Totally Psyched

I came across a few items which I was totally psyched about the other day while surfing the net.  The first is a new line of miniatures from Prodos Games.  They are putting out Mutant Chronicles Warzone Resurrection miniatures.  The stuff looks terrific and I can't wait to get my hands on some.  I got the Prince August 80 pack of Warzone Mutant Chronicles minis awhile back and am still putting some together.  Very pumped about this!  Check them out  here:  Mutant Chronicle Miniatures

I am a big fan of Judge Dredd.  Mongoose Publishing is putting out a Judge Dredd miniatures game.  It looks like it will have expansion packs as well.  This has to go on my Christmas list with the gazillion other miniatures related items!  Here is the link if you want to check it out:  Judge Dredd  While they are at it, I would really love if they put out a new Starship Troopers line again!

The last thing that I saw and was majorly taken with was the WH 40K Dark Vengeance set.  Dark Angels vs. Chaos Forces...who couldn't love this?!  Gotta put this on the "I need to hit the lottery to have it" list for now.  The price tag is just a little too rich for me.  Having said that, you do get a lot of figures for the money.  See for yourself:  Dark Vengeance

With limited funds and a growing number of sets still needing to be assembled and painted, I think getting any of these items in the near future is unlikely...but a man can have his dreams can't he?!

In the Dust

I jut finished a set of "Grim Reapers" from the Dust Tactics miniatures line.  The "Reapers" turned out really really well.  They are probably my best painting effort to date.  I think that the Dust Tactics line/game is pretty darn cool.  The whole "Weird War" concept totally appeals to me.  (I also like Tannhauser for the same reason!)   So far I have acquired and painted several sets.  From the Allied troops I also have a set of "Tank Busters".  My Axis group  consists so far of the Hero Pack, Laser Grenadiers, and the Heavy Recon Grenadiers.

The knocks against Dust Tactics are:

1) Price - too much $ for too few figures
2) Figures come pre-assembled (some folks may see this as a plus)

On the upside:

1) Variety (Axis, Allies, Soviet/Chinese forces and vehicles)
2) Quick turn around in painting them and having them ready for play.

I have plans to continue buying and painting more sets down the road.  I love the Axis Gorillas and Zombies. I hope to start adding some of the vehicles as well.  We'll have to see (time and money always factor in).  I want to make sure I get as many of the items that I can so that I'm not left in the DUST!

Unpatriotic????

If you have read any of my posts, you know I love to go out to eat.  Saturday, on the way home from visiting a niece who just got out of the hospital, we stopped at the Waterworks Shopping Center in Pittsburgh.  There is a fantastic burger place there called Burghatory.  When we went in we were told there was a 30 minute wait.  Right next door to Burghatory is Uncle Sam's Sandwich Bar.  There was no wait and they sold beer...NO BRAINER!!!!  The place looked pretty cool...sort of an urban chic.  We went up to the counter to place our orders and for about 5 minutes were completely ignored.  Just as I was about to head out the door, a waitress asked for our order.  Lucky us...she had a real attitude!  Not in the door 10 minutes and Uncle Sammy's is at strike two!!  Too hungry to go and wait someplace else all over again, we ordered and grabbed a table.  The TV flat-screens in the place were microscopic...it just kept getting better.  The tables and floor were kind of dirty to boot.  On the bright side the order came up quickly and the server was friendly.  The fries looked (and tasted) like the old potato sticks that you used to eat out of the can when you were a kid.  They were cold too!!  My Italian sub sandwich tasted terrible!!!!!!  I have eaten a ton of these sandwiches over the years and this was very close to being the worst.  My better half ordered a cheese steak and loved it.  She did get jacked by the fact that they charge you an additional half a buck for a drink refill (which you have to get yourself)! By this point I had lost count of the strikes and just wanted to get the heck out of there.  Sorry Uncle Sam, but I'm not feeling too patriotic about your subs.  Bottom line...no plans of ever patronizing the place again.  Live and learn!

In The House

I was able to go to the Hofbrauhaus on the South Side in Pittsburgh over the holidays.  One word...AWESOME!!!!

The beer-cheese pretzel appetizer was a great way to start things off.  I ordered a large mug of the Dunkel which was quite satisfying.  I totally enjoyed the Reuben Sandwich and fries as well.  We (my family and I) loved the food and were quite satisfied with the portions.  The German Beer Hall atmosphere was great and very clean and neat.  Our waitress was wonderful and the entertainment was enjoyable as well.  I loved the fact that everyone there seemed to be having fun from small children to folks well into their later years.

I am looking forward to going back to the Hofbrauhaus soon.  There are still plenty of food and drink items on the menu which I cannot wait to try!

Deep in the Heart of Texas

I was born in Texas.  Shortly after that, the Dallas Cowboys joined the NFL.  I have no recollection of that being too young to notice, but my folks have always talked about what a huge deal it was in Texas at the time.  We moved to Pittsburgh when I was young.  At that time the Steelers stunk (and stunk badly!).  On many a Sunday back then we gathered around the tube and watched, rooted and cheered for the Dallas Cowboys.

All things change.  The Steelers started to win Super Bowls and my love for Pittsburgh sports teams developed and grew.  But the Cowboys still held a special place in my heart.  For a while now, that heart has been broken.  After the Thanksgiving Day loss to the Redskins, I don't know that it can be repaired.

Thing are bad in Dallas.  From top to bottom the Cowboys are in trouble.  The exception to that rule are the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders (they are the creme de la creme of NFL Cheerleaders!).  How many coaches is Jerry Jones going to go through to find the right one?  Is it the coaches or something (someone) else???  The Cowboys always seem to have talent, but it doesn't get them anywhere.  Tony Romo is a perfect example of this.  Enough is enough already!

It's time to get your cow patties together down there in the Lone Star State.  Get your hat on straight, adjust your spurs, and start to ride this pony right!!!!  Come on Cowboys, let's get these "little doggies" to the corral and start winning some games and maybe a Super Bowl or two like in the good old days!  Your break'n ma heart here in da 'Burgh.  I want to be able to walk into work Monday mornings, head held high, and say to my coworkers...."How 'bout them Cowboys?!"  It doesn't seem like I will be able to do that any time soon.

In time my aching heart will mend.  Through all the sorrow that I'm in......

Keep On Rolling!

I don't know what has got into me lately.  I have been on a rampage of painting and assembling a ton of miniatures as of late (sadly no gaming though).  I did a group of Eldar Guardians that turned out pretty decently.  Those who have seen them thought they looked cool.  I painted them in the colors of the Biel-Tan Craftworld.  I had previously done 2 jetbikes and a viper in the same color scheme.  The entire group goes really well together.  (Sorry no pictures - I can't really get the hang of doing that.  The pics NEVER look good.) 

I also finished a Khador battle group.  I did a pretty fair job on the warcaster and decenty on the 2 warjacks.  Something was kind of funky when I clear coated them with gloss.  I'm not 100% satisfied but I think the set still looks alright.

I started some Warhammer Daemonettes.  The paint scheme really wasn't working out.  I bagged them for now.  I need to rethink how I want them to look.

Over the past few days I have been going nuts on a set of Shocktroopers from Wargames Factory.  So far I am really pleased as to the paint scheme.  I am really looking forward to get these guys finished and assembled.  Sadly... it may be a bit before I can get them into any gameplay.

I have several more sets that I need to get to a bit down the road.  For now I am on a roll.  With no hockey on the tube, I seem to be using my time productively.

Off topic:  If you haven't checked out Face Off and/or Hot Set on SyFy you have really missed out.  Love these shows!!!!  Tuesday night!  Check 'em out!!!!

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.

Eating Frenzy

In case you haven't noticed from several of my previous posts I love to go out to eat.  There is just something special about having a meal with family /friends and having had someone else cook it, serve it, and clean it up afterwards.  There is also the variety factor. ( Different places have different types of food).  There is also the choice factor.  (What to get from the menu.)  Eating out allows for conversation and relaxation.  (Unless you have the menacing "loud talker" near by.)  I recently saw that some restaurants have banned cell phone use - LOVE IT!!!  A restaurant in LA offers a 5% discount off of the bill if you surrender your cell phone to them during dinner.  Eating out - eat, drink, and be merry - that's the idea.

Sometimes it doesn't go quite that way.  Two recent experiences fall into that category.  Yesterday I had a hankering for Mexican Food.  Friends had gone to a rather new place in Delmont (PA) called Picante Grill and loved it.  So we thought we would try it.  HUGE MISTAKE!!!!  The waiter was the stupidest man in the world.  Within 5 minutes I was so frustrated with this person I walked out.  I have no intention of ever going back.  LEARN HOW TO TREAT A CUSTOMER, DOLT!!!!  Kudos to the Boulevard Restaurant (a few doors down from Picante) for coming to the rescue.  Great food, great service.  The Spinach and Feta Pizza was out of this world!!  Thanks Much!!!

The other misfire was with Arby's.  They took their breaded Jalapeno Poppers off of the menu.  I am  heartbroken.  I love those!!!!  I have written to corporate about it.  If you love them too - write to Arby's.  We need those poppers back on the menu!  Munja munja!

Proud to be an American

I don't know about you but these Olympics have been super great to watch.  Our kids (athletes) have performed amazingly well.  This year's American Olympians are a class act.  Win or not, they have represented the country well.  Watching them compete has been awesome!  Watching them receive their medals and hearing the national anthem played stirs pride and emotion in us as Americans.  Medal or no medal we are proud of our athletes for their hard work, dedication, commitment to achieve, character, and patriotism.  Thanks in a big way for a great Olympics to all of you representing the U.S. in the London Games from your fellow American!!!

For Whom the Bell Tolls

Just finished my second Isaac Bell book by Clive Cussler.  The Thief was great from start to finish.  I enjoyed the plot, characters, and the "detective work" of Isaac Bell.  The Bell novels are really refreshing for me.  As I long time fan of Cussler's work, I was starting to get a little tired of what seemed to me to be the "same old, same old".  There is something different about the Isaac Bell stories.  They seem a little more fresh.  Maybe it's the time period that the books are set in or the new characters.  I 'm not sure.  However, I am definitely entertained.  Thanks to Mr. Cussler for yet another great character and set of adventures to enjoy.  Don't worry Mr. Pitt, I'm not ready to set you adrift  just yet.  I am however ready to take another wild excursion with Mr. Bell!

Cookie Monster

I'm not happy at all.  I tried to go onto the Games Workshop website and was met with a message about allowing GW to place cookies on your computer and what they would do with the information they gathered and about sharing it with 3rd parties.  This was on their Forge World and Black Library sites as well.  If you do not "accept" the cookies, you can not access the sites.  Upon further investigation I have found that this (the placing of cookies) is a part of some larger EU law concerning the internet.  (I'm not sure if this is true or not however I have seen this cited in several discussions concerning this issue.)

I love GW stuff.  (I am currently working on some Eldar Guardians and a set of Daemonettes.)  I read Black Library Novels (Horus Heresy Novels are flippin' amazing!!!).  And some day when my ship comes in, I will buy some stuff from Forge World. BUT....as it stands now, I will have to wait to see the products at my (somewhat) local hobby shop.  Sorry GW...my computer and I are on a diet...NO COOKIES!