It is a quiet day...

[thebitterguy]

So, I ask you to...

Please ask me a question, something you think you should know about me but don't. If I answer your question, I get to ask you a question in return.

Comments

[thetathx1138.livejournal.com]

What's your checking account number? :-)

In all seriousness, now that we know the source, the wellspring if you will, of your bitterness, has it mellowed at all over time or just become sharper with age?

[thebitterguy]

Oh, mellowed significantly. Or at least diffused. I have many things to direct my bitterness at now, instead of just one. God bless being a functioning member of society.

It's really the kind of thing that would have made me burn out if I'd have hung onto it.

My question: Do you have a 30 second pitch for your film? What is it? IF not, what is it about? Would you like to have it shown at the TIFF?

[mr-weasel.livejournal.com]

What is the absolute weirdest RPG you've ever played?

[thebitterguy]

Well, this probably won't surprise you since you were there, but StarChildren. The whole experience was fairly surreal: playing a game at GenCon, with the creator and my best friend at the table, as an alien punk musician who like violence but wasn't very good at it (well, wasn't SUPPOSED to be very good at it). It was a strange experience.

Following that, the variant (VERY) D&D game I was in in Kingston for 2 sessions. It was sorta 3E before 3E (Dwarf Paladins n' stuff) with Monty Haul elements. The GM made so many alterations to the system he had a hundred page PHB supplemental that players had to buy from him. He'd stop the game to smoke a jay, and then his infant son would wander into the room. Occasionally we watched really bad movies.

Oh, yeah: My turn

[thebitterguy]

Do you think you'd have been better off if you'd just quit pharmacy work and gone to school full time, or even taken extra courses to get through it quicker, without the physical and emotional drag of your day job?

[ketronic.livejournal.com]

What's your biggest fear in life?

[thebitterguy]

Wow. You don't go for the small stuff, do you? My biggest fear is a pretty cliche one, really. The thought of dying alone. Not being mourned or remembered or acknowledged in passing. Not being appreciated or noticed. Being insignificant. I do not like to feel small.

I'm so glad I'm posting this for everyone to read. :) I suppose it's a common fear, though.

Okay, for my question: what is the career path for a RMT? Is it usually something you would do freelance until you retire? Do people usually start their own clinics after a while? Are you incorporated?

[granolademonic.livejournal.com]

What'cha gonna do when Hulkamania runs wild on you?

[thebitterguy]

Take him out with a flying closeline, brother! Then an elbow drop from the top rope.

My question: Was the Montreal screwjob the greatest tragedy in sporting history?

[rentagurkha.livejournal.com]

Do you have any interest in writing RPGs?

[thebitterguy]

Definitely. I've loved writing and gaming since I was in short pants; hell, my first professional writing jobs were two pieces I sold to Dragon when I was a teenager.

On the other hand... Dealing with the industry is something I'm disquieted by. I've seen too many people going slowly (or quickly) nuts trying to meet deadlines (I've seen a lot of LJ posts that read "XX,000 words by Saturday. I will be quiet until then"), and I don't know if, with the industry propensity for slow/non payment, I like the idea of slagging myself for the benefit of industry renown. If I want to write for a small audience and no pay, I have LJ.

I COULD do RPG writing, and I'd probably (might) enjoy it, but my interest level has been ebbing recently.

My question: Have you and Leslie felt any social feedback (I can't think of a non stupid way to say it) about your relationship due to your divergent ethnic backgrounds?

[mercuryeric.livejournal.com]

I am unclear on your stance on pizza. New York or Chicago?

[thebitterguy]

I believe a baldwin brother once had a line that went Pizza is like sex. No matter what, it's pretty darn good. I have learned enough in my time to know that that is, in fact, a lie on both counts.

However, I do crave the pie, and if I had to choose, I would go with the deep dish deliciousness of Chicago. Since I live in Canada, all pizza is in between, medium crust.

Your question: What's the most fun you've had gaming in the past while? Video/table top?

[waiwode.livejournal.com]

I hate to brush up against the bitterness of the past, but How long were you in the Navy (Reserve) and did you ever go or do anything cool there?

Me? I froze my ass off in Norway and destroyed a whole year of University courses at the exact same time.

Doug.

[thebitterguy]

My active time in the reserve was approximately three weeks. For the situation in excrutiating detail, you can read this entry from a couple years back.

I, thankfully, only ruined a summer vacation, and travelled to Nova Scotia.

Question: So, is your big thing wargaming or roleplaying? And do you consider yourself worthy of the title "Grognard"?

[uniquecrash5.livejournal.com]

Do you dig Trek?

[thetathx1138.livejournal.com]

And if not, how do you seek to rectify this severe character flaw? ;-)

[thebitterguy]

Oh, yeah. Mostly TOS and DS9, with a smattering of episodes from TNG & Enterprise. Voyager lost me PDQ, but the openning credits are still sooper cool.

Devil in the Dark is one of my favourite hours of TV ever.

Your question: Do you find convention gaming satisfying, or does it tend to be dissapointing?

[viktor-haag.livejournal.com]

How often do you change your "she's calling me" ringtone?

[thebitterguy]

Occasionally. I put my Christmas tone on in early December, but other jingles get switched on and off whenever I feel like it. If there's something relevant ot one of them (a Cure related anniversary, or a date that's significant to Nintendo or Mario Brothers) I'll change it as a lark. But it changes randomly, mostly.

My Question: Are you planning for a prestige class, or are you going to go pure fighter?

[creativedv8tion.livejournal.com]

Well, gosh, I hope this is still open, even though the day is mostly over...

What was the best RP campaign that you ever played in or ran (or both if you care to tell us) - and what made it/them so great?

[thebitterguy]

The best I ever played in was my friend Chris's Vampire game in university. It was back in the days when I was gaming, but not a 'gamer', as it were. I played an Assamite assasin and, things were all wacky with Gehenna starting and methuselah princes n' stuff. Funs-ville. The best I ran was a Werewolf game in Kingston. The players were neonate garou, and the game ended quickly, but the players were engaged. It was fun.

My question: If circumstances allowed, would you want a regular live gaming group, or do you prefer online/pbp type of games?

[bcwalker.livejournal.com]

What's your take on miniatures and their applicability to gaming?

[thebitterguy]

Well, RPing is an offshoot of miniatures wargaming, so minatures are a big part of the hobby.

Some games (champions, Savage Worlds & D&D) are strongly geared towards using them. Others aren't. I think if they're part of the game and can be used well, they're a good thing.

I used to paint minis, and it was an enjoyable subsection of the hobby, so if someone else likes doing it (or even just collecting them) and they can make them useful for the rest of the players, that's very cool.

I am very glad that there are paper and pre-painted plastic minis available for use, too. Keeps the playing field level.

Your Question: What's the most fun you've had recently?

[madmanofprague.livejournal.com]

So what's 'Mohareb' mean?

[thebitterguy]

I believe it translates from the Arabic directly as "warrior", however in Persian it means "those who fight God". Which is less chipper.

If you google it, you find lots of articles from Iran about hangings.

[papajoemambo.livejournal.com]

Here's one that's indirect:

What do you think I should be doing with my life?

[thebitterguy]

Start a radio show. If you don't want to, do a Podcast. That would be cool. You know so much Neat Stuff, and you're so good at getting it across.

In a larger sense? Oh dear Lord, man. I work in a call centre. I'm teh last man in the UNIVERSE anyone should ask for guidance.

[bnddbl07.livejournal.com]

A few days late... but...

Besides your Mrs. & Parents, (Because those are to easy) Who in your life (past or present)has had the most effect on who you are today?

[thebitterguy]

Damn. That's a tough one.

Actually in my life would probably go to my high school English teachers Mrs. Gazely & Mr. Stuart, because who can't recognize a high school teacher? They could have been more disciplinarian and helped curb my slacking tendancies, but they encouraged and taught. And Mr. Kenney, for being the biggest asshole who ever lived and showing me you couldn't really trust adults.

Outside of my personal acquaintances, I'd go with Mssrs Lucas, Roddenbery & Gygas (the creators of Star Wars, Star Trek & D&D, respectively). If not for them, who knows, I could have gotten laid in high school. But I doubt it.

My question: What's it like working for the family business? Do you ever get any weird feelings like you've never left 'the nest'?