Things I Love About Summer Part 5

Summer Reading!!  Doesn't that bring back memories of being a kid and going to the public library at the beginning of the summer to sign up for summer reading?  That was always fun to get rewards for reading books in the summer.  I wasn't the best at reading a ton or getting many prizes, but the effort of opening a book on a rainy summer afternoon wasn't the worst thing in the world.  

When I made my way into junior high the motivation for reading waned a bit as I got my first job working at the local swimming pool hocking pop corn, Ding Dongs and soda in the concession stand.  But then, a neighbor introduced me to the X-Men and The Hobbit.  This was summer reading where the prize wasn't something a librarian gave me, the prize was imagination and discovering characters I could get behind.  In high school, summer reading got me through the Lord of the Rings trilogy and Isaac Asimov's Foundation series.  

Today, summer allows me the time to read books that aren't necessarily just for work.  Yes, I have a summer reading group with students that meets three times through the summer to discuss three books we have read.  Those books are a hit and miss on stories that I like, but the discussion with the kids are always fun and insightful.  Many times they convince me that I shouldn't have liked the book that I liked, and that I should have liked the books that I didn't.  I can never win.  

Then I get to the books that I really want to read.  Most of them fall into a few categories that I will never tire reading: Star Wars, fantasy (Forgotten Realms, DragonLance), graphic novels and comics.  I save the non-fiction for the school year when it feels a little more, scholarly.  

This summer I have continued my read-through of the X-Factor comic run of the 1990s.  I keep up-to-date with my current comics both in print and digital.  I finally started reading the classic X-Wing series from the 1990s.  I found Rogue Squadron by Michael Stackpole to be as exciting as watching the trench run through the Death Star.  What a great book!  I blew through it as I found it hard to put down.  

I am now, on July 19, between books and struggling to choose.  I am in the mood for fantasy but the lure of book 2 of X-Wing: Wedge's Gamble is really strong.  So, as I decide, I consume comics and graphic novels.  

This is one of the things I love about summer.  I get to read and read and read, take some time between books to decide what is next, and enjoy the real prize of great stories and good relaxation.  

Gen Con 2025: Trade Day

Trade Day at Gen Con is one of the most productive of the convention for me.  I get to hang out with my people. Yes, they are gamers, but they are educators, librarians, game publishers, and store owners.  It is the fourth year that I have presented with my colleague and podcast co-creator/host, Dan Reem.  It has been a good outlet for us to share our model for a school game club as well as our RPG Summer Camp.  It isn't just presenting that makes this day worthwhile; however, I get to attend the sessions of other educators and librarians to hear how they are using games in their schools and libraries.  Public librarians share how they use games to increase usage of their resources and build community with games.  

Trade Day also allows everyone the opportunity to talk with vendors on a more one-to-one basis.  I have learned about new games and how they are designed to meet the needs of educators and student learning.  I get to talk game mechanics and the business of game design.  It is a unique opportunity for both parties to talk and share ideas and needs. 

Finally, my favorite part of Trade Day is the evening social after I have enjoyed dinner at the food trucks.  The social is a great time to wind down after learning all day.  It is at the social that I get to socialize with the other educators and librarians.  I also take a good chunk of the time to get game demonstrations and talk about the business side of the game design.  There are also opportunities to play some games that are still in development and on Kickstarter.  This year I got to play a prototype of Goats and Goblins, a fun, competitive card game that involves strategy and luck to win.  

There are less important benefits to participating in Trade Day, but nice conveniences all the more.  First, there aren't long lines to pick up badges.  We walked up to the check-in table, got our badge, and moved on in less than one minute.  We also got to visit the Gen Con store.  This year we had to wait about 45 minutes in line, but that is nothing compared to the hour to hour and a half lines during the convention.  Finally, we get to walk around the Indiana Convention Center.  The vendor and play halls are closed, but we get to look around the long corridors where the signage is already up.  At the end of a long Trade Day, this walk got me pumped up for four days of convention fun.  

Trade day is a great opportunity for learning and networking.  Trade Day is also a great way to acclimate to the next four Gen Con days ahead.  If you are a librarian, educator, game developer, or game store owner, I highly recommend attending this day. 

Gen Con 2025: StarFinder 2nd Ed. panel

On Saturday morning in Room 245 of the Indiana Convention Center, excited fans filed in to listen to a panel of StarFinder creators to discuss what is new and give a little hint of what is coming. Many fans could barely get comfortable from all the excitement, but for good reason, StarFinder second edition to be released next month (for sale at Gen Con), and there was a lot to share. 

First, the panel discussed the new products from the second edition including the Core rulebook, a deluxe adventure, "Murder in the Metal City," a new novel by Tim Pratt, Era of the Eclipse, and a new card game.  Many of us in the audience hadn't had a chance to see these items, so it was good to hear what we could expect.  

Next the panel of StarFinder creators shared that a new adventure based on the online game, Warframes, will release as a pdf in October.  It is designed it be a quick adventure of two hours for your combat-heavy groups and a few more hours for your role players.  

The new book by Tim Pratt, Era of the Eclipse will fill in some gaps between eras that will help fill in the timeline of StarFinder.  I purchased the book and will give a review here on Seeking Positivity in the Galaxy later. 

Then the panel got to some new, unannounced content.  They began by showing a trailer for a new video game to come out on Kickstarter titled StarFinder: After the Light.  Panel members described it in the vein of Balder's Gate, but most interestingly, it appears that it will have a romance component which should be interesting.  

A couple new book covers were revealed in the panel discussion.  First, was the cover for a new book of Galactic Ancestries.  Of course, not much could be said, but one panelist revealed that he is working on a race of oozes, and another panelist noted that several Pathfinder races will be included with expanded ancestries from other planets.  This book is designed to continue the canon of the StarFinder galaxy which when asked, will connect to the original first edition books.  It was noted that the rich information from the first edition books are still relevant even thought the stat blocks and other game mechanics are not.  The other book cover which depicts a space battle with some really cool purple lightning magic shooting across one side and space ships on the other side, does not have a title.  The panel couldn't really say much about this book except that it is an adventure book and think haunted space station/gas station.  There is a lot that could go into that, so we wait.  

In the Q/A session, a fan asked if ship combat is still in playtest.  The simple answer is yes, but they are close and they want to be sure to get it right. Finally, an audience member asked about new classes.  There are new classes being discussed weekly, so we can expect to see some new classes.  

At the conclusion of the panel, many fans, understandibly, rushed to the stage to meet the creators face to face.  This is what Gen Con is all about.  

In Search of Mellencamp

"The north garden would be on that side," I mentioned pointing to the left of the building in front of us as we were facing east.  "I have a really good sense of direction,"  I bragged.  Our search for John Mellencamp was nearing a conclusion or so we thought. 

  
On a recent trip to Indiana, I joined my good friends Ross, host of the Album Cockpit Podcast, and Monica on a trip to Bloomington, Indiana in search of the John Mellencamp statue on the campus of Indiana University.  

Two years ago Ross, Monica, my youngest daughter, Kelsey and I made a trip to Seymour, Indiana to explore the hometown of John Mellencamp.  It was a marvelous and enlightening trip as we ate lunch at a downtown diner that John used to visit.  It didn't appear that one thing had changed in that diner since the early 1970s when John would have come there with his friends.  We strolled up and down the streets of Seymour and stopped in to a music shop where several gentlemen were standing around visiting.  The shop was rich in Mellencamp memorabilia that you wouldn't find anywhere else, but the real treasure were the stories the gentlemen told us of John and his family.  It was amazing.  You can hear our recap and breakdown of John Cougar Mellencamp's album on the Album Cockpit Podcast right here. 

So, Ross, Monica and I (no daughter this year) set off to Bloomington and the campus of IU.  It was a hot, sweltering 4th of July morning, and as we arrived it became quickly apparent that the town was packed full of people for a 4th of July parade.  It was a scene of  small town Americana that
definitely gave me the feel of many of John's songs.  We made our way through town, found an open donut shop and took some time for a bit of morning sweets and conversation.  Then it was off to campus in search of Mellencamp.  

It didn't take long to get there as it was only two blocks from the donut shop.  When we stepped onto campus, the entire scenery changed as we went from college town to grand stone buildings of learning placed among park-like trees and grassy spaces.  The campus also has settled onto a hilly landscape which added to the quaint feel.  After a few lefts and rights, up and down stairs through gardens, then the north garden, we came across the statue.  What a sight it was to see the representation of our favorite rock-n-roll star, ready to strike a chord right there in the garden.  We admired the work, took some pictures, Monica placed a floral decoration, we fist bumped to our discovery and moved on, mission accomplished

As we made our way back to town, pleased with our accomplishment, we made a wonderful discovery that continued the adventure!  A sandwich-board sign was placed out in front of a storefront that advertised the art of John Mellencamp!!  Did we stop?  You bet we did, and boy did we discover Mellencamp!  We opened the door of Clash Art Gallery to find an exhibit of Mellencamp's art.  Popping out from the back room of the gallery was talented artist, curator and owner of the gallery, Jennifer Mujezinovic to greet us on this 4th of July.  She shared stories about Mellencamp and how his art came to her gallery which boils down to this: he came in and asked.  Her stories drew a picture of Mellencamp as a person with hopes, worries, excitement just like the rest of us.  This visit was a treasure of art and story.  What a joy!  I was left buzzing all the way back to Indianapolis.  

Like our previous search for Mellencamp in Seymour, the adventure was filled with visual discovery, but the real treasure were the personal stories of our musical hero.  

Artist Playthrough #1 2025 - INXS

It has been a long time coming, but I finally got an Artist Playthrough collection together for 2025.  This week's artist is the Australian band, INXS.  I loved this band in high school and college.  The pop style was catchy and lead singer and front man, Michael Hutchence, demanded attention.  Sadly, Hutchence passed in November, 1997, but he left a legacy of excellence with a band willing to take some risks.  

Here are the albums along with my pick for top song for each:  

Kick 1987 - This album is filled with hits from Need You Tonight, New Sensation, and Devil Inside. 
However, my top song for Kick is Mystify.  The song starts off with a cool opening before kicking in to a classic pop sound.  

X  1990 - The album opens with a killer song that rides with you all day long, Suicide Blonde.  There are a few songs on this album with a driving beat that just doesn't quite kick like Suicide Blonde.  It is hard not to choose that opening song as my favorite, but after a couple reviews of this album, Bitter Tears stands out to me as the top song of this album.  The deciding factor is the passionate performance of Hutchence in the chorus.  

Welcome to Wherever You Are 1992 - The album opens to a new sound with the song Questions.  Don't be fooled, INXS pumps out a jam with Heaven Sent and the album is back on track.  My top song for Welcome to Wherever You Are is a quiet tune that will draw you in, Beautiful Girl.  

Full Moon, Dirty Hearts 1993 - A little harder, a little punk, a little blues, but still INXS.  There is a change to the INXS sound with this album, but they bring a couple features with Chrissie Hynde and Ray Charles as guest artists to a couple songs.  This album is a step to one side or the other, but it totally works for me.  My top song of this album is The Messenger.  It is a throwback to some older INXS, super catchy with a good guitar sound and commanding lead vocals.  

Eligantly Wasted 1997 - This album is quite pedestrian.  It feels like they lost their INXS sound and assimilated with the sound of the late 90's without any band identity.  There aren't any songs on this album that are a standout for me.  Clearly the magic of the late 80s are gone for the band.  

Top Digital Cards Base Cards so far 2025

Half-way through the year isn't a bad time to take a look at some of my favorite Topps Digital Cards from Star Wars Card Trader, Marvel Collect and Topps Bunt. 

There have been some great sets this year, but the base sets have been enjoyable as well. Here are my Top 6 (two from each platform) base cards for 2025: 

6. Jacob Wilson, 2025 Bunt Base - Series 1, Base Tier 1

It is hard to pick a top baseball base card, because what often makes a baseball card stand out is the boarder and special series.  Sometimes what makes a great baseball card great is what player is featured or what team is featured.  So, for picking my top two Bunt base cards I went strictly photo otherwise any card would be Shohei Ohtani, or Pete Crow-Armstrong or Tarik Skubal.  

I chose the Jacob Wilson card as my 6th top digital card in 2025 so far, because of the action of the follow through of the swing.  I love this image for a card because it includes the action and Jacob's eyes following the ball.  It also highlights his number and name which is important for a baseball card.  I do like the base tier boarder and design as well.  

5. David Peterson, 2025 Bunt Base - Series 1, Base Tier

I really like the this card and what it shows.  As mentioned above, the action shot in a baseball card is the best.  I like that the image they chose for Peterson is not only mid-pitch, but we can see his pitching hand.  We can see his position on the ball and see that the grip has the ball back in his hand setting up some kind of off speed pitch.  This card does a nice job of telling the story of the pitch.  

4.  Shin Hati, 2025 Base - Series 2 Tier 1 - White

Like the Bunt cards, I like the design of the base cards this year.  For the 10th anniversary of the SWCT app, they modeled this year's base card on the original 2015 card set.  The double lined boarder around the image matches the original card.  I chose Shin Hati because I feel the card captures her character.  She was a mysterious character in the Ahsoka series and this pose fits that mysteriousness of her character.  I want to know more!! 

 

3. Darth Vader, 2025 Base - Series 2 - Tier 1 - White

I like the unique image of Vader from the Obi-Wan Kenobi series.  This straight on view with the light reflecting off of his helmet and chest armor is quite intimidating.  This has quickly become one of my favorite Darth Vader images.  Would you agree?

2.  Spider-Naut, '25 Base - Series 1 - White  Tier 1

Okay, I will confess this card did nothing for me when the set came out.  Yes, this is what Spider-Man would look like if her were Juggernaut.  Fun.  But, then I read the Amazing Spider-Man conclusion to "8 Deaths of Spider-Man" run, and I totally get it.  So, go read that run of Amazing Spider-Man and this card will make much more sense.  

1.  X-23, '25 Base - Series 1 - White Tier 1

It took a while for this character to grow on me, but she is pretty cool.  So, why do I like this base card so much that I make it my #1?  POV!!!  Also, the action in her hair, facial expression, fists, and posture make this an appealing base card!  This card is top notch!

Reading Viewing Stats Quarters 1 and 2, 2025

We are half way through 2025.  The days seem to move slowly, but the year slips by quickly.  I have
never understood how that works, but here we are.  I haven't taken any time to reflect on what I have watched, listened to, or read this past quarter, but I have continued to record it as I have for several years. 

I do know that I put in a lot of podcast listening minutes in the first quarter of the year, but with the return of Major League Baseball, those podcast minutes have dropped considerably.  With the return of the MLB, I picked up the MLB At Bat subscription where I can listen to all baseball radio broadcasts.  So, as a way to track my usage of the this app, I started noting what teams I listen to on the "Reading and Viewing" stats sheet.  I note any game that I listen to intentionally for 5 innings or more.  This does not include games that are on in the background, and I find myself wondering what the score is.  Anyway, I have enjoyed listening to the different broadcasters and noting the different approaches to calling a game.  I am still quite partial to the Chicago Cubs broadcasts with Hall of Fame Broadcaster Pat Hughes, but I do enjoy many of the other broadcasts like Jon Miller and Davis Flemming on the San Francisco Giants broadcasts.  My goal is to listen to at least one game of every Major League Baseball club this season. 

Well, here are the stats from the first two quarters of 2025:  

Movies Watched:  11

Rewatch: 4

First Time: 7

In Theater: 3

T.V. shows streamed: 93

First time:  78

Rewatch:  15

Podcast Episodes:  28

Time Listened: 1742

Books Read:  8

Fiction:  4

Nonfiction:  34

Pages Read:  2,114

Audiobooks:  

Fiction:  

Nonfiction:  

Hours Listened:  

Books Abandoned:  1

Fiction:  1

Nonfiction: 

Pages Read:

Short Stories Read: 

Fiction: 

Nonfiction:  

Pages Read:  

Comic Books Read: 126

Print: 54

Digital: 72

Book Titles:  

Void Rivals: Vol. 1 More than Meets the Eye by Robert Kirkman Art by Lorenzo de Felicia (Graphic Novel)

The Salt Thief: Ghandi's Heroic March to Freedom by Neil Bascomb

The Library Mule of Cordoba by Wilfred Lupano and Leonard Chemineau, art by Christopher Bouchard (Graphic Novel)

Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk 

I Must Betray You by Ruta Sepetya

Dungeons and Dragons: Worlds and Realms by Adam Lee

Love & Gelato by Jenna Evans Welch

Meirlich and Oga's by Annabelle Hiel

Movies Watched:

Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl

Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves

Wicked

Captain America: Brave New World (Theater)

Inside Out  2

Rogue One

Star Wars: A New Hope (theater)

Elemental 

Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith

Thunderbolts (theater)

 

T.V. Series Watched: 

Skeleton Crew

Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man 

Music By John Williams

Andor season 1

Fur Babies

Disney Treasure

Light and Magic season 1

Andor Season 2

Star Wars Rebels

Dance Moms Season 2 (don't ask, I couldn't look away)

Dead to Me Season 1

Dead to Me Season 2

Dead to Me Season 3

Star Wars: Tales of the Underworld

Pepsi, Where's My Jet (documentary series)

Podcasts:

Rebel Base card Podcast (3)

60 Songs that Explain the 90's (2)

The Colbycast (5)

Teachers in the Dungeon (1)

Lost Ballparks (13)

Classic Baseball Radio (5)

MLB Team's Games listened: (min 5 innings)

Chicago Cubs 25

Detroit Tigers 18

San Francisco Giants 4

Seattle Mariners 4

New York Yankees 2

Texas Rangers

Kansas City Royals

Washington Nationals

Pittsburg Pirates

New York Mets

San Diego Padres

First Quarter 2025 Post

2024 Final Stats