After reading Way of the Peaceful Warrior last month, I had to get my hands on the sequel by Dan Millman. Last night I got a chance to finish Sacred Journey of the Peaceful Warrior, and I found it an enlightening read. It’s a story about the author’s encounter with a shaman woman named Mama Chia living on Molokai. Throughout the book she teaches Dan about the three basic selves, and helps him cleanse the Tower of Seven Floors. It’s a metaphysical story that points the way to the reason we are here. It is part fiction, but it does leave you with concepts you can weigh against your soul. I even had a dream recently that seemed to confirm what I had read. I’m not sure where the author came up with the idea, I think it might have taken place in a “fiction” part of the book, but when an angel shows up in your dream it gives you pause for thought.

Most in our techno-society will find all of this too out there, but I would rather live in a world of magic than one of cold-hearted logic.

- D

Currently Playing: MechWarrior Online Beta

Fighting Fantasy has marked its 30th anniversary. Back in 1982, Steve Jackson and Ian Livingstone began writing a series that took the D&D experience and rolled it into a book. Starting with The Warlock of Firetop Mountain, you play the role of an adventurer looking for his fortune. The mountain is a fortress for the warlock, and you have to battle all sorts of monsters just to make it to the wizard. There’s even a maze. Combat was handled with two 6 sided dice, and you also had to roll up stats for your own character. Simpler, but very close to D&D.

To celebrate the 30th anniversary, Ian Livingstone has written a new book called Blood of the Zombies. I haven’t gotten my copy yet, but the book looks really cool. The cover is classic, and all the black and white illustrations inside look spot on. It looks like they pulled out all the stops for this one. Tin Man Games is also doing an iOS port of the book, so it looks like it’s going to have a digital release as well. Us old folks still like books, but the kids gotta have their iPod. At least they’re hitting both markets.

Next week I should be getting my copy from the U.K. It will be great to add to my collection. These books are an inspiration. They make me feel like I could do something like this.

- D

Currently Playing: Port Royale 3