Okay!! My apologies for the pause there folks. Five hours on the road for a three hour meeting will blow a hole in any day, but I'm now back and ready to catch up on our backlog of submissions. Keep in mind that these gaps will happen from time to time as work and family dictate, but don't fret - I'll always get us back on track.
In order to build up a good head of steam I'm going to be moving fast and loose with the next dozen or so entries so please don't be offended if I don't bless you with my erudite (senseless) observations (drivel) - I promise to weigh-in the comments later.
Now, back to the show!
Good man...well done on keeping th ship moving..
ReplyDeleteDo you remember the "bad old days" when you had to write each on of these posts? I've no idea how you did it all. With the heavy submitting this year, we'd have made you mental if you hadn't changed things.
ReplyDeleteBesides that, us Monday posters are flooding you this week. I'm so proud of us :0)
My god that's right, I pretty much wrote everything on those first few Challenges. Funny how things evolve, eh? Crazy.
DeleteSo you are human after all. Don't fret I am sure everyone must realise you need some moments of sanity
ReplyDeleteIan
I thought that this was your job and you only worked three months of the year - the rest spent touring wargaming communities and fine cities of the world...
ReplyDelete;-)
Don't worry about us rabid fools after our latest fix of painted lead!
Damn, I've been outed! I know, I'm just a dilettante to this whole 'work' thing - a shameless amateur!
DeleteIndeed you have!
DeleteI think we all appreciate that you do actually have a life beyond this. It must be so much easier for you this year with almost everyone writing their own posts, so that all you need to do is check them, work out points and add your own little blurb at the end :)
ReplyDeleteYes Curt you are appreciated.
ReplyDeleteYou used to write all the entries! MY GOD MAN! I knew you were mad (aren't we all) but I had no idea how mad! Sorry you had a nasty day of travel and meetings. I'm amazed you can keep up with all of this so no need to apologize.
ReplyDeleteHave you actually read his writing...
DeleteHaha! Yes, the first few years were a steep learning curve but I think everyone still had a good time. Nonetheless, I do feel a little like Tom Sawyer in getting the participants to help so much on the heavy lifting - I'm quite proud of my ingenuity actually... ;)
DeleteDon't be so hard on yourself, you can't be everywhere - and haven't they heard of teleconferencing for Pete's sake? It's winter! ON THE PRAIRIE, FFS!!
ReplyDeleteQuick family history note; Me granddad were a stoker, back when that meant summat...!
Yeah, unfortunately some meetings are just too political to trust to the 'distancing effect' of teleconference and so it's better to be face-to-face. Nonetheless, it does make for a long day on the road.
DeleteMy wife's grandfather was a medical orderly on the HMS Carnarvon at the Battle of the Falklands. He was Welsh and had many friends aboard who were stokers in the engine room. A HELLISH job to be sure, and if they got hit below the waterline...
If you're ever in Vicksburg, MS, at the Ntl. Park, go onto what's left of the USS Cairo, one of Porter's river ironclads. Preferably, go on a summer day, when shorts and tshirt get soaked while standing outdoors in the humidity. Then imagine yourself as a stoker on the Cairo, below feet of timber and iron, on one of thus southern summer days. They were hard men in those days.
DeleteHa! I WORKED at Vicksburg in the 90s doing a miniature diorama of Grant's first day assault!
DeleteYes, the Cairo is a brilliant bit of history and you're right the conditions would have been absolutely hellish at the best of times.
Keep up the great work Curt. I thought something might have interrupted your time. Cheers
ReplyDeleteThis will be the most hobby fun I've had in a few years, and it is more fun participating in the challenge than just commenting!
ReplyDeleteI've been busy myself and don't begrudge anyone's real world issues taking control. I doubt I could wrangle the winter challenge as well as Curt has.
I fluffed this week and all the fortnights so far! ;)