Slow down in posts

 

I'll be slowing down on posts here for a week or two. Mainly due to my job. I work at a very well stocked FLGS that also does used books. I love my job. The owner has decided to pick up and move the store to a much MUCH better location. I'm all on board with this. Now when I say very well stocked, I'm not exaggerating. This has turned out to be a monumental effort and we still have a lot to do by reopening day this coming Wednesday.

Also judging by the number of folks who've been coming up to the door asking if we're open and just to see what was going in... yeah we're going to be really busy the first few weeks. 

Most of my posts for the last week I had done already. Now I have several half done ideas and I'm to wore out to finish them. So I won't be getting many up for a bit. The owner has hired another person but they still need to be trained. 

Just also really happy to see the store grow and get better. I've been there for three years. I've known the owner for decades. He officiated my wedding. Seeing the business he started eight years ago growing and getting better is awesome. 

I'll probably do a post of pics of the shop when it's done and I get the chance as well.

Jaded Gamer Diary - Things Change

 

Just some personal musing and such today. About gaming, but not about how to game or what to do, but about how I've seen the way I run games change over the last few years. 

I used to be really good at impromptu sessions. Would have a vague idea or two in my head and would toss out a couple ideas just to see where the players wanted to go and we would run with it. Then I would right some notes throughout the session, keeping track of new NPC names and the such. That was about the only reference I would use, notes about what popped up during these sessions that the players may come back around to.

This is how I ran games and it seemed to work really well.

Then we hit this thing called Covid-19. Not only did it just bring all my face to face gaming to a sudden screeching halt but it put it put me in the hospital as well. Spent some time in a drug induced coma hooked up to a ventilator. Things got scary for my wife as the doctors didn't think I was going to make it. Scary for me as well since I was locked in nightmare sleep mode and couldn't wake up from it. But my body bounced back and made it through.

The after affects of that is what changed things. Not the physical therapy, although that sucked, but the brain fog. That shit ain't no joke. At first I would not be able to come up with words every sentence or two and it took me a while to just say anything lengthy. Trying to remember stuff was hard as well. Initially the two big differences I noticed that a lot of peoples names, people I had known for years, were suddenly gone and I had to relearn them. Then it was my inability to do any sort of math in my head.

But a few months later after I was off the walker and crutches I sat down to try and run a game. That's when I noticed something else. My ability to run games off the cuff with no prep was greatly reduced. I just couldn't think quickly or would just go blank. Now since then it's gotten better but not by much.

So I've started using written adventures now. With my group I've ran the Land of the Free campaign for Cyberpunk 2020. Currently I'm running Tales of the Red: Street Stories for Cyberpunk RED. Been eyeballing Over the Edge once again since I own a bunch of the old adventures published for that. I still do some stuff of my own but I have to make notes beforehand or they turn out pretty badly. 

Things have changed and I've adapted. But I wish I didn't have to. But I'm still here and I'm still running games. Not the way I used to though. Just talking about what's been swimming around in my head for the last few months. 

If you enjoy my posts please feel to show some support over on my Ko-Fi page. 

Flooding and a lull in my posts.

 

There will be a little lull in blog posts for a bit. We recently had our roof decide that it didn't want to stop water anymore. While it didn't collapse we had buckets of water coming into our bedroom and garage. Now I managed to save most of our stuff in the bedroom cause we acted before it got really bad. The garage we lost quite a bit but I'm not sure what all yet, haven't gotten to the clean up there because the sheet rock ceiling did collapse and I'm letting it dry up some. 

Total loss won't be known until for a bit. 

So now in various parts of our house we have piles of books stacked everywhere. Boxes of our clothes. All sorts of thing. So it's a mess. Not really in the mental space to work on writing right now. 

The landlord has been on top of things as best he can. But he can't seal the metal roof properly until it's above freezing. This is because the sealant won't properly set in these temperatures (it's 5F right now with wind chill in the negatives). Then once that's sealed and no longer leaking then he'll be replacing the ceiling in the garage. 

So just to let you all know what's going on and while my blog posting will be slow for a week or two.

As usual you can show some support over on my Ko-Fi page. 

Jaded Gamer Diary - Personal Politics

Wrote this one a while back and never posted it. Now beginning with the new year I feel it's more relevant to me than ever before. Hell just a couple months ago I removed somebody from my game group for their personal politics and bringing them at the table. Then acted like he was the victim when his hate got people to turn their back on them. 

So here we go. One rant that should have been posted earlier on. 

--------------------------------------------

Been a while for a real Jaded Gamers and I need to vent a little. This time on the idea that "personal politics shouldn't matter as long as they aren't brought up at the game table". 

Yeah fuck that and I'll tell you why. 

I shouldn't have to deal with somebody, during my personal choice of entertainment, who supports things that I utterly despise. Even if they don't say it to my face (because most won't) or don't bring it up at the game table. If I know they are one of those who is perpetually spitting out hateful shit constantly online, or around others, then I don't want them around me.

Had a person I gamed with say they think all gay people should be rounded up and put into concentration camps. I absolutely refuse to game with that person anymore. 

Had a person who said all liberals should be subject to psychological evaluation by a set of standards determined by conservatives or be deported. I absolutely refuse to game with that person anymore. 

Had a person that said Covid was a culling that our world much needed. Yeah, guess what, won't game with that person anymore. 

I will simply stop inviting them to be at my games. Will unfollow them on social media. Will tell them no they cannot play in my group anymore. And I will tell them why. If they get butthurt, then they get butthurt. But since they obviously have a level of complete hate for others then they should expect to be treated the same way.

The same goes with buying gaming products. The politics that a person supports will strongly affect my decision of buying a game if they stand on the side with hate. Fuckers like Zak S, Jon Tarnowski, Mike Mearls, etc; will never see a dime of my money. 

You even begin to say this is gatekeeping then you are ignorant as to what that word even means. Go educate yourself if you are even capable of learning something. 

Also if my personal politics offend you that much then don't invite me over either. Don't buy my products. Hell I probably don't want to associate with you anyways. 

Rant over. 

2024 year in review

 

Well we made it another year on the mudball spinning around the big light bulb. So how'd I do this year?

Managed to keep my Tuesday night gaming group together. Had a couple people leave had a few more replace them. It's all good and we're still having a lot of fun. I ran Cyberpunk 2020, Cyberpunk RED and Little Fears this year. This next year I hope to do even more. 

Health wise I've been slowly pushing toward improving myself. The progress is slow but I'm going in the right direction. Had to start using a CPAP when I sleep because my sleep apnea was seriously bad. I do feel a lot better in the mornings than I used to. Need to get an exercise routine in place that I can stick to so that's in the works and will hopefully work out.

My stuff over on Drivethru/itch/Ko-Fi hasn't sold worth a damn. But I haven't really done much new at all. Hoping to get a couple more things out this year. 

In other news I haven't said much about. My son has become my daughter. She started transitioning this year and is paying for everything herself (we can't afford anything above just barely scraping by) while at college. It was unexpected but I'm being supportive and trying to use her new name and pronouns. But I'm an old man who has trouble remembering things anymore so it's hard and I keep correcting myself. I'll get there eventually. 

Anyone following my blog has noticed that it's really went up in posting over the last month or two. I've got no way to keep myself from thinking about the bleak future after this last election other than diving into that. Trying to be creative is the only way I can stay positive enough to keep going.

Still working at Aesop's Treasury. It's so much less stressful than any other job I've ever had. Probably added years to my life after the hell that working at Red Wing Shoe turned into. My boss, and long time friend, is great to work for. He's been really great to me above and beyond what anyone has to be. 

This was also the year I grew completely sick and tired of all the different streaming services. Going to try and lean into physical media products for now on. Like DVD's, Bluray, music CDs, etc. Which, since my wife and I really enjoy thrift store shopping, can be a way to find a lot of really damn good deals. So it's time to start watching out for complete series sets and whatnot. 

So this year wasn't to bad. Hoping next year doesn't hit the toilets. 

Weekly Health 12/16/24

 Starting weight: 362

Weigh in this week: 353

Welp I stayed the same this week. Better than going up. Between the extra hours at work and the bitter ass cold front that came through I haven't been getting out and walking that much. At least I didn't go up. So I'll just keep on moving forward I guess. 

Weekly Health 12/09/24

 Starting weight: 362

Weigh in this week: 353

Okay so I lost the two extra I gained back and then another half pound to boot. I'll take that. Back towards creeping towards the right direction. 

Pulmonologist appointment today to go over the result of how things are going since I started using a CPAP. I went from averaging 40+ stoppage of breathing per hour down to an average of one. That's one hell of an improvement. My blood pressure was also down even after driving myself there and dealing with morning school time traffic. Due to the immense improvement the CPAP has made he's putting off the next appointment until six months from now. 

So that means less time in a doctors office for me!

Nothing else much has changed. No new meds, same dosage on everything. 

Jaded Gamers - Block the Toxic.

 

Okay now let me get started on this one. I'm all for whoever wants to play tabletop role playing games should be allowed to do so. The biggest scumbags should be allowed whatever hobby they want to dump money into if they wish. HOWEVER nobody else that is that hobby, or the communities they form, are required to put up with them. 

This is not gatekeeping plus it accomplishes a few things. First it protects your own mental well being. Nobody should have to put up with toxic individuals spewing hate into their field of view. Second it protects your ability to have fun participating in your hobby. Once you aren't having fun there is a good chance you may drop out and move on. Third it reenforces to assholes that nobody has to listen to them. Which needs to happen a lot more often.

A lot of the feelings of accepting anybody that wants to come to the table stems from the early days of tabletop roleplaying. When finding new people or those who were interested were far and few between. Back then people put up with some assholes just so they could either have a full table of player or so they could be a player at a table. Now that's no longer an issue. Plenty of people to chose from so be picky about who you bring into your circle.

On social media platforms block them. Don't be afraid of that button. People have FINALLY leaned hard into this idea over on BlueSky and guess what? It's fucking working. They are still there but the reach of their hate is drastically diminished. So diminished that some have simply given up and moved on back to where they came from. If the social media you use doesn't have a full block function then it's time to find one that does and move. Trust me, it's not worth wading through the shit for a little bit of interaction. 

At your table you can tell them to leave. Introduce them to the world outside of your private gaming area. If you are at a table that lets every asshole in to do as they please. Then you really need to find a new group. I know that's hard but sometimes it has to be done. Take the other good players with you, help them find a place away from the pricks who are making things terrible. 

Don't let anyone guilt trip you into thinking that you have to provide a place for everyone. Because you sure as shit do not. 

Another thing is do not let them attempt to gaslight you into thinking that their toxic bullshit is something else. The old "You're only doing this because of my politics" or "You just can't handle people telling you the truth" crap is an absolute pile of garbage. Also they are major big ass red flags. They pull this shit you need to kick them away even faster.

Weekly Health 12/2/24

 

 Starting weight: 362

Weigh in this week: 355.5

Well fuck. Gained back two pounds. Thanksgiving sure didn't help. Neither did working extra hours this weekend and eating whatever I could when I could. Boss bought us pizza one day, next day I was offered fast food that I didn't have to pay for. So yeah. Sucks.

I'm up to about 6 to 7 hours on the CPAP now. Falling asleep a lot faster with the face hugger on me than I did before. So I'm getting used to that. Feeling much better in the mornings than I used, like actually somewhat rested.

Nothing else to report. No medication changes or appointments.

The Receipt Jar App

 

Now this is not a paid advertisement and the first time I've ever posted anything like this. I am actually recommending an app that I have made a little bit of money using. Not a lot of money mind you, this is no gold mine, it takes a while. I've been using the Receipt Jar App scanning in my receipts for purchases. So far over the past few months I've made fifteen bucks. Now that's not much but it's still fifteen bucks I didn't have before.

It takes printed receipts from just about anywhere. It even works on the ones from the small business game shop I work at. You just build up points from scanning them in and after you reach a certain amount you can cash them out in a variety of way including e-gift cards. Me, I'm simple, and I have it put straight onto my PayPal. 

If you want to give it a shot HERE IS THE LINK to the app store. Also if you could please enter this code: JOHNN29CH and it will give me a few points for the recommendation. 

Again, it's not a gold mine. There is a limit on how many receipts you can scan in a seven day period. It takes time. But I will honestly say it has cost me nothing but a little bit of time to snap pictures. 

Weekly Health 11/25/24

 Starting weight: 362

Weigh in this week: 353.5

I'm down one pound this week. Bringing my total loss up to 8.5. It's slow but at least I'm tip toeing in the right direction. Had all sorts of folks give me eating advice. Most of it included buying food that cost two or three more times then what we are paying now. That is not an option at all. We barely make ends meet and I have to eat what's cheap. Which is usually stuff that's not very healthy. But I'm doing the best I can.

Getting easier to use the CPAP. At least this week wasn't bad. Almost yanked the machine into the floor one night when I was tossing and turning in my sleep more than usual.

Working more hours at work and back on a closing schedule again. Which means I'll be up walking more so that will help.

Everything else is about the same. 

Weekly Health 11/18/24

 

Starting weight: 362

Weigh in this week: 354.5

Edit: Did a reweigh three times. Stayed the same weight. Kind of a let down but at least I didn't go up.

I haven't said much about having to deal with being on a CPAP while I sleep now. But nothing much has changed. Still having issues getting used to it. Some nights are good, some nights are bad. I will admit on good nights when I get a good chunk of sleep I can tell the difference in how I feel when I wake up. But it's getting that good nights sleep on a regular basis which is the problem. 

Stress levels have been up this week due to certain things. But that is temporary and will pass at some point. But I could feel that blood pressure spike that's for sure. 

Weekly Health 11/11/24

 

Starting weight: 362

Weigh in this week: 354.5

Well now at least this time there is progress. I was up a pound last week to 360 but now I lost that and then some more. So I'm not down a total of 7.5 pounds. Just gotta keep going the same direction. 

Mentally I'm in the toilet but that's due to a lot of factors this week. Going to try to start working on some new material for Truly Rural this week and push myself to be at least a little productive. 

Time to go do some more walking around a local park while playing Ingress.

Weekly Health 11/4/24

 

Starting weight: 362

Weigh in this week: 360

So I'm up one pound over last week. Not happy about that. But this week has been hard on me. Had a cold or sinus issue, messed with my sleeping on the CPAP. Last night I didn't even make it an hour because I was coughing to much. 

Weight wise I haven't been eating anything bad. But I didn't get out to walk as much due to weather and coughing. So I'm assuming that's part of it. 

Mental health is in the toilet as well. I've always had huge issues with 'imposter syndrome' with anything I work on. It's why I never finish hardly anything or just stop working on things I am getting done. That hit hard this week as well. 

Just a bad week. Hopefully. Next week we'll see if it's a trend. 

How Effective are Exploding Slugs and Coinshot?

I've known many a gamer over the years who insist that all those specialty shotgun rounds are amazing and do great things. Therefore they should get all sorts of bonuses for using them. Well guess what. Yeah they ain't all that. 

Veterinarian Bill out of nowhere

 

Well our house panther Teddy has gotten sick. Had a urinary blockage but we got him to the vet before any real damage had been done. However they are keeping him over night to make sure he will be okay. It appears he is having trouble processing certain types of cat food (we recently switched him to a new brand because of allergy reasons) and will have to go on another different food that will likely cost even more.

Covering the veterinarian bill right now is more than what we have. They will accept payments but it's still an expense that we were nowhere near prepared for. So I'm asking if anyone has anything to spare, even if it's a dollar or two, it would be greatly appreciated. 

My paypal is dekaranger1@gmail.com or you can hit up my Ko-Fi page. Or if you are going to be purchasing anything off of DrivethruRPG soon you can click through this link and I'll get a small kickback from your order. 

Thanks ahead of time.  

UPDATE: They are keeping Teddy for another night just to make sure he is urinating properly. Really hope he is doing okay there at the vets office. Beau, our other cat, has now noticed that his buddy is absolutely not here. He's been a lot more vocal then usual and is asking for attention and affection a lot. 

We are hoping a bit on the side that we get a call before the office closes today saying we can pick him up but we know it's not likely. 

UPDATE UPDATE: It's Thursday and they're wanting to keep Teddy until he urinates again and said we should be able to pick him up by this afternoon. But I work this afternoon and really can't afford to take off and we don't have many options on people to my wife over to pick him up (we have one vehicle). So we're going to see how it goes. I really hope he doesn't have to stay another night but he may have to.