2014, a year in review...

… and new targets for 2015.

Yes, I know, another Wargames Blog review, but I promise that this will be just the briefest of posts* to review my goals and set some anew for 2015.  Hobby wise, 2014 was a wonderful year, here at '28mm Victorian Warfare'; 'The Fourth Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge' was a great success, due in no small way to the Herculean efforts of its creator, Curtis Campbell Esq.  I was thrilled to have achieved a top twenty spot, and although that is looking highly unlikely this year, the Challenge provides a much needed focus during the winter months. 

*and a flagrant excuse to repost some of last year's completed work 

Throughout the year, I also backed a number of Kickstarters, a new phenomena for me and one that was to prove a tad expensive!  Swept along by the excitement of it all, I ended up pledging ridiculous amounts of the 'hard earned' on the 'Mars Attacks' game.  Although a painful lesson, the excitement of the process stuck with me and I went on to pledge in couple more, the results of which I hope will one day be showcased on this humble weblog.

Other highlights included being placed in a zombie painting contest over at 'RSquared Studios' and the welcome return of a 'Liebster Award', something that I particularly cherish as it is awarded by one's peers.  So on to the review of last year's targets:

1 Play more games! Target Met - Although predominately boardgames, 2014 did see some Blood Bowl action, Zombicide and X-Wing played.

2 Maintain a credible level of posts throughout the course of the year.  I do not want to be prescriptive on this but will certainly look to maintain the interest in '28mm Victorian Warfare' by looking to post between 5 – 10 posts per month (a minimum of 60 posts for the year).  Target Met - 105 posts for the year.  I can't see this happening this year and may have to tweak the numbers a little. 

3 Attend at least one convention/exhibition/expo this year.  Target Met - Salute 2014, Euro Militaire 2014.  I enjoyed both tremendously and will hopefully be attending both again this year, provided that I can persuade the 'Provost Marshal'.

4 I would like to try to curb the additional expenditure on miniatures this year, or at least try to bring it into line with output.  A simple tally score will suffice, hopefully something that will 'shame' me into being a little more restraint when it comes to all things hobby related.  Fail - but an interesting exercise nonetheless.  According to my tally counter the numbers are as follows**:

Painted/constructed:  246

Bought:  257

Balance: -11

Detailed breakdown:

Foot:  141

Mounted:  11

Artillery:  9

Vehicles:  3

Buildings/Terrain pieces: 37

Livestock:  45

**All miniatures are 28mm scale unless otherwise stated

So only eleven minters over the 'hobby neutral' target, not so bad thinks I, particularly when I consider that only those posted on the blog counted towards to the tally.  That said there was some shameful massaging of statistics by not counting gifts of miniatures or miniatures bought with money that was gifted or even miniatures bought by me as gifts for yours truly - but my blog, my rules! 

So what has 2015 in stall for '28mm Victorian Warfare'?  Well simply put, more of the same.  I take a great deal of pleasure and enjoyment from the hobby and yes, one day, it would be lovely to command great armies across the tabletop, but that will come in good time.  For now, I'm happy to indulge my whims and use the hobby, and the rather splendid community that surrounds it, as an escape from the relentless pace and demands of 'real life'.    So, I shall simply reset that 'Tally Counter', head up the virtual step ladder to remove the Christmas banner decorations and chart a course for 2015.  My continued thanks to all of you that jump aboard, it is your continued support that makes this voyage so worthwhile, I salute you all.

Perhaps as a final aside, amidst all this self absorbing and congratulatory back slapping, we should spare a thought for those that 2015 has left behind, in particular I am thinking of Captain Richard of 'Capt. Richard's Miniature Civil War'.  An inspirational modeller and a wonderfully generous member of our community, who will be sorely missed.

… and so, in a roughly chronological order of posting, my efforts from 2014!