Obscurorant 2.0

Some time ago the Bunny and I attempted to visit the Pabst brewery in Milly-wah-kay. Unsuccessfully, because as it turned out, that particular brewery is closed.

However, you can go here to check out some pictures of the now-abandoned building. Extra creepy bonus - pictures from an insane asylum - for children.

Happy St. Paddy’s Day.

A few more Gary Gygax tributes from around the tubes. This article from The Believer, written when Gygax was still alive, is especially well done.

Until I read some of these tributes I’d forgotten just how many of these games, beyond Dungeons and Dragons, that I played as a kid. In retrospect, some of them were pretty poorly designed. Somehow I missed this one though, which looks fascinating.

UPDATE:

Just for s. and g. I compiled an actual list of said games: Dungeons and Dragons, Advanced Dungeons and Dragons, Top Secret, Boot Hill, Gamma World, Star Frontiers, Twilight 2000, Traveller, Middle Earth Role-Playing, James Bond 007, Gangbusters…

Dang, that’s a lot of geekiness., to say nothing of hours spent playing Car Wars or Squad Leader.

School’s started again, so there’s not too much report here, and there you have it. I’d hoped to get out and about more during the break between semesters but wound up spending most of that month sick. C’est la guerre. Got a shite load of reading done though.

Some other random tidbits…

The Girl and I happily spent a gift card at Crate and Barrel yesterday - got a shiny new mandoline to play with. Hit up Barnes and Noble with a gift card too - nothing like shopping for free. Good times, good times.

Saw No Country for Old Men last night. Enjoyed it, but enjoyed the book still more.

We saw the Magnetic Fields a couple of weeks ago - great show. Going to see Sons and Daughters in week or so - hope it’s a good show.

Perhaps you’ve already seen this bit already? I’d love a staircase like that - and may in time need one.

Extreme Geekiness Alert*:

Torchwood, the Dr. Who spin-off? Not liking it so much - in fact I’m just about ready to give up on it.

*Extreme Geekiness by virtue of the fact that being Dr. Who fan is - or at least was - far far nerdier than being a Star Trek fan. In those long ago pre-cable days, Star Trek was always in syndication on one UHF channel or another, while Dr. Who was hidden away on PBS. Either you accidentally stumbled across the show, or you were initiated into the mysteries of Who by another fan. Kind of a Skull and Bones or Rosicrucian Order for the science fiction set.

Apparently if you remove Garfield, the comic strip becomes hilariously funny. Who knew?

Simply the most terrifying album cover you will ever see.

Also - talk of the demise of reading may have been a touch premature.

Last two curiosities for today…

LP Cover Lover - a blog about ‘the world’s greatest LP covers.’

Can You Build A Life From $25?

This just in…

Criminal gangs are using dwarves in a ruse to steal from the luggage holds of long-distance coaches, by hiding them inside suitcases, according to police.”

The Legend of the Midget Tree begins to take on sinister connotations…

The Weather Cow says expect snow.

‘Tis the season to be brawling:

Seven Hurt in punch-up at Church of the Nativity

Antarctic base staff evacuated after Christmas brawl

Link du jour: The Medieval Bestiary.

In case you were wondering, my favorite font is Bookman Old Style.

Yes, I have a favorite font. I am dork.

What I am these days in busy. Busy, busy, busy, to the tune of two papers and a presentation, all due next week. So I have to gone to ground, scuttling from work to class to home to library and around again. But just to remind one and all that I’m still alive, here are some links which you may or may not find interesting.

(more…)

I’ve been terribly busy these past few weeks, and expect I will be for a little bit more. By way of apology, please accept this delicious obituary.

The 70’s were awesome. Would that they made such commercials today.

Also, I smell an astronaut.