King Machine, Orphan Black, Fireworks, Ex Machina and Warhammer 40K

[lathany]

We have finally had some work done on the garden. There is now a lot more grass and a lot less concrete. At some point I might take a picture, but perhaps after I've done more about the blackberry and other overgrown parts. I have trimmed the holly slightly and we now have some in the dining room pretending to be flowers.

King Machine (by bateleur) is now out on Steam. So far, I've made my way through three levels (and a fourth, but I clearly need to revisit level four). I'm enjoying it and have managed to get properly to grips with the create controls. For me, it's a game to be played when I'm fully awake, so is more of a weekend thing than an after-work thing.

We have now seen the third season of Orphan Black. The series continues to be good. The third season started rather wobbly and, for a while, looked as though it wasn't going to cover any new ground. Fortunately, by the end it had made an advance on the grand plot and - for once - had actually killed a couple of characters.

As we do, roughly every couple of years, we went to Kempton Park for the grand firework display set to music. Probably because November 5th fell on a Saturday this year it was even more crowded than it usually is. The display, as ever, was excellent although the music was initially too quiet to hear (it got louder as the display took place and turned out to be classical).

Having mostly been watching Orphan Black we've seen only one new film recently - Ex Machina. This was very interesting and very self-contained with a small cast. I was glad I had seen it, but I found it rather sad. For those who have not seen it, it's about creating an AI that can pass for human.

I ran the Vibius Warhammer 40K game last Saturday. The party:

• Took a brief vision/visit to the Golden Throne.
• Got arrested on return to Alanius Eyrie.
• Have been left on Alanius Eyrie whilst their Inquisitor has been taken for trial at Saturn.
• Investigated another Inquisitor's estate (the version of investigate that includes blowing up bits of it).
• Are now watching both the Inquisitor's estate and the estate of Kalin (the apparent reincarnation of Saint Alanius).

Ryan has asked why I've started making Christmas cake in November. Bea, meanwhile, has already scheduled the "putting up of the Christmas decorations" (although she did pick a December date).