Back to the review of 2018 though for now. I see from the aforementioned diary that in the year I played 50 games, mostly against my friends and steadfast opponents Phil and Jon I should say, winning 22, drawing 14 and loosing14. Overall a pretty average performance, as ever of course. What was new though was a conscious decision on our part to consolidate the rules we played, rather than dip into numerous sets. This meant sadly leaving several sets I had written and published in favour of Black Powder as I found I simply could not cope with remembering what went where in each game. Age brings wisdom they say, but not improved memory I’ve found, so it’s simpler to use one core set for several genres we play. When we branch out into Ancients, ECW, Italian Wars and WWII I find I lean heavily on Phil especially as he’s far more into rules than I am now a days. Hardly fair to him perhaps but it seems to work for us.
Painting continues to be a solitary pleasure, though developing arthritis in my right hand allied to early stage cataracts in both eyes has sometimes made for difficulties. I see from the record I added 536 figures to the stock of resources in GHQ, though the Lead Pimple remained resolutely of the same sort of size. Must be some sort of magic thingy at work there! I only paint 28mm figures now of course, still in a range of periods and genres, but mostly in the late C18th to the early C20th. I’ve never thought of myself as more than an average standard of painter but I’m still generally really chuffed by the look of my armies on the tabletop, if not so much close up! I put this down to some advice I was given years ago now: ‘Faces, Flags, and Bases’! Well, Flags I can buy for almost any period now; faces I'm less good at now, having largely given up on eyes for example; bases I do work a little harder at now, though the benefits of laser cut MDF can’t be underestimated in the overall finished look of a unit or individual base. As the Lead Pimple has recently expanded significantly I hope 2019 will prove to be equally productive and satisfying as 2018 was!
I’ve already alluded to a significantly reduced frequency of visits to wargames shows and hobby stores and explained partly the reasons behind that. I’d like you to humour me a little though as I share my thoughts on this important aspect of our hobby for a while. I always used to look forward to the opening of the Show Circuit each Spring, usually back then at WMMS, and would often chalk up 20 plus Shows in the year, several in company with Phil and our Demo Game for that year. I really enjoyed showing our games to fellow enthusiasts, even those of the Trappist persuasion, but advancing years and the onset of hearing issues lead to that aspect fading away. Now in the role of just another punter I have to admit I find many shows a bit samey. I find them a bit like Medieval markets really, moving on from place to place over the year, but still featuring the same faces in the Trade and Gaming aspects. I realise that’s not the fault of either organisers or featured gamers, rather
perhaps it’s me in a new phase of my hobby life. This is one reason I enjoy the Scottish shows of Carronade and Claymore, featuring some traders and gamers who don't venture down south as well as the chance to meet my many Scots friends. I no longer buy much at shows, thanks to the net of course, and while I can admire a grand game I can often see it later and better on Blogs and Forum Boards. I still enjoy chatting with old chums of course, but the buzz of shows has largely evaporated for me.
That ought to keep me occupied for a fair chunk of next year {DV}...
I just wanted to say that I've greatly enjoyed following your blog this past year, and best of luck to you in the coming year.
ReplyDeleteThank you for those kind words, much appreciated.
DeleteNice post,never been to many shows so I can't make comparisons,I have particularly enjoyed your Italian wars project and of course your pictured Palazzo!
ReplyDeleteBest Iain
Thanks Iain. I have some new Italian Wars figures to do in 2019.
DeleteLooking forward to seeing what 2019 will bring.
ReplyDeleteMe too George! Where will the muse take us I wonder?
DeleteReally enjoy following your blog and all the great looking games and very much looking forward to seeing what follows in 2019.
ReplyDeleteChristopher
Thanks Christopher. I shall do my best to keep up the standards!
DeleteInteresting post David. Its amazing how your year mirrors mine. I to have a wargaming partner, John who provides the knowledge of rules that I neglect through basic idleness. All I want to do is push around lovely painted toy soldiers and enjoy the game. I dont keep a record of my games, again I rely on John for this although he vehemently refuses to let me read the diaries he has kept since the 1970's.Hopefully we will bump into yourself next year at one of the shows.
ReplyDeleteNice to know I'm not on my own Robbie. Hope to see you at Partizan in May!
DeleteThank you for an interesting year of posts...
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed watching the Italian Wars project take shape.
I agree with you on wargame shows... so maybe it’s an age thing... ;-)
All the the best. Aly
Thanks Aly, your encouragement is appreciated. I think we are right, it is an age thing with shows...
ReplyDeleteI've thoroughly enjoyed our games in 2018 Mr.B. and rather look forward hostilities recommencing in January, 2019. ;-D
ReplyDeleteStill us hope for more grand games in 2019 Jon.
DeleteKBO regardless old chum, looking forward to our games, your developing projects and the odd show visits in 2019.
ReplyDeleteKBO is the only way to go really! We shall start the year off a day early with Rapid Fire Resurgent...
DeleteThe trouble with shows is that they are eye candy with a shopping mall and when you have the eye candy already and no need for new stuff, their function is reduced to socialising. Therein lies your problem!
ReplyDeleteThat could well be true.
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