Saturday 9 August 2014

Mes Reveries

The last few weeks have been a very strange time for me what with a lengthy recuperation after surgery.
I think this has been the first time that I have been laid up, with a lot of time on my hands to try and fill. To most people this probably sounds like a great opportunity to get some painting in, but for me I really couldn't face picking up a brush, and to be frank I seriously kicked around the idea of packing war gaming in. Now a lot of wargamers reach that point in their war gaming lives, usually its to do with domestic problems, work, partners etc, some do actually pack in, most take a time out and then come back to carry on.
 I think with me its been a tad different, I wont go into any details but whereas I thought I had my war gaming future planned out things were turned on their heads and its taken some time to try and work out what I really wanted to do. This all sounds a bit vague, for which I can only apologise as this is a series of private matters between individuals.
  I have probably reached what most wargamers would aspire to, a purpose built room, a decent sized table, time to paint and disposable income to use on my hobby, wargaming nirvana and something that I once could only dream of. So what is the problem? There lies the rub, as there shouldn't really be one.
 Anyway, I am going to carry on. I am still going to post a blog and I am still going to paint.
 For the painting decision I have to thank Graham Cummings who has fired me up to paint some figures for Partizan 2015.
 The wargaming and blogging is a bit more problematical as I still haven't worked out how this will work, but at least I have typed this post, so there's a start.
 What I do intend to carry through with, is the sale of most of my collection of war gaming armies, not because I need the money, more to do with I dont really need them anymore.
 The title Mes Reveries seemed very appropriate as it was the title of a book written by Maurice,  Marshal de Saxe whilst he was laid up recovering from too much good living, a bit similar to my health problems, except I haven't been whoring everyday or drinking bumpers of port, [I wish.]
 His book was more to do with his ideas for a perfect army and his ideas of generalship. Most were flights of fancy some however were very revolutionary ideas.
 Unfortunately that's where the similarities ended, as I am struggling with any clear ideas at the moment.
   On a more positive note then, I bought a couple of first rate books over the last couple of weeks, one was titled Philip the Second [ Greater than Alexander] and the second was Marshal of France, the life of Maurice de Saxe.
 The book on Philip described how the father of Alexander created the Macedonian army from scratch and built a Macedonian state when at its lowest ebb. I came away thinking that Alexander just didn't compare to his father who was a greater general and a true statesman, whereas Alexander to me at least was just a chancer with no clear aim apart from undying fame, which he did achieve of course.
 The book on Maurice de Saxe, is a different kind of book, and is a real pleasure to read. It almost has a feel like the memoirs of Baron Marbot in that its writing style is quite humorous.My one abiding impression of Maurice de Saxe is that he knew how to live and crammed a lot into quite a short life.
 It would have been very interesting if he had inherited the Saxon state from his father. I certainly think that the Saxons would have posed a greater threat in Northern Germany if that had happened.
 So ignoring the doom and gloom, and hopefully ending on a more positive note lets see how next weeks big game in Grimsby pans out.



 
 

18 comments:

  1. Whatever the reasons are, or may be for the wargaming 'low' you are feeling at the minute Robbie I for one would miss the 'crack' in your blog so please do keep this going if you can. Other than that do what feels right regarding other aspects of your involvement in the hobby. If it;s any help you would be more than welcome to drop in to Blagdon Hall on any Wednesday 1900 hrs to visit the Border Riever club members, not too many of us at the moment, but all good lads, you'd be very welcome.
    Put a comment on my blog if you fancy coming along http://thenorthumbrianwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/
    or just pop in, you never know sometimes a change is as good as a rest.
    Dave.

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    Replies
    1. Evening Dave,
      Thanks for your kind comment. I am a bit embarrassed by my post actually.
      I cringe at the current fad for people to itemise every thought and emotion for all the world to read, so me posting some of what I am thinking ran very contrary to what I am normally about.
      Anyway, the fact that I am replying to your comment is a positive one for me.
      As for your offer, well I assume your group will be at the Newcastle show, so hopefully we can meet up for a chat about this.
      Thanks Robbie.

      Delete
  2. One thing that you might think about is what two periods interest you the most these days . . . and of how they are different from each other. Are they truly different or just two similar variations on a theme?

    I have found in the past when I get "tired" of what I'm gaming that switching to something very different often reinvigorates me. So if you find yourself weary of what you've been playing, I urge you to try a change . . . and not just a change in period, but a change in the "style" of game as well.

    And, of course, I wish you the best in recovering your health.


    -- Jeff

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    Replies
    1. Good point Jeff, especially where musket armies are concerned.
      I must admit starting work on painting some Stadden Prussian grenadiers has helped, just for the fact that they are a pleasure to paint.
      Thanks for your kind comment.
      Robbie.

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  3. Whatever the reasons for your current situation/state of mind I hope that this works out for you.Give yourself time and space to plan before making any decisions,I have regretted parting with armies ,even years later.Best wishes too regarding your health.
    Alan

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    Replies
    1. Evening Alan,
      Its quite ironic that I started a renaissance army and its sister blog due to wanting to have an army that I had originally sold in the 1980's.Especially after I fought against the actual army last year.
      I think however that selling off parts of a collection and re organising the rest can be quite cathartic.
      Thanks for your comment.
      Robbie.

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  4. Robbie,
    First glad your surgery went ok and I'm glad I've had a positive impact on you!
    Whilst I don't know what the drivers or factors are in making you review the hobby you're right I think most of us get to that point. I'm still disposing of large chunks of my collection and I'm keeping 3 main periods.
    My motivation as you know has been through AMG and as you have seen it's been the driver for my business and my hobby.
    The plans for next years Partizan I think is a great motivator for all. The main point is like you my hobby has been a large part of my life since I was 15 or 16 I can never see myself giving it up. But reality does bite and sometimes asking the question 'what do you really want' isn't a bad thing to do.
    Take care sir and looking forward to game and chat next week.

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    Replies
    1. Evening Graham,
      do you never sleep?
      Thanks to you I am currently painting a unit of Stadden Grenadiers for next year, although they will be completed well before that.
      I really do need to sort a lot of things out wargaming wise, and hopefully this will allow me to focus on what I want to achieve, once I know what that is.
      By the way I have just placed an order for a unit of Saxon Von Bruhl dragoons, which I aim to have painted for next year.
      Thanks Robbie.

      Delete
  5. Sorry to hear your feeling a bit down , hope things improve in the near future , Tony

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    Replies
    1. Evening Tony,
      I am obviously getting soft in my dotage. A good dose of painting and cod liver oil will hopefully pep me up.
      Thanks for your kind comment, Robbie.

      Delete
  6. Rob, I've been exactly where you are now more than once, as you know, and had the same thoughts but I gave it time and things got better and I'm now enjoying the hobby immensely again. I don't know what parts of your collection you plan to sell off but don't be hasty as I regret flogging off a fair bit of stuff over the years. Anyway, I'm always good for a game at yours anytime you wish and you're welcome up here as always. See you next weekend.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Colin,
      I think it would be better if I off loaded some armies, just from a practical point.
      Thanks Robbie.

      Delete
  7. Robbie- Keep your pecker up mate.!!!!! Wargaming ennui is not uncommon by any means- having a little myself at the moment- though not to be sure for any serious reasons outside the hobby. Some of mine at least is mere "period boredom" .
    Like Colin I regret flogging off some of my stuff over the years (I wish I'd kept my Wellington in India and TYW Bavarians for example)- but not all some I've been glad to see go as I've cleared the decks and moved on to new things within the hobby and finding new ways of doing stuff rather than the same old same old..
    The trick is to keep moving and never let the Bastards Grind you down
    and always Remeber
    The Resitance Lives On.

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    Replies
    1. Evening Andy,
      I like your latest post, which again was very erudite? What I need is a good fettling really.
      Thanks Robbie.

      Delete
    2. Robbie thanks- but isn't that the point- not to stick to one style one game one period but to study the breadth and depth of this hobby .
      Now I do some periods- ECW for instance at a fairly scholarly level but others- WW2 naval for example at a more gamey leveland say AWI somewhere in between all thuis depends on mood and time and never forgetting that there are other hats besuides the Tricorn ...

      Delete
  8. Robbie,
    I think there's an issue with your timer, I don't sleep much ( must be an age thing) but I didn't comment at that time! What you using for the Dragoons?
    I think I'd forgotton just how wide and varied 18th century can be. Even for my Jacobite rebellion - Dutch, Hessians, Georgia Scouts, various militia and the French with their equipped units so no real excuse to be bored.

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  9. Robbie,
    Sorry to read your post. I hope that the game in Grimsby this weekend brings some light into the hobby for you. Don't sell just yet since a decision of that magnitude can not be undone once money has exchanged.
    Look forward to seeing you on Friday.
    Paul

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  10. Robbie,

    whatever decision you make for yourself is the right one. I'm just not sure if it will be the right one for the rest of us.

    Good luck,

    James (olicana) Roach

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My 6mm Napoleonic set up.

My 6mm Napoleonic set up.
Austria 1809.

Austrian Hussars

Austrian Hussars
Hinchliffe figures

Austrian Grenzer

Austrian Grenzer
Austrian Grenzer

Smoggycon 2013

Smoggycon 2013
Smoggycon 2013

Smoggycon 2012

Smoggycon 2012
Smoggycon 2012

Smoogycon 2009

Smoogycon 2009
My French getting another beating