Thursday, August 19, 2010

Marker Thoughts

I'm very satisfied with the new UI hit/loss markers I made for the last game.  Each hit marker has a single loss indicated on it..."1", "2", or "3".  For the 4th UI loss, we just remove a stand.

I like the 1 hit per marker much more than having multiple hits on a single marker.  Having multiple hits per marker means that the marker has to be oriented, and inevitably in the heat of battle, that orientation gets lost and the question comes up "is that a 2 or 3 UI loss:????".

The really nice thing about the single UI loss per marker is that it is a tangible, tactile event when the markers are place and or replaced.  It marks a dramatic event, and serves to remind players of the loss, as well as the need to remove/lose a Morale Point.  It just "feels good" to see your opponent have to take off that 1 UI marker and reach down to get a 2 UI marker and place it on the unit.   Maybe its just me, but I find that much more satisying than seeing him just twirl the marker to 2 instead of 1!

Saturday, August 14, 2010

Black Hills Rides

Back from a week vacation riding in the Black Hills region in South Dakota....wrapped around a visit to Sturgis, SD for the rally.  Lots and lots of bikes....speaking of which - have you ever seen a motorcycle with a rotary plane engine?

Looks cool, but I'm guessing it is a beast to ride!


Our bikes loaded up and parked at our first stop, first day...breakfast!  Mine is the yellow RoadKing Custom, my wife's is the black and white Softail Deluxe.


My wife nervously waits (9 hours!) while her bike gets some custom paint from "The Wizard".


That's "The Wizard" with his back to the camera, loading up his airbrush.  My wife's bike's front fender sits on the work stand in front of him....


Posing with the completed front fender - winged skulls are "good luck", besides looking cool on bikes....


And the back fender as well.  Lisa has named him "Fred".


An interesting choice for a trailer body....


Lisa poses with Wild Bill in Deadwood, SD


My bike, near Devil's Tower in Wyoming.  I LOVE my bike!


Devil's Tower  (and not a UFO to be seen)

A great week of riding.  1400 miles with no incidents, no rain, clear blue skies and absolutely breathtaking scenery.   Spearfish canyon, Black Hills, Wyoming - great, great riding and roads.

So - no wargaming in this update, although I did have plenty of time to think of projects I'm working on.  More of that later!