Inspiring Picture 3: Preparedness

Which one??Call of Duty:Black Ops or Medal of Honour PS3

I like my online PS3 gaming and have a bit of birthday money left but only enough for one of these games, at the moment I am playing Modern Warfare 2 and love FPS shooters.Any ideas as I am heading towards Black Ops even though it does not come out until November as i like the call of duty series but Medal of Honour come out in October.

Update, Loyalty and Robin Hood

No update for a while have been on annual leave and turning 42, got a digital camera for my birthday so can give back the camera i have been using, got my Four A miniatures snow troopers, some copplestone predators and terminators.Nearly finished painting the terminators,starting the snow troopers for my neo sov siberian special forces.
         Loyalty from figure companies is something my friends and I have discussed lately, my second order from Four A miniatures included a free figure(one that I can use aswell),hasslefree have loyalty points,sweets and extras and even Pig Iron sent extra when they screwed up but the likes of copplestone(does not respond to enquiries about products and has never offered any  individually generated extras for years of buying his products,foundry(offered discounts but did not work and took full amount without discount and was not changed even after ringing them and have never ordered again), there are others but thats not the point.Now why should they offer or even give extra its not compulsory, not economically viable(or is it?) but I believe it is good business sense because it prompts you to order again,recommend them to others and hopefully increase their business by buying more or choosing a period that they do that you had not planned to startWe are not looking for this all the time but now and again would be nice and I think it would increase sales but I understand margins are tight and some companies are a hobby more than a business(hasslefree have nearly gone bust in the past) and that in the end if you do want the figures you will buy them regardless and I believe thats how some companies think.
                                                            Finally I got to see the new Robin Hood with Russell Crowe and despite the historical saving private ryan scene(with what looked like landing craft painted brown) it was a 4 star romp with good action scenes and humour and I recommend it with the above comments.

28mm Snow Troopers delivered.

The figures from Four A miniatures i pre ordered yesterday arrived  today because he must have had a pack left from the trial castings i believe, for them only to be taken off me until my birthday.So the mood was similair to the face on the gorilla but top marks to Four A miniatures.

28mm Snow Troopers from Four A Miniatures Pre-Order

Just purchased these figures on pre-order for the upcoming birthday celebrations from the company http://www.fouraminiatures.com/ basically I paid for them until I can reimburse myself with birthday cash. The figures were painted by a guy called Dags on the Lead Adventure Forum and are beautifully painted,mine will not look so good but they are a lovely looking bunch and will be for my Neo soviet forces as some type of Spetsnaz/Special forces.

Angry's Honest Movie Reviews 1: Expendables

As wargamers we deal with figures,painting,scenery and rules but wargamers cannot live by wargaming alone and so we need other eye candy and inspiration like movies but hear me now we do not reveiw rom coms or chick flicks here,action,violence,good humour,nudity and war are only acceptable here.

5 STARS: The holy grail and rarely achievable but now and again it happens and our lives are slighty changed.
4 STARS: Bloody good movie just shy of greatness but still bloody brilliant.
3 STARS: Popcorn movie that was OK and you do not mind the price or time involved in watching it.
2 STARS: The losing the will to watch movie and contine to watch because it may get better but it never does and if it was recommended then we need to find that person and make them see the error of their ways.
1 STAR: Arse Water.Unforgiveable.

No matter how bad the movie is you have to have sit through the whole thing to be allowed to comment on any movie.This is honest reviewing with no mention of panoramic scenery,sunsets or why the movie The Hurt Locker received 6 oscars(ok movie but 6 oscars!!).

Saw the Expendables last Saturday and have to say was not expecting much from it but was suprised at how much I enjoyed it even with the overacting and ham acting from some of the leads(some of them are not ageing well)but the violence,action scenes,set pieces and humour made this a very enjoyable movie and the ending just rounded out a damn good experience.4 STARS and the if the scene near the end with the AA-12 shotgun does not make you laugh out loud and shout i apologise(not really).

Empress Miniatures US Infantry Review

Took the plunge and ordered the modern US infantry from Empress Miniatures,they are beautiful figures and I already have the SAS and taliban ranges that they do.They are virtually flash free but the only gripe is that some of them come with seperate heads which are a little fiddly as you have to snip the neck for them to fit in the space provided at the neck(which involved green stuff and good superglue),i am perfectly happy with Empress placing the head on the body for me(especially arms but this is probably due to casting being made easier) but it is a minor niggle and not everybody will have a problem especially if you are posing them for a diorama but me I just want them for wargaming(Zombies and Modern).As for painting I will go with this guide I found that uses Vallejo as a reference.

The Group with No Name

The boys met up on Saturday for a 15mm napoleonic wargame between russian(me,John and Dave) and french forces(Ray and Smithy), ther report of the game with pictures will be on Ray's blog(Don't throw a 1)which the link can be found on this page(he whined so much we let him have it).The main point is that the russians won narrowly after a good game even with Dave losing 11 of 12 cavalry engagements with 32 regiments on the french side and 35 on the russian side(big game).The other thing that came up was the name of our group which has temporarily settled on with The Group with No Name moniker but we are still open to debate(long bloody debate).

Chilli Tasting Competition Story

This is a story I came across years ago and lost but found again, I hope you enjoy.

NOTE:


Please take time to read this slowly. 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 Chilli cook-off competition about the time the rodeo comes to town. It takes up a major portion of the parking lot at the Astrodome. You will likely want to read this behind closed doors because, if you’re like me, you will be howling loud.

INEXPERIENCED CHILLI TASTER

Notes from an inexperienced Chilli taster named Frank, who was visiting Texas from the West coast:

“Recently I was honoured to be selected as a judge at a Chilli cook-off. The original person called in sick at the last moment & I just happened to be standing there at the judge’s table asking directions to the beer wagon, when the time cam. I was assured by the other two judges (both native Texans), that the Chilli wouldn’t be 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:

CHILLI # 1 MIKE’S MANIACMOBSTER CHILLI

JUDGE 1: A little too heavy on tomato. Amusing kick.

JUDGE 2: Nice, smooth tomato flavour. Very mild

FRANK: Holy shit!!!, what the hell 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.



CHILLI # 2 ARTHUR’S AFTERBURNER CHILLI

JUDGE 1: Smokey, with a hint of pork, slight jalapeno tang.

JUDGE 2: Exiting BBQ flavour needs more peppers to be taken seriously.

FRANK: 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 manoeuvre. They had to rush in more beer when they saw the look on my face.













CHILLI # 3 FRED’SFAMOUS BURN DOWN THE BARN CHILLI

JUDGE 1: Excellent firehouse chilli! Great kick. Needs more beans.

JUDGE 2: A beanless chilli, a bit salty, good use of peppers.



FRANK: Call the EPA. I’ve located a Uranium spill, my nose feels like I snorted Drano. Everyone knows the routine by now; get me more beer before I ignite. The barmaid pounded me on the back: now my backbone is in the front part of my chest. I’m getting’ shit-faced from all the beer.

CHILLI # 4: BUBBA’S BLACK MAGIC

JUDGE 1: Black bean Chilli 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 chilli.

FRANK: I felt something scraping across my tongue, but was unable to tasteit, is it possible to burn your taste buds? Sally the barmaid, was standing behind me with fresh refills: that 300lb bitch is starting to look HOT, just like this nuclear waste I’m eating. Is chilli an aphrodisiac?

CHILLI #5 LINDA’S LEGAL LIP REMOVER

JUDGE 1: Meaty, strong chilli. Cayenne peppers freshly ground, adding considerable kick. Very impressive.

JUDGE 2: Chilli using shredded beef, could use more tomato. Must admit the cayenne peppers made a strong statement.

FRANK: My ears are ringing, sweat is pouring off my forehead and I can no longer focus my eyes. I farted & four people behind me needed paramedics. The contestant seemed offended when I told her that her chilli 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 pissed me off when the other judges asked me to stop screaming. Screw those rednecks.

CHILLI #6 VERA’S VERY VEGETARIAN VARIETY

JUDGE 1: Thin yet bold vegetarian chilli. Good balance of spices & peppers.

JUDGE 2: The best yet. Aggressive use of peppers, onions & garlic. Superb.

FRANK: My intestines are now a straight pipe filled with gaseous, sulphuric flames. ,I shit myself when I farted and am worried it will eat through the chair. No one seems inclined to stand beside me except that slut Sally, she must be kinkier than I thought. Can’t feel my lips anymore. I need to wipe my arse with a snow cone”!!!



CHILLI #7 SUSAN’S SCREEMING SENSATION CHILLI

JUDGE 1: A mediocre chilli with too much reliance on canned peppers.

JUDGE 2: Ho Hum, tastes like the chef literally threw in a can of chilli 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.

FRANK: You could put a grenade in my mouth, pull the pin & I wouldn’t feel a damn thing. I’ve lost the sight in one eye and the world sounds like it is made of rushing water. My shirt is covered with chilli which slid unnoticed out of my mouth. My pants are full of lava like shit to match my damn shirt. At least during the autopsy they’ll know what killed me. I’ve decided to stop breathing, it’s too painful. Screw it, I’m not getting any oxygen anyway. If I need air, I’ll suck it through the 4-inch hole in my stomach.

CHILLI# 8 LESTER’SLAST OF THE RED HOT LOVERS CHILLI

JUDGE 1: A perfect ending, this is a nice blend chilli, safe for all, not too bold but not spicy enough to declare its existence.

JUDGE 2: This final entry is a good balanced chilli. Neither mild nor hot. Sorry to see that most of it was lost when judge 3 passes out, fell over & pulled the chilli pot down on top of himself. Not sure if he’s going to make it, poor yank, wonder how he’d have reacted to a really hot chilli.

28mm Neo Soviets (Picture Heavy)

The force in progress.

Stalin Mark I and Mark II Dreadnoughts

Mark II "Stalin"Close Assault Dreadnought

M-92 Raptor Gunship.

The Boss

Airpower.

A mixture of GW, Copplestone Castings and West Wind Incursion figures. 

Command Group.

Mostly GW steel legion figures and Copplestone Castings.

Some pictures of my 28mm Neo Soviets for my future wars gaming I intend to do eventually,the basecoat is Vallejo Russian Green inked with a brown wash and drybrushed with Vallejo Deck Tan and bits and pieces picked out with other colours (webbing,guns visors,insignia etc.....).The force still needs armour( which is on order from Old Crow) and special forces(I will use the the winter troops from Four A Miniatures when they are released you can see previews of them on the Lead Adventure Forums).
                                                                                                                  The enemy will be Pig Iron Miniatures Heavy infantry posing as USE Marines(United States of Earth) which will also use drop pods to enter the fight.I am also going to do a Hellghast earth invasion type of force using Pig Iron Miniatures Kolony troopers.
             Got a game(15mm Napoleonic) with the gang this weekend and I will probably end up with the conscripts again but we will try and get a group shot of the group and decide on our name(the latest is the Twongos???).Any questions just leave a comment.

Sniper One

Finished this book a couple of days ago(my toilet book) and I know its been out a while but it was one of the best books I have read in a while and I heartily recommend it as a great read about the conflict in Iraq and the lives of the soldiers in that unit in the thick of combat.Will not bore you with the details but you will not be disappointed if you have any interest in the period.

Will have some pictures up tomorrow of my 28mm Neo Soviet forces.