... the IT man in LibraryLand
Having recently finished the fifth-ish tome of The Expanse series one is now at the stage of selecting the "O" book of one's A to Z of Unread SciFi and Fantasy Authors.
This one may, as alluded to in comments by Amoeba, be a rather narrow range of choices.
There is naught a one on my to-read shelf - although Rebecca Ore does have a short story in an unread collection up there and that would take some of the stress off the shelf...
Still, let's see what comes up.
The Rules
Titles should be in the sci-fi and fantasy realms, or speculative fiction if you prefer.
The Author's Surname should begin with the letter O, and they should be one who's wares one has not sampled before.
Here is my Author list of already read Os from the time span of The Tales:
[no results returned]
Hmmm, not a one. A quick perusal of several Internet lists can add: George Orwell, and ...
So better get to it Internet, and recommend away.
Bonus points if the book is available in the work catalogue
Even more bonus points, and probably the win by default, if you place your recommendation into one's hands.
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Showing posts with label Amoeba. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Amoeba. Show all posts
Fungi Friends and Freezing Footy
So this Friday last was another regular catch up organised by The Fungi Lady.
Also in attendance were:
It being nigh on a score of years since one had conversed with The Bastard a large part of the evening was spent on discussing topics various - work, current gaming undertakings, the gamers we both guided through our adventures, the very dad topic of our gifted children.
We both agreed that dealing with the tantrums, smart phone addictions, fussy eating, and stinky body smells made looking after our little girls a pleasure compared with all that gamer stuff.
All in all a great night that was over too soon and one looks forward to honoring the fungi ladies next organising effort.
Speaking of outings that could have ended earlier... one spent Sunday twilight attending the footy with The Great Sandro in 10 degree temperatures (plus a wind chill factor that lowered the temp to sub-zero by one’s reckoning).
To make matters worse the pies provided few opportunities for vigorous, joyful, and warming, leaping to one's feet.
Still, as they say, a win is a win, even if one does have to be chiseled free from the ice at the end.
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Also in attendance were:
- the regular Doom and Non-Gamin' Megan
- the slightly irregular Amoeba
- the highly irregular The Bastard.
- and, apparently, the completely non-regular MatrixMan conveniently gone before ones stunning entrance
It being nigh on a score of years since one had conversed with The Bastard a large part of the evening was spent on discussing topics various - work, current gaming undertakings, the gamers we both guided through our adventures, the very dad topic of our gifted children.
We both agreed that dealing with the tantrums, smart phone addictions, fussy eating, and stinky body smells made looking after our little girls a pleasure compared with all that gamer stuff.
All in all a great night that was over too soon and one looks forward to honoring the fungi ladies next organising effort.
Speaking of outings that could have ended earlier... one spent Sunday twilight attending the footy with The Great Sandro in 10 degree temperatures (plus a wind chill factor that lowered the temp to sub-zero by one’s reckoning).
To make matters worse the pies provided few opportunities for vigorous, joyful, and warming, leaping to one's feet.
Still, as they say, a win is a win, even if one does have to be chiseled free from the ice at the end.
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A Fungi Feast
So this Wednesday last was a feasting opportunity organised by The Fungi Lady which also turned out to be a lure to get One into a social situation involving catching up and interacting with friends.
The social ambush was at a delightful restaurant in the city proper and One was uncharacteristically the first to arrive - despite delaying arrival with one of my 1 minute peeks in the nearby gaming shop.
The evening began with an instant of the short life of the Amoeba as she popped by for the briefest of hellos before becoming dead to me for not staying.
The remainder of us soldiered on bravely with Doom and the increasingly errantly named Non-Gamin' Megan shouldering much of the load.
All in all it turns out that such a social engagement is not much of a strain on One after all and one is even looking forward to further such engagements - especially is there is feasting involved.
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The social ambush was at a delightful restaurant in the city proper and One was uncharacteristically the first to arrive - despite delaying arrival with one of my 1 minute peeks in the nearby gaming shop.
The evening began with an instant of the short life of the Amoeba as she popped by for the briefest of hellos before becoming dead to me for not staying.
The remainder of us soldiered on bravely with Doom and the increasingly errantly named Non-Gamin' Megan shouldering much of the load.
All in all it turns out that such a social engagement is not much of a strain on One after all and one is even looking forward to further such engagements - especially is there is feasting involved.
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Sad/Happy Gatherings and Travels with My Kat
So, a Caution, as serious as The Tales usually is, this post will dial up the seriousness a touch.
Friday last was the sad/happy occasion of a life celebration for Soph who had happily won and then shockingly suddenly lost her medical battles of the past half year.
The celebration itself was a fitting recollection of the life Soph had lived and highlighted the legacy of strength and community that she created for Duff and The Tumbling Trio with nothing more than her vibrant and friendly personality.
Vale Soph.
The occasion also meant that One was reacquainted with many from the intersecting social groups that Soph was a part of and that one has passing connections with - well maybe not the Cheer leading, although I do have a different 2nd degree of separation into the cheer scene so it may well have happened.
The gathering also allowed a long overdue catch-up with My Guitarist, as well as Doom, The Fungi Lady, Amoeba, and a smattering of others of the LURG persuasion.
The journey to and fro was in the esteemed company of Miasmakat and included much bonding activity - mostly of the conversational kind rather than the imbibing ridiculous quantities of booze and committing foolhardy activities like jumping off bridges kind.
We covered many conversational gambits including planning the next six months of roleplaying game, current life events, impacts and impressions of the celebration itself, how every other car on the road was driven by an a-hole, how a half hour of travel took exactly zero minutes off our travel time as we returned to Melbourne traffic, and so on. One is suspicious of some grand conspiracy though, having uncovered in said conversations the conspiratorial connection and path-crossing back to the nineties via Subgenious - one of the many bands that grew out of the thriving Latrobe uni music scene.
One presumes MatrixMan was playing some super-long long-game when he pointed Miasmakat at the gaming group nigh on a score of years ago.
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Friday last was the sad/happy occasion of a life celebration for Soph who had happily won and then shockingly suddenly lost her medical battles of the past half year.
The celebration itself was a fitting recollection of the life Soph had lived and highlighted the legacy of strength and community that she created for Duff and The Tumbling Trio with nothing more than her vibrant and friendly personality.
Vale Soph.
The occasion also meant that One was reacquainted with many from the intersecting social groups that Soph was a part of and that one has passing connections with - well maybe not the Cheer leading, although I do have a different 2nd degree of separation into the cheer scene so it may well have happened.
The gathering also allowed a long overdue catch-up with My Guitarist, as well as Doom, The Fungi Lady, Amoeba, and a smattering of others of the LURG persuasion.
The journey to and fro was in the esteemed company of Miasmakat and included much bonding activity - mostly of the conversational kind rather than the imbibing ridiculous quantities of booze and committing foolhardy activities like jumping off bridges kind.
We covered many conversational gambits including planning the next six months of roleplaying game, current life events, impacts and impressions of the celebration itself, how every other car on the road was driven by an a-hole, how a half hour of travel took exactly zero minutes off our travel time as we returned to Melbourne traffic, and so on. One is suspicious of some grand conspiracy though, having uncovered in said conversations the conspiratorial connection and path-crossing back to the nineties via Subgenious - one of the many bands that grew out of the thriving Latrobe uni music scene.
One presumes MatrixMan was playing some super-long long-game when he pointed Miasmakat at the gaming group nigh on a score of years ago.
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Catching up with Catch-ups
So, much has happened in the realm of The Tales since last post. Many catch-ups have occurred and One shall attempt to document them to One's usual fastidious level of accuracy.
On the Monday before Cup Day, One continued to catch-up with ones Hawaiian shirts, having too long neglected them until their recent resurrection for conference. The jealousy from co-workers manifest itself as an air of disdain and a pretended scoffing at one's sense of fashion.
There was a catch-up with Big J in the form of her return from extended leave to attend a three hour strategic reporting and specific duties realignment meeting. I guess she has to have hobbies in her leisure time.
In an effort to catch-up on our role-playing game progress deficit Pirate Dave ran Badger, Sneaky Pete and One through our weekly game until the early am. The deficit is now reduced to only several years.
Attending the annual SLUG conference with Sidekick afforded one the opportunity to catch up with Sis, MoneyM, and others in several entirely networky and educational bar and restaurant settings.
In preparation for Bomber Babe's big move to One's old desk at One's old branch, One had to undertake a cleanup of boxes underneath and draws full of spare parts. A nostalgic catchup with vitally kept spare 2005 technology ensued.
Hulk and One had a catch-up and board games with Miasmakat after it was revealed to Hulk that there was a trampoline there and it became mandatory to attend.
The evening then held a grand catch up at the 10th wedding anniversary soiree for Zombie Monkey. Having arrived post speeches it was hard for one to tell it apart from just a big piss up.
In any case, while one missed The Real Greg Dean, one was able to have a grand catch-up with the ZM himself as well as the first for 7 years catch-up with Illuminated G, Amoeba for our first catch-up in... months, and a 12 years in the making catch-up with Shreen.
Of course Illuminated G was up to his old conspiratorial tricks trying to claim that he and Shreen had never attended One's university at the same time - while my memory clearing has them both in the same group of uni friends, I shall not be a fool for your conspiracy!!
The final catch-up of not was for the farewelling of LibraryBFF heading back to whence she came as her stint as resources ends, and BomberBabe heading to new horizons. It was also for welcoming Mr Prada into the resources - and possibly BFF - role, and Big J attended for the culinary catch-up opportunity.
Phew, now One is caught-up on the catching-up.
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On the Monday before Cup Day, One continued to catch-up with ones Hawaiian shirts, having too long neglected them until their recent resurrection for conference. The jealousy from co-workers manifest itself as an air of disdain and a pretended scoffing at one's sense of fashion.
There was a catch-up with Big J in the form of her return from extended leave to attend a three hour strategic reporting and specific duties realignment meeting. I guess she has to have hobbies in her leisure time.
In an effort to catch-up on our role-playing game progress deficit Pirate Dave ran Badger, Sneaky Pete and One through our weekly game until the early am. The deficit is now reduced to only several years.
Attending the annual SLUG conference with Sidekick afforded one the opportunity to catch up with Sis, MoneyM, and others in several entirely networky and educational bar and restaurant settings.
In preparation for Bomber Babe's big move to One's old desk at One's old branch, One had to undertake a cleanup of boxes underneath and draws full of spare parts. A nostalgic catchup with vitally kept spare 2005 technology ensued.
Hulk and One had a catch-up and board games with Miasmakat after it was revealed to Hulk that there was a trampoline there and it became mandatory to attend.
The evening then held a grand catch up at the 10th wedding anniversary soiree for Zombie Monkey. Having arrived post speeches it was hard for one to tell it apart from just a big piss up.
In any case, while one missed The Real Greg Dean, one was able to have a grand catch-up with the ZM himself as well as the first for 7 years catch-up with Illuminated G, Amoeba for our first catch-up in... months, and a 12 years in the making catch-up with Shreen.
Of course Illuminated G was up to his old conspiratorial tricks trying to claim that he and Shreen had never attended One's university at the same time - while my memory clearing has them both in the same group of uni friends, I shall not be a fool for your conspiracy!!
The final catch-up of not was for the farewelling of LibraryBFF heading back to whence she came as her stint as resources ends, and BomberBabe heading to new horizons. It was also for welcoming Mr Prada into the resources - and possibly BFF - role, and Big J attended for the culinary catch-up opportunity.
Phew, now One is caught-up on the catching-up.
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And the Js have it
So with a flurry of two submissions with three recommendations I have decided to award the J book - the next read in ones A to Z of Unread SciFi and Fantasy Authors quest - to...
Fantomas who has suggested
An honourable mention to Amoeba who came second (or last if you prefer) who has come back from her previous yellow card with much aplomb.
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Fantomas who has suggested
Benedict Jacka - the Alex Versus novels (first one is called "Fated"), Urban fantasy, sort of like Harry Dresden, set in London.An interesting pitch and with the provision of an epub being the modern equivalent of putting it in One's hands - not to mention saving One's poor back from lugging weighty tomes to and fro from "work" - he has taken winner's podium.
An honourable mention to Amoeba who came second (or last if you prefer) who has come back from her previous yellow card with much aplomb.
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Looking for an E Book
Given that one is simultaneously close to the finish of both an excellent read and one of so-so qualities, and that said reads clear the on-loan pile, and that the to-read pile has nothing that matches the criteria, it feels about time to crowd source the next read in ones A to Z of Unread SciFi and Fantasy Authors quest.
Therefore I once again reach out to my you, my network of ever-loyal readers, in order to crowd source my E - or at least a short-list of Es.
The Author's Surname should begin with the letter E, and they should be one who's wares one has not sampled before.
Unlike D, it seems that one has been avoiding E authors in the last 9 years and there are scant any of them recorded in one's reading sites. However off the top of ones head one already has Eddings, Effinger and Egan under one's belt.
Bonus points if the book is available in the work catalogue
Even more bonus points, and the win I guess, if you place your recommendation into one's hands.
Note: Amoeba is currently serving a one recommendation ban and is ineligible for participation. Pirate Dave has a suspended sentence for going backwards to C so is encouraged to make good.
Therefore I once again reach out to my you, my network of ever-loyal readers, in order to crowd source my E - or at least a short-list of Es.
The Rules
Titles should be in the sci-fi and fantasy realms, or speculative fiction if you prefer.The Author's Surname should begin with the letter E, and they should be one who's wares one has not sampled before.
Unlike D, it seems that one has been avoiding E authors in the last 9 years and there are scant any of them recorded in one's reading sites. However off the top of ones head one already has Eddings, Effinger and Egan under one's belt.
Bonus points if the book is available in the work catalogue
Even more bonus points, and the win I guess, if you place your recommendation into one's hands.
Note: Amoeba is currently serving a one recommendation ban and is ineligible for participation. Pirate Dave has a suspended sentence for going backwards to C so is encouraged to make good.
Apocalyptic Doom
One had the pleasure of dragging oneself through the wasteland this Saturday last to attend the existential crisis of young Doom.
As said crisis only lasted the few seconds of "what am I doing here ... having an awesome party!" one almost missed it by arriving at the apparently unfashionably late hour of 8.30 as things were winding down - young people these days.
In any case one did have the opportunity for much catchup with the likes of The Fungi Lady, Amoeba, Agent Smith (looking a little jaundiced as Mr Happy), and Camo Spice, before one's wine coat wore off and it became cold and late and time to head home (or alternatively be kicked out by Doom and Non-Gamin' Megan).
All in all a great way to spend a post-civilisation Saturday night.
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As said crisis only lasted the few seconds of "what am I doing here ... having an awesome party!" one almost missed it by arriving at the apparently unfashionably late hour of 8.30 as things were winding down - young people these days.
In any case one did have the opportunity for much catchup with the likes of The Fungi Lady, Amoeba, Agent Smith (looking a little jaundiced as Mr Happy), and Camo Spice, before one's wine coat wore off and it became cold and late and time to head home (or alternatively be kicked out by Doom and Non-Gamin' Megan).
 |
| Amoeba and Agent Smith looking suitably wasted, er wastlandish |
All in all a great way to spend a post-civilisation Saturday night.
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The Double Feature
So a passel of events full of exciting happenings have occurred in the past month. However one has been too bazy (noun: to be simultaneously busy and lazy) to document them so those wondrous potential posts shall be forever lost to the sands of bazyness.
Instead I shall post forthwith about my Friday last wherein one attended not one but two picture show theatres - and most likely completed one's yearly quota for release time viewing.
Picture the first was an afternoon group bonding exercise organised by Supervisor Grand Chief K, and attended by the rest of one's supervisory coterie: Supervisor S, Big J, Lord of the Small Fries, and Alltogether Heather. The entertainment in question was Brooklyn. Twas a charming tale of Irish immigration to the USA and love against the odds and may have caused some welling up due to it's beautifully shot visuals and not at all for any emotional reasons, no way.
Afterwards there was a group discussion of the film over a drink and some snacks.
Picture the second was in the evening and was the similarly themed Deadpool. Organised against all odds by The Fungi Lady, and attended by a cast of near thousands (if one rounds up aggressively) including Duff, Amoeba, Doom, Non-Gamin' Megan, and Twin Trouble. This one was a charming tale of a possibly Irish immigrant in the USA fighting a battle for love against the odds. It too may have caused some welling up and outbursts due to it's beautifully constructed crude absurdities.
Afterwards there was a group discussion of the film over pancakes.
In conclusion, despite their broad surface similarities, you should find them both to be good in their own ways.
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Instead I shall post forthwith about my Friday last wherein one attended not one but two picture show theatres - and most likely completed one's yearly quota for release time viewing.
Picture the first was an afternoon group bonding exercise organised by Supervisor Grand Chief K, and attended by the rest of one's supervisory coterie: Supervisor S, Big J, Lord of the Small Fries, and Alltogether Heather. The entertainment in question was Brooklyn. Twas a charming tale of Irish immigration to the USA and love against the odds and may have caused some welling up due to it's beautifully shot visuals and not at all for any emotional reasons, no way.
Afterwards there was a group discussion of the film over a drink and some snacks.
Picture the second was in the evening and was the similarly themed Deadpool. Organised against all odds by The Fungi Lady, and attended by a cast of near thousands (if one rounds up aggressively) including Duff, Amoeba, Doom, Non-Gamin' Megan, and Twin Trouble. This one was a charming tale of a possibly Irish immigrant in the USA fighting a battle for love against the odds. It too may have caused some welling up and outbursts due to it's beautifully constructed crude absurdities.
Afterwards there was a group discussion of the film over pancakes.
In conclusion, despite their broad surface similarities, you should find them both to be good in their own ways.
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A Tale of Four Parties
Well, except one of them was a gaming event - but I am not one to let facts stand in the way of a blog entry.
And in any case, said gaming event did involve more drinking than one of the parties!
The celebrating kicked off on an unknown day with a Grand Final watching extravaganza. The event was hosted by The Wiggs and was only a short drive from work - and therefore long drive from home.
The day involved no less than three costume changes from yours truly as beginning the party in one's Collingwood jumper was against the rules of MrRogers and The Electric Tiger; and then one's lesser-of-two-evils coloured attire seemed rather pointless after, oh, 10 minutes or so of footy.
Lack of exciting footy action did allow one to have a catchup talk with Mrs BestFriendSincePrep and also indulge ones fondness for snacks.
The very next day saw another long drive to the vicinity of work. This one was in order to attend a milestone soirée for Supervisor Grand Chief K.
The event marked Hulk's introduction to high society as she, and Salsa Girl, fit perfectly into the Spring Racing garden party theme - oneself also fit perfectly into the sub-theme of car park.
Along the way to being shown the finer points of Croquet by Hulk - just hitting the nearest ball is apparently how one does it properly - one was able to pass pleasantries with the likes of Devil's Advocate (or should that be Devils ), The Administrator and Sonja Roster Queen.
One's third party was the regular all staff training day of which all I can bear to bring myself to mention is the provision of merely adequate amounts of food. Oh Mr Prada why to you torture me so!
Gaming Sunday, being the final of the parties, began with Hulk's first board game - The Little Mole Who Knew it was none of his Business - big thanks My Guitarist for the poo-themed book, game, and plush mole bundle.
Gaming partying continued with a plethora of games and attendees - Legion2, Pirate Dave, Amoeba, and Miasmakat finally putting in an appearance after 15 years on the invite list - all of us dosed with lashings of the finest whiskey.
All in all a grand series of good times - and a jolly good reason for not posting anything for a month or more.
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And in any case, said gaming event did involve more drinking than one of the parties!
The celebrating kicked off on an unknown day with a Grand Final watching extravaganza. The event was hosted by The Wiggs and was only a short drive from work - and therefore long drive from home.
The day involved no less than three costume changes from yours truly as beginning the party in one's Collingwood jumper was against the rules of MrRogers and The Electric Tiger; and then one's lesser-of-two-evils coloured attire seemed rather pointless after, oh, 10 minutes or so of footy.
Lack of exciting footy action did allow one to have a catchup talk with Mrs BestFriendSincePrep and also indulge ones fondness for snacks.
The very next day saw another long drive to the vicinity of work. This one was in order to attend a milestone soirée for Supervisor Grand Chief K.
The event marked Hulk's introduction to high society as she, and Salsa Girl, fit perfectly into the Spring Racing garden party theme - oneself also fit perfectly into the sub-theme of car park.
Along the way to being shown the finer points of Croquet by Hulk - just hitting the nearest ball is apparently how one does it properly - one was able to pass pleasantries with the likes of Devil's Advocate (or should that be Devils ), The Administrator and Sonja Roster Queen.
One's third party was the regular all staff training day of which all I can bear to bring myself to mention is the provision of merely adequate amounts of food. Oh Mr Prada why to you torture me so!
Gaming Sunday, being the final of the parties, began with Hulk's first board game - The Little Mole Who Knew it was none of his Business - big thanks My Guitarist for the poo-themed book, game, and plush mole bundle.
Gaming partying continued with a plethora of games and attendees - Legion2, Pirate Dave, Amoeba, and Miasmakat finally putting in an appearance after 15 years on the invite list - all of us dosed with lashings of the finest whiskey.
All in all a grand series of good times - and a jolly good reason for not posting anything for a month or more.
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And D Winner is ...
As per one's previous posting I am crowd sourcing a D author for my A to Z of Unread Sci-Fi and Fantasy Authors reading undertaking.
By virtue of one being on the shelf at one's working library branch I shall shortly be commencing a tome by Gardner Dozois - Strangers.
Congratulations to MatrixMan on the successful recommendation. Although Badger may have inadvertently won by virtue of handing the Legion a Space Opera collection containing a Delaney novella, without any knowledge of the competition being underway.
Amoeba shall serve out a one recommendation suspension after being yellow carded for continuing to recommend previously read authors.
And Pirate Dave's status is being considered after he went backwards and handed one an unread C author.
Sigh. Rules people, rules.
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By virtue of one being on the shelf at one's working library branch I shall shortly be commencing a tome by Gardner Dozois - Strangers.
Congratulations to MatrixMan on the successful recommendation. Although Badger may have inadvertently won by virtue of handing the Legion a Space Opera collection containing a Delaney novella, without any knowledge of the competition being underway.
Amoeba shall serve out a one recommendation suspension after being yellow carded for continuing to recommend previously read authors.
And Pirate Dave's status is being considered after he went backwards and handed one an unread C author.
Sigh. Rules people, rules.
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Party and Sick
Hmmm, it appears that this post is become somewhat like a pair of Young Ones episodes.
One has neglected several weeks of blog posting under the duress of having been suffering insufferably under a most debilitating dose of man-cold. In fact the tail end is still hanging around which is why I will have to do nothing other than laze around all weekend.
So, what has been happening? You ask.
This weekend last Several weekends past Salsa Girl and I had the surreal experience of going out together, to dinner, well before Hulk's settle time - all thanks to the brave generosity of Freeloading Mum, who settles Hulk herself and claimed "it was no trouble and thanks for the wifi access".
Our out was to the Huck's party for Doom and Non-Gamin' Megan. As they had the temerity to be monopolised by their other guests, one was able to have long overdue catch-ups with The Fungi Lady, Amoeba, and Agent Smith.
All in all a great night out - even if the end of it was a tad fuzzy...
Otherwise it has been pretty much business and man-cold, as usual, lots of work, lot's of whinging and a few more books knocked off.
Once one's health returns then you should all expect the Tales to return to it's usual bounty of efflusient, sparkling and incisive wit, comment and malaproprianisation.
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Hulk versus Amoeba the Epic Struggle
So, last Friday was the long awaited celebration of Amoeba's longevity.
One was caught somewhat in the dilemma between attendance and one's paternal duties to young Hulk and her needs various - it being bath night and all that that entails.
Hulk, however, had other ideas. Upon this great struggle of one's mind she decide to unleash her special Technicolour Yawn attack with it's amazingly quick re-use time, and alas the Epic Struggle was over in a rush.
It was quite a shame to miss the event as from all accounts nobody can really remember what happened so it must have been fantastic. Also, I had, after uncounted interrupted nights sleep, been thinking of gifting The Tiger to Amoeba to get her crazy feline collection off to a most fitting start. I guess that will have to wait now.
Of course, due to her genetic heritage, Hulk went over the top and managed to effect both Salsa Girl and oneself with her special attack. Being the gentleman I am I took the bullet for Salsa Girl who has only suffered mildly while I believe one may have suffered some rib damage from the whole messy affair.
All in all, not a recommended way to have a few days off work.
At all.
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One was caught somewhat in the dilemma between attendance and one's paternal duties to young Hulk and her needs various - it being bath night and all that that entails.
Hulk, however, had other ideas. Upon this great struggle of one's mind she decide to unleash her special Technicolour Yawn attack with it's amazingly quick re-use time, and alas the Epic Struggle was over in a rush.
It was quite a shame to miss the event as from all accounts nobody can really remember what happened so it must have been fantastic. Also, I had, after uncounted interrupted nights sleep, been thinking of gifting The Tiger to Amoeba to get her crazy feline collection off to a most fitting start. I guess that will have to wait now.
Of course, due to her genetic heritage, Hulk went over the top and managed to effect both Salsa Girl and oneself with her special attack. Being the gentleman I am I took the bullet for Salsa Girl who has only suffered mildly while I believe one may have suffered some rib damage from the whole messy affair.
All in all, not a recommended way to have a few days off work.
At all.
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A Moving Time, Parte the Seconde
Further grand adventures that occurred include.
- 3 innumerable quests to IKEA in search of critical components for a new household
- finally finding time to watch my Xmas dvd of Dredd and pronouncing it a 4 star experience
- the successful procurement of Young Jim into the Tuesday Knights
- finishing the grand epic Wheel of Tedium with A Memory of Light which turned out to be quite a good read and wrap up of the story line with minimal braid tugging, earning itself a 4 star rating
- a mammoth Sunday's gaming recommencement with Badger, Pirate Dave, Young Jim, Legion, FridgePower, Judge Mingus, Ball Boy, Amoeba, ElfBoy, Gavman, lot's of boardgames and fun for all in The Gaming Garage
- what can only be described as a devouring of the first season of Game of Thrones
- much attendance at various supervisor training from which Sidekick will benefit - particularly the revelations about bullying
- extreme computer rollout busyness - you all know how much one loves that
- Pirate Dave's emergence as Mister Boardgames
- the return of footy watching
- a quite enjoyable read of Accellerando by Charles Stross
- finally finding time to watch my Xmas dvd of Prometheus and pronouncing it a 3 star experience
- a return to footy excursions with The Great Sandro and one's first ever Queen's Birthday match attendance
- a good catchup with The Viking Hat GM, Exploding Ninja Pony, The Mad Magyar, and Frenchy, as TVHGM and progeny celebrated their co-located birthdays with abundant cake
- a second Gaming Sunday, thus proving that there will be an ongoing pattern
And that catches us all up to an incredibly detailed level sothat you all know what has been going on in the wonderful world of The Tales.
See you all next week.
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Geektogether XIII
Last night saw one use one's weekly gaming pass to attend the auspicious 13th Geektogether. This is probably my 10th or 11th I guess.
Organised again by the despotic The Viking Hat GM , as no one else can make the Geeks run on time.
The evening was actually rather a good chance for one to catch up with Pirate Dave whom one had not seen for many a month.
Amoeba was also in attendance as were many geeks - more than a baker's dozen - and we were all treated to the sage wisdom of The Viking Hat GM which turned out to be quite sage when it drummed up a round of drinks for us old timers who have been gaming longer than the round-buying young geeks have even been.
All in all it was a good occasion forpeople geeks looking for a game to play in. You know the type, like The Real Greg Dean whose brain aches for game ... umm... and who one should totally have informed of the event.
Oh well there's bound to be another one if only so karma (aka TVHGM) can make me buy the next round of drinks.
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Organised again by the despotic The Viking Hat GM , as no one else can make the Geeks run on time.
The evening was actually rather a good chance for one to catch up with Pirate Dave whom one had not seen for many a month.
Amoeba was also in attendance as were many geeks - more than a baker's dozen - and we were all treated to the sage wisdom of The Viking Hat GM which turned out to be quite sage when it drummed up a round of drinks for us old timers who have been gaming longer than the round-buying young geeks have even been.
All in all it was a good occasion for
Oh well there's bound to be another one if only so karma (aka TVHGM) can make me buy the next round of drinks.
.
Many Days in October
One is slack, blah blah blah, interstate conference, blah blah blah, too much work, blah blah blah, spending lots of time with Salsa Girl, blah blah blah.
Now I've gotten that is out of the way I can move on to the serious business of regaling you with tales of hilarity, caution, and just a smidgeon of what Phill has been up to these past days.
My mid October was filled with a holiday/conference in rainy Brisbane during which one found out that there are events that occur between the Teas (morning and afternoon) and the lunch, when one had to present several sessions. All went well except for the miserly afternoon teas. The post conference dinner shenanigans included the fun of having pints of beer spilled on me not once but twice, so I decided to scarper off to bed before it could happen a third time.
One has also spent these past few weeks training The Tiger to not be in the bedroom crushing one during one's sleep. After an initial all night whinge she seems to have accepted her fate and there is barely a complaint as I disappear for my refreshing nights sleep of an evening.
My days have also been filled with exploding* wi-fi equipment hijinks including replacement equipment that failed and replacement replacement equipment that one had to rewire oneself. I did find out that a kitchen sink is apparently a great static free place to work on the innards of a computer - although I am a tad concerened that staff continued to blithly wash coffee cups whilest I had an open computer there!
* not really exploding
There was also the event of the decade(s) with the "combined to 70th" birthdays of Gavman and The J Monster. It was magnificently catered and in the words of the spawn of ArchEnemy "the best party ever!"
Coming a close second for event of the month was the annual Absent Friends Jyhad game. This year we had Doom, Legion2, Camo Spice, Amoeba, MatrixMan, Vengeful Vic, Couch Killer, Pirate Dave, Salsa Girl, and Badger in attendance. There was also rather a lot of fine whisky and port to be had and I'm sure that if I could remember what happened I would think it was a fantastic evening.
Most recently one has returned from a so called dirty weekend in rainy Lorne with Salsa Girl. As she failed to kill me after four continuous days in close proximity I am counting it as a success.
The dirtiness of the weekend is in doubt as one's automobile has been scoured to a shiny state of cleanliness by what must have been about 3 feet of rain over the four days. There were also several beautiful nature walks taken in as well as many gastronomic delights.
One is now relaxing in the days off that should always follow a holiday in order to allow one to recover from said holiday.
More soon - I promise, and I mean it this time.
.
Now I've gotten that is out of the way I can move on to the serious business of regaling you with tales of hilarity, caution, and just a smidgeon of what Phill has been up to these past days.
My mid October was filled with a holiday/conference in rainy Brisbane during which one found out that there are events that occur between the Teas (morning and afternoon) and the lunch, when one had to present several sessions. All went well except for the miserly afternoon teas. The post conference dinner shenanigans included the fun of having pints of beer spilled on me not once but twice, so I decided to scarper off to bed before it could happen a third time.
One has also spent these past few weeks training The Tiger to not be in the bedroom crushing one during one's sleep. After an initial all night whinge she seems to have accepted her fate and there is barely a complaint as I disappear for my refreshing nights sleep of an evening.
My days have also been filled with exploding* wi-fi equipment hijinks including replacement equipment that failed and replacement replacement equipment that one had to rewire oneself. I did find out that a kitchen sink is apparently a great static free place to work on the innards of a computer - although I am a tad concerened that staff continued to blithly wash coffee cups whilest I had an open computer there!
* not really exploding
There was also the event of the decade(s) with the "combined to 70th" birthdays of Gavman and The J Monster. It was magnificently catered and in the words of the spawn of ArchEnemy "the best party ever!"
Coming a close second for event of the month was the annual Absent Friends Jyhad game. This year we had Doom, Legion2, Camo Spice, Amoeba, MatrixMan, Vengeful Vic, Couch Killer, Pirate Dave, Salsa Girl, and Badger in attendance. There was also rather a lot of fine whisky and port to be had and I'm sure that if I could remember what happened I would think it was a fantastic evening.
Most recently one has returned from a so called dirty weekend in rainy Lorne with Salsa Girl. As she failed to kill me after four continuous days in close proximity I am counting it as a success.
The dirtiness of the weekend is in doubt as one's automobile has been scoured to a shiny state of cleanliness by what must have been about 3 feet of rain over the four days. There were also several beautiful nature walks taken in as well as many gastronomic delights.
One is now relaxing in the days off that should always follow a holiday in order to allow one to recover from said holiday.
More soon - I promise, and I mean it this time.
.
The Innocuous return of Torchwood, and Movie Night
One is at somewhat of a loss.
Friday evenings "celebratory" drinks in honour of the return visit to our shores of Torchwood went off without a single noteworthy hitch or spectacle of which to write about.
Even with Supervisor Grand Chief K at her enabling best there were no sudden spills or embarassing statements and the entire night was only fun and frivilous conversation.
Sigh. How am I supposed to satisfy my content hungry readership if things continue to go well with no unfortunate happenings?
Slightly more eventful was movie night with MatrixMan, Vengeful Vic, and Couch Killer.
We had a trio of movies that fit the "good film that at least one of us hasn't seen" criteria - Big Trouble in Little China, The Losers, Martin - thanks to Fantomas and Legion2 - although I must point out that my identical copy of Big Trouble in Little China would have been superior to Fantomas's.
As has become recent tradition Couch Killer stuck himself to me and I had to control the wriggling, squirming mass for much of the first few hours. When I taunted Vengeful Vic that I was going to steal her child she replied with glee that she had a bag packed for him in the hall and we could leave straight away, so I was forced to recant my taunt.
Since that delightful eve I have had:
.
Friday evenings "celebratory" drinks in honour of the return visit to our shores of Torchwood went off without a single noteworthy hitch or spectacle of which to write about.
Even with Supervisor Grand Chief K at her enabling best there were no sudden spills or embarassing statements and the entire night was only fun and frivilous conversation.
Sigh. How am I supposed to satisfy my content hungry readership if things continue to go well with no unfortunate happenings?
Slightly more eventful was movie night with MatrixMan, Vengeful Vic, and Couch Killer.
We had a trio of movies that fit the "good film that at least one of us hasn't seen" criteria - Big Trouble in Little China, The Losers, Martin - thanks to Fantomas and Legion2 - although I must point out that my identical copy of Big Trouble in Little China would have been superior to Fantomas's.
As has become recent tradition Couch Killer stuck himself to me and I had to control the wriggling, squirming mass for much of the first few hours. When I taunted Vengeful Vic that I was going to steal her child she replied with glee that she had a bag packed for him in the hall and we could leave straight away, so I was forced to recant my taunt.
Since that delightful eve I have had:
- an afternoon of gaming with some D-Day reenactment games of Memoir 44. Attending at the tail end was Amoeba, getting back into my good books with a very late but quite appropriate birthday present of dice and chocolate Fudge.
- yet another skipped gaming night - this one due to Torchwood, and The Administrator and Lord of the Small Fries organising a last minute dinner
- several cases of mysterious chocolate overdose
- my succumbing (? succumbation) to ElfBoy's boys cold that he has been dosing me with for the past month
.
Shed Week
Shed Week was heralded in with a weekend party in honour of Agent Smith's newly constructed residence.
While transporting Legion2 and BrotherStealer to the shindig along with myself I may have become lost amongst the unfamiliar - and inadequately signposted - surrounds of the other side of the city. (Perhaps it should be other-other side, since work is already on the other side?) However it merely added to the sense of accomplishment once we did arrive.
At first the affair appeared to be merely a family one, and one did feel out of place amongst the relatives but soon the familiar faces began flowing in. There was The Valkyrie, and Amoeba, Mechwarrior Wayne, Camo Spice, Redneck Ben, Doom, The Doctor, and a most unexpected appearance from The Fungi Lady.
All in all a great night highlighted by Agent Smith and his band belting out some rock favourites in the pool room. The only downside was the good Agent outdoing my drumming prowess by also singing for several of the numbers - such five-way coordination having always been beyond my capabilities.
Early in shed week I snuck back into my home branch to try and recall what it was I had been missing these past few weeks. Alas no luck as the harassment soon drove me to spend the next few days in the IT shed at the corporate castle, ostensibly working on new PCs but actually just secluding myself from society.
Those days did allow me to finish reading The Men Who Stare at Goats which I found to be fun and interesting. It did confirm a lot of my conspiracy theories about the US military. Thanks to Badger for the birthday gift of the book.
A definite highlight of Shed Week was an Old School D&D bash, with The Viking Hat GM and others, in which stupid rules were enforced with TVHGM's usual forceful vigour. Despite all that my poor little Gnome character managed to survive and looks forward to serving his god Sumdertgud in future dungeon delving escapades.
Shed Week was wrapped up with a full day installing new PCs with my trusty sidekick Ms Magpie. Unlike my solo working style we got a lot done with minimal fuss - something it may take me some time to get used to experiencing.
.
While transporting Legion2 and BrotherStealer to the shindig along with myself I may have become lost amongst the unfamiliar - and inadequately signposted - surrounds of the other side of the city. (Perhaps it should be other-other side, since work is already on the other side?) However it merely added to the sense of accomplishment once we did arrive.
At first the affair appeared to be merely a family one, and one did feel out of place amongst the relatives but soon the familiar faces began flowing in. There was The Valkyrie, and Amoeba, Mechwarrior Wayne, Camo Spice, Redneck Ben, Doom, The Doctor, and a most unexpected appearance from The Fungi Lady.
All in all a great night highlighted by Agent Smith and his band belting out some rock favourites in the pool room. The only downside was the good Agent outdoing my drumming prowess by also singing for several of the numbers - such five-way coordination having always been beyond my capabilities.
Early in shed week I snuck back into my home branch to try and recall what it was I had been missing these past few weeks. Alas no luck as the harassment soon drove me to spend the next few days in the IT shed at the corporate castle, ostensibly working on new PCs but actually just secluding myself from society.
Those days did allow me to finish reading The Men Who Stare at Goats which I found to be fun and interesting. It did confirm a lot of my conspiracy theories about the US military. Thanks to Badger for the birthday gift of the book.
A definite highlight of Shed Week was an Old School D&D bash, with The Viking Hat GM and others, in which stupid rules were enforced with TVHGM's usual forceful vigour. Despite all that my poor little Gnome character managed to survive and looks forward to serving his god Sumdertgud in future dungeon delving escapades.
Shed Week was wrapped up with a full day installing new PCs with my trusty sidekick Ms Magpie. Unlike my solo working style we got a lot done with minimal fuss - something it may take me some time to get used to experiencing.
.
... The Upgrade Week
Since last we spoke the bulk of my time has been taken up with a library system upgrade which has, unfortunately, involved scads of work from yours truly despite my every effort to have it fix itself.
Of course this hasn't stopped a multitude of other events occurring in my tumultuous life. Amongst them are:
.
Of course this hasn't stopped a multitude of other events occurring in my tumultuous life. Amongst them are:
- Corporate get-togethers replete with morning tea and lunch
- a footy trip with The Great Sandro including a magnificent 40 minute wait at our usual meeting point as he thought I may just still be home at our scheduled meeting time. This caused me to skip dinner in order to get into the game ASAP. Of course there was then a 10 minute delay on entry - missing us the beginning of the match. Further insult was added at half time when only every second nourishment dispensing station was open causing 30 metre queues and late our return to our seats.
- a gaming Sunday which helped me to relax somewhat in preparation for the onslaught of the upgrade week ahead (The Tiger hissing like a cobra at the presence of MatrixMan's offspring was a little counter to stress relief though)
- a visit to a knee specialist with an oddly detached and alien manner - and not the cool hunt you down one by one type of alien. Anyway it looks like the ACL may have been the culprit all along and reconstruction may be the only option for improvement. An MRI is in the works to get a better idea of what's happening in front of my knee-pit.
- a tortuous desk shift serving the public
- a tortuous return to gaming with The Viking Hat GM and Co.
- a mad dash home to find that I had inadvertently avenged myself upon The Great Sandro by leaving him waiting on my stoop, only to have him pull the master-stroke and demand pre-game doughnuts. Said doughnuts caused us to be 2 people from the front of the queue when the match sold-out and the window closed. Needless to say one disgruntled doughnut-eating train trip later we were ensconced in my warm comfortable lounge room watching the pies performance on the tele-o-vision instead of being crushed into the icy arena as we'd intended.
- some sedate buck's night drinks for the benefit of Sir Clive Pitbull
- an irrefusable invite to an afternoon birthday drink for Amoeba at which the suns warmth had me down to a t-shirt on a winters afternoon wasting away time I could have spent on upgrade preparation
- a long, lonely afternoon and evening of preparing the libraries for this weeks days of reduced catalogue access - with only my overtime to keep me warm
- a day of near-perfect "not much to do" without the main computer "stuff" accessible - although I was forced to get some other work done
.
... The Day Geisha Girl and The Composer Were Married
Yesterday was spent having a wonderful time at the Zoo in celebration of the nuptuals of Geisha Girl and The Composer.
The ceremony began in glaring sunlight in the lush Japanese Garden and ended in light rain which helpfully covered any emotional tears that may have been shed - obviously only by those less rugged and blokey than I.
After the service Legion2, BrotherStealer and I had a ramble through the grounds and made an almost fruitless search for zoo animals. We found only giraffes, elephants and orangutans - even with the added searching skills of Tooticky and Usuakari all the other creature remained unfindable.
Giving up our search we returned for libraryland "cocktails" and some delicious snacks.
Shortly thereafter we were ushered inside the cosy Rainforest Room for the reception proper.
I was seated at a table with Legion2, BrotherStealer, Agent Smith, Tuck, and a good bunch of strangers. We all enjoyed some scintillating conversations and magnificent food.
Rugrat Twin and Amoeba shared the MCing and speechifying wonderfully, even seamlessly adding me into the toast after I was caught at the bridal table when it all started - although BrotherStealer was heard to remark that I had ruined yet another wedding.
After the main course I risked life, limb, and ruined knee, to give Rugrat Twin a twirl about the dance floor. She seemed happy to come away with both feet intact so I count it as a success.
Many others were in attendance including an amazingly uncamoed Camo Spice (whom I'd gamed with until ridiculous o'clock in the morning the night before) and most of the gaming and gothing geeks who knew the couple well.
The last official act of the evening was no strange cake cutting tradition but the completely appropriate merging of the lego collections of the happy couple to show their level of commitment to each other.
We all left the strangely animal-lite zoo at the end of the evening to head home happy and tired and with inexplicable soreness of the head.
The ceremony began in glaring sunlight in the lush Japanese Garden and ended in light rain which helpfully covered any emotional tears that may have been shed - obviously only by those less rugged and blokey than I.
After the service Legion2, BrotherStealer and I had a ramble through the grounds and made an almost fruitless search for zoo animals. We found only giraffes, elephants and orangutans - even with the added searching skills of Tooticky and Usuakari all the other creature remained unfindable.
Giving up our search we returned for libraryland "cocktails" and some delicious snacks.
Shortly thereafter we were ushered inside the cosy Rainforest Room for the reception proper.
I was seated at a table with Legion2, BrotherStealer, Agent Smith, Tuck, and a good bunch of strangers. We all enjoyed some scintillating conversations and magnificent food.
Rugrat Twin and Amoeba shared the MCing and speechifying wonderfully, even seamlessly adding me into the toast after I was caught at the bridal table when it all started - although BrotherStealer was heard to remark that I had ruined yet another wedding.
After the main course I risked life, limb, and ruined knee, to give Rugrat Twin a twirl about the dance floor. She seemed happy to come away with both feet intact so I count it as a success.
Many others were in attendance including an amazingly uncamoed Camo Spice (whom I'd gamed with until ridiculous o'clock in the morning the night before) and most of the gaming and gothing geeks who knew the couple well.
The last official act of the evening was no strange cake cutting tradition but the completely appropriate merging of the lego collections of the happy couple to show their level of commitment to each other.
We all left the strangely animal-lite zoo at the end of the evening to head home happy and tired and with inexplicable soreness of the head.
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