Chaos reigns!

Hello and welcome to Inso's World again.

This week has been fairly good... I have managed to get quite a lot of sculpting in and have finished Sgt Harker:

Click the Pic!

The next one up will be Dutch; the platoon commander for the little Vanguard detachment. He will be based on Arnie in Predator and will have a bolter, power sword and big cigar. He will be at rest, smoking the cigar, with his bolter in a relaxed position and his power sword sheathed.

In other news, the fourth of the half-tracks turned up and is now at the same stage as the other three (all shown here with an earlier WIP of Sgt Harker):

Click the Pic!

I now have to decide on the next step but am having to think about it a lot because of the shapes and the fact that I need to make it a design I can reproduce easily. It is far from shelved, I just need to get the sequence right so that I don't end up wasting lots of plastic.

With sculpting in mind, I have an existing commission that I have started and have also picked up a further commission to keep me busy. Both are in the USA and both are interesting things to sculpt so it is a good example of how international trade agreements can be reached if both parties are open and friendly.

So... the weather has been rubbish this week but I managed to get out and about on my bike once. When I got back, I gave it a once over, lubricated the chain and managed to push it off its side stand in the process. Luckily, I managed to prevent it falling over completely but, in the process, I have damaged my back and further aggravated my shoulder so I am a bit like a hunched old crone at the moment. I can't drive, ride the bike or lift heavy things. Obviously, it was worth it to stop my bike getting damaged but I am paying for it now!

My 'dry January' is going well. I have so far saved £70.70 for the charity pot and will get close to £100.00 by the end of the month so it is looking good. If you want to help with fund raising, here is the link to the story and how you can donate:

ENZO'S CHARITY APPEAL

My son is also dry for January and knows the family involved so it has a personal link to us. 

This coming week, I was supposed to be going to a friend's leaving do but I am unfit to travel so I am gutted. It would have meant a ten hour drive and I am not safe to do it. I will have to wait until I am fitter to go and visit but it is a real shame I can't make his do... We joined the RAF together in 1988 and he has decided, like I did a year ago, that he would leave to pursue other avenues, after a 29 year service. I will certainly be thinking of him on the day.

Well... that's about it for now.

See you from the hobby-horse!

We're going airborne!

Hello and welcome to Inso's World again.

This week has been dull, overcast, windy and very wet indeed... so I've stayed in and just kept up with the chores. I'd like to say that I have been warm and comfortable but the combi-boiler has decided not to work (Repair/service will be on Tuesday) and I have had a rather painful shoulder this week... and I have tried to steer clear of pain-killers for fear of addiction (Codeine is the only thing that touches the pain and it isn't to be taken lightly).

Monday was my birthday. It was very quiet and unremarkable. Any gifts I got, were money destined for Shelterbox (the disaster relief charity that I support) so I didn't get a 'haul' or anything like that... I prefer a 'gift of giving' present for my birthday; it gives a birthday more substance.

Friday was a pub night and the band was very good but with my 'dry January' thing going on at the moment, I was limited to lime squash for the evening... but raised a further £15 in the process so it was a good evening in the main.

Hobby wise, this week has been rather productive. I have been ticking along with the second member of the 'Predator' team (Sgt Harker) but haven't really got far enough to show anything. Most of the work has been on his free arm and getting his heavy bolter looking functional. Hopefully, I'll get further with him during the coming week. i would probably have got further with him if my Corvus Blackstar hadn't turned up. Once the kit arrived, I couldn't help turning it into a Valkyrie so after removing all the inquisitor symbols and assembling it, it now looks like this:

Click the Pic!

There wasn't too much extra work and in another post, I will post some better pix with an explanation of what I did. Once the Valkyrie had been finished, I had my kit building head on so I unearthed my half-track kits and set to converting them. I have three of the kits and have ordered a fourth so I can get a platoon'e worth of kits converted together. I have been working on three of them and have got this far:

Click the Pic!

I have paused for a while until the fourth kit arrives so that I can get them all to the same standard before moving forward. Hopefully, it will be here tomorrow or Tuesday. My aim is to build four amphibious assault vehicles that can be proxies for Chimeras... but they won't look like Chimeras at all.

There are other hobby things going on at the moment but I'll share them at a later date... needless to say, some is pretty average stuff and other bit are a little bit different.

A stirring in the warp...

Hello again.

It's been another week of things going on and passing by.

I managed to get a few miles in on my motor bike and popped over to Marazion for a spin:

Click the Pic!

Only another 480 miles before it gets its first service and the little fairing fitted above the clocks. Hopefully, I'll get a chance to potter out again this week.

Yesterday was spent driving to Aylesbury for a family visit... followed by a drive back and today has been mostly spent in the pub. I haven't had a drink because I am going dry for January and am donating my pint-money to Enzo... read about it/donate here:

Enzo Link!

My son is also doing the same thing so hopefully, the money will flow in.

From a hobby perspective, I have finished sculpting my Squat version of Sly Marbo:

Click the Pic!

I have also been drawn into an idea that I heard on a forum I visit, that involves a specialist air support unit... so I have ordered one of THESE to convert into a Valkyrie. I have also started to convert a Sgt Harker to join Marbo in my Catachan force. Sgt Harker is getting a shoulder carried heavy-bolter and... a teacup...

In amongst that, I have also been sculpting a Frogulon... who will get a decent pic once he is finished. He's getting there so it won't be too long.

This coming week, I expect things to tick along... but it'll be a bit different because it's my birthday tomorrow so I also expect stuff to go on.

Life's like that.

See you from the gate!

The dust has settled.

Hello and welcome to a normal Sunday at Inso's World.

It has been a quiet week again but I have needed it in order to land after a rather boozy Christmas and new year. Luckily, I have made a pact with my son to go dry for January and put what I would have spent, into a charity pot for one of his friends. My pub landlord is very graciously buying my soft drinks for me so that helps as well. The bonus is that I don't drink for a month and a charity gets some pennies... Winner!

To be very frank, the weather has been RANK this week. Storms, heavy rain, bitter cold, very strong winds... we've had it all (not snow, thankfully). Luckily, I managed to get one day where I felt it was OK to go for a ride on my new motorcycle and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I even saw a glimpse of sunshine while I was out! I am hoping that things cheer up a bit more so that I can get out and about a bit more because I need to get 600 miles on the clock before my first service and my little windscreen fitted. That said... there is always a little bit of light to be found in any circumstance...

Click the Pic!

At the end of the month, I have a 'top table' to go to. Basically, it's a formal dining event to mark a special occasion. This one is to join a friend of mine at his leaving do... 29 years RAF service. I joined up with him and we were on the same three-year apprenticeship together. I am expecting it to be a great evening.

From a hobby perspective, I have been all over the place. A lack of sleep has fired up my imagination and that is both a good and bad thing. The good thing is that I get lots and lots of new ideas... the bad thing is that I don't really have the motivation or focus to realise the ideas into physical objects. That basically means that I have half drawn pictures and bits of glued together things that will sit and fester until I get the motivation to work on them. However, it doesn't mean that I haven't done anything. I currently have a 'Frogulon' as a WIP and a Squat version of Sly Marbo. Unfortunately, they aren't at a point where I want to show them off yet so maybe that will happen next week... who knows?

That's about it for now. As is usually the case (recently), I hope to have something interesting for next week.

See you from the Rodney Inn, Helston!

New Year's Eve?

Hello and welcome to Inso's World on New Year's Eve.

Seeing as it has been Christmas week, I can safely say that I have done very little, other than to make merry and enjoy the festive period with family and friends.

I have shared a wonderful year with so many people and have made a host of new friends in our new home, in Cornwall.

Yes, there have been sad times and times where a challenge has been placed before me... and before my family as well but I would like to think that we have treated those challenges with the contempt and respect that they deserved and have powered through.

I am looking forward to spending New Year's Eve in the company of friends and family and will greet midnight with a mix of happiness and reflection but after a year of such massive upheaval and change, I know that I can face 2018 with a positive attitude and a will to make a difference.

I don't make resolutions so that isn't what these are... but...

In January, I am joining my son in going dry for a charitable cause. He has a friend who is hoping to collect enough money to take his daughter to America for life changing treatment so any money we raise, will be going to them.

I will be tying up the loose ends of Dad's inheritance as soon as I can.

By Summer, I hope to have the windows in the house replaced and be planning (at the very least) to have a new kitchen.

I am hoping to get a job... maybe just a supermarket job or possibly, a job in elderly care... I guess we'll wait and see... especially with the limitations my shoulder places on me. Hopefully, I can charm my way past my physical limitations when it comes to the interviews...

Once I have a job, I can plan my charitable activities but this year will definitely see me running to Land's End for Marie Curie (even if my shoulder is still misbehaving).

Then, of course, I have all my hobby activities to be getting on with and also my bike to be riding... so even without too much planning, I can see 2018 being the next step on the ladder to getting more routine into my life and properly settling here with a little more security than I have had this year.

With the new year in mind, I would like to extend my best wishes and greatest hopes to you all, for a healthy and prosperous 2018.

See you from the chair next to the sofa!

Christmas Eve... already?

Hello again and welcome to Inso's World on Christmas eve 2017.

I thought I'd take a few moments to reflect on, what can be considered, a pivotal year of my life.

The start of the big adventure was getting a mortgage and moving into our own home, just before Christmas last year. At first we were sitting on deck-chairs and sleeping on an air bed... but thanks to some wonderful people who worked super hard, all our furniture was built and arrived before Christmas.

The reason for the move was because I had put my notice in and my 28 years of military service, in the Royal Air Force, came to an end in January so we needed to have somewhere to live.

Click the Pic... and spot a very young Inso on his basic training in 1988!

(Rear rank, far left).

I had a great career and was very proud when my son joined up to carry on in the service I was leaving behind.

Click the Pic!

Having lived in Cornwall before, it was a very simple choice for us to move here permanently and it was exactly the right choice. Unfortunately, the house was a bit of a fixer-upper and it still needs lots of work but it was definitely a case of location over serviceability. Fortunately, my RAF pension has meant that I could have time away from work to sort a few things out and as a result, I have been jobless since we moved... which has been a bit of a blessing because my father became very poorly and needed regular visits. Sadly, this escalated to finding out that he had terminal cancer and he passed away on 1st October. As an executor to his will, I was also needed to deal with his funeral, flat clearance and estate so it was good that I didn't have to deal with an employer while going through this time.

Rest in Peace, Dad.

As the year ticked over, we have had builders in to fix the roof on the porch and garage, replace the house guttering and replace our bathroom. I have built shelving, repaired banisters, fitted new fixtures and dealt with all those little things that keep failing or falling off. My next job is to build a walk in wardrobe for my wife so that will be started pretty soon... then it will be windows and kitchen replacement... so a long way to go yet.

During that time, we also had our daughter staying with us for a couple of months and she has now found a place locally where she is close to work and is living with some good friends.

From a personal health point of view, it hasn't been a bad year. I have put on a little weight (which I am enjoying) and have had a complete lack of any ailments apart from a frozen shoulder... which has affected my good arm and restricts its movement so I have to think about how I do things a bit more. It's sore but it's with me for a year or so... so I will have to just work round it. Apart from that... all is good.

In other news, I bought a motorcycle so I am back in the saddle after a lay off of nearly 10 years. It was exactly the right thing to do and when the weather and circumstances allow it, I will ride that bike until I reach the wheel rims:

Click the Pic for a big grin!

From a hobby perspective, I could have been busier but I guess we can't have everything. I have continued work on my Squat army and have even started painting a few. I have started a new little army of Demiurg and have even finished a commission or two. Add to that my little foray into getting some miniatures cast up for sale and it hasn't been too bad. As it stands, I have sold 24 sets of Halfling snipers and all of the Exo Armour legs... so not bad, I guess. If anyone wants any of the Halfling Snipers, you can find them HERE.

Click the Pic!

With all this new found freedom, I have also found myself a pub that I consider my local. It has a wonderful community feel and I have made some great friends. As a result, I kicked off my charitable endeavors with a head and beard shave, at the pub, for Marie Curie and was fortunate enough to raise a good sum of money for them. This was one of my first transformations over the year... and while I had the freedom to do so, I have been a little more adventurous than I would ever have been allowed to be in the RAF... 

Click the Pic!

All of what I have spoken about, has been shared with my lovely wife. She has been my rock over the year... when I have needed direction, she has pointed me in the right direction. When I have needed help and support, she has been there to lend a shoulder or an ear. When I have been 'interesting', she has sat back and left me to it. She has worked very hard in her job and has been the reason that I have been able to go the year without work. Next year, this will change because I think that if I remain jobless for too much longer, I may become feral!

So... it's Christmas again. Here's Edgar's annual photo-bomb:

Click the Pic!

Last night my wife and I were at the pub, celebrating at the Christmas draw with friends and family. It was secret Santa as well so I may have come home with a special friend... who enjoys the same things I do! He's called Dino Martin and he likes to sing like Sinatra:

Click the Pic!

With all my rambling, I only have one thing to do and that is to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

I particularly extend my best wishes towards all those servicemen and women who won't be at home over the festive period. Stay safe, find happiness where you can and get home soon.

Merry Christmas.

It'll soon be 2018... I am hoping that next year will be equally as varied but a little bit less stressful. We can all wish, can't we?

See you from the dinner table!

The run up to Christmas.

Hello and welcome to Inso's World again.

This week, I have just been pottering about and not really getting very much done.

Hobby-wise, I have started to add some plasticard to the 'big-truck' and it is at a very early stage... but it is big... there is definitely going to be a presence if it ever reaches the tabletop.

I have also dug out my Ghar walkers and have re-based the three that were previously painted. Here they are with their Squad leaders:

Click the Pic!

I have started to paint the next three (they were roughly base-coated when they were packed away a year ago so I am now tidying them up, ready for the wash stage) and have also found the other six battle suits that I had clipped off their sprues and bagged up individually, ready for cleaning and assembly; if I am not in the mood for painting this week, I will clean them up and assemble them. 

The commander and the next three squad leaders are also sat on the hobby mat and have had their 'head domes' built up ready for the next phase of sculpting so I have got everything covered, depending on whether I have my painting, sculpting or 'no motivation' head on.

With Christmas getting closer, it is likely to mean preparations and shopping will take up a certain amount of my time so I can't say what this week will lead to although, I plan on getting some bike miles in at some point.

There is also the small matter of physiotherapy on my shoulder... this may end up being detrimental to my plans (depending on what happens) so I guess that it will be a wait and see week.

I guess 'short but sweet' was the theme of today's post.

See you from the set!