The Art of Diplomacy

Evenin' All

More Star Wars last night and not for the first time not a shot was fired!

If anything, it was a nice break from the recent firefights and everyone still got to be involved as intel was gathered as the run-up to the big set-piece final battle.
The character interaction within the group has built up nicely with crucial plot-points a point of polite contention between the characters.

I keep on finding myself a little under-prepared at times and i'm still not using the villians full range of skills and abilities so have determined to spend each previous Monday night completing prep and reading up.
It's not proper toys but it's still hobby and something I want to be doing. Resolution!

I've never liked buying into hype but Avatar was a particuarly awsome watch and i'd quite happily go back to see it again anytime soon.

Everything was, quite simply, so well done and complete both visually and within the plot. I'm sure I must have missed so much. The amount of time and effort that went in was so obvious.

I didn't get to my feet during the credits, as at least half on the cinema did but I had to join with the applause. A DVD must.
Just to make the point, I genuinely feel that District 9 measures up in a lot of ways but will loose out simply to the CGI.

I've finally got some paint onto figures for the first time this year and i'm pleased that it's the Jap Marines as they're my first historical figures for a while.
The aim is to have the full force painted up for the start of the Pacific '44 campaign. Tues 9th Feb is D-Day.

No PPs just yet, basing Fase!, but a chance to reap the whirlwind!

I've also come to the conclusion that the FoW Germans will soon be finding thier way onto E-Bay. They're not getting any use with me and seem highly unlikely to do so.

It niggles at me to do so but I promised myslef a leaner, meaner hobby and it's an inevitable conclusion. They're likely to be recycled into AT-43 Oni.

And back to where I started! A few more Star-Clix weathered and based, fringers all.

Anyway, must crack on. I need to provide the guys with some maps and info to plan thier next move and cover all of the bases from my side. A few tricks up the sleeve are never a bad idea. They're using the club forums to agree a plan. Homework for us all!!

The club has also set up an Open Day for Sat 3oth of this month and i'm going to be running a Blood-Bowl 7s league. I found the rules as a free download on the GW site under Out of Print Games within Specialist Games along with Dark Future and Adeptus Titanicus.

Crikey!!

I love it when a plan comes together!!

TA-DA!!!

The first bit of hobby work for 2010, i've put together all of the Space-Hulk figures. To be honest it's something of a travesty that i've left them on the sprue for so long. Bad Steve!

I've been really impressed with the extremely high quality of what are primarily three piece push together figures but then i'm old enough to remember some very one dimensional prior offerings.

The marines are excellently animated with many instant "classic" poses among them.

I've been tempted to go for an alternative paint scheme for them. A couple of net searches has found me a number of successor chapters but they're all similarly RED. I quite fancied doing them as Blood-Drinkers, which was how I painted my very first figures as a kid. Just not quite sure how i'd do so?

Maybe i'll just go for some excessive personal heraldry.

The same dilema faces me with the 'Stealer horde. I quite fancy the Red on Bone scheme but that'll clash and the classic purple suits the dark feel of a Space-Hulk. An Aliens' Grey is a possibility but seems overly dull. Maybe a test figure first?
The 'Stealers will be painted first, to break the back of the project and set the shemes. It's also because I REALLY want to paint the marines first but shouldn't for that very reason.

First club night of the new decade tomorrow night! Not entirely sure what we're playing, could depend on who manages to struggle through the impending white-out.
I'll be packing the Jap Marines, which I will be my priority project for the month. More practice games this month for the campaign kick-off in Feb.Meanwhile, after a bit of prompting, i've had a look at some of the first shots for the new A-Team movie............ how cool is that :)Finally getting around to seeing Avatar Wednesday night but this one is a definate must see!

My comment shall be forth-coming wether you want to know or not!

Invaders must DIE!

Yesterday afternoon the missus and I went and saw District 9 at the flicks. She was unimpressed and felt that it was overly grim, I LOVED it!

It's a modern day sci-fi adventure shot in a semi-documentary style which I found to be a refreshingly new slant on the genre. The CGI is excellently understated, blending in beautifully to the film's grim real-life qualities which are a real antidote to all the "Trek shininess" which I personally can find so irritatingly insincere.

The anti apartheid sub-plot is somewhat overt with an execellently evil multi-corp doing it's thang as only evil multi-corps can. Threaded amongst amongst this, along with a voodoo worshipping Nigerian warlord, is a sensitive story of epic loss and the struggle to regain a two world's "humanity".

There is also genuine humour and many genuinely touching moments, similarly understanded. There's also just enough laser guns and a death by flying pig!
I really need to find some merchandise to purchase.

Apparantly i'm going to have to pay by being "chick-flicked" at some point, though this is a price that i'm more than happy to pay.

We also went to Wembley on Saturday for Saracens vs Northampton with the Dawes. Despite concerns that the stadium might dwarf the game it was not to be so and a very entertaining afternoon.
The first half was scrappy for both sides but the second half ignited quickly with the Saints unfortunate to be held off after an opportunistic Sarries try and a last gasp try of thier own being disallowed. An excellent game won by just 3 points.


More importantly Wasps beat Bath 17-15 at the Rec to top the table. Happy days. Next week is Worcester at home.

Young Nathan Dawe kindly enquired as to my progress with the big yellow robot. The answer, unfortunately, is none as work has dominated recently.
I have however got enough adventure written for tomorrow evening's Star Wars RPG and cleared myself this evening with the brushes.

Roll on home time.