PERSONAL NEWS: "Mazel Tov, Ronnie & Brigid!" (27 December 2007)

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TOP: Welcome, Olivia!

Hi All,

I have good news to share from a gamer friend of many in the San Francisco Bay Area! Ronnie & Brigid F. just had their baby:

Hello All,

Olivia was born on the 20th (8 pounds, 5 ounces) happy, healthy and hungry.

Brigid is doing well and Lilly is being a very good big sister.

Wishing you all a happy new year....

- Ronnie.

Mazel Tov AKA congratulations, Ronnie & Brigid!

Have a great Thursday!
And happy holidays!

Shalom,
Maksim-Smelchak.

Notes regarding photos / pictures / videos: These are not all my images and videos. I am using various images and videos from around the web, mostly from public sources and/or private sources used with permission. I have tried to include only images and videos under public domain, creative commons, or fair use. If I have inadvertently violated any copyrights, please inform me and I will remove your image/s (...if it is indeed an infringement).

MINI WARGAMING: "28mm Pirate Ship Coming Together" (26 December 2007)

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TOP: Master Necromancer Maksimok's shipyards.

Hi Everyone,

One of the projects I have been enjoying the most lately has been a 28mm pirate ship.

I was browsing E-bay one day and found it for considerably under a C-spot ($100.00 USD) and decided to lowball the bid and miraculously I WON! So, the next thing I know, the pirate ship arrives and my work bench is covered in the undead, which effectively meant that the pirate ship project was forced to wait.

TOP: A dark PIRATE SHIP appears out of the foggy night!

So then a work colleague and friend, Cheri, calls me and, knowing I speak Spanish, asks me to tutor her daughter, Keri, in Spanish language studies so I came and started working with her. After a tutoring lesson one day, Keri chats me up a bit and asks how I liked the most recent "Pirates of the Caribbean" movie. I mentioned that I enjoyed it and was even building a pirate ship model. This intrigued them and Cheri offered to lend me her corner table so I could build it with them... so I did. The next thing I know I started assembling a pirate ship at my friend's apartment with a teenage assistant who wanted to learn the craft. I started learning the parts of the ship, teaching my assistant nautical terminology, and, at the same time, teaching hobby skills.

And it's slowly coming together...

TOP: The aft castle has adornment made out of cheap jewelry charms.
TOP: Shaping the fore castle railing took some work...

The white tubes sticking up are mountings for masts.

The ship itself is an out-of-production 28mm model from Merrimack Miniatures / Old Glory called the adventure galley. I have slowly been cleaning it up and customizing it. I plan to use it with the excellent Pirates! rule set from my friends at Flagship Games, so I've built the masts to be removable. The masts are made from 3/8" dowels that fit snugly into 7/16" hollow plastic tubing.

TOP: The ship is coming together as seen from the side.
Both the fore and aft castles are removable...
With cabins accessible underneath them.
TOP: From this angle, you can see...
The cabin under the fore castle...
Has a custom bulkhead installed.

There is also custom railing, a hand-made front bulkhead and more.

I haven't decided what sort of crew to populate her from yet... I have three in mind:

1. A traditional, historical human pirate crew.

2. A demi-human, mostly Orc pirate crew.

3. A skeleton & zombie undead pirate crew.

Keri likes the undead crew best. I'm of a mind to keep the ship flexible and allow all three crews on board... just not at the same time!

Here are some 28mm pirate links for you:

Flagship Games link:

http://www.flagshipgames.com/

Old Glory Miniatures link:

http://www.oldgloryminiatures.com/

Pirate Wargames Yahoo discussion E-group:

http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/PirateWargames/

The rest of my 28mm pirate ship photos at my Photobucket image gallery:

http://s44.photobucket.com/albums/f23/Maksim-Smelchak/28mm_Pirates/

Have a root'in toot'in great Wednesday!
And happy holidays!

Shalom,
Maksim-Smelchak.

Notes regarding photos / pictures / videos: These are not all my images and videos. I am using various images and videos from around the web, mostly from public sources and/or private sources used with permission. I have tried to include only images and videos under public domain, creative commons, or fair use. If I have inadvertently violated any copyrights, please inform me and I will remove your image/s (...if it is indeed an infringement).

HOLIDAYS: "Happy Holidays, Troops!" (25 December 2007)

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TOP: Thank you, Mark Daily.

Rest in peace.

Hi All,

*** WARNING: Today's post involves current events. Read at your own peril. ***

Usually, I try to keep my blog overwhelmingly light-hearted despite the great number of very serious events happening in the world everyday that affect all of us, whether directly or indirectly, but today is different. Today I'm going to be serious.

The event I'm about to share with you is one that really affected me back around the time when it happened on January 15th, 2007. It's about a solider who knew exactly what he was doing and why he was fighting when an IED (...a bomb) attack killed him. His last words really explain why so many of us should be grateful that there are brave soldiers from many nations willing to fight to destroy the terrorists who would destroy our societies and us if they could. Here's what he wrote:

Sunday, October 29, 2006
WHY I JOINED
Current mood: optimistic

This question has been asked of me so many times in so many different contexts that I thought it would be best if I wrote my reasons for joining the Army on my page for all to see. First, the more accurate question is why I volunteered to go to Iraq. After all, I joined the Army a week after we declared war on Saddam’s government with the intention of going to Iraq. Now, after years of training and preparation, I am finally here.

Much has changed in the last three years. The criminal Ba’ath regime has been replaced by an insurgency fueled by Iraq’s neighbors who hope to partition Iraq for their own ends. This is coupled with the ever present transnational militant Islam'ist movement which has seized upon Iraq as the greatest way to kill Americans, along with anyone else they happen to be standing near. What was once a paralyzed state of fear is now the staging ground for one of the largest transformations of power and ideology the Middle East has experienced since the collapse of the Ottoman Empire. Thanks to Iran, Syria, and other enlightened local actors, this transformation will be plagued by interregional hatred and genocide. And I am now in the center of this.

Is this why I joined?

Yes. Much has been said about America’s intentions in overthrowing Saddam Hussein and seeking to establish a new state based upon political representation and individual rights. Many have framed the paradigm through which they view the conflict around one-word explanations such as “oil” or “terrorism,” favoring the one which best serves their political persuasion. I did the same thing, and anyone who knew me before I joined knows that I am quite aware and at times sympathetic to the arguments against the war in Iraq. If you think the only way a person could bring themselves to volunteer for this war is through sheer desperation or blind obedience then consider me the exception (...though there are countless like me).

I joined the fight because it occurred to me that many modern day “humanists” who claim to possess a genuine concern for human beings throughout the world are in fact quite content to allow their fellow “global citizens” to suffer under the most hideous state apparatuses and conditions. Their excuses used to be my excuses. When asked why we shouldn’t confront the Ba’ath party, the Taliban or the various other tyrannies throughout this world, my answers would allude to vague notions of cultural tolerance (...forcing women to wear a veil and stay indoors is such a quaint cultural tradition), the sanctity of national sovereignty (...how eager we "internationalists" are to throw up borders to defend dictatorships!) or even a creeping suspicion of America’s intentions. When all else failed, I would retreat to my fragile moral ecosystem that years of living in peace and liberty had provided me. I would write off war because civilian casualties were guaranteed, or temporary alliances with illiberal forces would be made, or tank fuel was toxic for the environment. My fellow “humanists” and I would relish contently in our self righteous declaration of opposition against all military campaigns against dictatorships, congratulating one another for refusing to taint that aforementioned fragile moral ecosystem that many still cradle with all the revolutionary tenacity of the members of Rage Against the Machine and Green Day. Others would point to America’s historical support of Saddam Hussein, sighting it as hypocritical that we would now vilify him as a thug and a tyrant. Upon explaining that we did so to ward off the fiercely Islam'ist Iran, which was correctly identified as the greater threat at the time, eyes are rolled and hypocrisy is declared. Forgetting that America sided with Stalin to defeat Hitler, who was promptly confronted once the Nazis were destroyed, America’s initial engagement with Saddam and other regional actors is identified as the ultimate argument against America’s moral crusade.

And maybe it is. Maybe the reality of politics makes all political action inherently crude and immoral. Or maybe it is these adventures in philosophical masturbation that prevent people from ever taking any kind of effective action against men like Saddam Hussein. One thing is for certain, as disagreeable or as confusing as my decision to enter the fray may be, consider what peace vigils against genocide have accomplished lately. Consider that there are 19 year old soldiers from the Midwest who have never touched a college campus or a protest who have done more to uphold the universal legitimacy of representative government and individual rights by placing themselves between Iraqi voting lines and homicidal religious fanatics. Often times it is less about how clean your actions are and more about how pure your intentions are.

So that is why I joined. In the time it took for you to read this explanation, innocent people your age have suffered under the crushing misery of tyranny. Every tool of philosophical advancement and communication that we use to develop our opinions about this war are denied to countless human beings on this planet, many of whom live under the regimes that have, in my opinion, been legitimately targeted for destruction. Some have allowed their resentment of the President to stir silent applause for setbacks in Iraq. Others have ironically decried the war because it has tied up our forces and prevented them from confronting criminal regimes in Sudan, Uganda, and elsewhere.

I simply decided that the time for candid discussions of the oppressed was over, and I joined.

In digesting this posting, please remember that America’s commitment to overthrow Saddam Hussein and his sons existed before the current administration and would exist into our future children’s lives had we not acted. Please remember that the problems that plague Iraq today were set in motion centuries ago and were up until now held back by the most cruel of cages. Don’t forget that human beings have a responsibility to one another and that Americans will always have a responsibility to the oppressed. Don’t overlook the obvious reasons to disagree with the war but don’t cheapen the moral aspects either. Assisting a formerly oppressed population in converting their torn society into a plural, democratic one is dangerous and difficult business, especially when being attacked and sabotaged from literally every direction. So if you have anything to say to me at the end of this reading, let it at least include “Good Luck.”

Mark Daily.

Such understanding is profound.

Two more links about Mark Daily:

The Orange Country Register:
http://www.ocregister.com/ocregister/news/homepage/article_1547859.php

M. Malkin, a journalist:
http://michellemalkin.com/2007/01/19/the-immortal-words-of-2lt-mark-daily/

I'm going to leave you with a few more words from Mark Daily, a proverb he had posted on his web page:

“Patience demolishes mountains.”
-Arab proverb

If you'd like to send a note of thanks and holiday wishes to the troops, this is a great place to start:
http://www.americasupportsyou.mil/americasupportsyou/Message.aspx?SectionID=5

I wish I knew of other sites to thank the brave soldiers from other nations who are also deployed, but I didn't find any. If you know of similar sites to thank the brave troops from the UK, Canada, Australia and other nations, please share them with me.

I wrote one yesterday. It took me just a few minutes.

Merry X-mas and happy holidays!

Shalom,
Maksim-Smelchak.

Notes regarding photos / pictures / videos: These are not all my images and videos. I am using various images and videos from around the web, mostly from public sources and/or private sources used with permission. I have tried to include only images and videos under public domain, creative commons, or fair use. If I have inadvertently violated any copyrights, please inform me and I will remove your image/s (if it is indeed an infringement).

COOL STUFF: "Have a Merry, Scary Cthulhu X-mas!" (24 December 2007)

TOP: "Carol Of the Olde Ones"

Hi Everyone,

It's X-mas Eve and I wanted to post something special when I was browsing through TMP and came upon one of my favorite TMP'ers posts... that of the deservedly well-regarded Chick In Chainmail. She felt fit to share a Cthulhu caroling medley...

What a wonderful woman!

So, here goes:

BOTTOM: "It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Fishmen"


BOTTOM: From the musical A Shoggoth On the Roof: "Tentacles!"


Merry X-mas and happy holidays!

I know my buddy Nils will love these carols...

Shalom,
Maksim-Smelchak.

Notes regarding photos / pictures / videos: These are not all my images and videos. I am using various images and videos from around the web, mostly from public sources and/or private sources used with permission. I have tried to include only images and videos under public domain, creative commons, or fair use. If I have inadvertently violated any copyrights, please inform me and I will remove your image/s (if it is indeed an infringement).

MINI WARGAMING: "Car Wars Correspondence: Part-1" (20 December 2007)

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TOP: Maksim's (mine) 6mm Car Wars collection is quite diverse:
Irregular, Reviresco, Khalsa Brain Games, Grenadier, Dark Horse and MORE!

Hi Everyone,

The best part about having a blog is when other folks E-mail you to correspond, share tips, give advice, and just gab...

Hi Greg,

Thanks for writing.

I always appreciate a tip, advice, or to just hear from another gamer and miniatures hobby enthusiast.

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[[[Greg: Hello Sir, I've been enjoying your blog and Yahoo sites - especially recently as I've also been on the hunt for 1/285 modern civilian vehicles. ]]]

Thank you very much. A positive word or constructive criticism is always welcome.

Ever since I posted my 6mm Car Wars AKA Autoduel posts, I’ve received a lot of letters about them and seen interest rise in playing x1 scale or 6mm Car Wars. Being the original scale, one can use all of the original maps, templates and counters with no modification.

And one can get a used copy of the Car Wars pocket game very reasonably these days. I often see them go on E-bay for $5.00 USD or less.

[[[Greg: I also appreciate the links and information you've provided - a great help when I did the Golan Heights last summer. ]]]

You’re very welcome!

I’d love to hear more about your Golan Heights game. The Arab-Israeli Wars (AIW) are my favorite period for microarmour and have long been a gaming focus of mine. Please write me more about this if you have the time.

TOP: L-4's collection is mostly Grenadier...
...and the larger (8mm to 10mm) Citadel Battle Cars.
Don't yuh love the sexy stripes?

[[[Greg: A little bit ago I found this seller on E-bay:
Everydaygoodz ]]]

I had heard of this seller before, but I haven’t purchased from him yet… so your feedback is particularly valuable. Thanks!

Not only have I seen people purchase Z-scale cars from him for microarmour or x1 scale Car Wars, but I’ve also seen people buy 28mm scale civilians for use in zombie or superhero games.

[[[Greg: …and thought you might be interested. They seem to have an E-bay store dealing in z-scale (1/220) train stuff, including great bunches of plastic civilian vehicles, for pretty reasonable rates. ]]]

They also sell textured plasticard, plastic fencing, lamp posts, and a variety of other railroading hobby products at a price much less than I’ve seen elsewhere… even when you factor in the shipping.

[[[Greg: No big rigs or delivery, but lots of sedans, minivans, and such in a variety of makes and colors. ]]]

For big rigs and/or freight trucks, you have a few choices:

- GHQ (convert military trucks to civilian ones)
- Irregular…
- Evergreen or Plastruct…
- Other RR makers including Kibri…

There were other 1/285 manufacturers, but I think that all of the other makers are now out of business or have discontinued their 6mm freight trucks.

TOP: "Matilda" has been hauling Vegamite across Oz for years!
Ask my good friend, Tas! He'll tell yuh!

[[[Greg: They stand up pretty well, size-wise, with my GHQ/C-in-C stuff - perhaps similar or slightly smaller than the Irregular civvies. ]]]

Good to hear.

[[[Greg: The only slight detractors are that they come from Hong Kong, so there's a bit of a wait and… ]]]

I always worry about ordering outside of mainstream Europe, the UK & Commonwealth nations, and the continental United States.

Thanks for the info that this seller is legitimate.

[[[Greg: …they smell a bit odd. Hopefully airing them out will deal with it. A good find for me – ]]]

Hmmm…I hope the airing out works.

[[[Greg: I'm looking to do a full-on Fulda Gap this coming summer - and thought I'd pass it along. ]]]

Awesome. I miss the great Warsaw Pact / NATO games of the 1980s. They were a lot of fun. It’s sort of odd to think now that there have been abundance of signs that NATO forces might have been even more substantially superior to Warsaw Pact ones than previously imagined.

Lately, I’ve been reading a lot about the Soviet experience in Afghanistan.

[[[Greg: Thanks again and I hope the interview went well, Greg. ]]]

You’re very welcome!

The job interview went great. I’m hoping that they’ll make an offer to me before the end of the week. They were definitely interested. My job interview went almost an hour and a half… much longer than one usually expects, which is usually a good sign of keen interest.

Thanks again for writing, Greg C., and giving me permission to re-post some of this E-mail!

Have a great Thursday!
And happy holidays!

Shalom,
Maksim-Smelchak.

Notes regarding photos / pictures / videos: These are not all my images and videos. I am using various images and videos from around the web, mostly from public sources and/or private sources used with permission. I have tried to include only images and videos under public domain, creative commons, or fair use. If I have inadvertently violated any copyrights, please inform me and I will remove your image/s (if it is indeed an infringement).

COOL STUFF: "Flirting Robots Are Here!" (19 December 2007)

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TOP: Bring it on, Rosie the Robot...

The Jetsons are bored!

Hi Everyone,

Quick post today: I read this article about the advances that robots have been achieving lately the other day ago...

BEWARE OF FLIRTING ROBOTS:
"A program that can mimic online flirtation and then extract personal information from its unsuspecting conversation partners is making the rounds in Russian chat forums, according to security software firm PC Tools. The artificial intelligence of CyberLover's automated chats is good enough that victims have a tough time distinguishing the 'bot' from a real potential suitor, PC Tools said. The software can work quickly too, establishing up to 10 relationships in 30 minutes, PC Tools said. It compiles a report on every person it meets complete with name, contact information, and photos." More and more, we're living in a William Gibson world.

UPDATE:
Reader John Baker emails: "Professor: as much as I enjoy Gibson, ever heard of the Turing Test?"

Yeah, and it sounds like these robots are passing it in the real world on a regular basis. Though to be fair, I doubt Alan Turing envisioned administering the test with an audience of drunk, horny Russian guys.

I hate SPAM-bots!

They should written those into the Terminator movies... the audience would have cheered more when they were destroyed.

Link here:
http://instapundit.com/archives2/012697.php

And here:
http://www.news.com/8301-13860_3-9831133-56.html

The Turing Test:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turing_test

William Gibson:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_gibson

Have a great Wednesday!

And happy holidays!

Shalom,
Maksim-Smelchak.

Notes regarding photos / pictures / videos: These are not all my images and videos. I am using various images and videos from around the web, mostly from public sources and/or private sources used with permission. I have tried to include only images and videos under public domain, creative commons, or fair use. If I have inadvertently violated any copyrights, please inform me and I will remove your image/s (if it is indeed an infringement).

MINI WARGAMING: "Thinking About Your 2008 Hobby Plans?" (18 December 1007)

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TOP: The Heroes of Beni Hana Pass make a stand...

...from a game of 28mm Oriental Adventures earlier this year...

Hi All,

Lately I've been thinking about what sort of hobby resolution I'm going to make for 2008...

- 28mm WAB Saracen / Moor / Arab Army
- 28mm WAB Celt / Gaul / Arthurian Army
- Planning to learn WAB in 2008 and play in the local leagues...

- 28mm WHFB Undead army for me...
- Split part of undead army from Gothic Vampire Counts theme to Tomb Kings Egyptian theme...
- 28mm WHFB Empire army for my nephew Quinn
- 28mm WHFB Orc / Gobbo army for my other nephew Vincent
- Planning to play more WHFB this year and possibly participate in the local leagues...

TOP: 28mm Orc Shamans work a power totem...

- 28mm Pirate Ship
- 28mm Historical pirate crew
- 28mm Undead pirate crew
- 28mm Orc pirate crew

- 28mm fantasy scenery
- 28mm graveyard
- 28mm village buildings

- 10mm sci-fi armies
- Want to play ASQL in 2008.

- 10mm modern missile boats
- This project is nearing fruition... must get to it!

- 6mm sci-fi armies
- Command Horizon?
- Epic-Armageddon?
- Dirtside III?

- 6mm town for Kaiju Stomp'in
- I want to build a new mat for the city and lay out city zoning blocks.

TOP: Orc & Goblin Wolfriders were torn apart...

By katana and exotic magic...

And every year, I only make one hobby resolution and finish off that project. Sometimes I get more done, but I only hold myself to completing one project... After all, life is busy and we all have families, jobs, etc. that take us away from the fun stuff.

This year in 2007, I resolved to work on my 6mm kaiju set, but I switched streams early in the year and built my 28mm Vampire Counts army for Warhammer Fantasy Battles (WHFB) instead.

*** What are your 2008 hobby plans? ***

Ah, decisions!

Have a great Tuesday!

Shalom,
Maksim-Smelchak.

Notes regarding photos / pictures / videos: These are not all my images and videos. I am using various images and videos from around the web, mostly from public sources and/or private sources used with permission. I have tried to include only images and videos under public domain, creative commons, or fair use. If I have inadvertently violated any copyrights, please inform me and I will remove your image/s (if it is indeed an infringement).

GAMING NEWS: "T-5 Almost Here!" (17 December 2007)

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TOP: T-5 is almost here!

Hi Everyone,

Good new for the Traveller fan straight from Marc Miller's mouth:

Traveller5 is nearly complete.

It's full of material: Character Generation, Androids, Robots, Clones, Worlds, Starships, Small Craft, Adventures, and more.

Come see more at our web page:

http://www.farfuture.net/

We are in the last stages of completing an extensive initial CD-ROM version of T5 by Jan 31 totaling about 1000 electronic pages. Order now, and we'll send you our special offer now and the CD-ROM as soon as it rolls of the press.

We have a special offer on the web site. Come see what we have.

BONUS!

We'll ship on or about Jan 31, 2008. Pre-order now and we'll send you the printed black DVD Traveller5 Case Wrap (the same one that will be on your Traveller5 CD-ROM package when we ship it), plus four bonuses:

1. Our Mini-Map of the Spinward Marches,
2. The Traders' Guild Guide to Starships,
3. The Mini-Traders' Guild Guide to Starships, and...
4. The Wilderness Traveller (800-ton Speculative Trader) 4-view.

www.farfuture.net

And here's a half dozen or so more helpful Traveller links:

Freelance Traveller link:
http://www.freelancetraveller.com/index.html
(Probably the best link for anything Traveller)

Citizens of the Imperium forum link:
http://www.travellerrpg.com/CotI/
(Probably the best Traveller forum around)

Far Future Enterprises link:
http://www.farfuture.net/
(Marc Miller's site, one of the creators of Traveller...)
(Find reprints of older Traveller materials here and...)
(it's also the home of Traveller 5)

Ad Astra Games link:
http://www.adastragames.com/
(Find Traveller starship minis here)

Loren Wiseman's home page link:
http://www.cgi101.com/~lkw/

(A creator of Classic Traveller & the genius behind GURPS Traveller )

CT Striker Yahoo E-group link:
http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/ct-striker/
(One of the best discussion groups for Striker III)

Classic Traveller Yahoo E-group link:
http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/Classic-Traveller/
(One of my favorite discussion groups for Traveller)

6SFWG (6mm Science Fiction War Games) Yahoo E-group link:
http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/6mmScienceFictionWarGames/
(Striker III and anything & everything related to 6mm sci-fi can be found here)

Have a great Monday!

Shalom,
Maksim-Smelchak.

Notes regarding photos / pictures / videos: These are not all my images and videos. I am using various images and videos from around the web, mostly from public sources and/or private sources used with permission. I have tried to include only images and videos under public domain, creative commons, or fair use. If I have inadvertently violated any copyrights, please inform me and I will remove your image/s (if it is indeed an infringement).

COOL STUFF: "X-mas Carolling With STYLE!" (15 December 2007)

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Hi Everyone,

Starting with this post, I'm going to change the timing of when I post updates from early mornings to the night before in the evening. Posting in the mornings has been proving difficult lately.

And what I've been saving for today is one of the best Christmas Carols I've ever heard...

From a group called: "Straight, No Chasers" ...which is a men's A Capella musical group from Indiana University.

You can buy a CD of the music here:
http://www.a-cappella.com/product/646/video-performance-pop

Many thanks to Bryan!

Have a great Saturday!

Shalom,
Maksim-Smelchak.

Notes regarding photos / pictures / videos: These are not all my images and videos. I am using various images and videos from around the web, mostly from public sources and/or private sources used with permission. I have tried to include only images and videos under public domain, creative commons, or fair use. If I have inadvertently violated any copyrights, please inform me and I will remove your image/s (if it is indeed an infringement).

HUMOUR: "The Chili That Bit Back!" (14 December 2007)

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TOP: The Great Chili Cook-Off!

Hi Everyone,

Quick post today: A great joke that, if you've ever been to a Chili Cook-Off, you may be able to relate to...

*** LANGUAGE ALERT: Some potentially adult language in this joke. Read at your own peril. ***

The Great Chili Cook-Off!

NOTE: If you pay attention to the first two judges, the reaction of the third is even better.

For those of you who have lived in Texas, you know how true this is. They actually have a Chili Cook-Off about the time the rodeo comes to town. It takes up a major portion of the parking lot at the Astrodome. These notes are from an inexperienced chili taster named Frank, who was visiting Texas from the East Coast:

"Recently, I was honored to be selected as a judge at a chili cook-off. The original person called in sick at the last moment, and I happened to be standing there at the judge's table asking directions to the Budweiser truck, when the call came in.

I was assured by the other two judges (Native Texans) that the chili wouldn't be all that spicy and, besides, they told me I could have free beer during the tasting, so I accepted."

Here are the scorecards from the event:

TOP: "Mmm, mmm... looks good!"
Chili #1: Mike's Maniac Mobster Monster Chili

Judge #1 -- A little too heavy on the tomato. Amusing kick.

Judge #2 -- Nice, smooth, tomato flavor. Very mild.

Judge # 3 (Frank) -- Holy crikey, what the heck is this stuff? You could remove dried paint from your driveway. Took me two beers to put the flames out. I hope that's the worst one. These Texans are crazy.

TOP: "Mild magic... not bad!"
Chili #2: Arthur's Afterburner Chili

Judge #1 -- Smoky, with a hint of pork. Slight jalapeno tang.

Judge #2 -- Exciting BBQ flavor, needs more peppers to be taken seriously.

Judge # 3 -- Keep this out of the reach of children! I'm not sure what I'm supposed to taste besides pain. I had to wave off two people who wanted to give me the Heimlich maneuver. They had to rush in more beer when they saw the look on my face.

TOP: "Bit of a kick."
Chili #3: Fred's Famous Burn Down the Barn Chili

Judge #1 -- Excellent firehouse chili. Great kick. Needs more beans.

Judge #2 -- A bean less chili, a bit salty, good use of peppers

Judge #3 -- Call the EPA. I've located a uranium spill. My nose feels like I have been snorting Drano. Everyone knows the routine by now, Get me more beer before I ignite. Barmaid pounded me on the back, now my backbone is in the front part of my chest. I'm getting drunk as a skunk from all of the beer.

TOP: "That one bites..."
Chili #4: Bubba's Black Magic

Judge #1 -- Black bean chili with almost no spice. Disappointing.

Judge #2 -- Hint of lime in the black beans. Good side dish for fish or other mild foods, not much of a chili.

Judge #3 -- I felt something scraping across my tongue, but was unable to taste it. Is it possible to burn out taste buds? Sally, the barmaid, was standing behind me with fresh refills. That 300-lb. woman is starting to look HOT (...just like this nuclear waste I'm eating...). Is it chili or an aphrodisiac?

TOP: "I take that back. This ONE really bites!"
Chili #5: Linda's Legal Lip Remover

Judge #1 -- Meaty, strong chili. Cayenne peppers freshly ground, adding considerable kick. Very impressive.

Judge #2 -- Chili using shredded beef, could use more tomato. Must admit the cayenne peppers make a strong statement.

Judge #3 -- My ears are ringing, sweat is pouring off my forehead and I can no longer focus my eyes. I farted and four people behind me needed paramedics. The contestant seemed offended when I told her that her chili had given me brain damage. Sally saved my tongue from bleeding by pouring beer directly on it from the pitcher I wonder if I'm burning my lips off. It really farks me off that the other judges asked me to stop screaming. Screw those rednecks!

TOP: "Oh, the pain, the woe..."
Chili #6: Vera's Very Vegetarian Variety

Judge #1 -- Thin yet bold vegetarian variety chili. Good balance of spices and peppers.

Judge #2 -- The best yet. Aggressive use of peppers, onions, and garlic. Superb.

Judge #3 -- My intestines are now a straight pipe filled with gaseous, sulfuric flames. I shat myself when I farted and I'm worried it will eat through the chair. No one seems inclined to stand behind me except that skank Sally. She must be kinkier than I thought. Can't feel my lips anymore. I need to wipe my arse with a snow cone.

TOP: "Oh my lord, I can't breath..."
Chili #7: Sandy's Screaming Sensation Chili

Judge #1 -- A mediocre chili with too much reliance on canned peppers.

Judge #2 -- Ho hum, tastes as if the chef literally threw in can of chili peppers at the last moment. I should take note that I am worried about Judge #3. He appears to be in a bit of distress as he is cursing uncontrollably.

Judge #3 -- You could put a grenade in my mouth, pull the pin, and I wouldn't feel a thing. I've lost sight in one eye, and the world sounds like it is made of rushing water. My shirt is covered with chili, which slides unnoticed out of my mouth. My pants are full of a lava-like slurry to match my shirt. At least after the autopsy they'll know what killed me. I've decided to stop breathing, its too painful. Screw it; I'm not getting any oxygen anyway. If I need air, I'll just suck it in through the four-inch hole in my stomach.

TOP: "Where are the frick'in BEANS ?!$?&$?!"
Chili #8: Tommy's Toenail Curling Chili

Judge #1 -- The perfect ending, this is a nice blend chili. Not too bold but spicy enough to declare its existence.

Judge #2 -- This final entry is a good, balanced chili. Neither mild nor hot. Sorry to see that most of it was lost when Judge #3 passed out, fell over and pulled the chili pot down on top of himself. Not sure if he's going to make it. Poor dude, wonder how he'd have reacted to really hot chili?

Many thanks to my friend Stephane Armande at work.

Also, please wish me luck today! I have a big job interview, which if I can get the job, will mean a major pay raise.

Have a great Friday!

Shalom,

Maksim-Smelchak.

Notes regarding photos / pictures / videos: These are not all my images and videos. I am using various images and videos from around the web, mostly from public sources and/or private sources used with permission. I have tried to include only images and videos under public domain, creative commons, or fair use. If I have inadvertently violated any copyrights, please inform me and I will remove your image/s (if it is indeed an infringement).

MINI WARGAMING: "New 28mm Vampire Counts Minis!" (13 December 2007)

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TOP: Awesome new Corpse Cart!

Hi All,

Quick post today: The other day ago or so some new teasrer shots of possibly new 28mm WHFB Vampire Counts figures. I'm impressed, for the most part, the sculpts are outstanding. All of the photos are reported to be from US White Dwarf 336.

TOP: Vlad has a new look...
TOP: So does Isabella!
TOP: A new skeletal standardbearer.
TOP: A new skeletal musician.
TOP: A new skeletal hero?
TOP: The whole shebang:

A new skeletal regiment.

I really like these skeleton sculpts. The skull sculpts are outstanding.

Warseer forum link:
http://warseer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=117429

Have a great Thursday!

Shalom,
Maksim-Smelchak.

Notes regarding photos / pictures / videos: These are not all my images and videos. I am using various images and videos from around the web, mostly from public sources and/or private sources used with permission. I have tried to include only images and videos under public domain, creative commons, or fair use. If I have inadvertently violated any copyrights, please inform me and I will remove your image/s (if it is indeed an infringement).

MINI WARGAMING: "New Monsterpocalypse Kaiju" (12 December 2007)

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TOP: "Elder Gods, anyone?"

"Is H.P. Lovecraft available for tea?"

Hi All,

Privateer Press just came out with a new preview picture of one of their new kaiju sculpts for their impending Monsterpocalypse game...

Looks positively Cthulhu-loid, doesn't he?

Privateer Press announcement link here:

http://www.privateerpress.com/monsterpocalypse/default.html

My first post about Monsterpocalypse can be found here:

http://6mm-minis.blogspot.com/2007/11/mini-wargaming-monsterpocalypse-is.html

Have a great Wednesday!

And a final Happy Chanukkah to my Jewish readers!

Shalom,

Maksim-Smelchak.

Notes regarding photos / pictures / videos: These are not all my images and videos. I am using various images and videos from around the web, mostly from public sources and/or private sources used with permission. I have tried to include only images and videos under public domain, creative commons, or fair use. If I have inadvertently violated any copyrights, please inform me and I will remove your image/s (if it is indeed an infringement).

FUN VIDEOS: "Trunk Monkey - Part 6" (12 December 2007)

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Hi All,

Quick post today: the sixth installment of Trunk Monkey for all those fathers in need of a chaperone.

Have a great Wednesday!
And Happy Chanukkah to my Jewish readers!

Shalom,
Maksim-Smelchak.

Notes regarding photos / pictures / videos: These are not all my images and videos. I am using various images and videos from around the web, mostly from public sources and/or private sources used with permission. I have tried to include only images and videos under public domain, creative commons, or fair use. If I have inadvertently violated any copyrights, please inform me and I will remove your image/s (if it is indeed an infringement).

HUMOUR: "Fun & Games: Losing a Wiener" (11 December 2007)

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TOP: Losing a wiener?
The Gaul / Celt said...

Hi All,

The world's a mighty strange place...

AND T-shirt manufactureres have caught onto this.

The other day ago, I was speaking with a friend and mentioned that I was working on an 28mm miniatures ancients army, Gauls / Celts that is... And anyone who knows how the Gauls / Celts used to fight - knows that it was considered extremely MACHO by some Gauls / Celts, to go into battle with nothing more than a sword, blue body paint, spiked hair, and a really bad atittude, BUT... no clothes! So my friend finally gets to see these figures at a later date and confirms that they have:

Nothing more than a sword, blue body paint, spiked hair, and a really bad atittude, BUT... no clothes!

She thought that was pretty funny (Good for her!) and sent me this graphic from a T-shirt line a few days later. When my Gauls / Celts are finally ready for battle, I might just have to buy one of these T-shirts (link to a store selling them included below). The T-shirt seems strangely appropriate for an Ancient Gaul / Celt Army player...

T-shirt link here:
http://www.boundarywaterscatalog.com/browse.cfm/4,5973.htm

Thanks, Cheri!

Have a great Tuesday!
And Happy Chanukkah to my Jewish readers!

Shalom,
Maksim-Smelchak.

Notes regarding photos / pictures / videos: These are not all my images and videos. I am using various images and videos from around the web, mostly from public sources and/or private sources used with permission. I have tried to include only images and videos under public domain, creative commons, or fair use. If I have inadvertently violated any copyrights, please inform me and I will remove your image/s (if it is indeed an infringement).

MINI WARGAMING: "New 6mm Sci-fi From GZG" (10 December 2007)

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TOP: Floating grav tanks rock!

Hi All,

GZG just came out with some new 6mm sci-fi miniatures sculpted by some great industry personalities: Thomas Pope and John Lerchey.

TMP news blurb here:

New GZG 6mm Items:

DF-X02 CGI (Contra-Gravitic Induction) Tanks
(sculpted by Tom Pope) x3 for £2.50

GBPDF-X03 Light Scout Cycles
(sculpted by Tom Pope) x6 for £2.50

GBPDF-X04 6-wheel Armoured Gun Trucks
(sculpted by John Lerchey) x3 for £2.50 GBP

TMP news link here:
http://theminiaturespage.com/news/779115/

Link to GZG here:
http://www.groundzerogames.net/

TOP: Feel like racing on circuit boards?

Thomas Pope is a great guy... he trades actively and shares a number of my miniatures interests: 6mm or x1 scale Car Wars, 6mm sci-fi, 28mm fantasy, and many, many more. Thomas and a good friend created one of the greatest miniatures archive galleries on the Internet: The Stuff Of Legends (TSOL). Chances are, if you're looking for something, you can learn more about it at TSOL. I didn't know he has a TRON fetish... LOL

Thomas Pope's Mini gallery here:
http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~tpope/miniatures/

Thomas Pope's great miniatures archive project, The Stuff Of Legends (TSOL):
http://www.solegends.com/

TOP: Mercenary gun trucks of the future!

John Lerchey is another one of the great characters of the industry... We've worked on a number of 6mm sci-fi projects together and I've always appreciated his forthright nature and great sense of humour. Like Thomas, he also maintains an active web presence with several sites. It's good to see him sculpting and it's thanks to a great company like GZG that some of the biggest fans of 6mm sci-fi can turns their projects into a share-able reality.

John Lerchey's Gaming site here:

http://okapi.andrew.cmu.edu/lerchey/www/gaming.html

John Lerchey's Miniatures Gallery site here:

http://okapi.andrew.cmu.edu/lerchey/www/Minis/

Some of John's cool, quirky humour on display:

http://okapi.andrew.cmu.edu/lerchey/www/SnowDemon/index.html

Have a great Monday!
And Happy Chanukkah to my Jewish readers!

Shalom,
Maksim-Smelchak.

Notes regarding photos / pictures / videos: These are not all my images and videos. I am using various images and videos from around the web, mostly from public sources and/or private sources used with permission. I have tried to include only images and videos under public domain, creative commons, or fair use. If I have inadvertently violated any copyrights, please inform me and I will remove your image/s (if it is indeed an infringement).

MINI WARGAMING: "Stephane's MOW Empire Fleet" (9 December 2007)

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TOP: Stephane's Imperial Navy.

Hi All,

One of the great blessings I've experienced over the years as a gamer active in the community worldwide is that I've met some great people over the years, and one of my favorite gamers and now a friend that I've met over the years has been Stephane in France. Stephane and I met while working on the Epic-Armageddon design teams for Specialist Games / Games Workshop and discovered that we both shared a love of the miniatures hobby. He's been a supporter of me and my blog and a constant source of information and inspiration over the years for which I am very grateful.

Apart from Epic, Stephane loves a "Oldie, But A Goldie" cult classic fantasy naval game called "Man O'War" (MOW), that Games Workshop put out in the 1990s. And even though GW has all but abandoned the game, Stephane continues to enjoy it and expand his collection. He runs a great web site to which I've included a link below.

He recently sent me the below short note:

For Karl-Franz!

Hello Maksim,

The Man O'War section grows a bit with a new article dedicated to the navy of the greatest human nation of the Old World - you already understood it from the subject line.

It's for the Empire and it's here:
http://www.stephane.info/show.php?code=empire_fleet

Best regards,
Stephane.

You can see the rest of Stephane's MOW photos and his accompanying article here:
http://www.stephane.info/show.php?code=empire_fleet

Have a great Sunday!

And Happy Chanukkah to my Jewish readers!

Shalom,
Maksim-Smelchak.

Notes regarding photos / pictures / videos: These are not all my images and videos. I am using various images and videos from around the web, mostly from public sources and/or private sources used with permission. I have tried to include only images and videos under public domain, creative commons, or fair use. If I have inadvertently violated any copyrights, please inform me and I will remove your image/s (if it is indeed an infringement).

FILMS: "Beowulf = Pro-Wrestling + Fantasy" (7 December 2007)

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Hi All,

My buddies and I went to see Beowulf on an IMAX screen yesterday and... it was pretty bad. It was great to hang out with my buddies, but the film was marginal... at best. If I had to give it a percentage grade, it would get about a 76% or 76 / 100. A little gratuitous violence and a few zinger lines don't make a film.

TOP: Even "mostly-naked" Angelina couldn't save it...
Although one of my buddies might disagree...

If you're literary fan of Beowulf then just don't bother. PERIOD. I wouldn't take children to it either...

However, in an informal poll of my buddies, we all agreed that The 300 was more over-the-top than Beowulf... and that's not really saying much...

TOP: Is having CGI sensors attached to your face acting?
Surely it counts as voice acting?

However, if you're the type that enjoys Pro Wrestling, the kind with chairs and molls, or you like Mexican Wrestling then it might be up your alley... it did have alot of gratuitous violence... IT DID!

Wiki Beowulf Literary Work background link here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beowulf

Wiki 2007 film Beowulf entry:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beowulf_%282007_film%29

So, in summation, if you have very low expectations, they'll probably be met... otherwise, wait for Beowulf to hit cheap rental video before bothering.

Have a great Friday!
And Happy Chanukkah to my Jewish readers!

Shalom,
Maksim-Smelchak.

Notes regarding photos / pictures / videos: These are not all my images and videos. I am using various images and videos from around the web, mostly from public sources and/or private sources used with permission. I have tried to include only images and videos under public domain, creative commons, or fair use. If I have inadvertently violated any copyrights, please inform me and I will remove your image/s (if it is indeed an infringement).

FUN VIDEOS: "Garbagemen Just Wanna Have Fun!" (6 December 2007)

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Hi All,

With my recent post about garbage men, I recalled this video, which I wanted to share. Enjoy!

My previous post with "The Law Of The Garbage Truck":
http://6mm-minis.blogspot.com/2007/12/cool-stuff-law-of-garbage-truck-1.html

I've got the edges of a flu so I may take a day or two off. If I'm feeling well enough, I plan to join my buddies in a viewing of the new film "Beowulf" on an IMAX screen tonight.

And a special thanks to my Mother for sending me this video.

Thanks, Mom!

And the title of this post comes from that old Cyndi Lauper song...

Have a great Thursday!
And Happy Chanukkah to my Jewish readers!

Shalom,
Maksim-Smelchak.

Notes regarding photos / pictures / videos: These are not all my images and videos. I am using various images and videos from around the web, mostly from public sources and/or private sources used with permission. I have tried to include only images and videos under public domain, creative commons, or fair use. If I have inadvertently violated any copyrights, please inform me and I will remove your image/s (if it is indeed an infringement).

GAMING NEWS: "October MWS Meeting AAR" (5 December 2007)

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TOP: Wargaming is it SHOULD be...
Good friends having a good time together.

Hi All,

October's MWSS (Miniatures Wargaming Society of Sacramento - usually just called MWS) meeting was a good one: great attendance (16 guests! + more visitors!), several games, and, best of all...

Lots of good company, royal socializing, and outstanding camaraderie!

And the attendance was:
- Chris
- George G.
- Hal
- Joe B.
- Joe R.
- Keith E.
- The Keith (Keith S.)
- Maksim-Smelchak (me!)

TOP: Watch out for the Gorn!
Ornery Space Dinos that they are!

- Mark C.
- Mike O'Brien
- Mikos
- Richard M.
- Terry
- Vynnie
- Mystery Guest #1
- Mystery guest #2
- Lots of passersby who came in to see the action!

========

TOP: "Spiney Norman" is everyone's favorite, evil SUPER-MUTANT!
Some speculate that he was once just an angry, little prairie dog...
...before the Fall.

1. “Junkworld Episode III – Glittering Treasure in Norman’s Backyard”
HOST: Mark Carper
RULE SET: Savage Worlds (Customized by an “Act of Mark”)
GENRE: Post-Apocalyptic Sci-fi
SCALE: 28mm

PLAYERS:
- Joe B. as: “Grizzly Pete Gang”
- Joe R. as: “The Zombie Master”
- Keith E. as: “Spiney Norman”
- Maksim-Smelchak as: “Sven Glikker & The Sai Wing Gang”
- Mark C. as: “Gamemaster One”
- Mike O'Brien as: “The Unhygienic Ratmen”
- Richard M. as: “Plughead Murphy’s Gang”

SYNOPSIS:
- Rumors that great treasure have been spotted in the zombie-contaminated zone are reported as an adventurer stumble into the bar, tells his tale, and conveniently dies. Half a dozen gangs or so gather their members, bundle into transport, and set out for “The Zone,” a contaminated area jokingly called “The Zombie Preserve (TZP).” TZP is an awful place with high rad counts, leftover bio-contaminants, preserved old Twinkie stashes, wandering gangs of mutated rat men, the “Moby Dick” of mutants, a giant intelligent mutated MONSTER known only as “Spiney Norman,” …and, most importantly, vast amounts of TREASURE! (Or so they say…)

More photos of this game can be found here:
http://s44.photobucket.com/albums/f23/Maksim-Smelchak/Gaming%202007/MWS_10-20-2007/28mm-Junktown-Ep-3_10-20-07-/

========

TOP: Noone likes those "Goodie Two-Shoes" in the Federation!

2. “Pirates of the Asteroid-al Penzance”
HOST: Vynnie of RIF
RULE SET: Federation Commander
GENRE: Star Fleet Battles (Star Trek spin-off)
SCALE: Starship Scale

PLAYERS:
- Chris as: “The Pirates”
- George G. as: “The Freighter & Escort”
- Mikos as: “The Gorn – Pirates?”
- Vynnie as: “The Gamemaster”

SYNOPSIS:
- Starbase 4571-Q #3a reports strange pirate activity. As the Federation sends a transport to re-supply the base, a fantastic space-bourne melee breaks out that is still leaving Intelligence men wondering what happened.

More photos of this game can be found here:
http://s44.photobucket.com/albums/f23/Maksim-Smelchak/Gaming%202007/MWS_10-20-2007/Starship-Fed-Cmdr_10-20-07-/

========

TOP: It was a WWII "Motor-rama" in the Des(s)ert!

3. “Sour Kraut – Bitter Limey Des(s)ert!”
HOST: Keith The Man
RULE SET: Blitzkrieg Commander
GENRE: WWII – North Africa
SCALE: 20mm (HO RR scale)

PLAYERS:
- Hal as: “The Sour Germans”
- The Keith as: “The Sour Brits”

SYNOPSIS:
- North African WWII Brits & Germans meet in the desert near El Alamein for a rumble in an evaluation of the Blitzkrieg Commander (BC) rule set. BC evaluated well!

More photos of this game can be found here:
http://s44.photobucket.com/albums/f23/Maksim-Smelchak/Gaming%202007/MWS_10-20-2007/20mm-WWII-Africa_10-20-07-/

========

Some more photos of the session can be found here:
http://s44.photobucket.com/albums/f23/Maksim-Smelchak/Gaming%202007/MWS_10-20-2007/

Have a great Wednesday!

And Happy Chanukkah to my Jewish readers!

Shalom,
Maksim-Smelchak.

Notes regarding photos / pictures / videos: These are not all my images and videos. I am using various images and videos from around the web, mostly from public sources and/or private sources used with permission. I have tried to include only images and videos under public domain, creative commons, or fair use. If I have inadvertently violated any copyrights, please inform me and I will remove your image.

HOLIDAYS: "Happy Chanukkah 2007! - Part 2" (5 December 2007)

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Hi All,

I loved the above Chanukkah video made with best wishes from NBA & Hollywood stars... quirky!

And a special thanks to my friend, Benji, for posting the above video...

To learn more about Chanukkah, please check out this link:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chanukkah

Benji runs a blog here that I've been known to rather enjoy:
http://www.whatwarzone.com/

Have a great Wednesday!
And Happy Chanukkah!

Shalom,
Maksim-Smelchak.

Notes regarding photos / pictures / videos: These are not all my images and videos. I am using various images and videos from around the web, mostly from public sources and/or private sources used with permission. I have tried to include only images and videos under public domain, creative commons, or fair use. If I have inadvertently violated any copyrights, please inform me and I will remove your image/s (if it is indeed an infringement).

HOLIDAYS: "Happy Chanukkah 2007! - Part 1" (4 December 2007)

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TOP: Chanukkah ham, anyone? LOL

Hi All,

Well, the holiday season is officially here: Christmas is around the corner and Channukah is already here. Chanukkah has always been the holiday that starts the season to me... it's true that Thanksgiving comes first and the abominable, yet lovable, flood of Christmas tunes that flood the radio start sometime around Thanksgiving (...early this year in my neck of the woods), but Chanukkah has a more festive spirit... After all, how can you NOT like a holiday where jelly donuts (Sufiganyot) and potato pancakes (Latkes) take front and center?

The above graphic is of one of those special moments when cultures collide and multiculturalism takes its true meaning, that of a good chuckle or two. I especially like the juxtaposition of "Boneless Spiral Ham - Delicious For Chanukah!" If ham was just a wee bit more kosher, it would almost be tempting... LOL

And a special thanks to my friend Stacy for sending the cool graphic above.

To learn more about Chanukkah, please check out this link:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chanukkah

Have a great Tuesday!
And Happy Chanukkah!

Shalom,
Maksim-Smelchak.

Notes regarding photos / pictures / videos: These are not all my images and videos. I am using various images and videos from around the web, mostly from public sources and/or private sources used with permission. I have tried to include only images and videos under public domain, creative commons, or fair use. If I have inadvertently violated any copyrights, please inform me and I will remove your image/s (if it is indeed an infringement).

FUN VIDEOS: "Trunk Monkey - Part 5" (4 December 2007)

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Hi All,

Quick post today... may get in another later today. I'm still enjoying Trunk Monkey. You'd think that the Trunk Monkey could do anything... At any rate, whoever wrote the Trunk Monkey pieces, they're very clever.

I wonder if, hypothetically, the wee tyke in the Trunk Monkey #5 episode was born, what he would think of later knowing that he had been delivered by a monkey? Do you think that the fact of being delivered by a monkey could be a status symbol among pirates? How about circus workers?

Have a great Tuesday!

Shalom,
Maksim-Smelchak.

Notes regarding photos / pictures / videos: These are not all my images and videos. I am using various images and videos from around the web, mostly from public sources and/or private sources used with permission. I have tried to include only images and videos under public domain, creative commons, or fair use. If I have inadvertently violated any copyrights, please inform me and I will remove your image/s (if it is indeed an infringement).

MINI WARGAMING: "Sci-fi Rules Preview Draft Up" (3 December 2007)

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TOP: Laser Tank, an oldie but a goodie from 1980!

Hi All,

Well, I posted a draft on my small scale rules review over at the 6mm Science Fiction War Games Yahoo Discussion E-group. So, you can take a gander at it and hopefully let me know what you think.

I added in a few new blocks due to suggestions such as:

Mini type: Metal, resin, plastic or other.
Ground scale: What the ground scale is supposed to represent.
Time scale: How much time each turn represents.

And here's a new sample entry:

Name: Laser Tank
Genre: Sci-fi ground combat
Future level: Far future (space opera)
Org. level: Company skirmish
Universe: Traveller RPG

Rules Data:

Game Type: Board game
Complexity: 2 to 3

Unit Types:

Infantry: YES
Vehicles: YES
Mecha: NO
Flyers: YES

Miniatures Data:

Mini line: NO
Mini type: N/A
Mini scale: N/A
Ground scale: 1cm=1m (skirmish play), 1mm=1m (maneuver play)
Time scale: 30 seconds / turn
Status: N/A

Minis Internet Link:
N/A

Publishing Data:

Manufacturer: Judges Guild
Date: 1980
Status: (Out Of Production)
Rarity: Rare

Brief Description:
None.

Rules Internet Link:
http://www.boardgamegeek.com/game/7776

One of the reasons I posted this was to look for constructive feedback...

*** Do you have any suggestions or advice of details you'd like to see in each rule set's entry? Any other ideas? ***

If you do have advice or suggestions, please post them at the my blog in the comments section or at the 6mm Science Fiction War Games Yahoo Discussion E-group.

Link here:
http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/6mmScienceFictionWarGames/

Have a great Monday!

Shalom,
Maksim-Smelchak.

Notes regarding photos / pictures / videos: These are not all my images and videos. I am using various images and videos from around the web, mostly from public sources and/or private sources used with permission. I have tried to include only images and videos under public domain, creative commons, or fair use. If I have inadvertently violated any copyrights, please inform me and I will remove your image/s (if it is indeed an infringement).