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 :-)

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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.

Total fire-button ban

Read this on the trip south.

And this on the return journey.

TTRPG modules I played at Cancon:

Scenario: "Murder In Metal City"

System: "Starfinder"

The plot (minimal spoilers): Unravelling a tech-heavy conspiracy in a dystopian metropolis.

Props: Cyberpunk glasses for each of us, laser pistols, strobing lights...

My character: Alien tank.

How would I describe the GM?: Easygoing and fun.

How would I sum up the group?: Ditto.

Did we "win"?: Yep.

Scenario: "The Lightless Beacon"

System: "Call Of Cthulhu"

The plot (minimal spoilers): Shipwrecked on a tiny island with a strangely sabotaged lighthouse.

Props: Nice maps.

My character: Indiana Jones type.

How would I describe the GM?: Beaut. I couldn't believe it was his first time running a con game.

How would I sum up the group?: The others were new to "C/O/C", but picked it up instantly.

Did we "win"?: Hell, no. Although we were all alive at the end, we were DOOMED :-)

Scenario: "Die With Honour"

System: "D&D" 5E

The plot (minimal spoilers): Funhouse dungeon. Main encounter was a nightmare nightclub where we were forced to perform tricks for an audience of monsters...or else. Then we fought their boss.

Props: Name plates, lots of miniatures.

My character: pregen cleric.

How would I describe the GM?: Accommodating (my booked game for this sesh was cancelled), adaptable and *fiendish*.

How would I sum up the group?: There were nine of us!!! My compatriots knew the rules very well (better than me), but were also right into their self-made characters.

Did we "win"?: We survived, which is apparently rare for "D/W/H" sessions.

Scenario: "No Expense Spared"

System: "Everyday Heroes"

The plot (minimal spoilers): Mix of celebrities embark on VIP tour of new "Jurassic Park"-esque facility. A.I. controlling said joint goes nutso and begins conducting experiments.

Props: Badges, plastic dinosaurs.

My character: Martial artist-turned-actress.

How would I describe the GM?: Equally good at teaching the system and shaping an exciting tale.

How would I sum up the group?: I think everyone had their moments.

Did we "win"?: Probably not. Due to a stuff-up at the conclusion, I'm fairly sure we were all on borrowed time.

Scenario: "The Adventure Of The Werewolf"

System: "Pendragon"

The plot (minimal spoilers): Magical curses, courtly intrigue and downright deadly combat.

Props: Theatre of the mind, baby!

My character: Young wannabe knight.

How would I describe the GM?: A master. *Never* consulted rulebook or module, yet always had the answer and kept things flowing. Regularly threw in history and literary lore without overloading us on either. Reminded me of Tim Curry.

How would I sum up the group?: Everyone was loving the subject matter and mechanics.

Did we "win"?: Yep. Sounded like we might have been the "best" party.

Scenario: "Gateway To Another World"

System: "Numenera"

The plot (minimal spoilers): Scavenging a bizarre future wasteland as we attempted to send an inter-dimensional(?) traveller home.

Props: While all of the games I played had professional-quality character sheets, these were notable for their unusual use of colour and folds.

My character: People person with ice powers.

How would I describe the GM?: Great advocate for this RPG.

How would I sum up the group?: Due to a late no-show, there were only three of us. However, it turned out we worked extremely well as a trio. 

Did we "win"?: Sure did. Traveller assisted, treasures acquired.

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Watching: Season 3 of "The Traitors - US".