Episode 59: Tracy Time

We feel pretty lucky to be have so many interesting ASL dignitaries who are willing to spend some time talking to us. And just when we start to think we've hit them all, another great one comes to mind. Today we have an interview with one of the ASL communities most prominent members, J.R. Tracy. Topics include gaming near New York, the state of ASL today, ASLOK 2011, night rules and more 

First, though, Jeff offers a history lesson about The Bellamy Salute which, prior to World War II, was a popular accompaniment to the Pledge of Allegiance. He then shares his recent discovery of a fascinating -- and toe tapping -- Nazi propaganda swing band called Charlie and His Orchestra. And Dave presents a book review of Unbroken: A WWII Story of Survival, Resilience and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand.

Thanks to Albert Hernandez for the comedy bit idea.

Oh, and Jeff made Dave promise -- no looney sound bites!

SHOW GUIDE
4:30 History Report
16:30 Book Review
25:00 J.R. Tracy Interview
1:07:25 Total Running Time

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Episode 58: Looney Times

Sufferin' succotash! Sometimes we sit down at the microphones without really knowing how the session will unfold. Oh. . . you've noticed that? This one gets a little looney.

Jeff starts with a report on his visit to The National Churchill Museum in Fulton, MO. Great horny toads, what a surprising and delightful find there in America's heartland. It was at Westminster College in Fulton that Winston Churchill gave his famous Iron Curtain speech in 1946. The museum constructed some years later in honor of the great British statesman is worth a drive, for sure. As a bonus, the museum was also host to a traveling exhibit of The Naval Art of Thomas Hart Benton.

Next we get on with Letters, of course. Did we read YOUR letter? If you haven't written, then of course not. So write us and we'll get you on the air. Anything you have to say has GOT to be more interesting than our inane banter.

Later, just as were about to settle in to serious business, Dave pops in a Box Art Review -- a double header, no less, starting with commentary on the cover of "Blood Reef: Tarawa", and then proceeding to a new, unopened copy of "For King and Country". But that fresh FKaC packaging doesn't last long as we tear into it for a look at "What's in the Box".

Finally, we get into some ASL Action as we present our first, of what we hope will be many, Set Up Comparisons.  Dave and Dave each set up a defense for scenario J112 Prelude to Dying and comment on their rationale and strategy.  It's interesting and instructive to see how other players approach a set up situation. How do they compare to your ideas?

On with the show, this is it!

SHOW GUIDE
6:20 National Churchill Museum
10:45 Letters
24:00 Box Art Review
36:45 What's in the Box
51:00 Set Up Comparison 'Prelude to Dying' J112
1:24:15 Total Running Time

That's all, folks!

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Episode 57: Ian Daglish Tribute

We were greatly saddened to hear of  the passing of Ian Daglish. While we had never had the honor to meet him face to face, we consider ourselves lucky to have conducted an interview with him a few days before the tragic accident that took his life. Ian was a World War II historian who specialized  in the Normandy Campaign and authored several books on the topic in the Over The Battlefield series. He was also an avid wargamer and made many contributions to the ASL hobby, especially as a scenario designer. He will be missed.

SHOW GUIDE

41:09 - Total Running Time

LINKS

Pen and Sword Books

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Episode 56: Stack Attack

Just another day in ASL paradise. Join us as we take care of some interesting mail. Then Le Franc Tireur's Kampfgruppe Scherer: the Shield of Cholm, and Bounding Fire Production's Crucible of Steel: Battle of Kursk are In the News. The winners of the T2HS Song Lyric Contest are announced. Then we have a little quiz show on Set Up and Stacking Limits to test and augment your ASL knowledge.
We'll be announcing the next contest soon, so you'll have another chance to gain fame and win valuable stuff. So stay tuned!

SHOW GUIDE

5:00 - Letters
27:30 - In the News
38:30 - Song
40:00 - Song Contest Winners
43:00 - Quiz Show
1:14:00 - Total Running Time

LINKS

1 Player Podcast

UK Gamer's Podcast

SONG LYRICS (sung to "A Few of My Favorite Things")

GS on Shermans and Shurtzen on Panthers
Flame-throwing Cromwells and AA on Panzers
Living the chaos that Sniper checks bring
These are a few of those ASL things

Chapters and chapters of tables and rules
The ultimate wargame goes way beyond kewl
Just like those fighters with bombs under wing
And reading to see what those SSRs bring
Rural or Urban, cross streets in quick dashes
When playing night rules remember gun flashes
Winter offensives that last throughout spring
These are a few of those ASL things

When my squad break
When my luck stinks
When I’m rolling bad
I simply remember those ASL things
And then I don’t feel so bad

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Episode 55: Round Table II

Had a hard day at work? Difficulties with that job search? Neighbor's dog left a doo-doo on your lawn? Well times are tough, so give yourself a little break, pull up a seat at the table and enjoy the conversation, as we discuss all things ASL.

Today's knights of the round table are:
Jack Murphy
Rich Spilky
Dave Kleinschmidt
Jeff Hallett

George Clooney wanted to be here but had to cancel at the last moment. No matter. We do the subject justice without him.

SHOW GUIDE

2:40 - How to store your rules and how they should be made available
13:02 - Why We Hate ASL
21:00 - Cave Rules and Their Complexity
29:00 - ROAR
41:00 - Should Publishers Fix and Re-Release Bad Scenarios?
46:00 - Winter Boards
53:00 - Speed of Play
1:03:00 - Gaming Etiquette
1:16:00 - Passing on the tradition of ASL
1:25:00 - Total Running Time

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Episode 54: Back to [Battle] School

This episode is loaded with ASL goodness! This time when we look in that oh-so-famous "box", we find MMP's Out of the Bunker. It's a great collection of scenario gems that were previously released in the "Dispatches from the Bunker" newsletter from way back when. Yet another song entry is performed for your enjoyment -- and we use that term loosely. You just can't beat that for your entertainment dollar. A new segment called "Terrain Time" makes it's debut. Let us know what you think of it. We conclude this episode with an interview with Chris Doary of Battleschool. It may be time to remove that dunce cap and get a proper ASL eddication. Knowledge is good!

SHOW GUIDE

6:00 - Letters

20:00 - What We've Been Playing Lately

37:00 - What's in the Box? and SK Board Review

56:45 - Terrain Time

1:04:00 - Song

1:06:35 - Chris Doary Interview

1:43:20 - Total Running Time

SONG LYRICS (sung to "The Lumberjack Song")
I play ASL and that's OK.
I play all night and I play all day

I move my troops, I rally well, I fire my panzerfausts
When opponents get too cocky, I bombard them to heck!

I rally well, I shoot big guns, I blitz my tanks alot
and if there's too much open, I lay the smoke I've got

I shoot big guns, MG's get rate, And often just for fun
I'll play in Frenchmen's clothing, and surrender on turn one!

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