The 'Old Year' is steadily ebbing away, leading to a strange mixture of emotions, of melancholy reflection on Hobby times past and exciting anticipation of the Hobby times to come. Perhaps here you have detected a seasonal overexpossure to A Christmas Carol, in several iterations, over Christmas time. So, with that firmly in mind its the Spirit of Games Played which gets first turn...
Over the course of the year I have managed to play 47 games, either here in GHQ or over with Phil at Olaf’s HQ. Of those I won 23, drew 5, and lost 19: as ever living up to my truly average persona as a tabletop battlefield general! In all of this of course I was aided, or otherwise, by...those capricious 'dice gods', whose allegiance seems to vasilate between gamers almost from one cast of the dice to the next...
Turning now to a review of my efforts wielding the Brush of Doom and reducing the volume of the legendary Lead Pimple, my records show I painted 814 28mm figures over the course of year. Early in the year I was completing figures for my Late Roman, Punic War and Crimean War collections. These lead into painting my Kickstarter purchase of Matt Bickley's Vikings for Footsore. Enjoying those so much I went on to add some Welsh to the 1066 & All That collection, also by Matt: not forgetting a dabble in Fantasy Vikings with Bicca Biccasson of course! I guess many visitors became heartily sick though of seeing endless Wars of the Roses figures in the second half of the year, but the small project is almost at a close now...almost. I would have done more but Karma has struck me in the form of a RSI from wielding the Brush of Doom so frequently! So, no painting in the dog days of 2025 while I rest my hand and hopefully recuperate ready to go again in 2026!
Probably the saddest news of the year for me was the announced demise of WMMS in what would have been the year of its 50th iteration! It was one of only four Shows which I managed to attend over this year, the others being Hammerhead, Partizan, and The Other Partizan. Next year looks pretty sparse without WMMS, with Hammerhead in March now the first event planned.
Turning lastly then in the company of the spirit of my Hobby Yet to Come in the year ahead and my 'Vague Aspirations', once more I find I have even less to offer... I'd obviously hope to finish my Wars of the Roses project, there are just 6 mounted MAA figures left to tackle, unless more are en route that is! GHQ is looking increasingly crowded, so if anything new is to appear then something older and little played needs to move on to a new home: Darkest Africa anyone, Pulp Adventures, Cold War Gone Hot? All could move on at the right price. Right now as I finish this post I have neither firm plans nor vaguest aspirations to work towards, perhaps age has finally caught up with me? We shall have to see if...
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Time will tell, of at least that we can be certain if nothing else.
Despite this somewhat melancholy ending to the hobby year I have enjoyed time in the company of my friends, both here in GHQ and beyond. I must endevour to take a leaf from old Eberneezer's conversion and plunge right in to our wonderful hobby and see what comes along.
Finally, once again I've managed to furnish many of my friends with a wall calendar on which they can hopefully record their many hobby high points in the year ahead and perhaps remember something they especially enjoyed here in GHQ or found an interesting read on this blog even. And on that note I'll conclude these ramblings and wish all my friends, followers and casual blog visitors a very...
I can agree with most everything there David. Your comments on the future being especially poignant for me. As per your own advice KBO mate.
ReplyDeleteA very productive year despite the eye and hand issues. Looking at your game stats I may have won more games than I think despite the dice hating me. Being a founder member of WMMS show it is indeed very saddening that it has reached the end of the line.Times they are a changing but we must KBO, here’s to 2026!
ReplyDeleteA fond and happy if a little sad look back for you David. The calendar is really neat! Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteA really productive year David I’d almost forgotten your Crimea stuff having seen so much WoTR a in the last couple of months. As you say playing games on nice terrain with good figures and good company is what it is about so just keeping doing what you enjoy. The secret for me is not keeping too many records and then I don’t fall into the danger of comparing activity with the past. As for the future I’m sure the inspiration will strike just give it time. We’ll see you on the other side of NYear
ReplyDeleteThat is an impressive number of figures painted and I am looking forward to some Wars of the Roses actions gracing your table. I hope your rested hand improves from its RSI, I am in a similar situation with my right shoulder … Boo-Hiss.
ReplyDeleteI too will miss WMMS, it is / was one of my four regular shows per year and managed to keep its own character throughout.
Yes, KBO, we shall never surrender! Sounds a bit Churchillian :-)
Best Wishes for the New Year.