I first learned about Whang-od Oggay years ago, from an old documentary that introduced her as the last Kalinga tattoo artist. Before then, I never knew that tattooing had a prominent role in various Philippine cultures. At the time, my…
In my last post, I mentioned using node-based scenario design (NBSD) to design my most recent Degenesis: Rebirth campaign. If you aren’t familiar with it, you can read the original post series on The Alexandrian by clicking this link. To…
Yesterday, my friends and I played the final session of my homebrew Degenesis: Rebirth campaign. It’s only the second time that I actually finished a long campaign, and I’ve been a Game Master for 8 years! My first one went…
I write in gratitude to Marko, Erwan, SMV, and the lads of Liqua. Back in 2017, while attending PAX Unplugged in Philadelphia, I learned about a new tabletop RPG called Degenesis: Rebirth. I noticed it because of the huge banners…
I made it a personal goal to write a blog post at the end of each year, but this year, I find myself reaching for thoughts that doggedly elude my grasp. I feel I don’t have to explain why. 2020…
Dan and I have been vigilant about abiding by CDC guidelines ever since March, leaving our apartment only when necessary. Lately, however, he has been driving to work almost every day since there is little he can do at home…
Approximately two months ago, my therapist and I started addressing my difficulties with food, eating, and body image. I’ve written about my rocky relationship with body image and weight in past posts; it’s nothing new. At the end of last…
It is Day 141 of lockdown. In truth, the world is not really locked down anymore. Some businesses are open now in the United States, though they shouldn’t be. I’m rock climbing again, but not as frequently as I did…
It is Day 24 of lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It is a new experience for all of us, and we are all coping with it in our own ways. I joked early on that social distancing is pretty…
2019 was a difficult year for me. I suffered from more stress than I can ever remember, even compared to the nonstop work pace I set for myself in 2018. For the first time in my life, I had to…