It is amazing how you can never meet someone, or even be aware of them and still be greatly influenced by them. I had never met Gary Gygax, and didn't even know his name until I was 19. But his influence was very important to me and millions others.

Gary was the creator of Dungeons & Dragons. It was a game I first played in 1992 and with various people played until 1999. But even after that time his influence was still felt. In college I played other role playing games that wouldn't have existed if Gary hadn't created his. My best friends run different role playing games. Games that have no dungeons, no dragons, no dice but are role playing games that wouldn't have existed without Gary. Many hours of my life have been spent playing, enjoying, and thinking about this style of play. Some of my fondest memories are of role playing with my friends.

Gary Gygax died this morning. He had been in poor health for some time. He will be missed.





So long Gary, and thanks for all the Troglodytes

I have a job interview tomorrow for the Smoking Cessation hotline at Roswell. Not because I have any passion concerning smoking or cancer or junk. I just feel bad about (e:Jim) leaving Roswell. We can't let estrip's control over Roswell slip!

I interview well. But I can't get this wry look of awkwardness off my face when wearing a suit. So, I am going to have to put the suit on and pose in front of the bathroom mirror saying things like "never get a job with a tie man, a tie is a noose!" Just to get it out of my system.

Wish my luck.

A classic.

Part of the margharita assignment challenge.

How drunk are YOU!

(e:Drew). I have read the sermons posted on this site and believe you to be a good person and a fine pastor.

But buddy, you can't hold a candle to this man.

When you are out there preaching about social justice, or good community, you are just wasting your breath. You are taking soft, easy issues that please a crowd, but do not enlighten.

He is a preacher that understands that the most pressing issue of our time that only the religious community can take a stand on is the horrible blight of men sitting down while peeing.

Yes. That is what is tearing apart not just this nation, but the whole of humanity.

Listen to a REAL MAN - a man who STANDS UP WHILE PEEING - preach some gospel truth!



Amen!

• Update***

Acording to (e:Drew), there is a trend of men peeing sitting down. To illustrate how this is nothing short of blasphemy here is a clip

Ya damn kids.

When I was a boy we had comics that were actually funny. The Far Side, Calvin and Hobbs, Opus. Those were actually the only three. Peanuts was a little too Christian for my tastes, but occasionally would capture the strange, befuddling awe of a simple man trying to understand an infinitely complex world. But really, more often than not comics just disappointed.

Case and point. Family Circus. The grandfather had a bit part until he died. Now he is in every fucking strip. Disappointment.

But really, I want to talk to you about the brilliance that is Garfield. Jim Davis is a sort of idiot savant. He comics are terrible. They have no crushing moral like Family Circus nor do they ironically poke fun at the genera like Boondocks. No. Garfield sucks. It is the purest insipid garbage.

But imagine Garfield in the hands of William Burroughs. Bill would take scissors to it, rearrange it, and turn crap into alchemic gold! Since he is gone, we now have to rely on machines to do that work for us, and to great effect.




Behold! The Garfield Comic Randomizer!

Now if only it could make Hagar entertaining.