Diversions: Rise of Nations: Thrones and Patriots

The game was a birthday present from Jerry, a very cool birthday present.

I have been playing the Rise of Nations:Thrones and Patriots computer game for about two weeks now.

I love it. Five stars.

It is a Risk-like conquer the world game with a great deal of added detail. I have played the New World scenario. I chose to represent the Aztecs. The victory conditions for the game was that I had to control more territory than the other native governments and drive the Europeans from the Americas. I managed to achieve condition one, but number two eluded me. The game has a term limit. At the end the Dutch still controlled northern South America and the Portugese were still holding Brazil and Argentina. The Maya and the Inca were between my guys and the Europeans so I couldn't get to them. The AI gave me a slight victory, but I failed to achieve full victory.

Now I am trying out the Alexander the Great scenario. Its still early in the game. I have conquered the Thracians and added them to Macedonia. But I am having trouble with southern Greece. The Athenians and the Spartans are putting up a hell of a fight. Athens is a meat grinder chewing up whole armies as fast as I can put them into play. Just have to wait and see how this turns out.

There are also scenarios based on the Cold War and Napolean included in the game. As well as Whole World scenarios, which look interesting as well.

I have found a few online scenarios that can be downloaded to the game as well. One of them representing the Korean Conflict. Another about the Battle of Liege(sp) in World War 1.

I like this game alot.

puff

Bachelor Food--Spam Gumbo

Spam Gumbo
an orignal recipe by Mark Anderson

2 bags frozen cut okra
1 medium onion diced
2 cans of Spam diced
1 can of green beans drained
1 stick of butter
2 cans of Rotel
salt and pepper to taste
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Pour okra into skillet to begin cooking on high. If okra generates excessive juice pour off extra, keeping just enough to be good and moist. Allow to cook for five minutes.

Put stick of butter into skillet. Allow to melt.

Put diced onion and Spam in skillet. Cook until okra begins to soften up. If the onion, Spam or okra begin to fry that is fine, just keep it stirred.

Reduce heat to half.

Stir green beans and Rotel into skillet.

Cover and allow to simmer. Keep stirred.

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We served it with a side of bratwurst and some mild sliced cheddar.

This recipe gave the Spam a rather un-Spam-like flavor. Jerry, John and I all liked it very well.

puff