there's no hurry anymore ... when all is said and done

The Idea of North played at The Gov last night. A wonderful performance marred by the occaisional train passing and a single person in the audience who insisted on shouting "bravo" and clapping in the middle of most of the pieces. [There is one spell I'd love to learn from Warlock 2 (the one the warlock used on the secretary that led him to state that "she is looking for a new opening."). Egad. I've just admitted to watching a really bad film. How ever will I live it down...] They started late due to PA problems, and the first set seemed a little subdued, especially as it was mainly made up of new songs that they hope to include on their next CD, which seems to be composed, in the main, of gospel pieces (their previous albums are very jazzy in nature). It doesn't look like a great number of their more humorous pieces will be on it anyway. However the second act was back in well trod territory with a large number of excellent pieces, including their hauntingly beautiful renditions of Elanor Rigby and When All Is Said And Done, as well as the more comedic pieces An Ugly Woman Said No and the Gregorian chant What Is (which just goes to prove that their are some unanswerable mysteries left in the world). I'm glad I was able to see them again. They won't be back in Adelaide until August or September. That's if they do manage to get back. Apparently the Australian Government is presenting them to the King of Siam as a birthday gift. Why doesn't anyone give me birthday gifts like that?

not all my surprises this week were unpleasant

I just received a copy of the new Usagi Yojimbo RPG and Albedo: Platinum Catalyst from Sanguine Productions today, only to get a pleasant surprise. They sent me some bonus stuff with it, including a slightly worn additional copy of the UY rules. Gratis. Yay for Sanguine! Now I'll have to find it a good home. And I think I know just where. For those that don't know, Sanguine Productions produces some excellent Furry role-playing games, such as Ironclaw and Jadeclaw. I liked the system so much that I adopted it for my Runequest/Heroquest campaign. Although this is not to denigrate the world, which is excellent in and of itself. For those interested there is an amusing webcomic based on an Ironclaw campaign. [At least I found it amusing, but I understand the references.]