2016 winding down

It appears that I haven't posted here since this time last year. Well, i haven't really felt like I had much to say on this platform.

So here it is, the last day of 2016 and boy, what a year it’s been. Rather than get philosophical or whiney, I’m just going to share some “Goodness from the Internets” I’ve found over the last 12 months.

For starters, the band I bang drums in known as 50 Breaks released a new full length album. You can get it right HERE.

You can send me an email regarding Fox River Forge work at chris@foxriverforge.com thanks to my dearest Jessie. You can also check out whats happening there by visiting www.foxriverforge.com.

We have continued releasing episodes of one of the best tabletop RPG game analysis podcasts ever in the form of Plot Points.

I have started using Google Now as a useful Android extension on my phone. This is another tip from the Sunshinewonder aka Jessie. I like the way this extension assists with my smartphone usability.

Speaking of smartphone usage, i have entered the world of online gaming by playing a strategy game called Plague Inc. This is a game where you attempt to grow and develop a number of different plagues in order to wipe out humanity. A great release when life gets you down.

Wrapping things up is a whole list of YouTube videos feature some truly excellent covers of popular music by some incredibly talented people!



I would like to extend my sincerest wishes for a happy 2017 for everyone. I look forward to seeing what lies ahead on this path.

Truely
Chris

2015 Year in Review

So, here we are. At the end of another year. Much of the year has been dimmed by the fact that I recently got into a relationship with a wonderful woman named Jessie. That story is a post in and of itself. What I can remember of the rest of the year was also pleasing. There was much music, creativity and friendship.

I have made great music with “50 Breaks” and “Francesca and the 440 Hum”. 50 Breaks has established itself a premiere musical experience, playing gig after gig with anyone willing to share a stage. I look forward to recording first quality CD starting in January.

The 440 Hum went on what has turnout to be an extended break. For several years we maintained and incredible schedule of performing while working on our cd entitled “Forever”. We finished the CD in very early 2015 and played a few shows in support of it. We are still discussing what the future holds for us but rest assured, the fire hasn’t gone out.

Beyond music, Rainbird Studio has been the home of a successful RPG gaming podcast called “Plot Points”. Recently, Ben Riggs and I started an additional podcast called “HyperCulture” which is dedicated to the broader geek community and has more of a produced feeling about it. We are eager to see where this one takes us.

Fox River Forge had a good year as well. We added a mobile forge to our arsenal and were able to partake in a couple public blacksmithing demos. It was quite fun and I look forward to doing the same in 2016.

In a few hours, Jessie and I will join our friends in greeting the new year. I wish nothing but the best for all of you. The secret to the survival of this world lies within us. There is a quote from Mahatma Gandhi that had gained enormous fame in bumper stickers and motivational posters across the planet. “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” This is a phrase I embraced the instant I heard it and one I refer to when I’m making difficult decisions. 2016 promises to be a very challenging year for the people of this little ball of blue. It is my hope we can work our way through these days with a little less cruelty and a longer view of the challenges before us.

Time will tell. Until then, I look forward to making my way, left foot, right foot with all of you by my side.

Happy New Year

Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes!!

Greetings everyone!!
You might notice some changes to the blog here. I have decided to make it the home page for Abretok Industries. You will notice buttons just under the header labeled “Fox River Forge” and “Rainbird Studio”. These buttons will take you to pages for those “branches”. That way all you have to do is go to www.abretokia.com and you are connected to my slowly growing empire. I looked around the web, pestered friends, and randomly interrogated the IT professionals at work and ultimately came to the conclusion that this is how I want to represent things in cyberspace. I hope to be more vocal on these pages so that I might deliver slightly better content than a quick blurb on Facebook. Thanks to everyone who reads this stuff. I enjoy creating it.
In Truth,
Chris