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N5!

I’ve been studying Japanese for some time now and last December I tried the JLPT N5 exam…and passed!

…Now I can even say my name in Jap! … well, and age too!

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Here comes… The Prince!

I’ve finally completed my gaming table! Almost three months of hard work but… here it is in all its home-made glory.

I had the idea  when  some friends from my gaming group, “The Starjammers”, told me I should have a proper table. So, to celebrate the 25th anniversary of our merry band, I decided to buy one… or not. I couldn’t afford it. So I built one.

I took inspiration from observing real gaming tables, from GeekChic, Rathskellers, Ultimate gaming and many more. I wanted it to be as geeky as possible so cup holders, dice holders, lights, sounds, the works. Obviously, as I am no carpenter, I thought I’d use common wood, not the expensive polished ones, and then line it with (fake) leather.

  • The table is hollow-core (top)
  • Hollow-core (bottom)
  • Caskets
  • Before lining

At first, I hadn’t planned to add the built-in monitor (more expensive, big hassle to cut, line, set up, etc.) but then, while I was working in secret, one of the guys sent me a picture,  innocently stating – “look at this table with the built-in monitor! It would be great to have that!”… Obviously I had to back go and… cut some more!

What I decided to do differently from other tables was adding that vertical structure on one side. We mainly play RPGs so I want a natural DM’s screen. Furthermore the screen  could house the speakers and function as a bottle holder and bookcase. 

  • Lining the “DM’s screen”
  • Lining the rest
  • Ready for the mat

Everyone was excited by the table… As well they should be! It’s either that or lose a ton of levels!

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MusicBox… Episode #1!

I love music. I love listening to it, I love talking about it, I love playing it. So, while I’m trying to wrap up the ever-incomplete Define “Love” (Claaaaaire!!! Where art thou?!?!), I thought about starting a blog where I could talk about songs I like, why I like them and then play my own version of them.

…I’ve just finished the first episode. Hope you like it!

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Claire & Chris… What time is it?!

The rain has been falling for some time now.
But the music is still elusive.
Claire is writing… I am sketching here and there… but we will be ready.
For Christmas?! I don’t know.

I’m coming back to the studio more and more these days. I’ve had an idea for a new album (due after Define “Love”, of course). I’ve got eight songs for now, five very funky tracks and three ballads. I’ll be working on these while I wait for Claire to finish her contributions. Honestly, this isn’t the first time I’ve tried to jump-start my musical production. Back in 2012, during a lull in my other time-wasting activities, I actually managed to record five or six songs from a “concept album” I had put aside back in 2000. Really good stuff. But couldn’t see it to the end.

I need to get back into the flow. But to me making music is not about hammering on the anvil until the shape is right. It’s rather like trying to fill an empty glass, you must have water in you in the first place. It’s a transfer, it’s transmutation and I guess my well has been pretty dry.

But Claire kinda helped with that. She’s been a dear friend and a fountain of inspiration. Right now she is too happy to produce anything good but hey… “c’est nous, toujours!”

Hope I’ve gained enough momentum…