Our Miniature Hobby Lifestyle
A blog, a journal, a lab notebook, whatever comes to mind and sticks, you’ll find here. Find written ruminations from the quiet margins of life….
All of the world is connected. Some connections form easily. Others are strained, broken, or misaligned—and we emerge changed as a result. As I paint—building a finished miniature step by step, layer by layer—I’ve come to realize that the practice of miniature painting closely mirrors the art of finding, maintaining, and nurturing human relationships. In […]
Miniature Painting and the Art of Human Relationships Read More »
“The other shoe is about to drop,” they say—and I often feel. As you get older, it seems that life’s burdens accumulate, building up toward a critical mass, crossing a threshold into a state-of-being that becomes your everyday. Is this you? Here, I explain how anxiety operates in my own life, shaped largely by uncertainty
Anxiety is the Future, and It is Bright Read More »
Do you enjoy playing tabletop wargames? I have a personal take on why I love playing these miniature battles. One of the goals of this site is to help the community grow. A challenge, of course, is that not everyone understands why people like playing tabletop wargames. So, in the following article, I’ll attempt to
Why I Enjoy Tabletop Miniature Wargaming (Editorial) Read More »
In the quiet of the night, when the world seems to slow down, I often find myself reflecting on the day’s rush, the unending tasks, and the pervasive feeling of tiredness that seems to cloud my mind. It’s not the physical exhaustion that weighs heavily upon me; it’s a more profound sense of weariness, a
Feeling Exhausted by Your Hobbies? Rekindle the Mission Read More »
Every weekday morning, my walk from the parking lot to my lab takes me past the entrance of a military hospital. On the surface, it’s an ordinary stroll, but the people I pass every day are far from ordinary. They are injured veterans, men and women whose scars—visible or invisible—tell stories of battlefields stretching from
A Morning Walk Through The Landscapes of Human Resilience Read More »
I got lost for a while back there. Not lost in the sense of not knowing where I am, but lost in the sense of feeling disoriented and confused. And, it is often “stopping” to smell the roses that helped me find my way again. Here, it was a road trip. At these moments which
It’s Okay to Be Like a Child Read More »
Ever have a problem with getting started with a project? I find that as I get better at doing something, the harder it is to continue. After a bit of introspection, I realized that this is a key symptom of “aspiration paralysis”. As I get better and more confident, my natural inclination is to expect
The Benefits of Low Expectations (10 Creative Tips) Read More »
I work in a job that requires high emotional resilience against judgement. And, I also engage in a creative hobby that often requires that I share my work in the public domain, open to harsh criticism. I wish I could say that I’ve unlocked a secret to enduring the emotional rollercoaster. But I wrestle between
How to Build Emotional Resilience Against Judgement (Editorial) Read More »
I often get asked why I write so much about hobbies, thoughts, and insights. The simple answer is that it’s something I’m passionate about. But there’s more to it than that. It’s kind of an identity. I think it’s important to have a hobby or creative outlet that is entirely your own. Something that you
Hobby Writing and Intrusive Thoughts (Editorial) Read More »
Do you ever feel like you’re just not good enough? That no matter how hard you try, you can’t seem to achieve your goals? If so, you’re not alone. In fact, this is a feeling that nearly everyone experiences at some point in their lives. The key to overcoming this feeling is to learn from
What Painting Miniatures Teaches You About Blood and Failure Read More »
Unmotivated? Lost the mojo for writing or creating whatever you usually enjoy doing? I have a few thoughts on this issue. But, I’ve also got a problem. Hah! Here I am sitting in front of my computer, gnawing on a pen (bad habit). And, I do want to write! But, I don’t know why I
The Case for Blogging (Mindful Proliferation) Read More »
A true infinity black background is a great way to create a dramatic atmosphere in your miniature photos. But, many people don’t realize how difficult it is to create a true black background, until they take their first few pictures. A black backdrop in your photos of painted miniatures is hard to achieve! Sometimes the
How to Photograph Miniatures with a Black Background (Guide) Read More »
Ever walk through nature and stumble upon the unexpected thoughts? Discovery is a thrill I need. Although I’m all grown up, the childlike sense of wonder continues to put a smile on my face. During this tough time across the globe, I decided to visit a local State Park. Of course, the cold blustery weather
Chaos and Purpose in Nature: A Photography Walkabout Read More »
Did you know we all play the same secret game? No matter what you play, a board game, a tabletop miniature skirmish, or roleplaying game like Dungeons & Dragons, the rules make games happen. As I watch my kids play with their toys, I notice that they make rules. They have rules for have a
Just Thinking: The Secret Game We All Play Read More »
Are you facing something hard? Is there some circumstance that requires that you make a hard decision? A hard decision is any choice you make that may have serious or even irreversible consequences. They are tough, because there is a small margin for error. This could be a professional career making decision, an issue about
How to Make Hard Choices Read More »