Secret Santa

Haha, love this thread - now to work out some others!

PaulG wrote:I've worked it out! My Secret Santa is Bruce Schneier!

Afraid not... Bruce has nothing on the Claus. I hope you are still scratching your head... Ho Ho Ho.

If you want a clue (looks like you need one) I want you to write me a Xmas Carol, Poem OR ditty involving members of SBGC... And post it here. Otherwise it's cinders and ashes for you in your secret stocking .

Can someone quote an obscure sub-section of the Building Regs so I at least have some idea of what's going on here.

PS - hello Santa!

Santa Claus wrote:If you want a clue (looks like you need one) I want you to write me a Xmas Carol, Poem OR ditty involving members of SBGC... And post it here. Otherwise it's cinders and ashes for you in your secret stocking .

Dashing down Fargate
Path to Panic in my hand
Doubting Charlotte's Traits
And new bits I have planned

Playtesters are swell
Criticism's fine
Barricading? - what the hell
I'll tweak it down the line

Oh, Board Games Club, in the pub
Booze and games galore
Might be six players tonight
(The balance is off with four)

Board Games Club, in the pub
Hope I don't see red
Let's all find the evidence
And leave Vince behind for dead


For SBGC
Love, Andy

Ho Ho Ho! That's the spirit Andy. Great work. That's set the bar for the other members. Get that creative side working people.

karl_b wrote:Can someone quote an obscure sub-section of the Building Regs so I at least have some idea of what's going on here.

PS - hello Santa!

Hello Karl, I'm disappointed to find your name on the naughty list this year. You need to make it up to the people around you. Perhaps you could bake everyone some nice mince pies?

In answer to your question one needs to check the rare HM Government Building regulations 2010 - approved document 5AN-TA paragraph 13 sub-section 3 (occasionally it forms the appendix of L1a the conservation of fuel and power - for obvious reasons given all the travelling I must do in December and the chimneys I must navigate). Therein in states:

Not all Christmas present giving needs planning consent but most require chimney regulations approval which considers things like structural integrity, heat retention, belly girth, fire safety and respiratory health. These regulations change frequently usually bringing additional cost to the present giving process. To produce this type of happiness requires magical rather than scientific knowledge which is not something an architect is really trained for. Often they tend to give this aspect of the work to lesser qualified Chimney sweeps, architectural technologists or architectural technicians and problems can then arise. Due to the training and experience of our elves, and because we know the recipients well (from a rather large naughty/nice list), Lapland Inc. are very good in producing the information needed for chimney assessments and get approvals every time.

Jamie wrote:Mind you, sounds like Paul C may have it...

I don't want to give it away, but (as long as Santa doesn't mind) here is a small clue...

Potential Spoiler Alert:

Thanks Paul. I see what you mean, in fact, it applies to the last 8 characters of both codes; which makes me ponder the significance of the placing of the spaces. Maybe that's a red herring though.

It's a tricksy one for sure! Awesome job if you've got it already. I'm definitely still scratching my head with this one...

Dear Santa,

If I may ask, a wee small clue...

Does the solution resolve to 4 words, a six letter word then 3 seven letter words?

I'm also wondering if each word can be solved without reference to any of the other words in the phrase. Just speculating...

Ho Ho Ho!

I'm not sure I approve of you giving clues, Mr Cook. I may need to revise my naughty list. However, since you asked nicely, Jamie, I'll help you out a little. The code does resolve to 4 words; a 6 letter word followed by 3 x 7 letter words. However, the final answer is not comprised of 4 words...

Each word can be solved independently, but it may be easier to solve as a whole.

That's all the clues for now...

Ho Ho Ho!

ah, so JohnH's Santa knows my surname, that might narrow things down a little...

Shush! You're definitely on the naughty list now!

Santa Claus wrote:Ho Ho Ho!

I'm not sure I approve of you giving clues, Mr Cook. I may need to revise my naughty list. However, since you asked nicely, Jamie, I'll help you out a little. The code does resolve to 4 words; a 6 letter word followed by 3 x 7 letter words. However, the final answer is not comprised of 4 words...

Each word can be solved independently, but it may be easier to solve as a whole.

That's all the clues for now...

Ho Ho Ho!

Thank you Santa!

It's going to take me a while to solve I think. Just to clarity...

The 6 and the 3 x 7 letter words, are actual English language words?
The first 7 letter word (CMWKEGF) could be resolved (to an English language word) without any knowledge of the 6 letter word, or the other 2 x 7 letter words?

PaulC wrote:ah, so JohnH's Santa knows my surname, that might  narrow things down a little...

That rules me out then . Love that people are taking this whole Santa thing on board... love the idea of writing songs... Andy's was great... here is my 2 pence...

Games bein’ played by an open fire,
Meeples one of our favourite words,
Gaming rules being sung out quite dire,
And folks dressed up like geeks or nerds.

Everybody knows Agricola and Tic-tac-toe,
Help to make the Tuesday bright.
Tiny gamers with their eyes all aglow,
Will find it hard to sleep tonight.

They had too much coke while they played this way;
Soon again they will hit E-bay.
And a new game where every gamer is a Resistance spy,
Wanting evil Merlin and Percival to die.

And so I'm offering this simple phrase,
To kids from one to ninety-two,
Although its been said many times, many ways,
Join Sheffield Board Gamers will you.

Brilliant, Aneurin. I heard Nat King Cole in my head as I read it. I love the way he pronounces "Agricola".

Santa Claus wrote:

PaulG wrote:I've worked it out! My Secret Santa is Bruce Schneier!

Afraid not... Bruce has nothing on the Claus. I hope you are still scratching your head... Ho Ho Ho.

If you want a clue (looks like you need one) I want you to write me a Xmas Carol, Poem OR ditty involving members of SBGC... And post it here. Otherwise it's cinders and ashes for you in your secret stocking .

FINE. I have very much enjoyed the efforts so far. Here's my attempt (with apologies to Clement Moore).

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the town
Not a gamer was gaming, not even Karl Brown.
The boxes were packed up in cupboards with care
Even Scrabble, Cluedo and Monopoly were there.

Lizzy and Kes were both snug in their beds
While visions of Tie Fighters danced in their heads.
The University Arms had closed its front doors
And Danny was finishing up the final bar chores.

Then up Western Bank there arose such a clatter,
Aneurin jumped up to see what was the matter.
Through thick white snow came a sleigh and reindeer;
“Are you a werewolf?” asked the driver with fear.

Then “Just kidding,” said he, voice thick with remorse
“I’ve brought presents for everyone - board games of course!”
Aneurin could see it was Santa stood there
With big sacks of presents and a reference pear.

There were Euros for Evan, a Feld for PaulG,
New expansions for Dave and some spaceships for Ste.
PaulC got a game about fighting some orcs
Whilst AndyM’s was about manufacturing forks.

Nicole got a Catan special edition
And Jamie was an undercover spy on a mission.
The art in his game gave Beardy Tom goosebumps
But Sam was delighted just not to get Plop Trumps.

There were games for all members (too many to mention)
And sleeves for all cards (for damage prevention).
“Thanks Santa!” said Aneurin, “Will you stay for some booze?”
“No, I’ve got to go and write more cryptic gift clues.”

That's brilliant Paul... Wonder if it will earn you another clue? Your clue was the only one I was actually able to work out. I'm amazed you coders cant. So if this MR Claus fellow doesn't come through I can always be bribed

Aneurin wrote:That's brilliant Paul... Wonder if it will earn you another clue? Your clue was the only one I was actually able to work out. I'm amazed you coders cant. So if this MR Claus fellow doesn't come through I can always be bribed

Never mind that, I kind of want to play Andy M's fork manufacturing game.

Very careful use of a letter 's' also.

Perhaps we need to recite these at the party with some appropriate music?

Another festive classic ruined amended, I present to you the 12 days of SBGC Christmas

On the first day of Christmas some gamers sent to me
Blue Pandemic Legacy.

On the second day of Christmas some gamers sent to me
Two Code Names,
And Blue Pandemic Legacy.

On the third day of Christmas some gamers sent to me
Three Cowboys Shooting,
Two Code Names,
And Blue Pandemic Legacy.

On the fourth day of Christmas some gamers sent to me
Four Catan's Settling,
Three Cowboys Shooting,
Two Code Names,
And Blue Pandemic Legacy.

On the fifth day of Christmas some gamers sent to me
Five X-Wings,
Four Catan's Settling,
Three Cowboys Shooting,
Two Code Names,
And Blue Pandemic Legacy.

... Lets Skip Ahead A Bit ... /tldr


On the twelvth day of Christmas some gamers sent to me
Twelve Camels Racing,
Eleven Plasma Missiles,
Ten Lords Of Vegas,
Nine Gems Of Splendor,
Eight Meeples Farming,
Seven imps assaulting,
Six Kings Of Tokyo,
Five X-Wings,
Four Catan's Settling,
Three Cowboys Shooting,
Two Code Names,
And Blue Pandemic Legacy.

Nice work, Scott! There's one we can all sing along to.

PaulG wrote:

Santa Claus wrote:

PaulG wrote:I've worked it out! My Secret Santa is Bruce Schneier!

Afraid not... Bruce has nothing on the Claus. I hope you are still scratching your head... Ho Ho Ho.

If you want a clue (looks like you need one) I want you to write me a Xmas Carol, Poem OR ditty involving members of SBGC... And post it here. Otherwise it's cinders and ashes for you in your secret stocking .

FINE. I have very much enjoyed the efforts so far. Here's my attempt (with apologies to Clement Moore).

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the town
Not a gamer was gaming, not even Karl Brown.
The boxes were packed up in cupboards with care
Even Scrabble, Cluedo and Monopoly were there.

Lizzy and Kes were both snug in their beds
While visions of Tie Fighters danced in their heads.
The University Arms had closed its front doors
And Danny was finishing up the final bar chores.

Then up Western Bank there arose such a clatter,
Aneurin jumped up to see what was the matter.
Through thick white snow came a sleigh and reindeer;
“Are you a werewolf?” asked the driver with fear.

Then “Just kidding,” said he, voice thick with remorse
“I’ve brought presents for everyone - board games of course!”
Aneurin could see it was Santa stood there
With big sacks of presents and a reference pear.

There were Euros for Evan, a Feld for PaulG,
New expansions for Dave and some spaceships for Ste.
PaulC got a game about fighting some orcs
Whilst AndyM’s was about manufacturing forks.

Nicole got a Catan special edition
And Jamie was an undercover spy on a mission.
The art in his game gave Beardy Tom goosebumps
But Sam was delighted just not to get Plop Trumps.

There were games for all members (too many to mention)
And sleeves for all cards (for damage prevention).
“Thanks Santa!” said Aneurin, “Will you stay for some booze?”
“No, I’ve got to go and write more cryptic gift clues.”

Ho Ho Ho that's the spirit Paul. Although you still have some work to do... let me explain...

https://www.portablenorthpole.com/en/player/56580c2849fe4-56580c284a08a?utm_source=watch&utm_medium=FRCH02_vidconf&utm_campaign=ope_vidconf

I like Aneurin's suggestion that you perhaps sing your ditty at the Club Christmas party I have been hearing so much about. You never know I might be there listening and it might help get you back on my nice list. It's that or I want to see a photo of you dressed up as me. The choice is yours

Well, it's been kind of a slow day at work, so here's my effort at a Christmas song. Cue the sleighbells.
(P.S.If someone could give me a hint about PaulyG's code, that would be nice. I'm getting nowhere.)

A pint of ale
And a meat pie
In the pub
Before we roll dice  
A beautiful sight,
We're happy tonight
Playing in a boardgame wonderland

Work can wait ‘til tomorrow
While we play Machi Koro
We’re beating our friends
The fun never ends
Playing in a boardgame wonderland

In Avalon we try to work out our plot
Tell Jamie that we’re loyal to the throne
He'll say “Are you evil?”
We'll say “Course not!”
But the mission fails
When cards are shown

Later on
We'll fly spaceships
Empire building in Eclipse
The dice rolls put paid
To the plans that we made
Playing in a boardgame wonderland

Explaining rules
Are you listening?
Splendor chips
Gems are glistening
A beautiful sight,
We're happy tonight
Playing in a boardgame wonderland

Power Grid, Food Chain Magnate
Pick a Pig makes my brain ache
We’re beating our friends
The fun never ends
Playing in a boardgame wonderland

Maybe someone wants to play Pandemic
With noble aims to stop the deadly flu.  
We hear them groan “Another epidemic!”
“Oh god, now Montreal’s exploded too!”

Rebel’s frown
Aneurin’s grinning
His evil empire’s winning
We'll frolic and play, the SBG way
Playing in a boardgame wonderland

Brilliant work sir!

Santa Claus wrote:
Ho Ho Ho   that's the spirit Paul. Although you still have some work to do... let me explain...

https://www.portablenorthpole.com/en/player/56580c2849fe4-56580c284a08a?utm_source=watch&utm_medium=FRCH02_vidconf&utm_campaign=ope_vidconf

I like Aneurin's suggestion that you perhaps sing your ditty at the Club Christmas party I have been hearing so much about. You never know I might be there listening and it might help get you back on my nice list. It's that or I want to see a photo of you dressed up as me. The choice is yours    

Well Santa, aren't you a tease (and also a bit creepy judging by that video!). I'm happy to recite my poem though...

BeardyTom wrote:Well, it's been kind of a slow day at work, so here's my effort at a Christmas song. Cue the sleighbells.
(P.S.If someone could give me a hint about PaulyG's code, that would be nice. I'm getting nowhere.)

That's terrific, Tom. Though, personally, I find the final verse a bit far-fetched.

And I second your request for a hint