At a recent gaming session we were surprised to be joined by an unannounced player. He refused to give us his name, saying that he wished only to be known by his character’s name of “Njiel Stronginthearm”, a dwarven fighter. A method player, it seemed. He was accompanied by a pair of muscular men in sunglasses and mustaches. At first we had told him that we were playing a closed session, but his ingratiating manner was such a pleasant change from the usual griping and gas-letting encountered at the table that we decided to let him have a chair. (Did I mention the big men?) Little did we know.

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I got word from SEAD that the Second Story book is at the printers and should be back around the 25th. If you are quick, you can still get a pre-order in for a reduced price.

Wednesday night I went to see Scratch at the Little. A very interesting flick. It’s a documentary about the use of turntables as an instrument. It covered a lot of bases, but mostly stayed in the Hip-Hop realm. While I’ve never been a big fan of rap or scratching (there are a few pieces I like), a lot of what I listen to has been either influenced by it or a direct descendant of it. Someone like Paul Oakenfold doesn’t sound very Hip-Hop, but his use of turntables to mix beats was pioneered by people like Grand Mixer DXT. His work on Herbie Hancock’s “Rockit” seemed to be what that just about everyone in the film mentioned as being the influence that started them off.

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I just finished watching Stomp Outlound for the first time since I built the subwoofer. Uh… wow.

Two of the best bits from the stage show didn’t make it on the video: the walkers with the 50 gallon steel drums on their feet, and the rubber tubes (my fav). The kitchen scene helps make up for that, though.

I went to see The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys at the Little Theatre last night. Loved it! Jodi Foster’s production company, Egg Pictures, produced the film, and she was, as always, terrific, but it�s the boys� movie. It’s nice when a star can be involved with a film like this and not feel the need to take it over. I saw the trailer when I went to Monsoon Wedding (which I also enjoyed a great deal) and decided to keep my eye out for it. I’m glad I did, as it’s only playing here for this week! I had simply expected to see an amusing film with a touch of angst, but it was much funnier than I expected, and much more poignant.

Jojii’s Sword recently had a haiku contest centered around memories of those who had moved on (in the game). Here’s one of mine:

as i seek her eyes
in the faces of the crowd
her farewell lingers

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