As you may remember, I went to see Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of the War of the Worlds earlier this year.
I were absolutely blown away by it.
Anyway, the DVD of the live show, from the Wembley concert, is now out. I picked it up last weekend, and saw it on the laptop screen as my mum wanted to see it.
Tonight was the first time I've seen it at home, and made use of the 5.1 surround sound...and it is fabulous. The sound quality is so rich, and the editing has captured both the show itself, with the CGI back screen, the live action and the special effects as well as the atmosphere of the audience.
Jeff himself was clearly enjoying himself immensely during both shows that I've seen. The cast as well did a fine job. Justin Hayward and Chris Thompson reprise their roles from the original recording, and the new cast members do fit in very well.
If anyone in the UK wants to catch the show itself, they have announced further dates for 2007. Info can be found here. If you have ever been moved by the musical version, with Richard Burton's narration and the classic songs like Justin Hayward's "Forever Autumn" - go and see it!
Saturday, November 18, 2006
From the Front line - the hills are alive with the sound of incoming ordnance
After spending the last few evenings hacking up polystyrene sheet in between stints at NaNoWriMo I know have five hill sections, four rock formations and a couple of sandbag emplacements.
Last night I spent an hour shaping and cutting 1cm x 0.5cm pieces of plasticene into sandbags, and glued everything to the bases.
Today, I went up to B&Q for paint. I've mentioned the paint mixing service they have up there. After the boast that they could match any colour, I painted a piece of card with GW's "Graveyard Earth" and a piece with "Codex Grey". I ended up with a tester pot of each colour (plus an extra pot of "Graveyard Earth", which I have to say looks damn good. I've now used one of the browns mixed with ample amounts of sand to texture the polystyrene - which now looks like they are made of chocolate!
I'll post some WIP pictures later, once the paint has dried.
I fear I am going to have to re-work the razor wire fences. I added the wire before painting, and it makes doing the base very hard. I'll see if I can get the wire off (it's superglued on...) so may have to get some more if I destroy it in the process.
Oh, and if anyone out there has a Predator turret going spare, please let me know...
Last night I spent an hour shaping and cutting 1cm x 0.5cm pieces of plasticene into sandbags, and glued everything to the bases.
Today, I went up to B&Q for paint. I've mentioned the paint mixing service they have up there. After the boast that they could match any colour, I painted a piece of card with GW's "Graveyard Earth" and a piece with "Codex Grey". I ended up with a tester pot of each colour (plus an extra pot of "Graveyard Earth", which I have to say looks damn good. I've now used one of the browns mixed with ample amounts of sand to texture the polystyrene - which now looks like they are made of chocolate!
I'll post some WIP pictures later, once the paint has dried.
I fear I am going to have to re-work the razor wire fences. I added the wire before painting, and it makes doing the base very hard. I'll see if I can get the wire off (it's superglued on...) so may have to get some more if I destroy it in the process.
Oh, and if anyone out there has a Predator turret going spare, please let me know...
Sunday, November 05, 2006
From the Front line
Finally, I finished the buildings I have been working on for the last couple of weeks.
In all, I have five buildings, a tower, one and a half columns, several wall sections, and ruined building.
Here they are, accompanied by the Tallarn Desert Raiders and Cadian Shock troops, from my Imperial Guard army. Click for larger versions.
The two tanks are Leman Russ battle tanks, painted as part of the Tallarn Desert Raider troos. The squadron leader is identified by the red turret and Vox antenna.
Details of the construction, partly to remind myself in the future...
Buildings:
5mm foam board walls/floors for the later ones, and cardboard for the first two
All glued together using PVA wood glue
Surface texture - 125ml of paint with 3 dessert spoons of fine sand
Base coat - Dulux emulsion "Jamaican Bronze 1"
Highlights - Dulux emulsion "Jamaican Bronze 4"
Cardboard base with texture from Ikea decorative sand (larger pieces), Fish sand (smaller texture), GW green flock
Doors/shutters/hatches - made from wooden coffee stirrers (similar to lolly sticks)
"Wooden" floor supports - foam card (added after painting) or matchsticks (added before texturing - used on the first card buildings and does not looks as good!)
Tower:
A Pringles tube on a CD base, using the same texture etc and matchstick floor supports.
Wall sections:
Foam board
Columns:
Foam board, with polyfilla used to fills add rounded texture in between the square sections.
Phew. All they need now is a coat of varnish to keep the flock attached and to help protect against knocks.
In all, I have five buildings, a tower, one and a half columns, several wall sections, and ruined building.
Here they are, accompanied by the Tallarn Desert Raiders and Cadian Shock troops, from my Imperial Guard army. Click for larger versions.
The two tanks are Leman Russ battle tanks, painted as part of the Tallarn Desert Raider troos. The squadron leader is identified by the red turret and Vox antenna.
Details of the construction, partly to remind myself in the future...
Buildings:
5mm foam board walls/floors for the later ones, and cardboard for the first two
All glued together using PVA wood glue
Surface texture - 125ml of paint with 3 dessert spoons of fine sand
Base coat - Dulux emulsion "Jamaican Bronze 1"
Highlights - Dulux emulsion "Jamaican Bronze 4"
Cardboard base with texture from Ikea decorative sand (larger pieces), Fish sand (smaller texture), GW green flock
Doors/shutters/hatches - made from wooden coffee stirrers (similar to lolly sticks)
"Wooden" floor supports - foam card (added after painting) or matchsticks (added before texturing - used on the first card buildings and does not looks as good!)
Tower:
A Pringles tube on a CD base, using the same texture etc and matchstick floor supports.
Wall sections:
Foam board
Columns:
Foam board, with polyfilla used to fills add rounded texture in between the square sections.
Phew. All they need now is a coat of varnish to keep the flock attached and to help protect against knocks.
Thursday, November 02, 2006
From the Front Line
Facing the Eldar again!
Yes, I faced the Eldar player that had wiped the floor with me on my first visit to games night.
Instead of a full report, I'll just pick out some highlights.
- One Land Speeder destroying the Wave Serpent on my first turn with its multimelta. Then toasting the entire squad of Dire Avengers (including Exarch) that were being carried in it.
- The swooping hawks (aka "budgies") skulking behind trees until the very last turn.
- One Tactical squad losing half its strength after the Rhino APC they were in was hit.
- Tactical Marines in close combat with the Farseer and Guardian jetbike squad...managing to eventually cause them to break...and then catching them up and wiping them out.
- Realising on turn 5 that there was nothing left in my army that could reach the enemy deployment zone to score me any victory points!
Ah well. 3-0 against. At least this time I (a) lasted to the end of the game and (b) had some troops still alive.
Fun game, as ever.
The two foam board buildings are looking good. Next job for them is a coat of textured paint - which I'll pick up at lunchtime.
Yes, I faced the Eldar player that had wiped the floor with me on my first visit to games night.
Instead of a full report, I'll just pick out some highlights.
- One Land Speeder destroying the Wave Serpent on my first turn with its multimelta. Then toasting the entire squad of Dire Avengers (including Exarch) that were being carried in it.
- The swooping hawks (aka "budgies") skulking behind trees until the very last turn.
- One Tactical squad losing half its strength after the Rhino APC they were in was hit.
- Tactical Marines in close combat with the Farseer and Guardian jetbike squad...managing to eventually cause them to break...and then catching them up and wiping them out.
- Realising on turn 5 that there was nothing left in my army that could reach the enemy deployment zone to score me any victory points!
Ah well. 3-0 against. At least this time I (a) lasted to the end of the game and (b) had some troops still alive.
Fun game, as ever.
The two foam board buildings are looking good. Next job for them is a coat of textured paint - which I'll pick up at lunchtime.
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
NaNoWriMo 2006 begins
And so it has finally dawned on me what I have let myself in for.
Work involved a lot more typing than normal, so with that and gaming tonight I've done enough typing. The RSI, my old nemesis, is hinting that it's time for bed so I will say no more.
Since the NaNoWriMo profile (click on icon on right) only allows a limited extract from the novel, I will be posting my efforts in the Chronicles blog.
Since the posts are in date order, the posts are going to be in the "wrong" order.
I'll blog each day with a new post, so the new stuff should always be at the top. I think.
Anyway, best of luck to the rest of you taking part!
Happy adventuring.
Indy
Work involved a lot more typing than normal, so with that and gaming tonight I've done enough typing. The RSI, my old nemesis, is hinting that it's time for bed so I will say no more.
Since the NaNoWriMo profile (click on icon on right) only allows a limited extract from the novel, I will be posting my efforts in the Chronicles blog.
Since the posts are in date order, the posts are going to be in the "wrong" order.
I'll blog each day with a new post, so the new stuff should always be at the top. I think.
Anyway, best of luck to the rest of you taking part!
Happy adventuring.
Indy
Funnies
"A slipping gear could let your M203 grenade launcher fire when you least expect it. That would make you quite unpopular in what's left of your unit."
- Army's magazine of preventive maintenance...
"Aim toward the Enemy."
- Instruction printed on US Rocket Launcher
"When the pin is pulled, Mr. Grenade is not our friend.
- U.S. Marine Corps
"Cluster bombing from B-52s is very, very accurate. The bombs are
absolutely guaranteed to hit the ground."
- USAF Ammo Troop
"If the enemy is in range, so are you."
- Infantry Journal
"It is generally inadvisable to eject directly over the area you just
bombed."
- U.S. Air Force Manual
"Whoever said the pen is mightier than the sword obviously never
encountered automatic weapons."
- General MacArthur
"Try to look unimportant; they may be low on ammo."
- Infantry Journal
"You, you, and you ... Panic. The rest of you, come with me."
- U.S. Marine Corp Gunnery Sgt.
"Tracers work both ways."
- U.S. Army Ordnance
"Five second fuses only last three seconds."
- Infantry Journal
"Don't ever be the first, don't ever be the last, and don't ever volunteer to do anything."
- U.S. Navy Swabbie
"Bravery is being the only one who knows you're afraid."
- David Hackworth
"If your attack is going too well, you're walking into an ambush."
- Infantry Journal
"No combat-ready unit has ever passed inspection."
- Joe Gay
"Any ship can be a minesweeper ... once."
- Anonymous
"Never tell the Platoon Sergeant you have nothing to do."
- Unknown Marine Recruit
"Don't draw fire; it irritates the people around you."
- Your Buddies
"If you see a bomb technician running, follow him."
- USAF Ammo Troop
"Though I Fly Through the Valley of Death, I Shall Fear No Evil. For I am at 80,000 Feet and Climbing."
- At the entrance to the old SR-71 operating base Kadena,
Japan
"You've never been lost until you've been lost at Mach 3."
- Paul F. Crickmore (test pilot)
"The only time you have too much fuel is when you're on fire."
"Blue water Navy truism: There are more planes in the ocean than
submarines in the sky."
- From an old carrier sailor
"If the wings are travelling faster than the fuselage, it's probably a
helicopter -- and therefore, unsafe."
"When one engine fails on a twin-engine airplane you always have enough
power left to get you to the scene of the crash."
"Without ammunition, the USAF would be just another expensive flying
club."
"What is the similarity between air traffic controllers and pilots?
If a pilot screws up, the pilot dies; If ATC screws up, .... the pilot
dies."
"Never trade luck for skill."
"Weather forecasts are horoscopes with numbers."
Airspeed, altitude and brains. Two are always needed to successfully
complete the flight."
"A smooth carrier landing is mostly luck; two in a row is all luck; three in a row is prevarication."
"Mankind has a perfect record in aviation; we never left one up there!"
"Flashlights are tubular metal containers kept in a flight bag for the
purpose of storing dead batteries."
"Flying the airplane is more important than radioing your plight to a
person on the ground incapable of understanding or doing anything about
it."
"When a flight is proceeding incredibly well, something was forgotten."
"Just remember, if you crash because of weather, your funeral will be held on a sunny day."
Advice given to RAF pilots during WWII: "When a prang (crash) seems
inevitable, endeavour to strike the softest, cheapest object in the
vicinity as slow and gently as possible."
"The Piper Cub is the safest airplane in the world; it can just barely
kill you."
- Attributed to Max Stanley (Northrop test pilot)
"A pilot who doesn't have any fear probably isn't flying his plane to its maximum."
- Jon McBride, astronaut
"If you're faced with a forced landing, fly the thing as far into the
crash as possible."
- Bob Hoover (renowned aerobatic and test pilot)
Never fly in the same cockpit with someone braver than you."
"There is no reason to fly through a thunderstorm in peacetime."
- Sign over squadron ops desk at Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ, 1970
"If something hasn't broken on your helicopter, it's about to."
Basic Flying Rules: "Try to stay in the middle of the air. Do not go
near the edges of it. The edges of the air can be recognized by the
appearance of ground, buildings, sea, trees and interstellar space. It is much more difficult to fly there."
"You know that your landing gear is up and locked when it takes full power to taxi to the terminal."
As the test pilot climbs out of the experimental aircraft, having torn off the wings and tail in the crash landing, the crash truck arrives, the rescuer sees a bloodied pilot and asks "What happened?".
The pilot's reply: "I don't know, I just got here myself!"
- Attributed to Ray Crandell (Lockheed test pilot )
- Army's magazine of preventive maintenance...
"Aim toward the Enemy."
- Instruction printed on US Rocket Launcher
"When the pin is pulled, Mr. Grenade is not our friend.
- U.S. Marine Corps
"Cluster bombing from B-52s is very, very accurate. The bombs are
absolutely guaranteed to hit the ground."
- USAF Ammo Troop
"If the enemy is in range, so are you."
- Infantry Journal
"It is generally inadvisable to eject directly over the area you just
bombed."
- U.S. Air Force Manual
"Whoever said the pen is mightier than the sword obviously never
encountered automatic weapons."
- General MacArthur
"Try to look unimportant; they may be low on ammo."
- Infantry Journal
"You, you, and you ... Panic. The rest of you, come with me."
- U.S. Marine Corp Gunnery Sgt.
"Tracers work both ways."
- U.S. Army Ordnance
"Five second fuses only last three seconds."
- Infantry Journal
"Don't ever be the first, don't ever be the last, and don't ever volunteer to do anything."
- U.S. Navy Swabbie
"Bravery is being the only one who knows you're afraid."
- David Hackworth
"If your attack is going too well, you're walking into an ambush."
- Infantry Journal
"No combat-ready unit has ever passed inspection."
- Joe Gay
"Any ship can be a minesweeper ... once."
- Anonymous
"Never tell the Platoon Sergeant you have nothing to do."
- Unknown Marine Recruit
"Don't draw fire; it irritates the people around you."
- Your Buddies
"If you see a bomb technician running, follow him."
- USAF Ammo Troop
"Though I Fly Through the Valley of Death, I Shall Fear No Evil. For I am at 80,000 Feet and Climbing."
- At the entrance to the old SR-71 operating base Kadena,
Japan
"You've never been lost until you've been lost at Mach 3."
- Paul F. Crickmore (test pilot)
"The only time you have too much fuel is when you're on fire."
"Blue water Navy truism: There are more planes in the ocean than
submarines in the sky."
- From an old carrier sailor
"If the wings are travelling faster than the fuselage, it's probably a
helicopter -- and therefore, unsafe."
"When one engine fails on a twin-engine airplane you always have enough
power left to get you to the scene of the crash."
"Without ammunition, the USAF would be just another expensive flying
club."
"What is the similarity between air traffic controllers and pilots?
If a pilot screws up, the pilot dies; If ATC screws up, .... the pilot
dies."
"Never trade luck for skill."
"Weather forecasts are horoscopes with numbers."
Airspeed, altitude and brains. Two are always needed to successfully
complete the flight."
"A smooth carrier landing is mostly luck; two in a row is all luck; three in a row is prevarication."
"Mankind has a perfect record in aviation; we never left one up there!"
"Flashlights are tubular metal containers kept in a flight bag for the
purpose of storing dead batteries."
"Flying the airplane is more important than radioing your plight to a
person on the ground incapable of understanding or doing anything about
it."
"When a flight is proceeding incredibly well, something was forgotten."
"Just remember, if you crash because of weather, your funeral will be held on a sunny day."
Advice given to RAF pilots during WWII: "When a prang (crash) seems
inevitable, endeavour to strike the softest, cheapest object in the
vicinity as slow and gently as possible."
"The Piper Cub is the safest airplane in the world; it can just barely
kill you."
- Attributed to Max Stanley (Northrop test pilot)
"A pilot who doesn't have any fear probably isn't flying his plane to its maximum."
- Jon McBride, astronaut
"If you're faced with a forced landing, fly the thing as far into the
crash as possible."
- Bob Hoover (renowned aerobatic and test pilot)
Never fly in the same cockpit with someone braver than you."
"There is no reason to fly through a thunderstorm in peacetime."
- Sign over squadron ops desk at Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ, 1970
"If something hasn't broken on your helicopter, it's about to."
Basic Flying Rules: "Try to stay in the middle of the air. Do not go
near the edges of it. The edges of the air can be recognized by the
appearance of ground, buildings, sea, trees and interstellar space. It is much more difficult to fly there."
"You know that your landing gear is up and locked when it takes full power to taxi to the terminal."
As the test pilot climbs out of the experimental aircraft, having torn off the wings and tail in the crash landing, the crash truck arrives, the rescuer sees a bloodied pilot and asks "What happened?".
The pilot's reply: "I don't know, I just got here myself!"
- Attributed to Ray Crandell (Lockheed test pilot )
Monday, October 30, 2006
From the Front Line
Okay, so we were bored.
A lament for Lucky Jim
Jim, my lad, you did just fine
Even for a humble mine
On the winds of change you'd drift
Whilst Varras always seemed miss
To us you never be "just a spore"
We'll remember you for ever more.
And a contribution from Jasper...
Lt. Varras you lucky man,
Soaring through the air.
Your spaceship crashed away you ran,
Those red blobs don't look friendly.
Lt. Varras you lucky man,
You keep the geneseed safe.
Dancing swiftly as you can,
Avoiding Lucky Jim.
Lt. Varras you lucky man,
The red blobs float the other way.
Your nimble feet - your electric fan,
You waft the floating menace.
Lt. Varras you lucky man,
There seems to be a noise.
A flash of claws - A glint from teeth,
Not so lucky now.
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Saturday, October 21, 2006
Westonbirt
Westonbirt Arboretum is just up the road from Bristol, and a favourite place of mine, especially during autumn. Alas, I was a week or so early and the full display of autumn colour had not quite begun.
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
From the front line
Well, the Battlewagon bits delivery turned up last week. Although annoyed by the additional customs charge, everything was as expected. I did make one mistake as I had not realised that Jump Packs are now two pieces so I had only ordered 3 whereas I thought it was going to be 6. Ah well, at least the Chaplain is now properly equipped and the Assault squad he leads is now up to seven troops (all 'legally' armed with bolt pistols and chainswords).
The Lascannon model will have to wait a little longer, as the marines I had left over wouldn't fit with the new pose, but the missile launcher is together.
So, a few new models to paint. These were added to with the arrival of the Battle for Maccragge box set that I found on eBay. To be honest, this was a disappointment. The book is pretty flimsy and only A5 sized and the plastics are the worst mouldings I have ever seen from Games Workshop. Every model had bad mould lines, and the crashed ship scenery pieces almost needed carving out.
Although the scenery turned out to be pretty natty, and the marine squad is useful, I would recommend getting the full rule book on it's own instead.
Still, another tactical squad of marines to add to the collection, even if a little blocky. This now gives me ample troops to field two or three tactical squads all armed with bolters, plus a Devastator squad. More than enough for most battles :) I spent most of yesterday evening putting the marines and scenery together. Haven't managed the Tyranid troops yet - maybe tonight!
The next thing to get, which really will have to wait until more models are painted, will be a Scout Squad armed with sniper rifles. These are a very cheap Troops selection for the army, and I like the idea of being able to infiltrate a squad to take and hold a key area of cover that can provide some useful covering fire and threaten light armour. In addition, the sergeant can always be upgraded to carry a teleport homer to allow Terminators to deploy close by in later turns. Since this squad is likely to consist of either a stack of fire power, or the most heavily armed close combat troops available, this could be a useful tactic. Even if only to worry the pants off my opponent!
Oh, and finally, and the pilot from the Maccragge boxed set will make an excellent Igor to accompany Archie...now all I need to do is create some rules for them.
Current wish list, (cheapest first!)
3 jump packs
1 Terminator with assault cannon
1 Marine Scout squad boxed set (4 scouts with sniper rifles and 1 with missile launcher)
1 Land Speeder boxed set (with assault cannon and heavy bolter)
1 Crusader Land Raider
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
A small step up...
I had completely forgotten that several months ago I put together the justification for my being promoted to the next grade up - basically I had to show that I was already doing that role.
Anyway, Friday last week my boss called me aside and gave me the letter saying that I had been successful!
Even better was the very slight pay rise that I wasn't expecting :)
Apart from now having to live up to expectations, I now qualify for a bigger share of the pie when it comes to the performance-based bonus next time around...but the day job won't be changing.
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