Since we have a few similar threads running I thought I'd start this one to see if my experience was unique ... I'm guessing not!
Walking home late at night ... OK early in the morning ... from a game that finished so late I've missed the last bus home.
It's cold, it's dark, it's a long walk home. The little lead men get heavier with every step.
Then a police car pulls up just ahead and two policemen get out, obviously suspicious of a twenty-something out on the streets at 1am ... with a tool box.
"Evening Sir!"
"Evening Officers."
"So ... what's in the toolbox Sir?"
<nervous laugh> "You won't believe me ... it's a Roman Army."
"Of course it is Sir. Put the toolbox on the ground and step back please Sir."
So, one policeman steps forward, obviously ready to grab me if I make a run for it and the other bends down behind him and opens the toolbox.
Guy by the open box,"Oh!"
Policeman in front of me obviously sees an arrest in the immediate future,"What is it, then?"
"It's a teeny-tiny Roman Army!"
"What?"
"It's brilliant, have a look!"
He pushes the toolbox further into the pool of street-light.
"It's heavy, what are they made of?
"Lead alloy"
Questions about how big they are, if I paint them myself, where you get them from, aren't they hard to paint, etc. follow.
Then, who am I? Where am I going? I wonder if they're back to being suspicious.
"They're heavy ... sling them in the back of the car and we'll give you a run home."
So, run-ins with the law, encounters with celebrities, problems at customs ... any stories to tell?
I've had that a couple of times too! :)
Miniature Roman Army? Reminds me of that night at the museum.
Wait. No. That was a film. :-[
Yep, I had exactly the self same experience after a marathon painting session at a mate's house until two in the morning. Holdall full of paints and little chaps. Like you they were good about it and gave me a lift home.
Being told to 'Scale the Noise' by wargamers at the next table at the Model Engineering Exhibition in the '70's. (No names, no pack drill as they say).
Being harassed and heckled by anti-war campaigners as we tried to get into a wargames show somewhere in London. This was in the time of protesters at various airfields, (Greenham Common springs to mind), again in the '70's.
Walking into the cavernous, badly lit aircraft hanger that is Saute for the first and only time.
A bit different from the above...
Being told I was doing something wrong (which it turned out that I wasn't - no apology received) by a policeman, who was also a 'sometimes' member of a wargames club I was a member of. Said policeman had also, previous to the above event, taken home, to paint, a large quantity of the club's terrain and I believe the club (well, at the time of the club being dissolved) didn't receive it back.
Yes, upon recognition of me, the said constable did look like he wished the patrol hadn't stopped me at 2am at a tesco's fuel station forecourt on Catterick Garrison.
Subedai and Ithoriel get to meet the boys in blue (and in a good way - although, perhaps not you Roy*). Only thing that springs to my mind is finding my car broken into after a long night wargaming. :(
Wonder how many ex-policemen / current ones are wargamers / bloggers? Only one I can think of is Peeler's Wargaming & Wittering but I don't think that's been updated for some time now. I think he lives / lived in the Scarborough area(?). Bound to have some members in the forum.
Also recall reading about the Greenham Common types getting it all wrong. :O) Whilst I didn't encounter any of that sort of daftness myself, I recall wondering about one guy who was asking a lot of strange questions when I ran a demo one year. I wasn't sure if he was totally new to wargaming or a protester coming to check out what 'these warmongers' were up to.
*Roy. When are you going to get a real name? Like, Yorkie (or something). :)
Going through Customs at Leeds Bradford Airport on my way to Aldergrove with a 1/200th Vietnam Wars Collection in my second suitcase. It wouldn't have been so bad if they had heeded my plea to have my bag emptied out of public gaze.
I wasn't so worried about revealing the collection as I had declared it before it was scanned. I was more worried about being 'dicked' as my uniform was in the same suitcase. >:(
Well I've also had the "What's in the bag boys?" Question some time in the late 60ies.., followed by a lift home. Thanks rather belatedly. At a similar time we played a big 6mm Arnhem game over several weekends. We had several uniformed bobbies playing, while ostensibly on duty so we all had to stop talking and giggling while they reported entirely fictitious patrolling to their Sergeant.
As a much younger teacher I had a letter from a parent saying her son would not be joining the games club I was running and she was writing to the governors to tell them I was promoting devil worship.
Needless to say nothing came of it and the club went ahead ;)
Quote from: getagrip on 26 February 2015, 01:59:31 PM
promoting devil worship.
The Colburn Fantasy Wargames Club (Richmondshire) used to meet in the Church Hall when it was in existence. I'm not sure but, I think my explanation of what it was we were all doing 'on Church property' to the old, female caretaker-cum-prominent member of the congregation, may have had something to do with the club having to close (due to being banned from the premises). If it is correct, and the old dear did object, it's a pity she wasn't aware that the vicar knew what we were doing as his son also played.
However, by the time of closure the club was down to only a handful of players and it was about ready to give up.
Quote from: Westmarcher on 26 February 2015, 01:12:17 PM
*Roy. When are you going to get a real name? Like, Yorkie (or something) :)
I did used to have one - gingerbh0y. But I dropped it when the crazy woman who wanted naked pictures of me was hounding me on google+. Hence why I changed it / got knew email accounts / won't write g1ngerbhoy using the correct spelling.
Not wargaming but as there seems to be a 'Long Arm of the Law' theme emerging, I did get pulled over by a traffic copper in the middle of the Suffolk countryside in the wee small hours when conveying someone recently deceased in an unmarked coroners ambulance....
The traffic cop nearly had an aneuryism when my reply to his question about "What have you got in the back sir?" was "A dead body Officer..." ;D
Playing Target Games' equivalent of Combat Cards in Eindhoven, (?) against a lad from Germany.
He was using a deck written in German...I was using my own, rigged English/USA deck.
"What does that say ?" we both kept asking as the cards went down.
At least HE could speak English..(Even if he struggled to read the cards)....My German is (as near as dammit) non existent.
At least we could both see the numbers on the cards, which was all that really mattered. ;)
Cheers - Phil
Just had a quick thunk.
Back at school in 1970 there were a group of us who wanted to start up a wargames club. The powers that be decided that forming a club was allowed but using the word wargames in the name could be a bit inflammatory to some of the less knowledgeable parents -which at the time was most of them- so we had to be 'The Military History Section of the History Society'.
Not directly related to Wargames, but when going to Airsoft games, we usually carry our gun toys concealed in the trunk (as prescribed by the law).
When we got a police control, there is a stranger moment when we say what we have in the car, followed by :
"Wow, these are really good, really similar to a real gun ! Can I try it ?"
With police officers trying to shoot with fake AK-47 on a public road...
You should see the faces of the drivers.
I was running a FIW game at Exeter a couple of years ago
An old chap walked up to the table and we started talking. I asked him if he played this period. He replied that he had AWI armies. I then enquired as to what rules he used. He looked at me and said "Well ours of course". I was about to ask he meant when someone approached him and said "Excuse me Mr Barker, can I talk to you about DBA".
Quote from: Nosher on 26 February 2015, 02:37:21 PM
Not wargaming but as there seems to be a 'Long Arm of the Law' theme emerging, I did get pulled over by a traffic copper in the middle of the Suffolk countryside in the wee small hours when conveying someone recently deceased in an unmarked coroners ambulance....
The traffic cop nearly had an aneuryism when my reply to his question about "What have you got in the back sir?" was "A dead body Officer..." ;D
:D
( ... and to take us further off track) My pal told me that Greenock Cemetery and Crematorium is on Trip Advisor! :o
5 stars! (well, 'circles'). No idea why that kind of establishment would be on Trip Advisor (perhaps you can get a good roast there?). Anyhoo, to swerve back in the general direction of this thread, one of the reviews stated,
"Glad to see a local charitable group have produced a guide map to help people find fascinating headstones. Well done.
The gravestone with the dog and the chap killed in the american civil war are my favourites. But many more fascinating ones and great views up the top."
I'm intrigued. Next time I drive out to Greenock, if I go there (as a visitor, one hopes!), I'll try to remember to let you all know what the ACW connection is.
Roy, so you are that JindjarBoie ! ;)
Quote from: Shedman on 26 February 2015, 04:53:11 PM
I was running a FIW game at Exeter a couple of years ago
An old chap walked up to the table and we started talking. I asked him if he played this period. He replied that he had AWI armies. I then enquired as to what rules he used. He looked at me and said "Well ours of course". I was about to ask he meant when someone approached him and said "Excuse me Mr Barker, can I talk to you about DBA".
That is a cracking story ;D ;D ;D
And you understood him. :)
Any Ancients competition held at Derby World Championship in the 80's. It always seemed very surreal and weird
I was on the door with a mate at a Shrewsbury show.
In the early 90s
"Do you know who I am?"
My mate "Nope!"
"I'm Phil Barker!"
My mate "oh, okay, that will be £2 then."
"But I'm Phil Barker!"
My mate "and I don't care!"
Entrance fee was 50p!
Does the nude Zulu wars game I played with a visitor a few years ago count as weird? Especially since his girlfriend was circling taking photographs at table-level, and I'm sure making a feminist point about boys with toys in many of her shots?
Quote from: FierceKitty on 27 February 2015, 01:47:25 AM
Does the nude Zulu wars game I played with a visitor a few years ago count as weird? Especially since his girlfriend was circling taking photographs at table-level, and I'm sure making a feminist point about boys with toys in many of her shots?
Erm, it counts but...why? :o :o :o
There's an image that I'll have to shift as quickly as possible ! X_X
Cheers - Phil
Methodist up-bringing eh Phil ??
IanS
;D ;D ;D
Cheers - Phil
Quote from: FierceKitty on 27 February 2015, 01:47:25 AM
Does the nude Zulu wars game I played with a visitor a few years ago count as weird? Especially since his girlfriend was circling taking photographs at table-level, and I'm sure making a feminist point about boys with toys in many of her shots?
I mentioned to Wargames Illustrated that they should do a Nudist Gamers special - you could have been famous within the hobby!
Quote from: RoyWilliamson on 27 February 2015, 11:11:19 AM
I mentioned to Wargames Illustrated that they should do a Nudist Gamers special - you could have been famous within the hobby!
Privates on parade :D
Transgress the rules of this forum though and it could be Corporal Punishment for you. :)
Quote from: Westmarcher on 27 February 2015, 12:15:07 PM
Transgress the rules of this forum though and it could be Corporal Punishment for you. :)
Promises ;) :P ;D
You ARE NOT SUPPOSED to ENJOY you experience on here :P :'(
Quote from: ianrs54 on 27 February 2015, 12:37:30 PM
You ARE NOT SUPPOSED to ENJOY you experience on here :P :'(
;D ;D ;D
I can see judges handing down sentences: £120 fine and 500 forum posts :D
Not quite wargaming but has to do with model's
Germany 1988 ish one Saturday no threat of immediate invasion by Warsaw pact so did what any Squaddie would do into town for some BEERS!!! (substitute some beer for a lot)
on way from one pub to next found a model shop I "think " as woke up next morning with a completed 1/700th scale Tamiya Japanese Destroyer fully painted based on a sea base and Japanese writing on the hull no idea when or how I made it?
Was it in bed with you?
..... and I bet you don't even remember its name.
I once heard a story at the wargames club, where a member, who was former british army and stationed over in w.germany during the 80s, got himself into a bit of a pickle one weekend.
I can't remember all of the tale, but it did involve lots of german beer, a german lady of the night, a moped and trying to smuggle her out of the barracks early one morning.
I only wish I could remember the tale :'(
That's a great pair of tales! :)
Quote from: getagrip on 27 February 2015, 06:09:10 AM
Erm, it counts but...why? :o :o :o
Because we're nudists. The game happened for the usual reason wargames do.
Quote from: FierceKitty on 28 February 2015, 04:46:40 AM
Because we're nudists. The game happened for the usual reason wargames do.
Makes perfect sense then ;)
I have been unfortunate to meet a few A-holes in our hobby, but it wasn't because it was a clothing optional session.
Met a few right James Blunts, too. [that's rhyming slang, look it up if needed]. Never met a female wargamer, though.
Quote from: RoyWilliamson on 28 February 2015, 10:05:17 AM
I have been unfortunate to meet a few A-holes in our hobby, but it wasn't because it was a clothing optional session.
Met a few right James Blunts, too. [that's rhyming slang, look it up if needed]. Never met a female wargamer, though.
I'm married to one. Mind you, part of the reason why she married me could be that I don't use the female genitals as a term of abuse.
Probably why I'm still single then ;D
Quote from: FierceKitty on 28 February 2015, 10:05:52 AM
I'm married to one. Mind you, part of the reason why she married me could be that I don't use the female genitals as a term of abuse.
Same here, if there is one word in the English language I can't abide it's the 'c' word. Haven't used it in anger for about 20 years, and that was only because some numpty on our Furniture Restoration Course decided to change the setting on the mechanical planer as my piece of wood was going through and I nearly lost a few digits in the ensuing mess.
Actually, I use it all the time. But in affectionate and amorous contexts, not as a misogynistic expletive or insult.
I have been given to understand that it's quite chummy in Spain, a bit like 'alright bo**o**s' in this country.
I've always thought using the female genitalia as a term of abuse was a bit odd. Given that most men (and not a few ladies) like to ... picks words carefully ... get close to aforesaid at every possible occasion, it's like saying "you kitten!" or "he was a right pint of lager" or "he was behaving like a proper MDV5 Centurion Mk III".
I did go through a patch of using it when I was doing a history course - but that was just a mis-spelling of King Cnut.
Quote from: fsn on 28 February 2015, 02:28:18 PM
I've always thought using the female genitalia as a term of abuse was a bit odd. Given that most men (and not a few ladies) like to ... picks words carefully ... get close to aforesaid at every possible occasion, it's like saying "you kitten!" or "he was a right pint of lager" or "he was behaving like a proper MDV5 Centurion Mk III".
I did go through a patch of using it when I was doing a history course - but that was just a mis-spelling of King Cnut.
I'm using that from now on: "an utter Centurion!" :D
This was an thoughtful and academic explanation as to the uses of the said word, with references to use and examples from popular television. Even though I attempted to keep it to a acceptable standard, given this is a public forum, it's best that it is removed.
Since removed.
Steady on, Gents. :-t
Cheers - Phil
Yeah, I was thinking that when I was writing that last post.
My fault (again) for starting it all off.
Quote from: FierceKitty on 28 February 2015, 04:46:40 AM
Because we're nudists. The game happened for the usual reason wargames do.
FierceKitty's cat -
http://sphynx-cat.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/sphynx-cat.jpg (http://sphynx-cat.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/sphynx-cat.jpg)
Quote from: getagrip on 28 February 2015, 03:04:59 PM
I'm using that from now on: "an utter Centurion!" :D
o centvrionem totum!
Quote from: FierceKitty on 01 March 2015, 01:13:12 AM
o centvrionem totum!
;)
You get a higher class of insult on this forum :D
Taking this a step further, it likewise baffles me that a man may be insulted by being called a p***k. Given that men define themselves by that member, it sounds like a compliment! I'm sure when Brando was described by critic Kazan in the role of Kowalski as a "walking penis", he wasn't offended.
Quote from: FierceKitty on 01 March 2015, 01:20:49 AM
Taking this a step further, it likewise baffles me that a man may be insulted by being called a p***k. Given that men define themselves by that member, it sounds like a compliment! I'm sure when Brando was described by critic Kazan in the role of Kowalski as a "walking penis", he wasn't offended.
I had to read to the end before I worked out that p***k wasn't actually 'plank' which was my first thought. :)
Quote from: Subedai on 01 March 2015, 09:40:54 AM
I had to read to the end before I worked out that p***k wasn't actually 'plank' which was my first thought. :)
So innocent :D
I thought it was prank :-[
You dear, sweet, innocent children. :)
Quote from: FierceKitty on 01 March 2015, 10:17:58 AM
You dear, sweet, innocent children. :)
I know, I feel like a right plonk :D
You great lager!
would that be a plink-plonk plank?
This happened today & I thought I'd share;
I live in a small town outside of Canberra, the population is about 5,000. We have a fairly good club of about 20 members and we run a BBQ at the farmers markets once a month to raise funds for the club which works well, we raise a lot of money for a small club.
We have a small sign at our stand and people often enquire as to what Tabletop Gaming is so we decide we would advertise better and put on a demonstration game today to give the punters a better idea of what the club was all about. It worked well and we had quite a few people enquiring further and taking the flyers we had prepared and we encouraged them to come along to our next meeting. All was going well
Then I heard my name called out but didn't immediately recognise the person, after a handshake it turned out to be the DM from my old roleplaying group from the town where I grew up and I hadn't seen for about 10 years, turns out he moved to the same small town I had by sheer coincidence. What was even better is that he has started a medieval combat society in town and he his wife has created her own roleplaying game and world to go with it.
So what started out as an event to raise the profile of our club turned into meeting an old friend and an opportunity to be involved in Medieval combat & roleplaying again which I'd missed since I moved many moons ago.
Medieval combat in Oz; ew, sweaty!
That's a pretty cool result!
Quote from: mad lemmey on 07 March 2015, 07:40:44 AM
That's a pretty cool result!
No historically it would be almost naked, with white painted patterns and spear thrower.
IanS
;D ;D ;D - me boomerang won't come back!
I remember talking to Bob O'Brien from the original WRG threesome At Present Arms about his figures and bases. He had converted a Hunnic army from various Airfix figures, probably the ubiquitous ACW cavalry set and I noticed his vaguely familiar, gaily coloured standards. Closer inspection revealed that he had used tiny little stick on labels of badges from different football clubs from around the country! He was also responsible for the first semi-sunk figure base. His idea was to get one piece of card, mark out the figure base and then cut it out. Glue the first piece to another piece of card of the same size and your figures would fit nicely into the pre cut holes and you were left with level basses.
I remember in the late 70s seeing an ad in Military Modelling for a Nunnic Army - either an awful lot of fascinating conversions or a typo.
I like that.
Grin smiley, grin smiley, clap smiley, clap smiley. (Smilies not working)
Not wargaming but cross country pantomime - we were having a great deal of difficulty dealing with a lich. Someone must have wondered what we wre up as a pair of bobbies turned up where we were running around with our rubber swords and bad costumes, laughed and decide we weren't mired in each other with axes.
We were having such trouble that someone asked them to arrest said lich!