In which I get ready for Dawi to return to The Old World...
With The Old World bringing back two of my white whales from my childhood in the form of Bretonnians and Dwarfs I’ve had a lot of fun projects this year. I wanted to do a slightly different Dwarf scheme than the old green and gold I remember seeing in White Dwarf as a kid and settled on the old Zhufbar livery of white and light blue. It makes for a striking force on the table top and is relatively speedy to paint up as detailed below!
In which I finally start delivering on the promised painting guides...
I have been sat on a fully constructed Battle of Pelennor Fields box for just about a year after purchasing it as a Christmas present to myself at the tail end of 2021. Having signed up to a few "slay the grey" style challenges in the New Year I thought it was time to start with a nice easy paint job.
In which I modify an old family recipe to be vegan friendly...
After successfully turning my hand to vegan Christmas cake I thought it was high time I adapted my old Christmas pudding recipe to be vegan too.
In which I discuss getting the dominant colour from an image quickly...
I have recently made a Discord bot that searches for online versions of board games to help people find games to play remotely. This link will add it to your server.
Discord embeds have a colour bar down the side that can be manually set. I thought it would be cool to have this display the 'average' (i.e. dominant) colour of the board game box and decided to investigate the best way to do it.
In which I plan my holiday tasks…
So it may just be because it is 2020 or perhaps I'm just a bit lazy but I’ve found that I often start holiday breaks with a list of things I’d like to do and by the end of the trip* I’ve not achieved most of them. Whether it’s odd jobs or relaxing activities I wanted to get through I just accidental sit around and don’t do them. This holiday season I decided I needed a to do list and though I’d try out the new Todoist Boards feature.
*Or, let’s be real this year: sitting on the sofa at home.
That tea review data in full...
So we set out to try all the major and supermarket brand teas and decide which was the best this year.
We tried the following teas:
In which I present a slightly different take on O Come All Ye Faithful...
In case you aren't aware Twisted sister is a glam metal band from the 70s & 80s who released an entire Christmas album called Twisted Christmas. This feature the only version of O Come All Ye Faithful which I know to feature a guitar solo. Watch this crazy music video:
In which the elfs and I investigate the publicity of Mediæval Bæbes...
Today's song is the classic Gaudete which you may well know the Steeleye Span version of. Here is the version performed by the Mediæval Bæbes:
I think their album covers show an obvious change in publicity tactics. For example here's their first album, Salva Nos, which is where Gaudete is from:
A cover which definitely fits with the medieval theme of their music. Their next album then features the artists themselves:
Apparently slowly dissolving into the curtains. Then their publicity guy went "Hey they're all women, let's put them in nicer dresses":
Which was followed by the noughties hitting them suddenly:
Where they look like an extended cast of Charmed. Then the publicity guy clearly came back with "We need sexy dresses and lighting!":
Then they went all out on the photoshoot:
While it would be cool to think that the new marketing is due to them being assured women I expect it was a male advertising exec who came up with the idea. Maybe men just don't like medieval songs in general and the need to push into the market?
Tom Out!
In which I present Christmas Wrapping...
The elfs* here at Tinker Tailor Soldier Sponge have suggested this song today. It's not the rarest (as it definitely features on at least one version of The Best Christmas Album In The World ... Ever!) , however, it isn't as popular as say A Fairytale of New York is. I really like this song as it tells a story and is pretty festive :)
*No elfs† were harmed in the making of this blogpost
†Elfs as in the short Christmas kind, not Elves the tall Tolkienian kind
Tom Out!
In which I detail blog posts in the run up to Christmas...
So I thought this year I would put up an advent calendar of less well known Christmas songs. Some will be good but you just haven't heard them while others will be quirky and interesting. I hope you all enjoy :)
The advent calendar below will update daily with links to the posts so you can bookmark this post or just keep checking back :)
Tom Out!
P.S. The usual blog will continue alongside this, Great British Tea Test 2012 results are being analysed as we speak.
GoT board game
In which I review the Game of Thrones Board Game (2nd Ed)...Wade bought the GoT board game so we had to play it!
*SPOILER WARNING: The game and this review contain no spoilers (unless you consider the names of houses as such), however the game description on Amazon etc. mentions details from the end of Book 1: A Game of Thrones*
Cost: £50
Players: 3-6
Play time: >3 hours (took us around 5 the first time)
We played a 4 player game so we were the houses Baratheon (Mikey), Greyjoy (Rob), Lannister (Me) & Stark (Wade). I got to be house Lannister (by random chance) so my personal goals for the game were to have all the gold and make the Starks bend the knee.* The other 2 players are represented by defense cards on the lower section of the board.
*Disappointingly there was absolutely no gold :(
The game is about deceit, alliances and military might. Also wildlings occasionally appear to mess up your sh*t.
Remember in the game of thrones you either win or you die!
Every player has a set starting location and army/navy size. It's very easy to follow. I was at Casterley Rock below the Greyjoys at Pike and to the west of the Baratheons at Dragonstone. The Starks were too far north to really bother me.
Before the game starts you work out your location on the victory track (number of strongholds/castles, 7 needed to win) and determine the location on the three other tracks:
Iron Throne.
Fiefdoms.
King's Court.
The top of each track gets the special item associated with it affording you a special bonus. The track order also affects whether you win combat draws and other mechanics:
The Iron Throne - allows you to determine the winner of all non-combat draws.
Valyrian Steel Blade - allows you to add +1 to any single combat in a turn (either side), win combat draws.
The Messenger Raven - allows you to peek at the top wilding card or change an order after deployment.
The game has three phases:
Westeros phase - turn over three cards which represent events occuring throughout Westeros†.
Planning phase - plan your various actions and place them face down on the table.
Action phase - play your orders in order!
Due to a slight misunderstanding on my part I used all of my 5 starting power points on the first track betting and only got control of the Raven for it. Luckily after a few turns we were attacked by wildlings wiping out everyone else's power points and leaving me in the perfect position to seize both the Iron Throne and Raven for the next seven turns!
Game_of_Thrones_Board_Game_detail
While the rest of us captured fairly pointless territories (except Rob who kept building more ships!) Mikey slowly captured several strongholds in the south including Harrenhal.
†Warning - may cause wilding attacks!
By the time we got to mid-game Mikey had managed to get into a strong lead without us really noticing. I forged an unspoken alliance with Rob and started building my army to send against Mikey. Wade started to threaten Rob's fleet and land army drawing his forces north. I had some small successes against Mikey turning the tide and taking the lead along with several strongholds.
On turn 7 I was poised to strike Mikey's nearest stronghold which would win me the game. I foolishly pointed this out during the planning phase and he committed more troops to the cause. I should really learn to keep my mout shut when my 'obvious' plan could be threatened :S
As we entered the last few turns two wildling attacks reduced my power points and then we once again bet on the tracks. I lost all of my advantages as Rob took the Iron Throne and Mikey took the Valyrian Sword (which I had for about a turn).
With a few turns left I tried to attack as many castles and strongholds as I could but couldn't get through Mikey's defense. Then I stupidly pointed out to Rob that he 'was totally going to attack me' and so he promptly did *facepalm*. Next time I'll keep my secret plans and thoughts to myself and I might actually win. Rob's late game treachery secured Mikey's victory for House Baratheon.
Also I didn't get a chance to make the Starks bend the knee - there's always next time.
I'd compare this game to Risk as it is the obvious corollary. This is much more tactical than Risk as your combat chances are not swayed by random chance with dice rolls. If you're cold and calculating (and keep your mouth shut) you can win the battles you expect to. There's also a lot more bluffing and forging/breaking of alliances. A lot of fun if enjoy stabbing your friends in the back.
I thoroughly enjoyed the game and would definitely recommend it. It may cost a fair bit but you get a lot of game, definitely worth setting aside a whole afternoon for!
Tom Out!
P.S. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Game-Thrones-Board-2nd-Edition/dp/1589947207
P.P.S http://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/103343/a-game-of-thrones-the-board-game-second-edition
In which I try a fruity and flowery green tea.
Green Orange Lotus Tea
"We suggest brewing this tea for a maximum of 2 minutes, any longer and you'll lose the delicate taste. Allow one bag per person and use freshly boiled water"
This is a fairly exact brewing time but for good reason. Over-brewing really does ruin this tea.
A brownish-green like most green teas but it looks a little more orange to me :)
Smells like green tea with a strong hint of orange. I'm not sure if I could smell the lotus flower as I don't know what they smell like.
Obviously this should be drunk without milk. This tea has a light, delicate, complex flavour. You first get a familiar green tea flavour with a hint of orange which builds before tailing off into a floral flavour. I can only assume this is the lotus flower flavour which is delightful :)
I drank this tea from my new camera lens mug :D
Camera lens mug
Delicate, floral, tasty!
http://twinings.co.uk/green-teas/orange-lotus-flower-green
So at the end of the month my plan is to drink all the 'standard teas' i.e. Tetley, PG Tips, Yorkshire, Sainsbury's brand etc. and compare them. I anticipate this may require the help of my house mates. I will then run a double blind study to assess taste etc. and post the results in the style of a scientific paper sometime in December :D
Tom out!
P.S. Camera lens mug:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0058CW9UO/ref=oh_details_o03_s00_i00
Tesco xmas sandwich
Since it is now November I feel I can now get away with breaking the Christmas embargo. At the bottom of my tea reviews I will be reviewing a Christmas sandwich from one of the major retailers. This week it's time for Tesco.
Price: approx £2.60 (although it is in the £3 meal deal too)
Taste: The turkey is nothing special but it normally isn't in these sandwiches anyway. The cranberry sauce is good. The sausage was a nice addition but the sausage wasn't particularly flavourful. I found there was too much mayonnaise which, coming from someone who loves mayonnaise, made the sandwich a little lackluster despite it's moistness.
The blog has now had 1,000 page views :DUPDATE 1/10/12: As there's increasing interest in this blog I've upgraded to tinkertailorsoldiersponge.com ! :)
Tom Out!
Here's another birthday present I've taken ages to review.
"Infuse for at least 5 minutes in freshly boiled water."
As with many herbal teas it needs a long brewing time and can't really stew. Just remove the bag when it suits your taste :)
A mahogany like brown. A bit reminiscent of the box colour.
I was a little bunged up when I reviewed this and the aroma is not very strong. You can smell hints of fennel and cardamom though.
A nice lightly spiced brew. It's quite wintry and warming but not as strong as a Christmas brew would be. Lovely :)
I've been drinking this tea while watching the new series of Doctor Who :D Also Spartacus: Blood and Sand which is an excellent series reminiscent of Rome.
A calming spicy tea for the evening. Excellent to wind down before bed :)
http://www.pukkaherbs.com/tea-room/all-our-teas/after-dinner.html
Tom out!
Here's the second of my candidates for a new workday green tea.
Brewing
"We suggest brewing this tea for a maximum of 2 minutes, any longer and you'll lose the delicate taste. Allow one bag per person and add freshly boiled water."
Same as last time - a nice quick brew for a delicate tasting tea.
Colour
Very pale brown with a reddish tinge.
Aroma
Unlike last time you can clearly smell the cranberry and the general tea aroma is less pronounced.
Taste
At first the tea tastes like a herbal tea with a weak cranberry flavour - very refreshing. The after taste is stronger than last time and tastes more like your usual green tea.
BC-ISMRM
I've been drinking this tea while going over my slides for a presentation at the British Chapter of the International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine. Getting nervous now as this is my first presentation at a conference.
Conclusion
A refreshing workday green tea with a subtle cranberry flavour - lovely.
Verdict
Which is better? There's only one way to find out - DRINK!
I think the Mango and Lychee tea is the more interesting but the Cranberry tea is more suitable for day-to-day drinking. For now I think that will become my workday green tea :)
Web-link
http://www.twinings.co.uk/green-teas/cranberry-green-tea
Tom out!
P.S.
I ran out of green tea so this review and the next review my attempt to find a new workday green tea :).
Brewing
"We suggest brewing this tea for a maximum of 2 minutes, any longer and you'll lose the delicate taste. Allow one bag per person and add freshly boiled water.
"
A change to my usual long brewing habits. However I did over brew the first cup and I don't think it ruined the tea at all - it just made it taste more of green tea than mango.
Colour
Very pale brown.
Aroma
I'm not sure if I would pick out the smell as mango or lychee (I don't believe I have ever sniffed a lychee) but there is definitely a pleasing fruity aroma.
Taste
At first the tea tastes like a herbal tea with a strong mango flavour (probably lychee too but it's clearly a complimentary flavour as I don't know what it tastes like and it isn't very obvious). The after taste is a weak tea flavour which is equally enjoyable.
Lasagna Lunch
I've been drinking this tea while enjoying a home-made lasagna for lunch. Back to work soon though!
Conclusion
A very refreshing tea which, as it's green, doesn't require milk. A fruity, soothing change to my workday tea schedule :D
Web-link
http://www.twinings.co.uk/green-teas/mango-lychee-green
Tom out!
