Hobby Lobby Finds!

I love Hobby Lobby! You can find some wonderful finds here,

Bag of barrels, just a few bucks and great for quick and cheap scenery. 

How was I able to do my hobby for so long without this is amazing stuff. Like sand and paste in a mix, use a 40% off coupon and it offsets the price and makes basing easy.

Storage cases, small but nice to keep counters and small parts collected in.

Barrels out of the bag, washed them with brown ink, then hit the bands with silver. Quick paint and looks great!

Bag of large discs (6), nice just paint and add trees for quick tree bases.

Fantastic 4 = Fantastic Fail!

Well, hit Red Box up for this movie last night, I could not stand the idea of paying full movie admission price to see this movie after all the things (and not the Grimm type) that I read about this.

Simply put, another Marvel Fail...the other two Fantastic Four movies was better than this. Why?

1) Before I go into my first gripe, I want to say  I am not racist, but I am a true to a concept and ideal.  One of the fastest ways to get under my skin is try to change a character to the point it is no longer the character of the original. In this case, the Human Torch. Why? That would be like taking Black Panther and making him a Hispanic or a white guy in Africa. The Fantastic Four has been the same since 1961, the formula works, why change it? Because you want to appeal to a broader base? Try to put an interracial family spin on it? If you want to do that, use an already established hero or create a new one, don't reimage something that should never be touched. To me this is like taking a classic book and totally changing the characters in it, you have strayed from what made it good.

2) The plot was weak....very weak. Compared to the last two, this was to me a little more than a young adult (tween) twist on the Fantastic Four instead of the adults that went into space and got their powers testing a new ship. Instead you hock up a bunch of crap about another dimension giving them their powers. *sigh*

3) Dr. Doom - WTF! What the hell! Serious, you took a great corner stone character and well turned it into a pile of garbage. The costume was horrible, looked like a bunch of tin foil glued on to the skin  with random crap. Also, giving him this "cosmic power"  of sorts from this other world? *BARF* Doom was science and magic....a unique blend that made him a stand our villain. Great job to the writers screwing this up!

4) The casting director - apparently like many of the cast from House of Cards on Netflix, my wife was quick to point this out. Guess he had a few debts they had to pay off. The acting was very weak, very weak.

5) Not ending up in the NYC Baxter building! Nuff said. Instead we plug them into working for the US government!

Can I say anything nice about it? The special effects were good...Wow, that is about all I can really say.

My advice, don't buy it unless it is in the bargain bin, rent it from Red Box. Wow, Marvel I guess needed a writer off movie. Marvel stick to Netflix and movies like Avengers, X-Men and Guardians....that is where your luck is.

Merry Christmas to all!

I just want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas, This is a time to appreciate the family and friends you have that are important to your life. This holiday is not about organized religion or retail but rather the simple boiled down facts of be a good person, treat others well and carry forth good deeds for peace on earth. Never forget the most basic of the things that make life great.

New Rides for Strange Aeons!

Special thanks to Anne O'leary for getting these cars to me after her blog birthday contest! They are going to find a spot among my Strange Aeons collection!

Check out her blog http://fortwitter.blogspot.com/

She is taking a bit of time off but wow, she is a talented painter and a great person to follow on a blog, when she posts it is worth reading!

Birthday gifts to me!

Well, good ole Mom came through for me this year again, 43 and a kid at heart she sent me birthday cash to go wild......

My wife let me buy the Black Mask gang as a LGS about 2 hours away is getting into Batman, I've had my eye o this game, while not a huge Batman fan, I do love the bad guys and now that the Arrow and Watchmen have stepped into the lineup I am more interested. The rules seem improved and the game is growing. The models are a love/hate. It was pure luck that I found these on sale at dirt cheap prices making my entry into Batman somewhat cheap.

Deadshot my favorite DC baddie. Suicide Squad was my favorite comic!

Black Mask Thugs found these boys at a nice 50% off.

Mr Freeze

Reaper Catus Joe to go with my Ape gang for Judge Dredd. A cheap figure but I always wanted him.

Side by side to some Judge Dredd

I also was suckered into a deal with the Soviet Army, My Finnish army was getting lonely!

Japanese Jeep with MG....another will appear in my army soon!

I was also tempted by a sweet deal on 4Ground furniture and opted to test drive 10 packs.

Love my mom, so the next step is to start selling more 40k and clear out my Fantasy Undead. I have a pending buy to get some Pulp City that has been on hold and is my next expenditure to get then move on with some more scenery I hope!

Happy 4th of July to all!

 Wishing everyone a Happy 4th of July!

Take a moment to remember and honor those that have served our country.

Take a moment to appreciate their sacrifice and service.

Appreciate the freedom that we hold dear and carry on the duty to protect it.

Honor history and learn from it, do not be ignorant of the facts and truth

Fantastic Four Fail? You make the call.

I had high hopes for this reboot until I watched it. Now all I can say is Fantastic Failure!

Serious....the promo is weak....they plug the last X-men movie and special effects to carry this movie it seems.

Plus again the movie industry goes out to change characters instead of sticking to cannon instead change Johnny Storm making him another race instead of the blonde punk kid we know and love. *sigh* Mind you I am not a racist guy, but they should have stuck to what was done and not trying to rewrite what was already good and decent. Why they do these stupid choices it just really makes me want to just give up on the intelligence of the movie industry.

I know most people are like, yea they did this to Nick Fury and did a quick race change to allow Samuel Jackson the role.....again a bad choice to change something for a quick buck or hype....

Would people be upset if say they did a Black Panther movie with a white actor? Power Fist as as someone of Asian origin instead?  Perhaps make Thor female with a French accent?

How much is going too far from what is established and works?

The prior movies were not the best, but they tried and that won my respect despite the suck factor. This already has my disdain and I frankly will no go watch this movie and encourage anyone else to not give the movie industry any profit, wait for it to go to Redbox and rent it.....serious I don't think it would be worth more than this to watch.

What do you think?

New bags for my two Frontline FAT Mats!

I bought two mats from Frontline early in 2014, the bags that they came in slowly started to tear. I contacted Frontline to see if can purchase two more to replace my old ones with the newer design.

See the results! The new cases make the purchase of Frontline mats for new buyers that are looking for a high quality mat and carry option this could be for you. A bit more expensive than other options out there and again it comes down to what your needs are.

Happy New Year! Out with the old! In with the New!

First I would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year and best wishes to all for a great 2015!

I really need a good year myself....the past few years have been seeing family in and out of the hospital including my other having brain surgery and we just hit the one two year mark on that, my wife's mother passing in 2013, her sister passing a few years before and my brother in law passing this fall., plus add in over the past two years that I have had to put one of my own bassets down and my wife's father's family poodle as well. Throw in the disaster of the past few years my job getting cut and finding a new one. I am having a heck of a time trying to cram several years of experience of my co-worker and supervisor into a year is no easy feat and I feel that things will just come in time with a few hard knocks, but that is also a scary concept to think about when I find myself stumbling. Save for my wife, my wonderful dog and hobby these are the only things I think of that has kept me sane and grounded with all that has happened. Frankly, I am tired of the drama and sometimes I just want to break down, run away to some hidden island and live a quiet life away from everything.

So, enough of the sob story time for some fun stuff eh?

Kickstarters: I invested in 6 new ones: Strange Aeons 2nd Ed, Mad Bob's Hungarian Tank project, WWII Assault Skirmish game, Crossover Miniatures (two seperate ones) and Angry Mojo's big box of terrain. 

Here is the score: 

• WWII Skirmish Game: Estimated 2015 Feb.
• Angry Mojo Big Box of Terrain: On Target and received in December! A+ guys!
• Strange Aeons 2nd Ed: Aug 2015, I suspect earlier.
• Hungarian Tanks KS: Estimated April 2015, sounds like some items may be early.
• Crossover Miniatures: Rusty kicked ass in 2014, on time.
• Crossover Miniatures 2015: This just happened and Rusty seems to be keeping to the goals.
• Games and Gears Battle Boards: Delayed, but looks like mine may be here in Jan/Feb...
• Reaper Bones II: Est Dec 2014, overdue, but they are close to shipping...I didn't get much this time.
• Winter Wars: Gav is almost done, he sent me  message the last trucks are in and being shippped soon.
• Robotech: Got my first wave in fall, no word on 2nd wave, I am betting next fall as nothing has been teased yet.

What have I done goal wise?

• Painted a large WW2 German Force both FJ and Heer....still have tons to finish up though.
• Painted up a large Early War French Army still have several vehicles to finish up...
• Painted up a large Finnish WW2 army, again have lots to finnish up including vehicles...
• Finished Several Super Hero figs, again tons do.....
• Started to assemble some of my Robotech miniatures....not much progress here.
• Worked on a few Strange Aeons figs but mostly sorted my stuff to figure out what to do next...
• Finished several scenery items and expanded my collection....
• Purchased 2 mats from Frontline Games, love them ! 
• Purchased 5 more mats from Deep Cut Studios near the end of 2014 soon to arrive!
• Assembled almost all the Angry Mojo scenery!  
• Helped develop the Super System Rules, proofing and dropping ideas to help make the game better...
• Name in the credits for Super System 4!
• Purchased On the Seven Seas game...
• Recruited several new players to Bolt Action....slowly building the community.
• Returning in 2015 to Crucible IV with a second year of Bolt Action gaming!

What I have not really done in 2014 I wanted to do!

• Play as much Bolt Action as I would like. As a Sarge I give priority to players ahead of me if uneven attendance.
• Play Power Legions or SuperSystem 4 games...
• Play Shoot and Skeedaddle or Legends of the Old West
• Play On the Seven Seas or Legends of the High Seas
• Finish an entire WW2 army...like that will happen!
• Finish enough Robotech figures to play a game!
• Buy the Dropzone Commander city set.
• Buy any modern or future style buildings (Dredd, Supers, etc)
• Organize my hobby room like I want....
• Play Strange Aeons...
• Tried the Batman Miniatures game
• Tried the Star Wars fighter game...

Things I want for 2015 hobby wise:

• For Crucible IV to be bigger than last year with 18 players!
• Recruit More Bolt Action Players
• Play some of the games I did not get to play in 2014.
• More Bolt Action games!
• Try Gates of Antares (new Warlord Sci Fi game)
• Try the new WWI Bolt Action game out in fall...
• Try the new Fantasy Flight Stars Wars games Armada and the other mini one that has cool figs...just expensive!
• Get more stuff painted!
• Use the Airbrush more, perhaps buy a better one.
• Get more scenery for Old West, modern/future, WW2 and Robotech...
• Get rid of more 40k items....make a few bucks.

I am sure there is more, but this is a start!

Thank you to my Secret Santa!

So, in tradition of my family one gift got opened early before Christmas. I picked my Secret Santa one as I was REALLY wanting to know what I got. To my pleasure was a plastic church kit by Rendra. This has been on my list to buy for some time now after I picked up the barn kit and really enjoyed putting this together. I always thought this would be a great kit for Old West and Strange Aeons, perhaps even with a bit of work even WW2 stuff!

I am looking forward to getting this together soon! Thank you Leif! Great choice there my friend! I hope you like what I got you. Yep, I laughed when it turns out that out of the 28-30 Secret Santa's we drew one another! I got a kick out of reading your post, "What the hell did I get from Warlord" and it  was an easy buy as my buddy is making a German Afrika Corps army also.

Merry Christmas from Florida!

I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays (whatever you may celebrate) and enjoy the time with friends and family loving life.

Best wishes to all from Florida!

About time! Warlord releasing WW2 Senegalese Tirailleurs

Yep, Warlord dropped a 12 days of Christmas teaser saying there is a run of new French goodness which to me this has been one of the long overdue! Nobody made Senegalese Tirailleurs and I for one have been starving for them to enter my French Army, I was so desperate I was about to order WW1 figs to use! Now instead I get a cool boxed set with an SMG, LMG and Grenade Launcher! Whoo!


Can't wait to order two packs! Looks like 10 to a box based on the images shown...images are from Warlord Games!

Holy Giveaways Batman! It's a Batman giveaway! By Takes of a Tabletop Skirmisher

A cool giveaway is underway to giveaway two of the Knight Models Batman figs....

http://pressganger.blogspot.com/2014/12/batman-holiday-giveaway.html


Head on over and find out more at this great blog!

I was visited by not one but two Santa's this week!

You read that right, I got two surprises this week!

First a gift from my Sick-Reet Santa....not the good kind of gift or the one you would not want to be part of! Yea, a bacterial bronchitis infection hit me starting Saturday, but Sunday I was in bed and hated the world, by Monday I was telling my wife to take me to the Urgent Care. I went back to work today, I hate missing work, I would rather save my leave from PTO not being sick! If I am going to stay home I would like to work on my hobby stuff or spend time with my wife. Not coughing in bed and feeling like I went a few rounds with Cthulu! I would call myself functional now, but not better 100% still get winded easy, lungs are still clearing and the junk is still leaving my head....

Now, to the other Santa! The good one! The Secret Santa! Thank you, I got a package on Sunday, the Post Office delivered it either late Saturday or Sunday (I know they deliver Priority and Express on weekends around this time). It arrived safe and remains under the tree until the devil temps me first or I wait until Christmas Eve or Christmas to open. The funny thing is my wife is more excited than I am about the idea of a Secret Santa and thought it was cool that I was doing this (she is just the curious type that does not like surprises). I know mine already got his goodie and waits to open theirs on Christmas.....thanks again Secret Santa!

Oh no....

Oh well we can still have a Cthulu Christmas

Thanksgiving Today!

I think the image says it all! Today I am cooking cranberry sauce and three corn casserole to bring to my wife's brothers house where we are opted to gather this year. Tomorrow we are having a small feast also for food we really want to enjoy and love! Plus my wife likes my cooking!

What are you thankful for? I am thankful for the following:

• my wife
• my family
• my friends
• my pets (current and those that passed)
• good games
• great shows to enjoy on TV
• our freedom
• to those that came before us and settled this country and fought to make it is what it is today. We are far from perfect but it is a good country.

And if you have to ask, yes I own a basset hound, he is about 13-14 and is currently guarding the kitchen to ensure that nobody steals the cranberry sauce as it cool.

Saturday exploring Hernando County

Chris and I headed up to Hernando County on Saturday to check out a few things up there....

We first hit Harbor Freight where I purchased another of the yellow storage cases that works great for holding my Bolt Action Armies. Chris found an inexpensive calliper.

The case, has storage on top and 4 smaller trays.

Example of how I store my figures.

Space on top for the big goodies!

Next we hit Dana's Railroad Supply which I have to admit is a hidden jewel in Hernando County. This is a must stop for train enthusiasts, but also for those building scenery and need general hobby materials. Plus, their prices were very reasonable.

Chris bought some scenery materials and paint while I picked up a plastic strip to use as a girder for a building frame for my supersystem games. I also nabbed two Vallejio paints (which I will add they had two racks, not everything, but not all of Vallejio) and some plastic glue. 

Check them out! http://danasrailroadsupply.com/index.html

We made a quick stop at Tactical Supply, a military surplus store....sadly they had no Drill Sargent hats that were my size or a LT cap with butter bars! Oh well, it was still fun to walk around and look at the cool displays and items they have.

A great cartoon on Bell of Lost Souls

This was posted on Bell of Lost Souls a great 40k fourm and this made me laugh.....

To me this applies almost to every game that has small plastic fiddly parts....Robotech, Bolt Action as well as GW stuff!

Wed. Night Gaming at Anthem!

We had 8 attend the Warlord open gaming night at Anthem...we had 1 Japanese, 1 Finnish, 2 German, 1 American, 2 British and 1 Soviet.

Here are a few shots....