COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Update V

Well, it finally happened. I tested positive for COVID on May 19th.

Best as we can figure, I got it on the flight back from our friends' wedding. I took off my mask to have my soda and pretzels and I guess that was all the time needed.

Thankfully, I didn't get it too badly; it felt like all I had was a bad cold (yay for being vaccinated and boosted). But it also made me super tired. I think part of the reason for this was because I'd been dealing with Shingles and Post-herpetic Neuralgia just a few weeks before. I've spent most of the last week and a half in bed...too tired to even work on minis. But Teresa has been awesome during this whole thing and was kind enough to look after me.

Really, the worst part was that I had to postpone a long-awaited trip to Las Vegas. Cancelling all of my reservations hurt. 

But yesterday I finally tested negative for COVID! 

I'm still pretty tired and have a bit of congestion, but I'm definitely feeling better than I was just a few days ago. Thank goodness too! I'm pretty sick and tired of being sick and tired. 

Paint Pot Challenge 2022

A few weeks ago, I became aware of a fun new challenge making the rounds on Instagram: the Paint Pot Challenge. I love quirky little competitions like this so I decided to take part!

Thankfully I have a lot of old Citadel paint pots (which were a requirement) and plenty of bits. I also came across an old piece of terrain that I'd started years ago and figured that it was perfect for a little vignette. I could go on more, but I think this piece really speaks for itself. 

Here's hoping there's a similar competition next year! 😀 I can't wait. 

Game Empire San Diego: The Return

I’m visiting my family in California for a few days after not seeing them for nearly 3 years. One of our traditions is to visit Old Town San Diego, which we did yesterday. Since this isn't really a travel blog I'll spare you the details...but it's got some super cool sites like the Whaley House, El Campo Santo Cemetery, and the Old Town Model Railroad Depot (I'll write about it some day). It also has some really great restaurants (Barra Barra in particular is our favorite).

Anyway, I digress. 

After dinner, I realized that we were close to Game Empire San Diego…the sister store to the now-closed Game Empire Pasadena (now Odyssey Games...going to see if I can hit that before I fly out on Saturday). It was at this particular store's previous location that I played my first game of 40k in 2007 with my friends Kyle and Ben. I was visiting them in San Diego and I still remember how much nerdy fun was had. We were also successful in getting the store to sing “Men of Harlech” as my Praetorians were having their last stand against the mighty Valhallan horde. 

This was my first time back in 15 years.

I only had about 40-45 minutes to look around before the store closed, so I couldn't comb through the bits bins as carefully as I normally would. But I did manage to find a few things...including a pile of skulls and a figure that looks like John Travolta from Pulp Fiction. The used book section also yielded some Bolt Action goodness!

Also, the display cases had one of the largest collections of Praetorians that I’ve ever seen in person! I seem to recall a much smaller collection in 2007...perhaps the ranks were bolstered after the XXXII Praetorian's massacre that fateful day in 2007.

All in all, it was a nice little visit! Next time I'm in San Diego I'll definitely need to spend a little more time here. 

RIP Jimmy

Today we said farewell to Jimmy, my longtime painting buddy. I’m really going to miss him...he was such a special little cat. If you've read this blog for any length of time, you're probably already familiar with how much Jimmy meant to me. 

For years, he would come into my hobby space and either a) demand to be picked up and held or b) jump up into my lap himself. Once he lost the use of his back legs 2 years ago, he'd still come downstairs to squawk at me (he didn't meow like most cats) and tell me it was time to finish up. He definitely had a large personality!

Saying goodbye to Jimmy was one of the hardest things I've ever done in my life. It, however, was time and he let us know that he was ready. At least and Bogey are reunited at the Rainbow Bridge now. 🌈

Meanwhile, it seems that Gizmo has now assumed Jimmy's hobby-related duties. 😸

Happy New Year!

May you all be happy, healthy, and safe in the coming year!