Sizing It Up

We're going out today to do our first survey of the market. I've finished actually designing, crafting, and polishing off the Rules. Now to begin doing some research and information gathering on "How To -" start a small bussiness. . .

Wish us luck!

We have nothing to complain about... ever again. Resourceful, 'eh?

Hand Crafted GAME

THE GAME of KINGS; our handcrafted, made from scratch board game, for a "from the ground up" beginning new small bussiness: The Thomas DeLane Company.

KINGS origins

Click to enlarge

This is a MAP I drew based on the rough sketches of my brother-in-law's penciled efforts of The Lands of the Seven Empires; where The Game of Kings is first mentioned.

The Game of KINGS

Pipe dreams, being what they are - flights of fantasy, with high hopes of grandure - I've got one of my own. Without drawing out all the details, this is just a hint of one of my hobbies and aspiring pipe dreams; before its big premiere debut. Here is the first Handcrafted version of "The Game of Kings."

A complex, situationally driven, strategy game using a milliaristic format to move pieces on a board with dice, and cards. Inspired by the Fantasy Shortstories of Michael T. Smith, and Don Walker.

The origin of KINGS reaches back into the antiquity of a forgotten world; the Land of the Seven Empires. The Game of Kings commemorated the end of a seven hundred year war between its two largest countries. The realm of the Moon standard lands of Berendez, and The Star standard eastren lands of Parval; who ended their rivalries naming KINGS their offical game. Having once been a game only for the nobles, KINGS soon found enjoyment in all households of the Empires.

KINGS is a two player game. Any method agreed upon to begin play is acceptable. The image on the card depicts which piece on the board may be moved, in alternating turns.

The full deck of cards are shuffeled then placed face down. Each player initionally draws six (6) cards, and thereafter must retain six (6) in hand throughout the game. Only a pair enables a piece to be moved. The Flag card serves as a "wild card" allowing it to complete a needed pair. The player anounces the piece to be moved, while removing that pair from their hand, creating a discard pile, (with face up; oppoiste the draw plie). A player's turn is called a "round" and is completed by replenishing the player's hand, totaling six cards. If no pairs can be played the player may discard as many cards as they wish, replacing them with the same amount; which concludes their round.

The cards determine which piece may be moved. Yet, the dice determines which direction the pieces are allowed to move. Each piece is governed by its own moving style. When the Flag is threatened with capture in the next move it must be anounced with "Threat." Whenever all possible protective countermeasures have failed "Surrender" is anounced, and the is game over. However, when the Flag has not been surrendered but all possible moves place it in Threat a Stalemate is declared, and the game is over. If all of an opponant's pieces have been captured the game is over, and victor declared.

Remember When?

Amid all the Hurricain Rita and Katrina mess still in the news today I can't help but to remember some of those others big headliners that seem to have become woven into urban legends and missinformations, or dusty history. Like all the deaths in Jonestown, bodies that just kept on showing up. The day John Lennon was shot when everyone cried liked he was their own personal friend. The Oliver North Trial that lasted "forever" and never saw Pres. Ragan getting impeached.

I remember being excited about finally being able to watch a lift off then horrifed when the Challenger blew up; or when the whole world seemed to tune in to the Berlin Wall's fall. Just as jolting as when 911 and Pentagon shock us. Remember the O.J. Simpson thingy? Or Clinton's Impeachment over getting a blow job? Saddam's statue fell like the beginning of - well we're still over there; Gulf War Part Duce?

What's the next big thing "to remember -when"?

China's Tiakonauts take flight

China makes the third nation to go into space, and as far as I'm concerned I'm glad. Maybe this will get us started in another Spaace Race, and an excitement of future endeavors again; instead of finding folks to war with over resources.

The mission, reportedly due to last up to five days, is an effort by the communist government to declare its status as a rising world power with technological triumphs to match its rapid economic growth. Chinese space officials say they hope to land an unmanned probe on the moon by 2010 and want to launch a space station.

They returned safely home this Saturday - so, it begins.

Coffee's unfiltered woes

You know - just when I was getting a handel on my coffee obsession...

The coffee culprit
Although caffeine is often cast as a villain, the stimulant is not to blame for unfiltered coffee's effect on cholesterol levels. According to Klag, the increase in cholesterol is believed to be caused by oils called terpenes that are found in coffee, but are mostly removed by filters.

Dreaming...

Sometimes I feel very foolish in sharing some of my dreams, or goals. I've shared with several folks my desire of going into the Nursing field, but it seems difficult - for some reason- to get my funding situation worked out. Then, since I'm not in the course yet, when asked about how I'm doing, I feel like I'm going out-of-my way to develope excuses. I'm still striving to get into the Nursing program - just taking forever to get back into college, and knocking out the pre requirements. First step is funding. Looks like I may be doing some rescheduling, and getting a transfer at work. So that'll go along ways to opening up a Monday through Friday window for classes.

Thank you all for your encouraged support. I'm writing again, for myself, it really does seem to help, as opposed to not getting any of those 'random thoughts' out of my cluttered head. No, I think I'll just keep this same site and polish it up a bit, instead of moving on elsewhere.

To Dream is to live in the hopes of something better to come; I have many dreams, as I know many of you do as well...

Well. . . I'M BACK!

Humm mmm.... other than a few cob webs here, and there.... Ah, a lot of mail of encouragement - still looks like home. I'll have to reply to all those nice folks for having taken the time to "comment." And to those readers surfing by - thanks, sorry it was so quiet here...

Okay, the cyber addition got me again; that and the voices in the back of my head stoped arguing.

*Sigh* Feels good to be back, Rosie.