Focus, focus, focus!

I'm slipping.

Been a little too wonky from the alternate sleep schedule I'm having but I'm getting back in focus now. Working on three different things at the moment, one of which is terribly overdue, but from the way things are looking right now, I'll have it up to date and operational by the end of the week.

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Anyway, if you guys are looking for a place to stay, or have a place you want to put up for sale or rent, surf on over to HanapBahay.com.ph the Pinoy Home and Property Finder! Prospective buyers will find complete data to make an informed decision, while Sellers will find that the ad rates are definitely very affordable.

Check it out guys! You might find something you like. :)

Reposting a quiz...

Hmm...

It looks like that blogger is getting more and more complicated by adding more features to dress up the posts. Not that I mind, but it does tempt one to spend more time sprucing up the posts with colors and stuff now that it's easier to do.

Anyway, first of all I'd like to repost the Mage: the Ascension Quiz for the benefit of my co-workers who are interested in the game. It might help you guys with what Tradition in the game fits your natural perception of the world best:

Here's my result for today (it varies on my mood apparently)


Rock on; you're a Cultist of Ecstasy. Magic is the
result of moving beyond the limitations of the
human form, the constraints of body, mind, and
perception. You do this through EXPERIENCE:
the physical, the emotional, and the spiritual.
Chances are you're rebellious, artistic,
philosophical, radical, meditative, or all of
the above. Most people see you as a hippie, a
druggie who sees "enlightment" in a
ketamine haze, but you merely rediscover what
the ancients saw in the natural world: rhythms
that are gateways to the trance state, through
which anything is possible.


Which Tradition Mage Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla

Whoa... never got this result before. Must be due to my lack of sleep.

Feels like Christmas

Well, it looks like that the Crimson Skies packs I've ordered from ebay just arrived today, and I have to say that it's satisfying to open a package and sift through foam peanuts in order to see six factory fresh packs all still sealed in there.

I've developed a liking for the Crimson Skies universe ever since I've heard of it. Originally a board game from FASA Corporation, it's a game based in an alternate version of the United States of 1937, with a few drastic changes. As their blurb puts it:

"The year is 1937. The United States has shattered under the weight of the Great Depression, regional Prohibition and mounting isolationism. The transcontinental railroad and the budding highway system have become useless as they now cross hostile borders. Commerce and trade leave the ground as air travel—once a national obsession—now becomes a vital lifeline connecting allied countries. Giant zeppelins crisscross the skies, carrying both passengers and cargo. It is a time of gunship diplomacy and airship piracy. It is the age of the fighter pilot and a time of daredevil adventure and sinister intrigue. It is the world of Crimson Skies…"

The game focuses primarily on pulp action and dogfights with miniatures. I'm not lucky enough to have discovered this game when it was still coming out from FASA, so I got the next best thing. It turns out that Wizkids came out with a simpler, miniatures based version, and that's the game that I picked up. Alas, it looks like Wizkids is also putting the brakes on the production on other expansions on the game (apparently it's a niche thing) so I'll have to content myself with the ones that I already have.

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On other notes, I've been taking a few live calls already for the past two days. So far the experience has been interesting, though I don't really have all that many funny stories to relate yet. I'm pretty sure that'll come in time, once I start taking calls full time. Getting a hang of the system that we're using at work takes a bit of practice, and I find myself trying to figure out how to handle an issue as effectively as possible. My trainer wasn't kidding when she said that the work we'd be doing would be relatively complicated compared to the other accounts. We're sort of operating as part researchers, part customer care and part educators. It's not enough that we find what the hell went wrong, we have to make sure the customers don't get pissed and tell them what they have to do and what we'll be doing to fix their issues.

So far, I think I'm doing okay, but I'm pushing myself to learn how to do things faster and more efficiently. I'm planning to work my ass off all day, and apply to any and every promotion that rears it's head in my presence.

Just the Beginning...

I just got my finals results today, and I'm really happy about it. Passing was what was on my mind while taking it, but it turned out that I got 98%!

That's just the beginning though. Tonight, I'll be taking on real calls for the first time, and technically that's when I get to see how things are on the floor for real.

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Speaking of beginnings, we ran into a group of D&D gamers in Greenbelt 3 last weekend, and it turns out that they're a relatively new group to the hobby. I've invited them to the AEGIS mailing list, and it looks like they're all hyped about the prospect of meeting new people and trying new games.

Now I remember why I became a semi-active advocate of the hobby. It's not enough that I enjoy the games I run (or play in), but I want to share the experience with other people. There's a lot more to these games than just rolling dice and drawing looks from other tables in greenbelt when we announce our character's actions, or speak in character. It's fun, and that's exactly what I want to share.

Besides, the more the hobby supports it's fans, the greater the amount of money goes into the hobby, driving down prices, and expanding the diversity of games. It's a win-win situation for me.

I'm sure that most of the hobby store owners will agree with me. In the long run, what makes a game sell is the fact that there's a community for it. Playing is a social activity for the most part, and like kids, if there's nobody to play with, it just won't be fun anymore.

What I'm hoping though, is that we can sustain their interest and their continued participation in the AEGIS community.

Cult of Personality

Personality Quiz Meme!

Wackiness: 54/100
Rationality: 92/100
Constructiveness: 70/100
Leadership: 84/100

You are a WRCL--Wacky Rational Constructive Leader. This makes you a golden god. People gravitate to you, and you make them feel good. You are smart, charismatic, and interesting. You may be too sensitive to others reactions, especially criticism. Your self-opinion and mood depends greatly on those around you.

You think fast and have a smart mouth, is a hoot to your friends and razorwire to your enemies. You hold a grudge like a brass ring. You crackle.

Although you have a leader's personality, you often choose not to lead, as leaders stray too far from their audience. You probably weren't very popular in high school--the joke's on them!

You may be a rock star.

One more challenge... and a little respect for Mage

Finals today.

This is the other "Make-or-Break" part of training for my new job. I'm not really nervous, but I'm pretty sure that I'd still need good luck. I've studied, and I've got little mental notes floating about my mind right now on little reminders, rules and things not to forget.

This is as ready as I'll ever be.

Wish me luck?

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On the hobby end of things, I came upon this review of Mage: the Ascension as a game line in general, dealing with the themes and changes of the game from its initial incarnation over to the revised edtion that currently graces my shelves.

Presenting, Señor Mortgage!

I kid you not. Here I am, only two weeks from hitting the floor in a call center and dealing with homeowners on their Mortgages, and I see THIS. Man, I should see a doctor about this... I'm picking up weird links like crazy. :p

Raining on a parade...

Sometimes people get handed the short stick.

Saturday morning came with a rather sad announcement from those who were taking the English assessment tests for the call center I'm working for. Of the six that took the test, three were taken out. One of them was ecstatic, the other indignant, and the last quietly accepted the event. After much haggling, our trainer managed to pull the indignant one out of the fire, but the quiet one was denied a second chance by the people above.

She joins the two others who have left before, but for a different reason, and to be honest, I can't help but feel sad about the whole affair.

I'm just hoping that the rest of those in training with me do extremely well in the finals on Tuesday.

I'll be working my ass off to score as high as I possibly can.

Short Quizzes

Due to an utter lack of anything to say right now, I'm posting a few quiz results...

Zing!
You are the nearly perfectly timed sarcasm and wit
that often takes a shot at your fellow peers.
Usually followed by a laugh (because everyone
knows you're joking) and done in good spirit.
You like to make people laugh.


- What Kind of Insult Are You? -
brought to you by Quizilla

okay... I think that's fairly accurate. Now here's something for Shar:

align=left>
I adopted a cute lil' pirate fetus
from Fetusmart! Hooray fetus!

Arrgh! I be raised from a jar, matey!

Living in a fantasy...

I guess it just occured to me that I don't really write much about my life here in this blog. Most of the time it's about my hobbies, or with random musings that I've come up with. While that's all fine and good, I can't help but wonder why I don't seem to have much to put up here.

Right now, I'm living in a curious sort of zen-state. I've learned to deal with the pressures of work, the issues at home, and my responsibilities as a friend, companion, significant other and game master. I've dealt with everything the world has tossed at me at one time or another, various paradigm shifts that have decimated my expectations and beliefs at fundamental levels.

A few of the lessons I've learned are the simple ones that everyone should learn at one time or another:

- Learn who your true friends are and cherish them, nurture your relationship with the deserving, and you will also be elevated to their stature.

- Public opinion is hardly ever an accurate indication of anything. Most people are too concerned thinking about what other people think that they lose themselves. You forge your identity, be proud of your handiwork.

- Inspiration is a rare and wonderful thing. No matter what the cause, run with it, play it out, write it down or put it on paper. Everyone has the soul of an artist, it's just a matter of applying what you feel to a medium of expression.

- Words are good, but we take deeds. Honest and sincere intent, coupled with words and promises are only the beginning. The rest of it comes from good, hard work.

- What seem to be great sacrifices now, reap greater rewards later. Karma comes and goes, often hitting you in the back of the head when you least expect it.

- Time is money. Hence if you can pay with time, rather than money, do so. It allows you to spend your current cash on more important things.

- Cattle prods are the wave of the future. Do not hesitate to zap fools if they approach you. If enough of us do it, it will become socially acceptible by the principle of common usage. (taken from Dilbert)

It's not much admittedly, but I guess it's a start. I mean twenty four years of living is probably not what most people would consider to be a long time, but I think that these things are worth bearing in mind.

what do you guys think?

Enchantment VS. Sorcery

Okay, here's my take on Enchantresses and Sorceresses in general as I mentioned in the last entry. Personally, I find the Enchantress more endearing primarily because of the fact that they need not resort to crude methods such as the promise of violence (although they can if they really want to.

While I will admit that the term, "Sorceress" is really a catch-all for women who cast magic, I find that the Enchantress has enough merit to stand on her own. The Myths are full of women who have used magics that fall under the umbrella of Enchantment rather than the more direct magic attributed to other practices.

Take Medea from Jason and the Argonauts, for example. Her exploits paint her as not the kind of woman you'd like to anger, but she admittedly has style... even if she exhibited a kind of sly murderous streak that most modern individuals would consider to be mentally disturbed.

In most fantasy literature, Enchanters and Enchantresses usually get the job done with the judicious use of wit, cunning and charm. Rarely relying on destructive forces, they empower objects (like the ever popular magical swords), brew potions, and achieve a form of mental domination over people. There is hardly ever a grand display of special effects of light and sound, but the results are still as potent.

I guess I'm writing this as a tribute to the other side of the Arthurian mythos. While the Knights are certainly those that set off (often with only courage as their only companion) on their Quests, it is the role of the Wizards, and the Enchantresses to provide them strength. Even as Circe helped Odysseus, Medea assisted Jason, and the Lady of the Lake watched over King Arthur, no epic is complete without the wise, cunning and sometimes frightening female enchantress watching from the shadows.

It's certainly something to think about as I go on with life, knowing that somewhere, the Enchantress is waiting for me to find what I've been questing for.

All Hail the Fourth of July, and more Art Appreciation

Yes, for the first time in my life, I've actually had a chance to celebrate the Fourth of July for a real reason. :)

Working for a call center with a US Bank as an account sort of allows for that kind of thing. I know it's a minor thing, especially since most of the Philippines' three day weekends are now working days (or nights, rather) for me, but I like to celebrate things for the heck of it.

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A guilty pleasure of mine is to sift through several Art Boards such as the Sijun Boards or Conceptart.Org for pictures that grab my attention or grand inspiration for my RPG games. The picture in my previous post came from one of those boards.

And now for today's picture, called "Enchantress" It's rather large so I had to link it to open to a new window, but PLEASE check it out. It's a fantastic pic.

I really like the whole Chinese vibe she has going on with the details of her costume.

For some reason, I find myself liking Enchantresses more than I like Sorceresses (is there such a word?) Blame it on my fascination on the Arthurian mythos again, but I find the Enchantresses seem to have a hell of a lot more style and finesse than a sorceress. While a Sorceress may call down lightning or fry her foes with fireballs, an enchantress doesn't have to go that far to achieve her ends. Heck, an enchantress makes a great friend, just don't go pissing her off.

Anyway, I'd go more into this discussion on Enchantresses vs. Sorceresses when I get back. Gotta head off to work. Catch you guys tomorrow!

Exalted Musings

If there's something that this picture reminds me of, it's a roleplaying game that I'm really fond of called Exalted. I'd go into detail, but rather than bore you guys, it's a game about demigods elevated by their deities to perform feats of greatness and bringing about change in the world.

The game itself styles it's heroes in a similar fashion to the Mythical heroes that we only see in books (and in very few movies, like Troy). These are individuals with incredible power, and yet possess crippling hubris and failings that can make their losses into tragedies that sweep entire nations.

While I'm a big fan of the Epic storyline and world-sweeping adventures, I also appreciate the smaller things in RPG worlds. In Exalted for example, I'm currently playing a Zenith Caste Priest King. It's my first time to play something that even remotely looks religious (even in game terms) but I find that my character spends more time trying to forge bonds in his community and fostering the love and trust of his people rather than going out and fighting the good fight.

Which is odd considering that he's fashioned to be a cross between the Rock in "the Scorpion King" and Moses from "Prince of Egypt" carrying a 5-foot long golden ceremonial warclub. You'll see once I get Nicco to scan an image of my character. :)

Words of wisdom

Virtue is more to man than either water or fire. I have seen men die from treading on water and fire, but I have never seen a man die from treading the course of virtue.
Confucius, The Confucian Analects

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The man's got a point. Of course, the saying points to men of virtue in their daily lives. Martyrs and patriots who die in the service of their beliefs are exempt from this. :p