I have been thinking a lot today about something I am very proud of.  My book club.  When I moved to NYC from Oklahoma in 2003, I only knew two people here.  So making friends was something that was pretty high on my priority list. 

So I started a fiction book club.  I had no idea what I was getting myself into and it was a disaster.  I tried to wing it and just make it up as I went.  That never really works for me all that well since I am a control freak, but I thought what the hell?  It was horrible.  People did not show up, or did not read the book, or argued instead of discussing the books in a respectful and intelligent manner.  I quit the group and my lesson was learned. 

So in Nov of 04, I decided to try again.  This time it would be a more specific type (sci-fi/fantasy) and I had rules.  A LOT of rules!  My friends still give me grief at how controlling I was at the beginning of the group.  It was sad.  I even had an original thought where people could not talk unless they held a stick so people would not talk over each other.  Yes, I realize how crazy that is and that never actually happened.  They did call me Napoleon for a while though.  :)

Our first meeting was Dec 1, 2004 and we have recently had our four year anniversary.  Over the years we have really grown as a group.  Mostly to the fact that four of us in the group are very, very good friends (six counting significan other's of the group).  We game together, we go to movies, play board games, etc.  I could not ask for a better group of people to call friends and I am very proud to be a part of such a great group of people.  This was not always easy to do though.  

Over the years we have had a few "chracter's" in the groupl  Here are a few examples.

• A guy that met us for the first time.  He came straight from a volleyball match (so he was all sweaty) and he sat on the couch and scratched his balls where we could all see him.  UGh, what an idiot.  He then later accused us of being elitist assholes because we let him go.
• A girl that sat in the corner (all dressed in black) and did not say anything except one comment about dead people.
• A guy in an email that talked about how she hulk turned him on.
• We met another guy in his early 30's that did nothing but talk about how he and his "wingmen" go out and try to get women.  
• Another guy that did not understand why science fiction and fantasy even go together.  Also he had links to his own published works in his email.

So we have met a few odd and crazy people.  But more than that I have made great friends and since we meet every two weeks, have read great literature (also some horrible...avoid Light by M. John Harrison at all costs!).  My friend Henry (and myself) is the only original member of the group. 

Sorry I am rambling, I just feel very proud of this group today.  :)

I have not had as much time lately to post what is going on, so here is a quick post for the last week.  :)

I started doing the National Novel Writing Month thing, but it is going so slow.  I have not had enough time to really dig into this, so I am just going to do what I can and not really worry about the 50,000 words you are supposed to have by the end of the month.  Oh well, at least it got me starting to write again.

The Dresden Files playtest is going to end at the end of this month.  So, I am going to try to squeeze at least one or two more sessions out of my group and see what else we can accomplish with the current rules set. 

We bought a second controller for my ps3 yesterday and I spent a good portion of the day playing Little Big Planet with my girlfriend.  She was just so excited that I was playing something with her.  Not to mention, in some levels you have two players to get certain prizes for the game...to be able to finish the level at 100%.  It was totally worth it just to see how excited Natalie was to get those things.  She is so damn cute and  I love her so much. 

I have been at my new job for a little over a month now and things are going well.  It is nice to have a job and not have to worry about money in this crazy financial mess our country is in right now.  Thank god Obama is our next president!  Praise all the heavens!  :)

I have recently read Ysabel by Gabriel Gavriel Kay.  It was a very good modern fantasy with a historic twist.  I will try to write up a review for it soon.  I also read The Lies of Locke Lamora for my book club (although I had read it once before).  It was a fun look at a group of thieves trying to pull off the scam of a lifetime and stay alive while doing it.  If you like a book of revenge, you will love this.  Currently I am reading Academ's Fury by Jim Butcher.  Book 2 of the Codex Alera.  I really love this series and the next took comes out in a few weeks. 

Am still addicted to Oblivion for the Ps3.  Although I did start over (after having played it for 110 hours....yes, Natalie thinks I am crazy too).  I do love the game though.  I did just pick up another game as well.  Valkryia Chronicles.  A different take on strategy games that is very, very hard. 

The anniversary party for our sci-fi/fantasy book club will be on Dec 6th.  It is the fourth year and going strong.  I can only hope that in six years we are looking at our ten year annivesary.  That would be awesome. 

Ok, that is enough for now.