1994: Final Chicago Weekend

Posted on January 29, 2009 by Steve

A couple days earlier, I got through the annoyance of court preventing me from moving forward with my life; the wounds caused by GDW hadn’t scarred over yet. Now that it was out of the way, I went back to Grandma’s house to complete my packing. I couldn’t believe I finished in time to have the UPS courier pick up my boxes by early Friday afternoon. The excitement of Austin probably inspired me to remain focused on the task despite how cold it was in the basement sorting what would go, stay, donated or be pitched.

Within minutes of UPS leaving, I was on I-55 for Chicago to say goodbye to everyone: the Silders, the Bryants and Phil. At the Silders’ house we drank beer, ate White Castles, watched movies and had a couple Nerf battles. Losing my car keys between their place and the corner bar was a nice scare. Thankfully a neighbor found them through his snow-blower the following morning. I had a pleasant Saturday afternoon talking to Stvee (Bryant) while he was drawing and convincing me of Babylon 5‘s potential (I wasn’t impressed by the pilot a year earlier). How I wished that weekend never ended because I was going to miss these people’s company.

How much didn’t sink in until Monday morning when I dropped off Helen for jury duty. She cried a bit while getting out of the car, me too. The drive back to Bloomington was colored by ambivalence: Excited over moving to a completely different region to escape the drudgery of Central IL while frustrated on about having to move yet again, failing to avoid the “gypsy” attitude I criticized my parents for in the Eighties. Good thing the former feeling had a sizable lead in the battle, I couldn’t back out and if I totally washed out, the trip to Austin was turning into the closest thing resembling my first, actual, formal vacation in years.

Somara’s glad I took my time returning to Grandma’s house. For reasons I can’t remember, I made a detour at a mall outside Joliet and found my infamous Babs Bunny sweatshirt in a woman’s clothing store. It’s what I was wearing the first time we met in person.

I did make three more trips to Chicago in 1995. This weekend 15 years ago marked the last of those long weekends with my Marquette buddies we could spend without so much pre-planning.

Posted in History | Tagged | Leave a comment

T-Shirt Hell is closing

Posted on January 28, 2009 by Steve

My friend Jeremy gave me the news. What a shame. I read the site’s explanation too and I wasn’t really surprised over the humorless morons part. Deconstructing why would be a waste of time though. In a parting shot, I scored a half dozen shirts and left a message wishing the founder good luck. There are great, funny shirts from others such as Snorg, Busted, TopatCo and the Cotton Factory, but none of them did anything as daring, offensive and (sometimes) tasteless. I’m going to miss them. 

Posted in Funny Ones | Leave a comment

No ice storm…bummer

Posted on January 28, 2009 by Steve

I really wanted to stay home, play Rock Band 2, eat snacks, re-watch the second season of the Powerpuff Girls and take a nap.

This Winter in Austin has been the most unpredictable in recent memory. Normally, when it’s cold, it stays that way for a much longer stretch than a couple days. Same goes for the weather being gorgeous.

Yesterday, we started out with it being damp, muggy and foggy yet it was a “balmy” 60-70 F (15-20 C). Two hours into work, the cold front rolled in accompanied by freezing rain. Stupidly, I gambled on this change happening after work so I left my coat at home. Wisely, I stuck around work to wait out the rush hour traffic before going home.

Co-workers who weren’t at Apple the last time there was an ice storm asked me what the procedure was. I told them but followed up with the caveat of, don’t count on it if the ice isn’t building up by 9-10 PM. How I wish I was wrong. The situation this morning was only inconvenient, not crippling; it took some effort to get the car ready for travel while the roads I traveled were decent until Parmer Lane.

Still beats living in the Midwest where it would have to be a catastrophe before anything is closed.

Posted in News | Leave a comment

Enchanted

Posted on January 28, 2009 by Steve

It figures that Disney would find a way to get one more hit from their dried-up well of formulaic princess stories.

Anyone with a little girl at home already knows the premise: the sweet princess Giselle is sent to the “real” world by the evil Queen Narissa who is bent on keeping the throne. Humor ensues because the princess is naive and doesn’t understand why the inhabitants of NYC are cynical, tough and defensive. Eventually Giselle wins over everybody she meets with that optimistic, relentless spirit, namely her rescuer and guide Robert, the divorce lawyer.

It was okay but Enchanted still has Disney splenda in its DNA and like everything else this studio has done for the last 30 years, it just didn’t have enough nerve to skewer the genre properly; can’t do anything “adult,” otherwise sales of Enchanted bedspreads will decline by ten percent. The big musical number in Central Park was impressive but it was as predictable as the ending. I’m more curious about how many drag queens are now modeled after the villainess Narissa after the release.

Griping aside, I am glad I did finally see this. Somara had been recommending it for a while and I failed to catch it in theaters. However, I’m grateful I didn’t gamble on the cineplex experience to sit through the usual mediocrity Hollywood continues to make. Patrick Dempsey starring in it should’ve been a warning. He used to be a mainstay of numerous B-flicks in the Eighties: Loverboy, Run and Can’t Buy me Love.

Posted in Movies, On the TV | Leave a comment

1994: My “day in court”

Posted on January 27, 2009 by Steve

Some days I felt like my association with GDW would never cease despite being fired at the end of 1992. OK, the negative parts had an albatross vibe. Continuing to have the friendship of Lester, Steve (aka Stvee) and Lazz was always great. By now they were either at TSR or FASA having better careers than me. Jealous? Sure but not via schadenfreude (I love that word, how I wish English had an equivalent); I didn’t want them to fail, I only wished to be doing as well as they were. Working alongside them again would’ve been even better.

While I was there, working on Gygax’s comeback, TSR filed a lawsuit against GDW, Gygax and probably anyone else entwined in the Mythus debacle. The crux of it was a copyright infringement stating that Mythus was a derivative work of D&D. Seems ridiculous because this would encompass every publisher of a fantasy-based role-playing game: RoleMaster, GURPS Fantasy, Runequest, Stormbringer, etc. Actually, it was more specific. TSR’s argument claimed Mythus had materials Gygax wrote while he was still employed there. Thus, TSR owned the work and all the defendants were publishing it without permission. It’s similar to the Disney versus Tim Burton matter involving The Nightmare Before Christmas before they wised up, compromised and made a great movie.

How valid TSR’s lawsuit was, I will never know nor do I care. The rumor going around was they only had to prove Mythus was at least one percent derived from D&D. I am curious though if the parties involved ever agreed on the definition of “one percent.” Did it entail only the core rulebook? How many pages made one percent? How many words per page? The last term would’ve definitely been messy since TSR’s products were 700-800 while GDW crammed 1100 on average.

While I was on the dole, Stvee helped keep me alive by taking me to lunch in exchange for keeping the Mac in the art department running. He knew it still smarted coming into GDW and having to interact with the alcoholic who was the main instigator of my dismissal. Yet once I had temp work through Chief City Graphics, I thought the extrication process from GDW began and the dying game publisher was on its way to being in my past. Then I received a panicked phone call from my grandmother in September while I was at work. Grandpa received a summons or something. After further research, it was TSR’s law firm requesting me for a deposition on the mess. There was a day wasted answering questions while having Frank Chadwick sit across the table from me for intimidation purposes; he didn’t show up at the others. He probably sighed relief over the lack of anything damning out of my mouth since I really wanted the whole GDW time behind me which probably impaired my memory. Then again, the lawyers had to ask the right questions, I don’t think you can volunteer information.

The mess went to trial mainly out of GDW’s (aka Frank) stubbornness and again, I was pulled into it on this day 15 years ago. I’m sure the trial started earlier in the week or month, Thursday was probably my day to take the witness stand. By now I was unconcerned because I would be in Austin in a week. As I joked, if TSR wanted any more of my involvement, it was going to be expensive and they’d have to find me.

I spent the bulk of the morning waiting in the lobby until one side or another needed me. It’s all a blur because I only remember it being over quickly and the judge was a dick. I don’t recall what was asked, what my replies were and if I was cross examined. The reality of court is utterly dull. I think I had Austin’s warmer weather on the brain so much, I already tuned out.

Free to go, I rushed to my credit union for traveler’s checks and home to finish packing. No one contacted me further about it. Stvee let me know weeks later how it shook out: TSR and GDW settled. I think Frank had finally given up on Mythus because all the money was gone; just as I said in my parting shot, Gary (Gygax) ripped him off.

Jan. 28, 2009 Update: This story was late and was backdated due to the freezing rain in the Austin area.

Posted in D & D, History | Tagged | Leave a comment

Happy 40th Birthday Patton Oswalt

Posted on January 27, 2009 by Steve

Most of the world knows him as Remy from Ratatouille or the character he played on the sitcom The King of Queens (I never watched it) but he’s made numerous cameos/appearances in cartoons, movies and other comedy specials. My favorite is the nerdy, lives-with-his-mother, writer/creator of the Crimson Chin comic book from The Fairly Odd Parents. Some friends love Patton’s recurring supergeek on Reno 911.

His stand-up routine is even better and I regret not getting to catch him back around 2006 when Patton came to Austin. The two dates at the Cap City Comedy Club was used as the foundation of Werewolves and Lollipops which contains the best dig at George Lucas since Brian Posehn’s warning.

Posted in Diversions | Leave a comment

I’m finally in The Onion! Well, kind of…

Posted on January 26, 2009 by Steve

Every Saturday, I usually have lunch at Chipotle and the joke about extra rice is something I always politely ask for with my burrito bowl. My wife Somara and friend Bryant can attest to it.

Posted in Factoids | Leave a comment

The Macintosh turned 25, yet another Apple failure

Posted on January 25, 2009 by Steve

I’m rather bummed that most of the major technology columns in the States didn’t bother to mention it. Heck, it even slipped my mind until another coworker mentioned it. Seems Apple didn’t want any attention too.

I found a good podcast from the Guardian which had more insight than Computerworld just giving a boring list of their favorite models.

Posted in Apple, Science & Technology | Leave a comment

Happy Birthday Cindy

Posted on January 23, 2009 by Steve

What a stroke of luck! Her birthday is 1/23 which is really easy for her kids to remember, 1-2-3. Then again, I needed Facebook to remind me since I had not placed it in my electronic datebook (fixed now).

Let’s see, Cindy shares her birthday with Gil Gerard, aka Buck Rogers when we were kids; Robin Zander, lead singer of Cheap Trick; Princess Caroline of Monaco; John Hancock of signature fame; German mathematician David Hilbert who’s contributions have helped figure out Quantum Mechanics (I understand very little of that); iconic cowboy actor Randolph Scott; offbeat writer/comedian Ernie Kovacs; and French actress Jeanne Moreau.

As for history: the first female American doctor was recognized, a Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell who is also considered a founder of gynecology; Madeline Albright is sworn in as the first female Sec’y of State; and Nixon announces the peace plan for the Vietnam War.

Pretty impressive date I’d say for a birthday.

If you know her, drop her a line and wish her well. I do owe her a phone call which she granted me on my big 4-0. I bet her son Gus has made Cindy a special gift with the help of Dad.

Posted in News | 1 Comment

Hello Kitty Birthday Cake 2009

Posted on January 21, 2009 by Steve

A coworker of Somara’s commissioned this one based upon Hello Kitty dressed upon as a flapper from the Roaring Twenties. As always, the centerpiece is edible.

Posted in Somara's Cakes | Leave a comment

1994: Dynamic Graphics ends, Austin on the horizon

Posted on January 20, 2009 by Steve

My last day with DG. What a finale it was too. When I turned in my two weeks earlier, the future was murky at best. Thankfully, I received the phone from Doc that changed my life the night before! He told me the arrangements were finalized so now Doc’s boss needed to know how soon I’d arrive. Due to the TSR-GDW lawsuit, packing and wrapping up my affairs in IL, I said I’d see him in two weeks. My friend agreed to it and said to let him know if anything changed.

Going to DG then was great. All those jerks wallowing in their schadenfreude would get some bad news, I had something lined up and I was off to live in a nicer, warmer climate. The day was spent saying goodbye to Christina, the customer service ladies, the paperwork with HR and Rad was allowed to have dinner with me during his shift. I thanked him by buying his meal and apologized for any of the karma I may have cost him. Rad took it well, fewer things bother him like me.

I drove home from Peoria for the second-to-last time, looking forward to all the free, limited time I now had. Whenever the packing felt overwhelming, I reminded myself about Austin’s “superior” weather to Bloomington’s. Fewer freezing mornings and evenings when my hands would be in too much discomfort to write or type. No more shoveling snow. No more rock salt damage to my Chucks.

Imagining Austin’s climate worked to motivate me. Everything I needed to ship via UPS was ready to go in a week so I could spend my final Chicago weekend with the Silders, Phil and the Bryants. I can’t remember why I didn’t see Brian, he must’ve been busy or out of town.

My last commute to Peoria came a week later. I had to attend the TSR-GDW lawsuit as a witness. What a bore really. At least TSR’s law firm reimbursed me for the gas and a meal. I spent the bulk of the day sitting outside of the court, doodling and enjoying my new PowerBook 140 (I sold my LC and scored this used portable from a real estate agent). My time on the stand was brief and rather forgettable. Practically everyone I recognized there knew I was leaving for Austin. As I said, if TSR wanted to drag me into this mess any further, it was going to be expensive because I wanted to get on with my life, put Gygax’s latest failure behind me.

I’m glad the timing worked out. Driving all the way to Peoria just to get travelers checks from my credit union would’ve been an expensive trip.

Posted in History | Leave a comment

Rock Stars not looking so cool…

Posted on January 19, 2009 by Steve

…when they’re seen with their parents!

I wish there were more pictures spread across the decades in this feature. All these people are from the Seventies and now they’re grandparents.

Posted in Music | Leave a comment

RIP Bob May

Posted on January 19, 2009 by Steve

Another sad loss in Sci-Fi circles since he was the man inside the Robot for TV’s Lost in Space. However, the voice was provided by Dick Tufeld (and in the movie). Just like all Hollywood stories, Bob landed the part because he fit into the “costume.”

The financially strapped Chicago Tribune has more about his career here.

Posted in Diversions | Leave a comment

Happy 55th Birthday Katey Sagal

Posted on January 19, 2009 by Steve

Before she was the attractive voice of Leela on Futurama, most knew her as the nagging, red-haired harpy Peg Bundy for a decade on Married…with Children. On what used to be Fox’s longest running show, they had modify Katey’s wardrobe to make her appear fat and older. I think that was flattering. The show’s producers liked her acting enough to work around her physical “flaws” to be the character.

And before she did the sitcom, Katey used to be a back-up singer for Bette Midler.

Meanwhile, I had a big laugh when she was the voice of Duckman’s mother, especially when she greeted him with his catchphrase.

Posted in Diversions | Leave a comment

1999: The initial meeting at Chili’s on 183

Posted on January 18, 2009 by Steve

Match.com worked pretty quickly for me. I had met several women through the site in a couple weeks. The objective was to meet some ladies to socialize with: have dinner, see a movie or attend a concert, nothing further. My life was too messy at the time for pressing anyone into a relationship due to all the debt acquired from moving back. A modest goal which was a form of practice until I felt I had my act together financially.

There was one woman I met in person within the first week of the new year and I had to tell her it wasn’t going to work out. Sounds pretty jerkesque of me yet ending matters before they grew worse was one of the hardest lessons I ever learned. I have Sonia to thank for all the pointers. Besides, who’s the bigger heel? The one who drags someone along for multiple dates or ends it after one? I know I was frightened of having another Allison incident from 1997.

Then I met Somara days later. I can’t remember if it was a phone call or an e-mail. I do know that after several conversations we agreed to meet at the Chili’s near Apple (it has since moved to where a less successful restaurant stood off of I-35). We hit it off pretty well, staying until the joint closed and vowed to meet again for something more interesting than eating. A few dates later, I think Somara had become my de facto girlfriend by Valentine’s Day so I closed the Match.com account for good; I doubt I was actively checking by the end of January since I enjoyed her company.

Ten years later, Somara can’t get rid of me!

Tonight we’ll celebrate at Wings n’ More instead. The original location is gone and the Pflugerville-based Chili’s is farther away than Wings, plus they don’t have free Wi-Fi.

Posted in History | Leave a comment