BBC has unveiled the Doctor's next companion

Over at the Guardian, the BBC has revealed whom will be playing the next Doctor's, Matt Smith, companion. Her name is Karen Gillan. There's the brief promotional piece.

I find it amusing that not only is the Doctor younger, as Matt Smith is around 26, but his next companion is in her twenties, 21, as well. Makes me wonder what type of stories Moffat will be telling.

As an aside, another red-headed companion?

At least Spider-Man's Marriage still exists in the strip

Newsarama has reported that the Spider-Man newspaper strip has revived the Peter/MJ marriage. As someone whom started seriously collecting comics with a married Peter Parker that means a lot to me. Don't get me wrong I am enjoying the Brand New Day era in Amazing Spider-Man. Its that I am glad that the idea of a married Spider-Man isn't seen as a dead end across all Spider-Man venues.

While reading the article I found out that one can read the Spider-Man newspaper strip over at Spider Man Crawl Space. So if one's newspaper doesn't carry the strip that is another source in addition to DailyInk.

"More than a Feeling" debate

There's been much discussion over the course of the weekend on whether the Old School movement is a defined set of games or just a feeling. This particular debate was sparked by a post by James M at Grognardia. James postulates that the movement has to be more than feelings. Since then I have seen two blog posts that have responded. Wondrous Imaginings, a blog I just added, argues that old school is defined by feelings. That comment can be found here. Bat in the Attic takes a middle of the road argument stating that its an attitude.

Personally, I agree with all three of them. Each blog provides a convincing argument. But then I'm not as invested in the OSR as some so I guess how its defined isn't as vital to me. I do find the debate interesting though.

Comics: Archie is "Getting Married"

Couple days ago I read over at ComicMix that Archie Comics announced that Archie is getting married. After seeing a couple of sites comment about the 'event', I figured that I'd give my two cents. Honestly, I don't see this as a change in the status quo. Neither the 'New Looks' nor 'Back to Frosh' lasted. In fact, they were self contained stories. So this isn't a marriage in the vein of Lois and Clark. I think I read somewhere that this is a glimpse in the future. The story won't take place contemporarily. My hunch is that the comic won't show whom Archie marries. That way they don't really have to pick between Betty and Veronica. Not to mention some other woman.

Even more blogs added to my blogroll

This evening I was reading my email, both past and present, when I followed a link to a Conan blog. Perusing said blog, I decided to add it to my blog roll. Because I enjoyed that so much I sought out other blogs and added them to my blog roll as well. Now, I know I mentioned a while back that I'd comment on why I added some blogs. I will still do that. Just not today. For now, I'll comment on those that I just added.

Today's additions are:
Adventure Game News - for when I don't want to check out various links on EN World. I see its been updated.... a lot during the last few days...

HeroPress - general geek stuff, comics, and Labyrinth Lord

Giant-Size Marvel - another comics site or blog I'm not sure which that celebrates the old Giant-Sized Marvel books.

Comics make no sense - once again another comics that blogs that points out some of the irony that have appeared in the funny books over time.

Geek Orthodox - cause I added it...

The Core Mechanic - a role-playing blog that I didn't add in the last massive blog roll add-athon cause I thought I had more than enough. Kind of funny actually.

Has Boobs, Reads Comics - another 'cause I added it...'

Crom! - A Conan fandom blog. The one I mentioned above...

Classic Articulation - cause the blog celebrates all the cool eighties cartoons/toys that I liked. And cause of the links.

Rifts UE: Wild Shots should be more common

Recently, I realized something about combat in Palladium's modern games. The last Rifts game that I attended (wasn't able to make yesterday's) a concern was brought up. That concern was that why wouldn't a character be covered head-to-toe in MDC armor? Otherwise, an opponent makes a called shot to the exposed area ... and game over. I could go on but that tangential can serve as fodder for a future post.

In a nutshell, Rifts UE ranged combat rules need prevalent wild shots. Why? To address the concern above. Wild shots hinder called shots. Heck, by the rules, they make them impossible. Can't make called shot if the shot is wild.

When would that occur? Look up what conditions cause a wild shot. Hmm. Those conditions should be very common during combat. For example, movement and panic cause a shot to become wild.

Been watching anime

A week passed without any posts on this blog. Heck, my participation/lurking on other blogs has not been very much this last week. Why? Most of my 'blogging' time has been spent watching anime. My local My TV station has Funimation programming late at night. Since Basilisk got me back into anime and manga, I have been watching more and more. Lately, I have started watching an hour and a half almost every night. Right now I watch Black Cat, Aquarion, and Buso Renkin (sp?). One of these days I'll compose my thoughts on them.

Tentative start for my Serenity Game

I have decided on a tentative start date for my Serenity game. My current plan is to start during the month of July. That way I have a little over a month to familiarize myself with both the rules and modules. Also my brother may be able to play by then. It all comes down to whether or not the Tuesday group wants to start then. And whether or not I have actually prepared...

My abbreviation for PointCon

Since I plan to make several posts concerning PointCon, I figured I'd make an abbreviation for it. The abbreviation is simply PC##. The symbol ## represents the year. For example, PC99 is PointCon '99. Just don't want to type PointCon ad nauseum.

Serenity RPG: Greenhorn or Veteran?

One question that I have pondered is what level should the PC's in my Serenity game be. Big Damn Heroes is out of the question. So Greenhorn or Veteran. The six modules I have Heroic, or Veteran, as the default setting. None of the stats or difficulties will change if I allow Veteran PC's. On the other hand, Greenhorn level characters provide a sense of starting from scratch. The players will have a chance to play their characters from the beginning as opposed to "in the middle". The group could also have the captain emerge during play. That is something that should all ready be hammered out at Veteran level.

Fortunately, I have plenty of time to gather player input and decide. Personally, I'm leaning towards Veteran cause I don't have to do as much work. However, a bunch of Greenhorns is appealing...

The next game I'll run (due to PointCon '09)

A while ago, I commented that I was itching to run a game. My choices were either D&D 4E, Palladium Fantasy, and Other. Before and shortly after I spent a lot of time following D&D 4E. Purchased the books and considered running a game. Either a 'sandbox' H1-H3 campaign or a Punjar-based campain are my choices for a 4E game. Problem is that one of the fellows at the Tuesday night game would be a definate no. So that makes a 4E game doubtful. Palladium Fantasy is one of my favorite settings. I ran my Rifts game instead because of two reasons. One, I didn't want to mess the setting up. Two, Palladium Fantasy is another fantasy setting. Unfortunately, when I have brought the topic up at PointCon to a couple individuals, I received a lukewarm response. Other is a various games and settings.

This last weekend at PointCon '09 I decided to finally purchase a copy of the Serenity game along with the three other books available for it. After displaying my purchase, at least two from my Tuesday game expressed interest. Therefore, the Serenity RPG is the next game I run.

Unlikely to attend next Rifts session

There were several things I was planning on commenting on. However, I think I probably should get this out of the way. Looking at my work schedule it appears that is very unlikely I'll attend the next Rifts session. Which is a bummer as I planning on doing a bunch of stuff with my character, Dirk the Mystic.

It ought to be interesting to find out what happens. Suffice if to say Dirk will follow along with both horse and mule in tow. May even lead to some interesting role-playing when/if certain events occur.

As an aside, I plan to comment on last night's Rifts session once Mike updates his blog.

A possible two weeks without a RPG'ing awaits me. Oh well.

Today marks my sabbatical from wrestling shows

This evening was marked by something have not done in a while. Every Monday I have watched Raw either "live" or DVR'ed. Well, that didn't happen tonight. In fact, it won't happen for the forseeable future. Now the only wrestling shows I'll watch will be the clips that sites such as Youtube host.

I'll still follow wrestling news sites. I have many DVDs I have yet to watch. If able, I'll catch a PPV or two. .Heck, there's several books I want to read. So I'll still be a wrestling fan. Just not as active as a fan that I have been.

FCBD and PointCon this weekend

Its going to be a busy weekend. Saturday is Free Comic Book Day. Also, a local gaming convention ran by local campus club called PointCon is happening this weekend. Saturday is going to be a juggling act between going to the convention and the local comics shop. Ought to be interesting which is busier the con or LCGS since Saturday is also the day of the Magic prerelease.

Looking at the schedule I am now disappointed that I won't be able to attend tonight. There's a choice between two Palladium games that I would really like to play. Alas, I have other plans.

I do plan on commenting on both events. Curious as to how much gaming I actually do...