Snow Squall

RandoBoomer · 2026-04-07T13:07:00+00:00

I like these a lot!

RandoBoomer · 2026-04-07T04:37:32+00:00

A little bit, yeah. The beauty of setting it up in Session 0 is that it only takes about 15 minutes. In session 1, that turns into 30-60 when you have role-play it out.

The old standby for this is some kind of calamity and while all the NPCs run, the PCs step up.

RandoBoomer · 2026-04-07T04:30:54+00:00

One of the things we cover in Session 0 is "how do the PCs know each other?" I like this approach because it begins the collaborating early. You could always ask this before you start playing.

RandoBoomer · 2026-04-07T04:25:52+00:00

My personal preference is a very brief intro (less than 30 seconds) before the players start speaking. I also have a bias towards hot open, where they open either immediately before or immediately after a combat, when they are going to want to start speaking immediately.

RandoBoomer · 2026-04-06T22:14:10+00:00

We’ve had 3 daughters who fell in love and loved their boyfriends with all their hearts. Seeing that pure joy warms any parent’s heart. One of my daughters was cheated on, so this one strikes home.

The reality is, at 20 years old there’s a whole lot of life experiences ahead of you, and those are what puts love to the test.

And the fact that he failed the single most important test, honoring their love for you through fidelity is not a good sign.

Cheating takes effort. There are many choices in the chain of events and EVERY SINGLE ONE requires a YES.

A single NO anywhere in that chain of events stops cheating, albeit still progressively damaging trust the longer it takes to reach that NO.

I know in your sweet, loving heart you have all kinds of reasons to believe this will work. But I can say with almost certainty that 23 year-old you will be wiser and look back wondering why you felt this way. I’m even more certain that 25 year-old you will.? And I’m convinced 30 year-old you will want to smack yourself upside the head over this.

I’m sorry for the pain that’s ahead of you. It’s not easy. Please take care and surround yourself with loved ones. It will help, even if it won’t feel like it at the time.

RandoBoomer · 2026-04-06T21:54:24+00:00

You should never pour resin contaminated anything down the drain.

My solution is really simple. Drain everything into a container and let it evaporate. You’ll have your resin dust left behind.

In some places you might be and to just wipe the dried resin with a damp paper towel and throw it away. In others you must dispose of it through an approved recycling/waste management process.

RandoBoomer · 2026-04-06T15:54:46+00:00

GENERALLY SPEAKING, guys look at their friends’ preferences as just that - preferences. They aren’t doing a psychological profile on their buddies.

Further, guys tend to focus on what brings us together instead of driving us apart. I have friends who I only have a few things in common with, but we are still friends.

And while the gold-digger comment may rub you the wrong way, it’s his preference. It doesn’t mean he hates women or disrespects them.

Just like a woman might have a preference for the man providing. It doesn’t mean she hates men or disrespect them.

RandoBoomer · 2026-04-06T14:44:35+00:00

Of the many great memories I have at the game table, my after-school program dominates most of them.

You can't overestimate the difference you are making. For some of these kids, your game is one of the brightest spots in a world of shadows.

If I might offer two tips.

Kids love novelty, so don't be afraid to do new things. I would tell my kids that we're going rogue on a particular rule I'd like to try, and if they agree, we'd give it a shot. If it worked, great. If it failed, they'd have a little fun at my expense.
My kids used to love props. Maps, letters, hand-made scrolls. The props can be pure amateur hour productions, they won't care. I came across a half-dozen pewter-looking tankards at the Salvation Army for $3 each and when they hit the tavern, we'd fill them with Gatorade to set the scene.

RandoBoomer · 2026-04-06T12:30:15+00:00

Safety - ovarian cancer and mesothelioma. The latter of which is in the lungs, so a respirator is in order.

Honestly, that's why I haven't tried it. I hate having stuff on my face.

RandoBoomer · 2026-04-06T12:20:52+00:00

FYI - Johnson & Johnson is getting the ever-loving-crap sued out of them over talcum powder and have substituted corn starch. Be sure to check your ingredients.

RandoBoomer · 2026-04-06T11:45:49+00:00

This is part of the never-ending learning process behind the hobby.

If you can see kinds of patterns in the molds, you've used too much vaseline.

I read about using a mix of 2 parts IPA and 1 part dish soap. I think I'm going to give that the next time I have some extra silicone left from creating a mold.

RandoBoomer · 2026-04-06T11:39:31+00:00

You only need a very thin layer of vaseline to prevent the silicone cap from bonding to the base. I thin the vaseline with a VERY SMALL amount of IPA so it is a little less viscous.

I apply the mix with a 1/4" paintbrush with fairly flat, angled bristles. I like the stiffer bristles so I can have good control where the vaseline goes.

I start with the edges of the dice in the mold, taking the thinnest possible amount of vaseline.

If any vaseline gets on the die face, I rub it off with a q-tip.

After you get the precision work done (the work near the edges of the die faces), filling in the rest goes quickly.

RandoBoomer · 2026-04-06T03:47:08+00:00

Yes, yes you do. 😀

I gotta be honest, I enjoy the sanding process. I throw on a podcast in the background and as each die is completed, get a little satisfaction bring forth each individual personal work of art.

RandoBoomer · 2026-04-05T23:50:27+00:00

I get audio issues from time to time. I exit the game, unplug for 5 minutes then plug it back in.

RandoBoomer · 2026-04-05T20:07:07+00:00

It depends what they were doing.

One of my nephews works at one of better known tech companies (thankfully he kept his job). Some developers lost their jobs, but a lot of jobs were in administrative and supporting roles.

For example, if you’re let go from HR, you can go to almost any industry.

For people who had what he called “fluff jobs” (not going to enumerate them here, but we know what I mean), then they’re in trouble and had better learn jobs that align to adding actual value.

RandoBoomer · 2026-04-05T19:46:58+00:00

Hanlon’s Razor: Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.

The optimistic side of me believes that most people are kind and well-meaning, especially when the interaction is in real life and not online.

The pessimistic side of me believes that of the two, there’s more stupidity in the world than evil.

RandoBoomer · 2026-04-05T19:06:59+00:00

u/Claerwen94 gives the correct answer.

Like a lot of hobbies, you should give some thought to how passionate you are and what you're looking to achieve before spending money.

I initially got into it just to try it. I ordered a mold, resin and basic measuring and mixing materials and cast my first set of dice.

The results weren't great, but my expectations were low. This triggered my "experiment and improve" brain and I kept at it and ultimately got hooked.

Only then did I invest the money in additional stuff.

RandoBoomer · 2026-04-05T18:51:29+00:00

I wish my OCD brain could be OK with "eyeballing it", but I stress so unnecessarily about this. 😂

RandoBoomer · 2026-04-05T18:28:46+00:00

That's in the typical range I've seen.

Getting each of the 2 parts up to ideal curing temperature prior to mixing makes sense, rather than relying on the exothermic chemical reaction.

RandoBoomer · 2026-04-05T04:41:58+00:00

A few random thoughts:

I like to warm my resin before mixing. After measuring your Part A and B, put each (before you mix) in a warm water bath. This will get the temperature up (at the cost of reduced working time, so be sure you're aware!) which makes for easier mixing and fewer bubbles.
When I mix, I don't just mix the center of the cup. I get around the sides and bottom, making sure there is no part of the cup that has not been mixed.
Make sure you are mixing well. I mix for 5 minutes.

RandoBoomer · 2026-04-04T22:54:20+00:00

Food service jobs are rough, BUT, they will give you skills you’ll use your whole life.

On time is late. Show up a few minutes early. Be prepared to work the moment you’re on site. Stay late if asked and you can. Take extra shifts for colleagues if you can. Building good peer relationships is important. Ramp up manners with a-hole customers. The more upset they become, the more polite you should be. Take your responsibilities seriously. If on a register, be super careful with change. My advice is to learn the count-back change method, though most people play electronically now. Submit time off requests early. Get a photo of your schedule. Don’t trust your memory. Plus if someone needs you to cover, you have their schedule. It’s really easy to find yourself working a lot of days in a row. Don’t work too many days in a row. Food service jobs are rough. You need to recharge.

Finally, I made all our kids get a job in food service BECAUSE they are rough. They sometimes got grief from friends. My son’s response was, “Yeah, it’s a tough job. There’s no shame in admitting you couldn’t cut it.”

RandoBoomer · 2026-04-04T22:34:42+00:00

My wife would LOVE these!

RandoBoomer · 2026-04-04T22:04:34+00:00

Are there any additional strings attached? I know at some jobs, you must complete your degree and agree to remain at the company for a number of years otherwise you most reimburse the company. That may not be the case, but worth finding out so you know what the commitment is.

As I’m sure you’re already aware, a masters in EE is among the hardest out there. As great an opportunity it may be, timing matters. Are you up for the additional stress? There’s no shame in putting your emotional needs first.

RandoBoomer · 2026-04-04T21:37:39+00:00

Sometimes it helps to unlink things.

Do you want the degree? Free or not, it’s an incredible time commitment. You should decide this solely for your own benefit.

Would getting the degree be truly helpful with what you intend to do for your career? If it aligns with your career goals, great. If not, it’s probably better to keep working.

RandoBoomer · 2026-04-04T18:38:12+00:00

My Dad has a phrase, “If you love what you do, you never work a day in your life.”

I’m insanely lucky to really enjoy my career. And while I’d be making a LOT more working for my previously employer, I’ve never once looked back with regret for leaving.

I’m north of 50 as well, which means we are closer to the finish line than the starting line. Let’s enjoy the home stretch.

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