The New Year 2011

It's the start of the new year.

Last year has been a horrible year for myself and my family.

I have no idea if 2011 will be any different to 2010, all I can do is hope that it will be.

Dystopian Wars Prussian Fleet

Dystopian Wars Britannian Fleet

It's been a while?

Yes it has been a while since I've posted an update.

Lots has been happening. Children are just about finished school for the year. Only Dana to go and she finishes on Friday coming. Liam is already on hols and is not liking the new regime. Yes I've made a new set of rules for this year.

1. Children will only have 8 hours of access to PC/Consoles a day. 4 hours in the morning and the evening. I think that this more than enough time. My children don't think so but I have to take a stand and be the parent.

2. Children will now do chores. Laundry, rubbish detail and keeping the house clean. I know my son will be fine but my daughter is ignoring the rules. She will learn eventually. No access to Facebook will bring her around.

On the miniature front I've have a week or so of rest. Been sick. Have now recovered enough that I've gone mad. Yes mad, as if you didn't already know that.

So what have I done? I've built 8 Imperial Guard vehicles. Finished a Blood Bowl commission (Humans). Finally completed Sam's Collete Crew for Malifaux. Started to paint the Issue 2 Warheads Collection, and made the insane decision to build my 1/72 scale WWII army.

I've taken an interest again in my Empire of the Petal Throne and am keen to start roleplaying again. Assuming I can find persons mature enough to play the world the way it is meant to be.

Got Luke Aquan's to finish. Really like the new finish. Will have to get back into this game, but there is just so much out there that tempts me.

Well that's it from the Mad One.

Cheers

John

Beyond Blue Bash

Above are some photo's I took on the day.

Here are the results of the day.

1. Jeff Torrance (Lobo)
2. Rear Admiral Sam Rounsevell the Third (Wombats)
3. Owen Evans
4. Michael Kong (MikeB)
5. Adam Storey (CeilingCat)
6. Sean Maher
7. Earnest Maher (Thylacine)
8. Rodney Franze (Roundtuit)
9. Thomas Evans
10. Michael Christiensen
11. Conor Wallis
12. Simon Mayes
13. John McDonnell (AncientOne)
14. Mick Smith
15. Simon Gilbert (Simong)
16. John Ross
17. Darryl Greensil (Stewarts Trophies)
18. Paul Thomas

Wednesday Update

Gack. Sick as a dog. World is looking really weird at present.

I may be irritable, decidely abrupt and unpleasant but I continue to soldier on. As a result the paint has been flying thick and thicker! Polished off my AI aircraft. Got my order from that champion chap Luke from the Phoenix Forge. Lots of new goodies to keep my mind off the pain.

Incoming today was my latest Malifaux figures. Even lucked out and got the Miss Pack (Nurse) in my Dreamer Boxed set. As part of my order was the latest Thanaris Elves and Iron Dwarf ships. I also got the new Sky Pirates Sabre Class Attack Airship.

Also arriving today was my latest commission, Humans for Blood Bowl.

My wife attended the school last night to hear about the new laptops the children will be getting for 2011. My youngest (Dana) will get one but Liam will miss out on this. I have to read through the contract details etc but from what my wife tells me is that we get to keep the laptop at the end of the four years. Mind you 4 years is a long time in the technology sector so the machine will be more than likely obsolete then. However I'm not one to pass up a "freebe". Mind you I still have my last three pc's still sitting on my shelves. I really must do something about getting the data off them one day.

So life continues on. Till next time, remember life is as long as you want it to be.

Cheers

john

Monday Update

The 2nd last Blind Pig meet last Saturday. Only one more for the year. I think the lads and I will have to make some arrangments to get our gaming fix over the christmas break.

Anyway the Saturday Pig was great. Got to have two excellent games of Aeronautica Imperialis with Pat, almost got a third but Luke turned up. Sorry Michael, I'll have to have a bash against your Chaos next time. That Harbinger was just huge. I must say that I am finding AI to be a great little game. There are only about 5-6 pages of rules, and apart from that you only need the data sheet for the aircraft. I'm hooked. The nice thing is I really don't need a lot of aircraft (but when has that stopped me from being insane) to play. I just wish my best friend Shane was still alive, he'd have loved the game. I could have seen him tinkering with the game, adding more details and making a simple game epic.

After the games of AI I then played Luke (from Phoenix Forge, he made a secret visit) a game of War Rocket. Here is again a great little game that has value for money. Looking forward to more of this as the company expand the range.

Tomorrow night I'm making time for a game of Napoleonics with my mate Andrew.

Well that's all for the moment.

Remember - games are fun, enough yourself.

John

Never get distracted!

I got distracted!

With the Beyond Blue Bash coming up I've been pondering what army to take. After having a chat with John Ross, I decided to finish off the Necron Monolith that's been sitting assembled and waiting for a paint job for the last 12 months.

So I take the model and get the spray paint. But then I decide hang on there are a few other vehicles waiting for a paint. Well actually there was only one, but once I'd undercoated them I thought, Hey I really should finish my Chaos army. So one day later five more vehicles have been added to the table waiting for the paint to fly.

So I'm multitasking now. I'm doing a Blood Bowl Dwarf Team, Colette's Crew, 40K Vehicles and War Rocket! No rest for the wicked!

John "the truely insane"!

Updating my Music Library

I have been slowly transfering my music collection to mass storage device. I'm using iTunes at present. I think I'm only about 1/3 of my way through cataloging the collection. So far 594 albums with 13.3 days of continuous listening. Compared to my audio collection of 417 items and 39 days of continuous listening. I have no idea when my cataloging will end, it just seems to go on and on.

My music interest really only bloomed when I met my wife and she broadened my taste. Originally I was a classical "snob" with a lot of my music taste being similar to my parents. Really old stuff like Bing Crosby, Perry Como and classics like Oklahoma and South Pacific. Sad but true. I do like my classic oldies although I do prefer the early 80's and late 70's. Countdown was a regular staple on my TV schedule. I wonder if I can get The Kenny Everett Videoshow. It was one of my favourites, along with Kremin of the Starcorp. Damn I'm feeling old.

Some of my favourite musians/bands are:

The Sisters of Mercy - I really enjoyed "Floodland".
ABC
Queen
Duran Duran
Electric Light Orchestra - Discovery
Kate Bush
Eurythmics
Bryan Ferry
David Bowie

and my daughter has exposed me to:

Pink
Lady Gaga

Now all I have to do is find out who the group was who were singing the pirate songs at Brendans?

No rest for the wicked, its bad to work.

Cheers

John

What price for longevity?

Well the title says it all. What is the price for longevity?

Those who know me will therefore know from the tone I've been to the doctors. I'm now looking at why I should spend money for an increased life span of say 5 years. To obtain this you need Private Health, Private Hospitals and Doctors who don't know the word "poor". Why should someone have to begger their family just to squeeze another few years of life out of a decaying body?

Why?

I hear the usual talk of "yes we can have a cure in that period of time". Yes indeed you could but it wouldn't be available to any but the rich. By the time the treatments came down to the level of the common man (and boy do I hate even trying to accept that label) my use by date is all over. Quite frankly I'm worth more dead to my family than I am alive. So why would I shell out thousands of dollars for a temporary cure (and that's not even guaranteed) when I can die content in the knowledge that my family will be financially better off.

As far as I'm concerned life sucks.

So everyone, just give me a few days to recover and I'll be back to "normal".

Cheers

John

2011: The Future

I am sitting here in the cool darkness of my lower Lair and I am thinking what will happen for 2011.

There are a lot of things out there that are getting my attention but I'm thinking I need to concentrate on one unique flavour for the year. I'm tossing up between WWI, Pulp Fiction or Colonials. I just don't know where I really want to devote my considerable energy and enthusiasm? I love all three genres. What I also need to be wary of is the fact that there will be so many more things coming out that will undoubtably distract me.

So place a comment here and give me your thoughts as to which of the three I should tackle.

I do still have Uncharted Seas, War Rocket, Malifaux and the yet to be seen Dystopian Wars. Yet where am I going to get the time to play all these? Fourteen hours a month is just not long enough to scratch all my itches.

I'm sure I'll work out something eventually.

Friday: Update

Wednesday I had my friend Andrew drop round for a game of Napoleonics. Andrew draws up the lists and I just attempt to use them with my usual lack of finesse. Out of principle I refuse to play the French, so I had a go at two 1000 point games. The first list was Anglo-Portugese the second Anglo-German. I "won" both games, which is a bit of a shocker for me. However in my defence I did have a couple of really good die throws that chewed Andrew's forces to pieces. I'm almost tempted to dig out my Prussians and start painting them again.

Rest of this week has been a bit lack. I have pottered here and there. Opening this box, reading that book, moving things from one side of my lair to the other. What I did do was clear my game table (which is the only reason that Andrew got a game on Wednesday). So as long as I don't get the hankering to create some more terrain or store things "temporarily" on it, I can have even more games.

Had one of my school chums ring me and have a chat. Michaels coming for a lightning raid... er visit. This means I have to clean up the house now! Damn it. Well it's not too bad, at least the house will get the clean I've been putting of for months.

My War Rocket fleet for the Valkeeri has been finished. I think I've got enough ships for the Valkeeri to last me for the moment. I now need to think about an opposing fleet for them. Zenithians are the current favourites. But who knows.

Sam's Gremlins are now all finished. Yaah! The look magnificant (by this humble entities opinion - I really don't have an ego).

Now looking at Colettes Crew.

So till next, remember games are meant to be fun.

Cheers

John "Mad Jack McD" "Crazy Old Man"

PAINTED FIGURES - War Rocket - Valkeeri

Here's the Valkeeri fleet to date. I still have six class I's and two class II's left to paint, but I'm thinking of another paint scheme. They may not come out too clearly but I have put "kill" markers on the side of the Class III's and Class IV's.

Painting Commissions Open

My work load has lightened and I am seeking paid painting commissions.

See the posts previous for my details.

http://auswarramblings.blogspot.com/2010/05/commissions-now-being-accepted.html

Tuesday: Update

The Thanaris Cup has been run and won. My work is done. OK I'll stop ryhming now.

I'm a ship lost at sea now. I put so much effort in the last few weeks to seeing that I had enough terrain and prizes I am now, having completed the task, not sure what to do? Well I know what I have to do. Paint miniatures...

It's just that with my life now returning to the hum drum of diminished life, I don't have that goal to be striving for. It is one of my weaknesses that unless I have something to work towards I lack any real motivation to do anything. So I wander from one project to the next. Not sure where to direct my hive of industry. It is frustrating.

I have been busy painting Sam's Gremlins and I'm happy with them. I finished the last of them today, and have just the basing to finish up to sign off on this job. I now have his Colette Crew figures for Malifaux on the table. I'm just deciding how to base them. I'm thinking of digging around in my library for pictures of what theatres looked like back in the late 1800's. I hope to find some inspiration there.

My friend James lent me "The Middleman" TV series which I have just finished watching over two days. I can't stop praising this oddball one off (yes its sad it got canned after one season). I'm going to have to watch it again just to try and get all the missed stuff in context, and believe me there is a lot of it. So if you can, grab it and have a watch, you won't be dissappointed. It reminded me a lot of "The Tick" TV series (not the animated series). Another good watch if you can get it.

My multi-tasking is working with painting as I've been working on my War Rocket figures. My Valkeeri and just about all done now. I'm just going to name the larger class ships, I'm thinking the Class III and IV's only. I'm torn between doing the Zenithians (Saucer men from the Seventh Dimension) and shock horror the Galacteers (Flash Gordon types). Don't know which way I'll go at the moment, I'm spoilt for choice. Mind you they are talking about two new fleets for 2011, wonder what they might be.

I'm off to find that proverbial stone to squeeze blood from.

Cheers

John

Some photos from the Thanaris Cup

The "Best Hat" Contestants from the Thanaris Cup

Here are the five people who participated in the spirit of the game and wore a hat. Thank you lads for your support.

The Bride

To commerate the 25th and my wife birthday month here are some pictures of my beautiful wife from that time. I deem myself a lucky man to still have her after all this time. We have been through good and bad times, but have always stuck it out. I am especially proud of her for ignoring all the attempts my mother made to break up our marriage. Sad but true.

The Bride and Groom

It was 25 years ago that Michelle Debra Green agreed to marry me. I had taken my wife to dinner and after a very short courtship of a few months I proposed to her. She said that she would think about it and let me know by the end of the week. I found out later that she was already going to say yes, but didn't want to appear to eager. When she told her mother, her mother was over the moon and chastised her over not giving the poor man an answer straight away. So Michelle's parents were ecstatic over the news, mine were not. My mother was mortified, my father indifferent. The only people who were genuinely happy were my Uncle and Grandfather. Notice to those who look at the picture I was a thin chap once and did have hair!

My real father

This is the photo of the man who was my father in all things but fact. He was known as my Uncle and was in life a police Superintendent. Edward John McDonnell was instrumental in shaping my life and with my grandfather giving to me the morals and ethics that I continue to hold to this day. He passed away in 2007 and I miss him dearly.

My second family

This is a photo of my second family. They are the parents and sister to my Best Man Anthony Richards. My wife and I fondly recall the many days that we would spend there, watching movies, eating out and playing cards. It was the playing cards that I really sucked at, and I think everyone was frustrated with my inability to play cards. I just enjoyed the company and really didn't care about winning. So there they are, Colleen, Andy and Debbie Richards.

My Wedding Party

Hard to believe that it's almost 25 years ago now. It's also a sad reflection that the close ties I had with all the bridal party are no longer there. I still have occassional contact with two of the grooms and my sister (the black haired bridesmaid), but no longer hear from any other the others. Sad.

What a lazy fellow...

What a lazy fellow!

Last Thursday saw my appointment with my specialist. Not the best appointment I've had. Friday saw me extremely distressed over my health. I forced myself to go to the Blind Pig on Saturday and did have a good time. While I dithered about whether or not to go, going won out in the end. What can I say. The people who go to the Blind Pig are the best people I've met in all the gaming experience I have had. It's a wonder how being part of a friendly environment can boost your mood when all seems dark and dire.

So for the week past I've been in lazy mode. I've pottered around with finishing off some of the Uncharted Seas terrain pieces. Moved "Things" from one part of the Lair to another part of the Lair, moved more "Things" when "Things" got in the way. Things just seem to be everywhere, damn "Things".

This lovely rainy weather has me in slow mode. I've been watching and listening to the patter of rain drops on my roof. Even with the sudden downpore and a small flooding of my library didn't freak me out as it has in the past. Everything is up off the floor, so any water doesn't have a major impact on my collections. (Touch wood).

Tomorrow I'm off to play boats with the lads.

For the coming week I have to start and complete Sam's Gremlins, which have suffered due to my downtime. Sorry Sam, I promise to do some really nice bases for your lads.

I got my latest issues of Wargames Illustrated and Miniature Wargames on Friday. This is always a dangerous time for me as I keep getting tempted with other wargaming periods, especially the historical periods. I've really tempted with periods bracketing 1700, the Seven Years Wars, Indian Mutiny as well as the Vietnam and Korean conflict. My problem is that while I get them, I'm like a magpie, easily tempted by something shiney. Damn shiney "Things".

This weather has been great, it's been ever greater for reading. It's been the first time I've picked up a book for months and actually read. Normally I'm a speed reader, with a novel of 400-500 pages being polished off in a day. This time I'm taking a more leisurely stroll. I'm a big fan of the Gotrek and Felix novels. Currently I'm reading Shamanslayer, and the attendent danger is I'm thinking of finishing off my Empire Army. Sad but true. I got the same urge to do a Night Lords "Space Marine" army after reading "damn I can't find or remember the title now". I have the audio CD Throne of Lies which I'm saving for when I start painting in earnest again.

Well I'm off for now. Got to find the scanned wedding photo's to place up by Tuesday.

Remember, have fun but not at the expense of honour.

October Starts

October is usually a very important month for me. It marks two very important dates, and as such I'll list these two in chronological order.

On the 12th October 1985, Michelle Debra Green was married to John Anthony McDonnell.

On the 26th October it is my wifes birthday.

This October is a special celebration as it marks 25 years of marriage for us. I've dug out the wedding photo's and will post some of them on this blog and facebook to express how lucky an ugly impoverished Peer as myself managed to snagged such a beautiful wife (and certainly the title wasn't the clincher).

I have had the professionals who look after my fractured mind tell me how remarkable my relationship is in this day and age. With so many broken marriages and defacto relationships being almost the norm - I'm truely blessed with this unbroken union. Many of my friends never married, or seperated early in their marriages, even my sister went through two marriages during this time. I've outlived some really close friends who I still mourne to this day.

Of course Michelle has her birthday as well to celebrate and while she won't tell anyone her age, she was younger than me when we wed.

So October is THE month of special celebrations.

Terrain Work

I've been in terrain making mode and due to my laziness I have managed to poison myself. While my life is short term, I don't really worry too much about doing the right thing when it comes to health and safety. So my lungs are burning with paint fumes and I'm somewhat nauseous from burning foam cuttings. Yet for all of this I', happy with the terrain that I've built for the Uncharted Seas event.

I've only a few more pieces to make now and I'll have at least 4 tables worth of terrain to add to those that Bec has done. I'd have to say that Bec is the best terrain maker that I know, her attention to detail and professional end result make gaming on her tables a joy. I feel the poor apprentice compared to the master.

So tomorrow (Wednesday) will be my last scheduled day for terrain. I've now got to go and get some storage boxes to put all the terrain in. After that it's back to painting figures, namely Gremlins for Sam.

I'm all at sea at present as to what to watch while I work. I was watching the Slayers anime, but I've grown rather despondent over it's story line etc, not one of my better purchases. I've still to watch the last season of Stargate Atlantis, but I've really lost any enthusiasm for the series. I'm after Fringe Season 2, hoping for more Warehouse 13, and desperatly desperatly hoping that Season 3 of Sanctuary is better than Season 2.

My audio listening has stopped as my son has acquired my iPod dock. Must go and see what new books have hit the list.

Saturday Update

Time flys when you are having fun.

I've made inroads into making a lot of island terrain for Uncharted Seas. My only concern is that it almost looks like I could use it for other systems, which on the whole may not be too bad. I guess that I am just a fussy chap when it comes to doing things.

Sam came and went on Friday, taking away his first lot of Gremlins and leaving me with more than enough to keep me happy. I'll just need to sit down and consider what terrain ideas to use for his Gremlins. I do try to make each of them unique, but I'm feeling I'm running out of options.

Peace and quiet for the last two days has been broken by the return of my daughter from her two day girl friend stay over. My cats have gone into hiding again.

Currently storing all my music CDs on my PC now. Don't know how many I've done, but I've used up 27G to do so and I'm only 1/10 of the way there. Damn this new technology. Mind you I'll never give up my hard copy books for ebooks. Why? Because in the end if the whole world goes pear shape and power supplies dry up, my books will still function. All praise the printed word.

Well I'm off to see if my terrain has dried.

Cheers

John

What's News!

School holidays and my children have driven me mad already.

My daughter blew out my download capacity in one day and night. She's now banned for eternity (or until hell freezes over).

I've been finishing off a number of projects sitting on my table. I struggled over my Phoenix Guard, the 20 took me over a week to complete (normally that would only be a days work). Sadly I've not rapt with the result, but they're done and are now in the cabinet, where they will be forgotten about.

I was lucky to have Bec from Blind Pig come over today and carve up some MDF for me for terrain projects. I'm building a whole lot of islands and water features for an Uncharted Seas tournament I'm running in October. Should be good. I'm certainly enjoying myself with this project and it's set a different pace for me.

Been working on some Malifaux for Sam and that's been fun. I confess that I'm addicted to Gremlins. They are just so much fun.

So that's it for the moment.

Cheers

John

The Rest of the Crew

Yea! I got the camera working... sort of. Enjoy!

Camera Woes

I just don't know what's wrong. Sometimes my camera works like a charm, the next it's real crappy! I was going to post some shots of the rest of Ophelia's Crew but they were so blurred that I gave up. I think that I did a really good job on the Gremlins and want them to shine on this site.

If anyone can recommend a good (and affordable) camera that can do the job of photographing small figures then let me know.

Ophelia

Kirai Crew

Wargaming World

I've added as a link on my sidebar to Wargaming World.

I really like this website and forum, and as you will gather from my input there I post a lot of my interests etc there.

So do yourself a favour and join the forum.

Just a small prick!

Doctors today. Injections today. I'm now sick!

Not much to report. Well, actually even though I've not been that well I have been pottering around in my Lair. I've finished four warcasters for my Retribution and Lord Chompy Bits which you can see various stages of progress below. I will try and get a better photo of the troops, as the shots really don't do the model any justice.

I also finished my War Rocket Valkeeri. Wasn't very imaginative with the paint design and copied the style that the Valkeeri have from Hydra Miniatures. Look good though, but need more ships?

Kirai's Crew is almost done, just Kirai to do and that will be them out of the way.

Ophelia's Crew is next and I've decided on using the Western style bases from Fiendish Fabrications. Might even do some tumbleweeds if I can get them right (I have it in my mental picture, but it doesn't always work out when you put it into practice).

Well I'm off to pop some more painkillers and contemplate the meaning of life!

Kirai Ankoko - Resurrectionist Crew

Lots of fun, nice models. The basing had to be "bamboo", so tooth picks came to the rescue. More as I progress along.

The Dreamer

Here's the last part of Lord Chompy Bits.

I decided to warp the lamp post into an attack position to reflect The Dreamers ability to warp reality. Simple concept and I think that it does the job.

Lord Chompy Bits Part 3

The next stage was some flames at the base of the models feet. I used Ogre Flesh wash for the "final" stage. I applied Gryphonne Sepia to the bone and teeth sections of the model. A better shot will be provided in the next few days that will show the model in its finished stage.

Lord Chompy Bits Part 2

Here is the next stage of Chompy. He's been undercoated black for a base coat. I've then used Dwarf Flesh, highlighted with Elf Flesh and then a final highlight of skull white.

Father's Day

Well it's Fathers Day. Not a big day for me. Our fiscal policy hasn't allowed us much in the way of any presents so I', just going to potter about in my Lair.

Yesterday I received my Lord Chompy Bits model from my good friends at LDP, THANKS MARK & JULIET.

What a massive model and what a massive job it's going to be to solve the huge gaps in the model.

It's almost 9am here, so I'm letting the pieces dry before moving on with the project.

The Geoff Jose Memorial Warhammer Tournament

The Geoff Jose Memorial Warhammer Tournament

It was a fun day of three rounds. Thankfully all three of my opponents were excellent chaps and I enjoyed myself even though I got done like a dinner in each round. I think that compared to anyone else there I think that I’d have had to have had the worst luck when it came to die rolls, and here’s why!

Round one: 0-20
Opponent: Pat, Empire
Turn 1, yes turn 1 it all turned pear shape. Pat’s lowly unit of Pistoliers dropped my Lion Chariot of Chrace, causing Panic tests on my Generals Unit of Dragon Princes and a Great Eagle. I failed these tests in spectacular fashion. I thought I was planning a safe strategy by moving up with a terrain feature to secure my flank. Sadly from there my Dragon Princes had nowhere to retreat from (it being a piece of impenetrable terrain) and I lost 677 points in the blink of an eye. The Great Eagle sailed off the table.
Turn 2, it doesn’t get any better. My Silver Helms, not wanting to be run over by the Steam Tank failed to flee far enough away before it to was destroyed.
I then had a small trick of fate where Pat suffered similar adverse combats. In Turn 3 his Knights were rolled into impenetrable terrain and perished, and his General mounted on a Griffon sailed off the table, having failed his rally.
I would have to say that Pat’s unit of Pistoliers (which finally routed in the last turn) raked up a goodly body count. I lost every unit.

Round two: 3-17
Opponent: Jamie, Wood Elves
A game of horrible die rolls. Nothing stood out as badly as the first game, but it was another white wash. I only had my unit of Silver Helms and Lion Chariot of Chrace left on the table at turn 6.

Round three: 3-17
Opponent: Conor, Dwarfs
A horrible, horrible game.
Turn 1 my Mage casts his spell Flames of the Phoenix and miscasts, I then roll snake eyes for the miscast and watch my wizard go up in smoke, taking two of his mates with him. This was not a good augury of things to come.
Turn 2 my Silver Helms attacked Conor’s unit of Hammers, came off second best, routed and was run down by the stunty buggers.
My Lothern Sea Guard proved to be nothing more than target practice for his gunners.
The Dwarf Miners that loitered around till turn 5 managed to mince the Archer Unit in a crush between it and the Hammers that continued to surge forward.
In the end I only had my three characters and the Bolt Thrower left.

So having put this event away I can now concentrate on my Uncharted Seas Event in October.

Now I’m going to have a rest, I got rather exhausted by the day. I’m going to pop my feet up on the couch, settle down to reading Malifaux Rising Powers and War Rocket, while I multitask with my family, TV and my cats.

Friday Update

On Wednesday I got my parcel from Phoenix Forge, in it were a lot of goodies I ordered. Malifaux. Having had a read of the Rising Powers supplement I was chuffed and enthused. With the book came my new Malifaux crew boxes, Ophelia, Colette and Leveticus.

First thing I wanted to do was jump right in and start painting the new figures. However I have about 30 Retribution figures sitting on the table that really need to be finished. I decided that I'd have a better look at the figures and then decide how I'd base them, while I finish the Retribution. I decided to finish the Elves rather than jump ship and paint what I really really wanted to paint. It's hard, because I take a break every couple of hours to rest the old eyeballs and during that time I read the Rising Powers book.

Also in the delivery was my War Rocket rules and some figures (THANK YOU LUKE), which will get me started on my way to building fleets. The Valkeeri (warrior women) have nicely shaped ships that I think will be a joy to paint. So stay tuned for some pictures and updates in the next few weeks.

Tomorrow is the Geoff Jose Memorial Tournament and I shall be trotting out my High Elves for the first time in probably five years. Haven't played a game of WFB since 2005 (I think) so I expect to be hammered. But for me it's what the tournament is about, remembering Geoff, and while I didn't know him apart from passing, it's important that memorials are remembered, that they not be passing fads. So I'm going to have fun, can't give a toss about the rules, I'll muddle through one way or the other.

Till later.

Redcoat

Give it a read.

Redcoat
The British Soldier in the Age of the Horse and Musket
Richard Holmes
466 pages

I picked this book up at my local second hand book seller. I paid a miserly $11 for the book which sold for $22.95 in 2002.

I found the book to be easy to read and the style that Richard Holmes uses makes the book a good read. I could prattle on for ages, but I'm still working my way through the book. It has made me look at my Prussians (in 25/28mm scale) again, which will of course make my sparing partner Andrew Ross very happy.

While I'm on the period of Napoleonic's Phil Barker has made available the rules which I use (along with many others). Check the freewargamesrules.co.uk and look for the ones by WRG.

September Madness Prices

For the month of September I'm offering a special on my services.

For each model I paint I will only charge $4 plus a figurine. The equivalent exchange will apply for the model. ie a 28mm figure for a 28mm figure, vehicle for a vehicle.

For example a squad of 10 marines would cost you $40 plus 10 models.

Sunday Update

Slogging through a number of tasks at present.

1. Clean my game table down.

At present the table is used as a generic storage facility. On this I dump finished items of interest. This usually means, DVDs, folders, mail and so forth. There are even some models on the table. I've therefore managed to consolodate papers to keep in one huge precarious pile (seriously in danger of toppling if the table is bumped). It's there until I can determine where I can store said papers.

2. Tax Time

Part of the above was the need to find a number of important papers to solve my Tax puzzle. Starting to find all the pieces, but have serious doubts about how it all goes together. Well, there is always tomorrow.

3. Fringe

While the above is going on I am watching Fringe. Perhaps I should really say listen, as I've watched the series a few times already. A great series that I'm hoping Season 2 comes out soon for me to purchase. Heck it might even be out already but sadly my funds are extinct at present so it will be a wait I think.

4. Retribution of Scrye

On top of all of the above, I'm still painting my Retribution.
I've polished off:
Dawnguard Invictors (10 model unit) and the Officer and Standard for them.
Dawnguard Sentinels (10 model unit) and the Officer and Standard for them.
Chimera

I settled for Mithril Silver (GW range) as the base for all models. I've then applied a Thraka Green Wash (GW range) over the model. After they dried I've then drybrushed Mithril Silver again over the model. This has achieved a greenish tinge to the armour which I've then applied Skull White (GW range) to parts to highlight and contrast the effects. With their basing they aren't looking too bad.

I"m sure that there is more to be done.

Still in hospital two days a weeks.

Waiting for the new Malifaux, War Rocket, Lord Chompy Bits and a few other items. I'm a patient man, they are on their way and will get to me sooner or later. I trust my suppliers.

Retribution of Scyrah - Update

I've started to assemble the models.

I really do like the stances and moulds of this range. However! Yes there is always a "however". I've had two bugbears with the assembly process.

1. Mage Hunter Strike Force
These would most likely be my favourite models from the range. The only fiddly bit that drove me mad, layered my fingers with superglue was the crossbows. Fiddly, fiddly and damn it all to heck fiddly. Trying to match the arrows/quarrels and balance the cross section with such a small surface was time consuming and annoying. In the end patience won out and they are now all assembled. They are my favourite at present.

2. Dawnguard Sentinels
The packer of my figures decided that the swords should be packed into the smallest compartment in the plastic blister box. Every sword was bent at the hand join, and the arms were twisted horribly. It has taken me about and hour to sort out the mess and at present only one model has had his sword irretrievably broken. I'm not sure how I'm going to tackle this one yet. I may break the sword and attach the smaller section to the hands (in the hope of it sticking) and placing the shards at his feet. One other has a dodgy join which I saturated with glue in the hope of it gelling, but I'm not hopeful. The whole arm sword section was not in my opinion a great cast, I had to guess which arm poses best matched the model. In the end patience won out and they are now all done.

Only the warcasters to assemble now and two more heavy warjacks. Then it's decision time as to whether or not I go for the white look that PP have given the faction. I really do dislike white, and it's the hardest colour for me with the lest numbers of successful applications. I'm thinking a high shine light silver will be the go. Time will tell.

Cheers

John

Joys and woes of laminating

My friend James got in for me some laminate pouches to protect some of the cards I use for my games. I am a novice when it comes to this laminating lark and had to ask some advice to get the best results.

The best results I got were from the advice I received from James.

TIPS:
1. Let the laminator run for 30 minutes. Don't start when the little light comes on saying you can start laminating.
2. Run the item through the laminator a few times. I found four times the best.

So thanks James, the results have come out trumps.

Retribution of Scyrah - New Project

Call me mad, but when you feel absolutely crap what do you do? You start a new project. That new project is Retribution of Scyrah.

I've had these figures sitting in a box since the beginning of the year (or thereabouts) and have decided that seeing I can't get any Circle of Orboros I'll just have to settle on what I actually have.

So I'm in a frenzy of assembling now. Lots of infantry types to assemble, only 6 warjacks at present. Need to have a few games with this faction before I start lashing out on additional models. (Not that that is really a deterrent)

I must say that the models are very nice. I feel that this is an army I may decide to paint differently than any other. I shall paint one figure at a time rather than using the batch system. I think that the quality of figures needs a truely awesome paint job to go with them. Time will tell if I get any further.

What do you do when you have to many interests?

It's a question I ask myself every time I enter the Lair.

I currently game at the Blind Pig these days. It's close, it's friendly and the venue is top notch. The BP meet twice a month, and at present I'm there from 9ish to 4ish. So that's 7 hours or 14 hours a month to play games.

So I ask myself what do I play?

My interests are as broad as my girth and height. I'm really interested in "off the beaten track" game genres. For instance I have a large collection of Wild West figures (a left over passion from QGMC), and Piratical figures. Add to this my Vietnam and 20's Gangsters and you're starting to get the picture.

To make matters worse a particular hobby business keeps showing me lots of shiney new toys and I'm off on a tanget again.

So I come back to that all important question.

What do you plan to play in that 14 hour time slot for the month?

Will what you take with you get any takers to participate in a game?

Do you go with mediocrity and play what everyone else is (which isn't a bad thing, don't get me wrong) playing?

There really isn't any answer to those questions.

Eden all finished.

All the figures from my Eden collection are now finished. If it were not for the fact that it is now raining, I'd have had them varnished and done, popped away into a box or cabinet and that would be it. I'll post pictures of the Jokers shortly.

Hordes of the Things 2nd Ed

Just did a gander at the free wargames website and spotted that HOTT2 is available for download.

http://www.freewargamesrules.co.uk/index.php?page=whats-new

For those who may be interested.

What I found!

The clean up revealed more than anticipated!

I have been attempting to find an army I had built some time back for a WFB tournament. I had built a (and I can't remember the exact army title) zombie army from the Lustrian Coast. Had a vampire leader that was mad from memory. Lots of zombies. Of course the poor old army doesn't really have a life now so its time to convert to HOTT. Lots of horde bases at 1AP each and the always comes back rule makes them good. Not sure what I will use the hand cannons for, might make them shooters at 2AP each. The undead ogres I may use as behemoths. Anyway the undead HOTT army will now have more options available for it than you can poke a stick at.

Young Luke brought his copy of War Rocket to the club and I had a quick read of it. Looking good in my opinion. I've decided that Valkeeri (warrior women) and Zenithian (saucer people) are my choice of races. Fleets are modestly priced and rather decent casts (of those I've seen). I'm hoping that it will take off with some of the people I know. However there is just so much out there now that it's very hard deciding what to bring and play at the club. Due to my health I only get to go to the club twice a month and it's hard deciding just what to play. For instance Firestorm Armada vs War Rocket. Which these will gain a toe hold amongst players? Uncharted Seas doesn't have a problem, as there is no one else out there that has anything in competition. Warheads and Eden, have an interest, but with the new Malifaux out soon, I think that Malifaux will reign supreme.

Another item of interest that I'll have to invest in will be Pulp City. I'm even looking at my massive Heroclix collection (of spares) and deciding what can "die" for the glory of proxy. Certainly save a bit of money. Must print the rule book and actually give it a read to understand what might be needed.

Of for another round now. Had a short break (doing this), but it's back to work.

Working Sunday

After an uplifting day of games at the Blind Pig on Saturday I have entered the Lair to sort through everything that is there. So what does this mean? Well it means moving a lot of boxes from one side of the Lair to the other. Simple!

Problem though is that once I started I found myself "finding" those little gems that I had hidden. Thankfully I found no corpses, which was good. I always make sure that I hide them skeletons real good.

I can now, sort of, reach most of my armies now that I am in resurrection mode. I found boxes full of Warzone, Flintlock, 15mm Ancients to name but a few. I even found some pirate ships from the Pirates of the Carribean range that I was planning on using. Still an idea, still gathering dust, but it will happen one day.

So it's back to the Lair, and who knows what....

What have I been up to!

It's been a time of reflective pragmatism. I've looked at a lot of the figures and games I have and I've made a few "hard" decisions about their future.

No it's not as bad as you might think. I'm just recycling my figures into other rule sets and getting more value for investment.

So as I've said previously, a lot of my WFB figures are being converted to HOTT armies. I've now started to look at all sorts of other games as well. I have for instance a fare few Warzone figures that are painted (and just as many unpainted) that will soon be finding themselves utlised in a rather surprising enterprise.

From a painting perspective I've been working on my Eden figures and they are now all finished. Just some basing and a few highlights and they are done.

Next project might be Vietnam or Pulp City. I recently received the last of some figures I have been waiting on, and I'm rather keen to do something different. I've some 1:48 scale 'copters and vehicles to add to this. Time will tell.

Pulp City might be another vice that may snag me.

Catch you all later, I'm off to paint.

PAINTED FIGURES - HOTT - Beastmen Army