Favourite "modern" author - Simon R Green

I stumbled upon Simon R Green while reading Jim Butcher and his Dresden Files novels.  I think in the back of the book there were advertisements for similar style and genre authors.  I found a number of them, but SRG was my pick of the bunch.

Witty, eloquent and able to spin nuances that made me smile over it's simplicity.  His characters and more importantly the support characters or even those making a brief appearance are memorable.  From the Nightside series there was Razor Eddie, Punk God of the Straight Razor; Jessica Sorrow the Unbeliever; Suzie Shooter also known as Shotgun Suzie, also known as Oh God, it's her, run! and the list goes on. There is never a dull moment in his books.

Books to date that I recommend.

The Secret History series
The Man with the Golden Torc
Daemons Are Forever
The Spy Who Haunted Me
From Hell with Love
For Heaven's Eyes Only
Live and Let Drood
Casino Infernale
Property of a Lady Faire

The Nightside series
Something from the Nightside
Agents of Light and Darkness
Nightingale's Lament
Hex and the City
Paths Not Taken
Sharper than a Serpent's Tooth
Hell to Pay
The Unnatural Inquirer
Just Another Judgement Day
The Good, the Bad, and the Uncanny
A Hard Day's Knight
The Bride Wore Black Leather

The Ghostfinders series
Ghost of a Chance
Ghost of a Smile
Ghost of a Dream
Spirits From Beyond
Voices From Beyond

The Deathstalker series
Deathstalker
Deathstalker Rebellion
Deathstalker War
Deathstalker Honour
Deathstalker Destiny
Deathstalker Legacy
Deathstalker Return
Deathstalker Coda

Currently read the Ghostfinders series.  Will leave you with the opening lines from Ghost of a Chance.

Everybody knows there are bad places in the world.

Houses that make you walk by on the other side of the street.  Bedrooms that no-one in their right mind would try to sleep in. The television screen that isn’t empty enough, the mirror with too many faces reflected in it, the voice in the night, and the dark at the top of the stairs.  There are bad places everywhere, in crowded towns and empty fields. Places where there are no safety barriers, where the walls of the world have worn thin, places ... where we know we’re not safe.  It’s in  these bad places that we see things we don’t want to see.

As I was walking up the stair,
I met a man that wasn’t there.
He wasn’t there again today.
I wish that man would go away.

Ghosts. They’ve been around as long as we have, in one form or another. Strange sights and sounds, visitations and wonders, spirits of cold earth and empty graves come back to trouble the living.  Things that won’t lie down; and none of them bound by the laws of the living.  The dead; and things that aren’t dead enough.
There are bad places in the world, but it isn’t the ghosts that make these places bad; it’s the bad places that make ghosts.

Blind Pig Games Club - 19th July 2014

Thanks everyone who came and enjoyed another entertaining day at the Blind Pig. Lots happening and I think just about every table was in use. There was an infinity tournament run by Micky, and the BSS. Thanks again to the helpers (thanks Irene for your help today).

Games on today were:
WFB 3rd Ed (yes there is a return to Oldhammer, talk to John McD)
Warmachine/Hordes
40K (I liked Aaron's Deathguard)
Dystopian Wars
Tiller & Whipstaff (naval battle)
Infinity (tournament)
A Game of Thrones LCG
Rampage (yes it was soooo much fun)
Zombicide
Star Trek Fleet Captains

Next meet is August Saturday 2nd August, see you all there!

Tiller & Whipstaff

Infinity in play

Infinity in play

Rampage boardgame - lots of fun

The hall looking packed

Yes the hall really is packed

1st Place Infinity Tournament (John)

2nd Place Infinity Tournament (Josh)

3rd Place Infinity Tournament (Pat)

Voted best opponent in Infinity Tournament

Wooden Spoon for Infinity Tournament (Jamie)

Group shot for the Infinity Tournament

Blind Pig Games Club - 5th July 2014 Meet

Lots of things happening today which is usual at the Blind Pig.

We had a special guest today in the form of Pats sister Irene, it was great that you came along today and enjoyed a game with the "lads".  Hope you can make it to other meets in the future.  It's always good to see ladies who play games!

On offer today were:

Battle Fleet Gothic
Warhammer 40K
Tiller and Whipstaff
Mordheim
Eldritch Horror
Dreadball
Deadzone

Almost 30 people for the day.

Jason has to have his coffee first thing in the morning before gaming!

On the left Irene (Pat's sister) who joined in a game of Eldritch Horror,
Leslie was in disguise - hence the sunglasses.

Michael and Neal into a game of Dreadball

The BFG (far left) and 40K players

Tiller and Whipstaff in action.

The rules!

Conor and Roy enjoying a game of Mordheim.

Second Hand and Owned Items - What are they worth?

Yes I know that I've had a say about this before but I'm really really angry with the attitude and opinion that people have as to what the worth of an item is.

Please explain to me why you think that an item you bought is worth MRP (Merchant Retail Price)?  Why?

Why do you think that because you have spent $X on getting your figures painted that they are worth more than the cost of the item involved?

In many areas where a person spends (and I'm thinking of cars) ridiculous amounts of money on customising or upgrades and expects to recoup the money they spent.  It just doesn't happen in the real world.

So people, either you have too much money (which must be the case) or your brains are in your arse.

For me I will never look at more than 50% of original price.  Here in Australia I look at $5 for lead, $3 for plastic.  The more you want to sell the less you can expect.

I am gobsmacked when people ask $1000 or more for armies.  Who the hell has $1000 just lying around to pick up a supposed bargain?  I don't.  If I had that sort of money I'd be using it very wisely.

I also find that what an item may sell for in one location is not what it will sell for in another.

I also dislike the vultures that buy for a bargain and sell for a profit.

Well that's my whinge for the day.  No wonder when I was younger I was called a "whinging pom"!