OMG! I really don't like 'text-speak', but... OMFG!!!

My new workbench, under construction (now finished).

It's been ages since my last post on here. Tracking my former activities, it's like I've fallen off the mini-military thing altogether, since... well, ummm... I only managed two posts apiece in January and March this year! I've actually been doing next to nothing. I can only think of one kit build - a 1/72 German ambulance - in this period, and even my reading has ground to very near a complete halt.

So, why the cessation of activities? Well, somewhat strangely, perhaps, the whole Covid-19 lockdown thing hasn't meant having the time to do my military stuff. Instead I've been either indulging in bouts of rest - watched loads of soccer and snooker! - or working on home improvements. Major projects include the continued build of our greenhouse, re-roofing my shed/workshop, and building myself a workbench. Minor stuff includes renovating a snooker table, installing a shower, an outside tap, putting up numerous shelves, clothes hangers, etc, and reorganising my workshop.

My DIY 'jazz' greenhouse,* as it is now, i.e. still a WIP.

* Jazz because it's more or less completely improvised.

Alongside these activities there's been a host of other even smaller things, and the upshot has been that my mini-military and related hobbies have been put to one side, for much longer than anticipated. Reading wise I've done a little more, and intend to post a slew of book reviews over the next few days/weeks, to get back in the saddle. Model-making and 'toy soldier' wise, however, it's gone right off the boil.

Took the old corrugated roof off the shed, and put a flat OSB/felt roof on.

Yesterday, having finished painting the interior of my new shed roof - the new ceiling - I decided to treat myself. Our car had been off the road for two weeks, in for repairs, and getting out on the road for some fresh air, and a little jaunt to Ely - for. the model shop and bookshops - seemed like a swell idea. 

I'm on immuno-suppressant medications for psoriasis and psoriatic-arthritis, and have been in 'shielding' during lockdown. In part that's also why I've been doing less mini-military stuff, as I've been shattered, which is a symptom of both my ailments and the meds. So getting out like this was a major change/treat in itself. I wound up buying two great art books at the Ely Oxfam, which frequently has a much better than usual selection of interesting books. One caught my eye in particular, featuring as it did, Ingres' iconic painting of Napoleon on his coronation throne.

My book acquisitions.

Then I went to Ely City Cycle Centre, the old-fashioned department store with a pretty good model section. The best selection of models I'm aware of, in easy reach of us. They've changed it around, again, plus there's a one-way system in place, due to the Coronavirus situation. Their 1/72 Revell kits are way overpriced, which ruled them out. In the end I plumped for a Hasegawa 88mm gun, and a Roden Opel Blitz L701, Einheitsdiesel, with all wood cab.

I wanted to take time out, and actually build one of these kits as well. But there was still plenty in the way of chores, so I didn't get started till 9-10pm. I'll be posting that evening's build as soon as can.

My two model purchases.

Misc: Solo vs Social?

One thing I omitted in my cogitations as featured in my recent 100th post was to reflect on having recently joined the local Wisbech IPMS. Undoubtedly this has been a relatively novel development for me, as I'm generally s bit of a lone wolf, always flying solo, to mix my metaphors.

Prior to this I had made the odd individual friendship based around my mini-military hobbies. Interestingly all the social developments have been on the modelmaking not the wargaming front. The IPMS development is unique however in its group nature. I've never been much of a joiner, and, to be frank, groups have pretty much always freaked me out.

As a musician this has made my life tricky, and especially so as a drummer, whose role is almost always to support others. Me being an ornery ol' mule, and possibly something of a perfectionist control freak. Albeit admittedly a somewhat unfocused one inclined to lazily abandoning my own supposed high standards.

Joining the IPMS community has been a challenge for me. And one I'm still not entirely comfortable with. But it has also bought all sorts of unexpected benefits. For example, recently Sean - an ex-serviceman whose legacy from his time serving includes advancing blindness - has sold me some kits, and even given me some, some of which I've then gone on to build fairly rapidly.

This connects also to a form of motivation: the IPMS group has a 'show and tell' segment on the first of their twice monthly meetings. This has definitely motivated me to finish stuff, such as the recent 54mm Napoleonics (some of which were also, incidentally, amongst the models I got from Sean). And not finishing stuff has been a long-term bugbear of mine.

Joining this group has even had non-hobby related benefits that were entirely unforeseen. On one occasion I was showing John (Mayfield, another ex-army chap) around our house and garden, having invited him round for tea and a chat, resulting in him seeing that we had large sections of fencing missing. He was having new fencing put in, and very generously offered to pass on his old fencing to us. In due course I collected and then installed said fence panels. 

Now that really wasn't the sort of thing I had anticipated happening on joining the group! I think it nicely illustrates, however, the possibly unforeeen benefits simply getting out and connecting with people can have. And in a way that's what this blog does, allowing me to make 'virtual' connections worldwide through these interests. Once again that provides both information and inspiration.

And perhaps the best thing is that it can help drive motivation towards completing things. Starting stuff but not seeing it through is, I guess, one of my chief failings. My bète noire, if you will. But, to end on a positive note, to all the talented and motivated folk out there, both those who also blog and those who don't, thanks for the inspiration and motivation!