Getting Down with Dice

Back when we started this blog, I talked a little bit about the types of dice that are typically used to play tabletop games. They're a common accessory to the tabletop nerd and can be found in complete sets or mix-and-match in any gaming store. Dice themselves seem plain, only mixing up colors in their basic format, but if you want to get creative or show off your nerdiness, your dice can be so much more. Today, I'm showcasing three different ways to express yourself with your dice.

1. There's more than just the basic dice you get in those plastic boxes at a game store. There are metal dice, fuzzy dice, giant dice (and giant fuzzy dice), tiny dice, and even specialty dice (ex: Thorn Dice). If you know someone who works with wood, you might be able to round up a set of wooden dice. There's no better way to express yourself at the table than with special dice.

2. Deck yourself in dice jewelry (ex: here). You usually won't be able to roll it anymore after it's been converted to jewelry, but if it's tastefully design, you can show that you're a geek girl and you're not afraid to show it off with a little bling. (Did you hear DM wincing? Cause I did!) It's also something that with a few tools and a little handiwork, you can learn to make yourself.

3. Invest in a dice bag that shows you roll with the best (ex: here). The only thing that you can use to express your gamer side more than your dice would be your dice bag. Some people use Crown Royale bags, and there's plain or simply designed ones at any gaming store. Etsy has plenty of specialty bags as well (I've seen Dragon-shaped bags and Cthulu-shaped bags as well as the above link), and if you've got some talent with a needle or even a pack of iron-ons and an idea, you can personalize your own.

You've got plenty of options to personalize your dice and show off your gaming style. Whatever you decide to do, remember to have fun; it's all about the game. (Also, Ravi, you just lost it.)

Happy rolling!

The Gear Ring

You may have seen this in early 2010. A few geek and gamer sites reported about a new ring design. It was innovative, it was creative, it was moving...literally! Allow me to introduce, if you haven't seen it before, the gear ring.

Created by Kinekt Design, this stainless steel ring actually moves. The gears inside are lined by strips of steel that are independent from the ring itself; rotate either edge of the ring, and the gears inside move with it. It's absolutely perfect for the man or woman who can't help but fidget when they have a ring on.

I personally have a special place in my heart for this ring - it's the ring I gave DM on our wedding day. As soon as I saw it, I knew this was his ring. I can't praise the ring and the company enough. Before ordering, they responded quickly to the questions I had. The ring arrived within two days of making the order and after the wedding, it got more attention than my own ring! I think DM was starting to get tired of me telling him to stand still, I want to spin it. I kinda want one just to have something to do in class. Even strangers were asking to see it, and anyone who got to try it couldn't stop playing with it (I still can't). When the ring was accidentally damaged, the lifetime warranty that came with it got us a free replacement, no questions asked. I didn't hear about the replacement... AWESOMESAUCE. I remember making a sad face when I heard it was damaged. Kinekt Design is a wonderfully run company, and I can't say enough about how much we love the ring. They've since developed a few other products, including a toy, a shirt and a papercraft model. Give them some time, and I think they may be competition for ThinkGeek.

Happy Rolling Spinning!

Ravi Likes Shiny Things.

Ravi here.

If you know me in real life, you know I LOVE to look at shiny things. She does. All you have to do is jingle your keys in a ray of light to get her attention. You also know I rarely wear them. However, occasionally something shiny will come along, and I will refer to this thing as "The Precious" until it is in my possession.  Then I will call it "My Precious."  It is an important distinction to make. The secret is Ravi is actually Gollum. Falling in a volcano does weird things to you.

Anyway, I recently was playing around on the internet, and something showed up in my advertisements.  It was THIS:

*puts on scholar's hat* This is an Irish claddagh ring. Typically, it's a ring signifying love, friendship and loyalty by depicting two hands clasping a heart that usually has a crown on it. Interesting fact: there are four distinct combinations of direction, finger and hand you wear it on that can be used to signify your relationship status. You can read more on Wikipedia.

If you've spent ANY time on the internet, you know EXACTLY what this looks like and why I want it.  I have trollish tendencies occasionally, after all.

I should leave hints for the boyfriend to get me this.  He IS Irish, after all...

Seriously, though, if you have no clue what I am talking about, just look around on the internet for a while.  Safe search on if you're scared, safe search off if you've got a strong stomach. Do not do this. This is horrible. Why would you suggest this? If you don't get the reference, for the love of god don't go looking!! Especially not with children in the room.

Sometime before the month is up, I will promise you... BOOZE! =D

Happy Rolling?