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The Drunk and The UglyThought Crimes Episode 21 – FinaleFreedom has always come with asterisks, footnotes, and apologetic parentheticals. There is no total freedom; we are bound by causality, space, physics, time, ability, location, background, wealth, the limited freedoms of others. Yet, there are small freedoms every day in the choices we make, consciously or unconsciously, and in the infinite choices we choose not to make. Corporations, politicians, video bloggers, door-to-door salesmen will all try to manipulate that choice, but ultimately the power lies with you and the values you hold. You can impact this world, destroy infinite possibilities and create infinite more. So be vigilant. Understand yourself...2024-07-061h 24
Working Class AudioWCA #492 with Toby Campen - Mastering Mindset, Switching Lanes, Keeping Rates Up, Human Interaction, and Taking Care of YourselfMy guest today is Mastering Engineer Toby Campen, based in Brighton, UK, who has worked with Black Pines, Everyday Saints, The Endearing, Young Empress, Thorisson, Bekimachine, Rodney Cromwell, Daniel Hugh, Gemma Cullingford, The Droppers Neck, and Pixelstorm.In this episode, we discussGrowing up in EssexRecording His BandCrappy College StudioLiner Note ReadingRecording Local BandsBook Heavy Recording ClassesArchivingMixing for Film and TVMastering MindsetSwitching LanesSetting Up a BusinessGoing Part TimeHelp From Wierd JungleInspiration from Justin PerkinsInspiration from Glenn SchickEarly MistakesKeeping Rates UpTravis Ference AI ConsiderationsGetting ClientsThe TubeHuman InteractionSocial Media MessagingAudio MinimalismTaking Care of YourselfStandup/Sit DownProduction Expert2024-05-211h 02The Drunk and The UglyThought Crimes Episode 20 – PierlessThe docks had been closed for months now, its runners knee deep in one of the last and most powerful labor strikes in the city. No scab dared cross the picket line, the union bosses cold as ice and deeply respected by their allies. But as infrastructure in the city became ever more unwieldy, and liquid cash became easier than ever for the ever-larger shipping companies to dredge up, they simply didn’t need scab workers anymore. They had scab industries. Boatloads of shipping containers slowly moved from idle docks to scores of self-driving double-decker big rigs that clogged th...2023-10-072h 04The Drunk and The UglyThought Crimes Episode 19 – PossibilitiesAddiction is a powerful thing. Or maybe more relevantly than addiction, the expectation of instant gratification and constant stimulation. The jury is out on just how addictive those cycles can be, and that jury may always be out, for its own concerning reasons. Children move from toy to phone to tablet and back, while adults move from phone to computer to television. These avenues have always been fine in moderation. But moderation limits profit. And always, the companies find a need, create one if necessary, and provide the solution that extracts as much value as the market can bear...2023-03-271h 40The Drunk and The UglyThought Crimes Episode 18 – Child’s PlayIt was the same as it had always been. “Open enough boxes of Cracker Jack” became “use your decoder goggles,” which became “get a full set of hidden stickers,” which became “scan the right QR code.” And always for a prize that could be, but was statistically unlikely to be, a higher cost than the variable number of items purchased to earn it. A model that manipulated dopamine, cultivated a sense of wonder, and perhaps most importantly, held statistically lower volatility and risk for larger-scale operations. Yet another model that slowly, insidiously, by law of averages, moved wealth up the chain to the...2022-08-011h 44The Drunk and The UglyThought Crimes Episode 17 – High TempersLook, gunshot wounds take a while to heal, okay?
After all,
It’s Only Business.
Side Chatter
MUSIC CREDITS
“Lightless Dawn” by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com)License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
PLAYERS
Greg – Andrew Burke. An aging corporate spokesman, Andrew has worked for many companies to defuse tense situations and make questionable sales pitches. After surviving cancer, a car crash and a mugging, he takes precautions to ensure that he packs a lot more than just words for when things g...2022-07-041h 53The Drunk and The UglyThought Crimes Episode 16 – All InSometimes you get fucking shot.
After all,
It’s Only Business
MUSIC CREDITS
“Lightless Dawn” by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com)License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
PLAYERS
Greg – Andrew Burke. An aging corporate spokesman, Andrew has worked for many companies to defuse tense situations and make questionable sales pitches. After surviving cancer, a car crash and a mugging, he takes precautions to ensure that he packs a lot more than just words for when things get rough.
Kevin – Isaac Soklarus. A company man, Isaac has been w...2021-01-082h 18The Drunk and The UglyThought Crimes Episode 15 – Rose Colored GlassesThe casino business had changed. Not as much as anyone thought it was going to, but it had changed. With the advent of the chip that changed the world, sleep no longer existed in a meaningful way for most. The night stretched on and on, with anxiety and fatigue weighing you down. The sun takes away the light, and reminds you that you are cold and alone without it. A perfect opportunity for a company to bring in optimism, hope, kind faces, good food, and a gorgeous environment free from the petty differences of day and night. You could...2020-11-021h 35The Drunk and The UglyThought Crimes Episode 14 – Dragon SlayerThere are few who would disagree that the meaning of life is more than the collection of good experiences to a degree that they maximally outweigh bad experiences. But how MUCH more? In their centuries of debating hedonism, utilitarianism, stoicism, and a hundred other worldviews, philosophers have considered the thought experiment of shaving down one’s brain to the minimum required to maintain consciousness and experience sensation, and placing it in a jar that continuously stimulates its pleasure centers until it dies a happy death. Under philosophies that maximize pleasure, they say, doing that to someone would not only be...2020-09-111h 13The Drunk and The UglyThought Crimes Episode 13 – Keep TalkingSometimes, when you work on your own for long enough, your plans become inseparable from you, attached irreparably to the way you think. This is all well and good until the plan leaves your grasp, and others start to grapple with it, only to find that what has been created wasn’t made for them, despite that being the original point of the project. Once past the rose-colored glasses, the plan becomes riddled with failure points, uninteresting, and frustrating, not because there’s anything wrong with the perspective of the recipient, but because that perspective wasn’t fully considered. When t...2020-08-072h 42The Drunk and The UglyThought Crimes Episode 12 – The Dirty JobThe cogs continued to turn, squealing under the friction of the grit placed within them, but turning nonetheless. Tired, twitching fingers fretted at the keyboard, eyes bouncing between shorthand sections of past plans. The links were there, even if a good number of the boxes were marked with a small, passive aggressive “x”. At least when part of the plan failed, it didn’t require attention. It was like tossing a ball aside while juggling; the overall effect is diminished, but what remains is more reliable, more likely to work. With Project Lachesis standing at the forefront of his workfl...2020-07-102h 09The Drunk and The UglyThought Crimes Episode 11 – The Break InAnother day, another demand. The city had long since stopped paying for the upkeep of the few remaining public prisons, after years and years of shrinking budgets. Strategic privatization meant only so much of the city revenue came through the tax system, and it became politically difficult to allocate that2020-06-152h 17The Drunk and The UglyThought Crimes Episode 10 – Who Have You Hurt?Monopolies are often more complicated in the modern era than the board game would have you believe. With the size and complexity of the business incorporation space, a corporation of a certain size often needs to build both horizontal and vertical integration. A certain size above -that- often needs to2020-05-292h 14The Drunk and The UglyThought Crimes Episode 9 – In N OutSome days it was better than others. Today was not one of those days. Some days it was a minor annoyance at the back of his mind. Today, it felt like lightning was pouring through his nerves. Another day in the dark, fingers clutching at the remote as he scanned2020-05-132h 42The Drunk and The UglyThought Crimes Episode 8 – Home[BEGIN COMMERCIAL] [BEGIN MUSIC, SOURCED FROM “CALMING” AND “CALL TO ACTION” PSYCH TAGS] [FADE FROM BLACK TO REVEAL CEO, VIDEO EDIT TO SOFTEN FACIAL FEATURES, CREATE WARMTH] CEO: Welcome to GeneHome. Where your legacy is assured through your contribution to science. [SWING SHOT, HALF-SMIRK TO ENSURE KNOWLEDGE AND CONFIDENCE, ADJUST2020-04-222h 37The Drunk and The UglyThought Crimes Episode 7 – Curtain CallOur blood-shot eyes disguise their lies Our cries all rise up to the skies God help them when they realize Our knives arrive to end their lives They never let our city sleep They count on us to be their sheep The pens are full, the labor cheap But they’re2020-04-081h 49The Drunk and The UglyThought Crimes Episode 6 – Showtime (Part 2)Since time immemorial, the powers that be have valued entertainment. It doesn’t only pacify the masses, leaving them blind to the injustice and the exploitation of the system that contains them. They pay for it too. This leaves the powerful to search for the most potent, resonant messages, and when2020-03-252h 07The Drunk and The UglyThought Crimes Episode 5 – Showtime (Part 1)The conditions were perfect. Or at the very least, in the very particular setting of this tube, they were perfectly designed to accomplish what the bosses wanted. Restful, continuous, and above all, predictable sleep. It was dark. Sixty-four degrees Fahrenheit on the dot, he’d heard them say, with continuous modifications2020-03-111h 30The Drunk and The UglyThought Crimes Episode 4 – TriageThe system had never specialized in long-term investment for the future. Or at least not the future of humanity. How would you justify it to the board of investors when all of the other companies are part of humanity too? What the system DID specialize in was finding a need2020-02-262h 50The Drunk and The UglyThought Crimes Episode 3 – UnderworldThe legalization and proliferation of an commercially-offered implanted brain chip, especially one that interfaced with the notoriously vital hypothalamus, was met with public outcry and legislative difficulty, to the surprise of no one. However, the surprise over the speed with which that public outcry and legislative difficulty drained away was2020-02-122h 01The Drunk and The UglyThought Crimes Episode 2 – DissonanceWhen trying for a role in a criminal enterprise, and with the right connections, it doesn’t take much for an outsider to see results. The question is whether the results are the ones you want. Ask the right questions, and exert the right (lower-case-L) leverage, and your life is liable2020-01-292h 22The Drunk and The UglyThought Crimes Episode 1 – The Recruitment JobSan Francisco is a very different place than it used to be, but not by as much as one might hope. In the near future, corporations have almost complete reign over local, state and national governance, with Silicon Valley used as a testing ground for not only new technologies, but2020-01-152h 03The Drunk and The UglyGobblin – Welcome to Weird Hole at Gen Con 2019After a splitting of their tribe, a bunch of goblins are left to strike out for someone else to live. They reach a campground near a large, heavily forested canyon that should suit their purposes, but troubles lurk in all directions. Strange cults and dark prophecies threaten their new home2019-10-142h 36The Drunk and The UglyGobblin – Rocking the Apocalypse at Gen Con 2019Every goblin knows that when you’ve got nothing better to do, you listen to Free Guff on the only working radio station. When the day comes where he realizes he’s been broadcasting all along, he puts out a call for anyone who can provide him with music; CDs, records, instruments,2019-09-302h 13The Drunk and The UglyGobblin – Rowdy Riders and the Bombmobile at Gen Con 2019The Rowdy Riders are a band of goblins known for two things: riding on something and doing anything for pay. To go through with a trade, the Riders are hired to escort a truck full of explosives to its destination, hoping that thieves, mutants and the local Redcap problem don’t2019-09-092h 09The Drunk and The UglyGen Con 2019 Wrap-Up – The Malort DiariesAnother year, another Gen Con. Our largest party so far traveled to Indianapolis and all have stories to tell of steps walked, games played, and unusual botanical liquors consumed.2019-08-261h 49The Drunk and The UglyEclipse Phase – Idol Glory (Part 2) //Forum: Neo-Idoru Interests, Sub-Forum: FW-48 Topic: Sightings and Location (Pinned) Ratboy_AF: Can confirm at least two on Locus. Flash concert near the Amoeba,2019-07-222h 30The Drunk and The UglyEclipse Phase – Idol Glory (Part 1) Kanawa: They calling it FW-48? FW? j0benz: I mean, strictly speaking, there are an almost limitless combination of things that acronym could mean. Even if you restrict yourself to those languages that use the Greek alphabet, ignoring other languages’ uses of the2019-07-081h 49The Drunk and The UglyDeathwatch – Binary Stars Season 1 FinaleThe following is a pamphlet recovered from the locker of a Tau soldier killed in action during naval engagement. The Tau ship was presumed en-route to Bellom to engage Astra Militarum forces. “While Bellom may seem of little use to us, scorched though it is, both the agents of the2019-06-241h 49The Drunk and The UglyDeathwatch – Binary Stars Episode 8What follows is a partially decoded transcript of a message intercepted between previously unknown Eldar agents operating on Bellom. The veracity of the claims or even existence of the Eldar is as yet unconfirmed but assumed to be true. From Farseer Aeglen for the ears of Pathfinder Sobir- Static lasting2019-05-201h 50The Drunk and The UglyDeathwatch – Binary Stars Episode 7Log of Captain Hepatia, Sword-Class Frigate Alexandria 125.817.M41 2032 Hours Operational Theater: Rheelas We have been engaged with Stigmartus ship elements for 4 hours, the majority of the time with only visual communication. Contact with the ground has been extremely limited, and battle order has been difficult to maintain. Despite2019-04-292h 23The Drunk and The UglyDeathwatch – Binary Stars Episode 6Conflict Report In Progress of Captain Roman, Ultramarines 125.817.M41 1946 Hours Operational Theater: Rheelas 1-Unsuccessful attempt to coordinate actions with Storm Wardens and Salamanders (see report D-RHE1982, Unsuccessful diplomacy attempt preceding Rheelas conflict Gamma) 2- Enacted joint operation with Deathwatch Squad, successfully assaulting previous seat of power on Rheelas utilizing2019-04-152h 12
Ugly TalkEpisode 23 - Scenario Design: Red MarketsThis month Matt and Travis invite 3 special guests (and one tag along) to the show. Travis has struggled trying to work with the Red Market's RPG system. Tonight, with the help of our guests, we hope to rectify that. Along the way we will talk the different focuses GM's have when designing games, our advice for learning how to write scenarios, and personal tricks for running games. Special thanks to Technical Difficulties' Greg, Laura, and Adam as well as Roleplaying Exchange's Sean for all their assistance with the creation of this episode. Media Referenced:...2018-10-031h 39Ugly TalkEpisode 22 - Detroit vs The WireDavid Cage's Detroit: Become Human has become something of a bad joke among those who have experienced it due to its nonsensical twists and poor handling of the idea of the Civil Rights Movement. Since the internet at large has spent more than their fair share of time beating it down, we felt like comparing it to another cop story that deals with the subject of racial inequality by also discussing the first season of David Simon's 2002-2008 HBO Drama The Wire. We also talk in detail about the concept of Sensitivity Editors and other ideas to br...2018-08-221h 32Ugly TalkJune HiatusTravis and Matt are currently dealing with personal issues. We will return in July.2018-06-2700 minUgly TalkEpisode 20 - SpeedrunningSpeedrunning is a rather esoteric hobby of trying to beat games as quickly as possible under specific conditions. It's difficult to say where it began or what the first speedrun was, but on this day in the year of our lord two thousand eighteen it's grown into a large community that contains many smaller subcultures. To the outside observer, speedrunning may seem like a fruitless or impossible task to pick up, as observation of the fastest run shows that runners immediately understand the whole game and execute it to the finest degree in ways not conceived by t...2018-02-211h 01Ugly TalkNeo-Lovecraftian Horror at Gen Con 2017This panel was recorded at Gen Con 2017. The panelists were Travis, Matt, and Greg Bennett of Technical Difficulties. Horror beyond time and space! The unknowable horror of the universe! But is it really all the same? This panel is an exploration of the evolution of Lovecraft's works in the modern era. And how what we experience today might changed due to the influenced by other mediums.2017-09-2054 minUgly TalkEpisode 15 - Twin Peaks and the MICE QuotientHello internet! We return to you this summer to talk about the return of a revered but short series from the 1990s. Twin Peaks was a TV series by David Lynch and Mark Frost about the murder of the Homecoming Queen Laura Palmer in the sleepy town of Twin Peaks, Washington. We share the experiences and explore the town through Dale Cooper, a federal agent called in to investigate the murder. The M.I.C.E. quotient is a writing foundation credited to Orson Scott Card, known most notably for his science fiction series Ender's Game. The basic...2017-06-2156 minUgly TalkEpisode 12 - Deconstruction and ReconstructionHello internet! In this episode we continue our discussion from the previous episode on ways to break down media, where we now focus on the supreme way: Deconstruction and Reconstruction. In a deconstruction, a medium is taken apart, usually by playing the subject matter completely straight and considering how the signature elements would work in the real world. In a reconstruction, the criticisms pointed out by deconstructing are accepted and modified in such a way that they feel faithful to the core work, but don't require the same caveats they once did. In the course of...2017-03-021h 02Ugly TalkEpisode 11 - Final Fantasy XV, Punch Club, and RemixingHello Internet, and welcome back to Ugly Talk. In our first episode of 2017, we're discussing patterns in media remixing and creation by examining and comparing some very different video games. Namely, we are comparing Punch Club, an early 2016 mobile fight manager simulator with a number of very goofy themes, to the more recently released Final Fantasy XV, a AAA multi-hour JRPG that wears its previous influences on its sleeve. In our discussion, we break down the ideas of parody, bricolage, pastiche, homage, and plagiarism and how to consider taking elements from other media to remix into your own games. 2017-01-3152 min
Ugly TalkEpisode 10 - Learning from Black MirrorWelcome back to Ugly Talk! We've got one more to close the year out, focusing some feel good TV. Black Mirror is a project by the great Charlie Brooker, humorist, satirist, critic, etc, etc. Brooker has produced many short run television series, mostly comedies, but all of which seem to deconstruct the world of entertainment around us and call into question that which we have either ignored or normalized. Black Mirror is the extreme of this deconstructivism as via a Twilight Zone lens of sci-fi conceits to shine a light on some element of media we already live with. 2016-12-2257 min
Ugly TalkGen Con 2016 - Indie Game Design and PublishingSam and Matt did another panel on publishing indie RPGs. This year they picked a name that meant something and also Sam was able to make it to Gen Con to talk about it. It quickly turns to a roundtable discussion and Q&A about common problems while publishing and both of them talk about their experiences publishing Sordid Dystopia, both good and bad.2016-12-0149 minThe Drunk and The UglydeadEarth Character GenerationBack in mid-October when the Cubs and Indians were head-to-head in the World Series, Matt made a bet with Greg Bennett of Technical Difficulties: If the Indians won, Matt would run a game of deadEarth, and if the Cubs won, then Greg would run deadEarth. In reading through the books2016-11-212h 36Ugly TalkGen Con 2016 - Neo Lovecraftian HorrorHP Lovecraft is undoubtedly a driving force in the ever-changing face of horror in the modern age. While but one of a movement, his works changed the basic inspirations of horror from a universe of divine punishment doled out by monsters to a universe that couldn't be bothered to care if you lived or died. His talk of ancient powerful beings from worlds beyond the stars and the insignificance of mankind were fantastical and horrifying in ways the stories of vengeful monsters couldn't be. In the modern age, Lovecraft's work is still highly influential, but the original stories are a bit...2016-10-1555 min
Ugly TalkGen Con: Intro to Skype GamingAt Gen Con last year, Travis and Matt let the fine con attendees in on the secrets they had learned about online roleplaying via their time on The Drunk and the Ugly. Also along for the ride was Aaron Carsten of Role Playing Public Radio, talking about his recent experiences running games online and the differences from his time at the table.2016-09-1455 minUgly TalkGen Con 2016 - Campaign Design and YouOver the weekend, we attended Gen Con, where we hosted several different seminars. Kevin and James join Matt on this one in describing their campaign design philosophies to the attending audience before opening the floor for questions, advice, and discussion.2016-08-1159 min
Ugly TalkEpisode 7 - The Three Act StructureWelcome back to Ugly Talk! This month, we know things about Film Writing and the Three Act Structure. Travis is out of town on business, so Matt brought in Kevin Colmar and Charlotte Adams to discuss what they know about filmmaking, film writing, film direction, and what of it can be applied to games and how. 2016-07-281h 18
Ugly TalkEpisode 6: Red MarketsSupport Red Markets on Kickstarter! Welcome back to Ugly Talk! This month, we know things about Red Markets, the game of economic horror where the world has ended and the rent is still due. Along with Matt and Travis, we have the one and only Caleb Stokes to talk a bit about the game, where and how it started, the influences that brought it into being, the development process, and also how things have changed since our initial playtests (and even since the playtest campaign that is happening on Role Playing Public Radio).2016-06-081h 32
Ugly TalkEpisode 3 - Expanding on Existing CanonsHello Internet! Welcome back to Ugly Talk, a show wherein we discuss RPGs, film, computer games, and the important elements that make each of these things work and how we can tie them back to the traditional games media.
This month we are discussing the new Star Wars, how it compares to the original and prequel trilogies, and what we can learn from JJ Abrams work on George Lucas' Franchise in adapting our own collaborative stories within an established setting. For this episode, Matt and Travis are joined by Kevin Colmar of The Drunk and the Ugly, who i...2016-02-041h 49The Drunk and The UglyIndie Design the Chicken Salad Way at Gen Con 2015Gen Con 2015: Matt Campen and Ross Payton sat down and talked about their shared experiences designing, publishing, and producing roleplaying games. Game Design is a long and tedious process. Turning a pile of notes into a book can seem nearly impossible. There’s a phrase in journalism that all the2015-11-181h 01
Ugly TalkIndie Design the Chicken Salad Way at Gen Con 2015Gen Con 2015: Matt Campen and Ross Payton sat down and talked about their shared experiences designing, publishing, and producing roleplaying games.
Game Design is a long and tedious process. Turning a pile of notes into a book can seem nearly impossible. There's a phrase in journalism that all the mayonnaise in the world can't turn chicken crap into chicken salad; nevertheless, you have to do it over and over each time.
This panel explores the essential steps to consider when looking at your loose-chicken-parts collective of ideas and a formula to turn it into some...2015-11-1859 minThe Drunk and The UglyThe Drunk and the Spooky – BaggageI don’t think that anyone ever wants to be the bad guy… A discarded suitcase. An unsuspecting victim. A tragedy that will haunt a lifetime. AUTHOR: Steven Shorter VOICEOVER: Samuel Graebner PRODUCTION: Matt Campen SOUND EFFECT CREDITS: “street-ambient-low-traffic-1” bulbastre(https://www.freesound.org/people/bulbastre/) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ “taponfruit-128bpm” sonictechtonic (https://www.freesound.org/people/sonictechtonic/)2015-09-1928 minThe Drunk and The UglyGen Con 2015 Wrap-Up – The Drunk and TiredMatt and Travis recently returned from Gen Con, after running 4 games and 2 panels. Like last year, we recorded a recap of the events at the end of each day. We didn’t attend many more events this year than last year, but good times were had all around.2015-08-0540 minThe Drunk and The UglyProminence, SC Episode 39 – Who Wants to Live Forever? (Finale)The nefarious medical company has come under fire from the Spirits of Prominence after kidnapping Ghost’s boyfriend Noah. Can the heroes, with the aid of the wildly competent Noah, fight their way to victory? Side Chatter PLAYERS Matt – The Wraith. Got his Masters in Electrical Engineering with a minor2015-04-064h 30The Drunk and The UglyPug TalkToday we talk about the most important thing in the world: DOGS! Specifically the pug, that rambunctious, smash faced, canine we all know and love. Tune in tonight for the greatest show on earth. PUG TALK! Pugcasters Matt “Funny Name I’ll Come Up With Later” Campen James “The Notorious P.U.G.”2015-04-0125 minThe Drunk and The UglyProminence, SC Episode 38 – Who Wants To Live Forever? (Part 3)Noah and Keiko have found themselves way in over their heads in a conflict with a PMC. When the situation escalates into all out war on the college campus, the Spirits of Prominence must fight a threat that styles itself after legend. Side Chatter PLAYERS Matt – The Wraith. Got2015-03-303h 33The Drunk and The UglyProminence, SC Episode 36 – Who Wants to Live Forever? (Part 1)Once more, the tender calm of Prominence has been broken by gunfire. Someone with a vendetta and heavy artillery has declared war on the gangs of the city, and has marked their quarry in blood. The Spirits of Prominence are once more put to the test. PLAYERS Matt – The2015-03-163h 18The Drunk and The UglyTrail of C’thulhu – The Wives of March (Part 3)Patricia Callary and Demetrius Briggs went into the belly of the beast and there learned some disturbing truths about the March family. But the worst is beyond their imagining, and is bearing down on all three investigators. PLAYERS Matt – Ken “Legs” Shelby. Private investigator and former muscle for the2015-02-234h 01The Drunk and The UglyTrail of C’thulhu – The Wives of March (Part 2)Something is very wrong with the March family, and their dreadful secrets are coming to light. While Patricia Callary and Demetrius Briggs waltz into the den of the beast, Ken Shelby discovers a horrific scene. Side Chatter PLAYERS Matt – Ken “Legs” Shelby. Private investigator and former muscle for the2015-02-162h 39The Drunk and The UglyAshton City Heroes Ep 12 – All The King’s MenAfter crushing the menace of a prostitution ring in Ashton, the city’s young Supers are settling back into their normal schedule. But nothing stays normal, and nothing stays quiet in Ashton for long. Side Chatter PLAYERS Matt – John Westfall (Giant Slayer). The frontman, singer, and rhythm guitarist of The Tall Summers,2015-02-062h 28The Drunk and The UglyAshton City Heroes Ep 11 – Streets of Ashton (Part 2)Ashton city is on fire. The Ashton City Liberators are engaged in a fight for the safety of their city and their lives. Can they triumph, or will they be ground under the evil of vigilantism? Side Chatter PLAYERS Matt – John Westfall (Giant Slayer). The frontman, singer, and rhythm guitarist of2015-01-303h 28The Drunk and The UglyProminence, SC Session 29 – The Black Knight (Part 3)The Spirits of Prominence have managed to cut Thaleus’ base of power out from under him. The night of the meeting is at hand, and it is time for the heroes to face their new enemy at last. PLAYERS Side Chatter Matt – The Wraith. Got his Masters in Electrical2014-12-292h 52The Drunk and The UglyProminence, SC Session 28 – The Black Knight (Part 2)The Spirits of Prominence are sprinting against time to stop a master villain from uniting the city’s gangs and wreaking havoc on Prominence. They need to cut away the base of power being formed, and doing so will mean getting…creative. PLAYERS Side Chatter Matt – The Wraith. Got his Masters2014-12-222h 16The Drunk and The UglyAshton City Heroes Ep 5 – The Joker and the Thief (Part 2)With the Ashton City Heroes completely baffled by their new adversary, they find themselves attacked from all angles. Opposing vigilantes are stacking up with slanderous vandalisms to put the pressure on. Can they keep the city safe, or will the Heroes be overcome? Side Chatter PLAYERS Matt – Rayyan Mu’mmar2014-12-193h 44The Drunk and The UglyAshton City Heroes Ep 3 – Earth, Wind, and Fauna (Part 2)The vigilante troublemakers Flora and Fauna are still tearing their way across Ashton, and Mike Bentley is now in their sights. It’s up to the Liberators to come to the rescue, if they can. Side Chatter PLAYERS Matt – Rayyan Mu’mmar Ghannam (Techbag). Southern Indian kid whose parents moved here2014-12-052h 46The Drunk and The UglyProminence, SC Session 25 – Holy War (Finale)The Spirits of Prominence have hatched a plan to break the back of the biker army besieging their home. The Elephant of Chernobyl will be trailed as the perfect bait, and the trap is now laid. Can the Spirits survive the battle they are plunging into? PLAYERS Side Chatter Matt2014-11-032h 33The Drunk and The UglyLittle Fears Session 21 – You Are Watching NBCA heat wave is stretching across Apple Court, and ominous things are pursuing Mette. The kids of Apple Court are reeling from the ministrations of a manipulative psychopath, and the Closet Land is getting closer. Side Chatter PLAYERS Manda – Grim Grey Matt – Virginia Stewart Charlie – Joel Gloeckner2014-10-313h 41The Drunk and The UglyProminence, SC Session 24 – Holy War (Part 4)Prominence is under siege, and it’s up to the Spirits of Prominence to break it. The Elephant of Chernobyl must crack. The gang must be broken, their plans laid to ruin, before the city is engulfed in violence. PLAYERS Matt – The Wraith. Got his Masters in Electrical Engineering with2014-10-272h 49The Drunk and The UglyLittle Fears Session 20 – Dirty Little SecretsIt’s time for a double play-date with a picnic out in the park, a circle of shared mysterious secrets, and strange things on the wind. What could go wrong? Well, for the kids of Apple Court, a fair bit. Manda – Grim Grey Matt – Virginia Stewart Charlie – Joel2014-10-243h 25The Drunk and The UglyProminence, SC Session 23 – Holy War (Part 3)After a brutal fight with a squadron of Biker Gang members, the Spirits of Prominence have captured a significant member of the trouble makers: the Elephant of Chernobyl. Prominence is under siege now, it seems, and the Mask Killer is on the loose. PLAYERS Side Chatter Matt – The Wraith.2014-10-202h 32The Drunk and The UglyLittle Fears Session 19 – All of Our Friends Are DeadThe kids of Apple Court do love their games, and one with zombies is everything they could ask for and more. But when the mysterious forces that loom over Apple Court come into play, they will get more than they bargained for. Side Chatter Manda – Grim Grey Matt –2014-10-175h 31The Drunk and The UglyProminence, SC Session 22 – Holy War (Part 2)After a new group of masked vigilantes arrives in Prominence, the Spirits are quickly embroiled in a rapidly escalating conflict with a biker gang that has swept into the city. Can they protect their home from gang violence, and worse? PLAYERS Side Chatter Matt – The Wraith. Got his Masters2014-10-132h 48The Drunk and The UglyLittle Fears Session 18 – New Places, Familiar FacesIt’s the Fourth of July, and that means fireworks, hot dogs, and…mystery? The gang of Apple Court will find out soon enough when something hideous comes for one of their own. What lengths will they go to to save their missing friend? Side Chatter Manda – Grim Grey Matt –2014-10-104h 27The Drunk and The UglyProject PIXIE Session 35 – The Exiled (Part 2)After plunging deep into a dreamscape, the psychics of project PIXIE must pit their mental might against a monster feeding off of the mind of one of their own. Can they overcome this demon, or will they be brought down into the depth of nightmare? Side Chatter PLAYERS Matt –2014-10-032h 51The Drunk and The UglyProject PIXIE Session 34 – The Exiled (Part 1)There are odd things occuring in the bowels of the Projects. All of the psychics are having nightmares, and hallucinations. Arsen is behaving oddly. Something is stirring, and it has evil intentions. Side Chatter PLAYERS Matt – Leo Lucasovich Petrovski. Former olympic gymnast who was talent scouted by The Project.2014-09-263h 27The Drunk and The UglyProject PIXIE Session 33 – The Chechen CandidateThe psychics of Project PIXIE, almost immediately after the previous technically successful mission, are thrown back into danger. Their target is exceptional for many reasons, however. This may well be their strangest adventure yet. Side Chatter PLAYERS Matt – Leo Lucasovich Petrovski. Former olympic gymnast who was talent scouted by2014-09-193h 12The Drunk and The UglyProject PIXIE Session 32 – PigeonholedAfter punitive detention from the previous Operation’s failure, the Project has need of its psychic warriors again. A low orbit operating station has run into unknown trouble. There’s just one problem: it’s crewed entirely by pigeons. Side Chatter PLAYERS Matt – Leo Lucasovich Petrovski. Former olympic gymnast who was talent2014-09-123h 25The Drunk and The UglyProject PIXIE Session 31 – War Games (Part 2)The war games continue with the psychics of the PIXIE Project in full swing. Their reputations and futures in the project are on the line. Can they work together well enough to win the game? Side Chatter PLAYERS Matt – Leo Lucasovich Petrovski. Former olympic gymnast who was talent scouted2014-08-293h 19The Drunk and The UglyProject PIXIE Session 30 – War Games (Part 1)Note: The previous episode was lost due to hard drive failure. We have since set up multiple redundant backups to prevent losses like this in the future. Side Chatter PLAYERS Matt – Leo Lucasovich Petrovski. Former olympic gymnast who was talent scouted by The Project. Possesses telekinesis. Kevin – Janos2014-08-223h 12The Drunk and The UglyGenCon 2014 Wrap Up – Eat, Drink, SportsSam and Matt recently returned from GenCon 2014, after running 8 different games for Arc Dream publishing. After each day at the con we recorded a short breakdown of the day’s events. This being our first foray into GenCon, we didn’t do a lot more than run all of the2014-08-1847 minThe Drunk and The UglyProject PIXIE Episode 28: The Strife Aquatic (Part 3)As the time onboard the secret sea base comes to a close, the agents must bid farewell to their comrades, but premonitions of the bizarre MegaCorp taint the end of the trip. Side Chatter PLAYERS Matt – Leo Lucasovich Petrovski. Former olympic gymnast who was talent scouted by The Project.2014-07-251h 54The Drunk and The UglyProject PIXIE Episode 27: The Strife Aquatic (Part 2)After the first round of the Underwater Martial Arts tournament, most of the PIXIES are left in the running. Of course, being psychic spies, they can’t help but investigate the heavily secured submerged base in their downtime. Side Chatter PLAYERS Matt – Leo Lucasovich Petrovski. Former olympic gymnast who was2014-07-182h 53The Drunk and The UglyProject PIXIE Episode 26: The Strife Aquatic (Part 1)Training takes all kinds of forms. Sometimes, it involves a mixed martial arts fight between secret Russian Federation covert-ops psychic soldiers where the entry requirements involve a crash-course in emergency diving. Clearly nothing will go wrong here, ever. At all. Side Chatter PLAYERS Matt – Leo Lucasovich Petrovski. Former olympic2014-07-112h 47The Drunk and The UglyProject PIXIE Episode 25: SnowOdd things are going on in the town nearby the Project’s base. A mission sends some of the newer PIXIES into the heart of the strangeness, to seek it out and tear it down and put an end to it. Side Chatter PLAYERS Matt – Leo Lucasovich Petrovski. Former olympic2014-06-202h 54The Drunk and The UglyMrs Friedas 86 – Scott’s Odyssey Part 16 – The Suitors (Part 5)The kids are knee deep in the brainwashed governmental murder men. Their only ally is an AI whose loyalty is dubiously programmed. It will take all of their brain power and planning and more than their fair share of luck to make it out alive. PLAYERS Manda – Manny Matt2014-02-173h 27The Drunk and The UglySpecific Crim: Pacific RimThe Kaiju threat to the Pacific Rim was thought to be contained – until a new rift opens, and a new generation of un-bloodied Jaeger teams have to charge into the fray and defend the world. Side Chatter PLAYERS Matt and Sam – Patricia “Patty” Patterson and Clarence Crane, Team2014-01-313h 00The Drunk and The UglyMrs Frieda’s 78: Scott’s Odyssey Part 8 – The SirenThe long journey to Alaska swings north now, to a small town wrapped in snow and cold, filled with dread and waiting for liberation. Here, Megacorp has its hands in some very nasty things. It’s up to the wayward travelers to free the town. PLAYERS Manda – Manny Matt – Scott Valle2013-12-162h 24The Drunk and The UglyMrs Frieda’s 77: Scott’s Odyssey Part 7 – The UnderworldEverything sucks, and everyone hates everything. The kids have managed to return to their hotel rooms, filled with new questions and an awareness of the very real danger they are in. PLAYERS Manda – Manny Matt – Scott Valle Nate – Emma Vaerbond Charlie – Nele Zach – Eldridge Tsukimono2013-12-092h 55The Drunk and The UglyMrs Frieda’s 76: Scott’s Odyssey Part 6 – Circe (Part 3)The wayward travelers found themselves whisked off to the Closetland. This is hell, pure and simple. Monstrous things abound, each of them with utterly alien intentions, and every step brings more and more torment. Can our heroes survive the grim reaches of the Closetland? PLAYERS Manda – Manny Matt – Scott Valle2013-12-023h 46The Drunk and The UglySupernaturals Session 5 – I Will Tear This Paper in HalfThe adventures of the Supernaturally powered drifters continue! Can they overcome the many challenges laid before them, as well as the problems they keep making for themeselves? PLAYERS Sidetalk Matt – Cian Mackay. A surly outlander with a bum leg, grating voice, and half a mind a to start a2013-08-193h 25The Drunk and The UglyProminence, SC: Wraith Solo – One Man’s TrashWraith and the Witch have had a bad couple of days. Emotions are running way too ragged, they’re exhausted. What exactly do two incredibly dangerous vigilantes do on their day off? Shoot pool and talk about their feelings, mostly. Sidetalk PLAYERS Matt – The Wraith. Got his Masters in Electrical2013-06-211h 48The Drunk and The UglyLittle Fears Session 5 – Polybius (Part 1)After some time in the hospital, we go from scary times to happy ones. It’s Grim’s birthday, and all the Apple Court kids are invited! Party at the local skating rink. Skating, cake, and videogames for all. What could possibly go wrong? Side Chatter Manda – Grim Grey Matt –2012-11-233h 51The Drunk and The UglyMrs Frieda’s Side Stories – Bros Day OutIn a rare moment of calm, non-shenanigans, Manny and Caleb are at the Mall, hanging out. The seasonal decorations are being swapped out, the Matinee is cheap and open later, and there are super cheap, terrible Halloween costumes up for clearance. Bros will be bros. PLAYERS Manda – Manny Matt – Scott2012-10-041h 47The Drunk and The UglyMrs Frieda’s Halfway Home Session 53 – HalloweenIt’s late October, and Halloween season is here. Time for costumes, candy, and good old fun times. There’s Trick-or-Treating to be done, and a Who-Can-Get-The-Most-Candy Contest to be had. Before all that occurs, though, it’s time to get on board the Friendship Guilt train. Side chatter PLAYERS Manda – Manny Matt2012-10-012h 57The Drunk and The UglyMrs. Frieda’s Halfway Home Session 52 – Ghost ConclusionsOur brave, bold, and daring adventurers are still trapped in a Haunted House. Doing their Scooby-Doo thing. There’s a horrible ghost in front of them, pit traps at their feet, and nothing but bad times ahead. Side chatter PLAYERS Manda – Manny Matt – Caleb “2Dope” Andrews Nate – Etsu Hikane Sam2012-09-281h 45The Drunk and The UglyMrs Frieda’s Halfway Home Session 50 – Mostly Involves RobotsThe Rugby game has passed in triumph, and the strange showdown with the opposing team’s monsters has been resolved. What does that mean for our intrepid heroes? That’s right. It’s Robot Time. Side chatter PLAYERS Hannah – Jingle-Heimer Schmitt James – Tim Rodgers Manda – Manny Matt – Caleb “2Dope” Andrews Nate – Etsu2012-09-102h 55The Drunk and The UglyMrs. Frieda’s Side Stories – “Blood In, Blood Out”Manny’s had a hard time lately. He’s been going through some problems, dealing with some issues, and it’s about time that he has a chance to talk to a professional about it. Side chatter PLAYERS Manda – Manny Matt – Caleb “2Dope” Andrews Nate – Emma Vaerbond2012-08-151h 48The Drunk and The UglyWABBLE NIGHT GUYS!YO! NEWS BIRD HERE. WE GOT DA NEWS: FIRST OFF. We’ve got some bad news. Matt fell in a wood chipper. SO I’M RUNNIN DIS THING NOW. MORE BAD NEWS: All of his copies of Monsters and Other Childish Things (dude had like 10 copies, i dunno, he just really2012-04-012h 03The Drunk and The UglyMaid RPG – Charles Bronson DayBack on July 4th, the Drunk and Ugly sat down to play the Maid RPG, run by Sean. This is what resulted. (Also Matt had a few beers.) After a completely boring character generation, the guys set out to have some normal adventures in a completely bland setting. Well. In2011-09-1600 minThe Drunk and The UglyEngine Heart: The Tricentennial – Session 2Following a long line of investigation (and deputization), the robots have come to Smithsonian AI Director #7, who apparently has information regarding the Smithsonian’s plot to take “One of Everything.” Hijinks and stories continue in this conclusion of Engine Heart: The Tricentennial. PLAYERS Matt: KLEEN-SCRP-2455 (“Squeegee-bot”/”Detective Bronson”): General purpose cleaning and2011-04-151h 40