The Redundant Monkey

San Diego Comic-Con 2008 : Sweeney Todd

Sweeney Todd, originally uploaded by madmojo.

San Diego Comic-Con 2008 pics are up!  Check them out here!

San Diego Comic-Con 2008

San Diego Comic-Con 2008, originally uploaded by madmojo.

San Diego Comic-Con 2008 pics are up!  Check them out here!

Wolverine and Storm

Wolverine and Storm, originally uploaded by madmojo.

San Diego Comic-Con 2008 pics are up!  Check them out here!

Ash!

Ash!, originally uploaded by madmojo.

San Diego Comic-Con 2008 pics are up!  Check them out here!

The Punisher

The Punisher, originally uploaded by madmojo.

San Diego Comic-Con 2008 pics are up!  Check them out here!

Grunion Grab

Grunion Grab, originally uploaded by madmojo.

Cupcake Joy

Cupcake Joy, originally uploaded by madmojo.

Nerds and Dragons

Nerds and Dragons, originally uploaded by madmojo.

Full disclosure - I've never played Dungeons and Dragons, ever. I was a fan of the cartoon, and the closest I've ever come to it was playing Gauntlet in the arcade or The Bard's Tale on the computer.

I'll admit it and say I'm a huge comic book fan, or at least I was. A portion of my closet houses hundreds of comics collected from my teenage years. I love cartoons. I love anime. Most of the television shows I love have some sort of sci-fi/fantasy element to them. I'm sort of a closeted nerd.

I've never joined in online discussion groups, larped, or done any of the things that could dangerously cement you into a nerd category. It's not because I'm ashamed of it, but it's more of a private thing. Something I can enjoy on my own without ever having to explain myself. Plus other nerds with their theories makes my underwear bunch up.  That being said, I am going to Comic-con this weekend, but it's mostly to take pictures of OTHER people. It's not to make fun either, because quite honestly I think it takes balls to dress up like a klingon, or an elf, or any other comic book character. I couldn't do it.

The picture above was taken in the mid 90's and we were on our way to a Halloween party. We dressed up as D&D nerds. Something buried deep within my flickr account. This week I discovered if you type in the following terms in a Yahoo image search - dungeons and dragons nerds - this picture is the #1 picture. The first one. The one at the top. The one that everyone sees right away. On the one hand, its quite flattering, on the other hand - highly embarrassing. I've spent a lot of time trying to convince people that have found the picture that I've never played the game and that it was a Halloween costume.

So why would I write a post about it?  Plain and simple, it's fucking hilarious, and if this is my only claim to internet fame, then fuck it, I'll take it.

Since I've never played the game, I was curious to find out what kind of character I would actually be.  I wasn't happy with my results.  I was a Bard!  A fucking musician.  Lame.  I want to be a hunter or someone that carries a sword and not a fucking lute.  Is it a lute?  Those annoying lil' gourd looking guitars that REM always uses? 

Take the test yourself, you'll probably be something cooler like an elf or something.

_______________________________________________________________________

I Am A: Neutral Good Human Bard (3rd Level)

Ability Scores:
Strength-15
Dexterity-13
Constitution-12
Intelligence-15
Wisdom-14
Charisma-14

Alignment:
Neutral Good A neutral good character does the best that a good person can do. He is devoted to helping others. He works with kings and magistrates but does not feel beholden to them. Neutral good is the best alignment you can be because it means doing what is good without bias for or against order. However, neutral good can be a dangerous alignment because it advances mediocrity by limiting the actions of the truly capable.

Race:
Humans are the most adaptable of the common races. Short generations and a penchant for migration and conquest have made them physically diverse as well. Humans are often unorthodox in their dress, sporting unusual hairstyles, fanciful clothes, tattoos, and the like.

Class:
Bards often serve as negotiators, messengers, scouts, and spies. They love to accompany heroes (and villains) to witness heroic (or villainous) deeds firsthand, since a bard who can tell a story from personal experience earns renown among his fellows. A bard casts arcane spells without any advance preparation, much like a sorcerer. Bards also share some specialized skills with rogues, and their knowledge of item lore is nearly unmatched. A high Charisma score allows a bard to cast high-level spells.

Find out What Kind of Dungeons and Dragons Character Would You Be?, courtesy of Easydamus (e-mail)

I'm Gonna Quit You

, originally uploaded by madmojo.

...right after Burning Man.

OVERHEARD in the Elevator

I work in a 11 story building deep in the heart of Hollywood.  The great thing about that, is that the view - awesome.  The worst thing - the elevator ride.  I'm not sure how many casting agencies there are in this building, but it seems like someone's always going to or coming from an audition.  Today someone was casting for Pushing Daisies, which is a show I actually like.

MAN:  So how'd your audition go?
WOMAN:  Oh it went great!  How'd yours go?  Being deaf and all, it must have been fun.
MAN:  Deaf?
WOMAN:  Deaf!
MAN: Oh you mean dead! 
WOMAN:  OH!  (awkward giggle)
MAN:  Well that's cute that you wore a daisy in your hair.  You know, Pushing Daisies and all.
WOMAN:  Oh I didn't even do that on purp- Oh hey...Pushing Daisies!  Deaaaaaaaad, not deaf.  I get it.