A Real Blast from the Past

 One of our goals during our recent move is to reduce the amount of photo albums we have and digitize our pictures. I found these four pictures from October 1994. When I was stationed at Fort Monroe, Virginia, we had a great, informal group of gamers. We were asked by the city of Portsmouth, Virginia, as part of their American Civil War Week, to put on a demonstration/participation game at the Portsmouth Public Library Main branch. We rose to the occasion and recreated the Battle of Stones River which was fought on December 31, 1862 in Tennessee.

We played the game in 15mm using Fire and Fury and used the Stones River Scenario from Fire and Fury: Great Western Battles Scenario Book. We even picked up 3 more gamers to join our group!

Battle Damage during the Great Move

The big move is complete and major items are in place. Now it's time for the unpacking of the minutia that takes time and making sure that's where we really want it! As the Commander in Charge, I am pleased to announce that the troops made the force march in record time with minimal damage to forces. As expected, the men from the 17th Century consisting of my English Civil war forces and some troops from the Northwest Frontier had some damage - but nothing that can't be fixed. I learned along time ago that the only person that packs my figures is me. 

Two lances, one rifle, and the famous Elephant Flag of the Princely State of Chaimbellstan were the only casualties on the Northwest frontier.

The overwhelming majority of my 28mm figures are in cabinets from Ikea. I am very generous with Styrofoam peanuts that I pour into the drawers and then I carefully put a sheet of bubble wrap as the top layer. I use packing tape to wrap around the entire drawer to keep the drawer secure. 

My 15 to 18mm figures are quite easy. I use Storage boxes for small parts organizers that are available at any hardware store and most major retail stores. All I use for them is Styrofoam peanuts and then packing tape to keep the drawers in place.

By my count, the damage to all forces were:

One arm.

Four flags.

Five pikes.

Two lances.

One magazine rifle.

Needless to say I am quite pleased as the arm can be fixed with modelers glue and everything else with super glue. After repair at the new depot, it will be time to develop (finally) my plan for 2023.

300 Followers? How did that happen?

 

Photo Editing during the LONG MOVE

"It's been quiet since November Colonel Sahib . . . too quiet."

I have been transitioning to my new location and needless to say, with moving the household, I have not been painting or gaming. On the gripping hand, I have been playing with photo editing techniques with my Iphone 13.

Editing for a dramatic look!

 Here is the original picture from the photo above:

The biggest mistake I have made as I was experimenting is not keeping track of the editing I did with each photo though I have general ideas of what I have used. Oh well. A lesson learned for the future. Here are some more examples with the original first followed by an edited version.

10th Bengal Lancers.

It is amazing the differences you can make with some simple cropping, filters, changing of exposure, black point, shadows, etc.; all with some easy to use controls on the phone.

Guarding the gate.

The Meeting of the Minds.

The Last of the Mohicans.

A Lost World.

A Pulp Adventure.

In a galaxy a long time ago and far, far away . . .

Anyway, that's how I've been entertaining myself during the move. It won't be long and I'll be up and running again with more painting, figures, battles and adventures galore! So be prepared for the Eastern Frontier of America, the Northwest Frontier of India, some Pulp Action and a return to Science Fiction gaming.

"What was that sound?"