A bit of an odd departure today. Something of an update, a whinge, an observation, a timeout.

Back to the real hobby stuff soon.

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Life often gets in the way of our hobby time – it happens, no big deal.

Sometimes life deals you a crappy card, you handle it and move on.

Now and again life throws the whole pack of cards at you and you have to get on your hands and knees, pick them all up off the floor. So long as you have a support network and faith (in someone or something) you get over these trials but walk away with a scar or two. My wife is that someone – she is amazing to me and the reason for pretty much everything.


Right now, life is sitting in the corner flicking cards at me, one after the other, with a sadistic grin on his face. It's demoralising and draining but nothing that can't be overcome in time. However, when life messes with your loved ones at the same time it can pull the rug from under you, threatening the foundations of the strongest of individuals. There is nothing worse than seeing loved ones in pain or distress.

Without going into details, I'm learning that there is no such thing as fair in life and that doing things the right way, as you were brought up to do, is no guarantee of happiness or success. I'm also learning that I'm a stronger character than I gave myself credit for and have an unwavering belief that at some point my/our bit of luck will come and break the cycle. Wallowing in self-pity serves no purpose so, without belittling the big things, if you can look to the positives in any given situation it provides a focus.

It is during such trying times that the hobby doesn't get a look in at all, relegated to the sidelines as trivial. However, I'm using it as a source of distraction at the moment, allowing me to press the pause button for a few minutes here and there. Whilst I can't get time to sit at my tray and paint or build, I am getting time to contemplate my Plague Marine army and consider what's next. My mind can wander in a more creative environment and I come away in a more positive frame of mind.

awesome nurgle bike image from www.ianlogsdon.com
I've almost finished my first unit of Plague Marines and the second will follow swiftly afterwards. I learned a lot painting that first unit, so hope the second won't take as long. But beyond that I'm looking to another quick win. I want to build some bikes. I have everything I need already, I just require a bit of inspiration, so that is what I am doing now. This light relief, as well as catching up with the online hobby community when I can, is proving something of an antidote.

So now I'm ramped up on determination and lots of ideas for my hobby time… when I reclaim it.
Dark Angels beware!