Random Acts of Madness

I'm running away, far far away or at least to another server. No Live Journal I do not hate you, but I've been paying for a domain and web space for a while now and I decided I'm going to use it.

So if anyone that reads here (and the very few updates I do) and would like to check out my new home it is ANDREWD2.COM

Come in and say hi.

Elaine is working on a blanket that involves knitting two strands together for the entirety of the project. She was wondering if you cast-on with both the whole time or just with one (we think both).

Ok, it's been out for quite a while, but I will give my quick comment on Dr. Horrible's Sing-along-blog ... it's hilarious and yet serious, be afraid.

I received my DVD in the mail today. The commentary is disturbing to say the least, but it's been a lot of fun thus far. I do recommend checking it out if you haven't.

Well work is still fairly blah, but I do say woo for Elaine and I have picked up a new toy and absolutely love it. The Amazon Kindle. It's an e-book reader with many enjoyable features. I recommend checking out their site for more info, but I hope to post a full review shortly.

On another note, The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman has been quite enjoyable (and my first Kindle purchase).

GenCon 2008 Charity Event:

On Saturday, August 15th, 2008 at 6:00 PM, the Gen Con Live Game Auction hosted their traditional charity auction. This year, the event was in honor of Gary Gygax. Originally the charity chosen for GenCon was Gary's favorite charity, the Christian Children's Fund. Unfortunately, when they found out that the money they would get came partially from sales of Dungeons and Dragons they decided not to be the sponsored charity. Instead Fisher House Foundation became the official charity of GenCon this year!!

When will be learn that D&D is a game. No different than children playing pretend or hell, even acting in some cases.

So yesterday I had to be to work at 7:30AM (which isn't that big of a deal, just had to leave at 6) for a meeting. What do I learn at the meeting? Thursdays are my day off, but I was working because they had me drive down ... so begins that "I wasn't even supposed to be here today!" bit.

Triple booked for my morning appoints, I was supposed to be out and on my way home by 1:30 ... morning appoints got done at 2:30, and what do I discover? the system messed up, I have another appointment now (because my manager promised him I'd be there, and made up a 2 hour block). I get to the appointment to discover, many promises made by managers and salesmen that I shouldn't keep, but I had to, nearly 4 hours of work, and I haven't even gotten a lunch yet. Finally 7:55 rolls around and I'm leaving the guys house. I get back to the store, finally get everything taken care of and leave. I punched out at 8:30 ... that's 13 hours with no lunch. I get home at 10PM and make food.

Now here's the kicker, rent was due yesterday and getting out at 1:30 would have been just fine to write the check and have it all taken care of, but I got home at 10, the office was closed. I go to the office to be told I have a $50 late fee, which I have to work for 4.5 hours just to cover. So a day that should have wrought a happy pay check leaves me with barely working over a normal shift.

To top it all off, the stupid AA at Dick's forgot to put her vacation and personal days down for last week. So her check was around $120 short, and while she says she's going to fill out a form to get us the money, I think it's going to turn into an "oops, sorry, we'll have to make it up later" bit, which has happened all too many times. This is at least the fifth time that something like this has happened.

So, has the thief comes in and holds me at gunpoint I merely have to say "I'M NOT EVEN SUPPOSED TO BE HERE TODAY!"

Here's the first in my hopes of many future reviews.

Blackstaff Tower
by Steven E Schend

Right now I sit at my in-laws. It is 10PM CST and I have just set down Blackstaff Tower, finishing it's Epilogue with a great smile on my face. This book and Mistshore by Jayleigh Johnson are the first books to give us an inside view of Waterdeep -- The City of Spenldors, as it appears in the 4th Edition of Dungeons and Dragons. Now I hope that last statement does not turn anyone off to this wonderful tale. Whether you love or hate the changes to D&D or the Forgotten Realms, this book is well worth reading.

After the shock that hit me during the Prologue it was actually about two days before I was able to move onto Chapter One (but for that I do truly blame work). I fell in love with Renaer Neverember. He reminded me of me, which one always sees as a positive when picking up a new book. Renaer likes to know things, he researches, he collects, but in the end it's all about the knowledge and its what makes a difference.

Now for those who are coming in fresh, Khelben Arunsun is dead. He died in the year 1374 - The Year of Lightning Storms while participating in a ritual of high magic to bring about the City of Hope -- Rhymanthiin. Upon his death, Tsarra Chaadren took up the mantle of the Blackstaff leading us into the whirlwind that begins this book. I'll avoid the history lesson further (while I may post some later) except to say at the beginning of the book, Samark Dhanzscul is the fifth to hold the title of Blackstaff.

I went into reading this book sitting of the opinion that I was reading it purely for information ... I had no interest whatsoever in what has happened to the Realms. I was expecting the same rich and informative writing that Steven has brought to us in his previous novel (Blackstaff) and his other game materials. I went into this book hoping to see the history of Tsarra Chaadren. Well what can I say except that I was thrown for a loop.

Steven has continued to impress me with his fiction writing (as opposed to game writing -- which tends to blur together at times). His references to minor characters of the Realms' past have always driven me to research ... I like knowing what I'm reading about, and this book was no exception. How many people can make me constantly wonder about a penguin?

As for information on Tsarra? It's there, but as I previously mentioned the book begins with the fifth Blackstaff ... it was a small shock to me, but knowing how some things have been torn apart recently it wasn't completely unexpected. The fact that her history was still gotten across decently with her being deceased for such a long time was impressive.

Now I get back to my previous mentioning about the Forgotten Realms of 4th Edition Dungeons and Dragons. I had no interest in it, and still have very minor interests. Upon finishing this book, not only do I want to do some research on some of the mentioned characters, but I want to dive straight into Misthore, re-read this book, and am seriously considering checking out the rest of the "Ed Greenwood presents Waterdeep" series.

My only complaint on this book is it seems too short. It's wet my appetite and I want more. The characters were all intriguing and I would love to see Steven write more about them. They are far too interesting to be left alone.

I give this book a 5 out of 5. It is by far one of the best pieces of fiction that was not a sequel that I have read this year. It also includes something unseen in most current fantasy books ... a Glossary.

Bravo Steven! As Ed Greenwood says in his introduction -- "I couldn't wait to read it the first time through -- and when I was done, I couldn't wait to read it again."

I was supposed to work until 7 ... I punched out at 11:16. I got home at 12:33 I got up at 7:47 and I have to be on the phone at 9. Then I have to leave for work at 9:45. I seriously feel like I'm about the keel over.

So I start my new job with Circuity City in Portage tomorrow. Is that a bad thing? Not really. Does it ruin my plans for the next couple of days horribly? Oh yes. What's the worst part? I got asked to drive 75 minutes for 6 hours of work. Normally I wouldn't care, but my raise won't go through until the first week in September. So after gas and taxes I'll make about $40 for 6 hours of work (which equates to about $6.67/hr).

On a good note, hopefully in the next couple of days I'm going to be getting a set of Bagpipes (on loan of course, they're really expensive). Which also leads into the annoyance of working tomorrow, I was working on setting up the pickup in Muskegon. Ah well. It's life. Breathe in ... breathe out.

Well Grandville didn't work out. While $9/hr isn't horrible, it's a $4 cut in pay, but there is another way ...

So I interviewed in Portage today ... 70 minute drive ... ick ... still working in tech ... yay ... $2/hr raise ... woo. So I'll be making $15/hr (granted about $2 - $2.50/hr will be going to gas so I break even again) but it'll be an interesting change in pace.

On another note "The Gamers: Dorkness Rising" is hilarious and must be watched by all that have even had a passing interest in gaming. And surprisingly enough the movie is an hour longer than the original with about 10% of the profanity.

Reviews soon to come: Blackstaff Tower by Steven E. Schend also known as brainstormfront
and Mistshore by Jaleigh Johnson known as jaleigh_johnson

So I have to be a sales person, likely with a large drop in pay.

*sigh*

Well for those following you know my job has been in peril, albeit only slightly. Tomorrow I go for an interview with the Grandville store, it is for one of four positions:

Tech
In-home tech
Flex Tech (in-home and in-store)
or the big one
Lead Tech (kinda like middle management)

Anyways, I'm really nervous, the Lead position would be a big promotion for me and I would love to have it. Although I am your typical worrier and always I assume everything I do sucks (what designer, writer, etc doesn't right?). Anyways, I ask anyone to keep me in their thoughts tomorrow, I go in at 1PM and I hope to come out with job.

So I just learned tonight that there is a good chance that I could lose my job tomorrow. Great start to a new month.

So I'm losing a gamer in my group which puts my game down to 3. I would really like a 4th player, the game will be difficult without. We are losing our Sorceror, so if anyone reading this is interested and can get to GR on Monday evenings, please let me know.

Teaser from Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog on Vimeo.

BANFF, Alberta -- 20th Century Fox TV has acquired the U.S. format rights to the popular Canadian comedy "Little Mosque on the Prairie."

There is no writer attached yet to adapt the comedy about a Muslim community in a small prairie town.

"Comedy is a great way to bridge cultures and bring peoples' guards down," said the original series' executive producer, Mary Darling of Toronto-based Westwind Pictures, who announced the deal with 20th TV on Monday at the Banff World Television Festival.

"Mosque" has garnered extensive U.S. interest in the media and within the TV industry since its premiere on pubcaster CBC in January 2007.

Darling said that Westwind and CAA were close to a U.S. deal just before the WGA strike but took a break in negotiations when Hollywood writers took to the picket lines.

Ultimately, 20th TV, led by head of comedy development Jonathan Davis, beat out rival U.S. studios and cable channels for the format rights.

"Fox got the creative vision of the show, that it has to be funny while it treads sensitively on certain Muslim issues," Darling said.

The U.S. format deal will not preclude a separate deal to air the original Canadian comedy south of the border, she added. "Mosque" already has been sold widely internationally, including to Canal Plus in France.

20th TV has been active in the foreign scripted format arena, recently landing "The Ex List," an adaptation of the Israeli show "Mythological X," on the CBS schedule. Meanwhile, aspects of the Muslim culture were showcased on the CW's praised but short-lived comedy "Aliens in America."

Well, blog of sorts. There is amusing writings appearing at THIS LOCATION

I recommend reading it. It seems to be an adventure in the life of a cat. Read, enjoy.

(And yes, there is more reasons for reading it, but you will just have to figure that out for yourself.)

Why did they help Book with no questions?





I got bored, photoshop is fun

Especially when they're moving in and being really really freaking loud. Grr.