It's taken me a few days to take this moment in and be able to type this.
A Princess of Mars was the first novel I ever read. It would set the tone for my reading habits for many years.
I was 8.
It would also color my world of what was possible, that as a species humans were capable of great things, and be contrasted by images of villages and bodies burning in Vietnam on television.
I didn't like television very much then. I preferred the company of my books. The confusion that a child feels is one of a deep and lasting nature. Children don't generally understand things like that at such a young age. I only knew that somehow, someway, as we reached out into space and landed on the moon that we were on a way to a great adventure and knowing then that Mars could never be what was written about in the books that somewhere we would find another Barsoom.
My only question was would we save it or would we burn it...
I have no delusions about this upcoming film version. Nothing can ever compare to the imagination of a child and the images that formed in the minds eye. But it's the thought that counts and for that I say thank you to all those who will have brought this special part of my childhood to the big screen.
Presented for those who have a bond with this type of literature is my small contribution to the re-examination of these worlds of wonder.
JOHN CARTER: WARLORD OF MARS Early Years
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Forum For All
I had been working on this for other purposes but have now added a sub-forum for bloggers to stay in touch during these hectic times with Blogger / Google, etc.
Scroll down to Blog Announcements.
Remember to back up your blog to your hard drive and if something happens drop in to the forum here:
The Eternal Keep Meeting Place
This is the same link listed at the top of Eternal Keep.
If you have any problems posting let me know. I too may be looking into moving services to Tumblr or somewhere else. I have not experienced any other problems with the service but I am hearing and seeing a lot of folks who are.
More later.
Stay in touch! :)
Scroll down to Blog Announcements.
Remember to back up your blog to your hard drive and if something happens drop in to the forum here:
The Eternal Keep Meeting Place
This is the same link listed at the top of Eternal Keep.
If you have any problems posting let me know. I too may be looking into moving services to Tumblr or somewhere else. I have not experienced any other problems with the service but I am hearing and seeing a lot of folks who are.
More later.
Stay in touch! :)
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Pulp Fiction - The Golden Age of Sci-Fi, Fantasy & Adventure-Documentary
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HzlbRjmWEQ8
This was a nice find for a Saturday afternoon. This is a 52 minute version of what appears to be an even longer doc (noted at the bottom of the description on the page at Youtube).
FROM THE DESCRIPTION:
Discover the true behind the scenes history of Pulp Fiction and the Golden age of Sci Fi, Fantasy and Adventure, in this amazing fact filled documentary.
American Library Association - Booklist Review:
Pulp fiction (named for the low-quality paper on which the stories were printed) blossomed in the early twentieth century. Audiences (beaten down after WWI and the Great Depression) sought tales with strong heroes, exciting adventures, and alien encounters. This entertaining program traces the golden years of pulps, beginning in the 1920s, by highlighting numerous writers (including Earl Stanley Gardner and Edgar Rice Burroughs who turned out hundreds of stories. In interviews, popular and prolific authors Ray Bradbury and Frederik Pohl recall nominal pay, short deadlines, and insatiable demand for copy. Facing competition from movies, paperback books, and television, the demand for pulp fiction dwindled in the 1950s. However, many works have been recently reprinted for readers seeking escapist fiction. Great fun for pop-culture and genre-fiction fans. — Candace Smith, Booklist
Featuring
* Tim Powers
* Kevin J. Anderson
* Otto Penzler
* Ray Bradbury
* Frederik Pohl
* Marc Zicree
Enjoy!
This was a nice find for a Saturday afternoon. This is a 52 minute version of what appears to be an even longer doc (noted at the bottom of the description on the page at Youtube).
FROM THE DESCRIPTION:
Discover the true behind the scenes history of Pulp Fiction and the Golden age of Sci Fi, Fantasy and Adventure, in this amazing fact filled documentary.
American Library Association - Booklist Review:
Pulp fiction (named for the low-quality paper on which the stories were printed) blossomed in the early twentieth century. Audiences (beaten down after WWI and the Great Depression) sought tales with strong heroes, exciting adventures, and alien encounters. This entertaining program traces the golden years of pulps, beginning in the 1920s, by highlighting numerous writers (including Earl Stanley Gardner and Edgar Rice Burroughs who turned out hundreds of stories. In interviews, popular and prolific authors Ray Bradbury and Frederik Pohl recall nominal pay, short deadlines, and insatiable demand for copy. Facing competition from movies, paperback books, and television, the demand for pulp fiction dwindled in the 1950s. However, many works have been recently reprinted for readers seeking escapist fiction. Great fun for pop-culture and genre-fiction fans. — Candace Smith, Booklist
Featuring
* Tim Powers
* Kevin J. Anderson
* Otto Penzler
* Ray Bradbury
* Frederik Pohl
* Marc Zicree
Enjoy!
Thursday, July 7, 2011
READ THIS IF YOU USE BLOGGER
And we just thought Blogger had been giving us hell lately.
READ THESE TWO ARTICLES:
http://www.cnn.com/2011/TECH/web/07/06/google.picasa.blogger.mashable/index.html?hpt=hp_bn7
http://mashable.com/2011/07/06/private-google-plus-profiles-retire/
It's so nice to have to find this out from a 3rd party with no notice from Google on this at all.
We may need to set up a meet point somewhere to find each other. It's very unclear whether this means we have to be a part of Google + but I have no intentions of standing for that.
I would also suggest emailing Google for clarification on this as I plan to do.
READ THESE TWO ARTICLES:
http://www.cnn.com/2011/TECH/web/07/06/google.picasa.blogger.mashable/index.html?hpt=hp_bn7
http://mashable.com/2011/07/06/private-google-plus-profiles-retire/
It's so nice to have to find this out from a 3rd party with no notice from Google on this at all.
We may need to set up a meet point somewhere to find each other. It's very unclear whether this means we have to be a part of Google + but I have no intentions of standing for that.
I would also suggest emailing Google for clarification on this as I plan to do.
Sunday, July 3, 2011
Modern Gaming-Part the 2nd
First I would like to make it clear that I am not a game nazi who believes there is only one true way or one true game. I have said on many occasions that I believe our strength lies in the IDIC (Yeah, I know, cheesy Vulcan bit so sue me).
And no Sarah, I'm not mad at you or making too many assumptions. It is something I have heard time and again. Let's forget the old stuff and get on with the new stuff.
Well, when the new stuff sux let's not.
Should children drink Bacardi Rum? Or should Bacardi just tone down the liquor, maybe just put water in the bottle. This is what happened to D&D a long time ago and has fostered nothing but ill will ever since. D&D was an adult game made by adults for adults. The day it became a toy for children was the beginning of the end:
Commentary: Dragon Magzine #52, Moldvay Basic D&D Boxed set
http://swordandshieldrpg.blogspot.com/2011/07/commentary-dragon-magzine-52-moldvay.html
Issue #52 of Dragon Magazine features articles from Tom Moldvay AND Dr. J. Eric Holmes looking at the basic boxed sets for D&D. They are very interesting to me for any number of reasons. As the Moldvay boxed set is where I started, I will start with Moldvay's article on the 2nd edition D&D Basic boxed set. , I think my historian background requires me to simply let you read the article for yourself first prior to adding any commentary. I will follow this post later with a commentary.
"...the market has changed since the earlier rules edition. The first D&D market was made up of game buffs and college students. Today, the majority of D&D players are high-school and junior-high students. The new rules edition takes into account the younger readership in its style of writing."
The beginning of the end.(And no, I don't think that children should be banned from gaming-I'm writing a system specifically for children with notes, background and references for parents to become involved and better understand what I believe is a very important part of child growth-make believe and pretend activities-that they rarely seem to get these days with passive entertainment modes).
When TSR caved to pressure groups the face of gaming was changed forever. After '89 it has been a fractured world at best.
I don't think gaming is for everyone. I don't think D&D is for everyone. I don't feel the urge to have to pull more people in to satisfy a bottom line. I think there is a natural balance in gaming that sets itself. The more you try to make a product for the masses the less relevant the product becomes.
The Neo post to me symbolizes what is wrong with the industry and I understand where they are coming from completely. 'PLEASE let me sell you something' becomes WotC's battle cry.
Even though your comment was mild in temper it says the same thing that made me quit most forums:
"This is likely to get me into trouble, but I’ll say it anyway. One of the biggest positives and negatives of the D&D community is that we care too much. We love the game, we love sharing the game, but we want to share our own version of the game. We will repeat old stereotypes, gather around our “the right way to play” banners, and drive off most of the uninitiated. Honestly, it sucks sometimes.
Personally, what I wish sometimes is that we could drop D&D into the hands of the uninitiated devoid of the 70s and 80s context that surrounds the game."
-Sarah Darkmagic
http://www.neogrognard.com/article/374/essential#comments
See, taking out the 70's and 80's context you take away the game. Call this new beast "Forever Combat" or "Ultimate Tactical Combat Simulator" and run with it. Build your own history.
But Dungeons & Dragons has a history. I know because I helped in my small way to make it. I went through a lot of crap for this game and the thought of kicking it to the curb just rubs me wrong. You have people burning crap in your yard yelling you are doing the work of Satan and end up closing a shop because people are tired of having to run the gauntlet of freaks scaring their kids and you will see things a little different.
I think it is best summed up with a post from WotC's own forums:
Ouch.
And I think the numbers tell the story. Paizo is now pulling ahead, D&D has went from 24 million players to 1.5 million almost overnight and now the word is they will announce the next atrocity this year at GenCon. Mike Mearls claims in his interview with The Escapist they didn't set out to run off all the players but ever since the release of 3.5 that seems like all they have accomplished.
http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/columns/writersroom/8115-Complete-Mike-Mearls-D-D-4th-Edition-Essentials-Interview
I think it's Nintendo time for the Wizards...either build a Wii this time or you are out of he game.
And no Sarah, I'm not mad at you or making too many assumptions. It is something I have heard time and again. Let's forget the old stuff and get on with the new stuff.
Well, when the new stuff sux let's not.
Should children drink Bacardi Rum? Or should Bacardi just tone down the liquor, maybe just put water in the bottle. This is what happened to D&D a long time ago and has fostered nothing but ill will ever since. D&D was an adult game made by adults for adults. The day it became a toy for children was the beginning of the end:
Commentary: Dragon Magzine #52, Moldvay Basic D&D Boxed set
http://swordandshieldrpg.blogspot.com/2011/07/commentary-dragon-magzine-52-moldvay.html
Issue #52 of Dragon Magazine features articles from Tom Moldvay AND Dr. J. Eric Holmes looking at the basic boxed sets for D&D. They are very interesting to me for any number of reasons. As the Moldvay boxed set is where I started, I will start with Moldvay's article on the 2nd edition D&D Basic boxed set. , I think my historian background requires me to simply let you read the article for yourself first prior to adding any commentary. I will follow this post later with a commentary.
"...the market has changed since the earlier rules edition. The first D&D market was made up of game buffs and college students. Today, the majority of D&D players are high-school and junior-high students. The new rules edition takes into account the younger readership in its style of writing."
The beginning of the end.(And no, I don't think that children should be banned from gaming-I'm writing a system specifically for children with notes, background and references for parents to become involved and better understand what I believe is a very important part of child growth-make believe and pretend activities-that they rarely seem to get these days with passive entertainment modes).
When TSR caved to pressure groups the face of gaming was changed forever. After '89 it has been a fractured world at best.
I don't think gaming is for everyone. I don't think D&D is for everyone. I don't feel the urge to have to pull more people in to satisfy a bottom line. I think there is a natural balance in gaming that sets itself. The more you try to make a product for the masses the less relevant the product becomes.
The Neo post to me symbolizes what is wrong with the industry and I understand where they are coming from completely. 'PLEASE let me sell you something' becomes WotC's battle cry.
Even though your comment was mild in temper it says the same thing that made me quit most forums:
"This is likely to get me into trouble, but I’ll say it anyway. One of the biggest positives and negatives of the D&D community is that we care too much. We love the game, we love sharing the game, but we want to share our own version of the game. We will repeat old stereotypes, gather around our “the right way to play” banners, and drive off most of the uninitiated. Honestly, it sucks sometimes.
Personally, what I wish sometimes is that we could drop D&D into the hands of the uninitiated devoid of the 70s and 80s context that surrounds the game."
-Sarah Darkmagic
http://www.neogrognard.com/article/374/essential#comments
See, taking out the 70's and 80's context you take away the game. Call this new beast "Forever Combat" or "Ultimate Tactical Combat Simulator" and run with it. Build your own history.
But Dungeons & Dragons has a history. I know because I helped in my small way to make it. I went through a lot of crap for this game and the thought of kicking it to the curb just rubs me wrong. You have people burning crap in your yard yelling you are doing the work of Satan and end up closing a shop because people are tired of having to run the gauntlet of freaks scaring their kids and you will see things a little different.
I think it is best summed up with a post from WotC's own forums:
Plea to Hasbro: Please just release the D&D franchise:
http://community.wizards.com/go/thread/view/75882/26682845/Plea_to_Hasbro:_Please_just_release_the_DD_franchise?pg=1 "Sell the D&D franchise to someone who cares."
Ouch.
And I think the numbers tell the story. Paizo is now pulling ahead, D&D has went from 24 million players to 1.5 million almost overnight and now the word is they will announce the next atrocity this year at GenCon. Mike Mearls claims in his interview with The Escapist they didn't set out to run off all the players but ever since the release of 3.5 that seems like all they have accomplished.
http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/columns/writersroom/8115-Complete-Mike-Mearls-D-D-4th-Edition-Essentials-Interview
I think it's Nintendo time for the Wizards...either build a Wii this time or you are out of he game.
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Around About
Ok, I can't take it anymore. Time has drained around here lately to the point of being a chrono-desert. But I have to dip my hand into what is left of that muddy little stream and bring you these:
The World Of Lia-DragonQuest Rules Archive-Limks
For fans this is a cool drink. It's been sitting on my desktop for days waiting to be posted...and this is just the meaty links page.
Dungeon Adventures
A slow starter but deserving of love just for this bit alone:
http://tormacksdungeon.blogspot.com/2011/06/few-pictures-and-maps.html
For those who have been enjoying the paleo-gaming articles lately (Like the Ryth Chronicles piece) there is some great stuff here circa '84.
Ghola Scale
Ok, I'm not even going near a description for this one...just go forth weirdly...
The World Of Lia-DragonQuest Rules Archive-Limks
For fans this is a cool drink. It's been sitting on my desktop for days waiting to be posted...and this is just the meaty links page.
Dungeon Adventures
A slow starter but deserving of love just for this bit alone:
http://tormacksdungeon.blogspot.com/2011/06/few-pictures-and-maps.html
For those who have been enjoying the paleo-gaming articles lately (Like the Ryth Chronicles piece) there is some great stuff here circa '84.
Ghola Scale
A chronicle of projects restoring and sculpting scale fantasy and science fiction miniatures
I've never quite seen one like this before.
A resource site for the game. Ton o' goodness.
Small But Vicious Dog Steals Hearts, Humps Leg
Ok, I'm not even going near a description for this one...just go forth weirdly...
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