Thursday 3 January 2019

2018 a year in review...

... and targets for 2019.
Now I have, in recent years, enjoyed this post, after all what is better than a spot of self indulgent retrospection? However this year it is tinged with sadness for no other reason than the self imposed exile, and subsequent mothballing of '28mm Victorian Warfare', due to the ever present demands of the Day Job. I shall not go into a lengthy discourse here, but simply acknowledge that it was a difficult end to 2018 with no real sign of any let up as we head into 2019. I should stress that we are all well and whilst tiresome the ever present difficulties are, hopefully, surmountable; I am certainly determined to try my level best to be more productive this year.

What I did notice, whilst I was away, was that I didn't spend as much of my pocket money on hobby related goodies as I would have normally done.  My withdrawal from all Blogs and news feeds meant that temptation was vanquished, well for the most part anyway; I didn't account for the enthusiastic machinations of Mike 'The Dark Templar' Reynolds with regards to Star Wars: Legion, but more of that another day.

So, gentle folk this will be a much shorter review than those of previous years, but I am hopeful that in creating it, I will feel inspired to return to our cosy corner of the Blogosphere.  So on to the review of last year's targets:

1 Play more games! Target Met! X-Wing Miniatures Game and Zombicide: Green Horde continued to be popular, but I was thrilled to finally host a Witchfinder game using the Donnybrook ruleset.  More recently we have enjoyed a couple of games of Star Wars: Legion, which is proving to be a very welcomed tonic to all the silliness that is going on in the Real World. 

2 Maintain a credible level of posts throughout the course of the year.  Target Missed!  2018 saw the fewest number of posts made in a year since the establishment of '28mm Victorian Warfare' back in 2011.  The thought that I 'had to post' hasn't helped of late and subsequently this target has been reset to 50 posts in the year.

3 Attend at least one convention/exhibition/expo this year.  Target Met!  The annual pilgrimage to Salute 2018 was as inspiring as ever and this year was supplemented by a visit to Tabletop Gaming Live at the Alexandra Palace.  This was a smaller, but hugely enjoyable event and perhaps something that can be revised in the New Year.

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.  Target Met! Painted 155 - 49 Bought = +106 in credit!  Well I didn't see that coming.  Having removed the constant temptation of new shiny things, the tally looks more than respectable.  

According to my tally counter the numbers are as follows*:
Painted/constructed: 155
Bought: 49
Balance: +106
Detailed breakdown:
Foot: 51
Mounted:
Artillery: 2
Vehicles: 2
Buildings/Terrain pieces: 55
Livestock: 45
*All miniatures are 28mm scale unless otherwise stated

So what of 2019?  Well I had hoped to host another summer extravaganza, but I am woefully behind schedule on the preparation front.  Rather than put myself under any undue pressure, I am going to put that plan on hold for the time being.  Expect, however, a series of posts detailing the miniatures for last summer's Witchfinder clash and with Resident Evil, now in residence, some horror survival is on the cards.  What I can guarantee is more shenanigans from a galaxy far, far away!  Star Wars: Legion looks set to be around for a while and I have my eye on some Wookie shaped expansions to put pay to the evil Galactic Empire.  I am conscious that I missed out on 'Zomtober' and 'Dinovember', not to mention 'Forgotten Heroes' earlier in the summer.  These themed months are always great fun, but again I shall not make any promises, but wait to see what the future holds.

I do need to thank those that kept in touch during my absence, your continued support was so important and allowed me a tentative hold on the community that has come to play an important role in addressing the work/life balance.  On that note if you feel that I can be of any help then do not hesitate to get in touch and I hope to be removing the dust sheets sometime in the middle of March in time for 28mm Victorian Warfare's ninth Bloody!  So time to reset the 'Tally Counter' and present, in a roughly chronological order of creation, my efforts from 2018!


44 comments:

  1. 2018 was still quite a productive year for you, despite the interference from work.

    Wishing you an enjoyable 2019 of painting and gaming :) x

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    1. Thank you Tamsin, now if only I could afford to retire! ;)

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  2. It'll be good to have you back.
    I hope 2019 is better than 2018.

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    1. Thank you Mike, hoping to get back to things, albeit on a slightly less expansive scale.

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  3. Good numbers Michael, one of the best painters out there, good luck for 2019!

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    1. You are incredible kind Francis, good to have you back. :)

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  4. Even though it has been a difficult time, you have produced some fantastic looking models Michael.
    Here's hoping 2019 is more imaginary realms than real life trudge

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    1. You are very kind Dave, here's hoping for a less troublesome start to the year.

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  5. That looks like a good years painting to me!

    Welcome back sir!

    Cheers Roger.

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  6. You have been missed. Remember that work is something you do to enable to you do the things you love, no matter if you have a vocation or not. Have a great year

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  7. Great to see your amazing brushwork as always, Michael! Wishing you the best for 2019!

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  8. What a wonderful year you've had. All the best for 2019!

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    1. Thank you, hoping to have more to show soon.

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  9. You were sorely missed, Michael, and I've my fingers crossed that you get more hobby time in 2019.

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    1. Thank you Simon, keeping everything crossed too. :)

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  10. One works to have Money to do other Things but the time spent working, sometimes eats into the time for doing the Things..tis life eh? So said confucious..or if it wasn´t him, then it was probably someone else...in fact, I´m pretty sure it wasn´t confucious but he may have thought it...so it´s valid. Sort of. I think.
    I´m rambling again :-)

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    1. Always there to bring a smile to my face Paul, thank you. :)

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  11. That still is quite an impressive tally in my books. I‘d be glad if my output was anywhere near that. Still, I‘d of course love to see more of your wonderfully excentric stuff throughout this year.

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    1. Thank you Nick, given the quality of your work there could be no better compliment.

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  12. Well done Michael, your output for 2018 is nothing to sneeze at! All good things come in time & I am sure we will all enjoy the good you bring to the blog-o-sphere when the time is ripe!

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    1. Thank you Terry, I appreciate the kind words.

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  13. Happy New Year, Michael! I hope all goes well for you in 2019.

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  14. Very impressive results for the year! Looking forward to see more SW and Witchfinder from you in the coming year, I'm definitely sure that both of these projects are going to be very interesting to watch.

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  15. Its all about a quality hobby, and your contributions are always amazing on that scale. I trust 2019 brings you and the family health and happiness aplenty Michael

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  16. Many awesome project! Hope 2019 will be better for You!

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  17. Man, that all looks so amazing I'm almost a bit jealous. I look forward to seeing more like this in 2019.

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  18. Hope you are charging admission to enter your museum, sir.

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  19. Lovely painting as always,it would be nice to see more next year if possible!
    Best Iain

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  20. Fantastic display of figures Micheal. From the dark continent adventures to crime and punishment truly impressive pieces. Congratulations on some fine figures and meeting so many of your hobby goals. Just out of curiosity how many posts is too few? I only managed 30 this year and it's my best yet :D !

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  21. Not a bad haul Michael - 30 minutes a day is my target for 2019.
    Let's see if that makes a difference.
    Happy New Year.
    Cheers
    Stu

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  22. An output most people would be proud of not only in quality but quantity as well. Plenty of inspiration for us as well as yourself.
    Happy new year to all at Awdry Towers.

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  23. Michael, just to say I'm a teacher and an official in one of the unions. If there's anything I can do to help with work stuff, drop me a line.

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  24. 2019 was a very similar year for me in terms of work and hobby mate. My blogging has dropped off in much the same way as your. Hopefully things ease up for both of us in 2019! Even if this was a "down" year, your quality of output never dropped and there's some truly wonderful stuff showcased here. Thanks for sharing!

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  25. Exellent summery of 2018. Lots of vell painted and very inspirational stuff ! really like the gigant termits and hive.

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  26. That's A LOT completed for claiming to have stepped away a bit mate! Good work! There's so many good offerings there, I can't pick a favorite. Hang in there and I'll be looking forward to more throughout the year from you.

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  27. For all your doubtsm 2018 was still a very productive year and imo you're on the rght track of trying to play more games in 2019 !

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