When You're HOT...You're HOT!!

I know that this may sound goofy, but here is a list of games that are seeing a lot of table time! In other words, HOT games! This is how it goes at this point in time.

1. Memoir '44 - One of the BEST WWII games around!! A new Air Pack is coming out soon and will only cause this game to remain in the top position even longer!

2. Last Night on Earth, The Zombie Game - Enough has been said about this game in previous posts! Good zombie FUN!

3. Magic the Gathering CCG - What can I say? THE Grand Daddy of CCG games! FANTASTIC!

4. Thebes - Another game that has been talked about a lot lately! Great fun!

5. Thurn & Taxis - This game gives "Going Postal" a whole new meaning! LOVE this game AND it's expansion "Power & Glory"! Who knew that building postal routes in OLD Germany ( & parts of Europe too ) would be so much FUN!!

6. Yspahan - Mike's new game! Lots of fun and cool mechanics!!

7. Infernal Contraption - Awesome card game! Players are "Bodgers" ( goblin mechanics) and build machines to take out the other guy(s)! A blast!

8. Carcassonne - Wonderful "gateway" game! SUPER family game! Each version has it's own feel and appeal!

9. Ticket to Ride - Ditto! Hehe, all I said of Carcassonne can be said the same of these outstanding train games!

10. Boomtown - Super fun game of gold mines, miners, Mayors ,saloons, etc, etc,etc!

Sorry for the brief descriptions, but I'd be at this for days if I intended to go in to detail about each game. ALL are worth looking in to and buying!!

I have to say that it's VERY difficult to make these lists! I have MANY favorites and I'd like to make a Top 10, but I'd go crazy trying to widdle all of them to just 10! I can say that here is a list of my top faves that, unfortunately DON'T get much playtime ( due to player schedules and/or lack of interest ). These are not in order of importance. Check these out on BGG!

1. Taj Mahal 2. Battlelore 3. Caylus 4. Blue Moon City 5. Tigris and Euphrates

6. Power Grid 8. Robo Rally 9. Antike 10. Shogun 11. Samurai 12. Betrayal at House on the Hill

That's it for now!

Lights! Camera! Action! & Some New "Blood"!

Mike and I had the pleasure of some company on Friday and Saturday! It all started with Ed showing up for a special occasion. His sudden appearance was due to a taping and interview with us about gaming. Yep, we were to be caught on camera playing our games and yakking about them! It doesn't get much better than that I say! The person in charge of all this was Amy. Amy works at the same TV station as Mike. She was looking to do a story on "geeks" like us! I was a bit nervous at first, but soon settled down to business. I enjoyed talking about our games and other stuff pertaining to this hobby. Actually, poor Ed and Mike didn't really get as much time on camera as I did. Sorry guys. I'm just more interesting! Hahaha! It was over in no time and she was off. Soon after she packed up and left we began playing "Thebes". This is one of my games that we all enjoy a great deal. It has to do with archeology. I won't go into details about it 'cause it can be read about on BGG. I have turned my mom and aunt on to the game as well. They get a kick out of it. Anyhow, Ed got his first taste of "Last Night on Earth, The Zombie Game" after we completed "Thebes". We played the scenario, "Escape in the Truck". Mike took the role of the zombie player, while Ed and I shared the role of heroes. Ed figured out the game quickly and we were off and running. We narrowly avoided a loss to Mike though. As you can see in one of the pictures, Mike had his zombies ALL over our truck near the end! But, Ed used one of his heroes to "take one for the team" ( R.I.P. Billy ) and drew them away long enough for two others to escape. All of this happened on Friday night. Ed stayed the night at Mike's after LNOE and we picked up playing more games Saturday afternoon. We began the day with "History of the World" and some new blood. Ed and I were introduced to Luke. Luke also works at the same TV station as Mike. Luke played every game we put out and did very well! He had never even heard of or seen any of these, but held his own and kicked ass as well. Beginners' luck! Haha! Next time Luke...no quarter pal!! We played "History of the World", "Yspahan" and "Formula De". We only played 3 games?! Huh! Now that I think about it I don't remember anything else. We did use up a lot of time shooting the breeze I guess! I know that Mike and I look forward to having Luke around for future game sessions! I think we may have overloaded him with details on a few other games we would like to introduce to him! Sorry Luke! We were just pleased to have a third person available down here in the Tri-Cities. Don't worry Ed. We won't forget you. In fact, we plan to try and get up to your place at least once more before this winter. Well, that's about it. See ya!

Zombies, Camels & Indy Cars...Oh my!!

Well, another weekend of gaming for the history books! On this weekend Mike and I started off Friday night with our new games! We played my "Last Night on Earth, The Zombie Game" twice and his "Yspahan" only once ( we ran out of time that night! ). We enjoyed both games BIG TIME! On our first game of LNOE, Mike was the zombie player and won in the scenario titled, "Escape in the Truck". We switched places on the following scenario, "Defend the Manor House", where I won with the zombies! For our very first game of "Yspahan", I took off and was in the lead for a while, but Mikey eventually caught up and won it! Final scores were, 103 to 88. Jack ass! Hehe! Now, on to Saturday night ( that's when these pictures were taken BTW ). Greg came over with some brews and joined us in some "Formula De". He didn't fair too well, but he would not give up! He liked it quite a bit as a matter of fact! Maybe we can get more involved still?! Hmmm. Anyhow, Mike ( team Blue ) and I ( team White ) were the main "show" for a hot, 2 lap race! Mike took off and had a SIZEABLE lead on us for some time. I really didn't believe I could catch him, but I did! He was down to one tire pt. and one brake pt. and screaming through the course like a madman! I did all I could to catch him without making the same mistakes and it paid off near the end of the second lap! In the immortal words of Buford T. Justice, "I'm gonna catch that sumbitch!"...and I did! We played a game of LNOE too ( the "Burn 'em Out" scenario ). Mike took the zombies again and WON again! Crap! The zombies do have an edge in this game! Whew! It's a challenge being the hero player, but I like it! I can't wait for you to try it!! We also played a game of "Yspahan" and I got some payback with a 112 to 97 victory over Mike! That wraps up our gaming weekend for now! See ya! Oh, BTW Ed, Greg blew you a kiss! Hahaha!

Fall, Halloween and GAMES!!

I tell ya, there is NOTHING like Fall! I LOVE this time of year! Perhaps it's because I'm a Virgo...who knows? I just can't get enough of the warm days and cool nights! Mmm. I always seem to reflect on my school days and Halloween!! As with the majority of other Americans, my favorite holiday is Halloween! I love it, even though I don't participate in any festivities like I used to. Being divorced and not having any kids around ( all the time ) kinda puts a damper on doing a whole lot. Oh, I could find some party if I wanted to, but I'm just not in to drinking myself in to a daze like I have in the past. Nope, I'd much prefer staying home or visiting with my family and friends for some good conversation, good food, some horror movie ( or two ) and some gaming! Speaking of games, between my friends and I we have several great ( and not so great ) horror themed games. Here's a few of the great titles,"Fury of Dracula", "Betrayal at House on the Hill" and "Fearsome Floors". BUT, I managed to get a copy of a new game called "Last Night on Earth, The Zombie Game". In my opinion, this will soon be a favorite of ours as well. I can pretty much gauge what my friends may like or may not like and this is a winner! We don't get together as often as I would like and after describing the game to them via e-mail, I've got them them "dying" to try it! I'll be "setting the hook" this weekend with Mike. Oh, I guess I should introduce my 2 favorite game buds and closest friends, Mike and Ed! They are putzes, but you know how the saying goes, "Friends are the ones who know all about you and still like you!". Hehe, they could say the same of me! Naw, these guys are like my brothers! We argue and bitch just as much as family, but I wouldn't replace them. However, there have been times with Ed........., uh we won't get in to that! Hahahahahaha! He could say the same of me! Anyways, I can't wait to get some gaming in SOON! In fact, I plan to take "LNOE" to my ex's while I babysit today. Her kids and I still remain close even after our divorce ( and I love them both...they're good kids! ). I've turned them on to a BUNCH of games that most American kids never get a chance to play ( which is a shame! ). I've turned them in to "Euro" gamers! The bulk of my collection comes from Germany, hence the title. Well, I'm gonna wrap it up. I have to go exercise ( yuk ). I've been after my self to pick up the pace lately. I may be a hardcore gamer, but I don't need to look like one!!! See ya!

Busting my blog cherry!

Well well! This is it. I NEVER would've believed I would start my own blog. I decided to do it since my friends have. Yep, I'm on the bandwagon! The main reason for theirs ( and now mine ) is to talk about games! One of our favorite past times is playing boardgames and card games. Yeah, yeah, we are geeks, but not as bad as many others. I plan to use my blog to post game sessions and an occasional picture or two of my gaming sessions. To most, this is boring, but my friends and family find playing these games to be fun and entertaining. Not to mention a fantastic way to get together, socialize and actually learn about history, geography, math, etc. through the games! I can speak for everyone and say that the main reason for our gaming is for contact and interaction on a personal level. With so many people too busy to keep in touch and/or only wish to play games online it's VERY important to me!