Little Brookie Grows Up

Tomorrow morning, I will be taking the day off work as our youngest; Brooke takes her first day at school.  This is a big occasion for our family as it means that both girls will be in school 5 days a week and that will change the dynamic of our house markedly.

No longer will Niki be rushing too and fro from Pre-School to School and back again on the drop off / pick up runs… no longer will there be two Christmas pageants – basically no more double ups of numerous things.  Our house will be child free every day between 9am and 3pm and Niki is waiting to hear from the Dept of Edumacation to see if she will be appointed to a position in the new school year.

But most importantly it means for us we have reached the end of a goal we set out when we found out Niki was pregnant with Brooke some 5-6 years ago… we decided that we’d get by on my income and that for the sake of the kids Niki will stay home.  At times it’s been hard money wise, but we have gotten through it in my opinion very well and the benefits in the girls in having mum at home all the time I believe have been immeasurably valuable.

So good luck to Kate today on her first day of Year 2 and I’m looking forward tomorrow being able to miss work and send Lil’ Brookie on her way to school tomorrow!

Quick CanCon Wrap

Got back last night from CanCon, the big gaming convention in Canberra where I once again had a tilt at the Australian Blood Bowl Nationals.  In terms of results on the pitch, I did slightly worse than last year finishing equal 5^th (out of 30) as opposed to last years 3^rd, but I think I enjoyed the games this year more and on top of that, I was able to play a few boardgames at night given I was on my own and the comp was probably a lot tighter over all.

Firstly, I think a big Lime Kettles congratulations must go to Tommy “ozjesting” Dean, a regular Lime Kettle poster who took out the title in a very exciting grand final.  His Norse team was clearly the best team overall and was the deserved champ with a 5-2-0 record.  Also, one of the best victory speeches I have ever heard… am yet to know whether he was able to successfully collect his prize of the woman of his choice….??

On my efforts, I played Tommy and I also played the runner up (Ian “Doubleskulls” Williams) and two very close matches with both those guys that could have gone either way.  Ultimately Tommy beat me and I drew with Ian and I guess that’s what cost me the title…

My matches went something like this:

• Vs Rod Noye (Orcs) 2-0 win
• Vs Doubleskulls (Amazons) 1-1 draw
• Vs Vimes (Skaven) 1-1 draw
• Vs Brad Delmege(sp?) (Dark Elves) 1-1 draw (yes another farking 1-1 draw)
• Vs Ozjesting (Norse) 0-1 loss
• Vs GardenGnome (Pro Elves) 2-3 loss
• Vs Drakeular (Necromantic) 3-1 win

So overall, a 2/3/2 record and I also took out the most casualties’ award (25 in 7 games) and the best painted single miniature award and my prize was a new Dwarven Deathroller miniature, which I am very very happy about.

Had a good look around CanCon as well and if I had the cash, I could have gone berserk.  I did get a Carcassonne expansion for the girls (Princess & Dragon) but that was about it.

The next Blood Bowl tournament is Leviathan at Quakers Hill in mid April, so I hope to see you all there!

CanCon - last minute post

Well a late post today from my desk… drove in this morning in the rain as I am driving to Canberra after work today for CanCon 2007.

All my boot is laden with Blood Bowl stuff plus I am taking some D&D books, a board game – Betrayal on the House on the Hill – and my PSP… I am set for a weekend of Gaming of all sorts – Nerd City here I come!

My custom made Blood Bowl pitch didn’t fit in the boot this morning, so its taking up the back seat but it fits there nice and snugly.  Forgot to pack my camera this morning as well, so there wont be any CanCon shots this year for the blog…. D’oh.

For those readers who are going as well, I look forward to seeing you soon!

Go the Dwarves!

Give war a chance: Bush - World - smh.com.au

Give war a chance: Bush - World - smh.com.au

One Word: Idiot.

Give up you War Criminal.

Rejected by the PSP

Been playing happily away on my PSP since I got if for my birthday and for Xmas I got the FIFA 2007 soccer game… straight into management mode where you can manage a team to glory.  But you can’t just jump in and manage Man Utd… you get a selection of teams that you can choose from and I selected a Dutch team in the Dutch first division.

Signing with this club, I was set a number of goals – namely finish in the top half of the 18 team first division.  Unfortunately I finished 11^th and “failed”.  Second season, instead of being reasonable, the PSP says I need to ensure my team qualifies for European competition and come in the top 3 or 4 of the league!

Well season 2 ended yesterday and I finished 12^th in the league… oh well I think.  But the board of my mythical club takes the view that they would rather seek someone else and they sack me!  Damn!  Then the PSP asks if I would like to search for another club willing to take my services… I click “YES” and it thinks a bit and says “Unfortunately, there are no teams willing to consider you”.  Click “X” to exit.

GAME OVER.

I just got sacked by my own PSP!!  Talk about rough!

CanCon 2007

Something that has slipped up very quickly is the fact that CanCon 2007 is on again this long weekend and I will be heading down to Canberra to take part in the Blood Bowl Nationals.

For those who recall from my postings last January, CanCon 2006 was the scene for my “Worst Gaming Experience I Ever Had” but this year, I am prepared.  From what I can gather, my antagonist isn’t registered this year, but if he is I hope I get to play him again – and I will give him a big hug post match!

Again, due to a non-existent painting program this year, I will be backing up with the Dwarves that have done me so well in the past.  This will probably be the last time they get a run for a while given that I have numerous other teams to paint!

This year is slightly different though as I will be heading down to Canberra on my own and not with Niki & The Girls.  With a wedding in Coffs Harbour in March and the recent holidays, we just couldn’t justify the costs of accommodation and entertainment for the girls… particularly given I am staying at a fellow gamers place for nil cost (thanks Bart!).

So, this week at home I need to get my miniatures sorted, team sheets printed and bags packed for a weekend of gaming, gaming and more gaming.

Even the evenings are being booked out with game nights with some board games being arranged and even the odd beer or three… may be a very tiring expedition!

Aussie Flag - Symbol of Hate

I sure somebody must have been misquoted… but it appears that the Australian Flag has been banned from the Sydney “Big Day Out” concert on Australia Day because of that very reason.

It is classed as a “gang colour” and because of the race “riots” (which in seriousness were a joke compared to some of the US race riots of years gone by) people going to the concert are not allowed to carry the Australian Flag on our national day.

If there is one small element of truth in this, it would have to mark the lowest ebb that this country has seen.  They have banned beer, the Mexican wave and beach balls from the cricket already – oh and the deadly “beer snake” – and now have denigrated our flag to the lowest form of life that a symbol can have… a quote “Symbol of Hate”.

This country better clean itself up or I may start thinking of emigrating to a more tolerant society – like Zimbabwe or Uganda…

Link