Vampifan's Views 51 - Monthly Musings 31

Vampirella by Mike Mayhew

As we approach the half year point I have had a very busy and productive month. My painting mojo has kicked in with a vengeance and I have been painting loads of Zombicide survivors and zombivores (player character zombies) this month. Expect to see reviews of my newly painted Zombicide figures over the coming weeks. I have neglected them for far too long and with the imminent release of Zombicide Season 3 (I can't wait!) I knew I had to make inroads into my mountain of unpainted plastic figures. My unpainted plastics far outnumber my unpainted metal figures. Anyway, I am making excellent progress on them.
In addition to rediscovering my figure painting mojo, my card modelling enthusiasm is back and I have been making good progress on my Stoelzel's Structures Brummie's Burgers fast food restaurant model. The car park is completed, The inner and outer walls are all made. A lot of furniture and props have been made. So what's left to do? More furniture and props (litter bins, lots of chairs and toilet furniture) and of course, the roof, which I'm not looking forward to making due to its unusual shape. But I will complete it and hopefully soon. It is a very impressive looking model and I can't wait to feature it in a batrep.

My Google Nexus 10 Tablet

I have finally entered the 21st century and have just bought a Google Nexus 10 tablet. This is both a back up for my computer and my camera and best of all, will allow me access to the Internet if ever I am away from home for anything longer than a day. At the start of this month I had a short stay in hospital (nothing major I'm glad to say) but being away from home for just a few days made me realise how much I missed my computer. I am still figuring out how to use the tablet as I have never owned one before but fortunately my brother is a computer expert and he has helped me immensely and will continue to advise me. It is mainly thanks to him that I was able to get a connection to the Internet for my tablet. I know it will be a great boon to me once I figure out everything I can do with it. Fortunately, I'm a fast learner and I have a great teacher. My brother has a Google Nexus 7 but I preferred the larger screen of the Nexus 10, which is why I chose that device.

I'd like to mention a couple of projects run by two of my followers. First up is a charity event being  held next weekend. Full details can be found here at https://www.justgiving.com/Safehouse 
Safe House is an Edinburgh based 24 hour tabletop zombie wargames marathon, hosted by Simon Hunter from Project Zeke Miniatures and James Brown from Hive City Terrain, to raise money for The Sick Kids Friends Foundation. The event will run from the 5th to the 6th of July 2014, from midday to midday. I've already made my donation to what I consider a very worthy cause. I urge you to help Simon and James out as much as you can and leave a donation.
Secondly, my good friend Toni Morey has finally launched his figure company, Not Yet Dead Miniatures and you can find them here at http://www.nyd-miniatures.com/epages/64700104.sf/en_GB/?ViewObjectPath=%2FShops%2F64700104
Toni makes very detailed 1/35th scale zombie and survivor figures, as well as weapon packs. I wish his company every success in the future but I do feel he will sell a lot more figures if he also produces his figure range in 28mm scale. Still, I applaud him for trying something different.

This past month, I have been doing a lot of reading. I already mentioned and reviewed Juggernaut by Adam Baker in my last post. Other books I have read this month include GURPS:Zombies (review of that next time), Vampires: A Hunter's Guide (review coming soon), The Walking Dead graphic novel volume 20 and Zombie Tramp graphic novel volume 1. I really ought to do a review of my zombie and vampire graphic novels, as I own a great many of them. I am currently reading The Dummies Guide to Nexus Tablets. Well, you have to start somewhere, so don't judge me too harshly! I am also reading the novel V Wars by Jonathan Maberry and I have just started collecting the V Wars comics. Full marks to anyone who guessed that the "V" stands for "Vampire."

Watch out for a special announcement on my blog in just over a week's time, when I'll be announcing a prize draw competition for you to enter. This will tie in with this blog's 500th posting. See you soon and take care!