An open letter to Government at all levels

By John P. Smith

To Our Retarded Government:

Be Afraid.

We’re buying every round of ammo that’s hitting the shelves, from .22 plinker to 12-Gauge shotgun. The suppliers aren't making any less.  We’re just buying it all.  You've forced our hands and now we’re making certain we’re ready.  We’re making certain than when we are forced to act -- and we will be forced -- then we’re prepared to give as good as we get.

Here’s some history for you to think on while we continue to stock our ammo cans:

You didn't win with the prohibition of booze. Instead, the government put millions of dollars into stifling and stopping the production, distribution and consumption of alcohol. Meanwhile, a vast underground, non-tax-paying black market flourished and grew.  Most of it, to no one’s surprise, in the hands of criminal cartels with ties to the mafia and other underground empires.  You should think about this as you consider the war on drugs.

Maybe you could learn from your mistakes; not have history repeat.  But you didn't do that.

You didn't win with hemp.  You’re almost there; but, you’re mostly just too stupid to know when to throw in the towel.  Seriously?  You’re so stupid and inefficient that you couldn't win a “war” on people who are, if propaganda is believed, lazy and unmotivated.  How could such a thing happen?  We understand you have billions of dollars invested in losing the war on drugs.  We understand you have thousands of people working to lose the war on drugs.  Why not just go ahead and lose the war on marijuana, save those billions of dollars on enforcement programs and take those thousands of government drug enforcement agents, who are presumably about to be left jobless, and have them start patrolling the border?  You know, the border? Where illegal aliens keep crossing into our country?

Now that you've had time to think about those two failures to stifle the American spirit, maybe you should reconsider your position on firearms.  You’re sure as hell not going to win where guns are concerned.  If you’re so unorganized and retarded that you can’t beat drunks, druggies and stoners, how do you actually expect to win a war on guns?

You should worry.

Down the Hill

Nature Walk: May 12, 2013.

By John P. Smith
Freelance Writer

I decided to photograph some of the wild, untamed beauty of our little mountain in the Ozarks. My Sony Alpha SLR was out on loan so I ended up taking my wife's little pocket Kodak Easy Share camera. Not exactly my first choice, but I'd made a plan and I stuck to it.

Before I got started good, I noticed the Himalaya berries starting to bloom. The plant makes some of the most evil thorns to be found, but they will also be making awesome berries around the end of July.

I set out with my day pack; enough to get me through a day in the rough. Briefly, my gear consisted of: food and water, a small blanket, first aid kit, rain ponchos, a few basic tools, a knife, Ruger LCP 380 with a pocket holster, camera, cell phone. As I left the house, my nephew, Terrance, 12, asked if he could go with me. He was driving a 4-wheeler. I was on foot carrying my pack. I said, “Sure. Meet me at the camp.”

Over the past year, I've established a primitive camp site about a kilometer north of the road, on the back side of our family property. The site has nothing spectacular to recommend it except that it sits just below the outlet of a mountain-top spring. The water is clear, cold and wonderful. Earlier this year, when I was back there with a chainsaw doing some clearing to improve the site, I removed the remains of large maple dead fall. Under it, I found another outlet from the source, probably 100 meters from the primary. This spring once ran year-round. With the lower-than-normal rainfall of the past years it has gone dry in the heart of the summer. Perhaps, with our higher rain amounts this season, the water level will be up enough to keep it running all year. I did not take a shot of the primary outlet because we've plugged it up and run a pipe out of it to a catch basin as an emergency water supply.

In that spring at the top of the hill, we found this little salamander: After having his photo taken, he was released back into the same water hole where he was discovered.

My plan was to be quiet, move slowly and try to photograph some of the larger animals: deer, armadillo, squirrel, birds of all kinds, snakes, lizards, frogs, etc. That turned out to be impossible. Terrance is full of energy, questions and opinions. Our little trek took about 3 hours from camp to Cove Creek at the bottom of the mountain and back up. During this entire adventure, Terrance never shut up. Even when we were climbing the kilometer-high, 45-degree slant back to the top of the mountain. Climbing back up, I worked my way from tree-to-tree, 10 meters at time, sweating profusely, doing my best not to have a heart attack. Terrance climbed the hill, slid and fell back down several times, stopped to check out a few old logs, fallen trees and funky rocks. All the while, he kept up a running dialog of subjects from the best dirt to find worms for fishing to the Curiosity Rover on Mars.

Also on the way down, we ran across an overhanging bluff just northeast of the spring.

Of course, I moved with deliberate caution, understanding that a broken ankle or dislocated knee would be more than just a painful experience while we were down in areas that can't be reached by 4-wheeler or horses. Terrance was a ball of energy moving from one amazing discovery to the next. Like this tree we found that he had to climb out on despite my warnings that, “If you break your leg, I'm not carrying you all the way to the top of that mountain.” To which he blithely responded, “I can hop on one foot.”

Here's me. (Holding on because those rocks were slicker than snot.)

Nash was hanging with us.

At the bottom is Cove Creek, or at least one of its northern branch tributaries. Here we discovered that the water is still really cold. Terrance figured that out by leaning off a ledge onto a tree in the middle of a small pool. “Hey, look at this. Get a picture of me leaning out over the water.” To which I replied, “I'll try to get it before that old tree breaks and you fall in.” I didn't make it. Terrance got wet. All he had to say about that was, “Stupid tree.” I tried not to laugh too much. 

Just up the creek from where Terrance took the plunge, we found this waterfall.

Below are some of the creatures and plants we saw during our exploration.  This is the end of this story, but not the end of the photos.

Terrapin!

This little girl was growing down by the bank all by herself. No others like her right where she was.

Found this area under a rocky overhang where the dirt daubers stay dry.

This feather washed up onto the shore.

This water spider was catching a few rays:

This guy was working hard to hide in the rocks.

While this guy sat in the water enjoying the sunlight. 

These inch worms were everywhere. (I'm trying to go all metric, but 2-centimeter worms just doesn't sound as descriptive as inch worm.)

Stop Shoving Your Agenda in my Face

Why do the NHL and the NFL have to come out with a policy supporting the gay athlete?  What’s the whole deal with having a policy in support of a specific lifestyle?

Here’s the whole problem I have with that: LGBTs make up an estimated 4-percent of the population (Wikipedia.)  Their problem with this LGBT society, as a whole, is that they don’t want to be treated differently than anybody else.  They just want to be accepted.  Enacting legislation, or a policy, to prove to the rest of us that an organization, club or team supports the LGBT’s right to be treated just like everyone else is oxymoronic from inception.

See, here’s the thing:  I don’t care whose penis you’re sucking; whose vagina you’re licking; what you’re wearing; or, who you’re doing of either sex.  I know it’s hard to believe.  But seriously; I don’t care.  Most people don’t give a rat’s ass what you do with your privates in private.  I’d say, and this is just my estimate based on my 50 years of interaction with the rest of the planet, but I’d say 90-percent of the people in this country could give less than one tiny turd of a crap about LGBTs and their private or public lives.  So here’s 4-percent of the people who keep shoving their junk in our faces, telling us we have to stop treating them differently.

Now, that still leaves about 6-percent of the population.  These would be the extreme, bible-pounding, judgmental, so-called Christians who truly and fully believe that gays, lesbians, bis and transgenders are a boatload of depraved, demon-possessed, hell spawn all of whom should be locked up, killed or deported -- if they can’t be converted.  I’m not even saying those people are wrong about their opinions -- as everyone is entitled to his or her opinion. But if they claim to be Christians, then they’re doing it wrong.  Sure, most of this country is Christian, but not all Christians are as retarded as the Westboro Baptist Church.  If the WBC, and most of the country, were real bible readers, they’d know they are only to pass judgment on members of their own congregations and leave the rest up to Him. Unfortunately, for everyone, those kinds of people only adhere to the parts of the book that support their agendas, ignoring the rest. Imagine that.

That pretty much covers the whole population.  Sure there are fringe and splinter groups from all walks, but generally, that should sum it up.

Now, let’s recap:  4-percent wanting special treatment so they’re not treated differently; 6-percent wanting to banish them to hell; the rest of us not giving one tiny mouse poop about either group’s agenda, rather just wanting to be left the hell alone and stop being bombarded with super-spin propaganda and being told that if we don't agree with their lifestyle then we're bad people.

Did anybody catch that earlier?  I don’t care -- we don’t care -- what any LGBT is consensually doing to whomever may chose to have it done.  Let me restate that:  We do not care.  Now, please stop telling me that I have to. Because I don’t.  Really.  Don’t care.

Now, having said all that, I will now say this as succinctly, but as loudly, as I can:  STOP SHOVING YOUR JUNK IN MY FACE!

When They Come for My Guns

     (Author's note, February 2013: I wrote this about six weeks ago.  I did not put it out for public consumption because I'd recently applied for a concealed carry permit and didn't want to affect my consideration for approval.  However, the more I've thought about it, I feel like if I toe the line and not say what I believe so I can be "granted" a license by the government to carry a weapon, that makes me part of the problem.  I'd rather be part of the solution.  But our First and Second Amendment rights as a U.S. citizens are already so eroded and watered down that it may already be too late.)

By John P. Smith
Freelance Writer

     When they come for my guns; I’m saying no.

     According to an article in Forbes online, the United States has about 80 million documented gun owners and approximately 270 million guns.  That’s right: Probably one-third of all the guns on the planet are owned by private individuals in this country.  That’s documented gun owners.  Estimates of undocumented guns and owners vary depending on the source.  But that’s a lot of guns and owners.

     Making a rough estimate of undocumented gun owners at 20 million, we can say there are an estimated 100 million gun owners in this country.  The government fields and about 1.5 million active, 1.5 million reserve military members and 800,000 police officers.  Let’s just make that a nice round total of about 3 million people available to come to your house and ask for your guns. I round down because many of the military and police won’t ever leave their offices to try to take my guns.  In addition, some may not agree with the government policy and refuse to participate in a roundup of guns from citizens in clear violation of the Constitution they've sworn to protect.

     Remember:  Our military is not sworn to protect the government.  When we swear in, it is to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.  That Constitution still affords us the right to bear arms.  Believe you me, the cowards lobbying for “gun control” and the government absolutely hate that.  And I believe that should it come down to it, we as citizens, have not only a right, but a responsibility to protect our Constitutionally guaranteed freedoms.  The right to own firearms is the Second amendment to he Constitution.  Second only to our right to free speech, press and religion.  Does it seem like the framers had a premonition that the Second would be necessary to ensure the First?  (A First which is rapidly deteriorating: Our government-run schools are now so retarded that a child can't point his finger and say "bang" without being suspended.)

     Rest assured, if we turn our guns over to the government, we will sooner, rather than later, be forced to comply to some kind of persecution when they’re the only ones who have weapons.  Once they have all the weapons, they can pretty much decide what they want us to do.  And when they say, “they’ll do it because we told them to,” they will be correct.  How many times do we have to see this happen before we will believe it?   If there’s anything we should have learned from the invention of the firearm, it is that those who have the guns, have the power.  Take a look at a hundred other governments around the world and see just who gets the short end of the stick when only the government can have guns.

     I found this on the internet while researching this article.  It makes some valid points. 

• In 1929, the Soviet Union established gun control. From 1929 to 1953, about 20 million dissidents, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated
• In 1911, Turkey established gun control. From 1915 to 1917, 1.5 million Armenians, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated.
• Germany established gun control in 1938 and from 1939 to 1945, 13 million Jews and others who were unable to defend themselves were rounded up and exterminated.
• China established gun control in 1935. From 1948 to 1952, 20 million political dissidents, unable to defend themselves were rounded up and exterminated
• Guatemala established gun control in 1964. From 1964 to 1981, 100,000 Mayan Indians, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated.
• Uganda established gun control in 1970. From 1971 to 1979, 300,000 Christians, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated.
• Cambodia established gun control in 1956. From 1975 to 1977, one million educated people, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated.

     For those who fear the coming of the soldiers or police to confiscate your firearms, the solution is simple:  Just say no.  We must take a stand.  Don’t be afraid.   I’m 49 years old.  As far as I’m concerned, that’s enough.  Imagine 100 years ago; 49 was an old man.  Every day I continue to live is a gift.

     So when they come for my weapons, I’m taking one of them with me.  That’s all.  At least one.  More if I can, but at least one.  Why?  Because if just one of every 100 gun owners believes as I do, the rest of you will get to keep your weapons because there won’t be anybody to take them away.  Do I feel bad for the poor enlisted puke I may have to kill to fulfill my part of this bargain?  Yes I do.  Afterall, I was once one of those enlisted grunts.  He’s just doing his job, as he’s ordered to do.  I don’t want to ever have to kill anybody.  However, on the other side of the coin is the question of exactly why he’s with them.  When any military person comes down on the side of the government and not the side of the Constitution, maybe he’s just another bad guy.

     What if they single us out?  For instance, if the government makes it impossible for gun owners to buy food?  Would our government starve our families because we refuse to give up our weapons?  Of course they will.   Will that work?  Only if we let it work.  I can’t imagine the government really wanting to deal with millions of hungry, angry people with guns.   We can take our weapons and march to where the food is and demand our share.  But, wouldn’t that be civil war?  Yep.  It sure would.  And let’s face it; nobody wants civil war.  Especially a government outnumbered 100 to 1.

     So the next logical step would be to threaten our families:  Do you really believe our government would hold our families hostage to force us to give up our weapons?  Damn right they would.  As in any war, sacrifices will have to be made.  You can count on your government using every dirty trick in the book to force compliance.  We will be starved, threatened, held hostage, have our utilities cut off, refused service by businesses, refused medical treatment and access to medicine, not only for us, but also for our families.  This sounds somewhat fatalistic, but let’s face it, any or all of it can happen.  And when the time comes, it will happen.  

    Still, if the government actually tries to take our firearms, they really can’t do it unless we let them.  Once we’ve killed a million of them and they’ve killed a million of us, you can bet those tasked with the job of picking up our guns will have noticed that the odds really aren’t in their favor, seeing how one-third of them is already dead and the population still has 200 million weapons.

    Seriously.  Think about it.  There’s no way in hell the government can take our weapons if we decide they don’t have the right -- which they don’t.  The key is, we have to decide not to let them and we have to decide right now.   Let the gun control lobby whine about how awful and evil and criminal guns are; these people are such cowards, they can’t see beyond their own fear.  I say let them blubber and snivel from their hiding places. Let them cower in fear and hatred of those of us who are not afraid. 

     I reiterate: If we don’t want to give up our guns, we don’t have to.  We have to take a stand.  When my time comes, I will take a stand.  I will say, “No, you may not have my weapons.”  And then I will do whatever becomes necessary to back up my conviction.  And undoubtedly, I will lose.  I will lose one small battle.  But every time someone else takes a stand and fights back, we will all be one step closer to winning the war. 

     When your time comes; take a stand.   It’s a small price to pay for our children to live in a country where the government fears the people rather than the other way around.

Guns and Games: Some Thoughts

By John P. Smith

Freelance Writer

I recently read an article on guns and video games on the internet. This article.  (And for those who don’t take a well-written article by Cracked.com seriously, study their user demographic and web hit statistics and get back to me.)  I actually agree with some of the things the author said:  If modern video games are contributing to the mental deterioration of those who would perpetrate an act of violence such as Sandy Hook or Aurora, then we, as gamers, are part of the problem. We, then,  need to find out how we're part of the problem, stop being part of it and start being part of the solution.

Of course, the major target of the government and our never-ending supply of cowardly liberals is gun control.  I’ve written a separate article about that.

As for video games, the first step in finding out how we're part of the problem is research.  This association to video games remains, at this point,  nothing more than marketing spin, hearsay and modern accusations of witchcraft.  The terrible people who killed dozens of people played these games.  While that may be true, it actually explains nothing.  These awful people probably also watched reruns Friends every day and FOX News every night.  What does that tell you?  Nothing.  We know nothing of the relationship between violent games and homicidal, suicidal sociopathic idiots.

Once we understand our contribution to the overall problem, then we can start working on it.  And no, this is not a stall tactic.  When your car stops because you've run out of fuel, there's no point in raising the hood and jiggling crap around when you know the problem is under the trunk.  If you don't know why the car stopped, mucking about under the hood is as likely to make things worse as it is to help.  That's what the government is doing right now; mucking about looking for a solution when they don't understand the basic problem.  So, while they know nothing of the root cause of the problem, they at least, by damn, appear to be doing something.  That is, of course, making a spurious connection to a fairly recent phenomena: video games.

If there is a connection, as is pointed out by Robert Brockway’s article on Cracked.com, then it is our responsibility as gamers to defend our chosen pass-time.  The video game industry and gamers cannot, and should not, bear the brunt of the blame for attacks that amount to individual acts of terrorism.

At the same time, if video games, violent or otherwise, contribute any at all to pushing a mind to the point where it would snap and compel an individual to take the lives of innocent moviegoers or elementary school children, then it’s also our responsibility -- our duty in fact -- to do whatever we can to fix it.  As a recovering alcoholic, I can tell you from experience that denial will not make the problem go away.  And in many ways, what we're seeing here is denial.  Mr. Brockway has some interesting, and in my opinion viable, suggestions on how to begin.

I suggest we begin with education.  As a martial artist trained with sticks (combat cane), staves (bo staff), my bare hands (jujitsu), and a gun owner professionally trained on care and use of firearms (8 years military service, concealed carry,) I can tell you that the common thread between all these potentially violent activities is education and understanding.  In all my years of training, the one thing that has always been of paramount importance is that violence is never the desired outcome of any confrontation, it does not by itself solve problems and, as such, should always be the last option.

What educational options do we offer that teach the consequences of violence?

And, at what point did we become unable to defend our selves?

Edgefest VIII!

Once again, Edgefest has set the bar high for quality metal music.  I watched every band and I didn't see or hear anything I didn't like.  The whole show turned out fantastic, as Edgefests tend to be.

But there was mud.  Mud everywhere.  On the ground, in the air, underfoot and overhead; there was mud.  At the main stage, pits of mud a foot deep and big as half a basketball court provided ample ammo for dirty mud slinging and the filthiest moshing ever seen. The whole thing looked like the physical manifestation of a political debate.

Some highlights:

The first band, Switchpin, opened the show with a bang.  What a killer kickstart!  Then the members spent the next several hours schmoozing with rockers at the merchandise tent. That's how you do it!  The band members were friendly, outgoing and happy to take photos and sign autographs. Front man Jimmy Trigger, worked the crowd like a seasoned professional. These guys are going places; keep an eye on them!

Mindset Evolution, one of the early opening bands, had a small mishap when bassist, Josh Bodeen, dislocated his knee and had to be carried off stage by paramedics.  In the back, the medics popped his knee back into place and he demanded they carry him back out onto the stage, where he sat on a monitor and finished the set.  Those guys earned some serious stage cred.

Veteran performers P.O.D. really had the crowd moving near the end of the openers.  It's good to see those stalwart, seasoned rockers getting the respect they deserve.

Adelitas Way ended up on the small stage for reasons unexplained.  It didn't matter.  They were off the chain! Lead singer, Rick DeJesus, told the crowd that they could have not played and still got paid, but they chose to hit the small stage and put on their show. That’s how you get fans and keep fans.  Their set was short, but energetic. This band is moving in the right direction.

Main attraction acts started with Papa Roach. These guys are veterans of festival stage music performance and they did not disappoint.  Front man Jacoby Shaddix clearly loves playing for Arkansas, and clearly, Arkansas loves Papa Roach.  For me, this band joins only REO Speedwagon in the list of rock acts I've seen three times.  Papa Roach rocks.

Staind lead singer Aaron Lewis nearly got nailed by a huge mud ball and stopped the show to call out the idiot who threw it.  He pointed him out specifically and, in what turned out to be an example of clear and effective communication, explained what a moron that guy was and why such a thing should not happen.  It worked.  The idiot in question slinked away, hopefully to hide and know never to do such a stupid thing again.  No one else threw another wad of mud at the stage. Staind played a great set.

Godsmack owned the crowd and practically blew up the stage. These guys know how to put on a rock show.  They did.  Two years ago, Sully and the boys convinced me that I should buy my first ever concert shirt: Godsmack.  If I hadn’t been wearing it, I’d have bought me another.  These guys are so good.

I've been wanting to see Shinedown for a long time. They did not disappoint.  I'd like to have seen a longer set, but all-in-all, they are serious about the live show and they know how to lay it down. Most impressive aspect: Shinedown lead singer, Brent Smith, did not ever use a swear word during the Shinedown portion of the show . No F this and MF that and GD the other.  Their whole show from start to finish was family friendly contemporary metal. That's another example of clear and effective communication.

What a great show!

(John P. Smith is a freelance writer from Bee Branch, Ark.  Check out his book, Ordinary Man, at Amazon.com)

New Book Published!

My newest book, Ordinary Man: Writings, Ramblings and Rants is now for sale at Amazon as a paperback for $6.99 and at a discounted price of $3.99 for the Kindle version.  The book is under exclusive contract to Amazon for the Kindle until Oct. 11, 2012.  After that date, it will be released as an e-book on other platforms, such as the Nook.  The Kindle version will be available to anyone with an Android, IPhone, IPad or Android Tablet, all of which have the Kindle reader apps available free.

This is a semi-autobiographical collection of 35 short stories and articles.  I recount some adventures in rural northern Japan in a series of tales involving a beat up old Toyota and a group of obnoxious gaijins (foreigners) with no fear of "skirting the fringes of legal and moral."  I take a humorous look at religion, factory work, and growing up in rural Arkansas. Those of you who went to school at South Side High School will no doubt recall some of these stories.  Interspersed in among the laughs, I include some insightful and thought-provoking stories of self-help, self-awareness and self-discipline.  Topping it all off:  My well-known, often frightening obsession with 80's hair metal.


Get the paperback from Amazon here for $6.99.

Get the Kindle version from Amazon here for $3.99.

Here is my Author Page.

My Fishing Book

We're going into the third summer of sales for our book on fly fishing.

Fly Fishing on the Red

  You can buy it from Amazon.  It is now available on Kindle.

The Hollywood Kills

Mikayla, Stephanie and The Hollywood Kills.

                It was hot.   I do believe that fits so well that, though it’s been used before, (I'm sure I've read it somewhere...) I’m going to use it again.

                We finally arrived at Magic Springs theme part, near Hot Springs, Ark., on a steamy southern Saturday afternoon. My wife, Teri, and I brought our daughter, Stephanie, niece Mikayla and nephew Skylior for a day of roller coasters, water park coolness and over-priced theme park food. 

                More importantly, we were there for a show featuring power-house rockers 3 Doors Down.  We are all more than casual fans of this great band, so despite the temperatures reaching above 37 C (100 F – go metric or get left behind), we anticipated a good show.

               A good show we got.

              The band was as good as expected and better than advertised; 3 Doors Down established themselves as a great band that can put on a good show more than 15 years ago.   Today, they have a nice portfolio of rock standards that are, or a destined to become, classics.  (Whenever the so-called “classics” stations finally get over the Beatles…but don’t get me started on that.)

                Before 3 Doors Down, however, we experienced a serendipity that really made the whole evening:  They are called The Hollywood Kills.  We were unaware they were scheduled to play Saturday.  When they hit the stage and knocked off their first couple of songs, I was asking around to find out who they were.

Nobody I asked knew.  They introduced themselves as The Hollywood Kills, a 4-man band out of Nashville, Tenn.  They'd already peaked my interest.

I’m tired of the same old stuff -- hearing Zeppelin, the Eagles, Skynyrd and the Beatles over and over is just...redundant.  Because of that, I try to support our new music makers.   Bands like The Hollywood Kills are the future of our genre of music.  They are a rock band. They weren’t over-the-top screamo or, lord help us, eighties-retro techno crap.  These guys make solid rock and roll, put on a good show and didn’t take themselves too seriously (which obviously should be left to REM and U2.)  So while we all secretly yearn for the triumphant return of Eighties Hair Metal (or is that just me?), it appears that’s not going to happen anytime soon.

Therefore, we must make do with what we have.  Right now, we have The Hollywood Kills.

            They rock.  Saturday night, they rocked the whole stage.  Their music is good, vocals tight and the drummer does a great job with, what appears to be, the minimum necessary equipment.  Not only that, but when it became clear to them, and to us, that nobody knew who they were or why they suddenly appeared on stage, they just made the best of it.  By the end of their set, they had the crowd engaged and digging the jams.  That was accomplished with an authentic, friendly, happy-to-be-here attitude – and some damn good original music.   

                The Hollywood Kills are a good band.  Seemingly, based on what I saw at their Hot Springs concert, a good bunch of guys, too.  Perceptive and public relations savvy, they were happy to spend a lot of post-concert time at their merchandise booth signing CDs and taking photos with newly acquired fans.  This face-to-face time is the key to a long-term fan base:  They know that.  I took a photo of Stephanie and Mikayla with the band.  (Sorry about the evil red-eye and blurry image...it's a phone photo...best I could do under the circumstances.) The girls were ecstatic.  I thanked the band personally and made the comment to them:  “You guys are good.  It was a great show. " 

            I didn't have to tell them those two girls will never forget.

            These guys are doing it right.  Watch them.

            I think The Hollywood Kills are going places.

(John P. Smith is a freelance writer living in Bee Branch, Ark.)

Dungeon Siege 3

This may sound funny, but my Mom, who is 71, is an FRPG freak.  As am I.  (I got her addicted to Diablo slightly before the turn of the millennium.)  She pre-paid Obsidian and Square-Enix $50 for DS3 months before it actually arrived.  As did I.  That’s Dungeon Siege 3 for the PC.

 What’s she doing right now in all her copious free time?  Playing a third-party remake of Diablo II.   Why?  Because she has to take out her frustrations with DS3 on something!  

                Here’s the deal, Square-Enix:  You folks have made some pretty good games in the past with Dungeon Siege 2 topping that list.  But on Number 3, you blew it.  You guys clearly set out to reinvent the wheel and instead ended up with…the wheel.  Same old snot, with chrome.

                DS3 is a pretty game and has a great story line.  Maybe a little too much story line, but I always like the idea that my character is starring in a movie. 

                What I was expecting, and I don’t think I’m alone in this expectation, was a continuance of the awesomeness of Dungeon Siege 2.  I expected Square-Enix and Obsidian, two of the best game-makers out there today, to take what was clearly a superb game and make it better, faster, more powerful than before.  The fact that they did not do that disturbs me greatly. 

                DS2 was one of the most re-playable games ever.  I’ve been PC gaming since 1980, when I bought my first TRS-80 Model I, and in those years, I have enjoyed few games more than DS2.  Doom, of course, along with the original Wizardry games for the Apple //e.  However, for single play or multi-play, DS2 was the bomb.  The combat and stats system was easy to understand and the skill tree easily negotiated.   Square-Enix completely failed in this area.  DS3’s skills and stats are one click and done deals.  That may be okay for newbies, or console players, but for we who like a good RPG, we want to see numbers and to have more detail as we evaluate stats and weaponry.    (It’s one of the ideals of role playing games:  My character stands by a looted chest or in a magic shop holding two swords side by side, testing weight, balance, quality of the steel and asking the mage behind the desk for details of the enchantments and enchantments of both…and then making a decision.) 

             Finally, as a PC Gamer, I feel completely disrespected.

I know Square-Enix, Eidos, Taito, et al, primarily make console games, but come on people!  You didn’t even bother to give us the basic ability to remap our controls?  Seriously? 

                I am depressed.  And so is Mom.

The Clamity in Japan

Watching video and news feeds from Japan -- it breaks my heart.  I loved living there and constantly tell people I'd go back in a heartbeat.  I'm wondering if there's some way I can join the relief efforts.  If I find something I'll post it here.

Meanwhile, my prayers are with the people of Japan, especially those on the east coast.

New Year...New Post

That seems to be the way it works.  I can't keep up.  I did miss my first day of work this year due to some snow and icy roads.  I'm going to try to make it in tomorrow, but it may be a close thing.  I really can't afford to miss too much.  Anyway.  Happy Freaking New Year.

I'll be back.