The Friday Grab Bag - Going Dark

My blogs and Facebook will be (mostly) dark for the next couple of weeks.  This includes creativemountaingames.com, grymvald.com, and mfwars.com, all of which have extensive archives at this point to plumb for interesting tidbits.  Please explore them for nifty bits and bobs and we'll see you on the other side of the nebula!

Also, my Facebook pages will be going dark including my profile page, my Mark CMG author page, my Creative Mountain Games FB page, and the GM's Day FB page.

Finally, my Google Plus profile will go into sleep mode along with my Twitter feed.

The Friday Grab Bag on CreativeMountainGames.com 

Essentially, a clearinghouse for topics not covered

elsewhere or needing a particular focus.

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

Throwback Thursday - Wisconsin Museums

Museums are a great way to spend time learning and having fun on your own, with family, and with friends.  I've been checking into the various museums in Wisconsin to find some places to visit when I get a bit of time to do so.  I was nigh overwhelmed by the number of them listed on Wikipedia here.

Also, on tripadvisor.com, they have a more manageable list here.

Finally, on travelwisconsin.com, they have a more eclectic list 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 - LGG Events

We've got some stellar events lined up at Lake Geneva Games in September.  These events are included on the LGG website calendar but also sometimes organized on Facebook as individual events.  First up, today, Wednesday, August 31st and Saturday, September 3rd, we have two follow up events to our very successful Conspiracy: Take the Crown draft last Saturday (which drew 63 players!).  Both days will including rolling drafts for $10 per participant.  They are, of course, Conspiracy: Take the Crown format: drafting then a multiplayer game for three to five players.  Three packs per player and keep what you draft!

Also, Sunday, September 4th, is First Sunday and that means Open Boardgaming (and other tabletop gaming) from Noon to Nine at Lake Geneva Games.  We set up a Facebook event for this one here.

Late this month we have a handful of events for both the Kaladesh MtG pre-release weekend and the release the following weekend (which extends into October).  All of these are on the LGG Events Calendar but the first two pre-release events might draw the biggest crowds as the first chances to get hold of Kaladesh cards.  The pre-release weekend begins with a Midnight event which organizes on Friday, September 23rd at 11:30 PM and start promptly at Midnight.  You can pre-register for this 2-Headed Giant event here.  On Saturday, September 24th at 2 PM, we're holding a Sealed event for a BOX which you can pre-register for here.

There is also a 40K afternoon on September 11th which I discuss on the Wargaming Wednesday blog 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 - Up

Over on sciencealert.com, they tell us "The US Air Force plans to 'plasma bomb' the sky to improve global radio reception" here.

Also, on space.com, they tell us the "Best Telescopes for the Money" here.

Finally, on the Yoichi Ochiai YouTube channel, watch a form of "Acoustic Levitation."  Enjoy!

Tech Tuesday on CreativeMountainGames.com 

News focused on Technology
as it might interest gamers.

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RPG Media Monday - HBO's Westworld

Well, the buzz and hype are really ramping up for HBO's Westworld.  I mentioned Westworld a few times on this blog a couple years ago when I first got wind of it, a couple more times since, and I am definitely looking forward to seeing how this turn out.  The original Westworld (1973) was a very innovative movie that became a cult classic.  It also had a sequel entitled Future World (1976) that was received less well but was still cool in a kitschy kind of way.  What HBO is doing is taking the original concept and updating it for an ongoing series.

The excitement around this new venture stems largely from HBO investing quite a bit of money into effects and star power.  Some of the big names involved include: Anthony Hopkins, Ed Harris, Evan Rachel Wood, James Marsden, Thandie Newton, Jeffrey Wright, and Jimmi Simpson.

Today, they released a new trailer that is being touted as "Mature" though it seems less so than that ominous tag might suggest.  Watch it yourself, if you dare, but you were warned . . .

RPG Media Monday on CreativeMountainGames.com 

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

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Sunday Funnies - Facebook Humor

A couple of funnies came across my Newsfeed on Facebook this week that I wished to share here including a picture taken by Jim Kitchen which probably needs some explanation but for which I have none.

Also, the excellent Chris Comier posted this Sci-Fi meme-without-words last week.  Enjoy!

Finally, if Facebook Friends aren't giving you enough humor, Like their page here for Funny or Die, or join their Facebook Community here.

Sunday Funnies on CreativeMountainGames.com

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

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Saturday Crowdfunding Roundup - Tower, Tiles, & TileMorphs

Three from Kickstarter this week with the first being "Double Dice Tower Ultimate GM Screen!" by Andy "Cosmo-Joe" Watkins here.

Also, have a look at "The Path of Osiris : Egyptian Dungeon Game Tiles" by Lunesdargent Workshop here.

Finally, check out "AdventureCraft Tilemorphs for RPG's" by Glenn McClune here.

Saturday Crowdfunding Roundup on CreativeMountainGames.com 

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

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

The Friday Grab Bag - Feasting, Friendship, & Coop

Over on geekyhostess.com, they share "An East D&D-Style Tavern Menu" here.

Also, on dnd.wizards.com, they announced "D&D Teams Up with My Little Pony" here.

Finally, on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert YouTube channel, check out the video from Wednesday night where "Anderson Cooper Admits His Dungeons & Dragons Obsession."  It's a hoot!

The Friday Grab Bag on CreativeMountainGames.com 

Essentially, a clearinghouse for topics not covered

elsewhere or needing a particular focus.

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

Throwback Thursday - Gygax & The Grand Old Game

Over on theoldpinkeye.com.br, Dante SS gives "A Tribute to Gygax" here.

Also, on visitlakegeneva.com, they share "A Grand Tale – The History of Grand Geneva Resort & Spa" here.

Finally, on Jon Peterson's YouTube channel early this month, he treated us to a long lost pilot for a D&D Radio Show.  Enjoy!

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!

Events & Play Wednesday - FREE Conspiracy Draft

Many of you know that aside from running Creative Mountain Games for the last fifteen years, I recently signed on board to manage Lake Geneva Games, the FLGS in my town, the cradle of D&D.  We've done a lot to improve the store in the last few months including adding twice as much permanent game space and revamping the front retail area.  We've got some more to do as time goes on but the changes made so far have helped the store a great deal and I'm very proud to be a part of it all.

As most know, Lake Geneva Games is a versatile store with TCGs, Boardgames, GW lines, as well as other dice and card games.  Our bread and butter, however, is Magic: The Gathering and the store hosts many events while selling both new product and singles, through our storefront and online.  One thing that has eluded the store in that regard (and wasn't likely to happen until that game space expansion) was evolving from a second tier host of events in the eyes of WotC to a top tier store with all of the additional prize support and privileges that brings.  What Jason and I have decided to do in that regard will be a milestone in the history of the store.

This Saturday, August 27th @ 1 PM, we are hosting a FREE Conspiracy Draft utilizing the new set of cards from WotC, Conspiracy: Take the Crown.  This is where the community comes in, especially local MtG players but not strictly so.  It drafts similar to a regular draft set but has a few twists.  After drafting, players will then play a single multi-player game to determine game winners.  Did I mention that we're supplying three packs of cards to each player for FREE?  We're doing this so that we can qualify (which has to happen once per year) for the top tier.  We fulfill all other requirements to qualify for the top tier except having at least one really big event like this one so we're absorbing the cost and hosting the event at our own expense.  If you're in the area or plan to be, please go to the Lake Geneva Games website and grab a seat for the event, but only if you're absolutely sure you can be there.  We'd hate to turn other away because the event only holds 64 players max (as does the store!).  Thanks, and I hope to see many of you this weekend!

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.

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

Tech Tuesday - Tech Hubs

Since August 23rd, 1991 marks the first day that new users had access to the World Wide Web, this seems a fitting day to discuss some new location for high tech development in the USA.  Finding the best place to locate oneself to best take advantage of high tech job opportunities is challenging.  Today I am sharing several perspectives beginning with the first such area in the USA founded, some would say, in the late 1930s in a garage.  Over on Atlas Obscura, they suggest a way to view Silicon Valley in a historic manner here.

Also, on mashable.com, they tell us "Why 4 emerging tech hubs are luring startups away from Silicon Valley" here.

Finally, on realestate.usnews.com, we're told "Forget Silicon Valley: 5 Tech Hubs With a Lower Cost of Living."  Discover more here.

Tech Tuesday on CreativeMountainGames.com 

News focused on Technology
as it might interest gamers.

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RPG Media Monday - Netflix Heroes

Well, we all know that it started with Daredevil, which also had a second season introducing The Punisher which will indeed have its own show.  And a second season has been announced for Jessica Jones, as well, along with speculation that there will be multiple villains here.

But some folks might not be aware that out of season one of Jessica Jones, we are now getting a spin off show for Luke Cage

And yet another hero show from Netflix, keep your eyes peeled for Iron Fist!

RPG Media Monday on CreativeMountainGames.com 

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

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Sunday Funnies - Business As Usual

I saw a meme floating around so I clipped it and rewrote the caption.  Enjoy!

Also, on boredpanda.com, some enterprising employee tells us "Our Boss Asked Us To Decorate Our Desks, So We Did This."  See more here.

Finally, on sciencealert.com, "The Department of Energy watched Stranger Things, and wants you to know these 5 things" here.

Sunday Funnies on CreativeMountainGames.com

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

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

Saturday Crowdfunding Roundup - Dice & Coins

Three from Kickstarter this week with the first being "PolyHero Dice - Wizard Set" by PolyHero Dice here.

Also, have a look at "Fantasy Coin: Legacy Gaming Coins" by Fantasy Coin, LLC here.

Finally, check out "Electrum Campaign Coins" by Campaign Coins here.

Saturday Crowdfunding Roundup on CreativeMountainGames.com 

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

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

The Friday Grab Bag - Book It

Over on io9.gizmodo.com, they explain "How to Tell if the First Draft of Your Novel Just Isn't Worth Salvaging" here.

Also, on rebellesociety.com, they give us "Writing Tips: Kurt Vonnegut’s 8 Essentials for a Good Short Story" here.

Finally, on writersdigest.com, we learn "11 Steps to Finding the Agent Who’ll Love Your Book" here.

The Friday Grab Bag on CreativeMountainGames.com 

Essentially, a clearinghouse for topics not covered

elsewhere or needing a particular focus.

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

Throwback Thursday - Film Quirks

Over on atlasobscura.com, they tell us "How the 1985 Fantasy Film 'Legend' Ended Up With Two Soundtracks" here.

Also, on mentalfloss.com, they explain "How Chuck Jones Animated the Mongoose in 'Rikki-Tikki-Tavi'" here.

Finally, on bristolbadfilmclub.co.uk, they describe "War Eagles: The greatest Ray Harryhausen film never made" here.

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!

Events & Play Wednesday - Star Trek Day

Being that the first episode of Star Trek (The Original Series) aired on Thursday, September 8th, 1966, and that it has been fifty years in the making, I am boldly going to declare that Thursday, September 8th, 2016 will be the 50th anniversary of Star Trek.  In my mind, that makes it Star Trek Day!

Now, I fully understand that some folks like to mark April 5th, 2013 as Star Trek Day, fifty years before the date within the show that became First Contact Day, April 5th, 2063.  However, that will always be simply First Contact Day to me.  Star Trek Day needs to be a real world day with a real world reason for being.  The characters in the show don't think of "Star Trek" as a thing.

By the way, there has also been some news on the new series meant to start up next January.  Over on inverse.com, they report that "Klingon War Will Launch 'Star Trek: Discovery'" 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.

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