A little hobby appropriate mood music:

Busy week and weekend this go around and very little of it bobby related. Given that, I decided to focus on getting something completed. There's something satisfying about finishing things and being the task oriented personality that I am, it does feel good to get something across the finish line.

So bugs...

While I was focusing on a larger target, I decided to test a different technique for applying the blood to models, so out came the sponges.

The idea behind the sponge technique is to apply color using an irregular shape. The material used is the old figure packing foam that GW used in their blister packs. This comes from all sorts of sources, so even though GW clam packs don't use this material any more it can be found from other sources. If you're not able to secure any, then paper towels suitably crumpled up is a very workable secondary option.

I bring you bloody bugs...

...at last I've found you...

First off, "no" I didn't just discover "that". By the way, "Young Frankenstein" is still a brilliant movie and Madeline Khan was "teh hot".

NO, what I was excited about is finding this...

I know, you're probably wondering what's so exciting about a jar of baby corn? Nothing really unless you are super hungry. What this jar of baby corn contains is my bug dip from many years ago. Sitting on the shelf where I last left it, under the assumption that I'd need it again.

It's amazing how smart I used to be.

What is even more exciting is that it's still good, so now instead of having to recreate the tones and color saturation of the previous batches, I can pick up where I left off.

First a little mood music.

Ok, now that I've set the tone, what is it with some people? We had some serious rain down here last week. It was a big deal and some people really suffered. That has happened before, many times in fact.

So what's with the whole "world is going to end" thing or science says it's an Apocalyptic Climate Climax or Climate Apocalypse I heard some people ranting about?

It rains down here.

Sometimes it rains a lot, obviously enough for Stevie Ray Vaughn to briefly comment upon it thirty years ago.

EVERYTHING is bigger in Texas.

And we're not just saying that because we feel the need to compensate for big hats, big hair, and big boots.

Everything is bigger, y'all just come down and check us out for yourself.

Keegan gave the tourniquet another twist.

He was having a lot of trouble getting the stump to stop bleeding. Looking around and not seeing anyone left from his squad, seemed to be a sign that he wouldn't have to worry about bionics. Not that he'd mind a new leg, but the way things were going, he doubted the Hospitallers were going to get a chance to save his sorry butt.

To be frank, Keegan was a little surprised that he had made it this far.

Before I get started I need to give credit where it is due for the first image.

Kyle, one of the newest members of our crew generated an updated version of the Texas "Come and Take It" flag to be more Badab appropriate.  I think it's a winner and we've decided to label ourselves "Team Come and Take It" should we ever make it to an event.

Unfortunately, he has decided to join forces with the Badab secessionists and the loyalists do not intend to let him hang around long enough to collect any royalties.

It's sad really.

Which causes me to wonder, why do such creative minds feel the need to toss off the beneficent yoke of the Imperium and strike off on their own misguided paths?

I suppose that is some debate we Loyalists might entertain after the victorious conclusion of this campaign as we do not worry ourselves too much about the clouded states of mind that seem to be a characteristic of the heretics.

So last week was quite the typing (and work) adventure, so in the interest of balance and fair play, I shall be offering a slightly lesser portion of hobby fare today because <managing expectations> .

Our group has decided to kick off the Badab campaign from Forgeworld's Imperial Armor #9 and #10. If you are in any way interested in the subject, FW did an excellent job with both of those books and those two volumes are still among my favorites from all that they've produced so far.

The good news from a task perspective is that I really don't have anything that I "have" to paint as I'll be using my Templars as stand-ins for the various loyalist chapters. As it stands now, I'll be representing Minotaurs, Red Scorpions and possibly the Fire Angels and Star Phantoms, depending  on the scenario. Others will be doing the same and it appears that we have around 8 people able to participate.

When I was growing up, I had a fascination with bugs. Along with playing with my green plastic army men, I could keep myself entertained for hours watching bugs. Back then that sort of developed into  the idea of growing up to be a famous Entomologist , having a big lab, and watching bugs do bug things.

Things were so simple back then.

I had a few terrariums and jars with holes punched in the lid, which eventually developed an appreciation for those that hunted. My favorite bug became this guy/gal: