More Kidney Gravel --
*sigh* . . . Not much has been happening here in the Principality of Saxe-Bearstein. Yes, I had a birthday and got some wargaming goodies; but I've been enduring close to two weeks of kidney gravel moving through my system.
Essentially it is sort of like grains of sand slowly working their way out of my body . . . with their sharp little corners scraping against parts of my that don't like to be scraped.
Don't get me wrong, I'd much rather have this gravel than to have actual kidney stones. I've had the gravel's big brothers and I do NOT ever want them again.
What I've got is painful . . . but it is really much more on the uncomfortable and fatiguing side of things . . . and the pain pills that the doctor has given me take care of the worst of it. However they also fog my mind so that I can't really get anything done.
So, what did I get for my birthday? A number of books, mostly ECW and Colonial research material.
I also got some Ral Partha Colonials . . . and I've got some RSM figures somewhere in transit . . . including the Dismounted Dragoons that I've been meaning to get (but forgotten to order) for the last few orders I've received.
I've also been amusing myself reading some of the "Mythic" gaming adventures various places on the web . . . for which I have to "blame" At The "Old Dessauer's" Table. Very interesting stuff . . . I might try writing an adventure using it.
-- Jeff
Monday, June 29, 2009
Monday, June 08, 2009
Grand Tour Visits Saxe-Bearstein --
Count Wilhelm Hatzof, the Kingdom of Wittenberg's Ambassador to the Principality of Saxe-Bearstein (pictured at left in the gray coat), and his military attache, Major-General Heinrich von Bose of the Duchy of Fenwick (in the red coat) discuss the latest news with the Cavendarian ambassador, Monsieur Dashiell Jeansonne (in the brown coat), while the Lutelande grenadier, Nils Norberg (green uniform) listens in.
The "Grand Tour" has reached Saxe-Bearstein. Reich Duke Wilhelm and young King Basil have arrived . . . and Furst Bruno von Ursa is providing some very different entertainment than that which has greeted them in other states.
"They have started with a 'pub tour' . . . which means that they are drinking beer in various local taverns." says Monsieur Jeansonne.
"And why not?" responds the general, "Saxe-Bearstein is justly famous for its superior brews. I think that they're even better than those of the Reich Duchy of Beerstein . . . and that is saying a lot."
"Indeed", responds Count Hatzof. "I wonder how the Reich Duke will judge them?"
"And later in their stay they are supposed to go 'fouling' . . . which sounds just too disgusting to even consider." responds Jeansonne.
"Pardon me, Ambassador," interjects the Lutelander, "but I fear that you have misunderstood. They are going 'fowling' . . . that is to say, hunting for ducks and pheasants with double-barreled long guns."
Count Hatzof adds, "Indeed, it is quite the sport. Given that the birds are flying and you have to take into account not only the time that it will take the shot to reach them, but that, as you know, there is a time delay between pulling the trigger and the frizzen charge going off and then igniting the main charge. It is quite the challenge to bring your bird down."
"Then it will be excellent training for the young king," replies Jeansonne. "For there is much unrest in his grandmother Princess Theofilia's Morea."
"Indeed", replies the Count, "It is thought that she sent her grandson on this tour primarily to keep him safe during the troubles her country is currently experiencing."
"Indeed." the others all agree.
Count Wilhelm Hatzof, the Kingdom of Wittenberg's Ambassador to the Principality of Saxe-Bearstein (pictured at left in the gray coat), and his military attache, Major-General Heinrich von Bose of the Duchy of Fenwick (in the red coat) discuss the latest news with the Cavendarian ambassador, Monsieur Dashiell Jeansonne (in the brown coat), while the Lutelande grenadier, Nils Norberg (green uniform) listens in.The "Grand Tour" has reached Saxe-Bearstein. Reich Duke Wilhelm and young King Basil have arrived . . . and Furst Bruno von Ursa is providing some very different entertainment than that which has greeted them in other states.
"They have started with a 'pub tour' . . . which means that they are drinking beer in various local taverns." says Monsieur Jeansonne.
"And why not?" responds the general, "Saxe-Bearstein is justly famous for its superior brews. I think that they're even better than those of the Reich Duchy of Beerstein . . . and that is saying a lot."
"Indeed", responds Count Hatzof. "I wonder how the Reich Duke will judge them?"
"And later in their stay they are supposed to go 'fouling' . . . which sounds just too disgusting to even consider." responds Jeansonne.
"Pardon me, Ambassador," interjects the Lutelander, "but I fear that you have misunderstood. They are going 'fowling' . . . that is to say, hunting for ducks and pheasants with double-barreled long guns."
Count Hatzof adds, "Indeed, it is quite the sport. Given that the birds are flying and you have to take into account not only the time that it will take the shot to reach them, but that, as you know, there is a time delay between pulling the trigger and the frizzen charge going off and then igniting the main charge. It is quite the challenge to bring your bird down."
"Then it will be excellent training for the young king," replies Jeansonne. "For there is much unrest in his grandmother Princess Theofilia's Morea."
"Indeed", replies the Count, "It is thought that she sent her grandson on this tour primarily to keep him safe during the troubles her country is currently experiencing."
"Indeed." the others all agree.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Not Much New --
Well this has been a pretty barren month gaming-wise. My principal opponent has been busy with "real life" issues as he tries to get his business going in these economically uncertain times.
Also Stokes has had various "real life" issues interfere with our "Charge!" play-by-email game . . . but hopefully that will soon be resumed.
My primary gaming activity of late has been to order a few things for my upcoming birthday (June 19). I've ordered several books from On Military Matters including an extension of my BATTLEGAMES Magazine subscription. I've also ordered some figures.
I've ordered some RSM figures from the Dayton Painting Service; and some Ral Partha Colonials from Great Endeavors.
So now all I have to do is to hope that they get here in time for my birthday.
-- Jeff
Well this has been a pretty barren month gaming-wise. My principal opponent has been busy with "real life" issues as he tries to get his business going in these economically uncertain times.
Also Stokes has had various "real life" issues interfere with our "Charge!" play-by-email game . . . but hopefully that will soon be resumed.
My primary gaming activity of late has been to order a few things for my upcoming birthday (June 19). I've ordered several books from On Military Matters including an extension of my BATTLEGAMES Magazine subscription. I've also ordered some figures.
I've ordered some RSM figures from the Dayton Painting Service; and some Ral Partha Colonials from Great Endeavors.
So now all I have to do is to hope that they get here in time for my birthday.
-- Jeff
Tuesday, May 05, 2009
Thoughts on My Game Table --
Right now I have a 5' x 10 1/2' game table. It is composed of "banquet tables" (such as those pictured to the left) . . . two 8' long (side by side) and one 5' long on the end (perpendicular to the others).
Generally I have been covering it with a green cloth, using styrofoam hills underneath to provide elevation changes . . . as you can see in the second photo (below).
But lately I've been having some "second thoughts" about this arrangement.
Why?
Because I really like the "Old School" look that Stokes has for his "Charge!" games on his Grand Duchy of Stollen blog, I'm thinking of a very easy option using what I already have.
If I were to get some thin 4'x8' sheets of MDF (medium density fiberboard) and have two cut down to 4'x5' and the third cut to 3'x5' (a total of four cuts), I could then paint them my figure-basing color on one side . . . and paint the other side a desert color for my Colonial gaming.
Then, by placing the 5' long banquet table six inches from the others . . . and putting the 3' wide section in the middle (so that a 4' section could span the gap and still have good support on the other end . . . I'd have a nice 5' x 11' gaming surface.
I could get a second set of MDF boards and paint them blue on one side, black on the other, and have tables for Naval and Space gaming too.
Which gets me to thinking.
If I got a 6' long banquet table, I could do the same sort of thing, only with 6' long sheets of MDF. Then, I could split the two 8' tables a foot apart and have a 6'x11' table . . . and if I added another 6' banquet table off of the far end, I could add one more 3'x6' MDF sheet and have a 6' x 14' table!
And, given the size of my game room, I don't think I'd want to go any bigger than that.
But while MDF is inexpensive, the banquet tables aren't cheap . . . so I'll probably start with the 5' x 11' option and see how it works out.
-- Jeff
Right now I have a 5' x 10 1/2' game table. It is composed of "banquet tables" (such as those pictured to the left) . . . two 8' long (side by side) and one 5' long on the end (perpendicular to the others).Generally I have been covering it with a green cloth, using styrofoam hills underneath to provide elevation changes . . . as you can see in the second photo (below).
But lately I've been having some "second thoughts" about this arrangement.Why?
Because I really like the "Old School" look that Stokes has for his "Charge!" games on his Grand Duchy of Stollen blog, I'm thinking of a very easy option using what I already have.
If I were to get some thin 4'x8' sheets of MDF (medium density fiberboard) and have two cut down to 4'x5' and the third cut to 3'x5' (a total of four cuts), I could then paint them my figure-basing color on one side . . . and paint the other side a desert color for my Colonial gaming.
Then, by placing the 5' long banquet table six inches from the others . . . and putting the 3' wide section in the middle (so that a 4' section could span the gap and still have good support on the other end . . . I'd have a nice 5' x 11' gaming surface.
I could get a second set of MDF boards and paint them blue on one side, black on the other, and have tables for Naval and Space gaming too.
Which gets me to thinking.
If I got a 6' long banquet table, I could do the same sort of thing, only with 6' long sheets of MDF. Then, I could split the two 8' tables a foot apart and have a 6'x11' table . . . and if I added another 6' banquet table off of the far end, I could add one more 3'x6' MDF sheet and have a 6' x 14' table!
And, given the size of my game room, I don't think I'd want to go any bigger than that.
But while MDF is inexpensive, the banquet tables aren't cheap . . . so I'll probably start with the 5' x 11' option and see how it works out.
-- Jeff
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
(OT) A "Television Moment" for Me --
Okay, this really isn't a "biggie" . . . but it was kind of cool anyway.
My favorite baseball team is the San Francisco Giants . . . (notice I don't claim that they're the best team . . . but I saw my first Giant game back in 1958 when they first moved west).
Anyway, being in the wilds of Canada the only way we get to see them is to watch the San Francisco telecasts on the computer. They have a feature where they have people send in questions and the announcers answer one each day on air during the game . . . well tonight's question was from "Jeff in Canada":
They said it was a really good question and spent most of the inning discussing it. Their conclusion was that most of the switch-hitters they knew used the same bat but that some who had very different swings might use different bats . . . and they said that they would call some about it (although I doubt that they will).
Anyway, a small (rather anonymous) moment of fame.
On a different subject, I (in the persona of my "evil twin") am still waiting for Stokes to post the results of the first round of shooting in the Stollen - Stagonia battle for the Sawmill Village.
-- Jeff
Okay, this really isn't a "biggie" . . . but it was kind of cool anyway.
My favorite baseball team is the San Francisco Giants . . . (notice I don't claim that they're the best team . . . but I saw my first Giant game back in 1958 when they first moved west).
Anyway, being in the wilds of Canada the only way we get to see them is to watch the San Francisco telecasts on the computer. They have a feature where they have people send in questions and the announcers answer one each day on air during the game . . . well tonight's question was from "Jeff in Canada":
"Do switch hitters use the same bat from both sides of the plate? Or do they use different bats tailored to their different swings?"Yup, that was from me.
They said it was a really good question and spent most of the inning discussing it. Their conclusion was that most of the switch-hitters they knew used the same bat but that some who had very different swings might use different bats . . . and they said that they would call some about it (although I doubt that they will).
Anyway, a small (rather anonymous) moment of fame.
On a different subject, I (in the persona of my "evil twin") am still waiting for Stokes to post the results of the first round of shooting in the Stollen - Stagonia battle for the Sawmill Village.
-- Jeff
Sunday, April 19, 2009
I'm Back Online, Gout Better --
Yes, after three weeks, my computer is back online (yippee!).
And my gout has subsided a great deal. To the left you can see what my foot currently looks like.
It isn't great by any means . . . but it is so much better than it was! And the swelling has really gone down a lot.
Yes, it still hurts, but not nearly the way it did (I was more-or-less zonked out with painkillers).
For those fortunate enough to have never had it, be thankful. When full-blown, even the air is excruciatingly painful.
But I'm feeling much much better . . . and I most sincerely thank you all for the many kind words I have received from you.
-- Jeff
Yes, after three weeks, my computer is back online (yippee!).
And my gout has subsided a great deal. To the left you can see what my foot currently looks like.It isn't great by any means . . . but it is so much better than it was! And the swelling has really gone down a lot.
Yes, it still hurts, but not nearly the way it did (I was more-or-less zonked out with painkillers).
For those fortunate enough to have never had it, be thankful. When full-blown, even the air is excruciatingly painful.
But I'm feeling much much better . . . and I most sincerely thank you all for the many kind words I have received from you.
-- Jeff
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Getting Better --
The good news is that I'm doing a lot better than I was. My gout has let up a considerable amount and I can now get around the house with a cane . . . I was barely able to move with a walker for a number of days. Oh, my foot still hurts a lot (and I'm still keeping a rigid schedule of pain relief) . . . but it is waaaay better than it was.
The bad news is that my computer is still down (I'm typing this on my wife's machine) . . . and is likely to remain so through mid-week at least. Between my gout and his work schedule, the friend who is helping me won't be available before then . . . *sigh* . . . so no email for a few more days . . . but at least my foot feels a lot better.
-- Jeff
PS, my grateful "thanks" to all of you who wished me a quick recovery . . . I truly DO appreciate it.
The good news is that I'm doing a lot better than I was. My gout has let up a considerable amount and I can now get around the house with a cane . . . I was barely able to move with a walker for a number of days. Oh, my foot still hurts a lot (and I'm still keeping a rigid schedule of pain relief) . . . but it is waaaay better than it was.
The bad news is that my computer is still down (I'm typing this on my wife's machine) . . . and is likely to remain so through mid-week at least. Between my gout and his work schedule, the friend who is helping me won't be available before then . . . *sigh* . . . so no email for a few more days . . . but at least my foot feels a lot better.
-- Jeff
PS, my grateful "thanks" to all of you who wished me a quick recovery . . . I truly DO appreciate it.
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