Playing Command & Colour: Napoleonics for the first time

Playing Battles of Westeros reignited a desire to play Command & Colour: Ancients again. Though both games are nominally based on the same system, there were a number of things that I preferred in C&C. Namely, I felt that the way units moved, and were encouraged to stay in formation, was very true to era depicted.

So when Shawn brought round the latest in the series, I was interested to check it out. I was curious to see if my opinions about Ancients carried over into the Napoleonic iteration. Just as we started a game, I took a few snaps:

Unboxing Battles of Westeros

It's now a habit for me to participate in Boardgamegeek's annual Secret Santa during the Christmas period. It's a great little deal: I anonymously purchase a gift for a person on Boardgamegeek, and someone else does the same for me.

The Battles of Westeros must be a popular game in 2010, because this was the game that I received AND gifted as well. It's easy to see why it'd be so popular: It's based off a well-regarded game system (same as Battlelore and C&C:Ancients), and uses a popular fantasy setting (A Song of Ice & Fire).

I was so excited when I received this game, so I took a few snaps as I unboxed the game:

Public Service Announcement: Semen Related Costs

Life in Melbourne: Progress on the House 4

We visited the new house again a couple of weeks back. The place is looking better and better. Each time we see it, we increasingly see ourselves making a home out of an empty house.

Front of house

Living Room

Kitchen

Bedroom 1

Bedroom 2

Oh crap!

Life in Melbourne: Progress on the House 3

It's been just over a month since we last saw the house. And the progress that has transpired is quite astonishing. The floors are done, the kitchen is in, and the upstairs rooms are almost completed.

To be perfectly honest, we weren't quite as excited about the house when we saw it last. There was still a lot to be done then, and we couldn't visualise the space. But having seen it again in a near complete stage, we've had our faith renewed.

Things to do done still include wiring, plumbing, toilets, showers, carpets, garage and floor polishing.

Living Room

Kitchen

Bedroom 1

Bedroom 2/Study

Life in Melbourne: Royal Melbourne Show 2009

Audrea and I have always been fans of the Royal Shows. We went when we were students in Brisbane. And we continue to go now that we're in Melbourne. Showbags, carnival games, rides, fairy floss and animals. What's not to like?

Life in Melbourne: Skiing at Mt Buller

We went skiing for the very first times in our lives today, and we loved it. For Audrea, it was her first time seeing snow as well.

It was hard going at the start, as always when learning new things. But we both picked it up fairly promptly. We could move a distance without falling over, and we could do a simple stop and turn. Not bad for first-timers.

Of course, we didn't escape completely unharmed. I'm sure we'll be sore all over when we wake in the morning. And I've got blisters around my ankles where the ski boots dug too deep. But it well worth the battle scars.

Ken & Audrea's Wedding Photos

Photos from our wedding on 14 June 2009.

Life in Melbourne: Progress on the House 1

A couple of months back, I took a photo of the plot of land that would become our home. Construction has since begun, and we were extremely excited to see the progress that has been achieved.

Take a look!

A Place to Call My Own

If things go as planned over the next 6-7 months, this empty plot of land will contain my new home. It'll be one of three proposed units, and facing the street.

Who says games aren't educational?

A periodic table of videogame characters? This would have been a huge assist when I was studying chemistry.

A Sneak Peek at Out Wedding Photos (Just one!)

Here's one of our photos that we took when we went back to Singapore in early Feb 2009. You'll have to wait for the rest.

The Chanel Cake

When does culinary skill become art? When you make cakes like these. This was an entry into the cake competition at the Royal Melbourne Show a month back. Can the thing even be eaten?

Giant Salami Warehouse

On my way to work every morning, I pass this by:

Being a brand of cold cuts, I'm guessing that those warehouses must be packed to the brim with hams and bacons and sliced turkey breast. I also like to think that maybe they store novelty meat items like a giant salami in there.

And ignore the fact that my drawing looks like two huge dongs.

The Invasion is Imminent

This space invader was spotted lurking a short distance away from the University, obviously scouting the area as a potential target. I believe that there are more of these insidious invaders located around the city, and I will endeavour to seek them out. It is of paramount importance to ascertain what the intentions of these creatures from space are.

Invasion is a series of street art displays by an anonymous artist, with mosaic pieces inspired by the old Space Invaders videogame. First appearing in Paris in 1998, these invaders have been spotted in other cities including Los Angeles, New York City, London, Geneva, Vienna, Tokyo, Bangkok and even Mombasa. And the invasion is still continuing even as we speak.

Photos from our wedding solemnisation

Photos from our wedding solemnisation, held on 11 November 2007.

You shouldn't be doing anything else.

Picture taken from VG Cats

Happy Valentine's Day

Well, this here is Audrea's gift for Valentine's this year: A Toblerone Gold 'Jumbo'. This baby measures just under a metre, and weighs in at a whopping 4.5kg.

Beijing and Shanghai