another Dispatch article

Here is a funny article from Michael Arace of the Columbus Dispatch:

Here is a description of the fantasy role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons from wizards.com:

D&D is an imaginative, social experience that engages players in a rich fantasy world filled with larger-than-life heroes, deadly monsters, and diverse settings. As a hobby game, D&D is an ongoing activity to which players might devote hours of their time -- much like a weekly poker game -- getting together with friends on a regular basis for weeks, months, or even years.

Players create heroic fantasy characters -- mighty warriors, stealthy rogues, or powerful wizards -- which they guide through an ongoing series of adventures, working together to defeat monsters and other challenges and growing in power, glory, and achievement. The game offers endless possibilities and a multitude of choices more choices than even the most sophisticated computer game, because you can do whatever you can imagine!

My little brothers played D&D with one of their egg-head friends in the 1980s. I worried about their manhood -- needlessly, as it turned out. My brothers grew up to be police sergeants. Their old egg-head friend is a nuclear physicist or something like that.

There is a lesson here: Those of us who ridiculed players of Dungeons & Dragons as dorks might have been too quick to criticize. And it's not just because players from the 1970s and '80s became police sergeants, nuclear physicists and Wall Street moguls who used TARP money to cover their multimillion-dollar bonuses as they toppled our financial system.

No, we should not have criticized those dorks, because we all grew up and became dorks.

A show of hands now: Who out there plays fantasy football?

See?

Read the rest here.

Black Friday for Gamers

Here's a cool article from the Elizabeth Gibson in the Columbus Dispatch:

While some families shuffled the deck for their hundredth round of euchre or stood in checkout lines yesterday, competitors at the After Turkey Day Game Fest XII wanted a little more mental stimulation.

The tradition, with hundreds of players sitting along cafeteria tables playing dozens of board games, started as a male alternative to shopping madness, said George "Bud" Sauer III, a founder. Now, whole families come, some for the day and some for a break after a morning at nearby Polaris shops.
"They sit down, get a rest and go shopping again," he said. "It's evolved to more of a pit stop."

Read More Here

Black Friday, Holiday Get together and other assorted stuff

Happy Black Friday to all!

I know this group isn't much for planning but can we take a look at whatever device you use to record info on and try to get an idea of a potential date for a get together? There are some decent adventurer movies out, and soon to be released, and I wanted to make sure to set aside some time for you guys! I'd also be willing to travel to any location that would be willing to have me.

Saturday December 5 (all day) and Saturday December 19th (until 1 or so) are out for me.

In All Things Give Thanks

If the Wallet Draining Lich gets displaced to Georgia we should count our blessings and pile in for DragonCon!!

Happy Thanksgiving

OSU Quiz

Ok check this out. It is a quiz on the top 20 career leading rushers for The Ohio State University. Give it a try.

We Give Thanks

Buckeye Recap

Ho Hum. The Buckeyes beat the Wolverines 21-10. It really wasn't that close. OSU out gained them 251-80 on the ground to totally control this game. Michigan threw the ball well between the 20's but when your QB has 5 turnovers you won't win many games.

Ohio State played a calculated game relying on the run. It worked. Next up the Rose Bowl!!

Well done Buckeyes

Other Stuff



The Buckeyes honored Stefanie Spielman by wearing decals with SS and a pink Buckeye Leaf. Well done. And hats off to the crowd at Arizona for ESPN's Gameday. When the announcers were discussing her passing and Chris' loss they gave very respectful, heart felt applause.

Michigan's Forcier was only the second UM QB in the last 65 years to throw 4 INT's against the Buckeyes.

Game Day

It is here. The Michigan Game. The all knowing pundits are saying this game has lost its luster. They are wrong. Michigan needs this win to salvage the season. It needs this win to be bowl eligible. It needs this win to get an additional month of practice. For a young, not very good, team that is huge. Their freshman quarterback is saying now that he is staying. And given more reps and a better surrounding cast this kid can become pretty good.

That being said Ohio State needs to reverse that thought and play with desperation themselves. A loss today tarnishes the season for the Bucks. It will not happen. The running game will be a key factor. Everyone seems to be healthy and that is huge. If the running game gets going early Pryor should be able to hit a few big plays to the receivers and put this game away early in the 3rd quarter. Final score Ohio State 35 UM 10.

How am I doing so far? (9-1 so far)

Game 1 Prediction Ohio State 31 Navy 17
Final OSU 31-27
Game 2 Prediction Ohio State 10 USC 35
Final USC 18-15
Game 3 Prediction Ohio State 45 Toledo 17
Final OSU 38-0
Game 4 Prediction Ohio State 35 Illinois 17
Final OSU 30-0
Game 5 Prediction Ohio State 28 Indiana 7
Final OSU 33-14
Game 6 Prediction Ohio State 24 Wisconsin 17
Final OSU 31-13
Game 7 Prediction Ohio State 42 Purdue 7
Final PU 26-18
Game 8 Prediction Ohio State 21 Minnesota 7
Final OSU 38-7
Game 9 Prediction Ohio State 42 New Mexico State 7
Final OSU 45-0
Game 10 Prediction Penn State 24 Ohio State 14
Final OSU 24-7
Game 11 Prediction Ohio State 34 Iowa 7
Final OSU 27-24 in OT

The Game Day

My favorite all time OSU -UM game is always the most recent one. It has been 2191 days since Michigan's last victory over the Bucks. Lets go Bucks and tack another 365 on to that counter!!

Go Bucks!

Michigan Friday

Gettysburg Revisited

Have we forgotten Lincoln's immortal words? I pray we haven't">

Michigan Thursday

Next up is the 1975 game. The fall of my Sr Year in high school. Woody's last hurrah against Bo. Go Bucks!

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Michigan Wednesday

Game 4 is the 2006 classic won by the Bucks 42-39. The teams entered the Game ranked one and two in the polls. Troy Smith threw for 316 yards, 104 to Ted Ginn Jr. Antonio Pittman ran for 139 and Beanie Wells pitched in with a 52 yard TD run. The Bucks went on to the BCS championship game against Florida but we will not talk about that. Ever.

Hitler likes the Bucks? Who knew?

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Michigan Tuesday

My countdown of my favorite OSU-UM games continues with number five. 2001 was Tressel's first year and first as the head coach in "The Game". Ohio State won 26-20 and had Jonathon Wells not gotten injured it would have been a full blown route. That was not the best thing about this game. You have to go back 310 days to this:

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Michigan Monday

I'm going to be counting down my Top 6 favorite OSU-UM Games this week. And since it is my poll Ohio State wins all of them, although there have been some great games that Michigan has won also.

Number six is the 1974 game. Michigan came in 10-0 ranked number three and Ohio State was 9-1 ranked number four. The Bucks won 12-10 behind Tom Klaban's four field goals and a last second miss by Michigan's Mike Lantry. Right, wrong or indifferent Lantry will always be remembered as one of the most infamous kickers in Ohio State history. The Bucks went on to lose the Rose Bowl to USC 18-17.

Go Bucks!!

Go Bengals

Make that the first place Bengals 7-2. 2-0 against both the Steelers and Ravens and 1-0 so far against the Browns. Smells like the playoffs

Michigan Week

The week Woody lived for is here. Feel free to post your best UM-OSU stuff. Say what you want but remember they are what makes being a Buckeye great. Trash them, abuse them but always respect them.

Michigan needs this win to become bowl eligible, it will be their Senior Day, and they will have 110,000+ people who hate the Buckeyes screaming. If ever there is a trap game it is this one. The Bucks can not come out as flat as they did against Iowa and expect to walk away with a win.

Buckeye Recap Recap

It wasn't pretty but it worked. Tressel played the game close to the vest and when it looked like the Bucks had it locked up they let Iowa back in. Pryor was weirdly efficient, 14-17 93 yards. Yep 93 yards. But they won it in a manner that Tressel loves with great D and a FG in overtime. Congrats Buckeyes!!

Here is a second angle on the winning play



Number 59 watch

A brief side line sighting late in the game and then again running onto the field after the kick was made.

Buckeye Recap

Congratulations Ohio State on your 27-24 overtime Rose Bowl clinching win over Iowa. See you in Pasadena!

Game Day

That is what is obtainable with a victory over Iowa in the Shoe. Lose and it will probably be the Capital One Bowl.

Iowa is coming in off a loss, has lost their starting quarterback and is a 14 and 1/2 point underdog Saturday. That probably makes them dangerous. I really don't think they can hang with the Bucks defense with the amount of injuries they have. Pryor, for the first time in his career, smells blood (or Roses) and goes off against the Hawks. The Bucks roll in this one 34-7. And then bring on the U of M.

How am I doing so far? (9-1 so far)

Game 1 Prediction Ohio State 31 Navy 17
Final OSU 31-27
Game 2 Prediction Ohio State 10 USC 35
Final USC 18-15
Game 3 Prediction Ohio State 45 Toledo 17
Final OSU 38-0
Game 4 Prediction Ohio State 35 Illinois 17
Final OSU 30-0
Game 5 Prediction Ohio State 28 Indiana 7
Final OSU 33-14
Game 6 Prediction Ohio State 24 Wisconsin 17
Final OSU 31-13
Game 7 Prediction Ohio State 42 Purdue 7
Final PU 26-18
Game 8 Prediction Ohio State 21 Minnesota 7
Final OSU 38-7
Game 9 Prediction Ohio State 42 New Mexico State 7
Final OSU 45-0
Game 10 Prediction Penn State 24 Ohio State 14
Final OSU 24-7

Never Forget

Never forget what makes this nation great. Her strength is in her people. And none are stronger than those who serve. Thank you veterans.

Lest We Forget

We have a sacred trust with those who wear the uniform of the United States of America. From the Minutemen who stood watch over Lexington and Concord to the service members who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, American veterans deserve our deepest appreciation and respect. Our Nation's servicemen and women are our best and brightest, enlisting in times of peace and war, serving with honor under the most difficult circumstances, and making sacrifices that many of us cannot begin to imagine. Today, we reflect upon the invaluable contributions of our country's veterans and reaffirm our commitment to provide them and their families with the essential support they were promised and have earned. Caring for our veterans is more than a way of thanking them for their service. It is an obligation to our fellow citizens who have risked their lives to defend our freedom. This selflessness binds our fates with theirs, and recognizing those who were willing to give their last full measure of devotion for us is a debt of honor for every American.

We also pay tribute to all who have worn the uniform and continue to serve their country as civilians. Many veterans act as coaches, teachers, and mentors in their communities, selflessly volunteering their time and expertise. They visit schools to tell our Nation's students of their experiences and help counsel our troops returning from the theater of war. These men and women possess an unwavering belief in the idea of America: no matter where you come from, what you look like, or who your parents are, this is a place where anything is possible. Our veterans continue to stand up for those timeless American ideals of liberty, self-determination, and equal opportunity.

On Veterans Day, we honor the heroes we have lost, and we rededicate ourselves to the next generation of veterans by supporting our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen as they return home from duty. Our grateful Nation must keep our solemn promises to these brave men and women and their families. They have given their unwavering devotion to the American people, and we must keep our covenant with them.

With respect for and in recognition of the contributions our servicemen and women have made to the cause of peace and freedom around the world, the Congress has provided (5 U.S.C. 6103(a)) that November 11 of each year shall be set aside as a legal public holiday to honor our Nation's veterans.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim November 11, 2009, as Veterans Day. I encourage all Americans to recognize the valor and sacrifice of our veterans through appropriate public ceremonies and private prayers. I call upon Federal, State, and local officials to display the flag of the United States and to participate in patriotic activities in their communities. I call on all Americans, including civic and fraternal organizations, places of worship, schools, and communities to support this day with commemorative expressions and programs.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirtieth day of October, in the year of our Lord two thousand nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fourth.

BARACK OBAMA

Thank you Veterans

For Grandpa WWI, Marty WWII, Dad Korea, and Keith Cold War Thank You.">

Vietnam

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Comic Book Movie News

It looks like the New Spiderman Movie will have Black Cat in it.

As you have probably heard Ryan Reynolds will play Hal Jordan/ Green Lantern in the film that will be released in June of 2011.



There is also a remake of 1981's Clash of the Titans due out in March of 2010. It has Liam Neeson as Zeus (Laurence Olivier played him originally) so it has to be good right? See the preview here.

And finally a movie that pays homage to the action flick era of the 80's through the late 90's. In The Expendables a team of mercenaries head to South America on a mission to overthrow a dictator. It may be a reworked script from a Mission Impossible episode but we have to go see it just because of the cast. Sly Stallone, Bruce Willis, Arnold Schwarzenegger all make an appearance as well as Jason Stratham, Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren, Eric Roberts and Steve Austin. Mark it down! lol

The Return of Aragorn?

Will Strider be coming back in the upcoming Hobbit movies? Viggo Mortensen says it is a possibility that the story will be changed somewhat to include his Ranger. "My character is around at times -- in the middle, But it would only be if they made a second movie or connecting movie that connected The Hobbit to The Lord Of The Rings that I might appear, which would be great" said Viggo.

Read more about it here.

Don't forget our veterans

Buckeye Recap

An old fashioned butt kicking today. That is what Penn State received from the Buckeyes. A 24-7 win, coupled with an Iowa loss puts the Buckeyes back in total control of the Rose Bowl race as well as a Big Ten title and another BCS game. The Bucks held the high powered offense of PSU to 201 total yards. Our O line dominated and Pryor looked great throwing; even if the stats don't reflect it.

Big Play Ray came up huge today. 7 returns for 130 yards including 41 and 45 yarders. Nice to see the kid finally be productive on the field.

Game Ball to the O Line. Without their effort today the Rose Bowl hope would be out the window.

Game Day

Penn State begins a three game series of single elimination games. Win them all and the Bucks get a BCS game. Lose any one of them and it is probably the Capital One Bowl. Lose two and they'll be playing in late December. Get swept and they'll play in mid December.

The O line needs to play better than they have since coming to Columbus. If they do the Bucks D will get it done. If not they will put the D in really bad spots on the field. I just don't see them getting it done today.

Penn State 24-14

How am I doing so far?

Game 1 Prediction Ohio State 31 Navy 17
Final OSU 31-27
Game 2 Prediction Ohio State 10 USC 35
Final USC 18-15
Game 3 Prediction Ohio State 45 Toledo 17
Final OSU 38-0
Game 4 Prediction Ohio State 35 Illinois 17
Final OSU 30-0
Game 5 Prediction Ohio State 28 Indiana 7
Final OSU 33-14
Game 6 Prediction Ohio State 24 Wisconsin 17
Final OSU 31-13
Game 7 Prediction Ohio State 42 Purdue 7
Final PU 26-18
Game 8 Prediction Ohio State 21 Minnesota 7
Final OSU 38-7
Game 9 Prediction Ohio State 42 New Mexico State 7
Final OSU 45-0

Baseball Starts again in 103 days

Baseball is over. Yankees win the World Series. Blah, blah, blah

Election Day

Get out there and vote. No Vote No Gripes

Boardgame Christmas Secret Santa

If you are a member of Board Game Geek the 2009 Secret Santa has begun. I participated in this last year and it was a blast. You are given an unknown "target" and you are their Secret Santa. They can be anywhere around the world so be prepared for shipping costs. Everyone has a wishlist of games to choose from and you get something from the list. Last year I got two really cool games. Check it out here if you want but I really recommend it.

Welcome November

Fall leaves, Thanksgiving, Football, Parades, and Food. November brings all kinds of cool stuff to us. Quit playing CoH and get outside and enjoy it.

Buckeye Recap

They say a picture is worth a thousand words so this one tells you all you need to know. But just in case here are some words, and numbers, for you.

45 - the number of plays run by New Mexico State
62 - the number of yards gained by New Mexico State
1.5- the average yards per pass allowed by the Bucks
1.3- the average yards per run allowed by the Bucks
7 - the number of players for OSU that out gained New Mexico State
2 - the number of first downs made by the Aggies
2 - the number of OSU players who out gained NMS in both categories
2 - the number of injuries suffered that could really hurt OSU against Penn State

A throw away game. A game that normally would be played in the early weeks of a season. Not much to say other than New Mexico State is a really bad team and our offensive line is still a great big question mark.

Go Bucks!!

Buckeye Minutiae
Heading into next week Ohio State is 12-12 against Penn State all-time. The Vest is 5-3, 2-2 in Happy Valley, against JoePa.


Number 59 watch
Got some pretty good air time as the team ran on the field during the pre-game show. Also was visible when the showed the entire singing of Carmen Ohio. He even looks like he has learned the words.