Author Archives: Steve

Horse/Mount solution

Thanks to following the Pathfinder group on FaceBook, I discovered this cool solution for my players’ minis whenever they’re on horseback. The only downside was there’s some assembly required. I scored ten of them, enough for my players and a few for … Continue reading

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Beyond the Gates

I think I need to make a new category of movie. Namely for those I often see trailers for (via Apple’s site, at Alamo, Hulu, etc.) and then they never play at any theaters around Austin. Including the Great Hills … Continue reading

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John Waite in Austin

One of my favorite singers from the Sevenites-Eighties came through Austin back in February, Mr. John Waite. Although I never like Bad English, his solo and Babys work has always overshadowed the supergroup’s mediocrity. John comes to Austin every several … Continue reading

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Welcome to April

A big trifecta of celebration today! Easter (aka Zombie Jesus Day), April Fool’s Day and the 50th anniversary of Planet of the Apes. The last one is the “birthday” for when the classic movie was released. Of course, in the late … Continue reading

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Ready Player One: Disappointing Spielberg Schmaltz

The long-awaited film adaption of Ernest Cline’s bestseller is here and it’s terrible. I know all about the limitations of movies versus books, so spare methose comments. Ready was always going to be a huge challenge since Cline’s references were a copyright/trademark nightmare. … Continue reading

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Ultimate Combat

Somewhat the counter to Ultimate Magic as Combat focuses on all aspects of fighting with more archetypes, classes and whatever. Chapter 1 is over a quarter of the book but it’s divided into two sections. New Classes and additional Archetypes for … Continue reading

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Pac Rim: Uprising: Rental or Streaming

Maybe it was for the best to not make anymore movies with jaegers and kaiju duking it out in the various cities on the Pacific Ocean. Uprising proved the old adage with sequels…more is less, especially when the producers are blatantly bending over backwards to kiss … Continue reading

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The Toys That Made Us, part one

I discovered and got on the bandwagon late with this show, I wholeheartedly admit it. However, it was so great, I’ve watched all four episodes TWICE since I love toys, even at my advanced age. Not just playing with them but … Continue reading

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Three cheers for a Maggi and her work!

My niece Rachel (technically my cousin’s daughter, but niece is easier on the brain than all that “removed” crap) received a grant from the Fulbright Organization! This will enable her to carry out her proposal in India. Here’s the proposal … Continue reading

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AT-ST on the move!

This kick-ass mini came with the core game Imperial Assault. Like most Fantasy Flight games, it uses D&D dice but with goofy symbols on them instead of numbers. For me, I just picked up the game and expansion packs to have Star … Continue reading

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The Posies! Jon Auer & Ken Stringfellow

A couple months ago, I got to meet and see The Posies at the Cactus Cafe. You may remember them from the Nineties but they never stopped performing after they left DGC Records. Ken and Jon have produced solo albums … Continue reading

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Finally back at the gym…ouch

As I’ve been getting back into the groove of Austin life, using the gym has been the immediate short-term goal but on weekdays I’m easing into it. Firstly, Daylight Savings Time has messed up my sleep hygiene so getting to work … Continue reading

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Bestiary 3

Usually by the third monster book, the accusation of “cash grab” is often heard. Me, I don’t mind so much. I fondly remember 2e’s binder approach with their Monster Manual. You could buy different packs of monsters which were often organized … Continue reading

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No more car payment!

With a little restructuring the assets and finances of the Maggi Republic, we have paid off my car Vixen (an orange Prius C) ahead of time. It doesn’t feel too early. I think the vehicle was financed over six years … Continue reading

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RIP: Dr. Stephen Hawking

One of the greatest living Physicists passed away today and what made Hawking more remarkable is that he pushed on through despite ALS slowly destroying his body. I think he’s one of the longest surviving people to have the disease. … Continue reading

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