Koshatnik means "cat lover" not "dealer in stolen cats". The latter, erroneous definition is hilarious and intriguing but it denigrates the meaning of the word. Cite from actual Russians.
They pressed the headset and figured that it'd be better for me if the tube wasn't cut for the stem. Now my bike's handlebars are a bit higher than before but it's more comfortable for me. The stem for the handlebars no longer had its bolts and they couldn't find new ones so I had to buy a new stem. Plus there are the spacers.
In short, I could've done this if I had the tools and the know-how.
Back at home I filled the tires, popped the seat into the frame and rode to the Birdhouse for the first time in a long time. When I returned from my brief excursion I was winded by the effort. I reminded myself that I'm even more out of shape than when I was riding my bike on a regular basis.
So I've reclaimed some personal freedom.
Once I get the new front brake caliper and cable I'll be good to go.
So far there have only been four sessions. 10/20/06 will be the fifth session and it'll be audited by potential new players. Any misgivings and preconceptions will be discussed in a future entry. Most likely post 10/20/06.
What I've come away with regarding the whole concept of game mastering is that it requires quick thinking and a knack for pulling shit out of one's ass. The game is a puzzle. I have all the pieces and the players are trying to put it together while blindfolded with the pieces face-down on the table. It's up to me to facilitate things rather than shout "ZOMG UR DOIN IT RONG!!1one". For example the game seemed to stall out, the players seemed to be staring at me hoping that I'd give them direction and maribou, beloved maribou, says "Hey, let's go to Pump!" Pump is a bar for people who like to think different, to put it gently. She caught up with one of the members of her vampire clan and I realized this was a perfect moment to throw out another nascent plot.
This time the bait was taken, two other plot hooks were dropped and ignored, and now I have to prepare for the upcoming Friday game.
One of the important things is to remind myself that Jaybird, maribou and elmgrows aren't my little clones playing a game in the way that I would be playing in a game. They have their own styles like Jaybird being a quiet person who needs to be in control, maribou being earnest and eager while elmgrows remains steadfast in maintaining character and does a damned fine job of it.
Once I figure out their particular quirks I'll know how to mold them like Play-Doh.
Before anyone can accuse me of being unfair and obscenely judgemental, I have to say that I have a hard time maintaining momentum and interest in the story. Like Bill Murray demanding to direct The Razor's Edge when he truly shines as an actor. Deep down I don't want Asbury Park by Night to be another vanity project. This is my gift to my friends.
Shit went down, Dave was lost and gone forever and the mantle of gamemaster was hoisted upon Tim. Tim wrapped up Dave's plot thread in two sessions and said he was starting a new game, make a new character and be at Ty and Stephanie's by seven p.m. next week.
Jaybird has told me the potential new people have two game masters in their midst. One of my anxieties is the fact that I'll get burned out or somehow bridges will be burned, someone will step forward, conclude Asbury Park by Night and I'm leaving my worries on the doorstep while I direct my feet to the sunny side of the street.
The idea is patently contrived and outrageous borne from my own mental pathology of insecurity.
At least I'm not taking it too seriously and maintain self-awareness to my own issues.
I need to keep myself happy and my beloved gamers happy.
It's not the Qur'an, it's the Sahih Bukhari. It recounts the life of The Prophet. Volume 3, Book 40, Number 551:
Allah's Apostle said, "While a man was walking he felt thirsty and went down a well and drank water from it. On coming out of it, he saw a dog panting and eating mud because of excessive thirst. The man said, 'This (dog) is suffering from the same problem as that of mine. So he (went down the well), filled his shoe with water, caught hold of it with his teeth and climbed up and watered the dog. Allah thanked him for his (good) deed and forgave him." The people asked, "O Allah's Apostle! Is there a reward for us in serving (the) animals?" He replied, "Yes, there is a reward for serving any animate."
The Prophet prayed the eclipse prayer, and then said, "Hell was displayed so close that I said, 'O my Lord ! Am I going to be one of its inhabitants?"' Suddenly he saw a woman. I think he said, who was being scratched by a cat. He said, "What is wrong with her?" He was told, "She had imprisoned it (i.e. the cat) till it died of hunger."
Allah's Apostle said, "A woman was tortured and was put in Hell because of a cat which she had kept locked till it died of hunger." Allah's Apostle further said, (Allah knows better) Allah said (to the woman), 'You neither fed it nor watered when you locked it up, nor did you set it free to eat the insects of the earth."
I entered my parents's house through the garage. Growing near the patio door in the den was a maple tree. At first glance it was completely green but when I looked again there were only a few brown leaves remaining on its branches. There were dogs outside but no one that I would've known from waking life.
Outside again I found myself walking on a raised, wooden platform which had several bald emu birds. These were accompanied by large, malformed crows which I figured were pets or riding beasts.
When I woke I had the date April 18th, 1952 stuck in my head.
