I spent a chunk of the weekend reading GNS AND OTHER MATTERS OF ROLE-PLAYING THEORY by Ron Edwards, a big article that tries to analyze both game design and player satisfaction in terms of GNS (Gamist/Narrativist/Simulationist) goals and attitudes. Lots of fascinating roleplaying terminology.
An easier introduction to GNS as Edwards sees it can be found here.
http://revolutionsf.com/ is another zine with fiction, reviews and humor (Tina Brown to take over Asimov’s SF).
Meanwhile, over at scifiction, Michael Swanwick makes his way along the Periodic Table (he’s writing a short-short story for each element) and reaches Gallium.
A reprint on rpg.net of an interview with Tim Powers:
No, I’ve never done any gaming! Of course I know lots of people involved in it, and I love Kenneth Hite’s books — I know they’re for gamers, but they seem to have been written for me. I guess I’m afraid that if I got into gaming it would totally absorb me, and I’d get no writing at all done.
The Onion: Archeologist tired of unearthing unspeakable ancient evils. (I waited until today to post this because I had no Radio at home. Bummer).