So tell us a little bit about yourself...Part2

[kbfchicago]

Hello all. kbfchicago is a reference to my initials and location, have been using it on e-mails and forums for a quite a few years. No avatars, perhaps some day I'll decide on one. Likely be Bender (Futurama) and a rude comment about gnawing on my bright backside. Lurker since AE came out, hope to gain enough experience to be a meaningful contributor some day... working on some game aids that I hope to post in the next month or so that I find useful as a newbie.

Born '61, gamer since I recieved Avalon Hill's Kriegspiel as an xmas present when I was 12. Passion in the last 10 years has been miniatures (15mm Napoleonic’s). Recently published a set of rules with a couple of fellow history nuts who wanted to give back to the hobby (www.deckergames.com).

Came to WITP-AE by accident - or was it destiny (link from something, to something else, that landed me on matrix games the day after it was released...). Pulled in by the artwork in one of the forum regulars signature blocks when he posted on another forum... Have always been a "monster" game fanatic with board games. GDW's Europa, SPI's Wellington's Victory, Flat Top, SPI's WITP, WITW, Dana Lombardi's Streets of Stalingrad, etc... WITP-AE is IMHO the single best marriage of computer support and gaming experience to date, bar none AND I don't have to spend 15 hours just setting up the maps & counters!!!

Married (2nd time), 2 daughters (22 & 20), step daughter (28), step son (26), and one really great and understanding wife who has acknowledged my WITP-AE addiction with grace and compasion. Just starting to do PBEM (infected my brother), hoping to be able to expand to others before too long.

History Major in college, 11 years active duty with the Army, another few years in the Army Reserve, Armor, Cavalry, Special Ops (PSYOP). For the last +15 years an IT "guy" supporting IBM, local government, insurance, and military. Back supporting the Army with IT transformation for the next century as of this month. However, in the end it's all about WITP-AE... [:)] at least until someone builds a good computer supported version of the (whole!) Europa package... what a game that would be!

For any Matrix Game developers...you missed the merchant frieghter my father in law (Navy security guy) was on in the Indian ocean and swam for his live off of in his underwear as it went under from a jap torpedo! (that was the wif'e's only point of interest in the game...). [:-]

Long live the Grognards and Gamers - what ever your passion!

Kevin

[USSAmerica]

Welcome aboard, Kevin!  [8D]

[kbfchicago]

Thank you sir, may I have another...  Am not sure if it was you (uss.america) or another of the forum regulars I followed like a hound dog with nose to the ground back to WITP-AE that got me hooked... in any case would not recommend you admit that to the spousal unit.  As a fromer Army E-8 she may track you down and do you bodly harm.  Run Away!!!  (btw, married the ONLY woman in my life whom has ever appreciated the Prisoner, Stoges, AND Monty Python...just finished watching the recent "lawyers cut" antohology togther...).  Long Live Sir Robin!   Long live #6, Wuwu wu...(picture kevin at 140lbs laying on the floor whipping around in a circle...while playing WIPT-AE and gettin his A@@ kicked by the AI- computer sun of a bit*%th that has sunk most of my flat tops...).  Luv every post you guys make that helps me out... [&o][&o][&o].  Buddha bless Matrix games and Gary Girgsby.

[AW1Steve]

BUMP![:)]

[Phanatikk]

I may be the newest kid on the block, so I will provide a "bump."

My RL name is Jeff, and Phanatik has been my internet/online gaming nickname since Al Bore first allowed the rest of us to use his internet.
Born 12/21/62, also in The CSA. (Don't blame me for that 12/21 rubbish) I'm permanently 12y.o. though, as I see no benefit to getting old (which means my 16 month old will soon be older than me.)

I've been a history/military history buff since learning to tie my own shoes. I've been a wargamer since the '70s (when global cooling was cool.)

I was in the USNR for 8 years, as a CTI/Russian, but was never stationed on a ship despite being on AD for over 4 years.
Network admin by training, Chief Waste Retention Engineer by the grace of my wife. It's cool though, as I get to stay home and play, and the dog likes it (Marlowe, the Wonderdog.)

I usually choose the "evil" side when playing anything, as EiG (and good is boring.)

[mariandavid]

Am far, far older than Phanatik. At various times was in the British Army (as an infantryman), industry, teaching and an union leader (no that does not make me a communist!). When retired started writing a series of books on the British Armies in WW2 published by Nafziger; now up to 12 volumes and 4 supplements!
 
First got interested in wargames when (I think) saw a copy of the Avalon Hill Bulge game in a shop window - played ever since. Right now about equally board games face-to-face and computer games versus the AI (to be different - may change in the future).
 
Right now am about a week into AE playing against the Ironman scenario. If I get the time will start a report titled 'the tribulations of a Prince' since she is still (just) afloat and I need to get her to safety, guessing ahead of time what horrors Andy MacNab has inflicted on us poor ALlies.

[SunDowner]

Mark Ward, hailing from the swamps of SE Georgia.  Avid wargamer for 20+ years.  Retired Navy, with 22 y/o daughter and 9 y/o son. 

[KMCCARTHY]

Kevin McCarthy:

I did '81-84 in A/3/325 Airborne Inf 82nd ABN DiV and '84-93 in 20th Special Forces Group (Airborne) in B/3/20 and B/2/20 companies.

I work for NASA at GSFC in the Ground Network Project.

Two kids 15 and 11 and a second wife.

I was a CORE I developer and a HOI2 Beta.

[british exil]

I enjoyed reading about you all, still afraid to jump in on the game. Been following the threads and really enjoying some of the AAR's.
I'm thinking of buying the game as my christmas treat. Then I will post my personal info, as I am not a real member of the WiTP AE.
Did my tour of UV though.

[offenseman]

Go for it British Exil!!!  You won't regret and it takes a long time to get up to speed. 

[johnbruning]

Hi All,
 
New to the forum and to WITP AE. Born '68. Started wargaming as a kid with AH and SPI being my favorite goodies under the Christmas tree. That all changed when we got an Apple II in '83. Ended up an SSI junkie. First Gary Grigsby game I played was Bomb Alley. Oh, my did that make my 9th grade year go by quickly. Played everything else Gary designed, including WITSP, Carrier Force, etc. In '88 and '89, I ended up working for SSI as a playtester during the summer between college terms at the University of Oregon. Did some writing for SSI as well. Later worked for Dynamix as the company's aviation historian and designer.
 
Am now a full time writer of non-fiction and history. My first and abiding passion is the PTO, circa 1941-42, but haven't written on the subject since 2005 when I finished "Luck of the Draw" with Ken Ruiz and wrote "Ship Strike Pacific" for Zenith books. Been writing mainly CT stuff and GWOT-related books ever since. It is great to join a community of very passionate individuals who help keep history alive, and I look forward to getting to know y'all in the weeks to come.
 
John R Bruning
http://973cob.org/
http://theunawriterslair.typepad.com/

[DBF]

New to the forum but have found some useful info already. I am an ex-submariner (both Diesel and Nuc) and navy diver. Geologist now. Got to say, they did a great job on WITP-AE. Always interested in WWII in Pacific, father fought in Pacific (WIA twice) and I sent a lot of time there in the Navy.

[xj900uk]

For me, born '62 and grew up on Avalon Hill and SPI board wargames in the 70s'.  My first ever board wargame was Sinai in c. '74 and the sentimental part of me still misses them.
Served in the RAF 1980-84, trained as aircrew (Navigator on Buccaneers) although spent most of my time either training ((80-83) then based in the US and Germany (83-84).  Demobbed at end of '84 when squadron disbanded because of a financial cut and too tall (!) to transfer to Tornado's.  On reserve 85-92.
Used to have PPL qualifying me for single & twin seat propellor planes + light jets but now have given it up due to failing eyesight and poor health, although still get invited up occasionally to navigate or co-pilot.  Member of Old Flying Machine Company up in Duxford UK restoring vintage (mainly WWII) aircraft to flying condition (used to get chance to try them out or ground test!) and also Vulcan Preservation Society.
Have flown and logged quite a few hours in many WWII combat aircraft, particularly from Pacific Theatre (F4F, F6F, F4U, F8, Me109 both German & Spanish, B25, B26, A20, P39, P40, Spitfire, Firefly, TBF and probably my favourite of all the Val) and also managed to sit in the cockpits of a couple of the Japanese fighters (Zero, Oscar) whilst in the US

[Cavalry Corp]

Me

born 1964 wargamer since I do not know when but love peace and tranquility as well

Do a lot of riding and represented GB Internationally at skill at arms ( mounted games on horseback with real weapons ) , I also do a lot of Dressage but have also evented and been in films as an extra ( nothing big )

No children but ( my wife and I ) 5 horses, 2 lurchers, 2 cats, tropical fish tank and 6 chickens


Currently writing a erotic ( and dark) fantasy novel between AE turns

Also like Red wine , Rock music and cooking

[Cap Mandrake]

I like Pina Coladas and getting caught in the rain....oh...wait...erm..sorry, wrong forum. [;)]



I have been playing wargames for a long time since I found a copy of Afrika Korps at Gemco. I will start playing AE when I figure out what an AKL is.

I recently subjected myself to the Viking longboat ceremony and am currently trying to wrest back a couple of minutes every day to stare at little ship icons on my computer.

I used to do a fair amount of fly fishing, and watercolors and gardening and card counting at blackjack but I dont really do that any more. Now, when walking my dog I will sometimes find myself blurting out things like "PARAMISHIRO JIMA!" on the horse trail. It has become like a nervous tic. I can't help it.

My sign in is from Dr Strangelove. As I recall, I tried "Buck Turgidson" but some cretin had already taken it.

[String]

I'm one of the guys from the younger generations here it seems. Born in 1984, in Estonia, Tallinn. Been living here my whole life. I still remember those soviet mig-23's buzzing our summer home when they were doing exercises, even though I was just a small kid at the time.

I did my compulsory service in 2003, in an SP platoon at the guards battalion (lots of ceremonies and fancy marching). After that I worked for a year, studied architecture for five years (with no end in sight) and finally in 2009, decided to enter the Estonian National Defence College, our military academy. The facility that produces those 2nd Ltn's everybody seems to love [:D].

As for wargames, my first brush with them was somewhere in late 90's when I played a few games of Panzer General at my friends place. I first found these forums by playing SPW@W, and later became a regular after reading a short WITP AAR at the paradox forums. Since then I've written several WITP AAR's over there myself and getting a lot of interested followers (and a few buyers too I hope). As a gaming personality I tend to be quite agressive, sometimes to a fault, as I've lost quite a few PBEM opponents that way [:o].

[Cap Mandrake]

ORIGINAL: String

I'm one of the guys from the younger generations here it seems. Born in 1984,

Uggh. I've got TIES older than that.

[String]

ORIGINAL: Cap Mandrake

ORIGINAL: String

I'm one of the guys from the younger generations here it seems. Born in 1984,

Uggh. I've got TIES older than that.

I'm sure you do, gramps [:'(]

[stldiver]

I was born in 1961.

My first wargame was Panzer Blitz, have never stopped, Did the tour with minitures, both D&D and military, but when computers came along never looked backed. Found Witp several years ago and the passion came back. Definatly enjoy the upgrade into AE.

Surprisingly have wife and 5 kids (youngest is senior) all 5 still at home but soon, hopefully, praying hard will be down to 3.

They put up with me going downstairs and staring at the computer for hours, in past the wife got very tired of it, but in the last few months since I restarted with AE it doesn't seem to bother her??? Wonder if she has a boyfriend, Opps nevermind I think a turns coming .........

[TOMLABEL]

Welcome to all of you new guys and lurkers!!!! [&o]

It's always fasinating to me to get the input from new guys as sometimes some of us who have been here a bit become color blind!

I used to be a 'lurker' as well, but finally made my first post 1/27/2006 several months after I bit the bullet and bought WITP. I bought WITP after reading the AARs and knew this was the game for me after searching for a game like this for a long time. I too, stumbled upon this game by accident as well. I could go into the board games I have played in the past, but I've posted that somewhere many times before. The guys I've met and the friendships I've made since then have been second to none!

It's very encouraging to see new folks posting to this forum as it tells me there will always be new interest, opinions and ideas to discuss/contimplate and argue over!!

Welcome to all you guys!!!!![&o]