Category Archives: Gaming

MileHiCon 51 Schedule

By lytspeed Posted in Conventions, Gaming, Geek, Poetry, Reading, Writing Leave a reply

MileHiCon 51 is happening this weekend, and I’ll be appearing on six panels! Please see below for my schedule.

Friday, October 18, 2019

2 P.M., Mesa Verde A — Moderator 101 (M) — I’m honored to be moderating the Moderator 101 panel to kick off the convention. If you’ve never been a panel moderator before, come join us to get a rundown of the dos and don’ts of moderating a MileHiCon panel.

3 P.M., Mesa Verde A — Fannish Civility and Kindness — Genre fans are passionate, but that doesn’t mean those passions have to get in the way of general kindness or civility. This panel is a reminder that we’re all here for the same geeky reasons, despite differences between Hogwarts houses or Federation factions, and a little respect goes a long way.

5 P.M., Mesa Verde B — Project in a Drawer (M) — A discussion of what projects our experts have lurking in basement file cabinets and whether (or when) they might see the light of day.

Saturday, October 19, 2019

12 P.M. Wind River B — The Edward W. Bryant Memorial Panel, 2019 Edition (M) — A discussion of the life and works of the writer Edward W. Bryant, the upcoming Retrospective of his career, his appearance as Memorial Guest of Honor at the 2019 ReaderCon, and other miscellaneous items related to this terrific writer, fan, critic, and human being. Featuring Jean-Philippe Gervais, the publisher of the forthcoming three volume Retrospective of Ed’s work.

5 P.M., Mesa Verde B — SF Poetry Slam (M) — A tradition at MileHiCon, it’s once again time for the SF Poetry Slam/panel. Generally, this is more of a reading than a traditional poetry slam. We will be featuring at least three members of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Poetry Association, and anyone else who wishes to read their SF-related work is welcome to join in.

Sunday, October 20, 2019

10 A.M. Mesa Verde B — Gaming as a Way of Exploring Identity — Roleplaying games, whether tabletop or online, have always been a good way to explore identity and gain different perspectives into oneself and one’s beliefs. This panel digs deep into using roleplaying games to explore self-identity.

MALCon 2017 Panel Schedule

By lytspeed Posted in Conventions, Fiction, Gaming, Geek, Poetry, Reading, Writing Leave a reply

Myths & Legends Con 2017 hits the Ramada in Northglenn, CO on Friday,  August 4th, and wraps up on Sunday, August, 6th. Here is my official MALCon panel schedule. The room names are in parentheses.

Friday, August 4, 2017
5:00 PM: Unsung Villainesses and Heriones of Fandom (Serenity)
Bryan Fields, Tonya L. De Marco, Stace Johnson
Starting with Professor McGonagall, who are some of the great unsung heroines and villainesses of fandom?.

10:00 PM: Building and Cultivating Your Creative Community (Helms Deep)
Melanie Unruh, Sarin Tatroe (Sariochan Arts), Veronica Calisto, Stace Johnson
How do you find people with shared creative energies to build community that inspires and helps you grow as an artist, author, musician, crafter, etc? Learn how others have found and built safe, creative communities with a spirit of helping one another thrive.

—- —- —-

Saturday, August 5, 2017
2:00 PM: Wish You Were There: Worldbuilding (The Shire)
Amalie Howard, Sean Patrick Fannon, Veronica Calisto, Stace Johnson
There are two kinds of worldbuilding: the kind that describes the story’s world, and the kind that makes you wish you were there. Authors discuss the difference, and offer tips and techniques to help you bring your own fictional worlds to life.

4:00 PM: Serenity vs. Firefly: The Audience Quiz Bowl Game (Helms Deep)
Ana MacDonel, Pam Walker, Stace Johnson
Do you know more about Serenity and Firefly than your friends? Now is your chance to find out how much you know in this family-friendly and fun game where deep knowledge is pitted against recall speed.

6:00 PM: Verse in the ‘Verse: Poetry and the Firefly Universe (Kings Landing)
Stace Johnson, Bryan Fields
Readings of fan poetry, impromptu Firefly poetry, and any poetry based on Firefly topics. Bring your material to share or provide prompts to the panelists.

7:00 PM: Relationship, Sexual, and Gender Diversity in Fandoms (Helms Deep)
Catherine Winters, Layman Kingsford, Veronica Calisto, Stace Johnson
Sometimes representation of diverse relationships styles, sexualities, and genders is overt in fandoms, and other times they are fan created. What are some examples of non-cis/heterosexual/monoamorous relationships we see and are these characters authentic and fairly represented?

9:00 PM: Epic Rap Battles of Literature! (Helms Deep)
Jason Henry Evans, Thomas A. Fowler, Stace Johnson
Two teams go head to head in a rap battle where the topics are Harry Potter, Harry Dresden, Lord of the Rings, and more. Fight!

—- —- —-

Sunday, August 6, 2017
10:00 AM: Polyamory and Non-monogamy in Science Fiction and Fantasy (Terre d’Ange)
Jacqueline Koyanagi, Vivian Caethe, Stace Johnson
Panelists will review SFF genre fiction throughout the decades with non-monogamous and polyamorous themes and how they have influenced current lifestyle trends.

11:00 AM: Lord of the Rings: Myth or Mythopoetic (Helms Deep)
Aaron Michael Ritchey, Andrew Hallam, Stace Johnson
Tolkien’s works are often referred to as modern myth, but are actually mythopoetic. Our panelists explain the difference and how Tolkien fits into each.

R.I.P. Gary Gygax

By lytspeed Posted in Gaming, Geek Leave a reply

Please forgive this minor interruption, but a shadow passed over my heart today. I read on CNN that Gary Gygax, co-creator of the Dungeons and Dragons game, died today at his home in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin.

For those who are D&D detractors, it may not be news at all. But for me, this is very sad news, because I’ve been a gamer since about 1978, and D&D was an essential part of my formative years. I grew up in a world where I was constantly worried about nuclear destruction due to the Cold War, and for me, D&D not only offered an escape from grim reality, but it also encouraged my creativity in ways that school did not. Playing D&D taught me group dynamics, and I think that’s part of the reason I fit in successfully in whatever job I work. D&D taught me how to work cooperatively with others to solve problems, and it gave me more than a little humor over the years.

Although I am not currently active in a D&D game per se, I am still gaming, using the same skills, dice, and imagination that Gygax’s product first awakened in me.

R.I.P., Mr. Gygax. May your ride to Valhalla be pleasant.

Motor World Online

By lytspeed Posted in Gaming Leave a reply

Longtime readers of this blog might remember when I posted pictures of a custom Motor City Online skin I designed for my character’s 1965 Mustang. I loved that game, and was very bummed when Electronic Arts decided to take it offline to devote resources to The Sims Online.

Now, though, it looks as though a grassroots movement has taken up the mantle. Motor World Online is being developed as an MMORG (Massive Multiplayer Online Racing Game), and if all goes according to the developers’ plans, it will offer similar functionality to MCO for no cost.

I love this idea, and I hope to contribute to the project in some way. If nothing else, maybe these links will help to spread the word a little bit.

What D&D Character Am I?

By lytspeed Posted in Gaming, Geek Leave a reply

I’d have to say this survey is pretty close, and I’m a sucker for D&D stuff. I found it through bluejack’s site.

I Am A: Chaotic Good Elf Bard Ranger

Alignment:
Chaotic Good characters are independent types with a strong belief in the value of goodness. They have little use for governments and other forces of order, and will generally do their own things, without heed to such groups.

Race:
Elves are the eldest of all races, although they are generally a bit smaller than humans. They are generally well-cultured, artistic, easy-going, and because of their long lives, unconcerned with day-to-day activities that other races frequently concern themselves with. Elves are, effectively, immortal, although they can be killed. After a thousand years or so, they simply pass on to the next plane of existance.

Primary Class:
Bards are the entertainers. They sing, dance, and play instruments to make other people happy, and, frequently, make money. They also tend to dabble in magic a bit.

Secondary Class:
Rangers are the defenders of nature and the elements. They are in tune with the Earth, and work to keep it safe and healthy.

Deity:
Hanali Cenanil is the Chaotic Good elven goddess of love, beauty, and art. She is also known as the Heart of Gold and Lady Goldheart. Her followers delight in creation and youth, and work to spread happiness, love, and beauty. Their preferred weapon is the dagger.

Find out: What D&D Character Are You?