Links

Humpday Links for February 27

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As February draws to an end and we realize we’re about to start the third month of the year (holy effing crap, where did the first two months go!?), let us enjoy these links together.  Well, not together, I mean by the time you read this I’ll have moved on to other things…whatever, enjoy.

– Turns out there is some statistical evidence that it wasn’t the red shirt that got those crewmen killed.

– More news about possibly the most significant scientific accident of our time.  The possibilities of this discovery excite the crap out of me.

– Have concerns about your grocery bill?  Here are 16 foods that can re-grow from kitchen scraps.  And it doesn’t require a farm to pull it off.

– If you enjoyed “A Knight’s Tale”, then The Jousting Life website is for you.

– Here’s a great little article about the rise of Pathfinder Society, Paizo’s organized play option.  As a Venture-Captain, I approve this message.

– Given that this was the first RPG I ever owned, I will acquire this shirt eventually.

– People, there is a new Stargate computer game coming.  I’m a bit leary of the use of “unleashed” but otherwise optimistic.

– In a similar vein, there are rumours of a “Knights of the Old Republic” movie, coming…whenever.

– 8 Tell-tale Signs You Are a Geek.  Something about the tone of this article bothers me, but I can’t put my finger on it…

– Again, you’ve likely seen this already.  Of course, you might have also put the new Game of Thrones trailer on a loop.  For a day.  Or two.  Shut up.

– Felicia Day has decreed it, and it is so: March 30th is International Tabletop Day.  You can join or create an event here.  You can also take part in two events already happening in Edmonton and area: GOBfest, and at Mission: Fun and Games in St. Albert.

– Want to learn new things, but don’t have the time/resources to take a class?  Hank and John Green have you covered with Crash Course.  Seriously good video lessons on chemistry, biology, world and American history, and literature.

That’s it that’s all!  Enjoy your slow slide into the weekend, and I’ll be back with more geekery soon.

Humpday Links for February 20

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Another Odin’s Day is upon us, and with it the traditional offering of electronic links, as it was in ancient times.

But first, the news.  I reached my fundraising goal for the Hair Massacure with a nail-biter of a finish.  A huge thank-you has to go out to everyone who donated to the cause; I just paraded Imagearound in pink hair for a month but you guys made this fundraiser work.  Thank-you so much, and I hope you’ll keep the support going next year.  As you can see by the pic, I need to get going on growing out the hair now…

Also, the “My Patronus is a d20” t-shirt I created to support the fundraising did not get enough pre-orders to print, which is sad.  What isn’t sad is that I re-started the campaign with a Imagelower price, longer duration and lower pre-order minimum.  Proceeds still go to the Stollery, it just won’t be part of the Hair Massacure donation.  But I wanted to make sure the T-shirts printed this time, to reward the stalwart few who wanted them.  So click on the T-shirt image (or here) to go to pre-order and get your very limited edition nerd shirt.

Okay, less blather, more links!

– Ernie Gygax Jr.’s home has burned down. Thankfully no one was hurt, but he could use our help.

– Wizard’s of the Coast is set to re-print the original D&D white box set.  On the one hand I’m happy that a new generation will see where our hobby started. On the other…hey WotC, how about some new gaming material?

– Dragonchow (makers of my favourite dice bags) is undergoing a fantastic change as it turns three years old.

– Weregeek creator Alina Pete has a Kickstarter going for her fifth Weregeek collection.  It is already on to stretch goals, so jump on board now!

– You’ve likely seen the “Chaos” teaser for the return of Game of Thrones. But it’s worth another watch, right?

– While you await the return of GoT, maybe you can hug these Jon Snow and Ghost plushies.

– If you’re like me, you love the old pulp sci-fi covers.  Now you can make your own.

– SyFy is set to adapt Philip K. Dick’s “The Man in the High Castle” as a four-part mini-series.  I’d write more, but I think that is the punchline.

– Paizo Project Manager Jessica Price gives a great article on how the gaming industry is getting less sexist.

– Wondering who the nominees for the Nebular Awards are?  Let SFFWA President John Scalzi tell you.

– If you are going to Gen Con (or even if you aren’t), why not book a few extra days and stay in a castle?

– If you like to doodle, why not give it a try in three dimensions?

– Ever wonder what Star Trek would look like if Pixar took the reins? Wonder no longer.

That’s all for this week, stay tuned for more bloggy goodness and don’t forget to be awesome.

Humpday Links for January 30

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Another week another Humpday!  I promise, there are real posts that will start appearing soon.  But I’ve been battling illness and free-time entropy in roughly equal measure.

One of the things taking up my time lately is fundraising for the Stollery Hair Massacure; you may remember me mentioning it before.  I did something nerdy in support of that with the help of Teespring.  The phrase occurred to me one day, and I thought it was nerdy enough to be on a shirt.  I figured I’d see if enough nerds agreed with me.  The shirts are $14 plus shipping, with all proceeds going to the Hair Massacure.  Click on the image or this link to order.

And as always, you can just click on the link in the right margin to donate.  I’m just a little over halfway to my goal, so it would be cool to blow past it.

But let’s not delay any further…to the links!

– My friend Ryan brought this awesome little animated short to my attention.  Ladies and Gentlemen, “The Reward“.

– James Ernest answers the question, “Who is Cheapass Games?”

– For those that love both Star Trek and Gilbert & Sullivan, I direct you to board Starship Pinafore.  You’re welcome!

– I love hearing about any kind of online Troll getting their comeuppance, and patent Trolls are no exception.

– Under “dedication” in the dictionary, there should be a picture of Joanna Cassidy for filming a deleted scene from Bladerunner…30 years after it wrapped filming.

– I’m sure you’re all very nice, but just in case you wonder why people hate you…

– A secret door was discovered at Machu Picchu, leading to what they think is a huge treasure room.  You fire up the cargo plane, I’ll get the fedora and whip!

– I don’t usually endorse luring people into basements, but in this case I’ll make an exception.

– DragonCon is at the start of an artist boycott because of sexual abuse charges facing its founder, Ed Kramer.  I’m interested in seeing how this plays out, but I have to say I’m proud of artists for taking a stance.

– Some sci-fi heroines aren’t necessarily saints, but we’ve found a few.

– Its goal has already been met, but you still have 7 days to get in on the Deluxe Tunnels & Trolls Kickstarter.  I know I am!

– Sometimes you just don’t want to eff around with weights and machines in your work-out.  Here are 44 body-weight exercises to fill the gap.

– Not unexpectedly, The Hobbit has inspired some musicians.

And that’s it for this week.  Join me next time for more stuff!

Humpday Links for January 23

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Yikes, I’ve been away a while.  Been busy with stuff and things, you know how it goes.  Had my first exposure to the local Nerdfighters, and I had such a good time I’m going to see what prolonged exposure does.  And my Hair Massacure fundraising for the Stollery proceeds apace; almost halway to my goal with about three weeks left.  Which is three weeks left for you to donate to an amazing cause, just click on the Hair Massacure icon to the right to donate.

But without further ado, some links to get you through the humpday.  Enjoy!

– I may have linked this before, but it is worthy of a second look: the perfect chair for thinking dark thoughts.  Or for cephalopodiphiles.

– Since I just finished reading the three books that make up this story, this seemed appropriate: John Scalzi talks about the original offer on Old Man’s War.

– So Samuel L. Jackson and Anne Hathaway got together over the holidays, with pretty predictable results.

– Thanks to Aaron Williams, I will not rest until I have a “Doom Chicken 2023” shirt.

– Looking to jazz up your classic boardgames?  These might inspire you.  My personal favourite is a tie between Chocolate Scrabble and Lego Settlers of Catan.

– I came across these folks while looking for more fodder for my ereader: public domain ebooks.

– I don’t console game a lot, but I would probably do more if this was my gaming desk.  Houston, we have awesome!

– Your Subway foot-long in not actually a foot long.  But unless you’re a complete idiot you already knew that.

Okay, on with your day.  Thursday and the slide into the weekend will be here soon enough!

Humpday Links for January 2

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One thing that won’t be going away in 2013 is Humpday Links, because, a) I’m always finding cool/disturbing/cool stuff on the internets I want to share, and b) I’m lazy.  So love ’em or hate ’em, here are your first Humpday Links of the year!

– I need a pair of these (keep it clean, you!) to light up my gaming room.

– Contrary to the stereotypes this video asks the important question, can D&D make you more confident and successful.  I think yes, but you decide.

– Apparently Sony and Universal reaaaally wanted to up their view counts on YouTube, and YouTube had to take away 2 billion fake ones.  Want view counts?  Here’s an idea: post things people want to see.

– Ocean Liner crashed on your beach?  Here’s some ideas on what to do with it.

– For my fellow Whovians: Once again, somebody made something that has me shouting, “Shut up and take my money!” I give you, a model TARDIS that is bigger on the inside.

– Also for the Whovians: If you were smacking a Dalek pinata, what else would you use as a blindfold?  Also, I don’t want to brag (okay, just a little), but I’m the proud owner of that scarf

– It is once again time for Paizo’s RPG Superstar.  This time, the first round is voted on by the public.  See how it’s going and cast your vote!

– Jenny Breedin over at The Devil’s Panties pretty much sums up my attitude to New Year’s Eve.  No I just need the footy pajamas…

– Get ready Tolkien fans, we’re gonna bust this joint up!

– For my Shadowrun gaming chummers, 2013 is officially The Year of Shadowrun!

– xkcd demonstrates why I never really make New Year’s resolutions.

– For any of my readers with babies, or who know people that have freshly spawned, Seams Geeky has you covered in the nerdy environmentally-friendly diaper department.

– And finally, ever had a great idea for a nerdy shirt you know would sell? Can’t be arsed to produce it yourself? Teespring has you covered.

That’s it, that’s all!  As usual, feel free to share a link in the comments.  Until next time, happy internetting!

Hump Day Links for June 6

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Wow, a hump day and it’s cold, raining and thundery.  You might need these links more than ever…

– Frodo had The One Ring; I have this.  My birthday is coming up, that’s all I’m saying…

– In addition to stairs, Daleks were apparently stymied by buses.

– Would you believe Wright, Pegg and Frost are getting together again to make an apocalypse movie? Excellent, your credulence calibration is complete…

– An ode to every gamer’s friend, the Natural 20.

– For Game of Thrones fans: I think they should hand out a copy of that book to so many characters…

– If the zombie-proof homes I posted last week didn’t suit you, maybe this evil villain starter home will.  I’d want it for the submarine port alone…

– This is so awesome I don’t even have a clever thing to say:  The Last Unicorn is getting another theatrical release.  And Peter S. Beagle will be at each of the screenings.  @britl, keep your calendar open…

– Ever wonder if freelancing is for you?  Here’s a check-list to see if you’re right.

– For those that spend some time in Photoshop, here is a handy graphic of keyboard short cuts.  You’re welcome.

– Andrew Peregrine would like to dispel some myths about the gaming industry.

– Another one for Game of Thrones fans: look, if 300 of us just chipped in $100 each…

– If you like modding Nerf guns (and why wouldn’t you?), here’s a list of the best ones to get you started.

– I’m excited to see Prometheus.  But I’d also watch the paper version…

– I’d want to be reeeeeally sure of the navigational software before I’d fully trust a robotic lawnmower.  “Huh, who keeps bumping against the front dooaaAHHHHHHHH-”

– If you follow nothing else on Tumblr, you need to follow Text from my Dog.  Some of the few laugh out loud moments I have on the ‘net.

Okay folks, go splash in some puddles and then run back inside for hot cocoa; repeat as necessary.  Why yes, I do have the rest of my morning planned, why do you ask?

Humpday Links for May 30

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May comes to an end and we slide into June, just in time for the weekend.  Have some links to get you through, and then get ready for summer!

– If you’re like me and you spend a lot of time contemplating the coming zombie apocalypse, you might want to check out these homes.

– Jonathan Coulton has a new song, Redshirt, the theme for the upcoming John Scalzi novel of the same name.

– This is a touching little tale of how R2D2 allowed a dad deployed overseas to still have dinner with his family.

– I have to believe this 10-year-old is being raised up right.

– I happen to think the character of Hawkeye makes total sense in the Avengers universe.  But the Avengers don’t seem to agree.

– So apparently there are some things they won’t let you talk about at TED. So…what’s the point of TED, then?

– Are you someone who loves supporting RPG projects on Kickstarter?  Hate hunting for them?  This site has your back.

– If Heroclix is your bag, then you need to get some HeroSnapZ.  I think @Doctor_Teeth might get a Christmas surprise…unless he reads this blog.

– If you are in the market for a tattoo, you’re tattoo artist has some helpful tips.

– Maybe we don’t want the Singularity, if lawyers/corporations will be involved.

– This Joan of Arc armour is made from bicycle tubes and cardboard.  I know, right!?

– Have you ever thought, “Man, I wish John Hughes and George Lucas had made a movie together.”  If you did, it might look a lot like Hughes the Force.  If not, what is wrong with you!?

– Ever wondered why the Doctor’s companions are generally young, attractive females?  Steven Moffat has your answer.

– Why just have tea, when you can have EPIC TEA!

– Want to turn your living room into the bridge of a starship?  If you answer no, good day sir.  I SAID GOOD DAY!

– And finally, This a great treat from the Nerdist Channel: an interview with Leonard Nimoy.

Have anything you want to share from the web?  Drop it in the comments below.

Humpday Links for May 2

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May already!  If, like me, you are not only trying to get to the weekend but anticipating celebrating Cinco de Mayo, you deserve this extra large helping of links to occupy your mind.  I’m a giver.  You’re welcome.

– Anyone who knows me knows about my thralldom to the Dark Mistress Coffee.  I want one of these, so I can make my coffee with science!

– Planetary Resources plans to mine asteroids.  I’d dismiss this as another pie-in-the-sky tech story, except that Phil Plait thinks they can do it.  Good enough for me!

– We need a word in English to describe something simultaneously cool and sweet.  Because that word would describe Tweenbots.

– I can be a bit of a grammar nut, I’ll admit.  But I love this article, if for no other reason than I can maybe let some stuff slide…

– Fox is set to turn Axe Cop into an animated series.  Fox has a better track record with animated content, so I am more hopeful than I probably should be.

– In a bold and welcome step, Tor/Forge are going DRM free for their digital content.  This right here, this is what I was waiting for before getting an e-reader.

– While we are on the topic of trends I’d like to see, Valve is looking at ways to charge people based on how fun they are to play with.  I’m not sure how they’d pull it off, but if it happens it would get me gaming online more often.  Which may not be a good thing…

– And on that topic, here is an excellent Extra Credits episode about harassment. They reference an incident during the episode; this is that incident.

– Last week Monte Cook announced he was no longer working on the new D&D.  I’d be lying if I said this takes away some of the hope I had for the new version; a lot of what I heard and liked came from Monte.  But I’m staying positive, and can’t wait to see what he comes out with next.

– Speaking of D&D, here is a pretty intricate flow chart of the effects of early D&D exposure.  Or lack thereof…

– On Earth 2, this is the movie they are anticipating instead of The Avengers…

– Good news for Fringe fans, Fox has green-lit a 13-episode final season so they can wrap things up.  SyFy could learn a thing or two…

– Courtesy of sonofamortician and Deviant Art, I present a Cthonian Elephant:

– In case you missed it when it came out this past weekend, I give you the international trailer for Prometheus.  I have chills, people.  Chills!

– If I had any artistic talent, this is the sort of stuff I’d be doing.  But I don’t, so I’ll settle for buying one at the earliest opportunity.

– And finally, in a bold move to time warp their users back to the 1990s, Hulu will require their users to have cable.  Let me explain progress, Hulu…no, it will take too long.  Let me sum up…

That’s it until next week!  Enjoy your festivities and remember: friends don’t let friends drink Romulan Ale and pilot a starship.

Humpday Links for April 18

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Another Wednesday, another week come and almost gone.  If only there were some way to pass the time until the inevitable slide into the weekend.  Some listing of amusing and/or thought-provoking links, perhaps…

– I’ve posted this here before, but it bears repeating: you’re all going to see Knights of Badassdom, right? RIGHT!?

– If you think that lava is all you have to worry about with volcanoes, you are sadly mistaken, my friend…

– It should come as no surprise, but I am a firm supporter of CCOKC.  So should you be.

– Somewhere there exists an R-rated version of Galaxy Quest AND IT MUST BE MINE!

– I won’t say these nerdy bathrooms gave me home renovation ideas…but I won’t say they didn’t, either.

– Need a pictoral map of four-thousand years of history?  Got you covered.

– Are you a self-hating genre fan?  If you have done any of these things you might be…and verily, thou must needs check thyself ere thou wreck’st thyself.

– For Game of Thrones fans, a most prodigious unboxing video.  HBO really went all out on this one.

– Like painting your gaming minis, but don’t like the cost of metal figs?  Paizo has you covered with Bones…

– Charlene Rooke shares some tips on getting back to the roots of editing (from the Alberta Magazines Conference)

– So this guy walked across Australia in his Stormtrooper armour for charity.  Yeah, I feel like a slacker, too.

– This article should be a wake up call for anyone who thinks Facebook privacy isn’t a real issue.

– While I’ve brought the mood down, we may as well look at 5 Ways Modern Men are Trained to Hate Women.  Agree or not, there is something to talk about here.

– Staying in this vein, Ashley Judd had a few choice words for the media recently…

– Okay, lets lighten things up a bit: Specimen B-28 is a Canadian-created webcomic about a guy abducted by aliens.  A lot.  There is also a short film you should watch first.

And that’s it for this Wenesday!  Join us tomorrow for <redacted>.

Humpday Links for April 11

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Good morrow, fair gentles!  The apex of the weekly grind is upon us, as we struggle through to the downhill slide into the weekend.  Please let these links ease your passage…

– If I were a teacher, this is the sort of thing that would get me in trouble.  And I’d be okay with that.

– Someone is working on a documentary about RoboGames, which would be damn cool.  Sadly, look like they still need a lot of support.

– Mike Mearls and Jeremy Crawford did a panel on the future of D&D at PAX East.  I’ll have more on this later…

– Speaking of 5th edition, Wundergeek has some advice on how WotC can better treat women in the new game.  I’ll have more on this later as well…

– In other news, this story has pushed Norway to the top of the list of other countries I would live.  Maybe I can become their Minister of Gaming Relations…

– This is so awesome I have nothing clever to lead into it: A Pac-Man fan film. Enjoy!

– I feel like I wasted my high school years with all that studying, when I could have built a Viper simulator…

– This is a heart-warming video making the rounds, and if you don’t tear up while watching it you are the worst.  I give you Caine’s Arcade.

– I’ve posted it before and I’ll likely post it again, but suck it.  The Series 7 trailer for Doctor Who.

– Over at Dork Tower, John Kovalic has perfectly encapsulated my attitude towards Kickstarter campaigns…

– Do you have your Nerd I.D. card yet?

– According to Brian Patterson and Hijinks Ensue, I should be happy my Doctor Who RPG campaign never got off the ground…

– Pathfinder Organized Play is thriving in Denmark.  Maybe I can vacation there when I move to Norway…

– This is my pal Liana K., one of the smartest and geekiest people I know.  If you get the chance to talk to her I highly recommend it, it is…so choice.

– And finally, a little inspiration from one Bruce Lee.  Now get ready for the weekend, ya big lugs!

Got links of your own? Share them in the comments.  Until tomorrow, gentles!