So, it’s 2020. I’d say Happy New Year, but I think more in terms of congrats at surviving another year. Cheerful I know. To quote one of the wisest beings I know, G’Kar of Narn, “You do not make history. You can only hope to survive it.”

Also, been a while. That happens as well. Why am I quiet? Lack of something important to say I guess. When massive chunks of my internet feed are doom and gloom, I don’t much feel like adding to it. What, another person agreeing our government is shit or posting their anger about something horrible? Yes, my anger still burns bright, have no fear of that, but that’s something else I should probably work on. I’m more exhausted by the constant string of horror that I’m latching on to the little things that bring joy, like classic Danger Mouse being on Netflix. The turgid miasma of existence (To steal a Celibate Rifles album title) will still be there when it ends, but it’s vital (at least for me) to focus on something else, even if only for a time. Too much gloom doesn’t end well for me – you need some light to balance out the dark. I’m aware that everyone’s perspective on what that counts as is different though. My wife recently asked was I OK, as she was concerned about the doom and gloom I’d been listening to while doing dishes. it was the Ramones It’s Alive, an album that brings no end of joy to me and is about as perfect as live albums get*.

I’m feeling pretty good, despite the usual festive season malaise. There’s some excellent shows I’m looking forward to this year, as well as a pair of interstate LARPS (Blackpowder and Bloodlines and the Brisbane run of Good Society) I’m planning to attend. I’ll be in the pit for Iron Maiden, Skindred’s coming up in Feb and Download looks pretty ace, though I’m still hoping for a Sydney show from The Hu. It’s our 10th wedding anniversary this year, and we’re going back to where we honeymooned**. All stuff to feel good about. Sure the back half of the year, when most of these are over, will be tricky to deal with, but I’ll burn that bridge when I get there. Oh, and the elephant in the room. In a few short months I’m turning 40. I suppose it’s a big event and I’m sure there will be some freaking out, but at this moment it’s another birthday.

40 also means tattoo deadline. I told myself a few years back that I wouldn’t get one before that age, to make sure I’d properly thought about it. The current winner is still the word ‘Polarity’, but reversed. Screaming mad Doctor Who fan, guilty as charged m’lud. Where on me I’d get it, that’s another matter. I’m thinking somewhere I can hide it. My wife joked a while back hadn’t I already had a mid life crisis?, and my response was ‘No, that was just a crisis.’ I’ve heard of worse coping mechanisms, the flashy sports car down the street comes to mind first. Sure, there could be a reason as to why you’d own a flash car I’ve only seen them drive at high speed around the block once, but I can’t think of it. They aren’t all bad though, as they have a lovely cat.

Do I have resolutions? I’ve never made them before, but there’s a few
Do more swords. I’d like to say ‘find a chosen weapon/system and stick with it’, but that’d be night impossible. As much as the lightsaber longsword is my weapon of choice, other weapons are just so much fun. Seriously, how can you only want to study one? Sure, there’s weapons I’m less interested in, but I’d still love to see how they work.
Broadsword was a revelation (not having done any single handed weapon so far), dagger was great fun and quarterstaff made me want to transfer that knowledge to a LARP spear. Also I want to get the face of my fencing mask painted as Eddie, most likely Powerslave era.

Write the Minbari game for Pheno. It’s very outside my usual MO games wise, but i think it’s time again. Also, Pheno went so damn well last year. I got some lovely feedback and the reactions to this years idea has me enthused.
Feel better about myself. Tough one I know. Doing better brain wise is an ongoing process. Some days you’re the windshield, some days you’re the bug, as the song goes.
Try and arrest the shrinking in my waistline perhaps, if only to stop my wife’s complaints about it. Bit more cardio couldn’t hurt either.
Game more and potentially give GM’ing another shot. It could be the brain, but I’ve been feeling as if I miss it of late and while my last few non convention games haven’t gone as planned, I’m starting to feel like it’s time to try to get back on the horse. I had some work done on a Torchwood Sydney game last year and I’m all but certain interested parties are still keen.

That’s it for the moment. Hopefully more soon. Be seeing you…

*All killer, no filler. Also, very little talking to the audience.
**No, I’m not telling you where. I like to make my stalkers work.

Be seeing you…