What I can chew = 100
Valhalla = 65
New Building = 65
That's my life in a nutshell. I am being stretched.
Projected growth = 30
Let's talk about the new building. It is on a half acre in downtown Spanish Fork. Without going into detail, it's a very real possibility that we could own it, thus fulfilling a long-time dream of mine to actually own the ground. This will set the stage for bigger and better things for the company, my family, BTP workers, the local community, and the gaming community throughout the nation and the world. It's a big rock in the pond.
As for the building itself it's fifty by eighty feet with two levels. That's 8000 square feet. Our current studio is just over 2000 square feet. So that's quadruple the space, enough to grow in for many years to come. And quite affordable. On top of that, there is a 1500 square foot double-bay warehouse out back.
Both levels feature a main room, open and spacious.
Built in the Forties, the building is build like a bunker with fourteen inch concrete on the bottom (even one interior wall downstairs is 14" concrete) and triple brick on top, virtually without flaw. There are enormous beams and steel reinforcements in the main structure along with massive pillars of wood. They don't make them like that anymore.
The downside is that the building was pretty gross. A bit like "Hoarders", smelly, a mazework of ramshackle "improvements", oddball side rooms, dead flies, an archaeological dig of decades of businesses. As usual we are coming in and making it beautiful. Not a small project. I can't go overly into detail. Hopefully you will see the finished product at the end of May. It will make you cry tears of joy.
It's the money. Raising funds for this has been a real beast. I was talking with James today and he reminded me of all the schools and infrastructure being build overseas. And it just makes me terribly upset. Not that I want a government handout, but it would have been more productive to keep those resources stateside, just saying. Smalltown businessman struggles, pacing the floor late at night, while billions just "go missing" in the middle east.
Sorry to end on a sour note.
Time to fight for my dream. Fight.
About the New Building
Got this from a fan
Hi Shawn, here's a copy and paste of a post I put up in "the truth hurts" and "beasts of war" forums concerning WFB. If you have any thoughts on this I'd love to hear it..
"Maybe I missed some kind of legal ramification, but why havn’t we, the Warhammer gaming community, created our own worldwide, internet based gaming standard? What I mean by that is a website that balances games such as GW through a community based voting system. It would be completely grass roots to start with, free, and open sourced. So basically you have a website where each member has an account with an associated email, and each member gets one vote per multiple choice item. For example:
What should the toughness of a Steam Tank be?
A) 10
B) 7
C) 8
D) 6
E) 5
Each item would have some kind of time length for the voting, after which the majority wins and then this becomes THE standard for the game – WORLDWIDE, and there’s nothing stopping the community from revising the new ruling after it’s been played for a while.
It’s time for the players to take control of the game. We’ve spent hundreds, if not thousands, on the product and we deserve better. We have the models and the books, all we need is for continuous play balance via community based input. I’ve been considering starting this site myself, but I’m not that savvy about web page creation, html, etc., but I might just start a simple site to get the ball rolling..
I know there is direwolf, but it’s not enough. There needs to be one independent website that EVERYONE goes to for reference. The GW armybooks would just be a starting point… One main thing I would stress though, is to avoid nerfing as much as possible, and instead focus on boosting – that way players don’t have to shelf their models, and if anything it should promote sales of new models.."
L7 and L8
We are now doing L7 and L8 work. For infantry as follows (approximate mid-ranges):
L3 $7-9
L4 $10-14
L5 $30-40
L6 $45-65
L7 $150-200
L8 $350-450
The only problem now is our photography!
Ping
It's been insane. I can't seem to get my feet. May is set to be the hellstorm of the century. I need to work like a madman to set up new projects for the month. I am ready.
More to come. Just letting you know I'm alive.
Put some new stuff up for sale.
Three Joys
A thing can bring three joys:
The joy of Acquiring.
The joy of Having
The joy of Giving
The first joy is that of the collector, whose gratification is to get something but not to use it. To put it on the shelf. Someone who has clothes in the closet with the tags still on. Or a Miniatures collector who just put the figures in the display case.
The second joy could be more rightly named the Joy of Using. This is the one most thought of as the main purpose for a thing, whatever it may be. For a miniatures collector it looks like an army well-used and well-loved.
The third joy is least considered, if at all. That is the satisfaction of giving something up. Selling it or seeing someone else gain use of it.
As for miniatures and me, I love the first part first. I love to make a new collection of figures, or conceive of and orchestrate its creation. But I hardly use them at all and I'm ready to give them up for something new in just a few weeks.
Masses of Clanrats
Now running a limited quantity special (two slots) for Skaven clanrats/slaves.
$3 per model for painting L3. Will need broad artistic license. Minimum run = 100.
$2.50 per model for painting L2. Will need broad artistic license. Minimum run = 150.
If you want us to acquire figures and assemble them as follows:
$1 per figure (for Isle of Blood)
$1.50 per figure (for regular)
$2 per figure for assembly.
This is for CASH only. Sent via Paypal or CC by phone is OK. Also check or MO.
June Valhalla- availability
I have four Drop Pod tickets (flat $550 and we put you up with what is available) and one couple's room. First come, first served. About eight people are booked right now.
We have decided on Thor's Golden Hall. The date is reserved and we're getting it all set up. We are also likely to use Freya's Locks (right next door!).
This event is for Warhammer Fantasy.
Thoughts on Ultimate D&D part 1
Now that Ultimate D&D 2011 has tickets officially on sale, I can't stop thinking about it. As you read on, bear in mind that this is a work in progress. I am open to hearing comments from those who are thinking of attending- bluetablepainting@gmail.com
The dates are October 4-9, that's arrival on Tuesday and checkout on Sunday AM. That means four solid days of roleplaying. My plan is to set it up so I have minimal work duties, if any at all. I would really like to take a week off for this essentially.
There are eight chairs at the table. Right now, I plan on having two assistant DMs.
As a DM I like to create a world that is very difficult. I gain no pleasure in simply killing off characters, but I do very much like to see a party stretched to the limit. Parties that bicker or backstab tend to not last long. I gear encounter difficulty accordingly: if you do not work together as an eight-part machine you are likely to get torn apart. So my main concern is getting a group who will operate cooperatively. Players who like to run off solo or do random stuff for no apparent reason are likely to end up not so well.
What if your character dies? Naturally, it's no good to pick up a ticket then sit it out. I will have plenty of opportunities to pick up an NPC or for backup characters to be introduced. In Lolth's domain there are things worse than death... I often see death as simply one thing on a list of "changes" that can happen to a character, all of which become part of an enriching tale; curses, transformations, and setbacks.
Players will make two or more characters. As the party forms up
I plan on creating a backstory and sending it out ahead of time. Part of that includes a synopsis of what the party will have gone through already (in G1-3 and D1-3). I will very likely give a list of equipment to "purchase" or choose from that represents all the various items to be picked up through those adventures. I imagine that a party would have been changed quite a bit through hundreds of miles of the underdark. Or possibly there will be a master list that the party will have to distribute amongst themselves at the beginning, with two or three personal items chosen from the broader spectrum of published items.
I will definitely allow PC-type races from the Underdark. I would prefer that most of the party be heroic types of standard Player's Handbook fare. We are after all trying to capture a little of the magic of D&D in the 80s. Should I limit races and classes to the classics? Maybe I will!
It is highly likely that I will limit character creation to a core set of books. I already ran a campaign where I allowed every class, race and power from the entire genre and it was fun but certainly out of control. Which ones should I use?
At the same time, taking a few personalized items, possibly key or powerful ones is very much part of making a character. I imagine that at least a few participants will want to reincarnate a beloved character from previous campaigns. My main concern is keeping power level even. It's no fun to be the guy whose turn takes ten seconds because he doesn't have very many options. I want everyone to be in the mix.
I plan on using the original module only as a guide, making up my own stuff. I want to capture the essence of the original module and if it can be done, that sense of wonder that early modules evoked. Be warned, I don't even look at the formulaic guides for making encounters. I will look at the party's roster and make sure that things are of appropriate challenge level. But not tailoring encounters for or against (well maybe a little of that just to spice it up). I like to make rich, textured encounters with a lot going on then step back and say "I wonder how they will handle that?"
Miniatures and terrain figure prominently into the works. That's what puts the "Ultimate" in Ultimate D&D (well, the loads of great food, too). We'll be making a custom figure for every character, at least one per player. I doubt there will be less than 200 painted figures to represent every single monster and NPC in the entire adventure, including some amazing stuff. And of course the final encounter against Lolth herself!
The number one rule is: reeeeelax. If you're particular about your D&D then this is probably not for you. This is a casual group.
Testimonial
"My name is Gregory. I am a thirty something wargamer, and I just got my order from Blue Table Painting in the mail. I have to say I really did feel like a kid on Christmas morning. The miniatures turned out great, which is really saying something since my armor color is black, an interesting color to create details on.
"Even more than the miniatures, I found Blue Table's customer service top notch. I never once called and got an answering machine. Every time I sent a question through email it was responded to so quickly I remember thinking 'does this guy ever sleep'.
"Finally when the minis arrived, they came with a letter of assurance stating that if anything was not what I wanted then all I needed to do was let them know, or to feel free to call them with any technical support I may need. Top notch service through out the transaction. I definitely recommend Blue Table Painting to my friends, and for anyone that loves the idea of miniatures more than they love the idea of spending all there free time making and painting there figures. Once again thank you Shawn, and Blue Table Painting for a job well done."
pics
Interviews with Terrainaholic
Several people did interviews with me at Adepticon. I'll be round them up here.
Be sure to check out Terrainaholic. He does terrain on commission.
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Oatmeal Cookies
After a night of blackout sleep I got up to find my darling children already running the household. My eldest daughter (now 11) came in with a bowl of cheerios covered with globs of honey. That was one of my favorite childhood breakfasts, so I made some for myself.
We now prepare a bin on Saturday with all the church clothes needed for the boys and that saves a lot of time on Sunday morning. Once back from church it was time to vegetate. I'm watching Flash Forward, a sci-fi TV series. Very nicely done.
My wife made some oatmeal raisin cookies. The microwave was on the fritz so for dinner I heated up some baked beans and corn (out of the can) with brown sugar sprinkled on them, one of the few bachelor dishes I know how to make.
Involuntary Snowcone
I had such an eventful day that I am just too dead dog tired to talk about it. Sarah and I spent about ten hours up at Sundance today scouting out alternate venues for Valhalla and boy oh boy we did not walk away empty handed. Footage and reports forthcoming.
We currently have a "Drop Pod" special running which is $550 flat for Valhalla-- you just need to get here. And that means the airport or train station where we will even pick you up. We then figure out your accommodations as we see fit. This has worked out in the past. We have various other options notably a room for a couple ($990). Remember, once you buy your ticket you put away your wallet. We treat you like a king for four days, three nights.
Remember, it's all food, lodging, game events (ie wargames), and most transportation. The June Valhalla is almost certainly going to be here. Just wait til you see the places we are considering. Plus there is a whole resort for the wives or for late-night outings. As we understand it at this time that's live music, restaurants and spas.
On the way down from one location, very high up in mountains, I was backing down a side road. There are twelve foot embankments of snow at this time of year (they will be long gone in June, for the Warhammer Fantasy event) and I had the window open so I could hand my head out. Well the side view mirror scooped off a basketball-sized chunk of snow and deposited it on my lap, my seat, and down my boots.
This place is so beautiful it will break your heart. It looks like Narnia.
More information
Oasis
I started bright and early today, something like 6:30am. I got dressed in a hurry and headed out before all the kids were up. That's how I avoid that whole mess. I said a quick prayer with my lovely wife and out the door I went. My car's heater doesn't heat up fast enough for me to get warm before the seven-minute drive is over. Maybe if I thought ahead.
Sarah and I spent part of the morning looking for alternate and backup Valhalla sites. There are a ton of good places up at Sundance, but we weren't able to get a hold of too many places. How do these businesses stay in business when they don't pick up? I am becoming increasingly irritated by flaky people.
I found out today that Shannon dreams of being a funeral home director. She's like Wednesday Addams a bit with morbid regard.
The studio is heated up white hot again. I am doing quite a log-rolling dance to keep everything running smoothly and I am currently on top, which means I am pretty much caught up and answering emails as soon as they come in. I have five (five) people with the lash lain to them pretty heavy down in assembly and we are on track to be caught up soon with the exception of a few very involved projects.
With the advent of Tomb Kings I am very excited. Great new models and I have always loved Tomb Kings. I even made an army from my pre-BTP days. It was called the Hidden Oasis. I even won a few games with them. If I beat you down at the local club it was cause for ridicule; "hey everybody, Carl lost to Shawn, come over here so we can mock him!"
I took a walk around the neighborhood just to clear my head. There is a LOT going on that I can't tell you about with Valhalla and the new studio. You will hear it all in June most like. We suffered a pretty hard reversal last night, but I am rolling with it. The major challenge now is it will take $X per week to do the improvements we need to make before moving in. Overages on time have now put me in the unenviable position of paying rent on both places. Again with the log-rolling dance. So, I thank those who have made orders and been supportive. Please don't stop. A) I promise to give you good service and entertainment for years to come in this new and wonderful place, and B) show you how it went when we are done. It's quite a miraculous transformation of this old building. I can't stress enough what a positive impact this will make on the community, all our families, and the gaming community. This place will bring joy to your eyeballs for years to come.
Frankly, I have a hope and a dream that perhaps a supporter will come forward, maybe best in the form of just pre-ordering a year's worth of work. We really need to come up with money to make the place use-able.
I got home around 8pm and watched some cartoons downstairs with my wife and my darling Willow. She's got eight teeth on top and eight more on bottom now. There's no stopping those chompers. And now I go the reward of a full day's labor: a good solid night's sleep.
Necrons Rising
I got a bunch of Necrons on trade. We want to make an Artistic License army (super rusted and corroded, like just risen from the swamp) out of them with the following cost:
$190 for the models, $190 for assembly/conversions, $490 for painting = $870
You can pay in halves ($435/435) or thirds ($290/290/290).
2000+ pts
Necron warriors x48
Scarab swarms x9
Destroyer x9
Destroyer lord x1
Necron lord x1
Monolith x1
Tomb spyder x1
Nightbringer x1
Wraiths x3
Galloping
I was in the studio as of 8am this morning. I am working extra hard to keep it under control.
I'm ready to set up new projects!
Keynesian View: Someone speaks up
As you know, I like to post alternate viewpoints on this blog. This following is from a reader and fan. I much appreciate the input. I will not be posting counters this time, I'm just going to let this one stand.
Please note that this is way different than what I think personally. I don't have time today to speak to it.
To create jobs, a central bank would fuel the economy with money relative to the inflation rates. Now you may think that inflation is a bad thing, but that is not necessarily the case. You see, inflation is the amount of money for a good. An expanding economy has more and more goods, and therefore more and more money has to be printed (in a way, it is a sign of an expanding economy). But the big businesses did not like this policy as it meant that banks had less power than before, and so monetarism took over in the 70s, and acted as a balance between classical economics and Keynesian economics. Monetarism is very similar to classical economics (which remember brought the Great Depression), yet insisted on stable inflation rates to keep up with the expanding economy, which is a Keynesian idea.
National Debt at this point is completely irrelevant, because the government's role is to support the people, and not itself. By bringing the economy back by spending more than they have, they are securing the country's future, as once it is back to normal the debts can be paid off. This is where I think Ron paul got it wrong; you see printing money is actually helping the economy as it encourages banks to invest once again. And the argument that Keynesian policies brought the country into the deficit is completely invalid, as it is currently bringing the country out of the deficit.
So you could blame it on monetarist ideals and the private sector, since they would have let the economy simply die. I think Obama's administration should spend money to help instead of watching the economy drown any day. I am not saying Ron Paul should not be trusted, but before you decide which side to root for, take a look at the true, unbiased, whole story. To do that, I would avoid Fox news...
J.
And while we're taking a walk on the wild side, let's hear from Rachel Maddow
Adepticon Day Zero
My day started super-early at 5am. My wife and I got up and headed to the airport, picking up Sarah on the way. Once there, we checked in, had breakfast (oh and I had my fourth amendment rights violated-- being searched without probable cause issued by a judge on warrant specifically describing the items being searched for).
Our plane was about an hour late. We had some breakfast. I went to the bookstand and picked up a copy of the Economist. Since when did I become interested in that? I'm an old guy now apparently. I was in the crapper for round two when Tamie texted me saying we were boarding now, so that was a fun little vignette as I rushed out to make the plane.
We were seated in the very very back with babies in front and back of us. Oddly, that did not bother me hardly at all. After having four kids of my own I am more sympathetic. It was stifling hot on the descent, but who can complain about a 2.5 hour flight rather than a 22 hour drive.
The big changes to the vendor line-up are the addition of Coolminiornot and Forge World. I don't like Forge World to be here-- they suck up all the money, give no discount, and generally are not helpful. It doesn't affect us since we don't make money here, but I know it hurts other vendors. Coolmini's display is mind-numbingly cool with L8-9 work under the lights and amazing figures from all around the world in stock. It's drool city over there.
Sarah visited our room to watch Voyage of the Dawn Treader, but Tamie and I fell asleep so she headed out to her own room. We're going to try and finish that one today. I read and re-read the Chronicles of Narnia as a child and there's something really magic about seeing it on screen with such lavish effects.
As an added bonus, here Ron Paul makes some headway
Ravens of the Void
I got to play a game today (no batrep sorry, just a summary) in which I fielded two Voidravens.
They are stupendous. With Flickerfield (5+ invulnerable) they have the survivability at least of an AV 12 vehicle (like a wave serpent). Night Shield is also a nasty trick which makes a shot or two fail.
But where the Voidraven is a terror (nevermind the two void lances, effectively two lascannons) are the four missile slots. I took Shatterfield missiles (48" S7 AP- assault large blast one shot) which re-roll to-wound rolls. A full salvo can kill off the better portion of a Seer council from just the number of hits. Against a horde I can only imagine.
All missiles are 48", Assault 1, one-shot and cost 10 pts (except implosion which are 40 pts each).
Monoscythe S6 AP5 large blast
Necrotoxin 2+ AP5 poison, pinning
Implosion AP 2 Pass Wounds test or instant death
The selling point here is that you can pack four missiles on, eight between two of them. Concentrated fire can see one unit of your choice simply vaporized. A salvo of implosion missiles will put the cramp on a lot of the uber-units floating around out there.
Side Notes
1) Blue Table is open for business Friday and Saturday. I am on TOP now which means that I am answering emails as they come in. We are ready whenever you are.
2) If you currently have a project, there may be some delays in assembly. I have already moved to solve this and we will be back on track in exactly eight days. I have extra hands on deck and all hands are being whipped extra hard. Sooo, if you have a deadline or you are getting antsy, please oh please let me know ahead of time.
3) The Creeping Death army will be up for sale as of Monday. $950 sight unseen if you pay me over the weekend. Otherwise probably right around $1250 with documentation (probably done on Tuesday).
4) I will have a total of three Dark Eldar armies coming on the block on Monday: Creeping Death, the Red ones and a third here
Silently Crawling
My voice completely went out a Valhalla last night. I think it will be good for me to listen for once.
I got the two-part batrep up last night. At the very end I express some of my thoughts on the Creeping Death list. I have to say in all I'm pleased. It doesn't take much finesse to play it, though against a skilled opponent, or someone who is prepared it might take some more thought. I mean other than rush forward like a giant meat-amoeba and consume all in your path.
I think it would be better to split the beastmaster unit into two smaller ones as the one large one was quite unwieldy. I am going to try that today. Also, didn't use the liquifier guns that much. Might be better on the Wracks to just drop them as the Wracks are a throwaway unit, or a screening unit typically.
Also, I found out Beastmaster units can't get pain tokens.
Did you know that Wracks have a Space Marine profile, except they are S3. But with Feel No Pain they have arguably the equivalent or close of power armor. They're tough to kill.
The Haemonculi are the wild card of the army, able to be equipped with all sorts of nasty wargear. I had a good time with Dark Gate, blowing up a Predator by surprise. But you won't always be able to get within 12".
This list does lack quite a bit in the anti-tank department and I am looking at cutting the Cronoses. I want to make some freakish meat and bone conversion for Voidravens, which I love. Or maybe using the Cronos models as Talos.
It's 1500 points for the round today.
Wall of Meat
Pic: Cronos conversion.
Ah. It's been too long. Got to play a game of 40K up at Valhalla, and see how the Creeping Death army worked out. It's 2000 pts and played just like it was supposed to-- tons of wounds with high defense moving inexorably like a blob of twisted flesh. Full Batrep forthcoming with my own comments a the end.
If you are a client (and I think all or most of my clients actually read this blog) then please check in with me about your project if you are curious about progress or status. If you are worried about anything, please let me know before it gnaws at you.
Creeping Death
This post to be updated later.
Here is the army I'm taking to Valhalla this round. I'm going to actually play some games. This is all painted up.
1x Urien Rakarth
3x Haemonculous
5x Beastmasters
12x Khymerae
3x Clawed Fiends
16x Grotesques
3x Cronos
40x Wracks
That's something like 2000 pts. Also got the Red Dark Eldar done and ready to go.
Voidraven or Razorwing
Now that we have done about six of these conversion, here is the price. Almost all of these are for sale by the way.
$80 unpainted
$120 painted
See more pics here
And here
Special for March 25-30:
3x Void Ravens OR Razorwings (any combination) for-
$210 unpainted
$315 painted
Child of the Galaxy
The other night I had a dream. I saw myself as a ten-year-old by, as I was after a summer in Alaska, toned by the wild and only a pair of cutoffs, sitting cross-legged on the outside wing of a starship. He is unafraid of the void or the heat of suns, the galaxy is his home, the place that he swims. Before him was a black hole, shrouded with contrails of blue light. He was anxious, for soon he would go through it, but excited for what was on the other side. And this was the music playing (Nature Boy).
Barometric Pressure
For those waiting for youtube updates you will need to be patient. It was a crazy Monday. Something is wrong. I can't quite place my finger on it. It was surreal. Tamie says that it is the change in the pressure for change in seasons. Is that a real thing.
I hope a good night's sleep will put the world to right again.
Valhalla is imminent, still not too late to attend. I plan on actually playing this time. I will be using the studio Dark Red Eldar as well as the Creeping Death Haemonculous army which is nearly painted.
Again apologies for the thin updates. I should be back in form tomorrow.
Three Days in the Rehabilitation Cube
So, what's going on in this little ant brain of mine?
First off, I've been watching Hyperdrive on Netflix. It's a british space comedy from 2007. Unbelievable that there's only two seasons. It's absolutely brilliant.
BTP is expanding. When a business expands you can either cash out or plow it under. I've been plowing it under which means long hours to get the new system all up and running. There's a time investment to getting the human part set up (ie training people). Plus we're moving to a new studio which in this case involves some money and time to get it prepared. The good news is that it's laying the foundation solidly for many years to come. The new studio is four times the square footage of the current one. As usual, always some risk involved. If we pull it off in the next six weeks it will mean a forward leap of about four years.
As usual my top business priority is tending to clients; setting up new projects and tending to current ones.
I'm back to working late. It's rough on the family and requires a lot of effort to keep both worlds humming. I'm getting home around 8pm. I'm absolutely wiped out by that time. I grab some dinner, head to the bedroom, put on Blues Clues and fall asleep with my sweet Willow in the crook of my arm. It's sort of our ritual.
I had a talk with Tamie on Saturday where I'll be going home at the normal time two pre-set days of the week.
So, that's why no Batreps. Just bear with me. We'll be back to equilibrium in May. I want to play a game of 40K so bad. And War Machine. Speaking of Warhammer Fantasy, the next studio army is likely to be jungle-themed Orcs what with the new plastics for Savage Orks. I've also thought of buying six of those spider kits to glob off the forest goblins and put them on foot for the goblin mobs. The army is likely to look something like this:
4x various heroes/shamans
60x Savage Orcs
60x Forest Goblins (with spider fillers!)
40x Spider Riders
20x Savage Orc Boar Boyz
2x Arachnarok Spiders
I think I just made that like 2500 pts. Good grief.
In other news, I am missing all 120x glade guard archers from the Rainforest Elves army. They are apparently just not in the studio anymore. I am sure they will turn up.
Quick prediction: by dominating the market GW is making itself a generic system and in the coming years, side companies will get stronger making non-system-specific models. There will be no way to clamp down on this through copyright law as people will just be using them in the privacy of their own homes. GW will try and regain control of formal play in order to get the "GW-models-only" mindset going again, but it will be too late. They will still do quite well for themselves, though. As these side companies grow, now producing comparable plastics (because let's be honest right now they are pretty sloppy), GW will crush them by lowering prices substantially for a short period of time to drive them out of business. However, none of this will matter as a second company will emerge (maybe more!) and capture the imagination of the fans. This will be possible because a foundation has already been laid-- a network of blogs, groups and tournament scenes. It's going to be a wild ride. I give it five years. Just a prediction-- just throwing it out there.
I've also been puttering around on Sundays making a card-based fast-playing fantasy RPG system. This will solve the problem with running an RPG at all: the time involved. With fourth edition D&D, which is a pretty fast system, it still takes like an hour to run a combat. I'm trying to get that down to like ten minutes, something we can play on a lunch break. I need to scratch that itch something fierce.
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More to come.
Radio Silence
I will be incommunicado until 1:30pm on Friday. I am answering emails. I'm falling behind and I need to get back on top of the log.
Inquiries and new projects welcome as usual. We're ready whenever you are.
I just got new pricing up for Orcs and Goblins (the new models included). I'm ready to set up whenever you are.
I am currently doing a lot on Facebook. For the time being I am slowing on blog posts, well that's at least what's likely to happen. Temporarily.
Note: I will not friend people with no picture, no comment/explanation in the friend request or only very few friends. Sounds sad, I know.
Valhalla is March 24-27.
Adepticon is March 31 to April 3.
So, we are quite busy until early April. Don't let that slow the inquiries though as I am working super-hard to keep up on that and we certainly need the funds.
Making a FW order soon
Want to commission something from Forge World? I am making an order soon, you will pay no shipping (from FW to studio). Want a quote? Send to my email bluetablepainting@gmail.com
Complete Works of Francis Bacon
With a name like Bacon it's got to be good!
I've been doing a lot on Facebook these days. Be my friend!
I think it's kind of lame that I'm losing on SEO to these asian companies.
Today was pretty shabby; one complaint, one stress and one crisis after another. A few rays of sunshine: a really good client dropped by and I also got to just sit and chat with Sarah for like an hour near the end of the workday, feet kicked up. We've been so busy with various projects that it's been rush-rush from one thing to the next.
At the studio I am caught up, at least mostly. We have everything cranked up white hot. I still have a mountain of Dark Eldar stuff that we didn't end up needing for Valhalla. Still a few slots open for that if you can make it up next Thursday.
So, sorry for the lack of content, we are looking good for Wednesday, though.
Ready to Ride
Just got in the studio.
I am now updating Facebook and using that as a base of operations.
I'm ready to set up orders, answer questions.
Got Skype going, too. ID = bluetablepainting Even got a webcam up.
I am currently "on top" which means that I am answering emails etc. as they come up. Took me all week!
Grey Knights are Back
As the bulk of humanity now knows the Grey Knights are coming out. They will be available in just a few weeks (pretty sure I will have them in hand by Friday April 8 or possibly the week before that). Time to set up your Grey Knights army.
BTP has the price sheet already out. Contact Shawn at bluetablepainting@gmail.com with any questions.
First three people who set up their army get the following Strike Force special (must ask for it by name!): we will have your army done by April 28 or you get $100 gift certificate.
UPDATE: one is taken, two left.
Cookies by Cookie
Just got this in my inbox.
Good Afternoon,
Just a quick email to announce our Cookie of the Month Club. This is could be great for yourself or some of your best clients as it offers a membership for 12, 6 or 3 months!
Here are a few options we offer;
3 month trial membership - $64.95
6 month membership - $129.90
12 month membership - $259.80
Each membership provides you or your client with a dozen cookies of a new flavor each month, our newsletter telling a little about the cookie and how it came about. The cookies come in the beautiful gold scroll window box with a satin red ribbon. Shipping is included in each membership, so you have the extra bonus of no hidden costs.
This months cookie is The Nutty Hawaiian! This fabulous cookie is an amazing blend of pineapple, mandarin oranges, cinnamon, banana, macadamia nuts and coconut.
Let me know which membership fits your desire and we will be happy to accommodate your needs to the best of our ability. We will be happy to include some of your business cards or broshures in the each package if you would like.
We had hoped to have our credit card accepting capabilities up and running full swing however it is taking a little longer than we had anticipated so we would appreciate a check mailed directly to the address below. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me directly via email or phone.
Warmest Regards,
Jenna Cook
Director of Sales and Marketing
Cookies By Cookie
131 Salt Lick Rd.
Front Royal, Va. 22630
(703) 434 - 9206
CookiesByCookieOnline.com
cookiesbycookie@hotmail.com
Airport for Valhalla
Airport for Valhalla is Salt Lake City (SLC).
In most cases we can pick you up if you want it.
Shawn
Ron Paul Extended
Here's a very interesting interview with Ron Paul. The interviewer (a Statist) tries to know Ron off the balance beam. Dr. Paul has become much more adept at handling himself in an interview the last three years.
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Accessorize
Ive spotted while browsing online this UK Company that specializes in bases.
http://www.modelbunker.com/
Thought you might like some of them to help out a bit as they have a large variety and you can get some ideas from them.
Spotted these as well.
http://www.modelbunker.com/
Is a high quality Space Marine Commander that you guys can use for orders that are high quality ect.
http://www.modelbunker.com/
Can work for Space Marine Banners that are quite high quality.
http://www.shop.
Which you can use for a Skitarii army or techpriests taken over imperial guard.
The model sizes should all be WH40k size and they have had good reviews/
http://www.modelbunker.com/
Yay ork with captain hats? :D
http://www.modelbunker.com/
You can use these for Dark Angels Shields for Storm Shields for Deathwing armies. I havn't been able to find any other type of shield around that matches Dark Angels.
Ill be commissioning a Dark Angel Army soon so watch out for it!
http://www.modelbunker.com/
And some universal shields. These ones say 28mm so should work for Terminators ect. But im not sure if the Angel Shields are the same size...
Just thought i'd point some of these out to you Shawn!
Have a great day!
Full Gallop
By the way, I've been at the studio since around 6am cracking the whip on myself.
I'm available by phone, email, gmail chat or skype. Ready to set up new orders.
I need to make a Forge World order. My standard deal there is if you make it on my behalf I will credit you 1.5x the actual cost to you in USD. ie make my order for $300 USD and get a $450 credit.
Achieve Dream Control
The soundtrack for this blog post is "Silent Lucidity".
Sometimes I stop and look around. I don't think I'm really here. I'm asleep on Kolob. All time is crushed down to a single point. I never left home.
When reading this, remember that these are only musings. I make no pretense at virtue or intelligence. I am only opening the window.
Now that I think I'm going to live for a notable time more on this Earth I've been thinking of goals.
Family seems to perfect right now. With a goodly wife en-crowned at home and running the operation it all seems so easy. But I would like to see my children prepared to lead their own lives. I have no hopes that they will do any particular thing, though if one of them took over the company business that would be particularly satisfying. I want to be able to support them in training for a trade. No way I'm sending them to traditional four-year college [spits]. I suppose if they became entrepreneurs that would be swell. But again, raising them and getting them set for life is a gift from their parents, they can do whatever they want.
I must admit that professional goals are the foremost in my mind. Here are a few:
- Blue Table Painting is going to be run by me for 15-25 years more. It will grow into other operations and types of things, as you've seen the last few months.
- Originally, my goal was just to pay off my house and live simply until the day I die. That is still the general idea, but heading up the canyon into territory unknown, and thence to Valhalla has opened my mind to the possibilities. People with resources can more positively affect the human landscape.
- Own the land underneath BTP's private compound.
- Own and administrate Valhalla. Do absolutely insane stuff with miniatures and terrain, things that haven't been conceived of yet.
- Be a pillar of the community. Give generously. Train and mentor other small business-people. Start two charities. One will help people get out of debt and understand how to manage money common-man-common-sense style.
- Start our own miniatures battles game. This is the ultimate. I think I need 10-20 million to make a real run using plastics. Even one million would be a good start. Now where can I get that kind of money above-board and in-the-clear? (remember I started with zero and in my garage).
- I will never be in debt again as long as I live.
- I will be involved in politics, not as a candidate but as a pundit. I will have influence but not a vote. I will work for the de-centralization of power. I will have an internet radio show on the side. So, more of an activist for individual human rights. I will not be a shill.
- In my lifetime I'd like to see the demise of the banks. I'd like them (the current form) to be ridden out of town on a rail. Out of Spanish Fork. Out of the State.
- 90% reduction for a bloated Federal Government. Pruned to appropriate size. Functions returned to states, counties, cities, townships and individuals.
- Communication among humans will become more and more open and hive-like. This will promote uniqueness, but will also make it nearly impossible to keep secrets. The entire earth will be re-drawn.
- Social programs in the US will be re-routed out of Washington and back into local organizations.
- Flash mobs of 10,000 or more will not be uncommon. It will be the age of the individual.
- Power will be de-centralized down to the individual and like-minded individuals.
- Organizations will become as powerful as countries. Companies like eBay will have enormous power and income, but there will be a lot of such organizations, and they will be checked by their own members.
- The Earth will successively become more like heaven as the decades progress. I am extremely optimistic about the future.
- Panspermia will overtake evolution as the humanist world view on the origin of life on Earth.
Farther out
This millennium will be about the human soul. The human soul has the computing power of 45,000 high-powered computers. Trillions of terabytes of processing power, probably more. It's enough to create a complete unique planet with every form of life and every possibility for ten billion years.
- It will be about perception. A million people thinking about the same thing with their whole being at the exact same moment can actually bend reality. Nevermind actually doing something about it.
- We will find out that the universe is full. It's more like an ocean than a void. This layer of reality is less than 1% of the net "things going on".
Sweet Spot
One available: ONE 2011 Valhalla Season Pass. Come to any number of events during this year. We will put you into the best available room (sort of like a standby ticket), but will make room for you no matter what with a four week heads up.
Someone is bound to be insane enough to do this.
Cost: $4200
Subject to the normal rules for Valhalla
I would like to thank everyone reading this for being so supportive. I appreciate all the kind words that come in day after day. Thank you. Thank you so much. It's been quite an adventure.
