My wife sent me his video “extraordinaire instrument de musique.” Admitedly, it blows me right away. Click the button, watch, listen. It’s worth it.
your ads here (468x60) - after 1st post.
Van Dam Peak rises outside my tiny office window across the tops of houses removed from this picture as unnecessary. Though I like to hike, camp, swim, and take very amateur photos of the natural world, I have never visited this particular neighbor. I’ve thought about it, many times. But there was always somewhere else to go and something else to go locally, such as Iron Mountain, or better places to see, Mt. Palomar. Van Dam Peak has one real advantage that those other relatively close locations do not have, no driving time. With cheap local gasoline running $4.50 a gallon, a hiking place I can walk to in 7 minutes has very real advantages.
The Facts
Located at latitude – longitude coordinates of N 32.954212 and W -117.079199, with a maximum altitude of 1,010 feet (307.85 meters) above sea level and, it rises just two miles west of the heart of Poway. Van Dam peak carries an honorific name for Edward Van Dam, county superintendent of roads form 1933 to 1961. The U.S. Board on Geographic Names officially named the mountain in 1984. It is a known source of clinozoisite.
The Hike
I walked for just 30 minutes, intending no more than a minor exploration of the area. There are no “official” trails that I have been able to find, though a number of access paths and winding footpaths exist and can even be seen on photographs. I followed a foot path running up a landscaped hill in the neighborhood immediately south of the peak. The grade is steep and rough with a large, graffiti covered boulder at about the halfway point. Where the path intersected one of the access trails, I turned down hill and walked for some distance. When my limited time ran out, I returned the along the route I took to get there. I suspect it will take some time to explore the area in detail and I look forward to hiking as much of Van Dam Peak as possible.
Workin on Mysteries without any clues,
Workin on our night moves–Bob Seger
It’s late, 12:19 by the clock on the computer. That would be 0019 if I were still in the Navy. A Night Mood has taken me. I’ve frittered away the evening while my wife and children sleep. Well, perhaps frittered is exactly correct. I critiqued a story at Critique Circle. Edited my blogs under structure a bit. I even worked on the scale model of a Medieval Fieldston Longhouse. No, frittered isn’t the world.
I found a Writer’s Blog “The Alien Next Door“ that featured a review of Aeon Flux. That was a bit of pleasant frittering. I can crawl back in my memory and relive the pleasure at a series that was both idiosyncratic and strange. That led to other, and that let to Bob Seger.
I also made a decision on the second draft of Red Tears. I need to involve the Duke of Glhass and his court. Talk about working on a mystery without any clues. This will require a chapter, more likely two, back in the novel. But he is important, actually critical, and his part of the story has to be brought out. So this night has not been a complete waste.
Saw a book at Borders “Wizards presents” Worlds and Monsters. This is a preview of the 4th edition. Interestingly, it has no game material. There is no introductory game that people can play to get an idea of its real mechanics or speed. This products covers some of the changes in World View that the creators incorporated into 4th edition. If the book is accurate, it certainly is different.
From the beginning, the universe of Dungeons & Dragons was humanocentric. Other races existed, but they were secondary, sometimes remnanats of bygone eras (elves and Dwarves) or magenetic experiments that were not as good or competitive as humans (Halflings, gnomes.) They don’t say so, but much of the universe of D&D reflected Tolkien in its approach and feel of the races. Well, that is over.
There are no great nations, like “Oerth” or even the “Forgotten Realms.” City States exists over the surface. Between them is “the wild” and these places are the goals of adventure. Oddly, this has a more Iron age European and even a Tolkein like feel with enclaves separated by lands of adventure and danger. There isn’t enough information to determine how the hell such a universe will work economically. Trade will exist, but it is more hinged at giving players a great place to fight, kill, and sometimes die than reproduce the world. This makes for some interesting notions in creating a “Campaign” that could be explored.
“A Forest of Kings“by Linda Schele and David Freidelis the newest acquisition in my nonfiction research into all things Mayan. This interest is a relatively new thing for me. I am finishing the last major rewrite of my novel “Red Tears” and just last week began research on my next fantasy novel.
I have a number of tag ends and unfinished work, but I decided that at this moment in my career it is time I tried my hand at research and outlining a novel form beginning to end as a process. The idea came when I visited National Museum of Anthropology, Mexico City and saw “Isis and the Feathered Serpent,” a presentation that covered the archeology and cultural history of the Isis and Feathered serpent myths. The rich history of the Maya and the wealth of detail that can fit so well into a Fantasy novel brought home the realization that the historical setting would be ideal for a heroic fantasy.
Such a non-standard setting appeals to me. Mayan culture, technology, and way of life are as alien from the pseudo medieval or steam-punk variety of fantasy that they almost seem like Science Fiction. I want it to be more than just a ripping off, or borrowing, of the Maya. I have no intention of taking Mayan culture and transplanting it into some suitably mythical and specially created world where magic exists. My intention is to stick as close to Mayan history and society as I can. For that reason, I have already ammassed a considerable bibliography of web links. “A Forest of Kings” is just the first of what will be several heavy books that will provide the necessary information to make his as close to historical as I can manage.
Yes, I know it is considered somewhat nerdy. I’ve played Dungeons & Dragons since 1976. Back in those days E Gary Gygax was still alive and there was this little 3 box set. I still have it by the way, along with Blackamoor and Grayhawk expansions. On June 7 there is a new game in town, the updated, improved, Dungeons & Dragons 4th edition.
It is odd that at my age I should be excited about a game played with pencil, paper, and dice; but I am. I anticipate the feel of the book in my hand, the color, the learning curve. There is always a learning curve involved with anything. New editions of old games require an un-learning curve, a forgetting of the old rules and a mapping of the new on my cerebral cortex.
The new version, I have heard, will include new and improved web presence, new classes, and so much more. It will be a joy ot behold, or so I am hoping. It will be more, and not just in the cost. And it is coming soon.
Even if the lady in the song says its "Lousy" I am still waiting with anticipation. It will be here...soon.