Author: -J.

J&STAC: Rat Queens, vol 1

2 Comments

-J. is a writer for the Addison Recorder. Steph works in a comic book shop. They’re married and have a lot of discussions about comic books & graphic novels. Combine all that into a regular feature and you get “J. & Steph Talk About Comics.”

J. & Steph Talk About Comics: the Pilot Episode

For our inaugural discussion, we’re looking at the comic book that inspired us to do this series. High fantasy, tons of RPG elements, snark, wit, and the most ass-kicking characters this side of a d20 — Rat Queens. Volume 1 is collected in the graphic novel, “Sass and Sorcery,” and volume 2 is currently on its second issue in comic book format.

rat-queens [Read more…]

the Fifth Line: Preseason Prospects, RFA Contracts, and NHL Expansion

Leave a Comment

I type these words as the last day of summer fades into autumn-culled darkness. I have just watched Cuba Gooding, Jr., take his top off in the middle of a Blackhawks’ preseason game. And everyone’s favorite ‘Hawks parody account has returned to Twitter.

Guess that all means it’s time to start writing about the NHL again. I’m going to start this (pre)season with a few thoughts on the Midwest. Because I live here. [Read more…]

361 & a Wake Up: a Recap of Gen Con 2014

Leave a Comment

“The Best Four Days in Gaming” only ended last week, and I already want to go back.

Addison Recorder editor Karen Martin and I (along with many others) attended this year’s Gen Con, the biggest tabletop gaming convention on this side of the Atlantic. The difficulty in doing a recap of such a huge con is that each attendee will have a unique experience; with over 56,000 people attending four days that pack almost 400 vendors and over 14,000 events into a few city blocks, you almost need to read an aggregate of recaps (including this one from Shut Up & Sit Down) to get the full picture.

Sailor Moon on bassoon, a wizard on mandolin, and Chewbacca on cello. Self-explanatory.

No context needed.

Here is one such recap: My recounting of Gen Con 2014. [Read more…]

World Cup: Reflections and Final Predictions

Leave a Comment

It’s been a great few weeks of international soccer, and we now arrive at the apex. For one last time, Alex & -J. reflect upon World Cup 2014, and make their inexpert-but-enthusiastic predictions for the final couple of games.

2014 Reflections & Discoveries

-J.: As we approach the final two games, I’m both ready for it to end, but also a bit sad to see the end arrive. I’m looking forward to devoting my full attention to being disappointed by the Chicago Fire and demoralized by the Milwaukee Brewers. I’m waiting to see what happens in Brazil — culturally and politically — now that the financially crippling World Cup did not result in a 6th title for host Brazil. They laid out so much money and sacrificed so much of the common good for FIFA twice (Confederations Cup last year, World Cup this year), and are doing the same for the IOC (Summer Olympics in 2016). I’m going to enjoy the ability to pretend that Sepp fucking Blatter does not exist on a regular basis.

(image via Chicago Tribune)

But I will miss the fans and the coverage of this tournament. Chicago went outlaw wild for Team USA and the World Cup. I loved the ESPN coverage, which is no small feat for a network I tend to give the side-eye. The nightly analysis from former World Cup stars like Michael Ballack, and from the few American international vets like Alexi Lalas, was entertaining and illuminating. When the analysis would break up for the “last call” style of reflection, it was a perfect way to end the day. Hell, I could watch Lalas and Ballack go back & forth, even if Alexi needs to let others get a few more words in. [Read more…]

Games on Addison: Splendor

Leave a Comment

Hey! It’s almost time for the Spiel des Jahres!

You know, Spiel des Jahres? The Oscars of board games? Except that it’s international, so maybe it’s actually the Golden Globes of board games? Erm, hold on…

Okay, that attempted contextualizaion fell apart rather quickly. Let’s just go with the fact that it’s a big deal to be nominated or even recommended for a Spiel des Jahres (German for “Game of the Year”), not to mention actually winning one. If you’re a game designer or publisher, you will wear that little awards logo like a badge for the rest of your life. Literally. Whoever wins the award this July 14th will stick it onto their box design FOREVER.

Which brings me to today’s game spotlight. It’s been a while since we’ve talked about tabletop games here on the Recorder, and more’s the pity. With Walsh and Karen on staff, perhaps we can try to be a Great Lakes version of Shut Up & Sit Down review. Ah, dreams. In the meantime, however, I’m going to take a look at one of this year’s Spiel des Jahres nominees, Splendor.

image

[Read more…]

World Cup Picks: Semis

Leave a Comment

It’s been a long, strange ride at this World Cup, yet despite that, we have a final four of teams that have regularly finished here (5+ times for each team). Not only that, but the combination of Brazil, Germany, and Argentina have more World Cup titles than all other countries combined.

Back again are Alex and -J. to discuss their inexpert-but-enthusiastic picks. Before that, naturally, we take another look at U.S. Soccer:

(image via ESPN)

Team USA’s 2014 Legacy

England Should Emulate the USA?

-J.: Before we get to the predictions, I wanted to reiterate just how topsy-turvy this World Cup has been, despite the final four teams all being expected powerhouses. Back in England, one of the big takeaways from this tournament apparently is… be more like Team USA. With CONCACAF advancing ¾ of its teams into the knockout stage, there was a level of surprise and disbelief, followed by “how can we get in on that.” It may be a case of hemispherical advantage (five of the six South American teams also advanced to the Round of 16), but it does seem that Team USA’s performance not only inspired fans at home, but also a few opponents abroad.

With that, let’s get to the picks. [Read more…]

World Cup Picks: Quarters

Leave a Comment

Deep breath. Team USA is out, but the World Cup goes on. Before it does, though, we write its epilogue.

Team USA Departs

-J.: Uff da, where to begin? How about with the standard Team USA post-loss assessment: that we’re a young team with good energy, but the Belgian game exposed the fact that we weren’t quite ready for primetime. Knowledgable sports writers have posited that this is the takeaway from the World Cup 2014, and… it’s a little bit of bullshit, honestly.

To recap, Team USA had the worst travel schedule of all 32 teams, played in the most debilitating location (Manaus) more than any other team, sustained significant injuries to three of its most critical players (including its primary striker), and was stuck the ridiculous Group of Death. AND YET, Team USA made it to the Round of 16, where they lost in OT, 2-1, to a team that is a dark horse pick for the Finals. Not only that, they almost won in FT and almost later sent it to PKs. Not too shabby for a supposed not-world-class team from a supposedly fourth-rate continental federation.

[Read more…]

World Cup Picks: the Round of 16

Leave a Comment

Alex and -J. did such a good job picking the 16 teams to make it past the Group Stage, we brought them back to predict the Round of 16.

(That said, “good” is a relative term here, as they each picked 10 of 16. If a 62.5% success rate is good, these guys are solid.)

To the picks!

image

 

Brazil vs. Chile

-J.: Every team in these first two games is from CONMEBOL, which means we’re guaranteed to have a South American team in the semi-finals. As the home team, it’s really difficult to pick against Brazil. They’re getting favorable calls from the refs, they’re one of the best teams in the world, and Neymar is scary-good. Chile had a great group stage, but couldn’t beat strong Dutch team. Chile also has yet to beat Brazil in the last 18 months, and I don’t see it happening here. Can you find a reason to pick against Brazil here, Alex?

Alex: Sadly, I cannot. I really liked watching Chile spank their old colonial masters out of the tournament last week. They looked young, aggressive, and confident; who could ask for anything more from a South American side? Well, you could ask for a history of complete dominance and a stupefying home-field advantage. Brazil hasn’t lost a competitive match within its borders since the 70’s. The 70’s! They will win here.
[Read more…]

World Cup Cocktails: Group G

1 Comment

Group G. The most important group. The Group of Death, Part II (Electric Boogaloo).

Within this group is Team USA, and thus the most important cocktail selections will be within this group. The United States (and those other teams’ countries) offers up a plethora of liquor options and a storied drink-mixing history. But for me, there choice is clear. This group’s cocktails will be built with a booze our Founding Fathers distilled and drank: brandy. Glorious brandy.

Now, as a child of Wisconsin, my heritage dictates that I am an expert on things like supper clubs and brandy. Even if I did move out of state prior to being able to legally drink brandy at a supper club, it matters not — distillate derived from fruit is in my blood. Literally, as I’ve just tested the recipes listed below.

Behold: the supper club. (I think this was actually Albright’s Tavern back when I was a kid…)

Brandy isn’t a new ingredient in this series; slivovitz, pisco, and some aguardiente would fall under the classification of brandy or eau de vie.

Or “schnapps.” It’s a word derived from German, and tends to be a generic term for a strong distilled liquor. One of the more common spirits in Germany associated with this term is kirschwasser (or just kirsch) — an unaged cherry eau de vie. It’s not uncommon to see it referred to as “dry cherry brandy” here in the States, to distinguish it from flavored liqueurs that are sometimes called fruit “brandy.” [Read more…]

World Cup Cocktails: Group F

Leave a Comment

Welcome to Group F, the group of Argentina.

Messi greets you with hugs!

Okay, there are three other teams that are fighting to be the group’s runner-up, but none of them have Lionel Messi. Argentina’s fortunes rise and fall with their star player, and we start with a cocktail as potent as Messi’s left foot. In fact, you’ll find that all the cocktails in this group are made with uniquely bold spirits, so you may want to strap in for this trio.

I was initially tempted to do another highball as part of this series, as Fernet & Cola is pretty much the national drink of Argentina (or so the Internet and its targeted ads tell me). But then I ran across a recipe from Imbibe that used Fernet Branca with Scotch. There has been a dearth of whisk(e)y cocktails in this series, so I jumped at this one.

(For those who want Fernet & Cola, it is: a shot of Fernet Branca into a Collins glass, add a few ices cubes, fill with cola to taste. Highballs are rather easy drinks.)

[Read more…]