Clausewitz

[Clausewitz]

I see I've missed alot since my TFM opportunity to work with you guys! I've been skimming and trying to catch up, and will do more this weekend (I still need to get the database down pat) when my girlfriend is at work.

I know I didn't have a chance to get to know many of you on the personal level during my time under the Morkin tag, so let me begin here...

THE PERSONALS:
Ryan. 26 year old Irish-American Yank living in North Carolina. Currently a US Army Paratrooper serving with 7th Special Forces Group at Fort Bragg (Home of the Airborne, HOOAH!). I call Minnesota "home". After doing a year serving in South Korea, the Army decided to throw my arse out of airplanes on a weekly basis, but I've enjoyed the past year-and-a-half with 7th Group. In the past few months, my girlfriend of a year moved out here and we have an apartment together - she's a great 25-year old Japanese-American who I did my undergraduate university work with. She promptly domesticated me, getting a puppy and kitten within the past two months.

I've seen my share of unmentionables, and done my share of regrettable deeds in my line of work. Let that be the last I mention of my current line of work...

I am anticipating the completion of my 6-years in the Army (3 of them as a reservist) this coming March. I will hopefully return to the 7AM alarm clocks of civilian life, doing God-knows-what. I'm a few courses short of my graduate degree in International Relations with a focus on National Security Affairs, so assuming I wrap that Masters Degree up in the next few months, I'll probably be in a related field.

When I'm not gaming or working (they often go hand in hand, fortunately), I'm busy with the "family life", at the gym, or watching my hometown baseball team. Go Twins!

THE GAME:
I started in January. Never played IK, only a slightly-similar game called "Utopia" many years ago. A gaming friend from Utopia introduced me to IK, and I was instantly hooked.

I was promoted to DIGG Staff (i.e., leadership) within the first two weeks, and became a Diplomat around late February. Around April I was promoted to Administrator, and spent 3-4 months doing that.

This past "Server War I" was pretty taxing, and I found myself too involved in too many facets of an alliance that was simply too large to micromanage to the degree it needed to function properly. Burnout, fatigue... call it what you will. So I'm definitely eager to reduce my gaming time, and focus more on "family life" (i.e., not neglecting the girlfriend since I have a work intensification this fall that will take me out of town more often than not). Basically, I'm looking for an avenue that would allow me to mind merely my account, and not spend countless hours on external forums. I know that remaining DIGG would inevitably lead to getting sucked back into the manuer...

At the moment, I'm unaffiliated to allow things to simmer with DIGG - there's some considerable infighting taking place in the ensuing power-struggle. As soon as that calms, it has been arranged for me to make the formal in-game move and take on the [Luxor] tag, so that I can formally fight with the guys I've grown so fond of (and can trust are veteran enough not to provide the plethora of daily headaches I'm retiring from!).

It is actually quite a weight off the chest to be free-and-clear of the daily grind of managing 500+ players. I'm thoroughly enjoying the "vulnerability" of unaffiliated; I love the rush of seeing red on my account, and I've got plenty of that right now with anybody and everybody seemingly sending spies.

I know I joked with kae and cesium about it, but here's a breakdown of my "combat readiness". My fleets are now at the loyal service of the Triumvirant leadership, so here's a quick breakdown...
------
Island Army Ships
001____xXx_____ (14:10:6) 4668 237
002 (14:10:2) 1800 7
003_____ (14:10:1) 1548 60
004^+-1570 (4:100:16) 270 0
005__X__ (14:9:4) 639 34
006_____ (14:19:8) 920 44
007_____ (14:9:8) 996 57
008_____ (14:8:15) 557 26
009__x__* (14:9:21) 843 360
010____xxXx_____ (14:20:1) 11280 334
011 (14:10:22) 1800 34
012 (14:10:19) 1800 33
013 (14:10:20) 1800 34
014 (14:10:23) 1800 12
015_____ (14:9:25) 951 44
100___xxXXXxx___ (14:20:18) 9761 464
101 (14:20:16) 1800 34
102 (14:20:22) 1800 34
103 (14:20:19) 1800 36
104 (15:11:1) 1790 32
120____xXx____ (15:11:21) 3447 266
121 (15:11:11) 1800 35
122-300 (15:11:18) 1331 40
123 (15:21:5) 1793 32
200_____XxxX_____ (14:19:10) 9111 270
201 (14:19:20) 1800 34
202 (14:19:14) 1800 33
203 (14:19:15) 1800 38
204 (14:20:7) 1800 34
210_____x_____ (14:9:22) 1315 108
211 (14:19:13) 1800 30
220_____ (14:19:2) 677 56
300____xXXx_____ (14:20:25) 4455 300
301 (15:11:12) 1800 36
302 (15:11:16) 1800 34
303 (15:11:25) 1800 33
304 (15:1:24) 1800 33
400_____xXxx_____ (14:30:13) 6880 369
401* (14:30:11) 1485 0
402 (14:30:19) 1800 36
403 (15:21:16) 1800 33
404 (15:21:22) 1800 31
405 (15:21:17) 1800 34
410_____ (14:30:7) 1251 41
500_____xx____ (15:21:7) 1799 384
501*-1658 (15:21:8) 138 5
502 (15:21:13) 1800 35
520_____ (15:21:19) 3325 39
530_____ (15:22:10) 1505 49
540_____ (15:22:12) 941 78
541-1196 (15:32:9) 571 0
600_____xXx_____ (14:40:6) 8018 273
601 (14:30:23) 1800 34
602 (14:30:24) 1800 4
603^+-1318 (15:31:13) 503 0
604^-1449 (14:29:17) 375 0
700_____X_____ (14:49:12) 2589 109
701-675 (14:48:23) 2118 21
702^+-1443 (14:48:8) 377 0
703-1460 (14:59:6) 272 30
800____Xv_____ (14:60:13) 4945 527
801-1397 (14:60:11) 190 32
802-1383 (14:50:25) 400 30
810____Xv____ (14:60:24) 2931 533
811-1130 (14:60:22) 597 31
---------
The naming scheme is pretty apparent. The mains have 12-15 colo's spread across them, as well as 750+ cats. The troop counts may appear a bit heavy on some, but that's because I have 40k stoners spread across mains for rapid drops. Note the geography - tightly consolidated down the o14/15 border. Ruku is close, but besides him, I believe I am relatively isolated.

As a DIGG Admin, I learned the value of defense, so my strategy is essentially "deterrent force" feeders, with "power mains" capable of quickly retaking/scorching/stonerdropping isles under assault. By no means am I a "powerhouse player", but you certainly won't hear any calls for aid coming out of these waters.

I'm sure the eyes are getting callous at this point, so I'll spare the rest. I'll spend some more time this weekend getting up to speed, and probably making the in-game move formal.

[2kcastle]

It'll be good to have you with us.

[Shendemiar]

Whats your opinion when comparing strengths of tightly organized alliance of rather obedient members versus slightly moderated alliance of active good players?

I've tried to optimize and to control operations and even in Morkin family (where most of the players are good) its hard work and doesnt always succeed (unless done way in advance). And come to the conclusion that it should be only secondary method trying to accomplish things.

[Sol]

Come to morkin friend.

[Shendemiar]

clausewitz said:

(I still need to get the database down pat)

What does that mean? "Down pat" ?

[McGoogus]

shendemiar said:

clausewitz said:

(I still need to get the database down pat)

What does that mean? "Down pat" ?

Second nature. Or perfected.

Hope you join us before taking any hard hits clause!

[Cesium]

Another North Carolinian inselkampf player (sort of)! That's creepy man. Myself, I live in Charlotte, and I've got a grandmother over in Fayetteville. Anyways, it'll be nice to have you officially on board, hopefully, I'll manage to take a few of your isles before you join up.

[Clausewitz]

shendemiar said:

Whats your opinion when comparing strengths of tightly organized alliance of rather obedient members versus slightly moderated alliance of active good players?

I'll elaborate on this one a bit more when I get some time this weekend. But the short version is I think the "tightly organized" is necessary for such a large alliance as DIGG, and with so many young players. But with veterans of distinguished character, it's probably border on insult to micromanage.

What does that mean? "Down pat" ?

McGoogus nailed it. Just need to re-familiarize myself with the database, among other things, over the weekend so I can get fully comfortable and integrated as a contributing member.

Cesium - Charlotte is a great city! I went there two weeks ago with the girl, and did that White Water Rafting park. Quite a good time. I loved the downtown area, and Panthers stadium was pretty impressive as well.

[blazed]

Good to have you aboard

[ashimar]

Fayetteville....now that's funny! ;D

(there's a rather posh departmentstore (or mall if you like) in Paris called La Fayette. Fayetteville gives an entirely new association)

[inyati]

You're welcome over, and as far as I'm concerned you have great prestige amongst us!

As for

I'm sure the eyes are getting callous at this point, so I'll spare the rest.

...well wait till you see some of Ashimars posts <phew> ;D

[ashimar]

inyati said:

You're welcome over, and as far as I'm concerned you have great prestige amongst us!

As for

I'm sure the eyes are getting callous at this point, so I'll spare the rest.

...well wait till you see some of Ashimars posts <phew> ;D

You mean the ones in the mostly inaccessible vaults of this forum, or the other forum, dealing with the fear is ice, ice's the fear, no milder than glaciers will our hearts be sapped of courage by the icefear. That one ?!

P.S. My wife and daughter are coming home today, so apart from the alarmingly raised testosteron level, my overflowing love and warmth for my little girl, I feel strangely intoxicated this morning. ;D

@ Ryan: Not quite a plane to jump out off, but do you still have McDonnell Douglas F4 Phantoms IIs in active service ? Love that plane, so graceful, so fast, a record breaker too.

[inyati]

Ashimar, any post will do...I mean it must be a pain for you to write concise posts, or maybe its the space...you like talking up space. If there's not enough words you post 5 pictures ;D ;D

As for the 'Nam Phantom, its one of my favourites as well. Always liked how the wings turn slightly upwords.
Is it just me or do planes always seem awkward on the ground? In my modeling days (and I only bought model planes...do teens still do that nowadays, or is getting 'high' on UHU glue not 'in'), I never liked placing the wheels on them, and always had them hanging my bedroom, where I coulud apreciate and their form, and dream myself in one of them as well.....

[ashimar]

Oh no, wheels where a definite no-no.
Meeeerrrrrrrrrooohhhh ! Tak-tak-tak-tak.

I had that liquid poly glue, humbrol or now revell. That was just plain bad which probably explains my current state of brain. I have accumulated some kits to be build hopefully somewhere in the near future (again), like a couple of Starfuries from Babylon 5 and a P61 Black Widow, a Lancaster, a F4 Phantom, a B25.

P.S. Yes, conciseness causes me existential problems.

[Clausewitz]

ashimar said:

@ Ryan: Not quite a plane to jump out off, but do you still have McDonnell Douglas F4 Phantoms IIs in active service ? Love that plane, so graceful, so fast, a record breaker too.

No idea

I have some pics of the C-130, UH-60 (Blackhawk) and CASA-212 aircraft we jump out of - once I find a good host site I'll throw them up. Outside of Army aircraft, I'm not very familiar with the rest.