"When a flight attendant aboard a Delta flight earlier this week saw saxophone superstar Kenny G, she couldn't resist getting him in on her charity efforts. After raising $2,000 for the Race For Life, the flight attendant convinced Kenny G to play some tunes while strolling down the aisles."..(Read...)

We’ve previously mentioned Evolution, the board game where you intelligently design your own prehistoric species and compete for food (a source of points in the game) against other players. The game becomes a sort of arms race to better adapt your species to the species of the other players. It’s a delightful game that is incredibly easy to learn but has the kind of bluffing and strategic decision making that makes it hard to master. Not to mention the fact that with the evolution cards being drawn randomly, no two games are ever the same. I recently picked up both Evolution and Evolution: The Beginning to play with the family (including an 8-year-old kid who LOVES dinosaurs). I was delighted to see access codes in both games for the digital versions of each of my newly acquired board games. After registering both of the codes, my heart sank when I got the bad news; in development.

Well, development on Evolution is heating up and the digital game, which is being developed by North Star Games, the game’s publisher, is getting ready to launch their Alpha Testing. Anyone can apply to be an Alpha Tester for the game with full details found on their site. Selected testers will receive an invitation by email. Don’t fret if you aren’t selected in the first wave, they are releasing the Alpha through multiple rounds of testing over the spring and summer, with the first round being in May. The game is going to be distributed via Steam, so make sure you are already setup on the platform before you submit your application. For those of us who have already registered a code for the digital version, you don’t need to apply: North Star Games is being super thoughtful and sending you an invitation to be an Alpha Tester as a thank you for supporting their games.

Each wave of Alpha Testing is only for limited time access to the game so make sure that if you do receive an invite, you act fast so that you don’t miss the window. Get your applications in before April 22, 2017 if you want to help bring this incredibly fun tabletop game to the digital realm.

Are you going to apply to be an Alpha Tester? Let us know in the comments!

Image Credits: North Star Games

Yeah, about panel 1: the idea is that in order to be a purebred female, both of the cat’s genetic parents would have to be female. I’m not sure the joke landed well.

The second, third, and forth panels are, sadly, based on a true story. A large, hirsute, and perpetually sweaty coworker announced that he had adopted a puppy. He asked a big group of his work acquaintances, myself included, if we wanted to see a picture. We said yes, because, puppy. He pulled out his phone and showed us a picture that is basically the second panel, only with a tiny puppy instead of a full grown cat.

It was a deeply uncomfortable situation for everyone but him. He seemed perfectly comfortable.

As always, thanks for using my Amazon Affiliate links (US, UK, Canada).

"In this very special installment of Bad Lip Reading, Han (voiced by Mark Hamill) struggles with a language barrier. Jessica DiCicco guests as the voice of Rey."..(Read...)

All of my comics bashing the trombone are based (pretty loosely) on actual conversations I’ve had with a real friend.

That friend is Rick.

He used to be a professional jazz trombonist, and is still quite good. It’s also true that he has no respect for the valve trombone.

After all the grief I’d given him about every other aspect of his life, I thought picking on him over the trombone was a step too far. In retrospect, giving the trombones to mullet boss was still a pretty grave insult.

As always, thanks for using my Amazon Affiliate links (US, UK, Canada).

“Rogue One” Spliced with “A New Hope”..(Read...)

Jason Jensen shared this hilarious video of his young son, Trey, developing a lifelong fear of llamas while visiting the Tennessee Safari Park in Alamo, Tennessee...(Read...)

"The idea that water going down a drain or flushed down a toilet swirls in opposite directions in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres has a long history. But few have ever done the experiment. Destin from Smarter Every Day and I performed identical experiments in the Northern and Southern hemispheres. What we found is the direction of water swirl in a toilet, sink, or bathtub is determined by other sources of angular momentum. However if the body of water is big enough, e.g. a kiddy pool, and left still for long enough (at least 24 hours), then the Coriolis effect is observable with water swirling counterclockwise in the Northern hemisphere and clockwise in the Southern hemisphere. "..(Read...)

The wonderful thing about International Tabletop Day is that it’s a day for gamers of all sorts. Whether you’re planning to attend an all day event at your local game shop, or if you’re more interested in playing at home and connecting with friends online, ITTD is for everyone, and that includes gamers with a flair for the dramatic.

If you’re of the thematic sort with no shame in your Tolkien game, throwing a Tabletop Day shindig revolved around this particular fandom could be right up your alley. In the case of The Lord of the Rings, there are plenty of gaming and entertainment factors to fulfill your party planning dreams.

The Theme

Commencing with the theme of Tolkien’s Middle-earth, invite your guests to arrive in their best Lord of the Rings cosplay. You’ll need only the bravest of hobbits, men, elves, and dwarves to make it through the day ahead, so having a few latex elf ears prepared for those without a costume might be wise.

With the dress code in order, be sure to set the soundtracks to Peter Jackson’s films on repeat to immerse the players in the world as much as possible. If it wouldn’t be too distracting to game play, a marathon of the movies would work too.

For decor, welcome players with Bilbo’s iconic sign, hang maps of Middle- earth, and maybe even use a wall-sized adhesive to transform your location.

The Games

The sheer number of Middle-earth based tabletop games is enough to fulfill multiple ITTD events. It simply depends on the preference of your players. The 2004 favorite of tabletop gamers (LOTR fans or not), War of the Ring is a great option if you’re looking for a true adventure. Though a two player game, some do play War of the Ring with four people, and either way it works well for Tabletop Day as it takes almost three hours to complete and is incredibly immersive.

The beastly board, characters, and design of War of the Ring really pull you into the story as you play in the roles of either the Free Peoples or the Shadow Armies to earn control over The One Ring. Or, presumed control, as we all know no one person can truly control it, besides the Dark Lord. This game allows the players to tell their own version of Tolkien’s classic, rather than following the story of the books precisely.

The Lord of the Rings: The Card Game is another example of a Tolkien-themed game initially designed for two players that can be expanded to three or four. Different from War of the Ring, The Lord of the Rings: The Card Game is the base experience of a living card game, with added adventures released in expansion packs regularly.

This game plays wonderfully for an event like Tabletop Day, as every play through is completely different from the last, with endless combinations of adventures, encounters, and objectives. With multiple sets of the core game, you can actually add more players, making The Lord of the Rings: The Card Game entirely appropriate for a party setting.

The Food

The menu of Middle-earth is just as vast as the races that inhabit the world, making the possibilities endless when it comes to a Lord of the Rings themed event. It’s best to concentrate on items that wouldn’t interrupt game play, keeping easily accessible snacks in mind.

First of all, what would a Lord of the Rings party be without po-tay-toes? Decorate your serving tray of fries or tots with a sign quoting Sam’s love for all things starch.

Going into International Table Top Day requires a good deal of commitment, and if you’re going to make it through hours and hours of play, you’ll need the appropriate nourishment. The Fellowship was sure to stock up on lembas, an Elvish bread meant to keep the stomach full and the body energized for long periods of time, and fans have been trying to perfect the recipe for years. This recipe looks particularly promising, and simple to prepare and serve.

Take a note out of the Rivendell cookbook with a comforting mulled wine filled with spices, and with a hint of brandy. Or, if you prefer, a quality pint of your favorite brew will do just fine. Just be sure to sing a round in Merry-and-Pippin style before you enjoy.

Gathering together to conquer, or save, the lands of Middle-earth sure sounds like a quality way to spend this year’s International Tabletop Day. Or, any day, for that matter. Especially when you’re prepared for the quest with the proper snacks, entertainment, and company.

What are your plans for ITTD? Do plan on going all out with a themed house party? Tell us all about it in the comments below, or find me on Twitter, @bekahbabble!

Featured Image Credit: New Line Cinema

Image Credits: New Line Cinema, Ares Games, Fantasy Flight Games

There was an arcade game called Violence Fight.

I’ll provide a link to a video of the gameplay in a moment, but before I do, you know how sometimes when something is translated from one language to another, some of the beauty or meaning of the original is diminished, and we say that something was “lost in translation?” I’m pretty sure that in the case of Violence Fight, a great deal was gained in translation.

Here’s the link. It should start a couple of minutes into the video. Please wait through the still image of the stage magician and the shiny shirtless man pointing out at the viewer, declaring “Next you!” You’ll be rewarded with the honor of watching an epic fight between two men named “Bad Blue” and “Lick Joe.” 

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After this comic ran, more than one mechanic wrote to thank me.

The largest auto repair I ever undertook myself was replacing the water pump on a 1962 Fairlane. Because of the length of the bolts holding the water pump on, I had to pull out the radiator to remove it. Also, because I did not have ramps or jack stands, I ended up digging a trench in the ground, which I rolled the car over, then crawled down into.

Knowing that the car only ran because of my hard work gave me a great sense of accomplishment every time I started it up. Also, knowing that it only kept running because of the quality of my work cause me to never trust the car again.

As always, thanks for using my Amazon Affiliate links (US, UK, Canada).

Matt Mercer is back for another round of Game Master Tips! When we’re often creating characters, we lean on the stereotypes that most players know about. Gallant knights, bookish mages, and mysterious thieves; maybe it’s time to mix it up by creating characters that go against type or go in a completely new direction. Matt takes you through all the tips you need to create a character that’s a little more interesting. Maybe it’s time to embrace that low stat or use a little imagination on your back story. Follow these tips to get a little more fun out of your characters.

Check out more tips to create a more interesting adventure or just to become a better Game Master, check out the whole series here.

These gorgeous Han Solo & Chewbacca heels made by Etsy seller Orions Originals. For Star Wars fans...(Read...)

Twilight Imperium has been capturing the hearts and tables of gamers for almost twenty years. It’s the game that launched Fantasy Flight Games and is so popular it’s now in its third edition. It’s also a galaxy-spanning monster. Many people have heard of this 8-pound opus, but far fewer have actually played it.

TI3 has a bit of a reputation. It’s got a lot of information to absorb. Actually playing the game isn’t as complicated as it seems, but it’s going to take a good hour to go over all the rules, systems, and the structure of the game. This is absolutely the wrong game to say, “let’s just start playing”. You’ll need to learn how turns work and the specific order in which you execute actions when you activate a planet. There are alliances to go over, tech trees to explain, and 11 different unit types used to dominate the universe. Then there’s the deck of laws that change all those rules when enacted and 17 different races that all bend and break everything you’ve learned. It’s a lot.

It’s also worth it.

This game is a space opera in every sense of the word. You start the game tucked away in your corner of the galaxy with a broad swath of options in front of you. Your goal is galactic dominance, your weapons are lasers, missiles, and a silver tongue. There’s always more going on than you can handle so politicking is necessary to accomplish anything. Teamwork is critical in this game; it’s part of what I enjoy so much. It’s also responsible for keeping things engaging. Alliances never sleep so there’s always something you can negotiate while Sarah is moving her fleet towards the capital planet of Mercatol Rex despite promising you she’d let you take it next round. Ahem.

A series of turns are nested into larger rounds. Individual turns go pretty quickly-relatively speaking-and each player has a unique Strategy Card they control for the entire round. These cards give you a leg up on the various theaters of war. While everyone will get a chance to act when you play your card, your action is much stronger and more desirable. For example, playing the Technology Card gives everyone the opportunity to purchases an expensive tech upgrade but it gives the owner one for free. This reduces downtime and keeps you engaged at all times.

Even when you aren’t actively playing, there is a lot to think about. Turn structure is very rigid and TI3 is as much about what you can’t do as it is about what you can do. When a system is activated a very precise list of options are resolved in order. Space Docks are needed to build units, but you can’t build a Space Dock and then produce units from it in the same activation. Systems can’t be activated twice during the current round-it’s a clunky way to emulate simultaneous galactic action-so achieving your goals has to be carefully mapped out turns in advance. While it might feel limiting initially, it’s key to giving you a chance to react and mobilize your forces in response to a threat. TI3 is a game of long term strategy, not necessarily immediate tactics.

That’s very important because I haven’t mentioned the biggest issue with getting Twilight Imperium to the table. It’s long. Really long. The average game clocks in at 8 hours and while it can run shorter, I’ve played in games that span 10 hours broken up across two nights because a bleary eyed player lifted his head up from the table and announced there was no amount of caffeine or candy that could keep them going. Again though, it’s worth it. That length also makes it perfect for something like International Tabletop Day.

There are plenty of space empire games on the shelves of your local game store, but there is only one Twilight Imperium. No other game sees you dominate planet after planet, laying their cards out in front of you for you to activate for economic resources of political clout. No other game will see your friends stand at the table, offering money and protection in a desperate bid to pass a law or stave off an assault.

Twilight Imperium defines the word epic. We still tell stories of games many years old. There was the time my fanatical cultists of the Brotherhood of Yin rode their starships on suicide missions (so shiny, so chrome) straight into my good friend’s back. He still won’t ally with me in games because of that. Or the time the pipe-smoking space turtles of the Xxcha Kingdoms dominated the political scene, bringing the game to an abrupt end by changing the victory condition. They won the war without firing a single shot. We pass out cell phone numbers before every game, allowing for silent and secret communication. In last year’s game of conquest I sat smiling like Varys, confident that I’d shortly be crowned emperor, when I realized that a flurry of messages were flying across the tables and I wasn’t receiving a single one.

Yes, the game is a little clunky. Yes, it’s very long. But it’s a truly unique experience. It’s the kind of game that’s worthy of an event like International Tabletop Day. Or maybe International Tabletop Day is worthy of Twilight Imperium 3. It can be tempting to fill all-day gaming events with as many titles as possible, but this year I recommend you look to the stars. Just make sure you collect cash for lunch (and dinner), battling for cosmic dominance is hungry business.

What is the most epic game you’ve ever played? Is 8 hours too long for any one game? Let us know below!

Image Credits: Tom Reuhl

 In addition to Geek & Sundry, Raf Cordero writes for Miniature Market’s The Review Corner and co-hosts the gaming podcast Ding & Dent. Chat with him on Twitter @captainraffi.

These are the Classic Calf Socks With Plus+ technology sold by Blacksocks.com. They cost $189 for ten pairs and each individual sock has a communication button that can connect to your iPhone.Imagine your phone could communicate with your socks. Your phone would know: – which socks belong together,and could help sort them out, – how often you have washed your socks, – when your socks were produced, – when you ordered your socks and – when your socks were dispatched. – Your iPhone can also tell you if your black socks are no longer properly black and help you buy new socks. This is something we dreamed about and we have made the dream come true. The result is Smarter Socks – probably the smartest socks in the world. They are undoubtedly the first socks which leave their mark on the internet via the Sock Sorter and your iPhone$189 price tag (for socks!!), we’re not sure the market will respond as enthusiastically...(Read...)

I did have an argument with someone who stated, as if it were an incontrovertible fact, that WALL-E was just a rip-off of Short Circuit. The person with whom I was arguing had not yet seen WALL-E, and had never seen Short Circuit. I had seen both movies, and explained that as near as I could tell, the only thing they had in common is that they both starred robots that had tank treads, and two cameras for eyes.

The other person’s rebuttal was to look at me like I was equal parts naïve and crazy, and say, “Yeah, but still.”

You might say that I won the argument. I’ve certainly said that more than once, but sitting here just now it occurred to me that I’m still irritated about the argument, while the other person has probably forgotten that I even exist. I ask you, is that “winning”?

As always, thanks for using my Amazon Affiliate links (US, UK, Canada).

Getting into RPGs can be overwhelming. Here are some articles that will keep neophytes to RPGing from feeling like they’ve been dumped into the deep end. Creating playable characters is extremely important for new gamers as a character is the portal by which they experience the world in which they’ve stepped in.

• RPG Character Tips For Beginners: The most basic advice for the most green RPG player is as simple as playing a slightly more fantastic version of yourself. While it may feel somewhat vanilla, for a first-time player still grasping the basic mechanics of the game and having to wrestle with proficiencies, modifiers and spellslots, keeping it simple means getting to the roleplaying elements with a character you know quite well.

• How To Build An Amazing Character For Your Tabletop RPGs: Once you’ve got a firmer grasp on the mechanics of a game, building a character from a nuts-and-bolts in terms of rulebook stats and choices is the next level up. Not only will you learn how to read stats and understand what they mean, but you’ll also get a firmer grasp on the lore of the world you’re playing in and how your character fits into it.

• 5 Steps To Building RPG Characters with Personality and its sequel 5 More Master Tips to Infuse your RPG Character With Personality: These articles give you perfect step-by-step guidance on fleshing your characters from the inside out, letting you both have a clear understanding of what makes your character tick and why. From having secrets and flaws to leaving some room for mystery and exploration within your character, these angles of exploration are the perfect advice to top off charcter-building advice for any player.

Tell us about the most memorable roleplaying character you played in the comments below!

Featured Image Credit: Kent Davis @iDrawBagman

Homebrew content allows you to bring your own ideas to life on the table. Matt Mercer returns to the table to let you know how to take on the task. Creating content for your adventure isn’t just the role of the GM, but players can take on the task of creating new spells, items, or even creatures to take on. Before you start throwing that singing sword or shaping your own dragon school into your campaign, check out some of Matt’s tips of how to do it right.

Check out more GM Tips here on Geek and Sundry. Stay tuned for more tips every Thursday.

Shakespearean-trained actor Patrick Stewart puts his chops to the test reading negative reviews of famous world monuments...(Read...)

With Mother Earth on the verge of going supernova any day now, Chicago has decided to do its part (again) to help the environment. Earlier this month, the Windy City repealed its controversial plastic bag ban and instead enacted a new 7-cent per bag tax on disposable plastic and paper shopping bags.

Once again, we’re challenged with actually remembering to grab those reusable bags every time we leave the house. Implement the following tote strategy and never get stuck paying extra again.

Public shaming

Peer pressure is a powerful thing. You are bound to feel it when you’re the only shopper carrying a plastic Walgreens bag down the street while everyone else is schlepping a Trader Joe’s reusable tote. You feel shameful when a fellow shopper throws Beyoncé-style side eye your way when you ask for your milk to be double-bagged in plastic. Soul-crushing peer pressure is a surefire way to help you remember those environmentally-friendly sacks, and it’s one of the only things that costs less than seven cents.

Brand yourself

You could write a little note on your hand with Sharpie, but that’s guaranteed to wash off. Why not hit the closest tattoo parlor and have a permanent reminder branded on your body? A cute tribal tote bag or a tote with Nana’s name and angle wings might look hip while simultaneously serving as a functional notice that you’re an environmental bad-ass. Plus, disposable plastic bags are only around for 500-1000 years before they break down. A tat lasts forever.

Hoarder mentality

They give you a tote when you open up a bank account. They’re forced on you at festivals and conventions. You even get one when shopping at your local medical marijuana dispensary. The bags seem to multiply like rabbits. Instead of purging them, embrace your inner hoarder and let your bag pile grow and flourish. Stack them from floor to ceiling in every room of your house.  You can’t forget something you can’t escape.   

Tote stylist

Reusable bags come in some cute designs, but let’s face it, they’re not the most fashion-forward accessories. Hire a professional tote stylist to find you the latest and greatest in reusable tote fashion. Who would ever leave behind a bag that even the most persnickety fashionista would call “totes adorbs”?

Aerial cues

When you hear something flying in the sky, you immediately look up. Tap into that natural instinct and hire a sky writer to remind you not to waste your money on those seven-cent bags. If signs are more your thing, an eye-catching aerial banner can also get the job done. If all else fails, consider hiring a can’t-miss Zeppelin carrying a reusable tote reminder. Nothing shows your commitment to the environment like a reminder from the Hindenburg. 

This post is also published in the Thursday print edition of RedEye Chicago.

_____________________________________________________________________

Stacey Zapalac (@smzapalac) is a humor writer who has studied improv, writing and satire at The Second City Training Center in Chicago.

The post Save Yourself From Chicago’s 7-Cent Bag Tax appeared first on The Second City.

Losing graciously is a tough skill to master for children–and, let’s be honest, for some adults as well. Cooperative board games with everyone working together to reach a goal can help ease the disappointment of competitive kids who always want to win.

If you’d like to avoid sending anyone to timeout this International Tabletop Day, here are five suggestions for family-friendly cooperative games to play for a tantrum-free day.

Outfoxed!

It’s a whodunit for detectives as young as preschoolers as players search for clues to unmask a pie thief. Players work together to roll dice and move around the board, uncovering clues to the thief’s identity. With the help of an ingenious clue decoder, players can rule out suspects based on what those wily foxes are wearing. (They really do know how to accessorize.)

The thief is also on the move, however, so the rolls of the dice can also move him or her ever closer to their escape. Can all of the detectives find out the identity of the thief in time?

Ages 5+, 2-4 Players

Ranglin’ Rabbits

There are rabbits running wild, and it’s up to you and the other players to round them up in this dexterity dice game. Set up the fence pieces in a square and drop the rabbit dice into the pen. The rabbits are loose!

A turn begins by rolling the action dice. A fence piece or a rabbit dice is moved based on the roll. Depending on the face showing on the rabbit dice, players can wrangle that rabbit into the middle of the fences. Players aren’t just setting rabbits gently into the pen; they’ll also be flicking them across the table to make them bounce just as enthusiastically as a real rabbit. Everyone works together to get those rascally rabbits into the pen in this unique game from Gamewright.

Ages 6+, 2-4 Players

Mice and Mystics

If you’re planning a longer gaming session with the kids on International Tabletop Day, look no further than Mice and Mystics for your game of choice. As a bonus family activity, paint the miniatures that come in the box before game day.

Your family’s dungeon crawl begins with one of the chapters in the included storybook. Choose your characters and their miniatures, select their abilities, and your family is ready to enter the kingdom of Prince Collin and his loyal companions. Mouse and enemy minis are placed on the board, and the initiative cards are shuffled and laid out so battle can begin. Mice can move, fight, scurry, search, and more on their quest to meet the chapter objective.

Wil, Anne, and Ryan Wheaton and Nolan Kopp played Mice and Mystics as a family on TableTop. Watch their adventure unfold to get an idea of how to play this cooperative game.

Age 7+, 1-4 Players

Dungeon Fighter

Dungeon Fighter is another cooperative adventure for the family, but one that you can finish in an hour or less. It’s also not your typical dungeon crawl. Rather than simply rolling dice to defeat monsters in the dark depths, you and the kids will be tossing dice in all sorts of hilarious ways at a game board target to land an attack.

Each monster faced has different values for health, attack, and gold. A toss of the colorful dice at the target reveals how much damage the hero inflicts by where it lands on the board, and possibly activates the character’s special abilities.

But it’s not as easy as chucking the dice at the target; players have to toss the die while jumping, with their eyes closed, under a leg, and more. Make it all the way through the dungeon as allies and defeat the final boss to win the game.

Age 10+, 1-6 Players

Castle Panic

Castle Panic is a cooperative tower defense game that has players working together to defend the castle against an approaching horde of monsters. The board is divided into colorful zones and specific areas for the encroaching army, with the castle in the center.

As trolls, orcs, and goblins approach from the forest on the edges of the game board, players attack with the cards face up on the table and turn the monster tokens to show the current hit points.

Wil Wheaton and friends take on the monstrous attackers in a 2012 episode of TableTop. Will they survive the approaching invasion?

Age 10+, 1-6 Players

What’s your family’s favorite cooperative game? Tell us about it in the comments.

Featured Photo: Plaid Hat Games

Other Images: Gamewright, Plaid Hat Games, iello games, and Fireside Games 

Battleship was a great game. It was fun, simple, portable, and inexpensive. Then they improved it.

I remember the first time I saw “Electronic Battleship.” The game board was a big, bulky, and heavy, and programming it to play a game was more challenging than the game itself.

On a more positive note, to this day, when trying to psyche myself up for things, I will still mutter “Eye of the tiger. Hungry like the wolf. Walk like an Egyptian.”

As always, thanks for using my Amazon Affiliate links (US, UK, Canada).

"We noticed that Trump's tweets are basically the lyrics to an early 2000s emo song, so we turned them into one."..(Read...)

Donald Trump spreads a lot of false information thanks to his daily consumption of morning cable news. If only we could sneak some facts into the president’s media diet...(Read...)

When Ric and I first met, we were both comedians. He was much farther along in his career than I was. Still, “mentor” is too strong a term for his place in my career. I’d describe his role as being somewhere between “occasional advisor” and “cautionary example.”

We knew a guy who taught a stand-up comedy class. He would occasionally ask comedians to speak at his classes. He never asked me or Ric to speak. We once spent a large portion of a drive to a gig thinking about what we would say if he did. Here are the few things we came up with that I remember:

“Fear can keep you alive.”

“A wish to be famous is a terrible reason to go into comedy. A wish to pay your bills is an even worse reason.”

“If there’s one thing I’ve learned traveling the country doing comedy, it’s this: ‘People hate comedians.’”

As always, thanks for using my Amazon Affiliate links (US, UK, Canada).

This comic reinforces my opinion that I was, in fact, the villain of Basic Instructions. Look at this thing! That poor guy came to me to commiserate about his problems, and I accuse both him and his teenage daughter of having body odor.

 Yeah, Mullet Boss and the angry customer weren’t great either, but for the most part, Basic Instructions was a comic about me behaving selfishly and heaping smug verbal abuse on anyone who stumbled into range. That may be why it always amazed me when a reader would express an interest in actually meeting me.

Note from Missy: On the other hand, having been a teenage girl, I wish all the other teenage girls had been given the gift of a light blue container. :D

As always, thanks for using my Amazon Affiliate links (US, UK, Canada).

In the fourth panel, I refer to his hair as being “Architectural” because it’s erect and ridged, but in retrospect, the hair, as I’ve drawn it (I.E. “poorly”), does sort of resemble they Sydney Opera House, so that’s something.

Note from Missy: Lest you think Scott’s exaggerating about his words, one time he injured himself and, instead of shouting “ouch” or some profanity, said, “that’s unfortunate.” The man truly is a human protocol droid.

As always, thanks for using my Amazon Affiliate links (US, UK, Canada).

But, technology marches on! I recently learned about Mimo wearable baby monitor teaming up to feed the Nod Digital Sleep Coach app. Having studied thousands of baby sleep patterns, the Nod app can provide parents with more personalized sleep coaching, almost like having a baby sleep expert in your own home (but for a lot less money than hiring a real life sleep coach).

According to the Nod website:

Nod’s intelligent system learns about you and your family, then delivers you a set of routines specific to the age of your baby, your style of parenting, and your baby’s behaviors.

Continue reading Tech Tuesday: Nod App is a Digital Sleep Baby Coach at Rookie Moms.