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06/19/2005: "My First Father's Day (as a father)"

6.19.05
Well, I'm a dad now. I've been so for nigh on three months, and it's been quite a trip. I'd always wondered what parenthood was like, and now it's staring me straight in the face with a goofy, toothless grin. I don't necessarily feel more mature than I used to. Heck, I still feel like a teenager (mentally) most days, and I'm pushing 32. Is this some sort of cosmic joke? Am I still going to feel like a teenager in forty years?

In any case: happy Father's Day to those men out there who have children, especially if you are taking (or have taken) an active role in their upbringing. I finally understand what this gig is like. As tough as it's been, and as hard as I anticipate that it's going to get, I don't regret it. Not for an instant. I wouldn't go back for anything.

This news item is a bit on the late side; better late than never, I say.

It's been 18 months, but Hungry Little Monsters has finally been released. The book is available through RPG Now and Drive Thru RPG. What is Hungry Little Monsters, you ask? Read on:

"Hungry Little Monsters is a compilation project initiated by Sean K Reynolds to be a charity fundraiser for FoodForAll.org, a program to help feed the hungry.

"Hungry Little Monsters features 43 new monsters (each approximately one page long) for the d20 system. The theme for this book is "monsters for which you can use existing miniatures or tokens." Rather than a collection of bizarre-anatomy creatures that you can't represent with anything on your miniatures shelf or in a store, this book is full of creatures which you can represent in play with commonly-available miniatures or tokens. This is set up by a serious of monster archetypes -- corpses (skeletal or zombielike undead), fiends (your typical bat-winged demonic or devilish creature), humanoids, oozes, spirits (bodiless undead), and so on.

"This book is authored by volunteer members of the RPG industry, including Sean K Reynolds, Dave Mattingly, Matt Forbeck, Scott Bennie, and Ed Greenwood, as well as a dozen other established game designers. Likewise, the editing, art, and typesetting is donated as well. Hungry Little Monsters is created entirely on volunteer time. The game material in the book is entirely open game content as defined by the Open Gaming License.

"All proceeds from this book are donated to Food For All.org."

It's a good supplement, at a good price, for a good cause. Do the world a favor and buy a copy.

I've settled on a somewhat tentative schedule for Gen Con Indy. This schedule is subject to change, depending on a number of circumstances.

Wednesday, 8/17/05
4:50pm: My plane lands.
Thursday, 8/18/05
2:00pm - 3:00pm: Freelancing for Wizards seminar
Friday, 8/19/05
1:00pm - 3:00pm: What's Up with Green Ronin seminar
5:00pm - 6:00pm: How to Design RPG Games seminar
Evening Sometime: Go to the ENnie Awards
Saturday, 8/20/05
11:00am - 12:00pm: d20 Design Tips seminar
6:00pm - 8:00pm: Welcome to Thieves' World seminar
Sunday, 8/21/05
11:00am - 12:00pm: Life as a Freelancer seminar
5:05pm: Get on a plane and fly home.

I didn't schedule anything last year, and in retrospect, I would've liked to have attended some of the seminars. This year, I've put in for some seminar tickets. Incidentally, I'll probably be sitting on the panel for the "Welcome to Thieves' World" seminar on Saturday night. Drop in and say hello, ask a question or two, and meet Lynn Abbey.

The second edition of the Midnight campaign setting is on store shelves, and it's a fine looking product. It is, by far, much meatier than the original edition, is updated to 3.5, and is worth every penny. If I had the time, I'd revive my Midnight campaign this very afternoon.

More later,