tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61302188548470962912024-03-18T00:39:02.637-07:00A Blog Among BlogsA blog dedicated to a number of things, among them; Flames of War, the Misfits, the Pittsburgh Penguins, my thoughts on being a parent, and funky weather patterns in the Puget Sound.Itchyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01136288177197833595noreply@blogger.comBlogger47125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6130218854847096291.post-9234792377828964512012-05-07T08:31:00.000-07:002012-05-07T10:21:55.227-07:00Under constructionGreetings all,
Please forgive my mess. My blog is being renovated so as to fall in line with my new hobby focus and YES, I will actually be focused. I am concentrating on a single game system. One word: Ulthuan.
Be back soon!Itchyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01136288177197833595noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6130218854847096291.post-28204926578394351962012-03-05T11:56:00.002-08:002012-03-05T12:01:36.426-08:00Why, For the Love of Pete, WHY?????Ok, I realize I blog about once every solar cycle and I also realize that I don't play Warhammer 40k (or any GW game for that matter) but I do enjoy the Black Library's offerings. That said, can someone smarter than me please help me understand why the BL would send me an email telling me to "Fill my screen with visions of war" and then charging $2.50 per desktop wallpaper?<br /><br />W<br /><br />T<br /><br />F<br /><br />?<br /><br />To borrow a brilliant exchange from the great movie, Blades of Glory...<br /><br />Chazz: Mind-bottling, isn't it?<br />Jimmy: Did you just say mind-bottling?<br />Chazz: Yeah, mind-bottling. You know, when things are so crazy it gets your thoughts all trapped, like in a bottle?Itchyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01136288177197833595noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6130218854847096291.post-35173088955325544842012-02-29T14:06:00.002-08:002012-02-29T14:06:47.275-08:00Oh SNAP!Turn up the volume, set to full screen, and then have your mind blown!<br /><br /><iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/NPoHPNeU9fc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Itchyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01136288177197833595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6130218854847096291.post-19715512570527176652012-02-02T10:53:00.001-08:002012-02-02T10:53:42.988-08:00A Thousand Sons<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6645048-a-thousand-sons" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img alt="A Thousand Sons (Horus Heresy)" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1275974431m/6645048.jpg" /></a><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6645048-a-thousand-sons">A Thousand Sons</a> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17729.Graham_McNeill">Graham McNeill</a><br/><br />My rating: <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/150331257">5 of 5 stars</a><br /><br /><br />In my opinion, A Thousand Sons is arguably the best book of the HH series so far. It is a tragedy on an epic scale. I was so invested in the characters that even though there was no doubt as to the outcome, I still found myself hoping they would escape the fall to Chaos. As far as I'm concerned, 5 stars is the only option here.<br /><br/><br/><br /><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/5032452-jared">View all my reviews</a>Itchyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01136288177197833595noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6130218854847096291.post-54209978657921141122012-02-02T10:51:00.001-08:002012-02-02T10:51:58.279-08:00The Outcast Dead<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11161595-the-outcast-dead" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img alt="The Outcast Dead" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1327921480m/11161595.jpg" /></a><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11161595-the-outcast-dead">The Outcast Dead</a> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17729.Graham_McNeill">Graham McNeill</a><br/><br />My rating: <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/268082028">5 of 5 stars</a><br /><br /><br />Another great look into the Heresy. The secret carried by Zulane wasn't really a secret to the reader but it definitely was to the characters around him.<br /><br/><br /><br/>Edit: I've reconsidered my review and have chosen to give The Outcast Dead 5 stars. The reason? The last 19 pages of the book. I've reread them 4 or 5 times now and I finally realized that the story told was never about the secret. It was about consequences of that secret being revealed to the galaxy. <br /><br/><br /><br/>A Thousand Sons was a tragedy to it's very core but The Outcast Dead, while draped in tragedy, had the taste of victory to it. After all, "sometimes the only victory possible is to keep your opponent from winning."<br /><br/><br/><br /><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/5032452-jared">View all my reviews</a>Itchyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01136288177197833595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6130218854847096291.post-46517085466356692212011-09-26T10:38:00.000-07:002011-09-26T10:40:32.899-07:00What is my problem??I really have the itch to paint again. My problem is that I have so far been unable to transform that itch into reality.<br /><br />My half finished Warmachine models have been calling my name for about 4 weeks now but they still remain half finished. What is lacking? I think it may be accountability. I am accountable to no one when it comes to my painting.<br /><br />Assuming anyone still reads (or even looks at) my blog, would it be possible, in some form or fashion, to make myself accountable to the blogging community??<br /><br />HELP!!!!Itchyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01136288177197833595noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6130218854847096291.post-7761759481858465372011-06-15T11:37:00.000-07:002011-06-15T11:49:50.753-07:00A GoalHello all,<br /><br />I won't offer excuses for not having posted in ages. I will simply say that I've set a goal for myself. A Flames of War goal. I am within spitting distance of completing my very first Flames of War army list and by completing I mean acquiring and painting the models.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNqol8V2Vt3NyQl6PBYIjCQv5hoMa107B-m8HcN0Xgth7ZZSRzqjMoPJ6ST1iZ1oRyn4ve4qHkTS8q_oczq8KX7AeJixSpx2xtCkElTqOl_AUrlcvArYmcEPYiApbC7eLgLytGXx-KqYc/s1600/FoW.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 390px; height: 129px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNqol8V2Vt3NyQl6PBYIjCQv5hoMa107B-m8HcN0Xgth7ZZSRzqjMoPJ6ST1iZ1oRyn4ve4qHkTS8q_oczq8KX7AeJixSpx2xtCkElTqOl_AUrlcvArYmcEPYiApbC7eLgLytGXx-KqYc/s400/FoW.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618520517289182530" /></a><br /><br />The list is a 1750 point LW Panzerkompanie from Fortress Europe. It consists of an HQ platoon of 2 Panzer IV H's and a recovery section. One combat platoon of 5 Panzer IV H's. Another combat platoon of 3 Panzer IV H's and 2 Panzer III M's. An armored artillery battery of 3 Hummels, a full Panzergrenadier platoon, and an anti-air platoon of 3 Sd Kfz 10/5 (2cm).<br /><br />I'm only short 2 Panzer IV H's, the 2 Panzer III M's, and the anti-air platoon. Everything else it ready!<br /><br />I know this list will struggle in late war, especially against heavy tank lists, but these are the models I have to use right now and so I am going to learn the basics of the game using these models and then I will build from there.<br /><br />The goal? To complete the entire company by July 15th. One month from today! Count on it!Itchyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01136288177197833595noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6130218854847096291.post-70220676884702364542010-10-11T10:15:00.000-07:002010-10-11T10:31:04.976-07:00A Looted Panzer by any other name..................Is still a looted panzer.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYl86jfeBKB2TeqiATGyBe9sFwWbDy0U_Ys204Z8Crs_8-JsUaYYUD3SPU8QYRzNwdwpFQ2DJjlaj6fkE9oAAfRAfEZeogg8FH1D5Cr6y3IyDvv7DhA4zJdWW28Mkjyz2Sb5KX8o8AF20/s1600/DSCF0209.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYl86jfeBKB2TeqiATGyBe9sFwWbDy0U_Ys204Z8Crs_8-JsUaYYUD3SPU8QYRzNwdwpFQ2DJjlaj6fkE9oAAfRAfEZeogg8FH1D5Cr6y3IyDvv7DhA4zJdWW28Mkjyz2Sb5KX8o8AF20/s400/DSCF0209.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526839908502747858" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8QwPzXPTaSDuGyrBFifeOUKeyCuBBBrEYsfItrRijfqohFCy8p0HI0xiIPwARPUUTen37ARpyy7zkvhoe3z4SBjClReJUibxDbNRuRyfsP6ztatoJz2_QTFHAzf5kclNsMslniGoqp9U/s1600/DSCF0210.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8QwPzXPTaSDuGyrBFifeOUKeyCuBBBrEYsfItrRijfqohFCy8p0HI0xiIPwARPUUTen37ARpyy7zkvhoe3z4SBjClReJUibxDbNRuRyfsP6ztatoJz2_QTFHAzf5kclNsMslniGoqp9U/s400/DSCF0210.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526840361724390818" /></a><br /><br />I recently finished painting this Soviet KV-1e to use as a looted panzer platoon with my Ostfront grenadierkompanie. I followed the painting guide in Ostfront and while I think it turned out fine (a.k.a. average for me) I just can't seem to figure out how to paint tanks. My previous effort was a Tiger 1E which also turned out alright but I don't love it. My current project is a Panzer III Ausf. H and again, I fear it will turn out just average.<br /><br />I honestly feel like I can see improvement with each new infantry unit that I work on. I learn from each platoon and I try to do it better with the next one and it really seems to be paying off, at least in my opinion. It also seems like the small gambles I take pay off on the infantry but not necessarily on the armor. If I had to guess, I suspect it may be because of the larger surface area I'm playing with on the tanks. More ground to cover means more opportunities to see your mistakes. On the tiny infantrymen, mistakes can be covered or "fixed" much more easily.<br /><br />Anyway, I still love this whole painting thing. As soon as I finish the pioneers and the Panzer III, I'll be moving onto my 7.5cm lelG18 infantry gun platoon. Hey, those grenadiers need artillery support, right? :)Itchyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01136288177197833595noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6130218854847096291.post-40435548238232828932010-09-17T09:07:00.000-07:002010-09-17T09:16:16.889-07:00Painting Flames of WarI'm not much of a painter but I thought I might share some of my efforts at getting a MW grenadierkompanie put together.<br /><br />Grenadier Platoon<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w280/rk1_itchynipple/Platoon.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 640px; height: 480px;" src="http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w280/rk1_itchynipple/Platoon.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />3rd Squad<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w280/rk1_itchynipple/3rdSquad.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 640px; height: 480px;" src="http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w280/rk1_itchynipple/3rdSquad.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Light Mortar<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w280/rk1_itchynipple/LightMortar.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 640px; height: 480px;" src="http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w280/rk1_itchynipple/LightMortar.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />1st Squad<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w280/rk1_itchynipple/1stSquad.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 640px; height: 480px;" src="http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w280/rk1_itchynipple/1stSquad.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Platoon commander<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w280/rk1_itchynipple/PlatoonCommander.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 640px; height: 480px;" src="http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w280/rk1_itchynipple/PlatoonCommander.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Tiger 1E<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w280/rk1_itchynipple/TigerTank2.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 640px; height: 480px;" src="http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w280/rk1_itchynipple/TigerTank2.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Tiger 1E<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w280/rk1_itchynipple/TigerTank1.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 640px; height: 480px;" src="http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w280/rk1_itchynipple/TigerTank1.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />I'm currently working on a Pionier platoon. After that, a light infantry gun platoon and a mortar platoon.Itchyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01136288177197833595noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6130218854847096291.post-29768451034096001452010-03-01T08:51:00.000-08:002010-03-01T09:14:04.650-08:00Everyone deserves a second chance.......Quite some time ago, I made a valiant attempt to get into Warmachine. I say attempt because in the end, it was unsuccessful. I simply was unable to get past the Real Life Factor and make a go of the game.<br /><br />It wasn't for lack of trying, however. I still have all of my Protectorate models and believe me when I say I had a bunch. Some even managed to get assembled and a lucky few even got some paint on them. Unfortunately, it was all for naught. Too many things got in the way and in the end, those models went into a box to gather dust.<br /><br />I am happy to say that the Real Life Factor is now less of a factor. Obviously, day to day dealings will never go away completely but I am fortunate enough to have been able to get past a couple of things that were holding me back. That being the case, I have once again heard the siren song of Warmachine. Stangely enough, though not unexpected, that song actually sounds like hissing steam and screeching metal.<br /><br />Anyway, with the advent of Prime MkII, I have taken the plunge again but this time, I am starting fresh. I will always have a soft spot in my heart for the crazy, fiery fanatics of the Protectorate but I now know that my true calling lay in the frozen north, amongst the people of the Khadoran Empire.<br /><br />You see, I want to crush things. I want hit my opponents hard. I want the last thing they see to be the burning eye sockets of my 12 ton engine of destruction right before said engine stomps them into paste. I have bought into the concept of "axe to face" wholeheartedly. <br /><br />Behold the beginnings of that effort.....<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w280/rk1_itchynipple/DSCF0149.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 640px; height: 480px;" src="http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w280/rk1_itchynipple/DSCF0149.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />On the left we see Jackson the Destroyer and on the right his partner in crime, Pollock, the Juggernaut.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w280/rk1_itchynipple/DSCF0151-1.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 640px; height: 480px;" src="http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w280/rk1_itchynipple/DSCF0151-1.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />And of course, everyones favorite ice princess, Kommander Sorscha.<br /><br />These pictures are a few days old. Base coating is well underway on all three models. In addition, I am picking up a unit of Widowmakers this Wednesday in order to complete my fist MkII 15 point list. With a little luck, these models will see the table top this Thursday.Itchyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01136288177197833595noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6130218854847096291.post-51246740474946183972010-02-01T12:19:00.000-08:002010-02-01T12:21:21.407-08:00Something wicked this way comes.....Stay tuned here for a reemergence of sorts......<br /><br />All hail Empress Vanar!Itchyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01136288177197833595noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6130218854847096291.post-28636341377174070892009-09-24T09:18:00.000-07:002009-09-24T09:21:52.188-07:00Leaving the GroupI apologize to both of my loyal readers for my long absence from the blogging stage. :) I have found that one actually has blogging muscles and if one doesn’t exercise those blogging muscles, they become weak. My blogging muscles are very weak right now. I am feeling the burn as I type this.<br /><br />I have had some things on my mind lately and I have decided that the time has come to unburden myself. For whatever goofy reason, writing helps when it comes to analyzing and resolving certain issues that may be causing me grief. I make no apologies for my views and beliefs as presented here just as I ask no one else to apologize for their own thoughts.<br /><br />I know going into this blog that what I write today will NOT win me any new friends and in fact may alienate some of those I call friends. I regret that but for my own sake; I need to say what I need to say.<br /><br />I have chosen to shed the label of ‘Christian’ in my own life.<br /><br />What?<br /><br />I’ll say it again; I have chosen to shed the label of ‘Christian’ in my own life.<br /><br />This decision is a temporary one. I don’t plan on NOT being a Christian for the rest of my life but for the time being, this is what I feel is best for me. Some of you may ask why. Some may not care. Some may support the decision. I respect all of those positions. It is for those that truly have no idea where this is coming from that I feel I owe an explanation. I make no promises as to the efficacy of that explanation. I only promise that I will do my best to articulate the thoughts and feelings that lead me to this point.<br /><br />The simple truth behind my decision is that I believe that the term ‘Christian’ has ceased to be a way of life. It has become a label. It has become a brand. A brand to be produced, packaged, marketed, shipped, and purchased. It has become a money maker. Books, CD’s, software, classes, etc. I liken it to the money changers and the merchants in the Temple courtyard. <br /><br />It has become a ‘members only’ club. It allows people to pick and choose those verses in the Bible that they feel best make their point and fling them at ‘non believers’ as if they were spears. <a href="http://kingjbible.com/2_corinthians/6.htm">2nd Corinthians 6: 14</a> comes to mind. How many times has this verse been thrown back and forth? Taken in context, I feel that the Apostle Paul was warning the Corinthians about the pitfalls of being with, marrying, doing business with, etc. those who are unrighteous. Those who do NOT keep the commandments of God. It is NOT tacit instruction to engage in religious discrimination. So many times however, that is how it is presented. Don’t be with Catholics! Don’t be with Baptists!! Don’t be with Mormons!! Don’t be with Buddhists! Shun those who don’t believe as you do!! Come on!! The apostle doesn’t say ‘be not yoked with those who believe differently.’ He says ‘be not yoked with those who do not believe.’<br /><br />I have been accused of not being Christian more times than I can count simply because I don’t believe in the same manner as the accuser. If destroying friendships, or writing off family members is what it takes to be a Christian these days, then I am happy not being a member of that club. I believe in Christ and I believe in the two great commandments in the law; love the Lord and love thy neighbor. For me, for right now, that will do.Itchyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01136288177197833595noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6130218854847096291.post-79651717757779171092009-05-28T09:41:00.000-07:002009-05-28T10:01:26.925-07:00Shermans Anyone?I apologize for my long absence. As we all know, life has a funny way of getting in the way of things. Anyway, I have unlimbered my paintbrushes again but my focus has shifted a bit.<br /><br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div>I am building and painting a mid war US rifle company (circa late 1942) in 15mm. When all is said and done, the rifle company will have 3 complete rifle platoons, machine gun and anti tank platoons, a mortar platoon, A&P platoon, and armor and artillery divisional support.</div><br /><div>With the exception of the divisional markings, my 3 tank platoon of M4A1 Sherman tanks is complete. These all have the 75mm main gun. </div><div> </div><div>Next up on my painting list....my machine gun platoon. 4 machine gun sections all packing the vicious M1917 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">HMG</span>.</div><br /><a href="http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w280/rk1_itchynipple/DSCF0071.jpg"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7dLbp5k5_-JnYrSjRmViQOELdaoAP8w6EcncgJIVlvmJtP3Vb8yW89NW8V9pol63KnQwozqhS4YTYXZnzFoz0cpR2oNTlHjgrwahA-NstAAE812q6NRzbmJ_TDMxSG7jGH_UyTLOkd9c/s1600-h/DSCF0071.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340920941451386370" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7dLbp5k5_-JnYrSjRmViQOELdaoAP8w6EcncgJIVlvmJtP3Vb8yW89NW8V9pol63KnQwozqhS4YTYXZnzFoz0cpR2oNTlHjgrwahA-NstAAE812q6NRzbmJ_TDMxSG7jGH_UyTLOkd9c/s400/DSCF0071.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Itchyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01136288177197833595noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6130218854847096291.post-63914135108602779192009-04-22T09:28:00.000-07:002009-04-22T09:30:11.118-07:00Inspiration: So Damn Hard to FindI would like to write. I don’t mean letters, or postcards, or copy for a newspaper. I mean that I would like to write something else. The problem I face right now is that I have no idea what I want to write and I have no idea where to start. I just now I want to write. <br /><br />See, I have all these ideas floating around in my cranium. In fact, I would say that I have a plethora of ideas. A veritable cornucopia of ideas but damn it, I can’t seem to squeeze any of those ideas out of the obscure and squishy confines of my brain and onto paper. Or Microsoft Word as the case may be.<br /><br />My ideas are diverse in their nature. Perhaps a book of poetry? Haiku to be exact. You may ask yourself, ‘Self? What is so neat about a book full of haiku poems?’ The answer is probably nothing. Unless those haiku are about such controversial subjects as breast enhancement, NASCAR racing, or the New Kids on the Block. See? That is pure, unadulterated brilliance. Come forth and drink from my well of stupendous vision.<br /><br />As I stated in a previous blog, I might write a book for children. Assuming Privateer Press is willing to work with me, that book would be set in the magikal, mechanikal (misspelled on purpose) world of the Iron Kingdoms. A world where ten ton steel and iron constructs do battle and the fate of all life hangs in the balance. Someone told me that children’s books should be educational so what would my book teach kids? It would be teach them about courage, tenacity, and that burning heretics is OK. It would teach them that mercy is for sissies and that only the strong survive. <br /><br />I might write a How-to book. Perhaps something along the lines of ‘How to Suck at Just About Everything and Still be Content.’ This book would NOT be based on my own life experiences. It would be based on my observations of others. I suck at very little and so would not be a good inspiration.<br /><br />I guess the point I am trying to make is that I want to do something. I want to write. Not necessarily for another person’s enjoyment but mostly for my own satisfaction. I just can’t seem to figure out where to begin. I have no formal training. I’ve never really written before. I mean, I’ve written a lot but never with the intent to publish. Can I have writers block while preparing to write a book or would that be known as ‘wannabes’ block?Itchyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01136288177197833595noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6130218854847096291.post-30702943651167195912009-04-17T10:16:00.000-07:002009-04-17T10:23:43.226-07:00A Book for ChildrenGreetings to one and all.<br /><br />Just a brief announcement. I have decided that I am going to write a book for children. I will need to find an illustrator to collaborate with but right now, I am just getting ready to write.<br /><br />There are a few details to work out with Privateer Press since my plan is to base the book in the Iron Kingdoms. It is tentively titled "Where the Warjacks Are." Copyright infringment is not an issue for me. :P<br /><br />The premise at this point centers on a young boy who falls asleep one night, only to wake up in a field with a Crusader Heavy warjack staring down at him as if waiting for something. Hilarity and burning ensue. This book is destined to be a best seller.<br /><br />More to come.......Itchyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01136288177197833595noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6130218854847096291.post-55947550055400559332009-04-08T15:22:00.000-07:002009-04-08T21:57:43.210-07:00Fighting--A Part of Hockey?I've been watching a lot of hockey this season. As far as I am concerned, hockey is the greatest sport on the planet, bar none. Recently, the question of fighting in hockey has come up again. There are those who say it has no place in the game. There are those who say it is part of what makes hockey, well........hockey. I happen to agree with the latter but there is more to it. Allow me to explain.<br /><br /><div><div></div><div>My favorite team, the Pittsburgh Penguins, have battled back from a dismal middle season to clinch a playoff spot. It has been an energizing and excited season these past few weeks. Their last two games have been in Florida. On Sunday, they lost to the Panthers. It was a tough break. Yesterday, the Pens beat the Lightning 6-4. Both games were intense and tensions were running high. The gloves came off on several <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">occasions</span> in both contests. A thought came to me after watching the game against the Lightning.</div><div><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgozaqXAeU4fbwcmbL1LrWMozFpKynfRfTk0BiRDj5P4rq8IcF_tAuO2fqvQjIBo0WNz5n5SI80losSS8kze7cSF1gKnUDMr-RyWvOBQRGJMcNYpFG4s1avNmuiadiaiptp1bJhX3O4w3I/s1600-h/0406penfight-a.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322459165601759810" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 207px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgozaqXAeU4fbwcmbL1LrWMozFpKynfRfTk0BiRDj5P4rq8IcF_tAuO2fqvQjIBo0WNz5n5SI80losSS8kze7cSF1gKnUDMr-RyWvOBQRGJMcNYpFG4s1avNmuiadiaiptp1bJhX3O4w3I/s320/0406penfight-a.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /></div><div>Late in the first period of Sunday's game against the Panthers, Florida <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">blueliner</span> Keith Ballard threw a hip check on Penguins forward <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Evgeni</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Malkin</span> that caused <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Malkin</span> to flip head over skates and come down on his neck. He was fine but the check was low. Sidney Crosby, the Pens team captain, took umbrage with that and immediately dropped the gloves and he a Ballard went at it. It wasn't really a fight. It was more of a wrestling match that ended when both players fell to the ice and the linesmen broke it up. It wasn't the fight itself that I took notice of though. It was the loyalty to a fellow player that intrigued me.</div><br /><div>See, Crosby isn't a fighter. Most folks will tell you that. 90% of the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">defensemen</span> in the league are probably bigger and meaner than he is but he was all over Ballard in the blink of an eye. Why? Team spirit. Loyalty. Heart. All of these things. Crosby and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Malkin</span> are teammates and you always stand up for your teammates. Even Ballard said Crosby did the right thing in challenging him!! The Pens ultimately ended up losing that game but they were winners in my eyes. The whole damn team.</div><br /><div>Yesterday's contest against the Tampa Bay Lightning resulted in a win for the Pens but again, team spirit caught my eye.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFHPkBozdWFvQ4L4ZUvuGcwE6ci4Wnn8D85gvQaCtsS0c2KQq-2zQIugqtB-W0HTvKD4QhhIAOORj_pN5wT8S_yVx5Qm7hkxcZnWHXf9dLKn3rQGvtbMw4hZCMGiRgh8BFY65d8-1lJJs/s1600-h/GODSkoci.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322459491622285122" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 269px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFHPkBozdWFvQ4L4ZUvuGcwE6ci4Wnn8D85gvQaCtsS0c2KQq-2zQIugqtB-W0HTvKD4QhhIAOORj_pN5wT8S_yVx5Qm7hkxcZnWHXf9dLKn3rQGvtbMw4hZCMGiRgh8BFY65d8-1lJJs/s320/GODSkoci.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div>During the third period, Lightning winger David <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Koci</span> nailed Pens forward Max Talbot deep in the Lightning zone and then immediately put Talbot in a headlock to keep him out of the play. That didn't bother me because that is hockey. Talbot escaped and headed back up ice but <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Koci</span> caught up and crosschecked Talbot in the back. A scuffle ensued and Pens forward Eric Godard dropped the gloves and went after <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Koci</span>. This was a battle of the titans that ended in a draw. Fight or not, Godard was showing his loyalty and team spirit. </div><br /><div>Just a few minutes later, Pens forward Bill <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Guerin</span> mixed it up with Lightning forward <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Evgeny</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Artyukhin</span> after <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Artyukhin</span> crosschecked Pens <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">defensemen</span> Sergei <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Gonchar</span>. </div><br /><div>Is there a lot of fighting in hockey? Not really. Not anymore. Does it have it's place in the game? Absolutely.</div><br /><div>Team spirit. Loyalty. These are the things that I see where others just see two hockey players throwing punches. These men are a team. They win together and they lose together. If you want to take a shot at one of them, just know you are taking a shot at the whole team. This is one of the reasons that hockey is the greatest sport on Earth. GO PENS!!!!</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div>Itchyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01136288177197833595noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6130218854847096291.post-43685018149236283672009-04-06T16:36:00.001-07:002009-04-07T15:48:40.261-07:00You Win Some, You Lose SomeI fancy myself to be a learned and cultured individual. Whether that is in fact the case is completely irrelevant because I used the word 'fancy.' I FANCY myself to be a learned and cultured individual. Now, I know that to make such a statement without proof would open me up to ridicule and countless wet willies. Since I am not a fan of either, I will prove what I say is true. <div><br /><br /><div></div><div>A few months ago, my daughters and I took it upon ourselves to brighten the world around us and we did this through the careful and deliberate application of green <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">thumbery</span>. I acquired the seeds during my travels (a trip to Fred Meyer) and together the three of us put those precious seedlings into the ground. We cleared the rocks. We dug the holes. We placed those tiny bundles of life into the dirt and covered them.......and then we promptly forgot about them. UNTIL NOW!!! Our labors have borne fruit!!</div><br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321728089106578994" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXQPdhJTYE_FQa5TAe8MeT_OwlH7ouXUYcaqCKrOHp86bRB5GeVC4bY6tX5bWfy0_vIpwNRVrxwpIJ2rWdmpwemVrIoDkdeFYY9k82gN2cH1EkYSo2l96us6zAF-XVALwEOOzeIwM5ktc/s400/DSCF0053.JPG" border="0" /></div></div><br /><p>Are those not the most beautiful pansies you have ever seen? They are mesmerizing in their majesty. Their fragrance puts to shame even the most beautiful of roses. Most days, the girls and I stand there for 15 or 20 <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">minutes</span> and gaze upon these flowers with the pride of a parent observing a particularly gifted child if that child were small, leafy, and sprouted yellow and purple petals.</p><br /><p>Now whether any of you, my loyal readers, believe it or not, I am but a human and I am subject to the weaknesses and fallacies that beset all humankind. Where my power over growing things is, by all accounts, limitless my power over clay is less so.</p><br /><p>This past weekend, my daughters brought over to my house their new sculpting kit. This cool little kit included clay in a myriad of colors, a cool book full of ideas, and NO instructions whatsoever.</p><p><br />I sat and read quietly as both girls worked diligently to create a masterpiece from the formless clay. They both labored for the better part of an hour. In fact, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Lex</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Luthor</span> (see previous post <a href="http://itchysruminations.blogspot.com/2009/03/id-like-to-build-flux-capacitor.html">here</a>) might have worked for 90 minutes on her David. Once they were both done, they asked that I bake the sculptures in order to harden them. I, of course, was happy to do so. </p><p> </p><p>I scanned the pages of the included book for nearly 10 minutes in an effort to discern some sort of approach to this baking thing. Nothing. I went online and "googled." Some information popped up. I scanned to first link briefly and then with a "damn the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">torpedoes</span> and full speed ahead" attitude, I fired up the oven to 300 <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">degrees</span>, plopped the clay creations onto a cookie sheet, and shoved them into the oven. 10 minutes later, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Averi</span> asked if something was burning. Not good. I rushed to the oven and pulled it open. Destruction was complete. I had in the span of just a few short minutes, obliterated almost an hour's hard work.</p><p></p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321731696251115586" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkXWe_AjXOMQrKSSzLMkwnrNMQAgqs_9UUg0BHTcYFd61kiXx4VndKTdvdDk9hmnh7MD0yhvpVpSgaKI1cA2z1OvFpLsl2GMim1imd28iFV3dAz81w6_Y-804m36DUJJbTazhD_KNpUCs/s400/DSCF0052.JPG" border="0" /></p><br /><p></p><p>I learned two lessons from these <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">separate</span> but related incidents. First, spend as much time with your kids as you possibly can doing things they will love. Second, flowers are easy and clay sucks donkey.</p>Itchyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01136288177197833595noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6130218854847096291.post-24691752120201293492009-03-31T09:02:00.000-07:002009-03-31T09:04:58.951-07:00I Should Have Been a Political Activist :-)I am going to rant about the new cigar tax that goes into effect on Wednesday.<br /><br />I’m not a cigar smoker. Have I tried them? Yes. Regularly? Not at all. I think I am up in arms because it will destroy small businesses. Tampa, FL will take a huge hit in terms of business. 2/3 of all cigars made in the US or imported into the US come through Tampa. The tax is increasing from 5 cents to 40 cents per cigar. That is a huge increase. 300% in fact unless my math is wrong, which is a distinct possibility.<br /><br />Tampa has been the cigar capital of the US for over a century. Now this tax is threatening to damage yet another aspect of the economy. Put more people out of work. In my opinion, you have to look at the big picture. The tax increases. People stop buying cigars. Cigar makers close up shop and lay people off. Those laid off people can't find work. Local tax revenues shrink because fewer people are paying taxes because they aren't working. With less tax revenues coming in, city and county services are cut. More people lose their jobs. Blah, blah, blah. That isn't even taking into consideration the suppliers that these cigar makers do business with.<br /><br />Now it could be said that this could apply to any business and that is true but my point <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">isn</span>’t specific to cigars. Whether it is cigars, or tires, or baby bottles makes no difference. Taxing a business out of existence is not fixing things. It is only causing more pain. Obama and his crew insist that they are trying to save and/or create jobs!! Strange way to save jobs I say. Tax them out of existence? Now, if someone in the Obama <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">administration</span>, including the big man himself, would just step up and say "You know, in order to fix this thing the right way, we are going to have to destroy some peoples’ livelihoods." I wouldn't be near as worked up about it because that would at least be the truth. Don't sit there though and tell me you are doing every thing you can to save or create jobs and then levy 300% tax increases against specific sectors of the economy.<br /><br />I’m sure some of you who read this are wondering if there is more to this than I am letting on and there is. Evidently, this tax increase will be used to fund an increase in <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">children's</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">health care</span>. I personally believe that if there is a single demographic that deserves an increase in <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">health care</span> coverage, it is children. I DO NOT however, believe that this is the way to go about doing it. I see where the government is coming from on this one. “Tax the shit out of cigar makers to pay for child <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">health care</span>. The American public will eat that up!!” I don’t buy it though. How about cutting pork barrel spending? How about taxing imported cigars only rather than imported and locally made? How about getting a handle on the billions of tax payer dollars that have been dropped down the black holes that are <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">AIG</span>, GM, Chrysler, etc? This is a punitive tax and nothing more. It is yet another example of a government that is so in over its head that it will do anything to appear like it is doing something.<br /><br />I know I don't have the answers. I know there are thousands of people who are way smarter than me that are trying to fix this problem. But from my perspective, something’s just don't seem right and let's face it, perception is reality.Itchyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01136288177197833595noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6130218854847096291.post-63934544541123609422009-03-26T09:16:00.000-07:002009-03-26T09:46:10.452-07:00GessoI am fairly certain that this will not be news to you painting experts out there (I'm looking at you John, Red, Raymond, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">bobaferret</span>, and everyone else whose blog I follow), but I have discovered a new kind of primer. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Gesso</span>. It is a brush on primer and I love it.<br /><br /><div><div><div>I was reading on another forum recently about painting and modeling in an effort to discern some techniques and such to help me improve my painting. I found a discussion regarding <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">gesso</span> and I was intrigued enough to run out to my local arts and crafts store and by a pot of the stuff.</div><br /><div>I'm not a chemist so I'll not even try to explain what <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">gesso</span> is from a component standpoint. I will only say that this is the stuff the artists use to prep their canvases prior to actually putting any paint down. Not only does it stiffen the canvas but it also seals the surface so that the paint doesn't bleed into the material.</div><br /><div>Anyway, the stuff also works brilliantly on my Protectorate models. I am sure that some of that is due to the fact that these models have been blessed by <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Menoth</span> so basically all of you non-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Menoth</span> players are screwed. :). What I do is pour some <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">gesso</span> into my little cup, mix in just a bit of water, and then just glop it onto the model. Excess fluid is not an issue as long as you make a point of not putting on too much!! I've got some pictures of my <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">WIP</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Revenger</span> light <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">warjack</span> to illustrate my point. Observe.....</div><br /><div><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317538179332392242" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkrVJza2cCK-JqE3npI5nqMrpLr5mknj5CvWNW6shr4KwZBxdwMor9gcE3g_GYiqrikd0CYbN3Q3yLi4JhO46y4cNfASia2qWzYU_x9_f3s9iHTEJV8gMcp5j4IWn2QOmjI6ynX4HJpss/s400/DSCF0044.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><div>This is my <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Revenger</span> with original coat of spray primer on it. A terrible finish.........<br /></div><br /><div><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317534615674035826" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIqHlbYeZ-cpGiW2GpjFV1j2-6N2Ijr0pTA33L_2EFTSD9A0fAULuPGmoBWIxHw2wsuQqaBgdUcYb2wG7qMncTm6d8v7wy1CdMznk2P6IetlSQ9LwJIvKeryZzy3BY7UuKJdhUkQdcVRc/s400/DSCF0048.JPG" border="0" /><br />Here is the same model with the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">gesso</span> on it. It might be a bit difficult to make out but a lot of the detail has been obscured by the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">gesso</span> since I just plopped it on there. Take a close look at the haft of the halberd. No detail to be seen.<br /><div><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317538391333188466" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb6neEGybqi5ZDieQOYs-iUpjQY6dyBnhudrKGFfLZmJ-aaYEjA7u_f7hf1lgoLtYIM1UOnqx2EimGp86a5eebfv5SkXwsc1GPNxUJgwPCctedv8OENqP3JAUM_cYdWmiN9ospaCB1llI/s400/DSCF0050.JPG" border="0" /><br /></div><div></div><div>And here is the model after drying overnight and having some base color applied. Look at the haft of the halberd and the fingers gripping it. All the detail is visible. The detail is visible on the smoke stack and on the face grille and that is how the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">gesso</span> dries. I have no idea what happens but the stuff tightens as it dries and reveals all of the detail while leaving a good primer coat with a great tooth to hold the paint you put on there.<br /><br />Again, I am no expert but I wanted to follow in the footsteps of those who have real skill and share with everyone the little things that help me out. Enjoy!!</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div></div></div>Itchyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01136288177197833595noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6130218854847096291.post-38699809764208522032009-03-23T09:52:00.000-07:002009-03-23T10:50:26.485-07:00A New AuthorI am a reader. I always have been. I might even be what is known in literary circles as a voracious reader.<br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">vo</span>⋅<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">ra</span>⋅<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">cious</span> <br /> /vɔˈreɪʃəs, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">vo</span>ʊ-, və-/ </span><a href="http://dictionary.reference.com/help/luna/IPA_pron_key.html" target="_blank"></a><a class="pronlink" onmouseover="status='Click to toggle pronunciation';return true;" title="Click to show spelled" onclick="javascript:show_sp()" onmouseout="status='';return true;" alt="Toggle for Spelled"><span style="color:#ff0000;">Show Spelled Pronunciation</span></a><span style="color:#ff0000;"> [<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">vaw</span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">rey</span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">shuhs</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">voh</span>-, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">vuh</span>-] </span><a href="http://dictionary.reference.com/help/luna/Spell_pron_key.html" target="_blank"></a><a class="pronlink" onmouseover="status='Click to toggle pronunciation';return true;" title="Click to show IPA" onclick="javascript:show_ip()" onmouseout="status='';return true;" alt="Toggle for IPA"><span style="color:#ff0000;">Show IPA</span></a><span style="color:#ff0000;"><br />–adjective<br />1.<br />craving or consuming large quantities of food: a voracious appetite.<br />2.<br />exceedingly eager or avid: voracious readers; a voracious collector.</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#000000;">Now that I actually read the definition of the word 'voracious', it appears I might just be voracious in every circle and not just those of the literary persuasion. I do love my food.</span><br /><br />Anyway, I have recently discovered a new author whose writings I am rapidly coming to enjoy. I'm not sure why it has taken me this long to find him.<br /><br />Jim Butcher writes fantasy. I guess that is what you would call it. The protagonist in most, if not all, of his books is a gentleman by the name of Harry Dresden. Harry is a wizard. A wizard living in present day Chicago. A Chicago that is home to all sorts of things that go bump in the night. Vampires, ghouls, zombies, witches, etc. They all find their way into the books. As a wizard of the White Council, Harry is hell bent on keeping average folks safe from the denizens of the night. These books chronicle his adventures and let me just say that they are some great reads.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMx9i4RnJFww1MurmUYZMHsbfujgPZ_0b8BWK4GD7ANk6xa6AX_Q4neI-f3tL9Ehcla70WDYAS7AEEXDdFUATyocP_EvtZE2Rt-ifvmqLaNWA_MD_GpYQ2ISBo7-JkHOETVFW4NE-ymgw/s1600-h/n141912.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316430506282419778" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 211px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMx9i4RnJFww1MurmUYZMHsbfujgPZ_0b8BWK4GD7ANk6xa6AX_Q4neI-f3tL9Ehcla70WDYAS7AEEXDdFUATyocP_EvtZE2Rt-ifvmqLaNWA_MD_GpYQ2ISBo7-JkHOETVFW4NE-ymgw/s320/n141912.jpg" border="0" /></a>Now for the caveat. I have only read one book so far. I just finished Dead Beat. This particular book tells a story of a past nemesis of Harry's coming back to wreak havoc and cause all sorts of problems. Add to that the fact that this nemesis has in her possession certain items that will ruin Harry's best friend's life and so if Harry doesn't do as his enemy says, his friends life will be destroyed. Throw in some zombies, a half dozen or so necromancers, werewolves, and Harry's vampire half brother, Thomas, and you've got a wild ride.<br /><br />The book itself is very well written. Characters are fleshed out and you find yourself actually caring about what happens to some of them. The atmosphere is intriguing. Wizardry and other preternatural forces at work in a modern day American city isn't exactly a new concept but Butcher does a great job of putting his own distinctive spin on it.<br /><br />Dead Beat may have been the first book of Jim Butcher's that I have read but it definitely will not be the last.Itchyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01136288177197833595noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6130218854847096291.post-62712313281585483462009-03-18T10:10:00.000-07:002009-03-18T13:55:38.689-07:00A Family AffairI actually had a couple of extra models laying around that I wasn't sure what to do with. Then it hit me! I would turn those models into a family affair.<br /><br />I was with my girls last night. I brought all of my brushes and paints and such and asked them if they wanted to paint. The answer was a resounding YES!! I got the old newspaper spread out. They both got old t-shirts on and set to work.<br /><br /><br />My oldest daughter (Claire <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Huxtable</span> if you recall from a previous blog) decided she would paint High Exemplar <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Kreoss</span>. The choice suited her since <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Kreoss</span> is a bossy <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">warcaster</span> and "Claire" is a bossy older sister. Behold the finished piece!!!!!<br /><br /><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314577529096288114" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLiOkFOQiDigNhWwisf4zTRHbkwY4bKekUMWjeZp1BwQzw1z5qIpgailezFk4gTeK8UDkAE6-bwqc9CdUwNskrJFuGHCALeJv3_8prFBNeTiMClXzG0_NNf_NtcX_Z3OLtT-m7kwNeShs/s320/DSCF0026.JPG" border="0" /><br />Note the highlighting on the raised surfaces of his robe! How is that for attention to detail???? </p><p> </p><p>My youngest (the infamous <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Lex</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Luthor</span>) chose the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Repenter</span> light <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">warjack</span> for her project. I liked this choice for her because the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Repenter</span> is meant to get right up in your grill and cook your <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">nibblets</span>. "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Lex</span>" will not hesitate to get all up in your <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Kool</span>-Aid and make you rue the day you were born. :). Here is her finished model......</p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314578512070433362" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4mDfYzpFnJv-slQHbQ9mCuxEY3-3c7_RimJkpRvs_jNdHLYRnR8lFP3iYUy-hr5AGy1Zhx4ugSjPqTgDsxpyhMK3hFb9vB8ygwR9hlCbBSkU7fRh4NgOID0_ZAmQ9D_vQWGM90QB-5HQ/s320/DSCF0029.JPG" border="0" />Look closely and you will see the seething orange flame just beginning to burst forth from the flamethrower on the 'jack's left arm. Someone is about to get bar-b-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">qued</span>!!</p><p>The work on these models was theirs' and theirs' alone. I think they really enjoyed it<br /></p><p><br /></p>Itchyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01136288177197833595noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6130218854847096291.post-6845394169856206932009-03-18T09:50:00.000-07:002009-03-18T10:05:00.387-07:00Eye on the Cup<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_YU527SCqsTmba39oHPC3Lc1sXw-ewb_3F0FvPXWT6ieC-ACmhj3YMMQHCObU_2VnuKBKFUysBpQ30pgeS6PpZ57haxwO2wIk1dxaS_661CRmKztmVue5tZHhNLydaOL4TrPfeT7B2KQ/s1600-h/Pens01.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314574263079601186" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 133px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 125px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_YU527SCqsTmba39oHPC3Lc1sXw-ewb_3F0FvPXWT6ieC-ACmhj3YMMQHCObU_2VnuKBKFUysBpQ30pgeS6PpZ57haxwO2wIk1dxaS_661CRmKztmVue5tZHhNLydaOL4TrPfeT7B2KQ/s320/Pens01.jpg" border="0" /></a> I watched the Penguins/Thrashers game from beginning to end last night. Thank heaven for NHL Center Ice. A few thoughts....<br /><br /><div><div><div><div><div>* Jordan <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Staal</span> is a force to be reckoned with. Long legs and a titanic wing span make him dangerous.</div><br />* <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Evgeni</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Malkin</span> is <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">arguably</span> the finest talent in the NHL right now and the beauty of it is that he has such a great time playing the game. This guy has more passion for the sport in his little finger than some other teams do collectively.<br /><div></div><br /><div>* Sidney Crosby is on a mission. I swear that <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">every time</span> there was a loose puck and Crosby was on the ice, he was chasing after it. </div><br /><div>* Having Sergei <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Gonchar</span> back in the lineup has breathed new life into the Pen's power play and strengthened their <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">blueline</span> play.</div><br /><div></div><div>* Ray <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Shero</span> is looking like a genius for cutting <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Therrien</span>, bringing <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Bylsma</span> up, and acquiring Bill <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Guerin</span> and Chris <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Kunitz</span>.</div><br /><div>* Dan <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Bylsma</span> is looking like a genius for pairing <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Kunitz</span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Guerin</span> with Crosby on the 1st line. Those three together are proving to be a juggernaut on the ice.</div><br /><div>* The entire team has bought into the new way of doing things. This is a completely different team from 8 weeks ago. The Thrashers tried to keep up the pace last night and the Pen's simply beat them at their own game.</div><div> </div><div>Someone or something has lit a fire under this group of guys. They are in it to win it now. </div></div></div></div></div>Itchyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01136288177197833595noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6130218854847096291.post-59354253733011163102009-03-16T13:22:00.001-07:002009-03-16T13:35:09.115-07:00Powerless to helpWhat do you do when someone you love more than life itself is struggling? <br /><br />I know a guy with a young daughter. She is 7 or so. Evidently, this young girl is going through some titanic struggles right now. Her parents went through a divorce recently so that is probably contributing. It is possible that this sweet little girl also has some form of ADD. The poor kid is frustrated and emotional and has no idea what is going on. How could she for frig's sake? She's 7.<br /><br />Her dad is just as frustrated by the situation but for different reasons. He feels completely powerless to help her. I happen to know that this gentleman is on great terms with the little girl's mother and they are both upset and frustrated by the whole thing. They want to help their little girl so badly and yet there is little they can do RIGHT NOW and so they are hurting too.<br /><br />This little girl's parents are both smart and very loving where their kids are concerned and I know they will find a way to help their daughter out. When you are right in the middle of it though and you don't yet have a solution, it can be disheartening.Itchyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01136288177197833595noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6130218854847096291.post-44577596787482439492009-03-13T09:46:00.000-07:002009-03-13T10:16:29.292-07:00I'd like to build a flux capacitorPicture this; a beautiful Seattle morning. Bright sunlight. Cold air. Birds singing in the trees. A warm cup of heavenly nectar (that is what I call coffee) in hand. The scene is nearly perfect.<br /><br />I hop in my truck (a Toyota Tundra named Samantha), fire it up and pull out of the driveway. I am heading to work. That sucks donkey but the fact that it is Friday partially mitigates the employment induced torpor that seems to hit near the end of each work week. It all ends in an instant.<br /><br />I pull up to a red light, the soothing sounds of the All-American Rejects caressing my eardrums, and pleasant thoughts (no details will be provided as to the nature of these thoughts) drifting around in my cranium. I glance at the driver to my left. It is a young man driving a Chevy Avalanche. I glance to my right and my perfect little bubble of a world shatters like a mirror struck by a thermonuclear weapon in the 15 megaton range. The driver to my right is an older gentleman. Mid 50's maybe. He is driving what looks to be a rather nice Mercedes SUV of some sort. It isn't him or his car that vexes me so however. It is his passenger. It has got to be his daughter. She is probably 14 or 15. Cute in the way 14 or 15 year <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">olds</span> are. (Disclaimer: That last sentence was merely an observation and not an indication that I should be registering in a government database of some sort) She is doing her makeup while talking on her cellphone. She is wearing a white <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">tank top</span> that I feel reveals to much. On a side note, it was about 33 degrees outside at this point. Where in the name of all that is holy was her coat? Anyway, I nearly dropped dead from a sudden realization. That man driving the Mercedes with the too mature teenager in the passenger seat will be me in only 4 or 5 years. Sooner maybe. I don't know.<br /><br />I have two daughters myself whom I love dearly. For their safety, I will change their names in this blog. These aliases will be a reflection of who my girls are though. My oldest, who we will call Claire <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Huxtable</span>, is 10 years old. She is smart and funny. She also tries to mother my youngest. It rarely ends well when she does this. She has a cell phone and good friends she hangs out with. She isn't a stellar student......yet. I have faith in her. My youngest, who will be known as <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Lex</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Luthor</span> in this blog, is 7. She is brave and creative. She is also <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">temperamental</span> sometimes. When she grows up, she will either cure cancer or be the greatest criminal mastermind this world has ever known. I have faith in her too.<br /><br />Now, I love these girls more than anything and I do my best to be greatest father to them that I can be. I fail constantly in that endeavor but I think in the case of parenting, it is the effort that counts. After observing that man this morning stare stoically out the windshield of his car while his "grown-up" daughter applied her makeup and prattled on and on to her friend, I think I may simply remove my girls from the world until they are 18. Or 45. Still deciding on that one. I consider myself to be a brave person but the thought of those two little girls growing up terrifies me all of a sudden. I worry that I haven't done enough to prepare them for the world. I worry that I haven't done enough to instill values that will see them through tough decisions they have to make. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Argggh</span>! Being a dad sucks sometimes!!!! I suppose I can only do my best and hope it all works out. <br /><br /><br />P.S. I actually googled "full body chastity belts" today.<br /><br />P.P.S. I'm kidding.<br /><br />P.P.P.S. Maybe.Itchyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01136288177197833595noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6130218854847096291.post-41717054314566668032009-03-10T14:58:00.000-07:002009-03-10T15:30:22.038-07:00I have the attention span of a 3 year oldOK, I'm having a great time with my <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Menite</span> models. I have fully assembled and primed the Crusader, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Repenter</span>, and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Revenger</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">warjacks</span>. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Kreoss</span> is primed as well. The Vassal, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Heirophant</span>, and the High Executioner are all about 90% assembled. My Devout is about 20% assembled. I have begun laying down <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">base coats</span> on the Crusader, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Repenter</span>, and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Kreoss</span>. The Crusader even has some shading and highlighting done as he is my experimental piece. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Severius</span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Feora</span> are mostly assembled and my Temple <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Flameguard</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">UA</span> is being prepped. In other words, I can't focus on a single model to save my life. What the hell is up with that?<br /><br />The real issue is that I have all these ideas rolling around in my head and when a new one pops up through the grey matter, I immediately want to try it out. :(. I have changed primers. Experimented with new color schemes. Pinned some models and not others. Filled some gaps with <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">green stuff</span>. I am all over the place!!! Like I said before though, I am having a wonderful time. In fact, I am having such a great time that I wonder if I am not more interested in the hobby aspect of the game, rather than the game itself. Something tells me that may be the case. But wait, it gets worse.<br /><br />Enter the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Trollbloods</span>. Holy <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">schnikes</span> those are some sweet models. Now I have ideas pertaining to beefy (to borrow a phrase from another blogger who shall remain nameless but whose initials are bobaferret), <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">nobby</span>, rowdy, grouchy <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">trollkin</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">rolling</span> around in my head in addition to the ideas for raging, burning religious fanatics already in there. As if the inside of my melon wasn't a squishy, soupy morass already. What is a guy to do?!?!?!? I've fielded my <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">Menite</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">battlebox</span> models in a couple of games and while I thoroughly enjoyed the experience, I'm in no hurry to get back to it. I just want to paint! I just want to create! I am attempting to justify my inclusion of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">trollkin</span> into my efforts by telling myself that more models = more painting and conversion practice, both of which I am in dire need of. Add to this <a href="http://lightningstrykes-redfinnegas.blogspot.com/">Red's</a> incredible terrain making efforts, <a href="http://ghettokore.blogspot.com/2009/03/omg-ferret-wip-photos.html"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">bobaferret's</span></a> breast cancer awareness army, and everyone e<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">lse's</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">bitchin</span>' armies and there is no end to the list of things I want to try my hand at and that list doesn't seem to include playing the game. (Was that a run on sentence?)<br /><br />Don't get me wrong, I love reading the battle reports and I still want to write a few of my own but I can feel my priorities shifting where the hobby is concerned. Is that a bad thing? Can you collect, paint, and NOT play and still feel part of the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25">Warmachine</span>/Hordes community? I suppose only time will tell. Damn you <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26">Warmachine</span>/Hordes ADD!!! If it weren't for you.......oh look, an article on basing!Itchyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01136288177197833595noreply@blogger.com5