Thursday, August 23, 2012

20 Questions

Fran and Ray, or as they shall now be collectively known in my head "Fran 'n' Anna" (decide for yourselves who's who boys), started what can only be described as a meme with a batch of 20 questions, used to fill blog time, whilst fighting off a bout of the painting doldrums.

As I find myself in a similar situation where I just can't find the inspiration to pick up a brush, decided to follow suit. I feel however that I may have missed the boat slightly, and am following on from a great many other posts in the same vein. So, if you're not all sick of these bloody questions already, here are my responses for your delight and entertainment.

It appears somewhat later in the week than other posts of the same meme, as my home computer is dead. Time to go looking for a new one, as I think it's finally beyond all repair.

1.       Favourite Wargaming period and why?

I'll play pretty much any wargame/period at least once, but the greatest exposure I have, and therefore games I have played, have been in the fantasy genre.

2.       Next period, money no object?

I'd love to game in Civil Wars period. By that I mean everything from the Wars of the 3 Kingdoms, through to the last Jacobite rebellion (the '45). There's the combination of so many things there (I realise I'm stretching the time frame a little too large to cover more than one 'period' here, but it is money no object).

3.       Favourite 5 films?

  • Princess bride
  • The Avengers
  • The Duellists
  • The Tao of Steve


4.       Favourite 5 TV series?

Off the top of my head (which is to say things from the last few years):
  • Doctor Who
  • Castle
  • Firefly
  • Sherlock Holmes (Stephen Moffat Version)
  • Anything by David Attenborough
5.       Favourite book and author?

No way we're having 5 of all the rest and only one of these. Fran 'n' Ray can't be big on the reading thing. Mostly authors, as I like more than one of their books, and an't chose between them (except for the last, as I don't think he wrote much else, least not that I've read). 

  • Arthur Conan Doyle (not just for Holmes)
  • Stephen Erikson,
  • Bernard Cromwell
  • Ian Rankin
  • True Grit (Charles Portis)
I would have added Tolkien and the LoTR trilogy, but I find the quote from Sit Terry of Pratchett to hit the mark rather well on this one.

" If its not your favourite book at 14 their is something wrong with you.
If it still your favourite book at 40 their is really something wrong with you!"

6.       Greatest General? Can’t count yourself!!

Ok, so I'm struggling with this one. I'm rather a weak historian when it comes to the ins and outs of each of the historically significant generals, so I'm not the best person to compare and contrast. My little knowledge would suggest that Napoleon was one to watch. Does he count?

7.       Favourite Wargames rules?

I would have to say Warmachine/Hordes for this. Although I would like to do more historical wargaming, I don't have the contacts in town to pull that off. as for Warmahordes, I've been playing that system on and off for the last 8-9 years, and have yet to tire of it.

8.       Favourite Sport and team?

I'm going to break the mould with this one, in that I am not a follower of spectator sports per se, so my favourite sport is one that I myself have competed in. My favourite sport is fencing. It's a passion I picked up at University, and continued to practice up until recently, where I've taken a break from training due to life, jobs and children getting in the way. I fully intend to get back into it soon, as the eldest is about the age where I can start her off.

As to team, well, obvioulsy there's no team to follow in fencing as such. If pushed, I have a historical soft spot for Aberdeen FC. This comes mostly from growing up in the west coast of Scotland, where there are only 2 team, each one aligned to a religious 'tribe', at least in the minds of my fellow citizens of Glasgow and surrounds. To this end, at a very early age I decided I wanted nothing to do with the tribal flute blowing, and went with Aberdeen, as that's where my maternal Grandfather came from, and any relatives that had an interest in football resided. My father, I believe to his great credit, was not a football man, and made no claims on my sympathies.
9.       If you had a only use once time machine, when and where would you go?

I'd use it to cross paths with either the Doctor, or Bill 'n' Ted, then hop on for the ride with those guys.

10.   Last meal on Death Row?

A nce curry. A good lamb rogan josh, or chicken dansak. Followed by lemon merangue Pie, washed down with Deuchers IPA. Lovely.

11.    Fantasy relationship and why?

That's actually really hard. At various point in the poast I have had celebrity crushes, which I assume is where the question means to lead, but at this point in time, I don't believe I do. Of course the stock answer is that I'm living the dream, but if pushed, I must say I have a soft spot for Emily Blunt. As to the why? Dark hair, blue eyes is certaily my type. Also, she's not often seen playing the wallflower, I like my women strong.

12.   If your life were a movie, who would play you?

Hugh Jackman. I'd love it to be Robert Downey Jr. But I'm not sure I have the screen presence to warrant him.

13.   Favourite Comic  Superhero?

Was going to say Batman here, but on a little reflection, I think I have more of an attachment to Nightwing. He has all the same starting points as Batman (non-super, gifted human, tragic past), but has a more cheery outlook than Bats.

14.   Favourite Military quote?

"I had rather have a plain, russet-coated Captain, that knows what he fights
for, and loves what he knows, than that you call a Gentleman and is nothing else."
Oliver Cromwell

15.   Historical destination to visit?
The Ring of Brodgar. I've never bee up to the northern ilses of Scotland. The western isles, yes many a time, but Orkney and Shetland are too far away, and there's nothing much there. But the Ring of Brodgar alone would take me up there.

16.   Biggest Wargaming regret?

I don't have any regrests per se. I could wish i had spent more time wargaming with my friends back home, but to be honest, I was, and am, more into role playing than wargaming, so that was the choice I made back then, and would likely do the same.

17.   Favourite Fantasy job?
My fantasy job as a kid was to be a zookeeper. For a time in my adolescence/university years I lived the dream, kind of, as a volunteer at a local wildlife park, where I swiftly realised that doing that job was not all it was cracked up to be, and it was more fun to be a visitor at the zoo than to work there every day. So with that dream realised, whet next? It is a topic I have been ruminating frquently recently. Not so much the fantasy job, but what I really want to do with my career. I did think manager/owner of a gaming store, but knowing one or two of those, it doesn't live up top the dream either. If I ever find out, I'll let you know. Otherwise, I'll just fantasise about winning the lottery and not having to work!

18.   Favourite Song, Top 5?

For a top 5 songs, ask me tomorrow and it'll have changed. So I've gone with top 5 bands/artists instead. Even that can change from day to day.
  • Green Day
  • Matchbox 20
  • P!nk
  • Pearl Jam
  • The Offspring

19.   Favourite Wargaming Moment?

Don't have one. Crap response for a wargaming blog I know. Okay, how about this: any game that finishes (win or lose) when I've had fun. Thankfully for me, I'm lucky in my opponents and this happens more often than not.

20.   The miserable Git question, what upsets you?

Oh, here we go! I'm getting older and grumpier by the day, and could easily fill a list like some that have gone before. If pushed for one, I'd say creationist. The sooner we evolve beyond their viewpoint the better for the race as a whole.

4 comments:

  1. Nice one Derek, some great answers, I can't repeat what Fran said about the Fran and Anna quip!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. He does seem to have rather the potty mouth that one!

      Delete
  2. Some cracking answers, I'm going to have to cave in and give this a go.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Or, you could just continue to post quality wargaming and painting posts instead! ;)

      Delete