Life (& Death), Investiture planning, movies & Soapstone

Well - life goes on, for most of us.

Unfortunately - our colourful little cat, Tika, passed away last Tuesday night, after running underneath our car in the driveway. She is & will be terribly missed.

Planning for our investiture continues - I think (hope) that we have everything under control - certainly the Mongol boots arriving gladdened my heart & arrested some concern. I'd just like to say a big thanks to Mistress Bliss, who amongst many others is doing a huge amount of work for me.

Have been to see some movies recently, comments as follows:

X-MEN Wolverine, Origins - Excellent action & story was quite good about explaining his background in a bit more detail. Story didn't however keep me & hold me, so good action but story needed a bit of work - on par with the first X-men movie.

Star Trek - Excellent movie - nice twist & change to the history of the Star Trek reality - but nice personification of the young Kirk & crew. Enjoyed it immensely.

Defiance - A WWII movie with a difference - exceptional story about Jews surviving & fighting for themselves in the forests of Bielorussia. Very interesting if obviously hollywoodised.

Today, I cut into my first piece of soapstone. Experimenting with pewter casting. Currently getting my two pieces completely flat & smooth. Next job is drilling holes & filling with pewter to make "joining pins".

Catching up

Hello all

Sorry - been quiet for a while so haven't written for a while (also curious if there are still many people reading this - feel free to leave a comment, especially if there is anything you want more info or pictures about).

so - let's see what's going on in my life.

I got a new job (with Origin Energy)- and quit my old one of 11+yrs with On-Call. One of the best moves forward I've had in a while.
I experienced a drop in salary of less than $2000 to move into a proper call centre (inbound only). Dealing with private individual clients now rather than companies, but in a much more professional way, in a professional environment, with more support networks than I can poke a stick at - and after less than 2 months I already feel that I belong (4 weeks of thorough training before I took my first call).
Better hours, better conditions and the pay is guaranteed to move forward being part of a big organisation that knows where it wants to go.

My LARP (Live Action Role-Playing) character, which died many months ago, was successfully resurrected, but at a price, his memories. More will follow about this online at the VIC LARP website - http://viclrp.org.au/viclrp/

We have a new Kitten, that has grown quite a bit but still has a whole lot to learn - some photos here soon.

SCA - I'm travelling to Spring War this weekend - the hammer strikes back (he he) - hoping the King will be there, as I haven't actually seen him since Midwinter.
Always a hoot, lots of fighting and great war stories afterwards over beers. With a breakfast so big, noone walks away hungary (and a few can't walk at all).
I'm also travelling to November Crown, where I will be fighting.

I just discovered last night, when re-reading the luggage changes that VIRGINBLUE have brought in, that after these next 2 flights, I may not be taking my armour by plane without spending a lot more money - BASTARDS.

Spent this morning destroying our side fence with a sledgehammer - quite fun actually. Then my neighbour finished it off during the day from the look of the pile of wood on the front lawn. Guy will be round on Friday/Saturday to install a new one.

Our TV died last friday morning - so in the evening we went out to buy a new one - and have gone from a 68cm CRT to a 105cm Plasma - Cool huh. Then I spent Sunday morning sorting out wires for it & the VCR (we were out on Saturday).

Home game D&D (Team Hanbal) - Set the party against 7 Trolls (down the road, attacking a courier who literally, never had a chance (they never saw his red shirt underwear). After the last major encounter, where they were so cautious I thought a chessboard was coming, this time they just charged on in. They have however rescued the couriers pouch and documents (which are actually orders for troops of an dark & menacing force - he he he).

Movies - Saw Journey to the Centre of the Earth - not bad, worth seeing on the big screen.

The Dark Knight - a review / and SCA news

We went to see the Dark Knight today - oh my gosh, it is GOOD, REALLY, REALLY, BRILLIANT (in my mind anyway).

Heartily recommend it - go see it early so if you want you can go back & see it a second time.

Whilst it a tragic loss that Heath Ledger has left us, I think that he would be happy to have this as his last movie. I kept having to remind myself that it was him, because the character had such a lift of its own.

A nice plot with a few twists, definately a worthy sequel to Batman Begins. I think I like this latest rendition of Batman the most.

Last night was the Stormhold Winter Feast (Yule in July). And whilst I enjoyed the feast in my usual way, I was asked by the King to be on his guard - which I was happy to accept. I must admit that it really saddens me now that I won't be attending Pennsic with him (although I do hope he attends Spring War).

Movie Reviews - Atonement, Rambo, Jumper & Meet the Spartans

G'day

Have been out to the movies a few times recently & thought I'd just include some reviews for people.

Atonement (with Kiera Knightley)
Interesting storyline & character interaction. Some interesting footage (Dunkirk & wartime London). Worth seeing once (but won't be buying the DVD to add to my collection).

Rambo
Now I enjoyed the previous 3 Rambo movies, but this is very different. It is much darker & almost a bloodfest protest against the civil war occuring within Myanmar (Burma) rather than a movie per se. There are many horrific scenes (torture, human rights abuses & killings) by members of the military of Myanmar - in many cases more graphic than I thought warranted - adding to my thought that it was more a protest movie than anything else. The characterisation of the different mercenaries is quite eye-opening - I suspect they are probably close to the truth in some cases.
Despite his age Sylvester Stallone does seem to handle himself well & it is definately the same character from the previous movies (just older & wiser).
Ok but again probably not going to be adding to my DVD collection. This movie did make me hope the UN, USA or someone goes in soon to resolve the problem. From what I know beyond the movie it is a situation that needs external intervention.

Jumper
Movie was okay - story was good but really not developed enough. This probably would have worked better as a tv series (similar to StarGate) and would have been interesting for the history & organisation of the Paladins (those against Jumpers) to be explained in more depth. Effects made it worth seeing on the big screen - but again, not on my list of movies to add to the DVD collection. A big let-down from the hype.

Meet the Spartans
Of the four movies - this was the most enjoyable. I really enjoyed the original movie (300) so when this movie tracks close to the original, it made the spoof element more fun. We kept laughing through the whole movie - and unlike some spoof movies - you couldn't always guess which way the comedy would go next. If you do go to watch - stay through the credits - there are quite a number of extra bits interspersed throughout the credits - all the way to the end.
The inclusion of the guy who played Hercules as the Captain really added to it - especially as he seemed to enjoy the spoof aspects hugely.

Finally home

Well guys

I have spent just on 8 weeks travelling the world, broadening my horizons and having an absolute blast.

I'll continue the city by city blogs over the next few weeks - Vancouver really was a great way to finish the trip.

I got back this morning, and have just finished watching Die Hard 4.0 - Excellent movie (in keeping with the others) - That John McClean really is an unlucky guy, always in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Anyhow - off to bed, and then tomorrow afternoon the final hockey game of the season - if we win we're through to the finals, so I better go (I suspect the team needs me (shouting at them if nothing else)).

Lorenzo - I picked up your shield today from the post office (along with my other package I sent from North Carolina).

HINT - If you are in the USA and picking up too much stuff to bring back in your luggage, go to the US Postal Service and get a "Flat Box". It costs a flat rate of US$37.00 from USA to Oz (the lady at the Oz Post office today did a check on cost to send same package (13lbs or just under 6kg) back to North Carolina - AUS$99.00). Reliable and much cheaper than the excess baggage cost with the airlines.

Cheerio to all for now - hope you sleep well, I know I will (16hrs travelling from LAX + 3.5hrs waiting and the flight from Vancouver - too damn long).

Wrap up from North Carolina

Well, tomorrow I move on to Vancouver.

I have had an excellent time here in The States (specifically Pennsic (in Pennsylvania) to which all who can should go (at least once) and North Carolina, where I have been staying since Pennsic).

I have tried a diverse range of "American food" (both from north and south of "the border" (ie: Mexican). They have mexican restaurants on every corner like we have chinese & indian restaurants everywhere back home (with the same variance in quality and cost).

I visited Wal-Mart (several times) - sort of like a large Big-W store, but bigger.

In the last week that I've been here I went to a local training (where my helmet bit me due to being out of shape - see I knew it was time I retired it), got given access to a Jeep Wrangler, went for a ride in a speed boat and had a go at both water skiing (successful) and knee-boarding (more successful), took a "Pontoon boat" out for a trip around the lake (as driver), visited a local historical site (War of Independance related) and just generally experienced a lot of American culture (for those of you thinking it, don't say it).

I also went and saw the Bourne Ultimatium. It is very good, in the same vein as the other 2 movies. The only thing I would suggest is that you watch the Bourne Supremacey shortly before going to the cinema - it will help you keep up with who's who (in case you forgot) as it starts almost immediately after the end of that movie.

One of the things that really stands out here is that they love our animals (especially the Kangaroo). There are a number of products (and companies) that use them in their names, logos and advertising (very strange, but funny).

I have had an absolutely brilliant time here with Saunooke and Mikai, their 12yr old son Fox and their 3.5 dogs (Butch, China, Maya and Bess (the .5 dog).

I'm not sure if I'll write from Vancouver, but if not I will complete my photo journals for each of the cities I visited + Pennsic upon my return to Australia.

Thanks to all those who have written in - its good to know that some people are reading this.

Cheers

Hanbal

Transformers the movie - WOW

Okay - that is one of the best movies I have seen in a very long time.

If you were ever a fan of transformers then GO & SEE THE MOVIE ASAP - it is brilliant.

2.5hrs long. Don't drink too much - cause you won't want to get out of your seat for one bit of the movie.

Action ongoing & not just glimpses of the transformers - plenty for all.

IT ROCKS BIG TIME - GO SEE IT.

Also - 8 days till my trip - Yippy.

Thats all for now.