30 August 2011

27 August 2011

Recent Reading

I've got a pile of books on my "to read" list, but wanted something a bit lightweight. So this morning I tore through the first 50 pages of Achtung Schweinehund! which I had purchased about a year ago after seeing many recommendations across various blogs and fora.


It is entertaining so far. I can relate in a general way, but as an American boy who grew up in the late 70's & early 80's, the experiences of an English boy who grew up in the 60's does fluctuate between the familiar and the alien. I'm still in the early chapters of comics, war movies and toy guns. I understand there's more about toy soldiers and wargames later on.


Part the reason I wanted something lighthearted was that I just finished The Odyssey.



Not that this was really heavyweight reading. It was just horribly tedious. I'm not entirely certain why I finished, other than curiosity and a desire to say I've read it. I know that must be some sort sacrilege, but it just wasn't what I would call enjoyable reading.

25 August 2011

All Roads Lead to...


There are quite a few new ancients rules out now, or on the horizon. I'd like to give each of them a chance, if I can. So when I had a few minutes to paint and decided to do a bit of painting for myself with that time, I went back to Rome. I can already field a decent sized Rome vs. Cimbri/Teutones game. But I've also had Rome vs. Rome in mind as an eventual goal. So I'm painting more Romans.

I went with a simple scheme again, and did a bit of speed painting, but without the dip.






Nothing terribly special, but exciting for me as it's the first real painting I've done for myself in a while.

I've also pulled out a unit of Spanish cavalry that I had started ages (a year?) ago, and may try to get to that next, while I prep some more Romans.





I think I may indulge my Plutarchian fondness for Sertorius, and start with a Rome vs. Rome & Spain goal. I think this may be a good way to throw in not only a lot of Roman legion, but see how the different game systems handle different types of lighter and/or "barbarian" troops.

Since it's been a while, I thought I'd try to post some extra photos. So here's a few old Lance & Laser figures I painted for Armorcast, who is the current manufacturer.