"A Distraction at Jutland" Topic

And now, since the anniversary of Jutland is coming up ----

It was at Nashcon c. 199-something, held in Tennessee at the end of May. At the end of the game room was a picture window looking out at the swimming pool. A large game of Jutland was going on at a table right in front of the window. The players were all the kind of neat, orderly types who like games with lots of arithmetic. I think they still had pocket protectors. They were engrossed in checking off little boxes and working out whether 14" guns had any effect on turret armour at 2000 yards (etc).

Meanwhile a women's aerobics class started on the other side of the window, completely oblivious to the geekery indoors. Not one of those old lady classes, either. Young women exercising in hot weather clothes, in hot weather.

So, every wargamer in the room forgot why he was rolling dice, and craned their necks to get a view. Except the Jutland players who – although they had a direct view from about eight feet – kept their heads down and checked off little boxes throughout.

Afterwards I asked one of the players, a friend, "So, what about the distraction?"

"What distraction?" he replied. None of them were aware of any distraction. Which clearly proves that moving little grey ships on a blue cloth with a lot of detailed rules is the most compelling activity in the whole world.

Could it have been that they were all short sighted and participating in something that allowed them to remove their cumbersome black-frame birth control glasses?

For myself it wouldn't have been a distraction for me as I'm a wargamer and have been since the late 70's and when I play a game I don't get distracted for anything I focus on trying to win.

Pictors Studio I don't understand what you're saying and the part cumbersome black-frame birth control glasses please explain that one.

They render the wearer unattractive to the opposite gender, thus preventing sex and procreation.

But they're "in" again with the hipsters,at least going by what I see on TV. It's my metal framed aviators that are old(along with the head holding them up).

Yup. It hip to be square.

The only prescription aviators I've seen in years are on aging nerds, but aviator sunglasses are fully back in style now. I see them on young faces all over the place.

- Ix

LOL. As far as I'm concerned aviators have never gone out of style.

B

Clearly, the hot young babes were the wives of the slick naval gamers. I am sure that is the answer.
Bill

Yes, yes, that is the most likely explanation. Occam's razor and all that.

After all, we naval gamers are cat-nip for the ladies.

So… naval gamers are short, green or greenish, smell odd and excite domesticated feline carnivores.

I wish I could unthink that.

"Aging nerd"--yep,that's me.
Would have picked it for username,but figured it was already taken.

Meh….

A woman is just a woman…

But Jutland done well is a GAME…..

I think they were merely abiding by the terms of the restraining order.

Well said Hafen von.

McKinstry for the win.

+1 McKinstry

Yes, today McKinstry won the internet.

Ix,
are you going to Enfilade this year?

Yes, I am going to Enfilade, but that picture above doesn't look anything like me. My glasses are much less stylish. :-)

- Ix