2013 was a good year

I have managed to accomplish more than I thought I would in this past year.
Lets take a quick look at were I succeeded and failed.


Successes:
Finished off the Roman Army I have had for awhile.
Painted 5435 actual points.
Completed a total of 3 forces completely

Failures:
Got only 360.75 points out of my goal of 500. Honestly I don't feel bad on this though I am a little aggravated.
Spending: goal was $250. Actually spent $423.01. This one I'm happy that I managed to stay under $500. I think my goal of $250 was unrealistic in hind sight. Especially how in years past without selling anything I often spent $800-$1500  a year.


Now the question of course is were can I improve. Well one of the main areas I can see for improvement is being more consistent. My points and painting were crazy. Partly because of the move and injury but also just because of a need for better time management. I have a few ideas on how to improve on this one and while be trying them out in the future.

Another of course is my painting. To be honest some of my Romans I am not completely satisfied with and I think that may be partly due to me just getting burnt out from doing to many of them. Specifically one squad after another. I think the idea of paint one unit of x and then one different force of x will work much better for me in the future.

On a personal note I am also proud of the fact that I managed to post so much this year. Get over 10000 visitors and had some great conversations with people. Which leads me to thanking you guys. All you people who lurk or actually subscribe. The pms and even the few comments have helped me stay engaged and motivated me to continue on. Next post will be about my plans for next year.

Aruki

November round up

This month was a good month in terms of painting and spending.


I managed to not spend any money this month so the total still stands at -$423.01.



Painting wise I did better then I had done in almost the whole year with only 1 month being better.

Nov: 64 points
YTD: 350.75 points

So all and all a good month. I also broke through my 5000 actual points painted by quite a bit and managed to complete another goal for the year my Roman army.

This coming up month will be focused on epic 40k stuff. I hope to be able to do a decent number of models but we shall see.

Aruki

October round up

I know it is a bit early but the next month may be crazy so getting started on this now. I didn't do as well as I was hoping this month but came close. Painting wise I got back on track with a total of 43 points. This was of course done with archers, auxilia commands and some Legionnaires. I was hoping to finish off the rest of the auxilia but just ran out of time. All in all a good month but wish I could have done more.

Spending wise this month wasn't to bad at -$55.14. With an almost 50/50 split on models and paint.

Which is still keeping me under the $500 max limit I have. 

This coming up month I really want to finish off the rest of the Romans. I really really want that project finished before the end of the year. Minus the auxilia currently being worked on their are only 40 more models. After that I think epic SM stuff and FSA are on the cards.

Anyway more later

Aruki

Bunch more progress

I finished off the 16 archers. Though I am still not totally happy with them. I will have to go back and work on them more in the future. I have also almost finished off the two leaders. Just finishing up their shields and spears then they are done.

I have also fixed up all the remaining auxilia, 24 in total. Hopefully I can finish them up before the end of the month.

So that adds 16 more points to the months total.

Oct: 41 points
Total: 284.75

I also spent some cash picking up some more vallejo paints
paints: -$22.04
Oct: -$55.14
YTD total: -$423.01

that's it for today another update later this week.
Aruki

The months to come

Ok, so some new goals for the year and things I am looking forward to. First off the goals.

Goals
1.paint 500 points
2.paint at least 5000 actual points
3.Spend $250 or less
4. Finish off my Roman Army
5. Paint at least the first 2 companies of epic SM chapter
6. Finish figuring out the Prussians paint scheme for 6mm

These are now the primary goals  I am shooting for. Goal 1 is a long shot but I am going to try. Goal 2 has already been completed. Goal 3 will probably not happen, unless I sell the marines and maybe some other stuff. Goal 4 is one of the big ones I really want to finish this year. I have had the army for almost 5 years and basically only had it half primed. So I am looking forward to finishing it. Goal 5 is just something I would like to get a move on. The final goal is just something I have been a bit lazy about. I have figured out most of the infantry but still need the cavalry and artillery figured out.


On a side note I am very excited about the last half of this year more and more very desirable stuff keeps getting announced. In my list of things I want at some point from the second half.

1. DZC starter
2. Firestorm Armada 2.0
3. New Firestorm Armada sets


Those are the main ones that have caught my interest. The DZC starter is old news but I can't wait to get one so I have all 4 primary races and some terrain. The new FA stuff I am really psyched to see. New book will be great and the hint at some new sets really excites me. Other than that the only other thing that has made me happy will be covered in a review post next week.


Aruki

Progress wahoo.

So first up I finished off that unit of Romans I was working on.

I then also finished off the general and two musicians for my auxilia. I have also almost finished off the leaders and banner men for them as well. Just need to finish a few more details. In the below pick you can also see that I am working full steam ahead on the archers. Hopefuly the archers and the rest of the auxilia will be finished in the next week or two. Still have to find a few bits though.

That adds a sold 23 points to my total with another 4  almost finished and crap ton more in the works

Oct: 23 points
Total: 289.75 points

I also picked up some more FSA and DW stuff. Mainly some ships and tanks for dw and a carrier for my terrains.

So
Oct: -$33.10
Total: -$400.97

More updates as fast I can paint them.
Aruki

September wrap up.

Short and sweet today.

Painting wise I only finished the 14 Aqua Prime models.
Which brings me to 266.75 points, unfortunately I still have a long way to go and the Romans I have should bring me a bit closer. But not all the way. I think the epic stuff will also help some and plan on doing that later as well.

I spent $96.92 this month on models and related stuff.
So that total increased to -$367.87 for the year.

Finally, I broke the 5000 actual points painted with the completion of my aqua prime.

I have also decided to focus mainly on my Romans but with other projects in epic as well for at least this coming up month. I would like to finish all the auxillia and at least the 1st and 2nd companies of my epic space marines. Which I believe is doable. After that I have I think 1 or 2 more units of Romans to paint and then they are finished.

Finishing the Romans has become a big goal for me this year. Hopefully I can complete it. I would also like to finish off the current models I have in DW and FSA. After that I want to finish off my marines and then move on to my Tau. I also plan on continuing to mix the smaller scales in after October. I still have my two DZC armies to finish assembling. And the 3rd through 9th companies of epic to paint. I still however am short quite a few epic scout stands. Never mind my Baccus, but those are still a bit on the back burner until I finish my research and get a certain book in my hands.
So overall not a great month but I did accomplish one of my goals. More updates tomorrow.

Aruki

Review of the progress made and to still make

As a review for what my goals were and how far I have left to go I figured it was time to do a post.

So the goals for the year were:
1. Complete 500 points by the end of December
2. Paint a total of 5000 actual points (not counting upgrades)
3. Spend $250 or less for the year, preferably as close to $0 as possible.



Now at the moment I am at:
1. 252.75 points
2. somewhere around 4500 points
3. -$367.87

Now thoughts on these goals.
1. I am just over the halfway point to my 500 point goal. I am not sure if I can make this but will try my hardest. If I had stuck with the original 300 point goal I would have it no problem. At the moment I am painting an additional 34 points. So there is still a chance. Next year, I think I will instead  go for the total number of models painted. Not sure though what are your thoughts?

2. This goal should be a piece of cake. In fact I think if I finish off the battle company for epic I will have the points no problem. So that may be the next thing I paint.

3. This goal in retrospect was never going to happen. I have done well but I don't think I will succeed. I normally spend between $800-$1000 a year on all my hobby stuff. Given I lost a lot this year due to some big ticket purchases but will be happy if I can do it for under $500 this year. Next year I will push for the more realistic goal of $400 or $500 dollars.



Anyway that's my thoughts on the current goals. I am also working on a project to have a catalog/painting chart for all of my models preview once I finish figuring it out.

Aruki

Ps. Sorry for the delay on the baccus reviews I just keep forgetting to finish the posts off.

Painting progress

I have completed all of the leather and about half of the skin painting on the Romans. So all that is left is shields, a bit of skin and washing the skin and leather.

I also did some work on two of the epic titans. Mainly in brightening their red paint jobs to get as close to the imperator as possible. Unfortunately I cant get it spot on because the paint has changed so much.

Progress on the Aqua prime is at stand still at the moment because I haven't had the chance.

I also finally got some liquid green stuff. So costs change as follows.

Liquid green: -$10.16
Total: -$367.87

More will follow next week. This week is a major holiday so probably wont have much free time.

Aruki

More spending

I have to admit I went a bit crazy. I found the exact number of assault stands I needed and then the final rhinos plus some extra tac marines. So my spending has gone up quite a bit. Mainly because of shipping from the USA is so expensive. Cost me like $20 for the 20 stands of assault marines. But now I am only missing the scouts to finish off my epic SM chapter.


So spending update.
Aug: -$86.75
YTD Total: -$357.71
Goal: -$250

In short there is no way I will reach my goal. But I am ok with that. In a normal year I would usually spend $600 to $800. Hopefully next year I can do better.

Aruki

Some spending and presents

I revieved from my wife the opportunity to grab a few things from amazon because she needed to fill the box more. So I grabbed two things that have been on my wish list for a long time as freebies.

As you can see I got some brush cleaner from B&J which strangly enough I cant find anything even close to simmilair here. I also got a 4x magnifine glass helping hand set up. This will be really nice for all my tiny prussians.

I also did a bit of spending and got rather annoyed this past weekend as well. I got some bits to help finish off my current tau stuff. So:

September: -$35.92

Total YTD: -$306.87

I also went in yet again to my LGS in fact the only one in the country to buy some liquid green stuff and the latest BP supplement book. But yet again they had neither. This is really starting to piss me off and causing me not to go there at all. I have been trying to get the book from them since before it came out, over 6 months now. Even tried to pre-order it. But they still keep saying next month. The green stuff is simmiliar, been trying get it last few months, show up a day or two after they supposedly get the orders and they  never have any.

Anyway more later,

Aruki

August round up

This will be short and sweet. I have spent nothing and painted nothing.
With all the prep for moving and then the move being delayed all I have really done is assembly and a tiny bit of priming/base coating.

Painting wise I am at:

Painting points= 252.75
Goal = 500

About halfway there. I think I should be able to make it by the end of december.
Spending wise:

Total: -$270.95

Goal: max of -$250.00

Even though this is over my goal of $250.00 or less this year I am fine with this. I have sold off quite a lot. gained quite a lot and will not feel that bad if it reaches $300.00 which it probably will.

As for total points painted I am still working on figuring that out.
At the moment the mininum amount I have painted is around 3000+ points across 5 game systems. I know it is higher but have yet to figure out by how much.

Next month I expect this to change quite a lot since I have more than a few models ready to be painted up. I will also have some spending as I still need liquid green stuff. Other than that I will finish off the review of baccus models and show off my new set up.

So see you all next month with real updates.
aruki

End of month round up

So the month for spending has technically been good. I finished with +47.54. However, I am still in the negatives and have cleaned out almost all of my extra stuff.
So:

July: +$47.54
YTD Total: -$270.95

On the painting front I have done nothing. Well not nothing but have made no points. Everything I have done has been priming and base coating for future stuff. Given that when this is all looked at it will be about 200 models minimum that's not to bad and should take me much closer to my 500 point goal. So:

July: 0 points
YTD total: 252.75

I should get some done next month after the movie and will hopefully be able to make up for it. Even better is if I can get some done before the move but at the moment I have no idea.


I will be using some of my time to also figure how many points I have actually painted (model point cost wise) and how much I think I have left. Anyway more updates to come over next few days. Painting update bare minimum and maybe some stuff on model counts I have done.

Till then,
Aruki

Tau and SM finished up

As the tittle says I finished up basing the priming and base coating the Tau and SM. I also primed and base coated the the warhound and warlord titans for epic.

I also got almost all of the tanks and other titans and tanks stripped and are almost ready for paint. Just a few more to finish up and then I will prime and base them all. A few I still can't get all the paint off of so I have to decide how to handle them.

In spending news their are multiple changes. FSA I bought was refunded do to some issues but on bright side I get to keep the models I got. But I also purchased some other stuff.

So the update for this month is as follows.
Ebay: + $116.35
FSA: refunded
Paints, filters etc: -$17.88
DW stuff: -$26.03
Omni stand stuff: -$24.90

Remaining for the month: + $47.54

So on the bright side I should still come out with a surplus of cash this month to roll into the debt.
More stuff as it gets done. And more baccus either this weekend or next week.

Aruki

Spending in July

Well after the dust cleared on my ebay marathon I came out with 116.35 in profit. I got ride of 3 rhinos, an attack bike, bunch infinity stuff and the mantic. My profit was so low because I really really screwed up on shipping costs and had to eat it. The actual income before shipping was $271.41 but with me charging less then half the cost in some cases for shipping it killed me. Stupid me in this case for not checking to see if the post office had changed its fee structure. This really killed me on 2 particular boxes because I charged in total like $19.00 but it ended up costing over $40 for the two. :(  I then of course spent some money and bought another FSA dindrenzi Starter box. Keeping my eye on few things it would be nice to have but mainly I just need to get liquid green stuff to fix up the DZC models and maybe some more paint for tau.

So this month looks as below so far.

Ebay: +$116.35 (after fees, shipping etc.)
FSA: -$42.66

Month so far: +$73.69


Hopefully I want go to crazy buying much more and can roll that into the debt so far.





That's it for now.
Aruki

A look at my goals for this year

So this year I had 3 goals.

First, was my main goal the painting challenge, to complete 300 points later increased to 500 points. As a refresh my scoring goes like so:

6mm=0.25 point
10mm/15mm fig, 6mm vehicle, DW fighter tokens= 0.5 point
28mm figure, large tank for 6mm-15mm, DW ship/aircraft, FSA ships= 1 point
28mm large model/tank= 5 pts


I have so far achieved 252.75 points. This is just over half way to my final goal of 500 points. I should be able to easily complete this goal. Just based on repainting my tau and finishing off my Romans. Hopefully, my move doesn't screw this on up to bad.


The second was spending. Specifically $250 dollars or less with the overall goal of breaking even if possible. I knew this was a long shot to begin with. At the moment I am at -$419.34. In order to decrease this I am planing on selling off a bunch. Honestly this goal I am not sure if I will be able to stick to. As I still need to do at least 1 more omni stand order and buy a broadside. If I am able to make this goal great. If not, I wont to keep it at $500 or less.



The last goal was a total of 5000 points worth of models painted. This one I should be able to reach as well. I am over 3000 points easily but until I figure out the exact points I have finished for epic I have no idea on the exact amount I am over.


Hobby update on Monday,

Till then
Aruki

Spending update

Just a quick update for spending. Even though I am way over budget for my goal I will be selling stuff soon to fix that. Anyway I picked up a new pathfinder box and an FSA Aqua carrier this past weekend for 38.02. The carrier I just wanted because I don't have 1. With the pathfinder box not only do I need a few more bodies but I really wanted it for the special weapons so I have more options with my tau.

I also won an auction last week for a bunch more epic figs that should bring me closer to completing my goal. It gave me more marines, assault marines, bikes, termies, scouts and some characters I needed to help round my force out. Still need more termies and scouts but it helps some. I got it with shipping for 29.49. So
that brings my totals up to.

June: -$67.51
YTD: -$419.34

Suffice to say I really need to unload some stuff to get back below the $250 dollar mark. I should be able to do this without a problem.

Hobby update on Tues or Wed. Until then.

Aruki

May round up and what to expect for the next week or two

Alright May was a great month for painting with a total of  74.25 points done up.  This puts me at almost the halfway point for my 500point goal.

Spending wise it wasn't so great. I spent $182.54. A large amount of this was on epic  stuff trying to get what I need to finish off my space marine chapter. Thanks a lot GW.


So the short of it is I have made a lot of progress on painting and really need to sell of some stuff because I am well over my $250 goal for the year. And I still have a lot more I want to buy.



This week I am taking it a bit easy and will mainly do some model assembly. So not much painting to be seen. I will post some pics of the stuff I am building later this week. This is partly because of the insanity that was epic last week and partly because I just want to do some other things.


Next week I hope to finish off my firestorm armada Dindrenzi and convert and paint up that razorback gun. Then move on to more assembly of epic and FSA aqua prime.


Anyway have a good one and see you later.

aruki

Big painting and spending update

Let us start with painting I have painted a total of 49 stands. Mostly devastators and command stands for my epic force. I have almost completed a whole company for my goal of a chapters worth of guys. Just need to paint up the rhinos. Here are some pics.

So that is 49 x 5= 245 models. Which is 245 x .25= 61.25 points. So that brings our grand total up to.

May: 74.25 points
Ytd: 241.75 points

As for spending I have spent a decent chunk trying to fill out my titans.
epic: $74.25
May:$182.54
Ytd: $351.83

That is it for now. I am still testing paint strippers and am also working on the dindrenzi more.

Aruki

Spending update

With the preview of my next project it is time to show you the cost. For those that couldn't or didn't want to guess the project I have been planning  researching and buying since last October is going to be a 6mm Prussian 1808 army.

So here is the breakdown.

Baccus 6mm models: -$90.37
Paint: -$17.92

May:- $108.29
YTD Total: -$277.58

Suffice to say I need to sell some more stuff off because I have gone over my end limit for the year. On the bright side I should be able to build the complete army with leftover calvary and do officers as well. I plan on using BP rules though with the basing I am doing I should be able to use it for other systems as well. I am not sure yet how they will translate points wise into BP but am very interested to see. I will be posting a review of the Baccus minis and some personal opinion on things that happen throughout my dealings with the company.



More on this next week,
Aruki