Wednesday, August 31, 2016

Going backwards...

Some of you who may have followed my blog for a while or who know me personally know that I have some mental health disabilities.  They are many and I won't go into to great a detail, if you want to do a trawl of my past posts I think you'll find my black spots.

One of my biggest hurdles has been trusting people and socialising.  I've had some really unpleasant situations in the past both in the workplace and within a social network.  I would like to have thought that up till yesterday I was making an improvement.  I was engaging people outside more, running tournaments and leaving the safety of my home.

That has now come to an abrupt end.  Yesterday my neighbours had a home invasion with their two young girls locking themselves in a room.  Their mother phoned me to investigate, which I did, I confronted the perpetrator, and chased him off.  However what I did next was attempt to buy time for the police to arrive, which ended up with one of the perpetrators pulling a knife on me.   I escaped injury but the encounter did not register with me until this morning.  The end result is that I have now returned to my paranoid state of mind, extremely distrustful of strangers in my street or suburb, I now will not leave home unless I have to, and only if there is someone at home.  My security has been reviewed and I am now a prisoner in my own home - again.

It's going to be a long road to recovery.

More importantly though I worry for the two young girls who are my neighbours who through no fault of their own had to endure what would have been a terrifying ordeal.  I hope that they obtain the counselling they need to endure the after shocks they will more than likely feel as time passes.  Youth is impressionable (if my upbringing is an indication to remember by) and triggers will happen at any time.  So I wish them every recovery in their ordeal and a return to as normal a life as they can expect as teenagers.

It's the problem of an intelligent person being trapped in the mental health system.


Monday, August 29, 2016

Rocket Recharge Station Terrain

Some new terrain that was on display at the club last Saturday.





You can check out the business website and make enquiries there as to availability and cost.

BPLaser

Cheers

John

Saturday, August 27, 2016

Razorback Chronos 2nd Ed 40K Tournament

The Days Winners
The grand experiment has been run and I am glad that it was run with the right group of people.  I had listed the event as a fun day of getting together to have a bash at the old rule set, remember the fun (or exasperation) that was had playing this rules set.  It is by far for me the most memorable set of rules that Games Workshop produced.

It was disappointing that from an organisers point of view that I had at one point potentially 16 people prepared to play.  In reality I was prepared for 10, in the end I had 5 actually turn up on the day.  In defence of the day there were a number of tournaments being run around Brisbane today, and I'm sure numbers at other events may well have been down as well, who knows.  As I said in my opening paragraph I couldn't have been happier with the group of people who took the time and effort to come along and play, I thank them for making the day a success.

So without any more preamble here were the armies that were taken:

Space Wolves (James)
Tyranids (Sean)
Genestealer Cult (Glen)
Space Marines: Ultramines (Simon)
Blood Angels: Lamenters (Paul)
Elder (TO ring in)

BEST GENERAL
Awarded to the player with the most wins and victory points amassed on the day.

James H
 BEST PAINTED
Awarded to the person with the highest votes from the assembled participants.
Glen T
 OLDTIMER AWARD
Awarded to the person with the highest points in painting, representation, and whose force consisted of the highest number of models from the time of 2nd Edition and Rogue Trader Era.
Paul W
PHOTO GALLERY

Many thanks to Glen T who was able to take photos where I was not.  With having to fill the spot of bye and the TO, I just didn't have any time to do what I wanted to which was take photos of peoples armies.  I'll try for next time.

Sean O'H - Tyranids

Paul W - Blood Angels: Lamenters
James H - Space Wolves


















ALL IMPORTANT QUESTION:
I have been asked - 26th November 2016, would you like to try another go at this event!
Let me know ASAP, I will be posting elsewhere to see what feedback is like, but Paul at the Blind Pig has asked me if I'd like to run another event for 40K 2nd before the club finishes for the year.

Monday, August 22, 2016

Pokemon GOing



I'm still GOing strong, though my poor left leg is starting to get a bit on the brittle side.  That may be the dogs fault as he decided to do a silly doggy thing and trip me up.  As an older person I don't heal as fast as I once did, heal I will, just in time.

In 12 days (I see I last posted on the 10th August) I have finally crawled to Level 21!  Yea me!  I've seen 88 and caught 87 individual Pokemon, GO me.  Walked (in total time since start of play) 113km (95%+).  Caught 1023 of the buggers, don't ask how many Poke balls I've thrown, I'd have lost count of the time's a lowly 15CP Magikarp has had 10 balls thrown at it and it's run away!  Ah the joys of Pokemon GO.  Well at least it has given me something to do, if only I can pick up a paint brush and start painting some miniatures again, now that would be wonderful...

Below are some stats just for my area.  I don't travel outside my home much so as you can see I'm not seeing much of other types which my friends in other suburbs to the West and North of Brisbane are catching.  

Number Name Type Type Seen Caught Level Frequency
1 Bulbasaur Grass Poison 27 21 385 2.05%
2 Ivysaur Grass Poison 2 2 475 0.20%
3 Venusaur Grass Poison 0 0.00%
4 Charmandar Fire 5 3 523 0.29%
5 Charmeleon Fire 0 0.00%
6 Charizard Fire Flying 0 0.00%
7 Squirtle Water 23 19 423 1.86%
8 Wartortle Water 2 2 659 0.20%
9 Blastoise Water 1 1 823 0.10%
10 Caterpie Bug 60 54 238 5.28%
11 Metapod Bug 8 5 234 0.49%
12 Butterfree Bug Flying 4 3 690 0.29%
13 Weedle Bug Poison 107 85 238 8.31%
14 Kakuna Bug Poison 23 18 1.76%
15 Beedrill Bug Poison 6 5 720 0.49%
16 Pidgey Normal Flying 72 59 5.77%
17 Pidgetto Normal Flying 25 23 483 2.25%
18 Pidgeot Normal Flying 4 4 989 0.39%
19 Rattata Normal 69 58 312 5.67%
20 Raticate Normal 11 11 744 1.08%
21 Spearow Normal Flying 37 33 312 3.23%
22 Fearow Normal Flying 2 2 978 0.20%
23 Ekans Poison 23 20 283 1.96%
24 Arbok Poison 3 3 836 0.29%
25 Pikachu Electric 0.00%
26 Raichu Electric 0.00%
27 Sandshrew Ground 8 8 306 0.78%
28 Sandslash Ground 2 2 803 0.20%
29 Nidoran Poison 15 13 451 1.27%
30 Nidorina Poison 4 3 653 0.29%
31 Nidoqueen Poison Ground 0.00%
32 Nidoran Poison 19 18 451 1.76%
33 Nidorino Poison 2 2 506 0.20%
34 Nidoking Poison Ground 0.00%
35 Clefairy Fairy 2 2 290 0.20%
36 Clefable Fairy 0.00%
37 Vulpix Fire 1 0.00%
38 Ninetales Fire 0.00%
39 Jigglypuff Normal Fairy 5 3 369 0.29%
40 Wigglytuff Normal Fairy 0.00%
41 Zubat Poison Flying 31 27 252 2.64%
42 Golbat Poison Flying 6 5 1002 0.49%
43 Oddish Grass Poison 22 22 546 2.15%
44 Gloom Grass Poison 3 3 693 0.29%
45 Vileplume Grass Poison 0.00%
46 Paras Bug Poison 14 13 60 1.27%
47 Parasect Bug Poison 2 2 729 0.20%
48 Venonat Bug Poison 3 3 457 0.29%
49 Venomoth Bug Poison 0.00%
50 Diglett Ground 1 1 65 0.10%
51 Dugtrio Ground 0.00%
52 Meowth Normal 6 4 327 0.39%
53 Persian Normal 0.00%
54 Psyduck Water 12 11 422 1.08%
55 Golduck Water 2 2 797 0.20%
56 Mankey Fighting 0.00%
57 Primeape Fighting 0.00%
58 Growlithe Fire 5 5 613 0.49%
59 Arcanine Fire 0.00%
60 Poliwag Water 48 43 370 4.20%
61 Poliwhirl Water 5 5 509 0.49%
62 Poliwrath Water Fighting 1 1 645 0.10%
63 Abra Psychic 3 3 240 0.29%
64 Kadabra Psychic 1 1 609 0.10%
65 Alakazam Psychic 0.00%
66 Machop Fighting 1 1 542 0.10%
67 Machoke Fighting 0.00%
68 Machamp Fighting 0.00%
69 Bellsprout Grass Poison 27 24 544 2.35%
70 Weepinbell Grass Poison 4 4 877 0.39%
71 Victreebell Grass Poison 0.00%
72 Tentacool Water Poison 9 9 337 0.88%
73 Tentacruel Water Poison 1 1 860 0.10%
74 Geodude Rock Ground 6 6 297 0.59%
75 Graveler Rock Ground 1 1 519 0.10%
76 Golem Rock Ground 0.00%
77 Ponyta Fire 1 1 547 0.10%
78 Rapidash Fire 0.00%
79 Slowpoke Water Psychic 2 2 238 0.20%
80 Slowbro Water Psychic 0.00%
81 Magnemite Electric Steel 1 1 473 0.10%
82 Magnetron Electric Steel 0.00%
83 0.00%
84 Doduo Normal Flying 34 32 382 3.13%
85 Dodrio Normal Flying 10 7 678 0.68%
86 Seel Water 0.00%
87 Dewgong Water Ice 0.00%
88 Grimer Poison 0.00%
89 Muk Poison 0.00%
90 Shellder Water 1 1 451 0.10%
91 Cloyster Water Ice 0.00%
92 Gastly Ghost Poison 11 10 451 0.98%
93 Haunter Ghost Poison 2 2 362 0.20%
94 Gengar Ghost Poison 0.00%
95 Onix Rock Ground 0.00%
96 Drowzee Psychic 0.00%
97 Hypno Psychic 0.00%
98 Krabby Water 54 44 376 4.30%
99 Kingler Water 7 7 1002 0.68%
100 Voltorb Electric 0.00%
101 Electrode Electric 0.00%
102 Exeggcute Grass Psychic 26 22 499 2.15%
103 Exeggutor Grass Psychic 1 1 1370 0.10%
104 Cubone Ground 2 2 460 0.20%
105 Marowak Ground 0.00%
106 Hitmonlee Fighting 0.00%
107 Hitmonchan Fighting 0.00%
108 Lickitung Normal 2 2 940 0.20%
109 Koffing Poison 4 4 514 0.39%
110 Weezing Poison 1 1 603 0.10%
111 Rhyhorn Ground Rock 2 2 609 0.20%
112 Rhydon Ground Rock 0.00%
113 Chansey Normal 1 1 257 0.10%
114 Tangela Grass 9 8 884 0.78%
115 Kangaskhan Normal 2 2 1019 0.20%
116 Horsea Water 37 34 378 3.32%
117 Seadra Water 4 3 804 0.29%
118 Goldeen Water 60 48 474 4.69%
119 Seaking Water 3 3 1010 0.29%
120 Staryu Water 42 38 519 3.71%
121 Starmie Water Psychic 5 5 1102 0.49%
122 Mr Mime Psychic Fairy 0.00%
123 Scyther Bug Flying 2 2 921 0.20%
124 Jynx Ice Psychic 0.00%
125 Electabuzz Electric 0.00%
126 Magmar Fire 0.00%
127 Pinsir Bug 51 38 1011 3.71%
128 0.00%
129 Magikarp Water 16 16 123 1.56%
130 Gyarados Water Flying 0.00%
131 Lapras Water Ice 1 1 1485 0.10%
132 0.00%
133 Evee Normal 1 1 109 0.10%
134 Vaporeon Water 0.00%
135 Jolteon Electric 0.00%
136 Flareon Fire 0.00%
137 Porygon Normal 0.00%
138 Omanyte Rock Water 1 1 559 0.10%
139 Omastar Rock Water 1 1 124 0.10%
140 Kabuto Rock Water 0.00%
141 Kabutops Rock Water 0.00%
142 Aerodactyl Rock Flying 1 1 836 0.10%
Totals 1184 1023
Seen 88
Caught 87
Percentage 61.27%
To Go % 38.73%

Friday, August 19, 2016

I've created two Groups for Congo

So as is my usual approach to any new set of rules, I start at the part which interests me the most - the figures and "army" composition.  I always worry about the little things like rules last.

I dug up my boxes of Darkest Africa figures and had a small "cry" at the small number - all right there are actually a few but not enough to go as mad as I wanted to initially.  I may actually have to buy some figures (this will mean having to sell some things if I want to do this, so I'll have to be convinced that this game is worthy of the sacrifice first).


The White Men Expeditions


Opted for a very tongue in cheek, lets go teach the natives not to burn our trading outposts.

The Retired Officer
The Flag Bearer
Group
Trained Askaris [4] - 16pts
1 Adventurers [3] - 11pts
Ruga Ruga [5] - 20pts
Askaris [5] - 11pts
Young Warriors - 12pts
[70 points]

The African Kingdoms


A Zulu-ish like group, which will teach them white men to come out from their settlements!

The King
The Witchdoctor
Auxiliaries
Sacred Warriors [2] @ 2pts - 4pts
Group
Warriors [4] - 22pts
1 Bodyguard [4] - 16pts
Young Warriors [5] - 12pts
Young Warriors [5] - 12pts
Scouts [3] - 4pts
[70 points]

So looking at this I may have to think about some missile troops for the natives, whether that be bows or Ruga Ruga or Askari.  As I have said, I've not played a game or read the rule in detail yet, but I am getting there.  I've got the main things organised which is at least figures to play the game with.  Terrain should be fine for now.  Hopefully the next post may be some form of report on a game.

Cheers
John.

We have Congo!

Yes I have my pristine hands on a copy of Congo.


I need to thank some people first.  Firstly I need to thank Glen T for his generosity in purchasing me this rule set.  As a bloody poor person and a pensioner money is a gift and not something I have to throw around like I did when I was employed and wealthy.  I am extremely grateful for the generosity that was extended to me on this occasion, it's nice to know that there are still some people out there who care.

Secondly I'd like to thank Paul S of The Last Stand Miniatures and Gaming Hardware for getting in the copies of the game.  He was busy packing up his shop for the QMHE (Queensland Modelling Hobby Exhibition) but still had time for a chat and such.

So I shall be devouring these rules over the day and working out which models I have will fit the bill.  Hopefully I shan't need much in the way of terrain (I hope), though that might mean a new project and the motivation to undertake something.

Cheers
John

Wednesday, August 10, 2016

Pokemon GO! Yes I am playing it.


So here I am, an "old" man marching his way through his 50's who is playing Pokemon GO.

What can I say, I initially resisted the urge, thinking, this is another of those flash in the pan marketing games, come pay lots of money to play games.  Lots of hidden pay options that if you want to succeed at the game you need to spend.  Well was I wrong.

OK I had a friend sell me the game to get me to play, otherwise I'd never have touched it.  Now Glen can sell snow to Eskimo's, he can spin the spin in such a way you can't help but think, all right I'll have a look.  The fact the game is free to download and play was the only thing that made me even look at it.

Thankfully having two adult children who play it helped with the learning curve and my own intuitive understanding of systems allowed me to grasp the game fairly quickly.  The nuances took a little longer.

What am I getting out of this game?  For starters I was taking my daughters dog for a walk daily and just getting the exercise and the view.  Now I'm actually getting something out of the walk (as is the dog, which he always has).  My walk is just over 2.2km, and I walk that at least once a day, my local shop is 500m (return) away and has 3 pokestops, so I find an excuse to visit it, if only for a chance to take the dog for a walk.  In just over two weeks I've done 75.4km (so I think 90-95% is by foot, I don't do much car travel).  Weight is down, blood sugar levels are down (I'm Type-2 diabetic),

As of writing I'm level 18, I've 69 caught/seen pokemon.  I've yet to look at a gym battle, my only focus is catching them all!

I spoke to my GP (doctor) and Specialists about this and said that it has been a great tool in getting me out of the house.  Yes, the family are still there waiting to make my life miserable for me when I return, but for 45 minutes I can forget about them and enjoy the immersion of hunting pokemon.  So give it a go, it is fun.