When the late King Alband III had gone into the long cold sleep in a manner queerly
Five years after King Alband III, Belrand’s father, had gone into the long cold sleep in a manner queerly suspect leaving son as King, the young mage by some means defeated and consolidated all of the Gnomish Eronon and now, but three lunar cycles later, the warmachine is being readied. A map with the latest updated information lay across the table between he and his generals. On the left lay Eronon with city points and troop strengths. On the right, past the Lycernian Sea, lay Garns. What information bought through the traders added to that side of the map.

The various realms of Garns did not know what awaited them. Soon they would be ruled by King Belrand.

In a nondescript northern village within Garns, Edgar awoke with a start. War is coming. There was a sense of dread. He knew what he had to do. With the rest of the realm in turmoil, there was only one force he could turn to. The Unicorn Kingdom in South Garns. Edgar needed to make leave quick.

To Be Continued… Below is a preview of the EPIC battle.

This drawing was commissioned and paid for. Check out the artist on twitter @RemyKat and visit her blog, http://remykat.weebly.com/. Thanks Remy!

Short URL: http://is.gd/UnicornsVSGnomes

“Well, birthdays are merely symbolic of how another year has gone by and how little we’ve grown. No matter how desperate we are that someday a better self will emerge, with each flicker of the candles on the cake, we know it’s not to be, that for the rest of our sad, wretched pathetic lives, this is who we areto the bitter end. Inevitably, irrevocably; happy birthday? No such thing.” – Jerry Seinfeld

I’d like to disprove Jerry this year. How better than to have a Karaoke Birthday Party! I’ve done this for a few years now, and it is SO MUCH FUN! Join me, on Saturday, April 10th from 7pm and on for some wacky fun. As one of my close friends called it, my “Dirty Thirty” is upon me… I aim to celebrate. I have so much to give thanks for, one of which is you. You, my friends. I thank that you are in my life, so come on out, bring your friends and let’s party it up!

I set up a Facebook Event, so friend me if you haven’t, or just comment here if you can make it. I’d like a head count, we MAY need more than one room… one year we bled out into the hallways of the establishment lol.

Lincoln Karaoke is an awesome place with PRIVATE ROOMS, so no need waiting for the “DJ” to “pull” your name, when they’re really just calling up their friends and best tippers. Located just south of Bryn Mawr on Lincoln Ave. Check them out here: http://www.lincolnkaraoke.com. There’s a full bar and an appetizer menu. Here’s a small set of pictures of my bday in 2008, it shows one of the rooms http://www.flickr.com/photos/rsutphin/sets/72157608769139593/

So please mark your calendars and bring your singing voices!

“And in the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.” – Abraham Lincoln (Karaoke)

This is Nacho usual tweetup...

And thus proclaimed the great Amy J Fisher, “Let there be Nachos!” And the Nachos ran abundant for tables and tables, filled with hungry and anticipating people, ready for the bountiful delights of the Nachos.

Yeah so… We had a tweetup where we ate nachos. It was fun. Contrary to @silverbell‘s expression over yonder. A nice-sized crowd showed up and I even met some new friends. Let me just say that we all mingled very well. It probably helped that there was also liquor and it was flowing freely.

I have uploaded my pictures to my flickr so feel free to view and comment on them. If you missed the tweetup, it is but a sampling of what was missed. You can imagine what pictures I chose not to put up is all I am saying.

One of my favorite pictures, and I have many is this one of @Fitz and @LeahJones taking a picture with nachos and beer, which Leah yelled out “Nachos and Beer!” This explains the tweetup very nicely.

Speaking of @Fitz, John decided to take what’s been referred as a “sexy pose”… Being sexy is his business, and business is good!

I can sit here and post every single picture I took, but you can go ahead and view my latest set from the tweetup.

I did want to point out that I was wearing my photoshop’d shirt, which has a back-story. I watch The Guild as well as admin their website. Its a great web series by Felicia Day. She plays a gamer of an online game and finds one of her online gaming friends at her doorstep, Zaboo (played by Sandeep Parikh). Zaboo is basically a stalker and one of the things he does is photoshops a picture of him and of Codex, Felicia’s character. So, I was to meet Felicia and Sandeep last year and thought it would be really funny to make a t-shirt of me and him photoshop’d. It was a hit. Well, Sandeep thought it creepy, which made it even better. So, at the Nacho Tweetup, I had a name tag for myself and I placed it on the t-shirt me, so I gave t-shirt Sandeep his own name tag as well. You can see me wearing two name tags, because mine has my twitter handle and http://yearoftheedgar.com while the other one has Sandeep’s twitter handle and http://effinfunny.com. The great thing was that about half of the people there knew the inside joke of it, which is awesome. Lastly, Sandeep also created Legend of Neil, a hilarious web series about a guy named Neil who finds himself in the Legend of Zelda game and has to find away out.

After the gym, or a night of drinking... same look.

I haven’t been to the gym in a month. FAIL, I know… but I HAVE been doing stuff for this health goal. Since I started working at my current job, my coworkers have been very supportive and have even given me tips and suggestions about cutting out lots of things from my diet.

I started to, but I would quickly revert and indulge much too much on food. Its just so tasty! Now, I also read about it being a lifestyle change, but never really heeded it. Then I take a four-day trip out to Los Angeles to hob-nob with some celebs. Here is where I met Ryon, programmer and health enthusiast among so many other interesting things. We literally spent hours discussing health and diet and nutrition and other things related. It was very interesting too. This man can present.

I took to heart what everyone has been telling me at that point and began to actively watch my eating habits and choosing better choices. Its not perfect, I still enjoy bad-no-no food, but less so.

Last night, I went to the gym, with my coworker/gym buddy, and found out I had lost about 20 lbs. in this time. Wonderful news! My changes have now shown some success! Yes folks, this is, in fact, happening.

As 2008 ended, I thought to myself about how I could make 2009 better. This is one facet of my Year of the Edgar (all rights reserved) idea. Since its my year, I decided to actively work towards better health. Simply because I want to. Its an alien idea, I know, but I am tired of wanting to do something and then think “but I know I won’t do it.” That’s bunk and I am about to prove to everyone that if you want it, and do it, it will happen (within reason, don’t stalk someone!).

I say again, make this year as active as possible and write that script/book/whatever, or film that short/movie/skit, or get healthy/workout more, or learn a new language/an instrument/ a new hobby, or network and meet new people… whatever your heart desires is just but a “do” away.

Its my year baby!

2008 is but a memory. I had a wonderful year full of several fun events and meeting new people and just being plain old me. Its been one of the better years in my life and I have no other place to go but up. This year needs to be even better than the last one. Simply because I feel like it and I said so.

I am of the belief that you should be filled with as much confidence as possible. Its better that way. There’s a term called self-fulfilling prophecy, negative people end up making their fears happen. Why can’t positive people end up making their desires come true too? With that in mind, I decided to make this Year of the Edgar. Its obviously a chinese zodiac reference, also, some of the Guildies have, for some reason, been referencing me as “the Edgar”. It all works out!

Here’s the thing… http://yearoftheedgar.com <- this is my new website. It will chronicle my awesome year as well as anyone having great experiences while following my philosophy. There’s even a banner you can add to your website. Please do. I will make me smile greatly if you can use my mug on your website(s).

Welcome to the Year of the Edgar.

Yes, my twitter page got some exposure as they splashed it on the screen for a few seconds. Funny enough, the latest tweet was about the Lambada. The real stars were Jenny and @leahjones, twelebrities… A couple of people I should meet were also featured.

Featured on ABC7 Chicago News

Please… no pictures!

I’ve said it before but I am a firm believer that things happen for a reason. They just do. I had the opportunity to watch a real show, albeit internet-based, filmed last weekend [The Guild]. At the same time, my wonderful cousin gave birth. Both events were in the same vicinity. I quickly bought my round trip ticket, informed my family that I would be visiting, and prepared for my trip. Three days I had.

I will talk about my experience in California at a later time. Right now I just wanted to talk about my experience on the plane to California. I had a window seat and was one of the first people to get to enter the plane.

My neighbor, in the middle seat, was already there. I will attempt to describe this individual. He was a black man. He looked distinguished and I right away though he must be a musician and/or someone of importance of some sort. He wore this gray wool cap. A wool cap like so:

Brown stressed leather jacket. Yes, I want one now. He wore a white turtle neck sweater and some kick ass jeans. This guy was swanky. I sat down and tried to position myself. I am a big guy and flights suck because of the size of those seats. I had the extra legroom, which I paid extra for. For some reason I kept peeking over to this man thinking “There’s something about him.” and I could not figure it out.

This is about the time that our final neighbor showed up. Aisle guy. This guy slammed his laptop case on the chair hard. I was shook a bit. The guy took some a magazine out and some other thing then sat down in the chair as hard as he could. It was surreal. While this was happening, I would catch the leather jacket guy tug at his cap. Total celebrity move if I ever saw one.

Here it gets interesting. I had gone to the T-Mobile store, its my carrier, earlier that day because my phone was behaving badly. I asked about the new G1 with the Android software. This guy on the plane had it and I took advantage and asked him about it. Pros and cons since I was interested in exchanging my Wing. That was it. That was all we talked about.

That is, until we were close to landing. Something compelled me to ask him what he did, after some random comment was exchanged regarding the flight. “I’m a musician.” he answered to my glee. I was right!

“What do you do, man?” he retorted. I explained that I work as a programmer for Northwestern University’s Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center. His eyes lighted up. “I work on an application that helps the different facilities that research cancer bill for their services. I do my part in helping fight cancer.”

He then shared a very personal thing. First, he mentioned that he plays for the Rolling Stones. Darryl Jones, bass player for about 15 years now. Whoah! Right? His mother passed away recently. Very personal. He mentioned that she spent her final days in Prentice, Northwestern’s new Women’s Hospital.

He told me about her. Typical strong-willed and minded mother. Hated hospitals and did everything wholistic. Darryl mentioned that the people at Prentice took very good care of her. I brought up a little story about my Godfather. He passed away years ago when I was very young. In his sleep. That same night, I had a dream where I stood in complete darkness. A very dark room. In the distance, I heard his voice. It sounded a little worried. He was talking to me. Giving me instructions. In Spanish. Most of all, he told me to take care of my Godmother. Watch over my three Godsisters. Even gave me an example, should I ever see money on the ground, to pick it up and give it to them. Help them out. That was the crux of my dream. Before I knew he had passed away. That same night.

I forgot about my dream when I awoke. It came back to me when I did exactly as suggested. I found some coins on the street and I picked them up and gave them to my Godmother. We happened to be together at the time. This was at the wake days later. The dream came back to me. I told Darryl this because it was a way for me to know that there is definitely an afterlife and as an assurance, his mother was in the same place. “Right on.” he said.

We began having a wonderful talk about local Chicago music. The scene. Southside still has several great locations for jazz and similar music. Surreal for sure. I highly recommend you speak to a musical legend about music in person because that is amazing.

He asked me what I was doing in California. I mentioned my cousin and Felicia Day. I asked if he’d seen House this season. Mentioned Felicia’s different works and explained that I found her working on an independent internet show and I volunteered my web tech skills to help her. I said that I have a great job that pays me and so I use my free time helping anyone that asks for my help.

This, again, tugged at him. Turns out his mother would help people in her own way. Out of the kindness of her heart. This came out after her passing and neither he nor his sibling(s) knew of this. “I am a firm believer that things happen for a reason.” I told Darryl. It was not pure chance that we sat next to each other. “Right on.”

Darryl told me another thing that happened that showed that his mother was still influencing their lives, but I will keep this story to myself. If you ask me, I will tell you privately, but I have to keep some of my experience for myself and out of respect.

Finally, Darryl mentioned that he might need some assistance with his website and asked for my business card. I gave one to him. It was a very positive experience and I am glad I was able to share this experience with others.

Something to tell the grandkids some day. I just hope I can be of help if needed. I love my life. I would love to subscribe to his blog, lets hope he starts blogging again, visit his website and comment on his blog. Tell him I sent you. Check out Darryl in action!

Darryl Jones and Keith

Arrived at the lockers and began changing into my workout clothes. “I am happy to see that you are here.” I heard next to me.

“Its hard but its so worth it.” This man continued. “I’m married and I knew I needed to do something about my weight. I weighed 270 lbs and its taken four years.” I did not ask what he weighed now but he was definitely fit. He still had a small gut but this guy was definitely fit and not 270 lbs any more. I say he had to be in his fifties.

“There are no BIG old guys.” He proclaimed. “I just looked around me and realized that every old guy I see is skinny. I had to do something about it if I wanted to get older. There are no BIG old guys.” Talk about eye openers. I mean, I know/knew about this whole obese people die faster thing, but no one every put it so eloquently.

He went on to mention that he attends OA sometimes weekly. Overeaters Anonymous. I am very confident that I don’t need to attend, but such a proclamation was very calming. This man has a problem and he is working through it.

“My name is Johann.” He said as I took and shook his hand. I told him “Mine’s Edgar.” and he responded, “Nice to meet you, Edgar.”

I went on to do a fifteen-minute elliptical machine workout. Something quick, I did about 1.2 miles, I had to meet friends out and then work on some school stuff, and finally, this blog.

Back at the locker room, I saw Johann once again, mention to him that I will be at the gym tomorrow (Wednesday 19th) and thanked him. “Keep it up, Edgar, its so worth it.” He reiterated.

Johann, I had resolved to give working out a better shot this time around before I met you. Now, I am even that more excited to prove to myself that I can do this. I can make myself healthier.

I’m a firm believer that things happen for a reason. I’m hoping that meeting Johann was the final thing I needed to happen for me to really stick to my workout. I want to grow old with someone. That definitely can’t happen until I save myself. My health needs to improve. My health will improve.

Short URL: http://is.gd/BIGoldguys

Sibling duet

Originally uploaded by Rhett Sutphin

This is my sister Yesenia (@yeseningles) and me on my birthday singing some duet. Karaoke is fun. My coworker, Rhett (@rsutphin), is an amateur photographer and has FINALLY uploaded the shots he took on my birthday. Check out his set here.

I’ve been wanting to host a Chicago karaoke party for a while and this finally has prompted me to write about it. I would like to set this up for December 6th. Its at Lincoln Karaoke. Next month, mostly to gauge interest. If enough interested people can’t make it on that date, we can move things around, but I want to schedule it by next week.

Its my aim to get as many people into that place as possible… or just me, I can do either. For those of you that have accompanied me on a karaoke event, you know this event is one not to miss… For those of you that haven’t, ask someone else about it. Please let me know in comments about interest.

I’ve asked around for some fun design work and people have responded. I will discuss them all in time but I wanted to point this one out since there was a blog post with it and I can link to it.

Matt Brackney has been doing some work for The Guild and I asked if he would cartoonify me as a Guild character and he did! He’s awesome at this stuff, though I do kinda wish my character had glasses like me and maybe the braided beard was just my goatee since they tend to identify me the most (though I am not one to complain about this), its a wonderful drawing for sure! Check it out here on Squareternal.

I’ve had others work on some items for me and I hope to create a separate page to showcase some of these things. Particularly, Katie Durham‘s wonderful idea for a change in my blog.

If anyone else has anything Edgar-related they want to show me or want me to showcase please let me know… I get a kick out of all of this creativity I have been shown… especially when its about me.

Edgar