01/30/22: Also, you should maybe check out The Tragedy of Macbeth
TLDR
Update: working on this writing thing
Listening: Stop, Hack, and Roll
Playing: 13th Age
Watching: The Tick!
Around the Internet: Interesting articles I’ve read since the last newsletter
End Notes: You can contact me at jadettman@gmail.com
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THE UPDATE
I’m getting over a cold and working on some of my habits. Like my newsletters. The cold really kicked my butt for four days and, while I feel much improved today, I’m trying very hard not to overdo things to avoid backsliding. Also, I forgot to consume caffeine the last two days, so I think that probably made things rougher.
Otherwise, the new semester has begun at the college. Britt appears to be happy that she’s not teaching a night class and I’m just doing my thing.
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LISTENING
My newest podcast is Stop, Hack, and Roll which, surprise, is about roleplaying games. The two hosts, Brandon and James, talk about what makes a game work, how they hack games to make them work differently, and about roleplaying games in general. This is one of my many relaxation podcasts that I listen to when I want to take a break from the serious podcasts.
Obviously, not for everyone and, though I’ve been enjoying it, I started at the beginning in 2016. It was good then, I assume it will to continue to be.
Patreon
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PLAYING
A couple weeks back, we started a vaccinated RPG playgroup on the weekends. Kevin talked everyone into playing D&D and then I talked everyone into playing 13th Age, which is like D&D but, you know, different. Kevin also talked everyone into playing an all Dwarf (or Dwarf-adjacent) party and we hit the ground running.
Then, of course, two of us became sick (not from gaming together) and we haven’t been able to regroup for the second session. Hopefully, we’ll do that soon.
(If you want to know more, I’m planning to talk about this in my companion newsletter: https://buttondown.email/J.A.Dettman/archive)
https://pelgranepress.com/product-category/d20-games/archmage-engine/13th-age/___
WATCHING
We’ve spent the last couple months re-watching The Tick cartoon from the mid-nineties on Hulu. It remains, of course, delightfully absurd and hilarious. If you haven’t watched it but enjoy superhero media, I wholeheartedly recommend it.
The basic premise is that the Tick and his sidekick Arthur have ridiculous superhero adventures. The Tick is nigh-invulnerable, super strong, and kind of a dope (except when he’s not, like out of nowhere). Arthur used to be an accountant and now wears a moth suit that allows him to fly. They hangout with other equally ridiculous superheroes and fight some of the most magnificently absurd villains.
Also, there are apparently episodes on Youtube if you don’t have Hulu.
Spoon!
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AROUND THE INTERNET
Art Should be a Habit, Not a Luxury at the Atlantic
Eat, Sleep, Exercise, Make Art - The Atlantic
Just like exercise and sleep, engaging with the arts is a necessity for a full and happy life.
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END NOTES
If you'd like to send me some feedback or discuss one of the topics I've talked about here (or even a different topic), email me at jadettman@gmail.com
Also, if you know anyone that would be interested in the newsletter, please forward it along!