My Troops At The Alamo

I played in a 54mm Alamo game at Historicon and I simply love this photo.  Given the limitations of how the game-master mounted his figures, this was a pretty good shot.  The Mexican side had a self generated source of troops, so it was no surprise that we (The Mexicans) took the church in short order.  I take my hat off to the painter of all these figures.  He did an aw-inspiring job.  I feel ashamed when I fail to finish my own projects, in light of his efforts.

I admit I was very aggressive in the assault, giving the Texans no time to counter my thrusts.  I broke in ahead of my compatriots.  The result was a stunning victory, when other games before us the Mexicans failed to do as well.

The Job At Home Myth

As someone who has long harbored thoughts of working at home, I find the idea of starting a VA business intriguing, to say the least.  This video is quite informative for me, and perhaps you as well.

Captured Moments....

This was a fascinating fort sitting on a gaming table before the game started.  I stopped to take a picture and the game-master told me of the builder of this model.  I believe his wife became ill and he stayed home to take care of her.  It (the model) became the center piece of a very interesting-looking French and Indian War game.  I meant to return and take more photos, but I never made it back.

You are looking at a model of the Trojan Horse.  As a model, it spear-headed a realistic battle for Troy.  

This is a 28mm paper model of a battle in India.  It looked terrific and I would have loved to play, but I had a date to besiege the Alamo.  This model was made by Paper Terrain to a player's specifications.  I believe she was most proud of the way her game looked.

As an aside, I would appreciate it if Paper Terrain would attempt to make a hill fort in 15-20-25mm.

And Just Think - I Was There!

Here was a simulation of the Battle of Camaron that I participated in  at Historicon some years back.  My son was in this game , as part of the French Foreign Legion.  The terrain looked good and there was more than enough figures on the table - too many, as it turned out for the French.

My own forces, pictured here, found no success trying to enter at this door, but we moved around to one of the side walls and made our big try there.

Success!  We weren't successful at first, suffering heavy losses, but time was on our side.  There were so many troops entering that the French simply ran out of able bodied men to fend them off.  We won in the end.  I took no small amount of pleasure being on the triumphant side, considering how many times my son beat me in other games.  

You can see me if you look closely enough - ok, so I've been wargaming a tad too long.  The group on the left made the breach, while the troops on the right were largely sacrificed for the greater cause.

Israel Kamakawiwo'ole - Over The Rainbow & What A Wonderful World - 1993

The Castle Where My Dreams Are Kept

This is one of the best castles I ever saw  - and I wish I played in the game that went with it, but that was not my destiny.  That fortress sat on that table, calling my name.  Honest!  Even my camera heard it.  It is definitely on my wish list, although I'll have to hope my son buys it.  There's no room in my apartment for that beauty.

Take a look at the flag pole, up close and personal.  It's certainly a warning for we casual on-lookers.  Maybe, in my next life....   Faith, it is an uncertain world.

Now, where did that last line come from?

You go to this town to die....

This is the town with no name where many a desperado goes to die - the game courtesy of my son, Mike, who runs a damn good game.

Hey, I survived.  That's all I care about.  Harry provided the music, even if there was no Magnificent Seven theme available.  It would have fit.

Zulu - Men Of Harlech - Original Soundtrack by John Barry

Great stuff.  I

Zulu

This is one of my favorite movies, although I have to admit I can do without some of the scenes from Jack Hawkins' character (and I like him - so it's doubly painful).  This movie has inspired me to collect my own Zulu War figures.

One of my desires is to create a solo Zulu campaign with ample documentation.