A whole load of new stuff arrived today to further distract me from completing my Iron Fangs, but it is a very worthy distraction. After last weeks Butcher madness, I finally have in my hands the lovely new Kommander Orsus Zoktavir…and what a beast of a figure it is! Standing on the bodies of fallen Cygnarians (and the odd Khadoran foolish enough to be standing near by) Orsus is sculpted in his full berserk fury! To top it off Fenris was in the same packet to add to the mayhem!

"Release the fury!!"

As I mentioned last week, I successful used the Butcher of Khardov before taking a break, notching a whole load of victories on Lola (his axe for those who are thinking huh?!). The Epic version is still a close combat beast but has many passive abilities which he passes onto his Warjacks as he notches up kills, it will take some getting use too when I return to gaming this September but I think the list I have is more then up to the task (More on this list later this week).

"As if talking to one sword wasn't bad enough...this guy talks to two"

I am still chuckling like a bad movie villain…not only did today’s mail have Orsus but also Fenris, yet another lunatic with a axe (sword!) to grind. I love this figure, its full of movement, menace and detail and takes all the things I like from the Doomreaver models/lore and sticks it on steroids. This guy is a total killing machine and fits perfectly with Kommander Orsus, with the rumoured points reduction of Doomreavers in Warmachine MKII its looking more and more likely that I will be fiedling excessive numbers of sword talking loons in the near future…until then I will have to suffice with just the one unit led by Fenris. Great figure I am so looking forward to painting up my Butcher force once my Vlad force is done!

Eggs on legs

I will be honest, when the Spriggan first came out I hated it. The model in my eyes looked like a a red metal Mr Potato head, but recently its been growing on me due to the rules. My second Spriggan arrived with the above and now waits in the queue of 7 Khador boxes that need to be cleaned and put together. They will get priority however as both are part of the Butcher list I am working on (It will all make sense by the end of week post I promise!). It will be most amusing charging around and telling my opponents that they got trampled by a red potato.

"The one with the rifle shoots! The one without follows him! When the one with the rifle gets killed, the one without picks up the rifle AND SHOOTS! "

Random purchase to help complete my list of all Khador models, its actually a very nice figure while the photo above says otherwise. I am actually looking forward to painting my Winter Guard with Unit Attachment, whether I ever use them however is another matter entirely.

So a very impressive delivery today, the sheer amount of pewter sitting at my painting desk is hefty to say the least. I also did something a little naughty today…rather then continue painitng my Iron Fangs, I went and started my Grey Lord Ternion, they are looking ok at the moment and its looking more then likely that I will have them finished by the end of tomorrow which would be a real result! woohoo first painted Warmachine figures of 2009? it might possibly just be.

All figures shown today are available at Miniwargames.com, check out their great site by clicking on the banner to the right.

regards

DiStudios

So another week is over for me and has the spending spree slowed down? Nope. By the next mid week update I expect a largish order to arrive at the door step. SO what has happened/finished for this week? Nothing…lol Yes I know, I paint at the speed of a sloth. But there have been many interesting developments which have all assisted in the slowing down of my work namely: GenCon 09. Like 200 other forum members (You know who you are!) I spent my Saturday evening waiting for the first updates on Privateer Press’ “Next big thing for Warmachine!”. The result? a Computer game based on Warjacks, I for one am in favour of this concept as it immediately re-lit the exciting image that first captivated me with this hobby, the site of a Khador Juggernaut in all its glory.

On to the toys, quite a nixture of bits, some needed for the lists others bought to fill up the collection. I am guessing that I will be totally up to date with Khador figures by the end of September, all that remains is to paint them all! (yeah heard that before).

!Yarr!"

The Koldun Lord is a excellent model and one I am really eager to paint as a reward for finishing the Iron Fang Pike men (curse my choice to do everything NMM!) It will be a nice change from painting constant reds and I look forward to practicing adding lighting effects as I paint the glowing runes.

"Hi Ho Silver! Away!"

Ah the excellent Man O War Drakhun, I almost bought this went it first came out despite being out of the hobby at the time. Another piece I am looking forward to painting up once the ball is properly rolling!

Apparently women feel the cold less...

One of my earlier Epic Vladimir lists included Yuri and his Manhunter companions. The list has deviated so many times now that I have lost count (part of my curse of procrastination I suppose) either way its one less figure I need to buy and should I decide to use the Yuri, Manhunter and Kossite combo at least I won’t find my self lacking the figures. Jokes aside about the bare midriff winter clothing, I actually like this figure but I fear the priority to get it painted is so far down the list that it is out of site.

So those are the goodies of the week but next week is looking better! After doing a little soul searching and chatting to some old gaming buddies it became apparent (due to the aghast looks on their faces) that the concept of me playing anything bar the Butcher of Khardov meant the sky was falling. Using this as the perfect excuse I went and bought major components for my Epic Orsus List (yay!), so next week I expect at some point Epic Butcher, Fenris and a Spriggan…or two. I worked on a list to tie in these components and although it looks straight forward run hit and hit, there is more then meets the eye with the list as the units all work on 2 principles, but I will save that for next weeks wall of text. Adding Orsus into the equation means that my painting schedule is so messed up that I don’t know where to begin once I finish off those Iron Fangs…On the one hand I have my 5 Berserkers (with Drago) Vlad list or the incoming Butcher beat down list, too many choices not nearly enough time! throw in the fact that everything has to be painted in NMM…what a great “realistic goal” I have set myself lol. Joking aside its a great time for me to be doing this as Privateer leave what is essentially a stop gap in the release schedule. With the focus being shifted to the Retribution I will have a good solid four months to paint my forces up before Warmachine MKII, I guess this would mean I start gaming again in 2010 but thats the price you pay for being out for so many years only to come back in the middle of a transition phase.

So it seems the goal for the next four months are set, work harder on getting my armies painted and get both new and old figures (I am sure the Destroyer is getting a little bit lonely) onto this site. Looks like a interesting autumn ahead!

Thanks for reading

DiStudios

The stream of new Warmachine supplies flood in as the week fades out. Today I received my hard back edition of “Legends” the latest expansion to the Warmachine rule set.

Hero's never die they become legend!

In typical Privateer Press style,the book is filled with glorious full colour art and photography chronicling the latest conflicts between Khador, Cygnar, Menoth, Cryx and the Mercenary forces. There is loads of background further capturing the reader/gamer in the midst of a the ongoing offensive, introducing new units such and solos whilst furthering the story arcs of existing characters. This culminates in a epic theatrical conclusion (which I will state here) that effects the remaining characters and opens up a arc for the forth coming Retribution of Scyrah (September). Being a Khador player I was very interested in the goings on’s of my favourite characters Vladimir and Orsus (Butcher) needless to say the events effect them in many ways (no thanks to Irusk who I hate mote and more each expansion!) and at least one of my two favourite characters has a very bleak outlook at the conclusion of “Legends”.

To accompany my book is the legendary unit “Great Bears of Gallowswood” a triumvirate of elite Irong Fang Pike men, whispered in respect by allies, feared by enemies for their great feats of combat prowess.

Elite among elites

These figures are truly amazing, very true to the art work and full of movement which the release photos do not show clearly. I am looking forward to putting paint to figures once my Iron fang detachment is finally finished. So much to catch up, so little time.

Upon receipt of book and figures it dawned on me that I was actually missing a key book in my collection, namely Superiority. I had stopped at Apotheosis and was lucky enough to pick up the Special Edition version and naturally to keep in line with the rest of my Warmachine books I wanted hard back. I have found a seller from Canada and I wait in anticipation to see if this company is the answer to my Warmachine needs. With this in mind the only book left to get before September rolls in is “Pirates f the Broken Coast” not bad for my first week back, I am almost up to date.

Thanks for reading and happy gaming

DiStudios

School was interesting today. We had it in the park, kind of like home turf for me. A few of the Catwalker people I don’t know showed us things on fighting, but the park manager (more about him in a minute) and Fina and Jareth had even more. Fina’s move was so cool. I’m going to try it the first chance I get. I think Fina could teach the class just as good as any of those cat-people. I mean — she said she punched Tal in the nuts, and lived!

Kwahoohoo came for me again, though I think he really wanted Fenna. He kept calling me “Child of the Shotgun”, and he thinks I’m her kid. When I called her on my cell and ran, he shouted after me that he hoped it was her. Maybe it’s a love/hate thing. Or maybe just a hate/hate thing. Either way, I bet that grenade-throwing asshole won’t be around for much longer once Fenna catches up to him.

What else. Oh!  The biggest news of late:  I am officially a volunteer for the park. I asked Mister Fenris nicely about it, and told him how old I was. At ten, I have to shadow someone who works there and help out where they need. He said I have to be sixteen to be paid, but I really don’t care about that yet. I still have 192 credits from my other jobs. Revenue. Anyway, Mister Fenris was really nice, even if Conor was scared of him. I’m looking forward to working there and shadowing.  I will be the best park ranger ever and make mama proud.

Still no word on Miss Marina. I told Fina to come stay with us sometime if she’s lonely. I don’t think Daddy will mind (at least I hope not). I think she could use a hug, and even if it’s not the hug she needs, maybe it will help a little.

A WIP sketch of the main character of Kyle’s story, Fenris! Hopefully I got everything right…

This only includes the base colors plus the primary shadows. It’ll be much more detailed when it’s finished (hopefully).

Yesterday I decided to shoot portraits of our current LaPerm litter, 3 boys and 2 girls. Here are the results

S*AgirsHus Fenris, Male LaPerm kitten, almost 7 weeks old

S*AgirsHus Fafne, Male LaPerm kitten, almost 7 weeks old

S*AgirsHus Fylgja , Female LaPerm kitten, almost 7 weeks old

S*AgirsHus Fenja , Female LaPerm kitten, almost 7 weeks old

S*AgirsHus Freke , male LaPerm kitten, almost 7 weeks old

I went in for my meeting, sweating and nervous. Lo and Behold, it went amazing. It was just my 6 month evaluation. I came to the understanding that I’m far too hard on myself, I struggle with feedback and always feel the need to defend myself, and my boss isn’t as scary as I had thought.

The next day, my entire outlook changed. I wasn’t walking on eggshells, I could relax around the kids, I could laugh again and not feel angry or scared.

It was nice.

I made an appointment to get Fenris snipped. Ty. had felt alot of empathy towards this so when the lady asked, “do you want the extra bloodwork?” and, “Laser costs more then scapel but it hurts less…” I was all for it.

I can’t imagine the horror I would have to endure by Ty. if I hadn’t. “Are you out of your MIND? HE IS HAVING HIS NUTS CHOPPED OFF AND YOU CARE ABOUT A FEW BUCKS TO SPARE?!”

….Shudder. Boys are crazy.

In the Norse Pantheon, Fenris is the son of Loki,born in the form of a wolf and  feared by both mankind and the gods. Fearing his enormous appetite and incredible growth, the norse gods chained Fenris to a rock for enternity. It is said that when Fenris breaks his chains, he will kill Odin and bring about eternal winter. He consumes all, leaving nothing. Fenris is the symbol of starvation and deprivation, the original ‘wolf at the door’.

This is a very simple explanation of a rich and complex lore … more detail and starting points for further research here

I have edited this piece very minimally, and mostly as a result of basic proofing. It took me a while to recuperate from from the events of the last several days. After receiving this story of Fenris’ First Day, I finally felt I could present Finnian’s Last Day, which I felt was too difficult to read on its own.

My esoteric Catholic psychic friend used to assure me that death and re-birth were two sides of the same coin.

Fenris is the new service dog, to whom Finnian handed his baton. This transaction happened so graciously that it brought tears to my eyes.

Here’s a picture of the two of them together on Dawn’s lap:

Finnian passes the torch to Fenris (front)

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Here are Dawn’s words:

Fenris woke up knowing that this was a different kind of day. Maybe she even knew before [she awoke that the sun would rise] to a world without Finnian.

She had curled up into a ball and pressed into my tummy all night [the night before], like a puppy waiting to be born. If I moved, she moved with me.  If I lifted my head, looking for a familiar companion in the night, she lifted her head also. ”I am here,” she seemed to say simply, “I am the familiar companion you are looking for.”

When I woke up, Fenris greeted me with her liquid brown eyes, laughing almonds, all things good in their sparkle.  Before I got her from the breeder who didn’t want her anymore, she had somehow learned to “pray” by standing on her back legs and putting her front paws together as she hopped up and down. I always laughed when she did this. Even though her legs were deformed she managed to enjoy this little prayer dance, and it made me laugh this morning, too.

I gave Fenris her organic breakfast. Then I reached for Finnian’s medicine to give it to him. My vet had put it in a molasses syrup, which Finnian loved to have in the morning.  But as I turned to find him, I realized that he was still gone. Fenris smiled up at me instead. I fished around in the refrigerator to find the treat she loves best: little chunks off the big, meaty training roll we use for all the dogs. I gave her one for Finnian and one for her.  I made the piece for her bigger.

I got down on my knees to talk to her snout to snout.  “Finnian picked you, you understand that, right?”

She wagged her puffy tail and smiled.

“Are you ready to start today?”

Wag. Wag. Wag.

“It’s a tough job.  Are you sure?  You will have to be my dancing partner.  A constant dancing partner to my soul.”

Wag. Wag.

“Ok. I trust you.”

I took out my needle and thread and got Finnian’s service dog vest from the cupboard. I ripped out the seams, and brushed out Finnian’s small gray hairs where they had gotten caught in between. I took the little vest apart and measured Fenris.  Slowly and carefully I re-sewed the vest to fit her.  I put the vest on her and stood back.

Wag. Wag. Wag. Smile.

Today was a big day.  We were taking my son down to Seattle, a couple hours away, to see a Children’s Theater play about an Egyptian king who tried to find a stone that would give him immortality. Rather than finding the stone, he found his inner strength.

Fenris stayed still in her front pack. She was friendly to the people who reached for her without reading the “Service Dog: Do Not Pet” sign on the front of the pack.  When I took her out, she laid down on my lap and didn’t move a muscle during the whole play. I leaned around to see her face.It was clear she was watching the play intently; watching everything that was happening on the stage.

Her brown eyes were dancing as she listened and took in all the colors and movements. I had to laugh out loud for this was the little girl who had lived in a kennel all her short life, and only saw nothing but wire, bars, and concrete.

After the play, we went to meet friends at the food court in the Seattle Center. We ate lunch there with Fenris in her new front pack, never begging, never even sniffing the food so close to her.

Afterwards, we went to see the Lucy exhibit at the Center. Even though I took a long time in the reading each exhibit slowly in the crowded halls, Fenris stayed quiet and relaxed in the front pack. Sometimes she looked up at me and smiled, as if yo say, “This is fun. I love being with you.”

One of the guards at the exhibit who had watched us a long time came up to us.

“She’s beautiful.  Did you train her yourself?” She asked.

It went through my mind that the answer was more complex than “yes” or “no”.  As my friend with an autism support dog says, “they either have it or they don’t”.  You can train a dog to within an inch of its life, but if it doesn’t do that dance with your soul, there is no service dog. Fenris licked the woman’s fingers daintily after the woman asked if it was ok.

“I think she trained herself,” I said.

“Well, I’ve never seen a dog more in tune with its handler. She has been so quiet and good.”

I told thanked the guard and scratched Fenris’ head. No one would ever believe this was her “First Day.”

Finally, we emerged into the cool evening air. I gave Fenris treats and water and let her walk on the grass. She stayed at my heel. On the way home she slept on my lap, looking up sometimes to gauge the stars. ”Are we home?” Then, she would look at me.  “Oh, yes. We are.”

Life goes on.

Dawn

Wearing: White embossed hoodie, black tanktop, ’silver’ jeans, white socks, brown boots.

Listening to: Boyfriend sleeping.. shhhhh…

To do: haul ass off computer chair and do budgetting.

love, audge and fenris.

is the cutest dog ever. He is full of endless amounts of energy and when his little tail wags after not seeing you: it makes problems dissappear.

Today, I had to bring him to the vet for his second shots. Today, he is als three months old. The vet had my boyfriend preoccupy him with a treat and then she jabbed him in the rear with the needle. He proceeded with the treat while she pulled the needle out. Three minutes later, he begins whimpering and scampers to my boyfriend in a hurried, “Oh my god, she did something to my bum. Fix my bum, fix my bum!” We all laughed at his delayed response. Cutest dog ever.

Tonight; we are celebrating. For what? Nothing in particular. Just celebrating the fact we have good health, a good loving relationship, and an adorable puppy to join us in bed while we drink our wine.

Maybe I’ll also tell him that I want to move to Vancouver in 2 years. I think that would make a very happy lover.

I’m taking a new medication. I’ve lost 6lbs in 2 weeks. This new medication makes me feel yucky. My dog threw up and I wish I could. That makes me sound anerexic but I’m not.

Snuggling with a baby in a warm bed is a fabbity fab way to wake up. Its one of my favorite ways to wake up!

I think I’m going to PetSmart today to buy him some stuff because I love him oh so much!

My dog just ate a pencil. Lead poisoning anyone? Good work Fenris. You deserve the Darwin award…

I am getting a blackberry curve. I had asked for a deal and instead, I spent a night fighting with Rogers, on hold for over 4 hours, and actually SWORE (!) at a worker. Finally, I called back and just about burst into tears and for my troubles: new blackberry curve.

I was planning on buying it but the fact I got it free- I also got a iphone for my boyfriend for Christmas.

Today, at the mall, I got him some 170.00 tickets for gaming live. Its a concert type program where they can see live games on a huge ass screen but it plays to the music of the Saskatoon Symphony. Should be interesting- its not like I would know as I more then likely plan NOT to go.

I also got him a World of Warcraft calendar complete with the explanation of, “Its not for me. I don’t play this game. I’m not even a gamer actually. My boyfriend is. Kinda lame huh? Oh well, its DEFINATELY not for me…” She looked at me oddly.

And last but not least- I got him a dress shirt that looks feminine complete with a gift receipt incase he brings it back.

No sign of the quilt, *peers underneath the kitchen table which serves as a laptop table* annnnd Fenris seems to be … alive and… he is chewing on my chairs, trying to eat them whole.

Smart dog.

I picked up some shifts at the daycare so I’m getting an extra 240$. When people ‘work their ass off’ its normally okay. When you work your ass off in my field- its dangerous. You are treading softly on 1. becoming burnt out. 2. hating your job. 3. making childrens lives worse instead of better. You are not just ‘exhausted’ from being on your computer and missing your social life.

I’m a little worried but the fact that I picked up shifts at the daycare makes me feel much better. Those kids don’t really require tons of talk therapy but just supervision. Plus, you get to munch out on the snack tray.

My poor puppy; I bit his tail last night harder then I thought I did and he yelped and my boyfriend put his hands in his face and muttered, “Oh Audrey…” I cried for about 30 minutes, feeling like the worst mother in the world. I got over it fairly fast when I realized Fenris stopped caring about 20-some minutes ago and was trying to pee on my duvet.

Didn’t I owe you something on the coalition? Eeeek.

Well, WordPress had a new facelift. I promise on my love to my boyfriend to not switch websites/blogs for another year.

While we aren’t exactly THRIVING, we are definately irregularily thumping enough to survive. That sounded far too sexual then intended.

Next Christmas, I am asking for a brand new camera. My silly boyfriend works at a home inspection company and he has adapted to using my awesome kickin’ ass camera. So, I would show you the beautiful ice design on my window but I can’t— because he is taking his OWN pictures of windows.

That would be a really cool idea for a book. Just windows. Just different window designs. I’m sure you’d get bored within the first 2 pages but still.. windows, windows, windows!

I wouldn’t mind something like a pomegranate cream and sugar set either.. even tho it looks like a tomato too! Tomato, tamato, tamato!

Anyways, I kind of like it. I’m not sure if I’m too wild about Pomegranates though…

Those fruits are exhausting from an ADHD person like me!

I offiially have a car starter on truck. I’m pretty excited, even though I don’t know how to use it. He gave me the instructions. “Audge; you push the button two times. Then, put the key into the ON position but DO NOT push the break. It will shut down your engine. You are good to go.”
Within 2 seconds, the car shuts off. He walks away shaking his head while I groan in the drivers seat. He looks back laughing. I wave and do the same thing again. Impressive.

The women at the office went crazy over my dog. Then I drove to work to drop off a work and the girls in the van went crazy over my dog.

During my shuttle ride back to the car dealership- the two men were talking politics and I listened in. I need to get with it. WTF is this coalition crap? God, only in Canada could someone NOT know, not CARE, and it wouldn’t matter. Either way, I plan to self-educate myself on this and give my opinion tommorow.