It is the start of September, and it is already two-thirds of the way through 2021. Looking back, I don’t feel that I have been idle since the beginning of January, but some of my planned projects have been put on hold.
Last month I managed to add some cavalry and mounted officers to my FUNNY LITTLE WARS/PORTABLE WARGAME ARMY BLACK and hope to complete this project within the next week by adding some artillery and machine gun units.
I also did some work on my next book, which will be entitled THE BALKAN LEAGUE. It is based on the articles with the same names that were published in THE NUGGET and WARGAMES ILLUSTRATED back in the 1990s and will contain an updated version of the Matrix Game and a new set of army-level PORTABLE WARGAME tabletop rules. I hope to continue working on this book during the forthcoming month so that it can be published in time for Christmas.
Towards the middle of this month the Masonic year will hopefully begin to get into full swing … assuming that there isn’t another interruption due to a rise in COVID-19 infections. I already have quite a few meetings in my diary, and I expect that as Lodges begin to plan what to do at their meetings, I will get lots of requests for talks. Part of my duties as Provincial Grand Orator (or ProvGOrat as my title appears on paperwork!) is to help Lodges by providing them with speakers from the small team of volunteers who work with me, although I probably do at least half of the talks myself.
It looks as if I might have a busy time between now and 2022!
Hi BOB,
ReplyDeleteIt is very good that you have several things on your plate to keep you going in the coming months ahead. I'm certainly looking forward to your future progress on your FLW Project. First day of Spring here today- really looking towards warmer days and not having to have the heater on in my Shed when doing my Fantasy Hobby at night. Stay well there in London. Cheers. KEV.
Kev Robertson (Kev),
DeleteI like to keep busy ... and I have some many ideas that I want to pursue that I just don't seem to have enough hours in the day!
Our summer is almost over, although you would be hard pressed to realise it as the weather has been very autumnal for the last month or so. I'm looking forward to spending more time in my toy/wargames room as the year moves towards its end ... and I might actually get some wargaming done!
Keep safe and keep well,
Bob
Hi Bob
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to your next book as always.
ProvGOrat looks very Orwellian newspeak or 1920s Soviet. Acronyms of the world unite - you have nothing to lose but your comprehensibility!
Lodge activity is finally returning and it is remarkable how much of it there is after such a prolonged spell of being called off.
S&F
Mike
Mike C,
DeleteI am currently writing a chapter that explains what a Matrix Game is and how to run one. It is actually quite difficult as it needs lots of examples.
Not long after I was made ProvGOrat, I was giving a talk to a Lodge where the PGM was present. I introduced myself to the attendees, and jokingly commented that my abbreviated title made me sound as if I was involved in rodent removal. Afterwards he spoke to me and was quite concerned that the abbreviation sounded wrong. I understand that he investigated getting it changed to something shorter, but that GQS insisted it stay as it is to avoid confusing the office with that of the ProvGO (Provincial Grand Organist).
I have a growing list of meetings to go to, and have get to receive my list of Lodges that I will be visiting as a Liaison Officer.
S&F
Bob
Perhaps he should renamed ProvGorgon and turn the brethren to ashlar....!
DeleteMike C,
DeleteNow that would be interesting …
S&F
Bob
Hi Bob
ReplyDeleteIt will be good to get back to something like normal. Like you, I have managed to keep busy throughout the covid restrictions. But it has been a VERY long 18 months.
It is too hot here in Spain to do our regular weekly walks, but we start shorter walks with our group next Monday. We have managed to keep walking throughout the restrictions, but with limited numbers. It will be nice to meet up with friends we have not seen for many months.
Lets hope there is not another lockdown looming as the winter approaches.
regards
Paul
Paul Leniston (Paul),
DeleteInterestingly, the feedback I’ve had from the wargamers that I know that most of them have found that their hobby has helped them to cope during the pandemic.
I’m envious about the weather in Spain. It is very grey in the south of England at present, and temperatures are very autumnal. We really need a couple of days of sunshine to help raise people’s spirits. Sue and I like to eat al fresco at a local cafe at least once a week, followed by a walk in the nearby park … or graveyard if Sue is in the mood to do some genealogy. It’s too cold to do this in comfort … and we are missing not being able to do this.
The number of infections in our part of London is currently dropping, but it is rising elsewhere, and when the English schools go back this week, I think we can expect to see a rise in infections across the UK. I think that the government will try to avoid another lockdown, but their hand may well be forced if infections rise rapidly and the NHS looks as if it is going to be overwhelmed.
Keep safe and keep well,
Bob