Why does every aspect of my life have to be such a struggle?

Hurm. With DnA gone to WV for most of the weekend, I find myself at home on Friday for the first time in awhile. Even turned the TV off with nothing to watch...

Speaking of Friday TV, have I mentioned that FOX sucks the life out of me? They go to the trouble of keeping Terminator around for a full season despite issues of it struggling on Monday vs football, only to announce they will move it mid-season (after football is over) to Fridays?! Adding insult to injury, they will pair it up with Dollhouse - effectively killing two birds with one stone. Good combo of programming, yet dropped into a death zone that has repeatedly destroyed good shows... WHY? The audience you want is not there on Fridays! How have they not learned that yet?!

Meanwhile, back at the Hall of Justice, things are slowly moving in the right direction. Got some hours at work this week, although when I wanted to leave early today, I got stuck for the full day. Fortunately, we don't have to work Saturday like they had planned/threatened. Likely next week, though... and all through the holidays. The hours will at least help me get financial stuff back in order; this paycheck got me out from under the gun on one thing. And I can splurge a bit with my Saturday morning breakfast buffet ritual again :)

The Browns finally decided to start Brady Quinn, who had a solid game for his first big start. Too bad the 'D' couldn't hold it together for a win that might have made something of this season...

Sunday is gaming & the big Hunter kickoff. Wishing Heather all the best on her first go as ST... Hoping it spurs me on to getting the Steampunk LJ game into motion. Ideas are spinning, and I think I have a good idea on what mechanics to try & use...

Kaylee's still a bugger on the housetraining. Just when I think I got her figured, she pulls a new trick. She also gashed my thumb a little with her tooth while trying to get her rope. Not a good week...

After the nicest week of Indian Summer, winter has decided it's a-coming. Imagine the first real snow won't be far off.

Still a little out of sorts... Something for another entry, perhaps.

-QO-

Yeah, voting & junk... whatever.

Just got word at work that the are modifying the schedule. I'm going to be stuck working Saturdays now also. But it's not really increasing hours much because they want us to work 7 hours each day instead of 8. So basically stretching the work week over 6 days... yeah. Unfuck me. *sigh*

Outside of that, I'm just trying to get by. Once the full paychecks start back up, I should be OK. Then I can get back on track with other things...

At least my last full weekend was fun. Friday night at DNAs for Buffy/Angel (S7 & S4 respectively)... Saturday we headed out to Heather's sister's Halloween party, including some friends of DNA (Shoutout to Lex & Megan!)... Introduced them all & some others at the party to 'Are You A Werewolf?' where much fun was had! Sunday was another alternate gaming day, where Lex & Megan joined us again. Introduced them to 'We Didn't Playtest This At All', where there was much, much laughter & fun :) Later, we screened 'Gamers 2: Dorkness Rising' for Mike & Heather - again with much laughter. Good times...

Not much else doin'... In TV news, Heroes is hurting so bad that they fired Jeph Loeb & Jesse Alexander. Let's hope the effort to rebuild the show doesn't kill it outright... No good TV on tonight - just some election thing or somethin'.

-QO-

Guess I've been ignoring LJ for a bit, which I'm sure has upset all of my readers (hey you two)... So what's news in my world? Hurm...

I'm working again. Sort of. The temp agency finally called me up with an assignment. It's fairly easy, close to home, decent hours... but they've sent me home almost immediately after getting there due to lack of work. This after working OT the first couple days of the week... Hopefully things work out to a stable work schedule soon. But some work is better than none.

Been hanging out on Facebook a lot, but still don't have an account under my real name :) MIght have to finally set one up. More of the gaming group is making its way over there & friending up...

Speaking of, we had some more alternative gaming last week. Actually managed to get through two whole games all day - a long B-Movies game & Acquire. I just barely won the latter. And another session this week before kicking off the long-waited Hunter chronicle the following Sunday...

Although it's been about a month ago, I don't think I mentioned my new glasses. A birthday gift from the folks landed me some badly needed new specs, and I also got my first prescription sunglasses that I love!

Still living off the TV schedule, although the shows feel a little off this year. Most of my favorites are struggling in the ratings but keeping on due to odd factors like the economy. Been having to watch a few online due to timing & such... Spending a lot of time at Dustin & Amanda's place, spurring them through Buffy & Angel. Both are desperately waiting for the next season of Angel after seeing the S3 finale cliffhangers earlier this week :)

In the realm of favorite TV, it was recently announced that David Tennant, aka the Tenth Doctor or Ten, will be leaving Doctor Who after the upcoming "specials" season. Just as he's made it to the top of my favorite Doctors list, he leaves :(

What else? Kaylee is getting a bit bigger, but not much smarter... Lots of new games coming out of the European shows. Hoping to have a steady income by the time they start hitting over here. Monty Python Fluxx is out, but I haven't been able to get my copy yet... Finally starting to catch up on my comics.

Yeah, I'm totally unfocused. Trying to find a little order in the chaos. Ever working to be the change...

-QO-

yeah...

Still dunno what I'm going to do about... well, everything. Need a real pick-me-up that I can't have, but might have to make happen anyways...

We wound up having a game day Sunday, although Dustin decided to take a personal day last minute, leaving just me, Mike & Heather. That being the case, we went ahead with a previous idea of mine - a little ST practice. I offered a suggestion on how to play it out so it could utilize our Hunter characters from the upcoming chronicle without any continuity issues :) Heather took to it well (or had something similar planned) and gave us a solid run. There will be a few growing pains, but she did fine & I figure was glad for the experience... Looking forward to getting the whole thing going.

So... yeah.

Anybody see the promo on this new fantasy/adventure series by the Xena creators called Legend of the Seeker? There's a definte LotR theme/feel/theft, although it seems to just be humans... Kicks off at the beginning of November, if you're interested.

A couple bits for the fans of superhero movies, particularly Marvel... **looks at Mike**

One, that Incredible Hulk DVD you weren't planning to buy? Might have to pick it up... In the alternate opening, where Bruce goes off to the Artic, there's the briefest shot of someone with a star-spangled shield frozen in the ice....

Two, Raimi & Maguire have agreed to not one, but TWO more Spider-Man flicks. Unsigned so far is Kirsten Dunst... yay? :P There are rumors of the Lizard finally making an appearance after all the cameo setups of Connors, and possibly John Jameson as Man-Wolf?!

So, poll:
Poll #1281020
Open to: All, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 2

Who would you like to see as villains in the next Spider-Man films?

Life sucks, in general. Still, I try. I try... My dad gave me this compass he's had for most of his life. I don't think he meant anything but it sure feels like a sign. Hurm.

Impromptu gaming last Sunday. Dustin, Amanda, Steve & I once again gathers at D&A's place. Played a few games, tried out 'Arkham Horror' for a while, but seems it requires more time than we were willing. Another day... Steve pulled out an impressive trapped victory in 'Settlers'. We finished the evening with Buffy (Once More With Feeling!) & chat...

Week's been slow & nerve-wracking. Really freaking out over the whole deal... At least the free time is giving me a chance to get Kaylee housebroken. Not there yet, but improving slowly...

Some decent TV this week... Say what you will, but I'm enjoying 'Heroes'. Although the many storylines do get to be a bit much every week, the recent developments have been great. Oh yes, I told you so, Steve :P 'Fringe' is really drawing me in, unlike most everyone else. Damn them for playing with one of my pet theories - it will actually factor into the potential Steampunk game I'm working toward. Pushing Daisies continues to be exceptional & LOL funny! Sister Christian - HA!

Main distraction besides TV has been this Facebook application of D&D solo adventures. Blame Dustin for tricking me into signing up just to play :P Still, interesting... but moreso is what it lead me to. The discovery of something so cool: a website for online board-gaming! Not the crap though - cool stuff like Axis & Allies, Acquire, Kill Dr. Lucky, Guillotine, Nuclear War, & Robo Rally!! Online, multi-player games for FREE! And it's all programmed in, so games take no time at all...

Onward to the weekend,
-QO-

So I'm trying... making an effort. Not much sure if it's out of boredom with all this dead time on my hands, but there it is...

With gaming off indefinitely, I decided to pursue a different outlet with a possible LJ RP. Steampunk. Dunno if it'll find its feet, but it offers the potential of fun... Already cooking on the story (hee hee), but wondering what sort of system to use. Wanting something simple to put the focus on the narrative side of it to better serve the play-by-post method... Amazing Engine? Hurm...

Finally exposed Dustin & Amanda to the greatness that is 'Clue' last night. 1+2+2+1 :)

-QO-

Oh, and as they have watched through Angel S2 (& Buffy S5), I let them in on the secret of Numfar & his dancing :)

I needed this laugh

Really feelin' out of it...

Hurm.

I think I might close the blog.

I have not seen enough movies this year. I know this because I knew nothing about the upcoming Hamlet 2 until seeing a trailer on TV last night. It looks to be unrepently funny, particularly with the song "Rock Me, Sexy Jesus"! Further searches for vid-clips only show greater potential... Jesus in a wife-beater? LMGTHAO (laughing my going to hell ass off)

Why must I be denied your greatness, year after year? So far away, so expensive... so full of pop culture temptation!

Lots of news already spilling out, but just had to comment on a couple Dr. Horrible things... A) Yes, Virginia, there is official word of more Dr. Horrible sometime in the future (and there was much rejoicing). 2) The Evil League of Evil are accepting video applications, with the ten best making the DVD?! Oh HELL noes!

Hmm - wonder how many will apply as The Fake Fake Thomas Jefferson? :)

Yep, again slow to post... actually got to see it very early this morning when it first came live. Of course, I speak of Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog Act III... In spite of its direction in the early parts, I somehow knew it would have this type of turn - it's Whedon after all :) Still, a great story - Hollywood could learn a lot from this... Defintely need more Horrible!

Now, you may wonder why I was up so early to see Act III, being a Saturday & all... The reason for that, and my slow entries are because I have a new puppy! I'd been thinking about getting a dog for a bit now, and my folks surprised with a beagle puppy on Thursday... She's cute, but can be very skittish. She's also very needy for attention. I might name her Kaylee :)

With the new puppy, my schedule has been thrown out of whack. So early apologies if I'm out of sorts at gaming tomorrow...

OK, a little slow on the comment, but Act II of Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog was great! Although iTunes was slow to get theirs up, I still managed to catch it before work at the main site. Again found myself humming tunes throughout the day (dying for a soundtrack, and I *SO* want the Bad Horse ringtone!! )... Unfortunately some other stuff kept me busy through the evening to prevent any commenting - stay tuned on that front...

And to the crew, particualarly the ones headed to GenCon: How fun would it be for one of us to dress as Dr. Horrible & three others as the Bad Horse Posse to sing at him? The idea amused me to no end today at work...

If you haven't seen Act I of 'Dr Horrible's Sing-Along Blog', stop whatever you're doing & go find it. Hopefully the website is up, as the entire internet stopped by & crashed it earlier!

This is quite possibly TEH BEST THING EVAR!!!!!!!111! I can only imagine the pop culture branding this one is gonna spur... I just had to whip up a couple quick icons, and there are ALREADY t-shirts, so get on board, peoples!

Yep, two posts. I am that bored.

Anyhow, in checking into the NBC webisodes that are starting to come out, I saw a few of the upcoming ads for the fall TV season. 'Heroes' looks very interesting with its Villains focus this year. Some recent pics of a dark-haired (& smokin' hot) Hayden Panettiere that I've seen elsewhere now make more sense...

*sigh* I'm bored. Finally a day off with nothing to do after the past two exciting weekends. So naturally, I'm bored off my ass... There looks to be gaming tomorrow with part of the crew, but for now it feels like I'm just waiting until then. On to some recap, I guess...

'Doctor Who' finished strong, but painfully sad. Some really great television those Brits are making over there. Gonna miss not having an actually season next year...

The Fourth of July was fun, with no fireworks involved. Got to debut some more games with the crew, including 'Shadows Over Camelot'. While I enjoyed it immensely, as possibly my new favorite game, the others didn't shine to it quite as much. Except Mike who did a evil dance of joy at winning by being unreveiled as a traitor... Hilarious! :) Busted out 'Cutthroat Caverns' (wicked fun - Smirk & Dagger rocks!), and intro'd what looks to be a new group favorite in 'We Didn't Playtest This at All!'.

The Fifth took me to the annual family barbeque/swim party. Ate a lot, swam a lot...

Sunday saw another game day, with even more games. I got demolished in Trailer Park Wars... I'm the worst at being trailer trash? On noes! Discovered Amanda needs some serious movie-marathoning to bring her up to acceptable pop-culture levels for the group :P Win of teh intarnets for Mike, by dubbing Bruce Campbell as "like Laurence Olivier... but American." LOL!

Work week sucked. I actually quit one day, but being unable to find my supervisor kept it from happening. A miracle occured in me somehow finding the will to not kill one of my co-workers... seriously.

Good pile of comics this week (and last, as I missed for lack of funds due to Origins spending). Rip Hunter is Booster's son? Might go a long ways to explaining his ever changing appearance, due to time fluctuation around Booster... Might be picking up a day at the shop next week.

Saturday, I got so bored I wrote this entry :)

With Origins keeping me busy all last weekend, I only just got to watch "The Stolen Earth"... THAT is the kind of epic storytelling that I absolutely love! It's really recharging my gaming and, perhaps more importantly, Storytelling motivators.

Speaking of gaming, the group is finally scheduled to get together again this Sunday. I'm also hoping to find another opportunity for more gaming earlier, seeing as I'll be off for two extra days this week!

So, a brief rundown:

Wednesday - Hopefully a shortened work day after inventory clusterfuck...
Thursday - Free day for whatever I can manage...
Friday - Fireworks for the 4th! (Maybe gaming?)
Saturday - Doctor Who season finale (It ALL comes down to this one!)
Sunday - Gaming Day! (I am not the werewolf :P)

Two amazing weekends in a row? <3

-QO-

So I managed to attend all five days of Origins in some form or another this year. And with all that time, I still didn't get to do nearly the amounts of things I wanted... Although it wasn't for time lost on the retail floor, which pitifully has shrank even further this year. Not even filling half the main convention hall, thanks in no part to many missing game comapnies. And the swag bag? One die & a freakin' pencil - are you kidding me? Makes me wonder what may become of the show in the future - I fear a world without an Origins!

But I still found some great new or yet undiscovered games, played some really fun demos (must own 'A Touch of Evil'), died again & again in Rising (remember me as a benevolent mayor) & was killed again & again in Are You A Werewolf far into the late/early hours (it must be Bloody Shirt Guy), played every playable version of Fluxx (Martian, Monty, 4 & more) plus saw its possible futures (Pirate Fluxx? Aye. Booze Fluxx? Oh damn.) and other Looney Labs potentials...
Grabbed only the one tee, but it's instant classic.

And it was definitely a con:

Insanely priced food/drink - check.
Awesome pop-culture shirts - check.
Chainmail bikini - check.
Kaylee costume - check.
Guys in utilikilts - check.

And on the odder side:

Guy in chainmail bikini - oh dear god, my eyes are bleeding check.
Idiot riding a pimped out Segway - check. In the rain - double check.
"One for Hitler!" *cheer* - LMAO check.

Yeah, it was a great convention :)