Category: Archive

Archives – the Good, the Bad, and Ugly pre May 31, 2015.

Enjoyable 4E DMG2 Review

I always enjoy a good review. In fact, regardless of my hobby du jour, when I am searching, research, and reading, I always appreciate a finely crafted review. Such is the case this Game Cryer’s review of the 4E Dungeon Master’s Guide 2:

In many ways, this is a true sequel. For example, what seemed to be lacking in the first book was rules for creating traps. This book includes an entire section detailing that particular process, as well as giving additional examples. DMG 2 also provides rules for creating themed monsters and templates for classes in the Player’s Handbook 2. On the other hand, this book is also a venue for Wizards of the Coast to backtrack on previous inadequacies. There’s an extensive chapter on Skill Challenges, providing lots of variation and concrete examples. If you’re critical of the company, you might wonder why this wasn’t included in the original Dungeon Master’s Guide. And then there are areas that, while I gladly welcome them, could easily fall under errata, such as revised formulas for calculating the defenses of Solos and Elites.

If you are already playing (really DM’ing) 4E, you probably already own this guidebook, and while I was not making a purchase decision based on the review (I already own this supplement), I did greatly enjoy the review.

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Looking Forward to this Weekend’s Playoff Action

Last weekend offered up some entertaining football. I am glad I stuck with the Green Bay/Arizona game. Unlike the Eagles, Patriots, and Bengals, the Packers where able to make a stunning comeback attempt. This weekend all the home teams are favored to advance.

Dallas at Minnesota (-2.5)
Dallas is hot – I like their chances over Minnesota, but if the Vikings live up to their potential they could roll all the way to the Super Bowl. I just don’t see it happening.

Arizona at New Orleans (-7)
New Orleans was the class of the NFC – I don’t like they way they slacked off at the end. I understand trying to get everyone healthy, but I don’t believe you can just turn it on at will. Arizona has the offense to go toe-to-toe with anyone. If they follow the game plans that Atlanta almost executed in their upset bids over the Saints, I think the Cardinals can pull off the upset. Of all eight teams left in the playoffs, the Saints are the ones that I want to lose. Always a Falcons fan until the bitter end!

New York at San Diego (-9)
While the Jets have the defense to stop anyone, I just get a feeling that the Chargers will do everything right to move on to the AFC Championship game.

Baltimore at Indianapolis (-7)
Speaking of good defenses, the Ravens looked damn impressive in their win over the Patriots, but the Colts are a different team. I do not see the Ravens shutting down the Colts.

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A second heaping helping of Christmas …

Or what I like to call the NFL playoffs. What a great time of year! I told my kids this morning before church that getting to watch the playoff yesterday and again today, not to mention the next couple of rounds leading up to the Super Bowl on Feb 7 is obviously another sign that God loves us very much. Why else would we get an extended Christmas present?

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Georgia finishes season unranked

Adding insult to a difficult year, UGA was not ranked in the year-ending polls. This was the first time since 1996 that the Dawgs garnered no respect from the pundits.

I am certainly not going to argue that the 8-5 Bulldogs had a great year, but they did lose to (at the time) #9 Oklahoma St, #4 LSU, and #1 Florida. Of course the Dawgs also took it on the chin to Tennessee (Chick-fil-a Bowl losers) and Kentucky (Music City Bowl losers). Victory highlights included South Carolina, Arkansas, Auburn, and #7 Georgia Tech – all Bowl teams.

The bottom line is that a 5 loss team is not going to end the season ranked, but when you crunch the numbers, it’s not all doom and gloom. Here’s to future days!

Go Dawgs!

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Good day for SEC; bad night for Texas

I suppose congratulations are in order to Alabama. The local fans will be nauseating. I don’t think they will consider for a moment that not only did Colt going out change everything, but if Texas had a backup with just a little more experience, the Tide would have let the game slip away. Hats off to Garrett Gilbert – he got Texas to within three before Alabama’s defense won the game in the closing minutes.

There is no doubt that Alabama is here to say. In beating Texas 37-21 (BTW, nice way to take a new on that last TD Uncle Nick), giving the SEC four consecutive BCS titles, Alabama further hammered home the point that the SEC is the most dominate conference in the land.


Regular Season Record: 46-41
SEC Championship: 0-1
SEC Bowl Record: 4-6
Final Record: 50-48
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SEC Bowl Record: 6-4 *Actual, not my predictions

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2010 Falcons Schedule Revisited

I guess it’s probably bad form to quote myself, but I say screw it; after all it is my site! A couple of days ago I was lamenting on the Falcons tough 2010 schedule [2010 Atlanta Falcons Schedule Littered with Playoff Teams]:

“The 2010 Atlanta Falcons schedule will be good for fans, but suck for the Falcons chances to make the Playoffs.”

Have I mentioned before that I love Pat Yasinskas’ NFC South Blog? I am sure I did; at least once or twice. I digress. Mr. Yasinskas has posted that the Falcons would-be difficult schedule turns out to be not so tough. Probably.

“According to ESPN Stats & Information, the Atlanta Falcons have the division’s hardest schedule in 2010. But the good news is the schedule ranks No. 20 in the league.”

It’s not like the two games against division rival Tampa Bay, and road dates with Cleveland, Seattle, and St. Louis make this schedule a gift horse.

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Sleeping Beauty (Blu-ray)

If you are a fan of Disney classics, and appreciate the finer glory of Blu-ray, you must check out Sleeping Beauty. It has been years since I have seen this classic. I watched it over the weekend with my youngest son, and I was left with “wow” as the best description I can offer.

Not only is Sleeping Beauty a timeless story, but the Blu-ray version of this moving is simply stunning – the vivid colors and art style are a sight to behold. I also made a second viewing with the commentary track, which has highly entertaining due to the intelligent comments and the picture-in-picture snippets.

Disney is about to place Sleeping Beauty in the “vault” [per Blu-ray.com] which means no more Sleeping Beauty for a few years. This may or may not be a big deal – fans of the movie have probably already picked it up, but as new Blu-ray adaptors look for the movie they will have to go the expensive “collectors” route on eBay and other second-hand markets.

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The “other” Lord of the Rings movie

I enjoy lurking around on the Blu-ray.com forums; stumbled across this thread yesterday – the 1978 animated version of The Lord of the Rings will be released on Blu-ray April 6. I immediately made a pre-order on amazon; “blind” purchase and all.

I do not care how much cheese factor this movie has; it has always been a person favorite from childhood days and I cannot wait to see what sort of goodness high-def brings to this animated classic. Besides, I cannot get my kid into the books or movies, so maybe the animated version will do the trick.

If you are a fan of the 1978 animated version, or even just have a passing interest in knocking everything that is wrong with this film, you should really check out this review. I think it is overly harsh, but it is highly entertaining and worth a read. For example,

Did you know that The Last Alliance lost? Evidently so. “As the Last Alliance of Men and Elves fell beneath his power”, however, Sauron failed to notice “the heroic shadow who slipped in”; Isildur, according to the movie, heroically snuck up behind Sauron and heroically hacked his hand off while he was looking the other way, and so came by the Ring. Hah! Some hero: “Isildur the Backstabbing Sneak”.

Sometimes I just like what I like; the pundits be damned. Of course no offense intended to the reviewer; I actually enjoyed the review!

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SEC Predictions (Final Round)

So at last it has come to this; Alabama is a 3.5 point favorite over Texas. Going against this blog’s tradition, I am taking Texas and the points for an outright upset.

For those keeping score at home my loyalties belong to Georgia first, Texas second, and finally the SEC. I would normally pull for the SEC team, even the despised Florida Gators, but there is no way on God’s green Earth that I am pulling for the Tide over the Horns.

This pick is more of a “heart” pick – Texas has not played well down the stretch, but you can now argue that Nebraska’s defense was one of the better units in the nation at the end of the season. You could also make a case that the Texas A&M game was an aberration; that sort of stuff happens in a rivalry game. I think Coach Brown will pull off another miracle win; similar to the victory over USC. Texas will play the underdog card well.

Hook ‘em!


Regular Season Record: 46-41
SEC Championship: 0-1
SEC Bowl Record: 4-5
Final Record: 50-47
—
SEC Bowl Record: 5-4 *Actual, not my predictions

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Braves take a chance on Glaus

While the pending signing of Troy Glaus is old news, he finally passed his physical, agreed to terms, and made his 1 year, $1.75 million contract official.

Glaus can make up to $2.25 million in incentives in 2010 that are tied to staying off the disabled list and in the lineup, including a $250,000 bonus if he’s on the roster 100 days. The rest of the incentives are triggered by plate appearances — $350,000 each for 400, 450 and 500 PAs, $400,000 for 550, and $550,000 for 600.

Glaus will play 1B, and most likely bat in the 4th spot between Chipper and McCann. The Braves continue to build their roster, attempting to save a nickel, by signing older, possibly injury prone players. Seems a tad bit risky to me, but if Glaus stays healthy, makes a decent transition to 1B, he could be good for 25+ HRs, which would make the middle of the order extremely potent.

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Burrrrrrr

It is a toasty 22F outside, but feels like 13F. I live in an old house; single pane windows, no insulation, hardwood floors, crawl space. As I write this from my kitchen, the thermometer shows the room in 60F.

Had a pipe burst yesterday; wish me luck the next few days that nothing else gives way. Too damn cold to write anything else. Have to get a cup of the black stuff to warm up.

Happy Wednesday. Tomorrow is Hook ‘em day!

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Tuesday Random Falcons News and Notes – In Defense of Norwood

The Falcons finished 16th in offense and 21st in defense. What does this mean for next year? They should concentrate on the d-line and the secondary. Getting back a healthy Peria Jerry should help, but not having a 2nd round pick in the 2010 draft is going to be a tough break. Looking towards 2010, the Falcons also made some minor roster moves, signing fan favorite D.J. Shockely to a futures/reserve contract.

Should Norwood stay or go?
Also looking towards 2010, Mark Bradley of the ajc.com thinks the Falcons can do with our Jerious Norwood (among others):

Jerious Norwood, running back: Three different coaching staffs haven’t yet figured a way to exploit Norwood’s talent. He has scored 10 touchdowns in four seasons; he scored one in 2009. (Yes, he was hurt. Still.) He averaged 3.3 yards a carry this season, which is terrible for a speed back. His longest run from scrimmage was 21 yards. When you’ve just completed your fourth NFL season and people are still talking about untapped potential, something’s wrong.

I respectfully disagree with Mr. Bradley. As he stated in his article, Norwood was injured much of the year – in my opinion concussions and hip injuries are not helpful, especially to a “speed” guy. If you look at Norwood’s career statistics, counting this year he has average 5.3 yds/rush, so this year’s subpar effort should be attributed to his health. Also consider that Norwood has averaged 9.5 yds/reception. For those keeping score at home, that is almost a first down per catch. I have long contended that the Falcons should use Norwood out of the backfield for quick out type patterns; anything to get him in open space where Norwood can utilize his speed.

For Norwood, the bottom line is that injuries sat him back this year. You also have to consider that injuries to Turner also affected the way Norwood was utilized. Look towards his per game statistics for further “proof” that injuries affected Norwood this year.

Now I am not saying that the Falcons should mortgage their future on Norwood, signing him to a crippling contract. I am saying that Norwood has been used effectively (at times) and should not be discarded after one injury plagued year.

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2010 Atlanta Falcons Schedule Littered with Playoff Teams

Any diehard Falcons fan and even those not so close to the organization, know that the Falcons had a brutal schedule this year. That was the reward for landing a Wildcard spot, going 11-5 in the process. The Falcons remarkably harsh schedule featured 4 teams getting ALT after their bye week.

It is too soon to tell if the Falcons will get hosed again in 2010 with unfavorable bye dates, but it is not too soon to take a sneak peak at their schedule (thanks to J.Mike’s Missives – “official” Falcons blog). Home dates will include the following 2009 Playoff teams: Baltimore, Cincinnati, Arizona, New Orleans, and Green Bay. The road schedule will feature Pittsburgh (oh so close), a return visit to New Orleans, and Philadelphia.

I call that pretty harsh. Now consider that San Francisco is up and coming, and four games against division rivals Carolina (they will be improved) and Tampa Bay (up and coming … but maybe a couple of years away). The only “easy” games may be Cleveland, Seattle, and St. Louis, but all are road games.

The 2010 Atlanta Falcons schedule will be good for fans, but suck for the Falcons chances to make the Playoffs. Of course anything can happen, and we are still months away from seeing the Falcons back in action.

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