97 Things Every Cloud Engineer Should Know

 Posted on October 14, 2024  |  Dave Megins-Nicholas

This is another one from Book Club at work. It’s 97 short essays/blog posts that cover a wide variety of topics related to The Cloud. It’s really hit and miss. There are really specific articles on the nuances of AWS which contrasted with some quite vague articles. Thankfully the titles are very descriptive. The essays on monitoring and alerting are very solid. I wouldn’t not recommend it but I think you should have a flick through the titles to see if anything piques your interest. [Read More]

River Kings: A New History of the Vikings from Scandinavia to the Silk Road

 Posted on October 6, 2024  |  Dave Megins-Nicholas

Cat Jarman did a cracking job on this. It’s a superb way to catch up on the modern understanding of who the Vikings were, what they did, and where they ended up. At times it’s quite academic and I liked that. There’s cool stuff about how eating fish affects radiocarbon dating your remains.

Red Devils: The Trailblazers of the Parachute Regiment in World War Two

 Posted on September 22, 2024  |  Dave Megins-Nicholas

I have had a copy of Red Devils since its release in 2022. I took a while to start, and a while to finish. That might normally indicate a lack of quality, but just shows my Book Butterfly nature and distractability. Red Devils by Mark Urban is superb. It follows the founding of the Regiment through to the end of the war (and a little beyond). As I settle into my 30s I am sure you have noticed I love reading history and particularly the Second World War, like some sort of wargaming stereotype. [Read More]

Space Marine 2

 Posted on September 16, 2024  |  Dave Megins-Nicholas

I finished Space Marine 2 this evening and these are my raw thoughts. Expect SPOILERS I have incredibly fond memories of 2011’s Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine. I was just about to move to Sheffield for university. I was weeks away from getting fully back into Warhammer after years away. Space Marine hit at exactly the right time. I kept the purity seal from the collectors edition for a decade. I have such love for a perfect 7/10 game. [Read More]

Book Review: Sidesplitter

 Posted on September 16, 2024  |  Dave Megins-Nicholas

Am I an autobiography guy now? I’ve read four in the last two years. My previous thirty odd years had a running total of exactly zero. As a BudPod enjoyer I thought it was only fair to read Phil Wang’s book after raving Pierre’s. It’s a really entertaining read that has very well thought out and explained takes on life. Much like Phil’s stand-up this book talks a lot about rac. [Read More]

Book Review: Warhammer 6th Edition Rulebook & High Elves Army Book

 Posted on August 26, 2024  |  Dave Megins-Nicholas

What a vibe!!! You might have noticed I’m on a big nostalgia kick at the moment. Part of that has been finally looking into Warhammer Fantasy. Not the Old World that launched recently but the real Old World published in 2000. So specifically 6th edition. Why? Well from some conversations I’m led to believe it’s a golden era for Warhammer Fantasy. Plus all that Blancheian goodness from that time. I’ve never given Fantasy the time of day, thinking it’s some weirded up Tolkien nonsense. [Read More]

Book Review: Eavy Metal: The complete guide to painting Citadel Miniatures

 Posted on August 26, 2024  |  Dave Megins-Nicholas

This was an absolute joy to read. I’ve been watching some of Filmdeg Miniatures interviews with various former Games Workshop employees. After one with Mike McVey I knew I had to pick up a copy of this book. It was published in 1993 so is as old as me but the advice contained within is still as relevant as ever, just like me. It teaches the house style of GW from the early 90s which has an incredibly vibrant colour palette with a focus on making photos from that era look good on boxes and in magazines. [Read More]

Book Review: Twelve Percent Dread

 Posted on August 26, 2024  |  Dave Megins-Nicholas

I read this as part of a book exchange with my partner.

I’ve tried writing about my thoughts and feelings but it’s all been a more verbose way of saying “it’s fine”. It’s fine, I don’t regret my time with it but I won’t be revisiting it. I think the blurb is the perfect way for you to decide if it’s for you.

Book Review: Why Can't I Just Enjoy Things?: A Comedian's Guide to Autism

 Posted on August 3, 2024  |  Dave Megins-Nicholas

Reader, I did not in fact finish Mark Urban’s book on the paratroopers. Instead I was recommended this book by Pierre Novellie which I devoured almost instantly. Somehow I’d not come across Pierre despite him being exactly my jam and moving in the same circles as other comedians I enjoy. He’s just published this book on his experience with his Autism (ASD). It’s not just his experiences but also a history of the condition, where Asperger Syndrome went, a thoughtful examination of how the nomenclature affects and might affect people with ASD, and the ethics of classifying how “functioning” a person is. [Read More]