Happy Easter to you all!
Last night my wife and I were confirmed in the Catholic faith. It was an amazing service, and we received Holy Communion for the first time.
May the Peace of Christ be upon you all, my friends.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Our First Easter on the Veiled Planet
12 April 1881
Today was a beautiful day for our first Easter on the Veiled Planet. Both reporters wrote stories of reflection and took pictures of the occasion. Father Flannigan was right on once more and his service was in the open outside of the chapel. We had two men this morning convert to Catholicism. As they were baptized it was quite a pleasant occasion. The sun even came out for a few hours in the morning, before returning behind the neverending clouds. Miracle enough for most of us! Father Flannigan said every Sunday’s worship service should have this turnout and told everyone they needed to worship every day and just not on Christmas and Easter. If the men listen to Father Flannigan and start attending we will have to build another, larger chapel.
The cross for the outside service was assembled in secret by one of my Marines (we think - Father Flannigan isn't talking), though no one took credit. The mystery woodworker also carved a Jesus out of the face of the wood and I was amazed at the skills of whoever built it. I have my suspicions but I would not single anyone out. Father Flannigan thanked us for the altar and the crucifix.
Today was a beautiful day for our first Easter on the Veiled Planet. Both reporters wrote stories of reflection and took pictures of the occasion. Father Flannigan was right on once more and his service was in the open outside of the chapel. We had two men this morning convert to Catholicism. As they were baptized it was quite a pleasant occasion. The sun even came out for a few hours in the morning, before returning behind the neverending clouds. Miracle enough for most of us! Father Flannigan said every Sunday’s worship service should have this turnout and told everyone they needed to worship every day and just not on Christmas and Easter. If the men listen to Father Flannigan and start attending we will have to build another, larger chapel.
The cross for the outside service was assembled in secret by one of my Marines (we think - Father Flannigan isn't talking), though no one took credit. The mystery woodworker also carved a Jesus out of the face of the wood and I was amazed at the skills of whoever built it. I have my suspicions but I would not single anyone out. Father Flannigan thanked us for the altar and the crucifix.
We followed up Holy Services with a big lunch of flounder, Venusian alligator and grillag. Sergeant Thibodeaux and his cooks out did themselves once again. I swear they are using off-world spices but they say they have been using only what has been found here at the foothills and in the swamps. We all shared in wine and ale with our meal and it was quite a joyous day.
The officers went exploring in our dirigible the Orca once again, this time to the west over the ocean and north into the highlands. Seaman 1st Class Johansson was exhausted from his trip and crashed early. God Bless this wonderful day, as it is time for us to hit the rack once more, I just have to take Lady V for her evening walk as I do not want her to make a mess in my hut.
The officers went exploring in our dirigible the Orca once again, this time to the west over the ocean and north into the highlands. Seaman 1st Class Johansson was exhausted from his trip and crashed early. God Bless this wonderful day, as it is time for us to hit the rack once more, I just have to take Lady V for her evening walk as I do not want her to make a mess in my hut.
New Terrain Blog I Found...
It's called "Take the High Ground," and it's done by a fellow out of the UK.
http://takethehighground.blogspot.com/
Quite good stuff, actually, and he explains what he's done fairly well, if not exactly step-by-step. But you can easily see how he did things.
I just wish I could duplicate them!
As far as my projects go... real life has intruded pretty heavily in the modeling/terrain making realm, and I've done very little. In fact, nothing at all in weeks.
Maybe I'll put a little time aside this weekend to work on a project or two, inspired by our friend here.
http://takethehighground.blogspot.com/
Quite good stuff, actually, and he explains what he's done fairly well, if not exactly step-by-step. But you can easily see how he did things.
I just wish I could duplicate them!
As far as my projects go... real life has intruded pretty heavily in the modeling/terrain making realm, and I've done very little. In fact, nothing at all in weeks.
Maybe I'll put a little time aside this weekend to work on a project or two, inspired by our friend here.
New Terrain Blog I Found...
It's called "Take the High Ground," and it's done by a fellow out of the UK.
http://takethehighground.blogspot.com/
Quite good stuff, actually, and he explains what he's done fairly well, if not exactly step-by-step. But you can easily see how he did things.
I just wish I could duplicate them!
As far as my projects go... real life has intruded pretty heavily in the modeling/terrain making realm, and I've done very little. In fact, nothing at all in weeks.
Maybe I'll put a little time aside this weekend to work on a project or two, inspired by our friend here.
http://takethehighground.blogspot.com/
Quite good stuff, actually, and he explains what he's done fairly well, if not exactly step-by-step. But you can easily see how he did things.
I just wish I could duplicate them!
As far as my projects go... real life has intruded pretty heavily in the modeling/terrain making realm, and I've done very little. In fact, nothing at all in weeks.
Maybe I'll put a little time aside this weekend to work on a project or two, inspired by our friend here.
Weapon Qualifications
11 April 1881
Yesterday we had our bi-annual small arms qualifications as required by regulations for all Republic Marines. Everyone qualified on the standard issue Martini Henry and NCOs holding the rank of corporal and above had to qualify with both the Martini Henry Rifle and 1877 Colt Dragoon. Like always, I earned a "Sharpshooter" qualification. I just can not seem to qualify as an "Expert" (Order of precedence: Marksman, Sharpshooter and Expert). Mr. Griggs qualified "Expert" and shot range perfect on the pistol. He almost beat Lance Corporal Jones (not to be confused with Private Jones or Corporal Jones) with the rifle. After we qualified and met our requirements, Major Higgins challenged us to a shoot-off with the enlisted shooting Martinis and the officers shooting the Dragoons. Lance Corporal Jones as always blew the competition away and Subaltern Griggs outmatched all of the Army officers, with Captain Lamar coming in second by seven bull’s-eyes. I am not surprised by the results, as Marines pride ourselves on our shooting; after all we are all still infantry first and engineers second. It also helps to have Mr. Griggs on our team, as he was on the Naval Academy's shooting team. Petty Officer 3rd Class Valen was on hand to document the event and even used his new subminiature camera box to capture the event. It is amazing to see the advances in technology as I would have never thought a box camera could fit in your hand.
The temple added more to the mystery this week as Doctors Carruthers and Palmer found another hidden door in the antechamber leading north towards the Highlands. It seems as though they were pressing the stones that moved and found the correct combination. As the door opened the Guardian on the West wall turned his head north and his upper torso shifted as well where the spear tip faced the corridor. I am not getting anywhere near that temple below ground as it always feels evil to me. Lady V will not go down the stairs either and I trust her instincts as animals seem to be able to sense things better than us humans.
Next week we will be playing Rugby against the Brits. The Army's Blacklegs team will go first, taking on their 24th Regiment's team, and then we will play the British engineers the following week. It is nice to have these challenges as it helps to pass the time and get the men’s attentions focused away from the strains of life for a short period of time.
Mr. Griggs confirmed that he will be assuming the Executive Officer role when the RTS Santa Fe battle group returns. We are expecting another squad of Marines to arrive, making it six squads and two platoons, with a colour sergeant as well. Sergeants Garcia and Cromwell will stay as the platoon sergeants and the new colour sergeant will be the company sergeant. No word as yet who the new lieutenant or captain will be. Mr. Griggs is not down in the mouth at all, but is actually looking forward to the change as we will have an officer of higher rank to represent us. Mr. Griggs has come a long way in our time on Venus, and though he still has a ways to go, he has learned to trust the judgement of his senior NCOs.
[Editor's Note: The 1877 Colt Single Action Dragoon revolver in .45 long caliber was the standard issue military side arm for the Republic Military in 1881. The design proved quite popular overseas as well, and was exported to both the United Kingdom and the United States in large quantities. All of the former 1860 Colt Single Action Dragoon revolvers in .44 caliber were either sent to the Yucatan Republic or remained with the Republic Militia Forces. All enlisted men and NCOs are armed with the current service rifle or carbine, depending on service branch. Officers are armed with sword and revolver, and NCOs may carry a revolver as well. Cavalry troopers often carry non-standard issue pistols as back-up to their sabers for mounted combat. The only exception is the Medical Corps, members of which carry pistols only.]
Yesterday we had our bi-annual small arms qualifications as required by regulations for all Republic Marines. Everyone qualified on the standard issue Martini Henry and NCOs holding the rank of corporal and above had to qualify with both the Martini Henry Rifle and 1877 Colt Dragoon. Like always, I earned a "Sharpshooter" qualification. I just can not seem to qualify as an "Expert" (Order of precedence: Marksman, Sharpshooter and Expert). Mr. Griggs qualified "Expert" and shot range perfect on the pistol. He almost beat Lance Corporal Jones (not to be confused with Private Jones or Corporal Jones) with the rifle. After we qualified and met our requirements, Major Higgins challenged us to a shoot-off with the enlisted shooting Martinis and the officers shooting the Dragoons. Lance Corporal Jones as always blew the competition away and Subaltern Griggs outmatched all of the Army officers, with Captain Lamar coming in second by seven bull’s-eyes. I am not surprised by the results, as Marines pride ourselves on our shooting; after all we are all still infantry first and engineers second. It also helps to have Mr. Griggs on our team, as he was on the Naval Academy's shooting team. Petty Officer 3rd Class Valen was on hand to document the event and even used his new subminiature camera box to capture the event. It is amazing to see the advances in technology as I would have never thought a box camera could fit in your hand.
The temple added more to the mystery this week as Doctors Carruthers and Palmer found another hidden door in the antechamber leading north towards the Highlands. It seems as though they were pressing the stones that moved and found the correct combination. As the door opened the Guardian on the West wall turned his head north and his upper torso shifted as well where the spear tip faced the corridor. I am not getting anywhere near that temple below ground as it always feels evil to me. Lady V will not go down the stairs either and I trust her instincts as animals seem to be able to sense things better than us humans.
Next week we will be playing Rugby against the Brits. The Army's Blacklegs team will go first, taking on their 24th Regiment's team, and then we will play the British engineers the following week. It is nice to have these challenges as it helps to pass the time and get the men’s attentions focused away from the strains of life for a short period of time.
Mr. Griggs confirmed that he will be assuming the Executive Officer role when the RTS Santa Fe battle group returns. We are expecting another squad of Marines to arrive, making it six squads and two platoons, with a colour sergeant as well. Sergeants Garcia and Cromwell will stay as the platoon sergeants and the new colour sergeant will be the company sergeant. No word as yet who the new lieutenant or captain will be. Mr. Griggs is not down in the mouth at all, but is actually looking forward to the change as we will have an officer of higher rank to represent us. Mr. Griggs has come a long way in our time on Venus, and though he still has a ways to go, he has learned to trust the judgement of his senior NCOs.
[Editor's Note: The 1877 Colt Single Action Dragoon revolver in .45 long caliber was the standard issue military side arm for the Republic Military in 1881. The design proved quite popular overseas as well, and was exported to both the United Kingdom and the United States in large quantities. All of the former 1860 Colt Single Action Dragoon revolvers in .44 caliber were either sent to the Yucatan Republic or remained with the Republic Militia Forces. All enlisted men and NCOs are armed with the current service rifle or carbine, depending on service branch. Officers are armed with sword and revolver, and NCOs may carry a revolver as well. Cavalry troopers often carry non-standard issue pistols as back-up to their sabers for mounted combat. The only exception is the Medical Corps, members of which carry pistols only.]
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