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….
Assembling miniatures and model kits is a skill many take for granted, myself included. It seems simple from the surface, just put pieces together and you’re done, right? Well, not exactly. One of the most important parts of constructing miniatures is choosing the right adhesive to hold everything together. Super glue or cyanoacrylate is especially …
Thick or Thin? Choosing the Best Super Glue for Miniatures 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 …
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 …
Life gets more difficult as you age. Game time, free time, all of it goes sideways with more responsibilities. It obviously becomes more difficult to find the time to play any miniature games. And whether this is important or not, I try not to miss out hanging with friends and other gamers in my community. …
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 »
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 …
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 …
These are weird times! Stuck inside, perhaps, or forced disruption in “normal routine”? Time. My, how does time fly? Ever wonder why you lose track of time when you’re compelled to change your daily routine? Or, perhaps why do you feel as time speeds by as you’re having fun (or not)? Your sense of time …