issue, with Draper looking at Sasha and thinking she's beautiful. More hints about the scariness of the Rooks, but what I like best is the theory that many supervillians--minus the psychotic ones--could be "rehabilitated" just by giving them something *challenging* to do. (It's working for the Riddler...for now. Of course, his intrinsic craziness will out.) Sharp ending, too. Good work, Eric. :)

...of course I'm so frazzled these days I didn't even THINK of checking on the webaddress; thank goodness for comics message boards. Looking forward to browsing through that highly impressive database as well.

Started rewatching: DVDs of Star Trek: The Animated Series. The animation is craptacular, but the stories are damn fine. I have fond memories of checking the Alan Dean Foster narrative Logs out from the library as often as possible, cementing my love of all things Trek from an early age.

Got all excited about posting on ENWorld and screwed up on the very first post. AWESOME. Back to not talking again on message boards, ever.

And on that note, good night.

posting in a rush

Fri, 31 Aug 2007 21:20:56 GMT

Shocking, I know.

Saw Young Frankenstein on Wednesday up in Seattle and enjoyed muchly. Both as funny and as raunchy as a Mel Brooks production should be. It should do smashingly well on Broadway. I knew Roger Bart mainly as the crazy-eyed psycho stalker pharmacist on Desperate Housewives (oh, shame) and he's perfect as FRONKENstein, just as crazy-eyed and wonderfully intense; Megan Mullally is her usual dramatic and squeaky self (yes, it's a good thing); Sutton Foster's Inga is a real standout with a fantastic voice; and Andrea Martin's Frau Blucher (*neiiiiiigh!*) is terrifically quirky and strangely touching. I wasn't as drawn in by Christopher Fitzgerald's Igor, but it's only in comparison to Marty Feldman, and that's not fair. And the production nails the one really essential moment, so everything else is gravy.

Review of Checkmate 17...will have to wait because it's at home. Sorry again, Eric. But I DID really enjoy it! Pinky-swear!

Finally got my copy of Patriot Acts and am devouring it in stolen moments. The friend who sent it to me off my wishlist did so with a note that "...[Greg] likes to kill all our favorites"; it's good (?) to see that tradition holds. The description of Montauk as the ass-end of Long Island made me laugh because that's where Bill's family is, and...yeah. Time-jumps, also not unheard of in Rucka works...and oh, hey, a six-figure advance! Erika done good.

zomg, I can't believe I haven't done a comics rundown since last November. To do in my copious spare time! *cough, choke*

I can has GenCon

Mon, 20 Aug 2007 20:57:26 GMT

Back, still tired...and I wasn't even working the show, just auditing for my own amusement. I went to see friends and see the reaction to the 4th Edition (I CAN FINALLY SAY IT) announcement: purpose achieved. In fact, I enjoyed it so much that I might be tempted to put my name in to go officially next year. I can hear all of you who know of my longstanding aversion to GenCon* gasping in horror.

* It was the entertain-the-crowd phobia, not the show itself. I still have demo nightmares. But we don't run demos as a rule any more, so....

Anyway, it was a good show. ...actually, heh, I have a ton of stuff to get to today, so here's the abbreviated form. I fulfilled the stated purpose of going by catching up with old friends: Monte and Sue Cook, Steven Schend and his wife Sarah, Stan!, Dale Donovan, Ted Stark, Miranda Horner, Skip Williams, and...others I'm forgetting, I'm sure.

Couldn't stand still before the big announcement, couldn't stop bouncing afterward...and attending the D&D seminars over the next two days just reinforced the excitement. I'm wearing my 4E t-shirt here in the office today, getting my geek on. Guys, you guys, it is SO COOL, I can't even say. Second favorite moment of the con: the guy who was bubbling over after the first seminar, saying that he'd come in as a complete hater but was virtually evangelical about the coolitude (I say it's a word) of what he'd heard. We gave away more than originally intended, but everyone here agrees that was a good thing. Folks were nervous after the announcement because there wasn't enough detail to assure them. Post-seminars, most of the reactions were far more positive.

Favorite moment, for me personally: Having Kevin Kulp, the excellent Ennies MC, tell me that he knew and appreciated my work. Buh-WHA? NO ONE knows who the editor is, ever! And frankly, I am just fine being anonymous most of the time; the editor should be invisible. But it was a stunning and really affecting moment nonetheless.

Didn't buy much, because I'm not (...shhh...) much of a board gamer or other-RPG player, mostly due to time constraints. No doubt that the cool new games will be making the rounds of the office and game nights, so I'll catch up eventually. I did pick up a Cthulhu shirt that made me laugh, and a new ring. I don't wear much jewelry as a rule, but it's inscribed with "Int +4" and I have no doubt the bonus will be needed during the months to come as I begin work on the new rulebooks. Which isn't a little bit of a nervewracking prospect, nope. (Yike.)

Holy cats, I didn't read any COMICS last week! MUST GET TO SHOP.