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.