Hey all,
I hoped you guys had a really great Lunar New Year, and now its back to business again.
Actually not.
We, the group have been taking a break from table-top gaming, and Kat had just gone for his reservist training (two weeks). So, this gives us an opportunity to recharge our brain cells, and refresh whatever needs refreshing. We might also have to review the whole 4th Edition scene in our little community.
My Caen campaign is nearing the end of its arc, sputtering along with periodic sessions. Shell's campaign has been hit by "players" quitting/not coming etc, so the party line-up is left with me, Shane, PT, and Kat. It is just getting harder and harder for the group to meet up, due to various reasons. But one takes the cake though.
There is this particular player who reasons about not having fun, not touching 4th Edition EVER, and leaving the party without a second healer and in limbo (as we planned characters based on the players setup).
Such drastic action is usually just not cool. We kind of expected it from him, but to leave real-life friends hanging, even though we expected that too, is not too manly.
This reminds me of the Jennifer Hudson epic song titled "And I'm telling you (I'm not going)".
Diva? Hissy-fit induced tantrums? Black singer-wannabe douchebag punching his famous singer girlfriend?
Just not cool.
We, as a group, had learnt more about how to play DnD 4th Ed etc, but at the same time, we also learn that a good attitude is not taught, but more a natural upbringing and how different people deal with certain issues in life.
I have recently tried my hand at amateur tennis coaching, and I realized something. No, its not about lycra tights, spandex tops or pink headbands. I realized that I do not need a super-talented student with insane upside etc. What I am looking for is the show of a strong love for the tennis game itself.
That alone will create determination, commitment, and a willingness to listen and take advice/criticism. Of course, a good attitude for the coaching session is paramount too. I do not want to see pouting when I ask my students to pick up the stray balls, run an extra round etc. But I am glad to say that the current group that I have is not shabby at all.
These basic guidelines make a good learning/transfer of knowledge process. One might argue that DnD is not that, but who is to say DnD/RPGs does not involve transfer of knowledge? The DM will have to tell you the scene, and describe the consequences of your own actions to you. By the virtue of that, it is already transfer of knowledge.
Attitude towards tennis training can be linked to attitude towards the DM's response to a player's action, or the general vibe one gives at the session. Sleeping? Playing hand-held games/incessant SMSing/phone-hog? Showing excessive disinterest/sighing, dampening the mood?
Not optimal for tennis lessons, any lessons in general, DnD, and most aspects of life.
Think about that, while taking a dump in the toilet. And life will be clearer after you come out of the door.
And yes, I will be thinking hard about Shadowrun. A re-run of a lousy movie is never a good thing.
