tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-84672692024-03-08T05:21:21.235+10:30Adelaide GamerA dedicated gamer's view on games, gamers and gaming.Adelaide Gamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02052999343460635401noreply@blogger.comBlogger428125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8467269.post-19421596186457521972021-12-09T08:01:00.002+10:302021-12-09T08:01:26.011+10:30Risk<p> I have played a traditional game for the first time in it seems forever (since before the pandemic was pronounced, anyway). As you can guess from the title, it was a game of Risk. I hadn't played classic Risk for years (decades?) so it was quite a blast.</p><p>At first I was dubious about whether to play or not. Memories of all night sessions, juvenile dummy spits, crazy 'rules' being invented and fought over, all these things tend to make me avoid a game these days. But I decided to take a risk myself, and have a go again. Afterall, it was the first 'classic' wargame that I played (over forty years ago) so it seemed kind of fitting as a way back into the groove of gaming.</p><p>The board was a 'vintage' wooden backed number from the early eighties. Beautiful. Cards matched the board. Rules were 'standard' from then. Pieces were imported from a more modern 'euro' style iteration of the game, a great improvement aesthetically from the always fiddly and cheap looking plastic bits that came with the older version. It was a three player game. Pink, Red and Black. I was Pink.</p><p>My opponents had varied experience. Both are hooked on phone based Risk MMOs, their favourite app being close but not identical in rule interpretation to the standard rules we used. The black player had also intermittently played the board game (under some strange house rules at times) for almost three decades. There was no obvious disadvantage to any of us.</p><p>The game took about six hours. It hardly dragged at all, even in the middle phase. This was a pleasant surprise. I came out victor, by acclamation, as my steam roller was about to take off and there was no way the other two could stop it. I was quite happy to go on for a bit longer, as I wouldn't have surrendered quite yet, but was happy to take the points. And, of course, the GLORY!</p><p>Apart from the shared sociality of a good game, the thing I enjoyed most about the game was realising that my 'strategic brain' seems to have evolved since I last played something. Reading the shape of the board and the pattern of play, biding time and using other's 'strengths' against them, getting inside their decision loops, all seemed to be much easier and less theoretical than they used to be. Is it the result of playing only 'Go' and Chess occasionally over the past year, stripping the glitz off of strategy and only leaving the will to win? Is this me evolving after a long break, having absorbed decades of experience? If so, I like it.</p><p>It might be a while before I do it again, though hopefully not years. Happy gaming to you all, and stay safe.<br /></p>Adelaide Gamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02052999343460635401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8467269.post-18308221102060868672020-04-09T07:08:00.000+09:302020-04-09T07:08:49.443+09:30Spawn of Cthulhu<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span id="goog_1205569365">The truth behind the conspiracies? The dice from hell? Do you feel lucky?</span></div>
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<span id="goog_1205569365">This post is a sign of life. Keep safe. </span></div>
Adelaide Gamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02052999343460635401noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8467269.post-18482128033167872742019-09-11T12:53:00.001+09:302019-09-11T12:53:15.400+09:30Model making for a livingAre all wargamers modelers? In my experience, generally so. That being the case, if you want to turn your hobby into your profession you might wish to stress the modelling aspect. Here's a couple (sort of) recent articles from Australia about people who make ends meet by making miniatures. <span style="color: #b45f06;"><a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-07-15/adelaide-miniature-designer-makes-huge-statement-on-global-stage/11300032" target="_blank">One</a></span> does it part time, as her first love is the theatre, the <span style="color: #b45f06;"><a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-07-22/former-sailor-building-military-models/11329724" target="_blank">second</a></span> works for the big boys in defence. <br />
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I was waiting for a third similar story before posting but it's been a while now and none has crossed my path. I assume therefore that most professional miniature makers remain unemployed. Joy.<br />
Adelaide Gamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02052999343460635401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8467269.post-54992634366273714042019-07-08T14:09:00.002+09:302019-07-08T14:26:57.193+09:30MainstreamAccording to <span style="color: #e69138;"><a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-07-06/dungeons-and-dragons-now-firmly-in-the-mainstream/11258290" target="_blank">this</a></span> news article, Role Playing Games have become socially acceptable behaviour, no longer the sole preserve (soul preservative?) of 'geeks' and other social misfits. This is reflected in the growth, popularity and commercialisation of such practices as cosplay and comic art, recreationists, and its standard's use as a trope (?) in pop culture icons such as 'Stranger Things'.<br />
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Fair enough, just goes to show it means something to everyone.<br />
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Also mentioned is a Wizard of the Coast employee stating in 2016 that sales of the latest edition of the AD&D Players Handbook had tripled all previous iterations. If it's profitable, it must be good. Right?<br />
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Digital and communications technologies now provide enhancements of the experience and facilitate the spread of the game into the broader population. In some ways this works <i>contra</i> to the Wizard of the Coast definition of 'good' (ie. removing the need to buy expensive books and have a maths degree to go dungeon crawling). On both fronts, a good thing.<br />
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Finally, the article draws reference to the growth of grrrrl power and other demographic changes in the population of RPGers. On reflection, all but one of my RPG groups over the decades had at least one regular female player (and in defence of my first group, at 13 years old we didn't know many girls except for my annoying 11 year old sister). I'm pretty sure that in those days no one over twenty in Adelaide had even heard of the concept. I have since played RPGs with younger generations, so that's changed, but I do wonder how many female DMs there are?<br />
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All in all, an interesting opportunity to reflect on what's changed and what's not. I bet first time adventurers still get into a bar fight in their first town.Adelaide Gamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02052999343460635401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8467269.post-71306037975863811002019-06-06T18:11:00.001+09:302019-06-06T18:11:13.446+09:30Memory of 'Bloody Omaha'It's 75 years since the D Day landings, 25 years since I participated in a 6mm exhibition rendering of the landings at Omaha at the South Australian Historical Wargaming Society's open day. I was the German CinC and had only one subordinate commander. I think the invading hordes had at least three commanders at work.<br />
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My memories are limited and there are no photos of the game that have come into my possession (though I know some were taken). I recall endless repetitive waves of landing craft, shore defences being pounded by naval salvos and then swathed in smoke, reinforcements being destroyed on their way to the front by swarms of fighter bombers. All very depressing, especially when my promised armour never turned up. Still, an enjoyable game and recalled with pleasure this long time later. From memory, we had at least a division of americans modelled, and several understrength german battalions across a table measuring at least 8' square. Amazing what we could do in the days of our youth.<br />
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The game inspired me to learn a lot more about this important event in 20th century history. I'm still learning, could probably write a book or three on the subject myself. And there's still so much more to take on board. It's fascinating how an event such as this, huge as it was, is so difficult to get one's head around even now. <br />
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It took me around two hours to recount the tale of the invasion to my grandson (he's taken up asking me for stories about 'real' events and people these days). It would have been nice if one of the TV networks had shown 'The Longest Day'.<br />
<br />Adelaide Gamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02052999343460635401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8467269.post-46433199316091522152019-01-05T23:33:00.000+10:302019-01-06T00:53:44.178+10:30We're not in Adelaide any more...You know, a lot has changed since 2013, those dark days when my gaming life appeared to end and most of the rest of it to be unraveling. Back then, a new boss at work (not like The Who said, this one was worse, way worse), midlife crises, and lots of other stuff going on led to some difficult times. Thank goodness I discovered ice hockey, running and fitness generally. And then they offered reasonable redundancy packages at work and then me and the missus found a nice little cottage in a small country town a couple hours north of Adelaide, and ... and ... and ... and I'm sure you get the picture.<br />
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Now, all these years later as the gamer in me re-emerges, I realise that this ol' blog's title probably doesn't really reflect reality anymore. I could change the title, I could start a new blog, I could do lots of things. But I reckon I'll leave it as it is and just keep going from where I left off. Tipping my hat to my own legacy, I suppose.<br />
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So what does 2019 hold in store. Well projects in various stages of gestation include finding some opponents to play Here I Stand - Wars of the Reformation (GMT games), getting together some saxons and arthurian britons and vikings and having a go with Dux Bellorum, and getting in a game or two of Stratego - Waterloo.<br />
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Oh, and getting the library organised. I've just finished insulating a big shed out the back which is now lined with book cases, of which one shelf is stacked with games books and a couple crates of rules and scenarios and a few more crates of board games, and a few boxes of figures and scenery, etc etc etc.<br />
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We'll see how we go.<br />
<br />Adelaide Gamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02052999343460635401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8467269.post-66823953561826243172018-06-28T12:56:00.000+09:302018-06-28T12:56:56.108+09:30Long time gone - time to GoIce Hockey stole my life for a few years which really put a dent into my time budget. Sadly, gaming suffered most out of the 'other things' in life (eg. family, work, gaming). First to go were board games. Next, online games dropped in frequency and then almost out of the equation (limited to World of Tanks). And then I took a redundancy and moved to the country so everything got packed and stacked in boxes and still pretty well remains there (not sure if you'd call my present state one of semi-retirement or not, but I sure have kept busy). And before you know it, the years have rolled by (take note, young ones).<br />
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There was the odd game in the past few years, but very few. So few, I can recall them!<br />
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Condotierre - against the nephews, winning two out of three.<br />
Settlers - against the nephews, winning none, losing two.<br />
Ticket to Ride - against the daughter and grandson, miracle victory as the cards fell my way.<br />
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And, recently, Go. This one has really taken my attention for a couple of months now, playing or studying it for a minimum of an hour a day. I use an online go site and it has started refreshing my mind back into the gamer's mindset. Very enjoyable, and a great relief for someone who is hours away from all known gaming opponents!<br />
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But, my gaming related interests have continued. History, and anglo-saxon / viking / early norman periods in particular. And rules get looked at. And armies get planned in the spare moments while chopping wood etc.<br />
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And I've even had a look at Alcazia again.<br />
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And thus it continues...Adelaide Gamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02052999343460635401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8467269.post-15012473659826982902013-01-08T21:13:00.002+10:302013-01-08T21:13:53.623+10:30Plotting the afternoon awayPlayed a quick three player game of Condotierre this afternoon. Nancy (dark purple) won at the start of the fifth 'round' of battles, over Paul (red) and me (yellow). It was Paul's first game of this little machievellian gem and, in his obligitory 'I'll read the rules for myself thankyou,' we found a couple aspects that I'd missed on our trial run a couple days ago. This was the situation at the end of the game:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVKFJsJK8iMQoi6IywDM9jQpWa8fzNUUgdJpDPH4R8yjgCAEeuLmk3UBSFWikBJoRNMWmTlJucvBSK9VqEAv8PbNt-hPMPLm3tm8kclmyw7xNj3gU_R4maXK_k2V69kXVR8yme/s1600/P1150925.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVKFJsJK8iMQoi6IywDM9jQpWa8fzNUUgdJpDPH4R8yjgCAEeuLmk3UBSFWikBJoRNMWmTlJucvBSK9VqEAv8PbNt-hPMPLm3tm8kclmyw7xNj3gU_R4maXK_k2V69kXVR8yme/s320/P1150925.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>Purple 6, red and yellow 3 each</i></div>
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The nature of the game for three players was noticeably different than it had been with four. With three players, that classic 'cut-throat' dynamic came into play, with the added bonus that in this game there are so many ways to do over both the opponents while nominally 'helping' one of them. Paul and I managed to practically 'give' Nancy's second territory of her eventual six to her and she never looked back from there. It seemed that two out of every three battles were in effect for the game from not long afterwards so that it is with some pride that we held her off for so long. Well done Nancy!</div>
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I'm looking forward to playing this with five or six players.</div>
Adelaide Gamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02052999343460635401noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8467269.post-91619651309761186412013-01-07T21:50:00.001+10:302013-01-07T21:50:09.428+10:30Why didn't I think of that?Over at <span style="color: #990000;"><a href="http://steve-the-wargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/raid-on-st-michel-game-5-heading-home_21.html" target="_blank">Steve's Random Musings on Wargames and Other Stuff</a></span> I came across his most recent, culminating, battle from his Wars of the Spanish Succession Project. His site (hard to just call it a blog) is an old school wargamer's paradise (at least, for those like me who came to the 'hobby' of wargaming via Charles S. Grant and friends), a very good example of what blogging based creativity can come up with.<br />
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Anyways, the last photo on the most recent battle report has the following picture on it:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYjcP0yAnISQmtC9zFcJT7EADmhyc41BShgkaKJjkFkDK4rP22v2NC4iPv-MyudstUY1CS7jEn1iRYGWUhJydfvAD8gMnWhv6sdLDOzEpuV3I_noaLMYHT66fj3nMx-Y-exRoh/s1600/Why+didn%27t+I+think+of+that.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYjcP0yAnISQmtC9zFcJT7EADmhyc41BShgkaKJjkFkDK4rP22v2NC4iPv-MyudstUY1CS7jEn1iRYGWUhJydfvAD8gMnWhv6sdLDOzEpuV3I_noaLMYHT66fj3nMx-Y-exRoh/s320/Why+didn%27t+I+think+of+that.jpg" width="310" /></a></div>
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<i>Skype plus Charles S. Grant</i></div>
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When I saw it I instinctively thought, 'wow, of course.' And then, 'why didn't I think of that?' I wonder how many other wargamers out there are into this form of gaming, is there a meeting place to find opponents, etc etc. Maybe TMP? Hmmm, if I find time will have to go and look.Adelaide Gamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02052999343460635401noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8467269.post-20402581552316412152013-01-06T17:22:00.002+10:302013-01-06T18:13:46.466+10:30CondottiereAs previously advised, I received a game of <span style="color: #990000;"><a href="http://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/112/condottiere" target="_blank">Condottiere</a></span> for xmas. Up until yesterday I'd had to satisfy myself with admiring the quality of the components and reading the rules a couple of times. Sturdy box, good artwork on the cards, nice practical colourful wooden pieces that look good on the 'cute' foldboard map of renaissance Italy. Rules are clear, crisp and comprehensive. The possibilities for good clean dastardly deeds seemed pretty good with this.<br />
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<i>Dirty Deeds</i></div>
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Yesterday we managed to try a four player game (Me, Nancy, Shaun, Sharon). Within the hour we were close to finished, with Shaun playing for the win when he had to go to work (actually, we were all still playing for the win lol) and the game had to end. My assessment was that the next battle wouldn't have decided it, but the one after could have - with everyone in the running. </div>
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In the hour that we played we had one false start, and still managed to use all of the various types of card (mercenaries, heroines, courtesans, priests, scarecrows, surrenders, drummers, spring and winter), generally to their intended effect. We had started getting the hang of hand management as well as bidding strategies and strategems. The game flowed well, was easily learned by our relatively neophyte gamer (Sharon)<i>,</i> and posed enough possibilitiy to tie the most devious mind up in knots. <br />
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A tribute to Machiavelli, the Borgias and the Medicis indeed, to match the artwork by Michaelangelo. And, most importantly, it was fun!</div>
Adelaide Gamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02052999343460635401noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8467269.post-43300841290743883952013-01-05T08:32:00.001+10:302013-01-05T08:38:33.031+10:30Snap!I forgot to mention that we gave my youngest grandson a copy of<a href="http://www.usborne.com/catalogue/catalogue.aspx?cat=1&area=JGJ&subcat=GJ&id=4669" target="_blank"> <span style="color: #990000;">Usborne's 'Knights and Castles' snap cards</span></a> for xmas. He's developed a fascination for the Arthurian Cycle of tales over the past year, with a concomitant knowledge of fighting equipment and techniques, genealogies and heraldry, geography and mythology, ethics and moral quandaries, so it seemed a perfect gift for a three year old born into a gaming family.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3xa8K4ajP6s7wFv00-a8tKjqkUJB-Tu19TxZT1cGaoy-3_2pi1YptvbC5qibTbinMIzFLGjiIrT7i2-Tgy300yy87ZxIBqfHlaIVfiselA5YBrfK0HEBJgQ9gpb9e-I0naLWk/s1600/knights-castles-snap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3xa8K4ajP6s7wFv00-a8tKjqkUJB-Tu19TxZT1cGaoy-3_2pi1YptvbC5qibTbinMIzFLGjiIrT7i2-Tgy300yy87ZxIBqfHlaIVfiselA5YBrfK0HEBJgQ9gpb9e-I0naLWk/s320/knights-castles-snap.jpg" width="204" /></a></div>
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<i>A Gallant Knight</i></div>
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It's turned out to be a great hit, with numerous and many (!) games and sessions with the cards that are too large for his hands to comfortably hold, the pictures that play games with the 'snap reflex' of the players by foreshadowing similar designs for different cards (eg, battlefield, hunting and tournament cards are easy to mistake for each other at first glance), and the inevitable advantage for older more cynical players that goes with a game where the excitement of waiting for the next card slows down the thinking needed to get the snap! hand down before mum's.</div>
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A bargain at the price, a great introduction to cards, a tough and pretty physical product and an enduring game formula. That's my summary. And, great fun!</div>
Adelaide Gamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02052999343460635401noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8467269.post-10801051072161762652012-12-31T09:39:00.002+10:302012-12-31T09:39:39.203+10:30Still Gaming!It's been almost a year since last post. In that time I have had a busy life with not enough gaming to keep the beast in me satisfied. A lot of what gaming I have done has been online, World of Tanks. That's on the backburner a little bit now, though I still like taking my PzIV for a bit of a spin.<br />
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About a month ago I did manage to get in my first ever game of <span style="color: #990000;"><a href="http://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/31260/agricola" target="_blank">Agricola</a></span>. If you don't know, it's another Eurogame with lots of bright colours, non combative themes, wooden counters and elegant rules. Agricola is latin for 'farmer', and the idea is to be the best farmer at the end of fourteen turns. Players are judged by family size, house size and construction, herd and crop sizes, as well as farm improvements. I managed to win (30pts), with Julie a narrow second (27), then Nancy (20) and Tony (17). I've given our copy of the game away for xmas, but will soon get another as it got the thumbs up from all concerned. Here's a pic from the end of the game:<br />
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<i>A hard evening's farming in Agricola.</i></div>
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We gave several games for Xmas, including a copies of Billionaire and Treasure Island to my nephews. In return, I picked up a copy of Conditierre - a card based bidding game themed around the Renaissance Italian Wars. I hope to get a couple games in after New Year.</div>
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Speaking of the Renaissance, I have brought my character back to a (lower) level of activity in Renaissance Kingdoms. I'll be posting on the experience in future, but I'll say here that is was kinda nice to stretch my alter ego's legs after over a year of inactivity (just enough to stop him being eradicated). I am so glad I kept him because now he can be older and wiser.</div>
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Finally, my most excellent missus has finally gotten around to clearing out another room in our house for my use in gaming and modelling. This was needful as the last attempt at doing this was promptly followed by a stream of visitors that hasn't stopped who all use the 'spare' room. The kids might miss their 'toy room', but I think I'll be able to convince them that it's a fair trade if I get space to model and game.</div>
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Anyways, sorry to be away so long. Glad to see that my blogging comrades have kept up the good fight in my absence. And, Adelaide Gamer wishes you all a brilliant New Year and many good dice rolls in the one that will follow!</div>
Adelaide Gamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02052999343460635401noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8467269.post-39452224893938479842012-01-06T00:25:00.002+10:302012-01-06T00:29:29.086+10:30AAD and other thingsWell, I hope all those who read this had a safe and fun silly season. We at Adelaide Gamer did, most certainly. Not much in the way of games though, except for a bit of Tanks. And a recce on some modelling, for when I get the chance.<br /><br />In the World of Tanks I have seemed to shift up a gear in my playing style, although it isn't necessarily immediately obvious when viewing the stat pages I think I am playing a lot smarter than I was a month ago. This is reflected in steady kill ratios of 1 per game or higher, and climbing averages for experience across my stable (T34, T34-85, IS2, SU-85, MS-1(!)).<br /><br />I have also joined a clan, the ANZAC Armoured Division (2nd Battalion) - or AAD2 for short. The core of the clan consists of committed long term WoT players, it was formed in April 2011. The original AAD is presently 89 members, the 2nd Battalion has 30. The 1st Battalion is the gang who will provide the armies when Clan Wars finally starts up a Asia-Oceania server and fighting the daily round of battles in the quest for World Domination at a time more suitable for oceania timezones than does the present North American based server (early afternoon aussie time).<br /><br />When you realise the First Battalion is composed of those with top level tanks waiting for the clan wars to start, and that the Second Battalion is for the more relaxed, less developed Tanker, then you'll probably understand that I give no secrets away when I say that the plan is to hit the ground running when Oceania opens up for conquest, grab territory and hang onto it. Apparently there's some well established russian clans with the same idea, so it will be interesting.<br /><br />On a more mundane level, the AAD runs a basic forum and Team Speak set up which, when combined with a little message discipline and the ingame information streams in WoT, provides good forums, meeting points, communications networks and information storage to run a pretty major operation. The TS server set up is good, with channels for individual platoons, companies, training ground players and miscellaneous use, as well as main lobbies. Very functional and focused, without being neurotic about it. Kinda like us ANZACs (Australia New Zealand Army Corps, from WWI and Gallipoli) like to think <span style="font-style: italic;">we</span> are.<br /><br />Oh. And I'm chasing down some putty for the T34-85 model, and eagerly awaiting the end of silly season so I can set up and use my new air compressor and spray gun.<br /><br />And there's a Knizia game of the Hobbit to learn and play.<br /><br />And S&T is releasing its Germany-Russia 1920 hypothetical game in a couple months.<br /><br />2012 looks like being a very good year.Adelaide Gamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02052999343460635401noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8467269.post-84046965633679319092011-12-26T22:48:00.004+10:302011-12-26T23:05:05.287+10:30The day after the day afterI almost was a xmas grinch by throwing out our old tree when one of the elves dropped off a new one the day before the day before. Instead, I left it out on the roadside verge in case anyone who saw it needed a tree (with a little note saying they're welcome to it). No-one took it, and the bin won't have enough room for it for a week or two to come, but at least I avoided grinchisness.<br /><br />As for the treasure ... a high grade micro air compressor (variable flow, water trap) and modeling airbrush plus fixtures, models of Fokker Dr VII (biplane) and 1:35 Russian Tank Crew, an Order of Battle of the Red Army's main fronts in WWII and a more detailed history of their armoured forces, and a military history 'daybook'. Treasure for those near and dear included 'The Hobbit' boardgame (a Eurogame designed by Knizia) and a pretty dramatic scaletrix track and cars (slot cars). So, Santa was kind indeed, and at least as perceptive as has been in past years.<br /><br />And it was nice on the day after the day after the curse of grinchisness was avoided to finally take some time out and settle back into some solid driving on my IS-2 in World of Tanks. More on those adventures later ...Adelaide Gamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02052999343460635401noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8467269.post-86250301741561571292011-12-11T02:55:00.004+10:302011-12-11T03:03:53.550+10:30Six hours tankin' itJust ended what was about a six hour World of Tank session with the Lizard King. My prime tank was initially a KV13 (Tier 7), while he had a T44 (Tier 8). We were striking pretty well, but in the battles where our platoon got knocked out early we then filled the time with our reserve vehicles (T34-85 and M4A3E8 'Easy Eight'). At about H+5 I had achieved the necessary credits to trade in my KV13 for an IS Heavy Tank (Tier 7). <br /><br />Much as I was a bit sad to sell my KV (over 170 battles I had become quite attached to its nifty combination of speed and heavy armour, albeit its relatively weak 85mm gun was irritating at times), it was nice to move into a heavy tank for the first time in WoT. And I'm within a handful of games of being able to research the T43 from the T34-85, which will make it 'elite' and allow me to hopefully get 100% camouflage ratings on the crew while I accumulate the necessary credits with which to trade it in and actually purchase the '43.<br /><br />But for now, I love it when a good plan comes together.Adelaide Gamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02052999343460635401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8467269.post-46763592936912262372011-12-02T21:04:00.002+10:302011-12-02T21:10:53.904+10:30Two new old blogs on my listI've added <a style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);" href="http://winterof79.blogspot.com/">Winter of '79</a> and <span style="font-size:100%;"><a style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);" href="http://klementivorishilov.blogspot.com/">Клементи Ворошилов</a> ('Klementi Vorishilov' - thanks Ralph) to the blogs I follow. The first is imaginations in a thatcherite UK after the coup, the second is an ASL inspired rave with a bit of attitude. Sadly my own imaginations project stalled part way to first base (ah, the fate of a million projects) and I have never played ASL (being an unregenerate Squad Leader fan), but love both blogs. Worth a look.<br /></span>Adelaide Gamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02052999343460635401noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8467269.post-54943204632579855412011-11-30T23:57:00.006+10:302011-12-18T00:21:57.158+10:30WoT updateI've been playing World of Tanks (<a style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_of_Tanks">wikilink</a>*) for just over two months now (seems like forever) and have some decent vehicles in my garage. I have just fought my 100th battle in my KV13 Medium Tank, and hope to change that for an IS Heavy sometime in the coming week. I've been in over 500 battles in my T34-85, and am within about a hundred battles of being able to begin production of the T-43 (which line of development will eventually culminate in the T-54). For a bit of light entertainment I also have an SU85, armed with a 107mm tank killer, which I may or may not decide to upgrade to an SU122 sometime in the future.<br /><br />I have of course kept my T34, and still enjoy charging around with it and its rapid firing 57mm gun. One can almost sense the surprise of some of those I bump into when I seem to pour shots into them twice as rapidly as the more normal 76mm armament would!<br /><br />And I still have my MS-1, though hardly ever drive it now (these days getting my lower level kicks from driving my level/Tier 5 T34). It won't last much longer though, as after I replace the KV13 with an IS, I will need the 'slot' presently occupied by the wee MS-1 for my T43 unless I wish to sell off either my T34 or T34-85 (which I don't), or stop developing my line of tank destroyers.<br /><br />All good fun, and all free. What more could one ask for?<br /><br />*<span style="font-style: italic;">Updated 'wikilink' to wikipedia link (18 Dec '11).</span>Adelaide Gamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02052999343460635401noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8467269.post-32154219605618690362011-11-30T23:29:00.005+10:302011-12-01T00:14:34.892+10:30S & T Nicaragua - First Impressions<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Kn482vkfhkeCwf6ZBsWzwZAma0dL25ITpVwRMnqF3p-ISozU_IOrE1qcFjx2xJmuRfyoKXoKvaVqvJE7cp2n12o6D3XLfNGC23yh9pLmr_EDZHGg0_qG1ouy9yUpYuirPg1q/s1600/Nicaragua+cover.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 260px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Kn482vkfhkeCwf6ZBsWzwZAma0dL25ITpVwRMnqF3p-ISozU_IOrE1qcFjx2xJmuRfyoKXoKvaVqvJE7cp2n12o6D3XLfNGC23yh9pLmr_EDZHGg0_qG1ouy9yUpYuirPg1q/s320/Nicaragua+cover.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680773409252819986" border="0" /></a>My impressions of Strategy and Tactics Issue 120?<br /><br />In a word, 'impressed'. Several articles about revolutionary warfare central american style makes both for a sad list of the countries that had to undergo the ensuing 'uncivil wars' and an interesting analysis of 'low intensity' warfare environs and the strategies and tactics for use by the various factions. Of course, it hones in on Nicaragua, but the coverage is much wider.<br /><br />And then there's the game. I haven't yet played it, but look forward to doing so. Suspect it might be solo, but look forward to it none the less as it appears to be a genuine 'simulation' as well as a game. I can easily foresee situations arising in the game which the dark humourist in me would enjoy - in the same way one enjoys a game of Junta or Illuminati.<br /><br />Cadres, fronts, social classes, public institutions, terrorism, guerrilla tactics, diplomacy and foreign intervention, popular will, political programs, military combat and repression, propaganda, psychological operations, all interwoven quite neatly through simple row and column shifts and dice rolls. In my mind's eye, it seemed to make sense. To get a feel for it, the map and its provinces is more a 'political geography' of the land than a simulation of the terrain. In fact, the terrain rules are optional extras for the basic combat system.<br /><br />Definitely a wargame, but with more of a eurogamesque approach to simulation than is usually found in such. I look forward to playing it.<br /><br />To see some graphics of it (and reviews etc), check <a style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);" href="http://boardgamegeek.com/image/52714/nicaragua">here</a>.<br /><br />As a final sidenote, the biographical notes on the game's designer (and author of almost all the articles) say he was (is) a retired US Army Captain. His military career seemed to have been spent in the psyops and then academic fields of endeavour. Thus, my theory of the game as being as much 'simulation' as 'game' might actually be correct!Adelaide Gamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02052999343460635401noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8467269.post-57726701088362011222011-11-26T21:35:00.006+10:302011-11-27T10:52:54.804+10:30S & TAt loose ends one lunch time in the city I wondered into a newsagent's that I hadn't been inside before to scan their 'hobby' section of magazines. Imagine my surprise when I found a copy of 'Strategy and Tactics' for sale! I haven't seen this magazine for decades (!) and, when I last did, it always seemed to be more S&M than gaming fun, what with its concentration on the design, backstory and rules of the hardcore game which was contained in every bimonthly addition. Never-the-less, and realising that I've allegedly 'grown up' a bit in the intervening years, I purchased it. It was edition #270 from Sept/Oct this year, featuring analysis of the American Revolution and the game of that name.<br /><br />I must say, I was a little disappointed. Firstly, no game. I know, I knew that before I purchased it, but it was still disappointing. And secondly, I felt the articles were less 'meaty' than my memory was telling me the old ones used to be. Larger font, more pictures, dumber diagrams, more filler, less content. Still a good read, but ... well ... disappointing.<br /><br />It can't have been too bad, however, because when the next edition came in the following week, I bought that too (this one, looking at the Second Battle of Kharkov)! Edition #272 is going to be about the Battle of Lepanto (might give it a miss) but the following one will feature a game called 'Reischwer'. Which, of course, I am already excited about. I might even order the game itself...<br /><br />Anyways...<br /><br />Imagine my further surprise this morning when I'm visiting Miltary Hobbies for my bi-annual visit and, while I'm there, the storekeeper pulls out some newly arrived bundles totaling about a hundred copies of old S&T's and plonks them on the counter to show an old customer of his. Unable to help myself, I mosey on over and browse through. These were all old editions, complete with game maps and pieces (still unpressed). Gold!<br /><br />Restraining myself, I ended up choosing #120 from July 1988 (the 'Nicaragua!' edition, the whole magazine being dedicated to the game, analysis and design notes for the game and background articles examining later 20th century Latin American revolutions) and #156 from December 1992 (concentrating on the Russo-Polish War of 1920 and 'White Eagle Eastward', the included game). At $10 each I considered them a bargain, and nearly got another but had blown my budget rather badly already. Might need to make a return visit!<br /><br />I'll have a closer look at my purchases and report back here as to whether the inclusion of the games was as wonderful an idea as I thought at the time, and whether the content of the magazines themselves was indeed more substantial than the modern day equivalents.Adelaide Gamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02052999343460635401noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8467269.post-68596185779960478022011-11-24T21:52:00.003+10:302011-11-24T21:56:50.888+10:30RIP AnneI have just heard that Anne McGafferey passed on on Monday. She was 85 years old. I've read a few of the Pern series, been intrigued by the world she created, read a few of her other books. One of the great women of sf/fantasy.Adelaide Gamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02052999343460635401noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8467269.post-286142966516492272011-11-15T21:40:00.004+10:302011-11-15T21:49:51.592+10:30Can anyone here help Ralph?<div class="titlewrapper"><span style="font-size:100%;">Ralph, over at <a style="font-family: courier new; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);" href="http://klementivorishilov.blogspot.com/">Клементи Ворошилов</a></span><span style="font-weight: normal;font-size:100%;" > (how do I pronounce this?), is doing some really interesting stuff with Advanced Squad Leader. After reading <a style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);" href="http://klementivorishilov.blogspot.com/2011/11/what-happened-to-kv3.html?showComment=1321355354808#c109718921035427143">this post</a>, outlining some of the travails of one dedicated to simulating obscure yet important campaigns (in this case, the Brit-Soviet invasion of Iran in 1941), I wished that I knew more of the campaign, or that I had (or had the time to play) ASL - as Ralph was looking for playtesters for his project.</span><br /><br /></div>If you can help him, perhaps let him know.Adelaide Gamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02052999343460635401noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8467269.post-35948790422511845742011-11-13T00:10:00.002+10:302011-11-13T00:33:26.286+10:30Rule of ThumbLast week, I commenced work on my 1:35 tank model. On Sunday, I had hoped to complete the wheels and suspension, preparatory to the tracks. Seeing as it was a nice day, however, I thought would go and do some things in the garden. This, sadly, resulted in me being very un/lucky in that I managed to jamb my thumb pretty bad but not crush or amputate it (which was never-the-less very painful). Which put paid to my plan to work on the model. Who want's real blood on their model, afterall?<br /><br />So I went and looked at modeling sites on the web for a few hours, discovering some most excellent youtube videos along the way. Particularly informative is <a style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);" href="http://s362974870.onlinehome.us/forums/air/index.php?showtopic=193657&st=0">this guy</a>, who's detailed, understandable, knowledgeable and practical productions will be very useful in future. In retrospect, it was very good that I had this enforced time-out from the blood rush of pushing ahead regardless that comes with a new model. Vicariously looking at the detail of what will be required in future, the various stagings of the project, better enables me to determine what needs doing <span style="font-style: italic;">next</span> (my ultimate question at any particular moment). I suspect that this is saving me a lot of grief down the track, and rapidly accelerating my learning curve beyond the old trial and error ways. Of course, it must be matched by skill development which will take time, but you get what I mean. But I digress...<br /><br />After a couple of days of web research I was in the middle of a busy working week and couldn't really bring time and inclination together, so contented myself in confirming a probable Xmas delivery of a selection of appropriate decals. By that stage, it would be nice to have the construction done, or at a stage at least where minor variants are all that is required to match up with the particular decal and paint job that I decide on. <br /><br />The only 'real' modeling job I've done since spraying my 67 parts of wheel, suspension and lower hull, with undercoat last Saturday was to grind the diameter of the axles so they fit the wheels a bit more comfortably. Without doing this the fit would be too tight to allow what I learnt from the videos was the advisable method of construction (put on the wheels to fit the tracks during their construction, remove them then prior to painting, glue them on prior to final detailing) and I would likely have experienced grief and heartache at some point.<br /><br />I've also checked out what a modeling spray gun would be worth, to give the enamel coats of paint and varnish prior to the weathering work with brush and oilpaint. Luckily for me, the Mrs thinks this is a good idea. I'm a lucky man.Adelaide Gamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02052999343460635401noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8467269.post-10025538305075284432011-11-05T23:15:00.005+10:302011-11-05T23:57:38.447+10:30Tank StableMy cunning <a style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);" href="http://forum.worldoftanks.com/">World of Tanks</a> Russian Campaign unfolds according to plan.<br /><br />My T34-85 continues to steadily mount up the experience, within several days I'll be able to convert the points I am accumulating into 'research' for a new, higher 'tier' tank (KV-13), with enough 'free experience' points left over to upgrade perhaps the suspension on the new tank before it even leaves the factory (from the KV13 I hope to eventually research and start developing the heavy line of 'IS' tanks). My trusty crew are approaching 70% in their camouflage skill, and will hopefully advance towards 100% by the time I accumulate sufficient further experience to research the T-43 medium tank (the other development path leading from the T34-85).<br /><br />My T34 now has an 'elite' crew, having researched all the modules and models available for the tank. Being 'elite', all future experience goes directly into crew training in their specialist skill (which I have elected to make 'repair'). Sadly, as the crew approaches perfection I will probably also be becoming involved in new, higher 'tier' vehicles, and thus return to my stable to drive the T34 less and less often. Besides equipment, the T34 also required me to research both the T34-85 and the SU-85 (Tank Destroyer) before regarding the crew as 'elite'.<br /><br />I've only driven the SU-85 a couple dozen times so far (compared to the almost 400 times I have driven each of my main tank models) and am still getting used to the concept of driving a vehicle without a turret, with all the tactical, practical and visual difficulties that entails. I have upgraded the suspension and am presently accumulating experience to research a better gun. I doubt I'll get an elite crew for this vehicle as will be aiming directly at upgrading to a SU-122 (in W.O.T. the SU-122 is a variant of the SU-100).<br /><br />Although basically a 'sideline' to me, I am enjoying playing the russian turretless tank destroyer in a different fashion to the tanks. For the TD I am keeping my vision limited to the 'gunsight view' - a little like peering out of the commander's slit in such a vehicle. Although limiting, it puts one right 'inside' the wonderfully rendered terrain of WoT and leads to a deepening of the immersion factor.<br /><br />The 'strategy' I am following can thus be seen as being focused on the development of my stable of tanks. As a 'free' player I am limited to having five vehicles at any one time. Presently I have the above three models (T34, T34-85 and SU-85) as well as the lower tier MS-1 and BT-7. When I get a KV13, I will dispose of my BT7 to make room, and develop this into a line of heavy tank development, culminating in the IS-4. I will dispose of the MS-1 when I get a T43. This line will culminate in the T-54. I will dispose of the SU-85 when upgrade to a SU-122, and dispose of that when am looking at the SU-152. The Tank Destroyer line is, afterall, only a light diversion from the main game for me.<br /><br />I will hang onto the T34 and T34-85 as long as possible just for the fun of driving these classic tanks in middle tier battles in the World of Tanks.Adelaide Gamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02052999343460635401noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8467269.post-57396409340111283902011-11-03T00:01:00.003+10:302011-11-13T00:08:35.388+10:30This leads to thatYou know how it is. You go to an expo and come home with some model kits of a size and subject that you've never built before. And, after getting over the fact that there are over 160 separate track links that will eventually need to be put together to complete the T34-85, and checking that all the pieces are there (even if the decals are not) and only having one brief moment of gloom until find the piece that was knocked loose from the spruce somewhere in the last 17 years, and then looking at <a style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);" href="http://www.missing-lynx.com/articles/russia/rpt34/rpt34.htm">this</a> site to confirm a few ideas about the turret and finding out that the model which I had been thinking of matching up with a tellermine wielding defender of the vaterland (ie circa early 1945) only to find out that the model is of the real model that was produced late in 1945 (ie after the war), I finally decided to start the thing anyway.<br /><br />So I pressed out a few wheels and axles and wheel hubs, cutting off the attached spruce, filing off the bits of flash, finding out that most pieces fit together albeit a bit tightly but that some don't resulting in a bit of filing and shaving of the offending parts of the parts, learning how the glue works, thanking jah that I had approached the task conservatively, doing the parts for one side of the vehicle so I could work it better on the other side, and got to gluing.<br /><br />And then I got to thinking about what should be painted when, as some things will be impossible to get to once the assembly proceeds (eg. the suspension springs) and some things will be difficult (eg. the inside 'flange' of the roadwheels). I realised that at this scale (1:35) any 'small' error is actually a 'big' error, so I want to do as well I can. So, while I let my mind work its magic in its dark recesses in a way that will hopefully bring forth the solution to my problem, I set about preparing myself.<br /><br />Which means I have to sort out the odd collection of knives, blades, files, brushes, paints and other assorted and very miscellaneous modelling equipment. So, I open up the roll top desk into which I have been squirreling away such things since we got it about five years ago at some garage sale, and get to work.<br /><br />Of course, when it all got too much, I went for a drive in my own T34-85 in the World of Tanks.Adelaide Gamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02052999343460635401noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8467269.post-30308597540757004562011-10-29T21:38:00.005+10:302011-11-13T00:08:35.390+10:30Model expo = modelsThis morning I took a break from playing World of Tanks to take Lizardking and the lads to the SA Plastic Modellers' Associations' annual expo. We got there about 11:30 and spent maybe an hour and a half on site (a large school hall in the heart of Adelaide). There seemed to be lot more viewers present as we left than when we arrived, and the vast empty table spaces between displayed models were filling up. So, we might have missed some of the treasures but we managed to savour what we saw without the disadvantage of crowds jostling us or anxious model owners snapping back against the tide of people.<br /><br />Instead, we had a cool hour or so checking out the various display categories, and about half an hour at various of the stalls selecting our own wares to purchase.<br /><br />My favorite individual model was a Dragon T34-85 (1:35), followed closely by a 1:72 Pfalz monoplane. Most impressive exhibition in my mind were the ships of Task Force 72, including a 3m long (!) work in progress of the HMS Hood and a 2m long jap sub. Besides being impressive scratch built models, these were WORKING ships, full R/C and working turrets, etc. The subs even submersed. The nice man said that the group meet at the boat lake in Bonython Park in the parklands, the last Sunday afternoon of each month, so I might head down there next Month (or even tomorrow, but they might have their ships all at the expo so I'll have to think about that one).<br /><br />So, what goodies did we leave with? Lad #2 decided on a glossy book of American Supercars, and a three pack of 1:72 personnel transport models (Ketengrad, Kubelwagen and Jeep). Lad #1 settled on a 1:72 medieval bombard and crew, together with a 'Sheriff of Nottingham' 1:72 infantry pack. The Lizardking went for a Dragon (?) M4A3E8. And me? A Maquette 1:35 T34-85 and a Dragon kit of four 1:35 german infantry with their ambush equipment. Maybe I have some vague idea of streetfight diorama? I've never built a 1:35 kit before, nor have I constructed human figures before , so when I finally get both time and space to get to work on them I'm sure it'll be quite an adventure.<br /><br />Needless to say, a good day was had by all. For me now, it's back to the grind of World of Tanks.Adelaide Gamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02052999343460635401noreply@blogger.com2