My new game store, Third Coast Games, will have our grand opening celebration on Saturday, May 22nd. I've been envisioning a game store like "CHEERS", an upscale place where everyone knows your name, and we're always glad you "dropped in," which is is similar to but legally distinct from "came."
We would love to see any and all of you there. And remember, the rules:
RULE 1: DON'T BE A JERK!
RULE 2: BE KIND!
RULE 3: HAVE FUN!
Speaking of insanity, I have decided to open a game store.
Third Coast Games will be opening in Friendswood, TX, just south of Houston. I am trying like crazy to open on May 4th, but due to delays with the landlord getting the lease contract put together, that may not happen. Heck, I can't even say for 100% sure that I have the space, since the lease is not yet signed.
For now, there is a placeholder website, www.thirdcoastgamestx.com. Once I have the logo ironed out and the location settled, I will set up social media pages on Facebook, Twitter, etc.
Each year I set some sort of painting goal, which I refer to as The Pledge. Most years, it has been simply to paint more than I buy. Last year, I didn't track it, because, well... COVID. I both bought and painted a lot, but I didn't track it.
But, new year, new Pledge. I know we are almost 1/6 of the way through the year as I type this, but hey, better late than never, right?
So, the 2021 Pledge is to paint at least one figure per day. That's right, I am going to try to paint at least 365 miniatures (or their equivalent) this year. What do I mean by "equivalent?" Well, this is what counts as a "miniature" for the purpose of my Pledge: any single gaming piece.
For example, a 28mm miniature is a single gaming piece. A 15mm vehicle is a single gaming piece. Usually, a 15mm single figure is not a gaming piece on its own - they are most often used in "stands" or "bases." So a stand of 15mm infantry counts as a gaming piece, or a gun and its crew. Same thing for 6mm miniatures, unless they are vehicles or something special like a big monster or something.
At any rate, that's what I am going to track this year. I have been pretty busy these first six or seven weeks, so I need to count up what I have painted and get it posted. I will try to get some photos up soon as well.
All that said, I have to go teach an online class right now, so ta!
How insane would it be to collect and paint an entire Space Marines Chapter, say, for example... the Crimson Fists?
Very.
And yet, I am actually considering it. Let's look at the numbers, shall we, assuming that each Marine etc., has only one usual role (Intercessor, Tactical, Devastator, whatever). I will even reduce squads within companies in order to provide crew for attached transport (but let's face it - isn't that really a job for servitors? Space Marines fight, they don't drive trucks.)
Chapter Command
Armoury
Librarius
Reclusiam
Apothecarion
1st Company (Veterans)
2nd Company (Battle Company)
3rd Company (Battle Company)
4th Company (Battle Company)
5th Company (Battle Company)
6th Company (Battleline Reserve Company)
7th Company (Battleline Reserve Company)
8th Company (Close Support Reserve Company)
9th Company (Fire Support Reserve Company)
10th Company (Scout Company)
Here’s a peek at what I’ve been up to lately.
I survived the freezes in Texas. I have two half-written blog posts from November and December. I've been painting a good bit of 6mm. I ought to post on my latest enthusiasms...
I apologize about the quality of some of these photos. A photographer, I am not.
I mentioned earlier that I have been working on a lot of 40K this year. How much? The following is a list of all that is finished. Almost every mini was purchased this year, and all have been painted this year. “In progress” indicates minis that have been started but are not finished. I did not include any minis still on sprues or in boxes, etc.
Crimson Fists, 3rd Company and Reinforcements:
Ursus Phratrie, custom Space Marines Chapter, 4th Company
Space Wolves
Van Saar Gang (Necromunda)
Goliath Gang (Necromunda)
Escher Gang (Necromunda)
Orlock Gang (Necromunda)
Cult of the Four Armed Emperor Genestealer Cult
Eldar Craftworlds
Terrain
So, as you can see, the shutdowns have been helpful in my painting, as have contrast paints, which really speed up my process.
If you're wondering:
This blog has languished, like many (if not most) others. I'm sorry about that, for those of you who are still out there checking in on blogs.
I've actually been very busy with gaming, especially painting. I got back into Warhammer 40K just in time to have them change editions on me. But still, I have painted dozens of Warhammer minis this year, and will continue to do more.
I'm in two online games these days, one on Mondays where we are currently playing Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay, 4th Ed., and one on alternate Thursdays, where we are playing Starfinder. I am the GM for the WFRP game, and a PC in the Starfinder.
My historical gaming has expanded some as well, especially in Flames of War 4. Lots of Germans painted up, and working on (kind of half-heartedly) British Airborne. I even work on my USMC troops sometimes (though they are stuck in FOW3).
I have a LOT of photos of stuff I have painted this year. I will try to get some of them uploaded soon.
Take care, ladies and gents.
