Been a While

Life has a funny way of leading you onto paths that  you thought that you would never take.  My son's girlfriend recently has gone through some tough times.  She could have chose to make bad choices.  Instead had the courage to ask for help.  One step from homeless and with no where else to turn she turned to us.

We now have a beautiful, funny, smart, talented, energetic young lady staying with us.  My wife finally has another female in the home (even our cat is male) and the daughter that she had longed hoped for.  Me, I get to see a young lady get a fresh start at life.  She is wonderful.  It is sad that her own family didn't appreciate the great person that she is....their loss.  Honestly, I feel that she probably saved us as much as we saved her.  With our older son off to college and my younger son (her boyfriend) busy with college and work, my wife and I were feeling a tad out of sorts lately. My wife now has someone to talk and shop with and I have someone to share my love of music and humor.  A"win-win"!

My other son's girlfriend got me to watch Firefly on Netflix.  LOVED IT!!!!  Great cast, fun scripts, and a cool space ship...what more could a long time sci-fi nerd wish for.  Sad that it did't last longer. As Jubal Early would say, "Does that seem right to you?"

Bought a couple of Chaos Daemon Princes for my WH40K Daemon Army.  I am hoping that they will complete it.  You know as well as I do that I'm a miniatures addict and will never truly be done.  I'm pretty sure that there will be more Chaos to come.

I just finished painting a Reaper Bones Ape-X figure.  On a scale of 1 to 10 I'd give it an 8.5.  While not 100% satisfied with it, my attempts to "improve it" have only seemed to make it worse.  Time to quit while I'm ahead.

Nothing new on the brew front.  I've been enjoying a case of Beck's while hanging around the old fire-pit with friends.  We haven't solved all of the world's problems yet but we're working on it.

Summer is nearly over...sad but true.  The leaves will be changing and bright yellow school buses will delay our early morning commutes.  Soon the crispness in the air will give way to dancing snowflakes.  The circle of life continues.  It is the people in our lives that make the circle complete!

No Comfort In Gettysburg

Took the family up to Gettysburg for the Apple Blossom Festival.  The weather was fabulous and perfect for touring the battlefield.  We did the whole 9 yards while we were there:  museum, film, cyclorama, Jennie Wade House, cemetery, and the "Ghosts of Gettysburg" tour.  (May have caught a glimpse of a spook or two!!!)  We had a great time shopping in the quaint shops in downtown Gettysburg.  I was hoping to buy some Civil War Era Miniatures at the Gettysburg Miniatures Soldier Shop  but didn't.  (Note to owner:  You may want to actually speak to customers in the store jacka$$!!!!)  All-in-all a very nice little weekend get-away.

If you get the chance, make sure to eat at Tommy's Pizza when you are in Gettysburg.  I can honestly say that their pizza is among the very best that I have ever eaten.  We also ate at O'Rorke's.   The food there was mediocre at best and the service was about the same.  The whole place smelled like stale beer.  Won't be headed back there any time soon!

The worst part of the trip was our stay at the Comfort Inn Suites near the cemetery.  My first clue that this was not going to be a good choice was the fact that they still had Christmas decorations in the lobby.  The lobby smelled like chlorine which was either coming from a fish pond or from the pool. The halls had the same smell throughout the hotel.  The rooms were OK.  My closet door had a big hole in it and there was a dirty garment left in it by the previous occupant.  The foldout bed was so bad that your dog couldn't have slept on it.  We had to ask for new sheets and blankets because the ones that were on the beds were soiled.  When the staff came to change the sheets they were very rude.

Hoping to salvage something from the stay, we tried the free breakfast offered at the hotel.  If you love cold eggs and sausage then you have found the right place.  Outside of the coffee, nothing was remotely decent.  The best part of our stay at the Comfort Suites in was when we checked out.  I would NEVER stay there again or recommend it to anyone.  PLEASE READ THE ONLINE REVIEWS ABOUT THIS PLACE!!!!!  I wish that I had!

Random Thoughts:

My Penguins blew it big time in the playoffs!  Once again the boys in black and gold couldn't find the back of the net.  SOOOOOOOOOOO  disappointing!!!!!!!!

Ate at a new Chinese Restaurant in Plum Borough called the Golden Palace.  Excellent in every way!!!!! I can't wait to go back!

Drinks last night with friends at Crave Melt and Tap In Murrysville.  Cool atmosphere.  A really great selection of beer.  Food - small portions and pricey.  Excellent service.  A good time had by all!

An injury to my shoulder has kept me from doing too much in the way of miniatures painting.  I have completed several Reaper Bones miniatures which turned out exceptionally well.  I'm looking forward to painting more as soon as I'm up to it.

Ta-ta for now.  Headed outside to enjoy the sunshine!

Wink of an Eye

The world lost two great men this past week: Leonard Nimoy and Boris Nemtsov.

Leonard Nimoy's portrayal of Spock in Star Trek TOS was nothing short of amazing to me. He took a fictional character , an alien (well half), and had him show more humanity than we often see in one another. I held a special place in my heart for Spock ever since the first time I saw him on my parent's old black and white tv back in the Sixties. I was a chubby nerdy little kid that didn't quite fit in. I loved playing with toy soldiers, reading comic books, and dreaming of being an astronaut someday.

To me Spock was a hero. He was what I wanted to be. He was different but at the same time cool. He was smart but at the same time cool. He was peaceful yet powerful. (And the ladies seemed to love him.)

Even after Star Trek went off of the air, I still loved Spock, Bones, and Kirk. I went to all of the movies and am not ashamed to admit that I got a bit teary-eyed when Spock died saving the Enterprise. I feel that way again now. It almost seems like I have lost an old friend. I'd like to thank Leonard Nimoy for making Mr. Spock such an important part of my life as-well-as in the lives of millions around the world. My condolences to his family and friends. Live long and prosper Leonard! Second star to the right and straight on till morning.

I wish that I could have known Boris Nemtsov. It seems like he was a man of peace. It seems that he deeply cared for his country. It seems like he was willing to risk everything to make things right in Russia. These beliefs cost him his life.

I was in Russia in 1993. I met some wonderful people there. I found that they were basically the same as we are. They shared all the same wants, needs, and desires that we have. Back then they thought that we hated them and wanted to destroy them. They were just as shocked to hear me say that we felt the same way about them.

The Russians are just people. People who want a better world and a better life. Boris Nemtsov seemed like that's what he wanted for them. Russia has lost a great leader. My condolences to Mr. Nemtsov's family and friends and to the Russian People. I join with you in the hope that his efforts were not in vain and that his death will help to facilitate a better tomorrow for Russia.

What the Clix?!

I recently purchased a bunch of stuff from Miniature Market.  My mind was blown when I saw the size of some of the newer HeroClix.  Compared with some of the older HeroClix, the new ones are ginormous!  The new Grifter and Spartan figs are WAY bigger!!!!  They look extremely odd when placed with more normal sized figures.  Making the matter worse is the new goofy-a$$ bases that WizKids now uses.  Can someone over @ WizKids do a little scale conformity???  Really, I mean the figure scales are all over the board!

On the other side of the coin, I purchased my first minis made by Reaper Miniatures. In a word...AWESOME!!!  I bought a bunch from the "Bones" line.  Love 'em!  Nice sculpts, cool look, great variety, reasonably priced!!!!  Can't wait to get more!!!!

I also bought a DreamForge Leviathan Crusader.  The sum-beach is da bomb!  With so many other projects in the works, I think that I will hold off on this one until the summer.
*Side-note: DreamForge is putting out a bunch of new models that look way cool!  Check them out on their website.  http://dreamforge-games.com/

The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year

I'm going crazy!  The Pittsburgh Penguins are kicking some major dupa and I'm love'n it!  Last summer I was totally jacked when the Pens dumped a ton of players and their coach.  I loved those guys!  BUT...now I love the new Pens, GM Jimmy Rutherford, and Coach Mike Johnston.  All is well in da 'Burgh!

The new Pens are fast and exciting!!!  Watching them is pure joy!  It is sad when they play a team that has a former Pen on their squad. However all things must change...even the Pens.  So here's to the injury-riddled, mumps infected Pens and all the guys from Wilkes Barre Pens who have stepped up and done an awesome job...LET"S GO PENS!!!!

A quick shout out to Flying Dog Brewery.  Had their K-9 Winter Ale and it was quite good. I highly recommend it!!!!  I'm looking forward to trying more of their various brews in the future.


I finally finished my Chaos Cultists and the Crimson Slaughter Space Marines from the WH40K Dark Vengeance set.  They really turned out well and I am quite happy with them.  I want to get a Daemon Prince or two and I think that will complete my Chaos Army.

I also finished a set of Troopers from eM4 Miniatures.  They look pretty good overall.  Not sure what I'll do with them yet.

I need to finish painting a set of Steel Legion troops and a full set of Bauhaus soldiers from Prince August Miniatures.  I want to get them done so that I can start on a set of Gangers from eM4 and a set of Gangers from Gang War Miniatures.

This is probably my last blog for 2014.  I wish all of you Happy Holidays and a healthy, safe, and prosperous New Year!

The Good, The Not-So-Bad, and The Ugly

The Good

Ordered some Rangers and some Gangers by em-4 miniatures from Noble Knight Games.  Awesome purchase all the way around. NKG was super easy to deal with,  Will order from them again.  The minis are great and I can't wait to paint 'em.  Update on them to follow later.

The Not-So-Bad

Love P.F. Changs.  I have been there to eat dozens of times.  Was there on Sunday...not so great.  The ribs looked like they took them off of some small starving creature.  Not at all good!  The pseudo General Tso's looked like it was soup surrounded by 2 heads of broccoli.  NO TASTE WHAT-SO-EVER!  The Great Wall chocolate cake was fantastic!!!!  The service was super!  Not planning a return visit any time soon.

The Ugly

My cousin passed away this past week.  She was only 25.  A beautiful young lady who was totally about helping others.  The poor, the homeless...anyone who was less fortunate than she was. For whatever the reason, the one person that she was unable to help was herself.

We weren't really close.  In fact, I didn't even know her all that well.  I still felt the loss.  Why... why did this happen to someone so young and vibrant?  Not knowing that answer I think increases the pain.  Somehow, I just wish that people like my cousin could realize how big of a hole in the world their departure makes.  It just leaves those that loved them (no matter what the degree) in pain.

Hell Ain't A Bad Place To Be

Every time I hear that song by AC/DC it makes me want to go nuts.  I still love it after all these years.  While on the topic of Hell, I just completed a couple of Games Workshop models that are straight from there.  I finished a Chaos Hellbrute from the Dark Vengeance set and a LOTR Balrog that I have had around for some time.  I am pretty happy with both.  I am really pleased with the fire painting I did on the Balrog. Only 152 to go! Check out the pics.

I had a "hell-of-a-good"  meal the other night @ Luigi's Ristorante in DuBois, PA.  The Veal Piccata was by far the very best I have ever eaten.  Everyone enjoyed their meals and we had a great time.  Ask to sit in the enclosed patio area in the back. In a word...FANTASTIC!!!!

If you like Italian subs (hoagie here in Da 'Burgh), you gotta try a "hell-of-a-good" one from Vocelli's Pizza.  YUM!!!! I loved everything about it!!!!!

If you want to go to a "hell-of-a-great" place to grab a beer then stop at one of the Rivertowne Pour Houses around Pittsburgh.  A nice variety of their own craft beers are available and the service is terrific.  Grab some friends and go!!!

Back to the Grind

DONE.  FINISHED.  After more than a week I have completed my Warhammer Soul Grinder.  I must say that I am more than pleased with it.  Inspired by a picture that I saw online of a customized Soul Grinder done by TalonWarlock I set out to mimic the model.  I made a few changes/additions myself and ended up with what I feel is a pretty cool model.

I have posted some pics.  I am throwing in a pic of my Daemonettes for poops and laughs.

So one down and 155 to go.  I did a count and have realized that I have that many models to paint/finish.  Fifty of those are miniatures from the Sedition Wars: Battle for Alabaster Game.  I have promised myself not to buy any more until these are completed.  It gets overwhelming knowing that there are that many to finish.  A hobby is supposed to be fun, enjoyable, and relaxing.  It shouldn't be an additional source of stress.

From here on out..one mini at a time.  Hopefully I'll share pics as I complete them.  Next up is a Chaos Hellbrute.   I plan to use the same color scheme as I did with the Soul Grinder.  Hopefully I will have the same amount of success with it.  Wish me luck!

Beach'n About It

Just got back from North Myrtle Beach, SC.  Survived Arthur!  Bad winds and rain!  Crazy high waves! Other than that all was great.  Fun in the sun with family.

We had been in North Myrtle about 11 years ago.  (Ironically a hurricane hit while we were there then as well.  We have had 3 hurricanes hit while we have been on vacation.  Ivan hit us in Florida in 2004.)  We swore the last time that we were there that we would never go back.  The town was a dumpy tourist trap.  But a great deal on a beachfront condo was too hard to pass up.

Much has changed in North Myrtle since we were last there.  It seems like the town cleaned up its act.  Nicer places to stay, eat, shop.   Enjoyed Broadway at the Beach and Barefoot Landing!  Great Pizza at Benito's!!!!!  The beach, sun, and weather were awesome (except for 1 day with Arthur!)

We went to the Boardwalk in Myrtle on the 4th.  Left in less than an hour.  If you like drunks, skanks, B.O., cigarette smoke, and crap that is WAY overpriced then you'll love this place.  Got back to the condo and watched fireworks being shot off on the beach from our balcony.  All's well that ends well.

Followed the Pen's trades, etc. online while away.  Holy crap the whole damn team is gone!  Next year should prove interesting....we shall see!

The vacation interrupted hobby time.  (The price you pay for quality time with family!!!)  Working on a WH40K Soulgrinder.  I am happy with my progress so far.  Still sitting on the sidelines are a LOTR Balrog and a bunch of Warzone Bauhaus soldiers that  I started.  I hope to get everything done by the end of summer.  Wishful thinking perhaps.

I bought some stuff from the Miniatures Market recently.  I got a great deal on the Axis Gorilla sets and the zombies.  I also got 2 Marauder sets by Mantic Games.  I'm sure that I will get to them at some point.

Watched a bunch of World Cup matches.  So much fun to see such great athletes play such a phenomenal sport. Too bad for the U.S.  Got to say that they gave it one heck of a go.

Back to real life tomorrow.  Better hit the hay.  I'll just have to dream of ocean breezes, sunny cloudless skies, and sand between my toes.

'scaping

I haven't played Heroscape in some time now.  Recently I got the urge to finish my collection of Heroscape figures.  I was able to track down some the Soulborgs and Elves from Wave Four (Zanafor's Discovery).  I also bought the Elf and Samurai Flagbearers.  I paid a pretty penny for them but was happy to finally get them.  On Ebay I found the Heroes for Wave Four.  A seller who goes by hchris278 had them all.  I don't normally buy on Ebay, but I would again if hchris278 is selling.  This seller was GREAT!  With in 3 days I had the items.  They were well wrapped and with the free shipping I couldn't have asked for more.  If you are looking for any Heroscape stuff, I highly recommend this seller on Ebay!!!!

I also picked up an extra set of Anubian Wolves.  I did a repaint on them.  I was inspired by a video clip I saw recently on an Arctic Wolf.  In the video the wolf is howling in response to howls from a human audience.  The wolf is amazing to watch!  With it in mind, I painted the Anubian Wolves white.  I used a light grayish wash on them which I tinted slightly sky blue.  I then went back and highlighted with the white.  I gave them sky blue eyes.  The overall look is pretty good.  I am happy with them.  Hoping to post some pics later. (As some of you may know -  I often fail to follow up on this.)

While not escaping to collect or paint Heroscape figures, I have been watching Stanley Cup Hockey.  The Rangers-Canadians series was awesome.  Having lived outside of L.A. in the past, I am pulling for the Kings in the western series.  Some fantastic hockey in both series!!!

I guess my beloved Pens are watching as well.  It breaks my heart that after such an amazing season that the Pens came up short again.  Something needs to change.  SOOOO much talent and nothing to show for it.  I really think that Sid needs to hand over the "C" to Geno.  The team is his and I feel that it has been for some time now.

Lots of Pens get the limelight and the press.  I just wanted to say thanks to some of the guys that don't:
Craig Adams.  Hustle, hustle hustle.  Love this guy!  The same goes for Joe Vitale!  Tanner Glass and Deryk Engelland.  Always stepping up to do the job!  Brian Gibbons.  ALL HEART!!!!!  Last but not least - Brandon Sutter.  Great great great job this year!!!!  (Side note:  Looking forward to the return of Pascal Dupuis!  He is the embodiment of all the right characteristics of a hockey player.  His leadership and skill was missed last season.)

I'll leave you laughing.  I heard a bunch of the Pens wanted to score with a hot chick they saw at a game during the playoffs.  None of them did.  Her name was Annette.  Get it...A NET!

How Quickly Life Can Change

Last Wednesday morning I sent my son off to school as I have so many times in the past.  "Have a nice day son." with a "You too Dad" is our morning ritual.  I watch him walk to the bus stop and then head off to work.  Typical day.

I was at work for about 20 minutes when a co-worker informed me that something tragic happened at my son's school.  I immediately texted him.  A few minutes later he responded that he  was alright but that a bunch of students had been stabbed. 

The attack took place at Franklin Regional High School.  My son was less than 10 feet away from where it occurred.  He is lucky to be alive.

Never take it for granted that it will be a typical day.  In today's world, you can never be sure.  Love you children every day!!!!  They can be gone in a second.

Please pray for the victims and their families.  Pray for Alex and his family too!  They are hurting as well!


There is no excuse for what Alex did.  Something went horribly wrong.  Each day I hear more and more from the community about how this young man was horribly bullied .  I am not surprised.  My own children have had to deal with it there.

This has been hell for our community.  We are trying to pick up the pieces and move forward.  We are emotional wrecks.  We are trying to make sense of it all.  It will take time.

This needs to stop.  Our children need to be able to go to school and learn while feeling safe.  Each story that I hear about bullying is worse than the last.  Kids are being tortured by their peers.  This must end.

How many more times do kids need to be killed or injured before this country takes this situation seriously?  It is our responsibility to protect the safety of our children.  Turning a blind eye is not the answer. 

I never thought that something like this could happen here.  It did.  It could happen anywhere.