Let We Forget

The local church memorial (see below, each one a locally knitted poppy): 

If it stops and makes you think then I think it has done its job.

Book: Upheaval by Jarred Diamond

Finally finished this. It was a good read, not a vivid page turner but it rewarded the persistent reader with a few golden nuggets of information that made you stop and stare, as well as a lot of history I was totally unaware of, Indonesia a being a prime example (see below, a nice bit piece of Japanese artwork associated with Commodore Perry's arrival to Japan in 1853 and a rather rude awakening to Western industrialisation by virtue of being on the receiving end of large caliber high explousive shells):  

The premise of the book is that countries and humans share a certain capacity to survive or be destroyed by unexpected "upheavals" and it is how they (either a country of a person) react to the "unexpected traumatic event" that is the key to their survival or destruction. Though provoking as he lists out his key characteristics ... best read the book for that description ;)

Good Old Fashioned Board Game Fun: Stratego

Well, this was a 'second chance impulse' buy. I first saw it in a local "Yorkshire Store" shop, one sells all manner of goods, with a rambling toy section [sometimes useful for picking up cheap "counters" and the like for games] - I had it in my clammy hands but put it back down. Driving home, I regretted it, though I was in a little bit of a quandary as to what it actually was (and for £20 was I going to just get a pile of "plastic tat?"), A fortnight later I was in the same store looking up at (probably) the same box and it was a case of "green for go in my head" <the sound of the cash register follows or rather a "beep" in these modern times> - done deal, item bought (see below, I opened it up and was well satisfied that it was not the feared "plastic tat" but a nicely presented, mounted board, with good plastic playing pieces, simple instructions and even better, "something" that could be extended in traditional maverick Wargames Design fashion): 

But who would play it with me "out of the box"? My youngest son (11) started but he then aborted after a few moves, sad emoji. Next I tried my "old sad puppy dog eyes" on the wife and much to my surprise she acquiesced and we played a couple of games, in the wings my eldest son (16) eyed events with interested curiosity but it was my (14) daughter who took up the gauntlet - egged on by the wife ("you go beat him" [I gave no mercy in my games with the wife]) and I'll be damned if she nearly did and took me to the wire (I was facing a "female team" at this point). Great fun, great fun, so it looks like the dark nights will be partially filled with more than a few battles. Thank you Yorkshire Store and Jumbo Games ;) 

Update: The daughter expressed an added interest to move onto chess :)   

Interesting TV I have "Binged" recently

Some thing also that has been keeping away from blogging is a bit of intensive TV programme binging. Netflix and BBC iPlayer in particular: 

AI related (see below, a BBC Panorama classic IMHO): 

Are You Scared Yet Human: BBC iPlayer

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m000wft2/panorama-are-you-scared-yet-human

And following on from that the BBC iPlayer recommended the following series called: "Can't get you out of my Head" which was a bit of a trippy all over the place journey .. sort of related to AI, historical events  of world politics and a dystopian view of the word, ultimately saying "don't change things because you make things worse - make the best of what you have got". I watched it al the way through just to see what sort of ending it came up with (see below, the headlines give you a gist of the confusing things that are going on .. and it is right, I cannot get the thoughts and images out of my head):

Finally I turned to the insanity of the Squid Games, despite what I considered a dodgy popularist theme (as in the kids liked it) and a very slow episode one .. I got hooked and (sadly) can recommend it (though not taking art in one). The eldest kid was slightly impressed that I guessed the ending (see below, it now has a fully fledged cult following):  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqxAJKy0ii4

I am just waiting for the spin-off merchandise to make it to 28mm scale. Although the menacing "Pink Troopers" are probably the more memorable iconic image you take away (see below, perfect for Halloween trick or treating): 

Back to some wargaming now. 

Note to Self: Model Shade - Colour Conversion Charts (Web Site)

https://www.modelshade.com

Useful in that "what colour do I use now to get as near as damn it match"

Apparently: Airfix/Humbrol Acrylic 90 (Matt Green Beige approx Sky) is equivalent to Revell Water Acrylic 361 - 59 (Matt Sky [Himmelblau])

Needed in the "life and death situation" [not, but nevertheless important to me] of what to paint my Bristol Blenheim Mk.1F in RAF 1940 "Daylight Operations" colours in the Battle of Britain.

Arnhem 1944 (15mm) - Remote Game

I was lucky enough to participate in a remote wargame with a group of friends from Sheffield, recreating the German response to the Arnhem landing of the 1st British Paratroop Division (with some Polish friends). Hosted over two days, it was very instructive and fun. A hex based game board, but I seem to have been too wrapped up in the games (which to my mind is a sign of a very good game) to take screen-shots. All that I could find was the "operational map" I was using as a crib to keep track of proceedings (see below, I was part of the ad-hoc German forces that attacked from the North East and drove down the right hand side of the board): 

Another German Kampf group (though notably lacking in armour) attacked from the West (left hand side of the map).. The result was a rather bloody draw, ahistorical in the positioning of the "Para Pocket" but historical in the sense that they were not going to be able to punch through to Arnhem and link up with Frost.   

Note: I will add additional photos if they turn up ;) 

I have started .. eating .. Mince pies!

I think "they" have appeared in the shops very early this year! I have a theory, maybe it is because of the disrupted logistical network so .. they (fancy people in marketing suits) are shipping anything they can sell to fill up the shelves and making Xmas come early this year. Whatever, I am eating the pies whatever with a nice cuppa (see below, scene of the crime evidence - that has since disappeared):  

Merry Xmas!