Tag Archives: internet

My articles / researches, Other Reviews, Reviews, Steffi Says

An interview with Warmonger Games

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Warmonger Games Malta is a new online store, which sells all kinds of table top games – be it board games, card games and role-playing games. Being a fan, today I am sitting down with the owner of this fairly new Maltese business.

  • Who are you, and what made you choose an online store for table top games?

My name is Sam Spiteri and I am the owner of WarMonger Games. Also an avid gamer with over 15 years of gaming experience in various game systems. Been playing all sorts of table-top games since the tender age of 10 and I’m now 34. *Argh!* Time flies!

Opening a business is always s big risk especially in a market which isn’t as strong as other markets say for example the food market. Local property prices have exaggerated to the point that even with a monthly wage of 1,200-1,400 euro, its still difficult to purchase and maintain a property not to mention support other expenses/loan costs etc.

Thus, an online store minimises financial risks and certain expenses not to mention you would also be able to put your name out there more easily even overseas. – Although we exclusively sell locally first and foremost, however we are happy to say we also have clients from Canada, North American, Poland, Norway and most recently the Netherlands and Belgium. In other words, WarMonger Games have started experimenting in satisfying gamers needs even from outside Malta.

  • Since you are a gamer yourself, what is your favourite game and why?

*Rolls eyes*I don’t have a straight answer. I’ve got many favourites and its hard to choose because they all have something special or particular to me.

Although not an all-time favourite however it was the title that got me into the hobby. It was Games Workshop’s 1996 edition of Space Hulk.

I remember it was my 10th Birthday and my dad took me to Funtasia Toy Store in San Gwann to buy my present. As usual, my dad wanted me to buy a model car or something related. I stumbled in a room of the store in which they had a lot of science fiction and fantasy related models/figurines and that’s when I saw it… A giant of a man clad in bright red bulky armour, surrounded by other giants of similar appearance, all bearing and handling fantastic weapons of various designs and yet they were being attacked by equally-impressive monsters of some sort. They reminded me of the xenomorphs from the famous Alien movie franchise and yet were completely different to it. Then I noticed the tag line of the game box “A Battle To The Death In The Chilling Depths Of Space”.

I was so impressed by those words that I immediately wanted this box even though I had no idea what it is and if its a game or not. I just wanted it! Little did I know at 10 years of age that THAT box will send me through a rabbit hole of infinite space….. and I’m still falling *winks* :).

  • What is your top selling game?

Not in any particular order however I had multiple sales on the following games:

Keyforge, Azul, This War of Mine, Mice & Mystics, Stuffed Fables, A Song of Ice and Fire, RuneWars: Miniatures Game.

  • For those who are new to your website, can you explain how the reward system works?

For every 1 euro purchased you gain 1 point. 1 point is equivalent to 1 cent thus a 100 points would be equivalent to 1 euro.

You can redeem your points at check out, and depending how many points you would have redeemed, you gain a discount equal to the amount of points used.

Please note accessory items are worth half-points. Example a card game deck box costing 4 euros would be worth 2 points.

  • Are you working on any new website features we should be aware of?

We are constantly researching and brainstorming new ideas, however it would be unwise of us to share trade secrets before they’re finalised and implemented 😛

  • Are there any new games coming out in the near future which you can tell us about?

How about liking the store’s official Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/WarMongerGamesMalta/ to be informed on all games new and coming soon at our store?!

  • What distinguishes your business from your Maltese competitors?

I’m quite possibly the better looking one 😛 – jokes aside, I will leave it to our clientele to answer this question and be the judge on this matter.

  • Are all the games advertised on your website ready to be delivered and available in-stock? What is your delivery policy?

Its impossible to have every item in stock not even online store giants such as Amazon manage that. The reasons are many as to why. Top two culprits would be level of clientele demand and if the game is undergoing a reprinting which sometimes takes months if not a year or two.

We tend to deliver quickly, in less than two days typically, however this is always subject to schedule availability. For example: it is impossible for us to deliver in the next day or two if we’re fully booked throughout the week. The Warmonger is many things but Padre Pio isn’t one of them! *winks*

  • Do you have a message you would like to deliver to the community and fellow Maltese gamers?

I definitely would like to say a big thanks to anyone and everyone who have supported us from the beginning, during our year long soft launch and after we launched publicly in June 2018.

This also includes all the local gaming clubs in Malta namely, the Realms of Pure Fantasy, WARS Club and the Dungeon Group.

Keep on gaming to your heart’s content and never, and I mean never let anyone to tell you to do otherwise. WarMonger Games will see you at the table-top 🙂

Advice, My articles / researches, Steffi Says

Are You Currently Engaged In Buying Your Engagement Ring?

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Online shopping has been a game changer for the fashion industry. While many of us started skeptical, sizing charts and easy returns have converted even the doubters. And, there’s no denying it; getting clothes right to your door is bloody marvelous. As if that weren’t enough, we’re also now able to find any outfit our heart desires. Forget limited stock and terrible style; buying online means we can wear what we want when we want.

Despite these benefits, though, there are items many won’t make allowances for. Shoes are a big one. Many a customer wouldn’t dream of buying these without trying. Rings are also a point of contention. So much so that the idea of buying something as important as an engagement ring online could make you weak at the knees. Sorry to say, that’s precisely what we’re be looking at here.

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Of course, we don’t all get to choose our engagement rings. Sometimes, our partners buy them as a surprise. But, more couples are now going down the practical route of acquiring a ring after the event. All the better for things like sizing and personal taste. And, you guessed it; it’s now possible to do even this online.

But, we know what you’re thinking. Surely this is a terrible idea? Not necessarily. There is undeniable room for error here. But, this could be the way to the right ring for you. And, all you need to do to avoid disaster is follow these three-pointers.

Know your ring size

As mentioned above, ring size is the reason many couples hold fire on buying. And, when you’re buying online, the risks only increase because you can’t try things on. You’ll also have to deal with longer readjustment wait times thanks to all that posting. In truth, though, this isn’t difficult to get right. All you need to do is head to sites like www.realsimple.com and size your ring before clicking buy. Take time here, and you’re in for better success rates than you may have in a physical store.

Choose the right retailer

The online retailer you choose also determines success. A site with few guidelines or customization options is sure to spell trouble. As can be seen from reviews like this one at https://diamondexpert.com/james-allen-review/, companies like James Allen are your best option thanks to their flexible selections. For the most part, you want to take time finding a company which takes your needs into account. That way, there’s little chance of the ring not being the way you want it.

Order in plenty of time

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Even with the right retailer and sizing, there’s a slim chance you’ll need to send your ring back. And, by the time you’ve received, resent, and then received it again, time could be getting on. If you have an engagement party or some other deadline, then make sure to order well in advance. This ensures that any returns don’t spell trouble. It’ll also save you freaking out when the post-person arrives empty-handed again!

 

My articles / researches, Steffi Says

How To Spot A Fake Online Dating Profile

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There is no denying the popularity of online dating in the current day and age. In an era when we all seem to be time poor and technology oriented, the Internet provides us with the perfect platform to find Mr. Right. However, the only issue is that there are going to be a lot of Mr. Wrongs out there that you need to weed through first. With that being said, read on to discover how to spot a fake online dating profile so you don’t end up being cat-fished!

    • Lack of detail / discrepancies in their profile story
       When you are genuinely looking to find love, it is important to make your profile detailed so that you attract people that have the same sort of interests as you. You can find some tips on writing an online dating profile here: https://www.zoosk.com/date-mix/online-dating-advice/online-dating-profile-tips/online-dating-profile-examples-for-women/. If a profile is lacking any detail, it does not necessarily mean it is fake, but this is a common trait of fake profiles. After all, they do not want to give anything away. They will try to mould themselves into the person they believe you want once they start talking to you. Another sign that a profile is fake is if their story doesn’t add up. Is their profile contradicting what they tell you in their messages?
    • Stock profile photos
      This is one of the key signs that the profile you are looking at is not going to be the love of your life. If their profile appears like a stock photo, then the chances are it probably is. If you do a little bit of digging online, you will probably be able to find the photograph with ease. Moreover, if the profile only contains one photo rather than several, this is another indicator that it could be fake.
    • Let other people spot fake profiles for you
      Last but not least, the best way to make sure you do not fall victim to a fake online dating profile is to use a professional matchmaking service rather than a free online dating website. You can find more information about this by visiting https://macbeth-matchmaking.com/dating/matchmaking-and-dating-services/ . With matchmaking services, every person that joins the agency will be vetted to ensure that they are genuine. You will then be matched to a person based on your likes and interests, as well as what you are looking for from a relationship. This dramatically increases the chances of you finding the perfect man for you.

So there you have it – some useful tips on how to spot a fake online dating profile! If you have noticed any of the signs that have been discussed in this blog post, stay away from the dating profile in question. The last thing you want to do is think you’re meeting up with David Beckham only to discover the man of your dreams is more like David Brent!

Experiences Abroad, My articles / researches, Steffi Says

The Places You Likely Haven’t Thought Of Sleeping During Your Vacation

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What is the bedrock of a positive vacation experience? Is it the place you visit? The people you meet? The food you eat? The places you’d stay? Which one of these, if lost, would render the experience unenjoyable? We’d argue the accommodation. Good quality accommodation where you can rest your head well and recharge your batteries for a full additional day of exploration is part and parcel in enjoying a holiday space you can truly call your own.

However, it’s likely that you haven’t particularly thought about this in the past aside from finding a place which looks clean and nice, is sizeable enough, and is cheap. For some people, the location is what matters, and having a safe place to rest their head is simply a nice addition. It’s for this reason that the backpacking and hotel trade is always popular and enjoyable. However, if you’re getting a little more mature in your tastes and the accommodation means as much to you like the place you inhabit, you should try the following ideas:

Ice Hotels

To stay in an ice hotel sounds like a difficult and challenging experience for many people, especially those who don’t like the cold. While they’re obviously not as warm as a room with central heating, they can be immensely beautiful to stay in and inhabit. These hotels are masterpieces of architecture and ice engineering and deserve to be visited. When visiting Lapland, a magical place in its own right, they could serve as a perfect and beautiful way to feel connected to your local and cold environment.

What’s more, is that the hotel is constructed each year, so you never see a new one twice. Over 1,000 tonnes of ice go into the construction, and as a result, the ‘building’ is sizeable and incredible to witness. Not only that, but the ICEHOTEL 365 has recently been released, the world’s first permanent ice hotel which takes advantage of central heating and is truly a sight to witness. If looking for an impressive entry into your vacation journal, this might be the ‘coolest’ set of pictures you take.

Tree Top Hotels

Tree Top hotels can be perfect if you’re looking for a view that can simply rival any other. Aside from camping, there is no better way to feel interconnected with the nature around you. These hideaway suits can truly give you that perspective over the environment that you need, and that can be especially conducive to a reflective and meditative vacation, perfect if you’re simply looking forward to getting away from it all.

Tree Top hotels often have a low carbon footprint too, meaning that an ethical holiday could simply be right around the corner. This could be perfect if you’re trying to become closer to nature and detoxify after years of city living.

Over time, the simple effort taken to experience new methods of resting up can lead to you acquiring new tastes, finding new more like minded people, or giving yourself that celebratory vacation you truly deserve.

 

England, Experiences Abroad, London, My articles / researches, Steffi Says, Stoke-on-Trent

The Best Geek Locations in England

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A lot of people in England want to realize their nerdy dreams overseas. This is because a lot of what we love comes from other countries. We want to visit Hollywood to see the museums and filming locations of our favourite movies. We want to visit Japan because it gave birth to anime.

It’s easy to forget that there are plenty of perfect geeky or nerdy locations right here in England. And when I use those words, I mean what we usually mean. I’m talking about fans of films, books, comics, theme parks and technology!

Here’s a quick, but by no means exhaustive, guide to some of the best examples!

Comic conventions

There are plenty of comic conventions in London. The most famous example would be the MCM Comic-Con. Contrary to popular opinion, this isn’t officially the British version of the San Diego Comic-Con. But this is closest we’ll get, and it’s amazing in its own right!

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When the MCM Comic-Con is on, you’ll know about it wherever you go in London. Geeks from all over the country flock here in their best cosplay outfits. Celebrities attend the event and meet fans. Comic stands are everywhere. And beware, those of you who think selfies have replaced the autograph! Celebrity autographs are still alive, kicking and very much available at the MCM Comic-Con!

The next MCM Comic-Con takes place in late May. The celebrity guests will include Warwick Davis and Meg Turney, the Internet’s favourite cosplayer. Remember, though, that there’s more than one comic convention in England! There’s also the London Super Comic Convention, which takes place earlier in the year. For less mainstream tastes, there’s also the brilliant East London Comic and Arts Festival. You can find out more at http://www.elcaf.co.uk.

Theme parks

Theme parks are a great way to pretend we’re in a loud, colourful fantasy land. For geeks with courage, there’s not much better than a roller coaster! For many of us, it’s the closest we’ll get to the thrilling action and speed we see in our favourite movies. There are a lot of theme parks in England, but you may as well visit one with the best roller coasters.

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The names Thorpe Park and Alton Towers often come to mind. But if you’re going to experience roller coasters, you may as well do it properly. Blackpool Pleasure Beach is consistently ranked as the best theme park in England and one of the best in Europe. (Remember that it has to compete with Disneyland Paris when the whole of Europe is invited to the competition!) It has more roller coasters than any other theme park in Europe. Its attractions are also world-renowned record breakers. When it launched in the mid-nineties, the Big One was the tallest and the fastest roller coaster in the entire world. It’s still the tallest in the United Kingdom! There’s also Valhalla, the longest indoor roller coaster in the world. (It was also the most expensive to build!) You can find out more at https://www.blackpoolpleasurebeach.com.

Not too far away from Blackpool is the Laurel and Hardy Museum. It’s the only such museum in the world. It has a 1920s style theatre that shows classic comedy. It’s a must for movie buffs!

Literature hotspots

England has an amazing history of literature! For any book geek, it’s one of the best countries in the world. The first place you may think of is Baker Street, where Sherlock Holmes lived in Conan Doyle’s novels. In these stories, Holmes and Watson lived at 221b Baker Street. Back then, though, there were no property numbers beyond 100 on Baker Street! These days, 221b Baker Street does exist. It’s the Sherlock Holmes Museum! Any fans of the stories or the BBC show must see this museum. You can read more about it at http://www.sherlock-holmes.co.uk.

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The real homes of many authors can be visited by the public. The Brontë Parsonage Museum preserves the residence of the literary sisters as it was when they wrote their classics. The home of legendary poet John Keats can also be found in Hampstead.

The hangouts of some of the great writers are also easily accessible. A trip to Oxford isn’t complete without a visit to The Eagle and Child. This is the pub where the fantasy writers C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien used to drink and chat with each other. Cornwall also houses the Jamaica Inn. The name isn’t a reference to the Daphne du Maurier’s classic horror novel. The novel was named after the inn! du Maurier stayed there on a particularly foggy and scary evening. The inspiration for her novel hit her there.

My articles / researches, My Life, Steffi Says

Unnamed Artist

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Sometimes, you can come across a piece of art or creation, by a total stranger and it speaks to you.

This is one instance:

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The first time I read it, I didn’t realise that certain words had a strike-through, which made me think that that the author was exploring more than the good things in life.

I actually imagined this unnamed artist to try the entire list and than scratching the bad experience once he/she realises it was a mistake. Which makes me question: why is touching neon something we shouldn’t do? Perhaps, it is not something which you shouldn’t do, maybe it is something not worth remembering.

What is your list of things you enjoy doing?

Here is mine:
– Laughing
– Travelling / exploring / adventuring
– Getting lost in a good TV Series / Books
– Capturing Moments
– Food!! Eating… and Cooking 🙂
– Appreciating and being appreciated
– Loving and being loved
– Being inspired
– Learning something new
– Staying up all night talking to someone special ❤
– Being lost in never-ending nature, away from the internet and troubles
…the list is probably never ending.

Crazy Outbursts, My Life, Steffi Says

Can’t stand them Copy Cats!

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First of all, I would like to apologise for being quiet all week, but it has been a very stressful week with work, with all the bad news (David Bowie, Alan Rickman), and I tried to stay away from social media as much as possible. In fact, I have been only active on instagram which you can have a look at and follow here: SteffiWorld 🙂

Anyway, onto my rant now…

Lately I have been realising that a certain someone has been copying my doings online, and note acknowledging me or even bothering to say they like it, before they do their twist of my posts. Sure, it is lovely to inspire people, but it sucks when people copy you straight up as if it was their own thing.

I know that who reads this, will quite possibly not understand my frustration and simply utter the words “welcome to the Internet! Nothing you do online is yours.” But why is it so difficult for people to admit inspiration, why can’t they ask for permission if they are not capable with coming up with their own ideas?

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In the end, I actually feel sorry for them, because once their followers figure out what they’re doing, they shall hit rock bottom and lose all their recognition and popularity. What goes round comes around missy, you will pay in the end! Ha ha ha.