A Gaggle of Bonapartes

There was once a point where my friend and I were so good at Risk that we had to change the rules to account for our extreme world domination skills. In particular, our “Australasia Strategy” was so utterly unstoppable that it forced us to link Argentina with New Zealand. I particularly approve of this practice.

Yes I played a couple of memorable games of Risk. In Athens once, whilst assisting Samantha in the task of emptying her drink cabinet prior to her move to Dubai. Another time was in Canmore, with David, Kenny and Jamie I believe. This game began in the early evening and lasted to the early hours. The game was lengthened due to the number of non-aggession pacts and assorted transitory alliances that were struck.

I adore Risk. Mr. P and I used to play it all the time until I got so good at it that I continually beat him. But before I beat him, I must admit I tortured him. I never killed him off right away, I made him linger refering to him as my “boy toy”…. He would be in agony begging me to kill him at every turn which I refused to. Soon after he refused to play with me anymore. We will have to get a game together with Fiendish the next time we meet…

Herr Hoobler happens to be my cousin, I am proud to admit.

I am a long time reader (and admirer) of this blog and knew he would be attending your alma mater. Imagine my delight when there, on these hallowed pages, his mug appeared along with his name in a caption!! Pure joy I assure you. :)

Thanks for the post and best of luck with the new job.

Matt

Ah, James is a good man. A bit enthusiastic, but everyone’s allowed their foibles. Good conversation at meal times (for a bejant).

It’s good to see that at two of those fine gentlemen pictured are my academic sons. How proud I am…

Haha, I’m just trying to remember what wildly jingoistic remarks I must have made to Andrew over a Sallies’ supper to be remembered as so enthusiastic.

Oh, and let’s not forget the official Risk background music playlist, including: Jerusalem, Pomp and Circumstance, excerpts from the Planet’s Suite and the Ring Cycle, Red and Black from Les Mis, Men of Harlech, Rohan and Gondor themes from the Lord of the Rings, Prokofiev’s Montague and Capulet, God of Our Fathers, Finlandia and the Tam ‘o Shanter Overture, Chopin’s Polonaise Heroique, Highland Cathedral, Tchaikovsky’s Marche Slav, 1812 Overture, and Hamlet fantasy overture, and, perhaps most inappropriately, Onward Christian Soldiers. Makes for an atmosphere very conducive to Risk.
And my favourite, the whispered invocations before offensives: “God for Harry, England, and St George!”

It is also a pleasure to see Mr Cochran in the pursuit of world domination. He looks the sort.