A little tack to starboard...

I have meaning to do this for some time, but have never really gotten around to it. Other than than the usual stuff, like boys, movies and music, there are two things that I love dearly. Two things that make my world spin, and make everything seem worthwhile.Now the totally weird thing is that these two things are almost complete polar opposites of each other, so I will go into a little of each....

Number one - Cricket!

Ever since I was a wee nipper, I have loved this game. I started playing in juniors when I was eight, and soon found that I had a talent for bowling. I kept at it all through school, and was on my way to earning a slot in a rep side, when I shattered my knee in an incredibly painful dislocation.

For those of you who do not know much about "The Gentleman's Game", HERE is a handy link that should fill you in on the basics.

Now then, why I love cricket. Cricket is one of those few sports that encompasses both individual achievement, and team effort. Having said that, cricket is also a game of intelligence and tactics. While on the field, the captain must be akin to a general in combat. Because like combat, the subtle nuances of pitch movement and fielder placement can have so much of an effect on the outcome. I don't know..., it's kinda hard to explain properly.

So anyways, because I love the game so much, I am an avid supporter of my national team. The problem with that, is that my national team sucks so bad right now! I just can't find anything that can adequately explain our lack of success. We have so much talent in the sqaud that is just not shining through! Is it bad leadership? Is it bad coaching? Are the selectors not picking the right people? Personally I think it is all of those things.

This is depressing me greatly so I shall move on to the second thing....

Number two - Gaming...

Yes that's right..., I am a giant geek! I love all things gaming, from role-playing, to collectible card games, to wargaming. Particularly wargaming. The game I play is from Games Workshop, and is called Warhammer 40000, or just 40K for short. It is an epic struggle between the forces of man (The Imperium), and the forces of evil (Everyone else!). The time frame spans from the beginning of our time, till the 41st millennium. It is in the end of that scale where you play. Fantastic game!

I play two armies, first is the genetically enhanced super soldiers of the Ultramarine Space Marines Chapter, and secondly the Imperial Guard. Here is a few of the models that I have painted if you are interested.

I got into this game when I was still in highschool, but then left it for a while. Then when I was at University, I picked it back up again. The game universe is so rich and well thought out. The whole setting has several games linked to it, including the successful "Dawn of War" series of computer games. Not to mention a whole raft of well written books, that drags you further into the universe, where there is only war!

So there you have it, my two main hobbies.