Friday, February 29, 2008

>>> Every four years...

... a leap year, the Olympics and some random insanity.

HA!

09:15 : At work on a Casual Friday.
I'm sitting at work right now, on a casual Friday that just happens to be the extra day in a leap year, typing out this entry with Moby's album "Play" playing in my aural periphery. For those at home who have no idea what I'm talking about, I mean that I my iPod is on, my headphones are loose around my ears and it's playing one of that bald DJ's albums. So, lah-de-dujarah-dah. Anyways, yes, I'm currently not doing any work per se because, well, I simply haven't been assigned any. Yet. I can smell work about to descend on me pretty soon. Ack, so much for free time. Yeah, yeah, laugh at my misfortune after envying [your perceived view of] my state of slackness.

10:00 : Oh, mein Gott, work!?
Yeap, I have work alright, dead killer. Yeesh. Not so much buried as tedious. So much information transferance to do, so little time. *sigh* Oh, well, I will be back later.

14:41 : A late meal break and some forgetfullness...
Well, I'm back from a late lunch after working through the usual lunch hour. Amazing how time flies when one is having fun.

Yeah, right!

Anyways, I've almost completely forgot what I wanted to rant and rave about, but since I now have time since I don't have ANY work assignments to do and there is no way to use my initiative, well, let's just say that I have time to reflect and attempt to remember...

14:54 : Ranting about a damn weird Thursday...
Oh, yeah, Thursday really sucked to the core.

Well, not completely... there was the walk down to Bishan from downtown; the inadvertent waking up of Schakatze, spent a coupla hours at her place, subsequently led her family to believe that she now has an Indian-ish boyfriend - Oh. my. freaking. Gawd. -_-''' - and was used as a chew toy, foot massager/masseuse and foot/leg rest. *shrug* All part of the cost of maintaining relationships, natch. What? Did you think that friendships were free!? My god, how naive! Tsk, tsk. Even friendships and relationships have their own cost that just has to be paid. Anyways, I'm still ruddy itchy from the bites on my hands; amazing, non? *shakes head* What a life... good in some ways, bad in others, but isn't that what life is generally like? *shrug* Oh, wells...

And the interview yesterday with the MFA was so screwed up, I think I nearly lost my mind afterwards. Yes, I hate failure and embarassment with a hot passion rivalled only by Hell's furnaces. And that's how I felt when I walked out of the interview, like an absolutely wretched failure and embarassed beyond belief. At least in my mind, it felt that way. One month to find out whether I get the job or not. *shrug* Chnces are... nope, let's not jinx it, even if we [think] we know the end result.

Oh, i have two new pretty, pretty 10 sided dice. Cost me $5 at PI and not only that I managed to reserve a copy of the Second Edition EXALTED rulebook which I should be able to pick up on the 10th. W00t!

I also had the crazy idea of cosplaying a Haro by building a full body sized wireframe/cage and covering it with stretched cloth. Hey, even after it's been used, it can be used as an uber huge lampshade or a hanging lantern. Hahahahaha!

And Scha has managed to convince me to cosplay Bob Makihara from Tenjho Tenge. I told her to wait for me to get into shape first and for my hair to grow out 'coz I'm pretty keen on getting dreadlocks... meanwhile, I'm still contemplating 1) learning Japanese, Estonian, Spanish and/or French, 2) getting a 'fro and 3) who do I kill for these insane ideas. YEESH!

Well, that's the whole entry for this wonderfully out-of-place day that is the 29th of February. Fulfills my obligation to put something up. Oh, so much ado about nothing.

15:32 : ... And raving about a day that comes once every four years.
And speaking of a disjointed day, I pity the children that will be born today thanks to the stupidity of their parents believing that the children should be born on such a 'special' day.

Like, helloooooooo, people, wake up and smell the freakin' coffee! You're not doing them any favours. Jesus Christ, can you imagine having to wait four freakin' years to turn JUST A YEAR OLDER!? And can you imagine how frustrating it must be for a kid to NOT be getting any presents for nearly four years? And, c'mon, we all know that it's bullshit that people will buy the kid FOUR times the amount of presents for her birthday. I mean, c'mon, humanity is CHEAP. We all are, you, me and the whole friggin' kit and kaboodle. FOUR TIMES THE PRESENTS? No freaking way would any kid buy that shit, they aren't stupid you know. They're using PCs and watching porn by the age of 4, aiight? Ok, well maybe not the porn bit, but it comes pretty damn close. But then again, for a Feb 29th baby, he'd probably be called a genius coz he'd be using the comp' before he even turned one. Yeap, the whole your-birthday-only-comes-along-once-every-four-years deal. Freaking great, ain't it? C'mon people, don't make your kids suffer like that, it's psychologically damaging. Jeez, May and Jo, get it right: NO KIDS ON THE 29TH OF FEBRUARY!!!

Aaaah, I feel better now.

Well, I'm off to feel bored to death until my supes come back and dump work on my back again. But nothing I can't handle.

16:00 Laterz...
I'm done with this, I'm gone and nothing's left to be said or done.

For now.

Kurokaze out.

Thursday, February 28, 2008

>>> Applied Theory of the Comedic Effect in Game-based Scenarios and its Resultant Effects

... which is really much ado about nothing, my darling readers.

Or quite possibly the influence of Genshiken on my psyche and demeanor.

Honestly.

You can trust my word on that. Well, perhaps not. I'm probably lying, in fact. Most likely, old beans, considering that if it was truly nothing, I wouldn't be typing this out, non? Correct, chaps? Yes, I am, thank you most kindly. Though I do expect some of you might actually argue that point. I'm truly sorry, my dears, but the world does indeed revolve around my very being. But I digress. Onwards to the very meat of this, for lack of better terms, horrid tale. And make mine medium rare, garçon. Come now, my good man, snap to it. Chop, chop and all that rot.

However, before we go any further, a quick DISCLAIMER: The following narrative is the product of an eccentric life and a rather twisted, convoluted memory cortex which is, by right, not suitable for the soft cerebral matter of the young and inexperienced. Though that wouldn't stop any of you, now would it?
>>>>>(Disclaimers are for pussies! Seriously, dude, who cares!?)<<<<<
- Pervalidus (21:54:07/02-28-08)
>>>>>(Whatever, mate, WHATEVER.)<<<<<
- KAZEone (21:57:42/02-28-08)

Moving on...

Exalted. Such a generic setting with somewhat convoluted rules and a d10 system. So typical of most White Wolf games. However, it's a fantasy setting without the inherent darkness inherent, unlike the rest of its many other game series, and all the aspects that I'd expect from a Dream Pod 9 game. In fact, I believe that some of the artists from DP9 have their works present in the First Edition rulebook. And yet again, I digress, but like such a clinically critical nerd. Not that I have anything against nerds, of course. Or do I? Hmmm... that deserves some thought. But it can wait, of course. Onwards and downwards, good fellows, no rest for the wicked - though that is debatable.
>>>>>(That, my dear friend, for some strange reason, sounded deliciously wrong. Le grin.)<<<<<
- Nhemz (21:57:42/02-28-08)

The campaign that li'l ol' me is running has become something of a monster, if I do say so myself. At least, it's not of Godzilla proportions and stomping through the Imperial City. Yet.

Suffice to say that from a pair of players, Schakatze & Pervalidus, the group has grown to sufficient size to give me migraines for as long as I live. I jest, of course, so do not take me too seriously. After all, my good people, this whole thing was started for a lark, pure and simple. It still is, but on a larger scale. And like I was saying before, the pair has grown into a circle: Scha, Perv, Ferret-V, Nezrael, Ghoul and Raliel. A full Solar Circle. I'm amazed. Unfortunately, the most experienced RPGer of the lot probably won't be able to make it for the Sunday sessions. Or is that fortunately? Look, even the StoryTeller wants to win sometimes, alright? Fine, thank you, you don't have to keep your opinions to yourself. Go ahead let it all out. May I continue now? Thank you most kindly then.

Now, where was I? Oh, yes...

A full Solar Circle, with one from each Caste, too. I am sorely tempted to create alternate doubles of them, in the form of wonderfully delicious Abyssals and use them as the end-arc bosses. Speaking of which, does anyone have the first and/or second edition PDF files for the Abyssal Exalted? Please be wonderfully reliable ol' bricks and let me know. Thank you, my dears.

And having the ability to create vast host of characters for the circle to interact with is fun, though mentally exhausting. The Laughing Masks, the Junkers, the Night Masks (sorry, Wizard, I ripped you off. Go suck on a lemon, why don't you lot?), the crew of the Vengeance Ascendant, the Wood Elemental [aka the 120 foot tall Treefolk], a random wandering Twilight Solar, the Wyld Hunt and God - or Allah or Buddha or whatever else that you sorry lot call your Chosen One in the Sky - alone knows how many others. You would think that someone's cranial cavity would burst with the sheer weight of information, wouldn't you? I'm sorry to disappoint, you young boys, girls and what-have-yous, but there is an invention called the pen and paper. And, yes, in my hands, a pen is a deadly weapon. Watch out for your eyes, mateys, there might be a pen coming soon towards an ocular socket near you.

Add to that the sheer comedy that the circle is capable of, well, suffice to say that it is sidesplittingly, cerebral-putrefyingly funny. Hilarious, even. For example, and just for example mind you, is Ferret's character: nicknamed the "Wet Sack" due to the method of his introduction to the game, he is now permanently known as that throughout the game. There are so many other things that can be said, but they would be better explained by the players themselves. Like the bath-house scene. That, I must say, was one of my very best works. Scha and Perv will never forget it. I hope.

And with the musically inclined, we have discovered that Nightwish's latest album "Dark Passion Play" is indeed most excellent for the game. So much so, that Scha has dubbed the campaign EXALTED: Dark Passion Play. She even has cinematics in mind for an anime opening for the campaign, and it honestly sounds rather good. Too bad that we don't have the resources or the skills to actually produce it, but one day we will. One day, you mark my words.

Oh, and I do believe that the opening score for Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street is rather good for an intro to Thorns, the conquered city and created Shadowland of the Deathlord Mask of Winters. Rather chillingly close to the actual feel of the city.

Six Solar Exalted, one current main quest (and quite a few side quests, might I add), a shipful of colourful characters, a slew of other characters, loads of tongue-in-cheek & some lameness, a wonderful score plus numerous other twists & plots do, in fact, equal a rather crazily fun game with much inherent humour.

Oh, and Athletics & Awareness for the win, as you quaint online gamers like to exclaim.

EXALTED: Dark Passion Play. For the hilarity and sheer fun of it all.

Beware.

And, yes, the world indeed does not revolve around me. The universe does.

Haha, had you all going for a minute there, didn't I?

Well, now, off with you lot of ragamuffins. I'd like to enjoy my steak in peace, you know.

A good night to you all, then, go on now.

SCOOT!

Saturday, February 16, 2008

>>> Was Exalted ever meant to be comedic?

I'm basically running a [First Edition] Exalted game for Schakatze, Pervalidus and Ferret-V which, more often than not, is more hilarious than anything else. *shakes head* At least everyone is enjoying themselves. And now I have to try to get all my ST notes down on paper before I forget everything that I've been using. Suffice to say that IF I forget anything, it would be very embarrassing. :P BLEAH. Oh, and Ghoul will be joining us soon, I hope; plus, Raven got a copy of the core rulebook PDF file from me, too.

And I have to figure out what I'm supposed to type out in my downtime e-mail to Wes for the Werewolf LARP. ANybody interested in joining up? Me and Schakatze are still trying to convince Ferret-V to join up. He'd make a perfect Bone Gnawer Ragabash. Hahaha! (I can only hope he caves in soon!)

Well, the worlds of RPGs really do open new doors to new worlds... and all contained within your imagination, too.

I'm off to finish my personal administrative work, so I'll call y'all later on the bounce up.

PEACE!

Sunday, February 10, 2008

>>> Resistance is futile ver.1.3.0


ver 1.3.0 The Damning Well - Awakening

>>> Home Sweet Home...

The past one week has been pretty crazy, though thankfully in a good way.

Schakatze and Pervalidus have been spending so much time in my company that I think that their brains are probably putrefying in the aura of corruption that surrounds my person. But then again, Shun has the market cornered in that aspect, so they shouldn't be too bad off, haha!

I've not spent much time at home this whole week and it's been pretty glorious, in a juvie short of way. If you've read "As the crow flies...", you, my dear reader, would know that I spent the night at her residence on Monday night and the events of Tuesday, as singular as it were.

The general gist: *takes a deep breath and starts off* Schakatze and Pervalidus spent the night at my abode on Thursday night due to missing the very last rail and bus conveyances for the day, I ran a quick & spontaneous first edition Exalted session which had a hilarious bath-house scene (and should become a weekly affair no matter the sinking feeling that seems to penetrate me to teh core of my being), slept in for the majority of Friday, had Mrs H - Pervalidus' mom - over for tea, Azhki & Raven dropped by so we blew their minds, crashed at Twitch's after a couple of pit-stops for S&Cs (shower and change), woke up to realize that yours truly & Schakatze had unknowingly been holding hands while we slept [OMG!], ran home for a real Rite of Cleansing, crashed out again in my bed, woke up at 5pm to discover an invitation to a movie, went through some really insane shit to pick up Pervalidus (and which cost me a wonderful 30 buckeroos), watched Sweeney Todd while seated next to Schakatze, drove her crazy, met some of her cosplay mates, had dinner at BK, came up with an interesting song whihc I have subsequently forgotten [GODDAMMIT!], had a few smokes, drew wrist tattoos on Schakatze's wrists, grabbed the last train of the night and hit out for home where I am now sitting, typing this horrendous excuse for a blog entry. *PHEW* That was a mouthful and a half!

Photobucket

"Deliciously sick, wicked and oh so twisted. It's got our seal of approval. BAM, there it is!!!" - The Laughing Crew


Schakatze has popped up way too often in this blog entry. Any of you who just happen to be nursing crushes, infatuations or even downright love, I apologize... NOT! MWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

Well, that's that for tonight. Until next time, dear readers, be careful what you wish for...

*cue evil laughter coupled with sinister organ music*

Wednesday, February 06, 2008

>>> Resistance is futile ver.1.2.1


ver.1.2.1 L70ETC - I'm So Sick (T-Virus Remix) cover

>>> Resistance is futile ver.1.1.0


ver.1.1.0 Back-On : Chain

>>> As the crow flies...

... the sun soars high.

Yeah, yeah, cheap poetic tendencies. But it does fit the timing and what I saw just before I walked back into the house after a smoke. And, Nez, that nutter of a brother of mine walked off with some of my cigs. But fair's fair; after all, I do it to him too. Heh.

And I will probably have to make this quick 'coz I have to clean up the kitchen before my dad wakes up. Haha! I'm so screwed~...

ANYWAYZ, on with the regular irregular update of my life as portrayed in this li'l corner of cyberspace. LOOK OUT BELOW!

So it's like this. The last two days have been spent with two of my pseudo-sibko [that's Battletech speak for Sibling Company, or my family of siblings], Maus and Schakatze. Gloria hung out with us as well; me and Maus discovered that we have a new 'mom' in her... s'a long and convoluted story, and NOT something I want to get into right now. It's all so wrong and painful. *pinches the bridge of his nose* I feel a headache coming on, good grief. Anyways, suffice to say that any time spent with the fam is all good. *grin* Mucking about, talking about random things, plotting for the Werewolf LARP [Yub yub, we got Maus to join in as well], planning our top secret PODcast [God only knows when we're gonna record the first one], coming up with crazy ideas for t-shirts, having my jacket ninja'd by Schakatze [we still love ya, gal! *hugz*], received a pounding for charming the god-knows-what off my friend's younger sister [Saturday should be interesting, to say the least. *grin*] and watched a NCAA basketball game on cable [GO TAR HEELS!!! UNC WHAT WHAT!!!].

And then came the one-shot moving job of shifting stuff out of a container. Suffice to say that the 60 bucks we each made wasn't really enough for what we went through. Never again, I swear. NEVER!!!

And I rediscovered my old GI Arab Trader which was the bane of BMT personnel and caused such hilarity that it's just not funny at times. [And, yes, sis, I'll keep my end of the bargain... *strange middle-eastern accent* Jihad, Jihad, The Laughing Crew, We cheong-swa like fuck! Ah-Haargh! *laughs*]

Which brings us to today: sitting in front of the ever so friendly LCD screen with Chewie lying next to my feet as the sun dips lower to the horizon as the time flies as the crow caws, and admitting to the fact that I am a mecha nut as well as a fan of Shikamaru of the Naruto series. Not to mention my new found love of the band Back-On, you can find a link to the fansite in my Cyber Detours section.

Shikamaru

Doesn't Shika look like he's thinking about something and getting more consternated as he realises how every alternative he comes up with is actually more trouble than it's worth? LOL. *Shika's thought bubble* "If I had a mecha, I'd be able to wipe the floor with these jokers with no effort... but wait, the mecha will need maintenance which means more work for me which is so troublesome. And if I wanted someone else to maintain, i'd have to pay them which means I'd have to get another job to pay for it. Let's not forget the sheer amount of ammunition and supplies I'd have to obtain for it; plus the place I 'd have to store it. And all the R&D. I'd probably need another part-time job to cover those costs... AAAAAAAAAAAARGH!!! I can't be bothered, I'll just shadow trap them all and go home to sleep!" *chin cupped between pointer finger and thumb* Yup, sounds like Shika all right. HAHAHA!!!

Well, I've got the linked character concept of Scars & Sutures for Werewolf to finish and there ain't nothing much more to see here, so carry on as you were. Or not, s'all up to you lot. *shrug*

See y'all 'round.

Heh.