Sunday 1 April 2012

Vampifan's Views 22 - My Monthly Musings 08

Vampirella door poster by Jose Gonzalez
I thought I'd do something different for my Monthly Musings this month and show you my man cave... or at least part of it. My man cave is my bedroom, which means I spend an awful lot of time in there. I love looking at photos of other people's man caves. Inevitably I'll make comparisons with mine. Is theirs bigger than mine? Stop tittering! Tidier? Do they have cool toys that I wish I had? The answers vary, of course. I must admit that although I have lived with my parents all my life, they never ever interfered with how my bedroom looked. Although they'd often say it looked a mess, I always countered by saying, that may be so, but it is an organised mess, as I know where everything is. I think that is a truism of most gamers.
A quick glance inside my man cave reveals one very obvious fact - my love and appreciation of Vampirella. The photo to the left of here shows the inside of my bedroom door, the obvious place to hang my Vampirella door poster. This poster is a relatively new acquisition. I only bought it early last year after it became available for sale once more. For many years it was out of print and I could only hope that one day I'd have the opportunity to purchase it. Thankfully, Harris Comics did offer it for sale and I snapped my copy up immediately.
The photo above shows my work desk configured for working on my computer. I mention this because when I'm painting or modelling I move my keyboard to one side. It's a cordless keyboard so moving it isn't a problem. In the bottom left corner is my scanner. On it sits my ATZ books, some WWG printouts and my zombie head pencil holder. In the top left corner are my Cy Girls action figures. The black box with the three blue dials on is my computer tower. Statues of Vampirella and Lady Death are placed just behind my computer monitor. Below my monitor are my non-Foundry paints and a selection of figures I'm painting. Below them is my computer keyboard. The three black box files in the bottom right corner contain my Foundry acrylic paints. Behind them is my latest WWG card model that I'm working on and behind that is my printer. The blackout curtains are actually very dark blue. At the far right you can see part of the view from my window, showing the school playing field and part of the school. It's a small school for infants and juniors.
This photo above shows what is probably the most interesting corner of my man cave. The picture of Vampirella in the bottom left corner is a birthday card that my brother designed for me. The busty beauty in the photo higher up is Donna Ewin, my all-time favourite glamour model, who rose to prominence in the 1980's and 1990's. She was nicknamed "The Body" and you can see why! To the right of her is my 2012 True Blood calendar, showcasing fledgling vampire, Jessica. Note my four PEF markers that are stuck on the side of my computer. Colin Nash, who made them for me, magnetised their bases. The skeletal pirates' head is a fridge magnet that my mum bought for me.
This grizzly fellow is called Fred the Zed Head. He is the main reason you are getting to see my man cave! I mentioned that he was available for sale on the Board of the Living Lead forum and got a very positive response to my post. Anyway, I sent away for one and once I'd mentioned it had arrived, Johnny/Lord Siwoc asked to see a photo of it in situ. So, Johnny, this one's for you. There are six holes in Fred's head for placing pens or pencils. His right eye socket is magnetic, allowing you to keep paper-clips there. His teeth are removable to allow you to put small notes below them. The back of his head has a slot for storing envelopes or invoices. All in all, he is a very versatile tool and I love him. Note the zombie head pen - that's Fred Junior. Because I had to photograph this, I thought I'd take some more photos of my man cave at the same time. Thanks, Johnny!
This is my collection of 12" tall Cy-Girl action figures. I have twelve of them, which sadly, is not the complete set. There are also three other action figures in the photo, kept in their boxes. To the lower left is Buffy Summers, aka Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Standing on top of her box is Cordelia Chase, a star of the early series of Buffy the Vampire Slayer before moving to the spin-off series, Angel. Not very visible, is a box with an action figure of Lady Death in. The two Cy-Girls, Jet and Electra, at the top of the photo are standing on top of her box. The gorgeous beauty in the calendar is Linda Lusardi, who used to be my favourite Page-Three Girl until she retired from glamour modelling, about the same time that Donna arrived on the scene.
Here are two of the newest acquisitions to my man cave - statuettes of Vampirella and Lady Death. You can also get a much better view of my 12" action figure of Lady Death off to the left of the photo. Lady Death is one of my favourite comic book characters. I bought the 9" Lady Death statuette earlier this year. The 10" tall stauette of Vampirella only arrived a few days ago and cost me a whopping £155.00! The pose is based on an Adam Hughes painting, and I think she's gorgeous. It only goes to prove why I am called Vampifan!
This is my work area, where I do my figure painting and card modelling. The computer keyboard has been moved to reveal my cutting mat and rather small work area. The front row of figures that I'm currently working on are an assortment of Zombiesmith 28mm scale figures. Behind them are eight West Wind 28mm scale werewolf figures. Just to the right of my pot of paintbrushes are two 5" tall plastic models of Vampirella, that I'm taking a long time in getting painted. The cat in the picture frame of the clock is Wiskee, who sadly died in 2004. He was much more than a pet to me, he was my best friend, and I still miss him dearly.
Finally, a view of just part of my huge collection of Foundry acrylic paints. There are another two box files just like this, below this one. At the back end of 2011 I finally reached the end of my tether with Citadel paints and I binned most of them. I spent a fortune replacing them with Foundry paints, although I was smart enough to buy them when Foundry had one of their 20% discount sales. Just behind this box you can see a corner of the Foundry Painting and Modelling Guide - a superb book that I would recommend to any figure painter. I have adopted the Foundry style of painting, which to be honest, wasn't that different to my usual style. The biggest difference to my painting is that I now use Foundry paints instead of Citadel paints. At the back of the box of paints you can see my latest WWG card model that I've built. It is the garage from the Mayhem Junkyard set. It will be playing an important part in my ATZ campaign as Team Vampifan will be moving their base to a junkyard.
As a bonus, here is a photo of where I live. This was taken a couple of years ago, just after we'd had the tiles recoloured. That sign next to front porch belongs to the firm who re-coloured the tiles. I have lived here since 1970 and can't see myself ever moving. My man cave is at the back of the house.
I have another reason for showing you my house and it is this, would you like to spend a short holiday here? I ask this because when I posted my article about my blog's third birthday a week or so ago I mentioned that I'd never met any of my followers. This prompted an e-mail message from Stefan, who asked why don't we arrange a meet up? It's a good question and I'm all for it. If numbers are low, I can accomodate three guests at home. I have two spare bedrooms that aren't being used. If numbers are high, then Stefan suggests organising a meeting somewhere else. Perhaps at a wargaming convention or maybe somewhere that we could hire a room for a weekend's gaming. Regarding the timing of such an event, I'm very flexible as I'm unemployed and don't have any work or family commitments. Let me know what you think of the idea.
That's all for now and I hope you enjoyed a look at my man cave. Next post should be an ATZ batrep. Yay!

39 comments:

  1. Great man-cave. Chock-full of cool goodies and nicely organized. I like that new Vampirella a lot. I'd love to come over and visit someday, but I don't know when I'll get the wherewithal for such a trip.

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    1. Thanks, Joe. You know you'd be welcome any time. But I understand it's a hell of a long way for you to travel.

      Say, did you get my e-mail I sent you? There is a copy of Max Brallier's novel going spare and I'd like you to have it. If you send me your postal address I'll send it off to you.

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  2. Really a Man-Cave to be reckoned with! :D

    Really like all these Gun-Girls ;)

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    1. Thanks, Zerloon. My Cy-Girls are the guardians of my man cave!

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  3. Its great to see how other people accomodate themselves, Im actually just taking pictures of mine, because you said you're interested in other peoples' caves.

    I've just been to England, so obviously I can't afford to go back any time soon (unless I get a well paid job this summer, which would actually be awesome), but I'd probably have to bring the "boss" with me, as I think she'd hate me for going to UK without her, haha.
    I just got fired up to visit that area next time I get the chance yesterday, so you and Zabadak are both from close to Newcastle's?

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    1. Mathyoo, if you wanted to wait until next year to visit here, that'd be fine with me. Plus, you can bring your better half with you, as I have a double bed in the spare bedroom downstairs.

      Zabadak and I do live very close to each other, but amazingly, we have never met yet. I'm sure it's only a matter of time before we do though. There is a huge Poundland in Newcastle, which I'd happily take you to.

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    2. Heh, thank you! Can't say anything for sure, but I really hope we could pull that off, firstly to meet you and Joe, if possible and secondly too see some more of your country. I better go work on my accent now, hehe.

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    3. Really cool man. I really like your taste in PC tower cases, as I have the exact same one. I also have a lady death figure, the glow in the dark one from 1998 available as a mail order from Wizard Comics magazine. I just started a blog for my wargaming stuff. I will post some pics of my cave soon if you're interested. 8)

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    4. Werewolf8, my brother built my computer for me. It cost me half as much as if I'd bought it commercially.

      I can remember that glow in the dark Lady Death figure you mentioned.

      I am always interested in looking at other gamer's man caves, so please do post pics of it and leave a link so we can all view it.

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    5. So much stuff in what appears to be so little space !

      I've got just the venue too for a get-together and the wherewithal to arrange it onceI'm fully fit!

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    6. Thanks, Joe. You're right - there is so much stuff in such a small space. I may show you the rest of my man cave later. It's just as crowded.

      You have a meeting venue for a get together? That is so awesome. I hope you regain your fitness very soon as I'd love to meet some of my followers.

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  4. Freaking cool!!! Love to see other peoples mancaves! I have some pictures on my blog somewhere on mine. Could be I should take some new.

    Love Fred the head! He is so adorable! (I can just imagine you talking to it!)

    I must say.....You have it much more neat concerning paint bottles than I do! Which may explain why I have trouble finding the right colour about half the time.....

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    1. I'm with you when it comes to pics of man caves. If you take more of your own you must post them!

      I'm glad you like Fred. Don't tell anyone, but yes, we do have the odd conversation. Fred Junior likes to join in but he has such a squeaky voice!

      As I said in my post, my man cave is organised chaos. It may look chaotic to some but I know where everything is.

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  5. Great man-cave Vampi. It looks like the perfect set up to while away the hours having a good potter around. It's also a whole lot tidier than the attic I'm relegated to, I spend about half my time looking for things which wouldn't be an issue with your set up. I'm thinking that their is probably a call for a man-cave consultant, these things have to be perfect and I can see yours is quite awesome. I'm very jealous.

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    1. Phil, what a great idea for a job - man cave consultant. I'd like to apply for that post. I wonder what the going rate is?

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  6. There was a man cave!?! All i saw in those pictures were the boobies...

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    1. He, he! Hypnotic, aren't they? I can stare at them for hours at a time and get no work done at all. Very distracting!

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  7. Great man-cave Bryan, I miss mine it is now all pink and girly looking (for now). LOL@ Johnny I have visions of Bryan nattering away at that zed head.

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    1. Daughters took over it, Simon? Ah, the joys of fatherhood and the sacrifices you have to make!

      As for Fred, we're just getting to know each other at the moment!

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  8. Hey thanks for that insight into the life of Vampifan. I've often thought of meeting up with some of the guys from the aether. I will keep a watch out for locations. My best pal lives up in the North East I'm due a visit as he just got re-married and I want to give him some face-to-face stick!

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    1. It would be great if you did make it up here and we were able to arrange a meeting.

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  9. Great man-cave but I missed your coffin :)

    If I go back to England one day I'll give you a call (do the same if you visit Lyon-France)

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    1. Oh, the coffin is well hidden away from prying eyes!

      As for a meet up, it's a deal!

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  10. Great man-cave, Bryan. Mine's still crowded with packing boxes. But that will change around the Easter holiday, I hope.

    Well, that was a much less enthusiastic response to that meet-up topic than I would have expected. Everyone too shy to leave the anonymity of the internet? :D
    Once my England trip plans have come together far enough I will happily get back to you on that offer.

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    1. Thanks, Stefan. My friend Joe/Zabadak was telling me about a venue we could use for a meet up that would easily hold 100 people. I reckon a telephone box would be a more viable option! I can understand that the cost of travelling so far away will put a lot of people off. Even so, the offer remains in place and hopefully I will meet some of you in the future. Please do let me know when you plan to visit England and we'll try and organise a meeting then.

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  11. Very nice Vampifan, it looks like a cosey and homely Cave, there is an awful lot of boobies, babes and Gurps? hahah, love those books I just downloaded the whole collection in PDF format.... er I mean I acquired them, Oh, and the Zombie Head Rocks !! the only thing missing from this post is a link to your Facebook or a photo of you, gotta put a face to the name !! come on ! Hahah great post.

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    1. GURPS is my favourite role-playing system so it's not surprising that I have so many of their books. As for the boobs and babes, I'm single so I have carte blanche to look at them all day!

      I never thought of including a picture of me. I'm not sure if I did that my viewing figures would take a sudden nosedive, LoL! Still, something to think about for a future post.

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  12. Awesome Man-cave, chock full of all the trappings of awesomeness. Bonus to see your copy of Judge Dredd board game, loved that game and played it to death (and fear and fire too)

    A zombie gamer get-together sounds ace, a con sounds like a good idea to me!

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    1. The old Judge Dredd boardgame you spotted saw a lot of play from me, too. In those good old days Games Workshop was a much friendlier company and such a joy to do business with. Nowadays I avoid GW like the plague.

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  13. My blog is here: http://werewolfswarpit.blogspot.com/
    No man cave pics yet, but I will add them in the next week or so. 8)

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    1. Thanks, Werewolf8. I've just had a quick look at your blog and have signed up as one of your followers. I'll go back this afternoon and have a much more leisurely look at your posts but first impressions are very favourable. You have some terrific card models on show.

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  14. Great room and chock full of very nice toy's.

    Might be a good idea to meet people at the Border Reiver games show which is held in September.You could put on demo games too.It will be held in the Gateshead Stadium this year.

    I have three more Zombie sculpts waiting to be based and sent away.

    Not that far from Newcastle myself.

    Not sure if you have transport but there is a new games club which meets in Stanley on a Saturday afternoon.Four till eight.Andrew who runs the club is a big fan of card models too.

    All the best

    Andy C.

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    1. Thanks, Andy. My big stumbling block in going anywhere is the fact that I don't drive so I have to rely on public transport. I think Stanley would be too far to travel by bus. However, the Border Reivers show is very much a possibility.

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  15. You could drop Mark or Rob at Reiver castings a message to findout about a table at the show.

    http://reivercasting.wordpress.com/

    Would be a good place to have a meet up.I will have a table there again this year too.This will be the fourth time trading at the show.

    Stanley can be a pain to get to for some people and others just dont want to go there ;).

    Studio miniatures have some new Zombies due out soon if I remember what Stuart said correctly.The Walking Dead series has been great so far.Never read the comic's so dont know the story lines.Liked the female character who turned up in the last episode with the two zombies.Stuart had mentioned her from the comic's.

    Cheers

    Andy C.

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    1. I think if I did attend Border Reivers this year it would be as a spectator and not a participant. Again, it comes down to a lack of transport for putting on a demo game. There's no way I could take everything I'd need to run a demo game on the bus!

      I have a cousin who lives in Stanley and your remark about people not wanting to visit there strikes a chord with me, LoL!

      I do hope Studio Minis bring out more The Walking Dead figures out or just more zombies. The female character you mentioned is called Michonne. I have read all of the comics and I can tell you that she is my favourite character out of the entire series. She is absolutely lethal with a katana. If Studio Minis (or anyone else for that matter) made a figure of her, I'd be a very happy bunny.

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  16. I can see the problem with having to get the bus with loads of stuff for a show.

    As to the Walking Dead show and range of miniatures I think you will be very happy.Michonne does look like she will be an interesting character.Studio miniatures have loads of new pieces planned for all of the ranges along with a few new pieces too.

    Stanley used to be a great place.It used to have some really good shop's.Most of which have gone or are about to.The Train shop is good though.Some nice items for terrain building.

    Pop over and say hi if you do make it to the Border Reiver show.

    Cheers

    Andy C.

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    1. Thanks, Andy. Hopefully, I will be able to make it this year, and I certainly will say hi., and no doubt buy some more figures from you.

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  17. love it I love it I love it. Soooo similar to mine.

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    1. Ah, Steve, you REALLY are a man after my own heart!

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