How many blogs does it take

Tumblr is supposed to be the trendy, hip online community of the moment. Presto! Here I am. Follow me on Twitter at @Saxster




Ogre Designer’s Edition

I just supported the Ogre Designer’s Edition wargame from Steve Jackson Games here in Austin, TX via Kickstarter.
This was an easy call for me.  I still own the Ogre and GEV mini-games and these were some of the very first science-fiction based games that I ever bought and played, going all the way back to my teens when I would road-trip to Orlando with friends to visit the legendary hobby store Enterprise 1701.

My father started me on my love for gaming, so board games will always hold a special place for me.  We too often get caught up in faceless computer gaming in the modern world, but board games can be played just about anywhere under any condition and you’re face to face with your opponents (who usually are your friends and family) and I don’t believe we should ever let this fade away.  From the looks of the success of Steve Jackson’s Kickstarter project I am definitely not alone in that reasoning.
Now, if I could just convince Steve to finally hire me, maybe as the Ogre line editor this time, the circle would be complete.


Winging League of Legends

I have been installing a cavalcade of oddball games on my PC lately.  Everything from the amazing open source project Wing Commander Saga to the very competitive and equally FREE PVP Arena game ‘League of Legends’.  If you are looking for something completely different from your typical PC gaming experience, either or both of these are a good bet.
Now, if only that new joystick would hurry up and get here.



Megafauna

SXSW was a madhouse once again.
In this madness though, there appeared a bright light and I was drawn to it.  Or her.  Her name is Dani Neff.  Her band is Megafauna.  

Listen:
http://megafaunarock.com/

I haven’t heard anything this exciting in Austin since first ran across Doyle Bramhall II in 2006 at Austin Music Hall.
My professional assessment?  Dani is one to watch.  I was reminded immediately of Tal Wilkenfeld, if Tal was a lead guitarist:  You walk in expecting just cute chick with a guitar adn then you’re left with your jaw on the floor.


Events and Holidays

Austin Comic Con started today.   I plan to drop in on Saturday.  Looking forward to whatever randomness happens, which is what is always best about this sort of convention.  Well, that and the girls in skimpy costumes.
Also looking forward to getting away to be with family for Thanksgiving.  Unfortunately, not looking forward to the travelling itself.  The TSA gestapo agitates me.

Speaking of random: Please donate to Ron Paul.
And there you have it:  an honest-to-goodness bloggy blog entry.   One day I’ll have something deep to say again, but evidently today is not that day.



Minecraft

Well, I’ve finally taken the plunge and as usual, I do things in a big way when I do.  So, now that I’m playing Minecraft and renting my own server, I’d better start filling out some info for my players.  The server isn’t open to the public, sorry.
[URL='http://forums.bukkit.org/threads/mech-levelcraft-v0-1-the-levelling-up-plugin-adding-skills-to-minecraft-617-674-709.2261'][IMG]http://i695.photobucket.com/albums/vv320/xxXKingKongXxx/User.png[/IMG][/URL]



Reblogged from philnoto
philnoto: Daenerys

philnoto:

Daenerys



My Facebook Fan Page

It’s not much right now, but it might be a sign that I’m coming out of my cave:  My Facebook Fan Page is up and running.
Please drop by and give it a ‘Like’.



Random Riff #2

LaTempleRandomRiff02.mp3 Listen on Posterous

What’s happening?

Random Riff #1

LaTempleRandomRiff01.mp3 Listen on Posterous

An open desktop mic and an early morning =



Al DiMeola and Gumbi Ortiz

Last night here in Austin I went out to catch my old friend and musical compatriot, Gumbi Ortiz, in the last night of a 7 week tour with Al DiMeola and his World Sinfonia band.  The venue was a first for me, One World Theatre, and it was intimate, if a bit too hot inside.  Great view of all the performers though and the sound was good, so I was content enough.
Of course, Al DiMeola still smokes up the guitar strings.  Gumbi was as hilarious as ever and remains the master of the conga skins, and I had a fantastic time catching up.  We hadn’t seen one another in over a decade!  Incredible.  

Al’s new CD is entitled ‘Pursuit of Radical Rhapsody’ and you should get a copy or download off iTunes ASAP.  It’s one of his best.
You have also got to hear Fausto Beccalossi on accordion to believe it.  Truly amazing.