Although I've fallen behind again in recent genre television, such as time-travel drama New Amsterdam, I have managed to find time to see a few new things. For example, on Wednesday, 26 March 2008, Janice and I watched an adaptation of Prokofiev's Peter and the Wolf on PBS. I was favorably impressed by the labor-intensive stop-motion set to classical music.

On Saturday mornings, I caught the series finale of Superman and the Legion of Superheroes, which was decent, but not as good as its animated DC Universe predecessors Batman, Superman, Justice League, and even Teen Titans, some of which I can catch late at night on Boomerang, Toon Disney, or the Cartoon Network. I am still enjoying the new animated Spectacular Spider-Man.

The latest legal settlement regarding the heirs of Superman co-creator Siegel may threaten future comic books, television series, and movies using the first true superhero, but remedying the injustice done by Warner Bros. predecessors to such artists is long overdue. I guess we'll have to wait a few months for the direct-to-video Gotham Knight, which is timed to be released around the same time as the live-action Dark Knight movie.

Thanks to the Cartoon Network, animation fans can also look forward to the computer-animated Star Wars: Clone Wars series and somewhat retro-styled Batman and the Brave and Bold on Friday nights. Nickelodeon will have the Marvel Comics-based Wolverine and the X-Men and young Iron Man programs. I hope the change in directors won't hurt the Gatchaman movie from Imagi Studios, which released the computer-animated TMNT. Speaking of which, Disney has announced its upcoming slate of animated movies.

Speaking of Friday nights, the SciFi Channel's Battlestar Galactica has returned. I know that many viewers and critics claim that it's the best science fiction on television, but I've often found the revisionist BSG to be rather nihilistic. On the other hand, the acting and thinly-veiled political allegory of the military space opera have been strong.

We'll see how the postapocalyptic series winds down and if the cable network's revised lineup can bounce back in the ratings. I do plan to watch the youth-oriented Sarah Jane Adventures as well as returning parent show Doctor Who. Speaking of children's literature, I reluctantly watched Tim Burton's adaptation of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, which may have been darker in tone and more faithful to the Roald Dahl book, but it didn't displace Gene Wilder's Willy Wonka in my childhood nostalgia. As with L. Frank Baum's Wizard of Oz or Frank Herbert's Dune, multiple adaptations are possible.

Although it currently broadcasts Stargate: Atlantis and is planning a Stargate: Universe ship-based pin-off, the SciFi Channel hasn't shown The Ark of Truth, the direct-to-video movie that wrapped up some of Stargate SG1's storylines. While the Star Trek franchise is getting ready to come out of hibernation, it's a pity that the long-running SG1 doesn't get more recognition. Thomas K.Y. and I (pictured above with David I.S. during his visit last month) may rent Ark of Truth during Byron V.O.'s visit to the Boston area from St. Louis this coming weekend.

On Sunday nights, I've watched some of Showtime's bodice-ripper The Tudors and Tracey Ullman's amusing mockery in State of the Union, but we still need to catch up on Masterpiece Theater's "The Complete Jane Austen."

I don't know if I'll get to see the SciFi Channel's Odysseus: Voyage to the Underworld, martial artists Jackie Chan and Jet Li in Forbidden Kingdom, or the Iron Man movie when they first come out. The coming weekends will be busy with the aforementioned visit by role-player Byron V.O., travel to my in-laws to Pennsylvania, and CW's off-site meeting, in addition to the usual gaming schedule.

Speaking of role-playing, I was pleased to learn recently that Ray C., who was one of my first Dungeon Masters back in high school, has started running a D20 Star Wars: Saga Edition game in Florida. We'll see how this coming weekend's D&D3.5 "Vanished Lands: the Broken Chains" and "Holy Steel" fantasy sessions go this coming weekend, as well as the one-shots planned for next month…

Friends, I hope you've had a good fortnight. Thanks again to Steve M.R., Hans C.H., and Brian W. for the favorable feedback to my retro role-playing blog posting on April Fools' Day. Fellow blogger Ken G. has posted links to similar Star Trek humor.

On a more somber note, in addition to the recent obituaries of genre luminaries E. Gary Gygax and Arthur C. Clarke, I must also note the passing of classical literature scholar Robert Fagles and movie actor Charlton Heston. I enjoyed Fagles' translations of Homer's Illiad and Odyssey and plan to check out his version of Virgil's Aeneid. I also listened to them on audiotape. Although I didn't agree with Heston's politics, I liked his work in Ben Hur, Planet of the Apes, and Soylent Green.

In the past few weeks, I've been busy with work, copy editing online news feeds and trying to get ahead on print issues. We've also discussed pressures on journalists in the wake of cutbacks at The Boston Globe, CBS's Boston affiliate (and possible outsourcing of news gathering to CNN), and French newspaper Le Monde in preparation for our annual off-site retreat at the end of the month. The New Yorker has offered some insightful analysis on current media trends.

Fortunately, the esprit de corps among my co-workers is strong. After work on Thursday, 3 April 2008, CW's copy desk went out with reporter (and soon-to-be father) Brian F. to J.J. McKay's Restaurant & Pub in Wayland, Massachusetts. On Sunday, April 6, Janice and I drove to the Weston Town Hall to see Ken G. in a community theater production of Brigadoon, which we liked (I have fond memories of the Gene Kelly movie musical). Afterwards, we had dinner at Margaritas on Moody Street in Waltham, Mass.

Backing up a bit, on Tuesday, 25 March 2008, I had a follow-up appointment with the doctor who did my root canal a year ago. Fortunately, the X-rays didn't find any further problems. On a related note, my latest oil change at Direct Tire & Auto was free, thanks to a frequent-customer card. No additional automotive repairs were needed — this time.

On Saturday, March 29, Janice and I went to the Sugarloaf Crafts Festival in Hartford, Connecticut, where we browsed among various art vendors, as well as sampled and bought some foods. We also picked up some housewares on the way home, although our bathroom still needs painting. Rain has kept us from yard work, but I have to admit that I'm not in a big hurry to face spring allergies.

Coming soon: entertainment and travel!

Friends and fellow role-players, inspired by EnWorld.org's shift to "Diaglo's OD&D News," I'm pleased to announce that I'm also going to be making some changes as a Game Master.

Frustrated by the trend toward increasingly streamlined rules, the use of miniatures to help visualize combat, and readily available supplements? For my "Returned Realms" campaign this summer, I'll be mixing the first editions of Dungeons & Dragons, RoleMaster, Champions, Palladium, and MegaTraveller for that good old-fashioned feel, with none of the simplicity. The coin-toss method, combined with cue cards, will replace those tricky polyhedrals.

Tired of endless discussions of what to play, assorted one-shots, and low-powered characters earning their reputations? The "Returned Realms" will feature a series of modular, disconnected adventures designed to force decisions along a clear course to godhood. All characters will be pregenerated and assigned, and all other settings and genres will be folded into this game.

Does heroic storytelling get you down? The "Returned Realms" will emphasize independent action over teamwork, encourage hoarding of information and magic, and constantly change the rules of physics to challenge everyone. Why have one party when you can spend unlimited time on parallel solos?

On a related note, the play by e-mail and teleconferencing teams will revert to play by Postal Service games. I'll also be looking to switch from online gaming to the thrills and chills of going down to the arcade to spend my lunch money. In fact, all gaming should be out in public, where we can gain the acclaim of our peers.

If you're still with me on this, I've got a bridge to sell you, citizen. April Fool's! Seriously, though, I enjoyed last night's D&D3.5 "Vanished Lands: Holy Steel" teleconference, and I look forward to tonight's "Broken Chains" game, as well as upcoming City of Heroes virtual sessions, Byron V.O.'s visit in less than two weeks, and Dungeons & Dragons Fourth Edition! -Gene

>>Player Character Roster for D&D "Vanished Lands" Party A, Spring 1983

-"Namir Delmarin" [Gene D.]-male Hifalendorin (proto-Western European) human Fighter; LGn, Level 2 (died once already)

-"Krogath Golirsen" [John F.]-male Hill Dwarf Fighter; NGl, Lvl. 3

-"Bonner of Runneymeade" [Jon B.]-male Hifalendorin Ranger; NGc, Lvl. 4

-"Galen Sontil" [Ray C.]-male Hifalendorin Mage (Wizard); LNg, Lvl. 4

-"Dan Gamgee" [Damon F.P.]-male Harfoot Halfling Thief (Hobbit Rogue); CNg, Lvl. 1

-"Ivan Marblehammer" [Frank P.D.]-male Mountain Dwarf Fighter; LNg, Lvl. 2

-"Lark" [Peter D.]-Grey Elf Mage (Wizard); CGn, Lvl. 4

Friends, I hope you had a good Easter weekend. Janice and I hope to see our families in Pennsylvania and Virginia, respectively, later this spring. The weather is still cold here in New England, but at least the rain has passed for now. Spring was heralded by some wildlife in our neighborhood, including rabbits, a flock of large wild turkeys, a fox, and hawks. I've seen all of these animals in the past few weeks.

My fellow participants in the recent Jeopardy-style trivia tournament at work are pictured above. After CW won several business-journalism awards, we celebrated with ice cream from Lizzy's. Later last week, the copy desk belatedly celebrated Bob R.'s birthday with dessert at Finale in the Natick Collection.

On Friday, 21 March 2008, Janice and I went to Acapulco's in Newton, Massacusetts, for a Mexican dinner. After that, we stopped in at Newbury Comics. I had picked up the CD of Raising Sand, the excellent collaboration between Led Zepplin's Robert Plant and bluegrass musician Alison Kraus.

On Saturday, we went to T.G.I.Friday's in Norwood, Mass. We had not been to that restaurant in a while. Since we've been watching the Food Network's Ultimate Recipe Showdown, I tried the new Boricua steak-and-plantain sandwich, which was tasty. We also enjoyed the chocolate fudge cupcakes.

Janice and I began our spring cleaning with going through our books. We found enough excess mysteries, textbooks, and gaming supplements to fill four large cardboard boxes, which we'll try to donate or sell. More filing, painting, and yard work remain.

In addition to our usual weekend television, we took adavantage of HBO's free preview weekend to catch most of that network's John Adams miniseries, based on David McCullough's book. While the casting of Paul Giamatti as the titular (and oft-overlooked) founding father and David Morse as George Washington was odd, the acting was good, particularly by Laura Linney as patient Abigail Adams and Tom Wilkinson as Ben Franklin. I'm not sure how historically accurate the miniseries is, but the human drama of the American Revolution is still compelling.

I was pleasantly surprised to like the re-remake of Mel Brooks' The Producers, and was righteously indignant after watching Who Killed the Electric Car? I also saw some of Anne Hathaway in the comedy The Devil Wears Prada and the violent assassination flick Smokin' Aces, as well as bits of The "L" Word and The Tudors on Showtime.

I had previously watched but forgot to review the interesting adaptation of Neil Gaiman's surrealist fantasy Mirrormask. As friends with TiVo or NetFlix subscriptions have noted, picking which movies and TV shows to keep up with can be a challenge.

I'm sad to report that science fiction author and "godfather of the telecommunications satellite" Arthur C. Clarke has died in Sri Lanka at the age of 90. I've enjoyed his novels, many of which speculated on humanity's potential evolution and exploration of the cosmos. As a visionary and an idealistic humanitarian, Clarke will be missed.

Friends, thank you for the anniversary wishes — Janice and I have been married for 13 years and together for 18! We went out to the Fuji Japanese steakhouse in Needham, Massachusetts, to celebrate. Also, Happy Birthday to Bob R., Connor R., and Steve M.R., and Happy Anniversary to Damon F.P. & Nicole P. and to Corbin A.Y. & Andria K.Y.! Amid all the news of a worsening U.S. economy, continuing environmental degradation and wars, and adulterous politicians, it's good to focus on some good news for a change.

While Janice was visiting her mother, who is recovering from knee-replacement surgery, in Upstate New York last week, I ate some seafood; caught up on reading, filing, and sleep; and kept busy with the usual routine of work and gaming.

On Saturday, 15 March 2008, I drove to Thomas K.Y.'s condominium in Lexington, Massachusetts, to meet mutual friend David I.S., who had come from Rochester, N.Y., for the wedding of Nate P. We then went to New Jang Su, a Korean barbeque restaurant in Burlington, Mass.

We chatted about our respective jobs, the online dating scene, and genre entertainment during lunch and at a nearby Borders Books. After returning to Thomas' place, we briefly met his parents, who were visiting for the week, before Dave left for Nate's nuptials. Thomas and I then joined his friend Matt at Bugaboo Creek. We waited for a while for a table, but the food was good.

The next morning, I met Dave and Thomas at Wilson's Diner in Waltham, Mass. As I've mentioned before, Janice and I have been watching Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives on the Food Network, so the authentic casual eating experience was worth the late brunch. Sure, such cuisine isn't particularly healthy, but comfort food is a treat once in a while. Dave and I agreed that hamburgers surprisingly settle our stomachs while traveling when other food won't!

Janice returned that afternoon, and we had pizza at our "old reliable," Bertucci's. However, with Gabriella's Bistro replacing Euro Taste and Wild Willie's burgers soon to replace Bai Thong in that shopping plaza, and with Mexican restaurant Tu y Yo replacing pan-Asian Pho Pasteur in downtown Needham, we won't run out of new local eateries to try anytime soon!

I've blogged in the past weeks about recent television shows. I'm pleased to report that I'm still enjoying science fiction Torchwood and modern fantasies Reaper and New Amsterdam, and the early buzz for next season's Pushing Daisies is promising. I have yet to watch the direct-to-video Stargate SG1: The Ark of Truth, which wraps up some of that long-running space opera's storylines.

Co-worker Ken G. offered a humorous follow-up to Angela G.'s and my observations about Terminator becoming reality, as well as a link to fan-made episodes of Buffy: the Vampire Slayer, much like the controversial Star Trek: New Voyages or Batman fan flicks such as Dead End.

I've blogged before about the recent trend of continuing popular television series into comic books, most notably Star Trek: Year Four, Highlander, Buffy: Season 8, and Angel: After the Fall. Speaking of franchises, I agree with IGN.com's mixed review of the latest season of Stargate: Atlantis, even as the SciFi Channel's Friday night lineup is about to be reinvigorated.

Co-worker Brian F. has had less patience for the kid-friendly animation of the just-canceled Superman and the Legion of Superheroes and the new Spectacular Spider-Man than I have, but we agreed that the writing has been pretty good on the latter show so far.

While the increasing dominance of Fox over Kids' WB is one of several changes coming in Saturday morning cartoons, there are still shows to look forward to, including a new Iron Man and Wolverine and the X-Men on Nickelodeon and, of course, the animated Star Wars: Clone Wars! In addition, several movie adaptations of comic book superheroes are in the works, such as Watchmen.

This coming weekend is Anime Boston and Easter, but I now have an embarrassment of riches for the weekend of April 18 to 21, between Janice visiting her family in Pennsylvania, Ron J.K. visiting his brother in Massachusetts for Passover, and Brian F. and maybe Stuart C.G. going to the New York Comic-Con. As always, so much to do, so little time…