let dash off dot com

soon to be released from let-off studios is a series of notes based on daniel quinn’s novel ishmael.  it is a fiction novel widely touted as a “life-changing book” by many of those who read it.  the editor of let-off studios took it upon himself to take copious notes, not just on the summarization of the book, but also on its thematic and cultural content.  this zine will present these notes, serving not necessarily as a cliff’s notes version of quinn’s book, but more as an accessible, expansive companion to the work with an undeniable personal touch.

principal writing and composition is complete; this zine is slated to be published by mid-spring 2010, and will be a free publication available via download from let-off.com, as a hard copy distributed to various locations in baltimore, md, u.s.a., or delivered through postal mail by request.

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from the editor: i’ve completed a review of the casual puzzle game johnny divoe by Reiner “Tiles” Prokein, now posted over at the daily click.  you can download the game here.  if you are a member at the daily click, be sure to leave constructive comments and critique.

[Read more →]

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first impressions is a series of board game reviews.  all commentary is based upon the first time the author and companions play the game “straight outta the box,” and do not reflect prolonged exposure to the game.  reviews are designed to give a quick ‘first impression’ of a board game, with the hopes that it will encourage more thoughts (and support) for some of the more uncommon board games out there.  we will also heavily refer to board game geek, which is widely considered the spot on the internet for board game news.

well, if there ever were two unsuspecting stinkers i could play in the same evening, i think i’ve found them.  i’m lumping these two games in the same review because not only are they very similar in gameplay, not only do they rely primarily on players talking to one another, not only did i play them both for the first time in the same night, but they both suck. [Read more →]

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this is a companion piece to the first installment of my vasectomy experience writing. if you are bored reading philisophical/psychosocial editorials, then you may want to move on from this installment.  it turns out not to be very cheerful, either.

while the first piece focused on the experience of the physical vasectomy procedure itself,  i also wanted to dedicate space to describing the intangible, mental/psychological aspects involved in such a procedure.  dividing them into distinct writings prevents the muddying of either aspect, in my opinion offering more clarity for each.  so here we go. [Read more →]

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read an article on the campaign for liberty website this morning about “bush’s ninth year.”  not the best way to start the day.

i can’t help but imagine moving through a swiftly-spinning revolving door in front of a gargantuan new york office building.  anyone who dares try and stop the door will only have their fingers cut off.  so no one dares.

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i’m certain that this has been remarked upon time and time again elsewhere, which is unfortunate.  but discussion boards, article comments, and the various improvements in user interactivity based on the idea of “web 2.0″ have essentially destroyed any meaningful discourse.

thanks to the supposed advantage of anonymity, comment functionality for news articles, editorials, and blog entries are at the point where an author cannot even be trusted.

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first impressions is a series of board game reviews.  all commentary is based upon the first time the author and companions play the game “straight outta the box,” and do not reflect prolonged exposure to the game.  reviews are designed to give a quick ‘first impression’ of a board game, with the hopes that it will encourage more thoughts (and support) for some of the more uncommon board games out there.  we will also heavily refer to board game geek, which is widely considered the spot on the internet for board game news.

pandemic is a cooperative game where the players are specialists in disease control; their goal is to develop the cure for four separate, distinct diseases that have simultaneously developed across the globe.  you manage your own hand of cards, travel across the world, and use your special abilities to create these cures before time runs out. [Read more →]

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SYNOPSIS: it’s the time of troubles.  people are writing the old testament of the bible so future generations will hear all about it.

lots of bad people are being drawn to the CITY OF SODOM, and it’s GOD’s job to sort out the mess.  YOU are GOD, one of the big badass dudes from that time period, and you must smite the evildoers…or maybe you’ll just blast the CITY OF SODOM itself when you can’t be bothered to mete out deliverance one lightning bolt at a time. [Read more →]

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earlier this year, i went through a vasectomy. it’s important to write about, as so many people have questions about it, and are afraid to ask about it (for a variety of reasons).  i’ve divided my response into two parts: the first is about the physical procedure itself, while the second part is about the reasons behind willingly undergoing such a thing. [Read more →]

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i picked up a copy of bruce weinstein’s life principles: feeling good by doing good.  here’s a summary (and some deeper thoughts) of this ethics primer.  in his book, there are five guidelines that he identifies as ethics; a chapter is devoted to each one of them, and within it explains the basic tenets of the eithical guideline, its origins, as well as its societal and personal benefits when it is followed.  i was inspired to write about this book moreso when, as i was explaining this book to a friend, realized i had forgotten one of the tenets…leave it to personal feelings of guilt to prompt writing…! [Read more →]

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