A Pirate on the Prairie

It’s Halloween. If there was ever a time of year that we would be inclined to think of the acclaimed American writer, Edgar Allan Poe, it would be this time of year. After all, he is the “Master of the Macabre.” But there was far more to this American literary icon than just spooky stories. He was an editor, a literary critic, he is credited with helping to birth the modern detective story, and he wrote some of the earliest science fiction. And he lived an interesting, someti

“George Michael - Faith (Official Video)” https://youtu.be/6Cs3Pvmmv0E

The Cliff Beats Classics YouTube channel recently posted a video sharing the music video for this classic song by America and I was reminded of the magic of the song, its lyrics, and its sound. It moved Cliff’s partner, Karen, to tears. That’s the power of music and the magic of love. But I would also argue that, if there is good magic, there is undoubtedly bad magic. Or perhaps it would be a more accurate or reasonable statement to suggest that the magic itself is neutral an

We are all living in Lovecraft's worst nightmares. Josh Peters and the Pundit, both historians, talk on Cthulhu and why its real horror is almost always ignored: Because almost anyone under 50 can't even understand the real horror (hint: its not tentacles). — Kasimir Urbanski or the RPG Pundit, “The Final Boss of Internet Shitlords!” I have an interest in the cosmic horror of H. P. Lovecraft, meaning that I have read a handful of his works and watched and listened to a handfu

“Some motherfuckers are always trying to ice-skate uphill.” — Wesley Snipes as Blade in Blade You have probably met some ice skaters like this yourself… or you are one. 😏

I had heard of Vampire: The Masquerade some time ago, but I hadn’t given much thought to buying or playing the game. Don’t get it twisted. I enjoy a good (or even a bad) vampire movie and I can certainly appreciate the history of vampire mythology and fiction. I once attended a “lunch-and-learn” at East Carolina University where a faculty member of the English department with a passion for vampires presented an educational and entertaining lecture. But I just wasn’t sold on t

I’ve yet to read Watership Down or watch the animated film based upon the book, but maybe I’ll get around to doing it this year or next year. I have a copy of Bunnies & Burrows Fantasy Role Playing Game and I hope to play it one day (along with the other games currently on my shelves). I have wanted to watch the animated film for some time now. I saw the trailer for the film when I was much younger and it certainly got my attention. I just never got around to watching it. Th

“Red Hot & Blue Love (Live)” https://youtu.be/u4jiBdnPmzk

“Hole in My Heart (Live)” https://youtu.be/fljkH7I-kW4

Rick Springfield covered this Sammy Hagar song and made it his own with an arguably harder, higher energy rendition. This live performance is incredible! “Rick Springfield - I've Done Everything For You (40th Anniversary Live Version)” https://youtu.be/EptNgSuaBC4

I have shared a handful of videos on this blog about the origin and the story of the tabletop roleplaying game (TTRPG) Dungeons & Dragons, but here I am sharing yet another. Why? Well, because quite simply, this video does a great job of impressing upon the viewer just how innovative and groundbreaking Dungeons & Dragons really was when the first handcrafted copies of the original game were being laboriously cranked out inside of co-creator Gary Gygax’s basement. I played a v

A former coworker recently shared the post below from the Pooh Memes Facebook account and it mirrors some thoughts that I have been contemplating lately. I have questioned whether or not some of the people from my past would even recognize the latest version of me (Greg 57.XX.X?). I recognize myself largely because I know how I got here. Not the physical version of me, although I now sport a shorter haircut than I used to sport when I was younger and I am admittedly currentl

Well, it’s October and we are more or less in spooky season, at least if you live in a country where Halloween is celebrated as Halloween or by another name for the holiday such as All Hallows' Eve. This is a time of year when people have some fun with fear and the macabre. It’s a time for carnivals, ghost stories, spooky films and tales, haunted houses, and haunting imagery. Below is a link to a post containing one man’s take on what we can gain from facing our fears and lea

“Chicago - If You Leave Me Now (Official Audio)” https://youtu.be/fCoVbDNx-C0

“If She Would Have Been Faithful...” https://youtu.be/peMLrzqxAJE

“Jesus said to them, ‘A prophet is not without honor except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home.’” — Mark 6:4 (NIV) I’m not a prophet, but I completely understand. Prior to finding myself in Illinois, I worked with people that were trying to improve their physical fitness and their health. I learned a long time ago that there was little-to-nothing to be gained from framing one’s struggles with fitness or food as some kind of great moral flaw, a personal f

“Robert Palmer - Addicted To Love (Official Music Video)” https://youtu.be/XcATvu5f9vE

“A pretty face don't make no pretty heart. I learned that, buddy, from the start.” Yeah, I have had that lesson hammered into me too. 😏 “Robert Palmer - Bad Case Of Loving You (Doctor Doctor)” https://youtu.be/DlPHmYtqSdA

“The J. Geils Band - Centerfold (Official Music Video)” https://youtu.be/BqDjMZKf-wg

“Steve Miller Band - Abracadabra (Official Music Video)” https://youtu.be/tY8B0uQpwZs