- Not a lot to report this week. So I won’t force it. I will say that my mettle was not tested this
weekend. Forces conspired against me in the bleakest of ways, and the event was
cancelled. Some lack luster excuse was explained to me but I had already disconnected.
My rage built as I recalled countless hours of staying up later then I should over the last
month and an half in order to meet the deadline. I have since mellowed some, at least
taking pleasure in the fact that I am halfway to my goal of 2k by August. I cannot help but
think that some divine force worked to ensure that my armies’ competitive debut would not
be permitted to be outside of S&P Hobbies. Perhaps a debut any other place would whip
the cosmos out of whack, and the powers that be where thinking of an easier summer then
realigning the cosmos, lazy bastards the lot.
From the hate filled and gloating message that Momma left on my voice mail I can only
surmise that many of you spent your weekend enjoying the bestial goodness that can only
be Hordes. To you I say, “Get bent!” In all seriousness it sounds like a lot of fun was had by
all. I will be buying my box o’ critters via credit card today and will eagerly await their arrival.
Washington D.C. is chalk full of tourists at the moment, making even the most menial of
tasks an exercise in determination. As you or may not know, the house side and the senate
side are connected by tunnels that go under various streets, it is all very bat cave, and the
highlight is a tram ride. In order to get to the tram you have to do a brief stint through the
Capitol. Of late this proves to rather daunting, as you must wade through a sea of tourists,
4th grade classes, and peery eyed teenagers looking for a chance to break away so they
can smoke pot and make out while they eluding their parents watchful eye back in Muncey
Indiana. In a lot of ways I empathize with their delinquent urges, yet I do not contribute to
them. I have reasoned with myself that I don’t really know them well enough to know
whether or not me facilitating their aberrant behaviors will result in a “phase” or a destructive
life style. I suspect that what is actually occurring is a single ember of responsibility
smolders and glows toiling to gain a place in the morally bleak landscape of my soul. This
ember yearns for logs of moral fiber and the bellows of good conscience so it can burn as a
righteous pyre. I am something of a realist, and will consider my reformation a success if,
when it is all said and done, you can roast a marshmallow on it.
Speaking of fire, I have noticed that the Purty Colors section of the forum has had a few new
arrivals this week. I would encourage everyone to preserver post something there,
regardless of your conceived skill level. You will find that most people don’t think you suck
as bad as you think you do.
One of the latest arrivals was Badpeople’s Fire Lizards. I was discussing with someone my
feelings towards them and they said that I should post it, as they felt this club can be a little
ego strokey at times. I agreed but also pointed out that the flip side is people offering up nit
picky shit that really wasn’t conducive to any type of change. Betwixt the two types of critique I
found a rift that yearned to be filled with everyone’s favorite two words, “constructive criticism”.
Constructive criticism can come, say during a WIP, or even after a test mini. But it isn’t real
helpful, after that many are done to be like, “Hey Chris. I think your technique is better then
mine but your shit is boring. Your one giant contrast undoes the others and makes
everything look the same.” He would probably be like, “Hmm, maybe but I ain’t gonna
change it now,” best case scenario, but more then likely it would warrant a much deserved,
“Um, fuck right off.” There is very little that some one could tell me that would make me
change the way my DA’s look at this point. I am just too far to start over.
Moreover, I am quickly coming to the realization that what I like in a mini paint job actually
differs a great deal from what most people like. If I was say, a Golden Demon Judge, or in
any way an authority I would gladly point out my feelings, knowing full well that I will be
marking someone down for the things that I have cited. However, I am not. I am only now
getting a painted army. I know what I like, but that certainly doesn’t have to be what everyone
else likes. I also feel kinda weird offering up suggestions to people with more skill then I
have. I wouldn’t ever tell someone to dumb their paint job down so it looks more like what I
am into, and less like what Golden Demon, Rackham, CMON, et all says a cool mini should
like.
Lastly, I hate offering up criticism with out suggestion. Off the top of my head I can offer no
suggestions for what would make me like these minis more. They are too close to fire and I
hate the way people paint fire, it is fucking backward. Look at a good damn lighter ffs. Flame
is reverse shaded. The lightest part of flame is at the god damn bottom, getting darker and
more orange at the tips, till finally it becomes smoke. I mean fucking seriously. It really
bugs me when people identify what they don’t like and then can’t volunteer what they would
do to make it better. It is really reminiscent to me of just saying, “That sucks.” Then when
asked why, responding, “Well cause it sucks.” Though, that exchange can be used to great
effect when trying to be funny, or a jackass, or perhaps both.
I realize that by including this reasoning in a public rant I have ended up doing exactly what I
was justifying not doing, and for that I will apologize to Badpeople. That is just one of the
many paradoxes of my existence that I am forced to deal with everyday. However, there is a
lesson in here somewhere, I am sure of it.
