Archive for June, 2010

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Weekends


13 Jun

Posted in Home Ownership, House work, Yard Work | Comments Off

I am bad at weekends. Or, I am good at weekends and therefore bad at writing during them. Yesterday, I cleaned the kitchen, mowed the side yard, took the dogs on a long walk, went to friends’ for burgers and a movie, came home and helped Charles clean off the dining room table in anticipation of friends coming over today.

This morning, I started another load of dishes and vacuumed. Now, I’ve got two napping doggies relaxing on the bed before the excitement of visitors and being in the living room (with its lovely giant window) for the entire afternoon.

Hate and Stupidity go Hand in Hand


11 Jun

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Posted in Discrimination | Comments Off

“I cannot believe that a bunch of lacy-drawered, limp-wristed people could do what those men have done in the past.” -Yuma mayor Al Krieger speaking against repeal of DADT at Memorial Day service

 “I am reluctant to compare myself to George Washington or Abraham Lincoln, but I did get some feedback on what I said, and I don’t believe that I said anything different than what they would have said.” -Krieger, a week later

Mayor Krieger, please see the Wikipedia page of Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben, and then try and tell me that Washington would have said what you said.

My Favorite Books – Stardust by Neil Gaiman


10 Jun

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Posted in Authors & Books, Movies, Neil Gaiman, Stardust | 2 Comments »

Let me start by saying that I loved the movie Stardust. It is a new favorite and ranks close to Princess Bride for a romantic fantasy. DeNiro as Captain Shakespeare was inspired. That said, the book is even better.

I understand the concessions that were made to make the book into a movie, but the depth and complications of the book make the story even more poignant. I love that Dunstan crossed the wall, came home and married his human sweetheart. It creates a nice dichotomy with Tristan’s decision to stay on the other side of the wall with Yvaine.

D&D Encounters: Dark Sun


09 Jun

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Posted in Dungeons & Dragons, Role Playing Games | Comments Off

I went to my first session of D&D Encounters tonight. It is the start of the second round of Encounters, and is giving us a preview of the soon to be released renewed Dark Sun setting.

I’m playing the sorcerer. At 1st level, this character does equivalent damage to my 15th level bard/paladin (seriously).

Since Dark Sun is a post-apocalyptic world, it is one we have a soft spot for. Tonight, in the initial encounter, the world tried to kill us with lizard men and sandstorms. We prevailed, but barely, dragging one of our muls on a tarp behind us.

My Favorite Books – Ranks of Bronze by David Drake


08 Jun

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Posted in Authors & Books, David Drake, Ranks of Bronze | Comments Off

Ranks of Bronze is not from one of Drake’s many different series. It draws on his expertise as one of the best military science fiction writers there is. It is the story of a group of Roman Legionnaires who are kidnapped by aliens to fight in intergalactic wars against other aliens who happen to be of the same technological level as the Romans.

Once again, this is the first book I read by this author. It is the book that made me fall in love with David Drake. I rarely read pure science fiction, but if it’s Drake, I’m there.

D&D 4e: Revenge of the Giants


07 Jun

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Posted in Dungeons & Dragons, Role Playing Games | Comments Off

On Saturday we played in an episode of the Revenge of the Giants campaign. The whole session was mostly a single combat. Sometimes, the party should run away. We didn’t party wipe. Not a single character was reduced to 0 HP. In fact, none of us even used our second wind.

But, if you are 14th level and are in the midst of fighting three level 17 Dire Winter Wolf Iceclaws and two level 18 Winter Wolf Frostbreaths when a level 21 Remorhaz shows up and swallows your Halfling, running really shouldn’t seem like a bad idea. (The Halfling survived.)

GD vs SW (part 2)


06 Jun

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Posted in Rat City Rollergirls, Roller Derby | Comments Off

The Wenches opened the night with twenty minutes of amazing defense. Without those first bouts, Danger wins, but the Wenches played great and then stayed good.

Nasty Trick and Juliet Bravo managed to shut down Danger’s biggest weapon, Reanimateher all night long. She had lead jammer position only once or twice. Carmen Getsome was the only Danger jammer who ever really got it going, while Juliet and Jalepeno Business poured on the heat for the Wenches and giving Anya Heels the jammer’s star whenever some energy was needed.

It was a closer match then the 20 point score differential indicated.

Grave Danger v Sockit Wenches


05 Jun

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Posted in Rat City Rollergirls, Roller Derby | 1 Comment »

Derby is a lot like the NFL. Undefeated in the regular season means nothing in the playoffs and defense wins championships. Tonight, undefeated Grave Danger took on the Sockit Wenches in the Rat City Rollergirls’ championship bout. The teams had met twice before, in the preseason when the Wenches won the half length bout, and in the regular season when Danger won in the final seconds.

If bouts were judged like UFC fights, Danger might have won, but in derby, like football, the scoreboard rules. Early amazing defense by the Wenches earned them a lead Danger just could not overcome.

A Busy Day


05 Jun

Posted in Dungeons & Dragons, Rat City Rollergirls, Role Playing Games, Roller Derby | Comments Off

I am an extrovert, but only barely. On the Meyers-Briggs test, my E score is under 10. While I love seeing friends and hanging out with them, I need down time. Last weekend, I took five days off and got in some down time because this weekend, especially today, is crazy.

Charles has a meeting with his new census team. I have a massage therapy appointment. Then we have a D&D game. We’ll leave there, come home, walk the dogs, and then head out to the roller derby championship match. It will be a good day, but a long day.

Financial Moral Support


04 Jun

Posted in Budgeting, Debt Reduction, Finances | Comments Off

Late last year, as part of our resolution to get our finances under control, I joined the Women in Red message boards over at msn.com. The (mostly) women on these boards provide moral support, good advice, and help hold me accountable to our financial goals.

I am an active member on two boards, the West Region Racers, which is all about paying down debt, and the Controlled/No Spend board, which is about sticking to your budget and finding those little leaks in your spending. Both are helping me to stay focused on long term goals and allow the occasional rant.

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