To all four of my readers: obviously this site has been pretty inactive for a while. Work has eaten up most of my life, and video games have gobbled up the rest. I've had zero time to do anything related to tabletop gaming, which is what I intended for this blog to focus upon.
Recently I've come to a decision. Me and tabletop gaming just aren't working out. Now this isn't going to be an ENWorld-ish diatribe about how I'm "quitting the game" for one out of proportion reason or another. Fact is, I just can't get a game together, and am tried of trying. Also, when it comes to working in the RPG industry, I've lost it. I used to have a ton of drive and a motherload of ideas. I've found myself short of both. I'll do my best to complete the projects I've committed to, but once completed, I'll be done with the industry for the time being.
There's no resentment or regret in this. The time has come to move on. I have things in the works that I'll reveal in a sort of postscript post, but consider this the end of postMODERNIZED. Been a short, uneventful, but fun ride. I'll hopefully see you at the next one.
3/11/08
2/10/08
Biting the Hand That Feeds
You're keeping in step, in the line, got your chin held high and you feel just fine 'cause you do what you're told... But inside your heart it is black and it's hollow and it's cold. Just how deep do you believe? Will you bite the hand that feeds? Will you chew until it bleeds? Can you get up off your knees? Are you brave enough to see? Do you want to change it?
Rock Band got me hooked on this song by Nine Inch Nails, and it's ironic how well it fits with my current situation at work.
My boss was new, yes, but she had a lot of management experience behind her and she proved to me beyond doubt that she knows how to manage people. She identified early on what I've already told you in previous blog posts - my fellow supervisors and I are being overworked. Each week there are a new batch of reports for us to complete over and above our already heavy workload, on top of assisting our agents in real time and having to deal with escalated calls (customers asking to speak to a supervisor, basically... which happens far more often than you might imagine). She saw what was plain to see, and the rumour goes that she communicated as much to her peers (my other bosses) and her superiors.
She's no longer with the company.
Combined with the fact that they have hired more supervisors than they need, implying they may intend to get rid of some of us, the loss of one of the best bosses I've ever had has destroyed my sense of job security and my motivation for even showing up for work.
If you know of any well-paying jobs in the Brampton area, let me know: I'm looking.
Rock Band got me hooked on this song by Nine Inch Nails, and it's ironic how well it fits with my current situation at work.
My boss was new, yes, but she had a lot of management experience behind her and she proved to me beyond doubt that she knows how to manage people. She identified early on what I've already told you in previous blog posts - my fellow supervisors and I are being overworked. Each week there are a new batch of reports for us to complete over and above our already heavy workload, on top of assisting our agents in real time and having to deal with escalated calls (customers asking to speak to a supervisor, basically... which happens far more often than you might imagine). She saw what was plain to see, and the rumour goes that she communicated as much to her peers (my other bosses) and her superiors.
She's no longer with the company.
Combined with the fact that they have hired more supervisors than they need, implying they may intend to get rid of some of us, the loss of one of the best bosses I've ever had has destroyed my sense of job security and my motivation for even showing up for work.
If you know of any well-paying jobs in the Brampton area, let me know: I'm looking.
1/25/08
What a week.
- Terminated one agent who never bothered to show up to work when she joined my team.
- Found out another one of my agents was terminated for mouthing off (again) to other supervisors and managers.
- Received a verbal warning from one of my managers because some of my agents have been missing a lot of work and I haven't done anything about it.
- Had to catch up nearly a month's worth of attendance records in one day, over and above my usual workload.
- Pulled a 12-hour day, didn't take a lunch break, in addition to my regular schedule.
- Had words with an agent who very loudly proclaimed "some supervisors should be fired!" because another supervisor was trying to go home for the day and asked her to seek help elsewhere.
- Interrupted every ten minutes by agents asking questions, half of them falling into the "I'm too lazy to look up the answer so I'll ask David" category and the other half being "the issue is too complex to understand through words and requires David to investigate/resolve it."
- Didn't get done things that have been on my to-do list for months (like tell my agents how well/poorly they are doing).
- Restrain myself from confronting an agent who was harassing a member of my team because "HR has to be the one to deal with it" and HR adheres to the convenient hours of 9am to 4pm, perfect for dealing with issues that crop up at 6pm and later.
- Become the forwarding point for every other person in the center who decides now is the best time to register complaint about this harassing agent, even after being told to send their complaint to HR.
- Sift through roughly 300 emails, about 40 of which directly pertain to me, the rest being messages sent through the convenience of "Reply All" from senders who don't seem to care who "All" are or that "All" just found out about how their password was reset to Bigman01, not like that was really confidential information.
- Hound roommates who haven't been able to properly pay rent for three months to finally pay before the landlord gets the law involved, and have them still miss that deadline.
I don't have nearly enough beer to end this week with.
- Found out another one of my agents was terminated for mouthing off (again) to other supervisors and managers.
- Received a verbal warning from one of my managers because some of my agents have been missing a lot of work and I haven't done anything about it.
- Had to catch up nearly a month's worth of attendance records in one day, over and above my usual workload.
- Pulled a 12-hour day, didn't take a lunch break, in addition to my regular schedule.
- Had words with an agent who very loudly proclaimed "some supervisors should be fired!" because another supervisor was trying to go home for the day and asked her to seek help elsewhere.
- Interrupted every ten minutes by agents asking questions, half of them falling into the "I'm too lazy to look up the answer so I'll ask David" category and the other half being "the issue is too complex to understand through words and requires David to investigate/resolve it."
- Didn't get done things that have been on my to-do list for months (like tell my agents how well/poorly they are doing).
- Restrain myself from confronting an agent who was harassing a member of my team because "HR has to be the one to deal with it" and HR adheres to the convenient hours of 9am to 4pm, perfect for dealing with issues that crop up at 6pm and later.
- Become the forwarding point for every other person in the center who decides now is the best time to register complaint about this harassing agent, even after being told to send their complaint to HR.
- Sift through roughly 300 emails, about 40 of which directly pertain to me, the rest being messages sent through the convenience of "Reply All" from senders who don't seem to care who "All" are or that "All" just found out about how their password was reset to Bigman01, not like that was really confidential information.
- Hound roommates who haven't been able to properly pay rent for three months to finally pay before the landlord gets the law involved, and have them still miss that deadline.
I don't have nearly enough beer to end this week with.
1/23/08
iPod: my anti-Mormon
So I'm waiting at the bus stop yesterday when two females approach. They look innoculous, like college students, until I see the "Chuch of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints" nametags pinned to their winter jackets. I immediately steel myself for an uncomfortable conversation about personal faith with a complete stranger.
However, the pair splits. One girl approaches the lady in front of me and strikes up some generic smalltalk, their typical lead-in. The other girl walks right past me and begins speaking to the person on my right. They decided simply to skip me. Why?
I can only assume it had something to do with the earphones I was wearing, connected to the iPod in my pocket, that was playing the latest episode of Fear The Boot.
So the next time you find yourself about to be accosted by random religiositeers, reach for your iPod (or other non-Apple-branded audio device). If you don't have one, fake it! No one has to know the headphones you are wearing aren't actually connected to something in your pocket.
However, the pair splits. One girl approaches the lady in front of me and strikes up some generic smalltalk, their typical lead-in. The other girl walks right past me and begins speaking to the person on my right. They decided simply to skip me. Why?
I can only assume it had something to do with the earphones I was wearing, connected to the iPod in my pocket, that was playing the latest episode of Fear The Boot.
So the next time you find yourself about to be accosted by random religiositeers, reach for your iPod (or other non-Apple-branded audio device). If you don't have one, fake it! No one has to know the headphones you are wearing aren't actually connected to something in your pocket.
1/22/08
True20: a modern Adept
To celebrate the recent change from Green Ronin to open up the True20 system for 3rd party publishers, I felt it was time to post something I've had brewing for a while. Sorry I couldn't wait until May, Mr. Pramas.
One of my favourite parts in the True20 Companion is the discussion of how Adepts can work in a realistic or gritty modern setting. One of the options I discuss is running an Adept character as a type of modern savant, whose powers represent extraordinary abilities rather than supernatural ones. Of course, such a character would have a limited range of powers; basically, he could use only those that could conceivably be portrayed as merely extraordinary.
One of my favourite parts in the True20 Companion is the discussion of how Adepts can work in a realistic or gritty modern setting. One of the options I discuss is running an Adept character as a type of modern savant, whose powers represent extraordinary abilities rather than supernatural ones. Of course, such a character would have a limited range of powers; basically, he could use only those that could conceivably be portrayed as merely extraordinary.
To demonstrate this concept, I have designed a modern Adept character. For the sake of simplicity, I am not assigning him a Background; all I'll provide is a quick 'n dirty stat block and a character backstory. The stats for this character are open game content under the terms of the OGL.
Samuel Sprinter, Adept 1
STR +1 DEX +1 CON -1
INT +3 WIS +4 CHA -2Attack: +1
Dodge: +1
Parry: +1
Fort Save: -1
Ref Save: +1
Will Save: +6
Toughness: -1
Reputation: +1
Conviction: 3
Power Rank: +4
Skills: Acrobatics +5, Concentration +8, Notice +8, Search +7, Sense Motive +8, Stealth +5, Swim +5.
Feats: Empower
Powers: Body Control, Enhance Ability, Truth-Reading
The Character
Sam Sprinter is a young adult who just doesn't get along with others. Diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome in 1998, Sam has always had an excuse for his anti-social behaviour, but that hasn't others from ostracizing him anyways. Sam is a geek: he has a calculus joke tattooed on his left shoulder, he collects plastic figures from his favourite animes, and spends the majority of his free time posting in internet discussions. How he became an agent of Department 7 is a mystery to everyone except the department Director. It's not uncommon for teams to request reassignment when they discover Sam on the mission roster. He just doesn't get along well with others, a character flaw that he doesn't seem to mind.
While Sam's peers may not respect him as a person, they cannot deny his benefit as an asset to Department 7 Operations. His uncanny ability to push his body beyond its limits in critical situations earns him a grudging admiration among his fellow agents. He also has a knack for detecting lies, a knack which often forces him into investigation work, where his lack of interpersonal skills and empathy sometimes run the risk of compromising important missions.
My Thoughts
Sam is an excellent demonstration of the True20 power system representing nonmagical strength. All of Sam's abilities are conceivably within the mortal ken - they're simply extraordinary. Using his The Talent core ability, Sam could call upon Extraordinary Speed by spending a Conviction point. This would probably be the next power he would select when he levels up, followed by Combat Focus. Depending on the campaign, Sam's player might want to multiclass him into Warrior when he's exhausted his available powers and Adept feats.
So there you have it. Thoughts?
1/21/08
Being The Man, volume one
Looks like the Bad News I reported back in October proved to be quite accurate. My job as a Call Center Supervisor has pretty much consumed my life - anything left that hasn't been eaten by work has been devoured by Rock Band, the Orange Box, and planning my impending wedding.
One thing I never expected is how frustratingly difficult it would be to manage people. I went into this job under the assumption that most people were like me - at work to work, conscious of what their job is, and understanding that doing said job is the reason I am being paid. It boggles my mind how many employees I manage who cannot grasp that basic concept: YOU WORK, THEREFORE YOU GET PAID. Avoiding work is one of the most common reasons I've had to take disciplinary action against employees. Why is this even a problem? You'd think people like this would have been weeded out in the application process.
I'm paid on salary now, which means the ridiculous amount of overtime I've been pulling is all unpaid. And when I say overtime... well, I average about 2.5 extra hours a day, with some spectacular days where I work as many as 15 consecutive hours (no breaks). I'm never forced into this, but I typically won't accomplish any assigned tasks without remaining this extra time. My problem, which I say at the risk of sounding incredibly egotistical, is that I am too damn good.
I work for an inbound call center that provides customer service & support for a client. I've worked for this client before through another call center, so I entered my current job with six months' experience in the systems and policies used at this job. Also, I'm an information sponge - in any job, I absorb information like nuts. Because of this, everyone comes to me for answers, even other Supervisors (because almost all of them have zero experience with this client, and the center has only been open since September). I've become a resource. This would be great if being a resource was my job. Sadly, it's not. My job is to manage my team; keep track of their metrics, attendance, and behaviours, provide coaching and feedback, and make sure they are on goal to satisfy our client's needs and the needs of the client's customers. This is a job that I am currently failing because I'm the site's go-to guy for just about anything. Every day I set out for myself a list of tasks to accomplish, and every day I accomplish less than a quarter of them. Thankfully my manager recognizes the situation and has been understanding towards the fact that I haven't been hitting my goals. Still, deadlines can only be stretched so far, and I am failing my own team as a leader.
The pay might have been nil, but things were so much simpler as a writer. Sure, I didn't meet deadlines then, either. But it was still something I did at my own pace. And everyone didn't lean on me like they do now to figure out their problems.
In gooder news, Firearm Arcana should be seeing life again sometime in February through Expeditious Retreat Press. Gods bless them. There's also a strong chance that I may be returning to the Accidental Survivors for Episode 22, their game session broadcast. Also, more regular updates to this blog! The idea is, the more I write, the more likely it will become that I write something gaming-related.
I'm back for now, readers. Stay tuned.
One thing I never expected is how frustratingly difficult it would be to manage people. I went into this job under the assumption that most people were like me - at work to work, conscious of what their job is, and understanding that doing said job is the reason I am being paid. It boggles my mind how many employees I manage who cannot grasp that basic concept: YOU WORK, THEREFORE YOU GET PAID. Avoiding work is one of the most common reasons I've had to take disciplinary action against employees. Why is this even a problem? You'd think people like this would have been weeded out in the application process.
I'm paid on salary now, which means the ridiculous amount of overtime I've been pulling is all unpaid. And when I say overtime... well, I average about 2.5 extra hours a day, with some spectacular days where I work as many as 15 consecutive hours (no breaks). I'm never forced into this, but I typically won't accomplish any assigned tasks without remaining this extra time. My problem, which I say at the risk of sounding incredibly egotistical, is that I am too damn good.
I work for an inbound call center that provides customer service & support for a client. I've worked for this client before through another call center, so I entered my current job with six months' experience in the systems and policies used at this job. Also, I'm an information sponge - in any job, I absorb information like nuts. Because of this, everyone comes to me for answers, even other Supervisors (because almost all of them have zero experience with this client, and the center has only been open since September). I've become a resource. This would be great if being a resource was my job. Sadly, it's not. My job is to manage my team; keep track of their metrics, attendance, and behaviours, provide coaching and feedback, and make sure they are on goal to satisfy our client's needs and the needs of the client's customers. This is a job that I am currently failing because I'm the site's go-to guy for just about anything. Every day I set out for myself a list of tasks to accomplish, and every day I accomplish less than a quarter of them. Thankfully my manager recognizes the situation and has been understanding towards the fact that I haven't been hitting my goals. Still, deadlines can only be stretched so far, and I am failing my own team as a leader.
The pay might have been nil, but things were so much simpler as a writer. Sure, I didn't meet deadlines then, either. But it was still something I did at my own pace. And everyone didn't lean on me like they do now to figure out their problems.
In gooder news, Firearm Arcana should be seeing life again sometime in February through Expeditious Retreat Press. Gods bless them. There's also a strong chance that I may be returning to the Accidental Survivors for Episode 22, their game session broadcast. Also, more regular updates to this blog! The idea is, the more I write, the more likely it will become that I write something gaming-related.
I'm back for now, readers. Stay tuned.
11/6/07
Religious experience
I am not a particularly religious man. I have, however, recently had a brush with the divine. I present to you the Vesta Burger.
As you can see, it took me a few bites to realize the divine nature of this burger. It's topped with too many condiments to list, but the key ingredients are a good half-pound of ground beef, sautéed mushrooms, and mozzarella cheese.
The ultimate satisfaction I felt while eating this burger was nothing short of a deep and meaningful brush with God. Of burgers. I swear.
I felt almost ashamed to eat it. How could I be worthy of such goodness?
But as I ate it, I took solace. For though I consumed the ultimate burger, it's spirit would ascend and become the ideal for which all other burgers would aspire to eat. And while no burger I eat will ever approach the purity of the Vesta Burger, I will appreciate the valiant effort of lesser burgers as they strive to meet the divine example.
That's The Vesta, in Brampton, Ontario, Canada, on the corner of Steeles and Dixie. Great all-day breakfast, and a burger of biblical proportions.
As you can see, it took me a few bites to realize the divine nature of this burger. It's topped with too many condiments to list, but the key ingredients are a good half-pound of ground beef, sautéed mushrooms, and mozzarella cheese.
The ultimate satisfaction I felt while eating this burger was nothing short of a deep and meaningful brush with God. Of burgers. I swear.
I felt almost ashamed to eat it. How could I be worthy of such goodness?
But as I ate it, I took solace. For though I consumed the ultimate burger, it's spirit would ascend and become the ideal for which all other burgers would aspire to eat. And while no burger I eat will ever approach the purity of the Vesta Burger, I will appreciate the valiant effort of lesser burgers as they strive to meet the divine example.That's The Vesta, in Brampton, Ontario, Canada, on the corner of Steeles and Dixie. Great all-day breakfast, and a burger of biblical proportions.
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