tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2267180105171392028.post5438775807543176331..comments2024-03-28T14:43:42.122-07:00Comments on Palouse Wargaming Journal: A Wargamer's DemiseJonathan Freitaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07862373894196924886noreply@blogger.comBlogger49125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2267180105171392028.post-55006257989552203442017-06-18T16:09:18.559-07:002017-06-18T16:09:18.559-07:00Peter,my name can likely be chiseled into the gran...Peter,my name can likely be chiseled into the granite for those painting until death do us part. Along with you and the fine gents you mentioned, I will be in good company!Jonathan Freitaghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07862373894196924886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2267180105171392028.post-24096203122843945312017-06-18T15:04:26.108-07:002017-06-18T15:04:26.108-07:00I have moments when I think I will finish painting...I have moments when I think I will finish painting and collecting by about age 70, and just use what I have. However, I rather doubt that will be reality. As you might know, I was fortunate to know Charlie Sweet and still see his son David at least once a year at Historicon. Dave told me that Charlie still had figures under way on his painting table when he passed on well into his 80's. I suspect the same was true for Don Featherstone, who I had the pleasure of meeting, again in his 80's, on his last trip to Historicon, being introduced by Jim Getz. Don was certainly still making new purchases then. When I ruminated on halting the expansion of my collection, my freind Joe quipped "Yeah, right; they'll have to pry the paintbrush out of your cold, dead fingers!" I suspect his assessment in closer to the truth! I have greatly enjoyed our hobby since about age 13, and cannot imagine leaving it behind while I am still physically capable of enjoying it!Gonsalvohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16531623280789478092noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2267180105171392028.post-47299965493796232532017-06-18T14:46:13.234-07:002017-06-18T14:46:13.234-07:00I would certainly be the last one to quibble over ...I would certainly be the last one to quibble over typos. I really *do* know how to spell, but my typing is another matter altogether! Gonsalvohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16531623280789478092noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2267180105171392028.post-4316865627842603312017-06-17T05:51:53.344-07:002017-06-17T05:51:53.344-07:00Well said, Matt! If one of my sons (or daughters)...Well said, Matt! If one of my sons (or daughters) expressed an interest in my collection, I would be very pleased! I still hold out hope for interest from grandkids but they are still much too young but there is time to foster an interest.Jonathan Freitaghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07862373894196924886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2267180105171392028.post-56515394296117136932017-06-17T05:48:42.277-07:002017-06-17T05:48:42.277-07:00That was a selfless gesture. Thanks for sharing t...That was a selfless gesture. Thanks for sharing that.Jonathan Freitaghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07862373894196924886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2267180105171392028.post-89701497180313406542017-06-17T00:42:40.916-07:002017-06-17T00:42:40.916-07:00Thank you a very thoughtful piece. I happily consi...Thank you a very thoughtful piece. I happily consider myself somewhere in the middle of my allotted time , but a number of recent events have also flagged a sense of introspection. Some good some bad, a good friend and occasional gamer struck down with an incurable brain tumour, my son completing his university course and a second colleague at work struck down at 56 in the blink of an eye. My father who is still alive has been through a process of sorting his affairs of all the most stressful things he dealt with was his lifelong stamp collection, in so many ways similar to our hobby, his relief when I said I would love to have it was immense. As to some of the other questions you raise, we all know in our hearts it is the journey that counts not the destination and yet so many of us fill our time with anxiety and stress, there is clearly something about our comfortable modern lives which causes this, perhaps the simplicity of survival is not enough. As for collecting, painting gaming reasearching they are all a part of MY hobby and I intend to keep doing all of them to the last 😀Matt Crumphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06841790422716738842noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2267180105171392028.post-50845325418274230202017-06-16T12:04:10.651-07:002017-06-16T12:04:10.651-07:00I'm reminded of how Wally Simon handled his le...I'm reminded of how Wally Simon handled his legacy (at the time, I was living in the region and had contact with some of the Potomac Wargamer circle). He had arranged to have a close friend run an "open house" and his gaming friends were invited to come through and take what they wanted. Ed Mhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11486985414917229516noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2267180105171392028.post-84033728119125299572017-06-16T05:10:47.548-07:002017-06-16T05:10:47.548-07:00I knew Jeff only through his blog and personal cor...I knew Jeff only through his blog and personal correspondence. He was a fine fellow and we shared an interest in our ECW projects. A tragic loss, no doubt.<br /><br />Very good to read that his collections have found good homes. I do enjoy seeing his collections in combat through your blog. That is a legacy that will live on.<br /><br />Thank you.Jonathan Freitaghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07862373894196924886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2267180105171392028.post-3582030206878138852017-06-15T23:30:16.731-07:002017-06-15T23:30:16.731-07:00Norm thank you for expressing so clearly the willi...Norm thank you for expressing so clearly the willingness to share that comes from us in the blog-o-sphere.<br /><br />Not all are so blessed as to have a large and active club to share live games with, so we make do until we connect with some more local players via the web.MurdocKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08693711825249632305noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2267180105171392028.post-42498980169999396672017-06-15T23:25:19.792-07:002017-06-15T23:25:19.792-07:00Robert, this was exactly the verbal final instruct...Robert, this was exactly the verbal final instructions I had from my friend Jeff. He said what forces to give away to myself and the other active game player in our group. Then to raise funds for his widow with the rest, in the process to keep the troops as much together as possible and to see that they go to willing and active game players.<br />MurdocKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08693711825249632305noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2267180105171392028.post-57409475326332164582017-06-15T23:18:28.482-07:002017-06-15T23:18:28.482-07:00I can understand and sympathize with this situatio...I can understand and sympathize with this situation, having just gone through the liquidation of a gaming friend over the past 7 months. He was also a past manager of a gaming store in California from the late 1970's to the early 1990's, so there were whole generations of gaming interests, layered with some additions from the passing of two or three other gamers that he had inherited over the years.<br /><br />I am glad to report that many months worth of living expenses for his widow were generated and at least two sections of his collection are now included in the collection of two fellow game players (one is myself) fully intact as two complete opposing sides of forces from the 16th and 17th centuries respectively.<br /><br />The focus in all the sales portion was to have the miniatures gain what value they could and to have them go to a willing game player so they could gain a new life on the tabletop!MurdocKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08693711825249632305noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2267180105171392028.post-13419102164584683222017-06-15T15:07:37.852-07:002017-06-15T15:07:37.852-07:00Mark, hobby time is an outlet to reduce work induc...Mark, hobby time is an outlet to reduce work induced stress for me as for you. It is a time to relax and reflect. Perhaps working in IT/computing related fields brings on stress?<br /><br />No one values your work as the person creating it. Too bad an arrangement could not have been made to keep all of your buddies collections among his friends. They would have valued the collection more than a stranger; at least sentimentally.<br /><br />As for our stockpiles of lead, the earth is fortunate we are in different hemispheres!<br /><br />Your thoughts and stories are much appreciated!Jonathan Freitaghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07862373894196924886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2267180105171392028.post-23125333808723669952017-06-15T14:00:59.162-07:002017-06-15T14:00:59.162-07:00Wow that is a thought provoker Jonathan!
I had n...Wow that is a thought provoker Jonathan!<br /> <br />I had never really considered what happens to the little men after the main event. Her indoors has mentioned at time that she would keep them, but in the hard light of day, I think that unlikely – especially given that the weight of lead building up in my garage is in danger of shifting the centre of gravity of the Earth.<br /> <br />I don’t know about you, but I use my hobbies as an escape from the challenges of the daily grind. My job is almost constant problem solving, and don’t get me wrong I like that – there is an intense satisfaction in getting to the bottom of why this stupid piece of software is doing what it has done now! For me losing myself while researching, collecting, painting and the occasional game is an essential part of remaining sane. Similarly thinking of rules and scenarios is an essential part of surviving the ridiculous amount of time I have to spend commuting to and from work.<br /> <br />In the late 1990s and early 2000s I actually stopped collecting and gaming and sold my armies (I had only a few armies at the time although they were very large armies). At the time I was involved in a wargames business and being involved 24/7 was just getting too much. Although I didn’t touch a paint brush or play a game for five or six years I never lost the interest and a few years after getting out of the business I was back collecting and enjoying the company of good friends.<br /> <br />Some sixteen years ago a friend of mine passed and his family sold off his very large collection. The group I play with chipped in a bought a significant portion of that collection, not only to have figures to game with, but also to enable his gaming legacy to continue. Regrettably his family rated the value of the collection too high and I suspect that a good percentage were unsold and wound up in less prestigious places.Mark Strachanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05988775093525037168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2267180105171392028.post-21673303751533355942017-06-15T11:16:10.333-07:002017-06-15T11:16:10.333-07:00Dean! Very good to see you back! I considered yo...Dean! Very good to see you back! I considered your situation as well but with your recent Enfilade game mastering, I figured you were back.Jonathan Freitaghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07862373894196924886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2267180105171392028.post-85174862683606612442017-06-15T11:15:30.101-07:002017-06-15T11:15:30.101-07:00Overall, I would have to say no, bloggers are not ...Overall, I would have to say no, bloggers are not generally demonstrating conspicuous consumption. We don't really see thoughtless posts that are a blatant reflection of wealth or elitism. Rather blogs have at their heart creativity, a true sense of wanting to share and by their nature, tend to raise the standards of how we game. <br /><br />Most bloggers that show their wares have started with a raw material, done a ton of research and then invested many hours of their own time in painting and basing, so I think it turns out to be more a labour of love with a genuine interest in sharing rather than a grand parading of wealth or worth.<br />Normhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05031444717952755557noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2267180105171392028.post-52345304236431106042017-06-15T09:37:37.086-07:002017-06-15T09:37:37.086-07:00A timely and thoughtful post, Jonathan! Much of it...A timely and thoughtful post, Jonathan! Much of it echoing my own recent departure and return to the hobby! Although I am about to rebuild my WotR collection, I have no regrets selling off over half of the figures I had to local gamer buddies. Warm regards, Dean DeanMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07724268555970663130noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2267180105171392028.post-8308200741508338022017-06-15T06:07:23.543-07:002017-06-15T06:07:23.543-07:00Thanks for relating your ten year hiatus from the ...Thanks for relating your ten year hiatus from the hobby, Simon. We certainly cannot predict what life will throw our way but I find the relaxation provided by painting little figures eases the anxiety and provides relaxating decompression from daily stress.Jonathan Freitaghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07862373894196924886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2267180105171392028.post-30525006353268568172017-06-15T06:06:26.757-07:002017-06-15T06:06:26.757-07:00Iain, you are fortunate to have kin interested in ...Iain, you are fortunate to have kin interested in your hobby. Neither of my boys showed much interest growing up and that disinterest continues to this day.<br /><br />I often joke (maybe half-heartedly) to my wife that I want to take it all with me. If Emperor Qin could, why not me? I will use your example as a starting point for negotiation.<br /><br />Whatever keeps you out of the bar is a good thing, right? <br /><br />Appreciate your thoughts on this topic.Jonathan Freitaghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07862373894196924886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2267180105171392028.post-77968506703850999882017-06-15T05:30:36.747-07:002017-06-15T05:30:36.747-07:00Interesting and thought provoking post. My nephews...Interesting and thought provoking post. My nephews and grand nephews will I guess end up with my kit, maybe my daughter might like to hold onto a bit, I know my wife wants to be buried with one of my little men as they are important to me, a return to grave goods! To me it's more the painting and making than the playing, to me that is often a distant pleasurable bonus! I can't imagine giving up the collecting and painting, I did for about 10 years and I think that time means I enjoy it now more. I don't spend excessively on my hobby, it's certainly as Norm says cheaper than live sport and as I understand it a small craft based hobby is probably pretty good for you, I know it stops me spending ages in the bar when I'm working away from home so it's saved my liver too! <br />Best Iain caveadsum1471https://www.blogger.com/profile/02174163740406928172noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2267180105171392028.post-66194853191061127262017-06-15T03:37:57.587-07:002017-06-15T03:37:57.587-07:00Food for thought indeed. I must catalogue my own s...Food for thought indeed. I must catalogue my own stuff at some point and point out to my wife who to pass stuff onto if something were to happen. <br /><br />I gave up the hobby for 10 years myself selling off nearly all that I own and replacing it with online PC Gaming. I still enjoyed reading about the hobby and still bought White Dwarf and Wargames Illustrated to read as well as browsing online about it. <br /><br />Then my children came along and my PC gaming time took a hit and was no longer able to afford the costs of it. Turning back to just painting a few figures for relaxation turned into a full scale return to the hobby. <br /><br />I hope to continue it but you never know what life is going to hand to you and whether a change in circumstances will dictate the hobby changes.Simon Quinton https://www.blogger.com/profile/18001946192905517180noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2267180105171392028.post-22627212242230066992017-06-15T01:54:29.547-07:002017-06-15T01:54:29.547-07:00Thanks Jonathan.
I'm lucky in that I also en...Thanks Jonathan. <br /><br />I'm lucky in that I also enjoy playing pen and paper campaign games, played through email or the post. Fair enough, there all you get for your time playing such PBM or PBeM games are fond memories and any diaries you keep, but it scratches my itch for player interaction (in the form of in-game diplomacy) and long-term campaigning.<br /><br />I've also started playing the buy-and-play spaceship games (there are other such games, based on land or sea) that don't require any painting. I have to admit that these are a tremendous boon to me. To be able to simply pick up and play with little to no preparation has allowed me to get in quite the number of games recently.<br /><br />The only thing that both of the above don't provide for me, however, is the ability to express myself creatively. And that is where I'll need to keep painting little toy soldiers and making tabletop layout that look nice. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2267180105171392028.post-18130225065399116392017-06-14T16:28:54.026-07:002017-06-14T16:28:54.026-07:00Hi Greg! Another vote for TYW.
I have followed y...Hi Greg! Another vote for TYW.<br /><br />I have followed your journey through your difficult situation and understand fully. Having experienced the same loss, I know what you have faced. Very good to see your hobby continuing to get attention during this difficult time.<br /><br />When you mention cringing at seeing shrinkwrapped boardgames for second hand sale, I cringed too. Looking over at my bookshelf are a number of shrinkwrapped wargames. One day, I plan to have the time to play them. Really, I do. Jonathan Freitaghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07862373894196924886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2267180105171392028.post-90804261284739562482017-06-14T16:23:45.302-07:002017-06-14T16:23:45.302-07:00Thank you, Rory! Glad you enjoyed my rambling. A...Thank you, Rory! Glad you enjoyed my rambling. A TYW project does make sense. I certainly have a good start.Jonathan Freitaghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07862373894196924886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2267180105171392028.post-49471490607807738682017-06-14T16:22:41.287-07:002017-06-14T16:22:41.287-07:00Bill, I have yet to reveal that line either. It m...Bill, I have yet to reveal that line either. It must be a folktale of which legends are made.Jonathan Freitaghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07862373894196924886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2267180105171392028.post-30513341862650613962017-06-14T16:21:09.494-07:002017-06-14T16:21:09.494-07:00Aaron! Thank you for providing a terrific visual ...Aaron! Thank you for providing a terrific visual that explains our hobby wanderings and diversions so well. We all ought to be given a long life to allow full exploration and wanderings of these hobby dead ends. They all will not be dead ends. Some will hold pleasant surprises and opportunity! Jonathan Freitaghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07862373894196924886noreply@blogger.com