Sidetracked by Dexter

I have a confession to make. I've been a little sidetracked from my painting projects over the last week or so because I've been watching the first two series of Dexter on DVD. I get most of my painting or other projects done after the kids have gone to bed. But now I have a rival for my time in the form of the charming serial killer from Miami. I saw the pilot episode for this some time ago but living in the dark ages (ie without a Sky+ to record the series) I invariably missed the following episodes. Now I'm catching up with the series and even the wife is enjoying the show. I love the dark humor that runs through the scripts and I think Michael C. Hall plays his role brilliantly.

New Project - Gunman

I've started prep'ing a number of models for a possible Call of Cthulhu game in the near future. I have a selection of miniatures that would be suitable for a 1920's setting and this is the first that I am working on.
I'm still at the starting stages, having basecoated and begun the highlighting process. I'm experimenting with a more 'painterly' style this time (i.e. slapping-it-on-while-wearing-a-béret) but I'm not sure it's turning out how I want.

I'll post more pictures as I progress with this model.

Museum of Childhood

OK gamers, here's a tip. It's Sunday and the the kids are driving you crazy (Its in their job description). Your never going to get the peace and quiet you need to paint that model, read that book, write a scenario or just play the game. So why not "kill two birds with one stone" as the saying goes. If you live in or near London take the kids to the Museum of Childhood in Bethnal Green. The kids will be guaranteed to have a good time and I suspect most adults do to. There are plenty of toys on display that will make you feel young again and some that will almost certainly elicit an excited exclamation of "I had one of those!". There is an interesting section on Toy soldiers including some moulds for casting metal models which were interesting to see. This is a chance for you to look all innocent at your partner and say "I never knew these were here" and then turn to the kids and start their indoctrination in 'The way of the miniature'.

The Museum of Childhood is open Monday-Sunday from 10:00 to 17:45 and is just five minutes walk from Bethnal Green Tube Station. And the best bit... admission is absolutely FREE.

Strange Dice

Just a quick post today but maybe one that will provoke a Strong response. After all I know how protective gamers get about their dice... myself included. But what in the name of Gygax is the point of crystal dice?
I bought a set some years ago at Dragonmeet and try as I might I can't bring myself to use them in a real game. I'm half afraid my fellow gamers will just laugh at me and I know that the darn things aren't very practical... unless you like squinting with your eyes and muttering "what number is that?... can I roll that again?". They are even less practical than those miniature dice sets you can buy. You know the ones that are slightly larger than a grain of sand.

Give me proper sized dice. Preferably made of high grade steel. You get a much better trajectory from metal dice and they keep the GM on his toes.