ZPS - May 2018

Well, this sets an a precedent that I'm not all that comfortable with.  The very last post was the April ZPS and here we are in June already.  There's a lot going on, but I'm choosing not to post about my contest entries, so that means very little to actually say here.

1. On the Table:

• GenCon Project #1 - Last month I was doing assembly.  This month I'm perhaps past halfway through.  I'm doing a 'squad' of SoB figures for this project.  I'm kind of excited about it; it's some of my best work to date.  I've been able to combine some of the airbrush techniques I learned through the KDM builds this winter with some of the hand-brushing ideas that Miniature Monthly has taught me.  Is it world-class? Oh, heck no.  But it's some of my best work.  As they say: #donenotperfect.
• GLOOMHAVEN - We've officially started our campaign.  I can kind of sit back and sigh about why this game has drawn so much positive attention.  Loving it so far.
• Convention Planning - GenCon's event queue processed.  Once again we got a high queue number despite being online and clicking the second the selection engine went live.  So, no SoB.  No KDM.  No Elizabeth Beckley painting sessions.  But, as it turns out, the authors of one of my favorite book series - James S.A. Corey of the Expanse will be the keynote authors, and we'll be filling our time with meet and greets and such.  Plus a 1250 point battle for DropFleet (more below).  Fun with friends, a late evening class on basing and we still have a very full GenCon weekend.  
• More Convention Planning - PAX Unplugged tickets went live.  We bought a 3 day pass and have a nice room at the Marriott (attached to the convention center).  After years of really hating Philly for their crappy airport during work travel, it kind of pains me to say this: "I'm pretty excited to head back to Philly this fall."
• Yet more Convention Planning -  Labor Day weekend we'll be in Texas for ReaperCon.  The event list isn't up, but we're looking forward to another road trip.  Yes, we'll be driving from the upper midwest to Texas.  Call us crazy.

2. Gaining Momentum:

• DropFleet Commander.  As I mentioned above, I signed up for a friendly 1250pt battle at GenCon.  That means that I not only need to get my starter box fleet painted, I also need to get the Battlefleet Box opened, assembled, and painted.  I put the SoB project first, but at the rate that I paint DFC is probably going to consume a good chunk of the summer.  But I'm a little scared about getting this done in time.

3. Losing Traction:

• KDM Wave 2.  All of my expansion boxes are still where I left them.  I'm trying to crank through the GenCon projects first, and actually want to savor the KDM builds I will enjoy later.  Still, I see other people's Wave 2 work in progress and get jealous. 

4. Going, going, gone.

• I'm a little concerned about Gencon Project #2, which is focused on some SodaPop figures I picked up.  I'm worried about getting everything done by August, and this is the last project on the priority list.  On the other hand, the figures weren't cheap and I'll have wasted that investment if I don't pull it off.