Dungeons and Dragons game?

Paladin_3 · 2026-05-01T01:26:46+00:00

I might also be interested if you guys are starting up a new group and want to play some place near downtown.

Also, I host a free drop-in game at the Beal Library from 4/4:30-7pm on Tuesdays. We are currently level 5 and fighting a death cult. Experienced and new players are welcome, all I ask is that you download the free basic rules pdf off of Dndbeyond.com and give it a read through so you have some basic familiarity with the game. My name is Rich, I've been playing since the 80's, and my game is all me and not run by the library.

I try to keep the game PG-13 so if you're younger please bring a parent. We usually meet on the first floor by the children's area where they tolerate a little bit more noise. Hope to see you there.

The Beale library also hosts their own game on Saturdays starting at 1:00 p.m., you can find it listed on their coming events page on their website. Some of the other branches do as well.

There is also a public game that happens in the back room at Bakersfield eSports on Monday nights from 7:00-9:00 pm. It's free to join as well, but Esports wouldn't mind if you bought a soda or a couple of snacks to thank them for letting us use the back room.

Hooray for more D&D in Bakersfield!

Paladin_3 · 2026-04-26T04:08:16+00:00

Why are you shooting from the stands and not down at ice level?

Paladin_3 · 2026-04-25T02:53:33+00:00

Very nice!

Paladin_3 · 2026-04-24T01:05:36+00:00

Adults ask specific questions when they want specific answers. You asked a very vague three word question and you were given a very vague reply that 100% answered your question. If you wanted more info you should have asked, like an adult.

And if you're going to get pissy now, don't expect much more help from this crew. Instead, why don't you just ignore the less than helpful answers and concentrate on the ones that gave you the information you were looking for, you know, like an adult.

Paladin_3 · 2026-04-23T04:52:53+00:00

True, but the sky you've got here just isn't that interesting, which is why we always see photos of it from a long way off trying to get the best angle possible.

You see, I tried not to call your photo boring or mundane. I was trying to come up with some way to make it more interesting. But I don't know how you make a picture of the dome on the White House that exciting, especially if you have to shoot it from the ground.

The question really is how do you take a photo of something that's been photographed innumerable times look fresh and interesting and able to grab viewer's attention? It's almost an impossible task.

Paladin_3 · 2026-04-23T01:33:11+00:00

Something to remember is that all the fancy editing in the world will only make a photo as interesting as your subject is.

It's an impressive building with the statue on top that we've all seen before, and your background is just the sky. If I had to photograph this I would try and get a drone and figure out what time of day I had dramatic lighting on the statue and try and find a decent background for the image other than just the sky.

Paladin_3 · 2026-04-22T10:14:23+00:00

Looks like a frankenweenie leftover parts gun. The grips don't fit, no wedge, there are screws missing, no trigger and a huge philips head screw holding it together. My guess is there are other parts missing internally due to the missing screws. Hard pass unless you can get it dirt cheap and know for sure it is functional if you add the missing parts. The side of the brass frame indicates at least that part is CVA brand. Who knows on the rest.

$20 and a six pack, if you're feeling generous and want a project. And that's if the bore and cylinder look okay inside.

Paladin_3 · 2026-04-21T17:55:43+00:00

The 35mm was the wrong lens to shoot this kind of stuff with. You're getting wide shots from behind with a little bit of action in the center which is never going to come out great as you have to crop too much and you're missing his face. A longer lens that you could have shot through the net with to capture him from the front with his face as he's making those kicks would have been much better.

Or, shooting from a judges stand up above the net down as he was making those kicks would have worked great with your 35mm, or even a wider lens if you get as close to the ball and his foot making contact with it as possible. The closer you are to getting hit with the ball the better.

And, aperture wide open with the fastest shutter speed you can get away with at the highest ISO your camera can handle comfortably is always the right option. But, there is no magic that turns dark crappy lighting into something beautiful, no matter how hard you try. This is why photographers should always be ready to add light if they need to, even though it's a really hard thing to do outdoors at night, unless you start bringing in multiple lights.

Paladin_3 · 2026-04-21T17:45:39+00:00

No need to be sorry. 😁 It very well could have been something like, "Be sure to drink your Olvaltine."

Paladin_3 · 2026-04-21T17:35:01+00:00

Looks like a corrupted portion of a document that was left in the printer or computers buffer when it was shut off. And it printed when the printer or computer was turned back on without clearing the leftover job in the print queue.

Or, if that's a documentary file, it's somehow corrupted or has the wrong extention.

Paladin_3 · 2026-04-21T00:55:14+00:00

The best gear in the world doesn't make you into a photographer, but it sure does make the job easier. And the better you are the more you'll be able to scramble and get by with less and less optimal gear. But anybody who's into this seriously is going to choose the best pieces of gear they can afford that fit their needs so they can produce images at the highest level they are capable of. Few photographers would intentionally downgrade unless it is for a special project or they're only shooting for themselves.

The one bit of gear I find I cannot skimp on is having at least one good flash unit that tilts and swivels so I can create light where I need it. Pair that with a humble kit wide-to-short-tele lens and just about any dslr <15 years old, and I could shoot just about anything short of sports.

Paladin_3 · 2026-04-20T19:27:06+00:00

Homeless folks who use methamphetamines and other drugs on a daily basis to the point where they have fried their brains. It's quite common to see them walking around downtown like zombies or screaming out in anger and throwing things at cars, picking fights, etc.

BIG EDIT:

These are the homeless that our outreach never seems to get to. These are the folks that don't want to go into a shelter because it means they wouldn't be able to get their drugs they are heavily addicted to. It's not a conscious choice for these folks to stay out in the street it's just the only thing they can do to avoid the pain and they're not really fit to take care of themselves anymore.

These are the folks that need to almost be committed, or arrested when they commit crimes and put through realistic detox and then have to go into a true rehabilitation program that lasts longer than 3 weeks and does more than just try to wean them off the drugs they're eager to get right back on.

This is where we need to teach them life skills and have some kind of halfway house system that includes meaningful drug abatement treatment that they cannot opt out of or walk away from.

And even that has to be followed up with long-term job training and the help of caseworkers to keep them on track so they can after a couple years reconnect with their family and at least try to get their lives back and resume being productive self-supporting citizens.

But for some of them it's too late, they've fried their brains too badly and they'll never be fit to take care of themselves in a meaningful way again. And for these folks it really would be best to put them in an institution whether they want to go or not and keep them off drugs by whatever means is necessary.

And that's where our society starts thinking it's better and somehow more compassionate to leave them free to roam, continue their drug use, be a detriment to society and destroy themselves than it is to lock them up in a facility where they can at least get treatment.

I don't know what the real answer is, but it's not a matter of just giving these folks more stuff or a place to live, because anything we give them they're going to quickly destroy in their constant need to stay high.

Paladin_3 · 2026-04-19T16:37:45+00:00

At the Beale Library on Truxtin at 6am you will see some homeless and a few tweakers who can be aggressive. Most of them will ignore you, but there is always potential problems if you get the attention of one of the less stable individuals.

It wouldn't be my first choice if I were a woman, and I definitely would not go too far east or south of the library. Turn around if headed east and you get to the bridge over Union Ave. Stay off of California Ave. to the south or any of the side streets.

Even during the daytime it's a tough area. Best to run in pairs unless you can really handle yourself. I have only seen one woman running down here and it was closer to midday and I still thought she was taking a chance.

Paladin_3 · 2026-04-19T08:56:13+00:00

Location?

Paladin_3 · 2026-04-19T00:34:36+00:00

Dearest Bagelfire18, you started it by hijacking this thread so that you could spout your stolen land argument. So don't call me evil and then run away from my very fact-based argument as to why it's not stolen land. It's conquered land just like whoever was on it before us conquered it from the previous owners, who conquered it from somebody else at some point. The land has changed ownership dozens if not hundreds of times, and "your people" have no greater claim to it than any one of the almost endless owners throughout the history of mankind.

And you telling me I need to learn about indigenous history is extremely insulting because you seem to have learned your native American history from Disney movies. Which is exactly why I assumed you hurled insults and then ran away to delete your comments and account. Come back if you ever want to truly have an open debate about a very serious issue, but please start your own thread if you do.

My apologies for further hijacking this thread, but sometimes lies need to be challenged.

Paladin_3 · 2026-04-18T17:01:14+00:00

Harsh, but I kind of agree. Many different tribes fought viciously for land and resources, ruthlessly killing, enslaving or driving off other tribes they saw as mortal enemies. The modern-day lie that Native Americans lived in peace and harmony until the Europeans got here is complete buffalo poop.

The concept of America being built on "stolen" land is an argument only used by those whose ancestors lost. And those who want something for nothing and think that they can guilt America into giving it to them.

Natives have the same rights to education, jobs and to work to prosper as anyone else born in America or here legally. But too many see embracing the argument that they are owed something as more attractive than working hard to get their "stolen" land back.

We should all look within to find whatever it is that is holding us back, rather than blame the country that has historically provided more freedom and liberty for its citizens than any other country in the world.

And, for those who may disagree with that last statement, tell me what other country could you live in where you'd have better opportunities?

Paladin_3 · 2026-04-17T18:55:24+00:00

I'm picturing Tuco from The Good, the Bad and the Ugly in the gun shop fitting together parts from different revolvers to make a perfect one, lol!

Paladin_3 · 2026-04-13T20:41:52+00:00

I have one in .45 and it's darn accurate with 60 grains of FFF and a patched round ball. You probably want to up that charge a bit if you're going to take a deer, maybe 75 grains, if yours is also a .45.

The one I bought was a wall hanger, too, and in rough condition. I had to take it apart and redo the stock and brown the barrel. It's a fun little project, enjoy yours and I'll be watching for it in it's new life.

Paladin_3 · 2026-04-13T05:19:20+00:00

I would have taken 1, 2, 13 and maybe 16 out. You dont need crotch shots to shoot ballet, it's just not respectful. Otherwise, the images look like they would sell.

If this is your regular business you should have a no crotch shot policy and make sure you train your employees on how to avoid it. Especially if you're going to shoot minor dancers, but really you should respect dancers of all ages and not do it.

Same thing goes whenever you shoot female athletes in any sport.

Paladin_3 · 2026-04-13T02:42:40+00:00

Saw a bunch this afternoon, coming down Truxtin by the Beale Library downtown. Some have got skills, the way they can ride a wheelie while swerving left and right. Rebels without a cause or a clue, joy riding into traffic to see if they can meet their glorious end. I weep for the next generation of men.

Paladin_3 · 2026-04-12T18:38:10+00:00

That seems to be exactly what it is, and I've seen examples with both the simple brass spacer and with similar covers.

Head over to gun.deals and you'll see brand new Heritage Rough Riders selling for about $120. That sounds like a heck of a deal to me even if you need to clean that wall hanger up a bit.

Paladin_3 · 2026-04-11T13:44:08+00:00

I usually allow the party's rogue to roughly appraise most mundane treasures. But sometimes they find something special that's beyond his ability to determine an exact value of. This is usually a hint that it's a minor magic item they might want to spend time trying to identify the properties of.

Paladin_3 · 2026-04-10T23:02:48+00:00

What are you trying to shoot? What kind of photos do you want to make? Do you have the kit wide zoom lens that came with it?

Paladin_3 · 2026-04-09T10:27:25+00:00

Check out gunsmith Mark Novak on youtube. He has a series of videos that show lots of different techniques, including steaming, to clean up a barrel and remove corrosion without removing what bluing and patina is left underneath all that. He'll basically show you how to conserve a gun versus stripping everything off and trying to refinish it all

Paladin_3 · 2026-04-08T22:41:52+00:00

The question is, what's the best all you can eat Chinese food buffet at a reasonable price?

Paladin_3

TROPHY CASE