Brandon Sanderson doesn’t disappoint with his first installment of his own epic fantasy series. He proves yet again that he can build a world from the ground up with original races, magic powers, mythology, history, and anything else needed for a living, breathing setting.



Magic swords and armor. Magic that come from breathing in “stormlight.” Money that glows, usually. Storms that scour the planet regularly. There’s a lot to bring you into the story.



Thanks, Mr. Sanderson. Can’t wait for the next volume.



And the audiobook, which is how I read this one, is narrated by none other than the duo who did the entire Wheel of Time series, Kate Reading and Michael Kramer. And, yet again, they do a wonderful job.



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This book was such a disappointment. I love pulp. I read and re-read many books from many of the authors that wrote “back in the day.” And while I was excited to see a possible resurgence of Doc Savage stories, I sincerely hope the owners of this fine character find a new author.



I couldn’t finish this one.



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Wonderland No More is a recently released Savage Worlds setting from the brain trust that is Triple Ace Games. A lot can be said of the fun that comes from playing Chessmen, Cards, Animals, Plants and anything else you may want to imagine.

And with that in mind, I grabbed the intro adventure of Egg of Seven Parts and took the crew of Game Night™ at the International House of Johnson® into the Looking Glass Lands, to see what they could do with it.

Most of the group wanted to just jump into the action, so I had printed up the large number of pre-generated characters TAG offered, laid them on the table, and had them choose their new alter ego.

Here’s how the starting cast lined up:

• King’s Rook White, a Chessman Pawn, played by Gunnar
• Felicia Moon, a Rose (Plant) Lady Thief, played by Laura
• Gunflower Stan, a Sunflower (Plant) Mercenary, played by Laura’s husband, KJToo
• Reverend “Fred” Grolps, a Frog (Animal) Alician Priest, played by codeshaman
• The Cheshire Kit, a Cat (Animal) Prankster, played by Mr. David Mead
• Magpie,¹ a Magpie (Animal) Gourmancer, played by Nycteris

The adventure began.

SPOILER ALERT! If you are a player, and you think you may be playing this adventure sometime in the future, you may want to stop reading.

Our heroes were minding their own business when they happened upon a tragedy. Humpty Dumpty, that intelligent being that is constantly being put back together by the White King’s men and horses, had fallen again. But, this time, someone had run off with most of his pieces, leaving only his face upon the ground, which cried for help.

Running to provide assistance, the heroes arrived in time to be blamed for the pushing by both the egg and the arriving Lion, leading the horses and men.

Luckily, the Lion was dubious of the egg’s claims, but charged the party with the recovery of Humpty’s pieces, lightly veiling an “or else” within the words.

With that, the Lion and forces returned to Whitefield, and the heroes began a search of the premises around Humpty’s place of impact. Only a few minute passed before a small piece of ivory and a dollop of honey were found. A bit of pondering on these clues led Gunflower Stan to announce that he thought the trail led to the Field of Flying Elephants. KJToo earned a bennie for putting this together and saying, “Elephant Bumblebees?” I thought this was probably as close as they’d get without just making some Common Knowledge rolls for the characters. Thus, the party commenced on their journey into the Chessboard Fields.²

A few hours of uneventful travel followed. But, during the time in the fifth rank on the western edge, a squad of twelve Red Pawns rushed out from cover, ambushing the party.

Reverend Grolp quickly raised his hands, calling out that they were on a Most Holy Quest for Alice and the poor Humpty Dumpty, begging that they be left unmolested and allowed to continue, while also espousing the tenants of his religion. codeshaman earned quite a few bennies as the Frog as he roleplayed wonderfully with a great voice and took on the frog priest’s personality. The Red Pawn leader actually had dropped the tip of his spear and was about to let them on their way when King’s Rook White, sworn enemy of the Reds tried to charge them.

Some quick thinking and action on the Frog’s part halted that action, but unfortunately it did not escape the attention of the Red Pawns. “Whitefield!” they accused, and charged as well.

Thankfully, Magpie was ready. She quickly popped one of her specialty hot pepper cakes into her mouth and immediately blew fire upon the wooden opponents. Four of them went up in a blaze. The remainder split up, attacking the party evenly, though a few extra went after the hated White Pawn.

The rest of the fight was a bit of a blur, including a Frog riding a White Pawn, having cast a spell of Speed upon the wooden “steed.” Gunflower Stan doing what he did best in a voice that kept me, the GM, laughing, though it tended to grate a little on the other players. I couldn’t stop laughing. Magpie, Felicia, and Kit did their thing as well. Soon, all were dispatched and a funeral pyre was blazing, presided over by Grolps.

NEXT: A swollen river is hazardously crossed and flying elephants are met.

1. this one was the only non-pre-gen character
2. The Chess Board Fields is the name given to a vast area, divided into an 8 by 8 grid of squares, by a network of streams and brooks. It covers the majority of the Looking Glass Lands. The fields once served as the battleground between the Red and White forces. Now, save for the occasional skirmish, they are fairly peaceful.

Seriously! I’ve been calling myself a writer, or potential writer, for years now. Stories have been swimming around in my head, prodding me to put them to paper,¹ but I just can’t/don’t make the time to sit down, call up my trusty text editor,² and get these things jotted down.

I love to make pretense with myself, though. I’ve subscribed to a handful of blogs that talk about writing and blogging. I’ve bookmarked quite a few articles that talk about how to make yourself a better writer and/or blogger. I’ve read books that teach writing principles, written by great authors like Stephen King and Orson Scott Card. For a time, I was in a writing club!³

And I’m not even referring to just writing fiction stories. I don’t take the opportunity to write in any other ways. I don’t blog regularly or consistently, though I took the time to set this one up. I even spend time every couple of months looking for new themes, to get the right feel. I don’t journal, though I know it would help get me into the flow of sharing, writing, and honing my personal voice and style.

I don’t like to write down my goals! Nope, I don’t. Whenever someone talks to me about writing down my life path, making goals, committing something to paper, I balk at it. I shun it. I don’t do it. Years ago, my wife was an employee with FranklinQuest,⁴ and we both took the opportunity to sit in on, I believe, all the offered seminars they held on time management, project management, etc. But when it came time to write down What Matters Most!, I didn’t.

Oh, sure, I may have written down a couple of things during the class, just to show I was participating. But, when it came time to go home and put into practice all the things I learned, I didn’t. I mostly used my fancy new planner as a calendar.

I don’t even like to take notes! Write down a grocery list? What for? I can remember it!⁵ Meeting notes? Nah, I got it. Notes from church? Notes from school? What for?

See, folks? I’m pitiful. “I wanna be a writer.” But, I don’t take the time to write!

Then comes the real question: Why? Why don’t I take the time to do this activity that I profess to wanting so much? Why can’t I discipline myself to sit, close up all the little distractions,⁶ face a blank screen, and let the words flow? What is it that I’m allowing to block me from this future?

Unfortunately, right now, I don’t know. Laziness, sure. It’s work, at least to begin with. Fear? Probably. Fear that I’m wasting my time. Fear that it won’t be “good enough.” Fear that folks won’t care. Is there anything else? Something deeper that I’m just not seeing? Probably, but then, that’s why I’m not seeing it, right?

With everything I’ve ever read on the subject of writing, there’s one thing that every author, blog, book, you-name-it has in common. That every writer has to write!

Now comes the time to set goals, to commit myself, and I’m scared to say: I’m going to write every day, or every week, or a couple times a week… Because I’m afraid to fail.

But, I guess, that’s the point…

1. virtual paper, anyway. My handwriting is illegible. I’ll tell you a story sometime.
2. Ulysses, if you’re curious
3. where I did write, but I didn’t write consistently, and I often wrote something really quick during the day of the meeting, so I could take it that night
4. now merged with Stephen Covey’s company, forming FranklinCovey
5. Oh, dang it! I forgot the milk. Sorry, honey! I’ll run back out and pick it up…
6. ie, Facebook, Twitter, video games, books, blogs, news, etc.

Why twenty years? Because at the tender age of 19, I hopped my first jet. And I couldn’t help but notice the differences that there are now.

First, and most obvious, security. TSA is trying to do it’s darndest to keep our flights safe. The unfortunate by-product being longer security lines, and almost feeling like you have to strip.¹

Secondly, I remember when, on that first flight back in ’92, my whole family, including extended family, and a large number of friends coming to see me off on my trip.² Now, it’s very difficult getting passed that security barricade without a ticket. It can be done, but not just on a whim. Those teary-eyed goodbyes are no longer happening at the gate. The children rarely get to see a plane take off through those large windows.

Thirdly, cell phones. Holy crap! I was amazed at how many people walk around³ with their cell phones almost glued to their ears. I wasn’t sure if I should be appalled or not. I mean, sure, they’re talking with loved ones, or taking care of business, or I’m sure many other things very important. But, my goodness folks, take a look at what’s around you. Be aware! And the prevalence of iPods or other MP3 players was amazing, too. If they weren’t talking on a phone, headphone cords dangled from their heads connected to something shiny.⁴

Just a fascinating turn our world has taken.

1. Removing of shoes and belt, etc.
2. I was leaving for two years, so it was quite the good bye occasion.
3. Yeah, including me.
4. Cyberman, anyone?

I thought maybe she had finally gone off the cliff. “You… want me to… ski?” I had asked her, a bit incredulous. The only skiing I had ever done in my life was the cross-country kind, and while I enjoyed it, I knew it was nothing like this “downhill” skiing the kids do. “I think it would be good for you and the boys to get out and active during the winter,” was her reply.

Yep, she found the deep end alright. But, knowing my wife as I do, I knew arguing this was pretty pointless. So, I agreed that, yes, I would sign up and have some fun with our two oldest goslings.

I am so very, very glad that I did!

The “Snow Fun” package I bought for each of us included skiing every Thursday afternoon, lift ticket, equipment rental, five lessons, and a few free passes for other days or to share with our friends. We began our journey at the beginning of January.

I was scared out of my wits. All the comedies I’d ever seen with folks breaking limbs while skiing plus all the stories I read made me extremely nervous about flying down a mountain with two flat pieces of wood strapped to my feet. But, I strapped them on and went to the first beginners class with a smile on my face. I was determined to enjoy it, despite the fear.

And, again, I’m so glad I did.

After an hour’s lesson, being taught how to walk, how to stop, and how to do some basic turns, and the goslings and I were having a ball. To the point we even went to some of the larger hills, to try things out. And we’ve been having a blast each and every week ever since.

Thank you to my darling wife for nudging me into this, and thanks to the folks at Alpine Valley for showing us rookies a great time.

So, what did you do to enjoy the wonderful snow this winter?

I think perhaps that it is simply the feeling of a fresh start. A new year begun.¹

My lovely wife and I had been having conversations here and there, discussing things we’d really like to change for the better. Things involving our marriage, our parenting skills and dealings with the Gaggle, ourselves and self-improvement. And, oddly perhaps, I wasn’t rolling my eyes.

At the beginning of 2010, I wrote how I felt that 2009 was a waste. I hadn’t improved myself. I hadn’t done many things I wanted to do. I had been on a plateau and wasn’t progressing in anything in my life.

Was 2010 much better? Yes and no. I think the self-discovery at the beginning of the year helped me to be more aware of my decisions and plans. But, I don’t think I took advantage of anything along the way, either. I recognized opportunities, but didn’t necessarily take them. There were many things I still wanted to do, but didn’t.² And did I make goals for the year? No, not really. I had ideas. I had thoughts. But I didn’t write anything down. I didn’t share the ways I wanted to grow and stretch. And that, folks, is the key to making things work.

So, 2011 has arrived. A new year has begun. My goal is to make it a year of progress and improvement. A year I can look back on in 2012 and be happy with the decisions I made. A year that I accomplish something.

What are you going to do with 2011?

1. Not to mention that the weather is unseasonably warm during this time, hitting the high 50s and even a 60 somewhere in there. Yes, all the snow is gone. First time since Dec 1. AAaaaaahhhh. It’s rather nice.
2. Including a regular blogging schedule. Ce la vie.

Isn’t it odd how hard it is to both form and break habits? I truly wish to start a habit of writing, but it’s so hard to break away from the desire to see how I’m doing on some random game or other on Facebook. Or even watch a show that was just placed on Hulu, or catch up on another show that I haven’t seen in weeks.

So now, I’m sitting in the foyer of my church while three of my kids go about their various activities. Le sigh.

On a completely unrelated note, broke out a fun little game last night with my lovely wife and two oldest boys. What game? Why Poo!,¹ of course. It was actually a fun little romp, though one that we² agree won’t be making any regular appearance at the Gaggle’s Gaming Table. Plus a few of the kids won’t be playing this at all.

Those of you with boys will understand, I trust.

1. A more complete review to come soon.
2. the wife and I

In the past, I’ve done a bit of everything. You can read book, movie and TV reviews on here. You can watch¹ the birth of my son. You can share in an experience of reading books with my children.

Perhaps that’s what I’ll continue doing, sharing everything. This is me, after all is said and done, and what I like to do.

And related to all this, a week has passed in the NaBloPoMo, and this is my second post of the month. On the 8th. Yes, I apparently let my delay in HoNoToGroABeMo affect the other activities of the month. Such is life.

1. In your mind’s eye, anyway.

1. National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo). It’s the month when folks get together, both virtually and physically, to slam out 50,000 words in 30 days. It’s been done before, though not by me. I’ve attempted it before, both fairly seriously and mostly casually. But, alas, time gets away from me before I can jot down even a few thousand. Such is life, eh?

2. National Blog Posting Month (NaBloPoMo). Yes, another writing thingy. Yes, another 30 days. But this time, it’s a commitment to write on your blog on a daily basis. This seems both rather easy and very hard. Easy, because I think I can easily come up with something to write each day. Hard, because I’d have to narrow it down, and I’m easily overwhelmed by my choices.

3. How Not to Grow a Beard Month (HoNoToGroABeMo). I’ve participated in this event two years running, and I’ll be jumping in a week late this year. Why a week late? Because of a family event happening the first weekend of November, which will include family pictures, for which I need to look a bit better than the scruffy I’d have after a week of non-shaving. So, you’ll can start seeing my nekkid face come November 8. Plus we’re working on saving boobs again this year. Beards4Boobs!

What are YOU doing this month?