bluegargantua

"Writing -- for him who knows it -- is better than all other professions. It pleases more than beer and bread, more than clothes and ointment. It is worth more than an inheritance, than a tomb in the west. You are a person fit for writing, though you have not yet known a woman. Your heart discerns, your fingers are skilled, your mouth is apt for reciting."

That's a writing exercise from Nebmare-nakht who was alive roughtly 1160 BCE in Egypt. He goes on to sing the praises of the scribe and compares it favorable to many other occupations. Considering that he's extolling a profession dedicated to scribing/storing/retrieving information, this may be one of the very earliest Geek writings (well, technically, they're pretty much *all* Geek writings until the printing press comes along...).

This selection comes from the current issue of Lapham's Quarterly where the topic is work and it's a wonderful issue as always. Aside from old Nebmare-nakht, there's also some poetry by Langston Hughes, Charles Minugs, and an essay on tool collecting that's fascinating.

later
Tom

...you're so *helpful*!

"Due to the discretion of this organization, many details about the Secret Service are currently secret."

There are two duplicate entries on the Department of Redundancy Department
Tom

"Can’t wait to get started right fellas? Gotta hunt that bounty but the bounty’s in the hunt I always say. Tricks of the trade? Trade secret? Disintegration devices. D-guns, d-bombs, d-missiles, I’m the disintegration machine. Wanna guy disintegrated, get me integrated. That’s Dingar’s motto."

Best TV on TV -- Robot Chicken
Tom

Hi,

First off -- Hot Fuzz is a great movie. You should go see it.

And now, the Quote of the Day:

"So many gamers wonder why LARPs are so popular. Well, social context kinda solves that puzzle doesn't it? It's the game where you get to bang hot Goth chicks."

-- From the 4/9/07 Ogre Cave Audio Report

If only it were that true...

Right after, he provides a more nuanced explanation that doesn't make him sound like a total git, but it's more fun out of context.

later
Tom

"There's not much of a market for games about cannibalism and concentration camps -- but I've got it!" -- Jarred Sorrensen

So today was a good day. Picked up a cheap overstock copy of GURPS Cabal and the new Powergamer Guide to Wizards. Got to watch Vincent do the happy dance of player trust and fulfillment. Got to watch Jarred and Luke Cage ask penetrating questions and piss off people. Got to play a short demo of Polaris...a game which will bear some serious testing once I get back home. Finally, got to run a wacky game of BARBAREN! with Ron Edwards and folks. I was pretty ineffectual, but at least I go to burn down my tribe's crops. So that was good.

Anyway, was a lot of fun. Still looking for a longer Burning Wheel game and a copy of the Morrow Porject Rulebook.

Also, Mikey? You have no more Buck Rodgers Sourcebook worries. :)

later
Tom