JonCon

Beware the Colonel

2012-02-13T19:44:00.000-05:00

Sunday Civil War Link Dump

2012-02-12T14:15:00.000-05:00

From the New York Times an article about Lincoln and an article about "Workin' on the railroad"

From the Montgomery Advertiser an article about Geocaching in Alabama

From the Dispatch an article about bringing back a wayward family member

From Indystar.com an article about the relevance of Civil War museums.

From the L.A. Times an article and link to a Civil War battlefield located in the Tucson Arizona area. Picacho Peak State Park

Happy Birthday Mr. President

2012-02-12T13:31:00.000-05:00

Happy Birthday Abe!!!!

So long Legolas

2012-01-29T15:33:00.000-05:00

I already knew I was going to like the new Hobbit movie. This might be my favorite elf of all time.

Read the article here

Sunday Civil War Link Dump

2012-01-29T09:50:00.000-05:00

From the Dispatch an article about a Central Ohio born Rebel General.

From the Atlanta, Civil War Zombies?????

From the Courier Journal a history of Kentucky in the Civil War written for the centennial. That was fifty years ago Lich!!

200 days to Indy!!

2012-01-27T02:53:00.003-05:00

Ok Boys. 200 days to GenCon Indy. Who is in?

What say you men?

Quirk of History?

2012-01-26T17:36:00.000-05:00

From Yahoo News:

This story sounds too impossible to be true, but it is. John Tyler was born in 1790, and he was the 10th president of the United States in 1841. Believe it or not, he has two living grandchildren. For perspective consider this: When Tyler was born, George Washington was giving his State of the Union address. When Tyler became president, the Civil War was still 20 years away! But how is this possible? Here's some math for you: Tyler had 15 children, and in 1853 he was 63 when his son Lyon Gardiner Tyler was born. Lyon had six children, with two of them, Harrison Ruffin Tyler and Lyon Gardiner Tyler Jr., born when he was in his 70s in 1924 and 1928 respectively. Both men, now in their 80s, still live in Virginia with Harrison maintaining President Tyler's home place "Sherwood Forest".

President Tyler lived until January 18, 1862. At the time of his death he was waiting to join the Confederate States Congress as a member of their House of Representatives. His death is the only Presidential death not recognized by Washington, due to his allegiance to the Confederacy. More on President Tyler here.

Red Tails

2012-01-21T16:32:00.006-05:00

I went and saw the latest movie about the Tuskegee Airmen, Red Tails. The movie focuses on the Airmen, already in the war, and their low level assignments behind the lines in Italy.

It highlights their battle as men at war, as black men in a very prejudiced Army, and pilots against the vaunted Luftwaffe.

It has a good cast, and some of the best dog fighting scenes of any movie. It also has some really corny lines and is dripping with cliches. For a movie that took George Lucas so long to make (he started this project in the 80's)he should have delivered more. The best part of this movie is the air scenes.

I overall enjoyed this movie but felt like it needed a little more in it. 2 and 3/4 Floyd's

Upcoming Comic Book Movies

2012-01-16T09:25:00.002-05:00

It looks like there might be a Deadpool movie coming out in 2014.

This isn't really a Super Hero thing but check out Bilbo and Sting

Check out the Avengers Trailer. They will be in the theaters in May 2012.

Ghost Rider is back also.

So is Batman in The Dark Knight rises

And DC is once again giving us another Superman. This time called Man of Steel, it is due out some time next year. Hopefully this will lead into a Justice League movie.

MLK Day 2012

2012-01-16T01:31:00.000-05:00

Sunday Morning Civil War Link Dump

2012-01-15T05:31:00.002-05:00

From Yahoo news a story about the first Civil War submarine

A commemoration of the 150th Anniversary of the Civil War by the Smithsonian Institution. This has a wealth of info and cool links in it.

From the New York Times an article about Humor during the Civil War

From the Atlanta Constitution Journal an article about Civil War Museums.

From Yahoo news a Columbus related Lincoln article

The week that was 7 Jan thru 13 Jan

2012-01-14T10:31:00.000-05:00

It was an interesting week for our group. It started with the World's oldest living Adventurer, the Sage of Southwood, the great and all knowing Keithstradamus, reaching a historic age. He turned the old double nickel, 55, on the 7th.

Condolences, thoughts and prayers then went out to the family of the great Wallet Drainer from Medina on the passing of his father. A pilgrimage was made to Norwalk where, while it was good to see everyone, it was a part of life we all dread when that time comes. Looking back it is so reassuring (to me at least) to know that your true friends will be there when you need them the most.

I can't wait until the next time we can all get together. Gettysburg in the Summer boys?

Happy New Year

2012-01-01T00:01:00.001-05:00

Happy New Year brothers. Here is hoping 2012 is a great year for us all. I know for me personally I have limped to the finish line. I thank you all for being my friends

Merry Christmas

2011-12-25T00:01:00.004-05:00

8And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

9And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

10And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

11For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

12And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

14Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Secret Santa Gift Exchange

2011-10-24T04:21:00.001-04:00

This is something I have been involved with in the past through BoardgameGeek.com. It has been a lot of fun and I have received a lot of cool games. To get involved click here.

Sunday Morning Civil War Link Dump

2011-10-23T16:30:00.000-04:00

An article that could have been really good but was either edited to mediocrity or poorly written about Ohio born Confederate Generals from the Columbus Dispatch.

An older article from USA Today about the descendants of famous Civil War participants.

From the Dalton Georgia The Daily Citizen an article about "The Sinews of War."

R.I.P. to one of the good ones

2011-10-03T17:49:00.001-04:00

Rich's dad, John Romonosky, passed away Sunday October 2, 2011. Here is the Obit

Lest We Forget

2011-09-11T00:01:00.004-04:00

Ready or not we are Indy bound

2011-08-03T02:02:00.000-04:00

Well it looks like a few of us will be heading to Indy in a few hours. Not sure about the Sage of Southwood now. He may be coming later but he won't be making the caravan in a few hours from now. Anyway, bring on the days of bad eating, gamer funk, gamer foot, the opening day cattle call, black t-shirts and GenCon!!

Indiana Jones meets James Bond

2011-07-31T18:32:00.008-04:00

Well not really but Harrison Ford and Daniel Craig are both in Cowboys & Aliens. An interesting sci fi twist I really liked this movie. A lot. Abigail Spencer is the leading 'lady" and is pretty easy on the eyes. Also look for Clancy Brown (Highlander) playing an old west preacher. Far cry from Kurgan. Anyway, I give it 3 and 2/3 Floyds. Had it not been for a really bad green screen scene it would have been higher.

2011-07-27T22:07:00.000-04:00

We really need to do this one year. How about 2012???

2011-07-26T21:46:00.000-04:00

We really need to do this. It is on my Adventurers Bucket List to go to DragonCon in Atlanta.

Avengers Assemble

2011-07-24T17:40:00.000-04:00

I went and saw the latest Marvel comic book movie this weekend. Marvel once again kicked DC's ass as Captain America>Green Lantern. Captain America had a pretty good opening week end at the box office taking over the number one spot from Harry Potter.

Chris Evans does a pretty good job as the transformed 90 lb asthmatic, Steve Rogers. This isn't Chris' first Marvel Comic Movie. You may remember him as Johnny Storm in the 2005 and 2007 Fantastic Four Films.

Well he is all grown up, and bulked up, now and did a pretty good job as the First Avenger.

The movie did have some slow parts but they had to set up how the WWII hero would join his comic book brothers in the present day. And to that I say "Well played Mauer."

The Howling Commandos were pretty cool and the movie, at times, had a nice Star Wars feel to it. (You'll know these scenes when they come by)

Overall, I really enjoyed it and it sets up the May 2012 release of The Avengers perfectly. I'll give it 3 Floyds.

Sunday Morning Civil War Link Dump

2011-07-24T06:20:00.002-04:00

From the Plain Dealer an article about Civil War Movies

Looks like Lincoln will be reviewing the troops this November.

An interactive post about paying for the war
a site to commemorate the Chinese who served in the American Civil War

Sunday Morning Civil War Link Dump

2011-07-17T07:58:00.006-04:00

From the Washington Post an article about Bull Run

From the Boston Globe an article about South Carolina honoring the remains of 55th Massachusetts soldiers.

From the Montreal Gazette an article about their role in the Confederacy

From San Diego an article about a new Civil War novel

From Wheeling West Virginia

Wow, just wow

2011-07-14T03:49:00.008-04:00

I can't even begin to describe this story. Although.... I might want this done at my funeral by the Adventurers. Read the story in the Dispatch here.

Wizards will have a presence in Indy

2011-07-14T02:07:00.000-04:00

SEATTLE – (June 15, 2011) – Gen Con is pleased to announce that Wizards of the Coast will sponsor Gen Con Indy with a Co-sponsorship and TCG Hall Sponsorship in 2011. Fans of games and gaming culture come from around the world to attend Gen Con Indy and Wizards of the Coast is an integral part of the industry and that experience. At Gen Con Indy 2011 Wizards of the Coast will be debuting new products, showcasing classics as well as hosting popular tournaments for fans to enjoy.

“We are so happy to have Wizards of the Coast return as sponsors of Gen Con. Their long history with the show, as well as the popularity of Magic: The Gathering and Dungeons & Dragons makes Wizards an incredibly important part of the best four days in gaming,” said Adrian Swartout, CEO of Gen Con.

Read more here

New Sherlock Holmes

2011-07-13T21:59:00.002-04:00

Coming December 2011!!

Blue Jacket and Rehab

2011-07-11T03:30:00.002-04:00

Allan Eckert, the Ohio author who penned the story that became the outdoor drama, “Tecumseh!”, has died.

CHILLICOTHE — Allan Eckert, the Ohio author who penned the story that became the outdoor drama, “Tecumseh!”, has died.

The Jesse Stuart Foundation, which worked with him on half of his 39 books, confirmed that Eckert died in his sleep at his home in Corona, Calif. on Thursday.

He was 80.

The author of the famed historical narrative, "The Frontiersman", Eckert was honored, along with poet Toni Morrison, as Ohio's favorite all-time writer in 1999. That same year, "The Frontiersman" was selected in open balloting as the state's favorite book "About Ohio or an Ohioan."

Eckert was nominated seven times for the Pulitzer Prize and he wrote the play that became "Tecumseh!" which has played in Ross County since 1973.

Anthony Stephens, marketing director at The Jesse Stuart Foundation, said Eckert was working on his latest book, "The Infinite Dream" at the time of his death

"It is another book in his 'The Winning of America' series and it should be out at the end of the summer," said Stephens.

Eckert wrote for 12 years and received more than 1,100 rejections before he was finally a published author.

"I figured I had something to say and someday somebody would realize that," he told the Gazette in 1996. "The first thing I had to do was properly learn how to say it."

As for the local outdoor drama, Eckert was originally asked to pen a drama about the life of Thomas Worthington, one of Ohio's first senators. He changed the mind of the Scioto Society and wrote about Tecumseh instead.

Eckert made regular visits to see the outdoor drama and his last visit came during 2010.
Read more here.
**********************************************************************************
Former First Lady Betty Ford, who captivated the nation with her unabashed candor and forthright discussion of her personal battles with breast cancer, prescription drug addiction and alcoholism, has died. She was 93.

Ford died Friday at the Eisenhower Medical Center in Rancho Mirage, according to Barbara Lewandrowski, a family representative. The cause was not given. Read more here.

In brighest day, in blackest night....

2011-07-10T22:18:00.001-04:00

I waited awhile to see this one partially because of all the bad reviews it received. But when it gets down to it it wasn't that bad. Reynolds was acceptable as the cocky Hal Jordan. Blake Lively ranks way up on the hot superhero girlfriend list and Geoffrey Rush and Michael Clarke Duncan were pretty cool as Hal's mentor Lanterns. Like I said before it wasn't bad. It it wasn't the worst superhero movie. If you haven't gone I would say go see it. It is just a shame that DC comics haven't been working on a JLA movies ala Marvel and their Avengers prequels. Two and a bit Floyds.

Sunday Morning Civil War Link Dump

2011-07-10T17:41:00.000-04:00

From the Dispatch in Columbus an article about Civil War day trips in Ohio

From the Skowhegan Morning Sentinel an article about Maine in the Civil War

From the Miami (Fla) Herald an article about This Week in the Civil War

From the Post and Courier in Charleston SC an article about the South Carolina Civil War Museum.

Happy Birthday America

2011-07-04T18:20:00.002-04:00

Happy July 4th brothers

Sunday Morning Civil War Link Dump

2011-07-03T02:41:00.000-04:00

From Civil War Times 1965 a baseball All star team

From the Washington Post some "what ifs"

From Atlanta researching shipwrecks with new technology

From Gettysburg some preservation news

A review of the book Indiana's War: The Civil War in Documents.

Adventure of Doom - food for thought

2011-07-02T17:27:00.002-04:00

ye've been warned, just saying!

Captain America

2011-07-02T16:14:00.001-04:00

Mission Impossible 4

2011-07-02T15:29:00.002-04:00

Three Musketeers 2011

2011-07-02T15:27:00.002-04:00

2011-07-02T00:01:00.003-04:00

2012 dates for JonCon... and it is early next year

2011-07-01T10:16:00.000-04:00

Origins Fans,

We have some great and important news about Origins and the schedule for the future. We are moving the dates earlier in the year, starting in 2012. Our new dates are:

May 30 - June 3, 2012
May 29 - June 2, 2013

I am really excited about the move. I have been coming to Origins as an attendee for more than 10 years before I became the Executive Director of GAMA. (Spending almost all my time as a GM & playing RPG's in the Hyatt) Origins is a great event and a time that we enjoy meeting with new friends and old while playing games we love.

We know it’s the convention where you actually play games, and we intend to keep Origins that way. It’s also always been a family-friendly event. I have been bringing my own children to the show for more than 5 years. As the Executive Director and a father, I promise that we will always be a family friendly event.

You, our attendees, have made Origins a success. We’re watching our attendance numbers grow each year. 2011 is the second year in a row that the Exhibitor floor has sold out before the event! Because of your support we’ve been able to add programs like the Author and Game Designer seminar tracks, expand the art show and artist seminar track. We run thousands of events each year and have been forced to expand our event schedules because so many companies want to run games for you at our show.

There are two main reasons we want to let you know about these changes. First, and most important, we want you to have a full year to plan for your attendance at the show. A lot of folks operate on automatic pilot and we don’t want you to miss the show by planning for a June trip when we’ve moved to May.

The second reason is the most important: we want to make sure you understand what the move means for you. Our move into May has allowed us to cut hotel costs for our attendees—both gamers and exhibitors. With more money in your pockets, you can afford to buy more of those games you get to try at Origins. With having to spend less money to get to the show and stay, companies can afford to bring more staff to run even more events. The move to May means we’re ahead of the prime travel season, resulting in lower gas prices and airline tickets.

As we looked at making these changes, I consulted with our Board and Sponsors. We did acknowledge that some schools may not yet have let students go for the summer, and this was a concern. Attempting to account for school schedules when you’re drawing fans from throughout the nation is an impossible task—and all the planning in the world collapses when a string of snow days adds class time to the end of the school year. The reason we wanted to give you a year’s notice on the changes was so you could more easily make arrangements to fit Origins into your schedule.

We also had to keep in mind the fact that the summer is full of conventions which game manufacturers find very important. Origins has traditionally been the lead-off event for summer gaming. Moving into May allows manufacturers to attend and have time to recover between shows like San Diego Comic-Con, Gen Con and Dragon*Con. By moving earlier in the year, Origins is positioned to get you the new games sooner, so you can enjoy them longer.

Aside from the years when Gen Con and Origins were run concurrently, we’ve always maintained a six week gap between shows. Most people think that we all get to simply select our dates, but when you have a city wide event like Origins or Gen Con, we really are given limited options as to what the venue, the hotels and the city can support. Because Gen Con has to work around events in Indianapolis like the Brickyard 500 and the opening of the NFL pre-season, in 2015 their dates got pushed forward to July 30-August 2; and that started us looking for dates earlier in the year, so we could maintain the historical gap.

As we looked at the last week of May, we wanted to see what kind of impact that would have on our attendees. In this economy, we are committed keeping your costs and expenses down while you are joining us for a fun weekend. Here is what we found:

* The end of May date let us bargain hard with our hotel partners. In 2012 we got the price at the Hyatt Regency down to $125 a night, a savings of $100 if you're with us for all five nights of the convention.
* We know that travel costs are a big part of any budget. End of May means we avoid the higher summer gasoline prices and airfares, making it more economical for you to come to Origins.
* Our companies appreciate the earlier lead time for marketing their new releases and enhancing their presence at Origins in their plans to release and market games for the summer.
* Origins attendees have long been known to be tastemakers within gaming communities. The new games that they bring back with them become the hits of the summer, which is why companies use Origins to introduce their best new games to you.

And the best part of all; if we help you save money on the things you have to spend money on, it gives you more money to spend on the things you want to spend money on at the show.

While we know we can’t please everyone—especially those folks who resist change simply because they don’t like change—this move is very important to continuing to make Origins the premiere gaming event of the summer. We have more ideas—more cost saving ideas—that we’ll be letting you know about after we recover from Origins 2011.

We thank you for being part of our Origins family.

John

2011-07-01T10:09:00.000-04:00

I don't play the game but I find this really funny!! And very well done.

JonCon

2011-06-20T19:41:00.001-04:00

Who is coming? Let's roll the dice!!!

Wings of War

2011-06-20T03:05:00.003-04:00

Dean Hull and I playing Wings of War at North Coast Gamers Holiday Bash 2010. Found this on You Tube today.

Random Memorial Day Pictures

2011-06-05T12:27:00.000-04:00

Sunday Morning Civil War link dump

2011-06-05T05:00:00.004-04:00

An article about Iowa's participation in the Civil War

An article about the last state to join the Confederacy, Tennessee.

From Madison Wisconsin an article about the History Channels production "Gettysburg"

A site about Memorial Day

Two Book reviews from the Los Angeles Times

From the Plain Dealer an article about black US soldiers

From the Washington Post an article about the first CSA officer killed and an reenactment

Happy Trails

2011-06-04T11:23:00.002-04:00

James Arness passed away Friday at the age of 88. Better known as Sheriff Matt Dillon from Gunsmoke he was, to me, one of the ultimate cowboy types of TV and Movies.

His brother Peter Graves, who starred in the original Mission Impossible series, passed away in March of 2010.

Happy Trails Marshall Dillon

Happy Memorial Day Weekend

2011-05-29T23:58:00.001-04:00

Happy Memorial Day Weekend. Enjoy the days with family and friends. Indy 500, Picnic, cook out, party on. But take a moment to reflect on what this day means to you. Swing by a cemetery and pay respects to those loved ones who have gone before. In the Gettysburg Address it was said by President Lincoln that "We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this. But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate... we can not consecrate... we can not hallow this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us—that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion—that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain—that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government : of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth".

Buy some small American flags and go decorate an unattended grave of a veteran. General John A. Logan, in his original Memorial Day order, said " Let no wanton foot tread rudely on such hallowed grounds. Let pleasant paths invite the coming and going of reverent visitors and found mourners. Let no vandalism of avarice of neglect, no ravages of time, testify to the present or to the coming generations that we have forgotten, as a people, the cost of free and undivided republic." and "Let us, then, at the time appointed, gather around their sacred remains and garland the passionless mounds above them with choicest flowers of springtime; let us raise above them the dear old flag they saved from dishonor"

Sunday Morning Civil War Link Dump

2011-05-22T17:25:00.002-04:00

From Atlanta an article about a Civil War exhibit at the West Point Museum in New York

From Birmingham Law Suits dismissed

From Gettysburg an article about a replica chapel that burned down

From the Dispatch in Columbus an article about life long friends who met at Camp Chase

Quick recap of the Virginia Tech Civil War Conference

Sunday Morning Civil War Link Dump

2011-05-15T04:30:00.010-04:00

From the Chicago Tribune an article about the Battle of Bull Run

From the Schenectady Daily Gazette an article about keeping the Civil War history alive.

From San Jose an article about a letter written by Maj. Gen. Robert Anderson, the Kentuckian who had surrendered Fort Sumter after a Confederate cannonade opened the bloody war.

An article about the Civil War being remembered...in Dublin Ireland

An article about The Epic Battle Between the 24th Michigan and 26th North Carolina at Gettysburg.

At Oberlin College a Civil War History Walk

From Charleston SC an article about Confederate Memorial Day

Also from Charleston an article about ending the holiday.

The Mighty Thor

2011-05-14T14:18:00.005-04:00

I went and saw Thor this morning. After hearing mostly bad comments at work about this I went in with a sense of dread about this. I was more than pleasantly surprised. I really enjoyed it. The effects were really good, the music was great and the story was pretty well done.

Natalie Portman plays the very sweet Jane Foster and she looks as hot as usual. Chris Hemsworth plays the title role pretty well. He put me in mind of Heath Ledger.

They threw a couple of bones in along the way (as usual)and they were pleasant surprises. Pay attention for a S.H.E.I.L.D. (***Bonus points for the new SHIELD Acronym) agent named Clint Barton and also stay for the cookie at the end of the credits.

It ended up being a pretty good trip to the movies today. We found an AMC card at the house that had never been used so the tickets and concessions basically cost us $4.00. Then as we were leaving the gave us passes for another ticket because of a sound issue (that really wasn't an issue) so we'll get to go to another movie (Captain America?) for free.

I am really looking forward to the release of Captain America and then the Avengers movie when it gets released next year. Go see it. I give it 3 and 3/4 Floyds.

***Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division.

Hail Adventurer, Well Met

2011-05-13T05:01:00.005-04:00

Hail Adventurer,

I am writing this missive to you under the most trying of circumstances. I have been taken captive by an unscrupulous band of disloyal and unappreciative workers. One of my business interests had mentioned your name in a conversation recently and I am reaching out to you for assistance.

I will pay you the sum of one thousand gold pieces for my rescue. Also, a bounty of five hundred gold for the head of every one of my captors brought to my office in Saltmarsh will be paid.

I must caution you that there may be others looking for me who have less than honorable intentions.

Your obedient servant,

Waenniliel from Petikas Manor

Sunday Morning Civil War Link Dump

2011-05-08T16:07:00.000-04:00

From Ohio Civil War 150 an article about life in the Western Reserve from the earliest times until the end of the Civil War.

From the Gainesville Times an article about restoring Grant's Tomb.

From the Richmond Times-Dispatch an article about the Civil War in Virgina's Piedmont.

Pamplin Park is a place all students of the Civil War should go

Happy Mother's Day

2011-05-08T15:11:00.001-04:00

Hey all you bums, be sure to wish your mom and/or wife Happy Mother's Day today. We are nothing without them in our lives.

Last WWI combat soldier called home

2011-05-05T21:09:00.000-04:00

Claude Choules, the only remaining male veteran of World War I and one of the last people to have served in both world wars, died May 5 at a nursing home near Perth in western Australia. He was 110, and no cause of death was reported.

The former seaman, who was underage when he signed up for duty, witnessed the surrender of the German Imperial Navy in 1918. He also watched as German sailors scuttled their own fleet at Scapa Flow, near Scotland, to avoid having the ships fall into British hands after the war.

Read More here

The Soldier

If I should die, think only this of me:
That there's some corner of a foreign field
That is for ever England. There shall be
In that rich earth a richer dust concealed;
A dust whom England bore, shaped, made aware,
Gave, once, her flowers to love, her ways to roam,
A body of England's, breathing English air,
Washed by the rivers, blest by suns of home.

And think, this heart, all evil shed away,
A pulse in the eternal mind, no less
Gives somewhere back the thoughts by England given;
Her sights and sounds; dreams happy as her day;
And laughter, learnt of friends; and gentleness,
In hearts at peace, under an English heaven.

Happy Cinco de Mayo

2011-05-05T00:01:00.003-04:00

Happy Cinco de Mayo. Hoist some sort of drink and have a great day!!

Osama Bin Laden

2011-05-02T21:23:00.001-04:00

With the death of Bin Laden what happens now? I fully expect some sort of retaliation by the terrorists, probably in early July. We have to be cautious in the celebration to remember Al-Qaeda was not killed that day. They will be heard from again. But I think that America gains a little closure with this move, some much needed closure a decade after the worst sucker punch of all time. I just wonder what Osama's thoughts were when he woke up in Hell without his 72 virgins?

Sunday Morning Civil War Link Dump

2011-05-01T09:53:00.001-04:00

From the St. Louis Post Dispatch an article about infamous spy Belle Boyd.

From USA Today, and article about peoples famous Civil War ancestors.

From the Philadelphia Inquirer an article about the first casualty of the Civil War from Pennsylvania.

Also from Philly a look at Philadelphia in the Civil War.

Happy Birthday to the Lich

2011-04-25T06:51:00.000-04:00

Happy Birthday to the Wallet Draining Lich of Medina!!
A belated toast for our old friend:

Champagne for real friends, and real pain for sham friends!

Sunday Morning Civil War Link Dump

2011-04-24T08:30:00.054-04:00

From the Salyersville Independent in Salyersville Kentucky an article about their Civil War 150 preparations.

From the Lincoln Nebraska Journal Star an article about local monuments.

A look at the Pacific Northwest and the Civil War from The Columbian in Vancouver Washington.

From the Pittsburgh Post Gazette Pittsburgh's reaction to the attack on Ft. Sumter.

From the Dayton Daily News an article about the war being forgotten in the North.

From Ohio Civil War 150 a Custer event in Eastern Ohio.

From the Memphis Daily Appeal a series of Civil War memories.

From the Associated Press following the Civil War letters of an AP writer's great- grandfather.

x

He is Risen

2011-04-24T06:00:00.000-04:00

He is Risen indeed

Two Months to JonCon!!

2011-04-23T15:19:00.000-04:00

Two months to JonCon!! I am really looking forward to it!!

Good Friday -

2011-04-22T12:01:00.001-04:00

We are Blessed to know that it didn't end on that Friday, it was only the Beginning!

Sunday Morning Civil War Link Dump

2011-04-17T09:19:00.003-04:00

Every Sunday morning I am going to do a Civil War Link Dump from newspapers from around the country hoping to get some different perspective. Here we go:

From the Columbus Dispatch Lincoln's Nanny finally is honored.

From the Atlanta Constitution Journal Civil War marker may be moved off MLK Drive | ajc.com

From Louisville a Letter from Lincoln's Law partner.

From Charleston SC: Charleston at War: Summer of 1864 hard on Charleston | The Post and Courier, Charleston SC - News, Sports, Entertainment

From the Atlanta Constitution Journal Who Fired the First Shot of the Civil War?

Civil War writings from Walt Whitman here

Things From the Wall Street Journal

From Atlanta The Civil War rages on in Mort Kunstler's paintings.

From Indianapolis Black Hoosiers in the Civil War.

From the New York Times an article about the Gettysburg Address.

From the Washington Post an article entitled: West Virginia: The State that Said No

Ft. Sumter + 150.

2011-04-12T20:30:00.000-04:00

150 years ago today the first shots of the Civil War were fired and America was plunged into one of the worst periods of our history; The Civil War. It wasn't a war of Northern aggression or the war of the rebellion it was Civil War. Brother against brother. And regardless of what people are still trying to say it wasn't about States Rights it was about slavery. If you have an alternate theory and think you can argue it read this first. Please make sure you click on each state and read the entire thing.

If you want to read more about Fort Sumter 150 go here.

For a good read on Ohio 150 go here.

Central Ohio Civil War Tour

2011-04-12T04:30:00.000-04:00

This is something that Durwaine Leaflander and I did in part last year and something that I wanted to do this summer. I have been working on it for awhile and the Columbus Public Schools tour last year helped fuel my fire to get this done.

I think I want us to start at Blue & Gray Magazine Headquarters on Norton Road. A nice little place they also have a pretty good selection of books and magazines on sale.

We then head to Camp Chase Confederate Cemetery where 2260 P.O.W.'s were buried. Then it is on to Greenlawn Cemetery where numerous Generals and Medal of Honor recipients are buried. Also, the grandfathers of two US Presidents are buried there.

Then it is up to the State House to see some great statues and to go inside the Rotunda.

After that it off to the Ohio Historical Center and their Civil War display. If time permits we'll check out the research library.

We then head southeast to Groveport and Mott's Military museum. The largest privately run museum in Ohio house artifacts from all American Wars and has a pretty cool section on Ohio's role in the Civil War.

Now we come to the real driving segment. We go to Newark to see the statue of the drummer Boy of Shiloh Johnny Clem. Then to Somerset and the only Civil War Equine statue in Ohio of Phil Sheridan. Next down to Lancaster and the Sherman House and Statue. Then down to Forest Cemetery in Chillicothe where several Generals and Ohio Founding fathers are buried.

Booooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

2011-04-05T06:45:00.000-04:00

I'm glad I wasted no time watching this fiasco. Uconn wins 53-41. It's baseball season boys!!

Movies, Movies Superhero/Comic Book Movies

2011-04-03T14:29:00.000-04:00

Here is a partial list of Super Hero / Comic Book movies coming out this spring and summer 2011 and their release dates.

* May 6 - Thor

* May 13 - Priest **

* Jun 3 - X-Men: First Class

* Jun 17 - Green Lantern

* Jul 22 - Captain America: The First Avenger

* Jul 29 - Cowboys & Aliens
* Aug 19 - Conan

** tentative as it has been moved several times.

...and then there was two, meh

2011-04-03T12:27:00.002-04:00

Uconn beat Kentucky and Butler outlasted VCU to set the stage for MOnday night's Championship Game. Kentucky went back to Lexington after making their first Final Four since 1998 in typical coach Calipari fashion. They missed 75% of their free throws and shot only 33% for the game. They went scoreless for 5:39 in the second half due to ineptness not UConn's defense. Couple that with two three minute scoreless stretches in the first half and the Cats were in a huge hole.

So Butler versus UConn is literally David v. Goliath. Cinderella trying to do what it couldn't last year against the Media favorite and last remaining member of the 11 team Big Least Juggernaut. Don't be shocked when UConn gets several questionable calls in this one and wins by 3-5 points. I'm rooting for Butler but will not watch the game. I have been totally disillusioned by the NCAA and seriously regret the hours I have spent watching their sham product on television. That being said enjoy the game!

Final Four

2011-04-02T18:06:00.002-04:00

Here we go. Two games this evening Butler and VCU in the common man bracket and Kentucky and UConn in the Blue Bloods side. At this point it is hard to pick so I will resort to natural prejudice to make my choices. My Obvious choice is Kentucky but I would pick just about anyone over UConn. In the other game I am going with Butler because of the local proximity. We shall see but here are my fearless predictions:

Kentucky 73 - UConn 61

Kimba Walker's incredible run ends here and now. Plus I really have a strong dislike for anything Big East.

Butler 67 - VCU 64

Either way Cinderella is going to the ball but Butler thrives in tight games and has an experience factor on their side.

Emjoy the games!

Civil War 150

2011-03-27T14:31:00.001-04:00

For the student of Civil War history there will be lots of Events coming up commemorating the 150th Anniversary of the Civil War. I will be listing some of those from time to time on this site.

On April 30, and May 1, there will be a Civil War Show in Ashland, Ohio. It might be fun to plan on meeting up there. It is a good halfway point for most of us. Check it out here. What say you men?

Turner Classic Movies says it will commemorate the 150th anniversary of America's Civil War with a month-long programming spotlight.

Among the films the cable network will screen in April are "The Birth of a Nation," "The General," "Raintree County," "Friendly Persuasion," "Southern Yankee," "Glory," "Gettysburg," "The Littlest Rebel," "The Red Badge of Courage" and "Golden Girl."

Read more here.

Brutal Buckeye

2011-03-26T11:12:00.003-04:00

I really don't think fans of other schools understand what being a Buckeye Fan truly is all about. The Season long highs followed mostly by, more often than not, vicious, nasty falls from the summit. UK fans have no clue. Neither do Notre Dame, Alabama, USC, or any other "Big Time" program. This isn't just in our one dominant program it happens to the Bucks in every sport. Personally I blame a little know secret, something that has been hidden away in the recesses of Buckeye fandom for a very long time. Brutus Buckeye has an evil twin. When he makes it to a game Ohio loses and more often than not it is in a "big" game. And much like these brothers

he kidnaps the good Brutus and causes agony and havoc for OSU fans. Every so often the evil twin manages to break out of the cell inside Ohio Stadium where he is kept locked away and creates chaos and mayhem for the Buckeyes. His name you ask? Brutal Buckeye. Think of him from a weird alternate, bizzaro type world.

Here are the Top (or Bottom depending on how you look at it) 10 Brutal Buckeye losses in my lifetime.

10. March 25, 1961 in Kansas City. Basketball. The undefeated, and defending National Champion Buckeyes lost 70-65 to Cincinnati in the Championship game. OSU was led by Jerry Lucas, John Havilcek and Larry Siegfried. Ohio State finished the season 27-1.

09. March 24, 1962 in Louisville. For the third straight year OSU was in the Championship Game. And for the second straight year they lost to Cincinnati, this time by the final score of 71-59. It was a great run for Lucas and Hondo. Bucks finished 26-2 capping a three year run of three straight Championship game appearances, 1 National Championship and a 3 year record of 78-6. They lost only to Utah, Kentucky, Indiana, Wisconsin and Cincinnati (twice) during that span.

08. November 22, 1969 in Ann Arbor. Football. The defending National Champion Buckeyes came in undefeated and ranked number 1. New Michigan coach led the school up north to a 24-12 upset victory, probably costing OSU another National Championship.

07. January 1, 1971 in the Rose Bowl. Football. 27-17 loss to Stanford and Jim Plunkett and Randy Vataha. The Buckeyes end their three year run with 1 National Championship and a record of 28-2, losing only to Michigan and Stanford.

06. April 3, 1993 in Atlanta. Women's Basketball. Cheryl Swopes and Texas Tech beat the Lady Bucks 84-82 for the National Championship. Ohio State was led by Katie Smith and Averill Roberts. They finished the season 28-4.

05. June 12, 1965 in Omaha. Baseball. Ohio State dropped a 2-1 heart breaker to Arizona State, Sal Bando and Rick Monday in the NCAA title game. The Bucks would win it all the next season and have a two year record of 57-19-1.

04. April 2, 1998 in Boston. Hockey. The Cinderella Bucks lost to Boston College 5-2 to deprive the world of an OSU-UM NCAA Hockey championship game. Glass slipper shattered!

03. November 7, 1998 in Columbus. Football. Brutal reared his ugly head in the rain as the Number 1 Bucks lost to Michigan State 28-24. Oh the humanity of it all

02.April 2, 2007 in Atlanta. Basketball. The young stud Buckeyes lost to Florida 84-75 in the National Championship Game.

01. Probably, to me last night's basketball game. Dis-Honorable mention to several Rose Bowl loses to USC.

As you can see there are no shortage of games where Brutal has made an appearance and ruined a Buckeye season. You could easily do top ten lists for both football and men's basketball but I wanted to show everyone that Brutal is an equal opportunity spoiler of Ohio State Seasons.

GenCon-Indy

2011-03-24T22:40:00.000-04:00

On Thursday August 4 the Indianapolis Indians have a home game against Toledo at 7:00 PM. I can't think of a better way to enhance our GenCon experience than to add some baseball. We can probably get tickets for about $10-$15. What say you men?

Tale of the Tape

2011-03-22T23:13:00.000-04:00

Here is a brief history of the UK/OSU basketball series.

Kentucky leads 10-8 but the Bucks lead the more important category NCAA Tournament wins 5-0.

The last time they played in March of 1987 Dennis Hopson scored 32 to lead OSU over Rex Chapman, Ed Davender and the Cats 91-77.

On March 16, 1968 The Bucks beat the Cats 82-81 to advance to the Final Four. Dave Sorenson and Bill Hosket led the way over Dan Issel. Sorenson scored on a last second in bounds play for the victory.

In 1962 Jerry Lucas and John Havlicek led the Bucks to a 74-64 win.

In 1961 Lucas and Larry Siegfried led the way over Roger Newman and Bill Lickert 87-74.

In the first Tourney meeting, held in NYC in 1945, the Buckeyes won 45-37.

My Prediction for this one? I think UK will give Sullinger fits underneath and Diebler will have problems shooting over the top of the Cats defenders. But when the dust settles, and Sullinger fouls out, OSU will come out on top with a hard fought 67-61 victory.

New Game to Check Out

2011-03-21T21:35:00.001-04:00

A new game that looks like it would be worth checking out sometime this summer. Fortune and Glory: The Cliffhanger Game is from Flying Frog Productions. Put it on the list to demo at JonCon or GenCon.

From Boardgame Geek:

It is the late 1930's and the world is in turmoil. Humanity is on the brink of war as imperialist nations in the Far East and Europe work aggressively to expand their domination. The Nazis have taken control of Germany and now spread darkness across the globe in their hunt for powerful occult artifacts that can give them the upper hand in the days to come. But the spirit of adventure and freedom won't be stamped out so easily.

Heroic adventurers from around the world answer the call, racing against time to hunt down ancient artifacts, explore deadly temples, and fight back the powers of darkness from engulfing the world in flames. It is a race of good versus evil and only a cunning and agile explorer can claim the ultimate prize of... Fortune and Glory!

Fortune and Glory: The Cliffhanger Game is a fast-paced game of high adventure, vile villains, edge-of-your-seat danger, and cliffhanger pulp movie action. Players take on the role of a treasure hunter, traveling the globe in search of ancient artifacts and fending off danger and villains at every turn in a quest for the ultimate reward of fortune and glory!

Featuring a beautifully rendered adventure map of the world as the game board, eight pulp adventure heroes to choose from (such as Jake Zane the Flying Ace, Li Mei Chen the Night Club Singer and Martial Artist, or Dr. Zhukov Master of Science), an army of ruthless villains and thugs (including the Chicago Mob and the dreaded occult-hunting Nazis), ancient Mayan temples to explore with a zeppelin hovering overhead, a wealth of coins to horde as heroes collect fortune and glory throughout the game, and a unique mechanism of dangers to overcome and the classic cliffhanger moments of suspense that can result. Fortune and Glory is designed to create a pulp serial cinematic feel as the story and game unfolds.

So strap on your adventure boots and goggles, fire up the engines on the seaplane, and grab some extra ammo for your revolver...the Nazis already have a head start and in this race for fortune and glory, there's no prize for second place!

The Sweet 16

2011-03-20T23:57:00.000-04:00

Well if the Buckeyes end up National Champs they will have earned it. Of course if they can keep shooting it like they did today they'll be in for the long haul. Aaron Craft had a school record 15 assists and David Lighty had 25 points. Teams that OSU might see are Kentucky on Friday, and if they win either North Carolina or Marquette on Sunday. If they survive that they will see either Duke, UConn, Arizona or San Diego State. We'll cross the championship game bridge when we get there. Here are the Sweet 16 Teams:

Ohio State
Kentucky
Florida
Richmond
San Diego State
Butler
BYU
Wisconsin
UConn
North Carolina
Duke
Arizona
VCU
Marquette
Kansas
Florida State

Go Bucks!!!

The Reversible Fan's Conundrum

2011-03-20T19:12:00.008-04:00

Merriam-Webster lists a definition of Conundrum as: an intricate and difficult problem.

Well that is what I have. I have been called the Reversible Fan by our friend in Indiana and I not only accept that nom de pleur but I like it.

For all of my life I have been a fan of the University of Kentucky basketball program. From Adolph Rupp's teams to Joe B. Hall and on to John Calipari I have been a Wildcat basketball fan. Period. End of Sentence. I write them on my brackets in the down years when they didn't make the tournament.

flashback to the fourth grade and my school had three visitors from the OSU Men's team and I had new heroes. And a secondary team.

But I always rooted for the Cats when the two went head-to-head. I was upset when OSU won 82-81 to go to the Final Four but rooted hard for the Buckeyes against North Carolina. They lost, stupid four corners, but rebounded to beat Elvin Hayes and Houston in the third place game. Most people don't remember that Houston lost both games that year to UCLA and the Bucks.

I was also one of the few who rooted for KY when they came to town to face the Clark Kellogg led Buckeyes in the early 80's. Overall the KY-OSU series is 10-8 in favor of the Blue. But the Buckeyes are 5-0 against the Cats in the tournament.

And come next week I will be sad when the game is over for one of my two are going down but not for long. And I will root hard for the survivor to win it all.

Sweet 16?

2011-03-20T15:47:00.000-04:00

Well my brackets are blown to the netherworld and back but it has been an exciting tournament so far. Ohio State plays at 5:15 PM against George Mason. The Bucks better be ready to plat because these kids are more than solid and they are very good, comparable to Wisconsin. I only hope their guard, Cam Long, doesn't have a monster game against Ohio State. Villanove pretty much shut him down and here's hoping Lighty and company can do the same.

• Junior F Mike Morrison finished with 10 points and 11 rebounds against Villanova. He secured the double-double in dramatic fashion, with a game-clinching dunk in the final seconds.

• Senior G Isaiah Tate came awfully close to being the goat for George Mason in the opener. He fouled Corey Fisher shooting a three with 31 seconds left, and Fisher made all three free throws to give Villanova a 57-56 lead. That didn’t last long, fortunately for Tate, as Mason scored the final five points of the game to win it.

• Senior G Cam Long was the focal point of the Villanova defensive effort, and it showed. He was held to seven points, more than eight below his season average.

• Senior G Cam Long, who led the Patriots in scoring at 15.1 points a game, was named to the All-Colonial Athletic Association first team. It was the third straight season was named to an All-CAA team. He finished eighth in scoring, sixth in steals, 11th in field-goal percentage, 12th in assists and was the league’s top 3-point shooter (44 percent).

• Junior F Ryan Pearson was a second-team All-CAA selection after finishing in the top 12 in the conference in scoring (14.7 ppg) and rebounding (6.9 rpg) and coming in fifth in field-goal percentage (52.6 percent).

• Sophomore G Luke Hancock, all-Rookie Team performer a year ago, landed on the All-CAA third team. He averaged 11.1 points a game and was third in the conference in assists at 4.4 per game while ranking fifth in assist/turnover ratio and seventh in free-throw percentage (82.0 percent).

Prediction

Bucks "struggle" early and the game is close for about 15-20 minutes. Then talent overwhelms Cinderella and the Bucks roll to a match up with Kentucky. Final 79-61 Ohio State

Wonder Woman back on TV?

2011-03-19T10:18:00.004-04:00

It looks like NBC is filming a pilot for another super hero TV show, (hopefully it works out better than The Cape) Wonder Woman. Adrianne Palicki from Friday Night Lights (Tyra) will star. The network released a photo of her in the famous outfit.

And just in case you don't remember the original here is a side-by-side shot.

The original series aired in 1975 and ran through 1979 for a total of 60 episodes.

Go Bucks!!

2011-03-18T21:41:00.002-04:00

Ohio State cruised to an easy 75-46 win over University of Texas at San Antonio in Cleveland. The Bucks will play George Mason, in what will be a tough game for them, on Sunday. Hopefully Diebler and Buford will stay hot.

Loco Gringo Baby

2011-03-18T09:13:00.002-04:00

If you are thinking of a Mexican getaway I'd suggest you check these guys out!

Let The Games Begin

2011-03-17T12:01:00.001-04:00

Happy St. Patrick's Day

2011-03-17T00:01:00.000-04:00

A Good Game

2011-03-15T00:01:00.000-04:00

A good game that some of us have played. I highly recommend it. Check it out here.

Pray for Japan

2011-03-14T22:30:00.007-04:00

In wake of the ongoing devastation of Japan I'd like to ask everyone to pause for a moment and pray for their country and people.

Happy Steak and BJ Day

2011-03-14T00:01:00.001-04:00

This kicks off one of the greatest weeks for men of the year. Following up the men's holiday are St. Patrick's Day and March Madness. Sit Back and enjoy the week guys with the lady you love.

Steak and BJ Day was invented by Tom Birdsey, may he live forever, and may the gods eternally bless his fate. Men everywhere should write, and sing, songs in his honor, build shrines and worship at the alter for this man who has been so benevolent as to bless us with a day devoted entirely to devouring massive hunks of cow flesh and being the recipient of one of life's simplest, yet greatest, pleasures. Truly, he is a saint among swine, and deserving of the highest accolades in the worlds beyond.

Oh this is a great week

2011-03-13T00:01:00.001-05:00

Beginning today with the Big Ten Championship Game and continuing through next Sunday we men are blessed with a near perfect week.

At 3:30 PM The Ohio State University squares off against Penn State for the Big Ten Tournament Championship. PSU has been a bit of a surprise playing in Indy this week but the Buckeyes should prevail on a "neutral" court.

Monday is mans answer to Valentine's Day; Steak & BJ Day. Sweet!!

Thursday is St. Patrick's Day.

Thursday and Friday are host to the greatest event in sports; the first two days of March Madness!!

Enjoy the week! What say you men?

Change/Set Your Clocks

2011-03-12T23:08:00.001-05:00

Big Ten Update

2011-03-12T10:38:00.002-05:00

Another big day for college hoops today. The Buckeyes have to deal with a re-energized Michigan team to advance to tomorrow's finals. It was a real shame to see Wisconsin get beat by Penn State. I was looking forward to seeing the Bucks beat them by 30 or so again. Go Bucks!

Let The Games Begin

2011-03-11T23:11:00.003-05:00

What do you do next?

2011-03-09T22:25:00.003-05:00

Gentlemen,

As your group is encamped two days from Marsember when one of your sentries sees a large owl fly low over the camp and land in a nearby clearing. A few moments later a large bear approaches the camp, stopping at the edge of camp and sitting quietly and watching you. It is your initiative ...

Gentleman I need your Player info... names, classes and levels. Also I need a list of all magical items your character possesses. I will also send this via email and Facebook. Thank You

The Civil War They Never Taught Us In School

2011-03-09T21:18:00.005-05:00

Last Confederate Town in America?

Here is a story I have never heard and I am betting you haven't either. A small village east of Buffalo New York voted to secede from the Union in 1861 and did not return until 1946!
A hat tip to Standard Publishing for using this as a sermon illustration idea. Read the story here.

A Day of Reflection

2011-03-09T00:01:00.001-05:00

What a sad day for Tressel

2011-03-08T20:59:00.003-05:00

The coach and the university have imposed a $250,000 fine and two game suspension in the wake of revelations that Tressel indeed had prior knowledge of tattoogate. It is unknown at this time if the NCAA will impose other sanctions against the coach or University.

Party On, it is Fat Tuesday...

2011-03-08T00:01:00.000-05:00

or Mardi Gras. Tomorrow is Ash Wednesday and Lent begins. Party on Adventurers, party on!

New JonCon Logo

2011-03-07T00:01:00.000-05:00

93-65 consider it dealt with

2011-03-06T18:45:00.001-05:00

Go Bucks!!

2011-03-05T18:06:00.003-05:00

Congratulations to Ohio State which won the Big Ten outright today when Purdue lost to Iowa 67-65 in a pretty good game. The Buckeyes will be the number one seed in next weeks Big Ten Tourney. Go Bucks!! Let the Madness Begin

me wants, me wants

2011-03-05T00:01:00.000-05:00

This game, from Mayfair Games, looks like a something we want to demo this summer. Set in post WWI Europe it looks like it could be fun. Read more here.

Are You Registered Yet?

2011-03-04T22:00:00.000-05:00

Make sure to pre register if you plan on attending this year and save some cash. $68.00 for the 4 day pass if you pay before June. $78.00 If you pay after.

What say you men?

Happy Birthday Durwaine Leaflander

2011-03-03T00:02:00.001-05:00

Happy Birthday to our own, lovable, oft imitated but never duplicated, man about town Durwaine Leaflander!! So my brothers raise your glasses where ever you are this fine day and join me in a toast to the illustrious Durwaine.

There are good ships, and there are wood ships,
The ships that sail the sea.
But the best ships, are friendships,
And may they always be.

Durwaine have a great day and:

"May you have warm words on a cold evening, a full moon on a dark night, and a smooth road all the way to your door."

Looks like a good game for kids!

2011-03-02T00:01:00.000-05:00

10 Days in the USA, part of Out of the Box games series, looks like it would be a pretty good game for kids to teach geography and some planning and communication skills to your elementary age kids. I have it on my list to pick up for my grand kids this summer.

I am definitely going to demo this at either Origins or GenCon.