Emerald City Comic-Con

So this Saturday, after a very long day at work, I went with two friends, Taylor and Tori to the Emerald City Comic Con. Took with me my comics to get signed, and a desire for some fun. 

Stood in line for about half an hour, and finally got in. My first goal at a convention is to hunt down the SWAG (Stuff-we-all-get) and do a quick walk through. This was stopped about half way through when I ran across my favorite comic-book in the world, Humberto Ramos.

Being the genial, nice guy that Humberto truly is, his line was long, and very slow moving (He would take a nice long time making sketches for people, all the while talking for them. I stood in line for a good hour, which was more than worth it, as getting his signature was my only goal for the day. Got two comics signed by him and moved on.

I went hunting around, having lost my two companions, and came across Stan Sakai of Usagi Yojimbo. Fame. He almost no line whatsoever, which was a little sad for me, but I walked up and got issues of the Samurai Rabbit’s comic signed. He was a very nice little old guy who smiled, and obviously loved what he was doing. He holds a special place for me, as I’m currently working on a Samurai Animal comic. He even gave me a nice smile that my camera missed, so you’ll have to just enjoy this one.

 

 

 

 

 

I then did a bit of walking around. This included walking by and taking a few pictures (on my friend’s camera, you’ll have to wait a few weeks for the photos) of Kaylee of Firefly, as well and Helo, Chief, and Col. Tigh of Battlestar Galactica.

The worst part of the day though, came at 2 o’clock. You see, we went over for a game demo of Frag Zombies, in which a weird looking was mixing the two games, Frag, and Zombies. We had seen a lot of what we wanted to for the day, and could spare to take a break for two hours (as we were told would happen) and then proceeded to play the worst game I ever played in my life. He changed rules every turn, and every  card he handed out, he had to consult with us, because he had changed the definitions. Finally, about two hours into it, I mentioned that the con would be ending soon, so we need to leave, and his response was that we still had three hours before the end, and thus could keep playing. So what did I do? Get myself killed so I could leave, and quickly, I did not want to end my day on such a bad note, I still wanted to look around a bit more before the end. The only highlight of the game was when Jewel Staite, Kaylee of Firefly walked by, with her wavy blonde hair and cute little smile. Even my wife will admit she’s one cute girl. 

So our day ended, and my friends and I went home to play another rousing game of Shadows over Camelot, and Warmachine.

Have a good Monday.

For the Retailer

Hello one and all. I’m sorry that I wasn’t able to lift your spirits this last Monday, my wife’s siblings were in town, and thus, I was not able to put a post together in time. Today this one goes out to the Retailers. I discovered this artist, Norm Feuti, at work on Thursday.

A Syndicated Artist, his comics appear nationwide. In order to stay within Copyright laws, rather than pulling a Strip for you to see, I would like to direct you to his blog. There you’ll discover the truths we states about any and everyperson who has ever had the chance to work retail, such as the time when that customer comes in an asks you “Hey! Do you have this in Small?” Of course, knowing your stock, you state matter-of-factly. “No, I’m afraid we’re all out of smalls.”  The customer then says “Well, can you go back and look anyway?” This of course is always such an absurd request. You could be rude, and say, “You know lady, I’ve worked here for five years now. I know what we have, and given you are the fifth person to ask today, I can tell you will all certainty, we have NO SMALLS!!!”  In stead, you inwardly roll your eyes, and say “Sure, I’ll be right back.” Then, in order to make them fell better, you  go in the back and loll around for a few minutes, before going back out to tell them, “I’m sorry it doesn’t look like we have small anymore.” The customer only THEN feels better about you not having Smalls, and leaves less angry. Of course, you yourself loose more faith in humanity at this point. This is what Norm Feuti understands. Each and every strip of his I’ve read is not an exaggeration at all. Complete truth, and thus, completely funny. Check it out.

What really got me the day I found the comic strip at work (I work at Barnes and Noble,) was that the same day I had several stereotypical problems with customers. One particular incident really bothered me. 

Now, I pride myself on my customer service. I get complimented on my smile, and how genuine it is. People thank me for my help. I have never, until that day had my good customer service insulted. Here’s what happened.  

I stepped back to the Music department to relieve someone for their break. I helped a few customers, and then, having just finished speaking about Metallica with one customer, I turned to a small older gal who was looking for a Jazz CD. I pulled it up on the computer, and as per normal customer service cuties, I indicated we go look for it. I go over to the Jazz section and find it is not there. (Of course I knew it wouldn’t be there, as she had already looked there.) I could tell she was already a bit miffed that I would dare to look where she already had, but it’s always good to start from the beginning regardless. So I say, “It seems it’s not here, perhaps it’s on a display hiding from us.”

Now, on the way over there, I indicated to a British Gentleman that I would be with him shortly.

Looking around the store, bending over to check on all the displays, I head back towards the desk to to cal someone else. I was not even looking at the British Gentleman, who understood I was still helping the gal and said, “Is there some you’re looking for sir?” 

He says, “Yes, I’m looking for an iTunes card.” It shoots through my head. Cool, I can multitask, this will take only thirty seconds. “I’m sorry sir, we don’t but the Apple Store at the mall only two blocks away will. You could even leave your car here and walk over there to avoid parking.” He says thank you, and walks away. I continue around the desk and called the other Employee who tells me where it is right away. Mission accomplished!!

I turn and hand the CD cheerfully to her. I turn to ring her up. I turn to this:

“In all the years I’ve shopped, I have never had someone who helped me stop to help someone who wasn’t even going to buy anything! You’ve made me fell worthless!”

Wow. Here I pulled off a perfect Multitask, and got the other customer out of the way, so I could safely give all my attention to her, and not feel I was rushing her to be done and gone. It took me only thirty seconds. I turned away for thirty second, and got him away! And what does she say? I insulted her? No, she insulted me. I smiled blithely and said only this, “And I do apologize for that.” Continuing to smile at her, I continue to ring her up, and just as she leaves, flusteredly she says “It takes a lot for me to speak up.” And she leaves. I highly doubt it takes much for her. Probably speaks up all the time. And with that she is gone. WOW! I as speechless. I thought of making an excuse to her, and saying, I understand your concern. I asked what he needed while continuing to help you, and then when I realized his question would take more than a single answer, (something that no salesclerk can know until the customer asks the question) I turned to take care of it so I wasn’t taking up either of your time. No. I didn’t tell her this. Making excuses would have only reduced her faith in my more. Excuses always sound so pitiful. Instead, I apologized for nothing, and sent her on her way. Did I mention I was only employee in music? Yep, I was handling four customers at once, the best I could.

Yes, even a Hero of Mondays has rough days. Anyone have odd customers like that? Let me know.

Have a good Monday.

A New Genre, for your consideration

Hello again, all. It is, again, Monday. And thus, the start of another long work week. And thusly, it is my job to make your Monday a little better. Before I begin, I would like to give you a chance to voice your ideas. If there is a subject that you would like to know about, or perhaps a subject you love and would like to share and save someone else’s Monday, please send along your comments so I can do so. Basically, I spend some Saturdays preparing these blog entries weeks in advance, so give me something to work on.

 

So, onto the subject at hand. Steampunk

Some of you may be familiar with what Steampunk is. It was a newly birthed Fantasy/Sci-fi genre in the early 80s, right around the time of the birth of Cyberpunk (Bladerunner and Matrix as some of the best examples.)

The original purpose for Steam Punk was to take some of the tenants of the Punk Revolution, (these include anti-authoritarianism and anarchy) and place them into the Victoriana Time period, and to act as a “emulsifier,” you introduce modern technologies in this time period, using the ultimate power they had back then, Steam. This could take the avatar of a Victoriana Cell phone. The only problem is, to power said cell phone,you need a fifty pound steam engine in a wheelbarrow to run it.  (By the way, picture right here is an actual working cell phone. You’ll notice there is no buttons: to call you place a designated punch card with the numbers programmed into it to make and receive calls. Cool huh? I would love to have one of these.) 

Steampunk is very different from Cyberpunk in one very different way. Cyberpunk deals with the same ideals but based on the concept of Electricity and untouchable powers and philosophies, while Steampunk is involved in the physical. And gears and cogs that with the slightest wrong touch could send the entirety of society to hell in a hand-basket (As in one of the original Steampunk novels, “The Difference Engine” by William Gibson and Bruce Sterling.) A side note, on the Wiki link I included, you’ll find that a Difference Engine was actually created. In the book, alternate history begins when Babbage does in fact create a working Difference Engine that is a supercomputer. If, from the creation of such an engine you can spark the technology of the 80s into the Victorian Era, you have steampunk.

Steampunk has evolved over the last twenty years, of course. For the most part, it encompasses the same concept, but not the same philosophy. While we call it Steampunk, today, most Steampunk in writing is really more of a Steam-power fantasy. In the case of the wildly popular game Warmachine by Privateer Press, they call it instead “Full Metal Fantasy,” as it includes all the sub-genres of Steampunk, including but not limited to Biopunk (the Frankenstinian Cryx) The Dieselpunk Menoth,  Steampunk Khador, and the more Edisonian/Tesla based Cygnar.

For a while, I was under the impression that there was two kinds of Steampunk, Victorian Steam Fantasy, and Cowboy Steampunk. I was wrong. They are two different genres.

Movies like Wild, Wild West are in fact “steam based” but they fall under the realm of the Genre entitled Edisonian. Edisonian fiction has been around since Jules Verne birthed it years ago. the difference? Edisonian is about a wildly crazy inventor, creating an engine that takes him out to the wild west and has a life as sparkly and big as Davey Crocket or Daniel Boone.

 

The Steampunk culture is a growing one. You can read about it in the Steampunk Magazine, or listen to the sounds of the Steampunk subculture of the band Abney Park. The Steampunk Genre is only just starting to come to light. You can go to and do a basic search of some other steampunk Blogs, such as Brass Goggles or  Steampunk Home or Steampunk Workshop. All of these will give you a small glimpse of the art, culture, and technology that is Steampunk.

Here are a few Steampunk Books you might look into.

Difference Engine by William Gibson and Bruce Sterling ISBN 9780553294613 (I’m currently reading it. Very good.)

Steampunk Anthology edited by Ann and Jeff Vandermeer ISBN 9781892391759 (Some quirky, some weird, and some whimsical stories.) 

Extraordinary Engines Steam Punk Anthology edited by Nick Gevers ISBN 9781844166008

Mainspring by Jake Lake ISBN 9780765356369 (I’m about to start reading this one. Come highly recommended. Very Steambased history of earth in which the entire world revolves on a huge machine. Gabriel the Brass Angels comes to our would be hero, a clock repairman who no one likes, and gives him a quest to find the key that will wind up the earth before it stops, and ends all life.)

It is always good to open up your horisons to other genres you may not have read before, if only to give you a deeper respect for the creativity of others. Have a great Monday, and don’t let your boiler get to low. 

-Monday’s Hero

Game Night for Families

I know, I know, this always comes off as a degrading terminology to me too. Let me do some explaining though. I love playing games. I love playing good quality board games. I love playing computer games (though I normally avoid them, as they suck my life away) I love wargames, I love roleplaying games. I think everyone should. But unfortunately, the only companies who have ever supported “Family game nights” are the big vanilla names such as Milton Bradley, Parker Bros. and their ilk. 

So, what can family game night really mean? Well, there is the stigmata I feel sits on the family game night: Pulling out games that the kids will go wild about, such as games in which you randomly move Ginger Bread children past the clutches of Lord Liqorice, but the fact is, the parents will only get one thing out of it, and that is seeing their kids having fun. Why do we prefer to watch TV over playing those crappy games? Because we genuinely enjoy spending the time enjoying a good TV show. So, on the bad end of the spectrum, we have

1. Playing a crappy game and guffawing like Mike Meyers and acting like we’re actually having fun, even though you’re thinking about watching Dan Blather or Monday Night Football.

2. Going and watching Lost and having to cover you’re children’s eyes half the time.  

On the other side though, I am in full support of a good QUALITY game night with family and friends. But this requires good games. The advantage of  a good game if you not only learn something about each other (maybe little Jimmy hates losing, and so playing a co-op game is better. Maybe dad is strategic genius who will only play Axis and Allies with his buddies: Get Carcassonne.

You also learn. You really, truly LEARN in a good game. A good game is replayable. Why stop watching TV? For the same reason I avoid Video games. You have nothing to show for them. Sure, you can say such things as “Oh! you remember the time when Frasier embarrassed himself?” or “Remember the time when Hurley finally figured it out and was in the looney bin?” Yeah, that’s nice, and you never forget those deep moments. But how much better to have your kids saying someday, “Hey, remember the time when Dad had a good one hundred points over us in Carcassonne, and I farmed the land and got 200 points, beating him?” Or, “Remember in Shadow over Camelot, when I single handedly defeated the Dragon? No one has ever beat the Dragon!” And sister says “Nuh-uh! I helped you. If I hadn’t given you the Grail and brought you back to life, you would never, ever have beaten him!”

Those are the times you really cherish, moments that your family actually have with one another. 

Now, I can rant and rave about how much you need to play quality games, but what’s the point if I don’t inform you which game you should or should not be playing? Thus, I am now going to give you some “Lists of five,” for you to consider. 

Games for families with younger Kids (no particular order):

1. Apples to Apple. A good game to help teach kids Adjectives along with Nouns. Can be fun, and challenging, and you get to see your kid’s sense of humor come out.

2. Zooloretto. Won major awards this year, very fun and easy game. Suggested for 8+. I think a 5 year old who has played other game can play this great game. Must have.

3. Carcassonne. A wonderful game for all ages. With help form an adult a 4 year old can play, but adults and competitive types will love it too. Helps teach matching and strategy.

4. Sorry! I know, it’s a Parker Bros. game, and it’s completely random, but it is fun hitting one another and sending each other back. Can help teach disappointment, and they have just as much of a chance at beating the adults too. 

5. Last Word. A good game for increasing vocabulary. Person flips over subject, and you must all start shouting out words that start with the hot letter, that match the verb. Timer has a variable ending, so you never know who will be last.

Games for older kids and family.

1. Cosmic Encounters. This is a remake of an old classic from the seventies and eighties. It has ironed out all the problems form last editions. And a definite must. There are fifty different aliens, each with their own game altering abilities, so the game will never be the same.

2. Settlers of Catan. A must for everyone to have played by the time they leave the house. God for teaching trading, and haggling. Can be competitive, or private.

3. Shadows Over Camelot. Every family should play a co-op game, and this is co-op at its finest. Everyone wins, or everyone loses. (Or you can play with the Traitor, and he might beat you all.)

4. Cranium. Too bad this was bought by Hasbro. It is a great family game, and unlike Trivial Pursuit, in which a kid who could care less about facts might not enjoy, here there is something for everyone. Art, acting, trivia, spelling, its all here. 

5. Blokus. Mensa game or 1-4 players. A great game indeed. There are two editions, on is squares, and the other Trigon, or if you want 3-D, get Rumis, which has just been renamed, it would appear, Blokus 3-D. A”think outside the lines,” game. Very good for developing cranial stimulation.

Simple Games:

1. Phase-10. Good game in which you put down different sequences of cards. Can help develop crd identification. 

2. Yahtzee. Good game of math and decisions. You’ve never played it? I’m sorry.

3. Nerts. Wow. This game will blow you mind. Go to the link I’ve provided, and buy a completely separate deck of cards for each player (I believe 6 is best to have on hand.)

4. Pit. Wild, loud, and headache creating. Totally worth it! 

5. Shut the Box. Another Yahtzee type game in which you must make mathematical decisions. Good for solitaire, or for multiples. Only problem is, you need a box for each person if you play multiple.

Of course there are plenty of other game. My wife and I love to play Phase 10, Stratego, Infernal Contraption. Each of these are great. And I try to write as many reviews as I can over on my other Blog, Gamegorilla where you will also find this particular entry. But I ask you basically to consider each of those ten games, ten games to have in the house or having friends over, playing with your kids, or giving them when they move out. All of these games are worth having handy.

My suggestion? Finish your break by looking up the closest board game store in your area and on your way home, go by and get one of these game. Show up at home with a surprise. Go over and unplug the TV (Wives appreciate the football game being turned off every once and a while,or basketball, depending on the game season.) And inform them after dinner (you did pick up KFC on your way home too?) you’re going to play a game, or two, or three. The kids will hurry to finish their homework and you’ll have a good time. Heck, maybe it’ll become what you do every Monday. 

I hope this helped save your Monday. That’s my job afterall.

-Monday’s Hero

First One Hundred days

Okay, so as I write this, I’m going to do the unthinkable, I’m going to go and look at what Obama has done so far. I’ve avoided this because I’ve feared what I will see. Why fear? I didn’t vote for him. I didn’t vote for the opposition either. I didn’t like what either had to say. So, yeah, I’ve fear what he’s done. Not look forward to this. So, while I’m over looking at what he’s done, reflect on this photograph:

Okay, I’m back. Did he picture spark some good conversation? Good. My opinion is that on Letterman he was toked out of his gourd.

So, about Obama. I went on the White House Website to see what important things he’s been up to, an honestly: Vanilla. He’d been doing nothing so far, as is to be expected. Obviously there is more he’s doing than we know, but the fact is, he’s putting up a good face to show America how much he’s helping. He’s doing what every other president does, using buzzwords and keys things. What stood out to me? He nominated another Republican to join his illustrious Team of Rivals, this particular Republican, Judd Gregg is good at “Reaching across the aisle.” Damn it, I’m tired of hotwords. Words that don’t make us feel any better, but make the politicians feel all cozy. Reaching across the isle doesn’t mean anything. We need both parties to stand up for what they believe in, and then make a decision that will benefit the whole nation. I don;t want to see people reaching across. They need to get off their seats, and walk into the aisle, and when they come to agreement, go back and sit down. The other thing that popped out at me was the “Strengthening the middle class.” Now, I understand why they are saying they are going to try to do something. Our nation is right now very polarized. We have upper, and lower. But strengthening the middle won’t help. You can’t strengthen what isn’t there. Politically, the definition for middle is the middle of 100, which is 50. The fifty percentile, which, by the way, are not far off from the bottom. If you base you middle on dollars, you’ll find way up near the top money makers what is the middle class. How do we fix this? I have no idea. But the fact is, the little man ain’t getting nay support, and the big man is tied up with red tape so thick he’s choking. Even if he wanted to help the little man he can’t. I don’t know. I don’t even know what I’m saying right now. I guess I’m saying don’t forget everything that is going on around you. Not as a depressing note but as something we need to be aware of. We turn back to doldrum and rigamrole too easily. If we don’t continue to charge our minds, we’ll be caught unaware. No need to be an ostrich. Until next time:

Welcome to Monday

I’m sorry it’s Monday. I’m sorry I haven’t been around to save it for so long. So it’s high time I did so again. I am here to save your Mondays.

The fact is, Monday is not as bad as it could be. I have been a Monday’s Hero for a while now, I’ve just been out of practice. Let me explain: I have never hated Mondays. 

I went through a time in my life when I was working several jobs at once, with no weekends, and thus, Monday was like any other day to me. So I’d come in on  Mondays, and be everyone’s subtly shining sun, making their Mondays a little better. And I’d like to do the same for you every Monday. 

Now, before you close this window and let that black cloud overcome you again, let me explain. I’m not gonna be some happy-go-lucky clown who tries to brighten your day.

I get as grumpy,  if not grumpier than most. After all, I work in retail. I’ve had terrible bosses I’ve had to put up with too. But I’d like to give you something to look forward to, whether you’re sneaking a peek on the Internet while still clocked in, or surfing the web on your lunch break, I am going to do my best to give you something to look forward to every Monday. I will always take to heart any suggestions you have, but here’s the basic jist of what I will do: I’ll write about anything I think like writing about.

This could take the form of games, or news and politics (I reserve the right to have an opinion.) I don’t care if you disagree with me, just keep reading and when you’re done, you can either walk away, satisfied that it is one damn miserable monday, or you can walk away knowing it ain’t half bad. We’ll see where this road leaves,and hopefully, save a few godforsaken Mondays in the process.

Wait for Monday!

If you come across this post, great. Awesome. This is all there is right now. Monday is coming though. I know, it sucks. Come back then, either sneak a look-see at work, or on break. Look at it while you sip your coffee waiting for your toast to burn. But you must wait Padawan. Monday is coming, and I will save it.