Heavy Metal Sunday is still grinning like a fool

Well, I would be grinning if I had my teeth in. Technically, I'm sitting here looking a bit like a monster from Silent Hill. But the Giants are the National League Champions, and we need some celebratory music! One of the greatest pieces for this sort of thing is Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op. 125 "Choral" better known to the world as the Ode to Joy. From the vault opening scene in Die Hard to being adapted for the European Union's anthem, the soaring music and voices (the first symphony to include sung parts, by the way) have been a standard for victory and celebration for almost 200 years.

I, of course, found a metal version. Odin’s Court is a Maryland band that was initially formed by Matt Brookins in 2001. For the first 2 years the band struggled to find their sound, playing covers and originals ranging from classic rock to modern metal and everything in between. It was during this time that John Abella joined the group. By 2003 a stable lineup and vision were in place, and Odin’s Court released the self financed album Driven By Fate. Over the next 3 years the band would go through 3 more lineup changes, eventually releasing another CD and a DVD (both self financed) and concurrently establishing a stable, cohesive unit that has been maintained to this day.

So put on your orange and black (and your panda hat), pull up the highlights, and enjoy Odin's Court performing the fourth movement of Beethoven's Ninth. GO GIANTS!!

More of the three-edged sword

Highlights from last night's series winning game.

During the KNBR bits, you get to hear our Hall of Fame radio man Jon Miller. He really gets into it. I still can't get over how passive the Phillies play-by-play guy is in one of the most exciting, dramatic, baseball games I've ever seen.

Well, spit.

I was working a new Ars Magica character. Then I did a little research and found that the Roma didn't reach any part of Europe until the late 14th Century. Harumph. Oh, well. Place her as being from one of the medieval Iberian states, Navarre would work nicely. The main concept is a hot-blooded mage with strong fairy blood.

Silly Roma, you couldn't leave India 200 years earlier so I could have an awesome character?

My next tattoo.

Yeah, it's been close to thirty years, I'm ready for a second one.

So, what should I get?


The symbol of the Order of Hermes from Ars Magica


The Imperial Inquisition from WH40K

[Poll #1635511]

I'm thinking of getting it on my inside forearm. Any of my WH40K friends have a Rosette that isn't on a black background? I'd like to have line art to show the tattoo artist.

Yes, I'm getting RPG tattoos. Unless the Giants win the Series, at which point I'm getting the SF logo tattooed over my heart.

One cool Philly fan.

netquiddler defies the stereotype of the boorish Philadelphia sports fan. When the NLCS was tied at one, we made a bet on the outcome. I put up a bottle of good California wine (I have a nice 2007 Napa Cabernet Sauvignon that I was going to part with) and he put up a real Philly cheesesteak. Well, we won. Within minutes of the game ending, netquiddler called us to congratulate us on the win, and arrange the details of settling the bet. I handed that off to Kiri, as we tend to have things shipped to her office for ease of signing.

Baseball rivalries and post-season series are a lot more fun when everyone remembers that it's a game. I can have fun at a game with Dodgers fans as long as we all keep perspective.

Will, do you want me to reveal which box you're sending us?

Edit We're getting the Philly Cheesesteak Package, #2 on that page.

Writer's Block: Trick or treat

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In a last second decision inspired by finding an old hat, Hunter S. Thompson. We may even gasp go to a party.