The centre can hold, as it happens

I've mentioned before that we live near a neat little modern community centre, where we cast our vote on polling day. It also regularly hosts a mums'n'bubs club, an African church group, activities for young folks with intellectual disabilities (hope that's the acceptable term) and their carers, activities for senior citizens, and more besides. A colleague told me about a game-development jam that was held at the centre. I reckon back when proper in-person sci-fi clubs abounded, it could well have been used to stage the monthly meetings of one of those. I'm gonna assume it's the unofficial HQ of "Babylon 5" in this area ;-P

Improv tragedy

It's Tuesday and I'm thinking about the weekend. Not just because I've banned myself from consuming booze and junk food Mon-Thurs. There's a lot of primo viewing imminent...

FRIDAY

High hopes. First series was a blast. Imagine likeable celebs playing it (mostly) straight through a string of escape rooms of movie-set quality that tell an ongoing spooky story.

SATURDAY

Our city's art gallery finally reopens after FOUR YEARS of construction work. Don't get me started on how utterly pathetic it was of the council to leave the community without this vital cultural space for so long. All I can say is: The expanded and remodelled gallery better be effing special!

SUNDAY MORNING-AFTERNOON

(Shame they flubbed the apostrophe.)

SUNDAY EVENING

If I was still living in Sydney with plenty of disposable income and roughly zero responsibilities, I'd be attending the heck out of this competition.

Speaking of release dates, "Warriors Of Athena", the new Mythical Greece wargame from "Frostgrave" and "Stargrave" creator Joseph A. McCullough, should be out around Thursday, depending on your location. Amazon AU was saying today, but that's now changed to "temporarily out of stock".

Famously flat

Milano Cortina was Australia's most successful Winter Olympics. We won three gold medals, two silver and one bronze. That saw us finish in 14th place, right behind South Korea, a country I know from their news programs is obsessed with the W/O. Denmark scored a lone silver, which was actually a good result for them since they only had a single previous Winter Olympics medal! Being a Nordic nation, you might expect the Danes to do better, but along with a relatively small population (six million compared to Oz's 27 and SK's 51), they also have no mountains on which to practice many of the events. Thirdly, I suspect that, like the average Aussie, they simply care more about the Summer Games.

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BEST PIZZA PHOTO I TOOK THIS WEEK

Insomnia's a bitch

COMIC COVER OF THE WEEK

By Sean Phillips. Harkens back to my not entirely successful Year 10 Art major work. It presently occurs that I may have taken inspiration from "D&D" action figure Warduke.

SONG OF THE WEEK

"Big Bright Burning Sun" by Loose Content (Australia). Timeless, driving indie rock with a perfectly imperfect lead vocal. Would love to hear it smashed out live in a buzzing pub.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1voE2amcobY

LEAST WORST BLOCKBUSTER OF THE WEEK

Caught up with this, "Jurassic World Rebirth" and the 2025 "Superman" over the past seven days. Would rate each of them 6/10. Tied scores aside, "Tron: Ares" is the only one I'd consider rewatching.

--

Playing: "Race For The Galaxy" [Steam]. RS2 and I are still enjoying the tabletop version, gradually adding the expansions and adopting the advanced rules. We're both now into the videogame as well.

Burnt fog

COMIC COVER OF THE WEEK

By Francesco Mobili. There's enough going on in the pic to arouse my curiosity. I'm a sucker for yarns where former friends reunite to solve the murder of an old chum  - even more so when the victim was a superhero.

SONG OF THE WEEK

The cover of "Wish You Were Here" by Korean girl group Fifty Fifty. The array of beautiful voices (the gal in the grey coat *slays*). The embellishments. Imagine if it kicked off a trend of K-poppers covering prog rockers!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJYWz7gvKzM

Commended >>> "Lightning Fast" by Sushiboys (Japan). Also "Jol Leszek Ujra" by Nagy Bogi feat. Desh (Hungary). Great song, but how many female singers have we seen draped on horseback like this? Fact: My mate CM, a special-effects makeup wiz, once had to - non-toxically - paint a horse to resemble a zebra for a similar pop clip. 

SALMON BOX OF THE WEEK

DOCUFILM OF THE WEEK

And probably the year.

LEGO KIT OF THE WEEK

Also viewing: "Celts - The Untold Story", fortune-telling survival extravaganza "Battle Of Fates", T20 cricket World Cup, NRL pre-season trials. The All Stars games are on today, hooray!

Peri in peril

When I was a BMX kid, I was friends for a while with this wild dude - perpetually scruffy, rough with his bike, and didn't care about anything except big airs and powerslides. After he visited our place once to grab a cold drink, my mother told me privately he had the "dirtiest feet she'd ever seen". Anyway, to his credit, this guy just wasn't bothered by the small stuff. He had an unusual blue BMX that actually said "GMX" on the front. One time, another local kid tried to tease him, going, "That stands for GIRLS' Motocross!" As his pal, I immediately insisted it didn't, offering some alternate explanation. The wild dude, looking completely unphased, went, "No, it does," and rode off. Some people are just born cool.

Grass misrepresentation

While mowing the yard, I had a funny flashback to when I was in lad mags. A fellow subeditor was castigated for clumsily cutting/rejigging a reader-submitted sex story. I can still hear the ed's exasperated, "You've turned him into a premature ejaculator!"

Another exciting thing in my life, besides lawn care and daydreaming, is that I've grown a moustache. When I was 30, a beauty columnist advised me to shave off my then-mo' because, "It makes you look 40." Now I'm 50, I'm hoping that's still the case.

(Yes, of course I shaved it. She was a tall, attractive blonde with the bearing of an empress.)

It was Seul-ki all over again

"Sentenced To Be A Hero" reminds me of "Fullmetal Alchemist", "Suicide Squad", "Game Of Thrones" and other dark fantasies. Heinous criminals are magically forced into a servitude where they must fight for the religious-military state. If they refuse or mess up, their heads are blown off. They then get resurrected to continue fighting. But the more times this happens, the more chance their minds will become muddled and their memories lost. Protagonist Xilo is one such hero, with a hella-bad attitude, a shameful past the viewer instinctively knows wasn't his fault, and combat skills for days. As a result of a dubious deed by an offsider, he's reluctantly teamed with a cute li'l "goddess", Teoritta - essentially a living magic-generating weapon - and thrust into the forefront of the worldwide battle against demon lords and their "faerie" minions. A battle which might not be so black'n'white as it first appears, appropriately enough for a show stocked with noble crims, corrupt officials, thrill killers, kleptomaniacs, and all kinds of deception and manipulation. The weakest aspect for me is the generic enemies - faceless, voiceless, mutated animals and insects sporting brightly coloured bulbous growths. However, I gotta admit their demonic masters are way cooler in design, and that even the grunts are becoming slightly interesting as of Episode 5...which features a shocking plot development. The supporting cast of characters is well above average, with a personal favourite being a resurrection-scarred hero named Norgalle who thinks he's a king and is constantly making rousing speeches or issuing royal commands. Is "Sentenced" trying to say something about PTSD in soldiers? Or the effects of long-term incarceration? I'll have to ponder those questions further while I continue watching.

Nix the nexus

Vehicles I remember our family owning and a random recollection associated with each one - 

* Holden Kingswood - 'Twas light green, like a pale frog.

* Honda Scamp - Seemed to be always in the garage. Mechanical problems or maybe a "project car"? I was too young to know.

* Mini - Sister AC slammed the door on my thumb and ripped off the fingernail. At school, I would lift up the Band-Aid to gross out my classmates!

* Secondhand milk truck (signage removed) - Dunno the marque. Dodge? I discovered two magnets in the glovebox that I played with for months.

* Daihatsu twin-cab truck (custom canopy) - Had a beast of a sound system, with speakers in each door.

* Daihatsu Charade - We didn't own this very long, before Dad upgraded to...

* Daihatsu Charade (special-edition sportier model) - We put an incredible number of miles on this little pocket rocket.

* BMW 3 series - Mum's first car. Some dickhead crashed into the rear at an intersection. No-one was injured, luckily.

* Ford Laser - Her next car, and the vehicle in which I learnt to drive.

* Secondhand Porsche 928S - Dad's dream ride, bought as a gift to himself when he thought cancer might soon claim him (glad to say he survived many more years).

* Ford Falcon - Still going strong today!

Quantum jiggle physics

COMIC COVER OF THE WEEK

By EM Gist. The sinister Egyptian-mummy vibe. (Different pose for a superhero!) The use of light and shadow. The glowing blue eyes.

SONG OF THE WEEK

"Do You Know The Five Virtues?" by Leenalchi (Korea).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QuYb4ImSuw

Commended >>> "Wasting Time" by Kraftklub (Germany), "Glade Lords Of Athel Loren" by Power Paladin (Iceland).

BEST PHOTO OF A NOODLE BOWL I TOOK THIS WEEK

My fave kimchi ramyeon, sliced ham (take it from me and Ponyo), bean sprouts, unsalted peanuts, extra fried onion and garlic.

My joke was an homage to your joke

Am reading this. It's hit and miss. Not sure if I should praise or diss.

Publisher blurb:

"In this exciting collection, you’ll find all-new stories spinning off from some of your favourite Doctor Who moments across the history of the series. Learn what happened next, what went on before, and what occurred off screen in an inventive selection of sequels, side trips, foreshadowings and first-hand accounts – and look forward, too, with a brand-new adventure for the Thirteenth Doctor.

"Each story expands in thrilling ways upon aspects of Doctor Who’s enduring legend. With contributions from show luminaries past and present – including Colin Baker, Matthew Waterhouse, Vinay Patel, Joy Wilkinson and Terrance Dicks – The Target Storybook is a once-in-a-lifetime tour around the wonders of the Whoniverse."

Shelf fighter

Had been wanting a Chun-Li figure for eons. (Already owned a pair of Cammys.) Saw this fig reduced by $30 and that was that.

So Chunners is your main, right? No. Not that I've ever been a good or serious player, but I've mostly used E. Honda and Blanka.

D.E.A.R.

Who remembers the Drop Everything And Read initiative in junior high?

I wouldn't drop everything and watch "Drop" unless you just want a popcorn flick. It's all about the concept: single mum on first date in years starts receiving anonymous phone messages threatening her babysitter and kid if she doesn't co-operate in a dastardly scheme. The world of the movie never feels quite real, despite the main character's all-too-common trauma from an abusive past relationship, but there's enough mystery, suspense and, eventually, action to keep you merrily munching in between sips of cola. Or shots of tequila :-)

--

More Cancon moments:

* Cabbie telling me about her collection of 55 different - and still sealed - "Monopoly" sets.

* Fellow player showing us a vid of the sweet Viking-themed bar and game room he'd built under his house.

* Tales of wild home-game characters (e.g. based on that person's drag alter ego) or ignominious deaths from earlier sessions at the convention. 

* Trying three yummy types of mead from a keen brewer at SC and J.'s barbecue.

* Seeing people's geek tattoos, 3D-printed spell trackers, elaborate dice-rolling towers, wicked cosplay daggers tucked into belts... There was even a dude walking around with some sort of lyre.

Chocolate, strawberry, banana, iced coffee

In middle age, my interest in miniatures wargaming is growing. As well as reading the relevant magazines, I've begun accumulating rulebooks: "A War Transformed" (weird alternate WW1), "Flames Of War" (WW2), "Frostgrave" (fantasy), "Stargrave" (scifi)... At Cancon, I wanted to buy the "Port Royal" (pirates) core set from a trader, except I didn't wannna lug it home on the train. Took the bloke's business card and mail-ordered it from him instead. The package arrived today. Note: These aren't my pix - I scooped them out of the cyberswamp.

The first wargame I ever played, back in the '80s, was one WD bought in a clear plastic bag for only a couple of bucks. I couldn't tell you the title. If I recall, the setting was WW2. I believe it was meant to be a very basic intro to the hobby. It did nothing for me. The first wargame I played that I can name, also purchased by WD (who went on to join the Australian Army), was the multi-theatre modern-era/WW3 system "Aegean Strike". While it *did* wow me, due to the complexity and the time required, I'm not sure we ever finished a game.

Stamp hinges

Guessed today's "Wordle" on my second go, found I'd scored 68 in the Fantasy Premier League (average mark for the round was 48), then answered 15 questions correctly before the students on "University Challenge". Been downhill since then, though. Chores that took longer than anticipated, accompanied by feeling randomly anxious/unwell. But we soldier on!

Below is the raddest nerd-tee design I saw at Cancon. If you don't get the reference, it's a thing that can actually happen with the classic "Traveller" TTRPG.

8 observations from Cancon

1. The light rail is the cheapest, fastest, easiest way to get to and from the exhibition park. Ta for the tip, LPO!

2. Where once you'd have access to only a modest canteen, there are now a few of those, plus multiple food trucks.

3. You still see matching team shirts, however they all seemed to be sported by wargaming groups (not role-players or card floppers).

4. Fists bumps are common and totally acceptable. I prefer it to a handshake, as it feels like there's less of a risk of catching "con flu".

5. Prizes in the RPG arena appear to have been either replaced with raffles, or the money has instead been invested in props. OK with me.

6. Despite reports of poor 6E sales/interest, the "D&D" craze ain't over. I encountered folks who were only dragoning dungeons for the entire long weekend.

7. I think 4/6 modules in which I took part had a female player at the table, which was cool. That said, I noted many more young women in the official "D&D" adventures area, so that's obviously the system of choice for RPG babes.

8. Be careful not to lose your voice! I gamed all Saturday, went to a boozy barbecue afterwards (cheers, SC), then found my voice failing as I endeavoured to game all Sunday. Thankfully, it was fine again on the Monday following a restful night during which I kept my trap firmly shut.

Bring me the head of Dash Rendar

COMIC COVER OF THE WEEK

By Jason Howard. So dynamic I want to go along for the (unicorn?) ride. Heroic fantasy with a humorous bent is hard to get right, though. May pick up issue #1.

SONG OF THE WEEK

"Come Get Your Girl" by Canadian artist Lights. A tribute to Uber drivers everywhere? Monster chorus. Coming soon to a teen-drama soundtrack.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhzX2y5MpSM

Commended >>> "Wenn Du Tanzen Willst" by Lotte. The most French-style German pop I've heard. Also "Eilsed Mured" by Estonian indie band Yejah.

BEST COMFORT-FOOD PHOTO I TOOK THIS WEEK

Hadn't bought a tin of sausage'n'vegetables in years. Was introduced to it as a teenager by my buddy DP. This is the hipster version (sourdough, avocado and coriander).

BEST SIGN I SAW AT CANCON

Watching: WWE Royal Rumble (half-ruined by the bodysuits the female wrestlers were made to wear), UFC 325 in Sydney.