UPDATED 

Last week, I reviewed Fear The Boot "a podcast about table top role playing games and a little bit more."  In that review, I presented my interview with Adam Pinilla.  Adam is a former co-host at FtB and left the podcast last year under less than friendly circumstances.  Adam answered some of my questions concerning his exit.  FtB's Dan Repperger was approached for comment, but did not respond to the inquiry.

Since last week's blog, Chad (a current FtB co-host) have had the following exchange on the Fear the Boot forums...

CHAD: "You didn't exactly get all sides of the story there did ya?"  

ARON:  "You're right, but not for lack of trying. I sent Dan the same email that I sent the other involved parties that were quoted and at the same time. I never received a response, which I mention at the top of the blog. I am very interested in writing a follow up. If you or any other of the hosts would like to comment, please PM me."

CHAD:  "A review is one thing but your digging into private matters. Things that are not your or anyone else's business. I'm not telling you to stop posting, it's your blog and a free internet so you gotta do what you got to do. Just don't expect us to talk about private matters publicly."

ARON: "Absolutely a fair comment, Chad, but I find it amusing that your original complaint was 'You didn't exactly get all sides of the story there did ya?'

"How can I get the other side, if that side chooses to remain silent on the subject?

"It's a person's right not to share, true. But I think complaining about the manner in which the story is presented when choosing not to respond is a little ridiculous."

One might read the earlier review and the above and walk away with the opinion that I don't like or appreciate Dan, Chad, and Chris' efforts over at Fear The Boot.  Such could not be further from the truth.  I deeply value their committment to delivering a quality show on a weekly basis.  FtB has done what so many in similar situations have failed to do.  They have built community.  I have never in my life attended an event that drew so many people of high character as Fear The Con did.  It is a testament to FtB that quality people are drawn to their show.

CHAD:  "So let me get this straight, you do agree that you are trying to pry into private matters that are none of your business? "

ARON: "I agree that I am asking questions about something that you'd like to keep private and that you feel is none of my business. It seems that if your intent is not to share "your side of the story," then your position is best argued by simply saying nothing."

Aron Head
www.EvilBastard.net 

Posted by Aron Head at 12:01 AM CDT

Updated: Tuesday, 2 September 2008 8:12 PM CDT

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The biggest unanswered question from yesterday's Fear The Boot entry was whether or not Luke would be participating in Fear The Con II.  You'll recall that in his resignation announcement from FtB he stated that he would retain involvement in the con.

A lot's happened since then.

So, Luke answered my question today:

Fear the Con is the biggest thing I'm going to miss about not being part of Fear the Boot. I am incredibly proud of Fear the Con I. After Adam's departure, the con was pretty much in my hands alone... and during the busiest prep time. I was the one that contacted companies for prize support, sought out vendors, scheduled the gaming, recruited GMs, set the schedule, scheduled the Warmachine tournament, handled registration and money, and was the point of contact for the vast majority of folks.

Now, don't get me wrong, I didn't do everything. Dan found the venue and bankrolled the con. Stacey (one of the volunteers) got the hotel deal. Inside the doors, the volunteers (particularly Stacey and Margie who worked ridiculously hard to make the food. They are the Fear the Con Heroes, by the way) and GMs all stepped up and made things shine. Watching it all unfold, I felt like a football coach watching a brand new play be executed perfectly by all his players. Yes, that's a dumb analogy, but fitting.

I had a lot invested in Fear the Con, emotionally. Keeping the above in mind, you'll understand if I thought the success or failure of the con rested heavily on my shoulders. In the end, it was a grand success and I took that to heart.

Which makes not being a part of Fear the Con II all the harder. I learned so much the first year, I knew I could put on an even better con with far less planning work on my end... Oh, well.

It was my decision to leave FtB and this is just one of the consequences. Such is life. The choice I made has proven to be the best for my well-being, so I don't regret that at all.

So no FtC II or W3N for me anymore. That said, at the rate that The Podge Cast is growing we're going to have the fanbase to do all kinds of similarly cool stuff before too long. We already have some smaller events on the docket. Keep listening as we should be making an announcement sometime soon.

Well nuts.

I'm not saying anything that folks at Fear The Con don't already know, but Luke stamped that event hard with his personality.  It was over the top and rowdy.  I will miss his yee-hahs at the 2009 con.

Luke does hint at some other happenings though... could it be a Podge Cast sponsored con...?  Let's see... The podcast is called The Podge.  The supplemental host segment at the end of some of the episodes is dubbed The Hodge.  Would a con they coordinate be called The Codge?

Man, to have two GREAT RPG cons to attend next year...?  That is a win/win as far as I am concerned.

As the boys from House Van Lieber would say, "We'll wait and see."

Aron Head
www.EvilBastard.net 

Posted by Aron Head at 1:39 PM CDT

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I am certain that it will come as no surprise to learn that I absolutely love the Podge Cast. 

I have long been a fan of both Luke Meyer and Adam Pinilla, two of the three Fear The Boot alumni who form three quarters of the host line up.  The other two hosts are Matt Cushman (also a former FtB host) and Joe Selby who, while never a host on FtB,  was a moderator on their forums.

The thing I marveled at from the very first episode, other than the then into music, was how quickly these guys clicked.  Their interaction was engaging right from the get-go.  There is no better example I can think of to evidence that experience counts.  I marvel at how easy they make this seem when it takes most podcasts a half-dozen eps to hit that groove.

The Podgecast nailed it in one.  Amazing.

While the show purports to be about whatever geekish topic strikes the hosts' fancy, it spends a lot of time talking about role playing games.  You know me, I can geek about a lot of stuff - but RPGs really scratch that itch. 

I mentioned earlier in the week how well the Bear Swarm nailed their coverage of Dogs in the Vineyard, a subject on which I knew very little about yet heard the name of the game all the time.  The Podgecast did something very similar in episode three.  While I had heard the term 'sandbox game' on a number of other shows, it was the Podge that actually laid out what the term means.

Another thing I have grooved to on the Podge Cast is the Campaign Recaps.  I am someone who cannot abide recordings of actual play sessions.  Y'know, recordings (usually unedited) of role playing session?  They should totally put those things on the PA system at Guantanamo, because they make me want to claw out my eyes and tell the world where Bin Laden is.  No actual player her.  The Podge is discussing their games after the fact, summarizing key events, game mechanic and design elements. 

The current recaps are for the game Luke is running in the Burning Wheel system.  He's calling his campaign KINGDOM: THE NEXT GENERATION in which the players assume the roles of members of a great house and assume the mantle of responsibility as the next generation coming up.  It's inspired very much by George R.R. Martin's Kingdom of Ice and Fire books.

Gotta tell you, this game sounds awesome and puts me in mind to do something along the same lines.  Y'know, just after I finish up my setting for THIS EMPIRE EARTH and run it.  And James has a game he wants to run... Oh and crank up the action on that Spirit of the Century game I've been wanting to play.  And return to the Zombie Apocalypse...

Too... many... games...

On occasion, the Podgecast offers up a host recommendation called the Hodge.  These are short(ish) segments at the end of the show in which one of the hosts talks about whatever's tickling his geek at the time.  Very enjoyable.

Honestly, I cannot think of a criticism I have for the show or an area that I think ought to be improved.  Oh wait!  Yes, I do.  In this week's episode, they were a little rough on Joe.  He seemed to be having a bad day. 

You boys be sweet to Joe!

Other than that, keep up the great work, guys.

Aron Head
www.EvilBastard.net 

Posted by Aron Head at 12:01 AM CDT

Updated: Friday, 29 August 2008 12:52 AM CDT

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Today's my birthday.

The Wife recognized this most hallowed event by presenting me with the HEROES Season 2 DVD set and a most cool Russian Navy hip flask.  I drooled over these when we visited a Taste of Europe several weeks ago.  Loving wife that she is, Suzanne snapped one up for me.  Really, a very snazzy flask. 

Thank you, dear. 

Emily Gilmore's right.  It is good to be Russian again. 

The Wife also took me out for lunch today - El Arroyo.  I had the taco plate, she the cheese enchiladas.  Afterward, I went over to Home Depot to pick up some things.  I was deep into the store, ticking through my shopping list when a gurgle rocked through my belly transitioning to a most urgently urgent sense of urgency.

You know what I mean.

Now, I'm a bit of a freak about bathroom stuff.  I need to be at my home base when I have to make.  I need the surety of the flush, the certainty of quality paper products, the security of a locking door.  What if the toilet in there was equipped with a sensor instead of a manual flush?  Or there was no paper?  And - GASP - what if there's no door on the stall?

My problem was that the Elvis was about to leave the building and would not be deferred.  I began seeking out the facillities, prepared to endure the horrors of public restroom plumbing.  

One of the things I hate about Home Depot is that you can NEVER find an associate when you need one... when you don't though...

Moving as fast as my bubbly bowels would allow, two store employees angle towards me.  I move a little the other way, thinking I'd allow them to pass.  But they move to intercept.

Bathroom... bathroom... bathroom, my mind raced.

"I can't wait for the movie," One of them said.

I assumed he was addressing his colleague.

"The movie," He emphasized, looking directly at me.  "I can't wait for it."

I could think of something else I could not wait for, but - not comprehending - I threw him a vacant look.  I did not slow my footsteps.

He pointed, indicating my shirt.

I then made the connection.  I was wearing my Green Lantern t-shirt.  Despite the clarity provided by understanding, I didn't have time to discuss my preference of Kyle Rayner over Hal Jordan.  Or that I'd trade them both for Killowogg.

I pressed on to the men's room, making it in the proverbial - TADA - nick of time.

Crisis.  Averted.

The bathroom was clean, well-stocked with a locking door and a manual flush.  It's a birthday miracle! 

After completing my shopping trips at Home Depot and Bed Bath & Beyond, I returned to the house where I took a late afternoon nap.  I was feeling a little out of sorts.  Suzanne made a rather harsh, ageist comment about this that I choose not to repeat here.  She says that's because I can't remember what she said, being old and all.

She's so hurtful.

At bell choir rehearsal this evening, one of my fellow ringers - a gentleman of about 60 years - remarked on my shirt.

"What's that on your shirt?" He asked.

"It's the symbol of the Green Lantern Corps."

"The what?" 

"Y'know," I attempted to clarify, "The Green Lantern Corps?"

He shook his head.

"Brightest Day? Blackest Night?" I tried.

He stared at me.

"No evil shall escape my sight?"

Again, nothing.

I may have to stop wearing this.  I never have this problem with my Black Bastard shirt. 

After bells, I went over to the Mark Andrew Pope Podcasting Pavillion where we got another episode in the can.   I was awfully pleased with tonight's efforts.  If all goes according to plan, we should start dropping episodes into the feed before the end of September.  Can't wait.

And that was my birthday.  

Aron Head
www.EvilBastard.net

Posted by Aron Head at 11:47 PM CDT

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Blogger's Note:

I started this blog entry back in June.  With the move and other obligations, it's taken some time to get back to it.  Please accept my apologies for the delay.  In researching this entry, I sought input from a number of parties.  Luke Meyer declined comment and Dan Repperger was non-responsive to my inquiry.  All other sources are quoted below.

Brace yourselves... This is a long one. 

=-=-=

It is no secret that I'm a fan of Fear The Boot.  I've blogged about it here a number of times.  FtB is the podcast that got me hooked on RPG podcasting.  The casual conversation between the hosts, their irreverent humor, and keen insight into what makes gaming fun brought me into the medium.  Beyond the excellent content, FtB delivers topnotch sound quality.  In a realm where so many podcasts sound like they were recorded on my old Sanyo pocket cassette recorder, FtB rules the sound engineering awards here.  Others may sound as good, but nobody sounds better.

In the time that Fear the Boot has been around, the show has enjoyed unparallelled success.  The hosts have nurtured a large and involved community on their forum.   They were nominated for an Ennie and despite the controversy that followed, turned that "scandal" into a win capped with a highly regarded speech by FtB founder and senior host, Dan Repperger.  Just this year, FtB coordinated Fear the Con - which by all accounts (mine included) was a HUGE success.  And they were presented with the Robin D. Laws Award for Excellence in Gaming.

To paraphrase Geto Boys, Damn! It feels good to be a podcaster.

Almost a year ago, I chastised FtB about some offensive language.  I was pleasantly surprised at Dan's gentlemanly response.  I have to tell you, the level of sensitivity that he brought to the subject cemented my opinion of what a class act FtB is. 

Since its earliest days, Fear The Boot has been well acquainted with change.  With the exception of Dan, the host line-up has changed a number of times.  2008, though, appears to be the year of big changes at FtB.

On January 14, I reported that long-time FtB host Adam Pinilla had left the show.  All parties have been silent on the subject stating simply that personal issues had arisen and left it at that.  Recently, I had the opportunity to chat with Adam on the subject.

[Blogger's Note: For context sake, please note that my interview with Adam occurred mid-June of this year] 

"My introduction to Fear the Boot was a coincidental accident," Adam told me. "To put some history to the entire endeavor, Chad, John and I had been friends for some number of years... Chad and Dan started doing the podcast.  They cut one episode with Kevin, another of Dan's friends, and then attempted to do a second.  Actually, the night after they recorded their first episode, there was a party at my place where they both showed up. 

"After telling me about it, I was like 'That's a cool idea, but man... I couldn't listen to you two wax nostalgic about games...' The next week, we were drinking over at Chad's, when he brought up that the recording hadn't gone so well. It was too dry, too boring. feeling frisky, John and I volunteered to go out and do it.

"I can still remember when I got home that night at like one in the morning. Melina (Adam's wife) was asleep when I got home and she's like 'It's one in the morning, where have you been?' 'I just recorded a podcast.  I think I'm going to do this every week.'

"So, that was that," Adam said, "A podcast is born!"

ARON: In the beginning, what was your role in the podcast?

ADAM: In the beginning, Dan did everything. All the marketing, the web stuff, all the community relations (though, once the forums were up, we did that, too), editing, posting, new ideas. The rest of us were truly just hosts at that point, and didn't pitch in off the mics.

ARON: How did it change? 

ADAM: In mid-January of 2007, Dan and I had a falling out. It was an argument that we had that spiraled out of control and got so bad that I ended up leaving the show. Mike joined the cast.  2 days later, Dan and I worked out our differences. At that point, I made him two agreements:

1. We would not fight about stupid stuff anymore, and
   
2. I wanted a vested amount of work in the podcast.

So, from that point on, I gradually took on more and more responsibility. By the time December of 2007 rolled around, I was doing the editing, almost all of the community relations, I was the con chair for Fear the Con, and I was the one that organized the writing of the rules for Skies of Glass.

Luke and I finished that in a week, it then sat on Dan's desk for 4 months until the con.

ARON: At the end, how had your relationships with the other hosts changed? 

ADAM: The drama that ensued between the hosts was all-inclusive... if you're counting Chad as a host.  In June of 07, he left over his own set of drama - he and I no longer speak. As of the time I left, neither John nor Dan were speaking to me. Though, in the months that followed that would
change. Luke and I actually grew closer after I left the show. As far as I'm concerned, those are the only hosts that really matter, so they're the only ones I'll comment on.

ARON: What do you see as Fear The Boot's strengths?

ADAM: The strengths of the show were always its isolation from the gaming community. Most of the other gaming shows, with their resepective merits, of course, have strong ties to the industry and were heavily laden with product reviews and things like that. The advice from Fear the Boot was always advice that flowed that wasn't necessarily tied to a single game (and was delivered in an irreverant fashion).

I always felt that the show was by the gamer, for the gamer. We didn't follow the big 5.

Hand in hand with that is the fanatical fanbase of the show. There isn't another single podcast out there that has the level of support that Fear the Boot does.

ARON: Weaknesses?

ADAM: I guess I'm going to have to cite burnout. Given the abandonment of the show by many of the hosts, I'd say the burnout that was scoffed at during the early days has finally reared its ugly head. Most of the high-energy personalities have left the show. Couple that with the format and topic changes, and I think the show is going to have to heavily rely on its existing fanbase to really stick with it.

ARON: Final words?

ADAM:  I wish Dan the best of luck with the endeavor. I offered to help him out, but he won't accept my help.

ARON: I just want to clarify this last point.  You offered to help Dan out with the current situation? Post Luke's departure?

ADAM: Yes. Actually, before Luke resigned but while he was on hiatus. 

=-=-=

I was crushed when Adam left the show.  Adam's the guy who got me into the forums.  He's the guy who convinced me to travel to St. Louis for Fear the Con.  His departure sat really uneasily with me and even had me reconsidering my trip to FtC.  As it turned out, I loved every ding-dang moment of that con.  Still, Fear The Boot lost a tremendous ambassador when Adam left the show.

But at least they still had Luke.  Big and boisterous Luke who was the perfect counterpoint to Dan's often stuffy delivery and who had no trouble taking Dan to task on any and all issues. 

I met Luke at FtC.  He ably filled Adam's ambassadorial shoes making everybody feel welcome.  He's a good guy that Dr. Meyer.

But then on June 12 word came that Luke was leaving the show.  He had been on a hiatus, but instead of his triumphant return to the Boot we learned that he would not be coming back at all.  He wrote on the FtB forum:

It is with both sadness and pride that I have to inform you that my time as a host on FTB has come to an end.

I've imparted just about every bit of wisdom and piece of advice I have regarding roleplaying games and to continue onwards would neither serve the almighty Boot well nor all the listeners.

His words suggested that podcasting - at least on the subject of RPGs - was not in his future. 

Just thirteen days later an announcement was made at Podgecast.com:

Dr. Luke Meyer, Adam Pinilla, and Matt Cushman, formerly of the podcast "Fear the Boot," along with new host, Joe Selby, have launched a new endeavor, the PodgeCast! This new podcast expands classic themes and discussions into a broader frame of mind.

Movies, music, books, games, whatever is on our minds are all free game on the Podge. Discussions range from the release of 4th edition Dungeons and Dragons to the new Batman movie "The Dark Knight" and the death of its star, Heath Ledger. The fellas bring their sophomoric exuberance to adult topics for the inner geek in all of us.

Please stop by every Monday and join us in our exploration of life, times, and culture. It promises to be an exciting ride.

Luke explained away his earlier comments in the first episode stating that he thought he was out of advice on the topic (of roleplaying).  Turns out he only needed a change of venue.

One wonders if he will indeed be involved in FtC II. 

Meanwhile, over at FtB other things were happening - a lot of which I don't understand.  What I do know is that a moderator was suspended and Jake didn't take it too well.  Jake was a moderator as well and cited the reasons for his resignation on June 14 over on his Live Journal blog:

First and foremost, the lack of professionalism present within the administration, particularly in the case of NHWriter's removal as moderator. He broke no rules, and enforced them when necessary. His removal was a direct result of personal issues between he and several members of the administration. He was removed unceremoniously with no PM or e-mail. This shows a lack of class within the leadership here at FtB, and one that I'm not content to handle anymore.

Second, the forum is eating up a lot of my free time, and removing myself from it is the best way for me to get back on track with my own personal projects.

Third, the show hasn't been the same since (Adam) left, and with (Luke) leaving now as well, I have no reason t listen to the show. It just doesn't hold my interest anymore.

Some might say that this post reflects badly on me as a person, blasting the leadership (only a couple of them in particular), but I feel that it's necessary.

So I'm not going to be on the forums there any longer, and I will no longer listen to the show. There's nothing there for me anymore.

Understand, that Jake was/is a big FtB supporter.  He ran a game at Fear The Con that I was supposed to be in, but gave up my seat so that I could return to the hotel and surrender up the contents of my bowels in a more private setting (more information than you wanted, I'm sure).  Jake was also an active moderator in the forums. 

Apparently, Jake changed his mind some time after posting that.  He remains a moderator at FtB.  He also deleted the above entry from his LiveJournal blog though it remains in his RSS feed.  I include it here to demonstrate the depth of passion felt during these changes.  It's also nice to see that despite power of strong emotion and indignation, people do change their minds.  Another testament to the quality of folks attracted to FtB.

Around this point, Chad and Dan announced that they would be shifting gears adding a new podcast called "Brain On" which - and I confess to not really grasping the intent of this show - will have a literary focus in which they deconstruct story.  Again, I really don't get the pitch and I think that's my fault.  No criticism is implied. 

I spoke to a number of Fear The Boot fans while all of this was going on.  

James Abendroth, who I met at FtC and is now a regular member of my local  gaming group shared his thoughts.

I have to say, Luke was my favorite host, though John is a close second.

Dan has always seemed serious and self-important to the point of near pretentiousness to me and Chad is the same way, though a little more liberal. I mean, I often wonder why he even bothers with games when clearly, he prefers a pass the stick style.

To this point, I've admired the fact that none of them have brought the dirty laundry out into the open. It's internal business and it should stay that way.

But, I have to admit, I'm questioning whether I'm going to bother listening anymore.  Of course, I'll still go to the next FTC, assuming there is one. I had way too much fun at the last one.

Josh Thomson, also a fellow I met at FtC and also now a regular member of my local group:

Luke's departure bothers me more than Adam's, and I wasn't particularly happy about Adam being kicked off the show.

Fear the Boot desperately needs someone like Luke. Luke's happy enthusiasm was an excellent balance and foil for Dan's sometimes-stodgy lectures and Chad's general contrariness. Fear the Boot is a show about games, and Luke was the only one who really sounded like he was having fun.

Speaking from a more personal perspective, I identified more with Luke than with the other hosts. If someone whose views I share is driven away from the show, I have to wonder whether I, too, will be driven away.

As for the new direction of FtB, I'm not interested in podcasts full of amateur fiction or Chad talking about why he doesn't like some piece of pop culture. It's not that I'm opposed to a change in direction--I'm just specifically uninterested in those particular sorts of podcasts. I've listened to several examples of both, and they do not appeal to me. I'd be happier if the hosts just sat down and talked about whatever popped into their heads for an hour, with no particular format in mind. 

Ardent Finder on the FtB forums and also someone I met at Ftc:

I'm worried we may be losing the Boot, but also believe in the hosts strength of commitment and the collective will of the community to sustain the show. It is much larger than any of us now, and hopefully has acquired sufficient inertia to roll on.  

Citizen Joe, a frequent poster on the forums 

...As to Luke's departure, I honestly have a lot of trouble telling people apart so I didn't even realize he was gone. I didn't know Adam was gone either...

As to the show itself, I'm a bit worried that it may have jumped the shark at FtC...

Noted.

To date, Brain On has not yet dropped an episode.  Though I understand that they have some things in the can.  Dan posted as recently as yesterday about planning for Fear The Con II.  It appears this year's event will run Thursday night through Saturday night. 

I am so there.

In my opinion, the show is not as strong as it once was.  Adam and Luke - their energy and personality - are both sorely missed.  New co-host Chris is an able, welcome addition to the show and has greatly improved my enjoyment of it.  And do not get me wrong - I loves me some Chad and Dan.  Those guys are terrific, rock-solid talent.  It's just that FtB has always been a whole super-sized combo meal.  Now someone has taken away my large Diet Coke and big-ass fries.

This doesn't make me happy, but maybe I can learn to love the small yogurt? 

Am I thrilled with where things are now with FtB?  No.

Am I still listening?  Absolutely.

Despite all of the drama, all of the flux, I love this show.  I deeply appreciate the passion and commitment these guys bring (almost) every week.   In all of the changes, FtB has gone from my favorite podcast to my second favorite RPG podcast in my top three.

I'll talk about my number one pick tomorrow. 

Aron Head
www.EvilBastard.net

Posted by Aron Head at 1:39 AM CDT

Updated: Thursday, 28 August 2008 1:38 AM CDT

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I've been off from work this week.  Primary on my list of things to do has been to perfect my cannonball.  I believe I am finally in Olympic form. 

Too bad I'm a little late for China.

Still...

Today I savored the sublime joy of pounding the pool with one punishing body bomb after another.  Waves of displaced water crashed over the sides terrifying the dogs as I raced out of the swells to launch again one volley after another into those formerly still waters.

I wore myself out. 

I tell you, that pool of ours can take a punch.

Aron Head
www.EvilBastard.net 

Posted by Aron Head at 9:34 PM CDT

Updated: Wednesday, 27 August 2008 9:35 PM CDT

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Some time after I outted them, Rob needled me on the Fear The Boot forums.  He asked something along the lines of:   "When are you going to review BEAR SWARM, our RPG podcast?  From time to time we step away from the table and talk about other topics but since we're all brought together by gaming its what we always fall back on."

I told Rob that I wanted to wait until they had some more episodes under their belts, which he thought was fair.  At the time, they had only a handful out.  Well... now the summer's almost over and Bear Swarm dropped their nineteenth episode this week.  I guess it's safe to say they've found their groove.

The show very much follows in the trail blazed by Fear The Boot.  There is a lot of FtB mentioned on the show and homage paid.  In fact, the two shows guest hosted each other recently.  Like FtB, the show follows the pattern of opening up with banter before plowing into the show's formal topic.

The 'Swarm kicks the show off with some kind of opening gag, some of which are darned funny.  They've tickled me a couple of times.  In fact, I find myself wanting to write bits for them.  After the initial comedy, they roll into their intro music (also very enjoyable) and proceed with the banter.  Whereas FtB's banter generally revolves around what current movie is out or a trip to "BJ's Liquo Store," Bear Swam starts the show with a round table update of what everyone's up to.

I hate this part of the show.  I hate it because episode after episode you'll hear them say "I've not been up to much" or "God, I'm tired of editing the podcast" or "I'm watching Supernatural/Battlestar Galactica/Burn Notice" or even "I was too tired to work out this week."

None of this is stuff I want to hear.

Don't get me wrong.  Some of the banter is interesting, even amusing.  But the other stuff such as cited above - and there's a lot of it - is awfully hard on the ears.  I understand that the intent is to draw you into the conversation and the relationship these fellows share.  I just wish they'd edit the crap that doesn't progress the conversation forward.

Key difference between FtB and Bear Swarm is that Bear Swarm proudly displays its explicit rating.  Lots of swearing on the show.  FtB sometimes swims that edge of family friendliness while Bear Swarm is neck deep into the adult swim.  Since I don't have kids, and listen to podcasts on headphones or in my car anyway, this is no big deal for me.  Make no mistake, the 'Swarm is not safe for work.  

Bear Swarm is that podcast rarity, a podcast with a real live sponsor, Meta Games Unlimited of Springfield, Mo.  What surprises me about this is that the sponsor credit is usually delivered in throw-a-way fashion.    I'm sure the folks at Meta Games must find this amusing.  Otherwise, why would they continue their sponsorship?  Still, I wonder at this.

Up to now, you might be thinking - wow, he doesn't like Bear Swarm.  And if so, you'd be wrong.

I like the show rather a lot. I have a VERY low crap tolerance.  Podcasts have a very short window of time to win my attention.  I was captivated by the 'Swarm right off the bat.  So yeah, I like the show.  Enough to listen to all 19 episodes (to date) and to eagerly download episodes when they drop each week.  The guys, each of them, have a unique perspective.  They have provided some great insight.  This week's episode actually did me a terrific service.

You can't listen to RPG podcasts these days without the hosts talking about Savage Worlds, Spirit of the Century, and/or Dogs in the Vineyard.  I have some experience with both SOTC and Savage Worlds, but none at all with Dogs.  I've been curious for a long time, but don't know anyone who's played it to ask questions.  In episode 19, the Bear Boys provide a wonderful summary of what the game is all about and why it is unique.  They sold me.  I will be picking that thing up adding it to the ever growing heap of games I have yet to run.

Bear Swarm is ranked in my top three RPG podcasts.  The other two I will discuss later this week.

Aron Head
www.EvilBastard.net

Posted by Aron Head at 3:05 PM CDT

Updated: Wednesday, 27 August 2008 3:11 PM CDT

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After reading Saturday's blog entry on the subject of Nazis, Rodger sent me a link to this video... You know, I have wondered that same thing...

Posted by Aron Head at 3:30 PM CDT

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I've had more time to read of late than I've had in a long time.  That's because as we moved our home, my office also moved.  Previously, I was close enough to the hizzouse to head to m'crib for lunch.  Now?  Well, it's just not feasible anymore.

So on days when I'm not working through lunch, you can find me in the breakroom reading while munching my turkey sandwich.

Of late, there has been a common theme to the books I am reading. 

A few week's ago, I finished Lewis Perdue's Daughter of God.  DoG is the second of Perdue's novels I have read (the first being Slatewiper), and I must say I believe I am hooked.  Daughter of God has a lot going for it... art history, religious conspiracies, and Nazis.

I'm a sucker for Nazis.  And if you can throw in some lost Nazi gold to the mix, I am in heaven!

And oh, BTW, DoG has lost Nazi gold, too.

A brief digression... Daughter of God was entertaining, thrilling, and did that thing that only the best novels do - it made me question what I believe and why I believe it.  I'm still mulling some of that.  Probably will post about that later...

Back on topic, now.

Finishing DoG, I was hungry for a bit more of the Nazi party.  So I picked up Barnaby Conrad's Last Boat to Cadiz, a novel about Martin Bormann, Hitler's right hand man.  The book begins with Bormann's flight from the Fuhrer Bunker into neutral Spain at the end of the war in hopes of making it to safety in Argentina.  The book caught my attention because it quotes several non-fiction books I've read concerning the hunt for Martin Bormann.  It's always nice to feel like you're an expert on the subject, eh?

Mr. Conrad was American Vice Consul in Spain during the war years.  The names he drops in the book are people he knew.  The scenes he describes are landscapes he walked.  And it shows.  His prose is descriptive and brings you right into the Spain of WWII. 

Conrad's ability to tell a surprising story is not represented here.  Every scene was predictable. 

Every.

Flipping. 

Scene.

Still, I enjoyed the book.  I wouldn't recommend it, but I don't regret reading it.  I attribute that to Conrad's honest portrayal of those people he knew.  And my love of Nazis.

Next on my reading list was the "non-fiction" Aftermath: Martin Bormann and The Fourth Reich about author Ladislas Farago's South American encounter with Herr Bormann.  The book was written back in '74 and also quotes some of the non-fiction I've read on the subject.  The book has been characterized as something less than reliable.  It's a big book and I am still working through it.  Interesting read.

A movie that I have seen dozens of times and - obviously - very much enjoy is The Boys from Brazil.  Lawrence Olivier stars as an aging Nazi Hunter and Gregory Peck plays Josef Mengele, the Auschwitz Angel of Death.  Having never read the book on which the film is based, I downloaded the audiobook from Audible.  Without a doubt, one of the worst quality recordings I have ever heard.

I honestly believe the narrator made his recordings while sitting in his living room.  I could hear dogs barking in the background that didn't relate to the daring Doberman ending.  There were times when I think he was drinking coffee.  Other times, when I would have sworn he was eating lunch.

Oddly enough, a very enjoyable reading of the work.  I know!  Freaky.

So as you can see, I have been neck deep in Nazis the past few weeks.  Why is that, you ask?

I think it's because Nazis make the best villains.  Outwardly, some of them can seem gentlemanly, aristocratic, polished, and artful.  But inside, they are monsters capable of the most gruesome acts of horror.  They have a dream.  They have a plan.  They are the righteous heroes in their own stories, due victory by right of birth.  With cold determination, they will crush anything, anyone standing in their way.

Terrible, awful people these Nazis. 

You have to love hating these guys and in so doing, you allow yourself to feel a little morally superior.  I'd never join the Nazi Party, you say.  I'd never do those things.

So there's a feel good element, too.

And if you throw in some lost Nazi gold?  You got yourself a bestseller!

Aron Head
www.EvilBastard.net 

Posted by Aron Head at 12:01 AM CDT

Updated: Saturday, 23 August 2008 7:25 AM CDT

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My friend Deb sent me a video this morning of Joe Cocker singing at Woodstock back in 1969.  The video is subtitled.  And it's freaking hysterical.  I have one word for you. 

"Ow."

Now watch.

Posted by Aron Head at 11:45 PM CDT

Updated: Friday, 22 August 2008 11:48 PM CDT

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