BGG Con Wish List (Part 3)

Here's so more games I'm hoping on getting played at BGG Spring Con in a few weeks:

 The Board Game Geek Game

Kind meta I know, but I'd like to check it out and see what it's like. This is at the bottom of my list since it's only for curiosity's sake and nothing more that I'm interested in playing the game.

Basically all it is, is going from one board game store to the next trying to buy as many board games and get the most points to win. Pretty standard but still could be fun. 

 Biblios

I hear so many good things about it but when I look at the ugly dice and boring cards I think to myself "Why?!" Maybe this year it's time to find out.

 Conquest of Nerath

I'm slightly interested in this game because it's very similar to Conquest of the Empire but with a fantasy theme. It's a D&D board game with great pieces and one I've almost bought online but think I should play it first to see if it's for me.

 Hamburgum

Holy cow this one looks good. The pieces look incredible and the theme is building churches for some odd reason. I really hope I like this game. I can't find much out on it but it sure looks interesting to me!

 Korrigan's

I think I just need to play this stupid game about Leprchauns finding their pot of gold once and get it out of my system so I won't be tempted to buy it anymore when the online stores discount it to $10 again!

 Las Vegas

Uber light dice game that looks fun. Don't know if I'd buy it but if it's good enough it may make my list!

 My Village

I hate the "Village" game  this one was based off of. But this version actually looks much better! I'd love to add another Stronghold Game to my collection since I only have one now and it doesn't get played that much. In this game, you're living in a village and trying to leave the biggest legacy until everyone dies of old age. I know, kinda creepy but I dig the gameplay I see for it online so it's worth a try!

 Porta Nigra

Never did I ever think I'd find a game about building structures during the Roman Empire interesting but this game has proven me wrong! I look forward to getting it to the table when I arrive in Dallas at the end of the month.

 Rokoko

I'm a little embarrassed to admit it but a game about designing and making clothes for King Louis XV's gala seems outstanding to me! Such a strange theme to pick for a board game but it definitely has my interest this year!

Vikings Gone Wild

Looks like mindless fun. Depending on how entertaining it is could determine whether it comes back with me or not.

Dream Factory

Ever wonder what it feels like to make your own movie? Well this board game won't even come close to that but it'll try in the most entertaining way possible! Before I go out and search for this one though I've got to play it first.

Paydirt

This game is focused on mining for gold in Alaska....what is NOT to like about that?! The components look good and I'm really hoping this is available in the library. (which I hear is legendary)  Because if this one's good, I'm picking it up pronto!

Man am I excited about this trip.

BGG Spring Con UPDATE

This week the Con sold out and none of my friends could go. But the day tickets were completely gone I was able to snatch 2 at half price from someone selling them. Right at the deadline to where you could do that too!

Who did I get them for? My nephews. I didn't know if they could make it at first and when I spoke to my brother he hadn't gotten back to me yet so I bought them anyway and took the risk. Thankfully it worked out perfect since my brother was planning on driving to Texas that weekend anyway so we'll just meet up and drop the boys off to him when he arrives.

I'm super happy to have the little guys going with me. I know they'll love it and I believe it'll be a fun time overall!

Tomorrow, I'm making up ANOTHER list of games I'd like to play while I'm there since it now looks like the 3 of us will be a big enough "group" to play anything we like. WHOA BOY! BGG CON, HERE I COME!!

A much needed history lesson

New Orleans has one of the highest crime rates in the nation. But instead of focusing on that, they've decided to take out history instead. For weeks now, they're been removing monuments from the Civil War that have been there for over a hundred years. Monuments not built by racist but by people interested in honoring their history. And this is the graffiti we see around town.

Nice.

Imagine is someone wrote "I Hate Blacks" on a monument of MLK. The media would be in an uproar about it. The culprits would be sought after and prosecuted to the highest consent. But this racist hate against whites is not even being mentioned except through social media who are their locally and against at some of the things that have been written on the monuments. I don't even feel comfortable posting them on my site they're so ugly.

If you want to tear down something that really stood for slavery than tear down the pyramids of Egypt.

Seriously. Slave labor built these things. Slaves we mistreated, died and killed while making them. It's the one of the biggest atrocities in earth's history yet we glorify them as wonders of the world. When in truth it was a vane Pharaoh who cared nothing for human life. If the country of Egypt said they were taking down the pyramids because of the wicked symbols they stand for the whole world would be in an uproar over maintaining them for history's sake.  

But instead, we're left to suffer in a time where garbage like this is acceptable.

Completely disgusting.

The misery that is the Mets

Ok, I know the season is only in the first half. I know (at the moment) we're only 3 1/2 games out but I feel like I have to say it. We're in a slump. Yes at least we're not the Braves I know but aggravating losses like the ones we're experiencing against the Brewers is not acceptable.

I know the Brewers are a good team, and I know they're fighting for their division as well (only a game out) but we're a better team! At least we should be. Statistically we have them beat on just about every measure possible. Pitching? Mets. Hitting? Mets. Coaching? Mets. But we never seem to keep it together and the Nationals just don't know how to stop winning!

There's still a long season ahead of us and a playoff birth is almost a given but we need to play better than this. YOU'RE KILLING ME GUYS!!

Dragonslayer Review

So last month a friend of mine had asked if I'd ever seen this movie. I hadn't. I don't know why, I'm a huge fan of 80's movies and have seen just about all the "cult classics" but this one. So it came on one of my movie channels and I recorded it to watch.

Why didn't I see this earlier?! What a fun 80's fantasy film! I'm surprised more people don't talk about this?! So happy I got a chance to see it. Now I'm on the lookout for more hidden gems from the 80's.

Board game expansions (current) that need to happen

Yesterday I spoke about board game expansions in the past that I'd have loved to have seen. Today I'm talking about the games that still have a chance!

 Twilight Imperium

At this point, I have no idea what they could add to the game to make it any better than it already is. But whatever they came up with, I would buy the instant it came out.

Formula D: Track expansion

We know the first series "Formula De" had several expansions to it before they decided to go with ths reprint. I'd love to see them start cranking out tracks faster than they have in the past!

 Spartacus: Prey of Rome

This expansion would have a street board, where you could battle roman soldiers, more miniatures for gladiator characters like Gatticus and slaves and though it was never featured in the TV series, how bout throwing in some animals they can battle. Like a lion, a bear, a bull and a wolf! Man! I'd love to see this happen!

 Space Hulk 2: Sister Ship

Like Twilight Imperium, this game needs more villains and more scenarios and boards for levels. Just say that after their last mission they came across another ship in distress and had to go to town on some new alien race.

I sometimes drool when I think too long about it.

Zombies!!! 16: Fright at the Museum

This was an idea I pitched to them a few years ago. You're in a museum and Mummies (the Original Zombies) are chasing you around this museum. To make it a safe haven during the zombie apocalypse, you have to find 3 pieces to the staff of Ra and make it to the pyramid exhibit to end the curse! Automatic cards would be "Mummy's Curse" cards which would do bad things to the players through out the game.

I really wish they'd make it.

Vintage Board game expansions that should happen!

Keeping up my "board game" themed week of posts, I'd like to talk today about 5 vintage board games, I wish could have an expansion!

 Fireball Island

A long time ago, someone was trying to pitch Milton Bradley to expand the Fireball Island game into expansions (with a new version of the game) You can still find the pitch on YouTube. Their idea looked AMAZING and I really wish it would've happened. They would have had my paycheck for the next few weeks mailed directly to their home office!

 McDonald's Game

I've always imagined a track of new items for order. McNuggets, Happy Meal, Soda, McRib, Quarter Pounder, McDLT, Sweat Tea and a Shamrock Shake. Maybe even add a bonus "breakfast edition" that carries and egg mcmuffin, coffee, hashbrowns and hot cakes!

Oh....a man can dream....

Batman Gotham City Mystery II

This game would come with a board game extension along with extra villains and heroes. The villains would be Clayface, Bane, Calendar Man, Hush, Ventriloquist, Killer Croc, Black Mask, Mad Hatter, Firefly and Solomon Grundy. The extra heroes would come from the 90's comic and include Huntress and Azreal. So awesome!

 Bargain Hunter 2: The Second Floor

This expansion would add on to the mall by adding an escalator sticker to the board, leading to a second board with more places to shop. Clothes, Electronics, novelties and beauty salons/hair cuts, would be added items to be collected in the game.

Too bad this ship sailed years ago.

 Battle Ball: Team Expansion packs

Make a Green, Orange, Purple and Yellow team so we can have more amazing molds from this excellent game from the 90's.

Top 5 popular board games I don't like

There's always someone who hates SOMETHING everyone else likes right? Today I'm going to show off the board games most people love...that I don't.

 Power Grid

I was so excited to play this game on my first trip to Gencon but after playing it felt like "Is that it?" The game wasn't fun at all and I was bored a majority of the time. Don't understand how it's been so popular as to inspire several expansions. Guess it's just not for me.

 Puerto Rico

The 2nd game I played after Power Grid was equally disappointing. After hearing a million good things about the game I expected more. Though not as bad as Power Grid it certainly wasn't as exciting to play as I'd anticipated.

 Shadows Over Camelot

I see this game in people's top 10 and every time I wonder "Why?!" This game is brutal. It kicks you when your down and stomps you so you can't get back up. Sure, I won the first time I played but did not enjoy it at all. There's challenging games and there's games that treat players as sadistically as they can. This one is the latter.

 Ticket to Ride

A super popular game that I just don't get. I've played it several times (and different versions) to see if it would change my mind but each time I come out of the game thinking "Well that was pointless!" Everyone I've played with loves it though, so I guess I'm the odd ball out on this.

7 Wonders

I despise this game. Have played it several times and hate it just as much the first time as I did the last. I see it on a lot of Top 10 favorite games and all I can say is To each his own! This isn't my type of game I guess. There's no joy for me each time I play. Though I usually comes in close 2nd every time I've played, I still hate the game.

There's my 5, what's yours?

BGG Spring Con Wish List (Part 2)

Ok, I'm re-configuring the list of games I want to play at BGG Con this year.

7) Adrenaline

This game looks right up my ally, but before I spend the $50 price tag, I want to make sure this "shoot and run" style game is for me!

6) Whacky Wit

The game is WAY too expensive to buy ($500) So I'll play it at the Con and that should be goof enough for me.

5) TMNT: Shadows of the Past

I want to like this game, but all the reviews don't look as good. Maybe if I give it a live play I may see something in it enough to buy. 

4) Star Trek Ascendancy

It doesn't appeal to me, but Gale Force Nine does. For that reason alone it's at least worth checking out.

3) Viticulture

A board game about running a vineyard. Totally weird, but the game pulls at me. The reviews don't exactly capture me but perk my interest enough to try it out.

2) Food Chain Magnate

I hear so many good things about this game, I like the theme but the board  and pieces look awful. Hopefully this frog will turn into a prince once I play test it.

1) Star Trek Fleet Captains

This one has my interest, all that needs to happen if for the game to be good. The pieces look nice, the reviews are positive as well I just hope it doesn't disappoint!

Weight Loss results

The results from my diet are in! (or were, since it ended a few weeks ago) I loss a solid 20 pounds. Pretty proud of myself and expect to keep most of it off for the rest of the year. It gets a lot easier to diet the more I do it. Guess I'm getting used to it by now.

The key is watching what you eat really. Working out doesn't have to be as hard when the diet is the key.

But this weekend I'm eating pizza so screw it.

Have a good one folks!

May the 4th not text me

Welcome to the only day of the year where my phone blows up with messages that say this to me even though I haven't gotten into anything Star Wars related in 2 years.

Oh well, Happy Star Wars Day everyone!

Top Star Wars vehicles I had as a kid

In honor of the upcoming "May the 4th" day, I decided to continue my talk about Star Wars toys but this time, the vehicles I enjoyed the most as a kid!

 Slave 1

Great Vehicle. Loved the Han Solo from in carbonite that came with it. I never flew the vehicle right as a kid though but I didn't realize it flew vertically. This was back in the day before home video was big and you only saw the movie once and had to go off what you remembered. It was only way later I discovered how it should truly have been flown.

 Speeder Bike

The coolest thing about this toy was that it exploded into 3 pieces at the push of a button. It was easy to re-assemble too so we constantly were doing that during play time. Doomed was the poor action figure who rode upon it because there was a 100% they weren't landing in one piece.

X-Wing

Probably my favorite to have as a kid. I never put the "damage" stickers on it because who wants a damaged looking X-wing as a toy? My brother did it to his though to make ours look different so we didn't get them mixed up and I have to admit, it looked kind of cool. This was the ONLY way for Luke to travel around my play room in style!

See ya tomorrow folks!

Star Wars games I wanted as a kid...

Here's a list of Star Wars toys I would have died to have as a kid.

 AT-AT

I wanted one of these so bad but it was out of my parents price range for toys back in the day I'm sure. The menacing AT-AT crunching through my back yard would've struck terror in the hearts of my 6 inch Luke Skywalker for sure!

 The Falcon

Duh! What kid DIDN'T want this toy back in the day? The fastest hunk of junk in the galaxy?! Yes please!!

 The Ewok Village

I would have died to see this under my tree Xmas '83. We wanted this SO bad when we were young, but eventually made our own in the back yard that was quite the spectacle back in the day!

 Death Star

Dreamed about having this one as a kid. Though not as cool as the Ewok village it would've been pretty neat to show off to all the othr kids in the neighborhood!

Imperial Shuttle

I had the mini-version of the toy when I was younger but SO wanted the bigger one as well. I thought it looked so cool back in the day.

K, that's all for now!

Top 5 Hobbies

Happy May Day! Let's talk about Hobbies. Everyone has one. Here's my Top 5!

5) Beanie Babies (Bears)

It sounds silly and it's not serious, but I do collect these furballs whenever I come across I different one during any Flea Market or Antique Mall trips. I don't have to collect them all, in fact it's been a while since I've come across one I don't have! But it is a minor hobby of mine I do enjoy.

I used to sell these suckers back in the day for boo-koo money! Now the highest I pay for them is $3. Oh how the mighty have fallen.

4) Drawing

Another hobby I don't do much anymore but it's still something I enjoy. (this is a generic internet picture by the way) I was never any good at it but really enjoyed telling the story and did it for 20 years until I finally reached issue #1000 and quit.

I have to be honest though...I've slowly been coming around to picking it back up again. Remember, this blog started off as a way for me to post comic strips on everyday. Maybe, just maybe we'll see that again in the future...

3) Writing

Holy cow am I enjoying this. I never liked writing papers back in college and for the longest never really liked it at all. But I read a lot which means I've always dreamed about writing my own fiction. I got to write for a Star Wars Expanded Universe book of essays. That was fun. I've even written several dinner theatre scripts. I've written 3 more so far this year!

It's not only a hobby that makes me a little money but is also incredibly awesome to enjoy.

2) Reading

This is not my bookshelf....but I wish it was. I LOVE to read! I always have as long as I can remember. And the bigger the book the better!! I love re-reading my collection too! These days, I can read a 300 page novel in two days. It's a fairly cheap hobby to have as well because second hand copies of most books sell for cheap!

Not much into reading digitally or by audio book (which isn't reading at all) But I will on occasion get something online if that's the only way I can read it.

1) Board games

Anyone who knows me now already knew this. (generic photo used above) Since Disney did away with the Expanded Universe, it's opened the doors for a new hobby to come in. I LOVE playing board games now. More than ever! If I don't play another video game for the rest of my life I think I'll be ok. Board games have made that much of an impact on me.

I barely had 100 last year (counting Megan's games) but this year I safely have 100 on my own. No, I'm not trying to be that guy who has 1000 games in his room. but I'm definitely happen with the collection I have today.

That's my Top 5. What's yours?