2017 Round Up and 2018 Plans

A new year rolls around, time for a recap of 2017. An up and down year but I finished strong and have some renewed energy to start 2018. Looking forward to substantial progress on my 6mm sci fi forces.

2017 Painting 
J: 120
F: 60
M: 0
A: 64
M: 112
J: 96
J: 168
A: 0
S: 0
O: 0
N: 0
D: 133
Total: 753...I am on the uptick!

2017: 753
2016: 712
2015: 431 
2014: 1708
2013: 1990
2012: 1119
2011: 1013
2010: 1389
2009: 441

Games in 2017: 

11, I would like to get in 1 game a month in 2018.

Budget in 2017:
$1818 for the year. $818 over budget 
(plus $1000 total expenses at Historicon with the hotel, gas/tolls, and food.
Budget: <$1000 plus Historicon expenses....not a good year :(


Plans for 2018:
1- 6mm Sci Fi

2- Wooden Warriors

3- Zombies

4- Spending: Keep things to <$1000, plus Historicon expenses. Really need to abide by my budget this year. I know I will buy some 6mm sci-fi...but they are the only planned purchases right now.

5- Gaming plans
- 6mm Sci fi
- Wooden Warriors
- Katzenstein Campaign
- Pulp Alley
- 15mm Fantasy

6- Fantasy Rules: continue to tinker and add in the magic and characters/leaders portion; use my new home card deck

7- Local Gaming: get in at least 2 games with the local crew

8- Attend Historicon and check out NJCon


Review of the Plans for 2017:
1- Katzenstein OPFOR expansion: figures on hand, in progress      
a. Finish infantry by end of January     
b. Leaders in Feb     
c. Artillery in March     
d. Cavalry by end of July (Historicon)
---COMPLETE: I finished the Katzenstein project. I will add as the mood strikes, but it is now time to get them back on the table.

2- Pulp: two batches of about 30 figures each (one from Christmas, one batch to be bought at Historicon)
---COMPLETE: Finished the Christmas batch and one other small batch. No plans to add in 2018, but things can change.

3- 6mm Sci Fi: this will be the big new project for the year ---the focus for after finishing the KoK expansion
---STARTED: Finished the first batch and I have figures on hand to continue. This will be a big push in 2018.

4- 28mm Zombies: if I need a change up and find some of the plastic kits cheap
---STARTED: Painted one survivor and prepared some zeds. Will knock some of these out in 2018.

5- Attend some conventions:  NJCon, Historicon...maybe even splurge for Cold Wars or Fall In
---ATTENDED: Only attended Historicon. 

6- Spending: <$1000 for the year plus Historicon; I have been saving my change for a few years and plan to cash in for convention spending
---FAILED: 

7- Gaming: Keep up on my solo pulp and fantasy gaming, expand my opportunities with gamers in NJ.
---GAMES:

8- Fantasy Rules: next version with updated stats, magic, and custom card deck
---PROGRESS: Bought my cards and updated the latest version; need to work on the army lists, characters section, and magic.


Project Round Up:
-Katzenstein (imagi-nation): A mature project. 
-Zaquetta (fantasy): A fully playable project with loads of Demonworld and Battle Valor figures still on hand to paint. 
-Pulp: My current go to game. Pulp Alley is a fantastic system.
-WW2: A mature project. No planned additions.
-Krasnovia (modern skirmish) and Ziva (sci-fi skirmish): A mature project. No planned additions.
-Splintered Lands:  A mature project. Will add any new figures they produce.
-Air Combat: A mature project. No planned additions.
-Starmada: A mature project. No planned additions. 
-Zombies: Just started.
-6mm Sci-fi: Just started. 
-Wooden Warriors:Just started.

Future Projects: Not that I need any more projects, but these are some ideas I have for the future. (in general order of current interest) All the projects below are just some flights of fancy. I don't think I will ever do them.
A Very British Civil War: Love the though of developing my own forces and the alternate history. 
Wild West: Could be done with Pulp Alley.
Civil War: Considering 6mm.
Napoleonics: Considering 6mm.
Gladiators: would go 28mm with a custom built arena if I take the plunge. 
Slaughterloo/Flintloque: love the figures
Spencer Smith Imagi-nation: I still think about starting another imagi-nation (larger scale).
Model Casting: Considering trying out my hand with casting my own figures from molds. 

December 2017

A good painting month since I took loads of time off from work. Pulp, Wooden Warriors, 6mm Sci-Fi, Zombie Survivor...a mix of items.

Christmas Loot, books and basing pumice

Wooden warriors: An Ogre and a spearman

6mm sci fi in the works

PAINTING
122 x 6mm sci fi bases: 123 points
8 x pulp figures: 8 points

2 x wooden warriors: 2 points
1 x Zombie Survivor: 1 point
TOTAL: 133 points


GAMING0

SPENDING$50 on Litko bases$1818 for the year. $818 over budget :(plus $1000 total expenses at Historicon with the hotel, gas/tolls, and food.Budget: <$1000 plus Historicon expenses.

December plans

In the hobby mood this month so I have plans to get several items done:

1) 8 x pulp figures: done

Sky Pirates

Asian gang members

2) 1 x zombie survivor: Done

3) 1 x wooden warrior prototype: Done

4) Finish the 6mm sci fi I started: On the painting table

5) Prime remaining on hand 6mm sci fi: next up


If I get these all done, I will move on to the next 3 items in the plan:
1) About 20 of the wooden warriors so I can play a test game with Advanced Song of Blades and Heroes
2) Batch of zombies and a few survivors so I can plan a test game with Pulp Alley-Z
3) Finishing the on hand 6mm sci-fi for a test game of Panzer Korps-Scifi


I also want to catch up on the backlog of hobby podcasts and magazines.

October and November 2017

I was pulled away for work for two months so no progress on the hobby front. Looking forward to getting back at things in December.

I received my Pulp Alley kickstarter items...fantastic as always

I would like to finish the items below by the end of the year:
8 x pulp figures
1 x zombie survivor
1 x wooden warrior prototype
Finish the 6mm sci fi I started
Prime remaining on hand 6mm sci fi


PAINTING
No point.

GAMING
0

SPENDING
$60 on magazine renewal
$1768 for the year. $768 over budget :(
plus $1000 total expenses at Historicon with the hotel, gas/tolls, and food.
Budget: <$1000 plus Historicon expenses.

September 2017

Continuing the trend...limited hobby progress this month. I picked things up the past two weekends, but have not completed anything. Going away for work for 3 weeks will make October another slow month but things should pick up at the end of the year.

I worked on 3 batches of 6mm sci fi vehicles...2 are almost done, and the third is primed. Target is to have these done by mid-November and then finish all the on hand 6mm sci fi by end of the year.

I also jumped into a new project...wooden warriors. My plan is do do a hex crawl exploration skirmish game using Advanced Song of Blades and Heroes (with Pulp Alley and Savage Worlds being considered too). Pictures in the future after I paint my test figure.

Not a good month on the budget front. I bought supplies, cards, materials for the wooden warriors, and backed 2 kickstarters!

PAINTING
No points, buy some minor progress on several fronts.

GAMING
0

SPENDING
$480!
$1708 for the year. $708 over budget :(
plus $1000 total expenses at Historicon with the hotel, gas/tolls, and food.
Budget: <$1000 plus Historicon expenses.

August 2017

Almost no hobby progress this month. Combination of Summer activities, painting burn out, and increased workload kept to 0 across the board for painting, games, and spending.

I started some 6mm sci- fi. I am using a masking liquid to camo the vehicles with spray paint/primer. I like the look but I need a complete resupply on spray cans.


PAINTING
No progress this month. I have primed some 6mm sci-fi figures.

GAMING
0

SPENDING
$0
$1228 for the year. $228 over budget.
plus $1000 total expenses at Historicon with the hotel, gas/tolls, and food.
Budget: <$1000 plus Historicon expenses.

July 2017 and Historicon

Noah and I spent a few great days at Historicon playing in some fabulous games. My thanks to Peter and Miles for running these games for everyone's enjoyment; each won an award for their game time slot.  I am looking forward to next year in Lancaster.

I played in 7 games (including 5 with the Junior General). Had so much fun spending some father/son bonding over toys.

I only spent $50, well below my expectations. Paint, brushes and a can of Army Painter dip. I am still in shock from not buying any figures. I then fell off the wagon and bought a bunch of 6mm sci fi figures on the last day of the month.

A few pictures from the convention before my usual painting/gaming/spending diary entry:

DAK and Dragons...GM ran 9 games over the convention; we played in 3.

Fantastic table with the catacombs.

Italian Armor vs Troll

Beautiful layout

Panzer Mk III killing the Red Dragon

Noah leading some cavalry at the Battle of Ravenna

My kind of charge

Feel bad for those horses

2nd game on the same layout

Action shot. 

Pacific Island invasion with LSNC:WW2

Peter Anderson's FOB Battle of Raab

Turned the enemy flank and brought the game to a victory for the French in the end

Kudo's to our CiC, Luke, for pressing the enemy center...twice.

Operation Battleaxe in North Africa using 3mm PicoArmor.

My British 6th RTR were about to have a hard day. The unit bases are color coded to the dice...very nice. 

Germans in the distance on Hill 208.

Junior General giving me "the look" for this picture I sent to the Countessa. 

PAINTING
14 x 12 figure Katzenstein 15mm units: 168 pts
Total: 168 points

14 new regiments for the Kingdom of Katzenstein

GAMES
7 (all at Historicon)

Junior General and a friend playing Field of Battle in my basement

SPENDING
$50 at Historicon, $144 on 6mm sci fi = $194
$1228 for the year. $228 over budget...not good.
plus $1000 total expenses at Historicon with the hotel, gas/tolls, and food.
Budget: <$1000 plus Historicon expenses.

The Gathering Storm

It has been almost six years since the Grand Army of Katzenstein has taken the field against an enemy on the continent. While there have been several small colonial campaign around the globe, for a time, peace reigned and the country prospered. The rise of a new Emperor in the Imperium, Miroslav-the sixth of his name, and an unlikely marriage have set in motion events that could lead to war.

Miroslav's open belligerence to the break away kingdoms that once belonged to the Imperium is no secret. Since taking the throne, some whisper of poisoning his father, the new Emperor's regiments have brought several smaller states back into the fold. After a short, sharp war, Miroslav's legions have even occupied the Kingdom of Falkenberg right on the doorstep of the Kingdom of Katzenstein. Only the Mountains of Tobsk and the Katzenstein fortress in the pass stand between the bitter enemies.

Events further South, however, threaten to spark the next war. After a hundred years of constant skirmishing, the unlikely romance between the oldest children of the ruling houses of the Duchy of North Nitch and the Duchy of South Stich could bring prosperity to both minor states. There is even talk of the union resulting in a new Kingdom of Nitch-Stitch, an outcome the Emperor would not tolerate.

In anticipation of a possible conflict, King Yertle of Katzenstein has ordered that all regiments of the Grand Army parade for his birthday. He has even called on the colonial regiments to send field forces for a series of exercises in the homeland. Could this be too much for the Emperor? With his forces being reinforced every week in Falkenberg, might the Emperor strike first?

---With the "OPFOR" forces painted, and the latest expansion to my Katzenstein army done, it is time to get back to some horse and musket gaming. It has been almost six years since my last battle...December 10th, 2011. I will use the Field of Battle rules and I plan to use some battle maps from http://perfectcaptain.50megs.com/bfinder.html There is an example of how to organize all of the maps to make a campaign map. This will help give some direction to the campaign.

June 2017, mid year review

Half way through the year. Good progress on my painting projects and a few enjoyable games under my belt. I am looking forward to Historicon next month.

Mid-year Review
1- Katzensetin OPFOR expansion: figures on hand, in progress
   a. Finish infantry by end of January---DONE
   b. Leaders in Feb---DONE
   c. Artillery in March---DONE
   d. Cavalry by end of July (Historicon)---DONE

2- Pulp: two batches of about 30 figures each (one from Christmas, one batch to be bought at Historicon)---One batch DONE; will not do another this year.

3- 6mm Sci Fi: this will be the big new project for the year ---the focus for after finishing the KoK expansion---Postponed until Katzenstein figures are complete

4- 28mm Zombies: if I need a change up and find some of the plastic kits cheap---Purchased figures

5- Attend some conventions: NJCon, Historicon...maybe even splurge for Cold Wars or Fall In---Historicon next month

6- Spending: <$1000 for the year plus Historicon; I have been saving my change for a few years and plan to cash in for convention spending---OVER SPENT, I will need to keep Historicon spending low

7- Gaming: Keep up on my solo pulp and fantasy gaming, expand my opportunities with gamers in NJ.---SOLO gamed a few times, need to reach out to the locals again

8- Fantasy Rules: next version with updated stats, magic, and custom card deck---Continuing to TINKER

9 of the 17 cavalry regiments for the Imperial Army

8 more regiments

14 infantry regiments for Katzenstein being recruited

PAINTING
48 x 15mm cavalry figures: 96 points
TOTAL: 96 points

GAMES
No games this month...I keep wanting to try out a Pulp Alley zombie game.

BUDGET
$6 for the month! (can of primer)
$1034 year to date.
$1000 for the year in my budget, plus Historicon.

May 2017

Good painting progress this month. I have broken the back on the imagi-nation cavalry figures, with just 6 units to go. I am on track to finish them before Historicon in July.

With that finish line in sight, I have to decide what comes next. I was thinking about four of my projects:
1- Finish final 14 units for Katzenstein
2- Start Zombies
3- Continue 15mm Fantasy
4- Start 6mm sci-fi

I have decided to finish the Katzenstein units. I started ordering the 14 units worth of figures today with the goal of completing them by end of the year. This will allow me to start a new campaign in 2018.

I may work on some of the Zombie figues as the mood strikes as well, at least enough to get some test games in. I am deciding upon a rule set with Pulp Alley, Advanced Song of Blades and Heroes, and Savage Worlds under consideration.

PAINTING
7 x 8 figure cavalry units: 112 points

GAMES
1 fantasy game

BUDGET
$324 for the month. I registered for Historicon and bought figures for the KoK. I also bought the Advanced SoBH rules and more Pulp Alley Cards.
$1028 year to date...so much for my budget! I will have to really watch my spending for the rest of the year and keep my Historicon purchases to a minimum.
$1000 for the year in my budget, plus Historicon.

That was close

Finished up a fantasy 15mm battle using my home grown Commands and Colors variant. Need to make some more rules tweaks and add in the magic section. The Elves faced off against the Undead, pulling out a narrow victory on the last few cards of turn 6. The Elven Grove Guard and Unicorn Riding Maidens saved the day by taking back the Portal Orb from the Vampire Thralls.

A look from the Undead right flank.

A small brigade of Skeletons destroyed the Wood Elves on the flank.

Elven Guard make for the sacred portal.

A solid defensive position in the center,

Zombies trudging forward.

The action is hot across the whole field.

Poor Wood Elves getting slaughtered.

Elven Elk cavalry had a hard day too.

Back and forth on this flank with both forces not contributing to the main event,

Zombies have been attritted.

Skeleton Cavalry performed well.

First wave beaten back but with heavy losses.

Unicorn Riders do their thing.

Holding in the center, but the Undead keep coming.

With the Wood Elves destroyed, the Skeletons begin to march to the center.

Unicorn Riders destroyed the Ghosts.

Zombies just won't die!

Both sides trade blows.

Thralls capture the portal!

But are thrown back by the missile fire from the Unicorn Riders and a spirited charge from the Grove Guard.