I thought I’d better share with you out there in the “Bloggo’sphere” why I’ve been somewhat AWOL for the last few months and to lay to rest the kind concerns of a couple of you who have E-mailed me over my absence. I can begin by assuring you all that reports of my demise have been greatly exaggerated! (Who said shame!!?) Back at the start of the year I hit a bit of a milestone birthday, rather like Marc Bolan and a certain tree! And this has set me to thinking about life and the hobby that has taken up so much of my time over the last thirty (and a bit) years, and what else I’d like to try before my final slow decent into the grave.
A while ago I came across a post on a fellow bloggers site informing the world of a cancer that was driving away real wargamers from the internet…”posers” who though claiming to be gamers were in fact nothing but shameless self-promoters, who like some sixteen year old girl posting endless “selfies” of themselves, merely used their blogs to showcase their latest figures and bask in the praise of other bloggers rather than posting “Batreps” of the games that they played.
At the time this really hurt me as I was one of these “non-gaming” fakes that apparently caused so much upset to the “true believers”, but over time I have come to the realization that they were in fact right and that whatever it is I do, it is not strictly “wargaming” as there is very little “war” and not a lot of “gaming”, so technically I shouldn’t be inflicting my nonsense onto the proud traditionalists like your good selves. This is not an attack on the original poster, in fact in a way I’d like to thank him for giving me this reality check in as much as that rather than wasting my time on figures that will never see a battlefield, I should in fact be diverting my energy into some more useful hobby.
This does however mean that I will sadly have to let a couple of you down when it comes to promised future commitments, especially Simon and Jez, I really am sorry to let you chaps down like this, but the truth of the matter is I’ve really just fallen out of love with the hobby at the moment, whether I’ll go back to it I really don’t know. So I thought I’d take some time out to access where I stand and Simon’s always excellent “Top ten” post seems the perfect finale’ to go out on. But what I hear you say are you going to do to fill all of this new spare time?
Well one thing I have always wanted to be able to do is sew! My mother was always a 
wiz with the sewing machine turning out clothes both for me and for my Action Men (GI Joe for our American readers), including Wrestling costumes, Cowboy outfits, Roman Legionaries, and even a tiny Knitted “Starsky” cardigan (No really!). One of my biggest regrets is that I never said to her while she was alive “Teach me how to sew”, so in part inspired by my brother in-law who has the sewing bug in a gig way (I WILL NOT however be making a cosplay costume!!) that is one of the things I have been messing about with over the last few months, and no I’m not very good at it, but learning is part of the fun right.
Another thing I have been “ramping up” is my comic collecting, again in part due to the brother in-law attending several (quite a few actually) comic conventions and me being dragged along for the ride, I have been picking up the odd issue here and there, mostly seventies/eighties Sci/fi based stories, but the old collecting bug has begun to bite deep, and the thrill of the chase is quite enjoyable at present. I would also like to take up a sport of some kind, I’ve always fancied the idea of “Crown Green Bowls” (energetic I know!!), myself and a friend played a bit down at the local park a few times when I was a child, and I’ve often said I’d like to try it again, but I might wait till the weather is a bit warmer for this. I have also set up a new “blog” for my brother in-law to post all the stuff he has going on within “cosplay” adventures (I added a link to this at the bottom of the post*). But anyway there you go plenty of options on the table to keep me going for a while.
So before I go off into the sunset, I just want to say that it has been a privilege blogging, talking and in some cases even meeting you all, and I wish you all the very best with your gaming (or indeed whatever you do), I shall still be about occasionally posting comments on your excellent blogs (I’m not quite ready to go totally cold turkey just yet). I’d like to finish by pointing you all over to the right where if you scroll down a bit you will come across my “blogroll” please, PLEASE! do work your way through all of the blogs listed there, everyone is a feast of content and have the writers own unique spin on your wonderful hobby, all are deserving of your “followage” (not a word but you know what I mean).
Cheers Roger.
Rantings from under the Wargames table 
I am truly saddened to hear you that someone else’s views men’t you no longer enjoy your hobby. At the end of the day there is no right or wrong on what people choose to blog about. and I for one will really miss your posts as I looked forward to seeing your latest creation each time.
I do hope you get as much enjoyment out of your new pursuits as your old one, and hope we can stay in contact.
All the very best Dave
Gutted, Roger, simply gutted. Personally I would echo all of Dave’s sentiments, and simply say that your painting/posting/sculpting/conversation has inspired me to paint and post all manner of figures I’d never have thought of tackling – a certain Nazarene springs to mind for a start, and an inhuman teleporting dog!!! Please do stay in touch, even if it is just the odd comment here and there, as from my point of view, this great hobby of ours will be all the poorer for your absence.
To be honest I don’t really understand? Who cares what others think or say? Your stuff is great and you enjoy it. I (we) don’t want you to go!! I’m all for expanding on hobbies she why not include your sewing and cosplay on here as well? Just do what makes you happy mate. Take care.
Hmmm, i feel somewhat responsible for this. Whilst I was having a bit of a rant at the time, my intention was not to discourage people from posting or blogging about whatever they choose, but to be more honest about how they define themselves. If you don’t play games with your figures, don’t call yourself a gamer – that was my point. However, that was just my opinion at the time, Roger – it’s YOUR hobby and however you choose to enjoy it is entirely up to you. If a break from the hobby to pursue other interests is what it takes to fall in love with the hobby again, then so he it, but I think it would be s mistake to divorce yourself entirely from it, as your sculpting skills are legendary, your paintwork always impresses and your posts slways entertain and make me smile.
I am very saddened by your decision to leave the hobby. I always say if you’re running a blog, post whatever you want and never ever be influenced by others. It’s your blog and your rules as to what goes in it. Nevertheless, I wish you all the best for the future but I will certainly miss you.
Whoever that other blogger is, they sound like a complete tosser (I’d use much harsher language if this were my own blog, but you get the point). If anything, the “cancer” is dreckheads who get too wrapped up in their own little sets of hobby labels, and they can take a running jump. Gutless POS who wouldn’t likely dare say something like that to your face but happy to carry on like fools from the safety of their keyboards.
That aside, if you’re not feeling the blogging/painting/modelling thing, then do indeed take the time to reflect on what you want to do, what you enjoy, what you don’t want to miss out on. IRO also makes a good point. This is your blog, so feel free to post (or not) about whatever you like. Post up your dolly clothes, post about your comics, and latest hauls and loot, or whatever entertains you when the mood takes you. (I have a substantial 1:6 collection, so just joking with you on the “dolly” thing.)
Anyway, hope to still see you around! 🙂
Fully agree with this, and the above posters. Who cares how another blogger (who you possibly will never meet) thinks about your output?
From my side, I treat my blog as a personal diary as I find it can inspire me to keep progressing with some projects that I might otherwise have let go early.
Anyway, good luck however you approach this.
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Ah, that’s a real shame, I’m sorry to read this. There’s always some ass out there who ought to keep their opinions to themselves, trying to get their jollys by spoiling things for other people. Do what you want to do, whatever you enjoy in life and whatever that is – don’t let some fool ruin it for you! 🙂
I agree with the chaps/chapesses, do your thing, no matter if it is comics, sewing etc. It would be a pity to lose you due to someones weird ideas what a ‘real’ wargamer should blog about. Fun fact: I am also disqualified. I didn’t game in years, yet I build and paint. In any case, if you don’t feel the hobby love at the moment, take a break. It will come back. It always does for me. If not, make it a sewing or comic blog. I stay and listen.
Come on man, look at all the love you’re getting. Even that Carrion chap is here to put things clear. I vote you stay another six months and if you’re still feeling you’ve lost your mojo then go and knit or sew or dress up as your favourite super hero and save the world. PS as I’m assuming that I’m your favourite super hero I only wear an animal print G-string when fighting crime and saving the planet. I’d be more than happy to lend you a spare G as long as your size is FIT 👍🏼Stay!!!!!!!!
Reblogged this on imperial rebel ork and commented:
Help me talk Roger into staying with his blog. It’s always fun and very interesting to read. Let’s not let him slip away into the never never. Let’s pursuade him into sticking with it.
Follow him, like his posts and comment. He’s a great bloke and we need more like him.
Cheers
IRO
It’ll be a shame to see you leaving, especially as I just found you and your blog.
But at the end of the day you’ve got to do what is right for you. If the hobby isn’t feeling right for you at the moment then it’s a good excuse to try something else!
It’s not like the hobby is going anywhere and if you ever feel ready to pick it back up again you’ll come back to it with a fresh feeling.
Don’t force yourself to be or do anything you don’t want, but it is a shame that gatekeepers put you off doing something you once loved.
All the best
Jenn
Sorry it’s got to this mate ,having reached the young age of 64 I don’t normally take much shit to heart from anyone ,but having said that I was a bit taken aback when an acquaintance bagged my work saying it was pretty average . I have not in my year blogging ,received anything but positives from you lads ,so I’m bit sad that this has happened, but maybe a change for the moment might be good ,who knows ,after a break you might want to come back to the fold ,from what I’m reading there would be a lot of cheering if you did ! . So good luck with the new ventures and keep well mate ,rgds Pat .
Well, this sucks.
Discovered your blog care of IRO’s post and am now following as you have some very interesting content. I’m not a gamer, never have been, never will be. I’m a modeller specialising in figures, vignettes and dioramas. Started on 54mm many, many years ago but now pretty much do 28/32mm scale only. My interest is gaming is purely for the figures and boards. Time and again I hit the wall and lose my mojo but it always comes back and I never deviate from doing “my” thing. Whatever you decide to do don’t be swayed by the opinions of others.
Shame to read about this, Roger! Funnily enough, I’ve wargamed since I was a nipper but I seem to paint more and blog about that than I do about games these days! My painting’s nowt special, so I’m not showcasing anything really, but I like sharing what I do and if one person likes one post it’s been worthwhile. Painting stuff with the aim of gaming with it gives me structure and purpose I think, making it a more dynamic hobby.
But on your blog you can do what you want, whenever you want to and stuff the critics! You are your own boss, much like I am (and I have my wife’s permission to say that). So, whatever you do, just enjoy it!
Dude, I just arrived and followed your blog.it would be a pity if I got here just as you packed it in. If it makes you any better I started my blog in September 2017 and in that time I have played in one Games day and one HOTT tournament. Pretty much I am posting every day on the whole with stuff I have painted that evening. Hope to read of your adventures in the future, cheers Stephen
Wow! well first of all many, many thanks for all the kind positive comments, rather than reply to them all individually, I’ve decided to write another post covering all the points raised and going into a bit more detail, of whats happened and is going to happen, probably be the weekend before it’ll be posted, but till then, again many thanks and wow!
Cheers Roger.
Hey man, I’m sorry that you have lost some motivation for the hobby, I know it happens to so many and maybe you come back and maybe you won’t. Your blog is worth reading and will certainly be missed if it doesn’t get another post.
I would like to say however that I would like to disagree with one thing you said… The poster of that comment about “true” wargamers was not in the right to make such a statement and never will be. Opinion is one thing but simply stating that people who want to showcase their minis are ruining the hobby? That’s just needless hostility. If thats how they feel they should keep that to themselves and just ignore the blogs they don’t like, I don’t see how it is negatively effecting them… I can though see how their comments could effect others. You say you have been doing this for decades, maybe it’s time to move on and maybe this would have come about naturally without seeing that post… But what if a kid had seen that? I’m happy to post my stuff as I’m great ful for feedback and want to improve, I try to do the same for others. If some impressionable child had seen that though and lost the confidence to continue, then shame on them for adding to the toxicity of the wargaming community.
That being said, I personally feel that despite how disgusting and spiteful that behavior is, it’s very much a minority. If you want to share an opinion, paint a mini or even showcase your latest sewing project on your “wargaming” blog, you DO IT. If you don’t have time, then fine… But don’t let words like that from discouraging you from sharing your hobby, allowing both you and anyone who wants to read your posts to benifit from it.
I know I seem to be going off on one a bit but when I started integrating into the hobby community on social media, I discovered two things:
1. An amazing pool of like minded, positive individuals who suppose to and encourage each other. To the extent that I have made some friends through it.
2. That there are issues I feel very strongly about that effect a lot of people, like Inclusion.
I had never heard of “Gatekeeping” before entering the community, but it exists. People who exclude people from something based on some sort of misguided mindset. Those people whose blog you read? That’s what they are doing, saying that certain people are not welcome in the community, when in reality they do not speak for most of us and it’s behaviour like that, that is not welcome. It’s rude, cruel and unnecessary.
I’m glad you are finding time for some of your other interests! That’s very cool and you should feel welcome to share it though your blog or any form or social media you wish. I think it’s sad that blogs are on the decline, but you do what ever is most positive for you. Hope your doing ok and let us know what you get up to next if you find the time and inclination!
Roger my friend, I wish you’d keep on (selfishly) as I have enjoyed greatly your posts and your feedback. Being a gamer, a modeler, a golfer, and a number of other things, I must say that the only opinion on those or any other definitions that matters is the one in your head. Who cares if you play once a freaking decade? I did not play for decades, yet always considered myself a gamer. Plus, I still have a raft of WSD stuff to paint up and amuse you before we all assume room temperature. Wish you happiness and that I get to see some of that, but no matter what, thanks for all the inspiration over the years. And to quote Richard Nixon, “NEVER LET THE BASTARDS GET YOU DOWN!”.
You’re always welcome in my world Roger. Best, Mark
Also found you thanks to IRO so now have another bucketload of content to read on my commute, excellent stuff! I’d like to say that i’m primarily a gamer but that’s a lie. I’m primarily a father and everything else gets squeezed in around that. My painting side was previously poor and in any normal situation I would have been embarrassed to post pictures but i’ve found the blog-a-sphere community to be really kind and supportive (especially half the people in this comment section) and they’ve really helped me learn to like that side and I love getting inspiration from their creations and amazing work. What i’m trying to say is this is an all encompassing hobby, whether gaming, building, painting, modelling or even just writing about your hobby (or random musings) so don’t lose heart and you wouldn’t have any followers if they didn’t like your content!