Where to find things?

The title?

Yes - it's meant to draw you in and make you read a little further dear reader... did it work?

Well, what is this bit of blog about?  This one is meant to be a generic source for people who want to know where I go when sourcing reviews or "how to" guides for my varied hobbies.  So sit back and be amazed or appalled at my selection.

1. Shut Up & Sit Down
Why have I chosen these people.  Firstly they are English, and their culture is closet to mine, actually as far as I'm concerned they are mine but my citizenship papers say otherwise... but I digress.  They give in my opinion witty and crass reviews without favour, they will offend.  I will generally pick for example a game given an approved status over one given by say the Dice Tower.

YouTube Link - Shut Up & Sit Down

Web Page Link - Shut Up & Sit Down Web Page Link

2. The Dice Tower
OK the second place I will look at, and possibly only because it is prolific is the Dice Tower.  Reviews are on the whole never greatly critical..... though they do happen.  It is however decent in that the site does provide a prolific amount of reviews, and play through.  The site is very family or PG orientated so it will appeal to many.  I find it too dry and clinical.

YouTube Link - The Dice Tower

3. Pair of Dice Paradise
Chaz Marler is animated and entertaining.  Well worth watching, his Top 100 list is certainly worth the watch.

YouTube Link - PairofDice Paradise

4. The Game Boy Geek
Not often looked at these days, very fast spoken.

YouTube Link - GameBoyGeek

5. TableTop - Wil Wheaton
Love him or hate him, and the community is divided (especially those who are competitors in this "industry").  Personally he has done much to breath life in making games appeal to the greater public through his work on Geek & Sundry.  It would appear the latest Season will only appear free for the first couple of episodes then be pay to view, however from what I then hear the content will be free to view after a year?  Again, this is only hearsay to me, through what has been bandied round other sites.  Time will tell.
Back on track though the episode and highly entertaining and breath life into games such that it makes you want to go and try them, if not buy them.

YouTube Link - TableTop

6. Board Game Geek
The source for I guess all things related to games?  I use it to record my game collection.  It's great in that it's also a source for rulebooks, expansions, add-ons (fan made), and a plethora of other sources.  Forums, trading options and such.  It's been my go to site when someone comes to the club with an out of print game.

Web Page Link - Board Game Geek

7. Watch It Played
Well produced and instructional.

YouTube Link - Watch It Played

So there you have it, the above are not exactly in order or priority, well apart from possibly 1 and 2.  I confess that when I jump on the computer each day the first thing I do is see if there is anything new from Shut Up & Sit Down, and sort of suffer a mild case of depression when there isn't.

If you have a favourite site or channel you visit, please share in the comments, I'm always keen to expand my knowledge base.

Things on hold

I haven't posted for a while.
For those that have followed my blog for a while know that I struggle with mental health and I've not been doing well of late.  In August I had a home invasion with the property next door which I was involved with and was threatened by the intruders.  This has not helped, together with other domestic and daily life issues which for me just seem to pile on at the same time.
So I'm taking a break from so many things and looking at why I do what I do?
Why do I collect miniatures, when I haven't painted a figure in months?
Why do I buy board games, when I never have anyone to play them with?
Why do I buy books that I never read?
There was a whole list of why's after the above but it became really whiny and while it seemed therapeutic to me to vent, came across as childish if you the reader read it - so I deleted them.
I still run a facebook group, or more or less it runs itself, I just keep and eye on it.
I still help my local club.
So I'm currently very unhappy, receiving treatment (as usual), and just going to give up the hope of having a gaming life that once got me excited and motivated.  Personally I believe age is an issue now, unless you can keep your own age group of friends, the younger crowd (exclude family) do not seem to be that interested in mixing.  Nursing homes aren't the only places filled with depressed, lonely people.