Saying farewell to 2014 - it was a good year for me. |
It seems fashionable for wargame bloggers and presumably other bloggers to review the past year and either bare their souls in self-loathing disgust thus “I didn’t play enough games/paint enough”, “Lead Mountain still vast”, or “work life balance wrong”. Others publish terrifyingly precise statistics detailing exactly how many models bought versus last year, how many painted, how many sold, how many painted for friends/commissions finishing with a net gain or loss to the lead mountain! I just read one such post detailing how many books he/she read last year versus the last year! When did all this start? Then there’s those painting challenges to add further anxiety to the tortured soul!
This really isn’t a rant although it sounds like one! I just
don’t think about my hobby like this on any level whatsoever. I considered
joining in with this for about a nano second, afraid I was missing out on
something. The truth is that it’s just not for me at all! I think I get it
though, the fastidious marking of progress in a hobby people are passionate
about.
What I have really enjoyed is the retrospective and I think more constructive articles which look to play better games this year based on the experiences of last year’s crop. These and some others also have New Year’s Resolutions attached which can also be interesting.
Prussian officers oversee the storming of a farmstead - somewhere in Germany 1813. |
What I have really enjoyed is the retrospective and I think more constructive articles which look to play better games this year based on the experiences of last year’s crop. These and some others also have New Year’s Resolutions attached which can also be interesting.
Prussian General staff in conflab. |
Newly Painted figures continued to join the ranks as planned
though. These came from Barry Hill, Tony Laughton and Alan at Blue Turkey. I
have lined up a busy schedule for the trio this year and have saved some
pennies to pay these talented mercenaries. This should get everything
Napoleonic I own painted by Christmas 2015. This timetable will inevitably slip
as things always do – so be it.
I need to very seriously consider where I want my Napoleonic
collection to go beyond 2015. My feelings are that a Conferation of the Rhine
Division using those lovely Perry metals would be good. Possibly some Spanish
as I enjoyed playing the Peninsula games, Albuera, Vimiero and Vitoria. I also
want to add a few regiments which simply appeal, Lancier de Berg and Cleve Berg
lancers for example. I want to replace some of my batteries with Elite Minis as
I just love them! But at some point I need to call a halt to it really.
Nearly all my other painted & unpainted models have been
sold long ago in batches. The first to help cover redundancy, the next lot paid
for my gym membership and latterly to get more nappies bought and painted. This
year I will sell some more toys and books to make space and get even more
painted. I have no lead mountain save the Eureka 15s which I might sell.
Distorted shot of Jurgass - one of my cavalry generals. Note enormous Elite Miniatures cavalry behind. |
In 2014 I painted nil figures. I just can’t see the buggers
anymore! Whinge, whine & whimper. I based loads with Chris though, it’s very therapeutic. In fairness I do often brighten up a plume or pompom to make the colourful bits really "pop" on the tabletop. This sometimes looks cartoony but that's how I like my toys.
What surprises me most in these yearly retrospectives is the
small amount of games that some people get to play in a year, some get in one,
two or three games maybe. This isn’t judgemental at all simply an observation
on how different people’s experiences of gaming are, after all I’d like to have
sexual congress more often… but don’t expect to be judged about it. I assume this
small amount of games is due to geography, lack like minded opponents or simply
personal preference. It also reminds me of how lucky I am to have known Chris
and Tony for 20 years and Rich for 35 years. We have pretty much played every week
for 20 years plus. Some Marauders have come and gone and the venues have sometimes
changed but certainly for now we are settled at Marauder HQ and hope to keep
the weekly conflicts on course.
Prussian staff and foot shelter behind this battery. |
Russian Uhlans and Horse artillery. Atmospheric shot, there's real energy here! |
Russian horse guns about to fire. Note drilled barrels. |
Austrian Uhlans and Hussars. Very pretty! |
In June I am off the Belgium for Waterloo too – should be good. Time
to sample Trappist monk beer too.
Austrian General vignette. Grenzers charge down French line. (No it's not a fantasy). |
The single most important gaming goal for me this year is to
play some big Napoleonic games and share them with you right here. Rich has
some cavalry heavy encounter ready so maybe a guest post is in order. I have a
big 1814 scenario up my sleeve and the Eckmuhl report is shaping up nicely for
you. As and when new toys arrive I will try to post them too. Chris and I are
presently basing about 10 new battalions, regiments and batteries with Tony’s
help.
Blogs. I like this blogging malarkey and want to do more,
possibly shorter, post as well as the popular mammoth battle reports. I have
long since dropped the race for followers
although your kind comments are always welcome here, you wouldn’t believe how
much we all appreciate them. My fave blog of the year is http://jjwargames.blogspot.com/ .
The other JJ is neat and tidy, focussed and thoughtful in his insights. He
posts varied material which is always interesting, books, films, travel and day
trips but the core Peninsular project is really excellent & exciting to see
develop. His Oporto game is simply inspired, the whole concept beautifully
executed from scenery to shipping, seminary to soldiery, really top notch. This
year he’s tackling Talavera so take a peek. JJ even nominated me for a Lobster
Award last year which to my eternal disgrace I did not follow up.
Massed Austrian batteries about to deliver some heavy weight damage. |
So that’s my take on 2014, it was a good one for me, here’s
hoping 2015 is as good or even better for all of us.
JJ, Jeremy, warpaintjj
PS Please don’t expect a running tally of “congress” in a
side bar, there is a damn good reason why I can’t see to paint anymore…
Goodbye 2014 - it was fun! Hello 2015, what will you hold in store? |