Category: Blog Page 3 of 49

Second Half Slump

By

On 15th October 2024

In Blog

Since the pandemic I have noticed that in the middle of the year, I seem to keep have a slump, just all my plans, motivation and drive drops off come the heat of the summer.

I dunno what it is, this year was no different, other than a nice bump for WorldCon, I have lost all my vroom, and I don’t know why.

In the day it feels like time just gets away from me and I don’t have the capacity to fit things in, perhaps it not having a proper schedule or just never quite recovering from Covid, I just don’t have a clue.

I know Lindsay’s moving anger workspace into the studio and then out again did really throw me and screw up my flow, but given that this has been happening for the past four years, I can’t blame that.

I know that there are things I wanna do with life, I am just bad at figuring them out and sorting out what I am doing with my time and life.

Maybe now that the house is settled into its shape for what I hope is a bit more long term I can kinda sort that out.

My plan is to sit down and hopefully convince Megan and Lindsay to help me sort out some sort of reasonable schedule to help get me back on track.

What I Am Modelling

Started out with a couple of Leman Russ Vanquishers for the Solar Auxilia, these are going to be getting a lot of use at Heresy Camp in May, but I do need a 3rd one

Then I painted a couple of Squig Herds and their Hearders

Followed by a few additions to the Deathwing, starting with a Company Master from Combat Patrol

And a squad of Deathwing Terminators, the majority here were 3D printed but the Cyclone Missile Launcher is from the old plastic kit

Alongside a couple of Dreadnoughts, a Redemptor of the Deathwing

And a Ballistus Dreadnought that I 3D printed, joining the 5th Company

Finally for the Dark Angels, a 3D printed Judicator

And I also painted a random Infection Marker I found on the floor

So yeah 3D printing is starting to really reap some rewards with me being able to print some fantastic models that I am really happy with.

But I am very wary because at the same time, I don’t want to be the guy that prints everything, I like the models that companies make.

But damn the process of pouring the resin in the vat, sending the file from your PC to the printer, and seeing these amazing models come out, it’s kind of addictive!

So what’s next?

  1. Blood Angels Land Speeders
  2. Domicile Shells x 2
  3. Space Wolves Intercessors x 10
  4. Karazai
  5. Ultramarines Terminator Captain & Aggressors x 3
  6. Dankhold Triggoth
  7. Imperial Fists Dispoiler Squad x 10
  8. Paragon Warsuits with Heavy Flamers x 3
  9. Von Ryan’s Leapers x 3 & Winged Prime
  10. Ultramarines Assault Squad x 10 & Sgts x 2

What I Am Reading

Still making my way through The Saint by Dan Abnett, and Hand of Abaddon by Nick Kyme.

What Video Games I Am Playing

I finally finished Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun on Exterminatus mode, and collected all the secrets, 100% all the original games achievements!

Alas, I do have Forges of Corruption to complete still, so will stream that next week.

Also started playing the Operations on Stream for Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2.

Also been playing Stampede Racing Royale, a game that Graham helped develop!

What I Am Spending

I have been saving for a platform upgrade for my PC and in the Prime sale, bought myself this nice little B650 board to allow me to go to an AM5 processor

Also bought a few games.

Birthday, Cassius and a Tournament

By

On 9th October 2024

In Blog

It was my birthday on Saturday, my 42nd, we had originally planned something grand because my 40th was a disaster, but sadly due to various personal things happening we had to make it much more well, not a lot at all.

We had a lovely breakfast of stottie filled with Lincolnshire sausages and mushrooms, and I opened my cards and a present from Megan and Lindsay, which was a Dieselpunk RPG called Age of Steel!

We headed up to my home city of Newcastle, and I headed straight to Forbidden Planet in the hope of getting a copy of Combat Patrol Issue 5.

Thankfully Forbidden Planet had a copy, so grabbed that, so I can add an Infernus Sgt to my Blood Ravens!

After this we headed to Middlesbrough, where we had a Wendy’s for lunch, followed by a visit to the Renault dealership, where we checked out the Megane, which is currently the favourite to be out next car come March.

Then we headed home, where I had a little nap!

Cassius

At 5pm we went and picked up a cat, Cassius

We hadn’t planned on adopting a new cat, but we had a bunch of spare rescue food we had bought for Jenny, and when we dropped it off at the rescue, well, Cassius convinced us he should come home with us.

So after a short couple of weeks whilst he had his vaccines, we were able to pick him up, and bring him home. He is a one eyed boy, having lost it in a fight when he was on the streets.

He is a beautiful boy, and really has made himself right at home, sleeping in the bed with us on night one!

Hopefully this cat will actually like me, unlike the other three who barely tolerate me!

Tournament

I played in Leon’s first monthly 40K tournament on Sunday, and I took my Ultramarines for their first ever games with this list!

Space Marines
Ultramarines
Gladius Task Force
Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Bladeguard Ancient (45 Points)
  • 1x Close combat weapon
  • 1x Heavy bolt pistol

Chaplain (60 Points)
  • 1x Absolvor bolt pistol
  • 1x Crozius arcanum

Lieutenant (65 Points)
  • 1x Bolt Pistol
  • 1x Close combat weapon
  • 1x Master-crafted bolter

Lieutenant with Combi-weapon (70 Points)
  • 1x Combi-weapon
  • 1x Paired combat blades

Uriel Ventris (75 Points)
  • Warlord
  • 1x Bolt Pistol
  • 1x Invictus
  • 1x Sword of Idaeus

BATTLELINE

Assault Intercessor Squad (75 Points)
  • 1x Assault Intercessor Sergeant
     ◦ 1x Astartes chainsword
     ◦ 1x Plasma Pistol
  • 4x Assault Intercessor
     ◦ 4x Astartes chainsword
     ◦ 4x Heavy bolt pistol

Intercessor Squad (80 Points)
  • 1x Intercessor Sergeant
     ◦ 1x Bolt pistol
     ◦ 1x Bolt rifle
     ◦ 1x Close combat weapon
  • 4x Intercessor
     ◦ 4x Bolt pistol
     ◦ 4x Bolt rifle
     ◦ 4x Close combat weapon

Intercessor Squad (80 Points)
  • 1x Intercessor Sergeant
     ◦ 1x Bolt pistol
     ◦ 1x Bolt rifle
     ◦ 1x Close combat weapon
  • 4x Intercessor
     ◦ 4x Bolt pistol
     ◦ 4x Bolt rifle
     ◦ 4x Close combat weapon

Intercessor Squad (80 Points)
  • 1x Intercessor Sergeant
     ◦ 1x Bolt pistol
     ◦ 1x Bolt rifle
     ◦ 1x Close combat weapon
  • 4x Intercessor
     ◦ 4x Bolt pistol
     ◦ 4x Bolt rifle
     ◦ 4x Close combat weapon

OTHER DATASHEETS

Aggressor Squad (120 Points)
  • 1x Aggressor Sergeant
     ◦ 1x Flamestorm gauntlets
     ◦ 1x Twin power fists
  • 2x Aggressor
     ◦ 2x Flamestorm gauntlets
     ◦ 2x Twin power fists

Ballistus Dreadnought (140 Points)
  • 1x Armoured feet
  • 1x Ballistus lascannon
  • 1x Ballistus missile launcher
  • 1x Twin storm bolter

Bladeguard Veteran Squad (90 Points)
  • 1x Bladeguard Veteran Sergeant
     ◦ 1x Heavy bolt pistol
     ◦ 1x Master-crafted power weapon
  • 2x Bladeguard Veteran
     ◦ 2x Heavy bolt pistol
     ◦ 2x Master-crafted power weapon

Eliminator Squad (85 Points)
  • 1x Eliminator Sergeant
     ◦ 1x Bolt pistol
     ◦ 1x Bolt sniper rifle
     ◦ 1x Close combat weapon
  • 2x Eliminator
     ◦ 2x Bolt pistol
     ◦ 2x Bolt sniper rifle
     ◦ 2x Close combat weapon

Firestrike Servo-turrets (75 Points)
  • 1x Close combat weapon
  • 1x Twin Firestrike autocannon

Firestrike Servo-turrets (75 Points)
  • 1x Close combat weapon
  • 1x Twin Firestrike las-talon

Inceptor Squad (130 Points)
  • 1x Inceptor Sergeant
     ◦ 1x Assault bolters
     ◦ 1x Close combat weapon
  • 2x Inceptor
     ◦ 2x Assault bolters
     ◦ 2x Close combat weapon

Infernus Squad (80 Points)
  • 1x Infernus Sergeant
     ◦ 1x Bolt pistol
     ◦ 1x Close combat weapon
     ◦ 1x Pyreblaster
  • 4x Infernus Marine
     ◦ 4x Bolt pistol
     ◦ 4x Close combat weapon
     ◦ 4x Pyreblaster

Infiltrator Squad (100 Points)
  • 1x Infiltrator Sergeant
     ◦ 1x Bolt pistol
     ◦ 1x Close combat weapon
     ◦ 1x Marksman bolt carbine
  • 4x Infiltrator
     ◦ 4x Bolt pistol
     ◦ 4x Close combat weapon
     ◦ 4x Marksman bolt carbine

Invader ATV (70 Points)
  • 1x Bolt pistol
  • 1x Close combat weapon
  • 1x Multi-melta
  • 1x Twin bolt rifle

Redemptor Dreadnought (210 Points)
  • 1x Heavy flamer
  • 1x Heavy onslaught gatling cannon
  • 1x Redemptor fist
  • 1x Twin fragstorm grenade launcher

Repulsor (180 Points)
  • 1x Armoured hull
  • 1x Heavy onslaught gatling cannon
  • 1x Hunter-slayer missile
  • 1x Repulsor defensive array
  • 1x Twin lascannon

My first game was against Luke and his Leagues of Votann, which is an army I really fancy collecting someday

The game went very badly for me, and by the end of turn 2 I had very little left on the table and had killed very little!

We made it to turn 4 but I was basically wiped out, and lost 66 to 23

For my second game I played with Matthew and his Adeptus Mechanicus, which was a very enjoyable game in which I wasn’t totally humiliated

I mean I still lost but in the game it didn’t feel too bad

And in the third and final game I played against Adam and his Tyranids, which was a much more even game, with me actually scoring stuff

Still lost but it was fun

I won myself the wooden spoon, sadly no actual physical one, but it was a great day

And it’s being run monthly, so paying for my ticket for next one when I get paid!

What I Am Modelling

I started the week with a Guardian Idol for my Age of Sigmar terrain box

And followed that up with a Warchanter

And Ironskullz Boyz from Warhammer Underworlds

After that I painted a pair of Invader ATVs for the Dark Angels, the first additions to the Ravenwing, starting with one armed with a Multi-Melta

Followed by one armed with an Onslaught Gatling Cannon

Then I turned back to the Ironjawz with a unit of Arrboyz for the Ironsunz

And a Treelord Ancient for the Sylvaneth

I also painted a pair of Sgts for my Heresy Ultramarines that I need for Heresy Camp

Plus the Combat Patrol issue 5 Infernus Marine Sgt for the Blood Ravens

So what’s up next?

  1. Blood Angels Land Speeders
  2. Domicile Shell x 2
  3. Leman Russ Vanquishers x 2
  4. Squig Herd x 20 & Squig Herders x 4
  5. Dark Angels Redemptor Dreadnought, Deathwing Terminators x 5 & Company Master in Terminator Armour
  6. Space Wolves Intercessors x 10
  7. Karazai
  8. Ultramarines Terminator Captain & Aggressors x 3
  9. Dankhold Troggoth
  10. Imperial Fists Despoiler Squad x 10

What I Am Reading

I finished listening to Reaper Man by Sir Terry Pratchett which is a great story, and the new recording is fantastic.

I also listened to Faith Stealer by Graham Duff to get back on track with my Doctor Who Monthly Range relisten.

I am currently listening to the latest Dawn of Fire novel, Hand of Abaddon by Nick Kyme.

And I am still working on The Saint by Dan Abnett, I finished Honour Guard and am now on to The Guns of Tanith.

What Video Games I Am Playing

Finished playing through Space Marine 2 on stream and that is being a lot of fun!

Myself Graham and Chris have started our Co-Op playthrough, which will be uploaded to the Edge of Empire YouTube channel.

What I Am Creating

I published the latest episode of Edge of Empire

And the latest Combat Patrol Battle Report

What I Am Backing

Got the Reliquary Red spray paint can from The Colour Forge Signature Series Kickstarter, which is gonna be perfect for my Blood Ravens

What I Am Spending

It’s Humble Choice week, so with that I got

Getting Back Into The Swing

By

On 29th September 2024

In Blog

After a few weeks in which I really haven’t been doing terribly well, a mixture of illness, the black dog and fatigue, I am really trying to get back into the swing of life, and actually do some stuff.

So lets try to get stuff done and not simply be depressed and sleep my life away!

Heresy Camp

Some cool lads led by Scottish Graham are running a Heresy Camp next May, and this is the list I am think of taking, bringing the Ultramarines out of Storage, and using some Legiones Auxilia.

XIII: Ultramarines

+ Rite of War: +

Rite of War: The Logos Lectora (UM)

+ HQ: +

Centurion
. Master of Signals: Artificer Armour
. . Bolt Pistol
. . Chainsword: Chainsword
. Master of Signals

Praetor: Warlord
. Legion Praetor: Argyrum-pattern Boarding Shield, Artificer Armour, Master-craft one weapon, Thunder Hammer, Volkite Serpenta

+ Elites: +

Apothecarion Detachment
. Apothecary: Bolt Pistol, Power Armour
. . Chainsword: Chainsword
. Apothecary: Bolt Pistol, Power Armour
. . Chainsword: Chainsword

+ Troops: +

Assault Squad
. Legion Assault Sergeant: Bolt Pistol, Heavy Chainsword, Power Armour
. 7x Legionary: 7x Bolt Pistol, 7x Chainsword
. Legionary w/ Options: Bolt Pistol, Power Axe
. Legionary w/ Options: Bolt Pistol, Power Axe

Tactical Squad
. Legion Tactical Sergeant: Bolt Pistol, Bolter, Power Armour, Power Fist
. 17x Legionary: 17x Bolt Pistol, 17x Bolter, 17x Chainsword
. Legionary w/ Options:: Bolt Pistol, Bolter, Legion Vexilla
. . Chainsword: Chainsword
. Legionary w/ Options:: Augury Scanner, Bolt Pistol, Bolter
. . Chainsword: Chainsword

Tactical Squad
. Legion Tactical Sergeant: Bolt Pistol, Bolter, Power Armour, Power Fist
. 17x Legionary: 17x Bolt Pistol, 17x Bolter, 17x Chainsword
. Legionary w/ Options:: Bolt Pistol, Bolter, Legion Vexilla
. . Chainsword: Chainsword
. Legionary w/ Options:: Augury Scanner, Bolt Pistol, Bolter
. . Chainsword: Chainsword

+ Fast Attack: +

Storm Eagle Gunship: Twin-linked Heavy Bolter
. Two Hull (Front) Mounted twin-linked lascannon

Storm Eagle Gunship: Twin-linked Heavy Bolter
. Two Hull (Front) Mounted twin-linked lascannon

+ Heavy Support: +

Fire Raptor Gunship: Four Hull (Front) Mounted Tempest Rockets, Two Sponson Mounted Gravis Heavy Bolter Batteries:

—————-

Allied Detachment

Legiones Auxilia (Ultramarines)

+ HQ: +

Tactical Command Tercio
. Tactical Command Section: Auxilia Vexilla, Command Vox
. . Aurox Transport
. . Auxilia Captain: Auxilia Captain, Heavy Void Armour
. . . Pistol and Combat weapon (Sub-menu): Close Combat Weapon, Laspistol
. . Auxilia Companion: Lasrifle
. . Auxilia Companion: Lasrifle
. . Auxilia Companion: Lasrifle
. . Auxilia Companion: Lasrifle

+ Troops: +

Infantry Tercio
. Line Command Section: Auxilia Vexilla, Command Vox
. . Auxilia Troop Master
. . . Pistol and Combat weapon (Sub-menu): Close Combat Weapon, Laspistol
. . 4x Auxilia Veteran w/ Lasrifle: 4x Lasrifle
. Rifle Sections: Augury Scanner, Auxilia Vexilla, Vox Interlock
. . Auxilia Sergeant: Lasrifle
. . 19x Auxilia w/ Lasrifle: 19x Lasrifle
. Rifle Sections: Augury Scanner, Auxilia Vexilla, Vox Interlock
. . Auxilia Sergeant: Lasrifle
. . 19x Auxilia w/ Lasrifle: 19x Lasrifle

+ Fast Attack: +

Carnodon Strike Squadron: Solar Auxilia Carnodon, Solar Auxilia Carnodon
. Turret Mounted Volkite Culverin
. Two Sponson Mounted Volkite Caliver

+ Heavy Support: +

Armoured Tercio
. Leman Russ Strike Squadron
. . Leman Russ Battle Tank: Heavy Bolter
. . Leman Russ Battle Tank: Heavy Bolter
. . Leman Russ Battle Tank: Heavy Bolter
. . Turret Mounted Vanquisher Battle Cannon and Co-axial Mounted Autocannon

I am going to be printing the Solar Auxilia dudes, as they are going to be specifically for only use with the Ultramarines.

I have printed the Assault Squad, alongside two new Sgts for the Tactical Squads, and I will be printing a second Carnodon.

I will need to buy a new Vanquisher however.

But I am planning on getting most of this ready by the end of January.

What I Am Modelling

I started out the week with a bunch of stuff to add to the Dark Angels, starting with a Company Master.

Then a Lieutenant armed with a Power Sword

And to finish this trip of officers, a Librarian of the Deathwing

Plus a unit of Aggressors

And here is a unit of Space Wolves Reavers for their Combat Patrol

I then painted up a unit of Neurogaunts for the Tyranids, which completes all the models from Leviathan

I needed a palette cleanser so I started work on my Aurox for the Solar Auxilia, painting with an Urban Camo scheme, that I am quite happy with

As well as a test model for the Ultramarines Auxilia allies, who will be the Calth High Guard 105th Regiment

After that I painted these Paragon Warsuits for my Argent Shroud, all armed with Multi-Meltas

And finally some Rockgut Troggoths to complete my Gloomspite Gitz Spearhead!

So what’s up next

  1. Blood Angels Land Speeders
  2. Domicile Shell x 2 & Guardian Idol
  3. Dark Angels Invader ATV x 2
  4. Ardboyz x 10, Itonskulz Boyz & Warchanter
  5. Treelord Ancient
  6. Leman Russ Vanquishers x 2
  7. Squig Herd x 20 & Herders x 4
  8. Dark Angels Redemptor Dreadnought and Deathwing Company Master
  9. Space Wolves Intercessors x 10
  10. Karazai

What I Am Reading

Currently listening to Reaper Man by Sir Terry Pratchett and I have to say the new recordings are exemplary, really something just so good about them.

Also enjoying The Saint by Dan Abnett, its a big book though and will take me some time I think.

What Tabletop Games I Am Playing

Had my first game of Spearhead against Paul, using the Orruk Warclans Kruleboyz Spearhead

As per usual I lost, but not terribly so

What Video Games I Am Playing

I finally finished God of War (2018), I will still be going back to clear up some collectables, and overall it was a decent game.

Not gonna lie, tempted to add it to Steam if I can get a good deal sometime.

I also started playing Space Marine 2 on Stream, got two campaigns going, one on my own as a single player!

And a second one I am starting with Chris and Graham!

I also started a playthrough of Marvel’s The Avengers on PlayStation 5

Originally I was gonna play it on the Steam Deck, but it only had a Silver rating on there from ProtonDB, and apparently the PS5 version has Spider-Man and the Steam version doesn’t, so yeah, no brainer

I picked up the disc for £5 when the live service side shit down a while back

What I Am Creating

The second Combat Patrol Magazine Battle Report got published, and it included the debut of my new intro video!

What I Am Spending

I got issue 3 of Combat Patrol to add a squad of Infernus Marines to the Dark Angels

I also treat myself for my birthday in a few weeks to the Hyperkin DuchesS, a controller release I have been looking forward to a lot!

I also got a few more Army Painter Fanatics paints, mostly replacing very well used Citadel ones

And I added to my Steam games library

Meet Smokey & Goodbye Jenny

By

On 16th September 2024

In Blog

We got another cat, meet DJ Smokey Suchong, aka Smokey, aka Smokey boy, aka Smokerson aka Smokestack!

Yeah he already has a lot of nicknames!

He came from Yarm Cat Rescue and since he arrived he has been a very shy timid and quiet boy, slowly adjusting to us

Most hiding behind the sofa, coming out at night, we are spying on him with the camera we have for Megan to monitor the bunnies when we are away

I did try to give him some tuna one Sunday as a treat, but alas, he savaged my finder and he must have thought he was being picked up, which he is not yet comfortable with, and gave me a nasty bite on my finger, which got very badly infected, resulting in two hospital visits, two courses of antibiotics and lots of pain. He is lucky he is cute!

But shortly after Smokeys arrival, Jennifur, our beloved old lady fell ill and after a short illness she sadly passed away at the age of 17.

It took us by surprise as until very recently she had been in perfect health with zero issues, and we are all very much devastated by this.

Jenny was a special girl and we are all going to deeply miss her.

3D Printing

The 3D Printer developed a fault just before WorldCon, the touchscreen died and could not be fixed via software.

But credit to Elegoo, they were super awesome and when provided with video and photos of the error shipped a replacement screen right away, and with the video they provided, was a quick 10 minute fix.

I now have it running fine, and figured out where to find the timelapse videos from, which is cool, kinda tempted to print something really big just to see the video!

Yeah I can see myself getting addicted to this particular hobby!

What I Am Modelling

So my 3D printer is now up and running and Turing into a little bit of a minis factory!

So I started off with this Overseer for my Imperial Fists, a new Consul without a model yet, and now he is gonna be part of the options I have for the Fists.

I then went on to paint up 20 Genestealers for my Tyranids, along with a Broodlord.

These were the classic models, but I popped them onto 32mm bases, and had to grab a couple extra sprues to have the minimum sizes for the latest codex

And then I painted up my two models of Roboute Gulliman, one that I got with the Triumvirate of the Primarch and the other with Imperium

After that I got some Squig Hoppers done, two units of 5, but thanks to unit size changes, I need another box of these

And this was followed up by a unit of Barbgaunts!

And then I finished up a Mega-Boss on Maw Krusha

So what’s up next?

  1. Blood Angels Landspeeders x 2
  2. Dark Angles Captain, Lt & Aggressors x 3
  3. Paragon Warsuits with Multi-Melta x 3
  4. Domicile Shell x 2 & Guardian Idol
  5. Space Wolves Reivers x 5
  6. Rockgut Troggoths x 3
  7. Dark Angels Invader ATV x 2
  8. Ardboyz x 10, Ironskullz Boyz & Warchanter
  9. Treelord Ancient
  10. Leman Russ Vanquishers x 2

What I Am Reading

I finally finished reading The Heart of Iuchiban by Evan Dicken, which was good, but I am not sure why it took me so long to read, a review will follow in time!

Siege of Vraks by Steve Lyons was good, I wanted a bit, I dunno, more from such an iconic war when put to prose, but it was fine.

I read Edge of Catastrophe by Jane Killick and who could imagine a book about failed potato crops could be so thrilling!

I have now started on The Saint by Dan Abnett, which I have been looking forward to a lot, and I am listening to Reaper Man by Sir Terry Pratchett.

What Video Games I Am Playing

I finished Assassin’s Creed Rogue on Twitch

And I started and finished a playthrough of Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine in time for next weeks release of the sequel!

And myself, Graham & Chris started playing some Space Marine 2 together!

What I Am Creating

The next episode of Edge of Empire was published

Doing some battle report videos for the Combat Patrol Magazine and published the Issue 01 video

What I am Spending

Got a few bits for some 3D printing!

First off some new resin to play with, following everyone’s recommendations I grabbed this bottle of Sunlu ABS-Like Resin, cause literally everyone was telling me this is the best sort to use!

Of course I then grabbed a 3kg bottle when I ran through the 1kgs worth!

I also grabbed some IPA to clean this with.

And a couple of pickling jars to put that in and do the job!

I also got the final issue of Stormbringer for the Dragons, this time just the bases, not so sexy, but oh so useful!

And I also got the last two issues to build Swampboss Skumdrekk, with the one from my subscription to be used to build a Snatchaboss on Sludgeraker Beast!

And I got the first issue of Combat Patrol

Plus a single copy of the second one

In terms of other video games, I bought the Capcom Summer 2024 Humble Bundle which netted me

Humble Choice for September got me

I also bought

WorldCon 2024 – Day 5

By

On 20th August 2024

In Blog

This was supposed to have been posted ages ago, but alas the day we got home from WorldCon we all came down with Covid and still suffering!

Well the day started with a trip to the Glasgow Dental Hospital for an emergency appointment, and I have walked away with an anti-biotics, which can’t be filled in England, so a trip to a pharmacist before we cross the border.

Me and Lindsay then got into the SEC where we had a snack and chilled out for a bit, and I headed off to the panel on Baldurs Gate 3.

That was a naming panel with its senior writer and games director, and a few of the voice actors in the audience too.

Great panel and a lot of fun

After that, it was next door to a panel on Safety Tools for Tabletop Roleplaying Games which was a very helpful panel and a lot of useful tips were obtained.

My final panel was the 25th Anniversary of Star Wars: Epsiode 1 – The Phantom Menace.

I really like the movie, it the panel pretty much all agreed they weren’t fans of it!

Then I moved into the Armadillo for the closing ceremony and the handover of the gavel to Seattle 2025.

And that’s me done for a WorldCon for the next 5 years, as a disabled man pretty much completely dependent on benefits a WorldCon not in the British isles is just out of reach.

Myself, Lindsay and Megan are all however planning on attending EasterCon next year, I have just spent a bit of time on AirBnB pricing somewhere up, sadly the Hilton is way out of our budget!

WorldCon 2024 – Day 4

By

On 12th August 2024

In Blog

I missed the early morning of the con due to toothache, I just needed a bit more sleep, and I am at the point where I am having to use water to try and numb the tooth and reduce the pain

Heading for the 1pm panel I wanted to attend which was panel on What are Reviews For? Balancing Critique, Recommendation, Promotion and the Art of Criticism in the written review, mostly cause I really want to get back into reviewing books

O had to leave at the 40 minute mark as my toothache briefly became overwhelming and I could no longer concentrate at all

So I took a break went and got an energy drink and a Mars bar, then made my way back to the Crowne Plaza for 3D Printing: What’s Available, Getting Started, and Current Trends, and having recently bought myself a new printer, and Elegoo Saturn 4 Ultra, I really wanted to attend this panel, like very much so!

It was a great panel and had people ranging from a basic hobbiests to a DARPA engineer and they discussed tech from the basic £75 addictive printer, right up to multi-million printers that can create objects out of titanium and beryllium that have been sent into space

Really wish this was recorded so I can watch it later

My next panel was Making Space for Making, cause yeah my space is kinda tight so tips and hints on how to optimise that would be handy.

It didn’t really cover any of that but was great cause they just spoke about practical hobbies for making stuff!

Then it was the Another Castle concert which I missed in Dublin and have been itching to see since then

And that was so much fun, absolute joy!

After that I went back to the AirBnB where we did some emergency filing work on my tooth then called 111 for an appointment, it was just that bad

An appointment was arranged for the next day at 9:30am and we had a cheeky Nandos for tea

We then returned home after buying some teething gel, and I built a Macro-Plasma Incinerator

So today is the last day, which will involve a dentist trip!

WorldCon 2024 – Day 3

By

On 11th August 2024

In Blog

I finally got to sleep about 2:30am, once I was asleep it was fine but in general as soon as I go upstairs at night in the house the toothache hits.

Gonna try taking my painkillers a bit earlier today, but in general I cannot wait to get home to my own beds.

We started the day with a lorne sausage and egg stottie and then realised that Lindsay’s legs had swollen a huge amount over two day.

So she and Megan decided to rest up and be online attendees today, so me and Paul headed off in his car so he could charge it, but ran into a slight issue.

The owner of the house was holding a wedding and right where we needed to drive through, in order to leave, was where they were taking photographs.

So we had to wait a bit of a while, but eventually got underway and successfully made it to the SEC and got Paul’s car on charge, though that was a chew on cause of Paul’s impatience.

My first panel of the day was in the Crowne Plaza and was Tabletop Games: Then and Now, which as you will all know is right up my street, and that was looking at the revival of board games in the past couple of decades.

The panel was fun, but was kinda dominated by one of the panellists who focused almost exclusively on RPGs and less on board games.

Still a great panel, but one of the panellists just couldn’t get a word in edgewise and I actually really wanted to hear from him.

But it is what it is, some people naturally are very good at being able to talk very dominantly, not necessarily a bad thing.

After that I headed over to the SEC for DIY Audiobook Production to get some ideas for the podcast and some bits and bobs we want to do with it!

Was pretty good, but could have used with a bit more focus on actual DIY recording, there seemed to have been an assumption of using professional studios to a degree.

I really wanted to ask a question, but they left only 4 minutes for questions so only a couple were able to be asked and they spent a lot of time answering them, so my question never got asked.

The question would have been, for the DIY audio book producer, how will machine learning technologies like background noise removal impact them either positively or negatively.

But yeah very little on DIY stuff and a big focus on celebrity narrators and really professional level stuff.

Overall, have to say, my least favourite panel so far, felt like they hadn’t read the panel description and just spoke about their work with people like Wil Wheaton and Stephen King.

Then it was back off to the Crowne Plaza off to Governments in SFF, a topic I am always interested in.

Fairly interesting, especially as it looked at why so many SFF stories look to monarchy and empire as the types of governments they talk about.

I had wanted to get into the Personal Branding workshop, but failed to get selected for that.

I know the panels have been an actual lottery, but myself, Lindsay and Megan have put our names forward for at least one every day and not been successful in getting into any of them.

I know it’s supposed to make it more fair than someone simply turning up early to sign up, but when you get knocked back in for every single one it’s fairly frustrating, almost like why am I even bothering.

After a brief wanted round the Hucksters room, I then attended You Never Walk Alone: The Best Animal Companions in SFF which was a good and interesting panel, but there was a lot of rambling and in general stories about the participants animals, which is never a bad thing!

The final panel of the day I attended was on the 30th Anniversary of Stargate and that was the most fun panel of the day!

I asked a question about the lesser known members of the franchise, Infinite and Origins, which none of the panel were at all really familiar with!

After that kinda had to give up the toothache was too much so I retired to Hall 4 and had some gyros for my tea.

We attended the parties for Japans Halcon, which was pretty fun and the Dublin 2029 party, which both me and Lindsay have a soft spot for, as we both really loved Dublin 2019!

After that myself Lindsay and Megan returned to the AirBnB where I built a Lieutenant for the Dark Angels, and then retired to bed

The toothache seems to be getting worse, so no idea how I am gonna manage the next couple of days

WorldCon 2024 – Day 2

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On 10th August 2024

In Blog

Oh last night my sleep was dreadful, like properly terrible!

So dragged myself out of bed and had a lorne sausage stottie, cooked by Paul, but burnt but tasty.

Then myself and Paul got dropped off for a 10am panel, I went to The Second Difficult Album, a panel about podcasts and how to take them that little bit further.

Very concentrated on the fannish community, but some lessons I can apply to Edge of Empire!

I then ended up in the quiet space for 90 minutes whilst I had a little nap

Followed by a panel on mixed successes in RPGs

I struggled with this one, simply because the room was very hot and poorly ventilated and air conditioned.

And whilst I have had zero issues following people wearing masks, one of the participants had a mask that made her particularly hard to follow sadly

After that I wanted into an Ashoka panel, but that sadly was full so I grabbed lunch, I though we had made a packed lunch, but alas we didn’t so I had some Jammy Dodgers and a Calypo!

Following a wander round the hucksters room, I headed off to my next panel which was Creative Content Creators, in an attempt to pick up some hints and tips for the podcast and battle reports stuff!

It was pretty good, with a lot of suggestions that I admit we have heard before, mostly in consistency, and just jump in and do what you actually want to do.

So yeah might get that other podcast I really want to do done

Then I had to rush down to try and catch The Dark Room, a show I have been wanting to see for years, but never have managed to get tickets for whilst at the UK Games Expo

And I got in with a bit of time to spare and had a really really good time, it was as funny as everyone said it was and was over the moon to be able to finally attend this well loved show, that has been on my radar for over a decade!

And finally for the day I wanted to attend the Tubes and Grams, Blogs and Toks: Reviewing Across the Internet panel

So I stayed back with Paul whilst Lindsay and Megan went back and made tea.

It was a good panel, and as an occasional reviewer, pretty helpful.

We then headed home cause myself, Megan and Lindsay were all absolutely exhausted and needed to try and catch an early night.

Our tea was sloppy joes on garlic bread and that was

And I built an Impulsor for the Dark Angels to maintain the #HobbyStreak

And finally headed to bed, where I played a bit of Death Stranding before heading off to sleep

WorldCon 2024 – Day 1

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On 9th August 2024

In Blog

Day one of WorldCon was

Started off with a breakfast of a couple of bagels, then we headed off the SEC, where the BEV charging point refused to work.

We got registered ok, and then hung about for a bit before heading to our first panels.

I tried to get into a panel on indie TTRPGs but it was full, so had a nap in the quiet room.

Then I hit a panel on Cosy Games.

I am not really a cosy gamer, but it sounded fun, and my hope that Lindsay and Megan would find some games to play other than Animal Cross and Dreamlight Valley, actually may have worked.

After that I grabbed a quick snack (a chicken and stuffing sandehich from McCoys), then headed to my next panel, Writing for Video Games.

I have no plans to write a video game, but we do write for Heresy events and Company of Legends, so hoping I could pick up some tips and hints to improve that

After that I went to a panel called Big Bytey Bugs! When Is the Next Computer Apocalypse Due? which was really interesting and considered the issues facing the world, given our dependency on IT and IT infrastructure, especially in the wake of the CrowdStrike failure recently

And I asked my first question of the day which was about the recent attempt to insert malicious code into xz and our current dependence on just a handful of companies for various parts of the internet.

The it was a panel for the 25th Anniversary of The Mummy, which Megan has been chomping at the bit to go to, it’s one of their favourite films.

Was quite fun, lots of the jokes being talked about and a general agreement that Tom Cruises should never have existed!

My last panel of the day was Worldbuilding in Gaming which was something I am very interested in, particularly for our Horus Heresy events, and perhaps that novel I dream of one day writing, not probably never will!

Was fairly interesting but not sure how much I can apply to what I want to do

After that we headed off to Nando’s for tea, myself and Megan shared a full platter

Then we headed home all exhausted, I built some Incursors for my Dark Angels and then hit the hay.

But it took me hours to sleep due to a toothache from the pulpititus

Also I did grab a small haul here

Loving my time here and hopefully day 2 will be just as good!

Off To WorldCon/The Eclipsing War

By

On 8th August 2024

In Blog

As I publish this, we are at the Glasgow 2024 WorldCon, the first UK WorldCon in a decade and the first WorldCon for Megan and Paul.

We headed up to Glasgow on Wednesday morning, taking both ours and Pauls BEVs, so transport was cheap as chips!

After a brief stop at Lockerbie services to charge we arrived around about lunchtime in Glasgow

We found Warhammer, and Bird and Blend, had a fairly disappointing bagel for lunch

After that we headed over to our AirBnB which is what seems to be the old Servants Quarters of a big house!

I took a bit of time to build something for my #HobbyStreak, in this case some ETB Aggressors that will join the Dark Angels

We went food shopping, had chilli then went to bed!

The Eclipsing War

On Sunday myself and Graham ran the first Edge of Empire single day event in a long while, The Eclipsing War.

The game was played over 3 missions,, and we used a set of Stratagems and a set of Warlord Fatality tables, one for infantry and one for vehicles.

Plus some custom game stratagems.

The setup was actually done for us on arrival, cause the players and Phil are super awesome!

And we just got into it with an amazing set of games, which came down to a single point tipping it in the favour of the traitors, even though Mission 1 was kind of biased in favour of the traitors.

After that we judged the armies for the best army award, a choice that is based not only on painting, but on theme and composition, which was won by this Ultramarines army from Michael Weatherstone

Game 2 followed which was a draw, so the Loyalists could now achieve a draw overall

The 3rd and last game though, saw a Traitor win for them to seal a victory!

Finally we have out the prizes, the few we had and went home

Think it went well, everyone seemed to enjoy it and we are being asked to run another one soon

What I Am Modelling

I painted this Infernus Squad for my Ultramarines

Alongside a pair of Marines Clangers, one helmeted, one bare headed

So what’s next on my list?

  1. Genestealers x 20 & Broodlord
  2. Squid Hoppers x 10
  3. Robutte Gillian x 2
  4. Barbgaunts x 5
  5. Blood Angels Landspeeders x 2
  6. MegacBoss on Maw-Krusha
  7. Paragon Warsuits with Multi-Melta x 3
  8. Domicile Shell x 2 & Guardian Idol
  9. Space Wolves Reivers x 5
  10. Rockgut Troggoths x 3

What I Am Spending

Forgot to list some video games I had bought recently!

It was also Humble Choice so I got from that

And I bought the Board Game Night Humble Bundle that got me:-

I also picked up Stormbringer 77 this morning, two copies, one to make a Knight-Draconis and another for the Stormdrake Guard to join the one from last week.

And a new painting handle, cause yeah, I need all the handles, well I want to have 21, so I can do a big unit of 20 plus a HQ

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