So... How've you been?

Hello again guys. Not sure if you remember me or not (half joking). Just a quick update for those who are still kicking around this place which we will call blogger.
Spring, at last (so I believe) has come again to New England and it cannot have come sooner.

This picture was actually taken last year, but pretty soon it'll be looking like this.

 I spent a period of time in Cologne (Pulheim, precisely), Germany in August and September on foreign exchange. I don't know if any of you have had the opportunity to visit Germany, but if you have not, you definitely should!

The Kolner Dom

 Alas, after my 3 weeks were up in good ol' Deutschland and I returned home to Belfast homesick.
Lately I have not been doing much other than school, researching military-related topics (currently hooked on the Second Sino-Japanese War), drooling over guitars that I will never play and recording an album with my band which is currently going through a name change.
I have contemplated going back to wargaming, but the issue of time and money remains. I often find myself researching 20th century conflicts, and finding miniatures to correspond with them. Who knows, maybe that could turn into something.
Anyway, I've been looking at some of your blogs and I realize I am nostalgic for the wargaming days. If I somehow find myself with loads of time again, I'll be sure to load up on some miniatures again.

A bit of an update

Hey guys.
So the last time I gave an update I was about to perform on a radio show in February on 89.9 WERU. That actually went okay, I personally don't think I did a good job but then again most singers don't think they do.
We started recording in late May or June in a studio in town here, and after a little band turmoil (which included one member leaving, leaving me and my friend Will) we've now levelled out and are working on a bit of different stuff. It's hard to describe if you don't really know music today very well.
I'm hoping that when I go to Germany this fall (where I'll be staying for about a month) I can play a little bit of music over there.
Now onto the wargaming subject. I do sometimes look at wargaming miniatures still. I'm still very fascinated by it. Particularly the 19th century. Possibly in the future I'll return. As for you guys, I've been looking around your blogs and it looks like things are going quite well. I'm fascinated to see that some people are getting into the Cold War, which was my favorite topic.
Anyways, I hope to speak with you again, and who knows; I might have some new miniatures!

The countdown begins!

Hello everyone. It's been about 5 months or so since I've talked with all of you, thought I'd fill you in and see how you're all doing (hope it's going well!).
Music has really been center stage for the past year or so, and I find myself investing more and more time in it, writing more and more songs as I go along.
It's led me to my booked "gig" if you will with my friend Will, a bass player. So far, we've got enough songs for a 12-song album and maybe an EP or a few B-sides, though that's jumping the gun a bit.
Our gig is on a local radio station called 89.9/99.9 WERU, and it will be on February 23rd starting at 4:30 or so.
It should be streaming on the station's website. Having played guitar for about 7 years or so now, I can't say there was ever a point when I expected to do something like this. I don't exactly know where this will go, or what I'll do with this, but it is probably going to be really really weird.
I'm incredibly proud of my friend, Will, who's been working his you-know-what off for the past 5 months. He's surprised me with his ability to learn things this fast, and he's really made excellent progress over time.
Also, my friend James, who has acted as our kind of manager, and who found us this radio spot in the first place. He's been a loyal friend since 4th grade or so, and I really owe him quite a bit for this.
We've also got a lead guitarist coming in with us soon, but until then it's "Squilly" (Will's nickname) and I.
So in about 11 days, it's crunch time. Thank you anyone who read this, I hope you're all doing well. Sometimes I go through the ol' blog to see what everyone is doing and it looks like you're all doing great.
Again, thank you anyone who read this.

Last post for a long while...

Hello, guys!
I know judging by the title of this post that this probably isn't going to be a very optimistic one, but I encourage you to read on.
Lately I've been finding myself lacking the 3 fundamental aspects needed to be a wargamer: 1: Time, 2: Money and over all 3: Interest. I wouldn't say that I'm not as interested in history any less, that's kind of how my hobby with wargaming miniatures began, my love of history.
It's also tied to the whole money and time issue. I find that my re-entering to school has left me short of time for a rather time-consuming hobby.
I've found myself devoted to playing music over the years (since about age 10), and that has been something I can focus on moreso than I can wargaming in recent time.
So, I issue you this temporary goodbye, but first I ought to show you the Korean War infantry that I painted over the past few weeks.

Here they are (I'm missing one figure to the cats).

Naturally, my favorite post first.

Second favorite.

And the guys who use their brains and duck for once.

And so it's done. I can't say I didn't have fun painting and wargaming in the basement, normally in the winter when the woodstove is cranking. This winter, I think the basement will be filled with the sound of my friend Will and I practicing songs that I've written, none the less fun.
If there's any advice I can give wargamers, and everybody at that, it's do what you're passionate for. If it's wargaming you're passionate for (as most people reading this post, it is), do that.
Goodbye, farewell and amen, everyone. It's been a lot of fun.

A (half-@$$) painting guide for Korean War U.S./U.N. Infantry

Good morning, day, afternoon or evening, people.
Since I probably won't be getting my paint any time in the near future, I decided to experiment with some colors that I've used in the past to (kind of) mimic the OG-107 uniform, which was used by the U.S. Army, along with a number of other countries, from the 1950's to about the 1980's (I'm sure other countries still use it).
I couldn't really find any painting guides for Korean War infantry out there, so I guess I'm the first.
Anyway, here it is!

Paints you'll need:
Vallejo Buff
Vallejo Olive Grey
Vallejo Flat Brown
Vallejo Khaki
Some sort of skin tone
Vallejo Flat Black
A black wash

Step 1: The Base 

First, add a good coat of black.

Next, drybrush on Vallejo Olive Grey, then give it a black wash (I used GW's Nuln Oil). 

Step 2: Equipment check!

Give the backpack and other equipment a coat of Flat Brown.

After you do that, drybrush on some Vallejo Khaki to the equipment, but also paint the helmet khaki. I would recommend dabbing on some Vallejo Flat Brown or Olive Grey for the camouflage on the helmet cover.

This is what the helmet should look like.

Paint the straps Vallejo Buff, and highlight the helmet Buff as well.

Step 3: This is my rifle, this is my gun

Paint the M1 Garand (if your soldier's got one) Vallejo Flat Brown, and the metal parts either Flat Black or Gunmental.

Step 4: Sick kicks, bro...

Paint the flesh whatever skin tone you feel like. Just a quick fact, the Korean War was the first conflict where units in the U.S. Army were not entirely segregated. Also, a number of countries fought in it.

Paint the boots Flat Black.

The Finished product! 

Right after the wash.

Like I said, this is a pretty vague painting guide, so it's not completely historically accurate, but at least it's close.
Stay tuned!

A preview of Peter Pig's 15mm U.S. Marine riflemen (Set 1)

One of my longer titles, huh?
Anyway, I got home from school today to find a little packet from across the pond sitting in my mailbox.
You should know by now that I like to give previews of the miniatures before and after I paint them. This set is going to be for the Korean War, which I've started working on the terrain to go with it (I'll show my progress soon). I have to buy the paint for them, so progress may be a bit slow, but until then, here's the preview.
Enjoy!

8 Miniatures in total, my favorite 2 poses are the most numerous (hooray). Like the lighting? It was taken on the lid of an old wooden box in my window sill.

A kneeling rifleman, my second favorite pose.

My favorite pose of the 3. To me, miniatures look complete with a backpack.

My least favorite pose, thankfully there are only 2 of them.

The miniatures turned around (just if your curious).

As of taking these pictures, I've based them and I'm still working on the terrain. I've got to get a company or so together, then we'll be working on the Commies. I'll try not to get too ahead of myself.
Stay tuned!

Hello again, Peter Pig

Last night I ordered a set of U.S. Marines from Peter Pig in order for my new Korea range. I'm a little more motivated than in the past, but I'll show you the set I bought.

They should be arriving soon, so stay tuned!