 |
| Commander and Loader, Pzkw IV Turret Interior Il-2 Sturmovik: Tank Crew – Clash at Prokhorovka (Source) |
Truth be told, I have, in the past, opted to wait a certain amount of time to purchase something, hoping against hope, that it would eventually go on sale. I have learned that the trigger for an item to go on sale is me purchasing said item. So if I don't buy something, it will never, ever, ever, go on sale. Or at least that's how it feels to me.
Anyhoo, as you may have gathered by now, dear reader, there is no new episode of my saga of the early days of World War II in Europe today. I am, if you will, taking something of a sabbatical from the writing of that tale. I'm going on vacation next week, an actual vacation involving family, lakes, and travel. So ...
I always say that "blogging might be light," but most of the time when I write that, it doesn't happen. But in this case, who knows?
Considering that two of our favorite characters, Jürgen von Lüttwitz and Manfred Sauer, were created while I was on vacation in Maryland, it could be that my having the chance to not show up at the full time job will give you more episodes. (Get a couple of drinks into the Muse and watch the ideas fly ...)
To paraphrase Aragorn, "A day may come when I continue the series, when I find inspiration and new storylines and characters to explore and offer them here on the blog ..."
"But it is not this day."
I seldom have anything to offer on the state of the nation and the world these days. There's just too much insanity out there. Separating propaganda from truth is far too vexing to even attempt, but I will say this, I've seen a number of comments in reference to the situation in Ukraine where the opinion is, "Hey, let's end this thing, give Russia what they want, let the fighting end."
Okay, in my humble opinion, that's not a good option. Not at all. Smacks of "Peace in our time" and the betrayal of Czechoslovakia back in 1938. The West gave Hitler what he wanted. I mean after all, it was reasonable wasn't it? There were a lot of German speakers in the Sudetenland, as there are a lot of Russian speakers in Donbas. But the whole thing smacks of Vlad the Invader wanting to put the band back together. Just sayin' ...
And Hitler wanted more ...
Does Vlad? Not sure I want to find out.
That's all I've got today. I know, it's pretty short, pretty unentertaining, but hey, it's free. You might get better content elsewhere, but you can't beat our prices.
Be back, maybe the Muse will have something tomorrow, but I doubt it.
Busy, busy, busy.
Real life is talking in its outdoor voice.
Yeah...that real-life stuff has a way of intruding. Got some of that to deal with ourselves. I can testify by recent experience that lake, family and adult beverages are a good counterpoint. Go and enjoy; hopefully you'll return "tanned, tested and ready". Remember the sunscreen, bug spray and corkscrew.
ReplyDeleteBoat Guy
Looking forward to the lake. A lot.
DeletePC games? Wait for Steam seasonal sales every three months or so. Vacation? That means putting the feet up and doing NOTHING other than lifting an arm to one's mouth every so often to imbibe a liquid, especially at the lake's edge or on it. As for the brouhaha in Eastern Europe, once KGB/Commie always KGB/Commie.
ReplyDeleteThat's where I get 99% of my games, the sales don't always have what I want. At least, not when I want it!
DeleteAs to your last? Yup.
Ah, but you wrote anyway Sarge. That is the important part. Even if it was not what you had intended.
ReplyDeleteI have long since given up the idea that I can time sales. My work around is to put something on a list and then wait to buy it. It manages my more impulsive spending (but, sadly, I usually pay the full price).
There is something to be said for a week completely off. While I enjoy my three day holidays, I never really get the sense that I can "relax".
Yes, while long weekends are nice, nothing really beats an entire week off.
DeleteUnless it's two weeks off ...
I cannot lie that I have a ten day vacation coming up in August which will involve at least 8 days of being totally out of pocket that I am looking forward to with anticipation
DeleteAs well you should!
DeleteRetirement looms, does it not? That means every day off, unless SWMBO has a say in it.
ReplyDeleteYes, December will be my last month. But that feels so far away ...
DeleteRussia isn't the bad guy, our side is. I'm a patriot for America, not FUSA Inc. Tree Mike
ReplyDeleteDisagree, most whole-heartedly.
DeleteDeprived of our much anticipated daily dose of hardship, turmoil and demise among our fictional friends created by Sarge, we must turn elsewhere. Perhaps the Bayou Renaissance Man will fill that need for alarming and depressing insights. But, being forewarned, we can take prudent steps to minimize our inconveniences, or worse.
ReplyDeletehttps://bayourenaissanceman.blogspot.com/
I look forward to Sarge renewing our supply of fictional hardships and heroics, as the real world outlook is so gloomy.
John Blackshoe
Yes, I read Peter frequently, just to depress myself ...
DeleteSeriously, the real world kinda sucks right now, so I'm laying low vis-à-vis current events. Hope to get back to the war eventually, but my well of creativity is low at the moment. We shall see.
Sarge - In terms of the real world, same. Frankly, there are precisely no world events I can impact outside of my own immediate circle of control and frankly, writing about them is not only depressing, it can tend to send otherwise pleasant conversations sideways.
DeleteBesides, I figure that people offering things beside current events might be a welcome break.
My thoughts exactly!
DeleteFor a few years now I've been watching Russia (Vlad Putin) very carefully, making a double column list of good vs. bad points. If I were a Russian, I'd find it listing toward the right side; were I a Ukranian, it'd still be listing to the right, though not as heavily. I believe I understand what he's been doing (attempting to unify "Mother Russia" with the aid of the Russian Orthdox church): I understand what NATO's been doing; I can't agree with the latter.
ReplyDeleteWatch out for your muse; when she attacks (in the middle of the night, she'll take a big bite). Years ago a friend told me what he did; kept a small battery-operated recorder on the night table or under the pillow (at all times, no matter where he was) to "jot' down his thoughts. One of the more successful executives I've met over the years; he passed away at 47: massive coronary in the middle of the night.
Just a generalization/non sequitur from outta nowhere: the wife and I were discussing the change in the philosophy of medical care (more important/imperative at this point in our lives) over the past 70/80 years. Physicians (in the United States) used to treat patients, now it appears they treat only diseases; more visible since the huge influx of doctors (who teach in medical schools and hospitals) from the more Socialist countries. No possible connection, is there
Enjoy the vac with the fam.
I'm very good at remembering ideas I get in the middle of the night.
DeleteAs to Russia, I don't care what Putin's motives are, you cross an international border with tanks, infantry, and attack helicopters, you're in the wrong.
Yeah, modern docs aren't really into people, they've become technicians, can't do shit without running tests. Foregin docs treat people like shit, DAMHIK.
Hey Sarge, Your flight simulator. What platform do you run it on and OS version. I've looked at that IL-2 Cliffs of Dover game and the reviews have been fairly bad. Mostly that it doesn't run on their computer. Just checking for a friend who indicates he'd like to get back to flying, even if it is only on a computer.
ReplyDeleteAccording to Steam's Store Page on that game:
DeleteMINIMUM:
Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
OS: Windows 7 64-bit
Processor: Intel Core I5 6500 or equivalent
Memory: 8 GB RAM
Graphics: Direct X 11.0 compliant 4 gb
DirectX: Version 11
Storage: 8 GB available space
Sound Card: DirectX 11 compatible
Additional Notes: Joystick and keyboard
RECOMMENDED:
Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
OS: Windows 10 64-bit
Processor: Intel Core I7 6800k or equivalent
Memory: 16 GB RAM
Graphics: Direct X 11.0 compliant 8 gb
DirectX: Version 11
Storage: 10 GB available space
Sound Card: DirectX 11 compatible
Additional Notes: Joystick with twist handle rudder or Joystick with rudder pedals
Definitely need the recommended or better, otherwise you have to turn those beautiful graphics way down!
Fortunately, my friend's computer meats the recommended specs. I think he may part with some dough. Any comments on the benefit of one joystick over the other?
DeleteI have been very happy with this one. The joystick does have the "twist handle" rudder control and the page in Amazon also has some nice rudder pedals should he wish to go the whole hog. Which I plan to, some day.
DeleteYou can configure the controls to do damn near anything. The throttle quadrant has a mini-joystick you can control with your thumb, I use it to control the pilot's head movement (where I'm looking out of the cockpit). The beauty of Il-2 is that you can configure the controls to suit your tastes. Not many flight sims do that well. Takes some time to set up properly but it's worth the effort!