...they've got the desert sands hoppin' Well, kiddies, today marks the end of the first week of character posting here on the old LJ. I've decided that each week will have a theme, so I'm finishing this set with another of my early character creations. Starting tomorrow: Over The Edge characters. … Continue reading Here Come The Rock & Roll Mole Rats
Author: Doc Cross
I'm Doc. I live in Sacramento, California with my wife, Grace, and two dogs named Yoyo and Duke. I've been blogging for 22 years. I'm a TTRPG gamer, a gardener, dog lover, cook, and unrepentant scalawag. I write things that I think people might enjoy reading, especially if they are roleplayers or just strange. I hope you enjoy reading my stuff.
She Had Electric Eyes
...and lightning hands Thoughts On Missing Two GenCons I didn't really "miss" them, of course. After the trip from hell/infected leg suckfest that was the trip to GenCon in 2004, my feelings of boredom with the adventure gaming hobby/industry blossomed into downright hostility. Knowing that I needed time to get beyond such feelings, to say … Continue reading She Had Electric Eyes
The Rare And Colorful Feathered Tree Pig Of Potawango Island
...don't walk under the trees they live in...messy About this character: This was, as near as I can remember, the first Toon character I ever created. The Doclopedia #6 My Earliest RPG Characters: Willy Wabbit Madcap Toon Muscle: 7 Smarts: 9 Zip: 8 Chutzpah: 9Shticks: Quick Change/Disguise, Bag of Many ThingsBeliefs & Goals: Everybody else … Continue reading The Rare And Colorful Feathered Tree Pig Of Potawango Island
Inside The House Of Whistling Fish
...hey, at least they're happy fish About this character: Arielle Ames was my first ever female PC. She was created for a variant Call of Cthulhu game that had a sort of "Ghostbusters" flavor, even tho it took place a year or so before the movie was released. The Doclopedia #5 My Earliest RPG Characters: Arielle Ames Consulting … Continue reading Inside The House Of Whistling Fish
The Lake Of Frozen Tears
...it's very cold thereWhat Uncle Doc Did TodayBought a small freezer from my mom, brought it home, plugged it in and then, after it had time to get cold, filled it with tons of frozen foods from the freezer part of the fridge.Went grocery shopping and bought lots of stuff, including the makings for a … Continue reading The Lake Of Frozen Tears
Dreaming Of Giant Porcupines
...to say nothing of the colorful penguins About this character: This character was my very first Runequest character. I played him in 4 episodes, then the GM decided he wanted to run Gamma World. I very much liked Sir Mallard and someday hope to play him again. The Doclopedia #4 My Earliest RPG Characters: Sir … Continue reading Dreaming Of Giant Porcupines
Happy Birthday, Grace!
...she's 48 today About this character: This character was created for a short lived Star Trek game (using AD&D rules) back in 1983. The Doclopedia #3 My Earliest RPG Characters: Captain Daemon Dragon Captain of the starship "Explorer" Strength: +2 Constitution: +2 Dexterity: +2 Intelligence: +3 Wisdom: +2 Charisma: +3 Advantages: Almost Fearless, Commanding … Continue reading Happy Birthday, Grace!
The Five Blue Budgies Meet The Kitty Cats
...and no good can come of it Top Ten Reasons GenCon 2006 Will Suck 10: Ken Hite won't be there 9: James Wallis won't be there 8: Steve Jackson won't be there (but then, he never is, so...) 7: John Kovalic won't be there 6: Phil & Kaja Folio won't be there 5: No Baron … Continue reading The Five Blue Budgies Meet The Kitty Cats
Yes, It’s A Crazy Thing To Do
...so, what's your point? Introducing The Doclopedia! One year from today, if all goes well, Grace and I and two as yet to be adopted Basset Hounds will begin our 2007 Triumphant Return To GenCon U.S. Tour. (and yes, there will be tour t-shirts) (Note from 2012: I went to GenCon 2007, but Grace & The … Continue reading Yes, It’s A Crazy Thing To Do
No Fried Rice For You, Spade Marlowe
...from a CoC game many years agoYet More Assorted StuffOur Saturday trip to Six Flags Marine World was fun, despite neither Grace nor I being rollercoaster riders and the rather rundownness of the animal exhibits. Still, the animal shows were fun and the butterfly habitat was way cool, as such things always are. Oh, and … Continue reading No Fried Rice For You, Spade Marlowe
Meatloaf Milkshakes
...mmmm, mmmm goodAssorted Bits Of StuffOur plans to go to The City this weekend have changed. Seems that the state employees union (of which My Sweet Little Sugar Glider Of Cuteness is a member) is having a family barbecue/picnic/day at the theme park down at Great America in Vallejo, so we are spending the day … Continue reading Meatloaf Milkshakes
She Liked The Dangerous Boys
...and the odd dangerous girl, tooDoc Speaketh On Current EventsOk, I don't do this very often because it might tarnish my "I don't give a shit" attitude, but I'm finding some recent news items either amusing or troubling, so here goes...Mel Gibson: Now, just because he's been accused of anti-Semitism before AND his father is … Continue reading She Liked The Dangerous Boys
The Penguins Are Restless
...and a couple of them have switchblades It's a cooking morning here at Casa Cross. I've fallen woefully behind on my processing of garden goodies, so before I head off to work, I'm doing Stage One of my tomato sauce making. Simply put, this involves simmering pieces of tomato in a bit of wine, a … Continue reading The Penguins Are Restless
Sherlock Holmes And The Adventure Of The Vanished Vulcan
...Holmes meets Trek, babyLe Hot Updatage1: We went to see "Monster House" yesterday. Good flick. Excellent CGI animation...nice scares...plenty of laughs...a fairly touching ending. Two thumbs up.2: Bought a bunch of Oolong tea, as well as some Yerba Mate, yesterday. Yum Yum.3: We paid for our October vacation to Hawaii. There will still be some … Continue reading Sherlock Holmes And The Adventure Of The Vanished Vulcan
Synthetic Blue Watermelon
...tastes like chickenSo, Grace and I have been watching "Dead Like Me" on Sci Fi. It's a fun show and I've come to the conclusion that I'd really enjoy being a Grim Reaper. I think I'd specialize in taking the souls of extreme right wingers and big business scumbags. I'd leave the souls in the … Continue reading Synthetic Blue Watermelon
Spider Monkey Serenade
...in three part harmonyKingdom Building Game NewsBy now, all of you players have gotten your Secret Mayoral Orders. Nothing like the GM throwing a spanner in the works, eh? I eagerly await your turn replies...and any private emails you may care to send:)The Corps of Discovery portion of the game is being tinkered with and … Continue reading Spider Monkey Serenade
Large Evil Worms
...Eeeevil, I tell ya Well, sir, it was hot here in the Big Tomato today...109...and pretty humid. I was able to work about 30 minutes at a time in the garden before the sweat running into my eyes blinded me. Then, I'd come inside and wash my face off and cool down before going out again. … Continue reading Large Evil Worms
Seriously Tripped Up By A Pair Of Big Blue Eyes
...dames...what ya gonna do?Hey, World Building Game Players, here are your General Orders! Mayoral Duty Orders Effective Immediately My Friend, It is with great pleasure and the utmost confidence in your abilities that I now write these orders that officially begin your tenure as Mayor of our new mainland outpost. Our fellow citizens and … Continue reading Seriously Tripped Up By A Pair Of Big Blue Eyes
Building A BattleMech Out Of Tinker Toys
...you need lots of the long green onesWell, Gentle Readers, last night My Sweet Little Pad Thai Of Sweetness and I went to see "Pirates Of The Caribbean: Dead Mans Chest". We agreed that it was not quite as good as the first one, but still much good cinematic fun. We also agreed that the … Continue reading Building A BattleMech Out Of Tinker Toys
The Kitty Cats Study Magic
...the first spell they learned was "Summon Tuna"Veggie Time At Le Chateau CrossA quick look in the freezer and on the kitchen counter shows that we have about 15 pounds of summer squash frozen or fresh, about 8 pounds of green beans, near 2 quarts of pesto, assorted drying herbs and a few tomatos and … Continue reading The Kitty Cats Study Magic
Doc Tempest And The Stairway To Heaven
...from the July 2008 issueOk, World Building Game players, I'll have Mayoral Orders posted in a day or so. You will have up to 3 weeks to reply. No need to hurry. The Corps of Discovery portion of the game will start next week.Grace and I have made a decision about our 2007 GenCon trip that, … Continue reading Doc Tempest And The Stairway To Heaven
Strangeness, Love, Tears & Flowers
...dangerous days, wonderful hoursDoc Update1: It took a friggin' day and a half, but I dodged the "serving on a jury" bullet. Hopefully, it will be at least a couple of years before they try calling me up again.2: Now that I have my life back, I'll resume working on the first turn of the … Continue reading Strangeness, Love, Tears & Flowers
Pre-emptive Stroke
...it's part of the bonobo way of life:) So, it's nearly 6:30 in the morning, I've been up for over an hour, it's gonna be about 105 today (and will remain in the 100's all week, thus thermally beating the fuck out of my poor garden) and where do I have to be at 8:00 … Continue reading Pre-emptive Stroke
Bucky & Squint Hit The Road
...at some point, the road will hit backThe Day AheadUnlike last Saturday, when my infected leg held me captive in a chair all day, today will be a day filled with much scurrying about. On the Big List Of Stuff To Do...Help my Sweet Little Fresh Strawberry Parfait Of Love clean the houseWrite up Mayoral … Continue reading Bucky & Squint Hit The Road
Five Thousand Angry Canaries
...and one rather miffed barnacle goose Just back from the garden with more green beans, more basil, more summer squash and a couple of smallish Flamme' tomatos. Pulled up two of the purple bush beans, since they weren't producing anymore. I'll plant a few more this weekend. The new face to face RPG will start … Continue reading Five Thousand Angry Canaries
