Some quick thoughts.

 I have some time to post and should update what Im doing.

 Basically its losing. Nothing new there really. John and I attempt to get one battle a week and we alternate between Midguard using John's lovely armies. Pillage and then Hail Caesar or Black Powder. 

Isn't it strange how we now speak of rule mechanisms as defining our wargames, as opposed to actual periods?   There was a time it would be 25mm or 28mm Napoleonics or some such thing but now its the actual rules, and nothing wrong with that, especially when the rules really add to the games.

John recently completed painting our Epic armies for the War of Independence. This was actually the one game I've won. Being a rebel, I naturally opted for the American revolutionaries. The new tweaked Black Powder rules in the Epic sets are very good.I'm not certain about their recommended general ratings but I did like the Washington rules regarding his inconsistent generalship, but its all subjective, look at the Emperor and his off days.

Last week I chose to fight the Wars of the Roses using Midguard. God was that bloody, and yes, I lost again. It didn't matter because it was such an enjoyable game, and that's the crux. Play hard and enjoy it.

In an effort to take up the brushes again, I purchased an unpainted 3d chess set in the hope it would kick-start things. The pieces, loosely based on Vikings, are beautiful and crying out for a decent paint job. The more 3D becomes established, the more I realise that metal is becoming the choice of more mature wargamers whilst younger ie under 50, are happy with all types of materials.I still like metal to be honest, but I marvel at the quality of plastic and the new resins. 

One thing very noticeable is that the trends are for smaller games that take only a few hours to play. Again Ive no issue with that, especially when the game is really enjoyable. John and I still tend to push the size of the armies when fighting the new rule books; we just like bigger armies.