The Friday Grab Bag - Ed Greenwood, Road Trips, & Games Workshop

Over on publishersweekly.com, we learn "Fantasy Writer Greenwood Launching Publishing Group" here.  "This fall, he is launching an unconventional publishing group of his own, called The Ed Greenwood Group (TEGG), where he will focus on titles—as well as games and art—involving newly created fantasy worlds."

Also, on atlasobscura.com, check out "The Obsessively Detailed Map of American Literature's Most Epic Road Trips" here.

Finally, on natfka.blogspot.com, they claim to have some dirt from Gen Con regarding Games Workshop here.

The Friday Grab Bag on CreativeMountainGames.com 

Essentially, a clearinghouse for topics not covered
elsewhere or needing a particular focus.

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Throwback Thursday - Throw Switch, Bazooka Vespa, & the Great Moon Hoax

Over on etsy.com, 3DPrintingEgg is selling a "Frankenstein style light switch plate! Turn your room in a horror movie mad scientist lab! Perfect for Halloween Haunted House!"  Check out all the pictures and maybe grab one here.

Also, on smithsonianmag.com, they explain "The Great Moon Hoax Was Simply a Sign of Its Time" here.

Finally, on modernnotion.com, they "Go to War in Style with a 1950s Bazooka Vespa" here.

Throwback Thursday on CreativeMountainGames.com 

A look back at early tabletop hobby gaming

 or gaming-adjacent topics of the past.

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Events & Play Wednesday - Cons & Gamedays for August

This Saturday, August 1st, there is a gameday at the Lake Geneva Games store.  They are located at 918 S Wells St, Lake Geneva, WI 53147 and their phone number is (262) 885-1515.  The event starts at 10 am and goes through the evening.

As always, the third Saturday and Sunday this month feature the Burlington Gameday on Saturday, August 15th, which sets up events through the Burlington UCC Game Day group on Facebook here and A Gathering of Gamers on Sunday, August 16th, set up by the South Lakes Area Gamers here.  The former is in Burlington, WI at the Plymouth UCC space and is free taking place from approximately 11 am to 5 pm.  The latter takes place at the Pizza Ranch in Elkhorn, WI, and requires a $12 fee for the all you can eat pizza and fried chicken buffet (salad bar, soft-serve ice cream machine, etc.) plus unlimited soft drinks and coffee from 11 am to 8 pm.  The Burlington gang also has a second gameday set up for Saturday, August 1st, this month, so check that out too!

Further from my locale . . .

Of course, the big news is Gen Con Indy.  If you aren't already there, there's still time to hop in the car or grab a plane to the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, IN, to check out Indie Publishers and more established ones, indeed.  Check out their website for more details here.

And don't forget that Friday at Gen Con, Mike Selinker will be hosting the ENnies awards for RPG products of the last year.  Get some details on that even here.

You can also find a whole list of gaming events all around the country and beyond on Warhorn.net here.

Some of the events include:

Aug 1 D&D Expeditions at Game Vault Ogden, UT
Aug 1 Red Raccoon Games Catan Bloomington, IL
Aug 1-2 Gamefest 2015 Wollongong, NSW, AU
Aug 1-2 Unicon 2015 Riga, RIX, LV
Aug 6-8 Salt lake City Game CON Sandy, UT
Aug 7-23 SummerFest 2015 Spokane Valley, WA
Aug 8-9 Fireball Crusade @ Stocktoncon Stockton, CA
Aug 8-9 Rocky Mountain Cup Calgary, AB, CA
Aug 8-9 StocktonCon 2015 Stockton, CA
Aug 13-16 GardenCon 2015 Geneva, GE, CH
Aug 14-16 Geekfest 2015 Killeen, TX
Aug 14-16 LI-CON 2 Pathfinder Society Ronkonkoma, NY
Aug 14-16 Myths and Legends Con 2015 Denver, CO
Aug 14-16 NONCON Grayslake, IL
Aug 15-16 Go Play Aug 15 Brisbane, QLD, AU
Aug 15-16 Tri-Cities Pathfinder Special Tri-Cities, WA
Aug 28-30 OmegaCon Charlottesville, VA
Aug 29-30 Shadowcon 15 Northfields, London W3, LND, GB

Some of this information (and more can be had) is from the excellent lists on upcomingcons.com/gaming-conventions, GameConventionCentral.com, HMGS (the Historical Miniatures Gaming Society), and  as well as many, many gamers on Facebook and Google Plus, to whom I am grateful for the help in this compilation.  Thanks so much and have a great game!

Events & Play Wednesday on CreativeMountainGames.com 

News of Conventions and Gamedays as well as pictures

from those I have attended and games I have played.

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Tech Tuesday - EM Drive, Pendulum Clocks, & Tricorders

Over on sciencealert.com, an "Independent expert confirms that the "impossible" EM Drive actually works."  Learn more here.

Also, on livescience.com, find out "Why Pendulum Clocks Mysteriously Sync Up" here.

Finally, on smithsonianmag.com, they share "A List of All the Times People Have Tried to Build a Working Tricorder" here.

Tech Tuesday on CreativeMountainGames.com 

News focused on Technology
as it might interest gamers.

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Media News Monday - King Arthur, Lone Gunmen, & Warcraft

Over on screenrant.com, they discuss Guy Ritchie’s ‘Knights Of The Round Table’ here.

Also, on laughingsquid.com, "Actor Dean Haglund Confirms via Twitter That The Lone Gunmen Will Be Returning to ‘The X-Files’" here.

Finally, on io9.com, they boast "We've Just Seen The First Amazing Footage From The Warcraft Movie" here.

Media News Monday on CreativeMountainGames.com 

News for Movies, Television, and more
of gamer-relevant Media.

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Sunday Funnies - Dino-Cats, Dino-Bike, & Raspberries

Over on thechive.com, a recent pictorial shows how "Someone replaced all of the dinosaurs in Jurassic Park with cats" here.

Also, on geeksaresexy.net, "This Incredible Skeleton T-Rex Bike is For Sale" here.

Finally, on the innomind YouTube channel, someone has animated classic paintings to have the figures blowing raspberries on one another.  Enjoy!

Sunday Funnies on CreativeMountainGames.com

Humor, often gaming-related,
to start the week with a chuckle.

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Saturday Crowdfunding Roundup - Fumble Shirt, Aventyr Bestiary, & Primeval Thule

A TFund and a couple from Kickstarter this week with the first being the "Lets Get Ready to FUMBLE!!!" t-shirt here.  Very reasonable price for an online shirt purchase and nicely designed too.   They need 18 more shirts purchased in the next 16 days to make this project happen, so jump in and get one for yourself or as a gift for a gamer-friend.

Also, on Kickstarter, check out the "Aventyr Bestiary for the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game" project from Adventureaweek.com here.  It's been well funded and has hit some great stretch goals already but there's more in store for those who want to dive in.

Finally, on Kickstarter as well, have a look at the "Primeval Thule 5e" project from Sasquatch Game Studio LLC.  Richard Baker, Stephen Schubert, and David Noonan have a wealth of experience in RPGs and other gaming areas so this one looks like it might get very big.

Saturday Crowdfunding Roundup on CreativeMountainGames.com 

Keeping an eye on those Kickstarter & IndieGoGo
projects plus other crowdfunding efforts.

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The Friday Grab Bag - What's New in the CMG eBay Store?

There are dozens and dozens of new listings in the CMG eBay Store since last I prompted folks to have a look: 70+ RPG items, 80+ Miniatures listings, wargames, boardgames, card games, and many other gaming items.  There are some auction style listings but most are Buy It Now listings with prices set somewhat below what I have researched through eBay and other gaming item outlets.  So, please, have a look and enjoy these screen caps of just some of the offerings.  Since I managed to add so may things but am nearing my listing limit, I am running a quick sale at 10% Off throughout the store.  Now sure how long this will last.  As soon as I have sold enough stuff to squeeze in my next pile from the closet, the sale will end.  So, grab yourself a nice gaming treat here!

The Friday Grab Bag on CreativeMountainGames.com 

Essentially, a clearinghouse for topics not covered
elsewhere or needing a particular focus.

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Throwback Thursday - 90s Apple Watch, Nintendo Theme Park, & Bicycling History

Over on cnet.com a few months ago, Amanda Kooser wrote about an "Original '90s Apple watch selling for $2,500 on eBay" here.  I don't remember these, myself, but they look pretty sleek, albeit it in a retro sort of way now.

Also, on comicbook.com in May, they told of the "Nintendo Theme Park Attractions In The Works At Universal" here.  I wonder how many folks will go just to try out the old consoles.  They'll probably also have some cutting edge stuff, too!

Finally, on nationalgeographic.com, check out "A Century of Bicycling History in 16 Pictures" here.  Some cool pictures but I had hoped for a wider array of the bikes.

Throwback Thursday on CreativeMountainGames.com 

A look back at early tabletop hobby gaming

 or gaming-adjacent topics of the past.

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Events & Play Wednesday - Lake Geneva Gaming, June to July

Leaving aside the excellent Nexus Game Fair, (the photos of which I have already shared earlier this month here), I didn't get out to as many events this last month due to work and other commitments but I still got plenty of gaming in.  Check out the pictures on my Facebook album here and a Google Photos album here.

Events & Play Wednesday on CreativeMountainGames.com 

News of Conventions and Gamedays as well as pictures

from those I have attended and games I have played.

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Tech Tuesday - LEGO Arm, Solar Africa, & the Search for E.T.

Over on gizmag.com, "Lego-compatible prosthetic arm lets kids' imaginations run wild."  Find out more here.

Also, on theroot.com, they tell us how "Akon Launches Solar Academy That Will Supply Electricity to 600,000,000 People in Africa" here.

Finally, on space.com, in another initiative, "Stephen Hawking Helps Launch Massive Search for E.T."  Check out the details here.

Tech Tuesday on CreativeMountainGames.com 

News focused on Technology
as it might interest gamers.

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Media News Monday - SDCC Wrap Up, Tut, & Star Trek Charity

Over on the io9.com YouTube channel, check out "The Winners & Losers of San Diego Comic Con 2015."  I'm not sure I completely agree with the conclusions and criteria but it's a nice overview of the huge convention.

Also, on the SPIKE TV YouTube channel, they shared the "TUT Official Trailer Featuring Sir Ben Kingsley."  Enjoy!

Finally, on the Omaze YouTube channel, the cast of the Star Trek movies tell us about the ongoing contest and their charitable efforts, plus they introduce a new actor to the franchise!  Fun stuff!

Media News Monday on CreativeMountainGames.com 

News for Movies, Television, and more
of gamer-relevant Media.

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Sunday Funnies - Pluto, Tyson, & Colbert

Over on xkcd.com, there was a humorous take this week on new naming conventions for the features of Pluto.  See more here.

Also, on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert YouTube channel, Stephen Colbert discussed Pluto with Neil deGrasse Tyson and then settled their differences over Klondike Bars (not a sponsor).  Enjoy!

Finally, on colbertlateshow.com, have fun trying to "Escape from the Man-sized Cabinet," a humorous and fun online game.  See more here.

Sunday Funnies on CreativeMountainGames.com

Humor, often gaming-related,
to start the week with a chuckle.

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Saturday Crowdfunding Roundup - Space Roller, Laser Touch, & Nuclear War

Three from Kickstarter this week with the first being "Space Roller: The futuristic dice for your Sci-Fi games" by D.LINK Studio LLC here.  It's already well funded and rolling through the stretch goals, so check it out.

Also, have a look at "Laser Touch - Miniature Wargaming Carry Cases" by Laser Touch here.  It's over half way home and looks to be a pretty nifty system of minis storage and transport.

Finally, marvel at the classic "Nuclear War Card Game 50th Anniversary Edition" by Richard Loomis here.  Can you imagine a card game that's been around this long?  I can.  We played it at Gen Con gaming conventions in the 1970s and it was fun then, as I am sure it is now.  Here's a picture of the original box.

Saturday Crowdfunding Roundup on CreativeMountainGames.com 

Keeping an eye on those Kickstarter & IndieGoGo
projects plus other crowdfunding efforts.

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The Friday Grab Bag - Privateer Press Job, Board Game Skills, & Geek Road Trip

Over on privateerpress.com, they have a job listing for a Social Media Coordinator here.  If you are familiar with their games, and well-versed in Social Media, this might be just the job for you!

Also, on indiatimes.com, a recent article explains "Why you should play board games" here.  Something to do with cognitive skills or some such, I don';t exactly recall . . .

Finally, on sciencefriday.com, check out "The Ultimate Geek Road Trip" here.

The Friday Grab Bag on CreativeMountainGames.com 

Essentially, a clearinghouse for topics not covered
elsewhere or needing a particular focus.

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Throwback Thursday - Antique Toys, Mario's Map, & Apple II Watch

Over on smithsonianmag.com, they tell of how "One Man's Obsession With Antique Toys Resulted in a Museum" here.

Also, on kotaku.com, they tell how one "Man Spends Six Years Crocheting One Super Mario Bros. 3 Map" here.

Finally, on popsci.com, they tell of how yet a third man, designer DJ Harrigan, wanted to bring old school Apple designs to the new Apple Watch.  Read more here and enjoy the video.

Throwback Thursday on CreativeMountainGames.com 

A look back at early tabletop hobby gaming

 or gaming-adjacent topics of the past.

Please Like, Share, Plus, Tweet, Follow, and Comment!