The State of my Hobby, part 1

 (WARNING - A long wall of text follows...)

This is a bit of a sandwich filler post, as an attempt to get back into blogging again, and to keep a more concise (and therefore useful) train of thought towards my projects instead of just talking to the walls.

First off, a salute to those hobbyists that can either stick with a certain period over the years, or have the ability to process projects into a state of tabletop readiness quickly.  I find that has been lacking here for quite a long time, but I am getting there, mostly by cutting out stalled projects and finally finding a method of painting that works for me.

Without further ado, and no particular order:

BATTLETECH  -  Currently the #1 focus of my gaming endeavors.  First coming into print (under the name Battledroids) 39 years ago, the gaming group that I was in picked it up quickly and played many games, both for the group and at local shows, from 1985 to 1989, after which it went completely silent for us, with the group largely splitting up and real life pressures taking precedence.  But, two years ago it came back to my attention, with a successful kickstarter and some not so subtle hints from my sons that I should take a look once again.  I foresee that we will be playing BT for a long time!

GAMES WORKSHOP  -  Another games producer that my sons have dragged me back into (and I do not mind so much!), I am slowly building out both 40K (Orks) and Fantasy (Goblins) armies.  Another project that reaches back to the Eighties, this time I hope that much more gaming will occur.  I am not taking a power-gamer stance with either set (or any game really), and just collect what I find interesting despite its performance on the tabletop.  If I win, it will be all the sweeter!

MICRO-ARMOUR  -  Yet another blast from the past, but this time around with more focus (maybe).  WW2 and Modern gaming in 1/285 scale was a staple with the old group, and I seek to rekindle that.  This project, however, is entirely my own.  I am quite certain that my sons will play, but I have no illusions that they will collect any forces.  Right now, the plan is for 'Cold War' gaming with an eye to keep the collection of a modest size.  I have most of the miniatures that I want, largely from GHQ, and just need to get more progress on other projects before setting off on this journey in earnest.

INFINITY  -  Yet another sci-fi game that my sons have convinced me to start.  These are perhaps the best 28mm figures around, the newest metal miniatures at least.  My youngest is trying to get us to spend more time on this, as the rules are quite daunting though clearly laid out.  Again, I have most of the figures that I could ever need for this skirmish game, just needs more brush attention, and terrain.

Currently, the Big Four in my hobby circle are:  Battletech; Warhammer 40K; Warhammer Age of Sigmar; and Infinity.  These are systems that I could plan a game at the drop of a hat, and I can not foresee not having a unit of each of these projects on the go on my painting desk for the near future.  There are, of course, other projects lurking on the fringes, but that is the subject of another post.

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