The "Best Hat" Contestants from the Thanaris Cup

Here are the five people who participated in the spirit of the game and wore a hat. Thank you lads for your support.

The Bride

To commerate the 25th and my wife birthday month here are some pictures of my beautiful wife from that time. I deem myself a lucky man to still have her after all this time. We have been through good and bad times, but have always stuck it out. I am especially proud of her for ignoring all the attempts my mother made to break up our marriage. Sad but true.

The Bride and Groom

It was 25 years ago that Michelle Debra Green agreed to marry me. I had taken my wife to dinner and after a very short courtship of a few months I proposed to her. She said that she would think about it and let me know by the end of the week. I found out later that she was already going to say yes, but didn't want to appear to eager. When she told her mother, her mother was over the moon and chastised her over not giving the poor man an answer straight away. So Michelle's parents were ecstatic over the news, mine were not. My mother was mortified, my father indifferent. The only people who were genuinely happy were my Uncle and Grandfather. Notice to those who look at the picture I was a thin chap once and did have hair!

My real father

This is the photo of the man who was my father in all things but fact. He was known as my Uncle and was in life a police Superintendent. Edward John McDonnell was instrumental in shaping my life and with my grandfather giving to me the morals and ethics that I continue to hold to this day. He passed away in 2007 and I miss him dearly.

My second family

This is a photo of my second family. They are the parents and sister to my Best Man Anthony Richards. My wife and I fondly recall the many days that we would spend there, watching movies, eating out and playing cards. It was the playing cards that I really sucked at, and I think everyone was frustrated with my inability to play cards. I just enjoyed the company and really didn't care about winning. So there they are, Colleen, Andy and Debbie Richards.

My Wedding Party

Hard to believe that it's almost 25 years ago now. It's also a sad reflection that the close ties I had with all the bridal party are no longer there. I still have occassional contact with two of the grooms and my sister (the black haired bridesmaid), but no longer hear from any other the others. Sad.

What a lazy fellow...

What a lazy fellow!

Last Thursday saw my appointment with my specialist. Not the best appointment I've had. Friday saw me extremely distressed over my health. I forced myself to go to the Blind Pig on Saturday and did have a good time. While I dithered about whether or not to go, going won out in the end. What can I say. The people who go to the Blind Pig are the best people I've met in all the gaming experience I have had. It's a wonder how being part of a friendly environment can boost your mood when all seems dark and dire.

So for the week past I've been in lazy mode. I've pottered around with finishing off some of the Uncharted Seas terrain pieces. Moved "Things" from one part of the Lair to another part of the Lair, moved more "Things" when "Things" got in the way. Things just seem to be everywhere, damn "Things".

This lovely rainy weather has me in slow mode. I've been watching and listening to the patter of rain drops on my roof. Even with the sudden downpore and a small flooding of my library didn't freak me out as it has in the past. Everything is up off the floor, so any water doesn't have a major impact on my collections. (Touch wood).

Tomorrow I'm off to play boats with the lads.

For the coming week I have to start and complete Sam's Gremlins, which have suffered due to my downtime. Sorry Sam, I promise to do some really nice bases for your lads.

I got my latest issues of Wargames Illustrated and Miniature Wargames on Friday. This is always a dangerous time for me as I keep getting tempted with other wargaming periods, especially the historical periods. I've really tempted with periods bracketing 1700, the Seven Years Wars, Indian Mutiny as well as the Vietnam and Korean conflict. My problem is that while I get them, I'm like a magpie, easily tempted by something shiney. Damn shiney "Things".

This weather has been great, it's been ever greater for reading. It's been the first time I've picked up a book for months and actually read. Normally I'm a speed reader, with a novel of 400-500 pages being polished off in a day. This time I'm taking a more leisurely stroll. I'm a big fan of the Gotrek and Felix novels. Currently I'm reading Shamanslayer, and the attendent danger is I'm thinking of finishing off my Empire Army. Sad but true. I got the same urge to do a Night Lords "Space Marine" army after reading "damn I can't find or remember the title now". I have the audio CD Throne of Lies which I'm saving for when I start painting in earnest again.

Well I'm off for now. Got to find the scanned wedding photo's to place up by Tuesday.

Remember, have fun but not at the expense of honour.