Quick and Dirty post Thanksgiving Update

Hi All,

Hope you had a joyous Thanksgiving, if you celebrated, and have been as productive as you want to be hobby wise.

I have been somewhat busy for me, priming the figures for my next battle for the Talomir Tales campaign. Here are a few pictures.

The figures are a mix of Airfix, HaT, MiniArt, Strelets and Zvezda. I should be prepping figures for the Painting Challenge but I commited to playing the game first and I really want to play it out with painted figures. If anything it's helping me establish a rhythm and get back in the habit of painting daily.

You may have noticed that I added some more image links to the right. I added one each for Tabletop Gaming Central, Bloggers for Charity, and Analogue Hobbies. All sites that I have recently become associated with one way or another. I want to give special mention to Tabletop Gaming Central as I only recently submitted my blog to them for listing and they put me on quickly and then Gavin emailed me to welcome me and let me know I was on board. As you know, I am a fan of the personal touch and try my best to foster that type of connection through my blog.

I also want to share the news that Two Hour Wargames has extended their Black Friday sale to Sunday. Get 20% off your total order you can read about it here.

On a final note I am very thankful that my mother is okay. On Wednesday evening she went out for a walk with my kids and fell in the street. We were worried that she may have broken her hip. After a few hours in the E.R. we were released with a prescription for painkillers. Her Thanksgiving was bedridden, but I'm happy to say that today she is off the heavy painkillers and was able to walk up and down the stairs. I was pretty upset about it but everything seems to be okay now, just scrapes and bruises.

Pre-Holiday update

Up before 4AM as the weight of how much stuff I still have to do, hobby and otherwise, is keeping me from sleeping.

I have been remiss in welcoming Twin Cities Gamer aka Monty L from Google+ as a follower of the blog. His blog of the same name has some great looking Dark Age stuff on there right now as well as an interesting article about inventory management. I took it to heart.

I also wanted to promote a give away that Captain Arjun is having at Cor Blog Me here. He is giving away two bundles of rules, one Medieval and one Indian Mutiny. You have until the end of the month. His blog has a lot of good stuff on it, lately a solo dungeon crawl with some Dwarves battling Goblins through the mines.

As for me I'm still planning and cleaning house. Funny how you don't notice all the peeling plaster etc until you have company coming.

Finally I'll leave you with a teaser of an old Citadel figure that I intend to try my hand at stripping and re-painting for the painting challenge.

He was initially painted by my brother, and to be fair I don't think he ever read up on any painting techniques. I think he said he was trying to go for the armor being soaked in blood. I'm trying to decide if I  want to use the shield or not. It seems a little campy to me.

I'll be soaking this dude in simple green and see how it goes. I've never attempted to strip paint off a figure before.

Happy Thanksgiving to all and catch you on the flip side.

More challenge preparation

Hi All,

Today I finished the sorting of most of my plastic and lead. I still have some random loose figures I received from a member of the Old School Wargamers Yahoo group and my various 54mm stuff. I hope to have a reasonable point total to send off to Curt soon.

I hope to have a page detailing my challenge progress, much like Loki's here. Dux Homunculorum mentioned that he is being subjected to spreadsheet intimidation in his post here, which got me thinking about the Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge Spreadsheet Challenge.

But seriously, I will be posting my spreadsheet which you will be free to take ideas from should you desire. I hope that you will contribute your own ideas on what is helpful in organizing yourself for the task at hand. Of course I really should be prepping figures, rather than dawdling at the computer.

I also thought the view numbers of the last few days were interesting.

A priapatetic spike in page views.

A picture is worth 500 views I guess.

Analogue Hobbies 4th Annual Painting Challenge

A few days behind, but yeah, I went for it.

I watched from the side lines last year and was particularly impressed by Tamsin's herculean output. So much so that I started a grandiose project, which I of course didn't complete.

When I saw that the rules were changed to include fantasy and sci-fi this year, I couldn't sit idly by and let this opportunity to get into high gear pass me by. So let the hand wringing commence. I have sorted all my 28mm today and found that I have quite  bit of stuff that is already primed. I also have several that have been started to some degree but I'm wondering if white primed figures with metal bits painted black count as started or not. Technically speaking one could consider it two undercoats, one white one black. I'll ask for clarification.

Add to this that I'm in the middle of crash painting 50 some odd figures for a battle I need to play out this month and I'm getting myself wound up.

I really like what Loki did on his page here and I will attempt to emulate that. I also like his painting page, but am ashamed that many of my figures were purchased in 1990 and are only primed or even still in the blister.

Here's my running 28mm list:

Figure	Scale	Material	#	Notes
Orc Sword	28mm	plastic	10	primed on base
Gob wolf rider	28mm	metal	19	8 mostly unprimed, 11 started
Gob foot	28mm	metal	9	9 on base, 6 primed
Black Orc Foot	28mm	metal	12	All primed and on base
Orc Shaman	28mm	metal	2	On base, started
Gob foot	28mm	metal	40	21 started, 18 bare, 1 primed
Gob bows	28mm	metal	29	15 started, 14 primed, on base
Gob bows	28mm	plastic	10	6 primed, 4 started, on base
War Wolf	28mm	metal	1	bare, no base
orc foot	28mm	metal	10	finished, rebase?
half orcs	28mm	metal	2	color blocked, on base
orc bows	28mm	metal	16	color blocked, on base
orc foot	28mm	metal	24	finished, rebase?
orc foot	28mm	metal	4	bare, on base
orc bows	28mm	metal	3	color blocked, on base
human bows	28mm	metal	5	started, on base
human foot	28mm	metal	5	started, on base
human wizards	28mm	metal	4	started, on base
gob fanatics	28mm	metal	2	1 started, 1 primed on base
elf bows	28mm	plastic	5	started, on base
trolls	28mm	metal	2	finished, rebase?
Gob wolf rider	28mm	metal	1	started, on base
orc foot sb	28mm	metal	2	finished, need basing, broken.
orc chukkas	28mm	metal	3	full sets, in box
skull crusher	28mm	metal	2	full sets, in box
Man mangler	28mm	metal	1	full sets, in box
Orc Boar riders	28mm	metal	2	in box
Orc Archers	28mm	metal	4	in box
Orc bosses	28mm	metal	2	in box
Gob chariot	28mm	metal	2	in box
Bret mtd lord	28mm	metal	1	in box, plastic horse
Dwf Cannon	28mm	metal	2	in box
Chaos Centaur	28mm	metal	5	in box
Chaos Cav	28mm	metal	6	in box
chaos steeds	28mm	metal	2	loose
chaos knights	28mm	metal	2.5	loose
bret knights	28mm	metal	4	loose
Gob chariot	28mm	metal	1	loose
orc Archers	28mm	metal	3	loose
human cas	28mm	metal	1	loose
human bows	28mm	plastic	2	loose
chaos warrior	28mm	metal	1	loose, broken, repaint
skaven foot	28mm	plastic	10	loose,no head
dk elf xbow	28mm	plastic	10	loose, no head
dk elf head	28mm	plastic	18	9 helmet, 9 bare
dwarf head	28mm	plastic	9	4 horned, 5 plain helm
gob head	28mm	plastic	10	4 helmet, 6 bare
orc head	28mm	plastic	10	5 helmet, 5 bare
xbow	28mm	plastic	18	10 white, 8 black
cleaver	28mm	plastic	6
hammer heads	28mm	plastic	10
wagon wheel	28mm	plastic	8
evil shield	28mm	plastic	51	tab slot
elf shield	28mm	plastic	5
fighter shield	28mm	plastic	10	tab slot
generic shield	28mm	plastic	27	hole slot
moon shield	28mm	plastic	20	flat back
cap horse	28mm	plastic	4	one miscast
horse	28mm	plastic	4	missing one tail
human halberd	28mm	plastic	20	color blocked, on base
elf spear	28mm	plastic	5	color blocked, on base
dawrf axe	28mm	plastic	10	color blocked, on base
orc art crew	28mm	metal	10	bare, no base
human xbow	28mm	metal	4	bare, no base
orc Archers	28mm	metal	1	color blocked, on base
chaos ft knights	28mm	metal	2.5	bare, no base
evil gen shield	28mm	plastic	2	hole slot
slotta base	20 x 20	plastic	23
slotta base	25 x 25	plastic	27
slotta base	25 x 50	plastic	8
orc champ	28mm	plastic	1	color blocked, on base
rat man	28mm	metal	1	bare, no base
celtic warriors	28mm	plastic	10
norman foot	28mm	plastic	44

Wow, pasting that in was kind of a pain. I think I changed my terminology part way through so some of the ones early on that say started might be either color blocked or have the black accents.

Anyhow, I'm trying to resist just saying 500 points and then dealing with it later. I want to try and prep everything to start with.

I'm also having trouble looking for figures for the entry. I haven't seen The Wild Bunch or Cross of Iron in ages. Anyone have a line on a figure that looks like Kris Kristofferson?

And on a blog note, my views have gone through the roof over the last couple of days. Over 400. My usual is about 150 per day.

Apparently you all like tits.

Or maybe there are just a lot of Zardoz fans out there.

Salve for recovering from the last post.

Since so many have complained about lasting damage from the last post, I thought it might be necessary to give the masses what the clamor for. Interestingly enough Speedos for women are quite Victorian by comparison to the male version. Perhaps that is what it is that bothers people so much. Granted I didn't give you David Beckham types, I gave guys that should probably not been wearing said style. Although c'mon, Rod Stewart was a sex symbol back in the day.

Well anyhow I hope that the following images stir feelings in you that you are completely comfortable with.

I'm feeling patriotic.

Just remember the Budgie is watching you!

photoshopcontest.com

And so is Zardoz!

Of Budgie Smugglers and Banana Hammocks.

After reading about Ray and Fran's weekend getaway to Nottingham I was introduced to the term "Budgie Smugglers". Now I could guess at what Fran was talking about but those of us in the Americas, although familiar with the concept, were unaware of this particular slang. Although I think Fran was just referring to form fitting undergarments the term refers to something we all know and love, the Speedo bathing suit.

Now someone had mentioned that in 'Merica we just call it a Speedo (I think it was Yank in Australia), but the actual slang is "Banana Hammock" (there's even a website). So, much like Coke or Xerox, the brand name has become a descriptor for the thing itself.

Hmm I wonder if Posties Rejects will come up with some other garment to help identify them at shows?

No missing someone at Salute in these bad boys.

And now some gratuitous pictures of said garment in action. Those of you with weak constitutions may wish to look away.

Make fun of my swim trunks, I F#$%ing dare you!

I won't say I look like Daniel Craig, but I wear a similar style of trunks to the pool/ beach. I used to wear what we call board shorts, but I'm not a surfer and the super long baggy fabric just holds water and is generally uncomfortable when out of the water.

An artists rendition of Fran and Ray's trip to Nottingham.

Getting ready to play Call of Duty?

And a message for you from Samuel L. Jackson if you are still using Captcha.

A to Z Blogger Book Survey

This went around about a week ago and I wanted to do it but just didn't have time so here is mine.

Author you've read the most books from:
That is a tough one as I tend to flit around a lot. But with the anthologies I've read lately it's a toss up between H.P. Lovecraft and Robert E. Howard I'm guessing.

Best sequel ever:
I can't remember who set the precedent, but I'll go with Star Wars V: The Empire Strikes Back. Still my favorite of the Franchise.

Currently reading:
Operation Barbarossa by David M. Glantz. I have to say it's pretty dry and I find myself avoiding it.

Drink of choice whilst reading:
Water or Beer. I don't think I drink all that much while I read.

E-reader or physical book:
I love physical books and find it hard to resist buying them, but I do like the kindle very much I don't get as many reproving looks from SWMBO because it doesn't turn into a pile of books.

Fictional character you would probably have dated in high school:
Lisbeth Salander from the Girl etc series.

Glad you gave this book a chance:
Soft Apocalypse by Will McIntosh

Hidden book gem:
The Eden series by Harry Harrison. An interesting alternate Earth where lizards are the dominant life form.

Important moment in your book life:
Picking up a copy of the The Two Towers in an airport bookshop in 1979. Started me down the road of D&D and gaming and my penchant for reading the second book in a trilogy first.

Just finished:
The last thing I actually finished was the H.P. Lovecraft Anthology on my Kindle.

Kind of book you won't read:
Not interested at all in Romance novels.

Longest book you've read:
I read several big books between dropping out of High School and attending college.  I'm not sure where the editions are right now so couldn't say how long they are. I am not counting things that were in multiple volumes like LotR or Shelby Foote's Civil War treatise. In no particular order: War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy, The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich by William Shirer, and The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire by Edward Gibbon.

Major book hangover because of  disappointing endings:
I can't think of one right now. My biggest recent disappointment was discovering what a racist Lovecraft was. It bummed me out.

Number of bookcases you own:
Full wall of the Den. One in the bedroom, one unused but needed in the garage and several folding ones in storage that need to come out.

One book you've read multiple times:
Lord of the Rings.

Preferred place to read:
In bed. Probably why I don't read enough. I usually fall asleep.

Quote that inspires you/gives you all the feels from a book you've read:
"I believe that, in a stupid society, intelligence is useless." - Shen Congwen (from a story in a collection called Imperfect Paradise that I read 10 years ago and can't find the page reference for)

"Civilized men are more discourteous than savages because they know they can be impolite without having their skulls split, as a general thing." - Robert E. Howard The Tower of the Elephant

Reading regret:
So many books, so little time.

Series you started and need to finish:
The Song of Fire and Ice. Waiting on you Mr. Martin.

Three of your all-time favourite books:
This is a real tough one. Do I pick books that I read as a boy that hold a place in my heart? Is it something I've read more recently? If I exclude Tintin, my favorites would be The X-Factor by Andre Norton, The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, and ... perhaps I Claudius by Robert Graves.

Unapologetic fanboy for:
I was going to say George R.R. Martin, but the delay in getting on with the game of thrones, in both book and video, is damping my enthusiasm. Maybe Bernard again.

Very excited for this release:
Bernard Cornwell, The Pagan Lord.

Worst bookish habit:
Buying or borrowing books and then not reading them.

X marks the spot - Start at the top left of your bookshelf and pick the 27th book:
Attack and Defense by Ishida and Davies

Your latest book purchase:
Pre-ordered Bernard Cornwell's The Pagan Lord on my Kindle.

Zzz snatcher book (the last book that kept you up waaay too late:)
The Road by Cormac McCarthy

I was going to try and link to the ones that I have seen but I'm tired and can't seem to find them all. Off to dream of Budgie Smugglers. ;)

Thanks to all Veterans

The kids have off school and my wife took off from work for this veterans day.

Although I have never served, many in my family have. So to them, and all others who have stepped up I say thanks.

I'm sorry that I have not posted in awhile but I'm in high gear to get our house presentable for the relatives who will descend upon us for Thanksgiving in a few weeks time. Thus far this has entailed me assembling an armoire and two sofas from Ikea as well as donate our large sofa to goodwill. For the time being we are keeping the old love seat in the front room.

In gaming related news, I managed to buy a door mat for $10 at Ikea to make row crop terrain a la Mitch's example here. Also for the Talomir campaign I will be fighting the Stygustani invasion of Treyine. This will see me, hopefully, completing that Stygustan army and then almost the exact same Treyine army that I started and aborted way back in September of 2012 here.

In Fat Loss competition news I am sad to report that I did not win the club honors. I did, however go from ~15% to 9.5% body fat and lost about 13lbs. So I reached my goals, although I was not trying to lose so much weight. The guy who won our club deserved it, I don't know what his numbers were but he looked great. So on to the next phase, calorie increase and try to add muscle while staying lean. If I could just get my back to not hurt.

And lastly, although I'm covered with bruises, it was nice to have Joe back at San Soo last night. He''s been busy with work for the last few weeks and rolling with his 20 something son is not the same. There's no replacement for middle aged pent up aggression.

Although totally unrelated to the holiday I'll leave you with a tribute to the man that brought us San Soo in Phoenix. You can see me at 3:48 (not doing anything cool) as we pose for a picture at an event where I met Master Leitch in 2008. I'm in the front in a Yellow shirt on the left. My instructor is the guy behind me with a beard in a black shirt.

No Captcha November

I know I'm a few days late, but bear with me.

I got this image from here.

You've all heard it before, but I thought I'd try and get you started on ditching captcha for the month of November. I think the real question you need to ask yourself is, do I really get so much spam that I need to use this captcha thing?

I don't get any spam (knocks wood) and turned off captcha back in February of last year. You can read about it here if you like. I have not received one lick of spam or comment that needed moderating in that time. Now this could be a reflection of the lack of popularity of my blog, but I don't think so.

So I'd just like to encourage those of you who still use captcha to try going without it for the rest of this month and see what happens. And for those of you who use captcha and moderation, for the love of God, stop the madness. I'm a control freak, but that is too much.

And now an experiment:

New battle report, Sam's giveaway and tracking down Sun of York.

Well the latest installment of Talomir Tales is up here. If you have a chance leave some feedback as to how I did on the report. Was it clear, did it give you a feel for the game? I'm trying to improve my reports so that they help others make an informed decision as to whether or not the rules might be ones they want to try.

Sam of Sam's mini world is having a giveaway to celebrate his birthday and his bloggiversary here. The usual entry rules apply and you can win a nifty Mithril miniature as well as read an interesting blog by a talented modeler and painter.

I've also tracked down Sun of York's blog. It is called One Sided Miniature Wargaming Discourse and has some nice 1/72 napoleonics on display at the moment.

I now have to write an essay, which is 40% of my score, for my entry into this fat loss contest I've been in for the last 90 days. I wish I could get you guys to vote for me, but you need to be members of the club. So wish me luck. I've been on a hydration schedule that saw me drink 6.5 gallons of water over the last five days. Today I'm cutting it back and actually pretty thirsty.

I'll let you know how it goes.

And remember to: