The Japanese word otaku is used casually among the anime subset of SciFi as a synonym for "geek." I bet few know the word really carries a much stronger negative connotation than geek (or nerd or dweeb or dork), meaning a seriously unhealthy obsession with a hobby.

Unhealthy is the operative word here.

Though it's been 15 years or so since I played the game, D&D still comes to mind occasionally. And I suppose it makes me a real otaku that I thought about what my real-life D&D character traits would be while lying in a 103.2 F fever dream this weekend:

S: 12
I: 17
W: 14
D: 11
C: 4
Ch: 13

Don't even know my best character class based on that anymore. Wizard or Cleric, probably, as both involve fast talk, just like lawyering.

Be sure to note the low constitution score. I swear, this year has not been a good year for my health. First the colitis incident a couple of months ago, and now I've been laid up since Friday with some sort of nasty virus. High fever, aches and pains, constricted chest. Saw the doctor yesterday and she told me to keep doing what I was already doing: take Mucinex (my new best friend), alternate Advil and Tylenol to manage the fever, drink plenty of fluids and get plenty of rest. She also gave me a Z-Pack in case there was a secondary infection that didn't present itself in the exam. Today I finally feel mostly human, as my fever never got above 99. I plan to go back to work tomorrow, for at least long enough not to take another PTO day (that's what really burns me -- I've now wasted a week of paid time off on illness this year. Grrr.)

That accounts for the slow bloggage around here. Thanks for your patience and continued support.

Posted by: JohnL at 08:58 PM | Comments (5) | Add Comment
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1 Glad you're getting back to near normal. Take it easy and make sure you're completely recovered. My wife works in a medical office, and this year has been unreal with seeing the same people over and over from trying to come back too soon.

Posted by: Ted at May 12, 2005 05:47 AM (blNMI)

2 It's been so long since I've played I can't even remember what traits the letters stand for... Strength Intelligence Wisdom D=? Constitution CHarisma Hope you continue to feel better.

Posted by: Jack Grey at May 12, 2005 02:54 PM (Jq8H8)

3 D is for Dexterity. I'm average; klutzy at some things, very dextrous at others.

Posted by: JohnL at May 12, 2005 03:19 PM (YVul2)

4 OK, so you're opting for the wizard. (For what it's worth, us 'Learned Counsel' types are what they now refer to as Rogues in that now-somewhat-less-than-blasphemus-3.5 Edition.) That's cool; always need fire support in a party. Just remember, noone (or at least, very few) puts Vin Diesel in the geek category, and he's cursed the Gods of Game Balance and Wayward Dice as much as either of us. (Yes, Ranger, with bastard sword > )

Posted by: Lysander at May 13, 2005 12:42 PM (ShW/G)

5 Hope you get better soon. Z-packs are always handy. Geekitude is relative, by the way.

Posted by: Owlish at May 13, 2005 11:33 PM (sBj9U)

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Are you looking for some news sources to provide fodder for your blog?

Graham at Point2Point has assembled a helpful list.

Posted by: JohnL at 09:28 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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Well, Eric helped us finish this interview meme with an outstanding set of answers. I'll have to try to track down the wine in his answer to number 6.

Thanks to Owlish, Gunner, LDH, Lysander, and Eric for playing along!

Posted by: JohnL at 06:32 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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Gunner has already asked Eric some good questions at his blog, so I have to think a bit differently here for the final interview. You all should be acquainted with the rules by now. Without further ado:

1. My standard first question: for readers new to your blog, explain your blog-name.

2. Which fictional Sci Fi universe would you rather live in, and explain why: Star Wars or Star Trek?

3. (Shamelessly stolen from my interview of Gunner): What do you think about the current long term force "transformation" policy of the DoD, i.e., the "modular" Army based on swappable brigades like the new Stryker brigades? (On that note, what do you think about the Stryker vehicle? Competitor or complement to heavy armor?)

4. What do you think about Heinlein's controversial premise in Starship Troopers, namely, that the voting franchise should be available only to those citizens who had performed military (or conscientious-objector-alternative) service?

5. What single amendment would you make to the US Constitution, assuming that it would be ratified (make it a single-issue amendment, not an omnibus provision)? Feel free to suggest a text, or just describe your goal.

6. What California wine (or winery) delivers the best value (good quality at a reasonable price)? (Winery, vintage, varietal, and price, if possible).

I'll link to his answers when posted.

Posted by: JohnL at 07:41 PM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
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Lysander has posted the answers to his interview questions. He got the wrong answer to 2 out of 3 on number 5, but I'll cut him some slack.

Only Eric remains, but he will be offline for a few days, so look for his questions some time this weekend.

Posted by: JohnL at 09:36 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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Lysander from Alexandria is our next subject in this interview meme-game-thingy. Review the rules. As a courtesy I'll offer him six questions, but he only needs to answer five. That way he can drop one if he's not comfortable answering it. I'll link his answers when completed.

1. How did you come up with your nickname (Lysander)?

2. Based on your blog name and one of your early posts, you would appear to reside in or around Alexandria, Virginia. What's your favorite place to grab a dinner and drink in Old Town? What's the signature dinner/drink there?

3. Why did you decide to start blogging? Who (if anyone) inspired you to start blogging? Which blogs do you read on a daily (or at least regular) basis?

4. What single rule change would you make, if you could, to make NFL football more exciting?

5. Ardala or Deering? Ginger or Marianne? Eowyn or Arwen?

6. Do you have a hobby that is really important to you? Please tell us about it - how you got into it, how long you've been practicing it, what makes it important, etc.

Thanks for playing along!

Posted by: JohnL at 09:51 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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LDH has posted the answers to his interview questions. Go read them now; they are all interesting and entertaining (I particularly like his extended answer to the big music question in number 2).

Lysander and Eric are next. Stay tuned.

Posted by: JohnL at 08:40 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
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You should know this meme's rules by now. My third subject is the enigmatic "LDH" of the blog Impenetrable Prose and Poesy. And here are the six questions, of which he need answer only five:

1. Your blog name is great. What is the most impenetrable prose or poesy that you have ever encountered?

2. Your profile states that you're a rock/jazz musician. What instrument(s) do you play? How long have you played (per instrument)? What instrument (if any) do you wish you could play? Do you play the same instrument for rock as for jazz?

3. What instrument is most critical to the "rock" sound? What instrument is most critical to the "jazz" sound?

4. What's your favorite kind of food? Which restaurant serves it best?

5. What's the goofiest Halloween costume you've ever worn?

6. What do you think (or know) about the anthropic principle? Do you believe in a creator, and if so what kind?

Thanks for playing along! I'll post a link to your answers when they're ready.

Posted by: JohnL at 10:25 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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Gunner has posted a great set of answers to his interview questions.

Check back here soon for questions to LDH, Lysander, and Eric.

Posted by: JohnL at 08:48 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
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Gunner at Target Centermass has graciously and fearlessly stepped forward to be my second interview subject. The rules are here. As with Owlish, I'll ask Gunner six questions, even though he only has to answer five so that he can opt not to answer one of them:

1. For anyone new to your blog, why did you choose the name Target Centermass?

2. While a student at Texas A&M, did you get to help build any of the bonfires? Any memorable anecdotes? (For the benefit of any non-Aggie/non-Longhorn/non-Texan readers you might want to give a short explanation about the Aggie bonfire tradition).

3. What do you think about the current long term force "transformation" policy of the DoD, i.e., the "modular" Army based on swappable brigades like the new Stryker brigades? (On that note, what do you think about the Stryker vehicle? Competitor or complement to heavy armor?)

4. What's your favorite Tex-Mex place in the Dallas area? Do you normally order the same thing, or something different each time? Favorite dish/drink?

5. While you were in the Army, what was the most exotic posting you had? Any fun stories related to that specific location?

6. What got you into blogging? If you had to write a mission statement for your blog, whoat would it be? Do you have any conscious role models for or influences in your blogging?

Thanks for playing along. I'll post a link to your answers when you're done.

Posted by: JohnL at 08:59 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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I rolled the odometer again today. Woohoo!

Looking at the referrer logs, it appears that visitor number 60,000 Googled in here looking for my Pan Galactic Gargle Blaster recipe (look here).

Bless their soul, they stayed for slightly more than 20 minutes. IP address 68.43.201.# with a comcast.net domain. If you are that lucky person, send me an email with contact info and I'll send you an autographed copy of my recipe.

Posted by: JohnL at 11:27 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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Owlish has posted his answers to the interview questions I posed him last night.

Anyone else want to talk about themselves? Four spots for potential interviewees remain open. Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?

Leave me a comment and let me know.

Posted by: JohnL at 09:12 PM | Comments (3) | Add Comment
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The rules are here. Only one victim -- er, subject -- has stepped forward so far. Since none of my other readers have volunteered, I thought I would proceed with the questions for an old friend and blogchild of mine, Owlish. As for the rest of you lazy or cowardly readers, witness that my questions are fair. If you would like to be interviewed, let me know in comments. I'll take the first four.

As Random did for me, I'll give Owlish six questions, so that he can opt not to answer one of them.

1. OK. First, the obvious one. I know you've mentioned it before, perhaps in a posting that has long since been archived, but please explain for first-time readers your handle and blogname.

2. Since you live in Galveston (i.e., Hurricane alley), do you have a Bugout box? If so, what's in it? If not, what would you put in one?

3. One of my daily reads, Timothy Sandefur, recently wrote that atheism is the Last Closet: "We come up with clever ways of avoiding the issue or rationalizing things, or we just stay quiet, because it would upset the family and scare away friends if you admitted that you’re an atheist. You call yourself an agnostic or a deist or a freethinker—anything but the A word. You keep going to church. You say all the right words. The family can go on politely thinking you’re still in the fold." What do you think about that statement?

4. I have noted that many people of the medical and related biological persuasions are atheist, while most equivalently-educated engineers, accountants, programmers, and lawyers remain adherents to some faith system. What was your experience in medical school -- were few/some/many/most of your fellow medical students atheists?

5. What is the last piece of music you listened to?

6. What is the last movie you saw to which you had a strong emotional reaction (positive or negative) and why?

Thanks! Check back -- I'll post a link to Owlish's answers when he's done.

Posted by: JohnL at 10:30 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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Comcast is performing some upgrades in the neighborhood, so my connection to the Internet has been very intermittent. When it is there, it's very sluggish. The upshot is that I have to delay updating the SF Babes Poll until later this week.

Since tomorrow (April 13) is my birthday (number 37, thank you), I probably won't get to the poll until Thursday.

I won't run a birthday blog-a-thon, but if you feel like clicking on my Google ads tomorrow or ordering something for yourself from Amazon after following one of the Amazon ads in the sidebar, please feel free to do so. I would be curious to see what kind of difference that makes in my cents-a-day earnings.

Posted by: JohnL at 09:52 PM | Comments (6) | Add Comment
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Today is my one year anniversary here at the mu.nu domain.

First, a big "thank you" to Pixy Misa for putting together this crazy collection of diverse bloggers.

Second, a question for my users: over the past year, this site has grown more graphics-intensive. If you are on dialup, is this site slow to load? Please let me know in the comments or by email what kind of delays you might be experiencing. If the pages load quickly enough, I won't hide too many things in the extended entries. But if there are noticeable load delays, I will try to make the main page smaller and thus quicker to load.

Thanks, as always, to those of you who regularly stop by to visit. If you are a new visitor (as a result of the Carnival of Recipes and various -lanches that came with it or otherwise), please check back through my archives to get a feel for the place and come back to visit again soon.

Posted by: JohnL at 11:16 PM | Comments (7) | Add Comment
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When I saw that Random Pensees was promulgating an interview meme, I knew I had to volunteer (even though he had already received the requisite five volunteers). Random is one of the more erudite and interesting bloggers I read. You should read him daily, as I do.

So, to see his questions for me and my answers, look in the Extended Entry. And since this is something of a meme, please leave me a comment saying "interview me." The first five of you requesting that will be my next interviewees. I will then ask you five questions. You will update your blog/site with the answers to the questions. You will include this explanation and an offer to interview someone else in the same post. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions. (Write your own questions or borrow some.) And they'll ask five friends, and so on, and so on...
more...

Posted by: JohnL at 12:33 PM | Comments (5) | Add Comment
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I know I've been posting a lot of these recently, but I've been noting several new incoming pings from blogs I'm not familiar with.

The subject of this post is David Veksler, author of the blog Truth, Justice, and the American Way. He's been blogging about a year and a half longer than I, so I'm surprised I haven't crossed paths with him online before. I can forgive that he's an Aggie (heck, some of my best friends are Aggies). He's definitely a Texan -- though born in Ukraine, his attitudes are all Texan. He believes in freedom and the power of the market. He self-identifies as an Objectivist, so I hope he won't mind if I put him in the libertarian/classical liberal section of my blogroll (i.e., The Moon is a Harsh Mistress).

Thanks for the kind words about my blog, David!

Posted by: JohnL at 10:25 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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OK, this guy is new to me, even though he has been blogging for almost a year. I discovered his blog thanks to his link to the recent Carnival of Recipes held here.

He has quite an array of interests, including Retrocomputing. Plus, anyone who unironically praises the late-1970s Buck Rogers gets brownie points in my book.

Go check out his blog. I've parked him "Between Planets" on my blogroll for now.

Posted by: JohnL at 10:48 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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I've been reading Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix to my 8-year old for the past couple of months. Tonight we got to the part where I had to send him to bed or we would have been up all night finishing the thing. As it stands, I've been spending the last hour or so reading ahead to find out what happens. Plus, I've been starting to put together the outline of the Carnival of Recipes, getting it ready for this Friday. Keep the recipes coming to recipe.carnival(at)gmail(dot)com!

So this is it for original content tonight.

Minor Spoiler Alert -- If you haven't read Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand or Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, you may want to skip the following.

(More in the extended entry).
more...

Posted by: JohnL at 11:07 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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Rocket Jones introduces us to some new bloggers today. Of the ones he linked, I particularly liked Pamela (an egoist babe) at Atlas Shrugged, Joe (a gay New Yorker living in the rural South) at aTypical Joe, and Hermitville (an infrequently-updated collection of short stories and monologues).

I've added them to my blogroll, and you should check them out. Also, be sure to check the Munuvian Showcase of New Blogs to discover other such new gems.

Posted by: JohnL at 11:01 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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