Astounded, Amazed, Awestruck - The tale of an Easter basket

Chris over at Sippin' On Paint Water had an Easter basket giveaway on his blog.  Please check out Chris' blog.  I don't say this because he gave me stuff and I feel obligated.  I say this because his War in Africa posts set the benchmark for building a story, setting a scene and tying it all together.  If we all go and study his methods then our blogs will all be more interesting to read.

It was the end of a very long day when I on his blog and saw my avatar staring back at me.  I have to admit to several moments of confusion.  I actually closed the tab and went back to my blog roll and clicked again.  When I saw the same thing staring back at me it hit me, I'd won.  After squealing like a little girl I set about sending off my address to Chris.  Several weeks later I received a fair sized box in the mail.  This is what was contained therein.

Chuckles was on the top of the basket.  His carrot was broken and he'd lost his head in all of the excitement.  Good as new now.

Gruntz Battle Report - The Battle of Ifs

Lt Al-Tharki's orders were simple, right up his alley.  He was to take his reinforced platoon and clear the village of Ifs.  United Nebular Space Command (UNSC) peace keepers had been spotted moving towards the village and Division didn't want them sticking their noses into this area.  The Meddlers were reported to have a couple of their Paladin tanks, "Peacekeepers my ass", Al-Tharki thought.  Due to the heavy enemy armor, 1st Plt was being reinforced by a single Babylon tank.  Al-Tharki hoped it was enough.

Ariel recon of the approaching UNSC forces.

Mech Factory - The Crusader

I couldn't resist assembling the other mech from the kit.  Have to start with desert, you may not live through dinner.  This is the Crusader, or whatever it's Macross name was.

The 1/100th Macross - Crusader.  (Yes, I understand the irony).

Rhys' 15mm army

Rhys has desperately been wanting his own models.  The problem is that the few he's had he has played with like they were lego or army men, and they've ended up broken and lost.  He has also been known to play with mine, almost always with catastrophic results.

Rhys has been having some behavior issues at school.  They were talking about putting him on a behavior plan, the first step in their kicking him out of school altogether.  We are fairly certain his issues are all to do with his SPET teacher, since he has been fine in the past and is fine when he is not under her care.  Pondering ways to keep him motivated to behave until the old bat retires I decided that it was time for Rhys to start his first army.

Rhys' clone troopers.

A worthy cause

There are many worthy causes in the world.  Some help those in serious need, such as Bloggers for Charity.  Others help to feed intellectual growth, and share the love we all have for this hobby.  This post is about the latter.

Mech Factory - The Warhammer

I've made some progress on assembling the Mech Factory.  I couldn't resist getting the Warhammer put together.  This is one of my all time favorite mechs, so I just had to see it in person.

The Warhammer next to a Medium mech from Rebel minis.

Owyn's first model

Owyn has been playing D&D with his brother.  His first character was a thief.  He got frustrated by the fact that he was squishy and didn't fight very well.  For his second character he decided that he wanted a fighter.

Lips pursed in concentration.

Mech Factory - The Contents

A recent purchase, 30 years in the making, recently arrived.  I couldn't be happier.  John Bear Ross made this find, and shared it on the 15mm Sci/Fi Facebook page.  As soon as I saw it I was taken back to my childhood.  This was something that I had wanted desperately but could not afford.  I'd looked at it in the store for two years before giving up.

A big box of awesome.

Gruntz AAR - Resource Raid

Last week we got in another game of Gruntz.  This was a 1v1 game between the Traveller and I.  Yet again, we really enjoyed the rules, although we are still making some mods.  We both agree that smoke is a must; something I haven't been able to find in the rules.

Drone shot used in pre-mission briefing.

Off the rails

I'm going to go way off topic tonight.  It's not that I don't have gaming stuff to talk about, I do, and it's awesome.  It's just that several things have come together lately that I need to talk about.  This will not be pretty and it will not be the usual.  It will, likely, not be interesting for most of you.

The Analogue Painting Challenge Retrospective

The annual Analogue Painting Challenge is over.  It passed in a flash, and yet the beginning feels like it was years ago.  As is traditional, and true to my character, it's time for a quick retrospective of what I accomplished.

This year's banner.

Painting Challenge XVII - Entry fee model

The Fourth Annual Analogue Painting Challenge is wrapping up and I finally got my entry fee painted.  The theme this year was Sam Peckinpah movies and the entry fee was a model from one of those movies.

A French lancer in Maximillian's service.  About to die gloriously in a muddy river in Mexico.

Gruntz AAR

Last Sunday we played a big game of Gruntz, two players to a side, 500 points each.  Nick, of Little Nicky's Gameroom was on one side with a new player, Kurt.  I was partnered up with the Traveller for his second game.  I brought an extra army in the hopes of sucking someone new in so Kurt was able to try out the rules.

The invaders, an alliance of Principate Rangers Nick's other dudes.

Painting Challenge XVI - Bonus Round - Last Stand

  Here’s my entry for the Last Stand.  It’s Boudicca being done in by a Roman auxiliary all in 28mm.  Boudicca’s ultimate fate is not recorded, but I prefer to believe that she died fighting on the field of the Battle of Watling Street.

Top view showing all three models.

Gruntz BAR (Before Action Report)

Lieutenant Al-Tharki was roused from a restless sleep by the beeping of the com unit in his APC.  Pulling himself off of an uncomfortable bed of web gear and robes he rotated towards the radio.  "Red Snake 6, this is Black Snake.  Come in, over".  Red Snake 6 lifted the com unit and spoke, "Black Snake 6, this is Red 6. Go.  Over".  "Unidentified units are landing at 345AB12794358, 20 klicks north of you".  "Investigate, report and engage.  Out". 

Lieutenant Al-Tharki switched channels and ordered, "All Red Snake units, mount up.  We're OM (On the Move), in fifteen minutes.

The 47th Company, 12th Caliphate Infiltration Bn was going to find out who had come to join the party. 

I'm off to play a game of Gruntz.  Stay tuned to find out who the 47th discovers at the LZ.

Painting Challenge XV

This entry is a 15mm Mech from Critical Mass Games.  It was part of their Kickstarter to expand the ZAS mercenaries.  It’s a big chunky resin walker with a nice few options.  They make two versions of this mech.  

Mech from CMG.

Painting Challenge XIV

This is another missed opportunity on my part.  These were intended for the casualty bonus round but then I had to go out of town at the last minute and didn’t have time to finish them.  I was also delayed because these are my first Celts and I vapor locked on doing patterns.  I just couldn’t picture what I wanted.  A few hours spent going through some of the great blogs I follow finally gelled it for me and I was off to the races.  I actually enjoyed painting these, so perhaps I should knock some more out while that feeling is strong.

Three dying Celts.  

Steampunk Silliness

I found this over on John's Toy Soldiers Blog.  It's a silly, but fun, little name generator.

What will my name be?  Let's see, after the jump.

Painting Challenge XIII - Favorite Character Bonus Round

I pondered for a few weeks trying to figure out what to paint for this round.  In the end I plumped for Aragorn.  As a teenager, reading the Lord of the Rings, Aragorn was a true heroic character.  His selflessness, courage, compassion and skill were all features that I found worthy of emulation, and in fact, influenced my development into the man I am today.  To this day, Aragorn is still one of my favorites.  Uncomplicated by any of the current fad for anti-heroes, he’s just a well developed character with widely admirable traits.  It seems fitting that Aragorn will take me above my challenge goal. 

Old Stuff Day

Today, March 2nd is Old Stuff Day.  In the blogging arena that means pulling out some of your old classics to share with a new audience, or share again with long time readers.