Lathany

A number of things took place this month that I never got around to writing about. So here are some summaries here.

Paladin and Laura - Dom's friend Paladin and his girlfriend Laura were over from France/Switzerland and came for dinner and board games one evening. This meant vegetarian curry and a couple of card games. Sadly, I don't remember names of the games. However, the one about different properties (ranked from 1 to 30) and money was rather good. (A quick google search has not helped me.)

Knights Errant - Dom's game continues to go well, although with rather dark themes. The British Isles are cut off from the rest of the world and invaded by demonic forces (there have been various jokes about calling it Extreme Brexit). We've gone in and tried to get to the bottom of what's going on. It's confusing. to say the least. There appear to be six powers (all Dukes), each controlling some Barons and fighting for the Kingship. So far we've caused damage to the Duke of Gloucester and are now bumbling around trying to learn more about magic.

My game - This really requires a name. I've thought of a few - all spoilery. Anyhow, the party is coming together and has been off on its first mission identifying where some willo-wisps come from. Also, learning a bit about their new magical powers.

Macbeth - Ryan's school put on a performance of Macbeth. In 70 minutes. It was watchable and I recognised the story underneath. Ryan was excellent as lead witch, the guy playing Macbeth was good and the rest were rather variable.

Anniversary - Dom and I celebrated our (24th) wedding anniversary at the start of the month. This was in the form of a home-cooked family meal (steak).

Pride - Bea attended Pride in London. It seemed to go OK, although I think she found it a bit overwhelming.

A long time ago, when I was about three months pregnant, work sent me to Vancouver. My chosen reading material for the plane were the two Bridget Jones books. Now, quite a long time later, I finally read Mad About the Boy (a birthday present). I enjoyed it, I've always liked Bridget, particularly her ability to bounce back from things and I identify with the way she feels constantly out-of-step with fashions and people. I enjoyed the story, the progression of the other characters (although I was rather sorry that both Tom and Jude had lost their other halves) and some of the story elements such as the nits. I felt that the ending was a bit too much like the ending to the previous book, but I felt better that than many other options.

A not very long time ago in a room quite close, the Star Wars campaign ended. We defeated the Emperor and his forces and had a Happy Ever After of a sort. I preferred the previous campaign, I think, but it was still good. I haven't got myself together for a new campaign yet, but I might manage it soon as all my campaigns are now over.

Krys's birthday event was in London because she was. We (Krys, Chris V, Andie, Martin, Frances and me) went to see The Play That Goes Wrong. I'm always a little apprehensive about comedy - but it turned out to be very good. It helped that the humour was conveyed through actions, script, out-of-character and scenery and in varying forms from the obvious to the more subtle. I enjoyed it and would go to other productions by the same company.

Then last weekend we (Gemma, Toby, Martin, Dom, Bea and I) started Charterstone which is a legacy board game I got for my birthday. This means it's a game where you spend the first sessions (twelve in this case) establishing things for future games (plus there seems to be some plot) - so you name characters and write on the board and everything. It turned out to be fun and we have ten more sessions to go.

I'm enjoying the Bank Holiday weekend by not doing very much - recommended.

I doubt I'll manage a complete review because of how long it has been. But I'll give it a try:

• Evie - al_fruitbat and _alanna came over for lunch and we got to meet Evie. She was lovely, didn't object to me holding her (until she became hungry) and very peaceful. She sat quietly through a game of Elder Sign (which I enjoyed even though we lost).
• Fireworks - We did our usual trip to Kempton Park and floralaetifica came along to watch, listen (a mixture of tracks) and get to wear a glow stick. She also got to hear Edward Bear being bolshy.
• Hounslow Dance Competition - Just as I'd reached the point of dreading these because Bea, despite much practice, never placed, she came third. It was well deserved, she gave a slick performance, and she was delighted.
• Blood - After just squeaking through on the back-up iron test, I gave blood a few weeks ago. Ryan came along for the sticker and the Club bar.
• Jeeves 11 - shadowjon's mini-campaign is a lot of fun - 1930s Agatha Christie-style (only it's a theft and not a murder). It is also the first tabletop game I've played with neither a fantasy or a sci-fi element (...yet).
• Meteor - This is still going (mostly) according to plan. Despite being in the same world and using the same system the two groups are having satisfyingly different games. Although everyone hates the Goddess Myron (the Lawbringer).

I've mostly been re-reading books as it's got to the point in the annual work cycle where I'm doing long hours and my brain is melting. However, I've read a couple of new things:

• Hard-Boiled Wonderland And The End Of The World by Haruki Murakami - There was a lot of press coverage of Murakami at the time I was reading this and I wanted to like it. However, I more sort of didn't. It's got some interesting themes in it and the overall concept was nice, but I found it depressing and had difficulty identifying with the characters.
• The Street Lawyer by John Grisham - Well, it's a Grisham. Easy to read and pretty easy to forget afterwards. I enjoyed it, but it's very much light entertainment.

I've also seen three new films:

• Tron Legacy - I saw the original in the cinema, enjoyed it and was keen to see this. I liked it, but didn't find it as enjoyable. I liked the revisiting of the characters and ideas, but would have preferred a different ending.
• Sanjuro - A 1962 black-and-white Japanese samurai film which, much to my surprise, I enjoyed hugely. I think it helps that it's the right length for the story it's telling.
• I ❤ Huckabees - Quirky, odd, famous cast and funny. I liked this a great deal more than I liked The Big Lebowski (which it reminded me of) even if it's just a bit weird on the side for me.

All-in-all a busy couple of months.

Today is the last day of my fortnight holiday as I'm back in the office tomorrow. It's been an excellent two weeks as I've managed to do pretty much everything I wanted, both in terms of household chores and in terms of Enjoyable Stuff. I started the fortnight feeling sleepy and wanting a rest; although I was also keen to get out and do the things that are difficult to arrange with the duo around. The days went like this:

( Days )

It's going to be odd to be back at work tomorrow (not to mention tiring - I haven't been up before nine lately). However, I really feel that I've had a great fortnight and have managed to do everything I felt I should do along with lots of things I wanted to do. Ah well, next big stop will be Xmas! At least I still have much Farscape (I'm about a quarter of the way through season two) and Star Ocean (I'm mining copper) to keep me happy.

Another week, another update.

Housework - I've mowed the garden, washed the kitchen floor and washed the bedroom windows. It all looks much better and I feel virtuous.

Dr Who - I've not been as impressed with this so far this year (and I haven't seen this week's episode yet). Perhaps it's because I'm now expecting more from it, perhaps it's because the episodes so far haven't really hung together properly. I didn't like the redemption of Cassandra because it was much too fast and last week's bad guys just didn't live up to their scary reputation (or appear to have a plan). I guess that leaves Queen Victoria; an episode I felt was OK, but not up to the standard of last year's "gas mask" two-parter.

24 - So far this season has been surprisingly good. There was a real tear-jerker of an ending to the episode before last when a main character died tragically (and, for once, I cared). The current bad guy is letting the series down somewhat (appearing to be super-human), but otherwise it's been really great. However, perhaps I'll wait and see what they do with the second half (slightly less) of it before I stick a "best ever" sticker on it.

Space Hulk - Friday night the Space Hulk set came out for the first time in ages. The Mission was number four (Cleanse and Burn) and I took the marines. I lost, sadly. In my defence, my command points went something like: 2, 2, 1, 2, 2, 1, 2, 6, 2, 6, 2. I want to play more Space Hulk; possibly surrounded by a bit of a roleplaying campaign.

Chocolate Bible - After a long absence, out came Chocolate Bible and bateleur and I had a go at making "Chocolate Cinnamon Cake with Banana Sauce". The cake was a big hit (although it didn't taste of chocolate!) and will probably be made again some time. The Banana Sauce, however, was rather underwhelming and we probably wouldn't bother with it another time.

*The quote is from Lazy Town.

I have nothing helpful or upbeat to say on life issues so I'm writing book reviews instead.

( The Shipping News by E Annie Proulx - mild spoilers )

( The No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith - mild spoilers )

( Slinky Malinki by Lynley Dodd - ! )

Happy to lend any and all of the above.

We had the rematch against Sauron last night - despite the luck of the cards we got as far as Shelob's Lair. He still got us though. Despite Merry's self-sacrifice (Martin) and a certain amount of card and dice ingenuity. It wasn't helped by the fact that he initially speeded towards us at 90mph.

It was great to see Sarah and Paul - for about the first time in a year. Martin too (Lord of the Rings is a Martin-magnet). Plus I got a new necklace out of it - which Sarah had made ! It's very, very nice.

Today has been rather more quiet, and damp. I've bathed one baby and I'm preparing to bath the second, smaller one. They're also been out for a walk 'cos I needed to buy them some food. I'm on my own, but I get to watch last night's Buffy and Angel episodes.

I'm also tidying up a bit 'cos my mother-in-law is coming tomorrow to babysit all day. When we get back tomorrow evening we're going to find her exhausted and the twins totally smug - 'cos they've been attention grabbing all day.

Well, a peaceful weekend passed by. (Although it sounds as though Manchester was pretty traumy).

Martin and Frances popped over yesterday to play Lord of the Rings (with expansion set). We still failed to beat the Dark Lord and died in Isengard. However, there will be a re-match - just as soon as Martin has rounded up another hobbit-candidate or two to join us.

Ryan and Bea mostly behaved themselves and two doting grandmothers got to hear all about their un-eventful week of milk-drinking and sleeping.

Plus I briefly entered a time-warp yesterday - I spotted a nodding dog in the back of a car. I thought those things were extinct ?