Halloweirdness

Grocery shopping this morning -

* An older gent commented on my "Star Trek" T-shirt and explained how Lucille Ball had been instrumental in getting the original program off the ground. Googled it when I returned home: he was correct.

* The music coming over the supermarket speakers suddenly changed from hit techno tracks to Elvis' "(You're The) Devil In Disguise". Heard at least three ladies singing along. The King lives on.

* Saw a young woman buying lunch in a Dracula outfit, with wig and red-lined black cape. There are offices and other businesses on the nearby industrial estate, so I'd put money on it being for a work function.

Rewatched "Forbidden Planet" yesterday. It remains charming AF. So innovative - concepts like FTL travel, the beaut use of Robby The Robot, the electronic score... And wasn't Anne Francis something as Altaira? Imagine seeing it in 1956!

While the artwork is merely adequate, this hot-off-the-press CYOA is competently written and cleverly structured, and makes great use of the titular folkloric critter (while keeping it/them enigmatic). Secret passages, codes, time jumps, MIB, UFOs and alien factions, oh my! A sprinkling of history and popular culture. It even makes passing reference to "Choose Your Own Adventure" books within the narrative :-) The author's afterword made me like it more. As did the little preview of the "At The Mountains Of Madness" CYOA, which appears to mix Lovecraft with a bizarre Antarctic summer camp run by an A.I. Yeah, 10-year-old Addster woulda counted "Mothman" among his favourites, I reckon. Shame about the art.

Instantly the best show on the streams

Let's go, Team Australia! Hurry up, Episode 5!

Move 37 / Order 66

Read Ibsen's "An Enemy Of The People" (1882). A tragicomic play about an environmental disaster, political opportunism, spin-doctoring, the court of public opinion, compromised principles and political revenge - could it *be* any more modern?

New arrival

Podcast recommendation. Five eps out, three to come. Fascinating and CHILLING. The history of A.I. dev is marked by genius innovators and idiotic recklessness.

Time to turf!

Took down a plastic file of childhood awards and other keepsakes from the back of a high shelf in my wardrobe. Decided I no longer wanted to hold on to any of the contents. Items I just shredded and binned included:

* Sticker-filled Little Athletics achievement book

* Membership card for the NBN TV Kellogg's Breakfast Club

* Certificates received from taking part in two 10km fun runs (loved 'em - why didn't I do more?)

* Bunch of cards congratulating me on winning prizes in "The Sun-Herald" newspaper's Super Scene supplement (my sisters won way more)

* Several checklists recording attendance and milestones at swimming lessons each year

* The Bicentennial Memento For School Students given out by the Aussie government in 1988 (actually, that alone I kept)

* Silky, perfectly flat blue, red and green ribbons garnered from annual athletics carnivals (never scored any at swimming carnis)

* Certificates and matching sew-on patches for having learnt "water safety" and resuscitation methods

* Cards commemorating my First Holy Communion and Confirmation as a Catholic (I chose the confirmation name Mark)

* Miscellaneous cardboards from across the years - big and small; white and gold and green and blue; a couple with ruffled or gilt edges - honoring me for good behaviour, enthusiasm in my studies, a Book Week entry, an "assembly presentation", excellent writing, helping and sharing, winning a Year Of The Tree comp, scoring high in a junior spelling bee and taking part in an anti-litter campaign.

It was all another lifetime ago. Those things meant so much then, when I was slowly becoming grown-up Addster and working out who exactly that dude was. Their job is long since done.

I didn't need to RTFM for "R/F/T/G"

RS2 taught me to play "Race For The Galaxy". Utilising only cards and victory-point tokens, it involves juggling exploration, building your empire, producing various resources and exploiting said resources. You won't get to do all of those things every turn, however, and the available strategies - at least to a beginner - feel as vast as outer space. This feeling is enhanced by the simple-yet-effective illustrations and evocative card names, e.g. Lost Alien Battle Fleet, Plague World and Terraforming Robots. Even with me learning the rules, the game flowed well and rocketed towards one of the two possible end conditions. We're planning to play some more with the basic set in the coming weeks, before adding in the expansions.

Scared of heights, bored by illusion, but enjoying tomahawks

COMIC COVER OF THE WEEK

By Pablo Villalobos. Because, besides being a righteous superheroine pose, it's Dani Moonstar, and I'm a "New Mutants" fan from way back.

SONG OF THE WEEK

Not gonna lie, I didn't listen to as many newies as usual over the preceding 168 hours. This is deece: Rallye feat. Yelle - "Peur Du Vide" (France).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Mv60oPnXv4

TAD OVERRATED MOVIE I SAW IN THE PAST WEEK

Didn't buy the villain or his powers. Not into dream dimensions. Hard carry by Florence Pugh. Doubt I could watch it minus her as Yelena.

Mawkish chieftain

While I was waiting to see my GP yesty, a news item came on the medical-centre TV about a previously unknown behaviour that's been observed in a certain species of dolphin. In what's theorised to be an attempt at either impressing or scaring females, males are popping up out of the water wearing a foraged sea sponge on their head. I'm not making this up. Stupid dolphins. Or...smart dolphins preparing for Halloween a week in advance.

Swords and source material

Highly, highly recommended. Knocked over the three volumes in this box set while sitting under a ceiling fan with my hair soaked, trying to counteract yesterday's awful heat. Jim Zub's scripting captures the indomitable spirit and raw passions - and place in the ahead-of-its-time Howard metaverse - of the Cimmerian barbarian. Robert De La Torre's artwork frickin' rocks. There were instances where it reminded me of Hal Foster, although much darker and more fantastical. So Frazetta as well, then. (Doug Braithwaite's art is good, just not as good.) There are welcome extras in the back of each GN. Essays, alternate-cover galleries and preliminary chara sketches. I'd *lurve* a poster of that Jae Lee image of Conan and psycho pirate queen Belit. Cannot wait to read Vol. 4, but preferably not on a day where it's 39 degrees and strong winds are threatening to send bushfires rampaging through this vale like Aquilonian raiders or an army of undead Picts.

I want a figure of this Wondy variant

Crazy plot: Japan goes missing and Batman'n'Robin find it hanging upside down in the sky. What's more, it's now the feudalpunk battleground for clans led by warped versions of members of the Justice League...and others.

Radical character designs and an intricate style where you can oftimes see the manga-esque sketch marks beneath the colouring. The action sequences are just as inventive and there are amusing references to classic anime tropes, e.g. everything freezing as a special move is announced.

As with the majority of superhero tales, it eventually bogs down into chasing/fighting, but there are enough wild ideas to hold your attention. Did I mention the gigantic cannon firing identical besuited henchmen?

Hasty haunting

Read Ibsen's "Ghosts" (1881). It was familiar to me. I must have seen a performance. But when - and where? And what colour was my underwear?

You are the weekly-est links

COMIC COVER OF THE WEEK

"Hello Halloween #1" by Jenny Frison. So stylish.

SONG OF THE WEEK

"Cette Vie" by Clara Luciani (France). Cute vid as well.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4SSelvrqcco

TRUE-CRIME DOCO OF THE WEEK

May the bastard burn in hell.

Angle shooting

Hornsby (walk, early lunch)

City (Books Kinokuniya, Art Gallery of NSW)

Homebush West (early dinner, poker with da boyz)

Woy Woy (walk, early lunch)

Listened to on journey south (1.5/5)

Listened to on journey north (3.5/5)

Pod rec.

Celebration, condemnation, innovation

Got sick of seeing this gathering dust on the shelf and gave it a burl on my 7800+. As a feat of programming, converting a beloved arcade shooter to a primitive console, it's super impressive. As a game in its own right...yeah, not bad at all. 

You may baulk at the length of this documentary: 4x ~42-minute eps. That was my initial reaction. However, I now believe it's justified by how thoughtfully the makers explore the consequences of the crimes linked to the bloke in question.

If "Grommets" Vol. 1 is the funnest, most nostalgic GN of the year, then "A/C/E" Vol. 1 is the book that does the most interesting things with the medium while forcing the reader to confront harsh un/realities (via an Earth whose timeline is out of joint). I repeat: these stories are CONFRONTING. On that note, if you are triggered by the operations of the meat industry or by scenes of self-harm, best to stay away.

Social disorder

Read this 1877 play for the first time. It's in my trusty Penguin collection. Geez, Ibo could craft an exquisite multi-layered moral dilemma (to catch a hypocrite).

Alternate-reality miniseries on Disney+. Distinctive animation style. Tight writing. Constant sense of danger - Big Names die! Also of mystery about the radically changed world. "Correct" voices. Good shiz!

Homegrown poddy. Three instalments thus far: Lincoln, Bhutto, Queen Min. Pahari is a terrific narrator, packing in plenty of history plus a few modern comparisons.

Mapper's delight

"Land Vs Sea". We take turns placing pieces to build a map. I am Land and attempting to complete islands. You are Sea and aiming instead to complete enclosed bodies of water. Selected tiles have bonus marks, which are earnt even if you complete one of your oppo's isles/water areas. You can occasionally sneak a second move or steal a piece. In special circumstances, you can place a volcano or whirlpool and score big. This is the basic version. Advanced scoring adds points for mountain ranges and coral reefs, caravans and ships, and self-designated waypoints. The 3P mode sees Land and Sea joined by an independent Cartographer player, while 4P necessitates teams of two Land and two Sea players. It's an unusual game that works fine in its simplest form but offers oodles of possibilities. RS2 and I both gave it our figurative stamp of approval.

Science, music and religion

COMIC COVER OF THE WEEK

By Chrissie Zullo. I resent the countless cash-grab crossover covers Marvel churns out these days. Except for this one, because Dr Bunsen Honeydew and Beaker are deadset legends.

SONG OF THE WEEK

Look, I had a few earmarked. Then I heard Sombr's "12 To 12" for the first time. Even though it came out two months ago, it's a masterpiece. I can't not make it the late-to-the-party SOTW. His fellow popster Addison Rae kills it in the clip, too.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZgUiR31m-Y

BEST TV SHOW I WATCHED IN THE PAST WEEK

Is this fourth or fifth series? I've dug 'em all. Gang of lovely people exploring their very different faiths - and learning about each other - on an ancient walking trail through the mountains of Austria and Switzerland. Stunning scenery and equally captivating religious sites. But it's the moments of unguarded humanity that will move you the most.

Was Kirk a jerk?

As I said to RS2, I'm not sure this podcast prequel needs to exist. Nevertheless, it's a high-quality audio production, reasonably engaging, features cameos from Sulu and Tuvok, and it's FREE. Five episodes released so far out of a planned nine.

Squeezed but pleased

(Russian expression.)

Memory modules, Part 16 was going to be "MV1 - Midnight On Dagger Alley". Then I realised I'm bored with the concept. Perhaps I'll resurrect it in the future.

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A cut above the usual slasher flick, successfully combining as it does a situation rom-comedy arc. Shocks. Satire. Likeable stars. Fittingly absurd explanation.

Numbers station-master

Car-window stickers seen while out running errands this morn:

* "If you think this is slow, wait 'til we go up hill"

* "Tell your dog I said hi", AND

* "Surf church" (whatever the heck that means!).

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Stocked up on a pair of favourites from the South African cafe. Alas, they can't do Castle Lager takeaways, only dine-in. Simba Mrs Ball's Chutney are the mad kings of the crisp jungle, while those apricot sweets are utterly unique - and moreish.

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Finished this birthday gift from sister EM. Not a tome to be rushed. "The Meaning Of Liff" by way of John Green. Tackle it as a melancholy meander through smartly contrived words and eternal truths.

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Pod rec. Three-part investigation into the impact of the war against Japan on Britain and her allies, and why it has been largely forgotten (save by those with family links) when compared to the war against Germany.

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Post-apoc fairytale that starts pissweak, ends all right and has its moments along the dusty trail. I'd rewrite it to be clearer in several places and subtler in several others. The backdrops also tend to be uniformly dull.

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"Westworld" meets trafficking meets special-forces dude on the hunt. Good B-grade fare... Solid fight choreog. Bulk beauties (and boobs). Consistent characterisation. Satisfying conclusion that ain't too Hollywood.

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Smashed the second "Slime" manga boxed set. Cheers'n'frozen Cokes, RS1!

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Had a stab at this after lunch. Dunno if I like it yet. While we're talking vidyagames, have you wishlisted "Mina The Hollower"? You have? What about watching the trailer for the fillum "Obex"?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kh4EHcjJdFU

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Memory modules, Part 15

W. DM-ed this in the basement* of his family dwelling. His mother had provided a whole packet of wafer biscuits each (unthinkable at my joint) for sustenance. The setup of the module was compelling in a proto-"Ravenloft" way. There were French-sounding names for us to have fun mangling. There were obviously dangers galore. The fatal flaw was I, as the lone player, was trying to control an entire party of adventurers in a situation that demanded repeated cunning plans and extensive role playing (interacting with the castle's nutty inhabitants) in order to survive. I couldn't simply make attack rolls or cross off spells for each chara. I don't believe I progressed far.

*Or about as close as we get in Oz, i.e. a partially below-ground storey under a house built on a slope.

Spider-Man eats Fruit Tingles

In yesterday's timeline of imaginary dungeoneering and dragon-slaying, I neglected to include the period during which I GM-ed at my Sydders FLGS every Saturday afternoon for MONTHS. What a colourful bunch of players they were, from the lasses who would diligently paint minis, link chainmail, etc. as we gamed (while still paying full attention) to the chap closer to my age whose character was like a dodgy New Age faith healer.

That admission was an oversight on my part. However, I didn't try to and couldn't possibly note every different group with whom I've played "D&D" only 1-3 times - irrespective of how well it went. For instance, the one-off adventure run by RS1 for BS, MM, KT and myself.

Memory modules, Part 14

R. had borrowed the handbooks from KT and written a fiendish 1E/2E scenario. The venue was M.'s apartment. We feasted on Macca's and other junk food. Looking back, the quest was very videogame-esque. It was also very rad. Lots of undead. Foes employing degenerate combos such as Short Sword Of Quicknesss/Boots Of Striding And Springing (hope I've got that right). My chara was a cleric and, because I knew Call Lightning, I kept asking about the weather. Eventually, as we approached a living demonic gate made of bones a la a Motorhead album cover, R. gave in and said, "There are storm clouds overhead." I cast the spell and rolled so ridiculously on a handful of dice that the carefully constructed obstacle was blasted to smithereens from a distance, amid much laughter.

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A top spook (Fassbender) is given a list of five people who could be a traitor...one of whom is his wife (Blanchett). Preposterous, slick as fick as far as visuals and dialogue (Soderbergh), and not entirely predictable.

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This arrived on Monday. I've read the first short module (of four). It's charming! Echoing the events of the show to a degree, while absolutely feeling like the sort of dark, gonzo trial a rebel metalhead would design. The scribbled notes from Eddie to Dustin - as his potential successor chairing the club - scattered throughout the text are the silver icing on the jet-black cake.

Memory modules, Part 13

When I talk about my "D&D" group, well, there wasn't a single gaming circle, and it certainly wasn't unchanging.

I learnt to role-play in Year 5 with WD, CS, RK and MG. But over the following years, I mainly slung dice with JH, DP and MD. When I say "mainly", I mean 99% of weekends and holidays! Until, in my later teens, this mutated into BP, DP, MG2, JL and DB - with occasional appearances from members of the earlier squads.

At uni, as mentioned in a recent blog, I "D&D"-ed with DQ, DW2 and 6-7 others whose initials I can't be arsed racking my brain to summon up. Then in Sydney, in my 30s, my regular-ish group was SC, LPO, LM and TC. And later, hereabouts, there was 1.5 years of fortnightly sessions with five good peeps - who I was slowly getting to know - that sadly ceased due to the Pando.

What I would consider the golden years, though...that was me, JH, DP and MD. Even a cracking convention module can't compare to the fun we had hex-ploring the worlds of Greyhawk, Toril and Krynn. (Along with outer space in "Star Frontiers" and Middle-Earth in "MERP".)

Apart from the university collective, I've never had a permanent DM. We've always taken turns. The module I've run the most times in my life is "The Temple Of Elemental Evil". Am sorry to report that we didn't once finish it. Every party was intrigued by the village concealing dark secrets. Every party either died in the titular complex or decided the job of averting this particular existential threat was too daunting.

It was an exciting place to visit, but they didn't wanna campaign there.

Memory modules, Part 12

MG's mum ran a donut shop (they were delicious; the caramel'n'cream was the standout). In the same arcade was a toy store with a proper TSR product stand for which modern collectors would give their right arm. M. was kinda spoilt and, as a result, had many modules plucked from the aforementioned stand. He kept them in clear plastic sleeves in a folder. When we'd idly flip through it, B5 always caught my eye. I *think* it was his fave, too. The presentation was nicer and inside it supplemented the dungeon delves with a wilderness crawl. 

When we studied "The Hobbit" in English, our teacher Mr D. asked the class to define a wizard. M. piped up with, "A magic-user of 9th level or above." While he was BECMI correct, I remember being embarrassed at his literal-ness. Level titles were wacky, weren't they? Why was every 8th-level m-u a Necromancer? Did they suddenly become interested in raising the dead on reaching that amount of XP? And did anyone really use the counterpart female term for Wizard suggested in the "Companion Set", viz. Maga? That last question's rhetorical.