Notes from a Small Island

[Canoerebel]

Thanks, John.

Over the years, there have been many times readers have shared all kinds of things that have added to my life. Here are a few:

1. John Dillworth recommended With the Old Breed, by MakeeLearn's instructor Eugene Sledge. I got it and spent hours reading it on a Lavender Mountain ledge on a mild, late winter afternoon years ago.
2. crusutton recommended The Good Shepherd by E.F. Forrester. I got it last year and enjoyed reading it very much.
3. A reader whose identity I've now forgotten (forgive me) sent a link to The Band's version of "The Night They Drove Ol' Dixie Down." I've watched that YouTube video a hundred times since then.
4. BBfanboy sent a copy of Powell's mammoth and hugely researched book on the Battle of Chickamauga.
5. Every once in a blue moon, I answer the phone at work and John III's deep voice erupts in cheerful greeting. Those are fun phone calls.

[Canoerebel]

As for the game, Erik has slowed down considerably.

A month ago (Jan. 8) he asked me to send turns more quickly, as he had more time and wanted to accelerate the pace. I complied...only to have him reduce turn frequency by about half. So I asked him a few weeks later if he really wanted the turns more quickly. "Yup." Then he slowed down even more.

[crsutton]

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

Do you let your wife ride in the side car or just that massive cat?

P.S. Nice ride. If you can get outdoors and do that, I doubt you'd trade it in for walking up mountains on humid eastern afternoons under a backpack.

Well, I have resolved to get a bit more exercise as well. Got a nice lightweight collapsible hiking staff for Christmas. It would be a shame to not put it to use.

My wife refuses to have anything to do with the sidecar. I told her that it is OK. I will just have to find a girlfriend. Strictly for sidecar rides that is....[;)]

[crsutton]

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

Thanks, John.

Over the years, there have been many times readers have shared all kinds of things that have added to my life. Here are a few:

1. John Dillworth recommended With the Old Breed, by MakeeLearn's instructor Eugene Sledge. I got it and spent hours reading it on a Lavender Mountain ledge on a mild, late winter afternoon years ago.
2. crusutton recommended The Good Shepherd by E.F. Forrester. I got it last year and enjoyed reading it very much.
3. A reader whose identity I've now forgotten (forgive me) sent a link to The Band's version of "The Night They Drove Ol' Dixie Down." I've watched that YouTube video a hundred times since then.
4. BBfanboy sent a copy of Powell's mammoth and hugely researched book on the Battle of Chickamauga.
5. Every once in a blue moon, I answer the phone at work and John III's deep voice erupts in cheerful greeting. Those are fun phone calls.

Well here is some good news. Rick Atkinson told me that the first of his new trilogy on the American Revolution is due to hit the book stores around May. If it is as good as his WWII trilogy then we should be in for a treat.

[JohnDillworth]

If anyone is interested I can give my highest recommendation to a book from the last couple of years called "American War". It is an entirely plausible work of fiction about the next American Civil war. Climate change is the background but it really tells the story of the people involved in a civil war. Sides are roughly the same as last time. A ripping good read that actually gave me a better understanding on how hte poeple of hte south may have felt about the first American Civil War.

[Miller]

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

Hey, Paul, thanks for the note. If I'm lucky, there's enough days left to face off against you and other former opponents somewhere down the road.

I sure we will one day. My current game has been on hold for a few months and I'm getting withdrawal symptoms....

[adarbrauner]

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

As for the game, Erik has slowed down considerably.

A month ago (Jan. 8) he asked me to send turns more quickly, as he had more time and wanted to accelerate the pace. I complied...only to have him reduce turn frequency by about half. So I asked him a few weeks later if he really wanted the turns more quickly. "Yup." Then he slowed down even more.

You know, right, that you two can run a two days turn (or more). It's a different game though, more challenging and have to think and plan more in advance. Very challenging and fun!

[adarbrauner]

ORIGINAL: Miller

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

Hey, Paul, thanks for the note. If I'm lucky, there's enough days left to face off against you and other former opponents somewhere down the road.

I sure we will one day. My current game has been on hold for a few months and I'm getting withdrawal symptoms....

The one against Mr Kane, really?

[MakeeLearn]

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

Thanks, John.

Over the years, there have been many times readers have shared all kinds of things that have added to my life. Here are a few:

1. John Dillworth recommended With the Old Breed, by MakeeLearn's instructor Eugene Sledge. I got it and spent hours reading it on a Lavender Mountain ledge on a mild, late winter afternoon years ago.
2. crusutton recommended The Good Shepherd by E.F. Forrester. I got it last year and enjoyed reading it very much.
3. A reader whose identity I've now forgotten (forgive me) sent a link to The Band's version of "The Night They Drove Ol' Dixie Down." I've watched that YouTube video a hundred times since then.
4. BBfanboy sent a copy of Powell's mammoth and hugely researched book on the Battle of Chickamauga.
5. Every once in a blue moon, I answer the phone at work and John III's deep voice erupts in cheerful greeting. Those are fun phone calls.

With the Old Breed is the only book that I have read entirely in the outdoors. I read it over a few days, while sitting under a tree on the University of Montevallo campus. It was right before the semester was to start, I would read for hours in the morning, take a break then do a afternoon reading. I even saw Sledgehammer walking around while doing this.

[Miller]

ORIGINAL: adarbrauner

ORIGINAL: Miller

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

Hey, Paul, thanks for the note. If I'm lucky, there's enough days left to face off against you and other former opponents somewhere down the road.

I sure we will one day. My current game has been on hold for a few months and I'm getting withdrawal symptoms....

The one against Mr Kane, really?

Yes he is having health issues so obviously that comes before the game, hopefully he will be back soon.

[Bif1961]

Well given your conditions, I hope your landings are a miserable failure and you will have to stick around for a while longer. That is rather self serving on my part as I have enjoyed your AARs over the years.

[Canoerebel]

[:)]

[Canoerebel]

The failure in communicating clearly was my point, not turn frequency.

ORIGINAL: adarbrauner

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

As for the game, Erik has slowed down considerably.

A month ago (Jan. 8) he asked me to send turns more quickly, as he had more time and wanted to accelerate the pace. I complied...only to have him reduce turn frequency by about half. So I asked him a few weeks later if he really wanted the turns more quickly. "Yup." Then he slowed down even more.

You know, right, that you two can run a two days turn (or more). It's a different game though, more challenging and have to think and plan more in advance. Very challenging and fun!

[Canoerebel]

4/29/45 to 5/1/45

TNNBT: The armada is making its way west in good shape. I've detached some "expendable" TFs that seem to be slowing things down. Today, Francis torp bombers from Chichi Jima nabbed about six of the lagging supply xAKs. Tomorrow most of the laggers are going to move forward at flank speed, in an effort to get the buggers closer to DS.

From my perspective, tomorrow should be the last fairly quiet day before things get very interesting. Of course, Erik can put a stop to "quiet" at any time by committing his own navy and air forces. I don't think he will yet, though I wouldn't be suprised to see little DD, E, PB type forays.

Overall, things look very good. Recon paints a good picture. DS and The Herd are in good shape. Fuel shouldn't be an issue.

[Canoerebel]

ORIGINAL: JohnDillworth
If anyone is interested I can give my highest recommendation to a book from the last couple of years called "American War". It is an entirely plausible work of fiction about the next American Civil war. Climate change is the background but it really tells the story of the people involved in a civil war. Sides are roughly the same as last time. A ripping good read that actually gave me a better understanding on how hte poeple of hte south may have felt about the first American Civil War.

Climate change, eh? That's what got me sideways last weekend. Tough topic. But I'll take your recommendation...unless the book is really just meant to convey a message. Who was it that said "leave the messages to Western Union."? Was the Goldwyn?

John, I'm nearly finished with a book I feel sure you've read already - One Year by Bill Bryson. I think this may be his best book. Real history presented perfectly - every sentence crafted perfectly. That guy can write! (The book is about 1927, covering everything from the Yankees to Lindberg to Clar Bow to weather to politics to Sacco and Vanzetti).

[T Rav]

CR,

One of my favorite history classes I took was called Fin du Cycle (End of the Cycle). It covered a wide range of art, music, politics and social change in Europe. It was set during the period just before and just before and just after the turn of the century, but before the lead-up to WWI.

Wide-ranging on many obscure topics, but taken together, it was a great class. Sounds like your 'One Year' by Bill Bryson.

Ciao,
T Rav

[CaptBeefheart]

CR: I just came off a long Lunar New Year break (they don't call it Chinese New Year here). My mother-in-law cooked up a pretty big feast and I knocked back a bit of booze with my father-in-law and other male in-laws while the women managed the kids and did their thing.

Anyway, once a free moment opened up at work today I did what I always do: I went to your AAR and caught up with several days of activity (I'm like a lagging supply TF). Know that your AARs are very appreciated, but I'd certainly understand if you'd like to take a hiatus. As someone above said, it's not like we paid for this.

Cheers,
CB

[JohnDillworth]

One Year

I can only find a book called "One Summer" I presume this is it. no, I have not read it. But I will take the recommendation. As for American War, climate change is just the background to tell a story. It really has nothing to do with that nor does it take a stand. It is about people, mostly small, are effected by wars and politics and how events might drive their motivations. There are some parallels to Americas wars abroad and how they might effect, and motivate small people. As an old Yankee it would be interesting to see an old Southerners opinion of the same material. I expect you may be saddened but not disappointed.

[Canoerebel]

That's it - One Summer.

I'll give American War a try.

[MakeeLearn]

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

4/29/45 to 5/1/45

TNNBT: The armada is making its way west in good shape.

....

Overall, things look very good. Recon paints a good picture. DS and The Herd are in good shape. Fuel shouldn't be an issue.

Switching to Solar?