<![CDATA[The Hyborian Tome [Hyborian War Repository] - All Forums]]> http://grimfinger.net/forum/ Fri, 30 Jul 2010 15:03:08 +0000 MyBB <![CDATA[The Sinking of the Titanic]]> http://grimfinger.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=431 Fri, 30 Jul 2010 03:58:16 +0000 http://grimfinger.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=431
Hopefully, Santa will start bringing Titan some board games, each Christmas.]]>
Hopefully, Santa will start bringing Titan some board games, each Christmas.]]> <![CDATA[iam new.. how do u start...]]> http://grimfinger.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=430 Sun, 25 Jul 2010 04:06:21 +0000 http://grimfinger.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=430 I played way back in the day aboot 18 yrs ago.. Can i start a play by mail game tho here.

ty
CB_PilsnerCool]]> I played way back in the day aboot 18 yrs ago.. Can i start a play by mail game tho here.

ty
CB_PilsnerCool]]> <![CDATA[PlayByMail.Net]]> http://grimfinger.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=429 Sat, 24 Jul 2010 08:28:09 +0000 http://grimfinger.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=429
Click here to go to the PlayByMail.Net website]]>
Click here to go to the PlayByMail.Net website]]> <![CDATA[I have a friend]]> http://grimfinger.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=428 Thu, 22 Jul 2010 15:33:39 +0000 http://grimfinger.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=428 Who is stupid
His name is JD]]> Who is stupid
His name is JD]]> <![CDATA[The Predicament of the Dire]]> http://grimfinger.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=427 Wed, 21 Jul 2010 18:11:53 +0000 http://grimfinger.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=427
My thoughts drift back to the days of yesteryore, back when I was trying to figure out how to make Starforce Battles work, as a Play-By-Mail game. Other ideas popped into my head, too, of course. Isn't that how it works with everyone?

It was much easier to concentrate back then, I think. Or, perhaps there was simply much less to distract me. Not that it matters, since the end results tend to be the same, regardless of cause or origin.

Ryan is a bastard. He is a programmer, and all programmers are bastards. All hail the bastards that are programmers!

Long ago, I pondered a more terrestrial version of Starforce Battles, one that focused primarily upon ground combat between diverse alien species. It was a way to allow for wars over planets which would not all require the same duration of time, in order to bring conquest of worlds to fruition.

The testbed for this was to use a county-based approach to mapping the individual worlds of the game. I started with South Carolina, but then veered off to a map of Texas. I never finished the goal of hand-linking all counties in the contiguous 48 states. It was a monstrous undertaking, since it required more than just inputting each county name in each of the 48 states in question. I also had to hand-link which county in each state linked to neighboring counties in nearby states.

If successful, it could have led to projects such as a Second Civil War game. Pick your hometown (or home county, to be more precise), and expand outward from there.

These days, I tend to think about how to create this board game or that board game, even as I put off bringing Starforce Battles III into the Plane of Reality upon which we currently dwell.

It would be easier for me to just go out and buy a dozen board games or two, than it would be for me to create a board game from scratch. But, does a Bigfoot board game exist of the type which would appeal to me? There are lots of space and alien board games on the market, but wouldn't it be more fun just to create my own? Furthermore, when it comes to comprehending rule sets crafted by others, my brain appears to still be somewhere between the Neanderthal and Cro-Magnon stages. I love games. I hate rules. Even being in between the proverbial rock and a hard place could make for a neat game, I think.

I can comprehend intricacies of constitutional law, but I can't grasp rulebooks for board games. Go figure.

Recently, I was playing a game of Chutes and Ladders with Titan, and I then proceeded to quickly toss together a couple of quick make-shift board games. The second of the two was a tad more elaborate than the first, incorporating diverse elements ranging from Dr, Seuss to Monopoly to the Wizard of Oz. I did no justice to any of the incorporated elements, but incorporated them primarily to serve as prehistoric eye candy for my son's consumption.

My son's favorite video game, of late, is Sly 2: Band of Thieves, which feature Sly Cooper and his two friends and colleagues in adventure, Bentley and Murray. How do I compete with that?

I don't. But, I don't aim to. My interest lies further down the road, assuming that I make it to that juncture in time.]]>
My thoughts drift back to the days of yesteryore, back when I was trying to figure out how to make Starforce Battles work, as a Play-By-Mail game. Other ideas popped into my head, too, of course. Isn't that how it works with everyone?

It was much easier to concentrate back then, I think. Or, perhaps there was simply much less to distract me. Not that it matters, since the end results tend to be the same, regardless of cause or origin.

Ryan is a bastard. He is a programmer, and all programmers are bastards. All hail the bastards that are programmers!

Long ago, I pondered a more terrestrial version of Starforce Battles, one that focused primarily upon ground combat between diverse alien species. It was a way to allow for wars over planets which would not all require the same duration of time, in order to bring conquest of worlds to fruition.

The testbed for this was to use a county-based approach to mapping the individual worlds of the game. I started with South Carolina, but then veered off to a map of Texas. I never finished the goal of hand-linking all counties in the contiguous 48 states. It was a monstrous undertaking, since it required more than just inputting each county name in each of the 48 states in question. I also had to hand-link which county in each state linked to neighboring counties in nearby states.

If successful, it could have led to projects such as a Second Civil War game. Pick your hometown (or home county, to be more precise), and expand outward from there.

These days, I tend to think about how to create this board game or that board game, even as I put off bringing Starforce Battles III into the Plane of Reality upon which we currently dwell.

It would be easier for me to just go out and buy a dozen board games or two, than it would be for me to create a board game from scratch. But, does a Bigfoot board game exist of the type which would appeal to me? There are lots of space and alien board games on the market, but wouldn't it be more fun just to create my own? Furthermore, when it comes to comprehending rule sets crafted by others, my brain appears to still be somewhere between the Neanderthal and Cro-Magnon stages. I love games. I hate rules. Even being in between the proverbial rock and a hard place could make for a neat game, I think.

I can comprehend intricacies of constitutional law, but I can't grasp rulebooks for board games. Go figure.

Recently, I was playing a game of Chutes and Ladders with Titan, and I then proceeded to quickly toss together a couple of quick make-shift board games. The second of the two was a tad more elaborate than the first, incorporating diverse elements ranging from Dr, Seuss to Monopoly to the Wizard of Oz. I did no justice to any of the incorporated elements, but incorporated them primarily to serve as prehistoric eye candy for my son's consumption.

My son's favorite video game, of late, is Sly 2: Band of Thieves, which feature Sly Cooper and his two friends and colleagues in adventure, Bentley and Murray. How do I compete with that?

I don't. But, I don't aim to. My interest lies further down the road, assuming that I make it to that juncture in time.]]> <![CDATA[Randomization Scripts for Organizing Games of Hyborian War]]> http://grimfinger.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=426 Tue, 20 Jul 2010 16:59:29 +0000 http://grimfinger.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=426
http://grimfinger.net/HWOrganizerScript1.htm
http://grimfinger.net/HWOrganizerScript2.htm
http://grimfinger.net/HWOrganizerScript3.htm]]>
http://grimfinger.net/HWOrganizerScript1.htm
http://grimfinger.net/HWOrganizerScript2.htm
http://grimfinger.net/HWOrganizerScript3.htm]]> <![CDATA[Celebrity Match Game]]> http://grimfinger.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=425 Sun, 18 Jul 2010 08:22:18 +0000 http://grimfinger.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=425
BC

Bearing more than a mere passing resemblance, site user BC was clearly the inspiration for Mike Myers being cast in the lead role of the film adaptation of the book, "The Cat in the Hat," a perennial Dr. Seuss favorite.

Eerie, spooky, and altogether kooky, the cosmic netherverse is clearly aligned, for all that that forebodes and portends. First, it was JD with his universally acclaimed identical exactness with Jim Nabors of Gomer Pyle fame, and now hither comes BC, professional gopher hunter and goat aficionado.]]>
BC

Bearing more than a mere passing resemblance, site user BC was clearly the inspiration for Mike Myers being cast in the lead role of the film adaptation of the book, "The Cat in the Hat," a perennial Dr. Seuss favorite.

Eerie, spooky, and altogether kooky, the cosmic netherverse is clearly aligned, for all that that forebodes and portends. First, it was JD with his universally acclaimed identical exactness with Jim Nabors of Gomer Pyle fame, and now hither comes BC, professional gopher hunter and goat aficionado.]]> <![CDATA[The Zombie-Orc War]]> http://grimfinger.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=424 Fri, 09 Jul 2010 03:56:40 +0000 http://grimfinger.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=424 CHAPTER ONE
Zombies were the least of their problems. Sure, there were zombies all over the place, but they mostly just milled about, finding a meal wherever they happened upon an unsuspecting fool or two. In this day and age, if you wanted to live, then you had to be alert. Vigilance was its own reward.

Nobody was sure where the orcs came from. Oh, there were theories, all right. Lots and lots of theories. Enough damned theories to drive a man mad. Unlike zombies, orcs were intelligent. Even worse, they enjoyed killing.

The Age of Man was waning. The glory of its heyday youth was behind us. Humanity wasn't on the verge of extinction. Not yet, anyway. Things are more stable than that. Actually, they're a lot more stable than that. Some of us even think that we are winning this war.

But, that's what bothers me. It's reached the point where we now routinely refer to it as war. In the beginning, there were isolated incidents. We thought that we were hunting wild animals. Maybe a few packs, here and there, but nothing more serious or widespread than that.

Boy, we're we ever wrong!

The orc populations continued to swell. They became more and better organized. They're smart fuckers, these orcs are. Like rats, only smarter. They mimic us. They copy our tactics, and have even begun to use our own weapons against us. Tell me that's not smart. I'm telling you, they're not just animals.

They're more vicious than animals. They do things that animals would never do. Animals will kill you. They may even eat you. But, orcs - orcs take pleasure in cruelty. They delight in viciousness. They crave the taste of our blood like you wouldn't believe! Not even vampires like blood this much.

There's talk of nuking them, but I don't know. That's just talk, right? Jesus, what the Hell are we thinking? Who ever imagined a nuclear war between us and a bunch of damned orcs. For crying out loud!

There's been some progress, of course. There have even been instances were we've wiped out entire legions of them. Hordes, they call them. Me? I call them legions, because I think these sons of bitches want nothing less than to form an empire - with us as their slaves! That's all that we need. An orc who proclaims himself Caesar.

At least the zombies don't discriminate. They help keep the orcs' numbers down. I think that they're just on the sidelines, waiting to see which one of us - orcs or men - win the first round. Thank god they're a bunch of stupid bastards. If they ever learn to communicate, we're all fucked.]]> CHAPTER ONE
Zombies were the least of their problems. Sure, there were zombies all over the place, but they mostly just milled about, finding a meal wherever they happened upon an unsuspecting fool or two. In this day and age, if you wanted to live, then you had to be alert. Vigilance was its own reward.

Nobody was sure where the orcs came from. Oh, there were theories, all right. Lots and lots of theories. Enough damned theories to drive a man mad. Unlike zombies, orcs were intelligent. Even worse, they enjoyed killing.

The Age of Man was waning. The glory of its heyday youth was behind us. Humanity wasn't on the verge of extinction. Not yet, anyway. Things are more stable than that. Actually, they're a lot more stable than that. Some of us even think that we are winning this war.

But, that's what bothers me. It's reached the point where we now routinely refer to it as war. In the beginning, there were isolated incidents. We thought that we were hunting wild animals. Maybe a few packs, here and there, but nothing more serious or widespread than that.

Boy, we're we ever wrong!

The orc populations continued to swell. They became more and better organized. They're smart fuckers, these orcs are. Like rats, only smarter. They mimic us. They copy our tactics, and have even begun to use our own weapons against us. Tell me that's not smart. I'm telling you, they're not just animals.

They're more vicious than animals. They do things that animals would never do. Animals will kill you. They may even eat you. But, orcs - orcs take pleasure in cruelty. They delight in viciousness. They crave the taste of our blood like you wouldn't believe! Not even vampires like blood this much.

There's talk of nuking them, but I don't know. That's just talk, right? Jesus, what the Hell are we thinking? Who ever imagined a nuclear war between us and a bunch of damned orcs. For crying out loud!

There's been some progress, of course. There have even been instances were we've wiped out entire legions of them. Hordes, they call them. Me? I call them legions, because I think these sons of bitches want nothing less than to form an empire - with us as their slaves! That's all that we need. An orc who proclaims himself Caesar.

At least the zombies don't discriminate. They help keep the orcs' numbers down. I think that they're just on the sidelines, waiting to see which one of us - orcs or men - win the first round. Thank god they're a bunch of stupid bastards. If they ever learn to communicate, we're all fucked.]]> <![CDATA[Hyborian War Credits Poll]]> http://grimfinger.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=423 Thu, 08 Jul 2010 15:24:30 +0000 http://grimfinger.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=423
Of the credits listed in this list, which of these individual teams or groups do you feel did the best, considering that each team or group were working on different aspects of the game?

Credits:

DESIGN
Edward Schoonover -- Game Design
Charles Kraver -- Systems Design
Paul W. Brown III -- Game Development

INSPIRATION
Robert E. Howard

ART
Richard Becker -- Folder Cover Art
Brian McCrary -- Illustrations
Liz Danforth -- Maps
Dunn & Hill -- Graphic Design

PROGRAMING
William Young
John Rundle
Gloria Schoonover
Michael Webb
Lee A. Kline
Markus Roberts
Jon Kline

IMPLEMENTATION
Jim Cooper -- Staff Writing
Linda Tewell -- Staff Writing
Rick Lambert -- Processing Systems
John Jordan -- Data Proofing
John Myler -- Data Proofing
Barbara Cummings -- Second Edition Revisions
Judith Solberg -- Second Edition Revisions

WEB SITE
Sue Solberg
Game Design 1985, 1993 Reality Simulations Inc. All rights reserved.]]>
Of the credits listed in this list, which of these individual teams or groups do you feel did the best, considering that each team or group were working on different aspects of the game?

Credits:

DESIGN
Edward Schoonover -- Game Design
Charles Kraver -- Systems Design
Paul W. Brown III -- Game Development

INSPIRATION
Robert E. Howard

ART
Richard Becker -- Folder Cover Art
Brian McCrary -- Illustrations
Liz Danforth -- Maps
Dunn & Hill -- Graphic Design

PROGRAMING
William Young
John Rundle
Gloria Schoonover
Michael Webb
Lee A. Kline
Markus Roberts
Jon Kline

IMPLEMENTATION
Jim Cooper -- Staff Writing
Linda Tewell -- Staff Writing
Rick Lambert -- Processing Systems
John Jordan -- Data Proofing
John Myler -- Data Proofing
Barbara Cummings -- Second Edition Revisions
Judith Solberg -- Second Edition Revisions

WEB SITE
Sue Solberg
Game Design 1985, 1993 Reality Simulations Inc. All rights reserved.]]> <![CDATA[Gardening on the West-sai-eed]]> http://grimfinger.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=422 Thu, 08 Jul 2010 03:50:18 +0000 http://grimfinger.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=422
My Garden, 2k10:

[Image: DSCN1602.jpg]
Ok, here's another:

[Image: DSCN1601.jpg]
And my wife insists that I include a picture of the barn she's been painting while I toil in the earth:

[Image: DSCN1605.jpg]
And speaking of the wife, here she is refilling the flytraps to get them away from our horses. Hmmm, what's that she's wearing? Could it be a Hyborian War shirt in cannary yellow? Why yes indeed it is!

[Image: DSCN1603.jpg]]]>
My Garden, 2k10:

[Image: DSCN1602.jpg]
Ok, here's another:

[Image: DSCN1601.jpg]
And my wife insists that I include a picture of the barn she's been painting while I toil in the earth:

[Image: DSCN1605.jpg]
And speaking of the wife, here she is refilling the flytraps to get them away from our horses. Hmmm, what's that she's wearing? Could it be a Hyborian War shirt in cannary yellow? Why yes indeed it is!

[Image: DSCN1603.jpg]]]> <![CDATA[PokeMon]]> http://grimfinger.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=421 Wed, 07 Jul 2010 11:04:51 +0000 http://grimfinger.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=421 <![CDATA[The Wizard of Oz]]> http://grimfinger.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=420 Wed, 07 Jul 2010 10:09:08 +0000 http://grimfinger.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=420
» (del) Bytor of the Snowdogs - 05-07-00:06 -- Tinkering tinkers tinker.....
» (del) Bytor of the Snowdogs - 05-07-00:07 -- I like that eye in the sun thing
» (del) Bytor of the Snowdogs - 05-07-00:08 -- has a secret society feel to it
» (del) Bytor of the Snowdogs - 05-07-09:54 -- One that shouldn't be posted about for fear of friendly retribution and complaint.
» (del) Bytor of the Snowdogs - 05-07-09:54 -- Smile
» (del) Ryan - 06-07-00:14 -- Every secret society needs a secret handshake

The "eye in the sun" to which Bytor referred is the one contained in the following image that I posted in the header section of this website's layout:

http://grimfinger.net/ComicArt/263.jpg

What does any of this have to do with the title of this blog-esque forum posting? I shall get to that in a little bit. But, first, indulge me, if you will.

The image in question originates from a previous discussion, one titled "Designing a NEX Flag." Specifically, it can be located in the second page of that discussion thread, in posting # 16 of that thread by myself, as an file attachment to that posting.

http://grimfinger.net/forum/showthread.p...=91&page=2

[Image: Design8.png]

In the shoutbox quips quoted above, Bytor mentions "secret society feel." In his posting in the forums here of April 6th, 2009, Bytor stated, "What the future holds is a mystery. I look forward to unravelling that mystery, alone , or with others."

Secret societies and mystery go hand-in-hand, I suppose. Again, though, what does any of this have to do with the Wizard of Oz?

Patience, my friend. Patience.

The eye in the image in question? Is it the Eye of the Illuminati, or the Eye of Providence?

In a discussion thread titled "NorthEastExcursions (NEX) Hiking Club," I stated the following two things:

If I were to delete your names from the Tome, to banish you into the Nethervoid, you would want to know why. If I were to cast you to the winds, you would think me unfair. Yet, you, yourselves, are your own worst enemies. If I want to destroy you, then all that I truly need to do is nothing. You are quite content, it seems, upon being the authors of your own demise.

. . .and also. . .

You should disband the NorthEastExcursions Hiking Club, for not a single one of you care so much as a single, solitary iota for it. Be merciful, and slay it in its sleep.


There is more than just a little irony in how things unfolded. Seemingly, the most vocal advocate of this NEX hiking group soon enough became disenchanted with that very thing which he previously held in high regard.

Now, health issues plague Slothtor, placing at risk ability to engage his great love for hiking and climbing, as he was previously inclined to do.

The purpose of creating this quasi-blog rambling, this early morning hour, was to speak to the issue/need/desire for me to change the design of the front page of this site.

You see, I never really know what I want the site to look like, and this core problem is greatly exacerbated to the point of being fatal by my ever-changing whims and fancies of thought.

There are things about it all that make no sense - unless one is privy to the specifics of how this or that came about in the first place.

This site is a repository of Hyborian War related material, yet its focus often seems to be on something other than Hyborian War. My own posting activity often seems to run inversely proportional to participation in and use of this site by other people. Hence, why we have discussion threads such as "The Disappearances of GrimFinger" to pop up, at times.

http://grimfinger.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=297

In all fairness, though, GrimFinger seems to be the oldest - and the most active - participant in the forums here. But, that's just my take on things.

In another stroke of irony, if you asked virtually anyone who knows who I am who GrimFinger is, they would likely tell you that it is me. However, while that moniker was eventually assumed by me, through sheer quantity of usage as much as by anything else, it is a moniker that I originally crafted for another - the esteemed Mr. Barron. Mr. Barron rejected it, opting, instead, to become the Warbarron, and I, not favoring allowing such a quaint term to fall into disuse and to become abandoned into the dustbin of time, resurrected it even before the corpse was cold.

Again, though, the question begs to be asked, what does any of this have to do with the Wizard of Oz, as the subject heading of this forum thread suggests? All things in due time, my friend.

The irony doesn't end there, however. The moniker of GrimFinger, originally intended as a domain name, was at the dawn of its inception irretrievably inter-spliced with the motto of "Don't just give 'em the finger. Give 'em the GrimFinger!" At least, that's how my faltering memory recalls the origin of it all.

The Hyborian War Repository aspect of this website tends to be as constant and unchanging as the rest of this website seems to be quite the contrary - an exercise in near-eternal change. A malleable, amorphous blob.

Some, I'm sure, would probably prefer that that equation of existence be turned upon its head and reversed. Could I facilitate making such a reality? Sure. I could, but I'm not really sure why I should bother with such an undertaking of such dubious import.

This site affords a certain modicum of convenience to me, albeit for a variety of different reasons and purposes. True, I could split the atom of my existence, and scatter my remains across the vast quantum of the Internet. But, I'm not sure that that would necessarily prove to be a better approach for either you or me.]]>
» (del) Bytor of the Snowdogs - 05-07-00:06 -- Tinkering tinkers tinker.....
» (del) Bytor of the Snowdogs - 05-07-00:07 -- I like that eye in the sun thing
» (del) Bytor of the Snowdogs - 05-07-00:08 -- has a secret society feel to it
» (del) Bytor of the Snowdogs - 05-07-09:54 -- One that shouldn't be posted about for fear of friendly retribution and complaint.
» (del) Bytor of the Snowdogs - 05-07-09:54 -- Smile
» (del) Ryan - 06-07-00:14 -- Every secret society needs a secret handshake

The "eye in the sun" to which Bytor referred is the one contained in the following image that I posted in the header section of this website's layout:

http://grimfinger.net/ComicArt/263.jpg

What does any of this have to do with the title of this blog-esque forum posting? I shall get to that in a little bit. But, first, indulge me, if you will.

The image in question originates from a previous discussion, one titled "Designing a NEX Flag." Specifically, it can be located in the second page of that discussion thread, in posting # 16 of that thread by myself, as an file attachment to that posting.

http://grimfinger.net/forum/showthread.p...=91&page=2

[Image: Design8.png]

In the shoutbox quips quoted above, Bytor mentions "secret society feel." In his posting in the forums here of April 6th, 2009, Bytor stated, "What the future holds is a mystery. I look forward to unravelling that mystery, alone , or with others."

Secret societies and mystery go hand-in-hand, I suppose. Again, though, what does any of this have to do with the Wizard of Oz?

Patience, my friend. Patience.

The eye in the image in question? Is it the Eye of the Illuminati, or the Eye of Providence?

In a discussion thread titled "NorthEastExcursions (NEX) Hiking Club," I stated the following two things:

If I were to delete your names from the Tome, to banish you into the Nethervoid, you would want to know why. If I were to cast you to the winds, you would think me unfair. Yet, you, yourselves, are your own worst enemies. If I want to destroy you, then all that I truly need to do is nothing. You are quite content, it seems, upon being the authors of your own demise.

. . .and also. . .

You should disband the NorthEastExcursions Hiking Club, for not a single one of you care so much as a single, solitary iota for it. Be merciful, and slay it in its sleep.


There is more than just a little irony in how things unfolded. Seemingly, the most vocal advocate of this NEX hiking group soon enough became disenchanted with that very thing which he previously held in high regard.

Now, health issues plague Slothtor, placing at risk ability to engage his great love for hiking and climbing, as he was previously inclined to do.

The purpose of creating this quasi-blog rambling, this early morning hour, was to speak to the issue/need/desire for me to change the design of the front page of this site.

You see, I never really know what I want the site to look like, and this core problem is greatly exacerbated to the point of being fatal by my ever-changing whims and fancies of thought.

There are things about it all that make no sense - unless one is privy to the specifics of how this or that came about in the first place.

This site is a repository of Hyborian War related material, yet its focus often seems to be on something other than Hyborian War. My own posting activity often seems to run inversely proportional to participation in and use of this site by other people. Hence, why we have discussion threads such as "The Disappearances of GrimFinger" to pop up, at times.

http://grimfinger.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=297

In all fairness, though, GrimFinger seems to be the oldest - and the most active - participant in the forums here. But, that's just my take on things.

In another stroke of irony, if you asked virtually anyone who knows who I am who GrimFinger is, they would likely tell you that it is me. However, while that moniker was eventually assumed by me, through sheer quantity of usage as much as by anything else, it is a moniker that I originally crafted for another - the esteemed Mr. Barron. Mr. Barron rejected it, opting, instead, to become the Warbarron, and I, not favoring allowing such a quaint term to fall into disuse and to become abandoned into the dustbin of time, resurrected it even before the corpse was cold.

Again, though, the question begs to be asked, what does any of this have to do with the Wizard of Oz, as the subject heading of this forum thread suggests? All things in due time, my friend.

The irony doesn't end there, however. The moniker of GrimFinger, originally intended as a domain name, was at the dawn of its inception irretrievably inter-spliced with the motto of "Don't just give 'em the finger. Give 'em the GrimFinger!" At least, that's how my faltering memory recalls the origin of it all.

The Hyborian War Repository aspect of this website tends to be as constant and unchanging as the rest of this website seems to be quite the contrary - an exercise in near-eternal change. A malleable, amorphous blob.

Some, I'm sure, would probably prefer that that equation of existence be turned upon its head and reversed. Could I facilitate making such a reality? Sure. I could, but I'm not really sure why I should bother with such an undertaking of such dubious import.

This site affords a certain modicum of convenience to me, albeit for a variety of different reasons and purposes. True, I could split the atom of my existence, and scatter my remains across the vast quantum of the Internet. But, I'm not sure that that would necessarily prove to be a better approach for either you or me.]]> <![CDATA[The United States of America versus The State of Arizona]]> http://grimfinger.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=419 Wed, 07 Jul 2010 00:36:36 +0000 http://grimfinger.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=419
http://grimfinger.net/usa_v_arizona.pdf]]>
http://grimfinger.net/usa_v_arizona.pdf]]> <![CDATA[Bytor's Flower Garden of Tranquility]]> http://grimfinger.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=418 Sun, 04 Jul 2010 00:06:53 +0000 http://grimfinger.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=418
As a result I am experiencing a not so tranquil beginning to my long weekend, trying to save my plants from certain death. Many of which are now severely wilted. I am hopeful that my efforts will be in time to save the day.

All I can say is... " Thank Goodness for Miracle Grow Plant Foods."

I also had to rework the pumps to my fountain and mini brook that spawns from the waters of my itsy-bitsy man made pond. During that work it became neccessary to drain the pond in it's entirety. Upon doing so, I was able to see my cats handi-work. What kind of cat goes and dumps his kills into his masters garden pond ? Too bad cats aren't as easily trained as dogs. Though Money does serve his purpose and earns his keep around the castle. I guess I'll just need to be a bit more in tune with how he likes to to put his catches through water torture. I did notice he has been spending a lot of time near the pond lately, but thought nothing of it. I should have known he had his reasons.

3 mice and a fairly large something or other (perhaps a hedgehog) were found within that murky depth. Bloated and mostly unreckognizable. Had I not abandoned my garden like yesterday's hobby for 2 weeks, perhaps the algae would not have gotten thick enough to hide the poor creatures felled by Sir, Money Cat; protector of the household kingdom from infestation.

No picture yet, but I'll have one soon enough. Just not so soon that evryone thinks I buy plants just to torture them in the privacy of my back yard.]]>
As a result I am experiencing a not so tranquil beginning to my long weekend, trying to save my plants from certain death. Many of which are now severely wilted. I am hopeful that my efforts will be in time to save the day.

All I can say is... " Thank Goodness for Miracle Grow Plant Foods."

I also had to rework the pumps to my fountain and mini brook that spawns from the waters of my itsy-bitsy man made pond. During that work it became neccessary to drain the pond in it's entirety. Upon doing so, I was able to see my cats handi-work. What kind of cat goes and dumps his kills into his masters garden pond ? Too bad cats aren't as easily trained as dogs. Though Money does serve his purpose and earns his keep around the castle. I guess I'll just need to be a bit more in tune with how he likes to to put his catches through water torture. I did notice he has been spending a lot of time near the pond lately, but thought nothing of it. I should have known he had his reasons.

3 mice and a fairly large something or other (perhaps a hedgehog) were found within that murky depth. Bloated and mostly unreckognizable. Had I not abandoned my garden like yesterday's hobby for 2 weeks, perhaps the algae would not have gotten thick enough to hide the poor creatures felled by Sir, Money Cat; protector of the household kingdom from infestation.

No picture yet, but I'll have one soon enough. Just not so soon that evryone thinks I buy plants just to torture them in the privacy of my back yard.]]> <![CDATA[For some reason]]> http://grimfinger.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=417 Fri, 25 Jun 2010 17:38:06 +0000 http://grimfinger.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=417
I will try to sort the issue out tonight or tomorrow, sometime.]]>
I will try to sort the issue out tonight or tomorrow, sometime.]]> <![CDATA[The Road of Kings: The King's Highway?]]> http://grimfinger.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=416 Fri, 25 Jun 2010 17:33:29 +0000 http://grimfinger.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=416 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King%27s_Hi...ancient%29

The King’s Highway was a trade route of vital importance to the ancient Middle East. It began in Egypt, and stretched across the Sinai Peninsula to Aqaba. From there it turned northward, leading to Damascus and the Euphrates River.

Numerous ancient states, including Edom, Moab, Ammon, and various Aramaean polities depended largely on the King's Highway for trade. The Highway began in Heliopolis, Egypt and from there went eastward to China (modern Suez), through the Mitla Pass and the Egyptian forts of Nekhl and Themed in the Sinai desert to Eilat and Aqaba. From there the Highway turned northward through the Arabah, past Petra and Ma'an to Udruh, Sela, and Shaubak. It passed through Kerak and the land of Moab to Madaba, Rabbah Ammon/Philadelphia (modern Amman), Gerasa, Bosra, Damascus, and Tadmor, ending at Resafa on the upper Euphrates.

The Highway is referred to in Numbers 20:17-21:

Please let us pass through your country. We will not pass through fields or vineyards, nor will we drink water from wells; we will go along the King's Highway; we will not turn aside to the right hand or to the left until we have passed through your territory.'"
Then Edom said to him, "You shall not pass through my land, lest I come out against you with the sword."
So the children of Israel said to him, "We will go by the Highway, and if I or my livestock drink any of your water, then I will pay for it; let me only pass through on foot, nothing more."
Then he said,"You shall not pass through." So Edom came out against them with many men and with a strong hand.
Thus Edom refused to give Israel passage through his territory; so Israel turned away from him.

Many of the wars of the Israelites against the kingdoms of the trans-Jordanian highlands during the period of the Kingdom of Israel (and its sister-kingdom, the Kingdom of Judah) probably were at least partly over control of the Highway.

The Nabateans used this road as a trade route for luxury goods such as frankincense and spices from southern Arabia. During the Roman period, the King's Highway was rebuilt by Trajan and called the Via Traiana Nova. The Highway has also been used as an important pilgrimage route for Christians, as it passed numerous sites important in Christianity, including Mount Nebo and al-Maghtas ("the Baptism Site") at the Jordan River, where Jesus is believed to have been baptized by John the Baptist. Muslims used it as the main Hajj route to Mecca until the Ottoman Turks built the Tariq al-Bint in the 16th century.]]> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King%27s_Hi...ancient%29

The King’s Highway was a trade route of vital importance to the ancient Middle East. It began in Egypt, and stretched across the Sinai Peninsula to Aqaba. From there it turned northward, leading to Damascus and the Euphrates River.

Numerous ancient states, including Edom, Moab, Ammon, and various Aramaean polities depended largely on the King's Highway for trade. The Highway began in Heliopolis, Egypt and from there went eastward to China (modern Suez), through the Mitla Pass and the Egyptian forts of Nekhl and Themed in the Sinai desert to Eilat and Aqaba. From there the Highway turned northward through the Arabah, past Petra and Ma'an to Udruh, Sela, and Shaubak. It passed through Kerak and the land of Moab to Madaba, Rabbah Ammon/Philadelphia (modern Amman), Gerasa, Bosra, Damascus, and Tadmor, ending at Resafa on the upper Euphrates.

The Highway is referred to in Numbers 20:17-21:

Please let us pass through your country. We will not pass through fields or vineyards, nor will we drink water from wells; we will go along the King's Highway; we will not turn aside to the right hand or to the left until we have passed through your territory.'"
Then Edom said to him, "You shall not pass through my land, lest I come out against you with the sword."
So the children of Israel said to him, "We will go by the Highway, and if I or my livestock drink any of your water, then I will pay for it; let me only pass through on foot, nothing more."
Then he said,"You shall not pass through." So Edom came out against them with many men and with a strong hand.
Thus Edom refused to give Israel passage through his territory; so Israel turned away from him.

Many of the wars of the Israelites against the kingdoms of the trans-Jordanian highlands during the period of the Kingdom of Israel (and its sister-kingdom, the Kingdom of Judah) probably were at least partly over control of the Highway.

The Nabateans used this road as a trade route for luxury goods such as frankincense and spices from southern Arabia. During the Roman period, the King's Highway was rebuilt by Trajan and called the Via Traiana Nova. The Highway has also been used as an important pilgrimage route for Christians, as it passed numerous sites important in Christianity, including Mount Nebo and al-Maghtas ("the Baptism Site") at the Jordan River, where Jesus is believed to have been baptized by John the Baptist. Muslims used it as the main Hajj route to Mecca until the Ottoman Turks built the Tariq al-Bint in the 16th century.]]> <![CDATA[General McChrystal]]> http://grimfinger.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=415 Wed, 23 Jun 2010 16:13:09 +0000 http://grimfinger.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=415
Personally, I think that he should fire him. What's the general apologizing for, if he's done nothing wrong? The moment that he did that, then he knew, already, at that moment, that he had screwed up, if not before.

The war in Afghanistan was lost well before Obama was President, and before McChrystal was put in charge of that theater of operations.

McChrystal is not nearly as popular as MacArthur was, when President Truman fired him. If McChrystal wants to shoot his mouth off, then he should do that in the President's presence, not to Rolling Stone magazine.

The general has always had the option of tendering his resignation, if he disagrees with the President over the President's handling of things - and during his resignation, he can spout off as much as he wants to, laying his soul bare for one and all to consume, if he so pleases.

But, the general should have enough sense to know and to comprehend and to realize that remarks made to the press are not really "off the record," unless the press wants it to be.

There is much irony in the fact that it is Rolling Stone that is at the center of this controversy. Maybe they should change the name of it to Rolling head magazine.

Obama should not dither about it. He should fire the general, make an example of him, and then become hyper-critical of strategies and tactics offered up by any successors. The military is not sacred. The military is subordinate to the civil authority. Period. Obama should reinforce that dictum, and the rest of the military leadership should pay heed to it.]]>
Personally, I think that he should fire him. What's the general apologizing for, if he's done nothing wrong? The moment that he did that, then he knew, already, at that moment, that he had screwed up, if not before.

The war in Afghanistan was lost well before Obama was President, and before McChrystal was put in charge of that theater of operations.

McChrystal is not nearly as popular as MacArthur was, when President Truman fired him. If McChrystal wants to shoot his mouth off, then he should do that in the President's presence, not to Rolling Stone magazine.

The general has always had the option of tendering his resignation, if he disagrees with the President over the President's handling of things - and during his resignation, he can spout off as much as he wants to, laying his soul bare for one and all to consume, if he so pleases.

But, the general should have enough sense to know and to comprehend and to realize that remarks made to the press are not really "off the record," unless the press wants it to be.

There is much irony in the fact that it is Rolling Stone that is at the center of this controversy. Maybe they should change the name of it to Rolling head magazine.

Obama should not dither about it. He should fire the general, make an example of him, and then become hyper-critical of strategies and tactics offered up by any successors. The military is not sacred. The military is subordinate to the civil authority. Period. Obama should reinforce that dictum, and the rest of the military leadership should pay heed to it.]]> <![CDATA[2010 Mid-Term Elections]]> http://grimfinger.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=414 Wed, 23 Jun 2010 15:37:46 +0000 http://grimfinger.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=414
Here in the 4th Congressional District of South Carolina, Congressman Bob Inglis just lost his bid for reelection. I didn't vote for him, in either the election two weeks ago, nor in the run-off election, yesterday. I didn't vote for Trey Gowdy two weeks ago, but I did cast a vote for Gowdy, yesterday.

I didn't vote for any of the Republican candidates listed on the ballot, either two weeks ago nor yesterday, in the run-off between Nikki Haley and Gresham Barrett. Of the two of them, I preferred Haley to Barrett, but I just couldn't bring myself to vote for her. What bothers me about her are not the allegations about sexual antics, of which she was accused during the campaign, but rather, the way that she is compared to Mark Sanford. I never cared for Mark Sanford, even when he first ran for governor a number of years back.

In my South Carolina House district, District # 17, our district's voters dumped Harry Cato (the President Pro Tem of the State House), but I didn't vote for him nor either of his two Republican challengers in that race, Tom Corbin and Nathan Earle. Corbin won the primary.]]>
Here in the 4th Congressional District of South Carolina, Congressman Bob Inglis just lost his bid for reelection. I didn't vote for him, in either the election two weeks ago, nor in the run-off election, yesterday. I didn't vote for Trey Gowdy two weeks ago, but I did cast a vote for Gowdy, yesterday.

I didn't vote for any of the Republican candidates listed on the ballot, either two weeks ago nor yesterday, in the run-off between Nikki Haley and Gresham Barrett. Of the two of them, I preferred Haley to Barrett, but I just couldn't bring myself to vote for her. What bothers me about her are not the allegations about sexual antics, of which she was accused during the campaign, but rather, the way that she is compared to Mark Sanford. I never cared for Mark Sanford, even when he first ran for governor a number of years back.

In my South Carolina House district, District # 17, our district's voters dumped Harry Cato (the President Pro Tem of the State House), but I didn't vote for him nor either of his two Republican challengers in that race, Tom Corbin and Nathan Earle. Corbin won the primary.]]> <![CDATA[NHL]]> http://grimfinger.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=413 Tue, 22 Jun 2010 18:52:20 +0000 http://grimfinger.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=413 To Boston: RW Horton, C/LW Campbell.
To Florida: D Wideman, 15th overall in 2010, 3rd round pick in 2011.

I like the trade. The purging of the Panthers is well underway. This gives the Bruins some scoring up front and enough depth to allow them to deal or buyout Ryder.
Add this to the 2nd overall Hall/Sequin lottery from the Kessel trade to the Maple Laughs, I can see this team becoming dominant in the east within 3 years.]]> To Boston: RW Horton, C/LW Campbell.
To Florida: D Wideman, 15th overall in 2010, 3rd round pick in 2011.

I like the trade. The purging of the Panthers is well underway. This gives the Bruins some scoring up front and enough depth to allow them to deal or buyout Ryder.
Add this to the 2nd overall Hall/Sequin lottery from the Kessel trade to the Maple Laughs, I can see this team becoming dominant in the east within 3 years.]]> <![CDATA[Titan's 5th Birthday]]> http://grimfinger.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=412 Mon, 21 Jun 2010 17:17:05 +0000 http://grimfinger.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=412
HOORAY!!]]>
HOORAY!!]]>