Went to Peter and Hope's house tonight and had an engaging evening with good food and a showing of a documentary on the Shenandoah River. The film-makers were there and introduced the film. Basically it showed the history and culture of the Shenandoah Valley, but then most of the film was dedicated to explaining the problem of pollution that is killing the fish and the rest of the eco-system. Very educational. Nice folks and good chili. Suzanne says that Hope's white bean chicken chili is better than mine, which is fine with me. I'm not in the least bit competitive or angry about it. If Suzanne wants to parade her total lack of taste in the art of chili cooking, that's her business. I suggested that perhaps Suzanne and Hope should get married.
Finally took down the Christmas lights. Just couldn't face seeing them hanging there in February.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
The Lab is closed!
So no evil experiments today!
Instead, we have freezing rain and two dogs who can't crack the code on how to pee on ice. No--don't blame me. I have instructed these canines time and time again. I've promised cookies. I've cajoled, coddled, and cussed. Nothing works. I even did a demonstration.
Now who's going to clean up the rug? I blame this on all you "winter-lovers" out there. You know who you are.
So Peter comes over last night and woops me twice. We played the first scenario in the Stalingrad pack, and I thought I was doing great. Very fun battle. I kept infiltrating squads past his Russian defense for big points. Then, he sneaks a platoon down a wooded trail and threatens to take Objective 4. Along the way, one of his guys throws a cigarette into the woods and starts a fire that, by the end of the fight, is blazing out of control. So just as his guys are closing on Objective 4, my captain shows up with a platoon of elite riflemen, complete with a heavy machine gun. I grabbed control of the buildings and started maneuvering for a firing position. Well, my heavy machinegun team gets all caught up in barbed wire. I ordered them to get their butts moving...and they wander smack into more wire. Again I order them to fight through it, and they advance...into MORE wire! By this time I've managed to bring some scunion on his platoon, and several of the squads are cowering in fear. A Russian commissar walks up, pulls his pistol, and orders the Russian sergeant to rally his troops. The sergeant hesitates...and the commissar shoots him dead! By the end of the battle, his infiltrating platoon was all but destroyed and had accomplished nothing.
Somehow, despite all this, he managed to eek out a 2-point victory. Grrrrr!
Then, after I made a delicious flank steak, we set up the second Stalingrad battle--an epic fight for the grain elevator. After doing a quick METT-T analysis (Mission, Enemy, Terrain, Troops, Time) I decide to defend inside the factory, while leaving one platoon to guard outside. In short order, everything goes wrong. An unseen sniper picks off some of my guys inside the factory. The Germans storm my outside platoon and beat it up before they can scoot inside. The Germans then surround the factory and start bursting through the doors and windows. My guys are shooting, but he keeps recovering and firing back. Pretty soon the defense collapses.
I was mad. I'm sure my tactical analysis was right, but I just couldn't get my guys to fight. Stoopid Russians.
Instead, we have freezing rain and two dogs who can't crack the code on how to pee on ice. No--don't blame me. I have instructed these canines time and time again. I've promised cookies. I've cajoled, coddled, and cussed. Nothing works. I even did a demonstration.
Now who's going to clean up the rug? I blame this on all you "winter-lovers" out there. You know who you are.
So Peter comes over last night and woops me twice. We played the first scenario in the Stalingrad pack, and I thought I was doing great. Very fun battle. I kept infiltrating squads past his Russian defense for big points. Then, he sneaks a platoon down a wooded trail and threatens to take Objective 4. Along the way, one of his guys throws a cigarette into the woods and starts a fire that, by the end of the fight, is blazing out of control. So just as his guys are closing on Objective 4, my captain shows up with a platoon of elite riflemen, complete with a heavy machine gun. I grabbed control of the buildings and started maneuvering for a firing position. Well, my heavy machinegun team gets all caught up in barbed wire. I ordered them to get their butts moving...and they wander smack into more wire. Again I order them to fight through it, and they advance...into MORE wire! By this time I've managed to bring some scunion on his platoon, and several of the squads are cowering in fear. A Russian commissar walks up, pulls his pistol, and orders the Russian sergeant to rally his troops. The sergeant hesitates...and the commissar shoots him dead! By the end of the battle, his infiltrating platoon was all but destroyed and had accomplished nothing.
Somehow, despite all this, he managed to eek out a 2-point victory. Grrrrr!
Then, after I made a delicious flank steak, we set up the second Stalingrad battle--an epic fight for the grain elevator. After doing a quick METT-T analysis (Mission, Enemy, Terrain, Troops, Time) I decide to defend inside the factory, while leaving one platoon to guard outside. In short order, everything goes wrong. An unseen sniper picks off some of my guys inside the factory. The Germans storm my outside platoon and beat it up before they can scoot inside. The Germans then surround the factory and start bursting through the doors and windows. My guys are shooting, but he keeps recovering and firing back. Pretty soon the defense collapses.
I was mad. I'm sure my tactical analysis was right, but I just couldn't get my guys to fight. Stoopid Russians.
Friday, January 23, 2009
Harper's Ferry
Took the afternoon off, and Zanne and I went to Charles Town to cavort with the Village People. Then I decided it was such a nice day I ought to introduce my wife to Harper's Ferry. We went there and ambled through the town. Saw Jefferson's Rock and the old cemetery on top of the hill. The view is awesome: the Shenandoah River coming in one direction, and the Potomac coming in from the other.
Gonna cook up another batch of turkey chili tonight and then freeze it. Suzanne and I both love it. I think I like it even better than my chicken white bean chili, and that's saying a lot. Plus it's super good for you.
Gonna cook up another batch of turkey chili tonight and then freeze it. Suzanne and I both love it. I think I like it even better than my chicken white bean chili, and that's saying a lot. Plus it's super good for you.
An Epic Victory
Drove to the Lab yesterday and wrote two more policy papers. Did the Death Machine in the morning and an arm workout plus 45 minute walk/run in the evening.
Weighed in today. Still losing steadily but very slowly, which is disturbing. Can't imagine working any harder at it.
Peter came over and we played Combat Commander: Pacific--a scenario in the Gilbert Islands. I played the Japs on defense. Strange battle. I had only a handful of units on the board at start, and as he approached my defense, I struggled to inflict casualties. Meanwhile, first my main machinegun broke, and then my battalion gun, leaving me with nothing to fire with, except my treetop sniper, who wasn't doing too well. I figured I was going to lose the fight.
Then things started turning around. First, I infiltrated a fire team behind his advancing lines and retook one of the objectives. This had the effect of forcing him to deploy his flamethrower unit to chase me. They eventually wiped out my infiltrator, but it wasted time. Next, I infiltrated reinforced squad against his attackers, jumping one of his squads and destroying it in hand-to-hand combat. Soon thereafter, I infiltrated a heavy machine gun unit that popped up and ambushed one of his moving units. His guys dashed for cover, but my reinforced squad kept pouncing on his squads and forcing them into hand-to-hand combat.
Meanwhile, his Marines managed to bull their way through my lines on the other side of the battlefield. They captured Objective 4 and then escaped off the board, garnering a lot of points. At game end, it turned out that he had a secret objective, which he had taken for extra points. Still, I managed to eek out a 2 point victory. Great fun.
Still not sure if I'm going to the Pentagon today, but it doesn't look like it.
Weighed in today. Still losing steadily but very slowly, which is disturbing. Can't imagine working any harder at it.
Peter came over and we played Combat Commander: Pacific--a scenario in the Gilbert Islands. I played the Japs on defense. Strange battle. I had only a handful of units on the board at start, and as he approached my defense, I struggled to inflict casualties. Meanwhile, first my main machinegun broke, and then my battalion gun, leaving me with nothing to fire with, except my treetop sniper, who wasn't doing too well. I figured I was going to lose the fight.
Then things started turning around. First, I infiltrated a fire team behind his advancing lines and retook one of the objectives. This had the effect of forcing him to deploy his flamethrower unit to chase me. They eventually wiped out my infiltrator, but it wasted time. Next, I infiltrated reinforced squad against his attackers, jumping one of his squads and destroying it in hand-to-hand combat. Soon thereafter, I infiltrated a heavy machine gun unit that popped up and ambushed one of his moving units. His guys dashed for cover, but my reinforced squad kept pouncing on his squads and forcing them into hand-to-hand combat.
Meanwhile, his Marines managed to bull their way through my lines on the other side of the battlefield. They captured Objective 4 and then escaped off the board, garnering a lot of points. At game end, it turned out that he had a secret objective, which he had taken for extra points. Still, I managed to eek out a 2 point victory. Great fun.
Still not sure if I'm going to the Pentagon today, but it doesn't look like it.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Fields of Fire
Playing a new solitaire war game by GMT called Fields of Fire. It's a tactical (squad/platoon) level game that follows the famous 9th Regiment from WWII to Korea to Vietnam. The player commands a (usually) reinforced company in attack, defense, and combat patrol missions. This game is infamous for having extremely complicated and poorly written rules, and it lives up to that reputation. For my first game, I sit with a rulebook and numerous charts on my lap, looking up obscure rules for every situation. Even with that I could not have figured it out had it not been for consimworld.com, which is a website for wargamers. A bunch of FoF veterans have been helping me interpret the rules.
Having said that, the game is a gem. It replicates pretty well the actual job of an infantry company commander. I have to task organize the company, fight with battalion HQ, plan the battle, and maneuver the platoons and squads. My first mission was an attack in the hedgerow country of Normandy in 1944.
I sent my 1st platoon to a village on top of a hill as a base of fire. Then, 2nd platoon stepped off into an orchard, finally sending a squad into a hedgerow when all hell broke loose. The Germans opened up on the squad, pinning them. The lieutenant in charge of 1st Platoon tried to get his men to spot the Germans firing, but nothing happened until the company first sergeant ran up the hill and started knocking heads together. Finally spotting the German squad firing from a trenchline on top of a distant hill, 1st Platoon opened fire.
Meanwhile, 2nd Platoon Leader decided (perhaps incorrectly) to try to maneuver around the fire sac that his lead squad stumbled into. The squad moved into another hedgerow to the left and ran smack into another engagement area. Two more German squads opened up on the second squad. Still, with small arms fire from the American squad converging with 1st Platoon's fires, we were able to put effective fires on the German squad on the hill, killing some and pinning the rest. The action has to stop there for now, because I'm waiting on another rules interpretation.
Did the Biggest Loser Level 2 workout this morning and ate like a bird all day. Felt a bit fatigued from lack of calories this evening, so I ate a substantial (but nutritious) dinner--some beef stew and some turkey chili that I had previously made and frozen. That chili is awesome. Suzanne loves it, too, even though it's pretty spicy. Now I gotta go do my evening workout: shoulders, abs, and 45 minutes on the treadmill.
Tomorrow it's off to the lab to write two or three policy papers for the Pentagon.
Having said that, the game is a gem. It replicates pretty well the actual job of an infantry company commander. I have to task organize the company, fight with battalion HQ, plan the battle, and maneuver the platoons and squads. My first mission was an attack in the hedgerow country of Normandy in 1944.
I sent my 1st platoon to a village on top of a hill as a base of fire. Then, 2nd platoon stepped off into an orchard, finally sending a squad into a hedgerow when all hell broke loose. The Germans opened up on the squad, pinning them. The lieutenant in charge of 1st Platoon tried to get his men to spot the Germans firing, but nothing happened until the company first sergeant ran up the hill and started knocking heads together. Finally spotting the German squad firing from a trenchline on top of a distant hill, 1st Platoon opened fire.
Meanwhile, 2nd Platoon Leader decided (perhaps incorrectly) to try to maneuver around the fire sac that his lead squad stumbled into. The squad moved into another hedgerow to the left and ran smack into another engagement area. Two more German squads opened up on the second squad. Still, with small arms fire from the American squad converging with 1st Platoon's fires, we were able to put effective fires on the German squad on the hill, killing some and pinning the rest. The action has to stop there for now, because I'm waiting on another rules interpretation.
Did the Biggest Loser Level 2 workout this morning and ate like a bird all day. Felt a bit fatigued from lack of calories this evening, so I ate a substantial (but nutritious) dinner--some beef stew and some turkey chili that I had previously made and frozen. That chili is awesome. Suzanne loves it, too, even though it's pretty spicy. Now I gotta go do my evening workout: shoulders, abs, and 45 minutes on the treadmill.
Tomorrow it's off to the lab to write two or three policy papers for the Pentagon.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
My Thoughts on the Big Day
On the one hand, I am excited by the inauguration of Barrack Obama. It's a testimony to a political system that has achieved and sustained a great success: the ability to change leaders without bloodshed. I'm also sharing in the joy that our black brothers and sisters justifiably feel. I think it's a great day for all the people that have suffered bigotry and fear for so many years.
On the other hand, I'm troubled by some of the reactions that I've heard and read. There was a woman on NPR radio yesterday who sounded as if she were in a euphoric trance. She was praising Obama using the same words that I and my fellow believers use in praising Jesus Christ. Many of his supporters use verbage that rightfully should be aimed at God, not at a man. Further, many talk about "hope for the future" (which is fine) and, in the same breath, "contempt for the past" (which is not fine).
There is much that I'm proud of in our nation's past. To deprecate the past is to turn our backs on the men and women who have died in combat; on the many kindnesses we have given and received; on the great scientific and cultural achievements we have enjoyed; on the justifiable pride of those who have overcome adversity and built careers, families, churches, and businesses. I don't hate the past, and I don't have to hate the past to welcome the future.
I didn't vote for Obama, but I pray for him, believe in his abilities, and sincerely hope for his success.
Meanwhile, I'm beginning Week 4 (I think) of my boot camp. I did Biggest Loser Level 2 yesterday morning (40 minutes), and my knees are not happy. Last night I did a chest and ab workout and 45 minutes on the treadmill. This morning did the Death Machine (interval training on the stair-stepper) for 35 minutes. So far I've been eating right this week, but I'm not happy about it. Tonight a back workout followed by 45 minutes on the stair-stepper. Ugh.
On the other hand, I'm troubled by some of the reactions that I've heard and read. There was a woman on NPR radio yesterday who sounded as if she were in a euphoric trance. She was praising Obama using the same words that I and my fellow believers use in praising Jesus Christ. Many of his supporters use verbage that rightfully should be aimed at God, not at a man. Further, many talk about "hope for the future" (which is fine) and, in the same breath, "contempt for the past" (which is not fine).
There is much that I'm proud of in our nation's past. To deprecate the past is to turn our backs on the men and women who have died in combat; on the many kindnesses we have given and received; on the great scientific and cultural achievements we have enjoyed; on the justifiable pride of those who have overcome adversity and built careers, families, churches, and businesses. I don't hate the past, and I don't have to hate the past to welcome the future.
I didn't vote for Obama, but I pray for him, believe in his abilities, and sincerely hope for his success.
Meanwhile, I'm beginning Week 4 (I think) of my boot camp. I did Biggest Loser Level 2 yesterday morning (40 minutes), and my knees are not happy. Last night I did a chest and ab workout and 45 minutes on the treadmill. This morning did the Death Machine (interval training on the stair-stepper) for 35 minutes. So far I've been eating right this week, but I'm not happy about it. Tonight a back workout followed by 45 minutes on the stair-stepper. Ugh.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Okay, the floors are done.
Zanne and I drove to Frederick today, and after she got totally lost, I finally took over the navigation and found the flooring place. (At least that's the way I remember it, and I have a photogenic memory.) I lectured Zanne and the flooring lady on feng shui or whatever for an hour, and then I picked out the flooring while Zanne looked on in awe.
The house is all but done now. All they have to do is dig the hole.
The house is all but done now. All they have to do is dig the hole.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
End of Week 3
Finishing up week 3 of a six week boot camp: working out twice a day and eating right. Did 35 minutes of Death Machine this morning, a hard arm workout and 45 minutes on the stair-stepper tonight. Ate almost enough to keep a bird alive. Tomorrow is my weekly weigh-in. If I don't lose weight, I'm going to hurt random people and eat some large mammal after drowning it in butter and syrup.
I love my wife. She's pretty and awesome and funny. And she has a great voice, which is the only thing I like about driving to the lab, because I get to talk to her on the phone.
Knocked out two more policy papers today and gave a presentation on the evolution of strategy in the global war on terror.
I love my wife. She's pretty and awesome and funny. And she has a great voice, which is the only thing I like about driving to the lab, because I get to talk to her on the phone.
Knocked out two more policy papers today and gave a presentation on the evolution of strategy in the global war on terror.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Empress Augusta Bay
Peter came over tonight, and we finished our game of Combat Commander: Pacific. I played the Japs attacking (Banzai!) at Guadalcanal. They got slaughtered, and we both wondered what the Japanese player is supposed to do to win that scenario.
Then we played Empress Augusta Bay, and that was a hoot. I played the US Marines against Peter's Japanese defense. The most telling aspect of the scenario is the US player's invasion posture, which gives him seven cards. That's a lot of options. I only had to discard my hand once the entire battle. I made one significant good move: I kept the captain and the best couple of platoons back in the second wave. This let me get a feel for how the Jap defense was organized, and when I brought the second wave in, they landed on the right flank, which was largely undefended. By the end of the fight, I had maneuvered them all the way around the Japs and got off the board for big points. Also took four of the five objectives, and my secret objective was that each one was worth 3 VPs. So I won pretty big. Very exciting battle, and we both enjoyed this one.
Off to the lab early tomorrow to give a presentation on the evolution of strategy in the global war on terror. Hope I do good.
Meanwhile, I worked out this morning (Biggest Loser video, except that I substituted squats for lunges, because my knees won't tolerate lunges). Then this evening I did a shoulder workout and 30 minutes on the treadmill (walk/run). I also made a really awesome chili from my Biggest Loser cookbook. Everyone really liked it, and I could have eaten a ton of it, but didn't.
Then we played Empress Augusta Bay, and that was a hoot. I played the US Marines against Peter's Japanese defense. The most telling aspect of the scenario is the US player's invasion posture, which gives him seven cards. That's a lot of options. I only had to discard my hand once the entire battle. I made one significant good move: I kept the captain and the best couple of platoons back in the second wave. This let me get a feel for how the Jap defense was organized, and when I brought the second wave in, they landed on the right flank, which was largely undefended. By the end of the fight, I had maneuvered them all the way around the Japs and got off the board for big points. Also took four of the five objectives, and my secret objective was that each one was worth 3 VPs. So I won pretty big. Very exciting battle, and we both enjoyed this one.
Off to the lab early tomorrow to give a presentation on the evolution of strategy in the global war on terror. Hope I do good.
Meanwhile, I worked out this morning (Biggest Loser video, except that I substituted squats for lunges, because my knees won't tolerate lunges). Then this evening I did a shoulder workout and 30 minutes on the treadmill (walk/run). I also made a really awesome chili from my Biggest Loser cookbook. Everyone really liked it, and I could have eaten a ton of it, but didn't.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Too Busy
Busier than I want to be at work. Still putting together policy games for OSD and writing policy papers. Also preparing a presentation on the evolution of strategy in the global war on terror. On Saturday I designed a game for an upcoming economic wargame we are hosting.
Taught Revelation 11-12 today at Sunday School, and then taught Mark 7 at home group. We had a new couple at home group: Mark and Betsy and their son Tommy. Very lovely family, and they fit right in, so you know something's wrong with them. Kadey's boyfriend Chris also joined us.
Rereading Rubicon: The Last Years of the Roman Republic. One of the most engaging histories I've ever read. Also reading a history of the Jews.
Well, on to phase 2 of the Biggest Loser workout tomorrow. Ugh.
Taught Revelation 11-12 today at Sunday School, and then taught Mark 7 at home group. We had a new couple at home group: Mark and Betsy and their son Tommy. Very lovely family, and they fit right in, so you know something's wrong with them. Kadey's boyfriend Chris also joined us.
Rereading Rubicon: The Last Years of the Roman Republic. One of the most engaging histories I've ever read. Also reading a history of the Jews.
Well, on to phase 2 of the Biggest Loser workout tomorrow. Ugh.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
George Bush should do something about my knees!
But no...eight years of wasting our blood and treasure in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other places. Meanwhile, my knees are a wreck. We need to get our priorities right in this country.
Week 2 of my six week crash program is finding me having to make some changes. The right knee said "Absolutely not!" this morning when I gently suggested a Biggest Loser video workout. "Fine," I replied. "Let's hit the stair-stepper." I sure showed me! Almost died on interval training. That'll teach me!
With school cancelled, I figured a journey to the Lab would not be wise, so I'm going tomorrow.
Week 2 of my six week crash program is finding me having to make some changes. The right knee said "Absolutely not!" this morning when I gently suggested a Biggest Loser video workout. "Fine," I replied. "Let's hit the stair-stepper." I sure showed me! Almost died on interval training. That'll teach me!
With school cancelled, I figured a journey to the Lab would not be wise, so I'm going tomorrow.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
I love Sundays
Back in the saddle teaching Sunday School again after a holiday break. I'm very blessed to have so many friends and fellow believers in class. They keep me on my toes.
Watched Chinatown last night with Suzanne. It got interesting by the end, but we both agreed it moved very slow.
Rereading Chaim Herzog's History of the Arab-Israeli Wars. Want to learn more about the 1948 War for Independence.
Heading to the lab tomorrow. Ugh. But I'm ready to get back to it, I suppose. No, wait. I think I'll fly to the Bahamas instead.
Watched Chinatown last night with Suzanne. It got interesting by the end, but we both agreed it moved very slow.
Rereading Chaim Herzog's History of the Arab-Israeli Wars. Want to learn more about the 1948 War for Independence.
Heading to the lab tomorrow. Ugh. But I'm ready to get back to it, I suppose. No, wait. I think I'll fly to the Bahamas instead.
Friday, January 2, 2009
Week 1 Over!
Can't believe I'm finally done with the first week of Biggest Loser. No real weight loss yet, despite working out twice per day! The theory is that muscle building is accounting for the weight plateau. Whatever. My knees are spent, and I'm taking two days off from Biggest Loser.
Went to Peter and Hope's for New Year's Day supper, and it was great. Pork loin, sauerkraut, potatoes, salad, and a yummy butterscotch cake for dessert. Then we played some games in which I was again humiliated. Apparently, "Brian Wilson" is somebody I'm supposed to know about.
Anyways, the skeet-thrower is all set up at Peter's place, so when Joe gets back, we can go shoot. Suzanne even said she would give it a go, maybe with Joe's .410.
Back to work today!
Went to Peter and Hope's for New Year's Day supper, and it was great. Pork loin, sauerkraut, potatoes, salad, and a yummy butterscotch cake for dessert. Then we played some games in which I was again humiliated. Apparently, "Brian Wilson" is somebody I'm supposed to know about.
Anyways, the skeet-thrower is all set up at Peter's place, so when Joe gets back, we can go shoot. Suzanne even said she would give it a go, maybe with Joe's .410.
Back to work today!
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