06 October ……
Yesterday evening the sky was tremendous as the Earth seemed to slowly shrink like a marble as it is thrown then rolls away slowly. I could pick out the coast of the Republic and spent most of the evening staring in amazement at how small we are. The Captain of the ship celebrated our departure from the Earth by doubling our daily ale ration.
This morning we sweated out the evil by performing close order saber and 'Repel boarders' drills for four hours; it seemed to work well and it also helped to pass the time as needed. Mister Griggs was busy reading his manual and playing with a sextant as he began making his own map of the stars along our journey. I inquired to what he was doing, seeking to make polite conversation and he responded about how he minored in astronomy at the Academy. It seems he was the star pupil. Ha!
I was reading a fabulous book about space travel written by a Frenchman named Verne. Mister Griggs thought it was strange that an enlisted man could read something more than a muster list and information for reports and commented on how he himself enjoyed the book. I must be cautious, or I might begin to enjoy this young pup's company. That would never do.
Well enough for the day as I have to make the rounds and check the men standing post.
06 October 2008
05 October 2008
Her Majesty's Fleet of Aeronefs
A photostat and some descriptive instruction on the production of the Aerial Armada can be found here: http://billwerks.blogspot.com/2008/10/british-aeronef.html
It is likely that aeronefs and digs shall make an appearance in this journal in the next year or so.
Minor progress was made this weekend on some new structures to replace the Earth-style buildings used previously. I think that Earth buildings will be kept apart, perhaps in an Earther conclave or compound. Martian and Venusian architecture is going to be a bit different, and I hope interesting.
It is likely that aeronefs and digs shall make an appearance in this journal in the next year or so.
Minor progress was made this weekend on some new structures to replace the Earth-style buildings used previously. I think that Earth buildings will be kept apart, perhaps in an Earther conclave or compound. Martian and Venusian architecture is going to be a bit different, and I hope interesting.
Voyage of RTS Santa Fe
04 October....
This morning we departed Houston in the newly commissioned RTS Santa Fe (an armed merchant ether flyer we recently purchased from the British). We are a company of Marine Sappers attached to the 3rd Battalion, 2nd Regiment of Army pukes aka "Black Legs". Our final destination is to the Veiled Planet, where we are to build an advance base in the swamp and marsh of this miserable planet. After training in the swamps around Anahuac in July and August, I cannot imagine this planet being any worse as the mosquitoes and gators kept us up during the night.
My men are itching for a good adventure and their spirits will remain high as long as I keep my comanding officer away from them. Subaltern Fredrick A. Griggs is fresh from the Academy and a real by-the-book officer, though if I ever catch him leaving that damn book (The Correct Manner of a Republic Officer in the Field) lying around, I will use it for kindling in my fire or let Private Jones use it for cleanliness after a good meal.
Being a Gunnery Sergeant in the Republic Marine Corps, I have been on board a few vessels at sea but nothing prepared me for this kind of voyage. This hulk is noisier and shakes more than a Chinese whaling vessel.
Well, I must end the log entry as I am going topside to see the Earth from the stars.
This morning we departed Houston in the newly commissioned RTS Santa Fe (an armed merchant ether flyer we recently purchased from the British). We are a company of Marine Sappers attached to the 3rd Battalion, 2nd Regiment of Army pukes aka "Black Legs". Our final destination is to the Veiled Planet, where we are to build an advance base in the swamp and marsh of this miserable planet. After training in the swamps around Anahuac in July and August, I cannot imagine this planet being any worse as the mosquitoes and gators kept us up during the night.
My men are itching for a good adventure and their spirits will remain high as long as I keep my comanding officer away from them. Subaltern Fredrick A. Griggs is fresh from the Academy and a real by-the-book officer, though if I ever catch him leaving that damn book (The Correct Manner of a Republic Officer in the Field) lying around, I will use it for kindling in my fire or let Private Jones use it for cleanliness after a good meal.
Being a Gunnery Sergeant in the Republic Marine Corps, I have been on board a few vessels at sea but nothing prepared me for this kind of voyage. This hulk is noisier and shakes more than a Chinese whaling vessel.
Well, I must end the log entry as I am going topside to see the Earth from the stars.
02 October 2008
Added poll and other features.
Loyal followers of this Journal can now create subscriptions through feed services, located in the lefthand margin near the top of the page. I hope that this will keep you more informed and give you the news you need, when you need it. You may also (at the bottom of the page) ad yourself as a Devoted Follower of the Journal.
The October poll is up and running, so feel free to speak your mind on this important topic. Please note that you may choose more than one response.
There is also a new counter. I set it to start at 1300 hits, since I was above that mark when the old one died on me. Shoddy Oriental workmanship, I suspect, rather than proper British Engineering! With luck, this one shall produce better results than its predecessor.
Finally for tonight, I am toying with the idea of renaming this 'blog.' The one year anniversary is coming up, and I feel that it might be time to shake things up a bit. Expect a short-lived poll on the subject very soon. Perhaps even tonight.
The October poll is up and running, so feel free to speak your mind on this important topic. Please note that you may choose more than one response.
There is also a new counter. I set it to start at 1300 hits, since I was above that mark when the old one died on me. Shoddy Oriental workmanship, I suspect, rather than proper British Engineering! With luck, this one shall produce better results than its predecessor.
Finally for tonight, I am toying with the idea of renaming this 'blog.' The one year anniversary is coming up, and I feel that it might be time to shake things up a bit. Expect a short-lived poll on the subject very soon. Perhaps even tonight.
Another month, another poll, and results discussed!
Well, good friends, we see that another month has passed. The storms have cleared, and life here in the Colonies is returning to normal.
This month I'll post a new poll that coincides with the common October theme of horror. So be looking for that in the next day or two.
The September post had a rather low number of responses, and a surprising result. Venus shall henceforward primarily be referred to as the Veiled Planet. Truthfully, I was shocked to see "Jungle Planet" lose out, as it had started strongly and maintained its lead quite well throughout the month. In the last few days, however, the eventual winner pulled out in front and finished strong. Rather exciting, for a silly journal poll, don't you think?
I still have only limited access to the journal, and also restricted access to my workstation for progress on any of my multitude of projects. Perhaps this weekend, though I shall also be occupied in observing my youngest son's athletic endeavours on the field.
Until next time, good friends, I remain your faithful correspondent.
This month I'll post a new poll that coincides with the common October theme of horror. So be looking for that in the next day or two.
The September post had a rather low number of responses, and a surprising result. Venus shall henceforward primarily be referred to as the Veiled Planet. Truthfully, I was shocked to see "Jungle Planet" lose out, as it had started strongly and maintained its lead quite well throughout the month. In the last few days, however, the eventual winner pulled out in front and finished strong. Rather exciting, for a silly journal poll, don't you think?
I still have only limited access to the journal, and also restricted access to my workstation for progress on any of my multitude of projects. Perhaps this weekend, though I shall also be occupied in observing my youngest son's athletic endeavours on the field.
Until next time, good friends, I remain your faithful correspondent.
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