925 thoughts on “Ebenezar Scrolled”

  4. Crap joke for the day:

    It was two o’clock in the morning and a husband and wife were asleep, when suddenly the phone rang. The husband picked up the phone and said, “Hello? (Pause as he listens.) How the heck do I know? What am I, the weather man?” and promptly slammed the phone down. His wife rolls over and asks, “Who was that?” The husband replies, “I don’t know. Some guy who wanted to know if the coast was clear.”

    • ” It’s not that there’s a classical brain that does some quantum magic. It’s that there’s no brain!”

      That explains a lot of my behavior over the course of my life.

    • On a more serious note, I do take exception when scientist throw around the word “illusion” when talking about reality. An “illusion” as compared to what? We perceive what we are meant to, there isn’t some alternate way we could perceive reality that would be more “real” than we currently do. We would only be seeing a different aspect about it and most likely an aspect that doesn’t have any direct bearing on our “realness”. A better question is how do you define “real”?

      • Without having read it through:

        Are they saying that each perception of reality is unique to the individual mind, and therefore, each self-aware being creates their own experience of reality?

        Or are they saying that there is a baseline reality, but that it’s impossible for different minds to experience and perceive that reality in the same way?

        • It is more the first point. There are a lot of different ideas put forth. The main ones being how evolution shaped our perception of our reality and the other the fleeting nature of reality when viewed with a quantum lens.

      • The critical one is really a critic of the franchise movement that SW helped spawn, and the rebuttal states that SW should be judged independent of its franchise creating momentum. I’m not finding much critic or praise of the “films as art” in either article. Maybe it is just me.

        • (Now that I’ve read them both)

          The critical one does take some potshots at the movies’ artistic merits, even the sacred ones.
          The rebuttal also doesn’t defend its artistry, but rather its popular appeal. I’m no filmmaker, but I’d definitely argue that there’s plenty of technique to admire in the original 3.

  8. “Prince Lestat and the Realms of Atlantis.”
    Could there be a more off-putting title for the seventh book in a series of vampire novels?

    I’d say it sounds like Lestat has jumped the shark, but with a title like that, it’s possible that he truly does jump sharks in the new book.

  9. 5,689 words written tonight. 8,774 (preferably a few more) to write tomorrow, plus a whole bunch of Secret Santa emails to send. I promise I will do the Secret Santa emails first. Right now, I am falling asleep.

    Good night, mushzzzzzzzzz

  25. So in my attempt to right the “Edge of the Empire” Deadpan game can you guys check to make sure I have the correct character assignments? I apparently lost my notes on who was playing who. From memory:
    41-VEX, Colonist (Van)
    Pash, Smuggler (Jack)
    Oskara, Bounty Hunter (Tiffany)
    Lohrrick, Hired Gun (Ditto)
    Tendaar, Engineer (Lo Pan)
    CH-1, Bounty Hunter (Amy)
    Ed?
    Cynful?

    I’m going to try to create a narrative that connects the published pregenerated modules into a story I want to tell. Also, I would like to extend the option to play a custom character if you are so inclined. Send me a note if you are so inclined and I can help.

    Thanks.

    PS: If you aren’t listed but want to play let me know as well. 🙂

  26. Interesting question came up during Betrayal at House on the Hill last night! Question for those who know the game:

    The scenario. During the haunt, the heroes had to successfully complete dice rolls in certain rooms to win the game. My character discovered and placed one of those new rooms during the haunt. It’s an event room.
    Can I do my roll right away as part of the winning condition?
    Or do I have to draw the Event first and contend with that before doing my roll?

    • As a game, Betrayal is missing a lot of specifics on the rules. I think Avalon Hill could have done a better job play testing it and adding commentary to be more understandable. It is still a blast to play though. In my view, if the scenario doesn’t explicitly say that Events can be overlooked, you have to resolve them first before preforming your action. I could be wrong however.

  32. Crap joke for the day:

    There I was is sitting at the bar staring at my drink when a large, troublemaking biker steps up next to me, grabs my drink and gulps it down in one swig.

    “Well, whatcha gonna do about it?” he says, menacingly, as I suddenly burst into tears.

    “Oh, come on, man,” the biker says, “I didn’t think you’d CRY. I can’t stand to see a man crying.”

    “This is the worst day of my life,” I say. “I’m a complete failure. I was late to a meeting and my boss fired me. When I went to the parking lot, I found my car had been stolen and I don’t have any insurance. I left my wallet in the cab I took home. I found my wife in bed with the gardener, and then my dog bit me.”

    “So I came to this bar to work up the courage to put an end to it all. I buy a drink, I drop a capsule in and sit here watching the poison dissolve; then you, you jackass, show up and drink the whole thing! But enough about me, how’s your day going?

  39. On another note, here is a random quote that I heard today.

    “You know those new Toyota trucks… they really know how to jack you off!”

  47. So, informal poll. What are your favorite tabletop games that you still actually play currently? (i.e., Talisman wouldn’t count) Top 5?

    I’d say:
    X-Wing
    Betrayal at House on the Hill
    Fluxx
    Ticket to Ride
    Exploding Kittens

    and Dominion

  49. On a related note (to gaming, not Van being stumped), the adult Code Names ditto gave us is a little too adult for 90% of those we play with. I might have to bring it to the next mmmmeeet up I make it too

  56. I’m crafting my DPSS gift this year and am seriously concerned about it arriving before 12/25.

    Sorry. I will do my best to get it there asap.

      • He did not tell that story, but now I need to find it on Youtube.

        He did talk about how he toyed with his angry, homophobic emailers, who’d written him, ready to trash all of his albums, in response to false internet rumors that he was dating Rupaul.

  81. Waiting to get into the cinema, Rogue One trailer starts playing on a monitor.

    Silly young lass says “not interested they are already dead’

    Ok, great!

  103. Tragedy upon tragedy this year.

    On the other hand, I hung out with a bunch of you this year, married my perfect partner, had some amazing moments with my family, and had some great times.

      • It’s been a neat confluence of technology that has enabled me. One is the availability of cheap Dobsonian telescopes that replace the expensive tripod mount with a simple friction base, the advanced cameras on smart phones and the digital apps for sky searching and lunar atlases. Plus I’m learning the tricks to take better pictures on my phone. 

  116. I bring you somber news.

    EssBee’s mom passed away today. She wanted me to pass on the info as she cannot.

    Think good thoughts for Ess and Sly today and the rest of this holiday season.

  119. Essbee, Sly, and the rest
    Of the Ess Fam,

    I am so sorry for the loss of your Mom. Cherish your love for her and stay strong.

    *Hugs*

  121. Attended a friend’s wedding last night. I’ve endured a few super crazy long wedding masses in my day, but this was the first where the entire thing was in Spanish. Echoey, reverby Spanish bouncing around in a huge church, so I couldn’t even follow along with my limited grasp of the language.

    That’s not a complaint, of course– just an interesting way to spend a Friday night.

      • Heh. I tried to follow along, but the echoes did me in.

        And I hadn’t intended to make a political statement out of this, but. . . the handful of “No Habla Espanol” white folks in attendance managed to enjoy the occasion and be happy for our friends and their families without getting stupidly indignant and shouting “Speak English, this is ‘Murica!”

        Amazing, how easy it is to just enjoy and appreciate and blend in at an event based in a culture outside your own.

  127. I think my company rented out a theater for Rogue one.

    You know because seeing Ludacris live last night was no big.

    Oh and my feet hurt and I miss you all.

    • Yep yep. I joined just before the internet died. I’ve been having trouble remembering to watch since they moved the feed to FB. It was good to see you.

  133. So tonight I played the ‘Toobin’ arcade game.

    It’s shorter than I remember.

    The music is still great.

    I got through the game without paddling backwards.

  134. stolen from a friend

    So there was a man from San Francisco who always wanted to be a trolley conductor. The man went to school, completed his training and eventually got his dream job. On his first day of the job, the man hit and killed a pedestrian. He was sent to death row. On death row, the man was asked what he wanted for his last meal. He asked for a steak, mashed potatoes, and a rare type of blue-coluored apple native to Africa. The jail and government complied, and the man ate his last meal. He was sent to the electric chair. Once there, the executioner flipped the switch…and nothing happened. At the time, laws prevented governments from multiple attempts at execution, so the man was freed.
    He again tried to live as a trolley conductor, and regained his license. Unfortunately, he hit and killed a couple on his next day of work. He was sent to death row. When asked what he wanted for his last meal, he requested spaghetti, meatballs, and the same blue apples. He ate his meal and was sent back to the electric chair the next day. When the executioner flipped the switch, nothing happened. He was released again.
    At this point the man went back to school and reworked his license, desperate to succeed in his dream career. He went back to his job as a trolley conductor and STILL killed a family immediately after returning to his job. He was sent to death row. While there, he was asked what he wanted for his last meal. He asked for chicken, rice, and the SAME blue apples. After eating, he was sent right to the electric chair. For the third time, the switch was flipped and nothing happened.
    At this point, the guards approached the man, curious, and asked why the electric chair seemed to have no effect on him. The man, calmly, looked at them and said, “I don’t know, I guess I’m just a bad conductor.”

    • I just skimmed the review looking for a simple up or down.

      Two word summation: It’s gritty.

      Six word summation: I like that it is gritty.

      Eighteen word summation: I really like that it is gritty, hope the next Star Wars movies are a little more upbeat.

  144. I’m very confused. I’m hearing reports that Alan Thicke died today while playing hockey with his 19 year old son. I can’t find a legit news source yet to confirm.

  153. Today’s flick is The Other Side of the Door

    The PVR write: A grieving mother upsets the balance between life and death when she opens an ancient door that releases the restless spirit of her deceased son

    • On 1st day of 47 Ronin my true love gave to me
      The first Ronin to avenge master.

      On the 2nd day of 47 Ronin my true love gave to me
      The second Ronin to aveng master

      On the 3rd day of 47 Ronin….

    • I’ll second that. All of the zzzzzsssss….

      Though I often feel that I post into the void here anymore.

      Probably because I’m a fleeting poster these days.
      I’d love to change that. I’m such a disappointing pannite :pan:

  248. After seeing Rogue One I went to Pizza Hut and was instantly reminded why I don’t like the sit in restaurants over here.

    Food is always under cooked..ack!

    • (Can someone please pick up the required “Pizza the Hutt” joke, here? thx)

      Pizza Hut was a rare treat when I was a kid, because there were none near us. I recall the crust being delicious and crispy, and the whole thing was just rich, buttery joy.

      One or both of us has changed for the worse, over the years, getting fattier, soggier, and less appealing.

  251. I can recall that shortly after the dawn of the Interwebs, companies would send the coolest “animated” Christmas cards. The best one’s (I thought) were the ones that had Easter eggs in them. Maybe the “card” was a picture of a Toy Shop window and when you clicked certain things it would cause toys to do stuff.
    I miss those.
    These days I just get Seasonal JPGs.
    Perhaps I am no longer on the “cool” mailing lists.

  256. And as usual, the latest Apple update mucks needlessly about with iTunes features that were working. Missing is the “go to album” menu option and for some reason, podcasts won’t show the speaker icon when playing.

    • I gave up using iTunes for podcasts about a year ago, switched to the overcast app and never looked back.

      No good if you use your computer to listen to
      Podcasts though.

  258. Yesterday I dreamed that I had a propeller attachment for my smartphone and was flying about the city wearing a wing-suit and navigating via an app. I’m going have a conversation with my subconscious.

  269. Fuck Christmas!
    It’s a waste of fucking time
    Fuck Santa
    He’s just out to get your dime
    Fuck Holly and fuck Ivy
    And fuck all that mistletoe
    White-bearded big fat bastards
    Ringing bells where e’er you go
    And bloated men in shopping malls
    All going Ho-Ho-Ho
    It’s Christmas fucking time again!

    <3 Eric Idle

  273. So, my daughter completely got me yesterday. . . I wanted to encourage some excitement about our new neighborhood, so I told her while we in the supermarket checkout line, that I’d seen a football player from the Cardinals in there a few days earlier.

    She responded by singing “Lame Claim to Fame.”

  277. J0e: Go for it! Rock on!

    Everybody: I’m trying to make a fanmix again, and I need new song ideas. So, my question to you is:

    What’s the first song that comes to your mind when I say “depressing song full of self-loathing?”

    For reference, the ones I’m already using are:
    Hurt / Johnny Cash
    Behind Blue Eyes / The Who
    Fade to Black / Metallica