Obession in Falkirk

This week, I moseyed up to the Falkirk club, bringing along two of the terrain boards from my Old West town, Obsession, for a demonstration game or two of Dead Man's Hand.

Obsession boards 1 & 2 at the shiny (literally -look at that floor!) Falkirk club.

As a few of the club members had indicated interested in giving the game a try, I volunteered to moderate a few games by providing a couple of gangs and all the bits n' bobs to get them shootin'.

The Eagle series: Cato and Macro

I recently completed the 14th book, Britannia, in the current Eagle series from Simon Scarrow. And what a thoroughly stirring historical adventures series it's been!

Aliens in Bristol

Aliens have invaded Bristol! Yes, you heard me, Bristol. In the UK. Why? Maybe their ship was damaged. Lost navigation or something. Probably were originally planning to invade New York for the millionth time. You've got to feel for them. Bristol!

Anyway, if you really want to know why, then I suggest you head over to a new SF web series called Horizon. The first two episodes are already released with the remaining eight being made available daily at 8pm GMT.

One hundred!

My 100th post! I was truly surprised when I noticed the post count as it really does not feel like I have submitted a hundred posts already. Admittedly, some of the earlier posts when I first started this blog were poached from my Battleshed Carnage Facebook group, so I initially felt a bit guilty claiming one hundred posts on this blog. But, dammit', I'm always being hard on myself and I did write them, regardless the forum, so I'm counting them!

Writing this blog was initially - and still is for the most part - a casual and fun aide memoir, sharing my activities and thoughts within our fascinating hobby. One thing writing this blog has achieved above all is re-awaken a latent interest in story writing and most importantly, helped develop the discipline to write regularly.

I've had a plethora of story and character ideas bubbling away over the last couple of years and latterly I've managed to filter out a couple of projects that I intend to run with, just to see where they go. No clues just yet!

Above all, a big thank you to all my readers and followers for taking valuable time to read this blog, especially with countless alternatives out there. Your interest is very much appreciated! Thank you.

Now, back to business...

The Martian

One of my occasional off topic asides - the forthcoming film The Martian , directed by Ridley Scott. This is 'based upon' the highly recommended book of the same title by Andy Weir.

I've read a lot of SF over the years, and for me The Martian was one of the best I have read recently for its adherence to science and the professionalism of the protagonist ,dealing with difficult problems in a reasoned and logical way. What impressed me is that the book didn't fall into the mainstream vogue of breaking any crisis is down into soap-style emotional dramatics. Instead, here we have a character that is trained to deal with extreme situations and demonstrates how to do it.

Its primarily told from the protagonist's point of view - astronaut Mark Watney - through his daily journal entries. Some reviewers have criticised the way the character apparently uses nerdy humour and puns, which detracts from the harrowing situation. I disagree. I think this is missing the point. These are log entries - what is the character supposed to say? Close journal with an Eastenders-style dush dush dush!? Regardless, the book is gripping and definitely one on the 'hard to put down list'.

So it's with nervous anticipation that news of the imminent release of the film, with the usual failsafe tag line attached 'based on the book' is announced. It's directed by Ridley Scott, a director who in my opinion can be brilliant (Alien, Blade Runner, Gladiator) or not so good (Prometheus, Exodus -Gods and Kings). Matt Damon is the lead. I suspect the science of the book will be dumbed down and much replaced with over-emotional dramatisation to reach a wider audience. Let's just hope Ridley cane restrain it enough to protect the scientific intelligence of the book.

Outlander

As an occasional aside, I'll highlight other aspects my interests or activities away from the tabletop that have caught my attention recently. So I'll start with the easiest platform.  TV drama.

If you're looking for an  easy going, standard romantic/light adventure romp...then Outlander isn't for you!

While on a second honeymoon in Scotland with her husband after World War II, army nurse Claire Randall (Caitriona Balfe) steps through an ancient standing stone circle and awakes in 1743, where Scottish rebels save her from an assault by a royal army captain who happens to be her husband's ancestor, only to take her further into the Scottish highlands.

Intriguing storyline, adult themes, script and direction that refreshingly allows room for some broodingly effective and powerful episodes such as 'The Garrison Commander'. It portrays a sincere attempt at historical accuracy, without consciously indulging in cliché. Effective sound scape too, and - above all - enhanced by being filmed in the real Scotland!

It's a slow burner from the start, but wow, it rewards! I wasn't aware of the books by Dianna Gabaldon but will now investigate. Definitely filed under the 'Guilty Pleasure' section! I watched it via Amazone Prime, UK. [RATING 18]