Frank

I now know that I was becoming quite ill at this time, early kidney failure. Couldn't eat properly, despite five-star local Italian food. :/

YouTube video by AerosmithVEVO Aerosmith - Rag Doll (Official Music Video)

Rag Doll

Archetype
Aerosmith at their best, Tyler at 110%

www.youtube.com/watch?v=mrEC...

YouTube video by Christmas Vinyl Mantovani And His Orchestra – Christmas Carols in 4K (1953)

Grew up with this one; early memories (also 1955)
Side 2 every Christmas morning. Starting too early of course.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cRI...

YouTube video by Festive Jazz Grooves Bing Crosby - Christmas Is A Comin' - Classic Christmas Songs

Bing, 1955

Retro nostalgia

www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQsV...

RIP Freddy
11/24/91
😤

YouTube video by YouTube Movies The Golden Child

Golden Child

Yeah it's mediocre. Murphy hated it.
But there's a D&D gem hidden in one scene. Dance kneels to commune with demonic master. The brick walls of the room fly off to all sides, he's in another place.

I immediately stole that for my plane-traveling PCs.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-dL...

YouTube video by Crack the Sky - Topic I Am The Walrus

Saw them do this live in the '70s. Incredible. Nobody else would dare try it.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQll...

In the DMG we find a 'harlots' table. That was a joke.

One quote 'damn right I'm sexist' was a deliberate poke to get a response. NOT a sexist in reality, behavior, or belief -- another ill-considered humorous angry jab.

I knew him well, friends for 25+ years. You can see the truths in the above.

In the big picture...
You find many humourous bits, and some are ill-advised (oft traces of his first 30 years). Dubtleties arise in re-reading.
You find grudges (Rick Loomis, the Blumes, more).

His was a normal, smart, deep human mind, kind and considerate, a Jehovah's Witness, and flawed.

As to 'infamous' quotes now being widely publicized...
All taken out of context and milked for clicks.

You ever exaggerate to make a point, or play the clown to amuse others?

Back off and look at the whole package, the patterns of behavior.

I recall him hiring and defending Jean Wells, and later acquiring Barima Obong-Ubusu (sic) for VP Finance at TSR.

Yes he fell victim to substance abuse for one brief period in his west-coast life. He kicked it all quickly fyi.
Sometimes he got mad, sure.
Sometimes he said things he regretted, sure.

Gygax: A Staunch Defense

Gary-bashing has been trending.
So I've got something to say.

I think Gary's morals and ethics were notably superior. He worked to be fair, regardless of age sex beliefs or whatever. (continued in Replies, char limited.)

YouTube video by Crack the Sky - Topic A Night On The Town (With Snow White)

ProgRock - an outstanding obscurity
Here's a tasty sample of Crack the Sky
Snow White (ala Queen)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=YiXa...
Rangers (think Elton/Taupin):
www.youtube.com/watch?v=dWqD...
Ice (unique)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ygfj...

(Hm, seem to be on a Music thing. Back to Gaming shortly. ;> )

YouTube video by PatBenatarVEVO Pat Benatar - Love Is A Battlefield (Official Music Video)

Still so Powerful. Outstanding. (1983)

www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGVZ...

YouTube video by TomPettyVEVO Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers - Don't Come Around Here No More (Official Music Video)

Petty Wonderland

I still think the video is brilliant (1985) -- though it has nothing to do with the song. (!)

The whiny singing is perfect for the lyrics.

Fascinating that the words are what Stevie Nicks said to Joe Walsh in the bedroom. (!!!)

www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0Jv...

Chronological Order of Dune Books – Dune Novels The Official Dune Website

Dune (Frank Herbert)

37 books?!?!! Quite a reality build.

dunenovels.com/chronologica...

YouTube video by Forgia Storie Lucca Comics and Games 2022: Interview with Frank Mentzer

Interview, Lucca '22
16:11; fwiw

(in simple slow English to help may Euro fans)
(with the hat, beard, and Reggie the SnakeStaff. 'Reggie'? From the first Indy film, jumping in Jock's plane.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=6VlO...

Ah. That's cool if it works for you. I go for a big perspective, creating & designing & writing & all, so I have stuff to consider. I usually go with less complexity, so I just omit firearms and all the nasty results that can occur. :)

Fully educated on all medical aspects. I'm paranoid about the connections, so max precautions. Got pills for immediate treatment of even a maybe-contamination. Getting superb care.

Can you explain your kneejerk monosyllabic retort?

Milestone Day
Just got my cyberkidney.
Overnight it does what my late kidneys useta.
Modern med tech is amazing.
renalcare.baxter.com/products/amia

YouTube video by The Doors - Topic When the Music's Over (Live)

Music (Vintage Rock)

Saw the Doors in late 1968.
To this day I can listen to "When the Music's Over" and all the memories flash back; quite an experience.

That was a helluva year. In quick succession, saw: Doors, Jimi, Janis, Cream, and Woodstock.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=25Cc...

On Firearms
Skill was once required to use weapons. Guns reduced that to near-zero.
That's our history. But in a D&D game world, I can stop it. Therein, all science is Elemental-based (earth air fire water). So to preserve order, Fire is limited, no explosions, not even from a tiny bullet cartridge.

SO... you can see that my head jumps all over the place, and my interests are myriad.

I won't be beating any big drums here, just rambling.

Here it's all G or PG rated too. I know all the bad words but save them for special occasions, not online. :)

No links to debatable sites pls.

For Sale (bombshell warning):

My Life's Work on Dungeons & Dragons
(everything not owned by TSR/WotC/Hasbro or others)

Many unpub scenarios, 29y live game logs, 45y of creations
Want the EXCLUSIVE rights? (5+ year project)
Major Serious Inquiries Only please (someone Established).
ExxTSR@gmail.com

Finance
Unlike most Americans I don't have a credit rating, even though I've purchased houses 3 times. I live on a cash basis, it's much healthier for you.

(I have no debt, and do have saleable resources for crunches.)

Return to the Old Ways: If you really want something, save for it. Debt kills.

btw I'm always careful to specify when something is USA/North America only, since I have so many friends beyond that.

Med Update

Kidneys failed Aug 1. Clinical dialysis ever since, but now transitioning to a home version. AND it makes me mobile, so I can travel again in 2025!
With kidney failure modern MedTech gives you a cyberkidney to do the job overnight.

Not dead yet. :) Looks like that'll be a while yet.

I'm fond of this one for the guitar work and the horns (when they kick in it's outstanding & classic).
I can play all the guitar parts, and have done so with rock groups past, so this inspires a lot of air-guitar action whenever it pops up. :)
Got a Les Paul classic + a pedals, even a Leslie sim.

* Webcams

Lots of cool live-feed webcams out there. Browse YouTube for your interests. Personally I go for wildlife, eagles in nests, bearcams, etc.

if you're in upper Michigan USA here's the Mackinac Bridge:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Ff3...