Gen Con Exhibit Hall

Exhibit Hall for Gen Con 2009 opens Thursday at 10am

GenCon 2010

It is never too early to start planning. Especially for our group. Anyway next year's Con is August 5-8. That means we might get the Hairy One to make an appearance. I'll be heading back on Friday because the Dublin Irish Festival starts that night and it is a family tradition for us. But that will be a truly great week!!!

Gen Con 09

Come on guys let's do it!! Care to guess which GenCon dream turned out better?

Gygax says get your butts to Gen Con 2009

Gen Con is here

Gen Con 2009 is here. I will arrive Wednesday the 12th between noon and 3p. Dealer room opens Thursday the 13th at 10am. You all have been pretty quiet. Who the hell is going?

Tower of Gygax

We did this last year and it was a good time.

The idea of the Tower is that it plucks rooms from many worlds - every world that Gygax's work has helped inspire. As such, it is not a traditional dungeon, but rather a constantly-changing labyrinth of rooms. There's no knowing where you'll end up when you make it out of your current room; the question is how far you can get, how long you'll survive, and if you can at least die gloriously!”

The Tower of Gygax was one of many events last year at Gen Con Indy 2008 to honor the memory of Gary Gygax. Keith Baker put it all together with the goal of having a continuous game of AD&D 1st edition (Old School baby!) running all through the Con – 80 hours straight. A lot of people last year volunteered to help with this charitable event, either by writing up rooms (which is available as a PDF now), DMing one or more shifts or helping organize at Gen Con, or both. There was a great response both from professional designers and people who simply love the game, and it’s our hope that we can expand upon and improve it even more this year.

We can always use more rooms, and we’d certainly love to find more people willing to take on DMing sessions or helping organize the event. Some of the interesting changes made (and still being made!) based on feedback, is the event is going to be generics only for limited lives and not limited to 1 or 2 hours slots as before. We’ll have a constantly rotating table of players so more can join in on the fun. We wanted more people to be able to reminisce or experience for the first time the great gift that Gary helped bring about and so many remember with fond memories.

So, if you'd like to help with those memories, contact enderswiggin2000@yahoo.com or visit our forums for more details about room submission format, interest in DMing, or helping organize. Please help spread the word to those that wanted to be a part of or unfortunately missed this event last year!


I'm up for another try. What say you men?

Top 10 Reasons to Attend Historicon™ 2009

Top 10 Reasons to Attend Historicon™ 2009
10 - Be a part of a winning tradition at the largest and most respected wargame convention in the country. Don’t miss being able to say “I was there! I was at Historicon™ the best wargame con ever.” It’ll be like Woodstock, except with war elephants and Panzers.
9 - Experience military history. The battle is yours to win or lose. How do your general skills compare to Julius Caesar, Omar Bradley, Napoleon Bonaparte, Alexander the Great, James Longstreet, “Stonewall” Jackson, Aleksandr Vasilyevich Suvorov, Hannibal and the world’s other great military leaders?
8 - An army travels on its stomach. Is there any better place to get provisioned than the all-you-can-eat buffets of Pennsylvania Dutch Country?
7 - Expand your knowledge as well as your waistline. Interact directly with leading gamemasters, manufacturers, military history experts, game designers and other fascinating members of the Historical Miniature Gaming Society family.

6 - You can shop till you drop. For four days in July, the Historicon™ Exhibit hall will be the world’s biggest wargame hobby store! And if that’s not enough for you, check out the bargains in the constantly changing flea market area.

5 - An unbeatable wargame experience! Where else can you choose from hundreds and hundreds of games, ranging from ancients, Colonial, WWI, WWII, Great War, ECW, Napoleonic, Civil War and Naval, to Medieval battles and air combat. From pirates to gladiators to aliens, there’s something for everyone.
4 - Make new friends! Enjoy the company of old ones. Better yet, introduce someone new to the fun of an HMGS convention. Bring a co-worker, family member or neighbor with you to Historicon™.
3 - Location…Location…Location. Lancaster is a great place to bring the whole family for a vacation. While your miniature army is on the march, family members can be sightseeing, shopping, relaxing at the pool, Dutch Wonderland and much, much more!
2 - Where else can you have so much fun for so little? For only $35.00 ($15.00 if you are an HMGS member and pre-reg!), you can have four days of convention activities, including non-stop gaming, shopping for new figs, rules, paints and accessories, a painting competition and events, a big flea market (the largest at any convention!), workshops, game demos, a children’s room, “Mega” games, and many other activities.
And the Number One reason to attend Historicon™…
1 - To enjoy Historical Miniatures Gaming's Biggest Summer Vacation!

Fall Outing?

This fall marks the 20th Anniversary of the Ohio Renaissance Festival. It runs on weekends from September 5- October 25. I was trying to figure out when would be a good week end to go for me and was wondering if we could make it a big outing? My schedule will be based on the Ohio State home schedule. The Buckeyes are home on:

Saturday September 5 they open with Navy at the 'Shoe. I will be at that game after a full morning of tailgating so this one is out for me.

Saturday September 12 they play USC at 8:00 PM. This might be a possibility.

Saturday September 19 they play Toledo in Cleveland. I have a feeling that the boys up North might be heading to Browns Stadium for this one.

Saturday September 26 they play Illinois at a time to be determined. This might work.

Saturday October 10 they host Wisconsin time to be determined.


Saturday October 24 they play Minnesota at noon.

Another possibility is the Great Lakes Medieval Faire in Rock Creek Ohio. It runs from July 11 - August 16. I would be up for checking this out too but it would almost have to be on a Sunday.

What say you men??

Hone Run Derby

Tonight is the Home Run Derby at the All Star Game. Who do you like? Do you even care? The participants (from top left to bottom right) are:

Albert Pujols - 32 Home Runs, 351 career home runs in 9 seasons
Adrian Gonzalez - 24 Home Runs, 121 career home runs in 6 seasons
Brandon Inge - 21 Home Runs, 117 career home runs in 9 seasons
Nelson Cruz - 22 Home Runs, 44 career home runs in 5 seasons
Ryan Howard - 22 Home Runs, 199 career home runs in 6 seasons
Prince Fielder - 22 Home Runs, 136 career home runs in 5 seasons
Joe Mauer - 15 Home Runs, 59 career home runs in 6 seasons
Carlos Pena - 24 Home Runs, 187 career home runs in 9 seasons


Enjoy the show and the All-Star game Tuesday Night

Future GenCon Shows

I know our group isn't much into planning ahead but I thought I'd post this anyway. It looks like GenCon will be held a little earlier in the coming years. Here are the future dates:

Future Gen Con Indy Show Dates

Gen Con has been in Indianapolis since 2003 and has signed a five-year extension with the Indianapolis Convention & Visitors Association (ICVA) for 2011-2015. Below are the upcoming show dates.

* August 5-8, 2010
* August 4-7, 2011
* August 16-19, 2012
* August 15-18, 2013
* August 14-17, 2014
* July 30 - August 2, 2015

These shows will all be held at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Only 31 days left

Only 31 days left until we head to nerdvana. Let the ceremonial feasting begin with this dragon cake!!!

“Ride to the Sound of the Guns"

As it does every year, HISTORICON presents “the world’s largest hobby shop”, plus the world’s biggest hobby flea market, for four days every July. Both offer a gigantic selection of military miniatures, rules, books and anything else needed for the historical miniature gaming hobby.

HISTORICON is the historical miniatures gaming convention in the United States. Each year, thousands of avid gamers descend on scenic Lancaster, Pennsylvania for what the New York Times has described as the "mother of all wargaming conventions." There will be hundreds and hundreds of games, the world's biggest wargame hobby shop, painting events and much, much more. Don't miss the fun! Make plans now to attend HISTORICON July 16-19, 2009 (at the Lancaster Host Resort & Conference Center in Lancaster, PA.) Be there!

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I really am fascinated by the whole miniatures realm. At this point not wanting to play as much as I would like to have one of these on display. I would love to one day construct a Civil War related scenario.

For more info check it out here.

Historicon 09

Just a reminder that next week is Historicon in Lancaster Pa.

Public Enemies

I went and saw Public Enemy this morning. Starring Johnny Depp and Christian Bale I was expecting great things I left a little disappointed. I thought the movie was a little slow in a lot of places. The movie jumped around to a lot of different locales with little warning and unless you knew the Hotel Congress was in Arizona, or caught the Hialeah sign in the background you would not have thought Florida at that moment. I also struggled with some of the historical things in the movie like the World Series game on the radio in one scene would have been played in 1932 and I got the impression from the film that it was much closer to the time of Dillinger's death. Also, I thought the FDIC sign in one bank was a little out of time but I may be wrong on that matter. But the weapons, cars and clothes were spot on and quite an addition to the flavor of the movie.

The soundtrack was outstanding with Diane Krall leading the way. They featured some period pieces, some retro stuff and some new music written for the movie.

So was some of the cinematography. Some of the scenery was outstanding and the shootout scene at Little Bohemia was incredible, probably the best ever in a gangster movie. Very Saving Private Ryanish.

Overall it was good, not great but good. I'd say go see it. But don't let your date wear red, especially since they don't either. Two Floyd's (and Boy they aren't pretty) and a bit.

things to do in Indy

39 days to Indy (See the nice new countdown timer?) and I was thinking that maybe we could go catch a movie Wednesday evening if anyone is up for it. This starts the week end before we get there. What say you men?

Happy Birthday America

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

As we celebrate this weekend let us never forget the debt we owe those who have not only gone before but those yet to come. We owe it to them to live live well, and to make sure that America continues to stand for the ideals that the Founding Fathers laid out so eloquently for us for future generations.

So as we gather for cook outs, picnics, ball games and fireworks let us pause to reflect on what it means to live in the greatest country in the history of the world. God Bless America.

would you wear these? really? seriously?

Looks like there is a contest underfoot to design a D&D type tennis shoe. Would you wear these? If they are available I am sure we'll see some at GenCon. Now we will have to be on the look out for guys with Gamer's Foot wearing nerdy shoes.

GenCon preview #1

I am looking forward to GenCon this year and hope we have a good turnout this year. I'm going to try to preview it once a week until it gets here. It looks like there will be a lot of the larger game companies represented. Z-Man Games, Smirk and Dagger, and Green Ronin to name a few will be there. Here is the complete list of exhibits and here is the floor plan, as they currently know it.

Looking ahead to Indy

I am already looking ahead to the next gathering which will be held in Indianapolis at GenCon. I would like to propose that all present on Thursday night assemble at the Chatham Tap for some evening entertainment. Here is their beer list and menu. We went there last year and had a great time. What say you men?

The Dice Tower Saturday Review

Watch Part 1 here

Watch Part 2 here

Watch Part 3 here

Watch part 4 here


These guys are really funny, check 'em out.

3 tables, 13 chairs and a trash can

Another JonCon has come and gone and this was, by far, our most successful one to date. Our attendance was up 33%, blood sugar up 27%, and impulse buying up 15%. We held our main gaming session in a great hall, that we magnanimously shared with a struggling game convention, and had a pretty extended session. We expanded so much this year in fact that we had at our disposal three tables, thirteen chairs, and our own (mostly private) restroom.

There was (as always) the obligatory over eating of junk food, needless spending on unnecessary items, and wasted hours of wandering aimlessly through the dealer room.

The only negative is that one of our very own, Durwaine Leaflander, might be responsible for the death of the King Of Pop. After more consideration I'm pretty sure he is. You know what you did! Another somewhat embarrassing moment came when the Wallet Draining Lich of Medina left his bathroom door unlocked.

Over all a great time was had by all. Plans are already under way for next year's event. Hope to see you in Indy!! What say you men?

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Origins Recap Thursday part 2

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I guess it does come in threes

The Entertainment industry lost three legends this week. Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcett, and The King of Pop Michael Jackson. While all three were well known all three were in different places in their lives and careers. They will all be missed.

Ed McMahon was 86 and had been battling the effects of bone cancer. Will always be remembered for his "Here's Johnny" opening of the Tonight SHow was a long time fixture on television.

Farrah Fawcett was 62 and had been fighting cancer for three years. One of the original Angels her swim suit poster in 1976 is still one of the best selling, and sexiest looking, posters ever.

Michael Jackson was age 50 and died from a sudden heart attack. One of the most talented performers in history was also one of the most troubled. His talent will never be surpassed.

The Dice Tower's Origin's Wed Coverage pt 2

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The Dice Tower's Origin's Wed Coverage pt 1

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Origins 2009 Coverage - Tuesday

I can't wait for Friday

Yep, just sitting around pondering Friday night. I was kind of thinking that a dragon is probably too cruel and mean. Then I remembered Denny's stirges, and skeletons, and the Ludlum Bay of Pigs incident and thought to my self; HELL NO!!

Friday 6/26/09

You are sitting in the Stag Horned Flagon, a tavern in the city of Amphail, enjoying doing nothing. You have just finished your first job as "professional" adventurers. The drinks are flowing freely and you are enjoying the best meal you have had in some time. You had left your homes in the Saltmarsh area when an opportunity availed itself to you. You made 3 gold pieces each fighting off a pack of wolves that had been attacking local farms. You performed well but luck played a bigger part of your mission than talent. None the less here you are. You have no jobs, no prospects and all you own is what you have in your pockets.

A very attractive server brings another round and with it your tab. "It is on the house tonight boys, courtesy of old Krivvin Shamblestar himself. There must be a little more to you than what the naked eye can see. Anyway, Krivven wants to see you in the back room for a minute. I told him you'd be there after you finish this round."

As you begin to discuss this very sudden turn of events an extremely brutish young man staggers to your table, directly to the largest one of you, slams his monstrous fist on the table and bellows "I challenge you to Shields!"

It is your initiative what do you do?

ORIGINS GAME FAIR 2009

Just over a week away. http://www.originsgamefair.com/

Pelham 123

I went and saw Pelham 123 this week end. Pretty good stuff. Hard to go wrong with John Travolta (bad guy) and Denzel Washington (flawed good guy), and James Gandolfini though. What starts out to be a regular day at work for Washington's character turns out to be any thing but. Travolta is pretty cool as a smarter than he appears hijacker. If you have an objection to strong language you might want to miss this one. Other than that it is not too bad a flick.




This is a remake of a 1974 film that starred Walter Mauthau (The Odd Couple, Bad News Bears, Grumpy Old Men), Robert Shaw (Jaws, The Sting) , Martin Balsam (Murray on Archie Bunker's Place), Hector Elizondo (Chicago Hope, Runaway Bride), and Earl Hindman (Wilson from Home Improvement) and also a 1998 made-for-TV movie.

I give this three Floyd's

more on The Hunt for Gollum

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The Hunt For Gollum

Did anyone else see this?

You have got to check this out. Evidently there are people dressing up like Super Heroes and actually patrolling the streets of major cities. Read the article and check out one website devoted to this, apparently growing, trend.

So this begs the questions; would you do this? What would you call yourself? How far would you go to intervene during the commission of a crime?

no more weed hopper

David Carradine, iconic star of the old King Fu TV series, was found dead in his hotel room in Thailand on June 3. I have to admit I loved that show.

Memorial Day Quiz Answers

1. What day in May is Memorial Day Celebrated?

* First Tuesday in May
* Last Monday in May
* Last Thursday in May

* 1. Last Monday in May

2. What was formerly Memorial called?

* Veterans Day
* Decoration Day
* Confederate Memorial Day

* 2. Decoration Day

3. What year (many experts believe) was the first memorial day observed ?

* 1864
* 1865
* 1866

* 3. 1865

4. Where was the first “official” Memorial Day observed?

* Charleston, South Carolina
* Washington, DC
* Waterloo, New York

* 4. Waterloo

5. On May 5, 1868, in his capacity as commander-in-chief of the Grand Army of the Republic, a veterans' organization, he issued a proclamation that "Decoration Day" be observed nationwide. Who was the former general?

* Ulysses S. Grant
* William T. Sherman
* John A. Logan

* 5. John A. Logan

6. May 30 was selected as Decoration Day first observed because it was NOT an anniversary of a battle.

* True or False?

* 6. True

7. What were decorated in remembrance of this day?

* Tombs of fallen Union soldiers
* Cemeteries of family
* State Capitals

* 7. Tombs of fallen Union soldiers


8. Memorial Day was first used in 1882. However, the name was not used until after what war?

* World War 1
* World War II
* Korean War

* 8. World War II


9. On June 28, 1968, the United States Congress passed the Uniform Holidays Bill, which moved three holidays from their traditional dates to a specified Monday in order to create a convenient three-day weekend. However, it is considered the start of what?

* Holidays
* Summer
* Spring

* 9. Summer


10. What is one of the longest standing traditions which has been held in conjunction with Memorial Day since 1911.

* Indianapolis 500
* Arizona Rodeo Days
* Washington DC Apple Blossom Festival

* 10. Indianapolis 500

Lest We Forget Those Who Served

In Flanders Fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

Memorial Day Quiz

Here is a little quiz about Memorial Day. The answers will be posted as a comment tomorrow


1. What day in May is Memorial Day Celebrated?

* First Tuesday in May
* Last Monday in May
* Last Thursday in May

2. What was formerly Memorial called?

* Veterans Day
* Decoration Day
* Confederate Memorial Day

3. What year (many experts believe) was the first memorial day observed ?

* 1864
* 1865
* 1866

4. Where was the first “official” Memorial Day observed?

* Charleston, South Carolina
* Washington, DC
* Waterloo, New York

5. On May 5, 1868, in his capacity as commander-in-chief of the Grand Army of the Republic, a veterans' organization, he issued a proclamation that "Decoration Day" be observed nationwide. Who was the former general?

* Ulysses S. Grant
* William T. Sherman
* John A. Logan

6. May 30 was selected as Decoration Day first observed because it was NOT an anniversary of a battle.

* True or False?

7. What were decorated in remembrance of this day?

* Tombs of fallen Union soldiers
* Cemeteries of family
* State Capitals

8. Memorial Day was first used in 1882. However, the name was not used until after what war?

* World War 1
* World War II
* Korean War

9. On June 28, 1968, the United States Congress passed the Uniform Holidays Bill, which moved three holidays from their traditional dates to a specified Monday in order to create a convenient three-day weekend. However, it is considered the start of what?

* Holidays
* Summer
* Spring

10. What is one of the longest standing traditions which has been held in conjunction with Memorial Day since 1911.

* Indianapolis 500
* Arizona Rodeo Days
* Washington DC Apple Blossom Festival

Memorial Day Weekend

Happy Memorial Day. Enjoy the day with family and friends. 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 Flags and go decorate an unattended grave of a veteran. General 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"

I was looking for some NPC's and found this

I think I'll keep him. Buckle up boys it is going to be a long adventure!

... and here we go

You are sitting in the Stag Horned Flagon, a tavern in the city of Amphail, enjoying doing nothing. You have just finished your first job as "professional" adventurers. The drinks are flowing freely and you are enjoying the best meal you have had in some time. You had left your homes in the Saltmarsh area when an opportunity availed itself to you. You made 3 gold pieces each fighting off a pack of wolves that had been attacking local farms. You performed well but luck played a bigger part of your mission than talent. None the less here you are. You have no jobs, no prospects and all you own is what you have in your pockets.

A very attractive server brings another round and with it your tab. "It is on the house tonight boys, courtesy of old Krivvin Shamblestar himself. There must be a little more to you than what the naked eye can see. Anyway, Krivven wants to see you in the back room for a minute. I told him you'd be there after you finish this round."

As you begin to discuss this very sudden turn of events an extremely brutish young man staggers to your table, directly to the largest one of you, slams his monstrous fist on the table and bellows "I challenge you to Shields!"

It is your initiative what do you do?

Angels and Demons

Ok so it wasn't that kind of movie. Another movie based on the works of Daniel Brown. The previous one was The DaVinci Code. Tom Hanks once again plays Robert Langdon who is a professor of Religious Symbology at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. His specialities include classical iconology, symbols of pre-Christian culture, goddess art, and the decryption of ancient ciphers. You can read more about him here on his website.



I liked this movie but... I wish I had read the book. It seemed to be missing some of the intensity that the first one had. I wish they had given us a little more background on the Illuminati. I wish Langdon would have had to go through a few more steps before figuring stuff out. I wish they would have had a little more about the Vatican archives. The best part was probably Ewan McGregor's performance or the pretty cool bad guy. I give it almost 3 full Floyd's. Two and 27/32 Floyd's to be exact. Barely good, certainly not great, but go see it and tell me what you think.