Tuesday, April 21, 2020

2 more 74s (is fun to say outloud)



But first a little message from our sponsor:

Back to Work!


I reported in my last post that I was taking some time off due to all the COVID 19 stuff.  Well, that lasted about 2 and half weeks.  I had wanted more time away., but after increasingly shrill and threatening phone calls from the boss; I was basically ordered back to work or risked termination.  Which kinda forced the issue.  All my requests for time off were basically denied, because no one in my family had been infected.  Of course, the whole point of taking time off was to prevent infection.

Overall, I have mixed emotions about it.   While I wasn't particularly excited about losing some paychecks and prestige for "working through the hard times,"  I did feel good about putting family first and it was nice to just kinda be home.  Now being back to work it's nice having the income again and a reason to know what day it is and to take a shower, but I'm a little resentful about being forced to go back to work before I decided it was a good time.

OH WELL.  Be a man and suck it up buttercup. 

After all, with the unemployment situation that many people are facing I'm grateful to be in a good position, even if it forced upon me...
I could go into more details but it'd be too boring to explain, and I'm sure you get the gist. 

I did take advantage of the telework option. so I'm going in half time and working from home the other half, which is actually a pretty nice set up so far.  Basically I am at home for 5 days and work at my institution for 2 days a week.   YAY!  Plenty of time for house projects and using manly tools like screw drivers and wire strippers.  I've been doing so many manly stuff that I'm almost tempted to drink black coffee.  (no one in their right mind should drink black coffee, I needs me my delightful French Vanilla creamer) 

Pretty Pictures of Pretty Ships


On to the real stuff, the stuff that really matters! The stuff of 1/1200 model ships.  When I die, bury me with my ships.

Here we go with 2 more glorious miniature ships to join their fleets.  Both of these are generic 3rd rate 74 gun Ships of the Line.  It’s too bad that Kublacon is cancelled because I’d be in a very good position to finish up the rest of the ships I had planned, and maybe even make a few game enhancing extras like cool markers for broadsides firing besides me making BOOM! KA-BOOM! Sounds loudly at the targeted player.

Here is the French-y. 
This ship has red sides.


Some nice looking rigging

My fingers is sexay and I know it.
In a manly way though.



Stern cabin

Ready to go fight the evil British


Here is the British-y  (that doesn’t sound right)

This British 74 has grey sides.  Just to be different from all the other British 74s.

Some more nice rigging


Stern Cabin

Ready to fight the evil French.
(yeah I got hairy fingers, because I am, so extra MANLY)



With these two ships completed and safely in the storage bin, I'm faced with the burning question that faces everyone once in awhile....  So Now What?  


The Funky Hobby


We've all been in the hobby funk before.  I've got it now.  With Kublacon being cancelled my hobby goal is removed and I'm sort of flailing about finding a project to hold my interest.  Like most of us wargamers, I've had these periods of low motivation before, and I know they pass; though it does seem like bad timing, because at least in theory, there should be even more time for hobbyness with the whole state being on shelter in place orders.  I have 3 known cures for hobby funk.  I'm not saying these work for everyone, but these do work for me.  They are"

1) Do something else for a little bit:
I'm doing more stuff around the house.  The wife has already re-arranged 3 rooms with me as the Manly Muscle moving the heavy furniture.  I've also thrown myself in with some home improvements like switching out some ceiling fans and changing a garbage disposal that I discovered was leaking.  It also seems like a good time to finally redo our stair rails and banister.  
The main point is that I'm being very manly around the house.  I think I've described myself as manly several times in this post by now, so I'm sure I have you all convinced.  It's like taking a break from miniatures but still doing projects that engage the mind and hands, instead of just watching TV.  I'm also trying to exercise more.   This has the added bonus of earning hubby points as things in the house improve. 

2) Clean the hobby desk:
A cluttered desk is a cluttered mind.  Some say it's also the sign of genius.  But what are the odds of me having the Brawn and the Brain?  No.  Actually, the more messy the hobby desk gets the less room you seem to have.  

My wife and I have hobby desks that face each other (though she doesn't use hers much).
My side has gotten quite messy.

That's better.  All clean, everything in a place. 
Ready to go for the next project.
 
Now when inspiration / motivation returns, it'll be easy to pull out whatever project sparks it and get right down to it.

I left 2 unfinished 18mm CSA Brigadier generals on the hobby desk because they've been there for YEARS.
It is my tribute to all unfinished projects everywhere.  At least they don't take up much room.
One day, I'll paint them. 
3) Start a New Genre:
This is the 'break glass in case of emergency option.'  I might have to use it.  The AWI has been calling for awhile. 



In any case: I hope you all are in good health and doing well in these crazy times.  Continue to take care of yourselves and your families. 
And as usual, thanks for reading. 



36 comments:

  1. Excellent post Stew and I understand your frustration and concern on all fronts - health, both physical and mental as well as economic. Those ships of yours are looking outstanding. I was wondering, as it wasn't clear in the photos, have you painted the blue water on the base with a gloss or satin varnish at all? I wonder how that would look and whether it would add or detract. They look brilliant anyway.

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    1. Thank you very much Carlo. It’s hard to do right by everyone, a high wire act right now. I’ve only fallen a few times. 😀

      Regarding a varnish on the base; I’ve gone back and forth in my mind a few times. There isn’t one on there now for the reason that my sea mat isn’t particularly shiny and I think the bases match better without one. But it’s still something I think about doing. Maybe one day when I make my own sea scape I’ll go ahead and varnish everything. 😀

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  2. Stew, your two new Christened 74s look fab! You make these ships look remarkable with your rigging work. Your hobby desk cleaned up well. Mine is an utter mess and has been in that state for years.
    Good to see that in addition to figures, you are amassing Hubby Points too. My work continued as before the pandemic so I am a bit envious of those who managed to get several weeks or a couple of months leave. I am happy that the paychecks are rolling in again for you. More discretionary income for more figures.

    Let's see some AWI action. How about it?

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    1. Thank you very much Jonathan. Your wish is my command and AWI is in the works. I’m massing the hubby points to spend on a hobby day so I can get started, once I finish redoing that banister and stairway. 😀
      I’ve found that my hobby desk needs a good clean out once in awhile.
      I wish as well I could of done a lot more hobbies during this time but it’s what it is. These working from home is a strange thing; I tend to put in two 15 hour days.

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  3. Sorry to hear about the nasty work environment--at least you still get to do a good deal of teleworking. Impressive list of man-achievements (when our garbage disposal went bad, I called in a man in a toolbelt to fix it). Love the ships: with the basing, they are the complete package! Cleaning up and organizing the painting desk always is a big help to get me going again when I'm stuck in neutral.

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    1. When our garbage disposal broke last year, I replaced it myself. I should have suggested I receive a pot or Hubby Points!

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    2. Thanks very much Ed. Everybody has something that requires calling a man with a tool belt. For me it’s plumping. Oh and I broke down and hired a man with a lawn mower for the yard work. It was too much for me. And yes, the clean hobby desk does wonders to reorient myself. 😀

      The trick to earning hubby points is to get out way more tools than you actually need and grunt loudly once in awhile while working. Then pose like Superman when your finished. 😀

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  4. Lovely models, I often use conventions to force my pace and get a project finished.
    Regarding the "funk" in the face of enforced inactivity I have challenged my wargaming chums to dust off and finish an old project. I recently finished a fairly massive terrain project and am now completing a painting task that has sat in the queue for far too long. Rummage around in the back corners of the Lead Pile and find those minis that you fell in love with.......but stop with the boats; you are embarrassing the rest of us ;)

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    1. Thanks very much Anton. I’ve been reading your blog so I know what you’ve been about, you got nothing to be embarrassed about. 😀
      My lead pile isn’t really all that extensive believe it or not and most of my genres are in a decent state of completion. When I get into a funk it’s best for me to find something I’m really excited about or play games. Games are just hard to come by these days. 😀

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  5. A minutius and amazing work on the ship Stew, and a very clean desk!

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    1. Thanks Phil. I appreciate the comments. I like the ships too and having the clean desk will help me get started on the next project. So a temporary state. 😀

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  6. Good stuff.......feel the pain about the virus I am able to work from home which is ok but somewhat boring and relentless.....no time for manly activities. I like the look of your hobby light might improve my lighting situation. As for funk just MAN up ....the ships are fantastic by the way. Yes get that new project on the go, I just get such pleasure from sourcing, collecting and painting figures AWI.............is calling

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    1. Lol, I do need to man up. Thanks Matt. Working from home is such a blessing and a curse.
      I can heartily recommend having a hobby light. I shudder to think how even more terrible my painting would be without it. 😀
      Manly activities are a nice distraction while in the hobby funk, but nothing to get excited over.
      And I have heard the call of the AWI for awhile now, but I’ve finally answered. Coming soon...😀

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  7. Lovely, love ships! I had a boss who's motto was 'Tidy Desk, Tidy Mind' - you could see him getting anxious when he looked at my desk. I couple of times he offered to tidy it for me!!!! I mean what's the point, how would I ever be able to find anything again!

    You are of course only part way to having a messy mind, by now, you should have occupied all that lovely open space on the desk opposite you, with a large pile of something that is just one book away from toppling over!

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    1. Lol thanks Norm. My wife’s side of the hobby area isn’t nearly as messy but my wargaming stuff would look very out of place nestled in with her rock mandalas and cute decorated cookies. But you never know, if I left some miniatures there long enough she might end up painting them. Course she would paint them all the wrong colors just to spite me. 😀

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  8. Splendid looking pair of 74s! Always good to do stuff around the house/garden, sounds a bit rum that you've been press ganged but at least it's in keeping with the age of sail! I just start something that catches my fancy from the pile of ongoing projects, never been interested in the AWI that much but each to their own, dust off dark ages, start Napoleonic on land? The wargames world is your lobster!
    Best Iain

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    1. Thanks very much Iain, that’s funny and I didn’t really think of it like that. In truth it’s not terrible and it’s not like I could stay away from work forever. 😀
      Funny enough, I’ve never been interested in Napoleonic on land. It’s because of all the funny troop names and strange places. But I agree, it’s a big hobby tent with room for everybody. 😀

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  9. Fab ships Stew, that rigging is outstanding on such small scale models! Nice tidy desk too - if the neighbouring area is mostly unused maybe you can consider a stealthy invasion? Or how about a manly blitzkrieg?

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    1. Thanks Mike. Blitzkriegs are definitely manly as you overpower all resistance. Of course, the antithesis of all that is the womanly eye roll and smirk. Stops me dead in my tracks each time. 😀

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  10. Great looking ships there Stew, you're right British-y sounds wrong just replace it with "victor" or "winner" :)

    Having just finished my Portuguese brigade I'm at that what next point too. Not that there aren't still loads more napoleonics in the to do pile, both 28mm and 15/18mm (to rebase), not to mention loads more 15/18mm ACW, oh and 28mm AWI !

    Take care of yourself and family mate, I started back at work this week too, no option for work at home, can't fit the helicopters in the garden :)

    Tony.

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    1. Thanks Tony! yeah, the British seemed pretty unstoppable during this time period on the ocean. It is a good time to examine the Lead Pile and see what could be painted. Good luck going back to work. For a second I thought helicopters in the garden was some crazy UK slang. :)

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  11. That is a real mixed bag about going back to work. Having to go back is tough I would imagine but I'm sure it is nice to be collecting a paycheck once again. The latest ship looks really sharp and I love the basing you use with them. You're an adept ship painter and I think the latest boats are some of the best work I have seen from you.

    In terms of the hobby funk, I think number 3 is a good bet though taking a short break from it is not a bad thing too. If painting for conventions/gaming is your biggest motivator, then you might try finding something you can play solo or just pick up some miniatures or a game that you've always been curious about and give it a go! That seems to be working for me with Fallout as I will discuss sometime this weekend on my site, I imagine :) Stay safe and I look forward to seeing where you go next with your hobbying!

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    1. Thanks Kuribo! Going back to work was kinda a strange experience, but in the end it's alright. I basically end up working 15 hour days for the 2 days that I am there and completing documentation that has be done within a 24 hour window, and then just kinda checking email most of the day when I'm 'teleworking.' So not too shabby.

      I do want to get in a solo game soonish. First I need to finish the manly house project of redoing the banister, and then I think I'll have enough hubby points to cash in for a hobby day. I'm thinking either LOTR or trying out Sharpe Practice 2, which is another rule set that I haven't played in forever and has a good random activation so should be fine solo.

      In the end, I've opted for number 1 (taking a break to do manly chores) and number 3 (starting a new genre) as it's time to get the AWI off the ground. : )

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  12. Stew,
    Sorry to hear that you got press-ganged (thanks, Iain!), but at least your work from home doesn't sound too onerous. My sister-in-law works from home, and she seems to put in a 12 hour day every day.

    The gray ship looks good in the photos, as it comes across as a dirty, faded white. Also, that is some very nice brush work on the stern. Also, you are now officially getting more done than I am! Like you, I'm starting a new (newish?) project that will be unveiled shortly.

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    1. Thanks BW. Yeah, work is not a terrible situation but does make those two days very busy, but I have one of those jobs that kinda requires being there so I’m surprised there’s even a telecommute option. So I’ll take it. 😀

      Super glad you like the ships. Now I have a whole 12 of them. You’ve got a new project too? We can be new project buddies. 😀

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    2. Well, it's not exactly a new project. What I'm about to do is try and tie 2 projects that I already have together. I'll be telling more in my next blog post (whenever that might be).

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  13. Great looking models Stew! That rigging is absolutely amazing, well done!
    What scale are your AWI models?

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    1. Thanks Ivor! I appreciate it very much.

      Because I have a lot of 15mm ACW terrain that could do double duty in the AWI, I naturally chose 28mm. 🙃

      I just want the 28mm spectacle. 😀

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  14. Too funny Stew! I noticed your "manly" thumb has a bit of dried glue on it for decoration. I saw it when I zoomed in on that outstanding red paint job on your new Frenchy. Know what you mean about the slump. I get them all the time. And I do all the same stuff to get over it. But other than finishing up some long unfinished Russian mounted jaegers a few months ago, I have rarely left the ships. Mostly I just flip around with what ship. Tired of SOLs, do a xebex! Tired of kit ships, start a scratchbuilt! Build a vintage plastic ship model. Back to 1/1200 again for a frigate or brig. Haven't really done figures much since I discovered ships. But I have drawers of lead pile.
    Wow, my wife would never share hobby space with me. And besides, my dungeon is my sactuary! You are a lucky man....I think?

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    1. Thanks Vol! It’s either glue or paint or something else....least I washed my hands since then. 😀
      Sharing a hobby space isn’t all bad. She rarely uses it these days do more often than not it’s my sanctuary too. The only real drawback when we do manage to do hobbies toy is that we have to put something on that she likes in the background. Luckily she likes war movies. 😀
      I think you’re fortunate that you have the one passion for ships.

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  15. New ships are typically lovely sir and both your painting and rigging work have easily gotten better than prior ships you've previewed.

    I also find flitting between hobby projects helps keep my hobby mojo primed. A "palatte cleanser" model or two that will give me an excuse to use completely different colours and for a mini in a drastically different genre often rests my otherwise fed-up motivation. Afterall, painting Brown British Uniforms or Grey/Butternut Reb's can get pretty dull all too swiftly.

    Also, with you on the work woes. The Court has had me in every other week now and I'm pissed. Apparently criminals deserve their mandated rights even though there's this "National State of Emergency" going on.... I'll stop there.

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    1. Thanks Dai. Shifting between genres is also a good idea. I typically put two projects on the hobby desk at once to provide some variety in purpose. 😀

      It seems the wheels of justice must turn on...

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  16. Glad to hear your work situation turned out for the better in the end Stew. The rigging on those ships are a thing of beauty and really set them off.

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    1. Thanks Pat. There is plenty to be grateful for even if not looked for. And I agree, it’s the rigging that makes a ship miniature reality pop. Luckily it’s not too hard to do that even an oaf like me can pull it off. 😀

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  17. Ships are fantastic! Hobby funk is a normal thing. I tend to cycle between hobby, binge watching miniseries, and video games. Getting right away from it, and immersing myself in something else, gives the creativity pump time to re-prime. Glad, I guess, to hear work settled. I've been pretty lucky, in that while my job is ongoing, the employer made the decision to transition to work from home. I keep hearing horror stories from people compelled to work in unsafe conditions. Stay safe.

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    1. Thanks FMB. The hobby funk has ended with the arrival of my AWI stuff. Now I’m back to the usual pattern of longing to do a little hobby time and the world conspiring against me by eliminating free time. Lol. 😀

      I already worked in an unsafe environment but at least it was only me. But working in a place that could risk your whole family is something different. Scary times it is.

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