Paint to Brush at Last!

Today I finally held a paintbrush in my hand for the first time this year. Nothing earthshaking, but still! I may actually get to update my minis painted count this weekend! And I will include photos for you all, of course, in my scrapbook.

All I did was brush on some MinWax, to be honest. I had tried at the very end of December to use Kel's Magic Sauce (Brown) to shade my Martian askaris, and was not best pleased with the results - just not enough depth, I guess. Multiple coats may have done the trick, but I am in a bit of a hurry. I want some Martians ready to die for Her Majesty! I am already happier with the MinWax 'Magic Dip" result. Bit of a misnomer, that, as I didn't actually 'dip' the figures, but brushed the stuff on with an old large brush.

I am quite excited, though. My next quandry is the unit flag. I am thinking something squarish, with a canton on the upper left (fixed-edge) quarter showing the Union flag, and the rest some sort of Johnny Martian rubbish. It's the Johnny Martian rubbish I am unsure of. Any suggestions? I'll take the question to TMP as well.

That's all for tonight. The memsahib demands I spend time with our progeny. Something about developing self-esteem or somesuch nonsense. She probably read about it in some book. Alienist drivel, I say! Rotting the Empire! High time the lads were sent to Rugby, what?

Until next time, esteemed colleagues, I remain your humble journalist.

Oi! Its only been four days!

In the words of that MacArthur chap, "I have returned." Hmph. As if we wouldn't have known he returned, waht with all the film crews taping his wading ashore scene for the newsreels of the world. Man's an egomaniac, what?

Quite little to say on the gaming front. Thanks to a bout of illness, haven't been up and out to get any work done on anything. Hard to paint with a hacking cough, what? I am tempted to some zombie-blasting fun thanks to having read the excellent World War Z by Max Brooks over the weekend. Can you imagine redcoats dealing with these undead horrors?

Sergeant Bourne (to well-dressed zombie): "Right then, be a proper gentleman and put the vicar down, sir."
Private 116 Jones: "Oh, look Sergeant! 'E's gone and bitten the vicar!"
Sergeant Bourne (to soldiers): "That's two rounds rapid for you lot, then. And if you don't remember to aim for the head this time, I'll have you in front of the Colonel, I will!"

Now all I need are Victorian-era zombie figures. In 15mm. Or even some good Victorian civilians to zombify. I wonder if Ded Bob would be available to help with that?

You're a better man than I am, Gunga Din

Greetings after a lengthy absence. It would be ever so much easier to keep up with this had I access to the telephonic journal through my workplace difference engine. Alas, some hooligans have ruined that for all, by abusing a privilege. Oh well, I soldier on in the evenings at my home.

We had a bit of family time at the household tonight. We watched a thrilling moving picture based upon a poem by that Kipling fellow, titled "Gunga Din." Good stuff, that. Shows what three properly motivated sergeants in Her Imperial Majesty's forces can do when outnumbered by a bunch of shifty Thuggee. Even if they only wore red at the party and kharkee in the field. The lads found it exhilarating, I must say. Its proud of them I am, I assure you all.

In painting matters, I have been as lax as in journaling so far this year. I touched brush to paint (or more correctly, brush to ink wash) exactly once this week, for all of about ten minutes. I applied some of the brown Kel's Magic Sauce (now sold by Didi of the WarStore.com - nice folks!). However, I wasn't really happy with the result, so I believe I will go on with the MinWax I used on some of the other Martian askaris. These lads are taking simply forever to finish.

We are looking forward to the weekend. A game of Wings of War is planned for the boys and myself, complete with miniatures for that Hun von Richthofen and the Yank Rickenbacker. Coming soon to the Houston area, we shall have a mini-con at Little Wars. Its next weekend, I think.

Finally, for those of you who have been enjoying the alternate history of the Republic of Texas, an update has been made earlier this week. I hope you caught it, though many of the revisions were minor. Work has continued on the document. I have been adding some sporting news to it, from ideas originated by my co-conspirator, Jim Stewart about rugby in the Republic. There is also a good dose of Olympic sport being added, so it isn't all war and politics. I hope you continue to enjoy it.

That's all for tonight, I am afraid. The youngest needs tucking in after his insulin injection, and the eldest as well (past his bedtime, the little blighter!).

Happy New Year!

Greetings again, faithful subscribers to this journal!

First order of business: wishing you all a joyous New Year! One of my resolutions is to Get More Projects Done. I am hopeful that i will keep that resolution, as I managed to keep (and have kept on keeping, for the record) last year's major resolution. What was it, you ask? I determined I would no longer allow crass advertising and the 'better deal' offer to negatively impact my health. I have not "supersized" any meal since 2006. Hopefully I will be able to continue that into the new year as well.

Second order of business: Another milestone in the telephonic journaling logbook has been reached! We have now had over 500 visits to this journal. Huzzah! Champagne and canapes for all! Properly cool, too, none of that warm fizz for my favored guests!

Third order of business: Some updates to the publications files will be made today. I'll probably also add a document pieced together by my friend and co-author, Jim S. (take a bow, Jim) regarding the military small arms of the Republic of Texas' history. Might also put in the next twenty years or so of the timeline, even though its not fully hashed out - but then, a work such as this is never completed, I think, merely walked away from for a time.

Tomorrow I think I shall begin posting a (hopefully) weekly tabulation of painting and terrain progress for 2008. As of now, the count stands at nil across the board.

Until later, my friends and fellow enthusiasts, I remain your faithful chronicler,

J

28 December, 2007

Obviously, I am running out of pithy titles for my journal entries, so let's try simple dates.

Yesterday marked the twelfth anniversary of my eldest child's birth. Hard to believe I have been "Daddy" for twelve whole years now. Gadzooks, but they grow quickly! The boy is already wearing a shoe two sizes larger than mine and shall probably surpass my height (a rather meager 5 feet and seven inches) within the next six months or so. Add to that eating like a starving bear... its a miracle we've managed to keep him fed. And a younger brother to care for as well!

Not too much progress has been made on the painting fronts, in mind of all the festivities lately. I have managed to get a few of the Martian askaris dipped. They came out rather dark, so i may be touching up some more once they are good and solid dried. That Minwax takes a while to dry. Maybe its time I bought some Future floor wax and tried that version of the Magic Dip?

I've also been working on some Battlemechs for my son, in a sort of generic Lyran blue and white divided scheme. That'll give his light lance of Kurita Mechs that he already has (bought them painted off eBay) something to fight against.

What I have NOT been getting any work done on is Her Majesty's soldiery. I have the bare start of a pair of 15mm lancers sitting there. The minis themselves are Old Glory, and quite nice.

Update - I got called away from the computer while writing this and just now got back, a day later!

My last Christmas gifts arrived in the post finally! Some Martian chappies from RAFM in Canada. Better late than never and very nice miniatures too.