The June Beg-a-Thon is Here: What’s in it for You?

EDIT: The June fundraiser is over and the prizes in the chest spoken for.

If I’ve ever made you laugh, recommended a classic hip hop track or a game you ended up loving, I sure could use your help right now. I’m trying to raise a few bucks to remain financially viable and creatively productive through the summer.

I have amassed a small pile of “thank you” gifts to be awarded mostly at random.

The New BGS Miners Raglan, Produced by Inkling Print Company

Made with love, hand illustrated and printed by my freaking heroes at Inkling.

Hate Monopoly? And monopolists? Wish the Ludlow Strike had turned out different? Me, too.

I commissioned a couple of extras ranging from S-2XL. My single most generous donor from the June Beg-a-Thon gets one. (The good news: I think maybe 12 people listen to Breakup Gaming Society, so you might get into one with a fairly modest contribution.)

this is the back of the shirt

One of 2 Copies of Party Meeple’s 60 Second Cocktail

My homie, Noisy Andrew of Perth, builds sailboats and makes breezy party games and is an all-around stellar human. (He also gives tours of his massive classic boardgame collection, take a look.)

I have two extra copies of his fast-moving bluffing and bidding game, 60 Second Cocktail. These will be awarded more or less at random. Then you can play them.

I’m Right You’re Wrong w/Shots Fired Drinking Game Expansion

My globetrotting pal Darylle of Right Wrong Games enters the prize pile with this cheeky, all-skill-levels-welcome tactical argument game — including Shots Fired, the drinking expansion for people who know that booze makes any argument automatically better.

Doesn’t really make sense to break these up, so some donor is taking home the set!

One of Two Copies of The Re-Up #1

American expat Chad Bilyeu teams up with Juliette de Wit to tell the tale of how Chad got himself through Georgetown by selling weed. I’ve got two copies of this one. Good yarn, cool art, cool writing. Chip in and maybe you get a copy.

I’m Also Giving Away Three of My Spare Defiant Frogs

Another Inkling creation. My spirit animal. Three nice donors will be selected to get one.

With Defiant Frog at your side, you will have that extra bit of piss and vinegar that says, “No. We’re not doing any of that today.”

Is That It? Should I Donate Now?

I also have a few bonus Breakup Gaming Society stickers featuring the comeuppance of a certain loveable millionaire, and I’ll send those out as I can. Based on response to my little fundraising drive, I may add more prizes from other small creators.

You should donate now. Or if not, consider sharing this page with friends who have either more money or better taste than yourself.

Until then, may you fight long and well.
TheLordChiefRocka#1ChiefRocka

On Being a Hater

"Why are you such a hater, Nate?"

Because I'm really freakin' good at it, that's why. I have definitely invested the requisite 10,000 hours in hating on stuff, and it's more rewarding every year.

The reason most haters are frowned upon is because they're bores. No panache whatsoever. I'm not talking about bleating out every random animal complaint that bubbles to the foreground — I'm talking about bonsai-level contempt for all that is hollow and drab and unctuous, sub specie aeternitatis.

The universe's supply of lameness is inexhaustible. This is my garden. Tirades are my flowers. If you want to picture my soul, imagine a Chihuly chandelier of expertly curated grievances, each gleaming tendril fashioned from something that was once obviously putrid, but now sings with light.

They say carrying resentment around is unhealthy. The Buddhists mark it as a tendency of the pedestrian mind. But synthesized properly, it is enriching and clarifying. Properly nourished and reflected on from several perspectives, you can make tomorrow's aria from today's common grudge.

This is magic. Not everybody can pull it off. It takes craft and even a smidgen of moral purpose.

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to call my cousin in Arizona on his direct line at work. Last year during a family get-together, we were getting legless in a hotel lobby and he tried to interrupt my playlist with a request to play a Hopsin track. I was deeply offended by this and I've finally figured out why.

This is going to be a platinum-tier polemic. It's going to be like watching an Appaloosa at full gallop in a dewy field. He is going to understand why he is a clod at a cosmic level. He will be reshaped by the flame and emerge better than before, shorn of crippling illusions.

This is my gift.

This is what I do.