HUMOUR: "My Kingdom All But For a Cheeto..." (10 August 2008)

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TOP: Cheetos, they can really trip you up...

Hi All,

I've always had an odd sense of humour as anyone who knows me or follows my blog can tell you. And one of my humour quirks is that I absolutely adore "stupid criminal" stories. There's something universally appealing about knowing that someone else out there puts your very own, worst personal gaffs to rest ...in very spectacular ways.

One of my very favorite "stupid criminal" stories came from back East during the snow season quite a few years back... apparently several "really stupid" criminals got caught because they robbed a bank and then... walked back in the snow (...leaving foot prints - Doh!) back to their apartments. And you can guess that they were summarily caught and arrested. I get a warm feeling in my gut just thinking about that story. Call it schadenfreude, but I still enjoy it.

Definition of schadenfreude:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schadenfreude

But this story puts my favorite "stupid criminal" snow story to rest:

Cops follow Cheetos trail to nail burglar suspects
August 7, 2008

ST. PAUL—St. Paul police followed a trail of Cheetos in order to nab three teenagers suspected of burglarizing a vending machine. Officers were called to the Arlington Recreation Center on July 29, where they found a vending machine's glass had been broken with a chair.

Most of the candy and chips were missing, according to a criminal complaint in Ramsey County District Court.

The officers followed the orange, dusty trail from the rec center, around the side of the building and to a nearby home. Inside, they found numerous vending-sized bags of Cheetos and other snacks.

Police arrested three males aged 17, 18 and 19 who soon arrived at the home by car...

...All three denied being involved, the complaint says.

Please follow the link below for the full article and not just an excerpt.

Link to full story here:
http://ncane.com/b8uq

I'll be out at the August MWSS meeting today playing Pig Wars in 28mm...

Have a great Sunday!
And good gaming to you!

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: Photos From June 2007 MWS Meeting Posted.

.There was a "RUMBLE-LIAH" in this Dark Ages village at the June MWS meet!

Hi All,

I've simply been too busy and lazy to get some proper battle reports ready, but I do have the photos uploaded and... that's almost as good, right?

So, I have the following blog posts I'm readying for sometime in the future... no promises though as to when. Real Life TM always seems to intervene just when I get excited to get them done. Here's what I have in the queue:

- AAR from June MWS meet featuring Pig Wars.
- AAR from a 28mm WHFB game with my buddy Nils.
- AAR from a 28mm "Oriental Adventures" game with Vynnie and the guys.
- A 15mm expose of classic Martian Metals / RAFM figures for Traveller.
- A compilation post of "joke names" used in games such as Pvt. Parts & Maj. Weiner.
- The Death Star Mania post.

Pig Wars Norman knights run down an unfortunate village dog...
...contrary to the PETA Emperor's orders.
(Note: No actual miniatures dogs were hurt during the filming of this game)
(Really small note: However, plenty of villagers, pillagers, pigs, & chickens were kacked!)

But, enough of my prattle, here are the photos from the June MWS meet even if I don't have the write-up prepared yet:

General photos including Dick's 28mm Savage-munda "Bad Girls" gang:
http://s44.photobucket.com/albums/f23/Maksim-Smelchak/Gaming%202007/MWS_6-16-2007/Necromunda_6-16-2007/

Photos from the 15mm Battle of New Orleans game:
http://s44.photobucket.com/albums/f23/Maksim-Smelchak/Gaming%202007/MWS_6-16-2007/BONO_6-16-2007/

Photos from the 28mm Pig Wars game of the battles:
http://s44.photobucket.com/albums/f23/Maksim-Smelchak/Gaming%202007/MWS_6-16-2007/

Photos from the 28mm Pig Wars game of the loot:
http://s44.photobucket.com/albums/f23/Maksim-Smelchak/Gaming%202007/MWS_6-16-2007/Pig-Wars_Loot/

Photos from the 28mm Pig Wars game of the Dark Ages village:
http://s44.photobucket.com/albums/f23/Maksim-Smelchak/Gaming%202007/MWS_6-16-2007/Pig-Wars_Village/

Photos from the 28mm Pig Wars game of the Arab warband:
http://s44.photobucket.com/albums/f23/Maksim-Smelchak/Gaming%202007/MWS_6-16-2007/Pig-Wars_Arabs/

Photos from the 28mm Pig Wars game of the Magyar warband:
http://s44.photobucket.com/albums/f23/Maksim-Smelchak/Gaming%202007/MWS_6-16-2007/Pig-Wars_Magyars/

Photos from the 28mm Pig Wars game of the Norman warband:
http://s44.photobucket.com/albums/f23/Maksim-Smelchak/Gaming%202007/MWS_6-16-2007/Pig-Wars_Normans/

Photos from the 28mm Pig Wars game of the Pict warband:
http://s44.photobucket.com/albums/f23/Maksim-Smelchak/Gaming%202007/MWS_6-16-2007/Pig-Wars_Picts/

Photos from the 28mm Pig Wars game of the "Milanese Mafia" Viking warband:
http://s44.photobucket.com/albums/f23/Maksim-Smelchak/Gaming%202007/MWS_6-16-2007/Pig-Wars_Vik2-Milanese/

Photos from the 28mm Pig Wars game of the "Norveggi" Viking warband:
http://s44.photobucket.com/albums/f23/Maksim-Smelchak/Gaming%202007/MWS_6-16-2007/Pig-Wars_Vik-1-Norveggi/

You can't play Pig Wars without the obligatory "Milanese Mafia" Viking warband, right?
These minis are Dick's fine work.

Have a great Thursday!

Shalom,
Maksim-Smelchak.

P.S.
For the not-yet-informed, AAR = After Action Report.

GAMING NEWS: Happy Fantastic Four Fathers Day!

.Happy Fathers Day to all!

Hi All,

First and most importantly:

HAPPY FATHERS DAY!

May my Father, all my friends who are fathers and the rest of that whole fathering gang have a great one!

To learn more about the history of Fathers Day, please check out this link:

http://wilstar.com/holidays/fathers.htm

The Fantastic Four, eco-friendly carbon-neutral and enough wooden acting for all!

And my second public service announcement is that I saw the new Fantastic Four film yesterday with my baby sister and it stunk. Don't see it. Wait for video. However, it is a good enough excuse to feature some "gratuitous babe" shots since while Jessica Alba's acting skills are on par with a random hunk of rock, she is very easy on the eyes.

It's a sad movie when a computer-generated character is the best actor.

The movie introduced the Silver Surfer character (...voiced by Lawrence Fishbourne run through a few voice machines) to the silver screen, and despite the silver CG character stealing the movie away from the other actors, the film still couldn't be saved. The movie was almost like a giant contest to see who could be most wooden. Despite the intense competition, Jessica Alba probably won hand in fist.

Jessica Alba is like... a really serious actress, yah know?

And the movie took at least one cheap shot at the US military, intimating that since the Silver Surfer, who had been captured, isn't human that human rights conventions don't apply to him so he could be tortured by all those awful US Army Guantanamo Bay folks... I served at Guantanamo Bay. I know differently.

I've never liked how Hollywood not-so-subtly injects its' world views into our entertainment. It was almost as bad as the last Superman movie in which the big guy went from fighting for "truth, justice and the American way" to "truth, justice, and... all that stuff." My advice to those interested in the new Fantastic Four film: wait for DVD so you can skip over the boring parts. Someday Hollywood will get the message that the plot of a film is at least as important as the special effects. I have now fallen asleep during both Fantastic Four films. Woo hoo!

Jessica has acting talent, worthy of... daytime soap opera.

And here's the short AAR (After Action Report) on yesterday's MWS meeting:

In short, yesterday's meeting was alot of fun and I had a great time!

A HUGE THANKS to all who came and hosted, played, or otherwise contributed to the general happiness.

The 15mm Battle of New Orleans went much as it did historically and the great sea walls made by Mark C. were appreciated and admired by all. Bernie did a great job hosting and Mike O. was very generous to lend his figure collection and terrain to the game. A special thanks to Keith who brought home-baked goodies, "Blondies," to share with everyone!

I hear that Jessica loves Pig Wars and the Dark Ages!
You go, girl! She's like... historically knowledgeable!
That's her "take me seriously" look or something like that...

The 28mm Pig Wars game was simply a BLAST! I think we must have had about eight players / game participants... However, the BIG WINNER was Keith whose Scandi-who-vian Norveggi Vikings took the day with over 40 points of loot! Mazel Tov, Keith! It was a great game and there was much bloodshed and looting that took place throughout a Dark Ages village. Mikos and Vince hosted. The game also saw a rare appearance by local gaming great, Mike Ward of Viking Hobby!

P.S.

I did take photos and will put together a photographic battle report when I get a chance.

P.S.S.

The new club membership cards were also distributed.

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And again, HAPPY FATHERS DAY!

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).