Progress Report - Good news / Bad news.

First up, a bit of good news. I am going to have a lot more time to work on models in the next few weeks. I'm hoping to complete the assembly, basing, and priming of my VC force so I can get into the painting and hopefully complete the army before the new year.

The reason I have all this time to spend on models is because of the bad news. I was laid off from my job on Friday. I should be able to collect unemployment until I find a new job but it will still leave me a bit light on cash for any hobby spending for the forseeable future.

Also planning a move back home (Michigan) to be closer to my friends and family - this takes me far from the established WHFB scene here in Texas. Hopefully I will be able to scrounge up some games or get my friends back home addicted to collecting models of their own. I know I will miss the outstanding tabletop scene here in Austin. I didn't know how good I had it...

But enough about me and my (as of lately) crappy life. How about some more WIP pictures of my recent VC model work?

A finished Wraith with green stuff'd hood from the front.

I struggled a bit with the hood at first as it was covering too much of the skull below. I opted for a sort of "half cowl" look with tattered rags and I am pretty happy with the results.

This one was a bit tricky as I had to blend the green stuff hood with the original sculpt.

It looks a bit jaunty but I don't mind. Perhaps this particular Wraith is quite happy about his lot in unlife.

Also finished this little Skeleton unit filler. I bet this guy will be the life of the party.

Last but not least we have a fully assembled and primed Vampire Lord (being played by the mounted Mannfred von Carstein model).

This guy was a pain in the ass to get together as there were a ton of gaps that needed filling and I used one of the Iron Halo resin bases which required pinning and lots of glue to keep him standing upright. He is a bit tipsy and doesn't quite rank up with other cavalry models too well but I really like this model so I guess I will make it work.

That's all for now! Comments, suggestions, and critiques are welcome and encouraged as always.

Another bad day made better by beer and Ogres.

Today was going down the tubes fast (narrowly avoided getting laid off again, had to take a 10% pay decrease until Sept and then who knows what will happen) until I saw these:

Mongolian Ogre conversions from Jake Landis on his Master Splinter Pizza Kits modeling blog! Apparently Jake used to work for Games Workshop and is just getting this blog going. His first addition is these awesome Ogres and a few Gnoblars as well. Check it out!

Check this out too! It has been awhile since I did a beer review.

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Deschutes Brewery - Buzzsaw Brown Seasonal Ale

Beer Type: American Brown Ale

Appearance: 12 oz. brown bottle with the now welcomed Deschutes label (a sort of off-white with a central image of a buzzsaw in this case). Beer poured a dark amber with an off-white head which faded with little lacing.

Smell: Sweet roasted malt with a bit of caramel.

First Drink: Sweet with the malt at the front and another sweet honey like flavor.

Mouthfeel: Smooth but a little oily. Carbonation is just right.

Last Drink: Just a faint trace of bitterness but even that is masked by the dark sweet flavors or roasted malt and barley.

Drinkability: If you like Brown Ale you can't really go wrong with this one. Sweet like candy!

Notes: Picked this up in Fort Collins, CO on a road trip for the holidays. I haven't seen this around Austin yet which is a shame as I would certainly like to drink it again.

Verdict: 3.75 out of 5. A sweet and tasty beverage that left me feeling refreshed and happy.

Links: Beer Advocate and Deschutes Brewery.

More Drinkin' less Modelin'?

Well today was a pretty crappy day. I was told at 4pm that the company I have been working for the last 3 years is going to be doing some layoffs. They didn't say who it would be, or what the exact details were. I am to return to the office tomorrow afternoon at a specific time when I will presumably discover what my employment fate will be.

No job equals no money. No money equals bad times. Bad times equals no Warhammer or models.

I really hope things work out for the best, but just like my WHFB I am planning for the worst. Speaking of the "worst" ... here is a review for a fairly mediocre Holiday brew I had today.

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Spoetzl Brewery - Shiner Holiday Cheer

Beer Type: Dunkelweizen

Appearance: 12 oz. brown bottle with a festive (and slightly German) holiday label. Poured a dark amber color with a thick off-white head.

Smell: Peaches! A lot of peaches.

First Drink: There are the peaches. It is supposed to be a peach and pecan brew but all I get is the peaches. At least it tastes like real peaches and not some kind of fake flavoring.

Mouthfeel: Classic Shiner feel, almost like a soda.

Last Drink: I can just barely make out the pecans and a little bit of hops, but mostly it is still a peach party.

Drinkability: Uhh ... not a huge peach fan so I doubt I will be going back to this one (plus it is a limited edition holiday release).

Notes: What do peaches have to do with the holidays!? This beer isn't bad, it just seems too weird for it's own good.

Verdict: 3 out of 5. It isn't bad if you like peaches.

Links: Beer Advocate and Spoetzl Brewery.