All Hell's Breaking Loose

 WOW!

Sports in da Burgh are falling apart.  Steelers, Penguins, Pitt Panthers, (of course the Pirates have stunk for some time - I think we just accept it now.)  The Steelers crapped the bed at the end of the season losing 4 straight at the end of the season and then get embarrassed by the Ravens in the playoffs.  The buzz is Tomlin is safe and won't get canned.  The team seems like a mess with disgruntled players and accusations that vets went soft at the end.  The Rooney's need to right that ship in the off season.  Steeler fans are known to be intolerant and won't put up with much.

Equally as bad are the Penguins.  They seem to be having trouble on and off the ice.  It seems that nearly everyone is unhappy from Coach Sullivan to the players (Jarry on his way to the Baby Pens) to the fans.  The front office needs to decide what is the path forward.  Rebuild or chug along with the same-old-same- old.  What's going to sell tickets?  It's time to decide.

Coach Narduzzi and the Pitt Panther football team were Jekyll and Hyde this past season.  The first half they were pretty darn good and the second half (including the bowl game) were just ugly.  What to do here is anyone's guess.

As fans, were stuck with some train wrecks and some mediocrity.  Dark days in the Steel City for sure.

Turkey, Sports, and Cranberry

Today is the one day of the year that I get to eat as much as I want without calorie counting,  I've already unbuttoned the top of my jeans to allow for the expanding girth to come.  As I sit here anticipating the meal, I am quite aware of how fortunate I am.

I have a wonderful wife and (adult) kids, two pretty cool pets, a job that allows me to do a great number of things, and a nice home.  I live in a the U.S. which, despite it shortcomings, is a blessing in and of itself.

To my fellow Americans, have a enjoyable Thanksgiving.  To all the rest out there on planet Earth, I wish you nothing but the best.  I hope that today is a great day for one and all!

*****

Pittsburgh sports are rocking right now.  The Steelers are looking good.  Pitt football is rolling in the ACC.  The Penguins got a much needed win last night over the Dallas Stars. Patric Hornqvist's play was a big reason for the win.  He really is the cranberry, as Bob Errey put it.  The team played extremely well overall !

Say Hello To My Little Friends

Miniatures Market had a great closeout sale a few weeks back.  I grabbed some figures from the Golem Arcana game, a set from Arcane Legions, and some other stuff.  I just finished modifying the Golems.  I will use them as 28mm models.  I eliminated the silly looking little jockey guys and replaced them with Sculpey or skulls from Secret Weapon Miniatures.  I think that they turned out decently.

The figures in the back of the picture are pretty darn big and exceptionally cool looking.  The 3 figures in the middle are about the same size as a frost or fire giant from D&D, Pathfinder, or Reaper.  The Sand Lion on the left is a tad larger than a standard 28mm figure.  Take a look and see what you think.

Pens are back in action.  Steelers got a win.  The Pitt Panthers too.  Ya gotta love the Fall here in da Burgh!

I am Iron Man

It took a while, but I finally got my metal-handed Medusan finished.  This model is from Kabuki Studios.  In my opinion, it is one of their better sculpts.  Size-wise, it is on par with several of their other figures, like their Smith Knight and Steam Knight. 

Basically, I stuck to the color scheme that was on the photograph that comes with the kit.  I really liked the look, so I went with it.  I'm pleased with how this great little Gorgon Knight turned out.  See for yourself.

While not exactly Iron Men, some players on the Steel City sports teams aren't looking so hot.  Outside of the Steelers, things are not going well for the Pitt Panthers and the Penguins.  The road has been pretty rocky as of late.  The Pens have some time to right the ship.  I think the Panthers will have to wait for next year.  Oh well, I guess that you can't have everything.

Big Day In Da 'Burgh

The buzz has been big all week.  The Steelers are in the playoffs once again.  The opponent this time - the smelly fish from Miami.  The Steelers are looking for a little payback after a loss to the Dolphins earlier in the season.  I'm looking forward to kicking it back later and checking out the game.  GO STEELERS!!!!

The Pens also play today.  After a bit of a break, I can't wait to see them take the ice again tonight.  Ironically, the Penguins are also playing a team from Florida - The Tampa Bay Lightning.  So it's North versus South once again.  LET"S GO PENS!!!!

Other items of note:

Pretzel Sandwich

*Went out with family to Stoke's restaurant in the North Hills.  It was a good overall experience.  The service was pretty decent.  The atmosphere was OK...nothing fancy.  Everyone seemed to enjoy their meals.  I had a roast beef sandwich on a pretzel bun.  I thought that it was tasty.  I really enjoyed the beer I had.  It was called Too Cream Stout by Dark Horse Brewery.  Loved the flavor.  I thought that the place was a tad pricey, but overall, I think that we all had a good time.

* I wanted to share a pic of the last miniatures that I completed in 2016.  Two are Reaper Bones minis and one is from Malufaux.  I modified one to resemble our favorite Road Warrior and did a head swap on the Malifaux figure.  Check 'em out.

*The Primarch Project is underway.  I am starting with the most mystical of the bunch.  Pics and progress to follow.  Gotta run.  Later gators...that sounded too Floridian, right?!

Up and Down in the 'Burgh

It's late September and I really should be ...sorry Rod Stewart fans ...no Maggie May here.  I really should be excited about the sports scene here in old Pittsburgh, PA.  Not the case.  Yet again the Buccos were only a tease for a little while.  Yep, they're fading fast in the latter innings.  The Steelers are off to a shakey start ...we'll have to wait and see.  No hockey.  If it weren't for the Pitt Panthers (not that they are lighting the world on fire), I'd have to actually start to look for things to do around my house (it's sad that I am actually excited about rooting for WVU ..."GO MOUNTAINEERS!).  In fact, I have looked over the old "Honey Do" list a couple of times as a possible way to better utilize my time ...which made me realize watching the Pirates blow another game wasn't such a bad idea.  Maybe October will be better.  Maybe the NFL regular refs will be back.  Maybe I'll refinish that old chair on the list.  Maybe I should start playing a sport myself.  Maybe not ... it sounds too much like work.