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Personal Blog - Antony Simpson is an Author, Blogger, Nurse & Witch.

Civilization 7: A Great Leap Forward

By Games, Happiness & JoyNo Comments

The latest Civilization game, Civ 7 was released (for the standard edition) yesterday. I’ve been really busy, so I’ve only racked up a couple of hours of game play. But here are my thoughts so far:

  • I love the artwork. This release sees the return of the Civ 5 style artwork, rather than the cartoony Civ 6.
  • I love the idea of the Ages. It has three distinct ages for players to enjoy.
  • I love stacking military units to form an army.
  • I’m glad that the Workers didn’t make a return.
  • I love the city growth and tile expansion.
  • There’s a lot to get your head around and consider.
  • I like the fact that natural disasters are included from the off, rather than an expansion or add on later.
  • The diplomacy is greatly improved.
  • Not had much interaction on the military side of things with the AI yet, so not sure how that is.

I’m sure there’s things that I won’t like about it as time goes on. But right now, I’m more positive than I have ever been about a Civ game on release. Avid Civ gamers should pick it up, whereas more casual players might want to wait for a Steam Sale or price drop first.

I’m going to try really hard not to let it interfere with my productivity in terms of my writing. But I’ve already found myself saying: Just one more turn to myself.

Blog soon,

Antony

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Ametrine Crystals – From LunaHare in Leigh Market

By Nature, Paganism, ShoppingNo Comments

I recently got these lovely Ametrine crystals from LunaHare located in Leigh Market, Leigh, Lancashire. Ametrine crystals are a mix of Amethyst & Citrine. Making these crystals perfect for:

  • Balance – Physical, Mental & Emotional.
  • Good for Geminis.
  • Good for bringing balance, happiness and protection into your life.
  • Sought after by gemstone/crystal collectors due to it’s rarity.

Find out more about properties of Crystals on my Magical Properties page.

Visit LunaHare’s website to learn more about them.

Blog soon,

Antony

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The Heartbreaking Story of Matthew Shepard

By Gay, HistoryNo Comments

In the late 90s, a story gained international news coverage: The story of a young student who was tortured and then murdered for being gay in America. This story was the story of Matthew Shepard:

Matthew Shepard was a young student in Wyoming, America. He was also a gay man. On 6th October 1998, two men approached Matthew at a bar and after a discussion he agreed to get a lift home with them. Instead they beat him senseless resulting in multiple life-threatening injuries, tortured him and then left him to die in agony. They robbed Matthew, tied him to a fence and left him to die.

Matthew was left there, drifting in and out of consciousness for 18 hours. Matthew was then discovered by a cyclist who called the Police. Matthew was still alive, barely, but had slipped into a coma after being in what must have been in excruciating pain. Matthew had two skull fractures, which had left his brain too damaged to keep his heart beating and lungs breathing independently. In the days that followed, Matthew never regained consciousness and on 12th October 1998, at the age of just 21 years old he died.

The perpetrators of Matthew’s brutal and shocking murder admitted that his sexuality and their plans to rob him were their motivations for the attack and eventual murder. It later came out that they had pretended to be gay in order to gain his trust and persuade him to go with them. They both received life sentences without the opportunity for parole.

Matthews mother later set up The Matthew Shepard Foundation, in his memory. I’ve wanted to write Matthew’s story for a long time.

So, why now? Because with Donald Trump as President of America, I fear there will be another Matthew Shepard in America.

Donald Trump is already targeting the LGBT community with his rhetoric. And. He’s. Only. Just. Got. Power. I can only see Donald Trump’s behaviour getting worse.

I find it absolutely incredible that Donald Trump got into power once, let alone again. Donald Trump is a billionaire and influential man. I hope the American democracy isn’t as corrupt as it looks from the outside right now. I also hope, but highly doubt, that other leaders of the world will pull him up on his bad behaviour towards the LGBT community.

Write soon,

Antony

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