Author: mattfred

I wrangle molecules.

Role Playing Game by mattfredJun 27, 201911:36 am

Thousand Year Old Vampire (Part I)

I’ve always had an itch to play Role Playing Games, but the actual play has been limited to when a group can get together on a regular basis. As an adult with a job, and with my friends as adults with jobs, it’s possible to do, but never really spontaneous.

Then I heard of this game, Thousand Year Old Vampire by Tim Hutchings. Only one player needed. The idea of the game is to tell the story of the entire tragic life of a vampire. Never played it before, but it sounds like my kind of nebulous nerdiness. I also like dark stories, and this will scratch an itch.

Pages: 12

civic duty by mattfredOct 24, 201811:07 am

VOTE (for Beto)

It’s that time again, when we are asked to do our civic duty and pick the people who will run our nation. Since we totally fucked up two years ago, it’s time to fix it. […]

ouch by mattfredOct 18, 20187:30 am

Muh Face Hurts

I had the privilege yesterday of getting some minor dental work done. Don’t ask me the name of the procedure, but it involves a bone graft, where they take a tiny drill and make holes […]

Critters by mattfredOct 16, 20182:43 pm

A New Matriarch

We have a new member of the family. She’s an older kitty named Crackers. She’s sweet and cuddly and very fluffy. We didn’t expect her, but I’m glad we have her. Welcome, Crackers!

grief never ends by mattfredOct 11, 20188:30 am

Ten Years

Ten years ago, my father, Kyle, passed away.

I’m regularly reminded of him, especially around this time of year. I smell yet another pot of coffee brewing, no matter the time of day. I hear the sound of his laughter and endless conversation over coffee. I see the wires and microphones and the blue wisps of smoke rising from the soldering iron in the radio room.

Music appreciation by mattfredOct 10, 20182:53 pm

Back in the rotation

I’m putting this album back in the rotation. I have good memories of this album. I got lost in it when I needed to escape reality a few years (or more) ago. Thankfully I don’t […]

run by mattfredOct 9, 201811:26 am

Summer is almost over

Summer down where I live now is like winter where I used to live: If you stay outside too long, the environment will kill you. It’s strange to have cabin fever while staring out the […]

Uncategorized by mattfredMay 13, 20187:25 am

Mom

I initially wanted to say something profound or clever. Something from a different angle.

But Mother’s Day is a moment where we all step back and acknowledge that most of us would have been maimed by our own stupid toddler hubris, or grown up more rude and demanding, or felt alone and unloved, if it weren’t for our mother or the people who stepped up to be the role of mother.

Critters by mattfredMay 10, 201811:57 am

Tree frog clinging to inside wall of mailbox

How to Properly Perform a New Home Freakout

We bought a house last week. WE BOUGHT A HOUSE LAST WEEK!!

And so, that means getting things moved in, getting walls painted the proper shade of whatever color you want them to be, and generally running around like a completely unorganized, excited, tired person.

We had four visitors of note, (one actual human) with varying degrees of auspiciousness.

A day in the life by mattfredFeb 1, 20189:57 am

So, remember that time when I said I didn’t want kids?

I remember a time in the recent past when, if someone asked me whether I could see myself having children, I would have just immediately answered “no”. Never. Not a chance. No complex reasoning behind my answer, either. Simply that answer and then moving on to the next topic of conversation.

As I write this, I’ve lived with a tiny human for almost two years now. It’s been a challenge. It’s been a delight. I’ve felt like a monster sometimes, and other times my heart bursts with joy.