The changing priorities in life

It used to be that Monthly Bash was the biggest day of my month - and all focus of that weekend was around going to & fighting at monthly bash.

Today I find myself thinking of all the things I should probably be doing instead - and those things will probably win, because whilst I like the idea, when I start considering translating the idea into fact, all the effort involved starts to become too much.

Of all the different activities in my life, SCA is falling behind (and yet I'm already thinking ahead to Rowany Festival (possibly taking on a major position if some with influence over me are successful). I'm also considering several wayfarings, Aneala for Midwinter (will depend on who wins May Crown), Mordenvale for Spring War (95% certain & Judith is about 80% to come with me), and Canterbury Faire next year (Judith may do that instead of Rowany Festival).

I must also admit that having been without my computer for a long time, there is a big tempation to stay at home & play games (specifically Total War, Medieval 2, Kingdoms, which is one of the all time great strategy games.

I am also starting to have second thoughts about Hockey. The game itself is okay, but where last year the club had 1.5 teams, this year we have about .8 of a team, changing members every week & I don't know if it will settle down.
There is also talk of a member coming back who'd I'd rather we went without due to his complete lack of courtesy & sportsmanship towards the other teams - a really bad example.

LARP on the other hand, is becoming a bigger part of my life, with us now planning out all of the BIF events, as well as PG (which is a bit quieter this year due to a wedding).

Table top role-playing is going strong - with my home game (AD+D) still traveling quite successfully - my players are currently exploring "The Maze of the Eye" looking for a manuscript. When making the maze I was inspired by all of the Indiana Jones movies, as well as some stargate stuff.

Scary research amongst my D&D players...

Hey all

I had a lot of fun today with my home game Dungeons and Dragons campaign that I'm running (2nd ed AD+D, Forgotten Realms).

I unleashed the penultimate of classic situations (can't remember the other word for it right now)

Player opens the door & sees... ".. in a 10 x 10 room an Orc guarding a chest."

AND - when they killed the Orc & tried to open the chest - it turned out to be a Mimic.
(for those not in the know, bad luck or ask a gamer to explain.)

So - at the start of the game today, our priest (played by Taffy), who has now reached 5th level, handed over a gift to each of the players.
A drinking stein with a lid, inside of which is a stone upon which has been cast continual light - the stones had been "welded" to the bottom of the steins with the Psionic ability of Harold (played by Doyle).

This got them thinking.

They have now worked out the plans to make a laser sight, using medieval fantasy magic.

VERY SCARY.

I do look forward to them doing it though - and then losing it.

He he he.

Hope you all are well - miss you guys overseas heaps & really hoping something really nice happens to us soon, so we can get over there again much sooner.

Hockey, Kitten & Life

Hey all

Well, today marked the start of the 2008 hockey season.

I'm playing in the Metro 3 team again (still with Melton) and today we lost 7-5.
I did however score 3 of the goals. We have a very new team - with a real variety of skill levels - given a few weeks we should start to really operate well together (heres hoping).

Anyhow - it was good to be out on the hockey field again.

Our new kitten "Kitiara" (photo will be along soon) continues to grow & experience the world around her. I must say it is quite rewarding getting to see her deal with issues as she finds them.

She shows promise of again being a large "Hoad" cat (we always have big cats in our family).

Tika (the other cat) is getting used to / learning to put up with her.

I am looking forward to next Friday (ANZAC day games day & BBQ / Housewarming at Dad & Jill's and then on the Saturday I get to run my D&D home campaign through the Maze of the Eye.
Several of the party tried to deal with it on their own a few weeks ago (as a mini-adventure) - after (in their own words reporting back to the others) encountering an insect (with size issues), a number of squads of Kobolds & some possible round shapes with stalks - they decided it would be better to have the whole team for this one.
It should be lots of fun (I got creative).

Anyhow - I am getting itchy to travel again (yes, already), and miss all the friends I made overseas - hopefully something will come along soon & allow us to travel overseas again.

Hope you are all well.

Hanbal/Simon/Samurai

Shelving, Gaming & Europe continues

Hello again.

1. Shelving.
Firstly I'm feeling rather proud of myself at the moment - my grand outdoor shelving is coming together quite nicely. Just need to cut & fit the last 3 shelves (Shelving is 2.4m (long) x .9m (deep) x 2.2m (high)). 4 shelves + space underneath. I'll probably take some pictures when finished & place them on here.

2. Gaming
Had people around over the last 2 days (we had a long weekend here in Melbourne) and played a number of board games. Major game we played was Age of Renaissance, 5 players. We started at 8:30pm (after 30 mins intro & explanation to the 3 guys who hadn't played before) and finished at 3:15am - Taffy had to leave so we ended & was beaten by 12 points (in a game where there was over 500 points difference between 1st & 4th & 5th was eliminated from the game). Very cool - anyone interested in coming around for a game of this or anything else, drop me a line as I have a large collection of board games of different complexity & durations.

3. Europe
Well, the Europe travels are firming up nicely. I now have definate accommodation offers for a couple of places in Italy, Germany & the UK. I'll be reviewing the options & compiling an itinerary in the next few days and after checking it works with all the lovely hospitable people who have offered crashspace I'll then put it to the Travel Agency & see what they say.
Post-Pennsic is still a little open, but I may end up playing flexible & take what comes.

Keep the comments coming - I do appreciate them.

Regards

Hanbal