January 2025

18 January 2025: English Civil War

Began to sort out the figures properly into their unit lots for tidying up to prime. Found a few shortages (to be expected so no biggie). Will make a start over the weekend. Priority will be cleaning up models and then applying primer coat. Given myself till the end of the month to achieve this goal. Next month will see the proper painting and such. 

Still finalising actual Royalist list. Aim has been to involve units with different coloured uniforms (at least between each other). Toyed with the idea of simply selecting units that are well known (and recorded publicly) that have different coloured uniforms (Talbot's Foote, for example, wore yellow coats), but I will see how I go with my current list first. 

20 January 2025: World of Warships

Finally upskilled one of the Legendary (or Unique) commanders today - Kuznetsov. He's the first of the Russians. Planning on upskilling to 21 points another three, one for each of the surface ship classes - destroyer, cruiser, and battleship. Long grind however. That's okay as there's no rush. 

Focus for this year will be upskilling as many captains per nation as possible. Two or three should suffice. Bit of a grind though as the rewards are greater when playing in Random, Ranked or Clan battles. But I have the entire year to achieve this goal.

23 January 2025: For King and Parliament

Had a quick squizz at For King and Parliament by Simon Miller and Andrew Brentnall (2019) as an option for my upcoming campaign. As they point out from the start, the rules is based off Mr Miller's popular Ancients and Medieval ruleset To the Strongest! 

Unfortunately I will be not be using it for the upcoming campaign project for varying reasons which involves much remodelling of my existing armies which are already primed for basing for Victory Without Quarter - namely the command stand. Perhaps I will use it in the future as an alternative to VWQ as it looks interesting. The grid system appeals as it dispenses with tape measuring. Even dice seems redundant (using chit counters and playing cards) for activation and conflict resolutions. 

26 January 2025: Long Weekend (Australia Day)

My current version of Windows Defender is playing havoc with my internet connection so I've renewed my Norton 360 subscription for peace of mind when gaming online.

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Wanted to review my current list of ships in port for World of Warships to see how I've progressed since registering back in February 2019. Records kept are sketchy from 2019 (none other than a lingering memory of around 27 ships) where I played it a few times then forgot. Did not fully engage until May 2020 when I believe I began to keep a record of my daily interactions. 

2019: 27 ships? This number is based solely on an imprinted memory which first made me realise it would be fun to keep a record of progress of kind either in 2019 or 2020; I cannot recall when precisely. I never expected it would last as long as it has, or consumed much of my hobbying time. 

2020: Could not discover any reliable or complete records on the first external HD I was searching. Second external HD unit said the same thing - nothing.

2021: Eventually found an old spreadsheet from November 2021 showing a total of 55 ships. Not sure if this is the full tally or simply a portion showing these ships as performed in Randoms. Suspects it's the latter case but have no proof confirming this suspicion.

2022: A notepad file from February 2022 discloses a total of 176 ships broken down by tier. This is definitely a full tally.

2023: Records kept (spreadsheets) more diligently from here on. As at Jan 1 2023, there were 314 ships in port, an increase of 138 new ships. 

2024: As at Jan 1 2024, I had reached 509 ships. Similar spike in the quantity of new ships (195).

2025: As at 1 Jan 2025, that total has increased to 606. A drop as the number of newer ships decreased. Only an increase of 97. However, a fair number were older and rare ones, like the Missouri and Fujin. As of today, the number of port ships stands at 629.

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Saw the Secret Level Episode 5 some time ago featuring Titus sent on the suicide mission (no doubt schemed by Chaplain Master Leandros). It was a very enjoyable experience. Watched it many times and was pleased they made Space Marines the beasts they are and not some clunky expendable boof head so often portrayed. Watched more however of those reacting to the episode. And it was good to see it's bringing in new people to the universe and the lore. Looking forward to the next episode featuring Titus. Perhaps a showdown with Leandros? Nah, Leandros would lose for certain. 

Female Custodes, anyone? DEI, or Didn't Earn It, is a toxicity that needs to be expunged, like all heresies. And aren't the Sisters of Silence the female equivalent? The flip side of the same golden coin? The Emperor Protects.